Montmorillonite Catalysis of 30–50 Mer Oligonucleotides: Laboratory Demonstration of Potential Steps in the Origin of the RNA World

Elongation of the primer ³²pdA(pdA)₈pA proceeds by thereaction of the 5-phosphorimidazolides of adenosine and uridine in the presence of montmorillonite clay. Daily addition of the activated nucleotides for up to 14 days results in theformation of 40–50 mers using the 5-phosphorimidazolide of adenosine (ImpA) and 25–30 mers using the 5-phosphorimidazolide of uridine (ImpU). The limitation on thelengths of the chains formed is not due to the inhibitors formedsince the same chain lengths were formed using 2–3 times the amount of montmorillonite catalyst. The shorter oligomers formedby the addition of U monomers is not due to its greater rate ofdecomposition since it was found that both the A and the U adducts decompose at about the same rates. Alkaline phosphatase hydrolysis studies revealed that some of the oligomers are cappedat the 5-end to form, with ImpA,Ap³²pdA(pdA)₈pA(pA)_n. The extent of capping depends on the reaction time and the purine or pyrimidine base inthe activated mononucleotide. Hydrolysis with ribonuclease T₂ followed by alkaline phosphatase determined the sites ofthe 3, 5- and 2, 5-phosphodiester bonding to the primer. The potential significance of the mineral catalyzed formation of 50 mer oligonucleotides to the origin of life basedon RNA (the RNA world scenario) is discussed.     

瓣结鱼含肉率及肌肉脂肪酸、矿质元素的分析

本文测定和分析了瓣结鱼的含肉率及肌肉中脂肪酸和矿质元素组成。结果表明,瓣结鱼平均含肉率为66．91％。瓣结鱼肌肉中共有14种脂肪酸。其中饱和脂肪酸为5种,平均质量分数为39．49％;不饱和脂肪酸有9种,质量分数平均值为58．83％。瓣结鱼肌肉9种矿质元素中,钙等常量元素的平均含量在116．35mg／100g～1313．33mg／100g之间,而铜等微量元素含量的平均值则在0．19mg／100g～5．20mg／100g之间。瓣结鱼肌肉平均钙磷比为1：4．31。相关分析表明,瓣结鱼的含肉率及肌肉中脂肪酸和矿质元素随其生长变化显著。t-检验表明,瓣结龟肌肉中脂肪酸和矿质元素在清水江标本和都柳江标本之间存在着显著性差异。     

肌肉脂肪酸转运膜蛋白及其相互关系

肌肉（骨骼肌）组织对脂肪酸的利用水平是影响机体能量稳态的关键因素.肌肉摄取的长链脂肪酸(long chain fatty acids,LCFAs)主要依赖细胞膜载体蛋白协助的跨膜转运过程.近年来,一系列与脂肪酸转运相关的膜蛋白被相继克隆鉴定,其中在肌肉中大量表达的有脂肪酸转运蛋白-1（fatty acid transport protein-1,FATP-1）、膜脂肪酸结合蛋白（plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein,FABPpm）、脂肪酸转位酶（fatty acid translocase,FAT/CD36）和小窝蛋白-1（caveolin-1）.研究上述肌肉脂肪酸转运膜蛋白的结构功能、调控机制及相互关系,可能为肥胖等脂类代谢紊乱疾病的诊治提供新的手段.     

逆境对真菌膜脂肪酸成分的影响

利用气相色谱对真菌膜脂肪酸在逆境下的变化进行研究,发现低温胁迫时膜上的不饱和脂肪酸较多,低碳源浓度、低氧浓度和高盐浓度胁迫时,膜上不饱和脂肪酸的含量反而出现降低。表明不同逆境胁迫时,真菌中膜的脂肪酸含量不一样。     

Oxidative Stability of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid in Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes

Synthesized PCs containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and palmitic acid (PA) at known positions in the glycerol moiety were oxidized in liposomes, bulk, and organic solvent. In bulk and organic solvent, the oxidative stability of PC decreased with increasing degrees of unsaturation. However, the degree of unsaturation had little effect on the stability of PC in liposomes. The oxidative stability of PC in liposomes would be affected by the chemical reactivity based on the degree of unsaturation and by the conformation of fatty acyl component in PC bilayers. When the oxidative stability of 1-PA-2-LA-PC or 1-PA-2-AA-PC was compared with that of a 1:1 (mol ratio) mixture of 1,2-diPA-PC+1,2-diLA-PC, or 1,2-diPA-PC+1,2-diAA-PC, respectively, the former PC was more oxidatively stable than that of the latter PC mixture in all oxidation systems, although the degree of unsaturation of 1-PA-2-PUFA-PC was the same as that of the corresponding mixture of diPA-PC+diPUFA-PC. The higher oxidative stability of 1-PA-2-PUFA-PC than that of a corresponding mixture of diPA-PC+diPUFA-PC in liposomes was suggested to be due to the different conformation of PC bilayers and the different rate of hydrogen abstraction by free radicals from intermolecular and intramolecular acyl groups.     

葡萄色顶枝瑚菌中矿质元素及氨基酸含量的测定

采用原子吸收分光光度法和FDBN柱前衍生高效液相色谱等方法测定了葡萄色顶枝瑚菌中的矿质元素、氨基酸和蛋白质的含量。矿质元素K、Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn、Fe的含量分别是 :4 2 .5 0 0 0mg/g、0 .90 0 0mg/g、0 .4 1 3 0mg/g、0 .0 1 1 2mg/g、0 .0 64 3mg/g、0 .0 3 1 7mg/g、0 .0 73 7mg/g;蛋白质含量为 2 8.1 7% ;氨基酸总量为 2 2 6.91mg/g,其中七种必需氨基酸含量占氨基酸总量的 4 9.2 5 %     

构树种子化学成分研究

对构树种子的脂肪油、氨基酸、矿质元素进行分析,结果表明:种子含脂肪油40.18%,主要成分为:亚油酸(85.42%)、油酸(4.29%)、棕榈酸(7.35%)、亚麻酸(0.98%)等。此外,还含有17种氨基酸和24种矿质元素。     

The Usage of Plasmalemmal Vesicles Inverted by Brij 58 Treatment for Studying Processes,which Occur on the Cytosolic Membrane Surface

We studied the possible use of the detergent Brij 58 in physiological experiments for the reorientation of right-side-out plasmalemmal vesicles, which were isolated from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) coleoptiles. The activities of K⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase and the ATP-dependent H⁺-potential were higher in Brij 58-treated vesicles, whereas membrane permeability for K⁺ and Na⁺ remained unchanged. Brij 58 did not suppress the ATP-dependent IAA transport into vesicles and RNA polymerase II activation by IAA–protein plasmalemmal complexes in the system of isolated nuclei. The conclusion was that, using Brij 58, we could obtain the plasmalemmal fraction, which consisted almost completely of closed inverted vesicles. These vesicles can be applied for the in vitro study of the processes, which occur on the cytosolic plasmalemmal surface.     

Interaction of fluorescence quenchers with the n-(9-anthroyloxy) fatty acid membrane probes

The fluorescence quenching of the $\text{n-(9-}\text{anthroyloxy}\text{)}$ (AO) fatty acid probes has been investigated in aqueous dispersions, vesicles of egg phosphatidylcholine and vesicles formed from red cell ghosts. Negatively charged (KI), neutral (acrylamide) and positively charged (CuSO₄) quenchers were used to monitor the location of the probes. The fluorescence of the probes, with the exception of the shortest chain (11-(9-anthroyloxy)undecanoic acid) is not quenched by acrylamide when associated with vesicles. This indicates that in association with vesicles, the 9-anthroyloxy moiety of the long chain probes is buried within the hydrocarbon region and thus well shielded from the aqueous phase. Measurements with KI indicate that the probes are present in the membrane at depths corresponding to the position of the 9-anthroyloxy moiety on the fatty acid, and that the quencher itself forms a concentration gradient within the membrane. Very little or no CuSO₄ quenching was observed for $\text{n-}\text{(9-anthroyloxy)stearic}$ acid probes $\text{(n-}\text{AS)with}\text{n > 2}$, suggesting that in these vesicles Cu²⁺ does not significantly penetrate the bilayer.     

A small RNA activates CFA synthase by isoform‐specific mRNA stabilization

Small RNAs use a diversity of well‐characterized mechanisms to repress mRNAs, but how they activate gene expression at the mRNA level remains not well understood. The predominant activation mechanism of Hfq‐associated small RNAs has been translational control whereby base pairing with the target prevents the formation of an intrinsic inhibitory structure in the mRNA and promotes translation initiation. Here, we report a translation‐independent mechanism whereby the small RNA RydC selectively activates the longer of two isoforms of cfa mRNA (encoding cyclopropane fatty acid synthase) in Salmonella enterica. Target activation is achieved through seed pairing of the pseudoknot‐exposed, conserved 5′ end of RydC to an upstream region of the cfa mRNA. The seed pairing stabilizes the messenger, likely by interfering directly with RNase E‐mediated decay in the 5′ untranslated region. Intriguingly, this mechanism is generic such that the activation is equally achieved by seed pairing of unrelated small RNAs, suggesting that this mechanism may be utilized in the design of RNA‐controlled synthetic circuits. Physiologically, RydC is the first small RNA known to regulate membrane stability.     

First Report about Mineral Content,Fatty Acids Composition and Biological Activities of Four Wild Edible Mushrooms

The goal of this research was a comprehensive analysis of four wild edible mushroom species, Cantharellus cinereus, Clavariadelphus pistillaris, Clitocybe nebularis and Hygrocybe punicea, which have not been analyzed so far. Extracts of different polarities have been prepared and evaluated for their antioxidant activities by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, TRP and CUPRAC methods. For all extracts, total phenolic content was determined. Based on the analysis, it was shown that solvent type had a significant effect on the antioxidant capacities of mushroom extracts, so water extracts showed the highest activity. Furthermore, the analysis includes determination of mineral composition, fatty acid profiles and antimicrobial activity. Unsaturated fatty acids, which are very important for human health, are dominant in the studied mushroom species. Linoleic and oleic acid consist of over 50 % of the total fatty acid composition. Seventeen biologically important and toxic elements have been analyzed by ICP‐OES and ICP‐MS and results showed that the element concentrations were species‐dependent. Also, it has been found that analyzed mushrooms did not show any antimicrobial activity. Chemometric analysis was used to understand the connection between the extracts of different polarities.     

青葙子化学成分初步研究

本文报道青葙子的主要化学成分。经测定,青葙子氨基酸种类比较齐全,必需氨基酸含量较高,占总氨基酸含量的42.85%。种子含有丰富的脂肪油,主要成分为:棕榈酸(18.225%)、硬脂酸(2.459%)、油酸(27.995%)、亚油酸(44.522%)和亚麻酸(2.374%)等,不饱和脂肪酸的含量达79.276%。种子还含有种类较齐全的矿质元素,具有较高的营养价值。     

黄瓜类囊体不同膜制备物的类脂组成

由黄瓜类囊体及其基粒片层、间质片层、PSⅡ放氧颗粒和捕光色素蛋白复合体类脂组成的分析表明;各膜制备物均含有类囊体膜的5种类脂成分,除LHCⅡ外,其它均以MGDG含量为最高,其次是DGDG,在LHCⅡ所含类脂中,PG含量最高。SQDO除在LHCⅡ中含量稍低以外,在其它膜制备物中的含量没有明显的差异。类脂脂肪酸组成的分析可知,不同膜制备物中MGDG、DGDG和SQDG的脂肪酸组成没有明显差异,但PG的脂肪酸组成差异较明显。     

随气温下降大头茶膜脂脂肪酸组分及膜保护系统的适应性变化

 本实验以自然生长的大头茶为材料,研究了其叶片膜脂脂肪酸组分及膜保护系统随气温下降的变化。结果表明,膜脂脂肪酸不饱和度增加;同时,SOD活性增强,Vc含量增加,POX出现了新的同工酶谱带,而使保护系统清除自由基的能力增强。这两方面的变化有着密切的关系,且都与大头茶的抗冷性发展相适应。     

酸适应对一株乳酸乳球菌膜脂肪酸组成和膜蛋白表达的影响

[目的]筛选具有较强酸适应能力的菌株,研究酸适应对其膜脂肪酸组成和膜蛋白表达的影响.[方法]从20株菌中筛选出一株具有较强酸适应能力的乳酸乳球菌KLDS4.0312,以GC-MS法测定该菌酸适应前后膜脂肪酸组成变化;对酸适应前后该菌膜蛋白的差异表达进行双向电泳分析.[结果]酸适应后,该菌膜不饱和脂肪酸含量从30.77%上升到42.93%,饱和脂肪酸含量从69.23%下降到57.07%,且有一种新的长链单不饱和脂肪酸C<,19:1>-n6被诱导产生.酸适应过程中至少有65个蛋白质点表达出现显著差异,其中上调的蛋白质点有43个,减弱表达的蛋白质点有22个.而添加氯霉素后,菌株的酸适应能力消除,可能与氯霉素抑制新蛋白的合成有关.[结论]说明细胞膜脂肪酸组成的适应性改变和应激蛋白的诱导产生是该菌主要的酸适应机制.     

细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成对自絮凝酵母质膜ATP酶响应酒精刺激的影响及其与菌体耐酒精的关系

研究揭示细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成与质膜ATP酶在酵母菌耐酒精中的一种新颖关系。实验表明,细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成特点对生长于未添加酒精条件下的自絮凝颗粒酵母质膜ATP酶活性没有影响,但却明显影响生长于添加酒精(1％～10％,V／V)条件下的菌体质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性：预培养于添加0．6mmol／L棕榈酸、亚油酸、或亚麻酸条件下的菌体的质膜ATP酶的最大激活水平分别为各自酶的基态水平(未激活)的3．6、1．5和1．2倍,而对照组(预培养于未添加脂肪酸条件下的菌体)的相应值为2．3倍,酶产生上述最大激活水平时的酒精浓度分别为7％、6％、6％、和7％(V/V)。酶激活后米氏常数Km、最适pH和对钒酸钠(质膜ATP酶特异性抑制剂)的敏感性等性质不变,但最大反应速度υmax明显增加。实验表明,细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成特点对提高菌体的耐酒精能力越有利,则其质膜ATP酶被酒精激活的幅度越大,说明菌体耐酒精能力的提高与其质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性的增加密切相关。细胞膜磷脂脂肪酸组成会影响酵母菌质膜ATP酶对酒精激活的敏感性是观察到的新的实验现象。     

黄粉虫蛹的营养成分分析

采用现代分析技术手段对黄粉虫Tenebrio molitor（L．）蛹的营养成分进行分析,结果表明：其蛋白质、粗脂肪、碳水化合物及灰分含量分别为鲜重的16．8％、7．6％、1．2％、1．4％,其氨基酸和胆固醇含量分别为18.7mg／g和0．4mg／g;含有7种人体必需氨基酸,其必需氨基酸占总氨基酸含量的44．40％,必需氨基酸与非必需氨基酸含量的比值为79.8％,第一限制性氨基酸为含硫氨基酸,即蛋氨酸和胱氨酸;同时,其不饱和脂肪酸与必需脂肪酸分别占总脂肪的73．9％和24．1％,特别是油酸和亚油酸含量较高,分别达49．8％和23．4％：另外,该昆虫还含有K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn等多种矿物质和微量元素。     

云南盈江县不同产地草果氨基酸和矿质营养元素分析

用氨基酸自动分析仪、等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP法)等方法测定云南盈江县三个草果Amomum tsaoko主产乡的草果氨基酸、矿质营养元素等成分。结果显示,不同产地草果中氨基酸和矿质营养元素含量有明显差异。盈江县各地的草果氨基酸含量均比文山产草果低,其中苏典乡劈石村的2号样品(海拔1540 m,土壤pH 6.58)氨基酸含量与文山样品最为接近;微量营养元素总含量则相反,盈江县产草果均高于文山样品。     

Influence of diet transition on serum calcium and phosphorus and fatty acids in zoo giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

In response to new recommendations for feeding giraffe in zoos, giraffe (n = 6) were transitioned from a typical hoofstock diet to diets containing reduced starch, protein, Ca and P and added n3 fatty acids. This diet was fed as a 50:50 mix with alfalfa and grass hay. Over the next 4 years, serum Ca, P, and fatty acids were measured every 6 months (summer and winter). Serum Ca was not affected by season (P = 0.67) or by diet (P = 0.12). Serum P was not affected season (P = 0.14), but was reduced by diet (P<0.01), and serum Ca:P was also increased by diet (P<0.01). The ratio of serum Ca:P tended to be affected by season (P = 0.07), in which animals tended to have greater Ca:P during the summer vs. the winter. The diet transition resulted in reduced serum saturated fatty acids (including lauric, myristic, palmitic, arachidic, and behenic acids), and increases in n6 fatty acids (including linolenic and arachidonic acids) and n3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid) (P<0.05 for each). Overall, this diet transition resulted in blood nutrient profiles that more closely match that of values found in free-ranging giraffe.     

Effects of essential fatty acids and N and P-limited algae on the growth rate of tropical cladocerans

SUMMARY 1. In this study, the effects of nutrient (N and P) deficiency and the importance of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] to tropical cladocerans, growth and reproduction were determined in a growth bioassay.
2. The animals were fed N/P-sufficient, N-deficient and P-deficient algae, and also N and P-deficient algae supplemented with fish oil emulsions rich in EPA and DHA.
3. Cladocerans showed different responses to nutrient-deficient algae and also to supplements of fish oil emulsions. Moina micrura was most sensitive to P-deficient alga and, surprisingly, grew better and produced more eggs in N-deficient alga than in N/P sufficient alga. Ceriodaphnia cornuta was less sensitive, growing well in both N and P-deficient algae. This species, however, had a lower clutch size in N-deficient alga. On the other hand, Daphnia gessneri was the most sensitive to mineral limitation, showing decreased growth and clutch size in both nutrient-deficient algae.
4. The PUFA supplements to nutrient-deficient algae increased growth rates only for M. micrura and C. cornuta , suggesting that these fatty acids are important food requirements for these species.