Isolation and characterization of resistance and defense gene analogs in cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

Plant disease resistance gene (R gene) and defense response gene encode some conserved motifs. In the present work, a PCR strategy was used to clone resistance gene analogs (RGAs) and defense gene analogs (DGAs) from Sea-island cotton variety Hai7124 using oligonucleotide primers based on the nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and serine/threonine kinase (STK) in the R-gene and pathogenesis-related proteins of class 2 (PR2) of defense response gene. 79 NBS sequences, 21 STK sequences and 11 DGAs were cloned from disease-resistance cotton. Phylogenic analysis of 79 NBS-RGAs and NBS-RGAs nucleotide sequences of cotton already deposited in GenBank identified one new sub-cluster. The deduced amino acid sequences of NBS-RGAs and STK-RGAs were divided into two distinct groups respectively: Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) group and non-TIR group, A group and B group. The expression of RGAs and DGAs having consecutive open reading frame (ORF) was also investigated and it was found that 6 NBS-RGAs and 1 STK-RGA were induced, and 1 DGA was up-regulated by infection of Verticillium dahliae strain VD8. 4 TIR-NBS-RGAs and 4 non-TIR-NBS-RGAs were arbitrarily used as probes for Southern-blotting. There existed 2–10 blotted bands. In addition, since three non-TIR-NBS-RGAs have the same hybridization pattern, we conjecture that these three RGAs form a cluster distribution in the genome.     

Isolation and characterization of resistance and defense gene analogs in cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

Plant disease resistance gene (R gene) and defense response gene encode some con-served motifs. In the present work,a PCR strategy was used to clone resistance gene analogs (RGAs) and defense gene analogs (DGAs) from Sea-island cotton variety Hai7124 using oligonucleotide primers based on the nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and serine/threonine kinase (STK) in the R-gene and pathogenesis-related proteins of class 2 (PR2) of defense response gene. 79 NBS sequences,21 STK sequences and 11 DGAs were cloned from disease-resistance cotton. Phylogenic analysis of 79 NBS-RGAs and NBS-RGAs nucleotide sequences of cotton already deposited in GenBank identified one new sub-cluster. The deduced amino acid sequences of NBS-RGAs and STK-RGAs were divided into two distinct groups respectively: Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) group and non-TIR group,A group and B group. The expression of RGAs and DGAs having consecutive open reading frame (ORF) was also investigated and it was found that 6 NBS-RGAs and 1 STK-RGA were induced,and 1 DGA was up-regulated by infection of Verticillium dahliae strain VD8. 4 TIR-NBS-RGAs and 4 non-TIR-NBS-RGAs were arbitrarily used as probes for Southern-blotting. There existed 2-10 blotted bands. In addition,since three non-TIR-NBS-RGAs have the same hybridization pattern,we conjecture that these three RGAs form a cluster distribution in the genome.     

Isolation and characterization of resistance and defense gene analogs in cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

Plant disease resistance gene (R gene) and defense response gene encode some conserved motifs. In the present work, a PCR strategy was used to clone resistance gene analogs (RGAs) and defense gene analogs (DGAs) from Sea-island cotton variety Hai7124 using oligonucleotide primers based on the nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and serine/threonine kinase (STK) in the R-gene and pathogenesis-related proteins of class 2 (PR2) of defense response gene. 79 NBS sequences, 21 STK sequences and 11 DGAs were cloned from disease-resistance cotton. Phylogenic analysis of 79 NBS-RGAs and NBS-RGAs nucleotide sequences of cotton already deposited in GenBank identified one new sub-cluster. The deduced amino acid sequences of NBS-RGAs and STK-RGAs were divided into two distinct groups respectively: Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) group and non-TIR group, A group and B group. The expression of RGAs and DGAs having consecutive open reading frame (ORF) was also investigated and it was found that 6 NBS-RGAs and 1 STK-RGA were induced, and 1 DGA was up-regulated by infection of Verticillium dahliae strain VD8. 4 TIR-NBS-RGAs and 4 non-TIR-NBS-RGAs were arbitrarily used as probes for Southern-blotting. There existed 2–10 blotted bands. In addition, since three non-TIR-NBS-RGAs have the same hybridization pattern, we conjecture that these three RGAs form a cluster distribution in the genome.     

Comprehensive structure-activity-relationship of azaindoles as highly potent FLT3 inhibitors

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by fast progression and low survival rates, in which Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) receptor mutations have been identified as a driver mutation in cancer progression in a subgroup of AML patients. Clinical trials have shown emergence of drug resistant mutants, emphasizing the ongoing need for new chemical matter to enable the treatment of this disease. Here, we present the discovery and topological structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of analogs of isoquinolinesulfonamide H-89, a well-known PKA inhibitor, as FLT3 inhibitors. Surprisingly, we found that the SAR was not consistent with the observed binding mode of H-89 in PKA. Matched molecular pair analysis resulted in the identification of highly active sub-nanomolar azaindoles as novel FLT3-inhibitors. Structure based modelling using the FLT3 crystal structure suggested an alternative, flipped binding orientation of the new inhibitors.     

小麦NBS类抗病基因同源cDNA序列的克隆与特征分析

根据已克隆植物抗病(R)基因NBS保守结构域设计简并引物,采用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增技术(RACE),在小麦抗叶锈病近等基因系材料TcLr19中进行抗病同源基因cDNA全长的扩增。获得了1个通读的NBS类抗病同源基因S11A11cDNA序列,该序列全长2923bp,编码878个氨基酸序列。生物信息学分析结果表明,该片段含有NB-ARC保守结构域和多个LRR结构域。聚类分析表明,S11A11编码的蛋白与小麦抗叶锈病基因Lr1编码的蛋白亲缘关系较近,而与Lr10亲缘关系较远。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,该基因在小麦叶片中为低丰度组成型表达。本研究在TcLr19小麦中成功获得了抗病基因同源序列,为最终克隆小麦抗叶锈病目的基因奠定了基础。     

野生鲇鱼生长激素分泌的季节变化及其神经内分泌调控

采用离体垂体碎片灌流孵育系统 ,将处于性腺退化期野生鲇鱼垂体切成约 1mm3 的碎片 ,用M 199冲洗之后放入灌流柱的两层Cytodex -Ⅲ微载体之间 (温度为 19± 1℃ )。每 5分钟收集一管灌流液 ,- 2 5℃贮存待测GH。采用鲤鱼GH放射免疫测定方法 (cGHRIA)测定鲇鱼垂体碎片灌流液以及血清和垂体中的GH含量。结果表明 :促黄体素释放激素类似物 [desGly10 (D Ala6)LHRHethylamide ,LHRH A]不能显著刺激离体垂体碎片基础GH分泌 ,注射LHRH A后不能显著提高血清基础GH水平 ;注射DA能显著提高鲇鱼血清基础GH水平 ,APO能以剂量依赖方式显著刺激垂体碎片基础GH分泌。雌、雄鲇鱼血清GH水平在 6月达到峰值 ,垂体GH水平在 3月和 7月份各出现一个峰值 ,各个季节雌鱼垂体和血清GH水平均显著高于雄鱼。鲇鱼血清和垂体GH水平与生殖周期有密切联系。     

Design and synthesis of novel proline based factor XIa selective inhibitors as leads for potential new anticoagulants

A series of 4, 4-disubstituted proline analogs were designed, synthesized, and tested for selective inhibition of blood coagulation factor XIa in search of new non-vitamin K antagonists based oral anticoagulants for potential prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases. Starting from a potent thrombin (FIIa) inhibitor chemotype with FIIa IC₅₀ = 1 nM and FXIa IC₅₀ = 160 nM, medicinal chemistry iterations guided by molecular modeling and structure-based drug design led to steady improvement of FXIa potency while dialing down thrombin activity and improving selectivity. Through this exercise, a thousand-fold enhancement of selectivity over thrombin was achieved with some analogs carrying factor XIa inhibition potencies in the 10 nM range. In this communication, we discuss the design principles and structure activity relationship (SAR) of these novel FXIa selective inhibitors.     

Antitumor agents 269. Non-aromatic ring-A neotanshinlactone analog, TNO, as a new class of potent antitumor agents

Tetrahydroneotanshinlactone (TNT) and tetrahydronaphthalene-1-ol (TNO) derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for cytotoxic activity. The TNO derivatives were found to be a promising novel class of in vitro antitumor agents. The cyclohexene ring-A could dramatically affect the antitumor activity and selectivity. Compound 20 showed the highest potency with ED₅₀ values of 0.7 and 1.7 μM against SK-BR-3 and ZR-75-1 breast cancer cell lines, respectively.     

Field note phytovolatilization of oxygenated gasoline-impacted groundwater at an underground storage tank site via conifers

A stand of five conifers (Pinus sp.) bordering a gasoline service station was studied to estimate the methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) emission rate from gasoline-impacted groundwater. Groundwater was impacted with gasoline oxygenates MTBE and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) at combined concentrations exceeding 200,000 microg/L. Condensate from trees was collected in sealed environmental chambers and analyzed. Concentrations of MTBE in condensate ranged from 0.51 to 460 microg/L; TBA ranged from 12 to 4100 microg/L (n=19). Transpirate concentrations were derived from MTBE air-liquid partitioning data exhibited in controls spiked with known concentrations of analyte. Tree emissions were estimated by multiplying average transpirate concentrations by transpiration rates derived from evapotranspiration data. Stand evapotranspiration was calculated using meteorological data from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) applied in the Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration Equation.     

Influence of acyl and plasmalogenic analogs of platelet activating factor on chemotaxis of human leukocytes in vitro and their inflammatory and antiinflammatory activity in vivo

The effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) and its cell analogs 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-alkenyl-PAF) and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-acyl-PAF) on chemotaxis of human leukocytes in vitro and their inflammatory and antiinflammatory activities in vivo were studied. Both analogs stimulated chemotaxis of human leukocytes in agarose gel. PAF and 1-alkenyl-PAF induced rat paw edema in the range of doses 0.1-10 and 10-100 g per paw, respectively. Paw edema induced by 1-acyl-PAF (10-100 g per paw) was more pronounced than that induced by PAF or 1-alkenyl-PAF. The latter also exhibited significant antiinflammatory effect by inhibiting PAF- or car-rageenan-induced rat paw edema, and this effect exceeded that of dexamethasone. In these models of inflammation 1-acyl-PAF did not exhibit any antiinflammatory activity. The data suggest that PAF is not the only cell phospholipid mediating inflammation—its cell analogs, 1-acyl-PAF and 1-alkenyl-PAF, may also be involved into the inflammatory response. Possible interrelationships between cellular synthesis of 1-acyl-PAF, its formation in oxidized LDL, biological effects of lysolecithin, and penetration of LDL into the arterial wall are discussed.     

云南悬钩子蔷薇NBS LRR类抗病基因同源克隆与分析

为研究云南野生蔷薇属中的NBS类抗病基因,根据已知抗病基因NBS LRR序列中的保守区域设计简并引物,利用RT PCR技术从云南悬钩子蔷薇中进行体外扩增,获得了对应区域的cDNA片段,回收、克隆这些特异片段,测序分析,共得到4个含有NBS LRR保守结构域的抗病基因同源序列(RGAs),分别命名为AC9、AC39、AC50和AC68。它们与已报道的11个NBS类抗病基因相应区段的氨基酸序列相似性为5.4%~79.2%,其中这4个RGAs片段与Mi、RPS2、Pib和RPM1基因聚为一类。表明这4条RGAs序列可进一步用作悬钩子蔷薇抗病候选基因的分子筛选及遗传图谱的构建。     

甜瓜STK类R基因同源序列的克隆与分析

以植物丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶类( serine-threonine kinase,STK)抗病基因产物催化结构域I和Ⅸ的保守氨基酸序列( FGK/V/L/SVYK/RG,DY/IYSF/YGV/I/M)设计简并引物,对甜瓜(Cucumis melo L.)基因组DNA进行PCR扩增,得到大约500 bp的目的条带,通过重组质粒克隆并经PCR检测后得到12条不同的DNA序列,命名为tg1～tg12,其中tg2、tg5、tg9和tg12(Genbank登录号为JN646853 ～JN646856)可以编码完整的氨基酸序列.Blast分析结果显示:4条序列均具有ATP结合部位、底物结合部位和激酶结构域的活化环(A-loop)等,属于典型的蛋白激酶基因家族,可能是STK类R基因的同源序列片段;4条序列与蓖麻(Ricinus communisL.)的STK同源性均较高.氨基酸序列比对结果显示tg2、tg5、tg9和tg12均具有R基因的9个保守结构域,为STK类候选抗病基因类序列.分子系统树显示tg2、tg5、tg9和tg12与已知的R基因(Pto、Lr10和Lectin)在氨基酸水平上的相似性仅为33.5％ ～53.4％,且4个甜瓜同源序列的氨基酸相似性也较低,表明甜瓜RGAs标记可能具有较高的特异性.     

Immunocytochemical Detection of hENT1 and hCNT1 in Normal Tissues,Lung Cancer Cell Lines,and NSCLC Patient Samples

Nucleoside transporters are essential for the cellular entry, efficacy, and cytotoxicity of several clinically important deoxynucleoside analogs (e.g., cytarabine and gemcitabine). We used immunohistochemistry to determine protein expression levels of the nucleoside transporters hENT1 and hCNT1 in NSCLC cell lines, NSCLC patient samples, and a variety of normal tissues. All 4 NSCLC cell lines expressed high to very high levels of both hENT1 and hCNT1. In NSCLC and normal tissues expression of hENT1 and hCNT1 ranged from completely negative to high. Immunohistochemistry might be a useful tool to predict response to deoxynucleoside analogs in malignancies treated with these drugs.     

多溴二苯醚动物毒理学研究进展及其生态毒理学展望

多溴二苯醚(PBDEs)作为阻燃剂,已被广泛应用于工业产品和家庭用品中.近年来,在土壤、沉积物、大气和生物体中普遍检测出PBDEs.PBDEs对哺乳动物、鸟类和鱼类都存在不同程度的毒害作用,其分布的广泛性、难降解性和对人体健康的不确定性已引起人们的普遍关注.基于国外动物毒理学研究成果,综合论述了PBDEs在生物体内的累积和排泄及其对动物肝酶活性、甲状腺、生殖和发育、神经系统和免疫系统等的影响及其潜在的人体健康危害,并分析了目前PBDEs毒理学研究中的问题,展望了未来PBDEs生态毒理学的研究方向.     

链格孢霉醇和链格孢霉醇单甲醚产生菌株的筛选

本文对分离自小麦、马铃薯、番茄和茄子上链格孢霉属(Alternaria)2个种(链格孢和茄链格孢)的96个菌株,用枯草杆菌生长抑制试验筛选链格孢霉醇(AOH)和链格孢霉醇单甲醚(AME)的产生菌株,有48株产生毒性作用(占所测菌株的50％)。18株产强、中毒性菌用高效液相色谱分析,有13株产AOH和AME(占所测菌株的72.2％)。链格孢的产毒素菌株率比茄链格孢低。但产毒素含量却是前者明显高于后者。其中产AOH和AME的最高含量,链格孢菌株XA-8分别为280和5140mg/kg,而茄链格孢菌株SA-10分别为95.9和94.3mg/kg。     

In silico and bio assay of juvenile hormone analogs as an insect growth regulator against Galleria mellonella (wax moth) – Part I

Juvenile hormone (JH) analogs are nowadays in use to control harmful pests. In order to develop new bioactive molecules as potential pesticides, we have incorporated different active structural features like sulfonamide, aromatic rings, amide group, and amino acid moiety to the base structure. We have screened a series of designed novel JH analogs against JH receptor protein (jhbpGm-2RCK) of Galleria mellonella in comparison to commercial insect growth regulators (IGRs) – Pyriproxyfen (T₁) and Fenoxycarb (T₂). All analogs exhibit the binding energy profile comparable to commercial IGRs. Based upon these results, a series of sulfonamide-based JHAs (T₃–T₈) as IGRs have been synthesized and characterized. Further, the efficacy of synthesized analogs (T₃–T₈) and commercial IGRs (Pyriproxyfen and Fenoxycarb) has been assessed against fourth instars larvae of G. mellonella under the laboratory conditions. LC₅₀ values of all the analogs (T₁–T₈) against the fourth instars larvae were 9.99, 10.12, 24.76, 30.73, 38.45, 34.15, 34.14, 19.48 ppm and the LC₉₀ 153.27, 131.69, 112.15, 191.46, 427.02, 167.13, 217.10, 172.00 ppm, respectively. Among these analogs, N-(1-isopropyl-2-oxo-3-aza-3-N-ethyl-pentanyl)-p-toluene sulfonamide (T₈) and N-(1-isopropyl-2-oxo-3-aza-3-N-ethyl-pentanyl) benzene sulfonamide (T₇) exhibited the good pest larval mortality at different exposure periods (in hours) and different concentrations (in ppm) in comparison to in use IGRs- T₁ and T₂. Bio assay results are supported by docking at higher concentration. The present investigation clearly exhibits that analog T₈ could serve as a potential IGR in comparison to in use IGRs (T₁ and T₂). The results are promising and provide new array of synthetic chemicals that may be utilized as IGRs.     

Berberrubine and its analog,hydroxypropyl-berberrubine,regulate LDLR and PCSK9 expression via the ERK signal pathway to exert cholesterol-lowering effects in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Berberine (BBR), the major isoquinoline alkaloid in Chinese herb Rhizoma coptidis, has significant lipid-lowering effect by upregulating hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression. In a previous study, we have indicated that berberrubine (M3), a major metabolite of BBR in vivo, displays the most potential hypolipidemic effects via upregulating LDLR expression in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells compared with BBR and 3 other metabolites. Accordingly, 9 M3 analogs (A1-A9) were modified at the C9 position. We aimed to find a new promising agent by evaluating the cholesterol-lowering effect and clarifying the related molecular mechanism. In the current study, the cellular cholesterol content was assayed with a commercial cholesterol assay kit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were used to explore the molecular mechanism of M3 and its analogs on the hypolipidemic effect. Among M3 and its analogs, hydroxypropyl-berberrubine (A8) exhibited the highest potential effects on the upregulation of LDLR expression, which was accompanied by a steady decline of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) messenger RNA and protein levels. Furthermore, inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity with PD98059 prevented the upregulation of LDLR and downregulation of PCSK9 induced by A8. The current study revealed that M3 and its structurally modified analog, A8, could regulate hepatic LDLR and PCSK9 expression to exert lipid-lowering effects via the ERK signal pathway, while A8 showed a stronger effect and might be a promising drug candidate against hyperlipidemia.     

Biodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) by bacterial mixed cultures in a soil/water system

Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDE) is a brominated flame retardant that is commonly used in many commercial products. Sorption of DBDE within a soil/water system can result in serious bioaccumulation within the ecological system and be a threat to human health. Little is known about aerobic DBDE biodegradation, and the influence of the UV light radiation on DBDE biodegradation has not been considered. This study, for the first time, isolates DBDE biodegrading aerobic mixed bacterial cultures from DBDE-contaminated soil/water systems in Taiwan. The aerobic biodegradation of DBDE as a sole carbon source in the presence of 365 nm UVA irradiation over 10 months was investigated using a clay/water system. The rate constants for DBDE degradation gave values ranging from 0.0121 to 0.0134 day⁻¹ in the presence of UV irradiation, which were significantly higher than the 0.0092–0.0102 day⁻¹ values obtained in complete darkness. The aerobic metabolites: 2′,3′-dihydroxy-4-bromodiphenyl ether and 2′,3′-dihydroxy-diphenyl ether were identified by GC–MS. Debromination was ascribed to UV irradiation and biodegradation by facultative aerobic bacteria in the micro-anaerobic environment of the clay/water system. The products of debromination included 12 PBDE congeners (tri- to hexa-BDEs) and their concentrations ranged from 34.28 to 83.80 mg l⁻¹. Specific bacteria capable of degrading PBDEs and carrying out nitrification/denitrification were identified. The present findings suggest that systems using a novel combination of photolysis and biodegradation could be developed to carry out DBDE remediation in the future.     

十溴联苯醚降解菌群的降解特性与组成分析

[目的]针对水体沉积物中日益严重的多溴联苯醚污染问题,以电子垃圾污染河床沉积物为种源富集驯化获得的菌群Cf3,研究该菌群对十溴联苯醚的降解特性以及其菌群结构组成.[方法]通过GC-MS分析十溴联苯醚降解后低溴代产物组成,并测定其降解率;通过DGGE技术分析了该BDE-209降解菌群的结构组成.[结果]菌群Cf3具有较强降解BDE-209的能力,经过120 d的培养,初始量为2.6 μmol的BDE-209降解率达到80.03％,OD600从0.01增长到0.21,pH由初始的6.93增加到反应结束时的8.50.菌群Cf3经过单菌落分离,共获得10株可培养细菌,通过16S rRNA基因序列比对发现,其中6株与柠檬酸杆菌属(Citrobacter spp.)具有较高同源性,其余4株与产碱杆菌属(Alcaligenes spp.)较相似.进一步采用DGGE分析菌群Cf3的结构组成时发现,除了分离得到的2个菌属外,该菌群中还含有拟杆菌属(Wolinella spp.)、氨基酸球菌属(Acidaminococcus spp.),以及随着降解时间延长而消失的脱硫弧菌属(Desulfovibrio spp.)和醋杆菌属(Acetobacterium spp.).[结论]获得了具有较强多溴联苯醚降解能力的菌群,并分析了其降解特性和群落组成,为进一步开展溴代阻燃剂等持久性有机污染物的生物修复提供宝贵的菌种资源和科学数据.