Molecular analysis of rice plants harboring a multi-functional T-DNA tagging system

About 25,000 rice T-DNA insertional mutant lines were generated using the vector pCAS04 which has both promoter-trapping and activation-tagging function. Southern blot analysis revealed that about 40% of these mutants were single copy integration and the average T-DNA insertion number was 2.28. By extensive phenotyping in the field, quite a number of agronomically important mutants were obtained. Histochemical GUS assay with 4,310 primary mutants revealed that the GUS-staining frequency was higher than that of the previous reports in various tissues and especially high in flowers. The T-DNA flanking sequences of some mutants were isolated and the T-DNA insertion sites were mapped to the rice genome. The flanking sequence analysis demonstrated the different integration pattern of the right border and left border into rice genome. Compared with Arabidopsis and poplar, it is much varied in the T-DNA border junctions in rice.     

Reliable transient transformation of intact maize leaf cells for functional genomics and experimental study

Maize (Zea mays) transformation routinely produces stable transgenic lines essential for functional genomics; however, transient expression of target proteins in maize cells is not yet routine. Such techniques are critical for rapid testing of transgene constructs and for experimental studies. Here, we report bombardment methods that depend on leaf developmental stage and result in successful expression with broad applications. Fluorescent marker genes were constructed and bombarded into five developmental regions in a growing maize leaf. Expression efficiency was highest in the basal-most 3 cm above the ligule of an approximately 50-cm growing adult leaf. Straightforward dissection procedures provide access to the receptive leaf regions, increasing efficiency from less than one transformant per cm(2) to over 21 transformants per cm(2). Successful expression was routine for proteins from full genomic sequences driven by native regulatory regions and from complementary DNA sequences driven by the constitutive maize polyubiquitin promoter and a heterologous terminator. Four tested fusion proteins, maize PROTEIN DISULFIDE ISOMERASE-Yellow Fluorescent Protein, GLOSSY8a-monomeric Red Fluorescent Protein and maize XYLOSYLTRANSFERASE, and maize Rho-of-Plants7-monomeric Teal Fluorescent Protein, localized as predicted in the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and plasma membrane, respectively. Localization patterns were similar between transient and stable modes of expression, and cotransformation was equally successful. Coexpression was also demonstrated by transiently transforming cells in a stable line expressing a second marker protein, thus increasing the utility of a single stable transformant. Given the ease of dissection procedures, this method replaces heterologous expression assays with a more direct, native, and informative system, and the techniques will be useful for localization, colocalization, and functional studies.     

2003-2019年山东省冬小麦关键物候期时空特征

农作物物候的变化会直接影响农作物的生长过程,进而影响其质量和产量。基于MODIS EVI遥感数据,提取2003-2019年山东省冬小麦种植区以及主要物候期（返青期、拔节期、抽穗期、成熟期）信息,并分析各物候期的时空变化特征。结果表明：2003-2019年山东省冬小麦返青期、拔节期、抽穗期、成熟期分别集中在一年中的第45-70天、第75-100天、第103-125天、第135-155天;4个物候期的空间分布均呈鲁南早于鲁北、内陆早于沿海的格局特征。区域尺度上,返青期、拔节期、抽穗期、成熟期年际变化率分别为1.56 d/10a、0.65 d/10a、-0.54 d/10a、2.51 d/10a,变化趋势均不显著。像元尺度上,返青期与拔节期变化以推迟趋势为主,呈显著推迟趋势的区域分别占总面积的1.65%、3.05%,这些区域主要分布于鲁东沿海地区和鲁南内陆地区;抽穗期变化以提前趋势为主,呈显著提前趋势的区域占总面积的6.56%,集中分布于菏泽东北部地区;成熟期变化以推迟趋势为主,呈显著推迟趋势的区域占总面积的10.23%,多出现在滨州、德州以及济宁等地区。研究结果可为山东省农田和冬小麦管理以及农业生态保护等提供数据支持和科学参考。     

Solution structure of AF-6 PDZ domain and its interaction with the C-terminal peptides from Neurexin and Bcr

AF-6 is a key molecule essential for structure organization of cell-cell junction of polarized epithelia. It belongs to a novel cell-cell adhesion system. The AF-6 PDZ domain mediates interactions by binding to a specific amino acid sequence in target proteins. Here we report the solution structure of the AF-6 PDZ domain determined by NMR. Previously, the AF-6 PDZ domain was considered to be a class II PDZ domain. However we found that a unique hydrophilic amino acid, Gln70, at position alphaB1 makes the alphaB/betaB groove of the AF-6 PDZ domain significantly different from that of the canonical class II PDZ domain. The AF-6 PDZ domain does not have the second hydrophobic binding pocket, and the N-terminal end of alphaB is closer to betaB. Using BIACORE and NMR chemical shift perturbation experiments, we have studied the binding characteristics of the PDZ domain to the C-terminal peptide of Neurexin, KKNKDKEYYV, and that of Bcr, KRQSILFSTEV. The C-terminal peptide of Neurexin is a class II ligand, whereas that of Bcr is a class I ligand. The dissociation constants of these ligands were 4.08 x 10(-7) and 2.23 x 10(-6) m, respectively. Each of the four C-terminal positions in Neurexin and Bcr may contribute to the interaction. The three-dimensional models of the AF-6 PDZ-Neurexin C-terminal peptide complex and the AF-6 PDZ-Bcr C-terminal peptide complex were built up by molecular dynamics simulations. Unlike the canonical class II PDZ domain, Ala74 at alphaB5 rather than the residue at alphaB1 makes direct hydrophobic contact with the side chain of Tyr at the -2 position of the ligand.     

Young plasma reverses age‐dependent alterations in hepatic function through the restoration of autophagy

Recent studies showing the therapeutic effect of young blood on aging‐associated deterioration of organs point to young blood as the solution for clinical problems related to old age. Given that defective autophagy has been implicated in aging and aging‐associated organ injuries, this study was designed to determine the effect of young blood on aging‐induced alterations in hepatic function and underlying mechanisms, with a focus on autophagy. Aged rats (22 months) were treated with pooled plasma (1 ml, intravenously) collected from young (3 months) or aged rats three times per week for 4 weeks, and 3‐methyladenine or wortmannin was used to inhibit young blood‐induced autophagy. Aging was associated with elevated levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase, lipofuscin accumulation, steatosis, fibrosis, and defective liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, which were significantly attenuated by young plasma injections. Young plasma could also restore aging‐impaired autophagy activity. Inhibition of the young plasma‐restored autophagic activity abrogated the beneficial effect of young plasma against hepatic injury with aging. In vitro, young serum could protect old hepatocytes from senescence, and the antisenescence effect of young serum was abrogated by 3‐methyladenine, wortmannin, or small interfering RNA to autophagy‐related protein 7. Collectively, our data indicate that young plasma could ameliorate age‐dependent alterations in hepatic function partially via the restoration of autophagy.     

Neutrophil extracellular Taps play an important role in clearance of Streptococcus suis in vivo

Streptococcus suis infection induces formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in vitro; however, the contribution of NETs‐mediated killing to the pathogenesis of S. suis in vivo is yet to be elicited. The findings of the present study indicated that extracellular DNA fiber can be induced in a murine model in response to S. suis infection. A nuclease that destroys their structure was used to evaluate the role of NETs on S. suis infection. Treatment with nuclease resulted in a greater bacteria load and higher serum TNF‐α concentrations in response to S. suis infection, indicating that NETs structure played an essential role in S. suis clearance and inflammation. Furthermore, nuclease treatment resulted in more severe clinical signs during and higher mortality from S. suis infection. These findings indicated that NETs structure contributes to protection against S. suis infection.     

Quantum‐dots‐based fluoroimmunoassay for the rapid and sensitive detection of avian influenza virus subtype H5N1

The continuous spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 is threatening the poultry industry and human health worldwide. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods are required for the H5N1 surveillance. In this study, the fluorescent (FL) probe of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was designed using covalently linked rabbit anti‐AIV H5N1 antibody. Based on these QD–antibody conjugates, a novel sandwich FL‐linked immunosorbent assay (sFLISA) was developed for H5N1 viral antigen detection. The sFLISA allowed for H5N1 viral antigen determination in a linear range of 8.0 × 10^?3 to 5.1 × 10^?1 μg mL^?1 with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5 × 10^?4 μg mL^?1. In comparison with virus isolation for 103 clinic samples, the sensitivity and specificity of sFLISA were found to be 93.6 and 91.1% respectively. The sFLISA supplied a novel approach to rapid and sensitive detection of AIV subtype H5N1 and showed great potential for biological applications in immunoassays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EUI1, encoding a putative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, regulates internode elongation by modulating gibberellin responses in rice

Elongation of rice internodes is one of the most important agronomic traits, which determines the plant height and underlies the grain yield. It has been shown that the elongation of internodes is under genetic control, and various factors are implicated in the process. Here, we report a detailed characterization of an elongated uppermost internode1 (eui1) mutant, which has been used in hybrid rice breeding. In the eui1-2 mutant, the cell lengths in the uppermost internodes are significantly longer than that of wild type and thus give rise to the elongated uppermost internode. It was found that the level of active gibberellin was elevated in the mutant, whereas its growth in response to gibberellin is similar to that of the wild type, suggesting that the higher level accumulation of gibberellin in the eui1 mutant causes the abnormal elongation of the uppermost internode. Consistently, the expression levels of several genes which encode gibberellin biosynthesis enzymes were altered. We cloned the EUI1 gene, which encodes a putative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, by map-based cloning and found that EUI1 was weakly expressed in most tissues, but preferentially in young panicles. To confirm its function, transgenic experiments with different constructs of EUI1 were conducted. Overexpression of EUI1 gave rise to the gibberellin-deficient-like phenotypes, which could be partially reversed by supplementation with gibberellin. Furthermore, apart from the alteration of expression levels of the gibberellin biosynthesis genes, accumulation of SLR1 protein was found in the overexpressing transgenic plants, indicating that the expression level of EUI1 is implicated in both gibberellin-mediated SLR1 destruction and a feedback regulation in gibberellin biosynthesis. Therefore, we proposed that EUI1 plays a negative role in gibberellin-mediated regulation of cell elongation in the uppermost internode of rice.     

Identification of three novel in vivo-induced expressed antigens during infection with Streptococcus suis serotype 2

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is a porcine and human pathogen with adhesive and invasive properties. The shortage of studies on the pathogenesis mechanisms of SS2 has made it very difficult to control infection with this pathogen. Three novel in vivo -induced antigens were identified using serological proteome analysis of the SS2 cell wall-associated proteins – SecA, autolysin and ZnuA – the upregulation of which in vivo relative to in vitro was shown by real-time PCR analysis. The in vivo -induced expression of znuA was also confirmed by the fact that the purified recombinant ZnuA could be recognized not by hyperimmune sera but by convalescent sera. This is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first report using an immunoproteomic method to identify in vivo -induced antigens of SS2.     

Endothelial Cell Stimulation Overcomes Restriction and Promotes Productive and Latent HIV-1 Infection of Resting CD4+ T Cells

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is able to suppress human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to undetectable levels in the majority of patients, but eradication has not been achieved because latent viral reservoirs persist, particularly in resting CD4⁺ T lymphocytes. It is generally understood that HIV-1 does not efficiently infect resting CD4⁺ T cells, and latent infection in those cells may arise when infected CD4⁺ T lymphoblasts return to resting state. In this study, we found that stimulation by endothelial cells can render resting CD4⁺ T cells permissible for direct HIV infection, including both productive and latent infection. These stimulated T cells remain largely phenotypically unactivated and show a lower death rate than activated T cells, which promotes the survival of infected cells. The stimulation by endothelial cells does not involve interleukin 7 (IL-7), IL-15, CCL19, or CCL21. Endothelial cells line the lymphatic vessels in the lymphoid tissues and have frequent interactions with T cells in vivo. Our study proposes a new mechanism for infection of resting CD4⁺ T cells in vivo and a new mechanism for latent infection in resting CD4⁺ T cells.