辣椒查尔酮合成酶基因家族全基因组鉴定及表达特征分析

查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)是植物色素合成的一个关键酶,对植物的生长发育具有重要作用。本试验依据辣椒的基因组数据,采用生物信息学的方法对辣椒CHS基因家族进行鉴定及分析。结果得出该基因家族含有7个成员,氨基酸序列长度介于213~402 aa之间,基因间序列相似性变化幅度较大,具有高度遗传多样性。基因特性分析发现7个基因含有高度保守的结构域,内含子数较少,为1~2个,它们主要分布于3条染色体上,其中以12号染色体分布最多;此外通过系统进化分析可将CHS基因分为两大类。对辣椒CHS基因的组织表达及果实发育的9个不同时期的表达进行分析,结果表明CHS家族基因具有组织表达特异性和发育时期表达特异性,每个成员都具有不同的调控方式。本研究不仅为今后了解辣椒CHS基因家族的功能和进化奠定基础,而且为遗传性状改良提供候选资源。     

罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的生物信息学分析

查尔酮合成酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)是类黄酮生物合成的关键酶,在植物发育、防止UV损伤、抗病和逆境反应中起着重要作用。本研究通过EST测序,获得了罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因序列(登录号:GU980155)。为了进一步了解罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的特征,我们将其与46种植物的查尔酮合成酶基因的核酸序列和氨基酸序列进行比对和进化分析。结果表明,罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的核酸序列和氨基酸序列与其它物种的查尔酮合成酶基因均具较高同源性,编码区相似性约为94%。使用PHYLIP和MEGA4分别构建了邻接树、最大似然树和最大简约树,但经bootstrap检验,最优树未能明确罗汉果查尔酮合成酶基因的系统发育地位。以紫花苜蓿查尔酮合成酶的三维结构为参考,利用同源建模的方法预测了罗汉果查尔酮合成酶的三维结构,发现罗汉果查尔酮合成酶具有保守的活性位点和空间结构。     

决明查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆及序列分析

以决明(Cassia tora)为实验材料,利用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从决明嫩叶中克隆出查尔酮合成酶(Chal-one synthase,CHS)基因,其cDNA全长为1 459 bp,编码一个由390个氨基酸残基组成的多肽.氨基酸序列分析表明,决明CHS基因的氨基酸序列中含有44.61%的中性疏水氨基酸,29.74%的中性亲水氨基酸,12.56%的酸性氨基酸和13.O8%的碱性氨基酸.决明CHS基因的氨基酸序列中具有CHS家族酶系的氨基酸保守残基,包括结合底物CoA的结合残基及催化聚酮合成的催化残基,表明其可能参与聚酮化合物的合成.决明与其它植物CHS的氨基酸序列的进化分析表明,其与同为豆科决明属的翼叶决明(Cassia alata)的同源性较近,并且CHS家族可以分为CHS亚家族与非CHS亚家族.将得到的序列提交GenBank,登录号为EU430077.     

石榴果色合成相关基因CHS和CHI的表达特性分析

花色苷是类黄酮家族中重要的一类次生代谢产物,对果实呈色起重要作用。CHS (查尔酮合成酶)和CHI (查尔酮异构酶)为花色苷合成提供了前体物质,是花色苷合成所不可或缺的。利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,本研究从石榴果皮中克隆了与花色苷合成相关的CHS基因和CHI基因的cDNA全长,同时采用qRT-PCR研究了这两个基因在三个不同色泽石榴品种‘红宝石’、‘水晶甜’、‘墨石榴’发育期内的表达模式,并分析了果皮花色苷含量变化与基因转录水平的关系。结果表明,石榴中CHS和CHI基因cDNA全长分别为1 197 bp和693 bp,分别编码398和230个氨基酸,命名为PgCHS和PgCHI,在GenBank中的登录号分别为KF841615和KF841616。在氨基酸水平上,Pg CHS与荔枝、葡萄、山竹等果树的同源性达到90%以上。Pg CHI与果树中龙眼、梨、美洲葡萄、桑树等同源性达到70%以上。qRT-PCR结果显示,CHS和CHI基因的表达模式随色泽发育期和品种不同而有差异。在‘红宝石’石榴中,该两个基因都有前期和后期两个表达高峰期;而‘水晶甜’石榴中这两个基因的表达高峰期均出现在中后期;‘墨石榴’发育初期时CHS和CHI的表达量最高,以后的表达量都较低。同一品种内,CHS和CHI的表达具有协同性,两者的协同性表达有利于花色苷及其他类黄酮相关产物的合成。3个品种中CHS和CHI基因的表达与花色苷的积累并不一致。     

中间锦鸡儿查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆和表达分析

查尔酮合成酶是黄酮类化合物合成途径的第一个关键酶。本研究通过其它豆科植物已知的查尔酮合成酶保守序列设计简并引物,扩增得到中间锦鸡儿查尔酮合成酶基因的保守片段,经RACE技术扩增得到基因全长。对该基因gDNA全长和cDNA全长分析显示,它是由一个内含子和两个外显子构成,该基因cDNA全长为1 548 bp,其中ORF(open reading frame)为1 176 bp,5'UTR(untranslated regions)为175 bp,3'UTR为196 bp,编码391个氨基酸,推测蛋白质质量为43.03 kD,等电点为6.24,是一种两性蛋白。序列比对和系统进化分析表明,该基因属于查尔酮合成酶家族,命名为CiCHS。实时荧光定量PCR检测发现,CiCHS在紫外处理下受到诱导,0.5 h表达量最高,之后不断降低。     

植物查尔酮合成酶超基因家族的分子进化

查尔酮合成酶(CHS)超基因家族又称为植物类型III聚酮合酶超基因家族, 其编码酶通过催化和合成一系列结构多样及生理活性各异的次生代谢物, 在植物生长发育和适应环境的过程中扮演着重要角色。为全面了解CHS超基因家族在植物中的进化规律, 重建其进化历史, 该研究利用14种具有全基因组数据的代表植物, 通过生物信息学手段, 深入挖掘和分析了不同植物类群基因组中查尔酮合成酶超基因家族的成员构成, 推测了其可能的扩增机制和功能分歧, 并探讨了该超基因家族在植物中的总体进化趋势。结果共识别144条具有表达信息的同源序列, 它们全部来自9种陆生植物的基因组, 藻类植物基因组中没有发现相关序列。系统发育和进化分析表明, CHS超基因家族的起源古老, 它们可能为适应复杂的生态环境而出现在早期的陆生植物中, 之后在长期的进化过程中不断发生谱系的特异扩张和拷贝丢失, 最后通过功能分歧的形式在不同植物类群中被分别固定。此外, 进化检验也显示, 尽管CHS超基因家族内部发生了多样的遗传改变, 但整个超基因家族仍处于强烈的纯化选择之下, 并且个体基因中也无任何单氨基酸位点受到正向选择的影响。     

水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)查尔酮合成酶基因的克隆和表达（英文）

查尔酮合酶(chalcone synthase,CHS)是植物类黄酮化合物合成的关键酶,有关蕨类植物CHS基因的序列及功能信息尚不完善。本研究采用快速扩增c DNA末端(RACE)技术克隆获得了模式蕨类植物——水蕨(Ceratopteris thalictroides)Ct CHS基因(Gen Bank登录号:JX027616.1),其c DNA序列全长为1616 bp,具有3个外显子和2个内含子,开放阅读框(ORF)为1215 bp,编码404个氨基酸。进化树分析表明,Ct CHS与问荆(Equisetum arvense)、松叶蕨(Psilotum nudum)和3种薄囊蕨的查尔酮合成酶基因聚为一枝,说明这些蕨类植物亲缘关系较近且为单系起源。通过构建原核表达体系成功获得Ct CHS蛋白的多克隆抗体并用于免疫印迹分析,结果表明Ct CHS基因的表达明显受紫外光(UV)诱导。Ct CHS基因的克隆与表达分析为进一步研究水蕨类黄酮化合物的合成及其调控机制提供了依据。     

外源脱落酸对桃果实着色及相关基因表达的影响

以‘美香’桃为试验材料,于果实着色前用1 000、500、300mg/L的脱落酸(ABA)溶液处理果实,研究了ABA处理促进桃果皮着色的效果以及对果皮花色素苷合成相关基因表达的影响。结果表明:ABA处理显著提高了成熟果实可溶性固形物含量和果皮花色素苷含量;明显改善了果实着色,且以1 000mg/L效果最为明显。ABA处理显著促进了查尔酮合成酶基因(CHS)和二氢黄酮醇4-还原酶基因(DFR)的前期转录水平,同时促进了类黄酮葡萄糖苷转移酶基因(UFGT)和花色素合成酶基因(LDOX)表达高峰的前移。据此推测ABA可能参与了桃果实花色素苷合成的调控,对花色素苷合成具有促进作用。     

大豆类黄酮生物合成关键酶CHS基因的克隆及表达分析

根据查尔酮合成酶(CHS)基因DNA序列的保守区域设计了PCR引物,通过RT-PCR扩增从大豆叶片中克隆出3个参与类黄酮合成的CHS基因,分别命名为GmCHS1、GmCHS2和GmCHS3。在大豆基因组数据库进行同源比对,发现这3个基因分别与大豆基因组上Gm08g11610、Gm05g28610和Gm08g11520相对应,DNA序列一致性达95%～98%,推导氨基酸序列一致性达98%以上。进化分析显示,大豆中3个CHS蛋白与决明、菜豆CHS蛋白亲缘关系较近。表达分析显示,这3个基因在不同品种间有表达水平的差异,这可能是不同大豆品种中类黄酮含量不同的重要原因之一。     

红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS密码子偏好性分析

查尔酮合成酶(Chalcone synthase,CHS)广泛存在于植物体内,是花色素形成过程中一种重要的酶,可以进一步催化生成黄酮类化合物。本研究采用Codon W和EMBOSS在线软件对红松查尔酮合成酶基因CHS的密码子使用偏好性进行分析,并与北美乔松等其他24种植物的CHS基因以及模式植物基因组进行比较,对认识红松CHS基因的密码子使用偏好性,为选择适宜的表达系统奠定了一定的基础。研究结果表明:红松CHS基因编码区的有效密码子数(ENC)和GC含量分别为48.92和0.548,C+G含量高于A+T含量,密码子偏好以A/T结尾;多数植物CHS基因的G+C含量高于A+T含量,且密码子更偏好C/G结尾;聚类分析表明,红松与马尾松和赤松的密码子使用偏好性的相似性较高;密码子使用频率研究发现,红松CHS遗传转化与异源表达较优的受体可能是大肠杆菌和拟南芥。     

白蚁与动物及微生物的共生类型及其机制

综述了白蚁螱客的主要种类、共生关系及相关机制的研究进展。白蚁螱客中,已报道的动物种类达170种。在与动物的共生关系中存在偏利共生（宾主共栖和异种共栖）、互利共生和无关共生三种;在与微生物的共生关系中,存在与内生菌（原生动物、细菌、真菌和放线菌）和外生菌（蚁巢伞菌等）间的互利关系。指出了白蚁与螱客研究中存在的问题,给出了解决方案,并提出了今后可能的研究热点或方向,为白蚁的综合利用（如纤维素酶）及今后研究物种间的协同进化提供了基础资料。     

New amino-dithiaphospholanes and phosphoramidodithioites and their rhodium and iridium complexes

New sulfur derivatives of phosphoramidite ligands were synthesized and the impact of the sulfur unit on the spectroscopic properties of their rhodium and iridium complexes was investigated. The new ligands Bn₂NPSCH₂CH₂S^a(P-S^a) (Bn = benzyl, 4), Bn₂NPSCHCHS^a(CH₂)₃C^aH₂(P-S^a)(C^a-S^a) (6) and Bn₂NP(4-XC₆H₄OMe)₂ (X = S, 7a; X = O, 7b) were converted to the rhodium and iridium complexes trans-[Rh(CO)Cl(L)₂] (L = 4, 6, 7), [RhCl(COD)(L)] (L = 4, 6, 7), [IrCl(COD)(7a)] and [IrCl₂Cp∗(6)]. For comparison, some phosphoramidite complexes of these formulations also were synthesized. The new metal complexes were spectroscopically analyzed. For the carbonyl complexes, the ν_CO IR stretching frequencies were lower than for the corresponding phosphite and phosphoramidite ligands. The ¹J_PRh coupling constants for the rhodium complexes with the new ligands were also smaller than for the respective phosphoramidite and phosphite complexes. Finally, the ¹J_PSe coupling constants of the selenides of the new ligands were lower than those of the phosphoramidite ligands but higher than for PPh₃. The spectroscopic data reveal that the new thio ligands 4, 6 and 7a are more electron donating than phosphites and phosphoramidites but less electron donating than PPh₃.     

Astrocytes and Synaptosomes Transport and Metabolize Lactate and Acetate Differently

Astrocytes transport the monocarboxylate acetate, but synaptosomes do not. The reason for this is unknown, because both preparations express monocarboxylate transporters (MCT). The transport and metabolism of lactate, another monocarboxylate, was examined in these two preparations, and the results were compared to those for acetate. Lactate transport is more rapid in astrocytes than in synaptosomes, but of lower affinity (Kms of 17 and 4 mM, respectively). Lactate (0.2 mM) is metabolized to CO2 more rapidly in synaptosomes than in astrocytes (rates of 0.37 and 0.07 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1), respectively). The reason for this is unclear, but cellular differences in lactate dehydrogenase isotype expression may be involved. Acetate is metabolized to CO2 more rapidly in astrocytes than in synaptosomes (rates of 0.43 and 0.02 nmol x mg protein(-1) x min(-1), respectively). This is likely due to cellular differences in the expression of monocarboxylate transporter subtypes.     

Rapporteur report: Basics and technology and metrology and standards

The first and second sessions of the Workshop focussed on the basics of ultrasound and infrasound, their applications in both industry and medicine, and metrology and protection standards for ultrasound applications.     

Relative and combined effects of ethanol and protein deficiency on strontium and barium bone content and fecal and urinary excretion

To elucidate accumulation of minerals in human iliac arteries with aging, the content of minerals was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Bilateral common, internal, and external iliac arteries of 16 men and 8 women, ranging ages from 65 to 93 yr, were examined. It was found that an extremely high accumulation of calcium and phosphorus occurred in the common iliac artery at old age, being higher than that of the internal and external iliac arteries. It should be noted that the accumulation of calcium and phosphorus is the highest in the common iliac artery among the human arteries examined to date. Regarding sexual differences, the content of calcium and phosphorus in the common and internal iliac arteries was higher in women than in men, whereas their content in the external iliac artery was lower in women than in men.     

Chemokines and cytokines: axis and allies in asthma and allergy

Allergic asthma can be precipitated by many factors. For the atopic person, fungus, pollen, dust mites, cockroach antigens, and diesel exhaust are all agents that may trigger an allergic attack. Cytokines and chemokines are integral mediators of fungal asthma. From the earliest time points, they recruit and activate the cells required for the clearance of fungus as well as being critical factors involved in the immunopathology of this disease. In the final analysis, it is clear that these mediators can act to the benefit or the detriment of the host.     

Oxidation and nitration of ribonuclease and lysozyme by peroxynitrite and myeloperoxidase

In spite of the many studies on protein modifications by reactive species, knowledge about the products resulting from the oxidation of protein-aromatic residues, including protein-derived radicals and their stable products, remains limited. Here, we compared the oxidative modifications promoted by peroxynitrite and myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/nitrite in two model proteins, ribonuclease (6Tyr) and lysozyme (3Tyr/6Trp). The formation of protein-derived radicals and products was higher at pH 5.4 and 7.4 for myeloperoxidase and peroxynitrite, respectively. The main product was 3-nitro-Tyr for both proteins and oxidants. Lysozyme rendered similar yields of nitro-Trp, particularly when oxidized by peroxynitrite. Hydroxylated and dimerized products of Trp and Tyr were also produced, but in lower yields. Localization of the main modified residues indicates that peroxynitrite decomposes to radicals within the proteins behaving less specifically than myeloperoxidase. Nitrogen dioxide is emphasized as an important protein modifier.     

Prostaglandin and thromboxane production by human and guinea-pig macrophages and leucocytes

The ability of partially purified human and guinea-pig haematogenous cell populations, when cultured in vitro, to metabolise arachidonic acid (AA) has been studied. Supernatants from 24 hour cell culture have been subjected to analysis for products of AA metabolism by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.The cell types studied were human peripheral blood monocytes (both glass adherent and non-adherent), neutrophils, eosinophils and leukemic leucocytes; thoracic duct lymphocytes and lung alveolar macrophages. From the guinea-pig, induced and non-induced macrophage or neutrophil enriched peritoneal exudate populations, lymph node cells, peritoneal eosinophils and peripheral blood platelets were examined. Supernatants were assayed for the presence of PGE₂, PGD₂, PGF_2α, TXB₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α. In all types studied PGE₂ and TXB₂ were the major products formed. The identification of PGE₂ and TXB₂ was confirmed by GC/MS with multiple ion monitoring.The results have been compared with other reports and their possible significance discussed in relation to the proposed role of prostaglandins as mediators and modulators in immunopathology.