Three-dimensional structure and function study on the active region in the extracellular ligand-binding domain of human IL-6 receptor

In this study the three-dimensional (3-D) model of the ligand-binding domain (V106-P322) of human interleukin-6 receptor (hlL-6 R) was constructed by computer-guided ho-mology modeling technique using the crystal structure of the ligand-binding domain (K52-L251) of human growth hormone receptor (hGHR) as templet. Furthermore, the active binding region of the 3-D model of hlL-6R with the ligand (hlL-6) was predicted. In light of the structural characteristics of the active region, a hydrophobic pocket shielded by two hydrophilic residues (E115 and E505) of the region was identified by a combination of molecular modelling and the site-directed or double-site mutation of the twelve crucial residues in the ligand-binding domain of hIL-6R (V106-P322). We observed and analyzed the effects of these mutants on the spatial conformation of the pocket-like region of hlL-6 R. The results indicated that any site-directed mutation of the five Cys residues (four conservative Cys residues: Cyst 21, Cys132, Cys165, Cys1     

水稻种子储藏蛋白及其基因表达

作为人类氮素营养的一个重要来源,水稻种子储藏蛋白的组成、结构及其合成过程一直是为研究者所关注。随着研究的深入,对于谷蛋白基因的结构特点,表达方式以及与谷蛋白基因表达相关的转录因子也都为人们所逐渐了解。这些知识对于人们改善水稻籽粒的品质以及利用水稻籽粒来生产外源蛋白都具有十分重要的意义。本文对这些方面做一简要概述。 As an important nitrogen source of human being. The composition, structure and synthesis of rice storage protein were concerned by scientists. Now people know a lot about the structure ,expression patterns of rice glutelin genes. On the basis of these knowledge, we may improve the quality of rice grain and use it to produce foreign proteins. In this paper we summarize the knowledge about rice storage proteins that we have got in these years.     

如何发挥国家自然科学基金在资助微生物应用基础研究中的作用

随着国家财政投入的不断增多 ,国家自然科学基金在我国科学与技术发展中的作用也将不断提高。在这里 ,想与从事微生物应用基础研究及应用研究的专家们探讨一个老话题 ,即国家自然科学基金如何在微生物的开发应用研究中更好地发挥作用。大家都知道 ,国家自然科学基金是国家资助基础研究的重要渠道之一。十多年的实践证明 ,科学基金在推动我国基础研究的开展、稳定基础研究队伍以及培养高水平科技人才等方面发挥了重要的作用 ,作出了突出的贡献。在当前的形势下 ,国家自然科学基金将更加坚定地高举“基础研究”旗帜 ,做好项目的资助工作。到“…     

A 14 000-year record of paleoenvironmental change in the western basin of China's third largest lake,Lake Taihu

Effect of leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum on (i) the specific and non-specific immune responses and (ii) disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated in Oreochromis mossambicus. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Heat aggregated bovine serum albumin (HA-BSA) were used as antigens for specific and non-specific immune response studies, respectively. Antigens were administered through intraperitoneal route. Anti-SRBC antibody titres were determined by direct haemagglutination and anti-bacterial antibodies were determined by bacterial agglutination. Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay was used to determine neutrophil activity. Disease resistance was measured in terms of relative percent survival (RPS). The immunostimulatory effect of the leaf extract of O. sanctum, when administered through intraperitoneal and oral routes was obvious. Leaf extract of O. sanctum, when administered intraperitoneally, stimulated both antibody response and neutrophil activity. Dietary intake of O. sanctum also enhanced the antibody response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila. Possibility of using O. sanctum as immunostimulant in the maintenance of finfish health in intensive freshwater aquaculture is suggested.     

植物GLKs生物学功能及分子作用机理研究进展

GLKs (GOLDEN 2-LIKEs)是一类植物特有的转录因子,靶向调控光合作用相关基因的表达,调控叶绿体的发育、分化并维持其机能,并参与调节果实的营养积累、叶片衰老、免疫反应及逆境胁迫应答等。GLKs受多种激素或环境因子的影响,是植物细胞调控网络的关键节点,也是改造作物光合能力的重要基因。基于国内外在植物GLKs研究中取得的众多进展,文中全面阐述了GLKs基因的生物学功能、分子机制及其育种实践,并构建GLKs介导的信号网络模型,为后期GLKs的理论与应用研究提供借鉴。     

Comparative Genomics and Evolution of Avian Specialized Traits

Genomic data are important for understanding the origin and evolution of traits. Under the context of rapidly developing of sequencing technologies and more widely available genome sequences, researchers are able to study evolutionary mechanisms of traits via comparative genomic methods. Compared with other vertebrates, bird genomes are relatively small and exhibit conserved synteny with few repetitive elements, which makes them suitable for evolutionary studies. Increasing genomic progress has been reported on the evolution of powered flight, body size variation, beak morphology, plumage colouration, high-elevation colonization, migration, and vocalization. By summarizing previous studies, we demonstrate the genetic bases of trait evolution, highlighting the roles of small-scale sequence variation, genomic structural variation, and changes in gene interaction networks. We suggest that future studies should focus on improving the quality of reference genomes, exploring the evolution of regulatory elements and networks, and combining genomic data with morphological, ecological, behavioural, and developmental biology data.     

Receptome profiling identifies KREMEN1 and ASGR1 as alternative functional receptors of SARS-CoV-2

Host cellular receptors play key roles in the determination of virus tropism and pathogenesis.However,little is known about SARS-CoV-2 host receptors with the e...     

Novel long non‐coding RNA CYB561‐5 promotes aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis by interacting with basigin in non‐small cell lung cancer

Abnormally expressed long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The role of the novel lnc‐CYB561‐5 in NSCLC and its specific biological activity remain unknown. In this study, lncRNAs highly expressed in NSCLC tissue samples compared with paired adjacent normal tissue samples and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia were identified by RNA‐seq analysis. Lnc‐CYB561‐5 is highly expressed in human NSCLC and is associated with a poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. In vivo, downregulation of lnc‐CYB561‐5 significantly decreases tumour growth and metastasis. In vitro, lnc‐CYB561‐5 knockdown treatment inhibits cell migration, invasion and proliferation ability, as well as glycolysis rates. In addition, RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays show that basigin (Bsg) protein interacts with lnc‐CYB561‐5. Overall, this study demonstrates that lnc‐CYB561‐5 is an oncogene in NSCLC, which is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and metastasis. Lnc‐CYB561‐5 interacts with Bsg to promote the expression of Hk2 and Pfk1 and further lead to metabolic reprogramming of NSCLC cells.     

土地类芽胞杆菌(Paenibacillus terrae)NK3-4 EsxA结构与系统发育分析

前期研究在植物根际促生菌土地类芽胞杆菌(Paenibacillus terrae )NK3-4中发现一个EsxA编码基因,为明确该基因编码的蛋白的性质、结构及系统发生关系,对该基因进行了生物信息学分析。分析表明,该EsxA含有91个氨基酸,分子质量10 276.53 Da,理论pI 5.29,分子式为C₄₄₅H₇₁₁N₁₂₅O₁₄₆S₄,弱酸性,亲水,具有WEG保守基序,属于WXG超级家族成员;建模预测表明,自然状态下EsxA 形成不对称的同源二聚体,其中每个亚基都由一个β折叠连接两个α螺旋组成,两个α螺旋反向平行排列;二聚体中两个亚基的肽链呈反向排列,所有N末端和C末端均暴露在外,形成棒状表面形态,其中一个亚基的N端的不规则卷曲形成与棒状二聚体垂直的短柱形凸起;系统发育分析显示,EsxA在种内及种间进化关系虽是不保守的,但类芽胞杆菌源的EsxA与病原细菌的EsxA同源性较低,暗示类芽胞杆菌源EsxA可能与病原微生物的EsxA具有截然不同的功能。结果为包括NK3-4菌株在内的类芽胞杆菌属EsxA外源分泌表达条件,活性保持及功能的深入研究提供了理论依据。