Molecular definitions of fatty acid hydroxylases in Arabidopsis thaliana

Towards defining the function of Arabidopsis thaliana fatty acid hydroxylases, five members of the CYP86A subfamily have been heterologously expressed in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells and tested for their ability to bind a range of fatty acids including unsubstituted (lauric acid (C12:0) and oleic acid (C18:1)) and oxygenated (9,10-epoxystearic acid and 9,10-dihydroxystearic acid). Comparison between these five P450s at constant P450 content over a range of concentrations for individual fatty acids indicates that binding of different fatty acids to CYP86A2 always results in a higher proportion of high spin state heme than binding titrations conducted with CYP86A1 or CYP86A4. In comparison to these three, CYP86A7 and CYP86A8 produce extremely low proportions of high spin state heme even with the most effectively bound fatty acids. In addition to their previously demonstrated lauric acid hydroxylase activities, all CYP86A proteins are capable of hydroxylating oleic acid but not oxygenated 9,10-epoxystearic acid. Homology models have been built for these five enzymes that metabolize unsubstituted fatty acids and sometimes bind oxygenated fatty acids. Comparison of the substrate binding modes and predicted substrate access channels indicate that all use channel pw2a consistent with the crystal structures and models of other fatty acid-metabolizing P450s in bacteria and mammals. Among these P450s, those that bind internally oxygenated fatty acids contain polar residues in their substrate binding cavity that help stabilize these charged/polar groups within their largely hydrophobic catalytic site.     

基于几何形态测量学的磷酸三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)酯对鲢仔鱼形态影响研究

为了解磷酸三(1,3-二氯-2-丙基)酯(TDCIPP)对鲢仔鱼生长抑制性在外部形态上的表现性状,研究基于几何形态测量学方法对0.05、0.5、5和50μg/L共4个浓度组与对照组进行组间形态性状差异比较分析。利用PLYMPLUS系统获取鲢仔鱼样本图像信息并测量体长,利用万分电子天平称量体重,使用TPS系列软件提取坐标点数据,并通过Morpho J软件完成主成分分析、典型变量分析及结果可视化。除0.05μg/L浓度组外,其他浓度组鲢仔鱼的体长、体重均显著低于对照组,表明TDCIPP对鲢仔鱼的生长发育具有抑制效应。主成分分析和典型变量分析结果显示,第一主成分(PC1)和第二主成分(PC2)共占总体变量的62.15%(分别为47.64%和14.51%);第一典型变量(CV1)和第二典型变量(CV2)共占总体变量的79.48%(分别为54.55%和24.93%),满足用于鲢仔鱼形态分析的要求。网格轮廓分析结果显示,各浓度组鲢仔鱼平均形态均与对照组间存在显著差异(P<0.05),并且主要表现为头部、躯干纵轴和尾部发育迟缓。     

盐生植物海马齿离体再生

建立盐生植物海马齿(Sesuvium portulacastrum)的离体再生体系,为其生物技术改良奠定基础。以海马齿叶片、茎和腋芽为外植体, 在不同激素配比的培养基上进行愈伤组织诱导、继代培养以及不定芽的分化和生根培养。结果表明: 最适愈伤组织诱导的外植体为叶片, 其次为幼嫩的茎段和腋芽。以叶片为外植体, 愈伤组织诱导率最高的培养基为MS+2.0mg·L^–12, 4-D + 0.5 mg·L^–16-BA + 3%sucrose; 芽分化最适培养基为MS + 1.0 mg·L^–1 2, 4-D + 0.2 mg·L^–1 6-BA + 3% sucrose;生根最适培养基为MS + 3%sucrose + 0.1%AC。炼苗移栽后, 成活率可达80%。     

Ready player one? Autophagy shapes resistance to photodynamic therapy in cancers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a procedure used in cancer therapy that has been shown to be useful for certain indications. Considerable evidence suggests that PDT might be superior to conventional modalities for some indications. In this report, we examine the relationship between PDT responsiveness and autophagy, which can exert a cytoprotective effect. Autophagy is an essential physiological process that maintains cellular homeostasis by degrading dysfunctional or impaired cellular components and organelles via a lysosome-based pathway. Autophagy, which includes macroautophagy and microautophagy, can be a factor that decreases or abolishes responses to various therapeutic protocols. We systematically discuss the mechanisms underlying cell-fate decisions elicited by PDT; analyse the principles of PDT-induced autophagy, macroautophagy and microautophagy; and present evidence to support the notion that autophagy is a critical mechanism in resistance to PDT. A combined strategy involving autophagy inhibitors may be able to further enhance PDT efficacy. Finally, we provide suggestions for future studies, note where our understanding of the relevant molecular regulators is deficient, and discuss the correlations among PDT-induced resistance and autophagy, especially microautophagy.     

中国新记录属--大蓟马属分类研究(缨翅目:管蓟马科)

报道中国新记录属大蓟马属Megathrips Targioni—Tozzetti及新记录种宽腹大蓟马Megathrips lativentris（Heeger,1852）,并记述1新种——黑角大蓟马Megathrips antennatus．sp．nov．。     

拉米夫定降低HBV转基因孕鼠血中HBV载量的初步研究

目的:观察HBV转基因小鼠孕期使用拉米夫定对降低母血HBV含量的作用及其对母胎安全性的影响,探讨孕期采用HBV抗病毒治疗,降低宫内感染发生率的可行性。方法:应用可高水平表达HBsAg的HBV转基因小鼠,分别从孕早期(孕第5天)和孕中期(孕第10天)开始给予拉米夫定(100mg/kg,天)直至分娩,对照组给予生理盐水。检测母鼠血中HBsAg、HBV DNA等感染指标的变化,同时从多阶段、多方面,用多指标观察妊娠期,尤其是妊娠早期,使用药物对母鼠、胎鼠及新生鼠安全性的影响。结果:21只孕期接受抗病毒药物的HBV转基因母鼠,无一例发现明显的毒性反应,对胎鼠无致畸作用,且不影响新生鼠早期生长发育,同时小鼠病毒DNA水平明显下降。结论:HBV转基因小鼠孕期服用拉米夫定可降低病毒负荷,有助于减少HBV母婴传播的危险性,且对母鼠及其子代的安全性无明显影响。     

siRNA对SARS冠状病毒复制的抑制作用

为探讨siRNA在哺乳动物细胞中对SARS冠状病毒复制的抑制作用,针对BJ0 1株SARS冠状病毒复制酶基因(Pol)和刺突蛋白基因(S) ,设计4个siRNA ,并构建相应的siRNA表达载体及克隆细胞系.利用间接免疫荧光法及实时定量反转录PCR法,检测所设计的siRNA对SARS冠状病毒复制的抑制作用.结果表明,针对Pol基因的siRNA(psOe)在Vero细胞中可阻断BJ0 1株SARS病毒RNA的复制及其蛋白的表达.该结果为深入阐明SARS冠状病毒的致病机理及探讨SARS病毒防治新途径奠定了基础.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of free-floating and attached green macroalgae Ulva spp. in the Yellow Sea of China

During the summer of 2008 and 2009, massive algal blooms repeatedly broke out in the Yellow Sea of China. These were undoubtedly caused by the accumulations of one or more species in the macroalgal genus Ulva. In previous reports, morphological observation indicated that the species involved in this phenomenon is Ulva prolifera but molecular analyses indicated that the species belongs to an Ulva linza–procera–prolifera (LPP) clade. Correct identification of the bloom species is required to understand and manage the blooms, but the taxonomic status of the bloom species remains unclear. In the current study, the taxonomic status of 22 selected specimens from the Yellow Sea was assessed by using both morphological and molecular (ITS and rbcL sequences) data. In addition, 5S rDNA analyses were performed for those samples clustering in the LPP clade, and phylogenetic tree and ribotype analyses were constructed for determining the possible origin of the bloom. Three free-floating and two attached Ulva species were distinguished and described: Ulva compressa Linnaeus and Ulva pertusa Kjellman were found in free-floating samples; U. linza Linnaeus was found on rocks; and U. prolifera O.F. Müller was found in both habitats. Diversity in free-floating Ulva of the Yellow Sea appears to be greater than previously thought. The dominant free-floating Ulva species, U. prolifera, was not closely related to local populations attached to rocks but was closely related to populations from Japan.