Functional characterization of types of plasma membranes in cerebral cortex.

The cerebral cortex of normal oxygenated and of asphyxiated mice has been studied by freeze-fracturing technique with a twofold purpose. First, to investigate changes, if any, in the molecular organization of the plasma membrane of any specific cell type(s) that could be correlated with permeability changes thought to take place as a consequence of asphyxiation. Secondly, to attempt characterization of plasma membranes on the basis of the organization of their fractured faces. The decrease in the extracellular material in asphyxiated cerebral cortex seen in electron micrographs of thin sections could not be correlated with change(s), if any, in the molecular organization of the plasma membrane of any particular cell type. Plasma membranes of various types could be characterized on the basis of the arrangement of particles on the fractured faces. Some of these types correspond to identifiable cell processes, while others have not yet been identified with certainty. Fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane is mediated through clustering of 100-150 A membrane-associated particles.     

Interaction between lindane and microbes in soils

Three lindane (-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) treated soils were studied under laboratory conditions to determine the interaction between lindane and the soil microorganisms. Microbial populations and respiration were monitored to study insecticide effects. Formation of lindane degradation products and chloride content were examined to determine effects of the microorganisms. Some populations in lindane treated soils showed temporary declines but all ultimately recovered to at least the level of the controls in 16 weeks. Respiration was stimulated over a 9-week period especially in the sandy and clay loams, suggesting the possibility of microbial degradation of the insecticide. Lindane degradation products separated and identified by TLC included -2,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-1-cyclohexene (-PCCH), -3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (-TCCH), -3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene (-TCCH), and pentachlorobenzene (PCB). Chloride production increased in soils treated with higher levels of lindane.Contribution No. 609, Research Institute, Agriculture Canada, University Sub Post Office, London, Ontario N6A 5B7.     

A global invasion by the thrip,Frankliniella occidentalis: Current virus vector status and its management

Western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is among the most economically important agricultural pests globally, attacking a wide range of vegetable and horticultural crops. In addition to causing extensive crop damage, the species is notorious for vectoring destructive plant viruses, mainly belonging to the genera Orthotospovirus, Ilarvirus, Alphacarmovirus and Machlomovirus. Once infected by orthotospoviruses, thrips can remain virulent throughout their lifespan and continue transmitting viruses to host plants when and wherever they feed. These irruptive viral outbreaks in crops will permanently disrupt functional integrated pest management systems, and typically require a remedial treatment involving insecticides, contributing to further development of insecticide resistance. To mitigate against this continuing cycle, the most effective management is early and comprehensive surveillance of the pest species and recognition of plant viruses in the field. This review provides information on the pest status of F. occidentalis, discusses the current global status of the viruses vectored by this thrip species, examines the mechanisms involved in transmitting virus‐induced diseases by thrips, and reviews different management strategies, highlighting the potential management tactics developed for various cropping systems. The early surveillance and the utilization of potential methods for control of both F. occidentalis and viruses are proposed.     

The Association between Genetic Polymorphism and the Processing Efficiency of miR-149 Affects the Prognosis of Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in modulating the neoplastic process of cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A genetic polymorphism (rs2292832, C>T) has been recently identified in the precursor of miR-149; nevertheless its clinicopathological implications remain obscure. In this study, we showed that miR-149 is down-regulated in HNSCC compared to normal mucosa and this is associated with a poorer patient survival. In addition, HNSCC patients with the T/T genotype have more advanced tumors and a worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that patients carried the T/T genotype have a 2.81-fold (95% CI: 1.58–4.97) increased risk of nodal metastasis and 1.66-fold (95% CI: 1.05–2.60) increased risk of mortality compared to other groups. T/T genotype also predicted the worse prognosis of buccal mucosa carcinoma subset of HNSCC. In vitro analysis indicated that exogenous miR-149 expression reduces the migration of HNSCC cells. Moreover, HNSCC cell subclones carrying the pri-mir-149 sequence containing the T variant show a low processing efficacy when converting the pre-mir-149 to mature miR-149. These findings suggest that miR-149 suppresses tumor cell mobility, and that the pre-mir-149 polymorphism may affect the processing of miR-149, resulting in a change in the abundance of the mature form miRNA, which, in turn, modulates tumor progression and patient survival.     

Microtubule-assisted mechanism for toxisome assembly in Fusarium graminearum

In Fusarium graminearum, a trichothecene biosynthetic complex known as the toxisome forms ovoid and spherical structures in the remodelled endoplasmic reticulum (ER) under mycotoxin-inducing conditions. Previous studies also demonstrated that disruption of actin and tubulin results in a significant decrease in deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis in F. graminearum. However, the functional association between the toxisome and microtubule components has not been clearly defined. In this study we tested the hypothesis that the microtubule network provides key support for toxisome assembly and thus facilitates DON biosynthesis. Through fluorescent live cell imaging, knockout mutant generation, and protein–protein interaction assays, we determined that two of the four F. graminearum tubulins, α₁ and β₂ tubulins, are indispensable for DON production. We also showed that these two tubulins are directly associated. When the α₁–β₂ tubulin heterodimer is disrupted, the metabolic activity of the toxisome is significantly suppressed, which leads to significant DON biosynthesis impairment. Similar phenotypic outcomes were shown when F. graminearum wild type was treated with carbendazim, a fungicide that binds to microtubules and disrupts spindle formation. Based on our results, we propose a model where α₁–β₂ tubulin heterodimer serves as the scaffold for functional toxisome assembly in F. graminearum.     

干细胞改善糖尿病的分子机制及临床研究进展

糖尿病是各种因素导致的高血糖慢性代谢疾病,已发展成为流行疾病之一。化学抗糖药虽能控制血糖水平,延缓病程进展,但需长期服用;胰岛移植能从根本上治愈糖尿病,但胰岛来源不足,且需终生应用免疫抑制剂,故并没有得到广泛应用;干细胞是一类能够自我复制的细胞,具有多向分化潜能和旁分泌特性,近年来的研究证明,干细胞在糖尿病治疗方面有着积极的效果,被认为是有效治疗糖尿病的理想细胞类型。因此,就干细胞治疗糖尿病的分子机制和临床研究现状进行简要阐述。     

上海农作物种质资源数据库的设计和构建

随着农作物种质资源数量的不断增加,种质资源交流的日益频繁以及种质资源利用的逐步深入,农作物种质资源数据库的建设对农作物的应用研究和基础性研究至关重要。上海市农业生物基因中心借助于本中心保存的近21万份种质资源的信息,开发了一套上海农作物种质资源数据库,本文主要阐述了该数据库设计和构建的目的、原则和数据库的架构、运行环境以及主要功能模块。上海农作物种质资源数据库采用了B/S结构,平台系统利用多层逻辑架构实现了对农作物种质资源数据信息的收集、存储、查询、统计分析等功能。外部用户通过浏览器即可访问平台系统,浏览查询种质资源信息。内部管理员可使用平台的受限功能,需要认证成功后才可使用后台管理功能,实现对整个平台数据的管理。注册用户还可通过基因资源数据库提交引种申请,管理员结合管理信息系统实现对外供种全流程的网络化,借此可提高工作效率,增加工作流程的透明度。     

桔黄赛多孢菌胞外胰蛋白酶的酶学特性

桔黄赛多孢菌Scedosporium aurantiacum是慢性肺病患者的常见呼吸道定植菌,在免疫缺陷人群中可引起侵袭性感染,致死率高,但由于致病机理不明,目前仍然缺乏有效的防控手段。我们在前期研究中,通过差异蛋白组学及酶工程技术发现分泌胰蛋白酶是桔黄赛多孢菌的潜在毒力因子,目前对这种蛋白酶的遗传信息、结构及致病机制并不清楚。本研究用Superdex S-200分子筛和DEAE-Sepharose离子交换两种填料将这种蛋白酶分离纯化出来,通过酶谱验证了纯化效果。进一步研究发现,这种胰蛋白酶对bFSR、bLSTR和bEKK 3种底物的水解性能最佳,对zFR和bzLR的水解性能最差。酶解最快的反应所对应的K_m为6.09μmol/L,V_max为13.01μmol/L/s,K_cat为23.65/s;酶解最慢的反应所对应的K_m为29.94μmol/L,V_max为11.35μmol/L/s,K_cat为20.63/s。研究结果对于填补赛多孢菌毒力因子研究的空白、针对毒力因子开发新型的抗真菌药物和治疗方法都具有重要意义。