Search

In order to identify genes related to Taxol biosynthesis, the mRNA differential display method was employed to compare mRNA populations from suspension cultured Taxus chinensis cells before and after beginning to produce Taxol. From a total display of about 4000 PCR products, 104 were derived from cells during the Taxol synthesis phase but not the non-Taxol synthesis phase. These products were cloned, and one such cDNA clone, named TS1, was confirmed to be specifically expressed in the Taxol synthesis phase by northern blot analysis. The length of the transcript corresponding TS1 was approximately 2.1kb. DNA sequencing and homology search showed the sequence of TS1 contains a partial open reading frame and has no homologies with other known genes. Hence, this report demonstrated the potential of mRNA differential display for the isolation of genes specific for the period of secondary metabolite production as well as the feasibility of the approach for the identification of genes potentially related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites in higher plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ) is a coenzyme used in redox reactions, energy metabolism, and mitochondrial biogenesis. NAD + is also required as a cofactor by nonredox NAD + -dependent enzymes. Hundreds of enzymes that consume NAD + have been identified. The NAD + -consuming enzymes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as signal transduction, DNA repair, cellular senescence, and stem cell (SC) homeostasis. In this review, we discussed how different types of NAD + -consuming enzymes regulate SC functions and summarized current research on the roles of the NAD + consumers in SC homeostasis. We hope to provide a more global and integrative insight to the mechanism and intervention of SC homeostasis via the regulation of the NAD + -consuming enzymes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Xiuna Ji et al.)

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of reconstructed tissue-engineered human corneal endothelium (TE-HCE) by corneal transplantation in cat models., Methods: TE-HCE reconstruction was performed by culturing 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI)-labeled monoclonal HCE cells on denuded amniotic membranes (dAMs) in 20% fetal bovine serum-containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium/Ham's Nutrient Mixture F12 (1:1) medium and 5% CO(2) at 37 ° C on a 24-well culture plate. The reconstructed TE-HCE was transplanted into cat corneas via lamellar keratoplasty with all of the endothelium and part of Descemet's membrane stripped. Postsurgical corneas were monitored daily with their histological properties examined during a period of 104 days after transplantation., Results: The reconstructed TE-HCE at a density of 3,413.33 ± 111.23 cells/mm(2) in average established intense cell-cell and cell-dAM junctions. After lamellar keratoplasty surgery, no obvious edema was found in TE-HCE-transplanted cat corneas, which were transparent throughout the monitoring period. In contrast, intense corneal edema developed in dAM-transplanted cat corneas, which were turbid. The corneal thickness gradually decreased to 751.33 ± 11.37 μm on day 104 after TE-HCE transplantation, while that of dAM eye was over 1,000 μm in thickness during the monitoring period. A monolayer of endothelium consisting of TE-HCE-originated cells at a density of 2,573.33 ± 0.59 cells/mm(2) attached tightly to the surface of remnant Descemet's membrane over 104 days; this was similar to the normal eye control in cell density., Conclusions: The reconstructed TE-HCE was able to function as a corneal endothelium equivalent and restore corneal function in cat models.

Un-transfected rabbit corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) were cultivated, using chitosan blend membrane 4ha (chitosan-hyaluronic acid), 631ha (chitosan-hyaluronic acid) and 631s (chitosan-chondroitine sulfate) as scaffold carriers. Their biocompatibilities were studied in regard to cell adherence, morphological changes, growth status and monolayer forming abilities. The results indicated that RCECs cultivated on 4ha and 631ha carriers tended to be aggregated and even desquamated to some extent in local areas, and even more severely on 631ha carrier. And the RCECs cultivated on 631ha carrier could form almost a monolayer 48h later, and those on 4ha carrier could not. Contrarily, the RCECs cultivated on 631s carrier were evenly distributed and were in good status of growth with a good adherence and fibroblast-like morphology which could form almost a monolayer 48h later. And a complete monolayer was formed and was tightly attached to the 631s carrier 72h later. From the above results, it can be concluded that 631s carrier is most probably an ideal scaffold carrier for RCEC cultivation. 631s carrier may have the potential for use in the development of tissue-engineered rabbit corneal endothelium.

Purpose: To establish and characterize a novel untransfected corneal endothelial cell line from New Zealand white rabbits (NRCE cell line) for studies on corneal endothelial cells., Methods: Primary culture was initiated with a pure population of NRCE cells from corneal endothelia by successive detachment and reattachment procedure of different durations, and cultured in 20% fetal bovine serum-containing DMEM/F12 media with several supplements. The cell line was characterized by chromosome analysis, fluorescence immunoassay and reverse transcription PCR. The tumorigenic potency of the cell line was examined by subcutaneous inoculation to nude mice. The biocompatibility of the cell line to denuded amnions was examined with routine microscopic and electron microscopic techniques., Results: NRCE cells in primary culture proliferated to confluency in 25 days and has been subcultured to passage 227 to date. The novel NRCE cell line, with a steady growing rate in 20% bovine calf serum (BCS)-containing DMEM/F12 medium and a population doubling time of 40.32 h at passage 191, has been established. NRCE cells exhibited chromosomal aneuploidy but their modal chromosome number was still 44. The results of gene expression patterns of marker proteins and membrane transport proteins, combined with immunofluorescent localization patterns of cell junction proteins, indicated that NRCE cells retained normal corneal endothelial characteristics and normal expression pattern of functional proteins. Furthermore, these cells, without any tumorigenic potency, had excellent biocompatibility to denuded amnions in 20% BCS-containing DMEM/F12 medium, and formed confluent cell sheets attached tightly to denuded amnions., Conclusions: These results suggest that a novel untransfected NRCE cell line established here maintains normal corneal endothelial characteristics and potencies to form normal cell junctions and perform normal functions of transmembrane transport.