黑腹果蝇GABA受体GRD亚基和LCCH3 亚基的克隆、表达与鉴定

昆虫GABA受体（γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, GABAR）是杀虫剂的重要靶标之一。本研究以黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster整体组织的cDNA作为模板, 采用RT-PCR技术扩增了黑腹果蝇GABA受体LCCH3亚基和GRD亚基的cDNA序列, 并克隆至pET-32a表达载体上, 测序结果表明获得的序列与基因库中已发表的序列一致性在99%以上, 无移码突变。在IPTG的诱导下, LCCH3基因成功在大肠杆菌Escherichia coli中表达, 而GRD基因未表达。通过包涵体洗涤、变性、Ni²⁺亲合层析纯化、稀释复性获得纯化的重组表达的LCCH3蛋白, 并用圆二色谱测定了目标蛋白的二级结构, 主要富含β结构。该研究结果为研究昆虫GABAR的结构和功能关系提供了重要的参考数据。     

Biological responses in Balb/c mice after long‐term parenteral administration of the light subunit of mushroom tyrosinase

Light subunit of mushroom tyrosinase (LSMT) is a protein of unknown function from mushroom Agaricus bisporus that has been demonstrated to permeate through rat intestine ex vivo. Thus, it can be absorbed in the intestine, thereby holding a promise as a drug carrier for oral administration, similar to HA‐33 protein from botulinum, one of the closest structural homologs of LSMT. However, the safety of LSMT should be ensured prior to its use. Here, we described biological response of LSMT upon weekly intraperitoneal administration of 50 μg/day to the Balb/c mice for 12 weeks. Motoric and behavior profiles, as well as the index of main organs (liver, spleen, lung, heart, and kidney), and body weight, were not significantly changed as compared with the control group. Also, no IgG was detected in the serum. The results suggest that LSMT is safe for further development.     

Wolf population genetics in Europe: a systematic review,meta‐analysis and suggestions for conservation and management

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is an iconic large carnivore that has increasingly been recognized as an apex predator with intrinsic value and a keystone species. However, wolves have also long represented a primary source of human–carnivore conflict, which has led to long‐term persecution of wolves, resulting in a significant decrease in their numbers, genetic diversity and gene flow between populations. For more effective protection and management of wolf populations in Europe, robust scientific evidence is crucial. This review serves as an analytical summary of the main findings from wolf population genetic studies in Europe, covering major studies from the ‘pre‐genomic era’ and the first insights of the ‘genomics era’. We analyse, summarize and discuss findings derived from analyses of three compartments of the mammalian genome with different inheritance modes: maternal (mitochondrial DNA), paternal (Y chromosome) and biparental [autosomal microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)]. To describe large‐scale trends and patterns of genetic variation in European wolf populations, we conducted a meta‐analysis based on the results of previous microsatellite studies and also included new data, covering all 19 European countries for which wolf genetic information is available: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Belarus, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Spain and Portugal. We compared different indices of genetic diversity in wolf populations and found a significant spatial trend in heterozygosity across Europe from south‐west (lowest genetic diversity) to north‐east (highest). The range of spatial autocorrelation calculated on the basis of three characteristics of genetic diversity was 650?850 km, suggesting that the genetic diversity of a given wolf population can be influenced by populations up to 850 km away. As an important outcome of this synthesis, we discuss the most pressing issues threatening wolf populations in Europe, highlight important gaps in current knowledge, suggest solutions to overcome these limitations, and provide recommendations for science‐based wolf conservation and management at regional and Europe‐wide scales.     

桔小实蝇V-ATPase G亚基基因的克隆及组织表达特异性分析

空泡型ATP酶（vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase, V-ATPase）作为质子泵几乎在所有的真核生物细胞中发挥重要作用。本研究利用RT-PCR和RACE技术获得了桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)V-ATPase G亚基序列全长, 命名为BdorATPG。测序结果表明, BdorATPG阅读框全长354 bp, 编码117个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对表明, BdorATPG的N端序列与其他物种的ATPG亚基对应区域具有较高的序列一致性。BdorATPG与拟暗果蝇Drosophila pseudoobscura ATPG亚基的氨基酸序列一致性最高, 为88.9%。三维结构模建结果表明, BdorATPG N端（第1~59位氨基酸）序列为α-螺旋结构, 亲水性和疏水性氨基酸在螺旋两侧呈对称分布。BdorATPG在不同组织中的荧光定量PCR分析表明, BdorATPG在各组织中都有表达, 其中在触角中的表达量最高; 在雄虫生殖节中的表达量是雌虫中的6.04倍。结果提示BdorATPG可能在雄虫生殖生理过程中发挥重要作用。     

大黄鱼耐低温性状相关微卫星标记的筛选

鱼类的耐低温性状是一种重要的经济性状。为了初步分析大黄鱼的耐低温性状, 文章采用15对荧光微卫星标记, 以SSR-PCR方法对大黄鱼低温耐受组和正常对照组F₁代共40个个体进行了耐低温性状遗传差异分析。结果显示, 标记LYC0002在两组样品中共扩增出5个等位基因(片段大小分别为112 bp、110 bp、108 bp、106 bp和104 bp), 其中LYC00021_{12 bp}等位基因在低温耐受组的出现频率达60%, 而在正常对照组中的频率为零, 表明该等位基因对大黄鱼的温度敏感特性有较明显的偏好性, 可能与某种耐低温基因存在一定的连锁关系。此外, 对LYC0002_{106 bp、}LYC0002_{108 bp}、LYC0002_{110 bp} 和 LYC0002_{112 bp} 4个等位基因分别进行了回收、克隆及测序。序列比对结果显示, LYC0002_{112 bp}等位基因含有10个(CA)重复单元, 而其他3个等位基因依次缺失1个(CA)重复单元, 说明LYC0002在本研究样本中的突变方式为微卫星逐步突变模型(Stepwise mutation model, SMM)。     

图位克隆技术在农作物基因分离中的应用与评价

图位克隆(Map-based cloning)作为分离基因的有效方法, 已在小基因组作物的基因分离中得到了广泛应用和发展, 而在具有大量重复DNA序列的大基因组作物中的应用仍存在挑战。基于图位克隆在基因分离中的重要性, 文章就图位克隆技术的基本内容及发展做简要概述, 着重对图位克隆技术在大基因组作物中的应用进行分析和评价, 同时对它今后可能的发展方向进行了讨论, 以期为大基因组作物基因的分离提供借鉴。     

枯草芽孢杆菌抗菌肽生物合成的研究进展

革兰氏阳性菌模式生物--枯草芽孢杆菌能分泌多种肽类及由肽类衍生的抗菌活性物质,按合成途径不同,可分为核糖体肽和非核糖体肽。其中,非核糖体肽分子量较小,一般为3000Da以下,其生物合成是通过多功能复合酶系--非核糖体肽链合成酶来完成的,多发生在菌体生长停止之后;而核糖体肽分子量较大,其合成多于菌体快速生长时期。非核糖体肽链合成酶和核糖体肽的合成及其调控均需基因参与,而这一系列基因就构成了各种抗菌肽生物合成的基因簇。对核糖体肽和非核糖体肽的生物合成及其相关调控机制进行了综述。     

Ca-induced release of mitochondrial m-calpain from outer membrane with binding of calpain small subunit and Grp75

Although mitochondrial μ- and m-calpains play significant roles in apoptotic cell death, their activating mechanisms have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the core factors that are involved in activating mitochondrial outer membrane (OM)-bound calpains. To accomplish this, we solubilized OM-bound calpains and separated them by DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography, and identified them by immunoblots. We also determined the core factors that activated the OM-bound calpains and release them from the OM by calpain assays, immunoprecipitations, and immunoblots. The OM-bound m-calpain large subunit was not associated with the small subunit or with Grp75 chaperone. Free calpain small subunit was located in the IMS and caused the release of the OM-bound m-calpain large subunit from the OM together with Grp75, ATP, and Ca²⁺. Our results showed that the activating mechanism of mitochondrial OM-bound m-calpain and the release of mitochondrial m-calpain from the OM have important implications in facilitating apoptotic cell death.