Evidence for two endocytic transport pathways in plant cells

Intracellular trafficking of endocytic vesicles in eukaryotes varies with the nature of the cargo molecules and the targeted organelle, and proceeds through an intricate network of internal endosomal compartments. However, the path for fluid-phase endocytosis (FPE), the internalization of external solutes from the apoplast via plasmalemma generated vesicles, remains unresolved despite some indication of a direct transport route to the vacuole. To test this hypothesis, we made use of the membrane-impermeable Na-dependent fluorescent marker Coro-Na in combination with the fluorescent membrane marker FM 4-64 and confocal laser scanning microscopy. When protoplasts from sweet lime juice cells were incubated in Na-free solution, FM 4-64, Coro-Na, and 200 mM sucrose, two distinct types of labeled vesicles were evident. A set of vesicles (1 μm in diameter) was intensely labeled with Coro-Na and to a lesser extent with FM 4-64, whereas the second type of 1–7 μm structures appeared exclusively labeled with FM 4-64. These data demonstrate the parallel functioning of two endocytic pathways in plant cells. In one system, a set of small endocytic vesicles merge with the endosome, whereas a separate set of vesicles fuse to form larger vesicles independent from the endosome. Although it is likely that both vesicle systems eventually contribute to solutes reaching the vacuole, given their size (1–7 μm), and based on previous observations of endocytic vesicle formation protruding from the plasmalemma and merging with the vacuole, we conclude that these latter vesicles constitute the primary FPE vesicle system.     

量子点在癌症研究中的应用

半导体量子点具有长时间、多目标和灵敏度高等独特的光化学性质,这些特性使量子点成为细胞标记和生物应用中得到了广泛的应用。利用量子点目标定位癌细胞,对于寻找癌变部位具有指导的作用。近年来,利用量子点作为光动力学治疗癌症的能量供体也得到了一定的研究。简单地介绍了量子点独特的光学性质,并从量子点标记癌细胞、可视化癌细胞表面功能和在光动力学治疗癌症等方面综述了量子点在癌症诊断和治疗中的应用。     

Cultivar differences in boron uptake and distribution in celery (Apium graveolens), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Species and cultivar differences in boron (B) uptake at low B availability and tolerance to high external B are known for many species but mechanisms explaining such differences remain obscure. Here we contrast B uptake and distribution between two cultivars of tomato and celery that differ significantly in their susceptibility to B deficiency. The celery cultivar S48-54-1 and tomato cultivar Brittle are known to be more susceptible to B deficiency (inefficient) than the closely related cultivars Emerson Pascal and Rutgers (efficient), respectively. B uptake and distribution was also compared in two wheat lines differing in tolerance to B excess (Chinese Spring, sensitive and Lophopyrum Amphiploid, tolerant). Results showed that there is no significant difference in either the specific uptake rate (I_M) of ¹⁰B or the relative growth rate (RGR) between the efficient cultivar (Emerson Pascal) and less efficient cultivar (S48-54-1) of celery. However, the distribution of ¹⁰B among plant organs (leaves, stems and roots) of Emerson Pascal was different from S48-54-1. In Emerson Pascal more than 63% of accumulated B was present in the shoots while in S48-54-1 only 45% of accumulated B was present in shoots. In tomato plants, in addition to differences in B distribution among plant organs between the efficient (Rutgers) and less efficient (Brittle) cultivars, the specific uptake rate of ¹⁰B was significantly higher in the efficient cultivar. In wheat, the tolerant line (Amphiploid) took up less B than the less tolerant cultivar (Chinese Spring), and the pattern of B distribution among plant organs was different with a greater percentage of B found in roots of Chinese Spring compared to Amphiploid. Differences in sensitivity to B deficiency and excess amongst cultivars and species were a consequence of either reduced B uptake as in wheat (Amphiploid), a restriction in B translocation from roots to shoot as in celery (S48-54-1) or a combination of both process as in tomato (Brittle).     

Electronic properties and stability phase diagrams for cubic BN surfaces

This contribution investigates structural and electronic properties as well as stability phase diagrams of surfaces of the cubic boron nitride (c-BN). Our calculated parameters for bulk c-BN agree reasonably well with both experimental and computed values available in the literature. Based on the energies of the three experimentally recognised phases of bulk boron, i.e. α-B₃₆, β-B₁₀₅ and γ-B₂₈, we estimate enthalpy of formation of c-BN to be ?2.8 eV. The c-BN(1?0?0) surface offers separate B and N terminations (denoted as c-BN(1?0?0)_B and c-BN(1?0?0)_N), whereas c-BN(1?1?1) and c-BN(1?1?0) are truncated with combinations of boron and nitrogen atoms (denoted as c-BN(1?1?1)_BN and c-BN(1?1?0)_BN). Optimised geometries of surfaces display interlayer displacements up to the three topmost layers. Downward displacement of surface boron atoms signifies a common geometric feature of all surfaces. Bulk c-BN and its most stable surface c-BN(1?0?0)_N possess no metallic character, with band gaps of 5.46 and 2.7 eV, respectively. We find that, only c-BN(1?0?0)_B configuration exhibits a metallic character. c-BN(1?1?0)_BN and c-BN(1?1?1)_BN surfaces display corresponding band gaps of 2.5 and 3.9 eV and, hence, afford no metallic property.     

量子点在生物学中的应用

量子点是一种无机荧光材料,它具有独特的光物理特性,如其激发光谱宽且连续分布,而发射光谱呈对称分布且宽度窄,而且可通过改变量子点内核的尺寸对其发射光波长进行精细调节等。量子点的这些特性正引起人们日益广泛的关注,并在很多领域得到了应用。本文介绍了量子点的组成以及它的光学特性,同时介绍并讨论了近年来量子点在生物学领域应用的进展以及存在的问题。     

CdSe/ZnS-SA量子点细胞毒性的初步研究

目的：探讨链亲和素修饰的CdSe/ZnS核壳结构量子点（CdSe/ZnS-SA）对稳定转染pcDNA3.1/APP595/596质粒的人胚肾（HEK293）细胞的短期毒性作用.方法：将CdSe/ZnS-SA量子点与稳定转染pcD-NA3.1/APP595/596质粒的HEK293细胞共培育,在倒置荧光显微镜下观察细胞形态学变化;MTT法测定细胞活性;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率.结果：终浓度为2.5 nmol/L-20 nmol/L的CdSe/ZnS-SA量子点与HEK293细胞分别共育8h、16h、24 h后,细胞的形态无明显改变;终浓度为2.5 nmol/L-25 nmol/L的CdSe/ZnS-SA量子点与HEK293细胞分别共育8h、16 h、24 h,各处理组与对照组间,各处理组间的吸光度值、细胞凋亡率差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论：一定浓度范围的CdSe/ZnS-SA量子点在短期内对稳定转染pcDNA3.1/APP595/596质粒的HEK293细胞无明显的毒性作用,具有较好的生物相容性.