表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯抑制TNF-a和IL-1β在小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间的表达

肿瘤坏死因子-a(tumor necrosis factor-a,TNF-a)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin, IL-1β)在创伤修复中起着至关重要的作用.本研究利用小鼠皮肤深II度烫伤模型,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测烫伤部位组织Tnf-a mRNA和Il-1β mRNA的表达水平以及TNF-a和IL-1β的含量,以探讨表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间TNF-a和IL-1β表达的影响.结果显示,用0.2 mg/g EGCG膏剂涂敷烫伤皮肤,处理12 h可致组织Tnf-a mRNA表达水平和TNF-a含量下降,处理24 h可致组织Il-1β mRNA表达水平和IL-1β含量下降.上述结果提示0.2 mg/g EGCG处理能抑制烫伤组织TNF-a和IL-1β的表达,减弱创伤组织的炎症反应,有助于创伤组织的修复.     

表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯抑制TNF-α和IL-β在小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间的表达

肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)和白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)在创伤修复中起着至关重要的作用.本研究利用小鼠皮肤深II度烫伤模型,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测烫伤部位组织Tnf-αmRNA和Il-1βmRNA的表达水平以及TNF-α和IL-1β的含量,探讨表没食子儿茶素-3-没食子酸酯(EGCG)对小鼠皮肤烫伤修复期间TNF-α和IL-1β表达的影响.结果显示,用0.2 mg/g EGCG膏剂涂敷烫伤皮肤,处理12 h可致组织Tnf-αmRNA表达水平和TNF-α含量下降,处理24 h可致组织Il-1βmRNA表达水平和IL-1β含量下降.上述结果提示,0.2 mg/g EGCG处理能抑制烫伤组织TNF-α和IL-1β的表达,减弱创伤组织的炎症反应,有助于创伤组织的修复.     

神经胶质瘤U251细胞氧化损伤中自噬和凋亡过程的时间顺序

目的：探讨过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导神经胶质瘤U251细胞损伤中自噬和凋亡发生的时间顺序。方法：实验分为4组：正常对照组、1mmol／L H2O2作用（6h、12h、24h）组。应用MTF法检测H202对神经胶质瘤U251细胞生存率的影响;MDC染色检测自噬空泡的变化;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率变化。Western blot检测Beclin1和胞浆cyt c蛋白的表达。结果：与对照组相比,1mmol／L H2O2作用下,U251细胞存活率明显降低,并呈时间依赖性。与对照组相比,1mmol／L H2O2作用后,6h时U251细胞自噬空泡明显增加,自噬相关蛋白Beclin1表达明显增加,12h、24h细胞自噬水平逐渐增强;而6h时未见细胞凋亡率明显变化及cyt c由线粒体向胞浆的释放,12h、24h时细胞凋亡率明显增加,胞浆中cyt c蛋白表达明显增强（P〈0．05）。结论：氧化损伤能够诱导神经胶质瘤U251细胞发生自噬和凋亡,并且自噬发生于凋亡之前。     

氯化钴对H9c2心肌细胞新基因Mipu1表达的影响

目的：研究氯化钴（CoCl2）对大鼠胚胎心脏来源的H9c2心肌细胞中新基因Mipu1表达的影响。方法：利用不同浓度的CoCl2（0、100、200、300、400、500μmol/L）处理H9c2细胞9h,及200μmol/L CoCl2处理H9c2细胞不同的时间（0、6、9、12、24h）后,用RT-PCR和Western Blot分别观察H9c2细胞Mipu1 mRNA和蛋白的表达情况。结果：CoCl2可以诱导H9c2细胞中Mipu1 mRNA和蛋白表达升高,200μM CoCl2处理组的Mipu1的表达水平高于100μM CoCl2处理组,但是更高浓度的CoCl2（〉200μM）不能使Mipu1的表达进一步升高。随着CoCl2作用时间的延长,Mipu1的表达逐步升高,在12h达到高峰,但是在24h后下降。结论：CoCl2能够促进H9c2细胞新基因Mipu1的表达,并且具有一定的剂量和时间依赖性。     

丹参单体IH764-3通过下调H2O2刺激的肝星状细胞FAK水平影响MMP-13和TIMP-1的表达

目的：研究丹参单体IH764—3对H2O2刺激的肝星状细胞（HSC）基质金属蛋白酶-13（MMP-13）、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）表达的影响以及此过程中粘着斑激酶（FAK）的变化。方法：应用RT-PCR方法检测MMP-13及FAKmRNA表达,原位杂交方法检测TIMP-1mRNA水平,Western blotting技术检测FAK及TIMP-1蛋白表达。结果：IH764—3干预组的MMP-13mRNA在2h的表达强度明显上调,而TIMP-1mRNA表达明显受抑,FAKmRNA表达强度明显下调;IH764—3干预24h组FAK及TIMP-1蛋白表达受抑制。结论：丹参单体IH764—3可以诱导MMP-13表达,抑制TIMP-1表达,下调FAK表达是其中的机制之一。     

miR-20b-5p靶向MAPK1调控脑出血过程中脑微血管内皮细胞铁死亡

摘要 目的：探讨miR-20b-5p对氧糖剥夺（OGD）/Hemin处理的脑微血管内皮细胞（BMVEC）功能的影响及机制。方法：将BMVEC分为Control组、agomir-NC组、agomir-miR-20b-5p组、antagomir-NC组和antagomir-miR-20b-5p组。使用Lipofectamine 2000试剂对细胞进行相应的转染处理。BMVEC转染后，将BMVEC再分为Control组、OGD/Hemin组（O/H组）、OGD/Hemin+agomir-NC组（O/H+agomir-NC组）、OGD/Hemin+agomir-miR-20b-5p组（O/H+agomir-miR-20b-5p组）、OGD/Hemin+antagomir-NC组（O/H+antagomir-NC组）和OGD/Hemin+antagomir-miR-20b-5p组（O/H+antagomir-miR-20b-5p组）。Control组BMVEC正常培养，其他组BMVEC进行OGD/Hemin处理。MTT法检测BMVEC增殖，TUNEL染色检测BMVEC凋亡，Transwell检测BMVEC迁移。使用试剂盒检测超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）和丙二醛（MDA）水平。使用Iron Assay试剂盒检测Fe²⁺含量。通过qRT-PCR检测miR-20b-5p和MAPK1 mRNA水平。通过Western blot检测MAPK1、Bax、Bcl-2、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶4（GPX4）和前列腺素内过氧化物合酶2（PTGS2）蛋白表达水平。通过免疫荧光染色检测MAPK1的荧光强度水平。结果：与Control组和agomir-NC组比较，agomir-miR-20b-5p组BMVEC中的miR-20b-5p水平升高（P<0.05）。与Control组和antagomir-NC组比较，antagomir-miR-20b-5p组BMVEC中的miR-20b-5p水平降低（P<0.05）。与Control组比较，O/H组BMVEC中的miR-20b-5p水平降低，细胞活力降低，TUNEL阳性率和Bax蛋白表达水平升高，Bcl-2蛋白表达水平降低，迁移数量降低，SOD和GSH-Px活性降低，MDA含量升高，Fe²⁺含量和PTGS2的蛋白表达水平升高，GPX4的蛋白表达水平降低，MAPK1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平以及相对荧光强度升高（P<0.05）。与O/H组和O/H+agomir-NC组比较，O/H+agomir-miR-20b-5p组BMVEC中的miR-20b-5p水平升高，细胞活力升高，TUNEL阳性率和Bax蛋白表达水平降低，Bcl-2蛋白表达水平升高，迁移数量升高，SOD和GSH-Px活性升高，MDA含量降低，Fe²⁺含量和PTGS2的蛋白表达水平降低，GPX4的蛋白表达水平升高，MAPK1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平以及相对荧光强度降低（P<0.05）。与O/H组和O/H+antagomir-NC组比较，O/H+antagomir-miR-20b-5p组BMVEC中的miR-20b-5p水平降低，细胞活力降低，TUNEL阳性率和Bax蛋白表达水平升高，Bcl-2蛋白表达水平降低，迁移数量降低，SOD和GSH-Px活性降低，MDA含量升高，Fe²⁺含量和PTGS2的蛋白表达水平升高，GPX4的蛋白表达水平降低，MAPK1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平以及相对荧光强度升高（P<0.05）。结论：本研究表明上调miR-20b-5p通过抑制OGD/Hemin处理的BMVEC中MAPK1的表达从而抑制了铁死亡途径。     

乳果糖对严重烫伤大鼠白细胞介素-18介导的脏器功能的影响

目的：探讨乳果糖对烫伤大鼠白细胞介素-18 mRNA（IL-18 mRNA）介导的肺、肝、肾脏功能的影响。方法：将大鼠致30%体表面积Ⅲ度烫伤,随机分成2组（n=40）：对照组（C组）和乳果糖预防组（L组）。用改良的鲎试验基质显色法定量分析循环内毒素-脂多糖（LPS）含量;采用逆转录PCR技术检测肺、肝、肾组织中IL-18 mRNA水平;用改良的方法检测肺组织髓过氧化物酶（MPO）活性：使用7170型全自动生化分析仪测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、血清尿素氮（BUN）、血清肌酐（Cr）。结果：L组LPS含量伤后22、4 h显著低于C组（P〈0.05）;伤后C组各时点肺、肝、肾组织中IL-18 mRNA表达较伤前增强（P〈0.01）,伤后L组各脏器组织IL-18 mRNA表达明显低于C组（P〈0.05~0.01）;L组伤后81、6 h MPO活性显著低于C组（P〈0.05~0.01）;L组伤后2 h8、h1、6 h,ALT、AST、BUN、Cr明显低于C组（P〈0.05~0.01）。结论：烧伤早期循环LPS含量居高不下,肺、肝、肾等脏器IL-18 mRNA表达明显过度,其介导所致脏器的功能遭受严重损害,而经过乳果糖预处理可以在一定程度上保护肺、肝、肾等脏器功能。     

二苯乙烯苷对H202诱导血管内皮细胞ICAM-1及VCAM-1表达的影响

目的：通过研究二苯乙烯苷（TSG）对H20：诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞ICAM-1、VCAM-1表达的影响,探明二苯乙烯苷抗氧化保护内皮细胞的作用机制。方法：体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,实验分为空白对照组、H20：组、辛伐他汀组、TSG组,运用逆转录聚合酶链式反应和酶联免疫吸附试验分别检测ICAM-1及VCAM-1mRNA与其蛋白的表达。结果：200μmol·L。的H202作用内皮细胞24h后。ICAM．1和VCAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均明显上调,与空白对照组比较,差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。而在200μmol·L。的H202作用前用1μmol·L^-1二苯乙烯苷预处理体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞4h,结果显示二苯乙烯苷能抑制H2O2诱导的内皮细胞ICAM-1、VCAM-1的mRNA和VCAM-1的蛋白水平表达,与H2O2组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01）;而ICAM-1的蛋白表达水平与H202组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;辛伐他汀组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的mRNA及其蛋白水平表达降低,与H20：组比较差异均有显著性（P〈0．01）。实验结果表明二苯乙烯苷可抑制H2O2诱导的内皮细胞粘附分子ICAM-1、VCAM-1表达。结论：二苯乙烯苷可通过降低细胞粘附分子ICAM-1和VCAM-1的表达保护氧化应激引起的人脐静脉内皮细胞损伤。     

不同剂量x射线对大鼠精子CRISP2mRNA表达水平的影响

目的：观察不同剂量x射线对大鼠精子CRISP2mRNA表达水平的影响,探讨其在电离辐射所致大鼠精子功能改变中的作用。方法：用吸收剂量为1、2、4、和6Gy的x射线分别照射活体SD大鼠的外生殖系统1…4812、24h后,用PCR技术检测精子CRISP2基因mRNA表达水平;用光学显微镜观察精予活力。以未照射组为对照。结果：4、6GyX射线照射不同时间（1、4、8、12、24h时）后大鼠精子的CRISP2mRNA相对表达量均较对照组显著下降（P．〈0．05）,其中6Gb,照射24小时后相对表达量最低（P〈0．01）,而4Gy照射组与6Gy照射组相比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;2Gyx射线照射8h后CRISP2mRNA相对表达量下降有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;2GyX射线照射1、4h后及1GyX射线照射不同时间（1、4、8、12、24la）后大鼠精子的CRISP2mRNA相对表达量较对照组下降,但差异无统计学意义（P〉O．05）。1、2GyX射线照射不同时间（1、4、8、12、24小时）及4GyX射线照射（1、4、8h）后,精子活力与正常对照组相比无明显改变（P〉0．05）;4GyX射线照射12、24h后大鼠精子活力显著低于正常对照;6GyX射线照射不同时间（1、4、8、12、24h）后,精子活力明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：不同剂量X射线照射不同时间可导致SD大鼠精子活力下降,这可能与其下调CRISP2基因的mRNA表达水平有关。     

miR-19通过Keap-Nrf2/HO-1信号通路对卵巢癌细胞增殖的影响

摘要 目的：研究卵巢癌组织和细胞中miR-19的表达,探讨其异常表达对卵巢癌细胞Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白-1（Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein1,Keap1）--核因子E2相关因子2（nuclearfactor-E2-relatedfactor2,Nrf2） /血红素氧合酶-1（heme oxygenase1,HO-1）信号通路及卵巢癌细胞增殖的影响。方法：回顾性收集2019年1月至2020年12月于我院就诊的患者经病理切片诊断为卵巢癌上皮细胞的手术标本30例,卵巢良性肿瘤标本30例,正常卵巢组织标本30例。免疫组化检测不同标本中Keap1、Nrf2、HO-1的表达,检测卵巢组织及细胞中miR-19、Keap1、Nrf2、HO-1的mRNA表达水平,及卵巢癌细胞中Keap1、Nrf2、HO-1的蛋白表达水平。在OVCAR-3细胞中沉默miR-19后,Western Blot检测细胞内Keap1、Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达水平,收集沉默miR-19,对照组,沉默Nrf2、对照组的OVCAR-3细胞,继续培养0 h、24 h、48 h后,检测细胞增殖和凋亡。结果：Keap1蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的阳性表达显著低于良性卵巢肿瘤组织及正常卵巢组织;Nrf2和HO-1蛋白在卵巢癌组织中的阳性表达显著低于良性卵巢肿瘤组织及正常卵巢组织（P＜0.05）;沉默miR-19抑制其表达后,细胞内Keap1 mRNA、蛋白表达水平明显升高,Nrf2、HO-1 mRNA表达水平无明显变化,蛋白表达水平明显降低（P＜0.05）;沉默miR-19 组、沉默Nrf2组与转染阴性对照组相比,增殖能力明显降低,凋亡能力明显升高（P＜0.05）。结论：卵巢癌细胞中,miR-19表达水平升高,可通过调控Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1信号通路影响卵巢癌细胞的增值、凋亡能力。     

Perturbation of Auxin Homeostasis Caused by Mitochondrial FtSH4 Gene-Mediated Peroxidase Accumulation Regulates Arabiclopsis Architecture

Reactive oxygen species and auxin play important roles in the networks that regulate plant development and morphogenetic changes, However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between them are poorly understood. This study isolated a mas （More Axillary Shoots） mutant, which was identified as an allele of the mitochondrial AAA-protease AtFtSH4, and characterized the function of the FtSH4 gene in regulating plant development by medi- ating the peroxidase-dependent interplay between hydrogen peroxide （H2Oz） and auxin homeostasis. The phenotypes of dwarfism and increased axillary branches observed in the mas （renamed as ftsh4-4） mutant result from a decrease in the IAA concentration. The expression levels of several auxin signaling genes, including IAA1, IAA2, and IAA3, as well as several auxin binding and transport genes, decreased significantly in ftsh4-4 plants. However, the H202 and peroxidases levels, which also have IAA oxidase activity, were significantly elevated in ftsh4-4 plants. The ftsh4-4 phenotypes could be reversed by expressing the iaaM gene or by knocking down the peroxidase genes PRX34 and PRX33. Both approaches can increase auxin levels in the ftsh4-4 mutant. Taken together, these results provided direct molecular and genetic evidence for the interaction between mitochondrial ATP-dependent protease, H2O2, and auxin homeostasis to regulate plant growth and development.     

Organelle pH in the Arabidopsis Endomembrane System

The pH of intracellular compartments is essential for the viability of cells. Despite its relevance, little is known about the pH of these compartments. To measure pH in vivo, we have first generated two pH sensors by combining the improved-solubility feature of solubility-modified green fluorescent protein （GFP） （smGFP） with the pH-sensing capabil- ity of the pHluorins and codon optimized for expression in Arabidopsis. PEpHluorin （plant-solubility-modified ecliptic pHluorin） gradually loses fluorescence as pH is lowered with fluorescence vanishing at pH 6.2 and PRpHluorin （plant- solubility-modified ratiomatric pHluorin）, a dual-excitation sensor, allowing for precise measurements. Compartment- specific sensors were generated by further fusing specific sorting signals to PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin. Our results show that the pH of cytosol and nucleus is similar （pH 7.3 and 7.2）, while peroxisomes, mitochondrial matrix, and plastidial stroma have alkaline pH. Compartments of the secretory pathway reveal a gradual acidification, spanning from pH 7.1 in the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） to pH 5.2 in the vacuole. Surprisingly, pH in the trans-Golgi network （TGN） and mul- tivesicular body （MVB） is, with pH 6.3 and 6.2, quite similar. The inhibition of vacuolar-type H＋-ATPase （V-ATPase） with concanamycin A （ConcA） caused drastic increase in pH in TGN and vacuole. Overall, the PEpHluorin and PRpHluorin are excellent pH sensors for visualization and quantification of pH in vivo, respectively.     

Cell Wall,Cytoskeleton, and Cell Expansion in Higher Plants

To accommodate two seemingly contradictory biological roles in plant physiology, providing both the rigid structural support of plant cells and the adjustable elasticity needed for cell expansion, the composition of the plant cell wall has evolved to become an intricate network of cellulosic, hemicellulosic, and pectic polysaccharides and protein. Due to its complexity, many aspects of the cell wall influence plant cell expansion, and many new and insightful observations and technologies are forthcoming. The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers and the roles of the variety of proteins involved in polysaccharide synthesis continue to be characterized. The interactions within the cell wall polymer network and the modification of these interactions provide insight into how the plant cell wall provides its dual function. The complex cell wall architecture is controlled and organized in part by the dynamic intracellular cytoskeleton and by diverse trafficking pathways of the cell wall polymers and cell wall-related machinery. Meanwhile, the cell wall is continually influenced by hormonal and integrity sensing stimuli that are perceived by the cell. These many processes cooperate to construct, maintain, and manipulate the intricate plant cell wall--an essential structure for the sustaining of the plant stature, growth, and life.     

Redox Regulation of Arabidopsis Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase

Citrate synthase has a key role in the tricarboxylic （TCA） cycle of mitochondria of all organisms, as it cata- lyzes the first committed step which is the fusion of a carbon-carbon bond between oxaloacetate and acetyl CoA. The regulation of TCA cycle function is especially important in plants, since mitochondrial activities have to be coordinated with photosynthesis. The posttranslational regulation of TCA cycle activity in plants is thus far almost entirely unexplored. Although several TCA cycle enzymes have been identified as thioredoxin targets in vitro, the existence of any thioredoxin-dependent regulation as known for the Calvin cycle, yet remains to be demonstrated. Here we have investigated the redox regulation of the Arabidopsis citrate synthase enzyme by site-directed mutagenesis of its six cysteine residues. Our results indicate that oxidation inhibits the enzyme activity by the formation of mixed disulfides, as the partially oxidized citrate synthase enzyme forms large redox-dependent aggregates. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that thioredoxin can cleave diverse intraas well as intermolecular disulfide bridges, which strongly enhances the activity of the enzyme. Activity measurements with the cysteine variants of the enzyme revealed important cysteine residues affecting total enzyme activity as well as the redox sensitivity of the enzyme.     

Dissecting the Heat Stress Response in Chlamydomonas by Pharmaceutical and RNAi Approaches Reveals Conserved and Novel Aspects

To study how conserved fundamental concepts of the heat stress response （HSR） are in photosynthetic eukaryotes, we applied pharmaceutical and antisense/amiRNA approaches to the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The Chlamydomonas HSR appears to be triggered by the accumulation of unfolded proteins, as it was induced at ambient temperatures by feeding cells with the arginine analog canavanine. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine strongly retarded the HSR, demonstrating the importance of phosphorylation during activation of the HSR also in Chlamydomonas. While the removal of extracellular calcium by the application of EGTA and BAPTA inhibited the HSR in moss and higher plants, only the addition of BAPTA, but not of EGTA, retarded the HSR and impaired thermotoler- ance in Chlamydomonas. The addition of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of cytosolic protein synthesis, abolished the attenu- ation of the HSR, indicating that protein synthesis is necessary to restore proteostasis. HSP90 inhibitors induced a stress response when added at ambient conditions and retarded attenuation of the HSR at elevated temperatures. In addition, we detected a direct physical interaction between cytosolic HSP90A/HSP70A and heat shock factor 1, but surprisingly this interaction persisted after the onset of stress. Finally, the expression of antisense constructs targeting chloroplast HSP70B resulted in a delay of the cell＇s entire HSR, thus suggesting the existence of a retrograde stress signaling cascade that is desensitized in HSP7OB-antisense strains.     

A New Set of Reversibly Photoswitchable Fluorescent Proteins for Use in Transgenic Plants

Fluorescent reporter proteins that allow repeated switching between a fluorescent and a non-fluorescent state in response to specific wavelengths of light are novel tools for monitoring of protein trafficking and super-resolu- tion fluorescence microscopy in living organisms. Here, we describe variants of the reversibly photoswitchable fluores- cent proteins rsFastLime, bsDronpa, and Padron that have been codon-optimized for the use in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The synthetic proteins, designated rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s, showed photophysical properties and switching behavior comparable to those reported for the original proteins. By combining the ＇positively switchable＇ PADRON C-s with the ＇negatively switchable＇ rsFastLIME-s or bsDRONPA-s, two different fluorescent reporter proteins could be imaged at the same wavelength upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. Thus, co-localiza- tion analysis can be performed using only a single detection channel. Furthermore, the proteins were used to tag the RNA-binding protein AtGRP7 （Arabidopsis thaliana glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 7） in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Because the new reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins show an increase in signal strength during each pho- toactivation cycle, we were able to generate a large number of scans of the same region and reconstruct 3-D images of AtGRP7 expression in the root tip. Upon photoactivation of the AtGRP7：rsFastLIME-s fusion protein in a defined region of a transgenic Arabidopsis root, spreading of the fluorescence signal into adjacent regions was observed, indicating that movement from cell to cell can be monitored. Our results demonstrate that rsFastLIME-s, bsDRONPA-s, and PADRON C-s are versatile fluorescent markers in plants, Furthermore, the proteins also show strong fluorescence in mammalian cells including COS-7 and HeLa cells.     

Heteromeric and Homomeric Geranyl Diphosphate Synthases from Catharanthus roseus and Their Role in Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Biosynthesis

Catharanthus roseus is the sole source of two most important monoterpene indole alkaloid （MIA） anti- cancer agents： vinblastine and vincristine. MIAs possess a terpene and an indole moiety derived from terpenoid and shikimate pathways, respectively. Geranyl diphosphate （GPP）, the entry point to the formation of terpene moiety, is a product of the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate （IPP） and dimethylallyl diphosphate （DMAPP） by GPP synthase （GPPS）. Here, we report three genes encoding proteins with sequence similarity to large subunit （CrGPPS.LSU） and small subunit （CrGPPS.SSU） of heteromeric GPPSs, and a homomeric GPPSs. CrGPPS.LSU is a bifunctional enzyme producing both GPP and geranyl geranyl diphosphate （GGPP）, CrGPPS.SSU is inactive, whereas CrGPPS is a homomeric enzyme forming GPP. Co-expression of both subunits in Escherichia coil resulted in heteromeric enzyme with enhanced activity producing only GPR While CrGPPS.LSU and CrGPPS showed higher expression in older and younger leaves, respectively, CrGPPS.SSU showed an increasing trend and decreased gradually. Methyl jasmonate （MelA） treatment of leaves sig- nificantly induced the expression of only CrGPPS.SSU. GFP localization indicated that CrGPPS.SSU is plastidial whereas CrGPPS is mitochondrial. Transient overexpression of AmGPPS.SSU in C. roseus leaves resulted in increased vindoline, immediate monomeric precursor of vinblastine and vincristine. Although C. roseus has both heteromeric and homomeric GPPS enzymes, our results implicate the involvement of only heteromeric GPPS with CrGPPS.SSU regulating the GPP flux for MIA biosynthesis.     

How does the host-specialized aphid deal with food deficiency？

Aphis gossypii Glover shows obvious host specialization, with cucurbit- and cotton-specialized biotypes or host races in many regions. Because its annual natal hostcrops senesce earlier the cucurbit-specialized biotype may suffer food deficiency. The method this biotype uses to overcome this challenge is still poorly understood. In orderto understand the potential of the cucurbit-specialized biotype aphids in host shift and usage, the performance of this biotype on cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）, a common butpoor quality host plant, was explored in this study. The cucurbit-specialized aphids could establish populations on cotton only when these plants had at least nine leaves, and subsequent populations developed rather slowly. The presence of whitefly populations on cotton improved the success rate of cucurbit-specialized aphids. The cucurbit-specialized aphidswere mainly distributed on the older leaves of cotton, with only a few settling on the upper leaves. The cucurbit-specialized aphids reared on cotton for 40, 54 and 61 days stillmaintained strong preference for their natal host plant, cucumber （Cucumis sativus）, rather than cotton, and their net reproductive rates and intrinsic rates of natural increase weredramatically lower when they were transferred onto new six-leaf cotton plants or detached leaves. Therefore, we concluded that the cucurbit-specialized aphids have the potentialto utilize mature or whitefly-stressed cotton plants, but that this feeding experience on cotton did not alter their specialization for cucurbits. Some cotton plants could act as atemporary host for the cucurbit-specialized aphids to overcome food deficiency arising from senescing cucurbits.     

Plastid Signals and the Bundle Sheath： Mesophyll Development in Reticulate Mutants

The development of a plant leaf is a meticulously orchestrated sequence of events producing a complex organ comprising diverse cell types. The reticulate class of leaf variegation mutants displays contrasting pigmentation between veins and interveinal regions due to specific aberrations in the development of mesophyll cells. Thus, the reticulate mutants offer a potent tool to investigate cell-type-specific developmental processes. The discovery that most mutants are affected in plastid-localized, metabolic pathways that are strongly expressed in vasculature-associated tis- sues implicates a crucial role for the bundle sheath and their chloroplasts in proper development of the mesophyll cells. Here, we review the reticulate mutants and their phenotypic characteristics, with a focus on those in Arabidopsis thali- ana. Two alternative models have been put forward to explain the relationship between plastid metabolism and meso- phyll cell development, which we call here the supply and the signaling hypotheses. We critically assess these proposed models and discuss their implications for leaf development and bundle sheath function in C3 species. The characteriza- tion of the reticulate mutants supports the significance of plastid retrograde signaling in cell development and highlights the significance of the bundle sheath in C3 photosynthesis.