Agrobacterium‐produced and exogenous cytokinin‐modulated Agrobacterium‐mediated plant transformation

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogenic bacterium that causes neoplastic growths, called ‘crown gall’, via the transfer and integration of transferred DNA (T‐DNA) from the bacterium into the plant genome. We characterized an acetosyringone (AS)‐induced tumour‐inducing (Ti) plasmid gene, tzs (trans‐zeatin synthesizing), that is responsible for the synthesis of the plant hormone cytokinin in nopaline‐type A. tumefaciens strains. The loss of Tzs protein expression and trans‐zeatin secretions by the tzs frameshift (tzs‐fs) mutant is associated with reduced tumorigenesis efficiency on white radish stems and reduced transformation efficiencies on Arabidopsis roots. Complementation of the tzs‐fs mutant with a wild‐type tzs gene restored wild‐type levels of trans‐zeatin secretions and transformation efficiencies. Exogenous application of cytokinin during infection increased the transient transformation efficiency of Arabidopsis roots infected by strains lacking Tzs, which suggests that the lower transformation efficiency resulted from the lack of Agrobacterium‐produced cytokinin. Interestingly, although the tzs‐fs mutant displayed reduced tumorigenesis efficiency on several tested plants, the loss of Tzs enhanced tumorigenesis efficiencies on green pepper and cowpea. These data strongly suggest that Tzs, by synthesizing trans‐zeatin at early stage(s) of the infection process, modulates plant transformation efficiency by A. tumefaciens.     

重组GIP蛋白的原核优化表达及其生物活性的研究

葡萄糖依赖性促胰岛素多肽或抑胃肽(glucose-dependentinsulinotropicpolypeptideorgastricinhibitorypeptide,GIP)是由42个氨基酸组成的胃肠调节肽,在高血糖背景下能够刺激胰岛素释放,能够抑制胃酸分泌、促进神经细胞增生,具有广泛的临床应用价值.化学提取或人工合成GIP,成本过高,不宜规模化生产,故应用基因工程技术研制重组人GIP(rhGIP)并探讨其生物活性有积极的现实意义.人工合成具有大肠杆菌偏爱密码子的编码GIP成熟肽的cDNA序列,利用pET32a( )系统进行原核表达;在小规模发酵条件下,进行优化诱导表达和目的蛋白的亲和纯化;通过检测SD大鼠胃酸分泌和血糖浓度,对纯化后的rhGIP进行生理活性研究;通过形态学观察和培养基中NO含量测定,检测rhGIP对PC12细胞NO自由基生成量的影响;应用Aβ25-35加入培养基造成PC12细胞神经损伤模型,分别以高、中、低剂量rhGIP作用于此模型,通过MTT(2-(4,5-dimethylthia-zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide)法测定PC12细胞的活性.结果显示,成功克隆了人GIP基因,诱导表达的rhGIP占细胞总蛋白质的35%,部分可溶,部分以包涵体形式存在.经过诱导表达的重组蛋白质分子质量约为26ku,与理论值相符.纯化后的rhGIP具有免疫活性.优化诱导表达条件为表达菌生长密度A600值0.50,IPTG浓度0.5mmol/L,温度37℃,诱导表达时间4h.裂解上清液经固定化金属亲和层析一步法层析后,表达的水溶性rhGIP融合蛋白的最后得率为1.2mg/L菌液,纯度为85%.纯化后的rhGIP能够使SD大鼠胃液pH值增高,其抑制胃酸分泌作用与生理盐水对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05),而rhGIP组和标准品GIP组比较差异无显著性.在高血糖背景下,注射rhGIP15min后,大鼠血浆血糖浓度较基础血糖显著降低(P<0.05),30min时与单独注射葡萄糖的模型对照组比较,差异无显著性,而rhGIP组和标准品GIP组其差异不显著.在rhGIP对神经细胞的营养和对PC12细胞免受神经损伤和缺氧损伤影响的研究中发现,用rhGIP培养PC12细胞32h后,rhGIP组NO含量极显著低于正常对照组(P<0.01),细胞存活较多,神经突起延伸较好,中、高剂量rhGIP组均较神经损伤和缺氧损伤组活性显著升高(P<0.05),且细胞活性呈剂量依赖关系,rhGIP组与标准品GIP组差异不显著,与正常对照组亦无显著差异.研究结果表明,已得到高效表达的rhGIP融合蛋白,该蛋白质具有免疫活性,具有抑制胃酸分泌和降低大鼠血浆血糖浓度的生理活性,并且对神经细胞有营养和保护作用.     

辣椒离体培养及再生体系的研究

选用9个辣椒(Capsicum annuumL.)品种(系),研究了不同激素组合、基因型、外植体类型、苗龄和Ag-NO3等因素对外植体不定芽分化和伸长的影响.结果表明,在6-BA/IAA为10∶1配比下,有利于辣椒外植体的分化再生,而6-BA/IAA为3∶1配比下适合于再生芽的伸长;不同品种辣椒的再生能力差别较大,分化率在13.3%~90.0%之间;辣椒子叶再生能力比下胚轴强,是较好的外植体材料;12~16 d苗龄的外植体分化频率较高;添加4mg?L-1AgNO3可使芽分化率平均提高16.9%.通过比较,筛选出了适合于辣椒芽分化的培养基为MB5(MS无机盐 B5有机成分) 5 mg?L-16-BA 0.5 mg?L-1IAA 4 mg?L-1AgNO3,芽伸长培养基为MB5 3 mg?L-16-BA 1 mg?L-1IAA 2 mg?L-1GA3 4 mg?L-1AgNO3,生根培养基为1/2 MS 0.2 mg?L-1IAA 0.1 mg?L-1NAA.     

Post-translational modifications of the four conserved lysine residues within the collagenous domain of adiponectin are required for the formation of its high molecular weight oligomeric complex

Adiponectin is a multifunctional adipokine that circulates as several oligomeric complexes in the blood stream. However, the molecular basis that regulates the production of the adiponectin oligomers remains largely elusive. We have shown previously that several conserved lysine residues (positions 68, 71, 80, and 104) within the collagenous domain of adiponectin are modified by hydroxylation and glycosylation (Wang, Y., Xu, A., Knight, C., Xu, L. Y., and Cooper, G. J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 19521-19529). Here, we investigated the potential roles of these post-translational modifications in oligomeric complex formation of adiponectin. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that adiponectin produced from mammalian cells formed trimeric, hexameric, and high molecular weight (HMW) oligomeric complexes. These three oligomeric forms were differentially glycosylated, with the HMW oligomer having the highest carbohydrate content. Disruption of hydroxylation and glycosylation by substitution of the four conserved lysines with arginines selectively abrogated the intracellular assembly of the HMW oligomers in vitro as well as in vivo. In type 2 diabetic patients, both the ratios of HMW to total adiponectin and the degree of adiponectin glycosylation were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Functional studies of adiponectin-null mice revealed that abrogation of lysine hydroxylation/glycosylation markedly decreased the ability of adiponectin to stimulate phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in liver tissue. Chronic treatment of db/db diabetic mice with wild-type adiponectin alleviated hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance, whereas full-length adiponectin without proper post-translational modifications and HMW oligomers showed substantially decreased activities. Taken together, these data suggest that hydroxylation and glycosylation of the lysine residues within the collagenous domain of adiponectin are critically involved in regulating the formation of its HMW oligomeric complex and consequently contribute to the insulin-sensitizing activity of adiponectin in hepatocytes.     

对虾白斑综合症病毒囊膜蛋白VP28的表达及其抗病毒感染作用

根据GenBank上WSSV囊膜蛋白基因vp28的序列,设计并合成引物,PCR扩增得到vp28基因,成功构建重组表达载体pET22b-vp28并转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)。基因工程菌株37℃IPTG诱导,表达产物经Western-blot和SDS-PAGE检测显示有与预期大小32kDa相符合的目的蛋白。用Ni2 -柱纯化的目的蛋白分别直接注射螯虾和包被饲料投喂螯虾,实验结果表明vp28在大肠杆菌中的表达产物有显著提高虾体抗WSSV感染力的作用,而且注射效果更好。     

环境因子对东洞庭湖优势冬季水鸟分布的影响

东洞庭湖国家级自然保护区是我国乃至全球湿地水鸟的重要越冬栖息地,研究水鸟群落与环境因子之间的关系,对修复鸟类栖息地具有重要意义.2010和2011年冬季分别对东洞庭湖湿地冬季水鸟进行调查,采用典范对应分析(CCA)分析环境因子与优势水鸟分布的关系,采用偏CCA评估各环境因子的影响强度.结果表明： 到道路距离、到居民距离、斑块密度、植被类型数、水面面积和苔草面积对东洞庭湖冬季水鸟分布具有显著影响(P<0.05),其影响强度为苔草面积>斑块密度>到居民距离>植被类型数>水面面积>到道路距离,苔草面积和斑块密度对水鸟分布的影响达极显著水平(P<0.01),是影响东洞庭湖湿地冬季水鸟的主要环境因子;景观多样性和芦苇面积对水鸟分布的影响未达到显著水平(P>0.05).回归分析结果显示,环境因子对不同水鸟丰富度的影响不同,白琵鹭、罗纹鸭和黑腹滨鹬丰富度随苔草面积增大而减小,随斑块密度增大而增大;豆雁、白额雁、小白额雁和绿翅鸭丰富度随苔草面积增大而增大,随斑块密度增大而减小.东洞庭湖冬季水鸟分布是由以苔草面积、斑块密度为主的多环境因子综合作用的结果.     

海南岛热带低地雨林刀耕火种弃耕地自然恢复过程中的群落构建

研究群落构建机制是群落生态学的一个重要目标, 群落动态过程中的构建规律对于了解群落演替机理有重要的作用。该文以海南岛刀耕火种干扰后自然恢复的10 hm ²热带低地雨林为研究对象, 通过比较不同恢复阶段的次生林(15年、30年和60年)和老龄林在幼苗、幼树和成年树群落的物种组成, 揭示次生演替过程中的群落构建规律。研究结果表明, 老龄林中不同径级群落的物种多样性及不同径级间的物种相似度显著高于各恢复阶段的次生林, 但优势种在群落中的比例低于各恢复阶段的次生林。随着自然恢复过程的进行, 次生林群落物种组成与老龄林的相似性也逐渐增大, 支持演替平衡理论。所有恢复阶段样地中幼苗的个体、物种丰富度和基于多度涵盖估计量(ACE)都低于幼树和成年树群落, 幼苗层物种组成与幼树、成年树也有较大差异, 说明新增到幼苗群落可能是一个难于预测的过程。研究结果说明了确定过程和随机过程共同决定了次生演替的群落构建。     

茅尾海营养状况及其来源研究

根据2008年茅尾海海域水质调查结果,采用营养指数法、营养状态质量指数法、有机污染指数法对海湾营养状况进行了评价,并结合2007年入海污染源调查结果,探讨了茅尾海的营养盐来源。结果表明:茅尾海受无机氮污染较重,海域处于呈富营养状态,有机污染程度属2级,表明开始受到有机污染。营养盐高值区集中在北部海域和东部海域。钦江、茅岭江等入海河流携带入海的营养盐是海域营养的主要来源,占入海污染物总量的79%以上,其次来自钦州湾外海的混合排污口。2001~2007年茅尾海DIN、DIP年均浓度分别与入海河流氮、磷营养盐入海负荷呈显著正相关,两者的相关系数分别为0.873和0.824。     

Phenotypic Variation of Gelidocalamus stellatus Wen Complex (Bambusoideae)

Gelidocalamus stellatus Wen complex includes Gelidocalamus stellatus, Gauritus, Gmonophyllus, Gmultifolius and Gwugongshanensis, indicating the existence of some taxonomic disputes within this taxon. Based on 13 main phenotypic traits, in this paper, 13 populations of the complex are investigated and the results show that 1) All 13 characters have some changes between and within populations, of which the maximum is the height under branch with 276%, while the minimum is the ratio of length and width with 64%; 2) In the Jing Gang Mountain population (JGM), seven characters, such as the diameter at breast height, the node number, the height under branch, the leaf length, the leaf width, the ratio of leaf length and width, and numbers of each branch, are relatively stable among 4 different populations, and populations of Gstellatus Wen complex can be distinguished effectively by that seven characters, so it maybe have some worth for the clarification of the complex; 3) Besides that Jiu Yi Mountain population (JYM) and Xiao Long Gui population (XLG) share the same or similar traits with that of JGM, there have many remarkable differences between other populations, such the leaf in Lian Ping Country population (LPC) and Huang He Village population (HHV), the culm in Wu Gong Mountain population (WGM) and the numbers of each branch in Gan Zi Depression population (GZD) and Rong Jia Cavity population (RJC). With the observation of the culm sheath and the abaxial epidermis of leaves, the taxonomic position of some populations is discussed. Our results still indicate that Gmultifolius (Huang He Village population) and Gauritus may be null and void. Furthermore, we proposal Gwugongshanensis (Wu Gong Mountain population) and Gmonophyllus (Jiu Yi Mountain population) should be as a taxon under Gstellatus.     

Ecological risk and contamination history of heavy metals in the Andong tidal flat,Hangzhou Bay,China

In this study, we collected two sediment cores (C1 and C2) from the Andong tidal flat, Hangzhou Bay, and studied the temporal variations of heavy metals in the cores. Vertical distributions of heavy metals were almost unchanged in both the cores before 2000. After 2000, however, the heavy metal concentrations increased dramatically, suggesting that the sediments have been affected by enhanced human pollution in the recent decade. In the core C1, the sediments were severely polluted by Pb, moderately to considerably polluted by Cr and Zn, and low to moderately polluted by other heavy metals. The core C2 was relatively unpolluted before 2000 and low to moderately polluted after 2000. Multi-statistical analyses indicated that the core C1 was additionally contaminated by local human activities such as wastewater discharge and the Hangzhou Bay Bridge. The heavy metals in the core C2, however, were largely contributed by the Yangtze River and controlled by sedimentation process. The calculated sedimentary flux (4–8 g m^?2 a^?1) of heavy metals generally increased with time. It was closely related to the wastewater discharge in adjacent areas. This study reconstructed the local heavy metal pollution history and provides important information for environmental protection and policy making.