An isoform of GTPase regulator DOCK4 localizes to the stereocilia in the inner ear and binds to harmonin (USH1C)

The driving forces for the regulation of cell morphology are the Rho family GTPases that coordinate the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. This dynamic feature is a result of tight coupling between the cytoskeleton and signal transduction and is facilitated by actin-binding proteins (ABPs). Mutations in the actin bundling and PDZ domain-containing protein harmonin are the causes of Usher syndrome type 1C (USH1C), a syndrome of congenital deafness and progressive blindness, as well as certain forms of non-syndromic deafness. Here, we have used the yeast two-hybrid assay to isolate molecular partners of harmonin and identified DOCK4, an unconventional guanine exchange factor for the Rho family of guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GEF GTPases), as a protein interacting with harmonin. Detailed molecular analysis revealed that a novel DOCK4 isoform (DOCK4-Ex49) is expressed in the brain, eye and inner ear tissues. We have further provided evidence that the DOCK4-Ex49 binds to nucleotide free Rac as effectively as DOCK2 and DOCK4 and it is a potent Rac activator. By immunostaining using a peptide antibody specific to DOCK4-Ex49, we showed its localization in the inner ear within the hair bundles along the stereocilia (SC). Together, our data indicate a possible Rac-DOCK4-ABP harmonin-activated signaling pathway in regulating actin cytoskeleton organization in stereocilia.     

Perspectives of microbial oils for biodiesel production

Biodiesel has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits, and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. Generally speaking, biodiesel is prepared through transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats with short chain alcohols. However, the lack of oil feedstocks limits the large-scale development of biodiesel to some extent. Recently, much attention has been paid to the development of microbial, oils and it has been found that many microorganisms, such as algae, yeast, bacteria, and fungi, have the ability to accumulate oils under some special cultivation conditions. Compared to other plant oils, microbial oils have many advantages, such as short life cycle, less labor required, less affection by venue, season and climate, and easier to scale up. With the rapid expansion of biodiesel, microbial oils might become one of potential oil feedstocks for biodiesel production in the future, though there are many works associated with microorganisms producing oils need to be carried out further. This review is covering the related research about different oleaginous microorganisms producing oils, and the prospects of such microbial oils used for biodiesel production are also discussed.     

Changes of soil organic and inorganic carbon in relation to grassland degradation in Northern Tibet

The effect of livestock grazing on grassland degradation and the resulting impact on soil carbon concentration is an important factor in carbon estimation. We addressed this issue using field observations and laboratory analysis of samples from Tibetan grassland. Based on the field measurements, we investigated the soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) under two contrasting degradation states: lightly or non-degraded grasslands (LDG) and heavily degraded grasslands (HDG). We assessed their relationships with environmental factors using data collected from 99 sites across Northern Tibet during 2011–2012. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model and one-way ANOVA. The results showed that: (1) SOC concentration decreased and SIC concentration increased following grassland degradation, especially at soil depths in the range of 0–10 cm (P < 0.05); (2) the major environmental factors affecting SOC and SIC were soil pH and plant biomass; (3) spatially, the SOC density increased with the mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation, whereas SIC exhibited the opposite trend; (4) the SOC density increased at first and then decreased with increasing grazing intensity, with an opposite trend in SIC; and (5) soil carbon storage in this region was 0.14 Pg smaller in the HDG than in the LDG. This study suggests that grassland degradation can significantly affect the vertical distribution and storage of SOC and SIC. The carbon sequestration capacity of the top 100 cm of soil in Northern Tibet was estimated as 0.14 Pg.     

Enhancement of butanol production and reducing power using a two-stage controlled-pH strategy in batch culture of Clostridium acetobutylicum XY16

The effects of pH control on the process of acetone/butanol/ethanol (ABE) production in batch cultures of Clostridium acetobutylicum XY16 have been investigated. Based on the specific acid- and solvent-forming rates in batch fermentation at different pH values (from 4.3 to 6.0), a two-stage controlled-pH strategy was developed in which the pH was shifted from 5.5 to 4.9 after a dry cell weight of 0.5 g L(-1) was achieved. By applying this strategy, the maximum ABE concentration and productivity reached 20.3 g L(-1) and 0.63 g L(-1) h (-1), and were significantly improved by 12.2 and 40.1 %, respectively, compared with the process with no pH control. In addition, reducing power capability was significantly enhanced by this strategy. The two-stage controlled-pH strategy was a convenient and rapid method for high intensity ABE production.     

人胎盘碱性磷酸酯酶基因在毕赤酵母中的表达和活性检测

将人胎盘碱性磷酸酯酶 (hPLAP)基因克隆到质粒ppICZαA中并在巴斯德毕赤酵母Pichiapastoris蛋白酶缺陷菌株SMD1 1 6 8中诱导表达。结果表明 :2拷贝子的重组酵母诱导表达产物酶活性最高 ,拷贝Mut 和Muts 表型不同对hPLAP酶活性没有显著影响     

果蝇肠道共生菌对宿主作用的研究进展

肠道共生菌是动物体内的重要组成部分,在宿主的生长发育和健康等方面发挥着重要作用,近年来已成为国内外的研究热点.果蝇作为研究肠道微生物菌群功能的优秀模型,在肠道共生菌与宿主关系研究方面已取得许多重要进展.在本文中,我们首先对果蝇肠道微生物的组成和特征作了总结,然后对果蝇肠道共生菌在其生长发育、营养与代谢、行为反应、寿命以...     

Colonization of endophyte Acremonium sp. D212 in Panax notoginseng and rice mediated by auxin and jasmonic acid

Endophytic fungi can be beneficial to plant growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying colonization of Acremonium spp. remain unclear.In this study, a novel endophytic Acremonium strain was isolated from the buds of Panax notoginseng and named Acremonium sp. D212. The Acremonium sp. D212 could colonize the roots of P. notoginseng,enhance the resistance of P. notoginseng to root rot disease, and promote root growth and saponin biosynthesis in P. notoginseng. Acremonium sp. D212 could secrete indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) and jasmonic acid(JA), and inoculation with the fungus increased the endogenous levels of IAA and JA in P. notoginseng. Colonization of the Acremonium sp. D212 in the roots of the rice line Nipponbare was dependent on the concentration of methyl jasmonate(Me JA)(2–15 μmol/L) and 1-naphthalenacetic acid(NAA)(10–20 μmol/L). Moreover, the roots of the JA signaling-defective coi1-18 mutant were colonized by Acremonium sp. D212 to a lesser degree than those of the wild-type Nipponbare and mi R393 boverexpressing lines, and the colonization was rescued by Me JA but not by NAA. It suggests that the cross-talk between JA signaling and the auxin biosynthetic pathway plays a crucial role in the colonization of Acremonium sp. D212 in host plants.