Parallel selection on TRPV6 in human populations

We identified and examined a candidate gene for local directional selection in Europeans, TRPV6, and conclude that selection has acted on standing genetic variation at this locus, creating parallel soft sweep events in humans. A novel modification of the extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH) test was utilized, which compares EHH for a single allele across populations, to investigate the signature of selection at TRPV6 and neighboring linked loci in published data sets for Europeans, Asians and African-Americans, as well as in newly-obtained sequence data for additional populations. We find that all non-African populations carry a signature of selection on the same haplotype at the TRPV6 locus. The selective footprints, however, are significantly differentiated between non-African populations and estimated to be younger than an ancestral population of non-Africans. The possibility of a single selection event occurring in an ancestral population of non-Africans was tested by simulations and rejected. The putatively-selected TRPV6 haplotype contains three candidate sites for functional differences, namely derived non-synonymous substitutions C157R, M378V and M681T. Potential functional differences between the ancestral and derived TRPV6 proteins were investigated by cloning the ancestral and derived forms, transfecting cell lines, and carrying out electrophysiology experiments via patch clamp analysis. No statistically-significant differences in biophysical channel function were found, although one property of the protein, namely Ca(2+) dependent inactivation, may show functionally relevant differences between the ancestral and derived forms. Although the reason for selection on this locus remains elusive, this is the first demonstration of a widespread parallel selection event acting on standing genetic variation in humans, and highlights the utility of between population EHH statistics.     

Bcl2 inhibits abasic site repair by down-regulating APE1 endonuclease activity

Bcl2 not only prolongs cell survival but also suppresses the repair of abasic (AP) sites of DNA lesions. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) plays a central role in the repair of AP sites via the base excision repair pathway. Here we found that Bcl2 down-regulates APE1 endonuclease activity in association with inhibition of AP site repair. Exposure of cells to nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone results in accumulation of Bcl2 in the nucleus and interaction with APE1, which requires all of the BH domains of Bcl2. Deletion of any of the BH domains from Bcl2 abrogates the ability of Bcl2 to interact with APE1 as well as the inhibitory effects of Bcl2 on APE1 activity and AP site repair. Overexpression of Bcl2 in cells reduces formation of the APE1.XRCC1 complex, and purified Bcl2 protein directly disrupts the APE1.XRCC1 complex with suppression of APE1 endonuclease activity in vitro. Importantly, specific knockdown of endogenous Bcl2 by RNA interference enhances APE1 endonuclease activity with accelerated AP site repair. Thus, Bcl2 inhibition of AP site repair may occur in a novel mechanism by down-regulating APE1 endonuclease activity, which may promote genetic instability and tumorigenesis.     

The forces behind the words: development of the kinetic pen

This paper describes the creation of a Kinetic Pen capable of measuring the six-component force and torque that each of four individual contacts applies to the pen during writing. This was done by staggering the mounting of the four sensors along the long axis of the pen and having an extended arm run from the sensor to the grip site, preventing a clustering of the sensors where the digit tips meet while grasping. The implications of this tool allow handwriting studies to be expanded from two-dimensional pen-tip kinematics to three-dimensional dynamics at each contact point between the hand and pen.     

Application of sandwich ELISA for detecting tag fusion proteins in high throughput

Based on a series of mAbs against four frequently used tags—the human Ig Fc fragment, GST, maltose-binding protein, and thioredoxin—we developed corresponding sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect these tag fusion proteins. As a supplement for Western blot, the successfully established ELISA was specific, sensitive, quantitative, easy to perform, time-saving, and last but not least, suitable for high-throughput screening of tag fusion proteins. Determination of soluble tag fusion proteins expressed by various systems with the sandwich ELISA developed in the present study could be a valuable and promising tool for the wide application of tag-protein fusion systems in the rapidly growing field of proteomics research. Zhu-wei Xu, Tao Zhang, and Chao-jun Song Contributed equally to this work.     

江西齐云山自然保护区两栖爬行动物资源调查与区系分析

为掌握江西齐云山自然保护区野生动物资源现状,促进自然保护区的有效管理和建设,作者于2007年1月10～19日、5月16～24日、7月26日～8月8日,前后3次对该保护区两柄爬行动物资源进行了实地考察.调查结果显示,齐云山保护区现已记录72种两栖爬行动物,隶属5目18科.其中两栖纲2目7科24种,爬行纲3目11科48种.齐云山保护区动物地理区划属东洋界华中区东部丘陵平原亚区,其区系组成以60种东洋界种类占明显优势,其余12种均为广布种,无古北界物种分布.大眼斜鳞蛇福建亚种(Pseudoxenodon macrops fukienensis)和寒露林蛙(Rana hanluica)为江西省两栖爬行动物新纪录,福建钝头蛇(Pareas stanleyi)为江西省赣南地区爬行动物新纪录.齐云山保护区是海南棱蜥後(Tropidophorus hainanus)和福建华珊瑚蛇(福建丽纹蛇)(Sinomicrurus kettoggi)在江西省的第二个发现地,是海南闪鳞蛇(Xenopeltis hainanensis)在江西省的第三个采集地.通过平均动物区系相似性分析发现,齐云山地理位置独特,是华中区和华南区物种重要的扩散过渡地域.最后对齐云山保护区的保护与管理工作提出了建议.     

不同甘油浓度与平衡时间对食蟹猴精液冷冻效果的影响

探讨了不同甘油浓度(3%、5%、7%、11%)和不同平衡时间(30、60、90、120min)对食蟹猴(Macaca fascicularis)精液冷冻效果的影响,以建立和优化食蟹猴精液冷冻的程序。参照TTE稀释液成分组成改良型TTE,冷冻前和解冻后均检测精子的活力、畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率。结果显示,平衡时间为30min时精子的冷冻解冻后活力、复苏率均高于平衡时间90min和120min组,差异显著(P<0.05),比60min组稍好;甘油浓度为3%、5%组的精子冷冻解冻后活力及复苏率均高于甘油浓度11%组,差异显著(P<0.05),比7%组好;不同甘油浓度各组间以及不同平衡时间各组间畸形率、质膜完整性、顶体完整率差异不显著(P<0.05)。由此得出如下结论,在食蟹猴精液冷冻中,在改良TTE中加入3%~5%的甘油且平衡30min可以获得较好效果,精子冻后活率和复苏率达到45%和62%。     

河北塞罕坝冬季黑琴鸡种群密度调查

2007年12月对河北塞罕坝地区的黑琴鸡(Lyrurus tetrix)冬季种群密度进行了专项集中调查.越冬期种群密度为3.26只/km2,与历史资料对比,该地区黑琴鸡种群密度呈明显下降趋势.这与该地区栖息地的质量恶化、人类活动日益加剧和偷捕偷猎活动有关.     

石蝴蝶属八种植物的染色体数目报道

观察了苦苣苔科石蝴蝶属(Petrocosmea)8种植物的染色体.发现它们的染色均属小型染色体,数目一致,皆为2n=34.