Purification and characterization of a cold-active lipase from Pichia lynferdii Y-7723: pH-dependant activity deviation

Lipases with abnormal functionalities such as high thermostability and optimal activity at extreme conditions gain special attentions because of their applicability in the restricted reaction conditions. In particular, coldactive lipases have gained special attentions in various industrial fields such as washer detergent, pharmaceutical catalyst, and production of structured lipid. However, production of cold-active lipase is mostly found from psychrophilic microorganisms. Recently we found a novel cold-active lipase from Pichia lynferdii Y-7723 which is mesophilic yeast strain. In this study, we purified the cold active lipase and the enzyme was further characterized in several parameters. The enzyme was purified with 33 purification fold using chromatographic techniques and the purified lipase represented maximum lipolytic activity at 15°C and the maximum activity was highly dependent on pH.     

Intercellular protein-protein interactions at synapses

Chemical synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions through which neurons send nerve impulses to communicate with other neurons or excitable cells. The appropriate formation of synapses, both spatially and temporally, is essential for brain function and depends on the intercellular protein-protein interactions of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) at synaptic clefts. The CAM proteins link pre- and post-synaptic sites, and play essential roles in promoting synapse formation and maturation, maintaining synapse number and type, accumulating neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels, controlling neuronal differentiation, and even regulating synaptic plasticity directly. Alteration of the interactions of CAMs leads to structural and functional impairments, which results in many neurological disorders, such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the functions of CAMs during development and in the mature neural system, as well as in the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders. Here, we review the function of the major classes of CAMs, and how dysfunction of CAMs relates to several neurological disorders.     

干旱对浑善达克沙地榆叶片解剖结构的影响

采用石蜡切片法对浑善达克沙地流动沙丘顶部、丘间草地处的浑善达克沙地榆及呼和浩特市白榆叶的解剖结构进行了对比观察和分析,以期探讨浑善达克沙地榆在解剖学方面适应干旱的机理。结果表明,虽然属同种植物,但由于环境条件的不同,叶片的解剖结构表现出明显的差异。生境条件最差的流动沙丘顶部的浑善达克沙地榆的抗旱性最强,具体表现为:叶片厚,表皮细胞大,具有较厚的表皮细胞外壁与角质层;栅栏组织发达,细胞缩小,排列紧密。     

Factors affecting pathogenicity of NPV preparations to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera

Pathogenicity ofHeliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HSNPV) to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera, was studied using 3 different inoculative methods. The LD50 values of 4^th-instar larvae inoculated with corn-fed, diet-fed and inoculum-imbiding method were 1.85×10⁶, 2.55×10⁵ and 1,22×10³ PIBs/larva, respectively. The inoculum-imbiding is more sensitive and convenient for inoculatingH. armigera with HSNPV. The HSNPV product, Elcar^®, was highly pathogenic toH. armigera, the LD50 values of 2^nd-, 3^rd- and 4^th-instar larvae being 27, 83 and 1,221 PIBs/larva, respectively, as measured by the inoculum-imbiding method. The mortality of 4^th-instar larvae caused by HSNPV was increased, but the incubation period was shortened with higher incubation temperatures. However, the high temperature at 35°C caused a lower mortality, and a prolongation of the median lethal time (LT50). Stability and persistence of HSNPV preparations were better in January–February and April–May than in June–July and October–November periods when sprayed on corn silks under field conditions. The HSNPV was inactivated by weak alkaline dew (pH 8.1) collected from soybean leaves, but it remained active on those from corn, tomato and asparagus with pH 7.2–7.3. The artificial heavy rainfall of 242 mm/h for 30 min did not wash off HSNPV preparations sprayed on the corn silks.     

福建柏开花与结实物候期的研究

福建柏1年2次花期,春花期4—5月,果期当年10月,种子无生活力;秋花期9～10月,果期翌年10月,种子有生活力,有效花期在秋季。开花结实的生物学及物候学特性与适生区的地点、地类、海拔、温度等地理气候因子紧密相关,总体变异规律：秋花期、球果成熟期、种子散落期山区比半山区早,半山区比丘陵区早,高海拔地区比低海拔地区早．发芽率山区〉半山区〉丘陵区。     

乳酸菌用作口服疫苗传递载体的研究

乳酸菌是食品级安全菌,利用乳酸菌为表达载体制成的口服疫苗安全无毒,能诱导机体产生有效的免疫应答和免疫耐受。乳酸菌口服疫苗通过胃肠粘膜进行抗原呈递,使用方便,而且较传统注射途径的免疫效果和依从性好,是理想的疫苗,有广阔的发展前景。     

Relative Affinity of Calcium Pump Isoforms for Phospholamban Quantified by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

To investigate the regulation of SERCA1a [sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase] and SERCA2a calcium pump isoforms by phospholamban (PLB), we quantified PLB-SERCA interactions by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in live cells. For both SERCA1a and SERCA2a, FRET to PLB increased with increasing protein expression level to a maximum value corresponding to a probe separation distance of 64 Å. The data indicate that the respective regulatory complexes assume the same overall quaternary conformation. However, FRET measurements also revealed that PLB has a 50% higher apparent affinity for SERCA1a relative to SERCA2a. The results suggest that despite the structural similarities of the respective regulatory complexes, there is preferential binding of PLB to SERCA1a over SERCA2a. This apparent selectivity may have implications for biochemical studies in which SERCA1a is used as a substitute for SERCA2a. It may also be an important strategic consideration for therapeutic overexpression of SERCA isoforms in cardiac muscle.     

Orally active and brain permeable proline amides as highly selective 5HT2c agonists for the treatment of obesity

Brain-penetrable proline amides were developed as 5HT2c agonists with more than 1000-fold binding selectivity against 5HT2b receptor. After medicinal chemistry optimization and SAR studies, orally active proline amides with robust efficacy in a rodent food intake inhibition model were uncovered.