甘菊cDNA-AFLP反应体系的优化

以甘菊为试验材料,研究了影响cDNA-AFLP反应体系的几个关键因素,建立了适宜甘菊的cDNA-AFLP分析体系,并得到了清晰可辨的cDNA-AFLP指纹图谱.结果表明:适用于甘菊叶片总RNA提取的方法为改进的Trizol法;酶切连接采用一步法,dscDNA酶切用量为300 ng,酶切连接时间为8 h;PCR选择性扩增反应时,反应体系中最佳组合为:引物浓度0.4 mM、Mg2+浓度1.25 mM、Taq酶浓度0.9 U、dNTP浓度0.3 mM.     

Novel BOD optical fiber biosensor based on co-immobilized microorganisms in ormosils matrix

A biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) sensor has been developed, which is based on an immobilized mixed culture of microorganisms combined with a dissolved oxygen (DO) optical fiber. The sensing film for BOD measurement consists of an organically-modified silicate (ORMOSIL) film embedded with tri(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) perchlorate and three kinds of seawater microorganisms immobilized on a polyvinyl alcohol sol-gel matrix. The BOD measurements were carried out in the kinetic mode inside a light-proof cell and with constant temperature. Measurements were taken for 3 min followed by 10 min recovery time in 10 mg/L glucose/glutamate (GGA) BOD standard solution, and the range of determination was from 0.2 to 40 mg/L GGA. The effects of temperature, pH and sodium chloride concentration on the BOD sensing films were studied. BOD values estimated by this optical BOD sensing film correlate well with those determined by the conventional BOD5 method for seawater samples.     

Comparative analysis of meiotic progression in female mice bearing mutations in genes of the DNA mismatch repair pathway

The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) family functions in a variety of contexts to preserve genome integrity in most eukaryotes. In particular, members of the MMR family are involved in the process of meiotic recombination in germ cells. MMR gene mutations in mice result in meiotic disruption during prophase I, but the extent of this disruption often differs between male and female meiocytes. To address the role of MMR proteins specifically in female meiosis, we explored the progression of oocytes through prophase I and the meiotic divisions in mice harboring deletions in members of the MMR pathway (Mlh1, Mlh3, Exo1, and an ATPase-deficient variant of Mlh1, Mlh1(G67R)). The colocalization of MLH1 and MLH3, key proteins involved in stabilization of nascent crossovers, was dependent on intact heterodimer formation and was highly correlated with the ability of oocytes to progress through to metaphase II. The exception was Exo1(-/-) oocytes, in which normal MLH1/MLH3 localization was observed followed by failure to proceed to metaphase II. All mutant oocytes were able to resume meiosis after dictyate arrest, but they showed a dramatic decline in chiasmata (to less than 25% of normal), accompanied by varied progression through metaphase I. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MMR function is required for the formation and stabilization of crossovers in mammalian oocytes and that, in the absence of a functional MMR system, the failure to maintain chiasmata results in a reduced ability to proceed normally through the first and second meiotic divisions, despite near-normal levels of meiotic resumption after dictyate arrest.     

灰毡毛忍冬LmCCoA OMT基因的全长克隆及功能初步分析

绿原酸是灰毡毛忍冬生长发育过程中产生的重要的次级代谢产物,而CCoA OMT是绿原酸合成过程中的关键基因.为进一步揭示灰毡毛忍冬LmCCoA OMT基因的功能,本研究利用RACE技术克隆LmC-CoA OMT全长基因,通过生物信息学进行分析,并在大肠杆菌中表达该蛋白.此外,通过RT-qPCR和HPLC的方法研究CCoA...     

Role and Mechanism of Microglial Activation in Iron-Induced Selective and Progressive Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration

Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients have excessive iron depositions in substantia nigra (SN). Neuroinflammation characterized by microglial activation is pivotal for dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD. However, the role and mechanism of microglial activation in iron-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in SN remain unclear yet. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of microglial β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation in iron-induced selective and progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Multiple primary midbrain cultures from rat, NOX2^+/+ and NOX2^?/? mice were used. Dopaminergic neurons, total neurons, and microglia were visualized by immunostainings. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Superoxide (O₂ ^·?) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) were determined by measuring SOD-inhibitable reduction of tetrazolium salt WST-1 and DCFH-DA assay. mRNA and protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. Iron induces selective and progressive dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rat neuron–microglia–astroglia cultures and microglial activation potentiates the neurotoxicity. Activated microglia produce a magnitude of O₂ ^·? and iROS, and display morphological alteration. NOX2 inhibitor diphenylene iodonium protects against iron-elicited dopaminergic neurotoxicity through decreasing microglial O₂ ^·? generation, and NOX2^?/? mice are resistant to the neurotoxicity by reducing microglial O₂ ^·? production, indicating that iron-elicited dopaminergic neurotoxicity is dependent of NOX2, a O₂ ^·?-generating enzyme. NOX2 activation is indicated by the increased mRNA and protein levels of subunits P47 and gp91. Molecules relevant to NOX2 activation include PKC-σ, P38, ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-КB_P65 as their mRNA and protein levels are enhanced by NOX2 activation. Iron causes selective and progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration, and microglial NOX2 activation potentiates the neurotoxicity. PKC-σ, P38, ERK1/2, JNK, and NF-КB_P65 are the potential molecules relevant to microglial NOX2 activation.     

螺旋藻富集和转化硒研究进展

无机硒的生物有机化是开发有机硒的合理途径。硒有机化生物载体有酵母、大蒜、螺旋藻、蜜蜂等。螺旋藻富集和转化硒具有良好的产业化前景,就藻种的选择、培养条件的优化、硒添加浓度和方法等方面的研究进展进行了综述。     

Corolla wilting facilitates delayed autonomous self-pollination in Pedicularis dunniana (Orobanchaceae)

Structural changes associated with corolla wilting may serve as a mechanism for effecting self-pollination. Low pollinator visitation, high seed production and a corolla that persists after anthesis indicates that Pedicularis dunniana is autogamous. Delayed autonomous self-pollination is facilitated by corolla wilting. Wilting of the upper lip (galea) brought the pollen laden anthers into contact with the stigma resulting in the deposition of self pollen on the stigma. The seed set of flowers either emasculated, or with restrained galeae thus preventing anthers brushing against the stigma, was significantly lower than that of open-pollinated flowers. This demonstrates that autogamy occurs in this species through corolla wilting. Germination experiments indicated that outcross seedlings were more vigorous than selfed seedlings as a result of inbreeding depression. It is likely that autogamy provides reproductive assurance for P. dunniana under conditions of pollinator scarcity.     

A genome-wide screen identifies genes required for formation of the wobble nucleoside 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We recently showed that the gamma-subunit of Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin (gamma-toxin) is a tRNA endonuclease that cleaves tRNA(mcm5s2UUC Glu), tRNA(mcm5s2UUU Lys), and tRNA(mcm5s2UUG Gln) 3' of the wobble nucleoside 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine (mcm(5)s(2)U). The 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl (mcm(5)) side chain was important for efficient cleavage by gamma-toxin, and defects in mcm(5) side-chain synthesis correlated with resistance to gamma-toxin. Based on this correlation, a genome-wide screen was performed to identify gene products involved in the formation of the mcm(5) side chain. From a collection of 4826 homozygous diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, each with one nonessential gene deleted, 63 mutants resistant to Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin were identified. Among these, eight were earlier identified to have a defect in formation of the mcm(5) side chain. Analysis of the remaining mutants and other known gamma-toxin resistant mutants revealed that sit4, kti14, and KTI5 mutants also have a defect in the formation of mcm(5). A mutant lacking two of the Sit4-associated proteins, Sap185 and Sap190, displays the same modification defect as a sit4-null mutant. Interestingly, several mutants were found to be defective in the synthesis of the 2-thio (s(2)) group of the mcm(5)s(2)U nucleoside. In addition to earlier described mutants, formation of the s(2) group was also abolished in urm1, uba4, and ncs2 mutants and decreased in the yor251c mutant. Like the absence of the mcm(5) side chain, the lack of the s(2) group renders tRNA(mcm5s2UUC Glu) less sensitive to gamma-toxin, reinforcing the importance of the wobble nucleoside mcm(5)s(2)U for tRNA cleavage by gamma-toxin.     

Isolation and purification of deoxyribonucleosides from 90% 13C-enriched DNA of algal cells and their characterization by 1H and 13C NMR.

13C-enriched deoxyribonucleosides have been isolated from the DNA of Algal cells grown in an atmosphere of 90% 13C-labelled carbon dioxide. The 13C enriched DNA was quantitatively hydrolysed with DNase I, snake venom phosphodiesterase I and alkaline phosphatase of intestinal mucosa. The resulting deoxyribonucleosides were separated by preparative reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography in 60 minutes with detection by ultraviolet absorption at 254 nm. The final products were obtained in milligram quantities in high purity and in high yield. The 1H resonances of the base and sugar protons of these deoxyribonucleosides appear as well resolved multiplets in the 600 MHz NMR spectrum, due to the extensive 1H-13C couplings. Similarly, the 13C resonances of these deoxyribonucleosides appear as multiplets in the 75.5 MHz 13C NMR spectrum, due to 13C-13C couplings. The 1H-13C and 13C-13C coupling constants were also measured and tabulated. The isotopic enrichment of 13C these deoxyribonucleosides was obtained by integration of the 1H and/or 13C NMR spectra. It was found that the enrichment varied from carbon to carbon and species to species in the range of 70-89%, suggesting differential uptake and assimilation of 90% 13CO2 during metabolism pathways. This protocol provides experimentally useful quantities of 13C-enriched deoxyribonucleosides, which may be incorporated into site-specifically labeled oligonucleotides by chemical synthesis.