Characterisation of the beta-tubulin gene of Cylicocyclus nassatus?

mRNA and genomic DNA were isolated from adult Cylicocyclus nassatus, and the mRNA was reverse transcribed. The cDNA was PCR amplified using degenerate primers designed according to the alignment of the β-tubulin amino acid sequences of other species. To complete the coding sequence, the 3′ end was amplified with the 3′-RACE, and for amplification of the 5′ end the SL1-primer was used. The cDNA of the β-tubulin gene of C. nassatus spans 1429 bp and encodes a protein of 448 amino acids. Specific primers were developed from the cDNA sequence to amplify the genomic DNA sequence and to analyse the genomic organisation of the β-tubulin gene. The complete sequence of the genomic DNA of the β-tubulin gene of C. nassatus has a size of 2652 bp and is organised into nine exons and eight introns. The identities with the exons of the gru-1 β-tubulin gene of Haemonchus contortus range between 79% and 97%.     

Dinoflagellate phylogeny as inferred from heat shock protein 90 and ribosomal gene sequences

Background

Interrelationships among dinoflagellates in molecular phylogenies are largely unresolved, especially in the deepest branches. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences provide phylogenetic signals only at the tips of the dinoflagellate tree. Two reasons for the poor resolution of deep dinoflagellate relationships using rDNA sequences are (1) most sites are relatively conserved and (2) there are different evolutionary rates among sites in different lineages. Therefore, alternative molecular markers are required to address the deeper phylogenetic relationships among dinoflagellates. Preliminary evidence indicates that the heat shock protein 90 gene (Hsp90) will provide an informative marker, mainly because this gene is relatively long and appears to have relatively uniform rates of evolution in different lineages.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We more than doubled the previous dataset of Hsp90 sequences from dinoflagellates by generating additional sequences from 17 different species, representing seven different orders. In order to concatenate the Hsp90 data with rDNA sequences, we supplemented the Hsp90 sequences with three new SSU rDNA sequences and five new LSU rDNA sequences. The new Hsp90 sequences were generated, in part, from four additional heterotrophic dinoflagellates and the type species for six different genera. Molecular phylogenetic analyses resulted in a paraphyletic assemblage near the base of the dinoflagellate tree consisting of only athecate species. However, Noctiluca was never part of this assemblage and branched in a position that was nested within other lineages of dinokaryotes. The phylogenetic trees inferred from Hsp90 sequences were consistent with trees inferred from rDNA sequences in that the backbone of the dinoflagellate clade was largely unresolved.

Conclusions/Significance

The sequence conservation in both Hsp90 and rDNA sequences and the poor resolution of the deepest nodes suggests that dinoflagellates reflect an explosive radiation in morphological diversity in their recent evolutionary past. Nonetheless, the more comprehensive analysis of Hsp90 sequences enabled us to infer phylogenetic interrelationships of dinoflagellates more rigorously. For instance, the phylogenetic position of Noctiluca, which possesses several unusual features, was incongruent with previous phylogenetic studies. Therefore, the generation of additional dinoflagellate Hsp90 sequences is expected to refine the stem group of athecate species observed here and contribute to future multi-gene analyses of dinoflagellate interrelationships.     

环链棒束孢hsp90基因的克隆及冷热胁迫下的表达特征分析

通过本地Blast筛选转录组数据库方法,首次克隆了环链棒束孢热休克蛋白90基因全长cDNA序列,命名为Ichsp90（GenBank登录号KT944289）。克隆结果表明,该序列含有2 284个碱基,包括一个含2 097个碱基的开放阅读框,编码699个氨基酸,推测蛋白的分子量为79.23kDa,等电点（pI）为4.86,且含有5个Hsp90家族特征基序和胞质特征序列MEEVD,推导的氨基酸序列与其他丝状真菌相似性在92%-96%之间。用qRT-PCR方法分析了冷热胁迫下,该基因在环链棒束孢中的相对表达情况,结果表明：在4℃冷胁迫下15min检测到Ichsp90表达量下降到最低点,为对照的-1.8倍;随后表达量开始上升,至120min表达量是对照的1.07倍。在39℃高温胁迫下,60min Ichsp90表达量达到最高峰,为对照样品的5.02倍;随后表达量开始下降,至110min为对照样品的2.46倍。因此推测,Ichsp90基因在环链棒束孢抵抗外界温度胁迫中发挥重要的作用。     

A seven-coordinate manganese(II) complex formed with the single heptadentate ligand N,N,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-N′-(2-salicylideneethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine

The new disymmetric ligand N,N,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)-N′-(2-salicylideneethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (LH) has been synthesized in the search of a novel type of manganese complex to mimic the active site of the water-oxidizing enzyme in photosystem II. The complex [Mn(II)L]ClO₄ has been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Pn with the following unit cell parameters: a=10.164(3), b=10.122(4), c=14.166(5) Å, β=93.48(2)° and Z=2. The manganese ion is heptacoordinated with the coordination being achieved by only one ligand; it is bonded to the oxygen atom of the phenolate group in an axial position, the imino and the three pyridine nitrogen atoms in an equatorial position and the two amine atoms in a pseudo-axial position. The coordination polyhedron is best described as a distorted monocapped trigonal prism. This structure was compared with the seven-coordinated Mn(II) complexes deposited in the Cambridge Structured Database (CSD). The redox potential of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) couple was determined by cyclic voltammetry.     

Species delimitation of North American Nyssa species

The development of next-generation sequencing technologies allows researchers to address complex problems in species delimitation, especially for non-model organisms. The taxonomic status of North American Nyssa species has long been debated and remains controversial. To elucidate the genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of the five currently recognized North American Nyssa species, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of representative individuals and identified genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by utilizing the recently released chromosome-level assembly of Nyssa sinensis genome. Population genetic and phylogenetic analyses consistently inferred four well-supported genetic clusters from our sampled individuals, that is, N. aquatica, N. ogeche, N. sylvatica, and N. biflora–N. ursina. Although the identification of N. biflora and N. ursina is primarily based on the morphological characteristics of leaves and drupes, the present evidence, including our principal components analysis of leaf morphological traits, strongly supports the taxonomic designation of N. biflora and N. ursina as a single species. In addition, these four genetic clusters were grouped into two major clades, that is, clade 1 (N. aquatica and N. ogeche) and clade 2 (N. sylvatica and N. biflora–N. ursina). Despite the fact that no evidence of widespread gene flow was found between these two major clades, our analyses revealed the possibility of introgression from N. sylvatica into N. biflora, albeit at a relatively low frequency. This study demonstrates the use of whole-genome sequences as a promising avenue for delimiting species boundaries and further advocates for an integrative approach in the assessment of species delimitation.     

Cannulation in situ of equine umbilicus. Identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of differences in steroid content between arterial and venous supplies to and from the placental surface

Equine umbilicus was cannulated in utero and a series of cord plasma samples removed for analysis. After steroid extraction and derivatisation, gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis demonstrated large differences in steroid content between the plasma samples obtained from the umbilical artery and vein, the blood supplies leading to and from the placental surface, respectively. 3β-Hydroxy-5,7-androstadien-17-one, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, 3β-hydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one, 5-pregnene-3β,20β-diol and 5β-pregnane-3β,20β-diol were identified as major constituents in extracts from umbilical arterial plasma samples, mostly as unconjugated steroids. Together with 5-pregnane-3,20-dione, these steroids were identified in extracts from umbilical venous plasma samples but at significantly reduced levels to those determined in arterial plasma samples. Oestradiol-17, dihydroequilin-17 and dihydroequilenin-17 were identified in extracts (mostly sulphate-conjugated) from both umbilical arterial and venous plasma samples, much larger amounts being detected in the plasma sampled from, rather than to, the placental surface. Equilin, equilenin, oestrone, oestradiol-17β, dihydroequilin-17β and dihydroequilenin-17β were not detected in the present studies. Isomers of 5(10)-oestrene-3,17β-diol together with 5(10),7-oestradiene-3,17β-diol and its possible oxidative artifact, 5(10),7,9-oestratriene-3,17β-diol, were tentatively identified only in sulphate-conjugated extracts from umbilical venous plasma samples. No glucuronic acid-conjugated steroids could be detected. The implications of this work in the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways leading to both the formation of oestrogens and C₁₈ neutral steroids at the placental surface are discussed.     

草菇不同菌株RT-qPCR参考基因筛选

适合的参考基因是应用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)技术进行基因表达分析的前提。本研究以7个食用菌常用参考基因(β-TUB 1、GPD、ACTB、Ras、α-TUB、β-TUB 2和SPRYp)为候选基因,利用RT-qPCR检测其在草菇常用生产菌株(CPS)V844、V5、V971和V844继代退化菌株(SDS) T8、T12、T16、T20中的表达;用Genorm、NormFinder和BestKeeper3种软件分析候选基因的表达稳定性,并结合几何平均数法筛选出最佳参考基因。结果表明,SPRYp、α-TUB和β-TUB2基因适用于草菇常用生产菌株检测,SPRYp、GPD和α-TUB基因适用于草菇继代退化检测,SPRYp基因适用于两种条件的检测。两两差异分析表明,草菇常用生产菌株的最佳参考基因组合为SPRYp、α-TUB和β-TUB 2,继代退化菌株的最佳参考基因组合为SPRYp和GPD,两种条件混合菌株的最佳参考基因组合为SPRYp和α-TUB。     

Ergosterol peroxides as phospholipase A2 inhibitors from the fungus Lactarius hatsudake

Four ergosterol derivatives (1–4) have been isolated for the first time from the fruiting bodies of a basidiomycete fungus, Lactarius hatsudake, through activity-guided fractionation. Their structures were determined, using spectroscopic analysis, as: (22E,24R)-ergosta-5,7,22-dien-3β-ol (ergosterol, 1); 5,8-epidioxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (ergosterol peroxide, 2); 5,8-epidioxy-(24S)-ergosta-6-en-3β-ol (3); and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3β,5,6β-triol (cerevisterol, 4). Compounds 2 and 3 showed selective inhibitory activity against Crotalus adamenteus venom phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) enzyme, but not against Apis mellifcra bee venom PLA₂. The antiphospholipase A₂ activity of compounds 2 and 3 are reported here for the first time.     

黑沙蒿光合能量分配组分在生长季的相对变化与调控机制

为了探明典型荒漠灌木优势物种黑沙蒿(俗名油蒿, Artemisia ordosica)光合过程能量中分配对环境波动的相对变化及其长期调节机制, 该研究于2018年4-10月在宁夏盐池毛乌素沙地, 同时使用MONITORING-PAM多通道荧光监测仪和LI-6400XT便携式光合测量仪对黑沙蒿叶片的最小荧光产量(F_o)、最大荧光产量(F_m)、稳态荧光产量(F_s)、光下最大荧光产量(F_m′)、净光合速率(P_n)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)、蒸腾速率(E)和叶片气孔导度(g_s)进行现场测定, 在实验室内计算比叶面积(SLA)、单位面积氮含量(N_area)、叶绿素含量(C_Chl)和叶绿素a/b (Chl a/b), 分析黑沙蒿光合过程能量分配中固碳耗能占比(Φ_A)、光呼吸耗能占比(Φ_PR)、调节性热耗散耗能占比(Φ_NPQ)和非调节性热耗散耗能占比(Φ_NO)与环境参数和叶性状参数之间的关系以及能量分配各组分之间的相对变化。结果表明, 光化学反应组分(Φ_A、Φ_PR)和热耗散组分(Φ_NPQ、Φ_NO)之间呈负相关竞争关系, 两组分内部呈正相关协同关系, E和Φ_A、Φ_PR正相关, 和Φ_NPQ、Φ_NO负相关。在低土壤含水量(SWC)和高饱和水汽压差(VPD)环境条件下, 黑沙蒿Φ_A、Φ_PR和SLA显著降低, Φ_NPQ和Φ_NO显著增加。研究认为, 在长期干旱或高蒸散条件下, 黑沙蒿通过降低SLA等途径避免水分的过度流失, 同时将部分过剩光能由光呼吸代谢途径转移到热耗散组分进行耗散。波动环境下黑沙蒿形态性状的变异和光合过程能量分配的长期调节机制, 反映了其利用形态与生理的协同可塑性对逆境的适应。     

金针菇淀粉酶家族基因鉴定及其表达特性分析

本研究对金针菇淀粉酶家族基因进行了信息分析,并选用金针菇双核菌株H1123作为实验材料,分析了菌丝生长过程中淀粉酶活性和淀粉酶基因表达特性之间的关系。结果表明,金针菇淀粉酶家族包含6个α淀粉酶和1个γ淀粉酶。7个淀粉酶基因的表达量均在菌丝接种后第10天出现峰值,并与胞外淀粉酶活性呈同步变化,说明基质中淀粉的分解和利用是淀粉酶家族各成员之间相互协调的结果。其中α-Amy-1、α-Amy-4、α-Amy-5的上调幅度最大,为淀粉降解和代谢过程的主效基因。值得注意的是胞内淀粉酶基因α-Amy-1在第10天时达到约90倍的上调表达水平。我们推测：金针菇胞外淀粉酶将淀粉分解为小分子单糖的同时,其胞内淀粉酶也参与了这些糖类的吸收和运输过程。     

Dynamics and regulations of ecosystem light use efficiency in a broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest,Changbai Mountain

Aims Ecosystem light use efficiency (LUE) reflects the ability of CO₂ uptake and light utilization via photosynthesis, which is a key parameter in ecosystem models to evaluate ecosystem productivity. The objectives of this study were to: (1) compare the differences of LUE derived from different methods; (2) elucidate the seasonal dynamics of LUE and its regulatory factors; and (3) evaluate the maximum LUE (LUE_max) and its variability based on eddy-covariance (EC) flux.Methods Using the flux data from an EC tower during 2003-2005 at a broad-leaved Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) mixed forest, Changbai Mountain, two types of LUE indicators were generated from: 1) the apparent quantum yield (ε) estimated with rectangular hyperbolic curve, and 2) the ecological light use efficiency (LUE_eco) calculated as the ratio between gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and photosynthetically-active radiation (Q).Important findings The seasonal variation of ε and LUE_eco appeared a unimodal pattern within a year, with the variations significantly dominated by soil surface temperature and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A positive correlation between GEP and LUE was found for both ε and LUE_eco, with the effect of Q on LUE relatively weak. The increase in diffusion radiation appeared favorable for enhanced LUE. Generally, there was a significant positive relationship between ε and LUE_eco, while ε was higher than LUE_eco, especially during the mid-season. The annual maximum value of ε and LUE_eco was (0.087 ± 0.003) and (0.040 ± 0.002) μmol CO₂·μmol photon^-1 over the three years, respectively. The interannual variability of LUE_max for ε and LUE_eco was 4.17% and 4.25%, respectively, with a maximum difference of >8%, likely resulted from considerable uncertainty in model simulations. Our results indicated that the inversion and optimization of maximum LUE should be taken seriously in the application of LUE models.     

黑河中游春玉米叶片水δD和δ18O的富集过程和影响因素

植物水的稳定同位素分馏过程是水在土壤-植物-大气连续体中循环的重要环节。以往研究由于叶片水¹⁸O同位素比值(δ¹⁸O _l,b)和氘(D)同位素比值(δD_l,b)(合称δ_l,b)实测数量少只能作为模型验证数据, 导致δ_l,b富集机制研究多集中于模型研究, 缺乏基于野外试验条件的δ_l,b富集的控制机制研究。叶片水δD_l,b和δ¹⁸O _l,b的富集程度(ΔD_l,b和Δ¹⁸O _l,b, 合称Δ_l,b)通常表示为δ_l,b与茎秆水D同位素比值(δD_x)和¹⁸O同位素比值(δ¹⁸O_x) (合称δ_x)之差, 即Δ_l,b = δ_l,b - δ_x。该研究以黑河中游沙漠绿洲春玉米(Zea mays)生态系统为研究对象, 重点采集和分析了季节和日尺度δ_l,b和δ_x数据, 配套开展了大气水汽δ¹⁸O和δD (合称δ_v)等辅助变量的原位连续观测, 探讨了季节和日尺度上的δ_l,b富集特征及其影响因素。结果表明: 叶片水δ_l,b和Δ_l,b的季节变化趋势不明显, 而受蒸腾作用影响表现出白天富集夜间贫化的单峰日变化特征。对于D来说, 无论季节尺度上还是日尺度上, 大气水汽δ_v和相对湿度是δD_l,b和ΔD_l,b的主要环境控制因素; 而对于¹⁸O来说, 无论季节尺度上还是日尺度上, 相对湿度是δ¹⁸O _l,b和Δ¹⁸O _l,b的主要环境控制因素。由于D和¹⁸O在热力学平衡分馏上有约8倍差异, 直接分析叶片水ΔD_l,b和Δ¹⁸O_l,b与影响因素的差异性, 有助于理解叶片水δD和δ¹⁸O富集过程以及对模型发展有一定的指导意义。     

锁阳及其寄主白刺内生真菌的生态分布及遗传关系

首次研究了寄生植物锁阳及其寄主白刺内生真菌的分布特征及遗传关系.采用组织块法分离天然白刺、寄生体中锁阳和白刺的内生真菌,利用ITS-rDNA分子序列并结合形态学方法鉴定菌种,研究内生真菌的分离率、定殖率、分离频率、多样性指数、均匀度指数及相似性系数等的差异,以及寄生关系中内生真菌的多样性、遗传关系及分布特征等.结果表明: 本次获得的49株内生真菌隶属于18个分类单元,95.9%为子囊菌,4.1%为担子菌;内生真菌总分离率为15.3%,总定殖率为25.0%;天然白刺中内生真菌Shannon多样性指数最大,为2.13;锁阳花序与锁阳茎的内生真菌相似性系数最大,为0.50;镰孢菌属为白刺的优势菌属,青霉属为锁阳的优势菌属.锁阳与白刺寄生体中真菌类群的差异性分布表明寄生关系对内生真菌群落存在一定影响.     

Charophyte growth in small temperate water bodies: Extreme isotopic disequilibrium and implications for the palaeoecology of shallow marl lakes

A small pond containing the charophyte Chara hispida was monitored over a one-year period for changes in growth, water chemistry, water level and stable isotopic composition. Chara growth was found to be seasonal, with maximum growth occurring from late April to July. During this period, pH rose to > 10 while the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and calcium fell as a result of photosynthesis and calcification. Large gradients in pH, water temperature and irradiance were found within the Chara sward and measurements showed that most growth and photosynthesis occurred within the upper 20 cm of the water column. Chara oospore formation was also found to be seasonal but dependent upon environmental conditions.

δ¹⁸O_w rose rapidly during summer as evaporation progressed and this was correlated with the δ¹⁸O_DIC, and to some extent with δ¹⁸O_c of the Chara encrusted calcite. However, extreme isotopic disequilibrium was observed between the δ¹⁸O_c and the δ¹⁸O_w and also between the δ¹³C_c and the δ¹³C_DIC. This arose from the high pH allowing atmospheric CO₂ to enter the water and combine directly with OH⁻.

It is concluded that, within shallow eutrophic lakes containing Chara swards, inferences of climate (e.g. air temperature) cannot be made from observations of the isotopic composition of Chara carbonates. However in combination with other geochemical data, disequilibrium events may be identifiable in ancient lake basins and taken as evidence for lake shallowing and/or eutrophication.     

Effect of temperature and pH on 31P nuclear magnetic resonances of phospholipids in cholate micelles

Accurate and precise determination of phospholipid composition by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy requires correct assignments and adequate spectral resolution. Because temperature and pH may affect chemical shifts (δ), our first aim was to establish the temperature coefficient (Δδ/ΔT) of common phospholipid classes when using sodium cholate as detergent. This parameter can then be used to aid in resonance assignments. The second goal was to investigate the pH dependence of δ so that, in addition to temperature, pH control can be used to minimize spectral overlap. For phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, dihydrosphingomyelin and phosphatidylglycerol, δ values were invariant with pH and temperature. Whereas the Δδ/ΔT for phosphatidylinositol was 4 × 10⁻³ ppm/°C, regardless of pH, these coefficients were highly pH-dependent for phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine, exhibiting maximal variations with the deprotonation of the headgroup, particularly for phosphatidic acid. These trends indicate the importance of H-bonding on δ and Δδ/ΔT for phospholipid resonances.     

蒸散发广义互补原理中关键参数αe的时空变化特征及计算方法分析

蒸散发广义互补原理是实测数据稀少条件下估算蒸散发的重要方法, 其中准确估算参数α_e是应用该方法的关键。该研究利用中国不同气候和生态类型的8个通量站数据, 首先基于实测数据校准得到α_e年值及月值, 探究α_e的时空变异性并对比使用不同时间尺度的α_e对广义互补原理模型计算精度的影响。考虑到实际情况下蒸散发实测数据缺乏而无法校准得到α_e, 进一步探究两个基于干旱系数(AI)的α_e年值统计模型(下称Liu法和Brutsaert法)在站点尺度的适用性, 明确α_e是否可以利用AI确定, 最后探讨各计算方法的误差来源。主要结论如下: 1)季节变化影响α_e, 不同通量站α_e月值变化规律有所差异; 在空间变化上, 湿润站点α_e年值总体大于干旱站点。Liu法和Brutsaert法计算的α_e接近年校准值。2)在应用广义互补原理模型时, 使用校准α_e年值能取得较好的模拟精度, 使用各月份α_e时精度进一步提升。两种基于AI的免校准方法取得较好的模拟效果, 当缺少实测数据而无法校准α_e时, 基于AI计算α_e具有较大的潜力。3)使用校准α_e年值时广义互补原理模型能模拟出蒸散发的年内变化趋势, 但在部分月份估算值出现偏差。Liu法和Brutsaert法计算的蒸散发在干旱站点的夏季月份呈现低估现象, 原因可能在于高估了降雨集中的夏季月份的AI。结果也进一步验证了广义互补原理在估算广泛不同的自然环境下的蒸散发的潜力。     

Two non-reactive ternary complexes of estrogenic 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: crystallization and preliminary structural analysis.

Human estrogenic 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD1, EC1.1.1.62) is an important enzyme that catalyses the last step of active estrogen formation. 17β-HSD1 plays a key role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The three-dimensional structures of this enzyme and of the enzyme-estradiol complex have been solved (Zhu et al., 1993, J. Mol. Biol. 234:242; Ghosh et al., 1995, Structure 3:503; Azzi et al., 1996, Nature Struct. Biol. 3:665). The determination of the non-reactive ternary complex structure, which could mimic the transition state, constitutes a further critical step toward the rational design of inhibitors for this enzyme (Ghosh et al. 1995, Structure 3:503; Penning, 1996, Endocrine-Related Cancer, 3:41).

To further study the transition state, two non-reactive ternary complexes, 17β-HSD1–EM519-NADP⁺ and 17β-HSD1–EM553-NADP⁺ were crystallized using combined methods of soaking and co-crystallization. Although they belong to the same C2 space group, they have different unit cells, with a=155.59 Å, b=42.82 Å, c=121.15 Å, β=128.5° for 17β-HSD1–EM519-NADP⁺, and a=124.01 Å, b=45.16 Å, c=61.40 Å, β=99.2° for 17β-HSD1–EM553-NADP⁺, respectively. Our preliminary results revealed that the inhibitors interact differently with the enzyme than do the natural substrates.