Synthesis and transporter binding properties of (R)-2β,3β- and (R)-2α,3α-diaryltropanes

(R)-2-Aryl-2-tropinone (9) was synthesized from (R)-2-carbomethoxy-3-tropinone (5) and was used as the key intermediate for the synthesis of (R)-2β,3β- and (R)-2α,3α-diaryltropanes. Inhibition of radioligand binding studies at the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters showed that the (R)-3β-(4-methylphenyl)-2β-phenyltropane (3b, RTI-422) possessed an IC₅₀ value of 1.96 nM at the dopamine transporter and was highly selective for this transporter relative to the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.     

香菜CsEF 1α基因克隆与表达分析

翻译延伸因子EF 1α(elongation factor 1 alpha)是细胞中最丰富的蛋白质之一,其在确保mRNA正确解码以产生细胞蛋白质方面发挥重要作用。该研究采用RT PCR扩增方法克隆香菜CsEF 1α基因序列,利用生物信息学对CsEF 1α基因结构、序列特征及系统进化等进行分析,并采用qPCR探究CsEF 1α基因在香菜不同生长时期和非生物胁迫下的表达模式,为进一步揭示EF 1α基因调控机制的研究奠定基础。结果显示：(1)成功克隆获得香菜CsEF 1α基因序列;CsEF 1α基因包含1个1 344 bp的开放阅读框,编码447个氨基酸,分子式为C₂₂₀₂H₃₅₄₄N₅₉₄O₆₄₄S₂₀,蛋白质分子量为49.29 kD,等电点为9.12;氨基酸序列组成中赖氨酸数量最多(49个,占11.0%),色氨酸数量最少(3个,占0.7%);属碱性蛋白。(2)CsEF 1α蛋白主要由无规则卷曲(36.91%)和α 螺旋(30.43%)构成,定位于细胞质;系统进化树分析显示,CsEF 1α与胡萝卜、野生番茄、青蒿素和非洲菊的亲缘关系较接近;启动子分析包括4种植物生长发育元件、3种激素响应元件和3种胁迫响应元件。(3)qRT PCR结果显示,CsEF 1α基因的表达量随着香菜生长发育时间的延长而升高,并且与转录丰度的变化一致;CsEF 1α基因对4种不同非生物胁迫的响应表达模式有所差异;随着胁迫时间的延长,在盐胁迫下CsEF 1α基因表现出先升高后降低趋势,而在低温、高温和干旱胁迫下表现出先降低再升高的趋势。研究表明,CsEF 1α基因参与了香菜对非生物胁迫的应答,在香菜生长发育和非生物胁迫中具有重要调控作用。     

汾河中上游湿地植被β多样性

探讨和揭示群落构建机制(生态位理论和中性理论)是生态学和生物地理学研究的热点和难点之一。研究β多样性格局及其与空间距离和环境异质性的关系为解释群落构建机制提供了一定的理论依据,以往群落β多样性的研究主要集中于物种组成的差异性,对种间在进化关系和功能属性方面的差异则关注较少。在野外调查的基础上,分析了汾河中上游湿地植被Tβ(taxonβ-diversity)、Pβ(phylogeneticβ-diversity)和Fβ(functionalβ-diversity)多样性格局及其与空间距离和生境异质性的关系。结果表明:(1)随着样地间距离的增加,Tβ、Pβ和Fβ整体上表现出逐渐增加的趋势,即表现出群落的距离衰减效应。(2)土壤因子中,TP是影响样地间Tβ、Pβ和Fβ的主要因子(P0.05);p H、TOC和TN对Tβ、Pβ和Fβ的影响均未达到显著水平(P0.05)。(3)由于受到空间扩散限制和生境异质性的影响,样地间β多样性表现出较大的差异,Tβ(0.66—1)、Pβ(0.42—0.85)和Fβ(0.51—0.94)。(4)尽管Tβ、Pβ和Fβ反映了多样性的不同方面,但三者之相关性极显著(P0.01);(5)对Tβ、Pβ和Fβ多样性格局及其与空间距离和生境异质性的关系进行研究,表明环境因子和扩散限制共同决定着β多样性的格局,即群落的构建机制由生态位理论和中性理论共同主导。     

凌云沼虾(Macrobrachium lingyunense)

凌云沼虾(Macrobrachium lingyunense u,Cai & Clarke 2006)(封面图片)是一种典型的洞穴沼虾.眼睛极度退化,步足等外部形态特征及其他生物学特性也显示出真洞穴生物(troglobiont)的特征,包括缺乏体色素、附肢延长、繁殖无季节性、耗氧量降低、新陈代谢缓慢等.     

DnaK-dependent ribosome biogenesis in Escherichia coli? : competition for dominance between the alleles dnaK756 and dnaK ?+

The Escherichia coli chaperone DnaK is vital for many cellular functions, including ribosome biogenesis at high temperature. Thus, the dnaK756-ts (λ ^R ) mutant, at the non-permissive temperature, is inhibited at a late stage of ribosome assembly, yielding 21S, 32S and 45S precursor particles. This defect, unlike the λ resistance and thermosensitivity phenotypes, is not complemented by lysogenisation with a transducing phage λ dnaK ⁺ bearing the wild-type dnaK gene. However this dominant phenotype becomes recessive when dnaK ⁺ is expressed from a medium-copy-number plasmid. On the other hand, an excess of DnaK causes an unexpected dominant-lethal effect of the dnaK756 allele near non-permissive temperatures. This interplay between the dnaK ⁺ and dnaK756 alleles supports the idea of that DnaK oligomers form in the cell. Received: 28 April 1998 / Accepted: 24 July 1998     

Der Bienenfresser(Merops apiaster L.) in ?sterreich

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

当归延伸因子AsEF 1β基因的克隆及胁迫应答分析

延伸因子1β(EF 1β)是蛋白质生物合成过程中肽链延长必需的调节因子之一。该研究采用同源克隆和RACE扩增技术克隆当归EF 1β基因序列,分析该基因序列特征、蛋白结构特点及UV B辐射胁迫下的组织响应表达,以揭示当归栽培生境变迁过程中对UV B胁迫适应的分子机制。结果显示：(1)成功克隆获得当归EF 1β基因全长序列(950 bp),编码225个氨基酸,命名为AsEF 1β(GenBank登录号：MG736314);AsEF 1β蛋白的分子量为24.5 kD,理论等电点为4.48,属亲水性氨基酸,在其C末端具有一个EF 1B超蛋白家族的典型结构域和保守区,鸟嘌呤核苷酸交换结构域;其氨基酸序列与同为伞形科的胡萝卜氨基酸序列相似性最高,达93%。(2)qRT PCR分析结果显示,AsEF 1β基因在当归根部的表达量显著高于茎和叶(P<0.05);UV B辐射胁迫下,茎及叶中的表达量均上调,分别是自然光照处理的2.43和3.76倍。研究表明,AsEF 1β基因可能参与当归对UV B辐射胁迫的适应过程,为深入研究其在药用植物生长发育、逆境抗性形成及药效物质的生物合成代谢过程的生态调控奠定了基础。     

Ni-Enhanced Charge Transport via π-π Stacking Corridor in Metallic DNA

The mechanism underlying DNA charge transport is intriguing. However, poor conductivity of DNA makes it difficult to detect DNA charge transport. Metallic DNA (M-DNA) has better conducting properties than native DNA. Ni²⁺ may chelate in DNA and thus enhance DNA conductivity. On the basis of this finding, it is possible to reveal the mechanisms underlying DNA charge transport. The conductivity of various Ni-DNA species such as single-stranded, full complement, or mismatched sequence molecules was systematically tested with ultraviolet absorption and electrical or chemical methods. The results showed that the conductivity of single-stranded Ni-DNA (Ni-ssDNA) was similar to that of a native DNA duplex. Moreover, the resistance of Ni-DNA with a single basepair mismatch was significantly higher than that of fully complementary Ni-DNA duplexes. The resistance also increased exponentially as the number of mismatched basepairs increased linearly after the tunneling current behavior predicted by the Simmons model. In conclusion, the charges in Ni²⁺-doped DNA are transported through the Ni²⁺-mediated π−π stacking corridor. Furthermore, Ni-DNA acts as a conducting wire and exhibits a tunneling barrier when basepair mismatches occur. This property may be useful in detecting single basepair mismatches.     

高粱高亲和硝酸盐转运蛋白NRT2/3基因家族鉴定、表达与DNA变异分析

硝态氮是作物吸收无机氮素的主要形态,硝酸盐转运蛋白2(nitrate transporter 2,NRT2)作为高亲和性的转运蛋白,以硝酸盐作为特异性底物,在可利用的硝酸盐受限时,高亲和性转运系统被激活,在硝酸盐吸收、转运过程中发挥着重要作用。大多数NRT2不能单独转运硝酸盐,需在硝酸盐同化相关蛋白2(nitrate assimilation related protein 2,NAR2)的协助下才能完成硝酸盐的吸收或转运。作物氮利用效率受环境条件影响,品种间存在差异,因此培育高氮素利用效率品种有重大意义。高粱(Sorghum bicolor)具有耐贫瘠特性,对土壤中的氮素吸收和利用效率较高。本研究结合高粱基因组数据库对NRT2/3基因家族成员基因结构、染色体定位、理化性质、二级结构与跨膜结构域、信号肽与亚细胞定位、启动子区顺式作用元件、系统进化、单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)的识别与注释及选择压力进行了全面分析。通过生物信息学分析,筛选出5个NRT2s(命名为SbNRT2-1a、2-1b、SbNRT2-2–4)基因和2个NAR2s(SbNRT3-1–2)基因,较谷子略少。分布在3条染色体上,分为4个亚家族,同一亚族中基因结构高度相似;高粱NRT2/3亲水性平均值均为正值,表明均为疏水性蛋白;α-螺旋和无规则卷曲占二级结构总量的比例大于70%;亚细胞定位均在质膜上,其中NRT2s蛋白不含信号肽,NRT3s蛋白含信号肽;进一步对其跨膜结构域进行分析,发现NRT2s家族成员跨膜结构域个数均大于10个,而NRT3s家族成员跨膜结构域个数为2个;高粱与玉米(Zea mays)NRT2/3s的共线性较好;蛋白结构域显示存在MFS_1和NAR2蛋白结构域,可执行高亲和力硝酸盐转运;系统进化树分析可知,高粱与玉米和谷子的NRT2/3基因亲缘关系更近;基因启动子顺式作用元件分析发现,SbNRT2/3基因的启动子区均具有数个植物激素和逆境应答元件,可以响应高粱生长和环境变化;基因表达热图显示低氮条件下在根诱导表达的是SbNRT2-1a、SbNRT2-1b和SbNRT3-1,推测可在高粱根部表达并调控对硝酸盐的吸收或转运过程。在SbNRT2-4和SbNRT2-1a等发现多个非同义SNP变异;选择压力分析表明,高粱NRT2/3基因家族在进化过程中受纯化选择作用。SbNRT2/3基因表达及蚜虫侵染影响与基因在不同组织中的表达分析结果一致,SbNRT2-1b和SbNRT3-1在感染蚜虫品系5-27sug根部表达显著,高粱蚜虫侵染叶片显著降低了SbNRT2-3、SbNRT2-4和SbNRT3-2的表达水平。本研究初步对高粱全基因组NRT2/3基因家族进行鉴定、表达与DNA变异分析,为高粱氮高效研究提供了基础。     

Overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana Na+/H+ antiporter gene enhanced salt resistance in transgenic poplar (Populus?×?euramericana ‘Neva’)

Salinity is a major abiotic stress factor limiting plant growth and productivity. One possible method to enhance plant salt-resistance is to compartmentalize sodium ions away from the cytosol. In the present work, a vacuolar Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter gene AtNHX1 from Arabidopsis thaliana, was transferred into Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’ by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in order to enhance poplar salt-resistance. The results showed that the transgenic poplar were more resistant to NaCl than the wild-type (WT) in greenhouse condition. Compared with the WT, plant growth and photosynthetic capacity of the transgenic plants were enhanced, and the transgenic plants accumulated more Na⁺ and K⁺ in roots and leaves under the same NaCl condition, whereas malondialdehyde and relative electrical conductivity were lower. All of these properties of the transgenic poplar were likely to be a consequence of the overexpression of AtNHX1 caused Na⁺ sequestration in the vacuoles and improved K⁺ absorption, thus reducing their toxic effects. These results indicated overexpression of the AtNHX1 enhanced salt-resistance of poplar, and AtNHX1 played an important role in the compartmentation of Na⁺ into the vacuoles. Therefore, this study provides an effective way for improving salt resistance in trees.     

"GenotypeColour?": colour visualisation of SNPs and CNVs

Background  

The volume of data available on genetic variations has increased considerably with the recent development of high-density, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. Several software programs have been developed to assist researchers in the analysis of this huge amount of data, but few can rely upon a whole genome variability visualisation system that could help data interpretation.     

Characterization of an acid-labile, thermostable β-glycosidase from Thermoplasma acidophilum

A recombinant putative β-galactosidase from Thermoplasma acidophilum was purified as a single 57 kDa band of 82 U mg⁻¹. The molecular mass of the native enzyme was 114 kDa as a dimer. Maximum activity was observed at pH 6.0 and 90°C. The enzyme was unstable below pH 6.0: at pH 6 its half-life at 75°C was 28 days but at pH 4.5 was only 13 h. Catalytic efficiencies decreased as p-nitrophenyl(pNP)-β-d-fucopyranoside (1067) > pNP-β-d-glucopyranoside (381) > pNP-β-d-galactopyranoside (18) > pNP-β-d-mannopyranoside (11 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹), indicating that the enzyme was a β-glycosidase.     

The S?/?M checkpoint at 37°C and the recovery of viability of the mutant pol δ ts3 require the crb2 + /rhp9 + gene in fission yeast

We have isolated a mutant in fission yeast, in which mitosis is uncoupled from completion of DNA replication when DNA synthesis is impaired by a thermosensitive mutation in the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase δ. By functional complementation, we cloned the wild-type gene and identified it as the recently cloned checkpoint gene crb2 ⁺ /rhp9 ⁺ . This gene has been implicated in the DNA damage checkpoint and acts in the Chk1 pathway. Unlike the deleted strain dcrb2, cells bearing the crb2-1 allele were not affected in the DNA repair checkpoint after UV or MMS treatment at 30° C, but were defective in this checkpoint function when treated with MMS at 37° C. We analysed the involvement of Crb2 in the S/M checkpoint by blocking DNA replication with hydroxyurea, by using S phase cdc mutants, or by overexpression of the mutant PCNA L68S. Both crb2 mutants were unable to maintain the S/M checkpoint at 37° C. Furthermore, the crb2 ⁺ gene was required, together with the cds1 ⁺ gene, for the S/M checkpoint at 30° C. Finally, both the crb2 deletion and the crb2-1 allele induced a rapid death phenotype in the polδts3 background at both 30° C and 37° C. The rapid death phenotype was independent of the checkpoint functions. Received: 25 May 1998 / Accepted: 21 September 1998     

Interaction between cadmium, zinc and silver-substituted plastocyanin and cytochrome b 6 f complex — heavy metals toxicity towards photosynthetic apparatus

This paper reports the results of research on the interaction between the cytochrome f of the active cytochrome b ₆ f complex (incubated with Cd-, Zn-, and Ag-substituted plastocyanins) and Cu-plastocyanin. The presented studies show, that the metal derivatives of plastocyanin can have an influence on the photosynthetic electron transfer path: cytochrome b ₆ f complex — photosystem I. The metal-substituted plastocyanins occupy the plastocyanin electron transfer site of the cytochrome f. The stopped-flow measurements show, that although the metal derivatives of plastocyanin do not influence the rate of cyt f- Pc electron transfer, creation of the non-electron-transfer complexes characterised by a strong binding between the cyt f and substituted plastocyanins and their slow release, dependent on the redox state of the substituted metal, results in the decrease of a turnover of the cytochrome complex. The research was done in the Department of Plant Biochemistry, Freiburg University, Sch?nzlestrasse 1, 79 104 Freiburg, Germany     

Dissociation of Bimolecular αIIbβ3-Fibrinogen Complex under a Constant Tensile Force

The regulated ability of integrin αIIbβ3 to bind fibrinogen plays a crucial role in platelet aggregation, adhesion, and hemostasis. Employing an optical-trap-based electronic force clamp, we studied the thermodynamics and kinetics of αIIbβ3-fibrinogen bond formation and dissociation under constant unbinding forces, mimicking the forces of physiologic blood shear on a thrombus. The distribution of bond lifetimes was bimodal, indicating that the αIIbβ3-fibrinogen complex exists in two bound states with different mechanical stability. The αIIbβ3 antagonist, abciximab, inhibited binding without affecting the unbinding kinetics, whereas Mn²⁺ biased the αIIbβ3-fibrinogen complex to the strong bound state with reduced off-rate. The average bond lifetimes decreased exponentially with increasing pulling force from ∼5 pN to 50 pN, suggesting that in this force range the αIIbβ3-fibrinogen interactions are classical slip bonds. We found no evidence for catch bonds, which is consistent with the known lack of shear-enhanced platelet adhesion on fibrinogen-coated surfaces. Taken together, these data provide important quantitative and qualitative characteristics of αIIbβ3-fibrinogen binding and unbinding that underlie the dynamics of platelet adhesion and aggregation in blood flow.     

Favosites属的Q型聚类分析

一百多年来,有关床板珊瑚的研究,成果累累,为珊瑚的分类奠定了基础.仅就分类而言,目前属以上的已基本清楚,但属以下的,特别是种一级的划分,尚存在过细和"同物异名"的现象,从而给分类工作带来某些混乱.如有的种仅因个体大小的微小差异,便定为新种或新亚种.如此下去,种名势必泛滥成灾,使种的划分标准难于掌握和应用.因此,需要进行必要的归并和重新厘定.种的分类主要依据鉴定特征的数值大小.但这种数值,由于鉴定者掌     

Identification of critical amino acids involved in α1-β interaction in voltage-dependent Ca channels

In voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels, the α₁ and β subunits interact via two cytoplasmic regions defined as the Alpha Interaction Domain (AID) and Beta Interaction Domain (BID). Several novel amino acids for that interaction have now been mapped in both domains by point mutations. It was found that three of the nine amino acids in AID and four of the eight BID amino acids tested were essential for the interaction. Whereas the important AID amino acids were clustered around five residues, the important BID residues were more widely distributed within a larger 16 amino acid sequence. The affinity of the AID_A GST fusion protein for the four interacting β_1b BID mutants was not significantly altered compared with the wild-type β_1b despite the close localization of mutated residues to disruptive BID amino acids. Expression of these interactive β mutants with the full-length α_1A subunit only slightly modified the stimulation efficiency when compared with the wild-type β_1b subunit. Our data suggest that non-disruptive BID sequence alterations do not dramatically affect the β subunit-induced current stimulation.