盐穗木转录因子HcSCL13转录激活的体外鉴定及植物表达载体的构建

通过同源重组的方法将盐穗木盐响应GRAS家族转录因子HcSCL13基因(GenBank登录号:KC68640)构建至酵母双杂交诱饵表达载体pGBKT7上,转化酵母菌Y2HGold,通过自激活性和毒性检测确定该转录因子的体外激活能力。试验表明,重组菌株pGBKT7-HcSCL13/Y2HGold对宿主菌无毒性,且该菌株表达的融合蛋白能够激活报告基因的表达,说明HcSCL13具有转录激活域,是一类转录因子。成功构建了HcSCL13基因的植物表达载体和亚细胞定位表达载体,为进一步在体内研究该基因的耐盐功能奠定了基础。     

西伯利亚蓼非特异性脂质转移蛋白编码序列的克隆及其盐胁迫下的表达

根据西伯利亚蓼地下茎抑制消减文库(SSH)中获得的非特异性脂质转移蛋白(non-specific lipid transfer protein, nsLTP)EST序列,应用RACE技术克隆了具有Poly A的全长cDNA序列.该序列全长604 bp,其5′非翻译区65 bp,3′非翻译区227 bp,开放阅读框编码103个氨基酸残基;序列分析表明,该基因具有N端信号肽,具有nsLTP家族共有的典型保守区域,属nsLTP家族基因,命名为PsnsLTPs;荧光定量PCR分析表明,PsnsLTPs在西伯利亚蓼叶、茎、地下茎中均有表达.在3%NaHCO3诱导表达下,该基因在地下茎中表达明显受盐胁迫的诱导,推测该基因在抵御盐胁迫时具有重要作用.     

费尔干猪毛菜病程相关蛋白基因（SfPR-1）的克隆及在盐胁迫下的表达分析

利用抑制消减杂交法从藜科猪毛菜属盐生植物费尔干猪毛菜（Salsola ferganica）中分离得到了一个盐胁迫响应的cDNA片段,结合SMARTTMRACE技术获得了费尔干猪毛菜病程相关蛋白基因的cDNA,命名该基因为SfPR-1（GenBank登录号：JQ670917）。序列分析表明,SfPR-1长817 bp,含有501 bp的阅读框、65 bp的5＇-UTR和251 bp的3＇-UTR,编码166个氨基酸,分子质量为18.01 kD,理论等电点为9.37。通过BLAST同源序列比对分析,结果显示该基因编码的蛋白与已知甜菜、拟南芥、烟草及玉米的病程相关蛋白PR-1同源性分别为73.6%、57.8%、55.5%和53.9%,且具有PR-1家族特有的6个半胱氨酸保守结构域。半定量RT-PCR和实时荧光定量RT-qPCR分析表明,该基因在盐胁迫后表达呈明显上调,初步推测病程相关蛋白基因SfPR-1可能与费尔干猪毛菜的耐盐性相关。     

盐穗木HcDmc1基因的克隆和表达分析

根据盐穗木盐胁迫下响应的转录组测序结果,克隆获得盐穗木DNA损伤修复基因的cDNA序列,其开放阅读框1 035bp,编码344个氨基酸,命名为HcDmc1。保守结构域分析显示,该基因编码的蛋白具有RecA蛋白家族典型的保守结构域;统进化树分析显示HcDmc1为独立的分支;亚细胞定位于细胞质,为无信号肽、不跨膜的稳定亲水性蛋白。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,盐穗木在100mmol/L NaCl胁迫7d后,同化枝中HcDmc1基因表达迅速上调并达到最大值,约为对照组的6.58倍;在700mmol/L NaCl胁迫14d后根中HcDmc1基因表达最高,约为对照的1.79倍。研究表明,HcDmc1基因表达受盐胁迫诱导。     

盐穗木HcPEAMT基因的克隆及表达分析

依据盐穗木编码PEAMT的EST序列设计引物,通过快速扩增cDNA末端技术,获得盐穗木磷酸乙醇胺甲基转移酶(phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase,PEAMT)全长cDNA,命名为HcPEAMT。序列分析表明HcPEAMT基因开放阅读框为1 482bp,编码494个氨基酸,推测分子量为56.3kD,理论等电点为5.51。保守结构域分析表明,HcPEAMT含有2个独立的S-腺苷甲硫氨酸依赖性甲基转移酶的保守结构域,每个结构域含有4个基序。系统进化树分析确认HcPEAMT与盐生植物盐角草的亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,盐胁迫3h时,盐穗木同化枝和根中HcPEAMT基因的表达迅速上调并达到最大值,分别为对照的4.3倍和6.7倍。脱落酸(ABA)胁迫3h时,同化枝中HcPEAMT的表达量达到最高,而根中HcPEAMT的表达在12h才达到最高,表达量分别为对照的2.6和2.5倍。研究结果表明,HcPEAMT基因表达受盐胁迫的强烈诱导,也受ABA胁迫的诱导。该研究结果有助于阐明HcPEAMT基因表达与植物抗逆性的相关性。     

盐胁迫下盐穗木甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶基因的表达与亚细胞定位分析

为研究盐胁迫下植物甘油醛-3-磷酸脱氢酶(GAPDH)的作用机制,该研究利用RACE技术,从藜科盐生植物盐穗木中克隆获得1 381bp GAPDH基因(HcGAPDH)全长cDNA序列,其开放阅读框(ORF)编码314氨基酸。序列分析表明,HcGAPDH属于胞质GAPDH家族成员。实时定量PCR结果显示,HcGAPDH的转录水平受盐胁迫和ABA上调。通过荧光共聚焦显微技术,检测到绿色荧光蛋白标记的HcGAPDH在正常情况下定位于细胞质中,盐胁迫可促使其从细胞质转移至细胞核中,此过程与细胞内碳水化合物代谢的信号途径不具有相关性。研究表明,HcGAPDH通过细胞质和细胞核之间的信号传导在植物盐胁迫中发挥一定作用,为进一步揭示盐穗木耐盐分子机制奠定了一定基础。     

盐穗木钾转运蛋白基因HcKUP12的克隆及在盐胁迫下的表达分析

利用RACE技术从盐生植物盐穗木(Halostachys caspica)中克隆获得了一个钾离子转运体基因,经BLAST同源比对发现该基因与拟南芥钾离子转运蛋白At KUP12基因最为相似,命名为Hc KUP12。Hc KUP12基因c DNA全长为2953 bp,含有2544 bp的阅读框、262 bp的5'-UTR和147 bp的3'-UTR,编码847个氨基酸,分子质量为93.31 k D,理论等电点为7.19。利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR分析了Hc KUP12基因在600 mmol/L Na Cl处理下胁迫24 h的表达模式,结果显示该基因在盐胁迫下表达量显著增加,至处理24 h时达到最高(为对照的225倍),初步推测其可能是与盐穗木耐盐相关的一个候选基因。     

小麦盐胁迫相关基因TabHLH13的克隆与分析

在对小麦全长cDNA克隆进行大规模测序及转录因子功能研究过程中,筛选到一个与盐胁迫相关的bHLH转录因子基因,将其命名为TabHLH13。TabHLH13的全长cDNA序列为1072 bp,开放阅读框为720 bp,编码一个具有240个氨基酸残基的bHLH转录因子;对TabHLH13的基因组和cDNA序列比较分析表明该基因包括5个外显子和4个内含子;同源序列分析发现,TabHLH13与来自大麦和短柄草中的bHLH蛋白序列相似性最高,分别为96.2%和90.5%;电子定位发现TabHLH13位于小麦第7同源群的7DL上;亚细胞定位结果表明,TabHLH13编码一个定位在细胞核中的蛋白;组织表达特性分析表明该基因在小麦根、茎、叶、颖壳、雌蕊和花药中均有较强的表达;半定量RT-PCR与qRT-PCR结果表明TabHLH13是一个受盐胁迫诱导表达的基因。     

蝴蝶兰几丁质酶基因的克隆及表达特性分析

利用RT-PCR及RACE技术,克隆到蝴蝶兰1个几丁质酶基因PhCHT(GenBank登录号为KT992851),该基因cDNA全长1 210bp,包含37bp的5′-UTR、933bp开放阅读框和240bp 3′-UTR,编码310个氨基酸;该蛋白为糖苷水解酶第19家族成员,兼具有溶菌酶活性;生物信息学分析显示,该蛋白具N-端信号肽和跨膜结构,为胞外分泌蛋白;该蛋白与海枣、谷子、油棕和拟南芥的几丁质酶类似蛋白相近,并且在系统进化树上与甘蔗和陆地棉的Ⅶ类几丁质酶同属一个分支。PhCHT基因的表达分析表明,PhCHT在蝴蝶兰营养器官和生殖器官中均有表达,根中表达量最高;13℃/8℃低温处理3、6、9和15d时该基因的表达被抑制,4℃低温处理1、2和4h表达量升高。研究表明,PhCHT基因能够响应短期的冷胁迫。研究结果为进一步研究蝴蝶兰几丁质酶的系统进化及抗性育种奠定了基础。     

极端耐盐植物盐穗木编码未知多肽基因HcUKPP的克隆与表达

采用RACE技术从新疆极端耐盐植物盐穗木中克隆获得1个耐盐相关的转录子,命名为HcUKPP (unknown polypeptide, UKPP),其cDNA全长为569 bp,含有1个243 bp 的完整可阅读框,预测其编码1条含80个氨基酸的多肽,分子质量为8 671.6,等电点pI为7.71实时定量PCR结果显示,该基因在600 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下呈现表达上调趋势．结果提示,HcUKPP可能是耐盐相关基因. 目前该基因在NCBI 核苷酸及蛋白数据库中未发现其相似序列,文献中也未见报道．     

Foreign exploration for Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and associated natural enemies on avocado (Persea americana Miller)

Scirtothrips perseae Nakahara was discovered attacking avocados in California, USA, in 1996. Host plant surveys in California indicated that S. perseae has a highly restricted host range with larvae being found only on avocados, while adults were collected from 11 different plant species. As part of a management program for this pest, a “classical” biological control program was initiated and foreign exploration was conducted to delineate the home range of S. perseae, to survey for associated natural enemies and inventory other species of phytophagous thrips on avocados grown in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Brazil. Foreign exploration efforts indicate that S. perseae occurs on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1500 m) from Uruapan in Mexico south to areas around Guatemala City in Guatemala. In Costa Rica, S. perseae is replaced by an undescribed congener as the dominant phytophagous thrips on avocados grown at high altitudes (>1300 m). No species of Scirtothrips were found on avocados in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, or Brazil. In total, 2136 phytophagous thrips were collected and identified, representing over 47 identified species from at least 19 genera. The significance of these species records is discussed. Of collected material 4% were potential thrips biological control agents. Natural enemies were dominated by six genera of predatory thrips (Aeolothrips, Aleurodothrips, Franklinothrips, Leptothrips, Scolothrips, and Karnyothrips). One genus each of parasitoid (Ceranisus) and predatory mite (Balaustium) were found. Based on the results of our sampling techniques, prospects for the importation of thrips natural enemies for use in a “classical” biological control program in California against S. perseae are not promising.     

Structural Peculiarities of Na+,K+-ATPase Isozymes from the Calf Brain

Functionally active preparations of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase isozymes from calf brain that contain catalytic subunits of three types (1, 2, and 3) were obtained using two approaches: a selective removal of contaminating proteins by the Jorgensen method and a selective solubilization of the enzyme with subsequent reconstitution of their membrane structure by the Esmann method. The ouabain inhibition constants were determined for the isozymes. The real isozyme composition of the Na⁺ pump from the grey matter containing glial cells and the brain stem containing neurons was determined. The plasma membranes of glial cells were shown to contain mainly Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase of the 11 type and minor amounts of isozymes of the 22(1) and the 31(2) type. The axolemma contains 21 and 31 isozymes. A carbohydrate analysis indicated that 11 enzyme preparations from the brain grey matter substantially differ from the renal enzymes of the same composition in the glycosylation of the 1 isoform. An enhanced sensitivity of the 3 catalytic subunit of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase from neurons to endogenous proteolysis was found. A point of specific proteolysis in the amino acid sequence PNDNR⁴⁹² Y⁴⁹³ was localized (residue numbering is that of the human 3 subunit). This sequence corresponds to one of the regions of the greatest variability in 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-subunits, but at the same time, it is characteristic of the 3 isoforms of various species. The presence of the 3 isoform of tubulin (cytoskeletal protein) was found for the first time in the high-molecular-mass Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase 31 isozyme complex isolated from the axolemma of brain stem neurons, and its binding to the 3 catalytic subunit was shown.     

Characterization of SSEA-1 glycolipids from the brain of a patient with fucosidosis

Neutral glycolipids from the brain of a patient with Fucosidosis were analyzed and two complex glycolipids containing five and eight sugars were isolated from the cortical grey matter. These two glycolipids reacted with antibodies recognizing the SSEA-1 [Le^x(X)] carbohydrate determinant. SSEA-1 glycolipids are normally expressed in human embryonic brain but are found in only small amounts in postnatal human brain. The accumulation of the two SSEA-1 glycolipids in Fucosidosis brain thus represents a defect which affects the normal developmentally regulated decrease in postnatal, expression of these glycolipids, and may be a contributing factor in the abnormal brain development associated with the disease. Chemical characterization of the two isolated glycolipids by gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses has identified the two glycolipids as lacto-N-fucopentaosylceramide (III) and difucosyl-neolactonorhexaosylceramide.Abbreviations DCl direct chemical ionization - FAB tastatiom bombardment - GC gas chromatography - GSLs glycosphingolipids - MS mass spectrometry - SSEA-1 stage specific embryonic antigen-1 - TLC thin layer chromatographys     

1H and13C-NMR analysis of four pentasaccharides from urine of blood-group A and B,Leb adults. Confirmation of the structure of two new oligosaccharides: Fuc(α1–2)[GalNAc(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc and Fuc(α1–2)[Gal(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc

The major pentasaccharides Fuc(1-2)[GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc, which are normally present in the urine of bloodgroup A Le^b and B Le^b healthy subjects, were each found to be contaminated by a minor component when analysed by¹H-NMR. The determination of these structures, Fuc(1-2) [GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc, was based on the results of methylation analysis and¹H/¹³C-NMR spectroscopy.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - GLC gas liquid chromatography - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - COSY correlation spectroscopy - Gal d-galactopyranose - GalNAc 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranose - Glc d-glucopyranose - Fuc l-fucopyranose - LNDFH I lacto-N-difucohexaose I (Le^b determinant     

The evolution of the Hox cluster: insights from outgroups

Two burgeoning research trends are helping to reconstruct the evolution of the Hox cluster with greater detail and clarity. First, Hox genes are being studied in a broader phylogenetic sampling of taxa: the past year has witnessed important new data from teleost fishes, onychophorans, myriapods, polychaetes, glossiphoniid leeches, ribbon worms, and sea anemones. Second, commonly accepted notions of animal relationships are being challenged by alternative phylogenetic hypotheses that are causing us to rethink the evolutionary relationships of important metazoan lineages, especially arthropods, annelids, nematodes, and platyhelminthes.     

N-andO-glycosylation of glycoprotein C synthesized by Herpes simplex virus type 1-infected ricin resistant cells

The progeny of Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) grown in ricin-resistant 14 cells (Ric^R14) lackingN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I was released in the extracellular medium at a very low rate. By using a monoclonal antibody immobilized on Sepharose we purified from HSV-1-infected Ric^R14 cells a viral glycoprotein (gC), which carries bothN-andO-linked oligosaccharides. Glycopeptides obtained from [³H]mannoselabeled gC by Pronase digestion were entirely susceptible to endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase H, and the major oligosaccharide released was Man₄GlcNAc. The accumulation of this high-mannose species was related to the enzymic defect of the host cells and to the long retention of the viral glycoprotein within the cells. The extent ofO-glycosylation evaluated in [¹⁴C]glucosamine-labeled gC from Ric^R14 cells as compared to that of gC from wild type cells did not appear to be significantly modified.Abbreviations Con A concanavalin A - BHK cells baby hamster kidney cells - HSV Herpes simplex virus     

Elucidation of Structure of Lipid A from the Marine Gram-Negative Bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis ATCC 14393T

The chemical structure of lipid A, from the marine -proteobacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis 14393, a main product of lipopolysaccharide hydrolysis (1% AcOH), was determined using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy. The lipid A was shown to be -1,6-glucosaminobiose 1,4-diphosphate acylated with two (R)-3-hydroxyalkanoic acid residues at C3 and C3 and amidated with one (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoyl and one (R)-3-dodecanoyloxydodecanoyl residue at N2 and N2, respectively.     

Phylogeny of cardinalfishes (Teleostei: Gobiiformes: Apogonidae) and the evolution of visceral bioluminescence

The cardinalfishes (Apogonidae) are a diverse clade of small, mostly reef-dwelling fishes, for which a variety of morphological data have not yielded a consistent phylogeny. We use DNA sequence to hypothesize phylogenetic relationships within Apogonidae and among apogonids and other acanthomorph families, to examine patterns of evolution including the distribution of a visceral bioluminescence system. In conformance with previous studies, Apogonidae is placed in a clade with Pempheridae, Kurtidae, Leiognathidae, and Gobioidei. The apogonid genus Pseudamia is recovered outside the remainder of the family, not as sister to the superficially similar genus Gymnapogon. Species sampled from the Caribbean and Western Atlantic (Phaeoptyx, Astrapogon, and some Apogon species) form a clade, as do the larger-bodied Glossamia and Cheilodipterus. Incidence of visceral bioluminescence is found scattered throughout the phylogeny, independently for each group in which it is present. Examination of the fine structure of the visceral bioluminescence system through histology shows that light organs exhibit a range of morphologies, with some composed of complex masses of tubules (Siphamia, Pempheris, Parapriacanthus) and others lacking tubules but containing chambers formed by folds of the visceral epithelium (Acropoma, Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia). Light organs in Siphamia, Acropoma, Pempheris and Parapriacanthus are distinct from but connected to the gut; those in Archamia, Jaydia, and Rhabdamia are simply portions of the intestinal tract, and are little differentiated from the surrounding tissues. The presence or absence of symbiotic luminescent bacteria does not correlate with light organ structure; the tubular light organs of Siphamia and chambered tubes of Acropoma house bacteria, those in Pempheridae and the other Apogonidae do not.     

Molecular phylogeny of Phebalium (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and related genera based on the nrDNA regions ITS 1+2

Parsimony analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 & ITS 2) for 38 taxa sampled from the Phebalium group (Rutaceae: Boronieae) and two outgroups confirm that, with the exception of Phebalium sensu stricto and Rhadinothamnus, six of the currently recognised genera within the group are monophyletic. The data indicate that Phebaliums. str. is paraphyletic with respect to Microcybe, and Rhadinothamnus is paraphyletic with respect to Chorilaena. Rhadinothamnus and Chorilaena together are the sister group to Nematolepis. Drummondita, included as an outgroup taxon, clustered within the ingroup as sister to Muiriantha and related to Asterolasia.The phylogeny suggests that the evolution of major clades within a number of these genera (e.g. Phebalium) relates to vicariance events between eastern and south-western Australia. Leionema is an eastern genus, with the most basal taxon being the morphologically distinct Leionema ellipticum from northern Queensland. Leionema also includes one species from New Zealand, but this species (as with some others) proved difficult to sequence and its phylogenetic position remains unknown. Taxonomic changes at the generic level are recommended.The authors wish to thank Paul G.Wilson, PERTH, for advice and discussion, and Paul Forster, BRI, for collecting and providing material of Leionema ellipticum. The project was supported by a Melbourne University Postgraduate Award (to BM), the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS), Australian Systematic Botany Society and Wolf Den (Australia) Investments.