一个甲基转移酶基因lomo3在洛蒙真菌素生物合成途径中的功能

【目的】洛蒙真菌素是在洛蒙德链霉菌(Streptomyces lomondensis)中生物合成的一种具有广谱抑菌活性的吩嗪类抗生素,但其合成机理仍不清晰。在洛蒙德链霉菌S015的洛蒙真菌素生物合成核心基因簇下游,有一甲基转移酶基因——lomo3,研究该基因对洛蒙真菌素生物合成的影响。【方法】对lomo3基因进行无痕敲除得到基因缺失突变株S015Δlomo3,再过表达重组质粒构建回补突变株S015Δlomo3::lomo3,比较两株突变株与野生型S015的发酵产物的变化。【结果】发现基因缺失菌株S015Δlomo3不能合成洛蒙真菌素,而基因回补菌株S015Δlomo3::lomo3则可恢复洛蒙真菌素的合成能力。【结论】甲基转移酶基因lomo3在洛蒙真菌素生物合成过程中起着重要的作用,但该基因的具体功能还有待深入研究。研究对于阐明洛蒙真菌素的生物合成途径具有一定的指导作用。     

高产洛蒙真菌素洛蒙德链霉菌高通量筛选方法的建立与复合育种

[背景]洛蒙德链霉菌S015能生物合成具有广谱抗菌活性的吩嗪类化合物洛蒙真菌素。[目的]因S015菌株的洛蒙真菌素产量较低,将S015菌株经复合诱变育种和基因工程改造,提高洛蒙真菌素产量。[方法]建立洛蒙真菌素产生菌的高通量筛选方法,对出发菌株S0 15进行常压室温等离子体(atmospheric and room temperature plasma,ARTP)技术和紫外复合诱变,筛选得到高产菌株;并在高产菌株上敲除洛蒙真菌素的前体分支酸竟争途径中的关键基因trpE1、trpE2,再过表达全局调控基因afsR。[结果]利用洛蒙真菌素在紫外波长375 nm处的特征吸收峰,以及洛蒙真菌素浓度和375 nm处吸光度值的正相关关系,建立了基于24孔深孔板发酵和酶标仪快速检测的高通量筛选方法。经过6轮ARTP和紫外复合诱变及高通量筛选,从4 320株突变株中筛选得到遗传稳定的高产菌株M6,其洛蒙真菌素的产量为61.33 mg/L,是S015菌株的7.35倍;M6菌株的分支途径基因trpE1、trpE2双敲株的洛蒙真菌素产量为81.89 mg/L,是S015菌株的9.82倍;在该基因工程菌株中过表达全局调控基因afsR,产量为109.53 mg/L,是S015菌株的13.13倍。[结论]建立的高通量筛选方法可以有效筛选高产洛蒙真菌素的突变株,并且操作简单快速。通过ARTP和紫外复合诱变,结合高产株M6的基因工程改造,能进一步提升洛蒙真菌素的产量。     

过表达S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶及优化碳源高产洛蒙真菌素

洛蒙真菌素是由洛蒙德链霉菌S015合成的天然吩嗪类化合物,该化合物具有广谱抑菌活性及抗肿瘤活性,但因其在野生菌株中的产量较低而限制了应用.为了提高洛蒙真菌素产量,探究相关基因功能及S015菌株发酵条件,本研究首先建立系统进化树分析内源S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶MetK,其次在野生型S015中过表达metK基因,最后通过动态发酵实验进行碳源优化.研究结果表明,过表达metK基因的菌株洛蒙真菌素产量达到(27.4±2.8)mg/L,是野生株的2.3倍;通过发酵优化,以20 g/L的木糖为碳源时洛蒙真菌素产量最高,为(130.6±8.0)mg/L,是优化前的4.8倍.本研究成功采用上游基因工程改造结合下游发酵优化的生物工程手段,有效地提高了菌株S015中洛蒙真菌素的产量.     

转录调节因子σ~(38)介导铜绿假单胞菌绿脓菌素合成代谢调控

【目的】为了进一步鉴定铜绿假单胞菌转录调控因子σ~(38)对2个拷贝吩嗪合成基因簇(phz A1-G1和phz A2-G2)的具体调控方式并推定介导绿脓菌素合成代谢的可能调控机制。【方法】根据铜绿假单胞菌基因组信息,利用同源重组原理构建rpo S基因缺失突变株Δrpo S以及克隆全长rpo S基因作互补分析;再以单一吩嗪基因簇缺失突变株Δphz1和Δphz2为出发菌株,分别构建rpo S缺失突变株Δrpo Sphz1和rpo S插入突变株Δrpo Sphz2,测定并比较野生株及相关突变株的绿脓菌素合成量,初步推定σ~(38)因子对2个不同吩嗪基因簇表达的调控方式。【结果】在GA培养基中,突变株Δrpo S的绿脓菌素合成量比野生株显著增加;互补分析证实,σ~(38)可使突变株Δrpo S的绿脓菌素降低并接近野生株PAO1水平;与对照株Δphz1相比,突变株Δrpo Sphz1的绿脓菌素合成量因σ~(38)因子缺失而显著减少;而与对照株Δphz2相比,突变株Δrpo Sphz2的绿脓菌素合成量因σ~(38)因子缺失显著增加。【结论】转录调控因子σ~(38)对铜绿假单胞菌绿脓菌素的合成代谢的确具一定的负调控作用;结合已报道的研究结果,初步推定:σ~(38)因子通过负调控吩嗪基因簇phz1,正调控吩嗪基因簇phz2的表达实现对绿脓菌素合成代谢的调控。     

假单胞菌H78中全局调控蛋白Crc对Plt生物合成及其基因表达的调控

【目的】研究Pseudomonas protegens H78中全局调控蛋白Crc对藤黄绿菌素(Pyoluteorin,Plt)生物合成及其基因表达的调控。【方法】通过同源重组方法无痕敲除crc基因,并将H78Δcrc突变株与H78野生株在KMB培养基中发酵测定Plt产量;采用lac Z报告分析研究Crc对plt合成基因表达的调控。【结果】突变株H78Δcrc的Plt产量显著下降;Crc在整体水平、转录水平及转录后水平均正调控plt合成基因的表达。【结论】全局调控因子Crc对Plt合成及基因表达表现为正调控作用。     

BldM对密旋链霉菌Act12形态发育及抗生素合成的调控

【目的】以多效生防菌株——密旋链霉菌(Streptomyces pactum) Act12为研究材料，探究转录因子BldM对生防链霉菌Act12形态发育及抗生素合成的调控作用。【方法】通过基因工程手段构建bldM基因缺失突变株△bldM及过表达突变株OE-bldM，利用扫描电镜观察、抑菌实验、高效液相色谱检测和实时荧光定量PCR探究缺失突变株△bldM及过表达突变株OE-bldM与野生型(wild) Act12在形态发育、生长速率、寡霉素产量及抗病原菌能力等方面的差异。【结果】经测序验证bldM基因缺失突变体△bldM及过表达突变体OE-bldM均构建成功，其中△bldM寡霉素D产量明显降低且无法形成气生菌丝，而过表达突变株OE-bldM的气生菌丝更加密集，产孢更为丰富。与野生型菌株相比，OE-bldM的寡霉素D产量增加了23%，编码寡霉素核心合成酶基因的转录水平上调了2-3倍，抑菌活性显著增强。【结论】全局性转录调控因子BldM不但能影响Act12气生菌丝及孢子形成，并且参与正调控Act12寡霉素的合成，本研究结果为转录因子BldM的调控功能进行了新的挖掘和补充，并为后续深入研究密旋...     

卡西霉素生物合成调控基因calR2的功能

【背景】卡西霉素(Calcimycin)是由教酒链霉菌NRRL3882产生的吡咯聚醚类抗生素,结构独特且具有广泛的生物活性,但其生物合成调控机制尚不清楚。【目的】研究卡西霉素生物合成基因簇上编码LuxR家族同源蛋白的潜在调控基因calR2的功能。【方法】通过PCR-targeting的方法对卡西霉素基因簇上的calR2基因进行中断,HPLC对突变株及回补菌株的代谢产物进行分析。利用荧光定量RT-PCR分析ΔcalR2突变菌株和野生菌株的基因转录水平差异。【结果】calR2基因中断的突变株不能产生卡西霉素,回补菌株则恢复产生卡西霉素的能力。RT-PCR结果表明卡西霉素生物合成的一些重要骨架基因在ΔcalR2突变株中的转录水平明显降低。【结论】LuxR家族转录调控基因calR2在卡西霉素生物合成过程中起正调控作用。     

卡西霉素生物合成基因簇中调控基因calR1的功能

【背景】卡西霉素(calcimycin)是重要的离子载体抗生素,其生物合成基因簇已从教酒链霉菌NRRL3882的基因组DNA中成功克隆,但基因簇内的部分生物合成基因及调控基因的功能有待研究。【目的】研究卡西霉素产生菌教酒链霉菌NRRL3882中编码TylR家族同源转录调控蛋白的calR1基因的功能。【方法】通过PCR-targeting的方法,构建calR1基因敲除突变株及回补菌株,对突变菌株及回补菌株进行发酵,通过HPLC分析其代谢产物。利用荧光定量PCR检测ΔcalR1突变菌株和野生菌株的生物合成基因转录水平。【结果】calR1基因敲除突变株丧失产生卡西霉素的能力,但仍有中间产物噻唑霉素的积累,回补菌株中卡西霉素的产量有一定程度的恢复。RT-qPCR结果表明,卡西霉素合成相关的一些重要基因calC、calG、calU3等基因的表达量明显改变。【结论】TylR家族转录调控基因calR1是卡西霉素生物合成的调控基因。     

圈卷产色链霉菌san7324和san7324L基因阻断对形态分化和尼可霉素产生的影响

【目的】圈卷产色链霉菌全局性调控基因wblA阻断突变后,尼可霉素不再产生。RNA-seq和转录分析表明san7324基因在野生型菌株中可以正常转录,而在wblA阻断突变株(ΔwblA)中不能转录,为此本文旨在揭示san7324与尼可霉素产生的关系。【方法】利用同源双交换策略对san7324进行基因阻断,而后通过基因遗传回补及对尼可霉素生物合成相关基因的转录分析等方法研究san7324的功能。【结果】在相同培养条件下,阻断突变株Δsan7324与野生型菌株相比失去了合成尼可霉素的能力。我们通过同源比对发现圈卷产色链霉菌中还存在一个与san7324同源的基因san7324L,该基因的阻断导致尼可霉素产量降低。当san7324和san7324L两个基因同时被阻断后,得到的突变株Δsan7324-san7324L生长稀疏而且不能正常发育分化形成灰色表型的孢子或孢子链,只能形成白色表型的气生菌丝,同时也丧失了合成尼可霉素的能力。当这两个基因(san7324-san7324L)回补双突变株后,则恢复了野生型的表型(能形成孢子链并恢复尼可霉素的产生)。进一步的研究初步表明san7324和san7324L的阻断主要影响了尼可霉素生物合成基因簇中途径特异性调控基因sanG的转录水平,从而影响圈卷产色链霉菌的发育分化和尼可霉素的产生。【结论】该结果为链霉菌形态分化与生理代谢关系的研究提供了更多的证据,同时为多效调控基因wblA作用机制的阐明奠定了基础。     

水稻细菌性条斑病菌RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc双组分系统的功能

【目的】旨在阐明双组分系统RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc在水稻细菌性条斑病菌(Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzicola,Xoc)DSF(diffusible signal factor)合成、致病性等相关方面的生物学功能。【方法】以Xoc野生型菌株Rs105为母体,利用自杀载体pK18mobsacB缺失突变rpfCxoc、rpfGxoc和rpfGCxoc(rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc双基因),测定突变体及其互补菌株的DSF合成水平、对水稻的致病性、胞外多糖(extracellular polysaccharide,EPS)产量、菌体形态及群体结构。【结果】从Rs105基因组中克隆了rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc基因,并获得了相应的单基因或双基因缺失突变体。与Rs105相比,ΔrpfCxoc和ΔrpfGCxoc过量合成DSF信号分子,但是ΔrpfGxoc合成DSF的能力显著下降;rpfCxoc和rpfGxoc单基因或双基因的缺失突变均导致Xoc的致病性丧失,EPS合成水平下降34.1%-48.5%,形成菌体高度聚集的生物膜结构。【结论】RpfCxoc/RpfGxoc双组分系统调控Xoc的DSF生物合成、EPS产生和生物膜的驱散,是Xoc保持致病性所必需的因子。     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.     

Apoptosis in experimental myocardial infarction in situ and in the perfused heart in vitro

We report the appearance of apoptotic cells in experimental myocardial infarction (rabbit heart) in in situ and in vitro preparations. Apoptosis was recognized by intravital staining with Hoechst 33342 (Ho342), by nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and by DNA laddering. A steady rise in the relative number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes (apoptotic index) was noted in in situ preparations. Apoptosis was first noted 6 h after the onset of ischemia with its highest value occurring after 72 h. Apoptotic nuclei were absent in remote areas of the left and right ventricles. Apoptotic nuclei within the infarcted area showed diminished intensity of Ho342 fluorescence. Three days after ischemia, a border zone adjacent to the infarcted area consisting of apoptotic macrophages was recognized. A novel finding was the appearance of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the isolated perfused ischemic heart. Occurring as early as 50 min after the onset of ischemia, a high apoptotic index was present adjacent to the ligature placed around the coronary artery. This observation provides the opportunity to selectively examine factors leading to apoptosis in the ischemic heart under controlled experimental conditions.     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.