Comparative in silico profiling of epigenetic modifiers in human tissues

The technology of tissue differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells has attracted attention as a useful resource for regenerative medicine, disease modeling and drug development. Recent studies have suggested various key factors and specific culture methods to improve the successful tissue differentiation and efficient generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Among these methods, epigenetic regulation and epigenetic signatures are regarded as an important hurdle to overcome during reprogramming and differentiation. Thus, in this study, we developed an in silico epigenetic panel and performed a comparative analysis of epigenetic modifiers in the RNA-seq results of 32 human tissues. We demonstrated that an in silico epigenetic panel can identify epigenetic modifiers in order to overcome epigenetic barriers to tissue-specific differentiation.     

Simultaneous presence of bovine papillomavirus and bovine leukemia virus in different bovine tissues: in situ hybridization and cytogenetic analysis

Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) DNA sequences were detected in different tissues, in addition to epithelium. Cytogenetic abnormalities were observed in blood lymphocytes. The presence of more than one virus in a single tissue is a difficult aspect to evaluate, especially when the DNA sequences are detected in tissues that are not specifically targeted by the virus. BPV and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) are clastogenic, causing chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In the present study, we investigated the simultaneous presence of DNA sequences of both viruses and the possibility of vertical transmission and compared the types of chromosome aberrations related to viral action. BPV 1, 2, and 4 DNA sequences were found in three females of the herd and in their offspring. BLV DNA sequences were not detected in their progeny. A newborn calf that was negative for BLV infection showed specific chromosome rearrangements possibly related to the effect of infection with BPV.     

鸭儿芹不同器官分泌道结构及分布的比较解剖研究

采用石蜡切片法对伞形科鸭儿芹(Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk. )全株不同器官分泌道的结构及分布特征进行了观察研究.观察结果显示,在鸭儿芹的根、茎、叶和果实各部位均有分泌道,其中果实分泌道特化为油管.分泌道多由1层明显小于周围薄壁细胞的分泌细胞组成,不同器官中分泌道的管腔和分泌细胞均大小不等、形状不一.组成根中分泌道的分泌细胞较少,多为4～5个;茎中较多,为6～9个,有时多达12～14个;组成叶片分泌道的分泌细胞数差异最大,叶脉中多达22个,叶肉中仅为3个.从横切面上看,根系中的分泌道仅分布在主根和一级侧根的近周皮处,以及主根的韧皮部外侧和髓部;茎中分泌道分布于近表皮处的厚角组织之间、大厚角组织与韧皮部之间和靠近木质部的髓部;叶鞘和叶柄的分泌道位于小厚角组织内侧的顶端、大厚角组织与韧皮部之间和木质部周围,其中在叶鞘中的2个厚角组织之间也有分泌道分布;在叶片的主脉及大侧脉中,分泌道分布于维管束与上下表皮的厚角组织之间,栅栏组织中也有少量分泌道;在果实中,油管分布于内果皮与中果皮之间,多位于棱槽和合生面部位.此外,根和茎中的分泌道具有2种明显不同的分布式样;叶鞘远、近轴面部位分泌道的分布式样分别兼有茎近表皮皮层部位和叶柄维管束木质部部位的特点,具有明显的从茎向叶柄的过渡性;在果实的果棱维管束下方和2个油管之间还有2层油细胞几乎环果体分布,这种结构在伞形科种类中比较少见,值得进一步研究.     

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression in bovine somatic tissues

The host encoded cellular prion protein (PrP^C) is an N-linked glycoprotein tethered to the cell membrane by a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Under certain conditions, PrP^C can undergo conversion into a conformationally-altered isoform (PrP^Sc) widely believed to be the pathogenic agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Understanding the tissue-specific expression of PrP^C is crucial considering that cells expressing high levels of PrP^C bear a risk for conversion and accumulation of PrP^Sc. In the present study, fifteen bovine somatic tissues were analyzed for PrP^C expression by quantitative western blot and immunohistochemistry. Quantitative western blot analysis revealed highest expression of PrP^C in cerebellum, obex and spinal cord. Intermediate levels were detected in thymus, intestine, nerve, heart and spleen, and lower levels in lung, muscle, kidney, lymph node, skin, pancreas and liver. Immunohistochemical analysis detected intense cellular-specific PrP^C staining in neurons, thymocytes and lymphocytes. PrP^C was also detected in the enteric wall, pancreatic islets of langerhans, myocardium, pulmonary alveolar sacs, renal glomeruli and dermal epithelial cells. This study demonstrated the quantitatively varied, wide-spread, tissue- and cell-specific expression pattern of PrP^C in bovine somatic tissues. The importance of this study is to lay the foundation for understanding the tissue-specific expression of PrP^C and to consider the potential participation of more bovine tissues in the transmission of BSE infection.Key words: cellular prion protein (PrP^C), protein expression, bovine somatic tissues, BSE, western blot, immunohistochemistry     

Comparative analysis reveals changes in transcriptomes of sugarcane upon infection by Leifsoniaxyli subsp. xyli

Ratoon stunting disease (RSD) caused by bacterium Leifsoniaxyli subsp. xyli (Lxx) is a devastating disease of sugarcane over a large part of the world. Genetic improvement for RSD‐resistant varieties is considered the most effective method to control the disease. However, genetic improvement of sugarcane is hindered by the limited information about the molecular mechanisms underlying Lxx pathogenicity and defence responses in sugarcane. In this study, genome‐wide gene expression profiling was used to compare RSD‐resistant (CP72‐2086) and RSD‐susceptible (GT11) genotypes at different infection time points in order to identify the candidate regulators for RSD resistance. A total of 14,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, indicating that dramatic changes had occurred in gene expression upon Lxx infection, especially in the susceptible genotype. Enrichment analysis showed that a large number of genes related to plant hormone signal transduction, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism was responsible for sugarcane response to Lxx infection. Plant hormone signalling pathway genes were significantly differentially expressed at the early infection stage between the two genotypes. The resistant genotype chose the jasmonic acid‐ and ethylene‐dependent host‐defence pathways to resist Lxx infection, whereas the susceptible genotype preferred the salicylic acid‐dependent host‐defence pathways. These findings help unravel the molecular mechanisms of sugarcane plant–Lxx interactions and may pave the way for sugarcane breeding for disease resistance.     

4种秦艽属植物不同器官中4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量的比较分析

利用HPLC法测定了秦艽(Gentiana macrophylla Pall.)、粗茎秦艽(G.crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk.)、麻花秦艽(G.straminea Maxim.)和小秦艽(G.dahurica Fisch.)根、茎、叶和花中4种环烯醚萜苷成分(包括马钱苷酸、獐牙菜苦苷、龙胆苦苷和獐牙菜苷)的含量,并对来源于不同产地秦艽和小秦艽不同器官4种环烯醚萜苷成分的含量进行了比较。结果显示:4种秦艽属植物不同器官4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量差异明显,来源于3个产地(陕西太白、甘肃西河乡和马狭)的秦艽和2个产地(青海互助和陕西麟游)的小秦艽不同器官中4种环烯醚萜苷含量也均具有明显差异。4种秦艽属植物根、茎、叶和花中龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量分别为质量分数5.996%～10.869%、0.310%～4.065%、0.235%～4.138%和0.545%～5.591%;根中獐牙菜苦苷和獐牙菜苷的质量分数分别为0.516%～0.953%和0.042%～0.210%,茎中分别为0.173%～0.383%和0.031%～1.700%,叶中分别为0.068%～0.684%和0.020%～3.208%,花中分别为0.460%～0.832%和0.138%～3.827%。粗茎秦艽各器官龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量均最高,小秦艽各器官龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量均最低,总体上,秦艽和粗茎秦艽中龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸总量高于小秦艽和麻花秦艽;小秦艽茎、叶和花中獐牙菜苷含量均最高,而秦艽茎和叶及粗茎秦艽花中獐牙菜苷含量均最低。4种秦艽属植物根部龙胆苦苷和马钱苷酸含量均明显高于茎、叶和花,獐牙菜苦苷在根和花中的积累较多,獐牙菜苷在花中的含量均相对最高。产自青海互助的小秦艽茎、叶和花中獐牙菜苷含量均最高,质量分数分别为2.884%、5.215%和7.321%。研究结果表明:4种环烯醚萜苷成分含量不但与植物种类和器官有关,而且与产地和采样时间也有关。     

细尾高原鳅和东方高原鳅不同组织器官黑色素的分布和比较

采用组织学方法比较研究细尾高原鳅和东方高原鳅组织器官的黑色素分布特征。结果显示: 两种高原鳅头部皮肤、背部皮肤、体侧皮肤、腹膜肾脏层、脊髓腔壁层、腹膜壁层、围心腔壁层、脑颅腔壁层和眼睛均分布有黑色素;腹部皮肤、肝脏浆膜、脾脏被膜和性腺被膜未发现黑色素。皮肤中黑色素分布在真皮层和皮下组织,其他组织器官中黑色素分布在内膜层或壁层。黑色素主要分布在背侧,体侧则分布稀疏,呈现对称分布。背部和体侧皮肤有斑块处较无斑块处黑色素数量多,分布密集;无斑块处仅是部分聚集,或形成间断分布的黑色素块。同一种高原鳅不同组织器官黑色素分布不同,分布面积百分比和黑色素层厚度有显著性差异,但两种高原鳅同一组织器官黑色素分布特征相似。两种高原鳅组织器官中黑色素的分布与其接受的紫外辐射强度有关,是对高原强紫外辐射环境的适应。     

细尾高原鳅和东方高原鳅不同组织器官黑色素的分布和比较

采用组织学方法比较研究细尾高原鳅和东方高原鳅组织器官的黑色素分布特征。结果显示: 两种高原鳅头部皮肤、背部皮肤、体侧皮肤、腹膜肾脏层、脊髓腔壁层、腹膜壁层、围心腔壁层、脑颅腔壁层和眼睛均分布有黑色素;腹部皮肤、肝脏浆膜、脾脏被膜和性腺被膜未发现黑色素。皮肤中黑色素分布在真皮层和皮下组织,其他组织器官中黑色素分布在内膜层或壁层。黑色素主要分布在背侧,体侧则分布稀疏,呈现对称分布。背部和体侧皮肤有斑块处较无斑块处黑色素数量多,分布密集;无斑块处仅是部分聚集,或形成间断分布的黑色素块。同一种高原鳅不同组织器官黑色素分布不同,分布面积百分比和黑色素层厚度有显著性差异,但两种高原鳅同一组织器官黑色素分布特征相似。两种高原鳅组织器官中黑色素的分布与其接受的紫外辐射强度有关,是对高原强紫外辐射环境的适应。