FIT2 organizes lipid droplet biogenesis with ER tubule-forming proteins and septins

Lipid droplets (LDs) are critical for lipid storage and energy metabolism. LDs form in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the molecular basis for LD biogenesis remains elusive. Here, we show that fat storage–inducing transmembrane protein 2 (FIT2) interacts with ER tubule-forming proteins Rtn4 and REEP5. The association is mainly transmembrane domain based and stimulated by oleic acid. Depletion of ER tubule-forming proteins decreases the number and size of LDs in cells and Caenorhabditis elegans, mimicking loss of FIT2. Through cytosolic loops, FIT2 binds to cytoskeletal protein septin 7, an interaction that is also required for normal LD biogenesis. Depletion of ER tubule-forming proteins or septins delays nascent LD formation. In addition, FIT2-interacting proteins are up-regulated during adipocyte differentiation, and ER tubule-forming proteins, septin 7, and FIT2 are transiently enriched at LD formation sites. Thus, FIT2-mediated nascent LD biogenesis is facilitated by ER tubule-forming proteins and septins.     

Recordings from neuron–HEK cell cocultures reveal the determinants of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents

Spontaneous exocytosis of single synaptic vesicles generates miniature synaptic currents, which provide a window into the dynamic control of synaptic transmission. To resolve the impact of different factors on the dynamics and variability of synaptic transmission, we recorded miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) from cocultures of mouse hippocampal neurons with HEK cells expressing the postsynaptic proteins GluA2, neuroligin 1, PSD-95, and stargazin. Synapses between neurons and these heterologous cells have a molecularly defined postsynaptic apparatus, while the compact morphology of HEK cells eliminates the distorting effect of dendritic filtering. HEK cells in coculture produced mEPSCs with a higher frequency, larger amplitude, and more rapid rise and decay than neurons from the same culture. However, mEPSC area indicated that nerve terminals in synapses with both neurons and HEK cells release similar populations of vesicles. Modulation by the glutamate receptor ligand aniracetam revealed receptor contributions to mEPSC shape. Dendritic cable effects account for the slower mEPSC rise in neurons, whereas the slower decay also depends on other factors. Lastly, expression of synaptobrevin transmembrane domain mutants in neurons slowed the rise of HEK cell mEPSCs, thus revealing the impact of synaptic fusion pores. In summary, we show that cocultures of neurons with heterologous cells provide a geometrically simplified and molecularly defined system to investigate the time course of synaptic transmission and to resolve the contribution of vesicles, fusion pores, dendrites, and receptors to this process.     

非结构蛋白在非洲猪瘟病毒感染中作用

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever,ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)感染引起的一种急性、出血性猪传染病,给疫情发生国家(地区)的养猪业造成重大经济损失.ASFV为双股DNA病毒,基因组含有150～167个开放阅读框(ORFs),可编码150～200种蛋白质,其中非结构蛋白有100余种.ASFV编码的酶、转录因子、调节宿主细胞功能蛋白和病毒免疫逃逸相关蛋白等作为重要的非结构蛋白,在病毒核苷酸代谢、DNA复制、修复、转录、蛋白修饰以及病毒与宿主细胞相互作用等过程中发挥重要作用,但仍有许多非结构蛋白的功能尚不明晰.因此,本文综述了 ASFV非结构蛋白在病毒感染中的作用,以期为ASFV非结构蛋白的进一步研究提供参考.     

水稻长日照开花因子Lfm1的图位克隆

开花期是水稻最重要的农艺性状之一,水稻的花期决定着水稻的地区适应性和最终产量。人工选择使水稻从短日照向长日照、低纬度向高纬度扩张,因此水稻已逐渐进化出适应长日照条件下的开花调控机制。目前,虽然鉴定了一些影响水稻长日照的开花基因如SDG724、RFT1、EHD4、DTH2,但是挖掘水稻长日照开花基因还十分有限。本研究通过筛选水稻突变体库,获得一批在长日照下花期有显著差异的突变体材料,其中一份突变体lfm1(late-flowering mutant1),在长日照条件下开花延迟,在短日照条件下开花时间正常。通过图位克隆,将Lfm1基因初定位至第8染色体端粒附近。进一步的精细定位将Lfm1基因定位于分子标记8-0.269和与8-0.283之间,范围为12 kb,该区域包括3个候选基因。经测序分析发现,在突变体lfm1中,LOC_Os08g01420基因的第六外显子2800处缺失9个碱基,突变体lfm1等位于已报道的突变体ehd3。在适度(中日照条件下,~12 h/12 h)的光照条件下,突变体lfm1表现为穗粒数增多,生育期略延长,具有应用于生产的潜力。Lfm1基因的克隆为培育适应不同生态区域的水稻材料提供了重要的基因资源。