Genome-wide linkage scan of a pedigree with familial hypercholesterolemia suggests susceptibility loci on chromosomes 3q25-26 and 21q22

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a heritable disorder that can increase the risk of premature coronary heart disease. Studies suggest there are substantial genetic heterogeneities for different populations. Here we tried to identify novel susceptibility loci for FH in a Chinese pedigree.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We performed a SNP-based genome-wide linkage scan with the Chinese FH pedigree. Two suggestive linkage loci not previously reported were identified on chromosomes 3q25.1-26.1 (NPL = 9.01, nominal P<0.00001, and simulated occurrence per genome scan = 1.08) and 21q22.3 (NPL = 8.95, nominal P<0.00001, and simulated occurrence per genome scan = 1.26). In the interaction analysis with a trimmed version of the pedigree, we obtained a significantly increased joint LOD score (2.70) compared with that obtained when assuming the two loci uncorrelated, suggesting that more than one locus was involved in this pedigree. Exon screening of two candidate genes ABCG1 and LSS from one of the suggestive region 21q22 didn''t report any causative mutations.

Conclusions/Significances

These results confirm complex etiologies and suggest new genetic casual factors for the FH disorder. Further study of the two candidate regions is advocated.     

Identification of the catalytic residues involved in the carboxyl transfer of pyruvate carboxylase

To clarify the mechanism of carboxyl transfer from carboxylbiotin to pyruvate, the following conserved amino acid residues present in the carboxyl transferase domain of Bacillus thermodenitrificans pyruvate carboxylase were converted to homologous amino acids: Asp543, Glu576, Glu592, Asp649, Lys712, Asp713, and Asp762. The carboxylase activity of the resulting mutants, D543E, E576D, E576Q, E592Q, D649N, K712R, K712Q, D713E, D713N, D762E, and D762N, was generally less than that of the wild type from mutation, but it decreased the most to 5% or even less than that of the wild type with D543E, D576Q, D649N, K712R, and K712Q. The decrease in activity observed for Asp543, Asp649, and Lys712 mutants was not for structural reasons because their structures seemed to remain intact as assessed by gel filtration and circular dichroism. On the basis of these data, a mechanism is proposed where Lys712 and Asp543 serve as the key acid and base catalyst, respectively.     

Ultralow oxygen treatment for control of Latrodectus hesperus (Araneae: Theridiidae) on harvested table grapes

The spider Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin & Ivie (Araneae: Theridiidae) was subjected to low and ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatments at different temperatures. Complete control of the spiders was achieved in 24-h ULO treatments with 0.5% O2 or lower at 1 degrees C and in a 24-h low oxygen (2%) treatment at 15 degrees C. Oxygen level and temperature greatly affected spider mortality. At 1 degrees C, as oxygen level was decreased from 2 to 0.5%, spider mortality increased from 0 to 100%. At 2% O2, as temperature was increased from 1 to 15 degrees C, spider mortality increased from 0 to 100%. Grape clusters from two table grape (Vitis spp.) cultivars, 'Thompson Seedless' and 'Flame Seedless', were subjected to the 24-h ULO treatment with 0.5% O2 at 1 degrees C. The ULO treatment had no negative effects on grape quality. Because of the relatively short treatment time, effectiveness at low storage temperature and the easily attained oxygen level, we conclude that the ULO treatment have good potential to be implemented commercially for control of black widow spiders on harvested table grapes.     

柚子(Citrus grandis Osbeck)S-like核酸酶基因CgSL1的分离与特征分析

从柚子（Citrus grandis Osbeck)2个自交不亲和品种Guan溪蜜柚和度尾蜜柚的花柱中克隆出一个类似S核酸酶基因CgSL1（C.grandis S-likde RNase),它的cDNA序列全长1074bp,编码297个氨基酸,通过与其它植物S-like核酸酶和S核酸酶氨基酸序列进行比较,发现CgSL1类似于S-like核酸酶,与拟南芥中的RNS2一致性为62．5％。对CgSL1的表达分析表明该基因在花柱,花药,叶片不同器官以及花柱的不同发育阶段均有表达,且在花柱中的表达随衰老增强,由此推测它可能与衰老有关。     

中国水稻功能基因组研究进展

在过去的10年中,我国在水稻功能基因组研究方面取得了显著成绩,建立发展了水稻功能基因组研究技术平台,主要包括水稻大型T—DNA插入突变体库、基因全长cDNA文库、基因表达谱芯片以及相应的生物信息学分析平台等;分离鉴定了大批与产量、品质、抗病、抗逆、营养高效利用相关的具有重要应用前景的重要农艺性状基因．并适时提出了RICE2020的研究计划,旨在积极推动水稻功能基因的深入研究和建立国际合作．     

Subcellular Localization of the S Locus F-box Protein AhSLF-S2 in Pollen and Pollen Tubes of Self-Incompatible Antirrhinum

The distribution of the S locus F-box (SLF) protein was examined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot techniques using an antibody against the C-terminal part of AhSLF-S2 in self-incompatible lines of Antirrhinum. Abundant gold particles were found where pollen tubes emerge in vitro. With the elongation of pollen tubes, binding sites for the antibody were found in the cytoplasm of the pollen tubes,including the peripheral part of the endoplasmic reticulum. After germination in vitro for 16 h, the product of AhSLF-S2 and possibly its allelic products could still be detectable, implying that the SLF protein has a role in the elongating process of pollen tubes. The present study provides evidence at the protein level that the SLF protein is present in pollen cytoplasm during pollen tube growth. These findings are discussed, as is their potential role in the self-incompatible response in Antirrhinum.     

马占相思人工林和果园地表径流规律的对比研究

基于连续 5年的观测 ,对比研究了马占相思人工林和果园两种地表类型上地表径流的各自特点 ;讨论了季节性地表径流的差异与系统水分结构问题 ;探讨了根据实际资料求取发生地表产流的降雨量临界值的方法 ,此方法以综合考虑未发生产流的最大降雨量和已发生产流的最小降雨量为基础 ;并得到了如下的一些结果 :1)本区域不同强度的大气降水频度分布比较均匀 ,但降水量主要由少数几场特大降水带来 ,并且降水量的季节分配极不平均 ,湿季 (4～ 9月 )降水量占全年的 85 .5 %。 2 )地表径流的季节差异更大 ,果园在湿季的地表径流量占全年的93.8% ,马占相思林占 95 .1% ,作者认为在降水量存在较大干湿季差别的地区 ,对于越难于发生地表径流的下垫面 ,这个值会越高。3)马占相思地表径流系数在逐年减小 ,果园的变化较大。4)一次性降雨量对地表径流量的影响在这两种地表类型上都很明显 (r>0 .85 ) ;一次性降雨强度对地表径流的影响只有在中等降雨量 (6～ 16 mm)下才表现明显 (r>0 .87) ,对于较小和较大降水量 ,径流量与降雨强度关系都不大 ;径流系数受一次性降雨强度的影响很明显 (林地 r>0 .92 ,果园 r>0 .77)。 5 )马占相思和果园一次性“最大可能”地表径流产流的雨量临界值 ,分别为5 .1m m和 2 .8mm。     

Establishment of the Self-incompatibility (S) Locus-directed Transposon Tagging System in Antirrhinum

In order to perform mutational studies on genes from the self-incompatibility (S) locus, an S locus-directed transposon tagging system was established in Antirrhinum. Cultivated lines of Antirrhinum majus contain many molecularly well-characterized transposons, but are self compatible due to the presence of a nonfunctional S locus (Sc). In this study, an active transposon (Tam5) from the Cycloidea (Cyc) locus controlling flower asymmetry in A. majus was introduced to a position tightly linked to the functional S locus from self incompatible interspecific hybrids (A. majus×hispanicum) through genetic recombination. RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis showed that the transposon is 3 cM (centiMorgan) away from the S locus and retains high transpositional activity with a germinal excision frequency of 20%. Possible implications of the linkage between the S locus and genes controlling floral phenotypes were discussed. An active transposon tightly linked to the S locus constructed here will facilitate the generation of insertional mutants of the S locus encoded genes and may lead to dissecting their precise roles during self-incompatible reactions.     

A Rewarding Fifteen Years: From SLG to SCR/SP11

Selfincompatibility (SI) is a major genetic mechanism to prevent selffertilization in flowering plants and, in most cases, controlled by a single multiallelic locus, known as the S locus. In Brassica, the genes mediating both stylar (SRK, S receptor kinase) and pollen (SCR/SP11, S locus cystein rich protein/S locus protein 11) expression of selfincompatible reaction have been characterized though the first S locus-encoded gene, SLG (S locus glycoprotein), was isolated nearly fifteen years ago. These findings have finally unveiled the molecular partners in pollen recognition during selfincompatible reaction in Brassica.     

基于蛋白质组学技术的新型冠状病毒肺炎研究进展

新型冠状病毒肺炎（coronavirus disease 2019，COVID-19）是一种由严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2（severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2，SARS-CoV-2）引发的传染病。此种病毒传染性强、传播速度快，对全球人民的身体健康和生命安全造成严重威胁。蛋白质组学技术以其高通量、高灵敏度的特点，在疾病生物标志物的发现、分子机制研究及治疗靶点研究中扮演着重要角色，并被广泛应用于COVID-19的研究中。本文介绍了SARS-CoV-2的基因组结构及病毒感染过程，总结了目前常用的基于质谱的蛋白质组学研究技术，重点综述了蛋白质组学技术在COVID-19生物标志物的发现、分子机制研究和药物治疗靶标研究中的应用进展，最后展望了蛋白质组学的未来发展方向，以期能够有助于推动蛋白质组学技术在COVID-19精准诊断和治疗中的发展。