AFLP analysis of genetic diversity of the endangered species Sinopodophyllum hexandrum in the Tibetan region of Sichuan Province, China

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to estimate the genetic diversity of seven wild populations of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying from the Tibetan region of Sichuan Province, China. Six primer combinations generated a total of 428 discernible DNA fragments, of which 111 were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 25.93 at the species level, and PPB within population ranged from 4.91 to 12.38%. Genetic diversity (H(E)) within populations varied from 0.01 to 0.04, averaging 0.05 at the species level. As revealed by the results of AMOVA analysis, 58.8% of the genetic differentiation occurred between populations, and 41.2% within populations. The genetic differentiation was, perhaps, due to the limited gene flow (Nm = 0.43) of the species. The correlation coefficient (r) between genetic and geographical distance using Mantel's test for all populations was 0.698 (P = 0.014). The UPGMA cluster analysis revealed a similar result in that the genetic distances among the populations show, to a certain extent, a spatial pattern corresponding to their geographic locations. On the basis of the genetic and ecological information, we propose some appropriate strategies for conserving the endangered S. hexandrum in this region.     

保鲜剂及冷藏对鹤望兰切花瓶插品质的影响

本文探讨不同保鲜剂、预处理液及冷藏时间对鹤望兰切花瓶插寿命和观赏品质的影响。结果表明,供试的8组瓶插保鲜液中,以配方5% S+300 mg/L 8-HQC+100 mg/L CA+150 mg/L STS+100 mg/L CoCl₂+25 mg/L EDTA-Na保鲜效果最佳,切花瓶插寿命(23.5 d)比CK延长15.2 d,小花开放率(56.1%)比CK提高1.19倍。供试的5组冷藏预处理液中,以10% S+300 mg/L 8-HQC+75 mg/L KH₂PO₄·3H₂O效果最佳,切花经过2~3周8~10℃冷藏后,瓶插寿命(13.7 d)比CK延长7.9 d,小花开放率(43.6%)比CK提高98.2%;该处理组鹤望兰切花的适宜冷藏时间可延长为3周。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tol2</Emphasis> transposon-mediated transgenesis in the Midas cichlid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amphilophus citrinellus</Emphasis>) — towards understanding gene function and regulatory evolution in an ecological model system for rapid phenotypic diversification

Background

The Midas cichlid species complex (Amphilophus spp.) is widely known among evolutionary biologists as a model system for sympatric speciation and adaptive phenotypic divergence within extremely short periods of time (a few hundred generations). The repeated parallel evolution of adaptive phenotypes in this radiation, combined with their near genetic identity, makes them an excellent model for studying phenotypic diversification. While many ecological and evolutionary studies have been performed on Midas cichlids, the molecular basis of specific phenotypes, particularly adaptations, and their underlying coding and cis-regulatory changes have not yet been studied thoroughly.

Results

For the first time in any New World cichlid, we use Tol2 transposon-mediated transgenesis in the Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus). By adapting existing microinjection protocols, we established an effective protocol for transgenesis in Midas cichlids. Embryos were injected with a Tol2 plasmid construct that drives enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expression under the control of the ubiquitin promoter. The transgene was successfully integrated into the germline, driving strong ubiquitous expression of eGFP in the first transgenic Midas cichlid line. Additionally, we show transient expression of two further transgenic constructs, ubiquitin::tdTomato and mitfa::eGFP. Transgenesis in Midas cichlids will facilitate further investigation of the genetic basis of species-specific traits, many of which are adaptations.

Conclusion

Transgenesis is a versatile tool not only for studying regulatory elements such as promoters and enhancers, but also for testing gene function through overexpression of allelic gene variants. As such, it is an important first step in establishing the Midas cichlid as a powerful model for studying adaptive coding and non-coding changes in an ecological and evolutionary context.

     

稻鱼系统中田鱼对资源的利用及对水稻生长的影响

稻田为鱼类等水产生物提供生境,稻田养鱼在提高水稻产量的同时,通过控制病虫害的暴发以及充分利用养分来降低化肥农药的使用.但田鱼对稻田资源的摄食(浮游植物、杂草、浮萍、田螺)及利用后转化成养分对水稻生长发育的促进作用尚缺乏研究.本研究设计了2个田间试验,通过摄像观察稻鱼系统中田鱼的活动,采用稳定性同位素分析田鱼对稻田资源的摄食,并测定水稻的生长发育进程和水稻产量.结果表明: 与鱼单养处理相比,稻田养鱼显著地促进了田鱼的活动频率并扩大了田鱼的活动范围.在稻鱼共作不投喂饲料处理下,稻田中3类水生生物(浮萍、浮游植物、田螺)对田鱼食谱的贡献率分别为22.7%、34.8%和30.0%;而投喂饲料处理下,这3种水生生物对田鱼食谱的贡献率分别为8.9%、5.9% 和1.6%,饲料的贡献率为71.0%.与水稻单作比较,稻鱼共作处理显著增加水稻分蘖期和灌浆期的叶片氮含量,延长分蘖期10~12 d,并显著提高成穗率和产量.表明稻鱼系统通过田鱼摄食稻田资源并转化为水稻可利用养分,促进了水稻生长,实现了水稻产量的提升.     

Tumor Suppressor Candidate 1 Suppresses Cell Growth and Predicts Better Survival in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Tumor suppressor candidate 1 (TUSC1) was recently identified as a potential tumor suppressor in human cancers. However, the expression and potential function of TUSC1 in GBM remain unclear. Herein, we report that TUSC1 is significantly decreased in GBM tissues and cell lines. Patients with high levels of TUSC1 displayed a significant better survival compared with those with low levels of TUSC1. Functional experiments demonstrated that exogenous expression of TUSC1 inhibited GBM cell proliferation and induced G1 phase arrest by down-regulating CDK4. Moreover, overexpression of TUSC1 retarded tumor growth in vivo. Together, our findings revealed that TUSC1 might be a crucial tumor suppressor gene and a novel therapeutic target for GBM.     

p31comet blocks Mad2 activation through structural mimicry

The status of spindle checkpoint signaling depends on the balance of two opposing dynamic processes that regulate the highly unusual two-state behavior of Mad2. In mitosis, a Mad1-Mad2 core complex recruits cytosolic Mad2 to kinetochores through Mad2 dimerization and converts Mad2 to a conformer amenable to Cdc20 binding, thereby facilitating checkpoint activation. p31(comet) inactivates the checkpoint through binding to Mad1- or Cdc20-bound Mad2, thereby preventing Mad2 activation and promoting the dissociation of the Mad2-Cdc20 complex. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Mad2-p31(comet) complex. The C-terminal region of Mad2 that undergoes rearrangement in different Mad2 conformers is a major structural determinant for p31(comet) binding, explaining the specificity of p31(comet) toward Mad1- or Cdc20-bound Mad2. p31(comet) adopts a fold strikingly similar to that of Mad2 and binds at the dimerization interface of Mad2. Thus, p31(comet) exploits the two-state behavior of Mad2 to block its activation by acting as an "anti-Mad2."     

The neuronal differentiation microenvironment is essential for spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to substantial disability due to loss of motor function and sensation below the lesion. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a promising strategy for SCI repair. However, NSCs rarely differentiate into neurons; they mostly differentiate into astrocytes because of the adverse microenvironment present after SCI. We have shown that myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs) inhibited neuronal differentiation of NSCs. Given that MAIs activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, we used a collagen scaffold-tethered anti-EGFR antibody to attenuate the inhibitory effects of MAIs and create a neuronal differentiation microenvironment for SCI repair. The collagen scaffold modified with anti-EGFR antibody prevented the inhibition of NSC neuronal differentiation by myelin. After transplantation into completely transected SCI animals, the scaffold-linked antibodies induced production of nascent neurons from endogenous and transplanted NSCs, which rebuilt the neuronal relay by forming connections with each other or host neurons to transmit electrophysiological signals and promote functional recovery. Thus, a scaffold-based strategy for rebuilding the neuronal differentiation microenvironment could be useful for SCI repair.     

Protein Profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> Spore

Natural wild-type strains of Bacillus subtilis spore is regarded as a non-pathogenic for both human and animal, and has been classified as a novel food which is currently being used as probiotics added in the consumption. To identify B. subtilis spore proteins, we have accomplished a preliminary proteomic analysis of B. subtilis spore, with a combination of two-dimensional electrophoretic separations and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF–MS). In this article, we presented a reference map of 158 B. subtilis spore proteins with an isoelectric point (pI) between 4 and 7. Followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we identified 71 B. subtilis spore proteins with high level of confidence. Database searches, combined with hydropathy analysis and GO analysis revealed that most of the B. subtilis spore proteins were hydrophilic proteins related to catalytic function. These results should accelerate efforts to understand the resistance of spore to harsh conditions.     

一个新的体外快速鉴定十字花科黑腐病菌Ⅲ型效应物的报告质粒的构建

植物病原菌侵染寄主的过程就是病原菌和寄主植物相互作用的过程.在这个相互作用过程中,Ⅲ型分泌系统和Ⅲ效应物与病原菌致病密切相关.大部分革兰氏阴性植物病原菌通过Ⅲ型分泌系统定向的把效应物蛋白传递到宿主细胞,效应物蛋白进入植物体引起致病或过敏反应.本研究将百日咳杆菌的腺苷酸环化酶基因连接至含启动子的pLAFRJ载体上,从而构建出一个新的体外快速鉴定Ⅲ型效应物的报告质粒pJJA,并用已鉴定为Ⅲ型效应物基因的十字花科黑腐病菌XC1553的启动子和信号区验证该报告质粒,证明这个系统是可以工作的.该报告质粒为进一步精确筛选鉴定十字花科黑腐病菌Ⅲ型效应物提供了材料.