Comparative Effects of Direct Cadmium Contamination on Gene Expression in Gills, Liver, Skeletal Muscles and Brain of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The effects of cadmium (Cd) on gene expression were examined in four organs (gills, liver, skeletal muscles and brain) of the zebrafish. Adult male fish were subjected to three different water contamination pressures over periods of 7 and 21 days: control medium (C₀: no Cd added) and two contaminated media (C₁: 1.9 ± 0.6 μg Cd l⁻¹, and C₂: 9.6 ± 2.9 μg Cd l⁻¹). Fourteen genes involved in antioxidant defences, metal chelation, active efflux of organic compounds, mitochondrial metabolism, DNA repair and apoptosis were selected and their expression levels investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Cadmium concentrations were determined in the four organs and metallothionein (MT) protein levels investigated in brain, liver and gills. Although skeletal muscle was a poor Cd-accumulating tissue, many genes were up-regulated at day 7: mt1, cyt, bax, gadd and rad51 genes. Three additional genes, c-jun, pyc and tap, were up-regulated in muscles at day 21 whereas bax, gadd and rad51 had returned to basal levels. Surprisingly, mt1 and c-jun were the only genes displaying a differential induction after 21 days in liver, although this organ accumulated the highest cadmium concentration. In brain, only mt1, mt2 and c-jun genes were up-regulated after 21 days. In gills, the highest response was observed after 7 days, featuring the differential expression of oxidative stress-response hsp70 and mitochondrial sod genes, along with genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism and metal detoxification. Then, after 21 days, the expression of almost every genes returned to basal levels while both mt1 and mt2 genes were up-regulated.     

水稻NAM基因家族的全基因组鉴定及表达分析

植物特异性转录因子NAM家族从属于NAC转录因子超家族,在植株生长发育、生理代谢以及应对各种胁迫反应中均发挥重要作用。该研究采用生物信息学方法鉴定水稻基因组中的NAM基因,分析其时空表达模式、亚细胞定位以及蛋白相互作用,并采用实时定量qRT PCR方法分析不同外源激素(如SA、ABA和MeJA)以及非生物胁迫(包括干旱、盐和冷)处理下各NAM基因的表达特征,为进一步探索NAM基因在非生物胁迫中的功能和应激机制以及激素调控途径奠定基础。结果显示：(1)从水稻基因组中共鉴定出48个NAM基因,进化分析将其分为5个亚家族;NAM基因在水稻基因组中存在9对片段复制事件。(2)组织表达分析显示,NAM基因在水稻不同组织及发育时期表现特异性表达,特别是叶鞘、茎和节的生长过程中高表达,且大多数是核定位,并存在多种蛋白互作。(3)实时定量qRT PCR表达分析显示,10个NAM基因在不同组织中均特异表达;大部分NAM基因在盐和干旱胁迫下表达上调,而在冷胁迫下表达降低;SA、ABA和MeJA处理均可显著改变各NAM基因的表达水平。研究表明,NAM基因在水稻生长发育、激素应答和非生物胁迫响应中具有重要作用。     

Molecular cloning, expression analysis and chromosomal mapping of salt-responsive cDNAs in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

By using differential display PCR (DD-PCR) technique, two salt-inducible and one salt-repressed cDNA fragments were isolated from rice. The three cDNA fragments were characterized respectively as partial sequence of rice S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) gene, a new member of translation elongation factor 1A gene (namedREF1 A), and a novel gene whose function is unknown (namedSRG1). The full-length cDNA of SAMDC gene (namedSAMDC1) was further isolated by RT-PCR approach and the deduced polypeptide was found to be homologous to SAMDC proteins of other plants, yeast and buman. Northern hybridization revealed that expression of SAMDCl and REFlA was induced, while SRGl was dramatically repressed, by salinity stress. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that SAMDCl and SRGl were present as a single copy gene in rice genome, whereas riceREF1 A gene was organized as a gene family. TheREF1 A,SAMDC1, andSRG1 genes were located on chromosome 3,4, and 6 respectively by RFLP mapping approach using ZYQ8/JX17 DH population and RFLP linkage maps. Project supported by the National “863” High-Technology Program.     

Involvement of OsPht1;4 in phosphate acquisition and mobilization facilitates embryo development in rice

Phosphate (Pi) transporters mediate acquisition and transportation of Pi within plants. Here, we investigated the functions of OsPht1;4 (OsPT4), one of the 13 members of the Pht1 family in rice. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR analysis revealed strong expression of OsPT4 in roots and embryos, and OsPT4 promoter analysis using reporter genes confirmed these findings. Analysis using rice protoplasts showed that OsPT4 localized to the plasma membrane. OsPT4 complemented a yeast mutant defective in Pi uptake, and also facilitated increased accumulation of Pi in Xenopus oocytes. Further, OsPT4 genetically modified (GM) rice lines were generated by knockout/knockdown or over‐expression of OsPT4. Pi concentrations in roots and shoots were significantly lower and higher in knockout/knockdown and over‐expressing plants, respectively, compared to wild‐type under various Pi regimes. ³³Pi uptake translocation assays corroborated the altered acquisition and mobilization of Pi in OsPT4 GM plants. We also observed effects of altered expression levels of OsPT4 in GM plants on the concentration of Pi, the size of the embryo, and several attributes related to seed development. Overall, our results suggest that OsPT4 encodes a plasma membrane‐localized Pi transporter that facilitates acquisition and mobilization of Pi, and also plays an important role in development of the embryo in rice.     

Molecular analyses of the rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">glutamate dehydrogenase</Emphasis> gene family and their response to nitrogen and phosphorous deprivation

Glutamate dehydrogenases (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2~4) are ubiquitous enzymes encoded by GDH genes. So far, at least two GDH members have been characterized in plants, but most members of this family in rice remains to be characterized. Here, we show that four putative GDH genes (OsGDH1-4) are present in the rice genome. The GDH sequences from rice and other species can be classified into two types (I and II). OsGDH1-3 belonged to type II genes, whereas OsGDH4 belonged to type I like gene. Our data implied that the expansion rate of type I genes was much slower than that of type II genes and species-specific expansion contributed to the evolution of type II genes in plants. The expression levels of the different members of GDH family in rice were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR and microarray analysis. Gene expression patterns revealed that OsGDH1, OsGDH2, and OsGDH4 are expressed ubiquitously in various tissues, whereas OsGDH3 expression is glumes and stamens specific. The expression of the OsGDH family members responded differentially to nitrogen and phosphorus-deprivation, indicating their roles under such stress conditions. Implications of the expression patterns with respect to the functions of these genes were discussed. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

高通量筛选诱变菌株降低黄酒发酵氨基甲酸乙酯前体积累

【目的】氨基甲酸乙酯是发酵食品中普遍存在的一种潜在危害物。黄酒中氨基甲酸乙酯的前体主要是尿素和乙醇。本研究通过高通量筛选策略降低黄酒发酵过程中尿素的积累,从而降低氨基甲酸乙酯积累。【方法】以一株黄酒生产工业菌株酿酒酵母XZ-11为研究对象,采用ARTP诱变和高通量筛选策略,获得尿素积累量较低菌株。使用实时定量PCR技术检测氮代谢中尿素代谢和转运相关基因(DUR1,2和DUR3)的变化。【结果】筛选得到一株尿素高效稳定性利用菌株5-11C。其尿素积累量比酿酒酵母XZ-11降低了50.6%。实时定量荧光PCR结果表明,与尿素代谢和转运相关的基因(DUR1,2和DUR3)表达量分别提高了3.3和2.2倍。【结论】高通量筛选策略可以用于降低黄酒生产过程中氨基甲酸乙酯前体尿素的含量。由于未采用基因工程手段,避免了可能的法规问题,消费者易于接受,在发酵食品行业具有较好的应用前景。     

Detection of Tobacco mosaic virus and Tomato mosaic virus in pepper and tomato by multiplex RT-PCR

Aims: To develop a highly sensitive and rapid protocol for simultaneous detection and differentiation of Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) in pepper and tomato. In this study, we use the multiplex PCR technique to detect dual infection of these two viruses. Methods and Results: A multiplex RT–PCR method consisting of one‐tube reaction with two primer pairs targeted to replicase genes was developed to simultaneously detect TMV and ToMV in seed samples of pepper and tomato. Specific primers were designed from conserved regions of each of the virus genomes, and their specificity was confirmed by sequencing PCR products. RT–PCR detected up to 10^?6 dilution of total RNA extracted from infected leaves. Multiplex RT–PCR revealed the presence of both TMV and ToMV in three of 18 seed samples of tomato and one of 18 seed samples of pepper. Conclusions: The multiplex PCR assay was a cost effective, quick diagnostic technique, which was helpful in differentiating TMV and ToMV accurately. Significance and Impact of the Study: The multiplex PCR assay described in this study is a valuable tool for plant pathology and basic research studies. This method may facilitate better recognition and distinction of TMV and ToMV in both pepper and tomato.     

Auxin,Cytokinin, and Ethylene Involved in Rice N Availability Improvement Caused by Endophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phomopsis liquidambari</Emphasis>

Nitrogen (N) is one of the most limiting nutrients for rice yield. There is mounting evidence that the endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambari B3 can establish a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with rice, enhancing N uptake and metabolism in rice (Oryza sativa L.). To examine the mechanism underlying the effect of B3 on nitrogen accumulation and metabolism in rice plants, a pot experiment was conducted to examine the N and phytohormone levels in response to endophyte infection at four whole growth durations during exposure to different N levels. Our results showed that the contents of auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene in rice were significantly enhanced by B3 under low N levels at different growth durations; B3 symbiosis increased N accumulation and rice yield and induced the expression of some genes related to N uptake and metabolism. To further verify that B3 symbiosis enhances N use in rice by regulating phytohormones, we performed a hydroponic experiment in which exogenous phytohormones and their specific inhibitors were applied. The results showed that the application of exogenous auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene increased the rice content of nitrogen, and their inhibitors decreased the amount of nitrogen absorbed in rice. As expected, B3 infection alleviated the negative effect caused by inhibitors slightly. In summary, we conclude that P. liquidambari symbiosis may regulate the content of auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene to improve N use in rice.     

Identification of age-dependently expressed genes in mouse liver by differential display–PCR analysis

The aim of this study was to identify genes expressed in an age-dependent manner in mouse (Mus musculus) liver. To search for age-dependently expressed genes, we used a fluorescence differential display–PCR (FDD–PCR) technique on total RNA extracted from mouse livers collected at seven different developmental stages. All differentially expressed cDNAs detected by FDD–PCR were reamplified, subcloned and sequenced, and six genes were confirmed to show age-dependent expression by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Nucleotide sequence analyses showed that four of them had high homology with known genes (mitochondrial DNA, cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase, cell division cycle 2-like 5 and complement component 8 alpha polypeptide), and two with expressed sequence tags of unknown genes. The FDD–PCR technique was effective for detecting novel age-dependently expressed genes, and also for newly characterizing individual expression patterns of known genes. The age-dependent expression patterns of known genes revealed in this study may provide an opportunity to investigate the unknown physiological roles of the proteins they encode.     

钝齿棒杆菌GlnK在氮代谢调控及L-精氨酸合成中的功能

【目的】钝齿棒杆菌是重要的氨基酸生产菌株,本研究针对氮代谢PⅡ信号转导蛋白GlnK展开相关功能研究,分析其在钝齿棒杆菌氮代谢调控及L-精氨酸合成中的作用。【方法】以GlnK蛋白为研究对象,通过基因敲除等遗传方法获得过表达、敲除及敲弱glnK的重组钝齿棒杆菌,研究GlnK对NH_4~+吸收的影响,通过RT-qPCR和酶活测定,从转录水平和蛋白水平上揭示GlnK对氮代谢和L-精氨酸合成相关基因表达水平及酶活的影响,通过5-L发酵罐发酵产L-精氨酸研究GlnK对L-精氨酸合成的影响。【结果】过表达glnK能明显促进NH_4~+的吸收,而敲除glnK后则会抑制NH_4~+的摄取;RT-qPCR和酶活测定发现,相比于野生型菌株Cc5-5,glnK过表达菌株Cc-glnK中与铵吸收相关的基因,表达量平均上调约4.58倍,L-精氨酸合成基因簇中基因的表达水平平均上调1.50倍。Cc-glnK中氮代谢相关蛋白的酶活平均提高46.97%;L-精氨酸合成途径上7个关键酶的酶活平均提高30.00%;5-L发酵罐发酵各重组菌株结果表明,Cc-glnK菌株的产量可达49.53 g/L,产率为0.516 g/(L·h),相比于出发菌株Cc5-5,其L-精氨酸产量提高了28.65%。【结论】过表达GlnK能促进NH_4~+的吸收及利用,并通过影响L-精氨酸合成途径上关键基因的表达水平,提高关键酶的酶活,最终提高L-精氨酸的产量。本研究为后续探索钝齿棒杆菌氮代谢调控机制及代谢工程改造钝齿棒杆菌生产L-精氨酸提供了一种新的策略。     

A novel rice calmodulin-like gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">OsMSR2,</Emphasis> enhances drought and salt tolerance and increases ABA sensitivity in Arabidopsis

Many abiotic stimuli, such as drought and salt stresses, elicit changes in intracellular calcium levels that serve to convey information and activate adaptive responses. Ca²⁺ signals are perceived by different Ca²⁺ sensors, and calmodulin (CaM) is one of the best-characterized Ca²⁺ sensors in eukaryotes. Calmodulin-like (CML) proteins also exist in plants, but their functions at the physiological and molecular levels are largely unknown. In this report, we present data on OsMSR2 (Oryza sativa L. Multi-Stress-Responsive gene 2), a novel calmodulin-like protein gene isolated from rice Pei’ai 64S (Oryza sativa L.). Expression of OsMSR2 was strongly up-regulated by a wide spectrum of stresses, including cold, drought, and heat in different tissues at different developmental stages of rice, as revealed by both microarray and quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses. Analysis of the recombinant OsMSR2 protein demonstrated its potential ability to bind Ca²⁺ in vitro. Expression of OsMSR2 conferred enhanced tolerance to high salt and drought in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accompanied by altered expression of stress/ABA-responsive genes. Transgenic plants also exhibited hypersensitivity to ABA during the seed germination and post-germination stages. The results suggest that expression of OsMSR2 modulated salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis through ABA-mediated pathways.     

A rice jacalin‐related mannose‐binding lectin gene,OsJRL, enhances Escherichia coli viability under high salinity stress and improves salinity tolerance of rice

• Salinity, which is one of the most common abiotic stresses, may severely affect plant productivity and quality. Although plant lectins are thought to play important roles in plant defense signaling during pathogen attack, little is known about the contribution of plant lectins to stress resistance.
• We cloned and functionally characterized a rice jacalin‐related mannose‐binding lectin gene, OsJRL, from rice ‘Nipponbare’. We analyzed the expression patterns of OsJRL under various stress conditions in rice. Furthermore, we overexpressed OsJRL in Escherichia coli and rice.
• The cDNA of OsJRL contained a 438 bp open reading frame, which encodes a polypeptide of 145 amino acids. OsJRL was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Real time PCR analyses revealed that OsJRL expression showed tissue specificity in rice and was upregulated under diverse stresses, namely salt, drought, cold, heat and abscisic acid treatments. Overexpression of OsJRL in E. coli enhanced cell viability and dramatically improved tolerance of high salinity. Overexpression of OsJRL in rice also enhanced salinity tolerance and increased the expression levels of a number of stress‐related genes, including three LEA (late embryogenesis abundant proteins) genes (OsLEA19a, OsLEA23 and OsLEA24), three Na⁺ transporter genes (OsHKT1;3, OsHKT1;4 and OsHKT1;5) and two DREB genes (OsDREB1A and OsDREB2B).
• Based on these results, we suggest that OsJRL plays an important role in cell protection and stress signal transduction.