The Cold Box stem-loop proximal to the 5'-end of the Escherichia coli cspA gene stabilizes its mRNA at low temperature.

The 5'-end region of cspA mRNA contains a Cold Box sequence conserved among several cold-shock mRNAs. This region forms a stable stem-loop structure followed by an AU-rich sequence. Here we show that the Cold Box region is essential for the normal scale of cspA mRNA induction after cold shock because a deletion of the stem-loop significantly destabilizes the mRNA and reduces the cold shock-induced cspA mRNA amount by approximately 50%. The AU-rich track, however, slightly destabilizes the mRNA. The integrity of the stem is essential for the stabilizing function, whereas that of the loop sequence is less important. Overexpression of a mutant cspA mRNA devoid of both the AUG initiation codon and the coding sequence results in a severe growth inhibition at low temperature along with a derepression of the chromosomal cspA expression. Furthermore, the overexpressed RNA is stably associated with the 30 S and 70 S ribosomes. Our results demonstrate that the AUG initiation codon and the coding region containing the downstream box are not required for cspA mRNA to bind ribosomes and that the 5'-untranslated region by itself has a remarkable affinity to ribosomes at low temperature.     

Integrated species delimitation and conservation implications of an endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Green and Orchid Islands of Taiwan

Oceanic islands are productive habitats for generating new species and high endemism, which is primarily due to their geographical isolation, smaller population sizes and local adaptation. However, the short divergence times and subtle morphological or ecological divergence of insular organisms may obscure species identity, so the cryptic endemism on islands may be underestimated. The endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani Kôno (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Pachyrhynchini) is endemic to Green Island and Orchid Island of the Taiwan‐Luzon Archipelago and displays widespread variation in coloration and host range, thus raising questions regarding its species boundaries and degree of cryptic diversity. We tested the species boundaries of P. sonani using an integrated approach that combined morphological (body size and shape, genital shape, coloration and cuticular scale), genetic (four genes and restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, RAD‐seq) and ecological (host range and distribution) diversity. The results indicated that all the morphological datasets for male P. sonani, except for the colour spectrum, reveal overlapping but statistically significant differences between islands. In contrast, the morphology of the female P. sonani showed minimum divergence between island populations. The populations of P. sonani on the two islands were significantly different in their host ranges, and the genetic clustering and phylogenies of P. sonani established two valid evolutionary species. Integrated species delimitation combining morphological, molecular and ecological characters supported two distinct species of P. sonani from Green Island and Orchid Island. The Green Island population was described as P. jitanasaius sp.n. Chen & Lin, and it is recommended that its threatened conservation status be recognized. Our findings suggest that the inter‐island speciation of endemic organisms inhabiting both islands may be more common than previously thought, and they highlight the possibility that the cryptic diversity of small oceanic islands may still be largely underestimated.     

分泌型磷脂酶PLA2G5的生物学功能及其抑制剂研究进展

分泌型磷脂酶PLA2G5属于磷脂酶A2超家族的一员,在免疫细胞和非免疫细胞中均有表达.研究表明,PLA2G5参与生物学事件的发生发展,在特定的病理条件下具有诱导作用.本文简要阐述了PLA2G5的来源、结构特征、生物学功能和在疾病中的作用,以及现有或潜在的PLA2G5抑制剂,以期探索基于PLA2G5的治疗新靶标.     

The role of lysolecithin in the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle

The effect of lysolecithin (lysophosphatidylcholine) on the relaxation of rabbit aortic strip closely resembled that produced by acetylcholine (ACh) which releases the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). Relaxation induced by lysolecithin depended on the presence of endothelium and was inhibited by hemoglobin and methylene blue. It appeared to be mediated by the second messenger, c-GMP. Lysolecithin induced relaxation was slower but more persistent than that resulting from the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) produced by acetylcholine (ACh). Like lysolecithin, Triton X-100, a non-ionic detergent, also preferentially relaxed aortic strips with intact endothelium. The results demonstrate the importance of phospholipids derived from cell membranes in vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Endothelium-derived relaxing factors appear as a group of heterogeneous substances.     

厦门地区鸭鹅绦虫生活史研究

本文报告了福建厦门地区寄生于鸭鹅类的膜壳科绦虫计5属9种。实验阐明了5种绦虫的生活史,其中有三种生活史为我国首次报告。厦门地区有5种嵌水甲壳类可作膜壳绦虫的中间宿主。其中短角异剑水蚤(Apocyclops royi)是矛形剑带绦虫和片形皱缘绦虫的审间宿主,不等异介虫(Heterocypris anomala)为新发现的棘盘双睾绦虫的中间宿主,介虫(Cyprinotus sp.)为新发现的美丽膜壳绦虫的中间宿主。     

应用蛋白印迹法检测鼻咽癌病人血清中抗Epstein—Barr病毒IgA/EA抗体

曾毅等建立了一系列检测EB病毒IgA/VCA和IgA/EA抗体的鼻咽癌早期诊断方法,取得了满意的结果。为了进一步提高对鼻咽癌诊断更为特异的IgA/EA抗体的检出率,我们建立了检测EB病毒IgA/EA抗体的蛋白印迹法。方法敏感特异,结果令人满意。 本法中所用的两个质粒系由本实验室与西德Pettenkofer研究所Wolf教授的实验室合作构建。pUCARG1140和pUC9MBcE3.2质粒均为表达质粒,前者携带着来源于EB病毒Bam     

采后预处理控制甜橙褐斑病的效应

采后预处理使甜橙果皮含水量减少,改善理化性状,降低果实对低温的敏感性,从而控制了福斑病的发生,使发病率从61.7～66.0％降至4.7～6.7％。低温贮藏的呼吸强度和内源乙烯的生成也受到明显的抑制,但对果实的主要内含物和质量并无影响。控制褐斑病发生的适宜的预处理,是在10～15℃和85～90％相对湿度下处理7～10d,使果实重耗约2.5～4.0％。