Autoantibody Profiling on Human Proteome Microarray for Biomarker Discovery in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Sera of Neuropsychiatric Lupus

Autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) may be potential biomarkers for prediction, diagnosis, or prognosis of NPSLE. We used a human proteome microarray with~17,000 unique full-length human proteins to investigate autoantibodies associated with NPSLE. Twenty-nine CSF specimens from 12 NPSLE, 7 non-NPSLE, and 10 control (non-systemic lupus erythematosus)patients were screened for NPSLE-associated autoantibodies with proteome microarrays. A focused autoantigen microarray of candidate NPSLE autoantigens was applied to profile a larger cohort of CSF with patient-matched sera. We identified 137 autoantigens associated with NPSLE. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that these autoantigens were enriched for functions involved in neurological diseases (score = 43).Anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was found in the CSF of NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients. The positive rates of 4 autoantibodies in CSF specimens were significantly different between the SLE (i.e., NPSLE and non-NPSLE) and control groups: anti-ribosomal protein RPLP0, anti-RPLP1, anti-RPLP2, and anti-TROVE2 (also known as anti-Ro/SS-A). The positive rate for anti-SS-A associated with NPSLE was higher than that for non-NPSLE (31.11% cf. 10.71%; P = 0.045).Further analysis showed that anti-SS-A in CSF specimens was related to neuropsychiatric syndromes of the central nervous system in SLE (P = 0.009). Analysis with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient indicated that the titers of anti-RPLP2 and anti-SS-A in paired CSF and serum specimens significantly correlated. Human proteome microarrays offer a powerful platform to discover novel autoantibodies in CSF samples. Anti-SS-A autoantibodies may be potential CSF markers for NPSLE.     

二疣犀甲对油棕、椰子的风险性分析及防控策略

二疣犀甲是危害椰子、油棕等木本油料作物的重要害虫,本文从形态学、生物学、分布及危害等不同方面对该虫进行了阐述,并对其风险性进行了定性定量评价,结果表明:二疣犀甲的R值为2.0,属于高风险有害生物。同时从生物防治、物理防治、化学防治、农事操作及检验检疫技术的应用等方面制定了二疣犀甲的综合防控策略,为该虫的危害评价和防护技术的制定提供了参考。     

Humanin analogue,HNG, inhibits platelet activation and thrombus formation by stabilizing platelet microtubules

HNG, a highly potent mutant of the anti‐Alzheimer peptide‐humanin, has been shown to protect against ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanism related to platelet activation remains unknown. We proposed that HNG has an effect on platelet function and thrombus formation. In this study, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, clot retraction, integrin activation and adhesion under flow conditions were evaluated. In mice receiving HNG or saline, cremaster arterial thrombus formation induced by laser injury, tail bleeding time and blood loss were recorded. Platelet microtubule depolymerization was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. Results showed that HNG inhibited platelet aggregation, P‐selectin expression, ATP release, and α_IIbβ₃ activation and adhesion under flow conditions. Mice receiving HNG had attenuated cremaster arterial thrombus formation, although the bleeding time was not prolonged. Moreover, HNG significantly inhibited microtubule depolymerization, enhanced tubulin acetylation in platelets stimulated by fibrinogen or microtubule depolymerization reagent, nocodazole, and inhibited AKT and ERK phosphorylation downstream of HDAC6 by collagen stimulation. Therefore, our results identified a novel role of HNG in platelet function and thrombus formation potentially through stabilizing platelet microtubules via tubulin acetylation. These findings suggest a potential benefit of HNG in the management of cardiovascular diseases.     

Genome‐wide quantitative trait loci reveal the genetic basis of cotton fibre quality and yield‐related traits in a Gossypium hirsutum recombinant inbred line population

Cotton is widely cultivated globally because it provides natural fibre for the textile industry and human use. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes associated with fibre quality and yield, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed in upland cotton. A consensus map covering the whole genome was constructed with three types of markers (8295 markers, 5197.17 centimorgans (cM)). Six fibre yield and quality traits were evaluated in 17 environments, and 983 QTLs were identified, 198 of which were stable and mainly distributed on chromosomes 4, 6, 7, 13, 21 and 25. Thirty‐seven QTL clusters were identified, in which 92.8% of paired traits with significant medium or high positive correlations had the same QTL additive effect directions, and all of the paired traits with significant medium or high negative correlations had opposite additive effect directions. In total, 1297 genes were discovered in the QTL clusters, 414 of which were expressed in two RNA‐Seq data sets. Many genes were discovered, 23 of which were promising candidates. Six important QTL clusters that included both fibre quality and yield traits were identified with opposite additive effect directions, and those on chromosome 13 (qClu‐chr13‐2) could increase fibre quality but reduce yield; this result was validated in a natural population using three markers. These data could provide information about the genetic basis of cotton fibre quality and yield and help cotton breeders to improve fibre quality and yield simultaneously.     

60Coγ射线和电子束对红棕象甲雄虫的不育效应

[目的] 红棕象甲在我国的危险性和潜在风险性日益突出,应用辐照不育技术控制该虫是绿色防治的重要途径之一。本研究筛选对红棕象甲雄成虫的射线最佳辐照剂量,为该项技术的实际应用提供科学依据。[方法] 通过室内试验,测定并分析2种射线不同辐照剂量⁶⁰Coγ射线和电子束辐照红棕象甲雄成虫对红棕象甲产卵量、卵孵化率、寿命的影响。[结果] 处理虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率都随2种射线剂量的增加而逐渐降低,与对照组具有显著差异。电子束剂量为100、150、200和250 Gy以及⁶⁰Coγ射线剂量为100、140、180 Gy时,卵孵化率为0。对2种辐照射线进行对比,当雌∶雄∶辐照雄虫为1∶1∶6 时,100 Gy ⁶⁰Coγ射线辐照对红棕象甲的防治效果较好,雌雄交配后卵的孵化率仅为2.44%。[结论] 实际应用中应选择剂量100 Gy⁶⁰Coγ射线辐照为宜。     

喀斯特槽谷区土壤侵蚀时空演变及未来情景模拟

以中国南方喀斯特槽谷区为研究对象,基于改进的喀斯特地区土壤侵蚀算法,定量分析了槽谷区土壤侵蚀时空演变特征,并利用CA-Markov模型对土壤侵蚀状况的未来情景进行预测。结果表明:(1)喀斯特槽谷区2000—2015年土壤侵蚀总量由61.86×10~7 t/a减少至2.97×10~7 t/a,区域年平均侵蚀模数由21.61 t hm~(-2) a~(-1)降低至1.04 t hm~(-2) a~(-1),轻度及轻度以下侵蚀等级的面积增加了76.13×10~5 hm~2,重度及重度以上侵蚀面积减少了46.90×10~5 hm~2,侵蚀状况明显减轻;(2)不同地貌类型之间的土壤侵蚀状况存在一定差异,平原地区侵蚀模数最小,盆地地区侵蚀模数最大,达到平原地区侵蚀模数的近4倍;(3) 2000—2015年间,槽谷区轻度及轻度以上侵蚀等级都逐渐向微度侵蚀等级转移,土壤侵蚀等级由高等级向低等级转移率达到了98%以上,总体呈现出好转的趋势;(4)基于CA-Markov模型模拟槽谷区2020年土壤侵蚀等级的未来演变趋势,其总体Kappa系数达到了0.9788,一致性最佳;(5)到2020年,槽谷区土壤侵蚀等级基本为微度和轻度侵蚀,土壤侵蚀状况将进一步改善。本研究的结果可为喀斯特槽谷区当前土壤侵蚀治理成效的评价以及未来的防治提供理论和数据方面的参考。     

RNA干涉及其在棉花研究中的应用

RNA干涉(TNA interference,RNAi)技术是一门新兴的基因阻断技术,可通过将外源双链RNA导入细胞介导同源靶基因mRNA序列的降解,使靶基因表达沉默,是一种转录后的基因沉默现象.目前,RNA干涉技术在植物研究中已经得到广泛应用.本文简介了植物的RNA干涉研究及RNAi表达载体的构建,综述了RNAi在棉花基因功能和功能基因组学研究、棉花品质性状的遗传改良和棉花的抗虫抗病研究中的应用进展及其在棉花研究中存在的主要问题和应用前景.     

嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲致病力的时间效应及对血淋巴的影响

【目的】阐明嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系处理对红棕象甲血淋巴免疫系统的影响。【方法】采用室内生物测定和生理生化测定法,研究了嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲不同虫态的致病力及对血淋巴各项指标的调节作用。【结果】嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系对红棕象甲不同虫态的致病力与处理浓度和处理时间均呈正相关性,经嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系处理后,红棕象甲血淋巴总量和血淋巴酯酶均呈前期升高、后期降低的趋势,处理后72 h的血淋巴总量和酯酶活性与对照相比分别降低39.73%和53.36%;血淋巴蛋白含量与对照相比呈下降的趋势,虽在60 h时有一个短暂的回升,之后又迅速下降,其中在处理后72 h,血淋巴的蛋白含量与对照相比下降74.96%。【结论】嗜菌异小杆线虫H06品系的侵入破坏了红棕象的血淋巴免疫系统,本研究结果可为揭示昆虫病原线虫对红棕象甲的致病机理提供依据。     

Using a GFP-gene fusion technique to study the cell cycle-dependent distribution of calmodulin in living cells

In this study, a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-calmodulin (CaM) fusion gene method was used to examine the distribution of calmodulin during various stages of cell cycle. First, it was found that the distribution of CaM in living cells changes with the cell cycle. CaM was found mainly in the cytoplasm during G1 phase. It began to move into the nucleus when the cell entered S phase. At G2 phase, CaM became more concentrated in the nucleus than in cytoplasm. Second, the accumulation of CaM in the nucleus during G2 phase appeared to be related to the onset of mitosis, since inhibiting the activation of CaM at this stage resulted in blocking the nuclear membrane breakdown and chromatin condensation. Finally, after the cell entered mitosis, a high concentration of CaM was found at the polar regions of the mitotic spindle. At this time, inhibiting the activity of CaM would cause a dismption of the spindle structure. The relationship between the stage-specific distribution of CaM and its function in regulating the progression of cell cycle was discussed.     

Human NRAGE disrupts E-cadherin/beta-catenin regulated homotypic cell-cell adhesion

Human NRAGE, a neurotrophin receptor p75 interaction MAGE homologue, confers NGF-dependent apoptosis of neuronal cells by inducing caspase activation through the JNK-c-jun-dependent pathway and arrests cell growth through the p53-dependent pathway. Our findings showed that human NRAGE could significantly alter the cell skeleton and inhibit homotypic cell-cell adhesion in U2OS cells. With further experiments, we revealed that human NRAGE disrupts colocalization of the E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex and translocates beta-catenin from the cell membrane into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Synchronously, NRAGE also decreases the total protein level of beta-catenin, especially when NRAGE expresses for a long time. More importantly, knock down of NRAGE by RNA interference in PANC-1 cell significantly reinforces E-cadherin/beta-catenin homotypic cell adhesion. The data demonstrate the importance of human NRAGE in homotypic cell-to-cell adhesion and illuminate the mechanism of human NRAGE in the process of inhibition of cell adhesion, which suggests that human NRGAE plays a potential negative role in cancer metastasis.