The polymorphism in the promoter region of metallothionein 1 is associated with heat tolerance of scallop Argopecten irradians

Metallothioneins (MTs), a superfamily of cysteine-rich proteins, perform multiple functions, such as maintaining homeostasis of essential metals, detoxification of toxic metals and scavenging of oxyradicals. In this study, the promoter region of a metallothionein (MT) gene from Bay scallop Argopecten irradians (designed as AiMT1) was cloned by the technique of genomic DNA walking, and the polymorphisms in this region were screened to find their association with susceptibility or tolerance to high temperature stress. One insert–deletion (ins–del) polymorphism and sixteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the amplified promoter region. Two SNPs, − 375 T–C and − 337 A–C, were selected to analyze their distribution in the two Bay scallop populations collected from southern and northern China coast, which were identified as heat resistant and heat susceptible stocks, respectively. There were three genotypes, T/T, T/C and C/C, at locus − 375, and their frequencies were 25%, 61.1% and 13.9% in the heat susceptible stock, while 34.2%, 42.1% and 23.7% in the resistant stock, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency distribution of different genotypes between the two stocks (P > 0.05). In contrast, at locus − 337, three genotypes A/A, A/C and C/C were revealed with the frequencies of 11.6%, 34.9% and 53.5% in the heat susceptible stock, while 45.7%, 32.6% and 21.7% in the heat resistant stock, respectively. The frequency of C/C genotype in the heat susceptible stock was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that in the heat resistant stock, while the frequency of A/A in the heat resistant stock was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that in the heat susceptible stock. Furthermore, the expression of AiMT1 mRNA in scallops with C/C genotype was significantly higher than that with A/A genotype (P < 0.05) after an acute heat treatment at 28 °C for 120 min. These results implied that the polymorphism at locus − 337 of AiMT1 was associated with the susceptibility/tolerance of scallops to heat stress, and the − 337 A/A genotype could be a potential marker available in future selection of Bay scallop with heat tolerance.     

Comparing methods for metabolic network analysis and an application to metabolic engineering

Bioinformatics tools have facilitated the reconstruction and analysis of cellular metabolism of various organisms based on information encoded in their genomes. Characterization of cellular metabolism is useful to understand the phenotypic capabilities of these organisms. It has been done quantitatively through the analysis of pathway operations. There are several in silico approaches for analyzing metabolic networks, including structural and stoichiometric analysis, metabolic flux analysis, metabolic control analysis, and several kinetic modeling based analyses. They can serve as a virtual laboratory to give insights into basic principles of cellular functions. This article summarizes the progress and advances in software and algorithm development for metabolic network analysis, along with their applications relevant to cellular physiology, and metabolic engineering with an emphasis on microbial strain optimization. Moreover, it provides a detailed comparative analysis of existing approaches under different categories.     

Flux analysis and metabolomics for systematic metabolic engineering of microorganisms

Rational engineering of metabolism is important for bio-production using microorganisms. Metabolic design based on in silico simulations and experimental validation of the metabolic state in the engineered strain helps in accomplishing systematic metabolic engineering. Flux balance analysis (FBA) is a method for the prediction of metabolic phenotype, and many applications have been developed using FBA to design metabolic networks. Elementary mode analysis (EMA) and ensemble modeling techniques are also useful tools for in silico strain design. The metabolome and flux distribution of the metabolic pathways enable us to evaluate the metabolic state and provide useful clues to improve target productivity. Here, we reviewed several computational applications for metabolic engineering by using genome-scale metabolic models of microorganisms. We also discussed the recent progress made in the field of metabolomics and ¹³C-metabolic flux analysis techniques, and reviewed these applications pertaining to bio-production development. Because these in silico or experimental approaches have their respective advantages and disadvantages, the combined usage of these methods is complementary and effective for metabolic engineering.     

中国陆地生态系统通量观测站点空间代表性

涡度相关技术是测定大气与陆地生态系统之间CO₂交换、水分和能量通量最直接的方法,可用于研究土壤、植被与大气间的CO₂交换及其调控机制。收集了11个影响净碳交换量的主要变量信息,包括气象因素、土壤因素和地形因素的非生物因子、实际植被状态以及植被生产力,采用多元地理变量空间聚类分析方法,绘制出不同聚类数（25、50、75、85、100、150和200类）的通量生态区。结合中国现有通量观测站点的空间分布格局,与新生成的通量生态区和已有的自然地理区划进行对比分析,发现由于中国地形复杂,生态系统类型多样,现有85个涡度相关通量观测站点仅能刻画部分中国生态系统类型的净碳交换量时空特征,通量生态区划分为100-150类比较合适。考虑到涡度相关通量观测运行成本,通量站点可增加至150个,从而使得优化后的通量观测网络能够代表中国主要类型的生态系统,并且有利于通量观测数据与遥感资料的有效结合,提高碳水通量观测从站点扩展到区域尺度的精度,从而更好地检验过程机理模型的模拟结果。     

土壤有机质转化及CO2释放的温度效应研究进展

土壤有机质转化对温度变化的响应,是气候变暖与全球碳循环关系中的核心问题.掌握土壤有机质对温度变化的响应规律,对准确评价气候变暖背景下,全球土壤有机质的转化至关重要.综述了国内外大量研究成果,对基质成分、基质损耗、测试方法、微生物、水分含量等因素,对土壤有机质转化与温度关系的影响机理与影响规律以及Q10的变化规律进行了探讨.提出稳定有机质与不稳定有机质温度敏感性异同问题,应作为土壤有机质转化与温度关系中的核心问题进行深入研究.同时通过分析,提出室内短期培养是首选测试方法.分析认为微生物生长温度曲线与微生物呼吸之间不存在必然联系,而在过低和过高之间,水分含量是否会影响土壤呼吸,有待进一步试验验证.提出随着城市热岛效应这一环境问题的加剧,研究及评价更大温度区间内的城市土壤有机质对温度变化的响应规律十分重要.     

环境因子对木棉种子萌发的影响

木棉(Bombax malabaricum DC.)是一种可以生长在干热河谷的落叶大乔木.河谷内,木棉成年树木生长良好,有大量结实,而其周围却很少有种苗出现.通过室内条件研究木棉种子的物理特性和萌发的生物学特性,可以了解该物种种子萌发对环境因子的需求,为探讨木棉在干热河谷内自然种群更新难和萌发阶段对这一特殊生境的适应性提供理论依据.经测定,木棉种子千粒重为39.08 g,比同科的其它物种要轻.四唑(TTC,1.O％)染色测定种子生活力的结果表明有生活力种子占64.0％.种皮对吸胀无障碍,种子在25℃吸胀2d时就开始萌发.检测了环境因子对种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,结果表明,种子萌发对光照不敏感而且对温度有较广的适应性,15-35℃都可以萌发,25-35℃萌发率无显著差异,但随温度升高,萌发速率加快,幼苗长势增加;萌发过程对渗透胁迫敏感,聚乙二醇(PEG)浓度为0.10 g/mL时萌发率较对照显著下降,0.15 g/mL时种子就不能萌发;室温吸胀24h的种子对热激敏感,42℃热激2h后萌发率就已经显著下降;室湿下水杨酸(SA,1,10,100 mg/L)浸种24h,没有提高种子在萌发期间对干旱和热激的抗性.可见,高温和干旱是限制木棉种子成功萌发的关键因子,然而发现,温度较高时水分过大也会造成萌发后幼苗的死亡.     

增氮对青藏高原东缘高寒草甸土壤甲烷吸收的早期影响

研究大气氮沉降对青藏高原高寒草甸土壤CH4吸收的影响,对于揭示氮素调节土壤CH4吸收的机制和评价氮沉降增加背景下大气CH4收支平衡至关重要.通过构建多形态、低剂量的增氮控制试验,测定土壤CH4净交换通量和相关土壤理化性质,分析高寒草甸土壤CH4通量变化特征及其主要驱动因子.研究结果表明:自然状态下高寒草甸土壤是大气CH4汇,CH4平均吸收量为(35.40±1.92) μg· m-2· h-1.土壤CH4吸收主要受水分驱动,其次为土壤NH4+-N和NO3-N含量.NH4+-N抑制CH4吸收,NO3--N促进CH4吸收;不同剂量氮素输入对土壤CH4吸收影响也不尽相同,低氮处理促进土壤CH4吸收,而中氮和高氮处理抑制土壤CH4吸收.结果显示青藏高原高寒草甸土壤是重要的大气CH4汇,在未来大气氮沉降加倍的情景下CH4汇功能增强,但当氮沉降量增加两倍以上时CH4汇功能将会减弱.     

干旱高温复合胁迫下sHSPs基因在不同耐旱性玉米中的表达差异及其对ABA和H2O2的响应

以4个玉米(Zea mays L.)品种——‘郑单958’(耐干旱)、‘浚单20’(耐高温)、‘隆玉602’(耐干旱高温复合胁迫)和‘驻玉309’(对3种胁迫均敏感)为实验材料,分别采用脱落酸(ABA)及其抑制剂氟定酮(F)、H2O2及其清除剂碘化钾(I)和丙酮酸钠(P)预处理,探讨干旱高温复合胁迫下小热休克蛋白(sHSPs)在不同耐旱性玉米品种中的表达以及ABA和H2O2对其表达的影响。结果显示:(1)高温、干旱高温复合胁迫诱导的sHSP16.9、sHSP17.2、sHSP17.4、sHSP17.5、sHSP22和sHSP26等6个sHSPs基因表达增加量明显高于干旱和对照。(2)在6个sHSPs中,sHSP17.2基因仅在‘郑单958’中表达;sHSP16.9、sHSP17.4和sHSP26基因在‘隆玉602’中表达增加量最高,在‘驻玉309’中表达增量最低;sHSP17.5和sHSP22基因在‘郑单958’中表达增加量最高,在‘驻玉309’中最低。(3)ABA、F、I和P预处理后,对干旱高温复合胁迫诱导的6个sHSPs基因表达增加量仅有略微影响,但显著影响了sHSP26的蛋白表达。研究表明,sHSPs在不同耐旱性玉米品种中的表达存在显著差异,ABA和H2O2仅稍微提高了sHSPs基因表达,但显著提高了sHSP26蛋白表达,这些结果为进一步研究植物在多胁迫条件下耐逆机理奠定了基础。     

我国亚热带毛竹林CO2通量的变异特征

2010年12月至2011年11月,利用涡度相关技术研究了我国亚热带(浙江)毛竹林生态系统的CO₂通量,分析了毛竹林净生态系统交换量(NEE)、生态系统呼吸量(RE)和生态系统总交换量(GEE)的变化.结果表明: 研究期间,毛竹林各月的NEE均为负值,7月最大,为-99.33 g C·m^-2,11月最小,仅-23.49 g C·m^-2,其变化曲线呈双峰型.各月CO₂通量平均日变化差异明显,9月最大,为-0.60 g CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,1月最小,为-0.30 g CO₂·m^-2·s^-1,且在NEE正负转换的时间点上呈明显的季节变化特征;全年RE呈单峰型变化,夏季最高、冬季最低,夜间RE与土壤温度呈极显著正相关.全年NEE、RE和GEE分别为-668.40、932.55和-1600.95 g C·m^-2·a^-1,NEE占GEE的41.8%.与其他生态系统相比,毛竹林的固碳能力极强.