Cry1Ab蛋白对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫体内三种保护酶活性的影响

室内采用酶活力测定方法研究转B t基因水稻表达的Cry1Ab蛋白对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫体内3种保护酶(AChE、SOD和CAT)活性的影响。结果表明,用转B t基因水稻处理稻纵卷叶螟幼虫,饲喂4 h、36 h后,其体内AChE活力分别比对照增加了52.09%、128.51%,并且都极显著(P<0.01)高于对照组;取食转基因水稻叶片4 h后,幼虫体内SOD酶活性比对照提高了91.5%,与对照有显著差异;36 h后活性达到最大值,但与对照差异不显著。取食转基因水稻叶片24 h后,幼虫体内CAT酶活性达到最大值且高于对照,但与对照差异不显著;48 h后酶活性受到显著抑制,与对照差异显著。同时,测定了幼虫体内及其粪便中Cry1Ab蛋白含量的变化,结果表明,取食转基因水稻叶片12 h后,进入体内的Cry1Ab蛋白随粪便排出,幼虫体内的Cry1Ab蛋白含量一直低于粪便中的含量,且在24 h时两者差异达到最大。由于Cry1Ab蛋白在幼虫体内的积累,扰乱了稻纵卷叶螟幼虫体内AChE、SOD和C AT保护酶的动态平衡,使虫体内自由基的清除遇到障碍,从而对其产生毒害作用。     

Targeted suppression of μ‐calpain and caspase 9 expression and its effect on caspase 3 and caspase 7 in satellite cells of Korean Hanwoo cattle

The calpains play an important role in cell death and cell signalling. Caspases catalyse wholesale destruction of cellular proteins which is a major cause of cellular death. The current study looks at the function of μ‐calpain and caspase 9, using RNAi (RNA interference)‐mediated silencing, and to observe the mRNA expression level of caspase genes during satellite cell growth. The satellite cells were treated with siRNA (small interfering RNA) of μ‐calpain and caspase 9 separately. There was reduction of 16 and 24% in CAPN1 (calpain1)‐siRNA2 and CAPN1‐siRNA3 transfected cells respectively, whereas it was 60 and 56% in CAPN1‐siRNA1 and CAPN1‐siRNA4 transfected cells respectively. CAPN1‐siRNA4 and CAPN1‐siRNA1 treated cells showed more reduction in caspase 3 and 7 gene expression. CARD9 (caspase recruitment domain 9)‐siRNA1 and CARD9‐siRNA2‐treated cells showed reduction of 40 and 49% respectively. CARD9‐siRNA1 and CARD9‐siRNA2 showed an increase in caspase 3 gene expression, whereas CARD9‐siRNA2 showed reduction in caspase 7 gene expression. These results suggest a strong cross‐talk between μ‐calpain and the caspase enzyme systems. Suppression of target genes, such as μ‐calpain and caspase 9, might have genuine potential in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy.     

水稻施用硅肥对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫保护酶和解毒酶活性的影响

【目的】研究施硅水稻对稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis(Guenée)幼虫保护酶(过氧化氢酶CAT、过氧化物酶POD、超氧化物歧化酶SOD)和解毒酶(谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶GST、乙酰胆碱酯酶ACh E)活性的影响,为探明硅增强水稻抗稻纵卷叶螟的机理和稻纵卷叶螟的综合治理提供依据。【方法】采用感虫水稻品种TN1,设置2种施硅水平,即0.32 g Si/kg土壤(Si+)和不施硅(Si-),测定取食水稻24、48、72、96 h后3龄幼虫体内CAT、POD、SOD、GST、ACh E活性的动态变化。【结果】幼虫取食Si+水稻前期(24~48 h),CAT、POD、SOD活性呈上升趋势,并在48 h时达到最高值;取食后期(48~96 h),CAT、POD、SOD活性下降并在96 h时显著低于Si-处理。在Si-处理中,幼虫CAT和POD活性"先降低、再升高",SOD活性呈一直增大的趋势。取食Si+水稻幼虫GST活性始终显著高于Si-处理,而ACh E活性均低于Si-水稻,并在72 h和96 h时显著低于Si-水稻。处理间幼虫存活率存在显著差异,Si+水稻上1龄和3龄幼虫的存活率显著低于Si-水稻。这些结果说明,硅处理可能使稻纵卷叶螟幼虫产生应激反应引起保护酶活性在短时间内增大,但取食一段时间后保护酶活性下降。ACh E活性受到抑制,会引起昆虫神经传导的异常反应,造成昆虫死亡。【结论】硅可能通过参与植物的生理代谢过程,诱导植物增加次生代谢物的合成和积累,引起稻纵卷叶螟保护酶和解毒酶的活性变化,可能会影响稻纵卷叶螟的存活。     

Effects of temperature and delayed initial feeding on the survival and growth of Japanese flounder larvae

The effects of the timing of initial feeding (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days after yolk exhaustion) and temperature (15, 18 and 21° C) on the point‐of‐no‐return (PNR), survival and growth of laboratory‐reared Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus larvae were studied under controlled conditions. The larvae reached PNR on 7·7, 5·2 and 4·2 days‐post‐hatching (dph) at 15, 18 and 21° C, respectively. At each temperature, larval growth did not differ significantly among the delayed initial feedings 1 day before PNR but decreased significantly in larvae first fed after that. In the treatments where initial feeding was equally delayed, larvae grew significantly faster at 18 and 21° C than at 15° C. The larvae survived apparently better at 15 and 18° C than at 21° C when initial feeding was equally delayed. At each temperature, survival of the larvae first fed before PNR did not differ noticeably, while delayed initial feeding after that apparently reduced their survival. These results indicated that there existed a negatively temperature‐dependent PNR in the Japanese flounder larvae. Survival and growth of the larvae strongly depended on temperature as well as the timing of initial feeding. High temperature accelerated the yolk exhaustion and growth of the larvae and thus reduced their starvation tolerance and survival. To avoid potential starvation mortality and obtain good growth, the Japanese flounder larvae must establish successful initial feeding within 2 days after yolk exhaustion at 15° C and within 1 day at both 18 and 21° C.     

RNAi靶向VP2基因抑制中蜂囊状幼虫病毒在中华蜜蜂幼虫体内复制研究

中蜂囊状幼虫病(Chinese sacbrood disease,CSBD)是造成中华蜜蜂患病死亡的主要原因之一,目前尚无有效的治疗方法。为了研究靶向中蜂囊状幼虫病毒(Chinese sacbrood virus,CSBV)结构蛋白VP2基因的siRNA介导的RNA干扰(RNA interference,RNAi)作用和其对CSBV在中华蜜蜂幼虫体内复制的影响,设计合成针对CSBV VP2基因的特异性siRNA,以100 nM的浓度与pEGFPN1-VP2-CSBV融合表达载体共同转染至293T细胞中,通过荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪观察和分析siRNA在体外对CSBV VP2基因表达的干扰效果。同时,将siRNA(1μg/μL)和1×10~7拷贝数的CSBV共同饲喂2日龄中华蜜蜂幼虫,检测幼虫体内CSBV拷贝数和幼虫存活率,研究siR-NA对中华蜜蜂幼虫体内CSBV复制的影响。荧光结果显示,在293T细胞中siRNA能抑制CSBV VP2蛋白的表达,并且通过流式细胞仪检测分析发现干扰效果接近40%。幼虫饲喂实验表明,饲喂siRNA组在各时间点幼虫体内CSBV拷贝数均低于CSBV对照组,且在摄入siRNA后感染CSBV的幼虫存活率明显上升,与CSBV组差异极显著(P<0.01)。通过本研究,证明了针对CSBV结构蛋白VP2基因的特异性siRNA能够介导产生RNAi,影响CSBV在中蜂体内的复制,为深入研究CSBV VP2基因的功能和研发抗CSBV生物制剂提供了理论基础。     

Mutation in ace1 associated with an insecticide resistant population of Plutella xylostella

Insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was determined to be involved in an EPN-resistant (ER) strain and a contaminated susceptible (CS) strain of diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella L.), as estimated by AChE inhibition assay using DDVP as a inhibitor in a nondenaturing electrophoresis gel. The ER strain exhibited very high AChE insensitivity, high resistance ratio, and two point mutations (G324A, A298S) in ace1-type AChE gene (Pxace1). The CS strain showed low AChE insensitivity, low resistance ratio, and it has only one point mutation (G324A). These findings suggest that the A298S mutation, along with reported G324A mutation (Baek et al, 2005), can be important in the development of organophosphate resistance. These results also suggest that the A298S mutation could be a good candidate for a molecular diagnosis marker for resistance monitoring. Three molecular diagnosis methods (Quantitative Sequencing; QS, PCR amplification of specific alleles; PASA and restriction fragment length polymorphism; RFLP) were developed which successfully detected specific resistance associated point mutations. Seven local population DBMs were surveyed and showed high insecticide resistance levels and a A298S mutation in Pxace1. These methods can be used to monitor the resistance allele in field population of DBMs and resistance management strategy.     

Kinesin‐2 differentially regulates the anterograde axonal transports of acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase in Drosophila

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are involved in acetylcholine synthesis and degradation at pre‐ and postsynaptic compartments, respectively. Here we show that their anterograde transport in Drosophila larval ganglion is microtubule‐dependent and occurs in two different time profiles. AChE transport is constitutive while that of ChAT occurs in a brief pulse during third instar larva stage. Mutations in the kinesin‐2 motor subunit Klp64D and separate siRNA‐mediated knock‐outs of all the three kinesin‐2 subunits disrupt the ChAT and AChE transports, and these antigens accumulate in discrete nonoverlapping punctae in neuronal cell bodies and axons. Quantification analysis further showed that mutations in Klp64D could independently affect the anterograde transport of AChE even before that of ChAT. Finally, ChAT and AChE were coimmunoprecipitated with the kinesin‐2 subunits but not with each other. Altogether, these suggest that kinesin‐2 independently transports AChE and ChAT within the same axon. It also implies that cargo availability could regulate the rate and frequency of transports by kinesin motors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006     

Survival of cabbage stem flea beetle larvae,Psylliodes chrysocephala,exposed to low temperatures

The cabbage stem flea beetle, Psylliodes chrysocephala (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of winter oilseed rape. The larvae live throughout winter in leaf petioles and stems. Winter temperatures might play an important role in survival during winter and hence population dynamics, yet to what degree is unknown. This study investigates the effect of exposure time, cold acclimation, and larval stage on survival at ?5 and ?10 °C. Exposure time at ?5 °C was 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 days and 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h at ?10 °C. Mortality increased with increasing exposure time and was significantly lower for cold‐acclimated larvae. Estimated time until an expected mortality of 50% (LT₅₀) and 90% (LT₉₀) of larvae exposed to ?5 °C was 7.4 and 9.6 days (non‐acclimated) and 11.0 and 15.1 days (acclimated), respectively. Estimated LT₅₀ for non‐acclimated and acclimated larvae exposed to ?10 °C was 32.6 and 70.5 h, respectively, and estimated LT₉₀ 66.8 and 132.2 h. Significant differences in mortality between larval stages were observed only at ?5 °C. When exposed to ?5 °C for 8 days, mortality of first and second instars was 81.2 and 51.3%, respectively. When exposed to ?10 °C for 2 days, mortality of first and second instars was 70.5 and 76.1%. Data on winter temperatures in Denmark from 1990 to 2013 showed that larvae were rarely exposed to a number of continuous days at ?5 or ?10 °C causing a potential larval mortality of 50–90%.     

大鼠脊髓不完全性损伤后前角运动神经元的酶细胞化学改变

以改良Ａｌｅｎ氏法造成Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠不完全性脊髓损伤,采用神经学功能评分法评定大鼠运动功能,应用定量酶细胞化学方法观察脊髓前角运动神经元内乙酰胆碱酯酶（ＡＣｈＥ）和酸性磷酸酶（ＡｃＰ）活性变化。结果显示：１．脊髓损伤后大鼠运动功能障碍,随后逐渐恢复。２．前角运动神经元内ＡＣｈＥ活性减弱、ＡｃＰ活性增强;随后酶活性呈逐渐恢复,四周时ＡＣｈＥ活性基本恢复正常。结果说明：大鼠脊髓不完全性损伤后运动功能变化与前角运动神经元的功能状态具有较强的相关性;前角运动神经元在不完全性脊髓损伤运动功能恢复中起重要作用。     

抗胆碱酯酶剂亚致死剂量对棉铃虫毒力的影响及对乙酰胆碱酯酶的诱导作用

辛硫磷、马拉硫磷和灭多威3种抗胆碱酯酶剂亚致死剂量（LD10）预处理棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera 3龄幼虫24 h后,对辛硫磷、马拉硫磷、灭多威、溴氰菊酯和高效氯氰菊酯5种杀虫药剂的毒力影响有明显差异。酶动力学研究表明：在48 h内,辛硫磷亚致死剂量对棉铃虫乙酰胆碱酯酶比活力有一定的抑制作用,24 h仅为对照组的0.56倍;马拉硫磷、灭多威则可以诱导乙酰胆碱酯酶的比活力增加,诱导最大值时间分别为3 h和12 h。通过对米氏常数（K_m）值分析表明,辛硫磷诱导48 h内对乙酰胆碱酯酶与底物亲和力的影响不大,马拉硫磷、灭多威诱导48 h内乙酰胆碱酯酶对底物亲和力有所下降,其中灭多威诱导组最为明显。3种药剂亚致死剂量处理24 h后,通过蔗糖密度梯度离心表明5%蔗糖梯度层乙酰胆碱酯酶分布百分数明显高于对照组,而20%蔗糖梯度层却明显低于对照组,说明亚致死剂量处理可能引起乙酰胆碱酯酶分子型及不同分子型分布比例的变化。     

Fertility of gynogenetic Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

In order to investigate whether meiotic gynogenetic Atlantic cod is fertile and able to produce viable offspring, meiotic gynogenetic females were produced in spring 2010 by activating cod eggs using irradiated sperm. The extrusion of the second polar body was prevented by the application of hydrostatic pressure (56.6 MPa) 36 min after fertilization. In February 2012, their mean round weight was 972 g, and 2580 g in March 2013. In 2012, when the fish were 2 years old, about 52% were mature, 33% were immature, and 13% had undifferentiated gonads. One year later, 77% were mature, 11% were immature, and 11% had undifferentiated gonads. Several of the mature females had malformed gonads, with only one developed ovary lobe or with the two lobes fused. The mean gonadosomic index (GSI) of the 2‐year‐old mature females was 5.2%, with an estimated relative fecundity of 581 000 eggs kg ovary‐free wet weight^?1. Females were stripped for eggs when 2 and 3 years old (2012 and 2013), and fertilized with sperm from normal males. Offspring were obtained from 12 of 17 and 12 of 15 egg batches incubated in 2012 and 2013, respectively, proving that the gynogenetic females are fertile. Furthermore, larvae in all but one of the hatched groups from 2013 had commenced feeding 2 h after being startfed using rotifers 4 days after hatch, indicating viable offspring.     

Prolonged gene silencing in hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes after small interfering RNA delivery with biodegradable poly(beta-amino esters)

Background

Small interfering (si)RNA mediated inhibition of oncogenes or viral genes may offer great opportunities for the treatment of several diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma and viral hepatitis. However, the development of siRNAs as therapeutic agents strongly depends on the availability of safe and effective intracellular delivery systems. Poly(β‐amino esters) (PbAEs) are, in contrast to many other cationic polymers evaluated in siRNA delivery, biodegradable into smaller, nontoxic molecules.

Methods and Results

We show for the first time that PbAE : siRNA complexes, containing 1,4‐butanediol (PbAE1) or 1,6‐hexanediol (PbAE2) diacrylate‐based polymers, induced efficient gene silencing in both hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes without causing significant cytotoxicity. Furthermore, carriers that slowly release the siRNA into the cytoplasm and hence induce a prolonged gene silencing are of major clinical interest, especially in fast dividing tumour cells. Therefore, we also studied the duration of gene silencing in the hepatoma cells and found that it was maintained for at least 5 days after siRNA delivery with PbAE2, the polymer with the slowest degradation kinetics.

Conclusions

From the time‐dependent cellular distribution of these PbAE : siRNA complexes, we suggest that the slowly degrading PbAE2 causes a sustained endosomal release of siRNA during a much longer period than PbAE1. This may support the hypothesis that the endosomal release mechanism of PbAE : siRNA complexes is based on an increase of osmotic pressure in the endosomal vesicles after polymer hydrolysis. In conclusion, our results show that both PbAEs, and especially PbAE2, open up new perspectives for the development of efficient biodegradable siRNA carriers suitable for clinical applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of the host preference of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) for milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) over dog-strangler vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum)

Observations in the field indicate that monarch butterflies will oviposit on dog‐strangler vine, an invasive introduced species in the same family as milkweed (Asclepias spp.), the principal larval host of monarchs. The potential impact of this behaviour depends on the strength of the preference of monarch adults to oviposit on these two hosts and the relative ability of larvae to survive on each. We determined the preference for milkweed vs. dog‐strangler vine of ovipositing adults and first instar larvae in choice and no‐choice tests. We also compared the ability of larvae to consume, develop, and survive on either host. In the presence of both hosts, adults exhibited a strong preference to oviposit on milkweed over dog‐strangler vine (mean 80.7 eggs compared to 0.4 eggs over 48 h, respectively). In the absence of milkweed, adults ceased oviposition (mean 0.9 eggs in 48 h), but resumed oviposition when the dog‐strangler vine was replaced with milkweed (mean 99.1 eggs in 48 h). Given a choice between hosts over 24 h, 92% of larvae moved to milkweed leaves and consumed 3.94 cm² of milkweed leaves compared to 2% of larvae that moved to dog‐strangler vine and consumed negligible amounts of leaf material (0.01 cm²). Without a choice, larvae on dog‐strangler vine never consumed more than mean 0.02 cm² larva^?1 in a 24‐h period, did not develop beyond the first instar, and died within 96 h. We obtained no data in support of an effect of the presence of dog‐strangler vine on monarch butterfly populations.     

Relationship between predation by Podisus nigrispinus and developmental phase and density of its prey,Plutella xylostella

This study evaluated the predation by Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) at various densities of larvae and pupae of the pest Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). We tested predator behavior of female P. nigrispinus at six experimental densities (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 prey items in a 1‐l transparent plastic container, replicated 15 times for each density) of both the fourth instar and pupae of P. xylostella. The number of prey consumed was monitored every 15 min for 12 h and was subsequently monitored at 24 h. Podisus nigrispinus females were weighed before and after the experiments to determine the effect of different densities of prey on their weight gain. Female predators had a Type‐II functional response, with attack rate estimated at 1.387 and 0.260 and a handling time of 0.091 and 0.183 h^?1 for larvae and pupae, respectively. Podisus nigrispinus consumed on average 10.9 larvae or 5.5 pupae in 24 h. Despite the similarity of the response type, P. nigrispinus preferred to feed on larvae, rather than on pupae.     

核受体因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾响应虫螨腈及辛硫磷胁迫中的作用机制

【目的】本研究旨在揭示昆虫蜕皮激素信号通路上的关键核受体因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura响应虫螨腈和辛硫磷胁迫中的作用机制。【方法】使用生物信息学方法鉴定斜纹夜蛾FTZ-F1基因,并进行序列比对及系统发育树构建;将LC₃₀浓度辛硫磷和虫螨腈浸叶处理的桑叶分别喂食斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,并分别收集取食药叶后1, 12, 24, 36和48 h时存活的幼虫,使用qRT-PCR技术检测幼虫体内SlFTZ-F1的表达水平;使用RNAi技术沉默SlFTZ-F1基因,并使用qRT-PCR技术检测注射dsRNA后SlFTZ-F1的表达水平;将LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈和辛硫磷浸叶处理的桑叶分别喂食沉默了SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,喂食后24和48 h统计斜纹夜蛾幼虫死亡率;选取8个斜纹夜蛾谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(SlGST)基因,使用qRT-PCR技术检测沉默了SlFTZ-F1基因的斜纹夜蛾幼虫这些SlGST基因的表达水平。【结果】斜纹夜蛾SlFTZ-F1开放阅读框长1 665 bp,编码555个氨基酸,等电点为6.39,理论分子量61.77 kD,SlFTZ-F1具有DNA结合域、FTZ-F1 box及配体结合域;系统发育分析表明,SlFTZ-F1与草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda的SfFTZ-F1聚为一个亚分支。与ddH₂O处理的对照相比,LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈处理后1, 24和36 h以及LC₃₀浓度辛硫磷处理后24和36 h,斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫SlFTZ-F1的表达量均显著上调。与注射dsGFP的对照组相比,斜纹夜蛾幼虫在注射dsSlFTZ-F1后48 h SlFTZ-F1基因的表达量显著下降;分别将LC₃₀浓度虫螨腈和辛硫磷处理的桑叶喂食沉默了SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾3龄幼虫,48 h时与对照组相比斜纹夜蛾幼虫死亡率分别显著升高22%和28%;沉默SlFTZ-F1的斜纹夜蛾幼虫8个SlGST基因的表达量均显著下降。【结论】虫螨腈及辛硫磷显著诱导斜纹夜蛾幼虫SlFTZ-F1基因表达,沉默SlFTZ-F1后斜纹夜蛾幼虫对虫螨腈和辛硫磷的敏感性显著升高,解毒酶SlGST基因的表达受到显著抑制,说明发育相关的转录因子FTZ-F1在斜纹夜蛾响应常用杀虫剂胁迫中发挥了重要作用。     

Ontogenetic changes in RNA,DNA and protein contents of Chinese loach,Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), larvae and juveniles

The changes in nucleic acid‐based indices and protein variables of Chinese loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus, larvae and juveniles from hatching to 60 days after hatching (DAH) were conducted to assess its growth potential. The nucleic acid contents were analysed using a UV‐based method (n = 3, rearing temperature 24.4 ± 0.4°C, dissolve oxygen 7.1 ± 0.5 mg L^?1, pH 7.9 ± 0.4). Ribonucleic acid (RNA) concentration significantly decreased from 2 to 5 DAH, then increased rapidly until 10 DAH, declining slightly thereafter. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration increased 2–5 DAH, decreased until 9 DAH, slightly increased again around 26 DAH, and then declined to a relatively stable level. Both RNA‐DNA and protein‐DNA ratios showed a statistically obvious relationship with growth rates. A significantly positive relationship was found between RNA‐DNA ratio and growth rates during the early life stage of Chinese loach. According to the results, growth of Chinese loach is characterized by rapid hyperplasia from hatching through completion of the yolk‐sac stage followed by continued rapid hyperplasia combined with increasing hypertrophy after feeding commences. The stage preceding 17 DAH of Chinese loach P. dabryanus is presumed to be critical for its survival and growth at 24°C.     

Functional analysis of two polygalacturonase genes in Apolygus lucorum associated with eliciting plant injury using RNA interference

Salivary enzymes of many piercing–sucking insects lead to host plant injury. The salivary enzymes, polygalacturonase (PGs), act in insect feeding. PG family genes have been cloned from the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum, a pest of cotton and other host crops in China. We investigated the function of two PG genes that are highly expressed in A. lucorum nymphs (PG3‐4) and adults (PG3‐5), using siRNA injection‐based RNA interference (RNAi). Accumulation of mRNA encoding both genes and their cognate proteins was significantly reduced (>60%) in experimental compared control green fluorescent protein (GFP) siRNA‐treated mirids at 48 h post injection. Injury levels of cotton buds were also significantly reduced after injecting saliva isolated from PG3‐4 and PG3‐5 siRNA‐treated A. lucorum. These results demonstrate that these two PG act in A. lucorum elicitation of plant injury.     

Methionine aminopeptidases type I and type II are essential to control cell proliferation

The dependence of cell growth on methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP) function in bacteria and yeast is firmly established. Here we report experimental evidence that the control of cell proliferation in mammalian cells is directly linked and strictly dependent on the activity of both MetAP-1 and MetAP-2. The targeted downregulation of either methionine aminopeptidase MetAP-1 or MetAP-2 protein expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) (70%-80%), while A549 human lung carcinoma cell proliferation was less inhibited (20%-30%). The cellular levels of MetAP-2 enzyme were measured after MetAP-2 siRNA treatment and found to decrease over time from 4 to 96 h, while rapid and complete depletion of MetAP-2 enzyme activity was observed after 4 h treatment with two pharmacological inhibitors of MetAP-2, PPI-2458 and fumagillin. When HUVEC and A549 cells were treated simultaneously with MetAP-2 siRNA and PPI-2458, or fumagillin, which irreversibly inhibit MetAP-2 enzyme activity, no additive effect on maximum growth inhibition was observed. This strongly suggests that MetAP-2 is the single critical cellular enzyme affected by either MetAP-2 targeting approach. Most strikingly, despite their significantly different sensitivity to growth inhibition after targeting of either MetAP-1 or MetAP-2, HUVEC, and A549 cells, which were made functionally deficient in both MetAP-1 and MetAP-2 were completely or almost completely inhibited in their growth, respectively. This closely resembled the observed growth inhibition in genetically double-deficient map1map2 yeast strains. These results suggest that MetAP-1 and MetAP-2 have essential functions in the control of mammalian cell proliferation and that MetAP-dependent growth control is evolutionarily highly conserved.     

Antifeedant and toxic activity of Adhatoda vasica leaf extract against Spodoptera littoralis (Lep., Noctuidae)

Abstract: The effect of crude methanolic extracts of Adhatoda vasica leaves on the feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis larvae was investigated in the laboratory. Feeding on fresh leaves resulted in 100% mortality of larvae after 26 days of unsubstantial growth. The extract exhibited strong antifeedant and toxic activity against the larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into artificial diet. Under choice conditions the antifeedant index calculated over 72 h for neonate larvae increased significantly (from 71.5 ± 3.2 to 92.1 ± 4.2) as the concentration of extract in the treated diet increased from 200 to 1000 ppm. Consumption by the sixth instar larvae of leaf discs dipped in 0.01, 0.1 and 0.2% extract solutions was significantly lower than consumption of control discs in both choice and no-choice tests. The latter two concentrations deterred feeding by 63.4 and 90.4%, respectively, under choice conditions, while only the 0.2% extract solution deterred feeding by 56.8% in the no-choice test. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 200–2000 ppm of the extract. No larvae survived to pupation under the latter concentration. The time to pupation increased from 15.8 ± 0.4 to 37.9 ± 4.1 days as the extract concentration in diet increased from 0 to 1000 ppm. When fed to the fifth instar larvae, the crude extract significantly reduced consumption, growth, utilization of ingested and digested food, and approximate digestibility. The consumption-dependent growth efficiency of animals fed on extract-free diet was significantly higher than the growth efficiency of animals fed on extract-containing diets, suggesting both antifeedant and toxic activities of the extract.