高通量RNA甲基化测序数据处理与分析研究进展

随着高通量测序技术快速发展,Me RIP-seq(methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing)测序技术开启了RNA表观遗传学研究新局面,能够在全基因组范围内描述RNA甲基化.从Me RIP-seq高通量数据中挖掘RNA甲基化模式,有助于揭示m RNA甲基化在调控基因表达、剪切等方面所发挥的潜在功能,有效指导癌症的干预治疗.本文从Me RIP-seq测序原理出发,较全面地综述Me RIP-seq数据处理和分析方法研究现状,并对其所面临的计算问题进行讨论和展望.     

中国典型特大城市交通的生态足迹评价

中国城市化快速发展带来机动车数量的骤增、交通拥堵、交通污染物排放及能源消耗恶化等城市生态问题,生态足迹可以作为衡量城市交通发展带来生态环境压力的有效指标。本文以北京、上海、天津、杭州、沈阳和成都6个特大城市为研究对象,计算了2005—2012年6个城市的交通生态足迹。结果表明:6个城市交通的生态足迹均有所增加,城市交通的生态环境压力逐年增加,化石能源间接生态足迹在城市交通生态足迹增长中起到主要作用;快速增长的机动车和小汽车及其高出行率导致能源消耗不断增加,是城市交通生态足迹增长的主要原因;完善的轨道交通及慢行交通等绿色出行的发展,可以有效降低特大城市自驾出行的次数,优化交通出行结构,缓解城市交通生态环境压力。     

Recurrent gain-of-function USP8 mutations in Cushing's disease

Cushing''s disease, also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (PAs) that cause excess cortisol production, accounts for up to 85% of corticotrophin-dependent Cushing''s syndrome cases. However, the genetic alterations in this disease are unclear. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing of DNA derived from 12 ACTH-secreting PAs and matched blood samples, which revealed three types of somatic mutations in a candidate gene, USP8 (encoding ubiquitin-specific protease 8), exclusively in exon 14 in 8 of 12 ACTH-secreting PAs. We further evaluated somatic USP8 mutations in additional 258 PAs by Sanger sequencing. Targeted sequencing further identified a total of 17 types of USP8 variants in 67 of 108 ACTH-secreting PAs (62.04%). However, none of these mutations was detected in other types of PAs (n = 150). These mutations aggregate within the 14-3-3 binding motif of USP8 and disrupt the interaction between USP8 and 14-3-3 protein, resulting in an elevated capacity to protect EGFR from lysosomal degradation. Accordingly, PAs with mutated USP8 display a higher incidence of EGFR expression, elevated EGFR protein abundance and mRNA expression levels of POMC, which encodes the precursor of ACTH. PAs with mutated USP8 are significantly smaller in size and have higher ACTH production than wild-type PAs. In surgically resected primary USP8-mutated tumor cells, USP8 knockdown or blocking EGFR effectively attenuates ACTH secretion. Taken together, somatic gain-of-function USP8 mutations are common and contribute to ACTH overproduction in Cushing''s disease. Inhibition of USP8 or EGFR is promising for treating USP8-mutated corticotrophin adenoma. Our study highlights the potentially functional mutated gene in Cushing''s disease and provides insights into the therapeutics of this disease.     

Isolation and characterization of heterotepalins, type 1 ribosome-inactivating proteins from Phytolacca heterotepala leaves

Leaves from Phytolacca heterotepala H. Walter (Mexican pokeweed) contain at least 10 type 1 RIP isoforms, named heterotepalins. Their Mr values are included in the range 28,000-36,000, as shown by SDS-PAGE performed under reduced conditions and the pI values in the pH range 8.50-9.50. Some heterotepalins are glycosylated. ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry provides the accurate Mr of heterotepalin 4 (29,326.00) and heterotepalin 5b (30,477.00), two isoforms purified to homogeneity by conventional chromatographic techniques. The N-terminal sequences up to residue 35, show that heterotepalins exhibit an high percentage identity with other type 1 RIPs isolated from Phytolaccaceae. Some heterotepalins cross-react with antisera raised against RIPs isolated from Phytolacca dioica leaves. The complete amino acid sequence of heterotepalin 4 matches that of Phytolacca heterotepala anti-viral protein PAP (RIP1), deduced from the cDNA sequence of PhRIP1 gene (AC: AY327475), with one exception concerning residue 245 which, in the native protein, is Ile instead of Met. This substitution, found by mass spectrometry mapping, has been directly confirmed by Edman degradation sequencing of the C-terminal tryptic peptide 242-262. The results show the high potential of mass spectrometry and Edman degradation to verify and to uncover possible amino acid substitutions between native proteins and their cDNA deduced sequences.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus megaterium</Emphasis>—from simple soil bacterium to industrial protein production host

Bacillus megaterium has been industrially employed for more than 50 years, as it possesses some very useful and unusual enzymes and a high capacity for the production of exoenzymes. It is also a desirable cloning host for the production of intact proteins, as it does not possess external alkaline proteases and can stably maintain a variety of plasmid vectors. Genetic tools for this species include transducing phages and several hundred mutants covering the processes of biosynthesis, catabolism, division, sporulation, germination, antibiotic resistance, and recombination. The seven plasmids of B. megaterium strain QM B1551 contain several unusual metabolic genes that may be useful in bioremediation. Recently, several recombinant shuttle vectors carrying different strong inducible promoters and various combinations of affinity tags for simple protein purification have been constructed. Leader sequences-mediated export of affinity-tagged proteins into the growth medium was made possible. These plasmids are commercially available. For a broader application of B. megaterium in industry, sporulation and protease-deficient as well as UV-sensitive mutants were constructed. The genome sequence of two different strains, plasmidless DSM319 and QM B1551 carrying seven natural plasmids, is now available. These sequences allow for a systems biotechnology optimization of the production host B. megaterium. Altogether, a “toolbox” of hundreds of genetically characterized strains, genetic methods, vectors, hosts, and genomic sequences make B. megaterium an ideal organism for industrial, environmental, and experimental applications.     

籼稻'93-11'一段基因组序列的完善及分析

超级杂交稻父本‘93-11＇的基因组序列测定的完成,为进行作物遗传改良和不同作物之间的比较基因组学研究提供了又一重要序列资源.但是,该基因组序列中还存在很多“缺口”,为使‘93-11＇的基因组序列更加精确,同时提供一些“缺口”填补策略和方法,本研究采用PCR扩增、回收克隆测序的方法对该基因组中一段长约160 kb、含有6个“缺口”的基因组序列进行了完善,并运用相关分子生物学和生物信息学软件进行了详细分析,结果表明：该6个“缺口”中,存在1个“缺口”估计错误,2个序列拼接错误;“缺口”主要位于非编码区,位于编码区的只有1个,其改变了对本处基因的注释,使此基因由原来的9个外显子增加为11个;填补“缺口”后,基因密度增加.