Mechanism of How Salt-Gradient-Induced Charges Affect the Translocation of DNA Molecules through a Nanopore

Experiments using nanopores demonstrated that a salt gradient enhances the capture rate of DNA and reduces its translocation speed. These two effects can help to enable electrical DNA sequencing with nanopores. Here, we provide a quantitative theoretical evaluation that shows the positive net charges, which accumulate around the pore entrance due to the salt gradient, are responsible for the two observed effects: they reinforce the electric capture field, resulting in promoted molecule capture rate; and they induce cationic electroosmotic flow through the nanopore, thus significantly retarding the motion of the anionic DNA through the nanopore. Our multiphysical simulation results show that, during the polymer trapping stage, the former effect plays the major role, thus resulting in promoted DNA capture rate, while during the nanopore-penetrating stage the latter effect dominates and consequently reduces the DNA translocation speed significantly. Quantitative agreement with experimental results has been reached by further taking nanopore wall surface charges into account.     

Cytological and mapping analysis of a novel male sterile type resulting from spontaneous floral organ homeotic conversion in marigold (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tagetes erecta</Emphasis> L.)

A male sterile line was isolated in marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and cytological analysis determined this to be a novel genic male sterility trait (Tems). Through the use of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and bulked segregant analysis (BSA), tightly linked markers of Tems were identified with a view towards a map-based cloning strategy. It was found that spontaneous homeotic conversion of floral organs was the underlying cause of the male sterility in this marigold line. Thus, petals of male sterile plants resembled sepal-like structures and the stamens were partially converted to styles, although without the full characteristics or function of the true style organs. We have constructed a fine marker-based map for the Tems gene. This is intended to provide a tool for marker assisted selection (MAS) strategies in hybrid breeding and map-based cloning strategies for the male sterility locus. We discuss the significance of this spontaneously derived genic male sterility trait relating to the homeotic conversion of floral organs in marigold.     

Comparison of the three-dimensional structure of two human rhinoviruses (HRV2 and HRV14)

An attempt has been made to build a model of human rhinovirus 2 (HRV2) based on the known human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) structure. HRV2 was selected because its amino acid sequence is known and because it belongs to the minor rhinovirus receptor class as compared to HRV14, which belongs to the major class. Initial alignment of HRV2 with HRV14 based on the primary sequence and the knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of HRV14 showed that the most probable position of the majority of insertions and deletions occurred in the vicinity of the neutralizing immunogenic sites (NIm). Out of a total of 855 amino acids present in one copy of each of the capsid proteins VP1 through VP4 of HRV14, 411 are different between the two viruses. There are also 6 amino acid residues inserted and 14 residues deleted in HRV2 relative to HRV14. Examination of amino acid interactions showed several cases of conservation of function, e.g., salt bridges or the filling of restricted space. The largest variation amongst the residues lining the canyon, the putative receptor binding site, was in the carboxy-terminal residues of VP1.     

大壁虎的染色体及减数分裂联会复合体的研究

大壁虎(Gekko gecko)的染色体数目为2n=38,核型由2对中着丝粒(Nos.1.4.)、3对亚中着丝粒(Nos.2.3.5)及14对端着丝粒和亚端着丝粒(Nos.6—19)染色体组成。一对核仁组织者(NOR_s),位于第7对端着丝粒染色体的末端。同时,本文还对大壁虎的减数分裂以及联会复合体(S.C)的结构和组型,进行了详细的观察和分析。     

Decarboxylation of uroporphyrinogen III by erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. Evidence for a random decarboxylation mechanism.

The isomeric composition of type-III heptacarboxylic porphyrinogens derived from decarbosylation of uroporphyrinogen III by erythrocyte uroporphyringogen decarboxylase was analysed by h.p.l.c. with electrochemical detection. All four possible isomers were identified, and there were little differences in the proportion of isomers formed by erythrocytes from normal subjects and from patients with sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda. The results provide conclusive evidence that the normal decarboxylation pathway is random in nature, and the fourth isomer only increases when enzyme abnormality is found.     

原生质体来源的大白菜悬浮细胞系的超低温保存

原生质体来源的大白菜 Brasstca campessris var.pekinsis 悬浮细胞系在二甲亚砜的保护下,能在液氮中(-196℃)长期冻存。加入山梨醇能增强保护作用;而加入甘露糖则降低保护作用。培养基对冻存也有明显的影响。在液氮中存放的时间长短对细胞存活率没有多大影响。冻后相对活性最高可达75.4％,恢复生长快,化冻后重新悬浮培养6天,生长量可达300-500％。遮光比不遮光对恢复更有利。冻存后恢复生长的悬浮细胞,能与未经冰冻的对照一样进行原生质体分离和培养。     

+G_z暴露时,家兔心率和心水平动脉压关系的研究

在动物离心机上测定了7只轻度麻醉家免暴露于+G_Z时心、眼水平动脉压和心率的变化。+G_Z作用5-12s时、心水平动脉压(HABP)降至最低水平,然后开始代偿性回升。当+G_Z增大到一定值时,于加速度达峰值后,HABP降为0 mmHg、并在峰值后5.5±1.7s降到最大负值,继之代偿性升为正值,并常再度降为负值。我们称HABP的这种变化状态为“临界状态”。+G_Z暴露时,心率以两种型式发生改变:第一种,随着G值增大,心率发生不同程度增快,当加速度达某一G值时,心率突然减慢至2次/秒左右;第二种,当G值≥3时,在暴露过程中,心率逐渐减慢,并在某一G值,心率减慢到2次/秒左右。心率和HABP关系密切。当HABP达临界状态时,心率减慢至2次/秒左右并出现明显节律不整。以心率减慢到2次/秒左右作为家免+G_Z耐力终点是合适的,该指标规律性强,重复性好,实验方法对动物无损伤又易实施。按此标准,测得7只家免的+G_Z耐力为4.85±0.47G。     

长吻鮠精巢发育的分期及精子的发生和形成

长吻鮠精巢的发育分为精原细胞增殖期、精母细胞生长期、精母细胞成熟期、精子细胞出现期,精子完全成熟期和精子退化吸收期。精巢的后1/3不产生也不贮存精子,精子的发生和形成经过精原细胞、精母细胞、精子细胞到精子的一系列过程。精原细胞有两种类型。精子无顶体,有中心粒帽,中片长,核凹窝和线粒体发达,鞭毛具侧鳍。