Genomes of 12 fig wasps provide insights into the adaptation of pollinators to fig syconia

Figs and fig pollinators are one of the few classic textbook examples of obligate pollination mutualism. The specific dependence of fig pollinators on the relatively safe living environment with sufficient food sources in the enclosed fig syconia implies that they are vulnerable to habitat changes. However, there is still no extensive genomic evidence to reveal the evolutionary footprint of this long-term mutually beneficial symbiosis in fig pollinators. In fig syconia, there are also non-pollinator species. The non-pollinator species differ in their evolutionary and life histories from pollinators. We conducted comparative analyses on 11 newly sequenced fig wasp genomes and one previously published genome. The pollinators colonized the figs approximately 66.9 million years ago, consistent with the origin of host figs. Compared with nonpollinators, many more genes in pollinators were subject to relaxed selection. Seven genes were absent in pollinators in response to environmental stress and immune activation. Pollinators had more streamlined gene repertoires in the innate immune system, chemosensory toolbox, and detoxification system. Our results provide genomic evidence for the differentiation between pollinators and nonpollinators. The data suggest that owing to the long-term adaptation to the fig, some genes related to functions no longer required are absent in pollinators.     

W86F/W86A突变对细菌视紫红质光循环影响的差异性分析

细菌视紫红质(bacteriorhodopsin,bR)是一种光驱受体蛋白,每个活性单元由3个单体组成,每个单体由一分子视蛋白和一分子的视黄醛发色团共价结合而成,其功能为从胞内向胞外定向传输质子,利用形成的质子浓度梯度将光能转化为化学能.光照后视黄醛发色团构型发生all-trans向13-cis转变,蛋白的构象也随之发生了一系列具有稳定中间态的变化并驱动质子的定向传递.为探讨bR视黄醛键合区保守性氨基酸色氨酸86 (Tryptop-han86,w86)对其光循环中间态和质子泵功能的影响,本研究采用定点突变技术将W86突变为侧链大小不同的F86和A86,通过原位紫外-可见光吸收光谱、闪光光解光谱、pH滴定、固体核磁共振等技术手段,探究W86F和W86A突变对bR光循环及质子泵功能影响差异性的分子机制.结果 表明,W86F和W86A突变均造成了bR暗适应状态下视黄醛顺反异构平衡向顺式构型占优的方向移动,且W86F突变可造成反式构型的完全消失.此外,无论是W86F还是W86A突变都造成了蛋白光循环中间态的减弱且衰减延长,以及质子泵功能减弱,但影响机制各有所不同,这可能与这两个突变对视黄醛多烯链上电子云的分布以及周围残基造成的扰动程度不同有关.     

OSMRβ mutants enhance basal keratinocyte differentiation via inactivation of the STAT5/KLF7 axis in PLCA patients

Dear Editor, Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) is a skin-limited disorder characterized by deposition of amyloid material in the superficial dermis.According to clinical characteristics,PLCA is divided into lichen,macular,and nodular amyloidosis.PLCA is found worldwide but has a higher incidence in South America and Southeast Asia,such as in Brazil and China (Chang et al.,2014;Tey et al.,2016).     

Synthesis,telomerase inhibitory and anticancer activity of new 2-phenyl-4H-chromone derivatives containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety

Based on previous studies, 66 2-phenyl-4H-chromone derivatives containing amide and 1,3,4-oxadiazole moieties were prepared as potential telomerase inhibitors. The results showed most of the title compounds exhibited significantly inhibitory activity on telomerase. Among them, some compounds demonstrated the most potent telomerase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ < 1 µM), which was significantly superior to the staurosporine (IC₅₀ = 6.41 µM). In addition, clear structure–activity relationships were summarised, indicating that the substitution of the methoxy group and the position, type and number of the substituents on the phenyl ring had significant effects on telomerase activity. Among them, compound A33 showed considerable inhibition against telomerase. Flow cytometric analysis showed that compound A33 could arrest MGC-803 cell cycle at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis in a concentration-dependent way. Meanwhile, Western blotting revealed that this compound could reduce the expression of dyskerin, which is a fragment of telomerase.     

Hybrid Anticancer Peptides DN1 and DN4 Exert Selective Cytotoxicity Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inducing Both Intrinsic and Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathways

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Bioactive peptides have emerged as promising therapeutic alternatives in pharmaceutical industry, especially to fight cancer. Here we...     

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor PJ34 protects against UVA-induced oxidative damage in corneal endothelium

Apoptosis - Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is one of the main causes for corneal endothelial blindness, which is characterized by the progressive decline of corneal endothelial cells....     

Seasonal changes in cuticular hydrocarbons in response to polyphenism in the host-alternating aphid Prociphilus oriens

In most terrestrial arthropods, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) function to assist in desiccation tolerance and chemical communications. However, few studies have clarified whether CHC profiles change among developmental stages or among different morphs in non-social insects. In the present study, we evaluated how CHC profiles change in accordance with polyphenism in the host-alternating aphid Prociphilus oriens, which exhibits a complex life cycle and five distinct morphs. These morphs are sexual or asexual and adapt to different host plants. We found that all generations of P. oriens shared high proportions of n-alkanes, but its composition varied among morphs. Three morphs that are attended by ants were characterized by relatively high proportions of n-C25 to n-C27, whereas two morphs that are not attended by ants had higher proportions of longer-chain n-alkanes, such as n-C27 and n-C29. The CHC profiles of sexual females were largely different from those of males. Considering that sexual females of Prociphilus spp. lack organs that secrete sex pheromones (scent plaques), the CHCs of sexual females are likely to function as a sex attractant. High proportions of methyl-branched alkanes were detected in the long and flocculent waxy substances of autumnal migrants. These methyl-branched alkanes are considered a cue to recognize conspecifics. We concluded that the functions and components of CHCs differ among morphs, and that those of sexual females differ from those of males and asexual generations because of their function in sexual communication.     

Assembly of the Non-Canonical Myo9a-RhoGAP and RhoA·GDP Transition State Complex in the Presence of MgF3−

The Protein Journal - Myo9a is an actin-based molecular motor with a RhoGAP domain in its C-terminal tail. It plays a role in a variety of biological processes, such as in regulating the immune...