Genome-Wide Association Studies Identify Heavy Metal ATPase3 as the Primary Determinant of Natural Variation in Leaf Cadmium in Arabidopsis thaliana

Understanding the mechanism of cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants is important to help reduce its potential toxicity to both plants and humans through dietary and environmental exposure. Here, we report on a study to uncover the genetic basis underlying natural variation in Cd accumulation in a world-wide collection of 349 wild collected Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. We identified a 4-fold variation (0.5-2 μg Cd g(-1) dry weight) in leaf Cd accumulation when these accessions were grown in a controlled common garden. By combining genome-wide association mapping, linkage mapping in an experimental F2 population, and transgenic complementation, we reveal that HMA3 is the sole major locus responsible for the variation in leaf Cd accumulation we observe in this diverse population of A. thaliana accessions. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of HMA3 from 149 A. thaliana accessions reveals the existence of 10 major natural protein haplotypes. Association of these haplotypes with leaf Cd accumulation and genetics complementation experiments indicate that 5 of these haplotypes are active and 5 are inactive, and that elevated leaf Cd accumulation is associated with the reduced function of HMA3 caused by a nonsense mutation and polymorphisms that change two specific amino acids.     

Beclin 1 knockdown inhibits autophagic activation and prevents the secondary neurodegenerative damage in the ipsilateral thalamus following focal cerebral infarction

Cerebral infarction can cause secondary degeneration of thalamus and delay functional recovery. However, the mechanisms underlying secondary degeneration are unclear. The present study aimed to determine the occurrence and contribution of autophagy to the thalamic degeneration after cerebral infarction. Focal cerebral infarction was induced by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Autophagic activation, Beclin 1 expression and amyloid β (Aβ) deposits were determined by immunofluorescence, immunoblot and electron microscopy. Secondary damage to thalamus was assessed with Nissl staining and immunofluorescence analysis. Apoptosis was determined using TUNEL staining. The contribution of autophagy to the secondary damage was evaluated by shRNA-mediated downregulation of Beclin 1 and the autophagic inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The potential role of Aβ in autophagic activation was determined with N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT). The results showed that the conversion of LC3-II, the formation of autophagosomes, and the levels of activated cathepsin B and Beclin 1 were significantly increased in the ipsilateral thalamus at 7 and 14 days after MCAO (p < 0.05 or 0.01). Both Beclin 1 knockdown and 3-MA treatment significantly reduced LC3-II conversion and autophagosome formation, which were accompanied by obvious decreases in neuronal loss, gliosis and apoptosis in the ipsilateral thalamus (p < 0.05 or 0.01). Additionally, DAPT treatment markedly reduced Aβ deposits, which coincided with decreases in LC3-II conversion and autophagosome formation (p < 0.01). These results suggest that inhibition of autophagy by Beclin 1 knockdown can attenuate the secondary thalamic damage after focal cerebral infarction. Furthermore, Aβ deposits may be involved in the activation of autophagy.     

BP神经网络优化微生物浸矿工艺

以低品位黄铜矿溶液为原料,浸矿制备Cu2＋能有效提高低品位黄铜矿的利用价值。基于浸矿过程中存在多因素影响的现象,通过正交试验与神经网络分析方法,对浸矿条件（接种量、矿石品位、Fe2＋添加量及浸矿溶液pH）实行优化。结果表明：在正交试验组中最佳试验结果为浸矿产128．753mg／LCu^2＋;BP神经网络优化后的最佳实验组合为微生物接种量12％、矿石品位0．3％、添加Fe^2＋24g/L及浸矿溶液pH1．7,该条件下验证试验产Cu^2＋ 141．352mg／L,通过正交试验及神经网络优化提高了微生物浸出低品位黄铜矿酸性溶液Cu^2＋的产量。     

Discovery of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines as p110α-selective PI3 kinase inhibitors

We have made a novel series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridines as PI3 kinase inhibitors, and demonstrated their selectivity for the p110α isoform over the other Class Ia PI3 kinases. We investigated the SAR around the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine ring system, and found compound 5x to be a particularly potent example (p110α IC(50) 0.9nM). This compound inhibits cell proliferation and phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a downstream marker of PI3 kinase activity, and showed in vivo activity in an HCT-116 human xenograft model.     

人类蛋白质相互作用组

高通量酵母双杂交与免疫亲和纯化技术的快速发展和日臻成熟,使得在蛋白质组水平上大规模地研究蛋白质之间的相互作用成为可能。目前,人类蛋白质互作网络在细胞、组织、器官乃至整个个体水平的研究已经陆续展开。蛋白质互作网络中蛋白质数量也由少数几个向整个蛋白质组扩展。同时,功能、疾病、生态等相关的蛋白质互作网络研究也取得了一定的成果。然而,人类的蛋白质互作网络研究正面临着一些问题和挑战。本文综述了人类蛋白质互作网络的研究方法、研究进展以及面临的挑战,同时指出了人类蛋白质互作网络研究的方向和目标。     

桶形芋螺毒液蛋白质组分析及二硫键异构酶的鉴定

蛋白质二硫键异构酶(PDI)是内质网新生肽链折叠中一个重要的折叠酶。在热带药用海洋生物芋螺的毒液中,富含PDI酶,该酶对于毒液中芋螺毒素神经肽的体内氧化折叠至关重要。研究上样量、水化方式与时间、除盐步骤、聚焦电压和时间、平衡时间、凝胶电泳方法和染色方法等方面,优化并建立了较为理想的芋螺毒液蛋白样品双向电泳的实验条件与方法;通过双向电泳和MALDI-TOF-MS质谱分析技术,从海南产桶形芋螺(Conus betulinus Linnaeus)毒液蛋白中成功分离鉴定出PDI等9种蛋白;通过双向电泳和PDQuest软件分析了并比较了三种不同大小桶形芋螺毒液总蛋白的差异性,并质谱鉴定出5个明显的差异蛋白点。研究建立了桶形芋螺毒液蛋白双向电泳分析及质谱鉴定的技术方法,为后续大量分离纯化出天然的芋螺PDI酶以及利用蛋白质组学技术方法深入研究芋螺毒液特征提供了重要的基础。     

紫杉醇对人肝癌SMMC7721细胞NDRG1表达及增值的影响

旨在探索紫杉醇对人肝癌SMMC7721细胞NDRG1表达的影响,及紫杉醇对肝癌SMMC7721细胞系增殖的抑制作用。分别提取紫杉醇处理前后SMMC7721细胞的RNA,进行逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR),判断紫杉醇处理前后肝癌细胞中NDRG1表达的情况;采用蛋白印迹技术(Western blotting)分析紫杉醇处理前后肝癌细胞中NDRG1蛋白表达的情况;应用不同浓度紫杉醇处理肝癌细胞,以MTT法检测处理前后肝癌细胞的抑制率,流式细胞术(FCM)观察细胞周期变化的况。结果表明紫杉醇处理后的肝癌SMMC7721细胞中NDRG1表达下降,紫杉醇浓度越高,NDRG1表达水平越低,具有浓度依赖性。以MTT法观察紫杉醇对肝癌细胞的抑制作用,试验结果表明不同浓度的紫杉醇处理肝癌SMMC7721细胞后,癌细胞被明显抑制;以流式细胞术观察紫杉醇作用后肝癌SMMC7721细胞周期的变化,结果显示G2-M期细胞比例升高的程度随浓度增高而升高,细胞越来越多地被阻滞在G2-M期,不能继续分裂增殖。分化相关基因NDRG1的表达可能是肝癌的发病机制之一,紫杉醇可抑制肝癌SMMC 7721细胞中NDRG1的表达;同时紫杉醇能使肝癌SMMC7721细胞的生长阻滞在G2-M期,从而显著抑制SMMC7721细胞的增殖,并且具有剂量、时间依赖效应。     

欧盟保护实验动物新指令2010/63/EU介绍及比较分析

从2013年1月开始欧盟将实施新的保护试验用动物指令2010/63/EU,新指令与旧指点令相比在涉及动物福利和3R原则的许多条款上做了完善,体现了国际社会对实验动物使用和管理的最新理念。欧盟保护实验动物法规的变迁,以及适应社会形势和科技进步做出的调整,对于当前中国实验动物实现规范化管理,融入国际实验动物科学发展主流理念具有重要借鉴意义。对指令条款的理解也有助于推动实验动物行业参与国际竞争、外包服务和对外贸易中发挥专业作用。     

周龄和激素水平对长爪沙鼠超数排卵效果的影响

目的探讨不同周龄和激素水平对长爪沙鼠超数排卵效果的影响,以期确定长爪沙鼠最佳超排周龄和激素使用剂量。方法腹腔注射10 IU PMSG/HCG对4～18周龄8个年龄段的雌性长爪沙鼠进行超数排卵,末次注射16～17 h内对各组动物卵母细胞计数,确定最佳超排周龄后,对该年龄动物以5、10、15 IU3个剂量水平腹腔注射PMSG/HCG,观察各组动物的卵母细胞计数差异。结果与其它周龄组相比,6周龄组长爪沙鼠超数排卵后的卵母细胞数最多,各组间有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而5、10、15IU等3个剂量组的超排效果也有一定的差异,10 IU组数量最高。结论对长爪沙鼠而言,采用10 IU激素注射和6周龄的动物进行超数排卵,获得的卵母细胞数量最多而且超排效果稳定性。     

不同营养条件对东海原甲藻和中肋骨条藻竞争参数的影响

以东海原甲藻和中肋骨条藻为研究对象,采用室内单种培养和混合培养,设置不同的氮、磷营养条件,研究了不同营养条件对两种微藻的生长状况和种间竞争参数的影响.结果表明:随着氮、磷浓度的增加,两种藻的最大生物量均呈增加趋势,混合培养中两种微藻的比生长率低于单独培养.在混合培养中,生长前期中肋骨条藻是优势种,随着培养时间的延长,东海原甲藻成为优势种,且优势种发生变化的时间与营养条件有关.混合培养中,东海原甲藻拐点出现时间在0.5 ～4.9 d,中肋骨条藻为0～2.6d,东海原甲藻拐点出现时间晚于中肋骨条藻.在各营养条件下,东海原甲藻对中肋骨条藻的竞争抑制参数β均高于中肋骨条藻对东海原甲藻的竞争抑制参数α,当N为128μmol·L-1、P为32 μmol·L-1时,东海原甲藻的竞争能力是中肋骨条藻的3.8倍,两者差异最为明显.