Auxin-inducible protein depletion system in fission yeast

Background  

Inducible inactivation of a protein is a powerful approach for analysis of its function within cells. Fission yeast is a useful model for studying the fundamental mechanisms such as chromosome maintenance and cell cycle. However, previously published strategies for protein-depletion are successful only for some proteins in some specific conditions and still do not achieve efficient depletion to cause acute phenotypes such as immediate cell cycle arrest. The aim of this work was to construct a useful and powerful protein-depletion system in Shizosaccaromyces pombe.     

A Key Role of microRNA-29b for the Suppression of Colon Cancer Cell Migration by American Ginseng

Metastasis of colon cancer cells increases the risk of colon cancer mortality. We have recently shown that American ginseng prevents colon cancer, and a Hexane extract of American Ginseng (HAG) has particularly potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Dysregulated microRNA (miR) expression has been observed in several disease conditions including colon cancer. Using global miR expression profiling, we observed increased miR-29b in colon cancer cells following exposure to HAG. Since miR-29b plays a role in regulating the migration of cancer cells, we hypothesized that HAG induces miR-29b expression to target matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) thereby suppressing the migration of colon cancer cells. Results are consistent with this hypothesis. Our study supports the understanding that targeting MMP-2 by miR-29b is a mechanism by which HAG suppresses the migration of colon cancer cells.     

新疆干旱区盐碱地生态治理关键技术研究

现阶段新疆干旱区高强度水土资源开发,致使传统灌排水盐平衡模式难于维继;高效节水灌溉技术应用改变农田土壤水盐运移规律,需要创新调控理论与技术体系;传统盐碱地农业开发利用模式资源效率低、维持成本高,需要以生物修复技术为核心构建盐碱地高效率资源化利用模式。针对上述问题,在国家重点研发计划(2016YFC0501400)的资助下,通过机理研究、关键技术研发、产品研制、县域集成示范实现:(1)建立新疆干旱区现代水盐平衡调控理论,(2)创新干旱区盐碱地生态治理模式,(3)建成盐碱地产业化集成示范区,形成全产业链的盐碱地生态治理技术服务体系,(4)稳定一支以新疆相关单位为主体,国内优势单位参与的根植新疆的盐碱地生态治理队伍。     

Multiple mechanisms contributed to the reduced stability of Inner Mongolia grassland ecosystem following nitrogen enrichment

Plant and Soil - Global nitrogen enrichment has been identified as a major environmental problem that poses a threat to ecosystem functioning. However, there is no consensus on the impact of...     

Vanadate‐Based Materials for Li‐Ion Batteries: The Search for Anodes for Practical Applications

While the practical application of electrode materials depends intensively on the Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms correlating ultimately with the coulombic efficiency, reversible capacity, and morphology variation of electrode material upon cycling, only intercalation‐type electrode materials have proven viable for commercialization up to now. This paper reviews the promising anode materials of metal vanadates (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni, Li) that have high capacity, low cost, and abundant resource, and also discusses the related Li⁺ ion storage mechanism. It is concluded that most of these (M_xV_yO_z, M = Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni) exhibit irreversible redox reactions upon lithiation/delithiation accompanied by large volume expansion, which is not favorable for industrial applications. In particular, Li₃VO₄ with specific intercalation Li⁺ ion storage mechanism and compatible merits of safety and energy density exhibits great potential for practical application. This review systematically summarizes the latest progress in Li₃VO₄ research, including the representative fabrication approaches for advanced morphology and state‐of‐the‐art technologies to boost performance and the morphology variation associated with Li⁺ ion storage mechanisms. Furthermore, an outlook on where breakthroughs for Li₃VO₄ may be most likely achieved will be provided.     

Responses of soil microbial communities to prescribed burning in two paired vegetation sites in southern China

Prescribed burning is a common site preparation practice for forest plantation in southern China. However, the effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial communities are poorly understood. This study examined changes in microbial community structure, measured by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), after a single prescribed burning in two paired vegetation sites in southern China. The results showed that the total amount of PLFA (totPLFA) was similar under two vegetation types in the wet season but differed among vegetation type in the dry season, and was affected significantly by burning treatment only in the wet season. Bacterial PLFA (bactPLFA) and fungal PLFA (fungPLFA) in burned plots all decreased compared to the unburned plots in both seasons (P = 0.059). Fungi appeared more sensitive to prescribed burning than bacteria. Both G⁺ bacterial PLFA and G⁻ bacterial PLFA were decreased by the burning treatment in both dry and wet seasons. Principal component analysis of PLFAs showed that the burning treatment induced a shift in soil microbial community structure. The variation in soil microbial community structure was correlated significantly to soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium. Our results suggest that prescribed burning results in short-term changes in soil microbial communities but the long-term effects of prescribed burning on soil microbial community remain unknown and merit further investigation.     

Natural variation reveals contrasting abilities to cope with alkaline and saline soil among different <Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago truncatula</Emphasis> genotypes

Aims

Urban soils are the basis of many ecosystem services in cities. Here, we examine formerly residential vacant lot soils in Cleveland, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan, USA for their potential to provide multiple ecosystem services. We examine two key contrasts: 1) differences between cities and 2) differences within vacant lots created during demolition, specifically pre-existing (i.e., prior to demolition) soils outside of the building footprint and fill soils added within the former building’s footprint.

Methods

Deep soil cores were collected from vacant lots in Cleveland and Detroit. Soil properties that are proxies for three ecosystem services were measured: hydraulic conductivity for stormwater retention, topsoil depth and soil nitrogen (N) level for support for plant growth, and soil carbon (C) content for C storage.

Results

Both city and soil group contrasts created distinct ecosystem service provisioning based on proxy measures. Cleveland soils had greater hydraulic conductivity and greater soil C and N levels but thinner topsoil layers than Detroit. Within vacant lots of both cities, pre-existing soils had greater soil C and N levels, but lower hydraulic conductivity values than fill soils.

Conclusions

Soil properties of vacant lots were generally suitable for providing multiple ecosystem services. City-level differences in soil properties created differences in ecosystem service potential between cities and these differences were evident in pre-existing and fill soils. When comparing between cities, though, fill soils were more similar than pre-existing soils indicating some homogenization of ecosystem service potential with greater redistribution of soil.

     

Five Cyanophora (Cyanophorales,Glaucophyta) species delineated based on morphological and molecular data

Cyanophora is an important glaucophyte genus of unicellular biflagellates that may have retained ancestral features of photosynthetic eukaryotes. The nuclear genome of Cyanophora was recently sequenced, but taxonomic studies of more than two strains are lacking for this genus. Furthermore, no study has used molecular methods to taxonomically delineate Cyanophora species. Here, we delimited the species of Cyanophora using light and electron microscopy, combined with molecular data from several globally distributed strains, including one newly established. Using a light microscope, we identified two distinct morphological groups: one with ovoid to ellipsoidal vegetative cells and another with dorsoventrally flattened or broad, bean‐shaped vegetative cells containing duplicated plastids. Our light and scanning electron microscopy clearly distinguished three species with ovoid to ellipsoidal cells (C. paradoxa Korshikov, C. cuspidata Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov., and C. kugrensii Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov.) and two species with broad, bean‐shaped cells (C. biloba Kugrens, B.L.Clay, C.J.Mey. & R.E.Lee and C. sudae Tos.Takah. & Nozaki sp. nov.) based on differences in cell shape and surface ornamentations of the vegetative cells under the field‐emission scanning electron microscope. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of P700 chl a apoprotein A2 (psaB) genes and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), as well as a comparison of secondary structures of nuclear rDNA ITS‐2 and genetic distances of psaB genes, supported the delineation of five morphological species of Cyanophora.