Identification of up—regulated genes in human uterine leiomyoma by suppression subtractive hybridization

In searching for differentially expressed genes in human uterine leiomyomas(Uls),suppression sub-tractive hybridization was used to construct an UL up-regulated library,which turned out to represent 88 genes.After two rounds of screening by reverse Northern analysis,twenty genes were proved to be up-regulated,including seventeen known genes and three genes with unknown function.All these genes were firstly associated with UL.Three genes with notable difference were selected for Northern confirmation.Our results proved the authenticity of the twenty genes.One gene named Phospholipase A2(PLA2) showed up-regulation in 4/6 of the patients and investigation of tissue distribution indicated that it had obvious expression in prostate,testis,liver,heart and skeletal muscle.     

Identification and characterization of genes involved in the jasmonate biosynthetic and signaling pathways in mulberry （Morus notabilis）

Jasmonate （JA） is an important phytohormone regulating growth, development, and environmental response in plants, particularly defense response against herbivorous insects. Recently, completion of the draft genome of the mulberry （Morus notabilis） in conjunction with genome sequencing of silkworm （Bombyx mori） provides an opportuni-ty to study this unique plant-herbivore interaction. Here, we identified genes involved in JA biosynthetic and signaling pathways in the genome of mulberry for the first time, with the majority of samples showing a tissue-biased expression pattern. The analysis of the representative genes 12-oxophy-todienoic acid reductase （OPRs） and jasmonate ZIM-domain （JAZs） was performed and the results indicated that the mulberry genome contains a relatively smal number of JA biosynthetic and signaling pathway genes. A gene encoding an＆amp;nbsp;important repressor, MnNINJA, was identified as an alternative splicing variant lacking an ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated amphiphilic repression motif. Having this fundamental information wil facilitate future functional study of JA-related genes pertaining to mulberry-silkworm interactions.     

A Microarray Based Genomic Hybridization Method for Identification of New Genes in Plants：Case Analyses of Arabidopsis and Oryza

To systematically estimate the gene duplication events In closely related species, we have to use comparative genomlc approaches, either through genomlc sequence comparison or comparative genomlc hybridization （CGH）. Given the scarcity of complete genomlc sequences of plant species, in the present study we adopted an array based CGH to Investigate gene duplications In the genus Arabldopsls. Fragment genomlc DNA from four species, namely Arabidopsls thallana, A. lyrata subsp, lyrata, A. lyrata subsp, petraea, and A. halleri, was hybridized to Affymetrlx （Santa Clara, CA, USA） tiling arrays that are designed from the genomlc sequences of A. thallana. Pairwlse comparisons of signal intensity were made to infer the potential duplicated candidates along each phylogenetic branch. Ninety-four potential candidates of gene duplication along the genus were Identified. Among them, the majority （69 of 94） were A. thallana lineage specific. This result indicates that the array based CGH approach may be used to Identify candidates of duplication In other plant genera containing closely related species, such as Oryza, particularly for the AA genome species. We compared the degree of gene duplication through retrotransposon between O. satlva and A. thallana and found a strikingly higher number of chimera retroposed genes In rice. The higher rate of gene duplication through retroposltlon and other mechanisms may Indicate that the grass species Is able to adapt to more diverse environments.     

Identification of the development stage—specific factors in mouse fetal liver binding to the human β—globin gene promoter

In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of globin gene expression during embryonic development,the nuclear extracts from mouse hematopoietic tissue at different stages of development have been prepared.By using DNase I footprinting and gel mobility shift assays,the binding of protein factors in these extracts to the human β-globin promoter was analyzed.The differences in the binding patterns of protein factors during development were observed.An erythroid-specific and stage-specific nuclear protein in the nuclear extrace from d 18 mouse fetal liver was identified,which can bind to the sequence(from-66bp to-90bp) of human β-globin promoter.We therefore speculate that the function of this cis-acting element may be similar to stage selector element(SSE) in chicken β^A-promoter.     

Identification of salt-stress responsive genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by cDNA array

To identify salt stress-responsive genes, we constructed a cDNA library with the salt-tolerant rice cultivar, Lansheng. About 15000 plasmids were extracted and dotted on filters with Biomeck 2000 HDRT system or by hand. Thirty genes were identified to display altered expression levels responding to 150 mmol/L NaCl. Among them eighteen genes were up-regulated and the remainders down-regulated. Twenty-seven genes have their homologous genes in Gen-Bank Databases. The expression of twelve genes was studied by Northern analysis. Based on the functions, these genes can be classified into five categories, including photosynthesis-related gene, transport-related gene, metabolism-related gene, stress- or resistance-related gene and the others with various functions. The results showed that salt stress influenced many aspects of rice growth. Some of these genes may play important roles in plant salt tolerance.     

Identification of salt-stress responsive genes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by cDNA array

To identify salt stress-responsive genes, we constructed a cDNA library with the salttolerant rice cultivar, Lansheng. About 15000 plasmids were extracted and dotted on filters with Biomeck 2000 HDRT system or by hand. Thirty genes were identified to display altered expression levels responding to 150 mmol/L NaCl. Among them eighteen genes were up-regulated and the remainders downregulated. Twenty-seven genes have their homologous genes in GenBank Databases. The expression of twelve genes was studied by Northern analysis. Based on the functions, these genes can be classified into five categories, including photosynthesis-related gene, transportrelated gene, metabolismrelated gene, stress-or resistancerelated gene and the others with various functions. The results showed that salt stress influenced many aspects of rice growth. Some of these genes may play important roles in plant salt tolerance.     

保卫细胞的ABA信号转导

植物激素脱落酸(ABA)调节植物体多种生理过程,尤其在一些逆境条件下,植物体中ABA大量合成,诱导气孔关闭,从而有效地调控植物体内的水分平衡.尽管人们对ABA诱导气孔关闭作用已得到共识,但有关信号转导的细节还很不清楚.该文简要介绍了研究气孔保卫细胞信号转导途径的相关技术以及与ABA信号转导直接相关的ABA受体、第二信使、蛋白质磷酸化和离子通道调节等方面的最新妍究进展.并在前人研究工作的基础上,勾画出气孔保卫细胞ABA、H2O2的信号转导模式图.     

小麦干旱诱导蛋白及相关基因研究进展

干旱胁迫条件下,小麦相关基因受到激活并表达产生干旱胁迫蛋白,主动适应干旱环境、维持个体存活和产量形成。介绍了小麦中一些干旱诱导蛋白及相关基因的研究进展,包括不同小麦品种、胁迫程度、发育阶段的差异性反应和共性特征、对主要干旱信号物质ABA和Ca²⁺的差异应答、以及新近发现的干旱诱导蛋白及相关基因的生物学特性及主要功能等。对于干旱诱导蛋白来说,研究手段和目标从过去以单向电泳技术为主、揭示蛋白条带的表达差异转到现在以双向电泳技术为主、以揭示蛋白质组中干旱诱导蛋白结构和功能的耦合。对于干旱诱导蛋白相关基因来说,研究内容主要包括功能基因和调控基因两大类,功能基因研究主要集中在LEA蛋白基因和透物质合成酶基因等几大类型上,而调控基因研究主要集中在转录因子和蛋白激酶等相关基因及其作用。对干旱诱导蛋白及相关基因在小麦栽培管理和产量育种中的应用前景展开了讨论。     

K+ channel activity in plants: genes, regulations and functions

Potassium (K(+)) is the most abundant cation in the cytosol, and plant growth requires that large amounts of K(+) are transported from the soil to the growing organs. K(+) uptake and fluxes within the plant are mediated by several families of transporters and channels. Here, we describe the different families of K(+)-selective channels that have been identified in plants, the so-called Shaker, TPK and Kir-like channels, and what is known so far on their regulations and physiological functions in the plant.