Live-cell Imaging of Migrating Cells Expressing Fluorescently-tagged Proteins in a Three-dimensional Matrix

Traditionally, cell migration has been studied on two-dimensional, stiff plastic surfaces. However, during important biological processes such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, and cancer metastasis, cells must navigate through complex, three-dimensional extracellular tissue. To better understand the mechanisms behind these biological processes, it is important to examine the roles of the proteins responsible for driving cell migration. Here, we outline a protocol to study the mechanisms of cell migration using the epithelial cell line (MDCK), and a three-dimensional, fibrous, self-polymerizing matrix as a model system. This optically clear extracellular matrix is easily amenable to live-cell imaging studies and better mimics the physiological, soft tissue environment. This report demonstrates a technique for directly visualizing protein localization and dynamics, and deformation of the surrounding three-dimensional matrix. Examination of protein localization and dynamics during cellular processes provides key insight into protein functions. Genetically encoded fluorescent tags provide a unique method for observing protein localization and dynamics. Using this technique, we can analyze the subcellular accumulation of key, force-generating cytoskeletal components in real-time as the cell maneuvers through the matrix. In addition, using multiple fluorescent tags with different wavelengths, we can examine the localization of multiple proteins simultaneously, thus allowing us to test, for example, whether different proteins have similar or divergent roles. Furthermore, the dynamics of fluorescently tagged proteins can be quantified using Fluorescent Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) analysis. This measurement assays the protein mobility and how stably bound the proteins are to the cytoskeletal network.By combining live-cell imaging with the treatment of protein function inhibitors, we can examine in real-time the changes in the distribution of proteins and morphology of migrating cells. Furthermore, we also combine live-cell imaging with the use of fluorescent tracer particles embedded within the matrix to visualize the matrix deformation during cell migration. Thus, we can visualize how a migrating cell distributes force-generating proteins, and where the traction forces are exerted to the surrounding matrix. Through these techniques, we can gain valuable insight into the roles of specific proteins and their contributions to the mechanisms of cell migration.     

Molecular genetic mapping of a high-lysine mutant gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">opaque-16</Emphasis>) and the double recessive effect with <Emphasis Type="Italic">opaque-2</Emphasis> in maize

The lysin content in maize endosperm protein is considered to be one of the most important traits for determining the nutritional quality of food and feed. Improving the protein quality of the maize kernel depends principally on finding a mutant with a higher lysine content. Two high-lysine mutant lines with opaque endosperm, QCL3024 and QCL3021, were isolated from a self-cross population derived from Robertsons Mutator stocks. The gene controlling this mutation is temporarily termed opaque-16 (o16). In order to illuminate the genetic locus and effect of the o16 gene, two F_2:3 populations, one developed from a cross between QCL3024 and QCL3010 (a wild type line) and another from a cross between Qi205 (opaque-2 line) and QCL3021, were created, and F₃ seeds from the F₂ plants in the two populations were evaluated for lysine content. The distributions of lysine content and tests for their normality indicate that the lysine content in the two populations is regulated by the major gene of o16 and genes of o2 and o16, respectively. Based on two data sets of the linkage maps of the F₂ plant marker genotypes and the lysine content of F₃ seeds originating from the two F_2:3 populations, the o16 gene was located within 5 cM, at either 3 or 2.2 cM from umc1141 in the interval between umc1121 and umc1141 on the long arm of chromosome 8, depending on the recombination rate in the two populations as determined by composite interval mapping. According to the data of the F_2:3 population constructed from the o2 and o16 lines, the double recessive mutant effect was analyzed. The average lysine content of the F₃ o2o2o16o16 families identified by the umc1066 and umc1141 markers was approximately 30% higher than that of the F₃ o2o2 and o16o16 families, respectively. The lysine content of seven F₃ families among nine F₃ double recessive mutant families showed different increments, with an average increase of some 6% compared with that of the maternal o2 line. The potential application of the o16 mutant for maize high-lysine breeding may be to combine it with the o2 mutant bearing modifier genes, thus obtaining a mutant with much higher lysine content. For the purpose of pyramiding the o16 with o2 genes, the availability of closely linked markers of the o16 and o2 loci will facilitate marker-assisted selection and greatly reduce breeding time and effort.     

云南美味牛肝菌ITS 区域结构特点

利用ITS 的通用引物(ITS5-ITS4) 对云南的美味牛肝菌( Boletus edulis) 子实体的DNA 进行PCR 扩增, 扩增产物回收后直接测序。序列的聚类分析表明, 在ITS1-5 . 8S rDNA-ITS2 区域, 云南的美味牛肝菌与欧洲的夏牛肝菌( B. aestivalis) 和铜色牛肝菌( B . aereus) 同源性较高, 但在ITS2 区域夏牛肝菌和铜色牛肝菌分别有一段美味牛肝菌没有的大小分别为73 bp 和26 bp 的特征序列。     

水稻穗瘟防卫反应相关基因的分离和鉴定

以遗传背景相近、对叶瘟抗性相同但对穗瘟抗性不同的两个水稻株系为材料,利用抑制消减杂交（SSH）技术构建穗瘟抗／感消减cDNA文库,经差异筛选及序列分析,共获得90个独立的差异表达cDNA克隆,根据与它们刚源的基因功能推测,这些克隆可能参与了对病原菌的防卫反应、信号传导和转录等一些重要的生物学过程。利ⅢRT-PCR分析了26个所筛选到的cDNA克隆在抗／感植株接种后的表达,17个基因的表达差异得到验证。对这螳差异表达基因在抗感株系接种后不同时间点的表达谱也进行了RT-PCR的分析。文章首次报道了什关水稻对穗瘟抗性在mRNA水平进行研究,为深入研究水稻对穗瘟抗性的遗传机理打下了基础。     

Inhibition of voltage-gated K+ channels in dendritic cells by rapamycin

Rapamycin, an inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), is a widely used immunosuppressive drug. Rapamycin affects the function of dendritic cells (DCs), antigen-presenting cells participating in the initiation of primary immune responses and the establishment of immunological memory. Voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels are expressed in and impact on the function of DCs. The present study explored whether rapamycin influences Kv channels in DCs. To this end, DCs were isolated from murine bone marrow and ion channel activity was determined by whole cell patch clamp. To more directly analyze an effect of mTOR on Kv channel activity, Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 were expressed in Xenopus oocytes with or without the additional expression of mTOR and voltage-gated currents were determined by dual-electrode voltage clamp. As a result, preincubation with rapamycin (0-50 nM) led to a gradual decline of Kv currents in DCs, reaching statistical significance within 6 h and 50 nM of rapamycin. Rapamycin accelerated Kv channel inactivation. Coexpression of mTOR upregulated Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 currents in Xenopus oocytes. Furthermore, mTOR accelerated Kv1.3 channel activation and slowed down Kv1.3 channel inactivation. In conclusion, mTOR stimulates Kv channels, an effect contributing to the immunomodulating properties of rapamycin in DCs.     

林下与全光下地枫皮叶片形态和光合特性的比较

测量了林下与全光下地枫皮的叶片形态和光合-光响应曲线,探讨光强对地枫皮的形态和生理特性的影响。结果表明：林下与全光下地枫皮叶片净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、蒸腾速率（Tr）和水分利用效率（WUE）对光强的响应趋势均基本一致,但全光下的Pn、Gs和Tr值较高,林下WUE值较高。全光下地枫皮的最大净光合速率、光饱和点和光补偿点均极显著高于林下,但弱光下的量子效率无显著差异;林下地枫皮的叶长、叶宽、干物质重、叶面积和比叶面积等叶片形态参数均极显著大于全光。推断地枫皮为耐阴性较弱的阳生植物,其光合能力和光饱和点较低,是对干旱环境的适应性反应;全光下地枫皮叶片狭小降低了吸光面积,有利于避免过高光强对叶光合器官的损伤。     

棉铃虫幼虫对人类呈味物质的取食反应

利用叶碟法在室内测定了棉铃虫对人类酸、甜、苦、咸4种基本呈味物质和麻、辣味2种植物提取物的取食反应。正交试验结果表明,棉铃虫幼虫对用甜味、苦味和辣味物质(蔗糖、奎宁和辣椒提取物)处理过的烟叶取食选择率较高,对这3种呈味物质表现出有较好的适应性;而幼虫对咸味、酸味和麻味物质(氯化钠、柠檬酸和花椒提取物)处理过的烟叶取食量较少,这3种呈味物质表现出较强的拒食活性。在选择性条件下,幼虫的取食量与花椒提取物剂量显著相关;而在非选择性条件下,幼虫的取食量与氯化钠剂量显著相关。     

森林可燃物计划烧除的相关分析

森林火灾带来了严重后果,但许多人对黑色防火感到一些困惑,计划烧除是"防火"、"用火"还是"放火".随着数据分析技术的进步,运用数据库、多元统计分析等方法可以分析森林火灾调查和统计的数据,探索森林防火的最佳措施.针对黑色防火的深入理解,对试验数据进行了相关分析.该相关分析是利用了云南松林里进行计划烧除后得到的各种数据,然后通过SPSS软件来分析数据.试验结果可以表明:计划烧除时火强度、火蔓延速度与火焰高度属于正相关;火强度与森林可燃物的生物量也属于正相关,通过小强度的计划烧除能有效的减少森林可燃物的生物量,从而提高森林的自防能力.     

NaCl胁迫对甜菊不同品种幼苗生长的影响

采用基质培养法,用含3.0、3.5、4.0、4.5和5.0 g·L-1NaCl的Knop营养液进行胁迫处理,对5个甜菊(Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni)品种幼苗的生长指标及其耐盐性进行了分析和评价.结果表明:在NaCl胁迫条件下,5个品种幼苗地上部分和地下部分的干质量、株高、根长、叶片数、叶片长度、叶片宽度以及主茎节数和分枝数等生长指标均低于对照,且随NaCl质量浓度的提高总体上呈逐渐降低的趋势,但不同品种各指标的降幅存在明显差异.NaCl胁迫对'中山3号'和'守田2号'幼苗地上部分和地下部分的干质量影响较小,对'中山2号'和'守田3号'幼苗地上部分和地下部分的干质量有较大影响.在NaCl胁迫条件下,5个甜菊品种幼苗的根冠比均大于对照;'中山2号'和'守田3号'幼苗的根冠比随NaCl质量浓度的提高呈先增大后减小的趋势,并在4.0 g·L-1 NaCl胁迫条件下达到最大;其他3个品种的根冠比均随NaCl质量浓度的提高呈现缓慢增加的趋势.NaCl胁迫对根长的抑制作用小于株高,对叶片长度的影响小于叶片宽度.相关性分析结果表明,甜菊幼苗的叶片数和分枝数与地上部分干质量的相关性显著,是导致地上部分干质量下降的重要原因.根据实验结果,供试甜菊品种按耐盐性从强至弱依次排序为 '中山3号'、'守田2号'、'中山4号'、'守田3号' 和'中山2号',其中'中山3号'和 '守田2号'耐盐性较强且各项生长指标均相对良好,可作为优良的甜菊耐盐种质资源进行深入研究.     

植物细胞的非选择性阳离子通道

就植物细胞质膜和内膜系统的非选择性阳离子通道类型、对不同离子的选择性和其生理功能的研究进展进行了评述。