Occurrence of Vespa velutina Lepeletier from Korea, and a revised key for Korean Vespa species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

This is the first report of occurrence of Vespa velutina Lepeletier from Korea. The diagnosis and taxonomic relationship between geographical subspecies is provided, with a revised key to complement the previous taxonomic information of Korean Vespa species. The ecological aspect of the species is also discussed.     

洛伐他汀抑制Rho激酶信号通路增强人内皮一氧化氮合酶信使RNA稳定性

他汀类药物可上调内皮一氧化氮合酶（ENOS）的表达,并由甲羟戊酸（MVA）途径介导,但具体机制未完全阐明．本研究旨在探索洛伐他汀(LVT)上调ENOS表达的分子信号机制并明确同ENOS表达相关的顺式作用元件的定位．洛伐他汀通过减少细胞内固醇,如MVA和geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate （GGPP）,从而增加ENOS mRNA的稳定性．因GGPP是细胞内信号蛋白如Ras、Rho GTPase进行翻译后修饰和膜定位所必需的,因此很可能洛伐他汀的作用与细胞内信号途径有关．进一步的实验结果显示Rho激酶抑制剂 hydroxyfasudil和细胞松弛素D均可在转录后水平上调ENOS mRNA表达,表明Rho途径介导的细胞骨架状态在ENOS mRNA降解率的调控中起一定作用． 细胞转染实验证明调控ENOS mRNA 降解的顺式作用元件位于其mRNA序列上的3′未翻译区(3′UTR)和相邻的编码区．其中调控GGPP介导ENOS mRNA稳定性的顺式作用元件位于序列的3 751～4 606位点间;而hydroxyfasudil通过位于3 751～ 4 468位点间的顺式作用元件稳定ENOS mRNA;细胞松弛素D通过位于3 904～4 188位点间的元件稳定ENOS mRNA．洛伐他汀可能通过抑制Rho激酶途径稳定ENOS mRNA,此过程由位于mRNA序列上3′UTR及相邻编码区的多样顺式作用元件介导．另外,细胞骨架的空间构造也可影响ENOS mRNA的稳定性,此过程由位于其mRNA序列编码区的顺式作用元件介导．本研究为转录子稳定性调控机制的进一步研究提供了有力根据,或许可为心血管疾病的治疗提供新的分子靶点．     

Purification and Characterization of Apolipohorin-III in Cabbage Butterfly, Artogeia rapae

ABSTRACT The apoLp-III in the adult hemolymph of Artogeia rapae can associate reversibly with lipophorin. The apoLp-III was purified from the adult and larval hemolymph by KBr density gradient ultracentrifugation, gel permeation chromatography anion exchange chromatography and preparative electrophoresis (Prep Cell). ApoLp-I, ApoLp-II and apoLp-III have the molecular weights of 212 kDa, 80 kDa respectively. N-terminal sequence of apoLp-III were determined. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of apoLp-III shows 50-57% identity with those of other lepidopteran insects. apoLp-III has the antibacterial activity. Injection of bacteria increase the concentration of apoLp-III in the hemolymph, indicating that apoLp-III plays a role in insect immunity. Immunological analysis was also investigated with the anti-apoLp-III.     

Taxonomic Note on Tridrepana crocea (Leech) (Lepidoptera: Drepanidae) in Korea

One species of Drepaninae, Tridrepana crocea (Leech), is added to the Korean fauna. Up to now, 23 species of Drepaninae are known in Korea. Diagnosis and the photographs of male and female genitalia of T. crocea are provided.     

Neuronal Cell Death of Abdominal Ganglia (A3) and Characterization of Neuron-Killing Factor in Ventral Nerve Cord from Sweet Potato Hornworm, Agrius convolvuli

ABSTRACT The central nervous system of Agrius convolvuli is composed of brain, followed by subesophageal ganglion, three thoracic ganglia, and eight abdominal ganglia in late larval stage. After metamorphic transition from larva to pupa, thoracic (T₁ and T₂) and abdominal ganglia (A₁ and A₂) are moved toward T₃ and fused together to construct composite ganglion, pterothoracic ganglion. The formation of composite ganglion is completed about 90% at 4 day and 100% at 7 day after pupation. Neuronal cell death was occurred significantly around 3 or 4 day after pupation and just after adult ecdysis. Although 170 neurons were detected 3 day before adult ecdysis, 24 cells were counted 5 day after adult ecdysis. Data of scanning and tandem electron microscope showed the symptom of cell death. In order to identify the mechanism of cell death in A. convolvuli , 1,200 ventral nerve cords were homogenized. Extracts were boiled for 3 minutes at 100°C and collected below 30,000 dalton of molecular mass. Each fraction from reverse phase column chromatography by HPLC system was tested in ventral nerve cord culture system, and fractions having killing activity in culture were isolated. By the addition of 20 hydroxyecdysone, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide into the culture medium, cell death was delayed significantly when compared to control group.