Cortical and Nuclear Events During Cell Division and Resting Cyst Formation in Colpoda inflata

Nuclear and cortical phenomena during dividing and resting cyst formation of Colpoda inflata are described. Cell division forms a cyst and produces two or four tomites. In each tomite, the right oral field results from the proliferation of the anterior extreme of a single kinety, and the left oral field results from the proliferation of four, five, or six somatic kineties. After macronuclear division, each macronuclear mass undergoes a chromatinic extrusion process. During resting cyst formation, the oral infraciliature of the vegetative cell is resorbed. The somatic kineties dispose in a radial way and some pairs of kinetosomes disappear. As in cell division, there is an extrusion process. From these results we conclude that the resting cysts of Colpoda inflata cannot be included in any group of the previous classifications for hypotrich resting cysts. Thus, we propose a new additional group to Walker and Maugel's classification called PKR (partial-kinetosome-resorbing) cysts.     

Ultrastructural Changes During Encystment of Schizopyrenus russelli*

Ultrastructural changes associated with the encystment of Schizopyrenus russelli have been studied by electron microscopy. Before encystment small “black bodies” appear in the cytoplasm and later migrate toward the periphery. The outer cyst wall is secreted at this stage as a thin discontinuous layer which thickens and subsequently becomes continuous. Concomitant with this, the endoplasmic reticulum surrounds the mitochondria. The inner cyst wall later appears as a multilayered structure which presumably is cast off from the plasma membrane. Between the inner and outer layers of the cyst wall, there is a middle, less electron-dense layer wherein extruded cytoplasmic material is found embedded at certain places.     

Identification of Differentially Expressed Water‐insoluble Proteins in the Encystment Process of Colpoda cucullus by Two‐dimensional Electrophoresis and LC‐MS/MS Analysis

In the encystment process of the ciliate protist Colpoda cucullus, we observed that the cell total protein abundance was reduced at 12 h–1 d after the onset of encystment induction subsequent to the reduction in mRNA abundance. We analyzed the alteration of the expression levels of water‐insoluble proteins by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween‐80), and we identified proteins whose expression levels were altered in the encystment process by a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The expression level of a 60‐kDa protein (p60; heat shock protein 60) was temporarily enhanced and that of a 55‐kDa protein (p55; actin) and a 49‐kDa protein (p49; actin) was enhanced in the Colpoda encystment process. In mature cysts, the expression level of p55 and p49 tended to be reduced, whereas the expression level of a 50‐kDa protein (p50d; α‐tubulin), a 25‐kDa protein (p25; α‐tubulin) and a 52‐kDa protein (p52c; β‐tubulin) was enhanced.     

The resistance of cysts of Stictodora lari (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) to encapsulation by cells of the fish host

Whereas glass beads are encapsulated by cells within 3 days after implantation into the abdominal cavity of Gambusia affinis, cysts of Stictodora lari in the same site are not encapsulated until 21–23 days after infection. The achievement of encystment in vitro demonstrated that the initial cyst wall is of parasite origin and fluorescent antibody methods showed that it does not mimic fish tissue in composition. Cysts formed in vivo have material, presumably of fish origin, associated with the cyst wall, as do living and fixed in vitro cysts following implantation.It is considered that cysts are not encapsulated for some weeks after infection because they are disguised as host tissue by material of fish origin associated with the cyst wall. An alternative explanation is proposed if the fish material does not have this functional role; the presence of spikes on the initial cyst wall may form an unsatisfactory substrate for the attachment of cells.     

纤维素酶降解小麦秸秆最适条件的研究及其动力学分析

以小麦秸秆为原料,通过正交实验对纤维素酶降解秸秆纤维的影响因素进行了研究。结果表明,影响小麦秸秆降解的因素依次为:酶量>酶解时间>料液比>反应温度,其最适条件是:加酶量为40u/g,酶解时间为10h,反应温度为40℃,料液比为1∶3,总糖含量达到43.24%。以米氏方程为基础,建立起最适酶解条件下总纤维素降解的动力学模型。     

Efficient Method for Analysis of QTL Using F1 Progenies in an Outcrossing Species

In the present paper, we proposed a statistical procedure based on composite interval mapping for accurate analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for individuals sampled from an outcrossing population with two-generation families consisting of the sampled individuals and F1 progenies obtained by crossing them as parental individuals. In the proposed procedure, haplotypes of markers of parental individuals were reconstructed based on the genotypes of F1 progenies and QTL analyses with composite interval mapping were conducted separately for each of parents as well as jointly for both parents. A least squares method was applied to the composite interval mapping, where some of markers were selected as cofactors to absorb the variation induced by QTL located elsewhere in the genome. The procedure was evaluated for the efficiency in detecting QTL and the precision of estimates of locations and effects of QTL using simulations. It was shown that QTL with interaction between paternal and maternal alleles was effectively detected by joint analysis of both parents, while a QTL segregating only in one parent, closely linked to a QTL segregating only in the other parent, was successfully detected by analyzing separately each of the parents with inclusion of markers of both parents. The proposed procedure can provide detailed genetic information useful for marker assisted breeding in an outcrossing species such as forest trees.     

Kinetics and mathematical model of hydrolysis and transglycosylation catalysed by cellobiase

The kinetics of hydrolysis and transglycosylation reactions catalysed by cellobiase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) from Aspergillus foetidus in the cellobiose-d-glucose reaction system have been studied. The formation of transglycosylation products was observed at cellobiose concentrations $\text{>10}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{m}$, whereas at lower substrate concentrations the only reaction product was d-glucose. In the cellobiase-catalysed transglycosylation a (1→6)-β-linkage was formed after the transfer of a d-glucose residue to acceptor molecule. The basic transglycosylation products were isocellotriose and gentiobiose. A small amount of oligosaccharides with a higher degree of polymerization was also formed. The maximum content of transglycosylation products amounted to 25–30% of the total saccharide content in the system at the initial cellobiose concentration (0.1–0.3 m). The processes in the reaction system were inhibited by the substrate and product (d-glucose). A general scheme for cellobiose hydrolysis has been proposed and validated, allowing for the inhibition and transglycosylation effects. Based on this scheme, a mathematical model for cellobiose hydrolysis has been suggested to describe the kinetics of substrate consumption and product (d-glucose) accumulation, as well as the kinetics of formation and consumption of transglycosylation products throughout the course of enzymatic reaction with various initial amounts of cellobiose, starting from low concentrations up to 0.2–0.3 m (7–11% bv weight).     

丁二酮高产菌株的选育及发酵动力学分析

目的：筛选出稳定的高产丁二酮突变菌株,并对其进行发酵动力学分析。方法：以原养型产气肠杆菌（Enterobacter aero-genes编号CICC 10293）为出发菌株,采用紫外线诱变,并结合亮氨酸平板和丁二酮平板筛选方法,获得耐高浓度底物——葡萄糖的高产丁二酮突变菌株,定名为UV-3,利用气相色谱测定代谢产物量,考察诱变前后菌株代谢途径中碳源的流向。基于Logistic和Luedeking-Piret方程,建立突变株UV-3细胞生长动力学、底物消耗动力学、丁二酮生成动力学模型,确定动力学方程。结果：突变株UV-3的丁二酮产量提高18.7倍,达到1.045g.L-1,乙偶姻产量降低48.4%,乙醇产量降低71.4%,乙酸产量提高34.6%,且遗传性质稳定。用实验数据对各种动力学模型进行了验证,拟合度均为98.5%以上。结论：紫外线是一种操作方便,效果良好的诱变方式。绘制了突变株UV-3的发酵曲线,建立了动力学模型,为优化丁二酮的生产工艺奠定一定的理论基础。     

Kinetics of ion transport in lipid membranes induced by lysine-valinomycin and derivatives

Summary Lysine-valinomycin and two N-acyl derivatives are compared with respect to their potency to transport Rb⁺ ions across thin lipid membranes. Lysine-valinomycin acts as a neutral ion carrier only above a pH of about 7 of the aqueous solutions, while at lower pH the molecules seem to be positively charged due to a protonation of the -NH₂ group of the lysine residue.A kinetic analysis based on voltage jump relaxation experiments and on the nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristics showed that the conductance increment per carrier molecule for uncharged lysine-valinomycin is similar to that of natural valinomycin. The attachment of a rather bulky side group such as the dansyl or para-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl group reduced by approximately one order of magnitude.Some of the relaxation data of the valinomycin analogues were influenced by an unspedfic relaxation of the pure lipid membrane. This structural relaxation represents a limitation to the possibility of analyzing specific transport systems in thin lipid membranes by the voltage jump or charge pulse techniques. It is shown that the time dependence of this structural relaxation — which was first published by Sargent (1975) — is at variance with a three capacitor equivalent circuit of the membrane, which was suggested by Coster and Smith (1974) on the basis of a.c. measurements. A modified equivalent circuit has been found to represent a satisfactory analogue for the current relaxation in the presence of valinomycin. It turned out, however, that such an equivalent circuit provides little insight into the molecular mechanism of transport.     

Identification of Horizontally-transferred Genomic Islands and Genome Segmentation Points by Using the GC Profile Method

The nucleotide composition of genomes undergoes dramatic variations among all three kingdoms of life. GC content, an important characteristic for a genome, is related to many important functions, and therefore GC content and its distribution are routinely reported for sequenced genomes. Traditionally, GC content distribution is assessed by computing GC contents in windows that slide along the genome. Disadvantages of this routinely used window-based method include low resolution and low sensitivity. Additionally, different window sizes result in different GC content distribution patterns within the same genome. We proposed a windowless method, the GC profile, for displaying GC content variations across the genome. Compared to the window-based method, the GC profile has the following advantages: 1) higher sensitivity, because of variation-amplifying procedures; 2) higher resolution, because boundaries between domains can be determined at one single base pair; 3) uniqueness, because the GC profile is unique for a given genome and 4) the capacity to show both global and regional GC content distributions. These characteristics are useful in identifying horizontally-transferred genomic islands and homogenous GC-content domains. Here, we review the applications of the GC profile in identifying genomic islands and genome segmentation points, and in serving as a platform to integrate with other algorithms for genome analysis. A web server generating GC profiles and implementing relevant genome segmentation algorithms is available at: www.zcurve.net.     

茎尖法转基因棉花植株真实性鉴定方法探究

棉花茎尖转化法具备不受基因型限制、转化周期短的优点,是理想的棉花转化体系,但据报道其所获得的转基因植株普遍存在遗传不稳定、高代植株基因丢失的现象。以陆地棉TM?1品种为受体材料,利用茎尖转化法将DsRed2载体转入棉花,经卡那霉素筛选获得16株抗性植株,进一步PCR扩增靶基因,获得6株DsRed2基因片段PCR检测为阳性的植株,初步判断该6株为茎尖转化法获得的转基因植株,但经紫外照射,6个转基因植株均未检测到红色荧光。对其进行靶基因RT?PCR,发现DsRed2基因在6个转基因植株中仅有极低量的表达或无表达。进一步对DsRed2载体的非T?DNA片段,即载体骨架部分进行PCR以及植株内生菌培养检测,结果表明,6个转基因植株均含有完整的DsRed2载体,植株可培养出含有完整载体的内生菌,且内生菌经农杆菌16S核糖体RNA（16S rRNA）片段PCR检测结果为阳性,推测由于茎尖侵染形成农杆菌与植株共生关系,造成假阳性株的现象,进而导致高代转基因植株基因丢失、遗传不稳定的现象。旨在建立一套完整的茎尖法转基因棉花植株真实性的鉴定方法,为进一步深入研究提供参考依据。     

西南区玉米品种的产量性能及稳定性评价的秩次分析法

用秩次分析法分别对参加2003-2005年中国西南区玉米区域试验1组和2组的各品种进行产量性能和稳产性评价.结果表明,1组25个品种中中单808、渝单8号和遵玉8号表现高产且稳定性强,辽127和YA04273表现高产但稳定性中等.2组29个品种中DH3831、GM4095和鑫丰1号表现高产且稳定性强,承玉15、东4243、X1152A、DH3838、DH3632和奥试3202表现高产但稳定性中等.其中,中单808、渝单8号、遵玉8号、辽127、DH3831、东4243、X1152A、DH3838、DH3632和奥试3202这些品种分别在2004年和2005年通过国家审定,在实践上证明秩次分析法能客观、公正地对品种的产量性能和稳定性进行评价.建议用加权法计算品种秩次平均数和秩次方差的平均数、标准差和50%置信度的置信下限和置信上限.     

Identification of the Cancer Cell Proliferation and Survival Functions of proHB-EGF by Using an Anti-HB-EGF Antibody

Purpose

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family. The membrane-bound proHB-EGF is known to be a precursor of the soluble form of HB-EGF (sHB-EGF), which promotes cell proliferation and survival. While the functions of sHB-EGF have been extensively studied, it is not yet fully understood if proHB-EGF is also involved in cellular signaling events. In this study, we utilized the anti-HB-EGF monoclonal antibodies Y-142 and Y-073, which have differential specificities toward proHB-EGF, in order to elucidate proHB-EGF functions in cancer cells.

Experimental Design

The biological activities of proHB-EGF were assessed in cell proliferation, caspase activation, and juxtacrine activity assays by using a 3D spheroid culture of NUGC-3 cells.

Results

Y-142 and Y-073 exhibited similar binding and neutralizing activities for sHB-EGF. However, only Y-142 bound to proHB-EGF. We could detect the function of endogenously expressed proHB-EGF in a 3D spheroid culture. Blocking proHB-EGF with Y-142 reduced spheroid formation, suppressed cell proliferation, and increased caspase activation in the 3D spheroid culture of NUGC-3 cells.

Conclusions

Our results show that proHB-EGF acts as a cell proliferation and cell survival factor in cancer cells. The results suggest that proHB-EGF may play an important role in tumor progression.     

关于数量化I方法的自变量之间交互作用计算

自变量之间存在交互作用时,在应用数量化方法Ｉ时如何计算自变量间的交互作用建立数量化方程．     

大豆耐盐性种质资源SSR遗传多样性及标记辅助鉴定

本研究利用60对SSR引物对93份大豆1级耐盐种质资源和57份盐敏感种质资源(5级)进行分析,以确定耐盐种质资源和盐敏感种质资源的遗传多样性,以及耐盐相关标记在种质资源耐盐性鉴定中的利用程度.60个位点共检测出等位变异792个,平均13.2个,其中耐盐种质资源特有等位变异133个,盐敏感种质资源特有等位变异106个,但76.0%的等位变异频率低于0.10,仅有1.8%的等位变异出现频率高于0.40.耐盐种质资源多态性信息含量(PIC)平均为0.78(0.47～0.90),盐敏感种质资源PIC平均为0.80(0.46～0.94).根据主成分分析,耐盐和盐敏感种质资源多样性分布规律相似.然而,与耐盐基因相关的一个SSR位点的等位变异分布频率在耐盐和盐敏感种质资源间无显著差异.根据UPGMA聚类分析结果,耐盐种质资源按生态区分为3个类群,类群Ⅰ和Ⅲ分别以东北春大豆和北方春大豆为主,类群Ⅱ为黄淮夏大豆和其他生态类型的混合群.     

Rapid Detection and Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pathogens in Fish by Using High-Resolution Melting Analysis

Mycobacterial infections in fish are commonly referred to as piscine mycobacteriosis, irrespectively of the specific identity of the causal organism. They usually cause a chronic disease and sometimes may result in high mortalities and severe economic losses. Nearly 20 species of Mycobacterium have been reported to infect fish. Among them, Mycobacterium marinum, M. fortuitum, and M. chelonae are generally considered the major agents responsible for fish mycobacteriosis. As no quick and inexpensive diagnostic test exists, we tested the potential of high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) to rapidly identify and differentiate several Mycobacterium species involved in fish infections. By analyzing both the melting temperature and melting profile of the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), we were able to discriminate 12 different species simultaneously. Sensitivity tests conducted on purified M. marinum and M. fortuitum DNA revealed a limit of detection of 10 genome equivalents per reaction. The primers used in this procedure did not lead to any amplification signal with 16 control non-Mycobacterium species, thereby demonstrating their specificity for the genus Mycobacterium.     

超高静压协同中温对凝结芽孢杆菌芽孢灭活动力学规律的研究

研究了超高静压协同中温对凝结芽孢杆菌芽孢在磷酸缓冲液和牛奶(经超高温灭菌)中灭活的动力学规律, 并对超高静压的升压过程及相应的灭活效果进行了研究。结果表明, 升压过程对凝结芽孢杆菌芽孢灭活的影响不能忽略, 且随压力增加这种效果越强, 最高使其下降1.77个数量级; 凝结芽孢杆菌芽孢在牛奶中比在磷酸缓冲液中有更高的抗性; 在3种拟合模型(线性、Weibull和Log-logistic模型)中, 线性模型不适合模拟这些存活曲线, 而Log-logistic模型能更好地模拟这些存活曲线, 其次是Weibull模型。