Aspergillus section Nidulantes includes species with striking morphological characters, such as biseriate conidiophores with brown-pigmented stipes, and if present, the production of ascomata embedded in masses of Hülle cells with often reddish brown ascospores. The majority of species in this section have a sexual state, which were named Emericella in the dual name nomenclature system. In the present study, strains belonging to subgenus Nidulantes were subjected to multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses using internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences. Nine sections are accepted in subgenus Nidulantes including the new section Cavernicolus. A polyphasic approach using morphological characters, extrolites, physiological characters and phylogeny was applied to investigate the taxonomy of section Nidulantes. Based on this approach, section Nidulantes is subdivided in seven clades and 65 species, and 10 species are described here as new. Morphological characters including colour, shape, size, and ornamentation of ascospores, shape and size of conidia and vesicles, growth temperatures are important for identifying species. Many species of section Nidulantes produce the carcinogenic mycotoxin sterigmatocystin. The most important mycotoxins in Aspergillus section Nidulantes are aflatoxins, sterigmatocystin, emestrin, fumitremorgins, asteltoxins, and paxillin while other extrolites are useful drugs or drug lead candidates such as echinocandins, mulundocandins, calbistrins, varitriols, variecolins and terrain. Aflatoxin B1 is produced by four species: A. astellatus, A. miraensis, A. olivicola, and A. venezuelensis.

Scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) mediates selective uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) lipids. It is unclear whether this process occurs at the cell membrane or via endocytosis. Our group previously identified an alternative mRNA splicing variant of SR-BI, named SR-BII, with an entirely different, yet highly conserved cytoplasmic C terminus. In this study we aimed to compare HDL uptake by both isoforms. Whereas SR-BI was mainly (ϳ70%) localized on the surface of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, as determined by biotinylation, HDL binding at 4°C, and studies of enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged SR-BI/II fusion proteins, the majority of SR-BII (ϳ80 -90%) was expressed intracellularly. The cellular distribution of SR-BI was not affected by deletion of the C terminus, which suggests that the distinct C terminus of SR-BII is responsible for its intracellular expression. Pulse-chase experiments showed that SR-BII rapidly internalized HDL protein, whereas in the case of SR-BI most HDL protein remained surface bound. Like its ligand, SR-BII was more rapidly endocytosed compared with SR-BI. Despite more rapid HDL uptake by SR-BII than SR-BI, selective cholesteryl ether uptake was significantly lower. Relative to their levels of expression at the cell surface, however, both isoforms mediated selective uptake with similar efficiency. HDL protein that was internalized by SR-BII largely co-localized with transferrin in the endosomal recycling compartment. Within the endosomal recycling compartment of SR-BII cells, there was extensive co-localization of internalized HDL lipid and protein. These results do not support a model that selective lipid uptake by SR-BI requires receptor/ligand recycling within the cell. We conclude that SR-BII may influence cellular cholesterol trafficking and homeostasis in a manner that is distinct from SR-BI.

These results suggested that trehalose could be a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of AD.

Modified forms of LDL, including oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), contribute to macrophage lipid accumulation in the vessel wall. Despite the pathophysiological importance of uptake pathways for OxLDL, the molecular details of OxLDL endocytosis by macrophages are not well understood. Studies in vitro demonstrate that the class B scavenger receptor CD36 mediates macrophage uptake and degradation of OxLDL. Although the closely related scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) binds OxLDL with high affinity, evidence that SR-BI plays a role in OxLDL metabolism is lacking. In this study, we directly compared OxLDL uptake and degradation by CD36 and SR-BI. Our results indicate that although CD36 and SR-BI internalize OxLDL, SR-BI mediates significantly less OxLDL degradation. Endocytosis of OxLDL by both SR-BI and CD36 is independent of caveolae, microtubules, and actin cytoskeleton. However, OxLDL uptake by CD36, but not SR-BI, is dependent on dynamin. The analysis of chimeric SR-BI/CD36 receptors shows that the CD36 C-terminal cytoplasmic tail is necessary and sufficient for dynamin-dependent OxLDL internalization by class B scavenger receptors. These findings indicate that different mechanisms are involved in OxLDL uptake by SR-BI and CD36, which may segregate these two structurally homologous receptors at the cell surface, leading to differences in intracellular trafficking and degradation. Macrophage binding and uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) has been proposed to play a key role in the initiation of atherosclerotic lesion development, the formation of lipid-laden foam cells. CD36 is one of several OxLDL receptors contributing to this process (1, 2). CD36 is an 88 kDa plasma membrane glycoprotein that binds a diverse array of ligands in addition to OxLDL, including thrombospondin-1 (3), the native lipoproteins LDL, HDL, and VLDL (4), long-chain fatty acids (5), anionic phospholipids (6), and apoptotic cells (7). As a result of its broad specificity, CD36 has been reported to contribute to various normal and pathologic processes, such as apoptotic cell clearance, fatty acid transport, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and lipid metabolism (reviewed in Ref. 8). CD36 is expressed in a range of cells and tissues that includes monocytes/macrophages, platelets, mammary epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, and adipose tissues (9). Studies performed ex vivo indicate that 60-70% of macrophage foam cell formation induced by OxLDL may be CD36-dependent (10-12). CD36-mediated OxLDL degradation has been reported in cell lines in addition to macrophages, including adipocytes (13). Studies in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with CD36 cDNA and C32 cells with endogenous expression of CD36 have investigated CD36 trafficking after OxLDL binding. The results indicate that binding of OxLDL to CD36 leads to the internalization of CD36 and OxLDL into endosomal compartments that do not contain caveolin-1 or transferrin but do contain a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-a...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, noncoding RNAs that act as key regulators in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the regulatory mechanisms for miRNAs in colorectal cancer remain largely unknown. Here, we found that miR-103 is up-regulated in colorectal cancer and its overexpression is closely associated with tumor proliferation and migration. In addition, repressing the expression of miR-103 apparently inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro and HCT-116 xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Subsequent software analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay identified two tumor suppressor genes DICER and PTEN as direct targets of miR-103, and up-regulation of DICER and PTEN obtained similar results to that occurred in the silencing of miR-103. In addition, restoration of DICER and PTEN can inhibit miR-103-induced colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration. Our data collectively demonstrate that miR-103 is an oncogene miRNA that promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and migration through down-regulation of the tumor suppressor genes DICER and PTEN. Thus, miR-103 may represent a new potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer treatment.

Primary age-related tauopathy (PART) is characterized by tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the absence of amyloid plaque pathology. In the present study, we analyzed the distribution patterns of phosphorylated 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (pTDP-43) in the brains of patients with PART. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double-labeling in multiple brain regions was performed on brain tissues from PART, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and aging control cases. We examined the regional distribution patterns of pTDP-43 intraneuronal inclusions in PART with Braak NFT stages [ 0 and B IV, and a Thal phase of 0 (no beta-amyloid present). We found four stages which indicated potentially sequential dissemination of pTDP-43 in PART. Stage I was characterized by the presence of pTDP-43 lesions in the amygdala, stage II by such lesions in the hippocampus, stage III by spread of pTDP-43 to the neocortex, and stage IV by pTDP-43 lesions in the putamen, pallidum, and insular cortex. In general, the distribution pattern of pTDP-43 pathology in PART cases was similar to the early TDP-43 stages reported in AD, but tended to be more restricted to the limbic system. However, there were some differences in the distribution patterns of pTDP-43 between PART and AD, especially in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Positive correlations were found in PART between the Braak NFT stage and the pTDP-43 stage and density.

With the progress of society, there is an increasing need to tackle disorders of the central nervous system. Human brain tissue, unlike animal tissues, is an irreplaceable resource for the study of neurological diseases [1]. Aimed at scientific research and education, the roles of human brain tissue repositories are to acquire brain tissue from donors, prepare, process, and preserve collected samples, provide tissue to specific eligible facilities, and determine the characteristics of each tissue sample. The construction of human brain banks is highly valued by neurologists. Related academic achievements have promoted the understanding of the relationship between brain structures and functions, as well as the pathological features, etiology, and pathogenesis of neurological diseases. Meanwhile, human brain banking plays an important role in developing effective methods for preventing and treating these diseases [2]. However, the quantity and scale of brain banks in China have lagged behind those of many other countries, which hinders the related basic and clinical research [3]. International symposia on China brain bank building was held in Wenying Qiu and Hanlin Zhang have contributed equally to this work.

Previous studies have suggested that HDL retroendocytosis may play a role in scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)-dependent selective lipid uptake in a cellspecific manner. To investigate this possibility, we developed methods to quantitatively measure HDL uptake and resecretion in fibroblast (COS-7) and hepatocyte (HepG2) cells expressing exogenous SR-BI. Approximately 17% and 24% of HDL associated in an SR-BI-dependent manner with COS-7 and HepG2 cells, respectively, accumulates intracellularly after a 10 min incubation. To determine whether this intracellular HDL undergoes retroendocytosis, we developed a pulse-chase assay whereby internalized biotinylated 125 I-HDL 3 secreted from cells is quantitatively precipitated from cell supernatants using immobilized streptavidin. Our results show a rapid secretion of a portion of intracellular HDL from both cell types (representing 4-7% of the total cell-associated HDL) that is almost complete within 30 min (half-life z 10 min). In COS-7 cells, the calculated rate of HDL secretion (z0.5 ng HDL/mg/min) was .30-fold slower than the rate of SR-BI-dependent selective cholesteryl ester (CE) uptake (z17 ng HDL/mg/min), whereas the rate of release of HDL from the cell surface (z19 ng HDL/ mg/min) was similar to the rate of selective CE uptake. Notably, the rate of SR-BI-dependent HDL resecretion in COS-7 and HepG2 cells was similar. BLT1, a compound that inhibits selective CE uptake, does not alter the amount of SR-BI-mediated HDL retroendocytosis in COS-7 cells. From these data, we conclude that HDL retroendocytosis in COS-7 and HepG2 cells is similar and that the vast majority of SR-BI-dependent selective uptake occurs at the cell surface in both cell types.-Sun, B., E. R. M. Eckhardt, S. Shetty, D. R. van der Westhuyzen, and N. R. Webb. Quantitative analysis of SR-BI-dependent HDL retroendocytosis in hepatocytes and fibroblasts. J. Lipid Res. 2006. 47: 1700-1713.Supplementary key words selective cholesteryl ester uptake . biotinylation . scavenger receptor class B type I Abundant evidence has established that scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) plays a primary role in HDL metabolism by mediating selective cholesteryl ester (CE) uptake, a process in which HDL CE is taken up without intracellular apolipoprotein degradation (1). In addition to mediating the selective uptake of HDL CE, SR-BI also plays a role in facilitating the bidirectional flux of unesterified cholesterol between cells and extracellular acceptors (2-4). SR-BI has a large extracellular loop (z400 residues), two transmembrane domains, and two short cytoplasmic tails at its N and C termini (5). SR-BI is highly expressed in liver and steroidogenic tissues, which are known to be major sites for selective lipid uptake. SR-BI is also expressed in other cells such as macrophages (6, 7), intestinal cells (8-10), and endothelial cells (11-13). Although SR-BI is best known as a physiological HDL receptor, it also binds other lipoprotein ligands, such as LDL, oxidized LDL, and acetylated LDL (1, 1...