Characterization of Starch in Cucurbita moschata Germplasms throughout Fruit Development.

Pumpkins (Cucurbita moschata; Cucurbitaceae) are the rich source of nutrients and valued for their biologically active substances to be used for the treatment of several diseases. The contents, composition, and conformation of starch are the significant quality traits of C. moschata. Two germplasms were targeted for analysis regarding the taste difference. Results indicated that the total starch contents and amylose/amylopectin ratio were high in CMO-X as compared to CMO-E during each fruit development stage. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that smooth surface starch granules fused together to enhance the starch accumulation. For a comparison of fruit development in CMO-E and CMO-X, the putative pathway for starch metabolism was developed and homologs were identified for each key gene involved in the pathway. GBSS and SBE were correlated with the difference in the amylose/amylopectin ratio of CMO-E and CMO-X. Conclusively, the developmental regulation of genes associated with starch accumulation can be considered as an important factor for the determination of fruit quality.

Synthesis of quinolin-2-one alkaloid derivatives and their inhibitory activities against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Based on an established common pharmacophore of HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNTTIs), a series of quinolin-2-one derivatives were synthesized and assayed for their in vitro activities against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) for the first time. Some of the tested compounds were active against HIV-1 RT. Compounds 4a2 and 4d2 showed inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of 0.21 and 0.15 mM, respectively, with a mode of interaction with RT residues of the allosteric pocket similar to that of efavirenz.

[Suppression of multiple myeloma tumor growth in vivo by transfection of platelet factor 4 or 17-70 cDNA].

This study was purposed to investigate the effects of viral vector-mediated gene transfer of platelet factor 4 (PF4) or 17-70 cDNA on cell growth of multiple myeloma (MM) in vivo. Full length and p17-70 cDNA of PF4 were cloned into virapower system to transfect packing cell line 293 and produce lentiviral vectors. 3 multiple myeloma cell lines were transferred platelet factor 4 or 17-70 cDNA by lentiviral vectors. SCID-rab mice models of multiple myeloma were established by injecting U266 multiple myeloma cells selected. The human light chain proteins and VEGF in serums of mice were detected every 2 weeks. The volumes and vascular density of tumors as well as survival time of mice were observed. The results showed that the MM cells expressing foreign genes were identified and screened. There were significant difference of VEGF levels in the supernatants of MM cells between each groups (p<0.01). The SCID-rab models of U266 cells were established successfully. There were significant differences in light chain protein and VEGF in serums among three groups (p<0.01). The light chain protein and VEGF in mice serums of 17-70 cDNA groups were less than that of PF4 group (p<0.01). The light chain protein and VEGF in mice serums of PF4 group were less than that of control group (p<0.01). There were significant differences in the tumor volumes and the vascular density of tumor among 3 groups (p<0.05). The results also showed that there were significant differences of overall survival in 3 different groups of SCID-rab MM models. The overall survival in control group was shortest as compared with other groups (p<0.05). It is concluded that the cell growth of multiple myeloma is suppressed in vivo by transfection of platelet factor 4 or 17-70 cDNA and the overall survival of transfected mice will be prolonged.

[Influence of different spliceosomes of overexpressed XBP-1 on differentiation of myeloma cells].

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of 2 different spliceosomes of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1), the spliced form XBP-1s and unspliced form XBP-1u, on myeloma cell differentiation and its mechanism. The overexpression plasmids pcDNA3.1-C-XBP1u and pcDNA3.1-C-XBP1s were constructed and transfected into myeloma cell line U266, RPMI8226. The morphology of U266 and RPMI 8226 cells was observed by means of light microscope, the expression rate of CD49e on cell surface was detected by flow cytometry, the ELISA was used to determine the changes of light chain protein level in supernatants of cell culture, the Western blot was used to assay the expression changes of XBP1u and XBP1s. The results showed that the overexpression of XBP1u could promote the myeloma cell differentiation morphologically displaying the maturation of plasmocytes, the CD49e positive expression rates on surface of U266 and RPMI8226 cells were obviously up-regulated from 9.02±0.3% and 5.17±0.92% in control group to 27.7±1.14% and 13.97±1.79% respectively (p<0.01), the levels of light chain protein in supernatants of U266 and RPMI 8226 cell cultures increased from 474.75±19.52 ng/ml and 289.44±6.19 ng/ml in control group to 692.34±21.17 ng/ml and 401.55±13.7 ng/ml respectively (p<0.01, p<0.05), while the above-mentioned parameters in the overexpressed XBP-1s showed no significant changes, which indicated no promotive effect of overexpressed XBP1s on myeloma cell differentiation. It is concluded that the up-regulation of XBP-1u expression plays an important role in the differentiation of myeloma cells.

[Mechanism study on low dose tunicamycin inducing myeloma cells differentiation via unfolded protein response].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of myeloma cell differentiation induced by low dose tunicamycin. METHOD: U266 and RPMI8226 cells were incubated with low dose tunicamycin for 72h. Surface CD49e expression was assayed by flow cytometer (FCM), light chain protein in the cell culture supernatant by ELISA, the unfolded protein response (UPR) related gene GRP78 and GRP94 by real time PCR, and XBP1u and XBP1s transcription and translation changes by real time PCR and Western blot. After XBP1u gene was interfered with small RNA, and constructed plasmid was transfected into myeloma cells to up-regulated gene XBP-1u and XBP-1s reseparately, the differentiation of myeloma cells was observed again. RESULTS: Small dose tunicamycin could induce both U266 and RPMI8226 myeloma cells differentiation. Compared with the control group, cell morphology changed to mature feature, the nucleo- cytoplasm ratio decreased and nucleolus reduced or disappearance, CD49e expression increased the light chain protein concentration of cell culture supernatant was up-regulated and UPR related gene GRP78 and GRP94 were up-regulated during the differentiation. XBP-1u was up-regulated at both transcription and translation level, while XBP-1s down-regulated. After XBP1u gene expression interfered with small RNA, cell differentiation was disturbed. Cell differentiation was induced while XBP-1u gene was up-regulated by plasmid transfection. CONCLUSION: Low dosage of tunicamycin could induce myeloma cell UPR and differentiation, while XBP-1u a key role during the process.

[Establishment of a bortezomib-resistant myeloma cell line and differential proteins analysis by MALDI-OF-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a bortezomib-resistant myeloma cell line and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS: Bortezomib-resistant NCI-H929 cell line (NCI-H929B) was obtained by stepwise increasing extracellular concentrations of bortezomib over a period of 8 months. The biological characteristics of NCI-H929 and NCI-H929B were observed. Proteins from NCI-H929B cell and NCI-H929 cell were extracted, run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and mass spectrometry (MS) were used to identify proteins. Western blot was used to further verify differential proteins. RESULT: Bortezomib-resistant cell line NCI-H929B was established. NCI-H929B exhibits a 23.5-fold level of resistance to bortezomib as compared to the parental cell line NCI-H929. There were no significant differences in cellular biology of cell growth curve and cell cycle distribution between NCI-H929 and NCI-H929B cell lines.Whole proteins of NCI-H929 and NCI-H929B myeloma cell lines were extracted by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Gel-image analysis revealed that there were 17 differential protein spots. A total of 14 differential protein spots were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The result of Western blot was consistent with 2-DE. CONCLUSION: A bortezomib-resistant human myeloma cell line NCI-H929B was successfully established. The differentially expression of proteomes may be useful for study of the bortezomib-resistant mechanisms and the molecular markers of MM.