Social buffering in adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Effects of stressful events in single vs. pair housing

Background The purpose of this study was to test whether long‐term pair housing of male rhesus macaques ameliorated negative responses to stressful events that can occur in the course of routine husbandry or research procedures. Methods Twelve singly housed individuals were videotaped during two potentially stressful events before and after social introduction into pairs. During each stressor, abnormal behavior and anxiety‐related behavior were quantified from videotape. Results When visually exposed to the restraint and anesthesia of other monkeys, subjects showed significantly reduced frequencies of abnormal behavior when pair‐housed in comparison to their reactions when housed singly. Noisy and disruptive conversation between technicians standing immediately in front of the subjects’ cage did not elicit the same reduction in abnormal behavior. Neither test showed a significant difference across housing settings for anxiety‐related behaviors. Conclusions These findings suggest that pair housing buffers adult male rhesus macaques against common stressors in the laboratory setting.     

Genes and neurons: molecular insights to fear and anxiety

Experimental animal models provide an important tool for the identification of inheritable components of fear and anxiety. 'Pavlovian' fear conditioning has been tremendously successful to characterize the neuronal circuitry and cellular mechanisms of the formation, consolidation and extinction of fear memories. Here we summarize recent progress that has led to the identification of gene products contributing to such experience-dependent changes in fear and anxiety and may guide the search for genetic factors involved in the development and treatment of human anxiety disorders.     

ABA诱导基因及其与逆境胁迫的关系(综述)

本文介绍 ABA 诱导基因的类型、结构、功能,并对其表达与逆境胁迫的关系进行综述。     

逆境胁迫下作物基因表达更替的研究进展

本文综述了高等植物在厌氧、热激,盐分胁迫,养分胁迫,紫外辐射等各种逆境条件下,基因表达更替的一系列过程,提出基因表达变化对作物适应逆境条件的意义,并对今后的研究作了展望。     

Ecologically relevant stress resistance: from microarrays and quantitative trait loci to candidate genes — A research plan and preliminary results using<Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophila</Emphasis> as a model organism and climatic and genetic stress as model stresses

We aim at studying adaptation to genetic and environmental stress and its evolutionary implications at different levels of biological organization. Stress influences cellular processes, individual physiology, genetic variation at the population level, and the process of natural selection. To investigate these highly connected levels of stress effects, it is advisable - if not critical - to integrate approaches from ecology, evolution, physiology, molecular biology and genetics. To investigate the mechanisms of stress resistance, how resistance evolves, and what factors contribute to and constrain its evolution, we use the well-defined model systems ofDrosophila species, representing both cosmopolitan species such asD. melanogaster with a known genome map, and more specialized and ecologically well described species such as the cactophilicD. buzzatii. Various climate-related stresses are used as model stresses including desiccation, starvation, cold and heat. Genetic stress or genetic load is modelled by studying the consequences of inbreeding, the accumulation of (slightly) deleterious mutations, hybridization or the loss of genetic variability. We present here a research plan and preliminary results combining various approaches: molecular techniques such as microarrays, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses, quantitative PCR, ELISA or Western blotting are combined with population studies of resistance to climatic and genetic stress in natural populations collected across climatic gradients as well as in selection lines maintained in the laboratory.     

Expression analysis of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) metallothionein-like gene (MT3) under different stress and physiological conditions

The buckwheat metallothionein-like (MT3) gene expression was studied throughout seed and leaf development, as well as under the influence of different external stimuli. MT3 mRNAs were detected from the early stage of seed development to the end of maturation, reaching the highest level during the mid-maturation stage. High MT3 mRNA level was noticed for both green and senescent leaves. The influence of raising Cu ion concentrations on MT3 gene expression was studied only in leaves, while the effect of Zn ions was analyzed through seed development as well. It was found that Cu and Zn ions had stimulatory effects on expression in leaves. MT3 expression was significantly enhanced in the early stage of seed development in response to Zn ions, while after this stage, influence of Zn ions was not detected. After H2O2/NaCl treatment, MT3 mRNA level was decreased in green leaves, contrary to senescent leaves where expression levels remained unchanged. H2O2 treatment caused the increase of MT3 mRNA levels in the mid-maturation stage of seed development. NaCl had no effect on expression levels in seeds. According to obtained results, proposed functions in different plant organs regarding oxidative stress and metal homeostasis are discussed.     

LEA蛋白与植物抗逆性

植物受到逆境胁迫后,LEA蛋白大量表达,可以减轻逆境引起的伤害。本文对LEA蛋白的种类、特性和功能,LEA蛋白基因结构及其表达调控,以及LEA基因表达和LEA蛋白积累与植物抗逆性的关系等方面的研究进展作了简要综述。     

Expression in Escherichia coli of Three Different Soybean Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) Genes to Investigate Enhanced Stress Tolerance

In order to identify the function of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes, in vitro functional analyses were perfo rmed using an Escherichia coli heterologous expression system. Three soybean late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes, PM11 (GenBank accession No. AF004805; group 1), PM30 (AF1 17884; group 3), and ZLDE-2 (AY351918; group 2), were cloned and expressed in a pET-28a system.The gene products were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. E. coli cells containing the recombinant plasmids or empty vector as controls were treated by salt and low temperature stress. Compared with control cells, the E. coli cells expressing either PM11 or PM30 showed a shorter lag period and improved growth when transferred to LB (Luria-Bertani) liquid media containing 800 mmol/L NaCl or 700 mmol/L KCl or after 4 ℃ treatment. E. coli cells expressing ZLDE-2 did not show obvious growth improvement both in either high KCl medium or after 4 ℃ treatment. The results indicate that the E. coli expression system is a simple, useful method to identify the functions of some stress-tolerant genes from plants.     

鸡3种组织中热应激相关基因的表达谱芯片分析

文章以8日龄矮小型黄羽肉雏鸡为材料,以28℃±1℃处理3 h为对照组,40℃±1℃热应激3 h为实验组,采集大脑、肝脏、腿肌3种组织,利用全基因组表达谱芯片检测实验组和对照组各组织的差异表达基因,并结合生物信息学方法分析其功能。研究结果表明：在热应激处理组与对照组中,大脑组织中共有183个显著变化的差异表达探针(变化倍数≥2或≤0.5,q≤0.05),129个有基因注释,39个生物学过程发生了改变,18个生物学通路发生显著改变;肝脏组织中有558个显著改变的探针(变化倍数≥2或≤0.5,q≤0.05),包含339个基因,涉及37个生物学过程,58个生物学通路发生改变;腿肌组织中显著改变的探针有301个(变化倍数≥2或≤0.5,q≤0.05),209个有基因注释,参与了31个生物学过程,51个生物学通路发生改变。3种组织中,获得差异表达探针935个,不同组织具有特异性的表达模式;多种热休克蛋白家族基因被诱导上调表达,抗凋亡过程、钙离子信号通路、MAPK信号通路和多种代谢途径发生改变。文章对鸡的热应激分子机制进行了初步探索,为筛选耐热性相关基因提供了理论依据。     

沙地云杉 LBD 基因家族鉴定及盐胁迫响应分析

沙地云杉(Picea mongolica)是我国稀有珍贵树种,具有耐旱、耐寒、耐沙埋的优良抗性。LBD(lateral organ boundaries domain)是植物侧生器官中重要的转录因子,在植物生长发育和胁迫应答进程中起关键作用,但目前尚未报道有关沙地云杉中LBD基因家族的研究。本研究参考挪威云杉全基因组数据及沙地云杉转录组数据鉴定沙地云杉LBD基因,进行生物信息学分析并利用qRT-PCR检测LBD基因在不同组织(茎尖、主根、侧根、茎和叶)及盐胁迫胁迫条件下的表达水平。结果表明,在沙地云杉转录组中共鉴定出30个LBD基因(PmLBD1-30),蛋白序列长度在119~309 aa之间,分子量为10.5~33.4 kD,等电点介于5.15~9.26之间,Cell-PLoc亚细胞定位显示均位于细胞核中;所有的LBD蛋白结构域、基因结构高度保守,并由相似的基序组成;根据系统发育树可将其分为5个亚家族(Class I a~e),沙地云杉在各类中的成员依次为4,11,5,1,9个;qRT-PCR试验结果显示,PmLBDs在不同组织中均有表达,如PmLBD2/5/18/19在茎中高表达,ClassⅠb中的PmLBD9/20/23基因在侧根中强烈表达;大多数PmLBDs的表达强烈响应盐胁迫,17个PmLBD基因在盐处理后上调表达,而6个PmLBD基因在盐处理后下调表达,且同一亚族基因表达情况呈现相似趋势。     

Expression in Escherichia coli of Three Different Soybean Late Embryogenesis Abundant （LEA） Genes to Investigate Enhanced Stress Tolerance

In order to identify the function of late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes, in vitro functional analyses were performed using an Escherichia coli heterologous expression system. Three soybean late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) genes, PMll (GenBank accession No. AF004805; group 1), PM30(AF117884; group 3), and ZLDE-2 (AY351918; group 2), were cloned and expressed in a pET-28a system.The gene products were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. E. coli cells containing the recombinant plasmids or empty vector as controls were treated by salt and low temperature stress. Compared with control cells, the E. coli cells expressing either PMll or PM30 showed a shorter lag period and improved growth when transferred to LB (Luria-Bertani) liquid media containing 800 mmol/L NaC1 or 700 mmol/L KC1 or after 4℃ treatment. E. coli cells expressing ZLDE-2 did not show obvious growth improvement both in either high KC1 medium or after 4℃ treatment. The results indicate that the E. coli expression system is a simple, useful method to identify the functions of some stress-tolerant genes from plants.