Apoptotic role of TGF-β mediated by Smad4 mitochondria translocation and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II interaction

Smad4, originally isolated from the human chromosome 18q21, is a key factor in transducing the signals of the TGF-β superfamily of growth hormones and plays a pivotal role in mediating antimitogenic and proapoptotic effects of TGF-β, but the mechanisms by which Smad4 induces apoptosis are elusive. Here we report that Smad4 directly translocates to the mitochondria of apoptotic cells. Smad4 gene silencing by siRNA inhibits TGF-β-induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells and UV-induced apoptosis in PANC-1 cells. Cell fractionation assays demonstrated that a fraction of Smad4 translocates to mitochondria after long time TGF-β treatment or UV exposure, during which the cells were under apoptosis. Smad4 mitochondria translocation during apoptosis was also confirmed by fluorescence observation of Smad4 colocalization with MitoTracker Red. We searched for mitochondria proteins that have physical interactions with Smad4 using yeast two-hybrid screening approach. DNA sequence analysis identified 34 positive clones, five of which encoded subunits in mitochondria complex IV, i.e., one clone encoded cytochrome c oxidase COXII, three clones encoded COXIII and one clone encoded COXVb. Strong interaction between Smad4 with COXII, an important apoptosis regulator, was verified in yeast by β-gal activity assays and in mammalian cells by immunoprecipitation assays. Further, mitochondrial portion of cells was isolated and the interaction between COXII and Smad4 in mitochondria upon TGF-β treatment or UV exposure was confirmed. Importantly, targeting Smad4 to mitochondria using import leader fusions enhanced TGF-β-induced apoptosis. Collectively, the results suggest that Smad4 promote apoptosis of the cells through its mitochondrial translocation and association with mitochondria protein COXII.     

Genetic mapping and QTL analysis for yield and agronomic traits with an F2:3 population derived from a waxy corn × sweet corn cross

We constructed a framework map using SSR markers in the F₂ population derived from a cross between a waxy corn inbred line and a sweet corn inbred line. We constructed a genetic linkage map of the F_2:3 population employing 295 SSR markers on 158 F₂ individuals produced from the cross. The map comprised a total genomic length of 2,626.5 cM in 10 linkage groups and an average distance between markers of 8.9 cM. The number of loci per linkage group ranged from 27 (chr. 5) to 34 (chr. 7). The genetic distance per linkage group ranged from 213.6 cM (chr. 10) to 360.6 cM (chr. 2). Χ ² tests revealed that 254 markers (86.1 %) distributed over all 10 chromosomes exhibited a Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:2:1. A total of 14 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for days to silking (DTS), plant height (PH), ear height (EH), ear height ratio (ER), ear length (L-ear), and setted ear length (L-sear) were found in the 158 F₂ progeny. They were mapped to chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10. Among them, one QTL was associated with DTS, three with PH, six with EH, one with ER, two with L-ear, and one QTL was related to L-sear. In our study, we found that four QTLs: qDTS1, qEH1a, qEH1b, and qPH1, were clustered between umc2390 and umc1603 on chromosome 1. These new QTLs identified by the present study could serve as useful molecular markers in selecting for yield and agronomic traits in maize. The results of this study may improve the identification and characterization of genes responsible for yield and agronomic traits in waxy corn and sweet corn.     

里氏木霉细胞表面表达系统的构建

[目的]烟曲霉(Aspergillus fumigatus)的AfMp1p是一种通过糖基磷脂酰肌醇( glycosylphosphatidylinositol,GPI)修饰定位于细胞壁上的蛋白,其细胞壁定位信号位于蛋白质的C末端.里氏木霉(Trichoderma reesei)是一种重要的工业生产菌种.构建里氏木霉的细胞表面表达系统具有十分重要的意义.[方法]我们将AfMp1p的细胞壁定位GPI信号肽和烟曲霉几丁质酶AfChiB1的N端信号肽分别与绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescent protein,GFP)的C末端和N末端融合并转化里氏木霉.本文首先对木霉遗传转化系统进行了优化;随后通过Real-time PCR和蛋白定量,对GFP融合蛋白在里氏木霉中不同时期的表达情况进行了研究;最后对里氏木霉表达的GFP融合蛋白进行细胞定位研究.[结果]荧光观察结合Western blot的结果表明,在平台期中期和后期,带有GPI信号的GFP融合蛋白定位于细胞壁.[结论]烟曲霉来源的GPI信号可被里氏木霉识别,本论文所构建的表达系统可用于外源蛋白在里氏木霉中的细胞壁定位表达.     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(△N39)-R9神经营养活性和透过血脑屏障的研究

为了研究胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)在中枢神经系统疾病中的治疗应用,运用基因突变、蛋白质融合表达和蛋白质纯化技术获得分子质量较小的GDNF(△N39)活性片段.将HIV-1 Tat蛋白转导区(protein transduction domain,PTD)的9个碱性氨基酸49RKKRRQRRR57模拟物9个精氨酸(R9)与GDNF(△N39)活性片段融合表达,获得纯度达95%以上的GDNF(△N39)-R9融合蛋白.将GDNF、GDNF(△N39)、GDNF(△N39)-R9分别加入原代培养的中脑多巴胺能神经元和转染GDNF受体GFRαl和Ret的PC12细胞中,观察它们的神经营养活性和毒性.运用脑微血管内皮细胞株B-Endo 3,观察GDNF(△N39)-R9蛋白穿越血管内皮细胞膜的功能;运用脑血管内皮细胞和Matrigel铺板模拟血脑屏障,Transwell法检测Tat-GDNF(△N39)蛋白穿越脑血管内皮细胞和外周胶质膜的能力.结果显示:GDNF(△N39)-R9蛋白具有类似GDNF的神经营养活性,促进原代培养的中脑多巴胺能神经元和稳定表达GFRα1和Ret受体的PC12-GFRα1-Ret细胞株的存活,没有显示毒性,并且能很好地穿过脑微血管内皮细胞层和模拟的血脑屏障.     

利用PCR方法鉴定hiTAIL-PCR扩增产物中的质粒骨架片段

T-DNA突变体是研究基因功能的重要资源。高效热不对称交错PCR (hiTAIL-PCR)是克隆突变体中T-DNA插入位点侧翼序列的常用方法。然而我们发现, 利用hiTAIL-PCR克隆到的一些侧翼序列并不对应于宿主的染色体DNA序列, 而是质粒的骨架DNA片段。通过设置1组RB-S4/AC1或者LB-A4/AC1对照反应, 用PCR方法鉴定了hiTAIL-PCR扩增产物中位于T-DNA侧翼的质粒骨架片段。在后续分析中, 通过排除这些片段, 提高了利用hiTAIL-PCR获得宿主染色体DNA片段的效率。同时, 通过调整反应程序, 使得整个PCR的反应时间也大为缩短。在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana) T-DNA突变体drf1侧翼序列的克隆实例中, 对照反应的引入将hiTAIL-PCR中需鉴定的22条扩增产物降至4条, 效率提高了81.8%。     

A Double‐Edged Sword: Complement Component 3 in Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Sprague Dawley rats and Kunming (KM) mice are artificially infected with type II Toxoplasma gondii strain Prugniaud (Pru) to generate toxoplasmosis, which is a fatal disease mediated by T. gondii invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by unknown mechanisms. The aim is to explore the mechanism of differential susceptibility of mice and rats to T. gondii infection. Therefore, a strategy of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) is established to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the rats’ and the mice's brains compared to the healthy groups. In KM mice, which is susceptible to T. gondii infection, complement component 3 (C3) is upregulated and the tight junction (TJ) pathway shows a disorder. It is presumed that T. gondii‐stimulated C3 disrupts the TJ of the blood–brain barrier in the CNS. This effect allows more T. gondii passing to the brain through the intercellular space.     

荸荠营养器官的发育与解剖学研究

荸荠同化茎起源于肉质主茎倒２或倒３叶的叶腋内。同化茎基部着生二鞘状叶,鞘状叶对早期同化茎穿出土面具保护作用。匍匐茎大多起源于同化茎基部鞘状叶的叶腋内。当植株开始抽生花茎时,地下匍匐茎顶端开始膨大。球茎的膨大是匍匐茎顶端５－６节的基本组织经细胞有丝分裂,增加细胞数目,然后由细胞体积的扩大来实现的。球茎具足够的营养物质供来年顶芽萌发的需要,故属水生植物冬芽的性质。     

三江源地区雪豹保护优先区规划

为了将有限资源合理投放到关键区域, 实现物种保护成效的最大化, 找出质量最好的栖息地及它们之间的迁徙通道是制定保护规划的第一步。本研究以三江源的雪豹(Panthera uncia)栖息地为对象, 基于野外调查数据和高分辨率卫星遥感数据, 利用物种分布模型、保护规划模型和连通度分析工具, 找出了三江源地区雪豹的核心栖息地分布和潜在迁徙通道位置, 分析了目前保护中的潜在威胁, 并提出了针对三江源西、中、东三块区域的不同保护对策。结果表明: (1)三江源西部核心栖息地比较小而破碎, 但迁徙通道较多且没有明显窄点, 未来应关注青藏线的潜在阻碍作用, 同时应防范道路沿线的野生动物盗猎; (2)中部区域横跨玉树-杂多-囊谦的雪豹栖息地是三江源最大的核心雪豹栖息地, 在连通其他种群中也处于中心地位, 应通过种群监测确定其健康稳定, 对开发、偷猎等威胁防微杜渐, 保持其源种群的作用; (3)东部区域人口密度高, 受人类活动的影响最大, 需保证阿尼玛卿、年保玉则两块核心栖息地的质量, 并重点监测甘德县境内的省道处雪豹的迁徙通道是否畅通。三江源地区雪豹栖息地总体质量较好, 建议将维持核心源种群的稳定性, 保持种群间迁徙通道的畅通作为三江源的雪豹景观保护工作的整体目标。未来应充分利用天地一体化监测手段, 开展重要保护物种栖息地状况的评估和预警, 尤其是非保护地区域物种核心栖息地的开发建设活动。     

H1亚型猪流感病毒血凝素基因在昆虫细胞中的表达及其间接ELISA方法的初步建立

根据GenBank发表的H1亚型猪流感HA基因序列设计引物,扩增出HA基因片段.将其克隆到pFastBacGP67B杆状病毒载体上,筛选阳性重组转座载体pFastBacGP67B-H1,转化含有杆状病毒穿梭载体(bacmid)的DH10Bac感受态细胞,构建杆状病毒表达载体获得重组转座子(rBacmid-H1),在脂质体介导下转染sf9昆虫细胞,获得重组杆状病毒(rBV-H1),再感染细胞,收获目的蛋白.通过血凝试验、免疫印迹法、免疫组化分析表明该蛋白得到表达,且具有良好的生物学活性.利用表达的蛋白作为猪流感间接ELISA的抗原,初步建立H1亚型猪流感的间接ELISA检测方法,并对内蒙古、辽宁和黑龙江等地送检的93份猪血清进行了检测,阳性率为31.18%,为研制开发快速、准确、简便的H1亚型猪流感鉴别诊断试剂盒奠定基础.