Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in extant Irish horse populations and in ancient horses

Equine mitochondrial DNA sequence variation was investigated in three indigenous Irish horse populations (Irish Draught Horse, Kerry Bog Pony and Connemara Pony) and, for context, in 69 other horse populations. There was no evidence of Irish Draught Horse or Connemara Pony sequence clustering, although the majority of Irish Draught Horse sequences (47%) were assigned to haplogroup D. Conversely, 31% of the Kerry Bog Pony sequences were assigned to the rare haplogroup E. In addition to the extant population analyses, ancient DNA sequences were generated from three out of four Irish archaeological specimens, all of which were assigned to haplogroup A.     

Interaction between RAX and PKR modulates the effect of ethanol on protein synthesis and survival of neurons

Ethanol exposure inhibits protein synthesis and causes cell death in the developing central nervous system. The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR), a serine/threonine protein kinase, plays an important role in translational regulation and cell survival. PKR has been well known for its anti-viral response. Upon activation by viral infection or dsRNA, PKR phosphorylates its substrate, the alpha-subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2 (eIF2alpha) leading to inhibition of translation initiation. It has recently been shown that, in the absence of a virus or dsRNA, PKR can be activated by direct interactions with its protein activators, PACT, or its mouse homologue, RAX. We have demonstrated that exposure to ethanol increased the phosphorylation of PKR and eIF2alpha in the developing cerebellum. The effect of ethanol on PKR/eIF2alpha phosphorylation positively correlated to the expression of PACT/RAX in cultured neuronal cells. Using PKR inhibitors and PKR null mouse fibroblasts, we verified that ethanol-induced eIF2alpha phosphorylation was mediated by PKR. Overexpression of a wild-type RAX dramatically enhanced sensitivity to ethanol-induced PKR/eIF2alpha phosphorylation, as well as translational inhibition and cell death. In contrast, overexpression of a mutant (S18A) RAX inhibited ethanol-mediated PKR/eIF2alpha activation. Ethanol promoted PKR and RAX association in cells expressing wild-type RAX but not in cells expressing S18A RAX. S18A RAX functioned as a dominant negative protein and blocked ethanol-induced inhibition of protein synthesis and cell death. Our results suggest that the interactions between PKR and PACT/RAX modulate the effect of ethanol on protein synthesis and cell survival in the central nervous system.     

棉铃虫β-微管蛋白基因cDNA序列的克隆与序列分析

β-微管蛋白是构成细胞骨架的重要组成性蛋白,对昆虫的蜕皮、器官形成等生长发育阶段均能产生重要影响。本文以棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)3日龄成虫为材料,利用RACE末端扩增技术克隆得到棉铃虫的β-微管蛋白基因的cDNA序列。序列分析表明:棉铃虫β-微管蛋白基因的cDNA序列包含1775个碱基,包括一个1347个碱基的开放阅读框,编码448个氨基酸组成的多肽。GenBank登录号:JF767013。同源性分析表明,棉铃虫的微管蛋白基因与本研究所比对其它昆虫的β-微管蛋白基因具有高度的同源性,达到90%左右。本研究克隆得到棉铃虫的β-微管蛋白基因的cDNA序列,对进一步深入研究该基因功能有重要意义。     

Fed-batch microbioreactor platform for scale down and analysis of a plasmid DNA production process

The rising costs of bioprocess research and development emphasize the need for high-throughput, low-cost alternatives to bench-scale bioreactors for process development. In particular, there is a need for platforms that can go beyond simple batch growth of the organism of interest to include more advanced monitoring, control, and operation schemes such as fed-batch or continuous. We have developed a 1-mL microbioreactor capable of monitoring and control of dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Optical density can also be measured online for continuous monitoring of cell growth. To test our microbioreactor platform, we used production of a plasmid DNA vaccine vector (pVAX1-GFP) in Escherichia coli via a fed-batch temperature-inducible process as a model system. We demonstrated that our platform can accurately predict growth, glycerol and acetate concentrations, as well as plasmid copy number and quality obtained in a bench-scale bioreactor. The predictive abilities of the micro-scale system were robust over a range of feed rates as long as key process parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, were kept constant across scales. We have highlighted plasmid DNA production as a potential application for our microbioreactor, but the device has broad utility for microbial process development in other industries as well.     

Development of new plasmid DNA vaccine vectors with R1-based replicons

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: There has been renewed interest in biopharmaceuticals based on plasmid DNA (pDNA) in recent years due to the approval of several veterinary DNA vaccines, on-going clinical trials of human pDNA-based therapies, and significant advances in adjuvants and delivery vehicles that have helped overcome earlier efficacy deficits. With this interest comes the need for high-yield, cost-effective manufacturing processes. To this end, vector engineering is one promising strategy to improve plasmid production. RESULTS: In this work, we have constructed a new DNA vaccine vector, pDMB02-GFP, containing the runaway R1 origin of replication. The runaway replication phenotype should result in plasmid copy number amplification after a temperature shift from 30degreesC to 42degreesC. However, using Escherichia coli DH5alpha as a host, we observed that the highest yields of pDMB02-GFP were achieved during constant-temperature culture at 30degreesC, with a maximum yield of approximately 19 mg pDNA/g DCW being observed. By measuring mRNA and protein levels of the R1 replication initiator protein, RepA, we determined that RepA may be limiting pDMB02-GFP yield at 42degreesC. A mutant plasmid, pDMB-ATG, was constructed by changing the repA start codon from the sub-optimal GTG to ATG. In cultures of DH5alpha[pDMB-ATG], temperature-induced plasmid amplification was more dramatic than that observed with pDMB02-GFP, and RepA protein was detectable for several hours longer than in cultures of pDMB02-GFP at 42degreesC. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we have demonstrated that R1-based plasmids can produce high yields of high-quality pDNA without the need for a temperature shift, and have laid the groundwork for further investigation of this class of vectors in the context of plasmid DNA production.     

鲤鱼SOCS-4基因克隆、鉴定及表达模式分析

细胞因子是调节机体免疫和神经内分泌功能的生物活性物质,其信号的激发、放大和持续在时间和空间上都受到严格调控。细胞因子信号传导抑制因子(Suppressorof cytokine signaling,SOCS)是细胞因子信号通路的负调节因子,通过负反馈抑制细胞因子的信号传递,防止过度的信号反应干扰机体代谢平衡和细胞功能。在哺乳动物中,SOCS系统对生长激素(GH)、表皮生长因子     

高产琥珀酸菌株的通量筛选

以琥珀酸放线杆菌Actinobacillus succinogenes F3—21为出发菌株,分别用吖啶黄、紫外线、紫外线．硫酸二乙酯和亚硝基胍进行诱变,产生突变菌库。用“96孔板培养－HPLC浓缩检测－厌氧瓶复筛”的模式筛选高产突变株。从1056株突变株中,筛选到一株高产菌株Ⅵ-10-C。连续传代10次,产酸水平不变。在5L发酵罐中补料分批发酵72h,Ⅵ－10－C产琥珀酸87．6g／L,生产强度1．22g/（L·h）,糖酸转化率0．66g／g;琥珀酸产量比出发菌提高了30％。代谢通量与关键酶活性分析表明：相比于F3-21,Ⅵ-10-C发酵过程中从磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸节点处流向草酰乙酸的代谢流量增加了28．9％,相对应的磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化激酶（PEPCK）酶活提高了23．5％。结果表明用“96孔板培养-HPLC浓缩检测-厌氧瓶复筛”的模式能快速有效筛选高产琥珀酸菌株。     

全球古海水化学演化与世界主要海相钾盐沉积关系暨中国海相成钾探讨

地球历史中海水的成份不是一直不变的,而是经历了"方解石海"与"文石海"的交替。不同的海水化学决定了不同的蒸发岩沉积序列,并决定了不同时期的蒸发岩矿物组合。海相钾盐沉积于海水蒸发的最后阶段,而同一时期全球海水组成基本一致,因此可以通过地质历史时期全球海水组成及海相沉积石盐的流体包裹体组成分析,探讨世界主要钾盐沉积与海水组成和盐度变化的关系,分析中国海相、海陆交互相蒸发岩沉积时期的钾盐沉积条件与标志,预测钾盐成矿的有利地质时代和层位。     

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS SLADENIA (PISCES, LOPHIIDAE) FROM THE EAST CHINA SEA AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

20世纪70年代以前,全世界已知宽鳃鮟鱇属Sladenia Regan( 1908)鱼类仅有3种.1980～1982年期间,东海水产研究所“东方”号和南海水产研究所“南锋”号调查船分别在东海和南海的大陆架渔场调查时,共采集到4尾珍稀的深海鮟鱇鱼类.经研究,认为这4尾标本是1新种,定名为朱氏宽鳃鮟鱇Sladenia zhui sp.nov..