Integrated genome sequence and linkage map of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), a biodiesel plant

The family Euphorbiaceae includes some of the most efficient biomass accumulators. Whole genome sequencing and the development of genetic maps of these species are important components in molecular breeding and genetic improvement. Here we report the draft genome of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), a biodiesel plant. The assembled genome has a total length of 320.5 Mbp and contains 27 172 putative protein‐coding genes. We established a linkage map containing 1208 markers and anchored the genome assembly (81.7%) to this map to produce 11 pseudochromosomes. After gene family clustering, 15 268 families were identified, of which 13 887 existed in the castor bean genome. Analysis of the genome highlighted specific expansion and contraction of a number of gene families during the evolution of this species, including the ribosome‐inactivating proteins and oil biosynthesis pathway enzymes. The genomic sequence and linkage map provide a valuable resource not only for fundamental and applied research on physic nut but also for evolutionary and comparative genomics analysis, particularly in the Euphorbiaceae.     

Cellophane surface-induced gene,VdCSIN1, regulates hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis via cAMP-mediated signalling in Verticillium dahliae

The soil-borne vascular pathogen Verticillium dahliae infects many dicotyledonous plants to cause devastating wilt diseases. During colonization, V. dahliae spores develop hyphae surrounding the roots. Only a few hyphae that adhere tightly to the root surface form hyphopodia at the infection site, which further differentiate into penetration pegs to facilitate infection. The molecular mechanisms controlling hyphopodium formation in V. dahliae remain unclear. Here, we uncovered a cellophane surface-induced gene (VdCSIN1) as a regulator of V. dahliae hyphopodium formation and pathogenesis. Deletion of VdCSIN1 compromises hyphopodium formation, hyphal development and pathogenesis. Exogenous application of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) degradation inhibitor or disruption of the cAMP phosphodiesterase gene (VdPDEH) partially restores hyphopodium formation in the VdΔcsin1 mutant. Moreover, deletion of VdPDEH partially restores the pathogenesis of the VdΔcsin1 mutant. These findings indicate that VdCSIN1 regulates hyphopodium formation via cAMP-mediated signalling to promote host colonization by V. dahliae.     

大鼠多囊卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡时MDA含量及SOD活性的变化

目的和方法以大鼠多囊卵巢（PCO）为动物模型,观察了PCO大鼠卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的发生率,并检测了颗粒细胞凋亡时丙二醛（MDA）的含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性的变化。结果①PCO颗粒细胞凋亡发生率明显高于正常（P<0．001）;②PCO颗粒细胞发生凋亡时,细胞内MDA含量增加而SOD活性降低。结论大鼠PCO颗粒细胞的凋亡可能与细胞内MDA含量增加和SOD活性降低有关。     

Variation of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Major Constraints in East Central Asia

Variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its major constraints in large spatial scale are critical for estimating global SOC inventory and projecting its future at environmental changes. By analyzing SOC and its environment at 210 sites in uncultivated land along a 3020km latitudinal transect in East Central Asia, we examined the effect of environmental factors on the dynamics of SOC. We found that SOC changes dramatically with the difference as high as 5 times in north China and 17 times in Mongolia. Regardless, C:N remains consistent about 12. Path analysis indicated that temperature is the dominant factor in the variation of SOC with a direct effect much higher than the indirect one, the former breaks SOC down the year round while the latter results in its growth mainly via precipitation in the winter half year. Precipitation helps accumulate SOC, a large part of the effect, however, is taken via temperature. NH₄⁺-N and topography also affect SOC, their roles are played primarily via climatic factors. pH correlates significantly with SOC, the effect, however, is taken only in the winter months, contributing to the decay of SOC primarily via temperature. These factors explained as much as 79% of SOC variations, especially in the summer months, representing the major constraints on the SOC stock. Soil texture gets increasingly fine southward, it does not, however, constitute an apparent factor. Our results suggested that recent global warming should have been adversely affecting SOC stock in the mid-latitude as temperature dominates other factors as the constraint.     

A proposito del llamado micetoma maduro-micosico del pulmon

Conclusiones Se efectúa el estudio de 5 observaciones del llamado Micetoma maduromicósico de pulmón en sus aspectos, histopatológico, micológico y clínico.Todas ellas pertenecen a mujeres y configuraron el cuadro de cavidad bronquial empastada, anotando el predominio de su localización en el lóbulo superior izquierdo.Se señala la uniformidad de los caracteres morfológicos que presenta la masa miceliana llamada grano en todos los casos estudiados, en los cuales no fué posible individualizar la existencia de órganos de fructificación que permitiéran una clasificación, cuando más no fuera, genérica del hongo observado.Se critica la aplicación del término Micetoma para éstos casos con igual criterio que el clásico, que supone una enfermedad micótica primitiva, razón por la cual se prefiere hablar de cavidad con contenido micótico o maduromicótico.En el único caso que se logró cultivar al hongo parásito, el estudio micológico del mismo permitió aislar una especie del GéneroAspergillua con caracteres morfológicos sumamente atípicos.

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Summary The author presents the study of five observations of the so-called Maduromycosis-mycetoma of the lungs in their clinical, histopathologic and mycologic aspects.The pathologic features in all these cases have been found in bronchial cavities of women, situated in the upper lobe of the lung. A compact mycelial mass, the grain, filled up these cavities.In one of the five cases a fungus was cultivated which was classified as belonging to the GenusAspergillus Michelii, with abnormal and atypical features.Short criticism is presented about the concept Maduromycosis mycetoma of the lung, applied by authors designating this process.

     

A lithium-induced conformational change in serotonin transporter alters cocaine binding, ion conductance, and reactivity of Cys-109.

Inactivation of serotonin transporter (SERT) expressed in HeLa cells by [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate (MTSET) occurred much more readily when Na(+) in the reaction medium was replaced with Li(+). This did not result from a protective effect of Na(+) but rather from a Li(+)-specific increase in the reactivity of Cys-109 in the first external loop of the transporter. Li(+) alone of the alkali cations caused this increase in reactivity. Replacing Na(+) with N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG(+)) did not reduce the affinity of cocaine for SERT, as measured by displacement of a high affinity cocaine analog, but replacement of Na(+) with Li(+) led to a 2-fold increase in the K(D) for cocaine. The addition of either cocaine or serotonin (5-HT) protected SERT against MTSET inactivation. When SERT was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, inward currents were elicited by superfusing the cell with 5-HT (in the presence of Na(+)) or by replacing Na(+) with Li(+) but not NMDG(+). MTSET treatment of oocytes in Li(+) but not in Na(+) decreased both 5-HT and Li(+) induced currents, although 5-HT-induced currents were inhibited to a greater extent. Na(+) antagonized the effects of Li(+) on both inactivation and current. These results are consistent with Li(+) inducing a conformational change that exposes Cys-109, decreases cocaine affinity, and increases the uncoupled inward current.     

Effects of small interfering RNAs targeting MAPK1 on gene expression profile in HeLa cells as revealed by microarray analysis

The mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling cascade plays an important role in cell life. We proved that small interfering RNAs targeting MAPK1 (siRNA-2) could inhibit HeLa cell growth, but the effects of siRNA-2 on gene expression profile were unclear. Using Affymetrix GeneChip HG-U133A 2.0, we identified the long-term changes for 48h in gene expression profile in HeLa cell treated by siRNA-2. The results showed that expressions of 181 genes were altered by siRNA-2 and were divided into two groups: (i) one group showed downregulation by siRNA-2, including the proliferation associated genes, small G protein, cytoskeleton associated protein and extracellular matrix associated protein; and (ii) the other group showed upregulation by siRNA-2, including interferon response genes, OAS family, TRIM family and apoptosis associated genes. The results of Real-time quantitative PCR for MAPK1, NUP188, P38, STAT1, STAT2, MPL and OAS1 were consistent with that of gene chip. Two networks were found to react substantially to the downregulation of MAPK1 by siRNA-2. One of the networks regulates cell growth through cell-cycle control, apoptosis and cytoskeleton. The other network is related to interferon-like response. Our findings suggest that siRNA-mediated downregulation of MAPK1 could be an attractive strategy for cancer therapy.     

Optimization of extraction process by response surface methodology and preliminary structural analysis of polysaccharides from defatted peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cakes

In this work, response surface methodology was used to determine optimum conditions for extraction of polysaccharides from defatted peanut cake. A central composite design including independent variables, such as extraction temperature (x₁), extraction time (x₂), and ethanol concentration (x₃) was used. Selected response which evaluates the extraction process was polysaccharide yield, and the second-order model obtained for polysaccharide yield revealed coefficient of determination of 97.81%. The independent variable with the largest effect on response was ethanol concentration (x₃). The optimum extraction conditions were found to be extraction temperature 48.7 °C, extraction time 1.52 h, and ethanol concentration of 61.9% (v/v), respectively. Under these conditions, the extraction efficiency of polysaccharide can increase to 25.89%. The results of structural analysis showed that the main composition of defatted peanut cake polysaccharide was α-galactose.     

Newly Detected Specific Hydrogenation of the Conjugated Double Bond of Unsaturated Alkaloid Lactones by Aspergillus sp.

A new isolate of Aspergillus sp. hydrogenated the γ,δ-double bond of securinine (143 mg l⁻¹) to give 14,15-dihydrosecurinine at over 98% (w/w) yield after 8 h. It also hydrogenated the C11(13) double bond of 3-hydroxy-1(10),3,11(13)-guaiatriene-12,6-olide-2-one (HGT) (200 mg l⁻¹) to give 3-hydroxy-1(10),3-guaiadiene-12,6-olide-2-one with over 98% (w/w) conversion after 24 h.