Structural analysis of chloroplast tail‐anchored membrane protein recognition by ArsA1

In mammals and yeast, tail‐anchored (TA) membrane proteins destined for the post‐translational pathway are safely delivered to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane by a well‐known targeting factor, TRC40/Get3. In contrast, the underlying mechanism for translocation of TA proteins in plants remains obscure. How this unique eukaryotic membrane‐trafficking system correctly distinguishes different subsets of TA proteins destined for various organelles, including mitochondria, chloroplasts and the ER, is a key question of long standing. Here, we present crystal structures of algal ArsA1 (the Get3 homolog) in a distinct nucleotide‐free open state and bound to adenylyl‐imidodiphosphate. This approximately 80‐kDa protein possesses a monomeric architecture, with two ATPase domains in a single polypeptide chain. It is capable of binding chloroplast (TOC34 and TOC159) and mitochondrial (TOM7) TA proteins based on features of its transmembrane domain as well as the regions immediately before and after the transmembrane domain. Several helices located above the TA‐binding groove comprise the interlocking hook‐like motif implicated by mutational analyses in TA substrate recognition. Our data provide insights into the molecular basis of the highly specific selectivity of interactions of algal ArsA1 with the correct sets of TA substrates before membrane targeting in plant cells.     

3,3′,4,5′-Tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene Improves Insulin Resistance by Activating the IRS/PI3K/Akt Pathway and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress

The potential anti-diabetic effect of resveratrol derivative, 3,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3′,4,5′-TMS) and its underlying mechanism in high glucose (HG) and dexamethasone (DXMS)-stimulated insulin-resistant HepG2 cells (IR-HepG2) were investigated. 3,3′,4,5′-TMS did not reduce the cell viability of IR-HepG2 cells at the concentrations of 0.5–10 µM. 3,3′,4,5′-TMS increased the potential of glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner in IR-HepG2 cells. 3,3′,4,5′-TMS ameliorated insulin resistance by enhancing the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), inhibiting phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), and activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in IR-HepG2 cells. Furthermore, 3,3′,4,5′-TMS significantly suppressed levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with up-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. To conclude, the beneficial effect of 3,3′,4,5′-TMS against insulin resistance to increase glucose consumption and glycogen synthesis was mediated through activation of IRS/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in the IR-HepG2 cells, accomplished with anti-oxidative activity through up-regulation of Nrf2.     

自然干燥对冬虫夏草寄主蝠蛾卵孵化的影响

研究在室内自然空气湿度下放置的时间长短对冬虫夏草(Cordyceps)寄主昆虫贡嘎蝠蛾Hepialus gonggaensis Fu et Huang卵孵化率的影响。卵早期的研究结果为:第1批、第2批和第3批卵于室内自然空气湿度下保存的时间达26,11和16h后再保湿都可以正常孵化并且孵化率与对照无显著性差异,所孵化幼虫在饲养初期的成活率分别达62.0%,41.4%和43.4%,与对照无显著性差异。卵中期干燥放置36h的孵化率为66.7%,所孵化幼虫在饲养初期的成活率为50.0%,孵化率和成活率都与对照无显著性差异。卵晚期干燥放置24h的孵化率为70.0%,所孵化幼虫在饲养初期的成活率为49.0%,孵化率和成活率都与对照无显著性差异。以上结果表明,经历一定时间的干燥不会对卵的正常孵化有影响。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubellimicrobium roseum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the forest soil sample

A novel pink-coloured, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-negative bacterium, designated YIM 48858^T, is described by using a polyphasic approach. The strain can grow at pH 6.5–9 (optimum at pH 7) and 25–30°C (optimum at 28°C). NaCl is not required for its growth. Positive for oxidase and catalase. Urease activity, nitrate reduction, starch and Tween 80 tests are negative reaction. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain YIM 48858^T is a member of the genus Rubellimicrobium, with similarities of 96.3, 95.7 and 95.5% to Rubellimicrobium mesophilum MSL-20^T, Rubellimicrobium aerolatum 5715S-9^T and Rubellimicrobium thermophilum DSM 16684^T, respectively. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone as in the other members of the genus Rubellimicrobium. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphoglycolipid, glycolipid and the major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c, C16:0 and C10:0 3-OH, which are very different from the valid published species. The DNA G + C content was 67.7 mol%. Both phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence supports that YIM 48858^T is a novel species of the genus Rubellimicrobium, for which the name Rubellimicrobium roseum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 48858^T (=CCTCC AA 208029^T =KCTC 23202^T).     

Field Studies of the Wheat Stomata Resistance Influenced by Soil Water Content

Concurrent observations of soil water potential and leaf stomata diffusion resistance were made on two, plots of wheat grown at Datun Agro-ecological Experimental Station in Beijing under two different soil water conditions. These data were further complemented by weather and physiological observation. In this paper, we mainly analysed the influence of soil water potential on the status of wheat leaf stomatal resistance. The results indicate that: (1) there is a obvious influence of soil water potential on the status of wheat leaf stomata under normal conditions and (2) there is a different upper and lower epidermis stomata of wheat leaf respond to the soil water potential. The lower epidermis stomata are more sensitive to soil water potential than upper epidermis one. (3) There is a linear relationship between the ratio of lower and upper epidermis stomata resistance and soil water potential in root layer, according to this we can diagnose the degree of wheat water deficit.