毛白杨真菌胁迫下miRNA靶基因预测和生物信息分析

目前,关于杨树在真菌胁迫下其mi RNAs对基因的调控作用研究较少。准确快速地预测并鉴定mi RNA靶基因,对揭示真菌胁迫下mi RNAs在基因调控中的作用至关重要。该文根据mi RNA的进化保守性,通过靶基因预测软件ps RNATarget,以已知的毛果杨mi RNAs为探针,与毛白杨真菌胁迫下转录组的基因序列比对,找到其中347个mi RNAs的772个靶基因,分别编码与植物激素信号传导、植物病原互作、谷胱甘肽代谢等与植物抗病密切相关的蛋白。mi R393通过转录后水平作用于靶基因,调节生长素信号以响应多种外界刺激。该研究发现了mi R393的11个靶基因,主要参与生长素介导的信号通路;其中6个靶基因(SD1-13、CYP83B1、AFB2、TIR1、AFB3和PSBR)存在差异表达,这些基因是研究mi R393的生物学功能的关键候选基因。     

番茄青枯病抗性相关miRNA的鉴定与表达分析

为理解番茄（Solanum lycopersicum）青枯病抗性响应miRNA与靶基因间的调控关系,对抗、感番茄自交系接种青枯菌（Ralstonia solanacearum）前后进行小RNA测序。结果在8个样本中共获得112.76 M高质量数据,检测到336个miRNA,包括193个新miRNA。其中,31个差异表达miRNA靶向调节575个基因的表达。556个靶基因被注释到防御反应、植病互作、植物激素信号转导等代谢途径中。启动子除典型的转录起始TATA-box和CAAT-box,及与生物胁迫相关的W-box和TC-rich repeats,还存在激素、光、非生物胁迫、伤等响应元件。RT-qPCR验证发现6对mi RNA-targets具有正-负、负-正和负-负3种番茄青枯病应答模式。这些结果初步揭示miRNA可以通过靶向基因表达响应番茄青枯病。     

植物MicroRNA介导的基因调控在作物改良中的应用潜能

植物Micro RNAs(mi RNAs)是长度约22个核苷酸的內源、单链、非编码、小分子RNA,通过降解或抑制靶m RNA介导转录后沉默。随着高通量测序技术及各种研究技术的进步,越来越多的micro RNA被测序和验证,为利用基因工程手段进行作物改良提供了丰富的候选基因资源。综述了mi RNAs在生物胁迫、非生物胁迫和植物生长发育等方面的最新研究进展,同时分析了mi RNAs介导的基因调控在作物改良中的应用潜能,并介绍了几种基于mi RNA作用机制的植物基因工程改良作物的转基因新技术,如靶基因RNAi,人工mi RNAs(ami RNAs),Target Mimics(TM),超表达mi RNA-resistant tagerts;也讨论了基于mi RNA作用机制的转基因技术所面临的风险和挑战。     

基于small RNA组学分析揭示意大利蜜蜂响应东方蜜蜂微孢子虫胁迫的免疫应答机制

【目的】通过深度测序和组学分析在small RNA组学层面揭示意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica,简称意蜂)响应东方蜜蜂微孢子虫(Nosema ceranae)的免疫应答机制。【方法】利用small RNA-seq技术对正常及N. ceranae胁迫7 d和10 d的意蜂工蜂中肠(Am7CK、Am7T、Am10CK和Am10T)进行深度测序。利用相关生物信息学软件对测序数据进行质控、已知micro RNA (mi RNA)鉴定、新mi RNA预测及mi RNA的结构特征分析。通过Stem-loop RT-PCR验证新mi RNA的表达。按照|log2(Fold change)|≥1和P≤0.05的标准筛选出Am7CKvs.Am7T和Am10CKvs.Am10T比较组的差异表达mi RNA(differentially expressed mi RNA,DEmi RNA)。利用软件预测DEmi RNA靶向结合的m RNA并进行GO和KEGG数据库注释,根据注释信息对细胞和体液免疫相关通路及富集靶m RNA进行统计和分析。根据靶向结合关系构建DEmi RNA和免疫通路相关差异表达m RNA (differentially expressed m RNA,DEm RNA)的调控网络。采用RT-q PCR对数据的可靠性和DEmi RNA的差异表达进行验证。【结果】共获得165895574条原始读段和132028990条有效序列标签,各组的组内Pearson相关性平均在87.92%及以上。共鉴定到928个已知mi RNA和56个新mi RNA。这些mi RNA的长度介于18–28nt,多数的长度为18nt和22nt且首位碱基主要偏向U。验证了12个新mi RNA的真实表达。Am7CKvs.Am7T比较组包含48个上调mi RNA和36个下调mi RNA;Am10CK vs. Am10T比较组包含56个上调mi RNA和51个下调mi RNA。两个比较组的DEmi RNA可分别靶向结合9827个和10720个m RNA。这些靶m RNA可分别注释到50和47条功能条目,以及138和135条KEGG通路。DEmi RNA与免疫通路相关靶m RNA的调控网络分析结果显示,Am7CK vs. Am7T中有26个DEmi RNA靶向与内吞作用等免疫通路相关的10个DEm RNA;Am10CK vs. Am10T中有15个DEmi RNA靶向与MAPK信号通路等免疫通路相关的10个DEm RNA。验证了测序数据和4个DEmi RNA差异表达的可靠性。【结论】研究结果揭示了宿主DEmi RNA可能通过调控物质和能量代谢、细胞和体液免疫对N. ceranae产生应答,但DEmi RNA不参与抗菌肽基因的表达调控;mi R-1-z可能参与宿主的细胞增殖、细胞凋亡和免疫进程;氧化磷酸化通路可能在宿主免疫应答及宿主-病原互作中发挥特殊作用。     

miRNA在植物响应高温胁迫中的研究进展

microRNA(miRNA)是一类由20-24个核苷酸组成的小的非编码RNA,通常通过序列互补降解或抑制其靶标基因转录后的翻译过程,从而在转录后水平上调控基因的表达。miRNA在植物基因组中普遍存在,作为一类重要的调节因子参与到植物的生长发育与逆境响应中。目前,已有研究表明高温除了诱导植物编码基因表达发生改变之外,一些非编码RNA的表达也发生了显著改变,其中miRNA作为重要的非编码RNA,参与了植物的高温胁迫响应。对植物miRNA的合成途径,作用机制以及主要功能进行了扼要阐述,重点阐述了高温胁迫下植物miRNA的作用机制,旨在为mi RNA在植物抵抗高温胁迫中的研究与应用提供新的思路。     

miR319a及其靶基因在木薯中的低温响应分析

旨在探索mi RNA在木薯低温逆境中的调控作用,前期小RNA测序筛选出mi R319对低温显著响应,通过实时定量PCR方法分析mi R319与其4个不同靶基因在两个木薯品种的4种低温处理下的差异表达情况。结果显示,mi RNA与其靶基因在两个不同木薯品种间的响应不同,4个低温处理间的响应也不同,mi RNA与各个靶基因的相关系数也不同。比较发现在C4中mi R319a与3个靶基因(GSTU8除外)负相关性均好于SC124,处理之间在NAH中的负相关表现最典型,mi R319与4个靶基因之间的相关系数从大到小的顺序为:MYB33UnknownTCP4GSTU8,预示着MYB33和Unknown(021030m)两个靶基因在C4的NAH中是mi R319a更为优先的调控目标。结果表明在木薯的低温逆境适应过程中mi R319对MYB33和Unknown两个靶基因的调控作用值得深入研究。     

大豆miR172家族成员序列及表达模式初步分析

Micro RNAs(miRNAs)在植物的生长发育以及植物对环境的适应方面发挥了重要的作用,成为近几年研究的热点。mi R172家族是一个保守的mi RNA家族,之前的研究表明mi R172的作用涉及生长期过渡、闭花受精、花器官发育、开花时间调控等方面。但是到目前为止,人们对大豆mi R172家族的了解还不是很清楚。本实验通过mi RBase、PLACE数据库及DNAman软件对gma-mi R172家族成员的前体序列、成熟序列、启动子序列进行比较分析,发现gma-mi R172家族成员成熟序列虽然高度保守,但前体序列具有一定的差异,这可能导致了各成员的功能差异;启动子分析显示其启动子含有光反应原件和多种非生物胁迫响应元件,推测其可能参与大豆的开花调控和逆境胁迫响应。通过实时定量PCR分析了大豆mi R172成员的组织特异性表达情况。利用PMRD数据库对gma-mi R172的靶基因进行了生物信息学分析,获得了7个AP2-like类转录因子,参与花器官发育、开花时间调控及非生物胁迫响应的方面。上述结果初步分析了大豆mi R172家族的功能与靶基因,对今后进一步分析研究大豆mi R172家族及其靶基因打下了基础。     

意大利蜜蜂幼虫肠道在球囊菌胁迫后期的差异表达微小RNA及其靶基因分析

【目的】蜜蜂球囊菌Ascosphaera apis(简称球囊菌)是一种特异性侵染蜜蜂幼虫肠道的致死性真菌病原。微小RNA(microRNA,mi RNA)是一种在转录后水平对m RNA进行负调控的关键调控因子。本研究旨在对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica(简称意蜂)幼虫肠道在球囊菌胁迫后期的差异表达mi RNAs(DEmiRNAs)及其靶基因进行深入分析,为揭示DEmiRNAs在胁迫应答中的作用提供重要信息。【方法】利用small RNA-seq(s RNA-seq)技术对正常及球囊菌侵染的意蜂6日龄幼虫肠道(分别表示为Am CK和Am T)进行测序,通过相关生物信息学软件对DEmiRNAs进行预测和分析。利用TargetFinder软件预测DEmiRNAs的靶基因,然后利用Blast软件对靶基因进行GO和KEGG数据库的功能注释。通过Cytoscape软件构建DEmiRNAs与其靶m RNAs的调控网络。通过茎环实时荧光定量PCR(stem-loop RT-qPCR)验证测序数据的可靠性。【结果】Am CK和Am T的测序分别得到9 230 496和10 823 667条有效序列标签; Am CK vs Am T比较组中包含15个上调和6个下调mi RNAs,分别结合3 503和3 252个靶基因,它们可分别注释到40和39个GO terms以及104和99条代谢通路;进一步分析发现调控网络中的17个DEmiRNAs靶向结合116个与丝氨酸蛋白酶相关的m RNAs,14个DEmiRNAs靶向结合54个与泛素介导的蛋白水解相关的m RNAs。Stem-loop RT-qPCR验证结果显示随机选择的4个DEmiRNAs (mi R-251-x,mi R-9277-y,mi R-1672-x和mi R-4968-y)的表达量变化趋势与测序结果一致,表明测序数据真实可信。【结论】本研究率先对意蜂幼虫肠道在球囊菌胁迫后期的DEmiRNAs及其靶基因进行预测与分析,提供了mi RNAs的表达谱和差异表达信息。ame-miR-927b,mi R-429-y和mi R-8440-y等DEmiRNAs可能参与对丝氨酸蛋白酶的调控和对泛素介导的蛋白水解的调控,DEmiRNAs与靶基因之间存在复杂的调控网络关系。DEmiRNAs可参与到意蜂幼虫肠道与球囊菌间的互作。     

水稻miR169o及其靶基因OsNF-YAs对缺水胁迫的早期表达模式

Micro RNAs(mi RNAs)是一类小的非编码RNA,在植物逆境胁迫应答中发挥重要的调控作用。mi R169可受干旱胁迫诱导表达,而过表达mi R169则可以增强植物对干旱的耐受性。然而,mi R169及其靶基因NF-YAs在水稻干旱胁迫条件下的表达动态至今尚不清楚。对水稻进行不同时间缺水处理,用q RT-PCR法定量测定了水稻根、茎、叶组织中mi R169o及其靶基因表达的动态变化。结果表明,随着缺水处理时间的增加,水稻不同组织中mi R169o表达量总体上有升高趋势;而靶基因(NF-YA1、NFYA2和NF-YA3)表达模式基本与mi R169o的表达模式相反,但并不全部对应。推测在水稻干旱胁迫早期反应中,mi R169o可能主要调控了部分特定靶基因的表达。此外,mi R169o在水稻根、茎、叶组织中的表达和丰度存在着明显的差异,具有组织特异性。     

山羊microRNA研究进展

小RNA(micro RNA,mi RNA)是真核生物中发现的一类内源性的具有调控功能的非编码RNA,长度约20~25个核苷酸。研究表明,mi RNA参与真核生物的许多生命过程,包括个体发育、新陈代谢、细胞生长和凋亡等方面。目前,关于山羊(Capra aegagrus hircus)的mi RNA数据相对较少。文章综述了山羊mi RNA对皮肤与毛囊发育、肌肉生长发育、泌乳及生殖的调控作用,为利用mi RNA调控和改善绒山羊毛绒品质、生长性能及繁殖性能等提供理论基础和研究思路。     

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.     

Scurvy in capybaras bred in captivity in Argentine

In order to determine if the absence of vitamin C in the diet of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) causes scurvy, a group of seven young individuals were fed food pellets without ascorbic acid, while another group of eight individuals received the same food with 1 g of ascorbic acid per animal per day. Animals in the first group developed signs of scurvy-like gingivitis, breaking of the incisors and death of one animal. Clinical signs appeared between 25 and 104 days from the beginning of the trial in all individuals. Growth rates of individuals deprived of vitamin C was considerably less than those observed in the control group. Deficiency of ascorbic acid had a severe effect on reproduction of another population of captive capybaras. We found that the decrease in ascorbic acid content in the diet affected pregnancy, especially during the first stages. The results obtained suggest that it is necessary to supply a suitable quantity of vitamin C in the diet of this species in captivity.     

Changes in lactate dehydrogenase activity in chicken tissues in hyperthyreosis in ontogenesis

The lactate dehydrogenase activity in reactions of lactate oxidation and synthesis was studied in subfractions of the chicken brain, heart and liver at the embryonal, early postembryonal and adult stages of development after thyroxine administration. It has been shown that during embryogenesis thyroxine predominantly enhanced the rate of lactate oxidation in the mitochondrial tissues. A marked increase in the lactate synthesis was found in cytoplasm of the adult chicken tissues. Specificity of enzyme activity alterations was detected in the chicken brain during ontogenesis after thyroxine administration.     

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.