A computational study of binding between 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-((4-fluorophenyl)sulphonyl)acrylamide and tubulin

3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-N-((4-fluorophenyl)sulphonyl)acrylamide (FFSA) is a potential tubulin polymerisation inhibitor. In this article, a theoretical study of the binding between FFSA and tubulin in colchicine site was carried out by molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculations. The docking calculations preliminarily indicate that there are three possible binding modes 1, 2 and 3; MD simulations and binding free energy calculations identify that binding mode 2 is the most favourable, with the lowest binding free energy of ? 29.54 kcal/mol. Moreover, our valuable results for the binding are as follows: the inhibitor FFSA is suitably located at the colchicine site of tubulin, where it not only interacts with residues Leu248β, Lys254β, Leu255β, Lys352β, Met259β and Val181a by hydrophilic interaction, but also interacts with Val181α and Thr179α by hydrogen bond interaction. These two factors are both essential for FFSA strongly binding to tubulin. These theoretical results help understanding the action mechanism and designing new compounds with higher affinity to tubulin.     

Evolutionary divergence of β–expansin structure and function in grasses parallels emergence of distinctive primary cell wall traits

Expansins are wall‐loosening proteins that promote the extension of primary cell walls without the hydrolysis of major structural components. Previously, proteins from the EXPA (α–expansin) family were found to loosen eudicot cell walls but to be less effective on grass cell walls, whereas the reverse pattern was found for EXPB (β–expansin) proteins obtained from grass pollen. To understand the evolutionary and structural bases for the selectivity of EXPB action, we assessed the extension (creep) response of cell walls from diverse monocot families to EXPA and EXPB treatments. Cell walls from Cyperaceae and Juncaceae (families closely related to grasses) displayed a typical grass response (‘β–response’). Walls from more distant monocots, including some species that share with grasses high levels of arabinoxylan, responded preferentially to α–expansins (‘α–response’), behaving in this regard like eudicots. An expansin with selective activity for grass cell walls was detected in Cyperaceae pollen, coinciding with the expression of genes from the divergent EXPB–I branch that includes grass pollen β–expansins. The evolutionary origin of this branch was located within Poales on the basis of phylogenetic analyses and its association with the ‘sigma’ whole‐genome duplication. Accelerated evolution in this branch has remodeled the protein surface in contact with the substrate, potentially for binding highly substituted arabinoxylan. We propose that the evolution of the divergent EXPB–I group made a fundamental change in the target and mechanism of wall loosening in the grass lineage possible, involving a new structural role for xylans and the expansins that target them.     

Population genetic structure of Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara: implications for the origin of O. nivara

Ecological speciation plays a primary role in driving species divergence and adaptation. Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara are two incipient species at the early stage of speciation with distinct differences in morphology, life history traits and habitat preference, and therefore provide a unique model for the study of ecological speciation. However, the population genetic structure of the ancestral O. rufipogon has been controversial despite substantial study, and the origin of the derivative O. nivara remains unclear. Here, based on sequences of 10 nuclear and two chloroplast loci from 26 wild populations across the entire geographic ranges of the two species, we conducted comprehensive analyses using population genetics, phylogeography and species distribution modelling (SDM) approaches. In addition to supporting the two previously reported major subdivisions, we detected four genetically distinct groups within O. rufipogon and found no correlation between the genetic groups and either species identity or geographical regions. The SDM clearly showed substantial change in the distribution range of O. rufipogon in history, demonstrating that the repeated extinction and colonization of local populations due to multiple glacial–interglacial cycles during the Quaternary was most likely the main factor shaping the confounding population genetic structure of O. rufipogon. Moreover, we found significant differences between the two species in climate preferences, suggestive of an important role for climatic factors in the adaptation, persistence and expansion of O. nivara. Finally, based on the genetic pattern and dynamics of the O. nivara populations, we hypothesize that O. nivara might have independently originated multiple times from different O. rufipogon populations.     

北京地区黄檗种群数量结构及空间分布特征

黄檗(Phellodendron amurense)为我国二级国家重点保护野生植物,在北京地区黄檗多散生于阔叶林中,数量稀少,为了解北京地区黄檗种群的年龄结构和空间分布特征,促进种群扩繁,在北京百花山、松山和雾灵山自然保护区共设置了12个20 m×20 m的样地,从种群的径级结构、静态生命表、空间分布格局等3个方面分析了黄檗种群的数量特征与空间分布格局。结果表明:1)黄檗幼龄期个体数较多,中龄期个体数相对稳定,老龄期个体数量稀少,倒"J"的径级结构表明黄檗种群总体属于增长型种群;但局部小种群的径级结构组成比例差异很大。2)在整个黄檗种群的静态生命表中有3个死亡率高峰,第一个是从幼树阶段至小树阶段,第二个是从小树阶段至大树阶段,第二阶段死亡率最高,第三个是大树阶段的末期;3)黄檗空间分布格局总体为集群分布,在不同发育阶段的分布格局受其生物学、生态学特性以及种群发展过程中种内、种间关系的影响呈现出不同的分布格局。因此,调整局部种群的径级结构,采取促进黄檗小树集群分布的措施是促进其种群扩大的重要环节。     

马铃薯杂种无性株系的SSR鉴定及花粉育性和染色体构型分析

为明确马铃薯‘MB09’ב陇薯7号’杂种F1无性株系在DNA和细胞遗传学水平上的差异,该试验以亲本材料为对照,利用SSR分子标记技术对其20个优良无性株系(F1无性系一代)的DNA指纹特征进行分析,并采用常规制片镜检方法对已选出的8个杂种优良株系(F1无性系二代)的花粉育性及花粉母细胞减数分裂中期Ⅰ(PMCMⅠ)的染色体配对构型进行了研究,为马铃薯杂交新品系选育提供分子细胞遗传学依据。结果显示:(1)试验共筛选出2对SSR特异引物C57和S25,通过PCR扩增建立了能识别出这20个杂种株系及其双亲的SSR指纹图。(2)杂种优异株系F1-1、F1-2、F1-7、F1-11、F1-13、F1-14、F1-15和F1-20的花粉可育率变幅为36.73%~87.08%,并以株系F1-7最高(87.08%),而且显著超过高亲(83.33%),说明各优良株系花粉育性有一定差异。(3)对8个优异株系花粉母细胞的PMCMⅠ观察发现,各优良株系的染色体配对构型明显不同,均包括单价体、二价体、三价体和四价体4类,其中二价体构型的比例最高,其介于49.13%~82.91%之间,其中以株系F1-7的二价体比例最高(82.91%)。该研究明确了20个马铃薯杂种优良株系的SSR指纹特征和8个优异株系的花粉育性及染色体配对构型差异。     

欧美杨对PM_(2.5)中重金属铅的吸附、吸收及适应性变化

针对PM2.5中重金属铅污染的日益加重问题,本文利用气溶胶发生系统模拟PM2.5含铅颗粒的发生,研究欧美杨107(Populus euramericana‘Neva’)叶片在不同浓度含铅颗粒物污染处理下对铅的吸附、吸收和转运,以及叶片气孔和相应生理指标的变化。结果表明:欧美杨叶片表面能够吸附含铅颗粒物,重度污染处理的叶片吸附的颗粒物数量多于轻度污染处理。2种铅污染浓度处理的欧美杨均是叶片中的铅含量最高,茎和根中的铅含量较少。但不同污染处理下叶中的铅向茎和根中的运输存在差异。轻度污染处理第3天时,叶中的铅仅运输至茎部,到第7天时运输至根,而在重度污染处理的第3天,叶中的铅已运输至根部。超微结构观察显示,叶片表皮细胞中的铅仅在细胞壁中出现,通过质外体向内运输至叶肉细胞,而叶肉细胞中的铅主要分布在细胞壁和细胞质,液泡中有少量分布。2种污染浓度处理后,随处理时间的延长,欧美杨叶片气孔的开度变小,叶片中的丙二醛(MDA)和脯氨酸(Pro)含量逐渐升高以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性逐渐增强。研究表明,欧美杨叶片具有吸附、吸收PM2.5中铅的能力,同时通过降低气孔开度、渗透调节、提高抗氧化能力等生理过程来应对大气中的铅污染。     

短小芽孢杆菌AR03对烟草赤星病菌和白粉病菌的防治

采用对峙培养法、凹玻片法、LB琼脂培养基萌发法测定短小芽孢杆菌AR03对烟草赤星病菌和白粉病菌的抑制作用.结果表明： AR03菌液对2种病菌的菌丝生长和分生孢子萌发均有明显的拮抗作用;对赤星病菌的抑制作用表现为:经AR03菌液原液(3×10⁸cfu·mL^-1)处理的菌丝隔间变短、肿胀且集结成团,内含物聚集,菌丝顶端生长膨大畸形;经该菌液处理的赤星病菌分生孢子不萌发或萌发产生畸形芽管,分生孢子变形、肿大,纵横分隔部分的组织膨胀呈泡状.AR03菌液原液、30倍液和200倍液对白粉病菌分生孢子萌发的平板抑制率分别为100%、91.4%和 69.3%,菌液对分生孢子萌发的破坏作用表现为分生孢子不萌发,细胞肿胀变形、细胞原生质解体或收缩,孢子内、外壁分离,由于原生质外泄,一些分生孢子内部呈中空状.温室防治试验结果表明： 不同浓度AR03菌悬液处理对烟草白粉病的防治效果存在显著差异,第二次药后7和15 d,AR03菌液原液的防治效果分别达到83.8%和90.3%,与对照药剂差异不显著;而100倍稀释液的防效分别为70.0%和73.3%,与对照药剂差异显著.AR03菌株防治白粉病的持效期为30 d以上.     

北京地区油菜软腐病病原菌的鉴定

摘要:【目的】确定引发北京地区油菜［Brassica campestris L．ssp．chinensis (L.) Makino var． communis Tsen et Lee］软腐病的病原。【方法】结合病原菌形态、BIOLOG 及生理生化、16S rＲNA 基因序列及亚种IGS区特征分析,对从北京大兴和通州区油菜软腐病样中病原菌进行生物学鉴定。【结果】分离的40 个菌株均能引发 油菜软腐病,但分别为胡萝卜果胶杆菌(Pectobacterium carotovorum) 的2个不同亚种,其中13株为P．carotovorum subsp．carotovorum(Pcc),另27株为P．arotovorum subsp． brasiliensis(Pcb)。接种白菜(Brassica campestris L．ssp．pekinensis)致病力测定分析表明,亚种内、来源相同与16S rRNA基因序列相同的菌株间均存在明显的致病力分化。【结论】Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp．carotovorum和Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis是引发北京地区油菜软腐病的致病菌,后者为首次报道能引起白菜类蔬菜软腐病的常见致病菌。