Characterization of the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT, a non-lens βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex, from the skin of the toad Bombina maxima

βγ-CAT is a naturally existing 72-kDa complex of a non-lens βγ-crystallin (α-subunit, CAT-α) and a trefoil factor (β-subunit, CAT-β) that contains a non-covalently linked form of αβ₂ and was isolated from the skin secretions of the toad Bombina maxima. The N-terminal region of CAT-α (CAT-αN, residues 1–170) contains two βγ-crystallin domains while the C-terminal region (CAT-αC) has sequence homology to the membrane insertion domain of the Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin. To examine the biochemical characteristics of the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT, CAT-αN, CAT-αC and CAT-β were expressed in Escherichia coli. Co-immunoprecipitation of the naturally assembled βγ-CAT confirmed that the CAT-α and CAT-β complex always exists. Furthermore, recombinant CAT-β bound recombinant CAT-αN. Ca²⁺-binding motifs were identified in CAT-αN, and recombinant CAT-αN was able to bind the calcium probe terbium. However, the conformation of CAT-αN was not significantly altered upon Ca²⁺ binding. βγ-CAT possesses strong hemolytic activity toward human erythrocytes, and treatment of erythrocytes with βγ-CAT resulted in a rapid Ca²⁺ influx, eventually leading to hemolysis. However, in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, no significant hemolysis was detected, even though the binding and oligomerization of βγ-CAT in the erythrocyte membrane was observed. Our data demonstrate the binding of CAT-β (a trefoil factor) to CAT-αN (βγ-crystallin domains) and provide a basis for the formation of a βγ-crystallin and trefoil factor complex in vivo. Furthermore, the βγ-crystallin domains of βγ-CAT are able to bind Ca²⁺, and βγ-CAT-induced hemolysis is Ca²⁺ dependent.     

植物转基因沉默与病毒抗性

对植物基因沉默的机制及其在植物抗病毒基因工程中的应用作了综述.植物转基因沉默是转基因植株中普遍发生的一种现象,引起植物转基因沉默的原因是多方面的,但主要涉及转录水平的基因沉默和转录后水平的基因沉默.植物对病毒的抗性机制在某些方面与基因沉默有相似之处.     

广州市园林植物多样性及其效应的调查研究

选取广州市信园为研究个案,同时先取市内有代表性的5个生态园林区作对比进行植物多样性调查,计算物种多样性指数(SW指数).并把计算结果分别与园区内其它生物多样性的调查结果和环境指标(温度、湿度、土壤含水量、有机质质量分数、含氮量)的检测结果进行分析.结果表明:①有机质质量百分比随植物SW指数上升呈增高趋势, 良好的土壤环境又会促进植物多样性发展;②鸟类、其他小型动物的种类数随植物SW指数上升呈现增高趋势,即植物多样性决定动物物种丰富程度.建议广州市园区的SW指数不应低于2.5.     

YR-黏和染色体模型初探(下)

我们创建了一个新的染色体模型:YR-黏和染色体模型,30nm螺线管通过JW-梯(或YR-梯)、染色线经螺旋化形成染色体[1].通过包装比、长度的推算、染色体结构的推算、以及碱基对的推算都与实验观测值吻合,确认了YR-黏和模型的可信度.YR-染色体模型能自然、合理地解释所有遗传现象,如交换、着丝粒、全身着丝粒或弥散型着丝粒染色体、同源染色体联会及联会复合体的中央区、多线染色体与膨突、灯刷染色体、染色体分带、姊妹染色体由前期到中期不分开、花粉管会导入外源遗传物质、高等生命是怎样从原始生物进化而来的等等。 Abstract:We provide a chromosome model YR-cohesion chromosome model.30nm solenoid fold and bent through JW-ladder and chromonema spiraling to chromosomeIll.It is checked by this calculation of picked ration,length,chromosomal structure and DNA base pairs,which are all consonant with practical resultsIll.YR-cohesion chromosome model will give a better answer to the questions such as exchange,centromere,holocentromere,synaptonemal complex,polytene chromosome,puff,lampbrush chromosome,chromosome banding,non-segregation of sister chromatid,pollentube pathway and biological evolution.     

Binding Patterns of Rotavirus Genotypes P[4], P[6], and P[8] in China with Histo-Blood Group Antigens

Rotaviruses (RVs) are an important cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. It has been found that RV may recognize the histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as ligands or receptors and bind HBGAs in a type-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the binding specificity of VP8* proteins from human rotaviruses (RV) that are prevalent in China including genotypes P[4], P[6], and P[8]. Through the saliva- and oligosaccharide-based binding assays, we found that the VP8* proteins of P[4] and P[8] RV showed similar reactivity with the Le^b and H type 1 antigens, while P[6] RV weakly bound the Le^b antigen. These findings may facilitate further research into RV host specificity and vaccine development.     

突变级数法在厦门城市生态安全评价中的应用

针对港湾快速城市化地区存在的潜在突变特性,基于P-S-R(压力-状态-响应)框架和突变级数法,构建了评价城市生态安全的突变模型,并对1996—2006年厦门城市生态安全进行了评价.结果表明：1996—1998年,快速城市化对厦门市区域生态安全的影响不大,研究区生态安全状况呈上升趋势;1998—2001年,由于大范围高强度的填海造地、人口激增等生态干扰远远超过了生态系统自身的修复能力,导致厦门城市生态安全状况呈快速下降趋势;2001—2006年,厦门城市生态安全整体水平回升,主要受其海湾型生态城市重大战略转变的影响;2006年,研究区系统压力安全级别为Ⅲ,说明厦门市还存在着生态安全隐患.突变级数法反映了单一指标极值情况对生态系统突变的影响,弥补了现有方法在此方面的不足,它既减小了权重赋值的主观性,又避免了主观判断安全标准的不确定性,可准确地反映城市生态安全的发展趋势.     

颗石藻自动鉴定系统及其古海洋学应用——以南海MD05-2901柱状样研究为例

颗石藻自动鉴定系统SYRACO(Système de Reconnaissance Automatique de Coccolithes)是一种通过人工智能神经网络自动识别颗石藻种类并统计数量的工具软件。该软件能够快速可靠识别观察视域中的所有颗石个体,大幅度提高工作效率并弥补了在颗石藻属种鉴定过程中的人为误差。经过训练的SYRACO系统可以鉴定第四纪以来14个主要颗石藻属种,适用于第四纪以来的古环境研究。作者使用SYRACO自动鉴定系统对南海MD05-2901柱状样进行颗石藻属种鉴定,同时获得了Florisphaera profunda,Emiliania huxleyi,Gephyrocapsa oceani-ca等主要属种含量信息。将结果与先前人工统计数据对比表明二者具有很好的一致性,证明其在古海洋学研究中的应用价值。     

柽柳灌丛关键物候参数多种植被指数遥感提取的适用性——基于CO2通量观测和Sentinel-2数据

本研究以额济纳绿洲四道桥超级站为研究区,结合2018-2019年涡度通量、气象数据和2017-2020年Sentinel-2遥感影像,分析通量塔总初级生产力(GPP)与环境因子的关系,评估12种遥感植被指数对柽柳灌丛长势模拟和关键物候参数提取的适用性.采用7参数双逻辑斯蒂函数(DL-7)+全局模型函数(GMF)拟合GP...     

PGC-1α Is a Key Regulator of Glucose-Induced Proliferation and Migration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background

Atherosclerosis is a complex pathological condition caused by a number of mechanisms including the accelerated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Diabetes is likely to be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, as hyperglycemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration and may thus contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. This study was performed to investigate whether PGC-1α, a PPARγ coactivator and metabolic master regulator, plays a role in regulating VSMC proliferation and migration induced by high glucose.

Methodology/Principal Findings

PGC-1α mRNA levels are decreased in blood vessel media of STZ-treated diabetic rats. In cultured rat VSMCs, high glucose dose-dependently inhibits PGC-1α mRNA expression. Overexpression of PGC-1α either by infection with adenovirus, or by stimulation with palmitic acid, significantly reduces high glucose-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. In contrast, suppression of PGC-1α by siRNA mimics the effects of glucose on VSMCs. Finally, mechanistic studies suggest that PGC-1α-mediated inhibition of VSMC proliferation and migration is regulated through preventing ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

Conclusions/Significance

These results indicate that PGC-1α is a key regulator of high glucose-induced proliferation and migration in VSMCs, and suggest that elevation of PGC-1α in VSMC could be a useful strategy in preventing the development of diabetic atherosclerosis.