The Effects of Hsp90α1 Mutations on Myosin Thick Filament Organization

Heat shock protein 90α plays a key role in myosin folding and thick filament assembly in muscle cells. To assess the structure and function of Hsp90α and its potential regulation by post-translational modification, we developed a combined knockdown and rescue assay in zebrafish embryos to systematically analyze the effects of various mutations on Hsp90α function in myosin thick filament organization. DNA constructs expressing the Hsp90α1 mutants with altered putative ATP binding, phosphorylation, acetylation or methylation sites were co-injected with Hsp90α1 specific morpholino into zebrafish embryos. Myosin thick filament organization was analyzed in skeletal muscles of the injected embryos by immunostaining. The results showed that mutating the conserved D90 residue in the Hsp90α1 ATP binding domain abolished its function in thick filament organization. In addition, phosphorylation mimicking mutations of T33D, T33E and T87E compromised Hsp90α1 function in myosin thick filament organization. Similarly, K287Q acetylation mimicking mutation repressed Hsp90α1 function in myosin thick filament organization. In contrast, K206R and K608R hypomethylation mimicking mutations had not effect on Hsp90α1 function in thick filament organization. Given that T33 and T87 are highly conserved residues involved post-translational modification (PTM) in yeast, mouse and human Hsp90 proteins, data from this study could indicate that Hsp90α1 function in myosin thick filament organization is potentially regulated by PTMs involving phosphorylation and acetylation.     

神经递质和调质参与导水管周围灰质痛觉调控的研究进展

导水管周围灰质(periaqueductal gray,PAG)在疼痛的调控过程中处于一个不可或缺的位置.其不仅是痛觉信息上行传递的重要部位,还是疼痛抑制系统的重要组成部分.在PAG,包括γ-氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid,GABA)、5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)和谷氨酸(glutamate,Glu)在内的神经递质以及内源性阿片肽(endogenous opioid peptides,EOP)和内源性大麻素(endocannabinoid,e CB)为代表的神经调质都参与了PAG对疼痛的信息传递以及调节.本文重点综述GABA、5-HT、Glu、EOP和eCB在PAG参与疼痛生理调控机制的研究进展,以期为中枢神经系统的镇痛研究提供一定的理论基础.     

缓步动物门(Tardigrada)研究进展

本文简要概述了20世纪以来缓步动物在分类学、生物学和生态学的研究进展和成就.按照缓步动物前沿研究的发展趋势,结合我国的研究现状,作者提出了几点建议.     

不同固定条件下细胞与活细胞的原子力显微镜实时观察

用原子力显微镜（atom force microscope,AFM）观察固定细胞的最佳条件并在生理溶液中对活细胞实时观察.用不同固定剂和同一固定剂的不同浓度处理细胞;不加任何固定剂而直接在生理溶液中对细胞进行AFM成像.以戊二醛为固定剂并使用0.5%～1%的浓度固定细胞,后用缓冲溶液漂洗,再对细胞进行成像时可获得质量良好的图像.直接在生理溶液中进行观察,成像质量低于使用固定剂的细胞,但保持了细胞的生活原貌.在用原子力显微镜高分辨率观察生理条件下细胞的特点时,需要在制样与观测系统两方面进行改进.     

Chemiluminescence determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using a soluble manganese (IV)-sulphite system.

The reaction of soluble manganese (IV) with sulphite in acidic condition was found to elicit weak chemiluminescence (CL). The CL signal was remarkably enhanced in the presence of three fluoroquinolones, viz. norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Based on these observations, a new flow-injection CL method was developed for the determination of these fluoroquinolones. The method allows determination in the range 5.0 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L for norfloxacin, 1.0 x 10(-7)-8.0 x 10(-6) mol/L for ofloxacin and 1.0 x 10(-7)-3.0 x 10(-5) mol/L for ciprofloxacin, with detection limits of 3 x 10(-8) mol/L, 5 x 10(-8) mol/L and 3 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of fluoroquinolones in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Anatomical studies on Sinofranchetia chinensis (Lardizabalaceae) and their systematic significance

The anatomical structures of the Chinese endemic and monotypic genus Sinofranchetia (Lardizabalaceae) are described. There are reticulate, simple-reticulate, scalariform, simple-scalariform and simple perforations in vessel elements as well as in the fibres in the secondary wood of the roots and the stems. The node is trilacunar. The vascular bundles in the petiole are arranged in a ring. Clustered crystals occur in the parenchymatous cells of stems, petioles and pedicles. Leaf stomata are actinocytic. The nodes of sepals, petals and stamens both in male and female flowers are unilacunar and one-traced. There are three sterile carpels with two to three traces in the male flowers, three fertile carpels with two to three traces, and sometimes three sterile carpels lacking a vascular supply. In morphology, the anther dehiscence mechanism and pollen in the female flowers are the same as in the male flowers, such that the so-called female flowers might be bisexual in morphology. In comparing morphology, the sex of the flowers and the perforations of the vessel elements in Sinofranchetia with Decaisnea and other genera of the Lardizabalaceae, Sinofranchetia is considered a basic group at least as the same evolutionary level in the family as Decaisnea . © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 149 , 271–281.     

繁殖前期中国大鲵雄性成体的冲凉行为及其意义

为揭示和探讨中国大鲵(Andrias davidianus)繁殖前期的冲凉行为及其意义,在仿生态养殖环境条件下,采用定时定点观察法和全事件记录法,对雄性成鲵的冲凉行为过程及姿势进行了观察记录,并分析了冲凉行为与年龄、求偶行为、繁殖成功率之间的关系.繁殖前期雄性成鲵表现出冲凉行为,冲凉行为与求偶行为之间存在极显著的正相关,表现出求偶行为的6尾雄性成鲵有4尾成功参与了繁殖.冲凉行为可能促进了雄性成鲵精巢的发育,引发求偶行为,最终达到成功繁殖.     

Analytical methods for detecting pesticide switches with evolution of pesticide resistance

After a pest develops resistance to a pesticide, switching between different unrelated pesticides is a common management option, but this raises the following questions: (1) What is the optimal frequency of pesticide use? (2) How do the frequencies of pesticide applications affect the evolution of pesticide resistance? (3) How can the time when the pest population reaches the economic injury level (EIL) be estimated and (4) how can the most efficient frequency of pesticide applications be determined? To address these questions, we have developed a novel pest population growth model incorporating the evolution of pesticide resistance and pulse spraying of pesticides. Moreover, three pesticide switching methods, threshold condition-guided, density-guided and EIL-guided, are modelled, to determine the best choice under different conditions with the overall aim of eradicating the pest or maintaining its population density below the EIL. Furthermore, the pest control outcomes based on those three pesticide switching methods are discussed. Our results suggest that either the density-guided or EIL-guided method is the optimal pesticide switching strategy, depending on the frequency (or period) of pesticide applications.     

菘蓝铁型超氧化物歧化酶基因IiFeSOD的克隆与胁迫表达分析

超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)是生物体内超氧阴离子自由基的清除剂,可有效地防止它们对生物体的损害。从菘蓝中经RT-PCR方法扩增得到SOD基因,命名为IiFeSOD,其全长882 bp,包含一个834 bp的ORF,编码277个氨基酸,分析其编码的蛋白质序列显示其属于铁型超氧化物歧化酶,具有线粒体导肽,定位于线粒体中。实时荧光定量PCR技术分析结果表明,IiFeSOD在菘蓝各个组织中均有表达,但表达量高低不同,在叶中表达最高、茎次之、根中最低; 该基因受盐胁迫的诱导,随着盐胁迫强度的加强基因表达量迅速升高而后下降。同时SOD酶活性在盐胁迫处理下表现出类似的变化规律。说明SOD的大量积累与植物的耐逆性密切相关。     

丹参环阿屯醇合酶基因克隆及表达分析

以丹参cDNA为模板,克隆了丹参环阿屯醇合酶(cycloartenol synthase,CAS)基因的cDNA序列(SmCAS),对其序列进行生物信息学分析,并采用实时荧光定量PCR方法研究了该基因在丹参不同器官及不同胁迫处理下的表达模式。结果显示:该基因全长2 346bp,包含2 271bp开放阅读框,编码756个氨基酸。预测其编码蛋白分子量为86.16kD,具有氧化鲨烯环化酶超家族典型的DCTAE结构域和QW结构域。该基因推测的氨基酸序列与人参、田七、积雪草、甘草、拟南芥的相似性分别为83%、84%、83%、81%和80%。SmCAS基因在丹参根、茎、叶、花中均有表达,在花中表达量最高;而且SmCAS基因能够响应ABA、低温和干旱的诱导。