LT（K63／R72）, a New Mutant of Escherichia coli Heat-labile Enterotoxin, Exhibits Characteristics More Similar to LT（K63） than LT（R72）

LT(K63), a non-toxic mutant and LT(R72), a low toxic mutant of E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin are frequently used mucosal adjuvants. In many cases, the adjuvanticity of LT(K63) is lower than that of LT(R72), but LT(K63), which induces a mixed Th1/Th2 response, exhibits a higher level of protection than LT(R72) which induces a polarized Th2-type response. To utilize the advantages of both adjuvants, a doublemutation LT(K63/R72) was generated and purified. The characterization results showed that there was no significant difference in production rate and immunogenicity between wild type LT and LT mutants. The results also showed that the toxicity and the trypsin sensitivity of LT(K63/R72) are between that of LT(K63)and LT(R72). Using HPLC, when samples in an OHpak SB-800 column were eluted by denatural buffer(TEAN containing 10 mg/ml SDS), we found the stability of LT(K63/R72) was higher than that of LT(R72)and lower than that of LT(K63). Through further analyzes, we found that LT(K63/R72) exhibits characteristics more closely related to LT(K63) than LT(R72).     

Positive Charges on Lysine Residues of the Extrinsic 18 kDa Protein Are Important to Its Electrostatic Interaction with Spinach Photosystem Ⅱ Membranes

To determine the contribution of charged amino acids to binding with the photosystem II complex （PSII）, the amino or carboxyl groups of the extrinsic 18 kDa protein were modified with N- succinimidyl propionate （NSP） or glycine methyl ester （GME） in the presence of a water-soluble carbodiimide, respectively. Based on isoelectric point shift, 4-10 and 10-14 amino groups were modified in the presence of 2 and 4 mM NSP, respectively. Similarly, 3-4 carboxyl groups were modified by reaction with 100 mM GME. Neutralization of negatively charged carboxyl groups with GME did not alter the binding activity of the extrinsic 18 kDa protein. However, the NSP-modified 18 kDa protein, in which the positively charged amino groups had been modified to uncharged methyl esters, failed to bind with the PSII membrane in the presence of the extrinsic 23 kDa protein. This defect can not be attributed to structural or conformational alterations imposed by chemical modification, as the fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra among native, GME- and NSP-modified extrinsic 18 kDa proteins were similar. Thus, we have concluded that the positive charges of lysyl residues in the extrinsic 18 kDa protein are important for its interaction with PSII membranes in the presence of the extrinsic 23 kDa protein. Furthermore, it was found that the negative charges of carboxyl groups of this protein did not participate in binding with the extrinsic 23 kDa protein associated with PSII membranes.     

饥饿和饱食状态下丰鲤与其亲本的活动水平和活动节律

使用Videomex-V影像运动监视系统全天监测丰鲤(Cyprinus carpiovar.Xingguo♀×Cyprinus carpiovar.mirror splittered♂)、散鳞镜鲤(Cyprinus carpiovar.mirror splittered♂)和兴国红鲤(Cyprinus carpiovar.Xingguo♀)的活动(每种鱼12条,饥饿和饱食各6条)。结果显示,3种鱼饥饿时的活动水平都显著低于饱食时,但3种鱼白昼或夜间的相对活动水平都不受摄食与否的显著影响;饥饿或饱食时,丰鲤的活动水平与散鳞镜鲤都无显著差异,并且都显著高于兴国红鲤;丰鲤饥饿时的活动节律与散鳞镜鲤和兴国红鲤都不相似,饱食时的活动节律与散鳞镜鲤更相似。总的来看,丰鲤的活动水平和活动节律与散鳞镜鲤更为相似[动物学报51(5):806-812,2005]。     

基于12S和16S rRNA序列的湍蛙属部分物种的系统发育关系

测定了湍蛙属 6个种共 10个种群 ,以及 4个外群种的线粒体 12S和 16SrRNA基因片段 ,比对后有94 0bp序列 ,发现 35 2个变异位点、 186个简约性位点。运用NJ法、MP法、ML法构建了系统关系树 ,各系统树一致表明内群为一单系群 ,分为两组 :第一组中 ,四川湍蛙两种群先聚合 ,再和棕点湍蛙聚为一支 ;第二组中 ,香港湍蛙和戴云湍蛙聚为一支 ,而香港大屿山离岛湍蛙种群首先与华南湍蛙相聚 ,再与武夷湍蛙构成姐妹支。研究结果表明 :香港地区增加 1种湍蛙分布 ;戴云湍蛙是一有效种 ;四川湍蛙的石棉和洪雅种群间遗传差异达到或超过其他种间的分歧水平。     

Expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">glr</Emphasis> gene encoding glutamate racemase in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis> WX-02 and its regulatory effects on synthesis of poly-γ-glutamic acid

The glr gene, which encodes glutamate racemase involved in the conversion of l-glutamic acid to its D-isomer, was cloned and expressed in Bacillus licheniformis WX-02. Overexpression of the glr gene not only increased the production of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) by 22.5% but also increased the proportion of d-glutamate in γ-PGA from 77 to 85%. The activity of glutamate racemase was higher than in the original strain throughout cultivation. This is the first report that overexpression of the glr gene could enhance the l- and d-glutamate conversion in B. licheniformis WX-02 and increase the proportion of d-glutamate in γ-PGA and the yield of γ-PGA.     

四逆散对疲劳大鼠学习记忆及脑内GABA_B1表达的影响

目的：探讨四逆散对疲劳大鼠学习记忆及脑内GABA_B1受体的影响。方法：应用游泳训练和睡眠剥夺方法复制疲劳动物模型,运用Y-迷宫检测各组大鼠的学习记忆能力,采用免疫组化方法检测大鼠脑内GABA_B1受体阳性反应物的变化。结果：模型组与正常组相比,大鼠Y-迷宫正确反应率明显下降,错误反应率明显升高,大鼠脑内GABA_B1的阳性反应物数目明显增多;中药治疗组与模型组相比,正确反应率明显升高,错误反应次数明显下降,脑内GABA_B1受体的阳性反应物数目明显减少。结论：四逆散对疲劳大鼠学习记忆能力的下降具有改善作用。     

Molecular genetic mapping of a high-lysine mutant gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">opaque-16</Emphasis>) and the double recessive effect with <Emphasis Type="Italic">opaque-2</Emphasis> in maize

The lysin content in maize endosperm protein is considered to be one of the most important traits for determining the nutritional quality of food and feed. Improving the protein quality of the maize kernel depends principally on finding a mutant with a higher lysine content. Two high-lysine mutant lines with opaque endosperm, QCL3024 and QCL3021, were isolated from a self-cross population derived from Robertsons Mutator stocks. The gene controlling this mutation is temporarily termed opaque-16 (o16). In order to illuminate the genetic locus and effect of the o16 gene, two F_2:3 populations, one developed from a cross between QCL3024 and QCL3010 (a wild type line) and another from a cross between Qi205 (opaque-2 line) and QCL3021, were created, and F₃ seeds from the F₂ plants in the two populations were evaluated for lysine content. The distributions of lysine content and tests for their normality indicate that the lysine content in the two populations is regulated by the major gene of o16 and genes of o2 and o16, respectively. Based on two data sets of the linkage maps of the F₂ plant marker genotypes and the lysine content of F₃ seeds originating from the two F_2:3 populations, the o16 gene was located within 5 cM, at either 3 or 2.2 cM from umc1141 in the interval between umc1121 and umc1141 on the long arm of chromosome 8, depending on the recombination rate in the two populations as determined by composite interval mapping. According to the data of the F_2:3 population constructed from the o2 and o16 lines, the double recessive mutant effect was analyzed. The average lysine content of the F₃ o2o2o16o16 families identified by the umc1066 and umc1141 markers was approximately 30% higher than that of the F₃ o2o2 and o16o16 families, respectively. The lysine content of seven F₃ families among nine F₃ double recessive mutant families showed different increments, with an average increase of some 6% compared with that of the maternal o2 line. The potential application of the o16 mutant for maize high-lysine breeding may be to combine it with the o2 mutant bearing modifier genes, thus obtaining a mutant with much higher lysine content. For the purpose of pyramiding the o16 with o2 genes, the availability of closely linked markers of the o16 and o2 loci will facilitate marker-assisted selection and greatly reduce breeding time and effort.