一个RNAi载体上反向重复片段的测序策略

相邻的反向重复DNA片段有形成单链内二级结构的倾向,属于一种测序困难的DNA模板。解决RNAi载体插入的反向重复片段的测序问题,为该类载体正确性的测序验证奠定基础。采用常规分子克隆方法构建表达小麦TaATG2串联反向重复片段的RNAi载体,设计2种策略对经菌落PCR初步鉴定的载体进行测序验证:一种是以完整的载体质粒为模板进行测序;另一种是先对载体进行酶切处理,切除反向重复片段中的一个后对保留另一个片段的线性载体进行测序。结果表明,第一种测序策略受到串联反向重复片段形成的单链内部二级结构的影响,测序信号在反向重复片段处出现衰减或乱峰,无法读取序列。第二种测序策略排除了2个反向重复片段之间的干扰,保留在载体上的片段测序信号清晰,序列准确。采用酶切切除一个片段后进行测序的方法,经过2次酶切和2次测序可以有效地对载体上的2个反向重复片段分别进行序列测定,进而确认构建载体的正确性。     

Enzymatic System of Metabolism and Detoxication of Xenobiotics as a Basis of Metabolic Portraiting during Prognostication of Risk of Pathological Processes

We studied intraspecific features of the main enzymes of metabolism and detoxication of xenobiotics on mice (eight inbred lines) and rats (five lines) for estimation of possible variants of complete or incomplete metabolic equality. Significant genetically determined intraspecific differences for activities of the enzymes of metabolism and detoxication of xenobiotics were described. Generalized criteria for comparison of the metabolic status were proposed on the basis of activities of the main enzymes: cytochrome P-450 (hydroxylation and epoxidation), epoxyhydrolase, glutathione-S-transferase, UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, and sulfotransferase. The proposed criteria for estimation of the metabolic parameters of an individual can serve as a basis of metabolic portraiting.     

A Critical Point of Male Gonad Development: Neuroendocrine Correlates of Accelerated Testicular Growth in Rats during Early Life

Testis growth during early life is important for future male fertility and shows acceleration during the first months of life in humans. This acceleration coincides with the peak in gonadotropic hormones in the blood, while the role of hypothalamic factors remains vague. Using neonatal rats to assess this issue, we found that day 9 of life is likely critical for testis development in rats. Before this day, testicular growth was proportional to body weight gain, but after that the testes showed accelerated growth. Hypothalamic kisspeptin and its receptor mRNA levels begin to elevate 2 days later, at day 11. A significant increase in the mRNA levels for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in the hypothalamus between days 5 and 7 was followed by a 3-fold decrease in GnRH mRNA levels in this brain region during the next 2 days. Starting from day 9, hypothalamic GnRH mRNA levels increased significantly and positively correlated with accelerated testicular growth. Triptorelin, an agonist of GnRH, at a dose that had no effect on testicular growth during “proportional” period, increased testis weights during the period of accelerated growth. The insensitivity of testicular growth to GnRH during “proportional” period was supported by inability of a 2.5-fold siRNA knockdown of GnRH expression in the hypothalamus of the 7-day-old animals to produce any effect on their testis weights. GnRH receptor blockade with cetrorelix was also without effect on testis weights during “proportional” period but the same doses of this GnRH antagonist significantly inhibited “accelerated” testicular growth. GnRH receptor mRNA levels in the pituitary as well as plasma LH concentrations were higher during “accelerated” period of testicular growth than during “proportional” period. In general, our data defined two distinct periods in rat testicular development that are primarily characterized by different responses to GnRH signaling.     

Isolation and comparative analysis of multiple isoenzymes of glutathione-S-transferase from the liver of intact rats and rats administered phenobarbital, 3-methylcholanthrene and butylhydroxytoluene

Seven glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isozymes were purified from liver cytosol of intact male Wistar rats: 1-1(A), 1-1(B), 1-2, 2-2, 3-3, 3-4, 4-4. Treatment of rats with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) led to the induction of isozymes GST 1-1(A), 1-1(B) (2-fold), 3-3 (3.5-fold) as well as to the appearance of two new isozymes--1-3 and 4-4(A). Phenobarbital (PB) induced isozymes GST 1-1(A), 1-1(B) (2-fold) and 3-3 (1.5-fold). BHT and PB caused an increase in the specific activity of isozymes 1-1(A), 1-1(B), 3-3, 3-4 towards 1-chloro-2.4-dinitrobenzene and 1.2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene. 3-Methylcholanthrene (MC) induced isozymes 1-2 (1.5-fold), 2-2 (2-fold) and 4-4 (3-fold). A conclusion was drawn that BHT and PB induced the GST subunits 1 and 3, whereas MC--subunits 2 and 4.     

睡莲科的系统发育:核糖体DNA ITS区序列证据

以金鱼藻Ceratophyllum demersum为外类群,使用PAUP4.0b4A软件对睡莲科Nymphaeaceae植物7属11个代表种的ITS区序列进行了系统发育分析。采用最大简约法分析获得了3个最简约树,步长为1125,一致性指数(CI)和维持性指数(RI)值分别为0.7618和0.7214。利用3个最简约树获取严格一致树。结果表明:(1)莲属Nelumbo位于系统树的基部,自展支持率为100%,可从睡莲科中独立出来成立莲科Nelumbonaceae和莲目Nelumbonales;(2)萍蓬草属Nuphar是一单系类群,位于分支Ⅱ的基部,并和睡莲科其他属(不包括莲属)植物聚在一起构成姐妹群,故萍蓬草属仍应置于睡莲科中;(3)水盾草属Cabomba和莼菜属Brasenia聚成一小支并构成姐妹群,自展支持率为99%,说明这两属之间亲缘关系较近;(4)睡莲属和芡实属Euryale、王莲属Victoria聚成一小支并构成姐妹群,自展支持率为94%,说明三者亲缘关系较近,仍应置于睡莲科中。     

通过双原核显微注射提高转基因小鼠研制效率的实验研究

目的建立高效的转基因小鼠制备技术,为开展遗传工程动物模型研究奠定技术基础。方法通过向小鼠受精卵原核中注入不同浓度的DNA分子,筛选最适注射用DNA浓度;将K14/hCTLA4-Ig基因表达载体分子通过显微注射分别导入小鼠受精卵雌、雄原核,并设立单原核注射对照组;利用输卵管腹壶部穿刺移植法将注射后的小鼠受精卵移植于同期发情的受体母鼠;利用PCR对出生的转基因首建小鼠进行筛选。结果最适DNA分子浓度为10ng/μl;在单、双原核注射组胚胎2细胞卵裂率分别为52.3%(132/253)和45.0%(108/240),差异有显著性(P<0.05);注射胚胎移植后体内存活率分别为18.1%(24/132)和16.7%(18/108),差异无显著性;转基因首建小鼠阳性率分别为3/24和5/18,转基因阳性小鼠占总注射胚胎的比例为1.2%(3/253)和2.08%(5/240),差异有极显著性(P<0.01)。结论尽管双原核注射对胚胎的2细胞卵裂率有一定影响,但通过双原核注射可有效提高转基因小鼠的制备效率。     

流行性乙型脑炎病毒E基因的克隆、表达及初步应用

参照GenBank中的日本乙型脑炎病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)SA14-14株序列设计了一对特异性引物,用PCR方法从SA14-14扩增E基因全长,然后克隆到pMD18-T载体中,转化宿主菌DH5a,提取阳性克隆质粒进行双酶切鉴定,将目的片段定向克隆到pET32a( )中,转化入BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导可表达分子量约73ka的蛋白,Western blotting试验呈阳性,表明E基因得到表达。以纯化的表达产物为核心抗原,猪抗JEV血清为一抗,HRP标记羊抗猪IgG抗体为二抗建立间接ELISA方法,并初步检测了一些血清样品,结果提示表达的蛋白具有很好的应用开发价值。     

甘肃祁连山青海云杉种群数量动态的初步研究

用生存分析和静态生命表研究方法,在祁连山国家级自然保护区调查了16个(20 m×20 m)样地,分析青海云杉(Picea crassifolia Kom.)种群数量动态和年龄结构.结果表明,不同种群年龄结构不同,属顶级群落的苔藓-青海云杉林、草类-青海云杉林表现为衰退型种群;灌木-青海云杉林、马先蒿-青海云杉林为增长型种群.1～5龄级存活曲线较陡,种群死亡率较高;5龄级以后存活曲线相对平缓,死亡率较低.采用指数方程和幂函数对生存曲线的类型进行检验,苔藓-青海云杉林、草类-青海云杉林和标准化青海云杉林的生存曲线符合DeeveyⅢ型曲线;灌木-青海云杉林、马先蒿-青海云杉林的生存曲线符合DeeveyⅡ型曲线.种群数量变化的回归分析和青海云杉生态寿命与环境因子相关性分析表明,青海云杉种群存活数变化和生态寿命与种群密度有关.