Taurine resumed neuronal differentiation in arsenite-treated N2a cells through reducing oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and mitochondrial dysfunction

The goal of the study is to investigate the preventive effect of taurine against arsenite-induced arrest of neuronal differentiation in N2a cells. Our results revealed that taurine reinstated the neurite outgrowth in arsenite-treated N2a cells. Meanwhile, arsenite-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as well as degradation of mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) were also inhibited by co-treatment of taurine. Since oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, we further examined indicators of ER stress, 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) protein expression. The results demonstrated that taurine significantly reduced arsenite-induced ER stress in N2a cells. In the parallel experiment, arsenite-induced disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis was also ameliorated by taurine. The proven bio-function of taurine preserved a preventive effect against deleteriously cross-talking between oxidative stress, mitochondria, and ER. Overall, the results of the study suggested that taurine reinstated neuronal differentiation by inhibiting oxidative stress, ER stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in arsenite-treated N2a cells.     

白马雪山黑白仰鼻猴(Rhinopithecus bieti)垂直迁移

2000-2001年间,在白马雪山国家级自然保护区南任村附近,通过在四个山坡每隔海拔100米的样带(宽5.0米)内搜集黑白仰鼻猴的粪便来研究猴群不同季节的垂直迁移模式。同时,通过在每个地区山脊上和山沟内搜集2.5米宽垂直样带内的粪便,来研究猴群不同季节对山脊和山沟的选择性。结果表明:猴群在海拔3500-4300米的区域活动。虽然猴群全年集中利用3900-4200米的林带;但是具有季节性差异:夏季最高(4200米),依次是秋季(4100米)和冬季(4000米),夏季最低(3900米)。另外,冬季山沟中的粪便多于山脊说明猴群在沟中停留时间长,这与沟中少风且温度高有关。不同海拔带上的粪便密度和松萝量间正相关,这意味着食物资源的垂直分布是影响猴群垂直迁移的重要因素。春季,猴群会下到低海拔采食嫩芽/叶,而冬季则下到低海拔处躲避首次大雪,这很可能导致猴群集中利用第二个海拔带。     

Effects of cultivation conditions on the production of natamycin with Streptomyces gilvosporeus LK-196

Natamycin is a very attractive antifungal agent with wide applications in medical and food industries. In order to improve the productivity of natamycin, the effects of cultivation conditions were investigated with Streptomyces gilvosporeus LK-196 in the shake flasks and 30-L fermentors. The results showed that dissolved oxygen and shear force would affluence the biosynthesis of natamycin significantly. The high concentration of natamycin (2.03g/L) was achieved under the suitable culture conditions in the shake flask scale. Further investigations in 30-L fermentors showed that the optimal pH was controlled at 6.0 during the whole bioprocess, and the dissolved oxygen level should be more than 30% by adjusting the aeration and agitation rates for high production of natamycin. Under these optimal conditions the high concentration of natamycin (3.94g/L) was achieved with Str. gilvosporeus LK-196 in the 30-L fermentor. Finally, the high-level fermentation process was successfully scaled up to 1000-L fermentors and 18,000-L fermentors in the pilot plant.     

Role of IKK/NF-κB signaling in extinction of conditioned place aversion memory in rats

The inhibitor κB protein kinase/nuclear factor κB (IKK/NF-κB) signaling pathway is critical for synaptic plasticity. However, the role of IKK/NF-κB in drug withdrawal-associated conditioned place aversion (CPA) memory is unknown. Here, we showed that inhibition of IKK/NF-κB by sulphasalazine (SSZ; 10 mM, i.c.v.) selectively blocked the extinction but not acquisition or expression of morphine-induced CPA in rats. The blockade of CPA extinction induced by SSZ was abolished by sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase. Thus, the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway might play a critical role in the extinction of morphine-induced CPA in rats and might be a potential pharmacotherapy target for opiate addiction.     

Notch signaling in ocular vasculature development and diseases

Ocular angiogenesis, characterized by the formation of new blood vessels in the avascular area in eyes, is a highly coordinated process involved in retinal vasculature formation and several ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. This process is orchestrated by complicated cellular interactions and vascular growth factors, during which endothelial cells acquire heterogeneous phenotypes and distinct cellular destinations. To date, while the vascular endothelial growth factor has been identified as the most critical angiogenic agent with a remarkable therapeutic value, the Notch signaling pathway appears to be a similarly important regulator in several angiogenic steps. Recent progress has highlighted the involvement, mechanisms and therapeutic potential of Notch signaling in retinal vasculature development and pathological angiogenesis-related eye disorders, which may cause irreversible blindness.     

自然越冬期间茶树叶片生理生化指标和解剖结构的变化

为探讨自然越冬条件下茶树〔Camellia sinensis(Linn.)O.Ktze.〕叶片的生理生化指标和解剖结构变化,以种植于南京的茶树品种'龙井长叶'('Longjingchangye')的10年生植株为研究对象,对自然越冬期间(2012年11月15日至2013年3月31日)其叶片的叶绿素、可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸和丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,以及上表皮、下表皮、栅栏组织和海绵组织厚度及上表皮厚度与海绵组织厚度的比值进行了比较分析.结果表明:自然越冬期间,叶片的叶绿素含量随时间推移呈现先降低后升高的变化趋势,而叶片的可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖、游离脯氨酸和MDA含量以及SOD、CAT和POD活性则总体上呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,并且均在2013年1月15日达到其各自的最低值或最高值.与入冬前相比,越冬后叶片的叶绿素和可溶性糖含量显著降低,MDA含量略降低,可溶性蛋白质含量显著升高,游离脯氨酸含量及SOD、CAT和POD活性均略升高.自然越冬期间,叶片的上表皮、下表皮、栅栏组织和海绵组织厚度随时间推移总体上呈现先降低后升高的变化趋势,上表皮和栅栏组织厚度在2013年2月15日达到最低值,而下表皮和海绵组织厚度则在2013年1月30日达到最低值;上表皮厚度与海绵组织厚度的比值呈波动变化趋势.与入冬前相比,入冬后叶片的上表皮、下表皮、栅栏组织和海绵组织厚度均显著降低,而上表皮厚度与海绵组织厚度的比值略降低.研究结果显示:自然越冬条件下,茶树具有一定的耐寒能力,为了减轻低温对其机体的伤害可通过增加可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸合成及提高相关抗氧化酶活性来调解越冬期间的代谢平衡.     

燕麦雄性不育新种质在遗传改良中的应用

对燕麦CA雄性不育材料的特征与遗传表现的研究表明,该不育性状是由1对隐性核基因控制的。对原CA雄性不育材料进行改造,设计出培育不同类型不育材料的选育程序,并转育出性状独特、不育株分离比例较高的新种质。提出了利用不育新种质改进燕麦杂交技术的方法,采用改进的杂交技术建成具有高千粒重、高蛋白质、低脂肪、丰产、抗病等性状的,遗传基础丰富的后代选择群体供育种应用。     

Tolerance of soil algae and cyanobacteria to drought stress

Tolerance to drought stress in soil crust microorganisms is essential for exploiting suitable organisms for restoring soil. In this study, the responses to drought stress of two drought‐tolerant species, a green alga and a cyanobacterium, were compared with those of two non‐tolerant green algae. In response to drought stress, induced by treatment with polyethylene glycol, the intracellular proline levels increased and were associated with increases in malondialdehye, pigment contents, and enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Our results suggest that tolerance to drought stress could be indicated by the intracellular levels of proline, SOD, and carotenoids. This study provides insights into the drought physiology of the photosynthetic microorganisms and suggests that Leptolyngbya boryana and Chlorella vulgaris are suitable pioneer organisms for soil restoration.     

伯克霍尔德氏菌ZYB002脂肪酶lipC24基因的克隆、表达及其酶学性质

【目的】克隆伯克霍尔德菌ZYB002菌株中的新型脂肪酶lip C24基因,测定其基本酶学性质,为后续深入研究该基因在菌株中的生理功能奠定基础。【方法】根据洋葱伯克霍尔德菌JK321菌株的全基因组DNA信息,直接设计引物从伯克霍尔德菌ZYB002菌株基因组中扩增出lip C24基因,并对之进行原核表达、重组蛋白的纯化及酶学性质分析。【结果】lip C24基因全长1317 bp,编码438个氨基酸残基;多肽链中具有保守五肽-G-X1-S-X2-G-序列;重组蛋白Lip C24的分子量为45 k Da;能有效水解各种对硝基苯酯,对中链脂肪酸的对硝基苯酯表现出偏爱性;其催化水解反应的最适温度为40℃,最适p H7.5;40℃下的半衰期为15.72 min,在p H 7.0-8.0的条件下,具有较好的稳定性。【结论】lip C24的编码产物为一个45 k Da蛋白,具有明显的脂肪酶活性,为中温中性脂肪酶。