Identification of Chromosomes from Multiple Rice Genomes Using a Universal Molecular Cytogenetic Marker System

To develop reliable techniques for chromosome identification is critical for cytogenetic research, especially for genomes with a large number and smaller-sized chromosomes. An efficient approach using bacterial artificial chromosome （BAC） clones as molecular cytological markers has been developed for many organisms. Herein, we present a set of chromosomal arm-specific molecular cytological markers derived from the gene-enriched regions of the sequenced rice genome. All these markers are able to generate very strong signals on the pachytene chromosomes of Oryza sativa L. （AA genome） when used as fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） probes. We further probed those markers to the pachytene chromosomes of O. punctata （BB genome） and O. officinalis （CC genome） and also got very strong signals on the relevant pachytene chromosomes. The signal position of each marker on the related chromosomes from the three different rice genomes was pretty much stable, which enabled us to identify different chromosomes among various rice genomes. We also constructed the karyotype for both O. punctata and O. officinalis with the BB and CC genomes, respectively, by analysis of 10 pachytene cells anchored by these chromosomal arm-specific markers.     

Delayed development of the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) and increased parasitism by Encarsia bimaculata in response to sublethal doses of piperonyl butoxide

Abstract Effects of sublethal piperonyl butoxide (PB) on parasitization of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius ) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) by Encarsia bimaculata Heraty et Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) were evaluated both in cage and greenhouse experiments. When first, second and third instar B. tabaci nymphs were treated with PB, all but the first instar were significantly prolonged. Data indicated that sublethal PB could improve E. bimaculata parasitism rates without influencing parasitoid eclosion rates. Prolonged development increased rates of parasitism by E. bimaculata, from 17.6% to 24.7% in cages, presumably by increasing the duration of host exposure. Sublethal PB combined with E. bimaculata as an integrated approach to control B. tabaci was evaluated using life table parameters under greenhouse conditions. Indices of population trend (I) calculated from life tables were estimated at 4.6 for B. tabaci exposed to PB and parasitoids compared to 14.1 with parasitoids alone and 23.5 in untreated controls. The results showed that after PB was sprayed and parasitoids introduced, development of B. tabaci was delayed and the peak of each stage was postponed. The older nymphal stage had highest mortality, primarily due to mortality caused by parasitism by E. bimaculata.     

郫县豆瓣发酵过程的微生物多样性及溯源分析

[目的] 解析郫县豆瓣及其酿造半成品-蚕豆醅与辣椒醅微生物多样性和来源,探究郫县豆瓣酿造过程风味化合物特征。[方法] 采用高通量测序法测定蚕豆醅、辣椒醅与混合醅（蚕豆醅-辣椒醅混合物,发酵成熟形成郫县豆瓣）在酿造过程中的微生物群落结构;利用高效气相质谱与高效液相色谱高通量检测蚕豆醅及辣椒醅中基础理化指标及挥发性、非挥发性风味化合物浓度;利用多种生物信息学分析方法对混合醅酿造微生物及风味化合物进行溯源。[结果] 微生物方面：44%–59%的混合醅细菌来源于辣椒醅,5%–22%的混合醅细菌来源于蚕豆醅,其他混合醅细菌来源未知。同时,42%–77%的混合醅真菌来源于辣椒醅,2%–18%的混合醅真菌来源于蚕豆醅,其他混合醅真菌来源未知。另外,16个细菌属由辣椒醅特异性贡献;2个细菌属及2个真菌属由蚕豆醅特异性贡献。化合物方面：1-辛烯-3醇（1-octen-3-ol）、苯乙醛（phenylacetaldehyde）、异丁醛（isobutyraldehyde）、苹果酸（malic acid）与糠醛（furfural）仅由蚕豆醅贡献。辣椒素（capsaicin）、3-甲基-1-丁醇（3-methyl-1-butanol）、已醇（hexanol）与异丁醇（isobutanol）仅由辣椒醅贡献。[结论] 郫县豆瓣发酵中大部分微生物来源于辣椒醅,大部分发酵底物（氨基酸及葡萄糖）来源于蚕豆醅。两种发酵半成品均特异性贡献微生物及风味化合物,形成郫县豆瓣的独特风味密码。     

Bayesian Network Analysis Reveals Alterations to Default Mode Network Connectivity in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is associated with abnormal functioning of the default mode network (DMN). Functional connectivity (FC) changes to the DMN have been found in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is the prodromal stage of AD. However, whether or not aMCI also alters the effective connectivity (EC) of the DMN remains unknown. We employed a combined group independent component analysis (ICA) and Bayesian network (BN) learning approach to resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data from 17 aMCI patients and 17 controls, in order to establish the EC pattern of DMN, and to evaluate changes occurring in aMCI. BN analysis demonstrated heterogeneous regional convergence degree across DMN regions, which were organized into two closely interacting subsystems. Compared to controls, the aMCI group showed altered directed connectivity weights between DMN regions in the fronto-parietal, temporo-frontal, and temporo-parietal pathways. The aMCI group also exhibited altered regional convergence degree in the right inferior parietal lobule. Moreover, we found EC changes in DMN regions in aMCI were correlated with regional FC levels, and the connectivity metrics were associated with patients'' cognitive performance. This study provides novel sights into our understanding of the functional architecture of the DMN and adds to a growing body of work demonstrating the importance of the DMN as a mechanism of aMCI.     

Protein phosphatase 5 is required for ATR-mediated checkpoint activation

In response to DNA damage or replication stress, the protein kinase ATR is activated and subsequently transduces genotoxic signals to cell cycle control and DNA repair machinery through phosphorylation of a number of downstream substrates. Very little is known about the molecular mechanism by which ATR is activated in response to genotoxic insults. In this report, we demonstrate that protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is required for the ATR-mediated checkpoint activation. PP5 forms a complex with ATR in a genotoxic stress-inducible manner. Interference with the expression or the activity of PP5 leads to impairment of the ATR-mediated phosphorylation of hRad17 and Chk1 after UV or hydroxyurea treatment. Similar results are obtained in ATM-deficient cells, suggesting that the observed defect in checkpoint signaling is the consequence of impaired functional interaction between ATR and PP5. In cells exposed to UV irradiation, PP5 is required to elicit an appropriate S-phase checkpoint response. In addition, loss of PP5 leads to premature mitosis after hydroxyurea treatment. Interestingly, reduced PP5 activity exerts differential effects on the formation of intranuclear foci by ATR and replication protein A, implicating a functional role for PP5 in a specific stage of the checkpoint signaling pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that PP5 plays a critical role in the ATR-mediated checkpoint activation.     

植物甜蛋白des-pGlu1-Brazzein基因在乙醇氧化酶缺陷型甲醇酵母中的表达及其活性分析

采用BglⅡ酶切重组表达载体pPIC9K-Bra,纯化后电击转化甲醇酵母菌GS115,构建乙醇氧化酶缺陷型表达菌株GS115-pPIC9K-Bra,筛选鉴定后,以0.5％的甲醇进行诱导,表达的目的蛋白约占上清总蛋白的95％,纯度较高,并具有一定的甜度.成功构建了乙醇氧化酶缺陷型的甲醇酵母表达菌株,为深入研究其应用奠定了基础.     

BDCA2/Fc?RIγ Complex Signals through a Novel BCR-Like Pathway in Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are equipped with lectin receptors to sense the extracellular environment and modulate cellular responses. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) uniquely express blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2) protein, a C-type lectin lacking an identifiable signaling motif. We demonstrate here that BDCA2 forms a complex with the transmembrane adapter FcɛRIγ. Through pathway analysis, we identified a comprehensive signaling machinery in human pDCs, similar to that which operates downstream of the B cell receptor (BCR), which is distinct from the system involved in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. BDCA2 crosslinking resulted in the activation of the BCR-like cascade, which potently suppressed the ability of pDCs to produce type I interferon and other cytokines in response to Toll-like receptor ligands. Therefore, by associating with FcɛRIγ, BDCA2 activates a novel BCR-like signaling pathway to regulate the immune functions of pDCs.     

野大豆(Glycine soja)叶绿体的光谱及其激子能量转移

野大豆叶绿体在低温(77K)时出现三条荧光发射谱带,它们来源于不同的色素蛋白复合体。 在纳秒脉冲激光激发下,捕光天线色素的相对荧光量子产额,随激光强度的增加有明显下降现象。用激子理论和动力学方程讨论和计算了激子扩散参量。指出激子转移是随机的,非相干的。