柚子(Citrus grandis Osbeck)S-like核酸酶基因CgSL1的分离与特征分析

从柚子（Citrus grandis Osbeck)2个自交不亲和品种Guan溪蜜柚和度尾蜜柚的花柱中克隆出一个类似S核酸酶基因CgSL1（C.grandis S-likde RNase),它的cDNA序列全长1074bp,编码297个氨基酸,通过与其它植物S-like核酸酶和S核酸酶氨基酸序列进行比较,发现CgSL1类似于S-like核酸酶,与拟南芥中的RNS2一致性为62．5％。对CgSL1的表达分析表明该基因在花柱,花药,叶片不同器官以及花柱的不同发育阶段均有表达,且在花柱中的表达随衰老增强,由此推测它可能与衰老有关。     

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Phospholipid Bilayers

Abstract

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at 37°C have been performed on three phospholipid bilayer systems composed of the lipids DLPE, DOPE, and DOPC. The model used included 24 explicit lipid molecules and explicit waters of solvation in the polar head group regions, together with constant-pressure periodic boundary conditions in three dimensions. Using this model, a MD simulation samples part of an infinite planar lipid bilayer. The lipid dynamics and packing behavior were characterized. Furthermore, using the results of the simulations, a number of diverse properties including bilayer structural parameters, hydrocarbon chain order parameters, dihedral conformations, electron density profile, hydration per lipid, and water distribution along the bilayer normal were calculated. Many of these properties are available for the three lipid systems chosen, making them well suited for evaluating the model and protocols used in these simulations by direct comparisons with experimental data. The calculated MD behavior, chain disorder, and lipid packing parameter, i.e. the ratio of the effective areas of hydrocarbon tails and head group per lipid (a_t/a_h), correctly predict the aggregation preferences of the three lipids observed experimentally at 37°C, namely: a gel bilayer for DLPE, a hexagonal tube for DOPE, and a liquid crystalline bilayer for DOPC. In addition, the model and conditions used in the MD simulations led to good agreement of the calculated properties of the bilayers with available experimental results, demonstrating the reliability of the simulations. The effects of the cis unsaturation in the hydrocarbon chains of DOPE and DOPC, compared to the fully saturated one in DLPE, as well as the effects of the different polar head groups of PC and PE with the same unsaturated chains on the lipid packing and bilayer structure have been investigated. The results of these studies indicate the ability of MD methods to provide molecular-level insights into the structure and dynamics of lipid assemblies.     

Determinants of serum levels of surfactant proteins A and B and Clara cell protein CC16

Increased leakage of surfactant proteins A and B (SP-A and SP-B) and Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) from the air spaces into the circulation occurs in a range of respiratory conditions. However, circulating levels depend not only on the rate of entry into the circulation, but also on the rate of clearance. In order to clarify the role of the kidney in the clearance of these proteins, serum levels were related to markers of glomerular filtration in 54 non-smoking patients with varying degrees of renal dysfunction, none of whom had respiratory disease or were receiving dialysis at the time of sampling. Serum SP-A was related to SP-B (r=0.53, p<0.001) and to CC16 (r=0.33, p<0.02). Similarly, SP-B was related to CC16 (r=0.39, p<0.004). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis suggested that serum SP-A and SP-B are influenced by age (～20 and ～25% of variance, respectively), whereas CC16 is determined by renal function and, to a lesser extent, by body weight (～63% of variance in total). We conclude that CC16 is cleared from blood by the renal route, whereas SP-A and SP-B are not. Serum SP-A and SP-B are influenced by age, which we speculate reflects increased damage to the alveolocapillary barrier.     

Elevated Plasma SPARC Levels Are Associated with Insulin Resistance,Dyslipidemia, and Inflammation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

Recent studies suggested that secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), a novel adipokine, is a key player in the pathology of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to determine whether concentrations of SPARC were altered in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) controls and to investigate the relationships between SPARC and metabolic parameters in pregnant women.

Design/Methods

Cross-sectional study of 120 pregnant women with GDM and 60 controls with NGT, in a university hospital setting. Plasma levels of SPARC, adiponectin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), insulin and proinsulin were determined by ELISA.

Results

GDM women had higher SPARC and lower adiponectin than NGT subjects; no difference was found in FGF21. SPARC levels were the lowest in subjects in the third tertile of insulin sensitivity index (ISI_OGTT) and correlated positively with pre-pregnant BMI, insulin and 3 h glucose during 100-g OGTT, HOMA-IR, fasting proinsulin, hsCRP and white blood cells count, and negatively with ISI_OGTT, when adjusting for gestational age. Triglyceride (TG), Apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) correlated with SPARC in partial Pearson correlation. Correlations between SPARC with adiponectin, systolic blood pressure and TG were marginally significant in partial Spearman correlation analysis. In multivariate regression analysis, SPARC was an independent negative indicator of ISI_OGTT.

Conclusions

SPARC levels are correlated significantly with inflammation and may also be correlated with dyslipidemia and represent an independent determinant of insulin resistance in late pregnancy, indicating a potential role of SPARC in the pathophysiology of GDM.     

长江口中华鲟保护区鱼卵和仔鱼的分布特征

根据2004年5月和8月共2个航次对中华鲟（Acipenser sinensis）保护区及其邻近水域16个定点观测站进行的鱼卵和仔鱼调查资料,对该水域鱼卵仔鱼的种类组成和数量分布的季节变化特征以及有关的环境影响因子作了分析和探讨。结果表明：鱼卵仔鱼的种类组成和数量分布呈现明显的季节变化特征。春夏季种类组成变化大,种类数春季高于夏季;其中,以凤鲚(Coilia mystus)卵和仔鱼分布最多,其变动直接影响总量的变化;平面分布范围夏季较春季小,数量主要集中于崇明岛北部的北支水域和崇明东滩的东南部水域,崇明岛南部沿岸的北港水域相对较少;由于调查水域受长江径流的作用十分明显,因而数量分布和种类组成上随径流的变化表现出较明显的季节变动;南、北支水系的水文条件不同,海水由东向西楔入的程度不同,产生的环境状况影响了鱼卵仔鱼的平面分布格局。     

杂交-渐渗进化理论在转基因逃逸及其环境风险评价和研究中的意义

转基因作物的商品化生产和大规模环境释放, 引起了全球对生物安全问题的广泛关注和争议, 其中转基因通过花粉介导的基因漂移逃逸到非转基因作物及其野生近缘种, 进而带来不同类型的环境风险就是备受争议的生物安全问题之一。有效的生物安全评价和研究能够为转基因作物的安全持久利用保驾护航。按照风险评价的原则, 对于转基因逃逸及其潜在环境风险的评价应包括两个重要步骤: (1)检测转基因向野生近缘种(包括杂草类型)群体逃逸的频率; (2)确定逃逸后的转基因能否通过遗传渐渗在野生近缘种群体中存留和扩散。杂交－渐渗是进化生物学中非常重要的科学命题和普遍的自然现象, 杂交－渐渗的进化理论与转基因逃逸及其潜在环境风险的研究和评价有密切的关系。杂交－渐渗过程往往导致物种形成、适应性进化和自然群体的濒危与灭绝, 这是因为在杂交－渐渗过程中, 不同的机制如遗传同化作用、群体湮没效应以及群体的选择性剔除效应等都会在很大程度上影响群体的进化过程。转基因通过杂交－渐渗进入野生群体, 使这一过程更加复杂化。如果转基因能提高群体的适合度, 则更有利于其渐渗速率, 从而在群体中迅速扩散并带来一定的生态后果。杂交－渐渗的进化理论和思想将有益于指导转基因逃逸及其潜在环境风险的研究和评价。     

Analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in the genus Rhizobium

The codon usage patterns of rhizobia have received increasing attention. However, little information is available regarding the conserved features of the codon usage patterns in a typical rhizobial genus. The codon usage patterns of six completely sequenced strains belonging to the genus Rhizobium were analysed as model rhizobia in the present study. The relative neutrality plot showed that selection pressure played a role in codon usage in the genus Rhizobium. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis combined with correspondence analysis (COA) showed that the codon adaptation index and the effective number of codons (ENC) had strong correlation with the first axis of the COA, which indicated the important role of gene expression level and the ENC in the codon usage patterns in this genus. The relative synonymous codon usage of Cys codons had the strongest correlation with the second axis of the COA. Accordingly, the usage of Cys codons was another important factor that shaped the codon usage patterns in Rhizobium genomes and was a conserved feature of the genus. Moreover, the comparison of codon usage between highly and lowly expressed genes showed that 20 unique preferred codons were shared among Rhizobium genomes, revealing another conserved feature of the genus. This is the first report of the codon usage patterns in the genus Rhizobium.     

Deficiency of Macf1 in osterix expressing cells decreases bone formation by Bmp2/Smad/Runx2 pathway

Microtubule actin cross‐linking factor 1 (Macf1) is a spectraplakin family member known to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics, cell migration, neuronal growth and cell signal transduction. We previously demonstrated that knockdown of Macf1 inhibited the differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cell line. However, whether Macf1 could regulate bone formation in vivo is unclear. To study the function and mechanism of Macf1 in bone formation and osteogenic differentiation, we established osteoblast‐specific Osterix (Osx) promoter‐driven Macf1 conditional knockout mice (Macf1^f/fOsx‐Cre). The Macf1^f/fOsx‐Cre mice displayed delayed ossification and decreased bone mass. Morphological and mechanical studies showed deteriorated trabecular microarchitecture and impaired biomechanical strength of femur in Macf1^f/fOsx‐Cre mice. In addition, the differentiation of primary osteoblasts isolated from calvaria was inhibited in Macf1^f/fOsx‐Cre mice. Deficiency of Macf1 in primary osteoblasts inhibited the expression of osteogenic marker genes (Col1, Runx2 and Alp) and the number of mineralized nodules. Furthermore, deficiency of Macf1 attenuated Bmp2/Smad/Runx2 signalling in primary osteoblasts of Macf1^f/fOsx‐Cre mice. Together, these results indicated that Macf1 plays a significant role in bone formation and osteoblast differentiation by regulating Bmp2/Smad/Runx2 pathway, suggesting that Macf1 might be a therapeutic target for bone disease.     

Overexpression of the persimmon abscisic acid β‐glucosidase gene (DkBG1) alters fruit ripening in transgenic tomato

β‐Glucosidases (BG) are present in many plant tissues. Among these, abscisic acid (ABA) β‐glucosidases are thought to take part in the adjustment of cellular ABA levels, however the role of ABA‐BG in fruits is still unclear. In this study, through RNA‐seq analysis of persimmon fruit, 10 full‐length DkBG genes were isolated and were all found to be expressed. In particular, DkBG1 was highly expressed in persimmon fruits with a maximum expression 95 days after full bloom (DAFD). We verified that, in vitro, DkBG1 protein can hydrolyze ABA‐glucose ester (ABA‐GE) to release free ABA. Compared with wild‐type, tomato plants that overexpressed DkBG1 significantly upregulated the expression of ABA receptor PYL3/7 genes and showed typical symptoms of ABA hypersensitivity in fruits. DkBG1 overexpression (DkBG1‐OE) accelerated fruit ripening onset by 3–4 days by increasing ABA levels at the pre‐breaker stage and induced early ethylene release compared with wild‐type fruits. DkBG1‐OE altered the expression of ripening regulator NON‐RIPENING (NOR) and its target genes; this in turn altered fruit quality traits such as coloration. Our results demonstrated that DkBG1 plays an important role in fruit ripening and quality by adjusting ABA levels via hydrolysis of ABA‐GE.