拟南芥DNA去甲基化基因RLL4的定位与功能分析

该研究以携带2×35S:LUC报告基因的转基因拟南芥Col-LUC为亲本系,将其种子进行甲基磺酸乙酯(EMS)诱变,在M2代筛选出1株低荧光的候选突变体,命名为rll4(reduced LUC luminescence 4)。遗传学分析表明,rll4突变位点包含1个核基因隐性突变。图位克隆技术定位结果显示,突变基因的位点位于4号染色体2个分子标记CL417-B10M1和CL418-B2M2之间,这2个分子标记分别位于F20D10和F20M13BAC(bacterial artificial chromosome)克隆。酶切PCR(Chop-PCR)结果显示,rll4突变体中基因组DNA的部分位点甲基化显著升高。反转录PCR(RT-PCR)结果显示,rll4突变体中ROS1(REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1)的表达量并没有明显变化,而一些RNA介导的DNA甲基化(RdDM)过程靶位点的基因表达量有明显下降。研究表明,RLL4位点很可能参与了拟南芥DNA去甲基化过程。     

IGF-1 modulates gene expression of proteins involved in inflammation,cytoskeleton, and liver architecture

Even though the liver synthesizes most of circulating IGF-1, it lacks its receptor under physiological conditions. However, according to previous studies, a damaged liver expresses the receptor. For this reason, herein, we examine hepatic histology and expression of genes encoding proteins of the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and cell-cell molecules and inflammation-related proteins. A partial IGF-1 deficiency murine model was used to investigate IGF-1’s effects on liver by comparing wild-type controls, heterozygous igf1^+/?, and heterozygous mice treated with IGF-1 for 10 days. Histology, microarray for mRNA gene expression, RT-qPCR, and lipid peroxidation were assessed. Microarray analyses revealed significant underexpression of igf1 in heterozygous mice compared to control mice, restoring normal liver expression after treatment, which then normalized its circulating levels. IGF-1 receptor mRNA was overexpressed in Hz mice liver, while treated mice displayed a similar expression to that of the controls. Heterozygous mice showed overexpression of several genes encoding proteins related to inflammatory and acute-phase proteins and underexpression or overexpression of genes which coded for extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and cell junction components. Histology revealed an altered hepatic architecture. In addition, liver oxidative damage was found increased in the heterozygous group. The mere IGF-1 partial deficiency is associated with relevant alterations of the hepatic architecture and expression of genes involved in cytoskeleton, hepatocyte polarity, cell junctions, and extracellular matrix proteins. Moreover, it induces hepatic expression of the IGF-1 receptor and elevated acute-phase and inflammation mediators, which all resulted in liver oxidative damage.     

Lifestyle modifications to prevent and control hypertension. 2. Recommendations on obesity and weight loss. Canadian Hypertension Society,Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control,Laboratory Centre for Disease Control at Health Canada,Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations concerning the effects of weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight on the prevention and control of hypertension in otherwise healthy adults (except pregnant women). OPTIONS: The main options are to attain and maintain a healthy body weight (body mass index [BMI] 20-25 kg/m2) or not to do so. For those at risk for hypertension, weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight may prevent the condition. For those who have hypertension, weight loss and maintenance of healthy weight may reduce or obviate the need for antihypertensive medications. OUTCOMES: The health outcome considered was change in blood pressure. Because of insufficient evidence, no economic outcomes were considered. EVIDENCE: A MEDLINE search was conducted for the years 1992-1996 with the terms hypertension and obesity in combination and antihypertensive therapy and obesity in combination. Other relevant evidence was obtained from the reference lists of the articles identified, from the personal files of the authors and through contacts with experts. The articles were reviewed, classified according to study design and graded according to level of evidence. VALUES: A high value was placed on the avoidance of cardiovascular morbidity and premature death caused by untreated hypertension. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: Weight loss and the maintenance of healthy body weight reduces the blood pressure of both hypertensive and normotensive people. The indirect benefits of a health body weight are well known. The negative effects of weight loss are primarily the frustrations associated with attaining and maintaining a healthy weight. The costs associated with weight loss programs were not measured in the studies reviewed. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) It is recommended that health care professionals determine weight (in kilograms), height (in metres) and BMI for all adults. (2) To reduce blood pressure in the population at large, it is recommended that Canadians attain and maintain a healthy BMI (20-25). (3) All overweight hypertensive patients (BMI greater than 25) should be advised to reduce their weight. VALIDATION: These recommendations are similar to those of the World Hypertension League, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on Primary Prevention of Hypertension, the Canadian Hypertension Society and the Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control. They have not been clinically tested. SPONSORS: The Canadian Hypertension Society, the Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control at Health Canada, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.     

Structural and functional features of the leaves of Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix., a freshwater submerged macrophophyte

AZA, 5-Acetamido-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulphonamide
CA, carbonic anhydrase
DIC, dissolved inorganic carbon
Hepes, A-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1 piperazine-ethane sulfonic acid
IC, inorganic carbon
PAR, photosynthetic active radiation
PATAg, periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate
Tris, tris (hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane

The structural and physiological strategies developed by the leaves of the freshwater macrophyte Ranunculus trichophyllus to adapt to submersed life were studied. Photosynthesis is carried out mainly by the epidermis cells of the numerous segments into which the leaf is finely dissected. In these cells, containing most of the chloroplasts, a peculiar organization of the wall has been identified by cytochemical tests. A thin compact outer region covers the cell surface and splits up forming large lacunae between adjacent cells. Below it, a thick and loose inner region rich in hydrophilic pectic acids occurs, which grows in along the cell sides giving rise to wide transfer areas. In this latter cell wall region, in which the cell/environment contact and exchanges are amplified, the systems for inorganic carbon supply to photosynthetic cells operate. The leaves of R. trichophyllus can rely on environmental CO₂ and HCO₃^– as sources of inorganic carbon for photosynthesis. A mechanism for bicarbonate utilization seems to involve its conversion to CO₂ by an apoplastic carbonic anhydrase, whose activity gains importance as the availability of environmental CO₂ decreases. Interestingly, it has been demonstrated that in this species CO₂ can also be obtained from HCO₃^– by a photodependent increase in plasmamembrane H⁺-ATPase activity in the transfer areas of the epidermis cells. This is the first time that such a mechanism has been noted in a nonpolar leaf of a submerged macrophyte.     

Condition‐dependent immune defence in the Magpie: how important is ectoparasitism?

The immune system has high costs of maintenance and production and expression of immune function should be dependent on the condition of the individual. The fitness cost that parasites impose on hosts may then be reflected in the investment that hosts make in immunity. Little is known about sources and consequences of intra- and interspecific variation in the presence and size of organs of the immune system in relation to ectoparasitism. Variation in the presence and size of the bursa of Fabricius and spleen size was measured to assess potential relationships between immune defence, nutritional condition and ectoparasites in the Magpie Pica pica. We found three species of lice (Mallophaga), two species of louse flies (Hippoboscidae), and the larvae of a tick (Ixodidae) infecting magpies. Age explained a significant proportion of variation in prevalence and number of parasite species, first-year birds being more parasitized than adults. Spleen size increased with nutritional condition, and the level of ectoparasitism negatively affected nutritional condition. Only one species of lice (Philopterus picae) was involved; the negative effect of this species on nutritional condition was more pronounced in males than females. These results are consistent with the hypotheses of condition-dependent investment in the immune system and sexual differences in susceptibility to parasite effects. Ectoparasites may thus play a role in modulating the relationship between condition and immune defence. We also found evidence for an interaction between the bursa and the spleen. Magpies with bursa had larger spleens than those where it had atrophied. This interaction did not affect ectoparasitism or nutritional condition.     

Pregnancy success of lactating Holstein cows after a single administration of a sustained-release formulation of recombinant bovine somatotropin

Background

Results regarding the use of bovine somatotropin for enhancing fertility in dairy cattle are variable. Here, the hypothesis was tested that a single injection of a sustained-release preparation of bovine somatotropin (bST) during the preovulatory period would improve pregnancy success of lactating dairy cows at first service.

Results

The first experiment was conducted in a temperate region of Mexico. Cows inseminated following natural estrus or timed artificial insemination were given a single injection of bST or a placebo injection at insemination (n = 100 cows per group). There was no significant difference between bST and control groups in the proportion of inseminated cows diagnosed pregnant (29 vs 31% pregnant). The second experiment was performed during heat stress in Florida. Cows were subjected to an ovulation synchronization regimen for first insemination. Cows treated with bST received a single injection at 3 days before insemination. Controls received no additional treatment. As expected, bST did not increase vaginal temperature. Treatment with bST did not significantly increase the proportion of inseminated cows diagnosed pregnant although it was numerically greater for the bST group (24.2% vs 17.8%, 124–132 cows per group). There was a tendency (p = 0.10) for a smaller percent of control cows to have high plasma progesterone concentrations (≥ 1 ng/ml) at Day 7 after insemination than for bST-treated cows (72.6 vs 81.1%). When only cows that were successfully synchronized were considered, the magnitude of the absolute difference in the percentage of inseminated cows that were diagnosed pregnant between bST and control cows was reduced (24.8 vs 22.4% pregnant for bST and control).

Conclusion

Results failed to indicate a beneficial effect of bST treatment on fertility of lactating dairy cows.

     

西藏岗巴拉山土壤细菌多样性海拔分布格局及其驱动因子

高原山地是对全球气候变化最为敏感的脆弱生态系统之一,研究高原山地土壤细菌群落沿海拔变化特征,对于揭示受气候变化和人为干扰的山地微生物群落结构和功能有十分重要的科学意义。研究以西藏岗巴拉山作为研究对象,运用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术,基于精细样方尺度分析了岗巴拉山沿海拔梯度土壤细菌群落组成和多样性的变化特征及其驱动因子。结果表明：岗巴拉山土壤细菌共包含36门125纲307目477科838属1878种,将12个海拔带分为高中低3组（低海拔从3800-4100 m、中海拔从4200-4500 m、高海拔从4600-4900 m）,中海拔总分类操作单元（OTU）数最多,特有OTU数最少,土壤细菌群落丰富度随海拔升高呈单峰趋势,但其特异性随海拔呈U型分布格局。岗巴拉山土壤细菌群落中的优势菌门是放线菌门、酸杆菌门、变形菌门、绿弯菌门、疣微菌门和芽单胞菌门等,土壤细菌群落Shannon多样性指数随海拔升高而逐渐减小,而Simpson多样性指数在高海拔最高,Chao指数随海拔升高呈单峰变化趋势。主坐标分析（PCoA）表明土壤细菌群落结构在不同海拔梯度上存在显著差异,且低海拔土壤细菌群落组内也存在显著差异。冗余分析（RDA）表明海拔、pH、总氮、总磷和有机碳对土壤细菌群落结构有显著影响,与环境因子相关性分析表明海拔、pH、总氮、总磷和有机碳与土壤细菌群落结构显著相关,曼特尔检验表明pH和海拔是影响土壤细菌群落的关键因素。岗巴拉山土壤细菌多样性沿海拔梯度呈单调下降趋势,pH是影响土壤细菌群落沿海拔变化特征的关键环境因子,总氮、总磷和有机碳也是影响土壤细菌群落的重要环境因子。