菜用大豆产量相关性状的遗传分析

对 19个菜用大豆品种与产量有关的10个农艺性状进行遗传分析的结果表明,生育期和主茎节数遗传力偏高;单株荚数、分枝数遗传力偏低;单株产量、单株荚数的遗传变异系数很大,其遗传进度的值也较大;生育期的遗传变异系数小, 遗传进度也小,遗传相关分析结果表明,产量与生育期、单株结荚数相关关系密切。菜用大豆遗传参数分析结果与前人对食用大豆的研究结果趋势一致。     

Chiral discrimination and interaction mechanism between enantiomers and serum albumins

The chiral discrimination studies of biological system are theoretically and practically significant for the development of chiral drugs and life science. Our work has embarked upon the interaction between serum albumin (SA) (including human SA and bovine SA), R,S‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamine, and R,S‐1‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)ethylamine. The formation of intermediate transition state, binding sites, and chiral discrimination ability can be investigated by ultraviolet‐visible spectra and fluorescence spectra. Moreover, both the changes of hydrophobic microenvironment and energy transfer can be detected by synchronous fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel human anti‐VCAM‐1 monoclonal antibody ameliorates airway inflammation and remodelling

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease induced by Type 2 helper T cells and eosinophils. Vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) has been implicated in recruiting eosinophils and lymphocytes to pathological sites in asthma as a regulatory receptor. Accordingly, monoclonal antibody (mAb) against VCAM‐1 may attenuate allergic inflammation and pathophysiological features of asthma. We attempted to evaluate whether a recently developed human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb can inhibit the pathophysiological features of asthma in a murine asthma model induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Leucocyte adhesion inhibition assay was performed to evaluate the in vitro blocking activity of human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb. OVA‐sensitized BALB/c mice were treated with human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb or isotype control Ab before intranasal OVA challenge. We evaluated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis, measured inflammatory cytokines and examined histopathological features. The human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb bound to human and mouse VCAM‐1 molecules and inhibited adhesion of human leucocytes in vitro. AHR and inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced in mice treated with human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb as compared with a control Ab. The levels of interleukin (IL)‐5 and IL‐13, as well as transforming growth factor‐β, in lung tissue were decreased in treated mice. Human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb reduced goblet cell hyperplasia and peribronchial fibrosis. In vivo VCAM‐1 expression decreased in the treated group. In conclusion, human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb attenuated allergic inflammation and the pathophysiological features of asthma in OVA‐induced murine asthma model. The results suggested that human anti‐VCAM‐1 mAb could potentially be used as an additional anti‐asthma therapeutic medicine.     

Pathogenesis-related genes of entomopathogenic fungi

All living things on Earth experience various diseases such as those caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Insects are no exception to this rule, and fungi that cause disease in insects are called entomopathogenic fungi. These fungi have been developed as microbial insecticides and are used to control various pests. Generally, the mode of action of entomopathogenic fungi is divided into the attachment of conidia, germination, penetration, growth, and generation of secondary infectious conidia. In each of these steps, that entomopathogenic fungi use genes in a complex manner (specific or diverse) has been shown by gene knock-out and RNA-sequencing analysis. In this review, the information mechanism of entomopathogenic fungi was divided into six steps: (1) attachment of conidia to host, (2) germination and appressorium, (3) penetration, (4) fungal growth in hemolymph, (5) conidia production on host, and (6) transmission and dispersal. The strategy used by the fungi in each step was described at the genetic level. In addition, an approach for studying the mode of action of the fungi is presented.     

Characterization of proteins in different subcellular localizations for Escherichia coli K12

Knowing the comprehensive knowledge about the protein subcellular localization is an important step to understand the function of the proteins. Recent advances in system biology have allowed us to develop more accurate methods for characterizing the proteins at subcellular localization level. In this study, the analysis method was developed to characterize the topological properties and biological properties of the cytoplasmic proteins, inner membrane proteins, outer membrane proteins and periplasmic proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Statistical significant differences were found in all topological properties and biological properties among proteins in different subcellular localizations. In addition, investigation was carried out to analyze the differences in 20 amino acid compositions for four protein categories. We also found that there were significant differences in all of the 20 amino acid compositions. These findings may be helpful for understanding the comprehensive relationship between protein subcellular localization and biological function     

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE UPRIGHT ERYTHROPELTIDALES (COMPSOPOGONOPHYCEAE,RHODOPHYTA): MULTIPLE CRYPTIC LINEAGES OF ERYTHROTRICHIA CARNEA1

The phylogeny of morphologically simple algae is problematic due to insufficient morphological characters to aid in distinguishing species and relationships. The problem is further compounded because multiple evolutionary lineages of morphologically similar species occur in most well‐sampled biogeographic locations; therefore, location cannot be used as a proxy for species. The phylogeny of the upright members of the Erythropeltidales is partially clarified by combining molecular data, unialgal culture observations, and worldwide sampling. Our results show that there are several well‐supported lineages within the Erythropeltidales with only two morphologically recognizable taxa at present. The first is the genus Porphyrostromium, with a well‐developed basal crust, which includes two Erythrotrichia species (Porphyrostromium ligulatum comb. nov. and Porphyrostromium pulvinatum comb. nov.). The second is the branched species Erythrotrichia welwitschii (Rupr.) Batters. There are also six strongly supported Erythrotrichia carnea–like lineages. While not completely satisfactory, we propose that one lineage (lineage 2) with samples close to the type locality be designated as E. carnea with a specific isolate as an epitype. The lack of morphology to differentiate the other lineages leads to a taxonomy based solely on gene sequencing and molecular phylogeny, with rbcL sequences differentiating the lineages proposed. We hold off on proposing more species and genera until more data and samples can be gathered.     

Effect of propionic acid on citric acid fermentation in an integrated citric acid–methane fermentation process

In this study, an integrated citric acid-methane fermentation process was established to solve the problem of wastewater treatment in citric acid production. Citric acid wastewater was treated through anaerobic digestion and then the anaerobic digestion effluent (ADE) was further treated and recycled for the next batch citric acid fermentation. This process could eliminate wastewater discharge and reduce water resource consumption. Propionic acid was found in the ADE and its concentration continually increased in recycling. Effect of propionic acid on citric acid fermentation was investigated, and results indicated that influence of propionic acid on citric acid fermentation was contributed to the undissociated form. Citric acid fermentation was inhibited when the concentration of propionic acid was above 2, 4, and 6 mM in initial pH 4.0, 4.5 and, 5.0, respectively. However, low concentration of propionic acid could promote isomaltase activity which converted more isomaltose to available sugar, thereby increasing citric acid production. High concentration of propionic acid could influence the vitality of cell and prolong the lag phase, causing large amount of glucose still remaining in medium at the end of fermentation and decreasing citric acid production.     

Insertional polymorphisms of full-length endogenous retroviruses in humans

Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is distinctive among the retroviruses in the human genome in that many HERV-K proviruses were inserted into the human germline after the human and chimpanzee lineages evolutionarily diverged [1, 2]. However, all full-length endogenous retroviruses described to date in humans are sufficiently old that all humans examined were homozygous for their presence [1]. Moreover, none are intact; all have lethal mutations [1, 3, 4]. Here, we describe the first endogenous retroviruses in humans for which both the full-length provirus and the preintegration site alleles are shown to be present in the human population today. One provirus, called HERV-K113, was present in about 30% of tested individuals, while a second, called HERV-K115, was found in about 15%. HERV-K113 has full-length open reading frames (ORFs) for all viral proteins and lacks any nonsynonymous substitutions in amino acid motifs that are well conserved among retroviruses. This is the first such endogenous retrovirus identified in humans. These findings indicate that HERV-K remained capable of reinfecting humans through very recent evolutionary times and that HERV-K113 is an excellent candidate for an endogenous retrovirus that is capable of reinfecting humans today.     

Large numbers of interleukins‐22‐ and ‐17A‐producing T helper cells in cholangiocarcinoma related to liver fluke infection

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) associated with liver fluke infection involves inflammatory and immune processes; however, whether these involve the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐17A and proliferative cytokine IL‐22 remains unclear. Here, numbers of IL‐22‐ and IL‐17A‐producing Th cells and cytokine concentrations in 30 patients with CCA and long‐term liver fluke infection, 40 patients with liver‐fluke infection but not CCA, and 16 healthy controls were compared. Analyses were performed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA and RT‐PCR. Immunohistochemical staining showed weaker expression of IL‐22 and IL‐17A in patients with CCA with than in those without liver fluke infection (P < 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed significantly greater median proportions of IL‐22‐producing T helper cells in patients with CCA (2.2%) than in those without it (0.69%) or controls (0.4%, P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for IL‐17A‐producing T helper cells. ELISA revealed plasma concentrations of IL‐22 were 1.3‐fold higher in patients with CCA than in those without it and 4.6‐fold higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Plasma concentrations of IL‐17A were 2.5‐fold higher in patients with CCA than in those without it, and 21‐fold higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Amounts of IL‐22 and IL‐17A mRNAs in blood were significantly higher in patients with CCA than in the other two groups. Proportions of CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ T cells producing IL‐22 correlated with proportions producing IL‐17A (r = 0.759; P < 0.001), and plasma concentrations of IL‐22 correlated with those of IL‐17A (r = 0.726; P < 0.001). These results suggest that both IL‐17A and IL‐22 affect development of CCA related to liver fluke infection.