超积累植物伴矿景天镉耐受基因SpMT2的分离及功能鉴定

超积累植物由于其对重金属具有地上部超积累以及超耐受等特性,不仅是研究植物离子转运及毒性耐受的理想模式,而且在植物修复的发展和应用中具有不可替代的作用。伴矿景天是近年在我国境内发现的一种景天科镉(Cd)/锌(Zn)超积累植物。为鉴定其富集和耐受Cd的关键基因,笔者构建了其酵母表达cDNA文库,利用酵母的遗传互补系统筛选到一个极大提高了酵母抗Cd能力的基因SpMT2。SpMT2属于富含半胱氨酸(Cys)的金属硫蛋白(Metallothionein)家族。亚细胞定位表明SpMT2表达于酵母细胞质中,并特异地提高酵母对Cd的抗性。进一步研究发现SpMT2的表达显著降低了酵母液泡中Cd含量,但酵母吸收的总Cd含量无显著变化。推测抗性增加是由于SpMT2在酵母细胞质中通过螯合Cd从而降低Cd对酵母的毒害。qRT-PCR分析表明SpMT2在伴矿景天的根和地上部都高丰度表达,且不受Cd诱导变化。鉴于SpMT2也定位于植物细胞质中,结合上述结果,推测SpMT2可能在伴矿景天细胞质中螯合Cd,在降低Cd毒害的同时可能还保持Cd在细胞质中的流动性,从而在Cd长途转运过程中也发挥重要作用。     

AlCl3 exposure regulates neuronal development by modulating DNA modification

BACKGROUNDAs the third most abundant element, aluminum is widespread in the environment. Previous studies have shown that aluminum has a neurotoxic effect and its exposure can impair neuronal development and cognitive function.AIMTo study the effects of aluminum on epigenetic modification in neural stem cells and neurons. METHODSNeural stem cells were isolated from the forebrain of adult mice. Neurons were isolated from the hippocampi tissues of embryonic day 16-18 mice. AlCl₃ at 100 and 200 μmol/L was applied to stem cells and neurons. RESULTSAluminum altered the differentiation of adult neural stem cells and caused apoptosis of newborn neurons while having no significant effects on the proliferation of neural stem cells. Aluminum application also significantly inhibited the dendritic development of hippocampal neurons. Mechanistically, aluminum exposure significantly affected the levels of DNA 5-hydroxy-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, and N⁶-methyladenine in stem cells and neurons. CONCLUSIONOur findings indicate that aluminum may regulate neuronal development by modulating DNA modifications.     

Retraction of invasive Spartina alterniflora and its effect on the habitat loss of endangered migratory bird species and their decline in YNNR using remote sensing technology

Wetland environment and habitat loss increase the rate of biodiversity decline and affect our ecosystems. Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR) is a protected area dedicated to endangered migratory bird species to overwinter. However, it currently has a record low influx of migrating birds and might therefore be losing its founding purpose. We used remote sensing technology to assess and quantify the impacts and effects of invasive halophytes Spartina alterniflora in the habitat loss and shrinkage of endangered bird wintering habitat from 2003 to 2018. We also attempted to ascertain the causes and triggers of avian population decline and its relationship with habitat loss, as these phenomena threaten and endanger species both locally and globally. Our study shows how YNNR has lost about 80% of migratory bird habitat to invasive S. alterniflora and Phragmites australis, a native halophyte plant in the reserve. Furthermore, shoreline erosion triggered the retraction of S. alterniflora and its backward growth toward Suaeda Salsa, the preferred foraging habitat for migratory birds in the zone, which is a possible cause of their decline.     

Efficient Editing of an Adenoviral Vector Genome with CRISPR/Cas9

Immunotherapy based on genetic modification of T cells has played an important role in the treatment of tumors and viral infections. Moreover, adenoviral vectors engineered with improved safety due to their inability to integrate into the host genome have been key in the clinical application of T cell therapy. However, the commonly used adenoviral vector Ad5 exhibits low efficiency of infection of human T cells and the details of the intracellular trafficking pathway of adenoviral vectors in human primary T cells remains unclear. Resolution of these issues will depend on successful modification of the adenoviral vector. To this end, here we describe the successful establishment of a simple and efficient method for editing adenoviral vectors in vitro using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system to target the adenoviral fiber gene. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12088-020-00905-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Salidroside Inhibits Reactive Astrogliosis and Glial Scar Formation in Late Cerebral Ischemia via the Akt/GSK-3β Pathway

Neurochemical Research - Cerebral ischemia leads to reactive astrogliosis and glial scar formation. Glial scarring can impede functional restoration during the recovery phase of stroke. Salidroside...     

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Single Domain Antibody Against Ebola Virus

Virologica Sinica - Ebola virus (EBOV) belongs to the Filoviridae family and causes severe illnesses such as hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate up to 90%. Now two antibody drugs termed...     

Protein kinases in plant responses to drought,salt, and cold stress

Protein kinases are major players in various signal transduction pathways. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses has become critical for developing and breeding climate-resilient crops. In this review,we summarize recent progress on understanding plant drought, salt, and cold stress responses, with a focus on signal perception and transduction by different protein kinases, especially sucrose nonfermenting1(SNF1)-related protein kinases(Sn RKs),mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) cascades,calcium-dependent protein kinases(CDPKs/CPKs),and receptor-like kinases(RLKs). We also discuss future challenges in these research fields.