MatriX Generator （MG）：一个基于DNA片段的0／1矩阵生成程序

分子群体遗传学研究的特点是取样量人——存在于群体样本中的遗传变异必须要充分代表该群体和该物种的遗传变异量及分析的位点数多——位点样本必须恰当代表基因组。大样本的群体取样和位点取样产生大量的原始数据,使原始数据人工处理非常困难甚至不可能,从而迫切需要原始数据处理的自动化。目前一些大公司提供的凝胶图像收集仪器和配套的软件已经使原始数据的获取基本上自动化或半自动化。获得DNA片段分子量数据后,必须把这些分子量数据转变成可反映操作单位(样本)之间关系的数据矩阵,原来用于计算分子量的那些软件已不实用或派不上用场。目前,除了用于fAFLP的Binthere弥补了部分不足外,还没有此类软件。Binthere存在固定栏宽(Bin)的缺陷,也就是将分子量最大值与最小值之间等分的方法来归纳不同操作单位(OUT)之间的异同,使得分子量绝对值差很小的数据可能被归入不同的栏,导致结果不正确。为了解决这类问题,我们设计编写了一个新的软件,取名为Matrix Generator (MG)。与同类软件相比,MG具有两个主要优点：(1)采用动态栏宽和智能归并算法,克服了固定栏宽可能造成的错误：(2)可用于非荧光标记的分子标记技术。MG的基本思路是：分子量差异越小的片段,越可能是同缘片段,越应该处于相同的栏内。为此,我们采用绝对对应的动态过程。也就是说,从最小分子量到最大分子量之间的栏目数不是事先确定,而是由所分析的所有样品的特点和所使用的凝胶的分辨率(用户根据凝胶的特点给出数值)决定的。当两片段的差异小于凝胶所能达到的分辨率时,两片段被认为是同缘片段而归入相同的栏内。归并的过程从差异最小值开始,直至任意两片段的差异都大于凝胶的分辨率为止。这样就排除了同缘片段被隔离或者非同缘片段被合并的错误,从而使最可能同缘的片段归结在同一位点。MG第一版(v1．0,DOS版)集中体现了实用和易用的优点而没有包含同类软件所具有的一些功能,所以MG必须与其他软件结合使用。对于非荧光标记的分子标记技术,如RAPD、RFLP、AFLP等,可用Quantity One等软件得到分子量,用Excel生成样品与(分子量数据代表的)DNA片段矩阵,然后用MG处理。对于荧光标记的分子标记技术,如fAFIP、fSSR等,除可以用Excel牛成矩阵外,可直接用Binthere和Genotyper等生成分子量矩阵,然后用MG处理。MG输出的矩阵经过适当编辑后,就可用后续的软件如Paup、Ntsys、Philip等运算。为了检验MG的有效性,我们用六道木属(Abelia)的AFIJP分析数据进行检验,14个样品的DNA片段分别用Binthere和MG进行处理。前者得到295个含信息的位点,后者得到210个含信息的位点。用Nei and Li (1979)的算法分别计算距离矩阵并对两距离矩阵作Mantel检验。结果,两矩阵之间存在一定的差别,但相似性系数高达0．941 63,说明两种方法总体上会得到相似的结果,但局部会有所不同。用Paup对两矩阵作进一步分析,生成两个Neighbor-joining (NJ)树。结果表明,MG生成的数据更符合实际情况,而且分辨率高。     

微卫星座位对实验动物beagle犬的遗传分析

目的对美国进口、广州自养beagle犬基因组中存在的微卫星结构进行分析,研究其群体的微卫星多态性,以此探索在分子水平上对作为实验动物的beagle犬进行检测。方法通过微卫星分子标记技术进行遗传背景分析,并结合微卫星位点测序结果,研究DNA分子特征。结果在研究位点上共发现6个复等位基因,进口犬群体共有6个等位基因片段,自养犬群体共有5个等位基因片段,根据基因型计算各群体等位基因频率,由相关公式计算杂合度、群体多态信息含量(PIC)、基因纯合率、基因分化系数。结论两群体的杂合度、PIC值均较高(分别为0.7010、0.6747和0.7876、0.7515),基因分化系数很低(0.021),表明两群体没有形成明显的独立群。     

染色体片段导入系在作物遗传育种中的应用

准确而有效的定位农作物数量性状基因座(Quantitative Trait Loci,QTLs)是植物分子育种的核心,传统的QTL定位群体遗传背景复杂,受群体大小和统计方法等多方面的限制,难以达到QTL精细定位。随着分子标记技术、计算机统计软件及分子辅助选择的飞速发展,一种新的QTL定位群体脱颖而出,这就是染色体片段导入系(Chromosome Segment Introgression Lines,CSILs)。它不但能有效消除"遗传背景噪音"对QTL定位的干扰,还能够在群体中挖掘出大量的有利隐蔽基因,对农作物遗传育种的进一步发展有巨大贡献。对染色体片段导入系的优越性,应用范围以及应用前景作以综述。     

企鹅珍珠贝不同地理群体遗传多样性的fAFLP 分析

为阐明企鹅珍珠贝(Pteria penguin)不同地理种群的遗传多样性机制, 采用荧光标记扩增片段长度多态性(fAFLP)技术分析了企鹅珍珠贝广西涠洲岛、广东流沙湾和海南黎安3 个不同地理群体的遗传多样性。选取7 对引物组合对90 个个体(每个群体30 个)进行fAFLP 扩增, 结果发现每个个体均能扩增出清晰的、可重复的扩增条带, 每对引物的扩增位点数在100—163 之间, 共得到895 个扩增位点, 多态位点数为865 个; 涠洲岛、流沙湾和黎安群体的多态位点比例分别为70.73%、63.13%、66.82%。Nei 遗传多样性指数为0.1634、0.1558、0.1783, Shannon 遗传多样性指数为0.2635、0.2474、0.2932。3 个群体间遗传相似度在0.9722—0.9824之间, 遗传距离在0.0177—0.0282 之间。根据遗传距离绘制UPGMA 聚类图, 但Mantel 检验结果显示企鹅珍珠贝三群体间的遗传距离与地理距离之间无显著相关。Shannon 遗传多样性指数和AMOVA 分析, 结果均显示企鹅珍珠贝的遗传变异主要来源于群体内个体间, 7.91%的遗传变异来自群体间, 92.09%的遗传变异来自群体内。分析群体的显性基因型频率分布和基因流Nm 发现3 个群体有基本相同的遗传结构, 有明显的基因交流。研究结果表明北海涠洲岛群体、湛江流沙湾群体和海南黎安群体的企鹅珍珠贝种质有较高的多态位点比例, 但未发生显著地理分化。这一结果为我国企鹅珍珠贝的良种选育以及种质资源保护措施的制定提供了参考依据。       

RFLP分子标记及其在牧草研究中的应用

RFLP分子标记是用限制性酶(RE)消化不同个体的同源DNA分子,经电泳表现的限制性片段长度的差异。它反映了DNA分子水平上的变异,可能是限制性内切酶识别位点的改变,也可能是部分片段的缺失、插入、易位、倒位等,显示出丰富的多态性。本文综述了RFLP分子标记技术在牧草个体识别、绘制遗传图谱、目的基因定位、检测群体内或群体间序列差异程度以及辅助育种研究中的应用等,并对该技术在牧草研究中的应用作了展望。     

小麦高分子量谷蛋白基因转录调控相关的顺反式相互作用的初步研究

利用凝胶延滞（ｇｅｌｒｅｔａｒｄａｔｉｏｎ）分析技术, 研究了小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ ａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ ）高分子量谷蛋白基因转录启始点上游９００ ｂｐ 的ＤＮＡ 片段与未成熟小麦胚乳细胞核因子的顺反式相互作用。利用ＤＮＡ聚合酶链反应技术, 将９００ ｂｐ 分成４ 段凝胶延滞分析用探针, 并以高盐浓度抽提法从扬花１２ ｄ 左右的小麦胚乳得到了核抽提物。凝胶延滞分析结果表明, 这４ 个ＤＮＡ片段上均存在与各自核蛋白因子专一性结合的位点。推测该基因的表达是受多位点复杂的顺反式相互作用来调控的     

分子标记在百合属植物遗传多样性研究中的应用

介绍分子标记技术及其发展概况,并重点论述几种常见分子标记技术如随机扩增多态性DNA(random amplified polymorphism DNA,RAPD)、简单重复序列间区(inter-simple sequence repeat,ISSR)、扩增片段长度多态性(amplified fragment length polymorphism,AFLP)和内转录间隔区(internal transcribed spacer,ITS)等的基本原理、技术上的优缺点及其在百合属植物遗传多样性研究中的应用现状,同时对分子标记技术在百合属植物遗传多样性研究中的应用前景进行展望.     

辽东湾斑海豹遗传多样性的AFLP分析

利用AFLP标记技术对辽东湾斑海豹的遗传多样性进行分析。采用7对AFLP引物对斑海豹3个群体(按不同采样年份分类)43个个体扩增共得到241个位点,3个群体内的多态位点比例为80.45%～95.85%,总多态位点比例为99.59%。群体的香农(Shannon)多样性指数为0.3817～0.4716,群体间的遗传距离在0.1742～0.4023之间。2007年群体的多态位点比例、Shannon多样性指数均高于2006年群体,2005年群体处于中等水平。用NTSYS软件进行个体聚类及UPGMA方法构建的群体系统树,发现3个群体的个体基本随机聚到一起,界限不十分明显,说明3年的群体差异不明显,甚至可以认为它们是混合群体。结果表明,斑海豹群体遗传多样性水平较低,遗传结构趋于简单化,且存在较强的基因交流。     

三角帆蚌五个野生群体线粒体DNA 16S rRNA遗传特性

对中国主要淡水湖泊(鄱阳湖、洞庭湖、太湖、洪泽湖及巢湖)三角帆蚌5个野生群体的线粒体DNA 16S rRNA基因片段进行了扩增和测序,得到473bp的碱基序列,没有发现插入/缺失突变的核苷酸位点。检测到了32个多态性核苷酸位点,共7种单倍型。鄱阳湖群体的222(C→G)和325(A→G)位点,太湖群体的233(A→G)位点,巢湖群体的40(A→G)、138(A→T)和294(C→T)位点,洪泽湖群体的241(A→C)位点的变异可以作为区分群体分子遗传标记位点。洞庭湖群体未发现特异位点。在5个群体间鄱阳湖群体多态性位点、核苷酸多态性、单倍型多态性和单倍型数量4个指标都最高,表明鄱阳湖群体具有最为丰富的遗传结构,遗传变异最大,可作为三角帆蚌选育的基础群体。     

微卫星标记在玉米群体遗传多样性研究中的应用

简要综述了近几年利用微卫星(SSR)分子标记技术分析玉米群体遗传多样性过程中的研究进展对研究中混合取样,荧光标记技术,共享数据库等新方法的使用作了阐述.     

The Biofilm Matrix

The extracellular matrix is a complex and extremely important component of all biofilms, providing architectural structure and mechanical stability to the attached population. The matrix is composed of cells, water and secreted/released extracellular macromolecules. In addition, a range of enzymic and regulatory activities can be found within the matrix. Together, these different components and activities are likely to interact and in so doing create a series of local environments within the matrix which co-exist as a functional consortium. The matrix architecture is also subject to a number of extrinsic factors, including fluctuations in nutrient and gaseous levels and fluid shear. Together, these intrinsic and extrinsic factors combine to produce a dynamic, heterogeneous microenvironment for the attached and enveloped cells.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 regulates survival of neurons in newborn hippocampus

The number of neurons in the adult rodent brain is strongly influenced by events in early postnatal life that eliminate approximately half of the neurons. Recently, we reported that neurotrophins induced survival of neonatal rat hippocampal neurons by promoting neural activity and activation of the Ser/Thr kinase, Akt. The survival of neurons also depended on integrin signaling, but a role for the extracellular matrix (ECM) in this mechanism was yet to be explored. Here, we show that levels of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) decrease, and the level of the ECM protein laminin increases in rat hippocampus during the period of neuronal death. Hippocampi from MMP9 null mice showed higher levels of laminin expression than wild type at P1 and no further increase at P10. In vitro, the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor FN-439 promoted survival of neurons in a laminin-integrin β1-dependent manner. Blocking laminin signaling attenuated activation of Akt by depolarization. In vivo, injecting FN-439 into the neonatal hippocampus increased the level of laminin and promoted neuronal survival through an integrin-dependent mechanism. These results show signals from the ECM are not simply permissive but rather actively regulated, and they interact with neuronal activity to control the number of hippocampal neurons. This work is the first to report a role for MMP9 in regulating neuronal survival through the developmental process that establishes the functional brain.     

Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD)

A review of the many uses of matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) in the extraction and analysis of a variety of compounds from a range of samples is provided. Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) has found particular application as a somewhat generic analytical process for the preparation, extraction and fractionation of solid, semi-solid and/or highly viscous biological samples. Its simplicity and flexibility contribute to it being chosen over more classical methods for these purposes. MSPD is based on several simple principles of chemistry and physics, involving forces applied to the sample by mechanical blending to produce complete sample disruption and the interactions of the sample matrix with a solid support bonded-phase (SPE) or the surface chemistry of other solid support materials. These principles are discussed as are the factors to be considered in conducting a MSPD extraction.     

Proteomic Analysis of Tendon Extracellular Matrix Reveals Disease Stage-specific Fragmentation and Differential Cleavage of COMP (Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein)

During inflammatory processes the extracellular matrix (ECM) is extensively remodeled, and many of the constituent components are released as proteolytically cleaved fragments. These degradative processes are better documented for inflammatory joint diseases than tendinopathy even though the pathogenesis has many similarities. The aims of this study were to investigate the proteomic composition of injured tendons during early and late disease stages to identify disease-specific cleavage patterns of the ECM protein cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). In addition to characterizing fragments released in naturally occurring disease, we hypothesized that stimulation of tendon explants with proinflammatory mediators in vitro would induce fragments of COMP analogous to natural disease. Therefore, normal tendon explants were stimulated with IL-1β and prostaglandin E₂, and their effects on the release of COMP and its cleavage patterns were characterized. Analyses of injured tendons identified an altered proteomic composition of the ECM at all stages post injury, showing protein fragments that were specific to disease stage. IL-1β enhanced the proteolytic cleavage and release of COMP from tendon explants, whereas PGE₂ had no catabolic effect. Of the cleavage fragments identified in early stage tendon disease, two fragments were generated by an IL-1-mediated mechanism. These fragments provide a platform for the development of neo-epitope assays specific to injury stage for tendon disease.     

核基质附着区与转基因表达

核基质附着区 (matrixattachmentregions,MARs)是与核基质 (或核骨架 )特异结合的DNA序列 ,属于非编码序列 ,富含AT。通过与核基质的结合 ,它能使染色质形成独立的环状结构 ,调控基因的转录和表达 ,减少由于位置效应引起的转基因沉默。MARs在提高转基因表达水平、消除转基因个体间表达水平的差异、抑制转基因沉默等方面起着重要的作用。就MAR的一些结构功能特征及其在基因工程中的应用等方面进行了阐述。     

Mutations in the Catalytic Domain of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) That Allow for Regulated Activity through the Use of Ca2+

Conditionally active proteins regulated by a physiological parameter represent a potential new class of protein therapeutics. By systematically creating point mutations in the catalytic and linker domains of human MMP-1, we generated a protein library amenable to physiological parameter-based screening. Mutants screened for temperature-sensitive activity had mutations clustered at or near amino acids critical for metal binding. One mutant, GVSK (Gly¹⁵⁹ to Val, Ser²⁰⁸ to Lys), contains mutations in regions of the catalytic domain involved in calcium and zinc binding. The in vitro activity of GVSK at 37 °C in high Ca²⁺ (10 mm) was comparable with MMP-1 (wild type), but in low Ca²⁺ (1 mm), there was an over 10-fold loss in activity despite having similar kinetic parameters. Activity decreased over 50% within 15 min and correlated with the degradation of the activated protein, suggesting that GVSK was unstable in low Ca²⁺. Varying the concentration of Zn²⁺ had no effect on GVSK activity in vitro. As compared with MMP-1, GVSK degraded soluble collagen I at the high but not the low Ca²⁺ concentration. In vivo, MMP-1 and GVSK degraded collagen I when perfused in Zucker rat ventral skin and formed higher molecular weight complexes with α2-macroglobulin, an inhibitor of MMPs. In vitro and in vivo complex formation and subsequent enzyme inactivation occurred faster with GVSK, especially at the low Ca²⁺ concentration. These data suggest that the activity of the human MMP-1 mutant GVSK can be regulated by Ca²⁺ both in vitro and in vivo and may represent a novel approach to engineering matrix-remodeling enzymes for therapeutic applications.     

Matrix metalloprotease-1a promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis

Matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP1), a collagenase and activator of the G protein-coupled protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1), is an emerging new target implicated in oncogenesis and metastasis in diverse cancers. However, the functional mouse homologue of MMP1 in cancer models has not yet been clearly defined. We report here that Mmp1a is a functional MMP1 homologue that promotes invasion and metastatic progression of mouse lung cancer and melanoma. LLC1 (Lewis lung carcinoma) and primary mouse melanoma cells harboring active BRAF express high levels of endogenous Mmp1a, which is required for invasion through collagen. Silencing of either Mmp1a or PAR1 suppressed invasive stellate growth of lung cancer cells in three-dimensional matrices. Conversely, ectopic expression of Mmp1a conferred an invasive phenotype in epithelial cells that do not express endogenous Mmp1a. Consistent with Mmp1a acting as a PAR1 agonist in an autocrine loop, inhibition or silencing of PAR1 resulted in a loss of the Mmp1a-driven invasive phenotype. Knockdown of Mmp1a on tumor cells resulted in significantly decreased tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis in xenograft models. Together, these data demonstrate that cancer cell-derived Mmp1a acts as a robust functional homologue of MMP1 by conferring protumorigenic and metastatic behavior to cells.     

基质金属蛋白酶在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

肌缺血再灌注损伤是指缺血心肌组织在恢复血流供给后,其细胞代谢功能障碍及结构破坏反而加重的现象,主要表现在心肌收缩与舒张功能障碍、血管内皮功能障碍、微循环血流紊乱、细胞代谢失调、电解质平衡紊乱、细胞凋亡与坏死等,并伴随着氧自由基的大量产生和毒性损伤以及炎症反应的激活,是一个极其复杂的病理过程。基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及其组织抑制物(TIMPs)是心肌组织中多种细胞分泌的内源性细胞因子,其作用涵盖了细胞外基质降解、炎症反应激活、调节血管功能、影响细胞凋亡与存活等众多病理生理过程,而这些过程均在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中发挥着重要的作用。