Copper-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission/Fusion Is Associated with Intrinsic Apoptosis and Autophagy in the Testis Tissues of Chicken

Biological Trace Element Research - The aim of this study is to investigate whether copper (Cu) could induce testicular poisoning and influence the mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis, and autophagy...     

玉米单染色体的分离和体外扩增

建立了玉米单染色体的分离及体外扩增的方法。取95％乙醇固定后经果胶酶和纤维酶酶解的根尖制备染色体标本,用自制的微细玻璃针在倒置显微镜下挑取目的染色体。染色体DNA经Sau3A酶切后与人工合成的Sau3A连接接头连接,经两次PCR扩增获得足以用于构建单染色体DNA文库的扩增产物。片段大小为0．3～5kb,多数为0．5～3．5kb．与前人研究方法相比,所需底物量少（只需1条染色体）,扩增片段大,为植物中小型染色体分离、体外扩增进而进行单染色体DNA文库构建奠定了基础。     

A Lipoxygenase from Red Alga Pyropia haitanensis,a Unique Enzyme Catalyzing the Free Radical Reactions of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with Triple Ethylenic Bonds

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are key enzymes to regulate the production of hormones and defensive metabolites in plants, animals and algae. In this research, a full length LOX gene has been cloned and expressed from the red alga Pyropia haitanensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) gametophyte (PhLOX2). Subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed that such LOX enzymes are separated at the early stage of evolution, establishing an independent branch. The LOX activity was investigated at the optimal pH of 8.0. It appears that PhLOX2 is a multifunctional enzyme featuring both lipoxygenase and hydroperoxidase activities. Additionally, PhLOX2 exhibits remarkable substrate and position flexibility, and it can catalyze an array of chemical reactions involving various polyunsaturated fatty acids, ranging from C18 to C22. As a matter of fact, mono-hydroperoxy, di-hydroperoxy and hydroxyl products have been obtained from such transformations, and eicosapentaenoic acid seem to be the most preferred substrate. It was found that at least triple ethylenic bonds are required for PhLOX2 to function as a LOX, and the resulting hydroxy products should be originated from the PhLOX2 mediated reduction of mono-hydroperoxides, in which the hydrogen abstraction occurs on the carbon atom between the second and third double bond. Most of the di-hydroperoxides observed seem to be missing their mono-position precursors. The substrate and position flexibility, as well as the function versatility of PhLOXs represent the ancient enzymatic pathway for organisms to control intracellular oxylipins.     

Trans-Corneal Subretinal Injection in Mice and Its Effect on the Function and Morphology of the Retina

Purpose

To introduce a practical method of subretinal injection in mice and evaluate injection-induced retinal detachment (RD) and damage using a dynamic imaging system, electrophysiology, and histology.

Methods

After full dilation of a 2-month-old C57BL/6J mouse pupil, the cornea near the limbus was punctured with a 30 ½-gague disposable beveled needle. A 33 ½-gauge blunt needle was inserted through the corneal perforation into the anterior chamber, avoiding the lens before going deeper into the vitreous cavity, and penetrating the inner retina to reach the subretinal space. The mice were divided into four groups: in group 1, about 80–100% of the retina was filled with subretinally injected solution; in group 2, approximately 50–70% of the retina was filled with injected solution; in group 3, the procedures were stopped before solution injection; and non-injected eyes were used as the negative control in group 4. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system was used to monitor retinal reattachment during the first three days following the injections. Histological and functional changes were examined by light microscopy and electroretinography (ERG) at five weeks post-injection.

Results

After a short-term training, a 70% success rate with 50% or more coverage (i.e., retinal blebs occupied 50% or more retinal area and filled with the injected solution) with minimal injection-related damages can be achieved. Bleb formation was associated with retinal detachment (RD) between the neuroretina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer. Partial RD could be observed at post-injection day 1, and by day 2 most of the retina had reattached. At 5 weeks post-injection, compared to uninjected control group 4, the b-wave amplitudes of ERG decreased 22% in group 1, 16% in group 2, and 7% in group 3; the b-wave amplitudes were statistically different between the uninjected group and the groups with either 50–70% or 80–100% coverage. The subretinal injection-induced RD reattached and became stable at five weeks post-injection, although some photoreceptor damage could still be observed in and around the injection sites, especially in 80–100% coverage group.

Conclusions

Trans-corneal subretinal injection is effective and practical, although subretinal injection-related damages can cause some morphological and functional loss.     

Fruit and seed heteromorphism in the cold desert annual ephemeral Diptychocarpus strictus (Brassicaceae) and possible adaptive significance

Background and Aims

Diptychocarpus strictus is an annual ephemeral in the cold desert of northwest China that produces heteromorphic fruits and seeds. The primary aims of this study were to characterize the morphology and anatomy of fruits and seeds of this species and compare the role of fruit and seed hetermorphism in dispersal and germination.

Methods

Shape, size, mass and dispersal of siliques and seeds and the thickness of the mucilage layer on seeds were measured, and the anatomy of siliques and seeds, the role of seed mucilage in water absorption/dehydration, germination and adherence of seeds to soil particles, the role of pericarp of lower siliques in seed dormancy and seed after-ripening and germination phenology were studied using standard procedures.

Key Results

Plants produce dehiscent upper siliques with a thin pericarp containing seeds with large wings and a thick mucilage layer and indehiscent lower siliques with a thick pericarp containing nearly wingless seeds with a thin mucilage layer. The dispersal ability of seeds from the upper siliques was much greater than that of intact lower siliques. Mucilage increased the amount of water absorbed by seeds and decreased the rate of dehydration. Seeds with a thick mucilage layer adhered to soil particles much better than those with a thin mucilage layer or those from which mucilage had been removed. Fresh seeds were physiologically dormant and after-ripened during summer. Non-dormant seeds germinated to high percentages in light and in darkness. Germination of seeds from upper siliques is delayed until spring primarily by drought in summer and autumn, whereas the thick, indehiscent pericarp prevents germination for >1 year of seeds retained in lower siliques.

Conclusions

The life cycle of D. strictus is morphologically and physiologically adapted to the cold desert environment in time and space via a combination of characters associated with fruit and seed heteromorphism.     

Cloning and characterization of a beta-glucosidase from marine microbial metagenome with excellent glucose tolerance

The demand for beta-glucosidases insensitive to product inhibition is increasing in modern biotechnology, for these enzymes would improve the process of saccharification of lignocellulosic materials. In this study, a beta-glucosidase gene which encodes a 442-amino-acid protein was isolated from a marine microbial metagenomic library by functional screening and named as bgl1A. The protein was identified to be a member of GH1 family, and was recombinantly expressed, purified and biochemically characterized. The recombinant beta-glucosidase, Bgl1A, exhibited high level of stability in the presence of various cations and high concentrations of NaCl. Interestingly, it was activated by glucose at concentrations lower than 400 mM. With glucose further increasing, the enzyme activity of Bgl1A was gradually inhibited, but remained 50% original value in even as high as 1,000 mM glucose. These findings indicate Bgl1A might be a potent candidate for industrial applications.     

Mitochondrial ND6 T14502C variant may modulate the phenotypic expression of LHON-associated G11778A mutation in four Chinese families

We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular evaluations of four Han Chinese families with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy. Thirty-one (20 males/11 females) of 83 matrilineal relatives in these families exhibited the variable severity and age-at-onset in visual impairment. The average age-of-onset of vision loss was 22 years old. Strikingly, these penetrances of visual impairment in these Chinese families were higher than those in other 11 Chinese pedigrees carrying the only ND4 G11778A mutation. Molecular analysis identified the known G11778A mutation and distinct sets of variants belonging to the Asian haplogroups M10a and M7c2. Of these, the T14502C mutation caused the substitution of a highly conserved isoleucine for valine at position 58 in ND6. This mutation has been associated with LHON in other Chinese families with very low penetrance of LHON. Thus, the deficient activities of complex I, caused by G11778A mutation, would be worsened by the T14502C mutation in these four Chinese families. As a result, mitochondrial dysfunctions would lead to the high penetrance and expressivity of visual loss in these Chinese families carrying both G11778A and T14502C mutations than other 11 Chinese families carrying only G11778A mutation. These data suggested that the T14502C variant may modulate the phenotypic manifestation of the G11778A mutation in these Chinese pedigrees.     

神农架大九湖湿地公园的植被现状与保护对策

大九湖湿地公园共有维管植物103科273属411种,分别占整个神农架自然保护区维管植物科、属、种的51.8%、31.3%和14.9%。在植物地理区系成分上,以温带成分为主。大九湖湿地公园的植被可划分为4个植被型组,7个植被型,20个群系。黑三棱群落(Form.Sparganium stoloniferum)和睡菜群落(Form.Menyanthes trifoliata)为中国首次记载。食虫植物黄花狸藻(Utricularia aurea)和圆叶茅膏菜(Drosera rotundifolia)及苔草群落(Form.Carexargyi)中的浮毛茛(Ranunculus natans)均为神农架地区首次记载,并且圆叶茅膏菜和浮毛茛亦为湖北省首次记载。在全面调查大九湖湿地公园植被现状的基础上,结合大九湖湿地公园存在的主要问题,提出了相应的保护对策。     

Sulfolobus acidocaldarius DHH超家族核酸酶Saci0542的酶学特征研究

【目的】以嗜酸嗜热硫化叶菌Sulfolobus acidocaldarius的DHH超家族核酸酶（Saci0542）为例,研究其核酸外切酶活性特点,为阐明其在DNA代谢中的具体功能提供生化基础。【方法】将嗜酸嗜热硫化叶菌DHH超家族核酸酶Saci0542基因在大肠杆菌中重组表达,经亲和层析纯化得到电泳纯的重组蛋白;利用荧光标记的寡核苷酸作为底物,用尿素变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术,鉴定Saci0542的酶学特征。【结果】重组表达的DHH超家族核酸酶Saci0542具有典型的单链核酸特异性的3’-5’外切酶活性。进一步酶学特征表征结果如下:酶活性依赖于二价金属离子Mn²⁺,而Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Zn²⁺等二价金属离子对活性没有明显的促进作用;Saci0542在pH5.5–10的广泛范围内均表现出较高酶活性;高于200 mmol/L的NaCl强烈抑制酶活性;最适反应温度为50–55℃;末端磷酸基团抑制3’-5’外切酶活性。【结论】本研究证实,Saci0542是一种Mn²⁺依赖型3’-...