植物TOR激酶响应上游信号的研究进展

雷帕霉素靶蛋白(TOR)是真核生物中高度保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶, 能整合营养、能量、生长因子及环境信号, 协调细胞增殖、生长和代谢等过程, 是真核生物生长发育的核心调控因子。近年来, 随着相关研究系统的建立, 植物TOR的功能和机制研究取得了众多突破, 发现其进化上保守的生物学功能及植物中特有的信号通路。该文概述了TOR蛋白复合体的构成, 以及植物TOR响应糖、营养元素(氮、磷和硫)、激素及逆境胁迫信号来调控下游基因转录、蛋白翻译、代谢、细胞自噬和胁迫应答等生物学过程的分子机制, 并提出了植物TOR领域一些亟待解决的科学问题, 以期为全面揭示植物TOR的生物学功能提供参考。     

Genomic insights into the adaptation and evolution of the nautilus,an ancient but evolving “living fossil”

The nautilus, commonly known as a “living fossil,” is endangered and may be at risk of extinction. The lack of genomic information hinders a thorough understanding of its biology and evolution, which can shed light on the conservation of this endangered species. Here, we report the first high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of Nautilus pompilius. The assembled genome size comprised 785.15 Mb. Comparative genomic analyses indicated that transposable elements (TEs) and large-scale genome reorganizations may have driven lineage-specific evolution in the cephalopods. Remarkably, evolving conserved genes and recent TE insertion activities were identified in N. pompilius, and we speculate that these findings reflect the strong adaptability and long-term survival of the nautilus. We also identified gene families that are potentially responsible for specific adaptation and evolution events. Our study provides unprecedented insights into the specialized biology and evolution of N. pompilius, and the results serve as an important resource for future conservation genomics of the nautilus and closely related species.     

hPEBP4 resists TRAIL-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells by activating Akt and deactivating ERK1/2 pathways

The treatment options available for prostate cancer are limited because of its resistance to therapeutic agents. Thus, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the resistance of prostate cancer will facilitate the discovery of more efficient treatment protocols. Human phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 4 (hPEBP4) is recently identified by us as an anti-apoptotic molecule and a potential candidate target for breast cancer treatment. Here we found the expression levels of hPEBP4 were positively correlated with the severity of clinical prostate cancer. Furthermore, hPEBP4 was not expressed in TRAIL-sensitive DU145 prostate cancer cells, but was highly expressed in TRAIL-resistant LNCaP cells, which show highly activated Akt. Interestingly, hPEBP4 overexpression in TRAIL-sensitive DU145 cells promoted Akt activation but inhibited ERK1/2 activation. The hPEBP4-overexpressing DU145 cells became resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis consequently, which could be reversed by PI3K inhibitors. In contrast, silencing of hPEBP4 in TRAIL-resistant LNCaP cells inhibited Akt activation but increased ERK1/2 activation, resulting in their sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis that was restored by the MEK1 inhibitor. Therefore, hPEBP4 expression in prostate cancer can activate Akt and deactivate ERK1/2 signaling, leading to TRAIL resistance. We also demonstrated that hPEBP4-mediated resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis occurred downstream of caspase-8 and at the level of BID cleavage via the regulation of Akt and ERK pathways, and that hPEBP4-regulated ERK deactivation was upstream of Akt activation in prostate cancer cells. Considering that hPEBP4 confers cellular resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis and is abundantly expressed in poorly differentiated prostate cancer, silencing of hPEBP4 suggests a promising approach for prostate cancer treatment.     

(2R,3S,4S)-2-(N,N-二乙氨基)甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺的合成及工艺研究

目的：通过对黄皮酰胺全合成中间体（2R,3S,4S）-2-羟基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺（化合物A）2位羟基的酯化,提高脂水分配系数（kP）,考察对谷丙转氨酶活性的影响。方法：以化合物A为原料,通过酰化反应合成（2R,3S,4S）-2-（N,N-二乙氨基）甲酰氧基-3-苯基-4-苯甲酰基-N-甲基-γ-内酰胺（化合物B）,重点考察了摩尔比、反应温度、反应时间等条件对反应的影响。化合物B结构已经元素分析、红外光谱、质谱及核磁共振氢谱确证。结果：化合物A和酰化剂以摩尔比2：3,在160℃下反应1h,目标化合物B。收率78．42％。结论：本合成路线及具体反应方法,具有试剂廉价易得、反应条件温和、后处理简便等优点,是一种较为实用的合成方法。     

洋葱花粉发育过程中ATP酶的分布特征(简报)

在真核细胞中,除了线粒体和叶绿体ATPase的功能是合成ATP外,其余部位ATPase是水解ATP以获取生物能量的代谢酶,在生物体细胞内广泛存在。探索ATPase在细胞中的分布状态是研究细胞生理状态的一种重要手段。ATPase在细胞中的多少可反映出细胞当时的生活状态,这一特征已被初步用于探索小麦和水稻雄性不育的细胞生物学研究中,希望通过比较可育花药和不育花药中ATPase的分布差异寻找雄性不育的机理,发现     

ARRDC3 polymorphisms may affect the risk of glioma in Chinese Han

Functional & Integrative Genomics - This study ascertained to explore the potential contribution of ARRDC3 polymorphisms in the risk and prognosis of glioma. One thousand sixty-one patients and...     

Eu3+-doped LaF3-based inorganic–organic hybrid nanostructured materials for broad-spectrum excitation and strong photoluminescence

Inorganic–organic hybrid nanoparticles formed by lanthanide-doped nanostructures and organic ligands have been intensively studied, which could greatly increase their photoluminescence performance as a result of the energy transfer process from organic ligands to Ln³⁺ ions. However, the photoluminescence intensity and excitation spectral width are still quite limited on coordinating with a single type of organic ligand. In this work, Eu³⁺-doped LaF₃ (LaF₃:Eu³⁺) nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method, and were then hybridized with benzoic acid and thenoyltrifluoroacetone to form the hybrid nanostructures. After that, the hybrid nanostructures were mixed with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile and methyl methacrylate to prepare the composites. The sample obtained by hybridization and composite doping with 5% Eu³⁺ exhibited the best photoluminescence performance. The excitation peak width and luminescence intensity of the hybrid nanostructures were significantly increased. The excitation spectral width of the inorganic–organic mixed hybrid nanostructures was particularly enhanced, and covered the whole ultraviolet band region of solar light on Earth. The prepared composites exhibited good optical properties.     

单孢分离菌株的异核不对称特性揭示梯棱羊肚菌为假同宗结合真菌

本文以基因组数据显示只具有MAT1-1 idiomorph的单孢菌株YPL6-3和只具有MAT1-2 idiomorph的单孢菌株YPL6-1为材料,研究它们子代的子囊果、单孢菌株群体和同一子囊中8个单孢菌株的交配型分布情况。YPL6-3和YPL6-1菌株分别隔离栽培和互补混栽均能形成正常的子囊果,其子囊果菌柄交配型分布与亲本菌株有关。PCR扩增检测235株子代单孢菌株的交配基因出现有趣现象：一些菌株的MAT1-1-1基因电泳条带强,而MAT1-2-1基因的条带弱;另一些菌株则MAT1-1-1基因条带弱,而MAT1-2-1基因条带强。同时也有两基因条带都强或者一基因条带强,另一基因无条带的菌株。从3个子囊果中共挑取了10个子囊,并对每个子囊中的单孢进行独立分离,PCR扩增并电泳检测交配基因时也出现了上述相同的情况。若MAT1-1-1强,则MAT1-2-1弱或无,这样的菌株在同一子囊中不会超出4个,反之亦然。利用长片段PCR扩增YPL6-1和YPL6-3菌株的全长MAT idiomorph,利用Nanopore测序技术对扩增子进行单分子实时测序,2次重复实验的序列比对发现：菌株YPL6-1中存在99.63%和99.81%的MAT1-2 idiomorph分子及0.37%和0.19%的MAT1-1 idiomorph分子;菌株YPL6-3中存在99.45%和99.74%的MAT1-1 idiomorph 分子及0.55%和0.26%的MAT1-2 idiomorph分子。从而证实,这2个基因组测序和PCR扩增都只能检测到一种交配型的菌株,其实是异核菌株,只是2种交配型核的数量占比存在较大偏离。根据上述现象推断,梯棱羊肚菌的子囊孢子都是异核的,萌发后形成的单孢菌株具有异核不对称特点,从而推测梯棱羊肚菌是一种特殊的假同宗子囊菌,同时也揭示了梯棱羊肚菌单孢出菇的真相。