Role of a noncanonical disulfide bond in the stability,affinity, and flexibility of a VHH specific for the Listeria virulence factor InlB

A distinguishing feature of camel (Camelus dromedarius) VHH domains are noncanonical disulfide bonds between CDR1 and CDR3. The disulfide bond may provide an evolutionary advantage, as one of the cysteines in the bond is germline encoded. It has been hypothesized that this additional disulfide bond may play a role in binding affinity by reducing the entropic penalty associated with immobilization of a long CDR3 loop upon antigen binding. To examine the role of a noncanonical disulfide bond on antigen binding and the biophysical properties of a VHH domain, we have used the VHH R303, which binds the Listeria virulence factor InlB as a model. Using site directed mutagenesis, we produced a double mutant of R303 (C33A/C102A) to remove the extra disulfide bond of the VHH R303. Antigen binding was not affected by loss of the disulfide bond, however the mutant VHH displayed reduced thermal stability (T_m = 12°C lower than wild‐type), and a loss of the ability to fold reversibly due to heat induced aggregation. X‐ray structures of the mutant alone and in complex with InlB showed no major changes in the structure. B‐factor analysis of the structures suggested that the loss of the disulfide bond elicited no major change on the flexibility of the CDR loops, and revealed no evidence of loop immobilization upon antigen binding. These results suggest that the noncanonical disulfide bond found in camel VHH may have evolved to stabilize the biophysical properties of the domain, rather than playing a significant role in antigen binding.     

Mapping and characterization of major QTL for spike traits in common wheat

Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants - The spike traits of wheat can directly affect yield. F2 and F2:3 lines derived from the cross of the multi-spikelet female 10-A and the uni-spikelet...     

马铃薯StMYB44基因对蔗糖的响应

MYB转录因子存在于所有真核生物中,是最具代表的转录因子家族之一,广泛参与植物发育、苯丙烷代谢、生物与非生物胁迫响应、激素响应以及细胞形态建成等过程。该研究从马铃薯品种‘青薯9号’中克隆得到StMYB44基因(GenBank登录号XM_006367359.2),该基因CDS长为963 bp,编码320个氨基酸,含有2个SANT结构域。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,StMYB44基因在花中表达最高,在匍匐茎中表达最低;且StMYB44基因在无蔗糖处理下表达上调,在高浓度蔗糖处理下(6%、9%)表达下调。构建表达载体并进行遗传转化烟草发现,StMYB44基因突变体在无蔗糖条件下的长势明显好于野生型,而在高蔗糖浓度下(6%、9%)的长势弱于野生型,且蔗糖浓度越高,差异越大。研究表明,蔗糖浓度能够调节StMYB44基因的表达,推测StMYB44基因可能在植物响应蔗糖中起重要作用。     

GA3处理对低温胁迫条件下玉米种子呼吸代谢的影响

以低温敏感型的"丰禾1号"和耐低温型的"郑单958"两个玉米品种为实验材料,采用GA3浸种的处理方式("丰禾1号"为20 mg·L-1、"郑单958"为5 mg·L-1),探究了GA3对低温胁迫条件下玉米种子萌发过程中种胚中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量及淀粉酶活性和呼吸途径关键酶活性的影响。结果表明:低温胁迫条件下,GA3浸种处理显著提升了玉米种胚中可溶性糖含量及可溶性蛋白的积累,增强了低温胁迫下细胞的渗透势;α-淀粉酶、β-淀粉酶和总淀粉酶活性显著提高;提高了苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)、联合酶(G-6-PDH和6-PGDH)的活性,提高了糖酵解(EMP)、三羧酸循环(TCA)、磷酸戊糖途径(PPP)途径的运转效率,保证了细胞的物质代谢和能量供应;GA3浸种处理可以显著提高种子对低温的抵抗能力,从而在低温胁迫条件下促进其萌发。     

浙江水源地河流浮游动物多样性与环境因子的通径分析

为探明水源地河流浮游动物多样性及与水环境因子的关系, 利用浮游动物多样性参数监测水质, 2010-2014年间, 我们于每年的冬季(1月)、春季(4月)、夏季(7月)和秋季(10月), 对浙江2个水源地河流采样站(H1站和H2站)展开浮游动物种类组成、丰度和多样性指数的季节性调查, 同时测定水环境因子。结果表明, H1站和H2站浮游动物平均丰度分别为1,387.4 ind./L和873.0 ind./L, 小型浮游动物(轮虫 + 桡足类无节幼体)丰度分别占92.8% (H1站)和91.5% (H2站)。两采样站轮虫、枝角类和桡足类的优势种均为针簇多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla)、短尾秀体溞(Diaphanosoma brachyurum)和温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops sp.)。多元逐步回归与通径分析结果表明: 冬季氮磷比是轮虫类Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H′)波动的限制因子, 主要通过总磷含量对轮虫类H′指数产生较大的间接正向作用; 春季氮磷比是轮虫类H′指数发展的决策因子; 秋季氮磷比可通过总氮含量对轮虫类H′指数产生较大的间接正向作用。冬季氨氮、总氮含量分别是甲壳动物体积多样性指数(Hs)的决策因子和限制因子。夏季溶解氧含量是总浮游动物物种丰富度(d)波动的限制因子, 主要通过pH值对d指数产生较大的间接正向作用, 作用机制表现为轮虫类H′指数随着夏季溶解氧含量的升高呈极显著上升(P < 0.01), 而甲壳动物Hs指数则显著下降(P < 0.05)。水源地河流环境因子与浮游动物多样性之间的相互关系为浙江水源地生态学监测提供了可能性。     

海洋酸化对微藻关键生理过程的调控机制及环境因素的影响

人类活动排放大量的CO₂通过海气界面进入海洋,打破原有海水碳酸盐平衡进而造成海洋酸化(OA)。OA会影响海水和海洋污染物的理化性质,进而对生活在海洋表层的浮游藻类生理过程产生显著调控作用。海洋微藻作为海洋中主要的初级生产者,其生理功能与过程的正常进行对于海洋生态系统具有重要作用。本文综述了OA对海洋微藻光合固碳、钙化过程、固氮作用3个关键生理过程的调控作用和具体机制,总结了OA条件下,环境因素(如太阳辐射、温度、营养元素)对微藻生理过程和生长的影响,以及OA通过改变典型海洋污染物(如有机污染物、重金属、微塑料)的环境行为而对微藻生理过程的调控作用。最后,结合研究现状,对未来需要开展的研究方向进行展望。本文为进一步了解OA对海洋生态系统的潜在影响提供了重要信息。     

敦煌阳关湿地芦苇叶片养分重吸收模式及其对土壤水分的响应

植物叶片的养分重吸收是养分贫瘠生境中植物重要的养分保存机制。研究叶片养分重吸收对土壤水分的响应,有助于了解植物对环境的适应策略。以敦煌阳关湿地优势植物芦苇为对象,研究不同水分条件[高: 33.5%±1.9%、中: 26.4%±1.3%、低: 11.3%±1.5%]下芦苇叶片氮磷重吸收模式及其对土壤水分的响应。结果表明: 1)随着土壤水分下降,土壤N浓度显著降低,芦苇成熟叶片及衰老叶片N浓度显著升高,成熟叶片和衰老叶片P浓度及土壤P浓度均无显著变化。2)高水分条件叶片N重吸收效率为 76.1%,显著高于中(65.5%)、低(62.5%)水分条件;不同水分条件叶片P重吸收效率无显著差异。3)成熟叶片和衰老叶片N浓度与叶片N重吸收效率呈极显著负相关;成熟叶片P浓度与叶片P重吸收效率无显著相关性,而衰老叶片P浓度与叶片P重吸收效率呈极显著负相关。说明土壤水分缺乏不利于叶片N重吸收。     

竞争和气候对新疆阿尔泰山西伯利亚五针松树木径向生长的影响

阿尔泰山的北方森林是中亚以及全球的生态系统的重要组成部分, 其生长动态可以影响到全球范围的热辐射、碳平衡等。因此, 探究影响阿尔泰山树木径向生长的主要因素至关重要。该研究以新疆喀纳斯国家级自然保护区的西伯利亚五针松(Pinus sibirica)为研究对象, 建立西伯利亚五针松年表, 通过分析不同时间间隔累年生长量、竞争指数以及气候因子之间的关系, 运用线性混合效应模型、相关分析等方法, 探究竞争和气候对新疆阿尔泰山西伯利亚五针松树木径向生长的影响。结果表明: (1)线性混合效应模型结果显示竞争树胸径和与西伯利亚五针松过去30年的累年生长量之间的拟合效果最好; (2)标准年表与3月的平均气温、平均最高气温、平均最低气温之间有显著正相关关系; (3)累年生长量最高值出现在气温0-5 ℃, 竞争指数低于100的时候。累年生长量最低时, 气温达到-10 ℃, 竞争指数也超过了300。目标树的树木径向生长受到竞争树胸径和及生长季前期气温的影响, 两者共同作用。但相较于气候因子而言, 竞争对西伯利亚五针松的树木径向生长有更大的影响作用。     

西双版纳国家级自然保护区蚂蚁-树互作网络空间变异

网络分析(network analysis)可以同时分析群落中的物种多样性和种间关系, 为了解生态群落的稳定性机制提供了新的分析思路和方法。本研究从西双版纳国家级自然保护区的纳板河、勐仑和勐腊(补蚌)三个地点采集了树栖性蚂蚁及树木的种类和数量数据, 对蚂蚁-树组成的二分网络进行了分析, 探讨了3个采样点物种的多样性、网络指标以及群落指标之间的关系。我们采用零模型的方法比较了3个样点的标准化网络参数差异。结果表明: 蚂蚁和树木的物种数以及树的异质性指数(Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数)都呈现出勐仑 > 纳板河 > 补蚌的趋势。树木-蚂蚁的灭绝曲线系数大小关系同样为勐仑 > 纳板河 > 补蚌, 灭绝曲线与树的物种数及异质性指数大小趋势一致, 而与蚂蚁的异质性指数并不吻合。根据Z值的绝对值来看, 网络参数(加权嵌套性、平均连接数、特化水平、模块性、连接度)与群落参数(灭绝曲线系数、生态位重叠)的大小趋势相同, 表现出勐仑 > 纳板河 > 补蚌的趋势。综上所述, 蚂蚁-树互作网络的稳定性(灭绝曲线系数)主要由树的数量和异质性指数决定。网络的加权嵌套性和网络中节点的平均连接数也能促进群落的稳定性。而在一个特化的(数值越大表示专性互作越多)和模块化(具有较多密切互作的节点单元)的网络中, 当低营养级物种灭绝时高营养级物种数量将迅速减少。     

Solving post-prandial reduction in performance by adaptive regurgitation in a freshwater fish

Foraging animals must balance benefits of food acquisition with costs induced by a post-prandial reduction in performance. Eating to satiation can lead to a reduction in locomotor and escape performance, which increases risk should a threat subsequently arises, but limiting feeding behaviour may be maladaptive if food intake is unnecessarily reduced in the prediction of threats that do not arise. The efficacy of the trade-off between continued and interrupted feeding therefore relies on information about the future risk, which is imperfect. Here, we find that black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) can balance this trade-off using an a posteriori strategy; by eating to satiation but regurgitating already ingested food when a threat arises. While degrees of satiation (DS) equal to or greater than 60% reduce elements of escape performance (turning angle, angular velocity, distance moved, linear velocity), at 40% DS or lower, performance in these tasks approaches levels comparable to that at 0% satiation. After experiencing a chasing event, we find that fish are able to regurgitate already ingested food, thereby changing the amount of food in their gastrointestinal tract to consistent levels that maintain high escape performance. Remarkably, regurgitation results in degrees of satiation between 40 and 60% DS, regardless of whether they had previously fed to 40, 60 or 100% DS. Using this response, fish are able to maximize food intake, but regurgitate extra food to maintain escape performance when they encounter a threat. This novel strategy may be effective for continual grazers and species with imperfect information about the level of threat in their environment.