Evolutionary transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis and the route to C4 rice

Compared with C₃ plants, C₄ plants possess a mechanism to concentrate CO₂ around the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in chloroplasts of bundle sheath cells so that the carboxylation reaction work at a much more efficient rate, thereby substantially eliminate the oxygenation reaction and the resulting photorespiration. It is observed that C₄ photosynthesis is more efficient than C₃ photosynthesis under conditions of low atmospheric CO₂, heat, drought and salinity, suggesting that these factors are the important drivers to promote C₄ evolution. Although C₄ evolution took over 66 times independently, it is hypothesized that it shared the following evolutionary trajectory: 1) gene duplication followed by neofunctionalization; 2) anatomical and ultrastructral changes of leaf architecture to improve the hydraulic systems; 3) establishment of two-celled photorespiratory pump; 4) addition of transport system; 5) co-option of the duplicated genes into C₄ pathway and adaptive changes of C₄ enzymes. Based on our current understanding on C₄ evolution, several strategies for engineering C₄ rice have been proposed to increase both photosynthetic efficiency and yield significantly in order to avoid international food crisis in the future, especially in the developing countries. Here we summarize the latest progresses on the studies of C₄ evolution and discuss the strategies to introduce two-celled C₄ pathway into rice.     

Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines: Discovery and preliminary SAR of a novel series of DYRK1B and DYRK1A inhibitors

DYRK1B is a kinase over-expressed in certain cancer cells (including colon, ovarian, pancreatic, etc.). Recent publications have demonstrated inhibition of DYRK1B could be an attractive target for cancer therapy. From a data-mining effort, the team has discovered analogues of pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines as potent enantio-selective inhibitors of DYRK1B. Cells treated with a tool compound from this series showed the same cellular effects as down regulation of DYRK1B with siRNA. Such effects are consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. Progress of the SAR study is presented.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel histone deacetylase 1 inhibitors through click chemistry

We report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new series of HDAC1 inhibitors using click chemistry. Compound 17 bearing a phenyl ring at meta-position was identified to show much better selectivity for HDAC1 over HDAC7 than SAHA. The compond 17 also showed better in vitro anticancer activities against several cancer cell lines than that of SAHA. This work could serve as a foundation for further exploration of selective HDAC inhibitors using the compound 17 molecular scaffold.     

Structural Mechanism of CCM3 Heterodimerization with GCKIII Kinases

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Highlights? Crystal structure of CCM3-MST4 heterodimeric complex ? Structural mechanism driving CCM3-GCKIII heterodimerization ? Conformational changes required for CCM3-GCKIII heterodimerization ? Synergistic effects of CCM3-MST4 complex on cell proliferation and migration     

基于多种方法的景观格局动态变化综合分析——以辽宁省铁岭市为例

景观格局变化一直是景观生态学研究的核心问题之一,也是相关生态和环境过程研究的基础.本文应用3S技术,综合传统的空间统计分析、转移矩阵、景观指数和景观动态指数、Kappa指数系列,并引入模糊Kappa指数方法,以铁岭市2002-2011年间景观格局变化为例进行了综合研究.结果表明:铁岭市景观空间格局在研究时段内发生一定程度的变化.旱地面积大幅增加,水田面积明显减少,各景观类型之间均有相互转化.景观格局总体的变化趋势是形状趋于复杂、异质性增加、破碎化加剧,人为干扰的影响较明显.研究区域2002-2007年综合景观动态度指数明显高于2007-2011年,景观动态总体呈现放缓趋势.通过Kappa指数系列可知,研究时段内研究区景观变化由景观类型之间变化为主逐渐转变为各类斑块位置上的变化为主.应用多种方法进行综合分析更能全面有效地反映景观格局变化.     

两种玻璃化胚胎冷冻方法对不同品系小鼠胚胎冷冻效果比较

目的探讨EFS和DAP两种玻璃化冷冻方法对不同品系小鼠胚胎冷冻的效果。方法6个品系小鼠（KM、ICR、BALB／c、C57BL／6J、OB／OB、LAP／~TAOF59）的2-cell胚胎分别用EFS和DAP两种玻璃化冷冻方法进行冷冻和复苏,比较两种冷冻方法的胚胎复苏率和着床率。结果6个品系小鼠冷冻胚胎EFS方法的平均复苏率为69．97％（47．9％～83．6％）,DAP方法的平均复苏率47．23％（26．3％-76．7％）,EFS方法明显优于DAP方法。其中KM、ICR和BALB／c小鼠EFS方法的冷冻复苏率显著高于DAP方法（P〈0．01）;冻融胚胎移植后EFS方法的平均着床率27．23％（1．75％一45．0％）,DAP方法的平均着床率31．43％（7．0％一46．3％）。除KM、ICR小鼠外,其他4个品系小鼠的着床率DAP方法高于EFS方法。结论KM和ICR远交群小鼠胚胎适合用EFS方法冷冻保存;C57BL／6J、OB／OB、LAP／aTAOF59三个品系小鼠DAP方法优于EFS方法,但差异不大;BALB／c小鼠两种玻璃化冷冻方法的冻融胚胎着床率均较低,需进一步研究。     

Morphology,ontogeny and molecular phylogeny of a new brackish water ciliate Bakuella subtropica sp. n. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha) from southern China

This paper investigates the morphology, ontogenesis and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene-based phylogeny of a new urostylid ciliate, Bakuella subtropica sp. n., discovered from the estuary of the Pearl River in Guangzhou, southern China. The new species is diagnosed by its elongate body, one buccal and one parabuccal cirrus, midventral complex comprised of 9–23 midventral pairs and one or two midventral rows extending to four fifths of body length, yellow-brown to yellow-greenish cortical granules and an estuary habitat. Its main ontogenetic features are: (1) in the proter, the parental adoral zone of membranelles is completely renewed by new structures and old midventral pairs join the formation of frontal-midventral-transverse cirral anlagen (FVT-anlagen); (2) in the opisthe, the oral primordium originates apokinetally, FVT-anlagen are formed besides and some old midventral cirri join the formation; (3) the anlagen for marginal rows and dorsal kineties develop intrakinetally; and (4) the numerous macronuclear nodules fuse into a single mass before dividing. Based on the SSU rDNA sequences, phylogenetic analyses show a close relationship between Bakuella subtropica sp. n., Apobakuella and Neobakuella, forming a clade separated from the other genera in the family Bakuellidae. Available morphological and ontogenetic data challenge the monophyly of Bakuellidae.     

Triple mutated antibody scFv2F3 with high GPx activity: insights from MD, docking, MDFE, and MM-PBSA simulation

By combining computational design and site-directed mutagenesis, we have engineered a new catalytic ability into the antibody scFv2F3 by installing a catalytic triad (Trp²⁹–Sec⁵²–Gln⁷²). The resulting abzyme, Se-scFv2F3, exhibits a high glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, approaching the native enzyme activity. Activity assays and a systematic computational study were performed to investigate the effect of successive replacement of residues at positions 29, 52, and 72. The results revealed that an active site Ser⁵²/Sec substitution is critical for the GPx activity of Se-scFv2F3. In addition, Phe²⁹/Trp–Val⁷²/Gln mutations enhance the reaction rate via functional cooperation with Sec⁵². Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the designed catalytic triad is very stable and the conformational flexibility caused by Tyr¹⁰¹ occurs mainly in the loop of complementarity determining region 3. The docking studies illustrated the importance of this loop that favors the conformational shift of Tyr⁵⁴, Asn⁵⁵, and Gly⁵⁶ to stabilize substrate binding. Molecular dynamics free energy and molecular mechanics-Poisson Boltzmann surface area calculations estimated the pK _a shifts of the catalytic residue and the binding free energies of docked complexes, suggesting that dipole–dipole interactions among Trp²⁹–Sec⁵²–Gln⁷² lead to the change of free energy that promotes the residual catalytic activity and the substrate-binding capacity. The calculated results agree well with the experimental data, which should help to clarify why Se-scFv2F3 exhibits high catalytic efficiency.     

Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids to a low-protein diet regulates intestinal expression of amino acid and peptide transporters in weanling pigs

This study determined the effects of dietary branched-chain amino acids (AA) (BCAA) on growth performance, expression of jejunal AA and peptide transporters, and the colonic microflora of weanling piglets fed a low-protein (LP) diet. One hundred and eight Large White × Landrace × Duroc piglets (weaned at 28 days of age) were fed a normal protein diet (NP, 20.9 % crude protein), an LP diet (LP, 17.1 % crude protein), or an LP diet supplemented with BCAA (LP + BCAA, 17.9 % crude protein) for 14 days. Dietary protein restriction reduced piglet growth performance and small-intestinal villous height, which were restored by BCAA supplementation to the LP diet to values for the NP diet. Serum concentrations of BCAA were reduced in piglets fed the LP diet while those in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet were similar to values for the NP group. mRNA levels for Na⁺-neutral AA exchanger-2, cationic AA transporter-1, b^0,+ AA transporter, and 4F2 heavy chain were more abundant in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet than the LP diet. However, mRNA and protein levels for peptide transporter-1 were lower in piglets fed the LP + BCAA diet as compared to the LP diet. The colonic microflora did not differ among the three groups of pigs. In conclusion, growth performance, intestinal development, and intestinal expression of AA transporters in weanling piglets are enhanced by BCAA supplementation to LP diets. Our findings provide a new molecular basis for further understanding of BCAA as functional AA in animal nutrition.