Flexible chromosome painting based on multiplex PCR of oligonucleotides and its application for comparative chromosome analyses in Cucumis

Chromosome painting is a powerful technique for chromosome and genome studies. We developed a flexible chromosome painting technique based on multiplex PCR of a synthetic oligonucleotide (oligo) library in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., 2n = 14). Each oligo in the library was associated with a universal as well as nested specific primers for amplification, which allow the generation of different probes from the same oligo library. We were also able to generate double‐stranded labelled oligos, which produced much stronger signals than single‐stranded labelled oligos, by amplification using fluorophore‐conjugated primer pairs. Oligos covering cucumber chromosome 1 (Chr1) and chromosome 4 (Chr4) consisting of eight segments were synthesized in one library. Different oligo probes generated from the library painted the corresponding chromosomes/segments unambiguously, especially on pachytene chromosomes. This technique was then applied to study the homoeologous relationships among cucumber, C. hystrix and C. melo chromosomes based on cross‐species chromosome painting using Chr4 probes. We demonstrated that the probe was feasible to detect interspecies chromosome homoeologous relationships and chromosomal rearrangement events. Based on its advantages and great convenience, we anticipate that this flexible oligo‐painting technique has great potential for the studies of the structure, organization, and evolution of chromosomes in any species with a sequenced genome.     

Potential role of insulin on the pathogenesis of depression

The regulation of insulin on depression and depression‐like behaviour has been widely reported. Insulin and activation of its receptor can promote learning and memory, affect the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (HPA) balance, regulate the secretion of neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters, interact with gastrointestinal microbiome, exert neuroprotective effects and have an impact on depression. However, the role of insulin on depression remains largely unclear. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the potential role of insulin on depression. It may provide new insight for clarifying role of insulin on the pathogenesis of depression.     

The role of astrocytes in oxidative stress of central nervous system: A mixed blessing

Central nervous system (CNS) maintains a high level of metabolism, which leads to the generation of large amounts of free radicals, and it is also one of the most vulnerable organs to oxidative stress. Emerging evidences have shown that, as the key homeostatic cells in CNS, astrocytes are deeply involved in multiple aspects of CNS function including oxidative stress regulation. Besides, the redox level in CNS can in turn affect astrocytes in morphology and function. The complex and multiple roles of astrocytes indicate that their correct performance is crucial for the normal functioning of the CNS, and its dysfunction may result in the occurrence and progression of various neurological disorders. To date, the influence of astrocytes in CNS oxidative stress is rarely reviewed. Therefore, in this review we sum up the roles of astrocytes in redox regulation and the corresponding mechanisms under both normal and different pathological conditions.     

Developments,applications, and prospects of cryo‐electron microscopy

Cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) is a structural biological method that is used to determine the 3D structures of biomacromolecules. After years of development, cryo‐EM has made great achievements, which has led to a revolution in structural biology. In this article, the principle, characteristics, history, current situation, workflow, and common problems of cryo‐EM are systematically reviewed. In addition, the new development direction of cryo‐EM—cryo‐electron tomography (cryo‐ET), is discussed in detail. Also, cryo‐EM is prospected from the following aspects: the structural analysis of small proteins, the improvement of resolution and efficiency, and the relationship between cryo‐EM and drug development. This review is dedicated to giving readers a comprehensive understanding of the development and application of cryo‐EM, and to bringing them new insights.     

强化类球红细菌辅因子NADPH再生以提高法尼醇的产量

法尼醇(Farnesol,FOH)是由焦磷酸异戊烯基(IPP)和焦磷酸二甲基烯丙基(DMAPP)合成的法尼酰基焦磷酸盐(FPP)去焦磷酸化作用生成的。在类球红细菌中IPP和DMAPP是由MEP途径生成,而完整的MEP途径需要消耗大量的辅因子NADPH,增加胞内NADPH的量有可能强化FOH的合成。文中从增加NADPH的生成和降低NADPH的消耗这两个策略出发,分别干扰了编码6-磷酸葡萄糖异构酶基因(pgi)和谷氨酸脱氢酶基因(gdhA)的表达,同时强化了磷酸戊糖途径中6-葡萄糖磷酸脱氢酶基因(zwf)和6-葡萄糖酸磷酸脱氢酶基因(gnd)的表达。实验结果表明,经改造的菌株NADPH含量显著增加,干扰菌株中菌株RSpgii的产量较高,为3.91 mg/g,在过表达的菌株中同时过表达zwf和gnd基因的重组菌株(RSzg)的FOH产量提高到了3.43 mg/g。为了获得FOH产量更高的菌株,以RSpgii为出发菌株,分别与zwf和gnd组合调控,获得的菌株RSzgpi的产量达到了最高量为4.48 mg/g,是出发菌株RS-GY2产率的2.24倍。     

重组枯草芽孢杆菌全细胞催化合成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷

2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷是一种在食品、化妆品、保健品及医药领域有着重大应用前景的高附加值产品,但国内仍未实现2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷的工业化生产,且鲜有关于2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷合成的相关报道。文中旨在开发一种利用食品安全级重组枯草芽孢杆菌全细胞催化合成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷的方法,通过构建一株异源表达肠膜明串珠菌蔗糖磷酸化酶 (Sucrose phosphorylase,SPase) 的重组枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis 168/pMA5-gtfA,并将其用作全细胞催化剂合成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷,通过优化培养温度、时间及全细胞转化条件,提高其转化合成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷的产量。结果表明,重组枯草芽孢杆菌B. subtilis 168/pMA5-gtfA在30 ℃下培养20 h,菌体裂解物酶活力最大达1.43 U/mL,并且在1 mol/L蔗糖、2.5 mol/L甘油、pH 7.0、菌体OD600为40、30 ℃下全细胞转化反应48 h,共生成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷189.3 g/L,平均转化速率为15.6 mmol/(L·h),蔗糖转化率约为75.1%,是目前报道的利用重组枯草芽孢杆菌催化合成2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷的最高产量,这为2-O-α-D-甘油葡糖苷的工业化生产及应用奠定了理论和实验基础。     

新早期胃癌标志物PRDX4通过清除ROS促进胃癌的发生发展

胃癌是全球第四大最常见的癌症,也是全球癌症中引起死亡的第二大原因。为了降低胃癌的死亡率,目前亟需解决的问题是发现新的早期胃癌特异性的标志物,提高早期胃癌的检出率,从而从根本上解决胃癌死亡率高的问题。实验室前期研究发现过氧化物酶4 (Peroxiredoxin 4,PRDX4)具有早期胃癌标志物的潜能,文中通过建立恶性转化模型及转化细胞过表达等方法,研究PRDX4在转化细胞中的作用。结果显示PRDX4通过减少转化细胞中活性氧(Reactive oxygen species,ROS)含量,使细胞处在利于生长增殖的微环境中,从而促进细胞发生恶性转化,即PRDX4通过清除ROS促进胃癌的发生发展。     

人乳寡糖2’-FL和3-FL的生物制备研究进展

人乳寡糖 (Human milk oligosaccharides,HMO) 是母乳中重要的免疫活性成分,对婴幼儿健康起到显著促进作用。2’-岩藻糖基乳糖 (2’-FL) 是HMO的主要组分,极具应用价值,3-岩藻糖基乳糖 (3-FL) 与2’-FL的合成途径相似,两者的研究具有相互借鉴意义,近年来针对它们的研究取得了较多进展。以微生物细胞工厂为核心理念的新型生物合成途径有望将2’-FL和3-FL产业化,未来将对乳制品行业产生重要的影响。文中综述了生物技术制备2’-FL和3-FL的最新研究进展,并对未来发展趋势进行了展望。