Caveolin-1-dependent and -independent membrane domains

Lipid rafts defined as cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-rich domains have been isolated from different cell types that vary greatly in their lipid profiles. Here, we investigated the contribution of the structural protein caveolin-1 (Cav1) to the overall lipid composition and domain abundance in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from wild-type (WT) or Cav1-deficient (Cav1^−/−) animals. Our findings show that Cav1 expression had no effect on free (membrane-associated) cholesterol levels. However, Cav1^−/−-deficient cells did have a higher proportion of sphingomyelin, decreased abundance of unsaturated phospholipids, and a trend toward shorter fatty acid chains in phosphatidylcholine. We isolated detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs), nondetergent raft domains (NDR), and cholesterol oxidase (CO)-sensitive domains and assessed the abundance of ordered domains in intact cells using the fluorescent dye Laurdan. Despite differences in phospholipid composition, we found that cholesterol levels in DRMs, NDR, and CO-sensitive domains were similar in both cell types. The data suggest that Cav1 is not required to target cholesterol to lipid rafts and that CO does not specifically oxidize caveolar cholesterol. In contrast, the abundance of ordered domains in adherent cells is reduced in Cav1^−/− compared with WT MEFs, suggesting that cell architecture is critical in maintaining Cav1-induced lipid rafts.     

Exploring Functional β-Cell Heterogeneity In Vivo Using PSA-NCAM as a Specific Marker

Background

The mass of pancreatic β-cells varies according to increases in insulin demand. It is hypothesized that functionally heterogeneous β-cell subpopulations take part in this process. Here we characterized two functionally distinct groups of β-cells and investigated their physiological relevance in increased insulin demand conditions in rats.

Methods

Two rat β-cell populations were sorted by FACS according to their PSA-NCAM surface expression, i.e. β^high and β^low-cells. Insulin release, Ca²⁺ movements, ATP and cAMP contents in response to various secretagogues were analyzed. Gene expression profiles and exocytosis machinery were also investigated. In a second part, β^high and β^low-cell distribution and functionality were investigated in animal models with decreased or increased β-cell function: the Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat and the 48 h glucose-infused rat.

Results

We show that β-cells are heterogeneous for PSA-NCAM in rat pancreas. Unlike β^low-cells, β^high-cells express functional β-cell markers and are highly responsive to various insulin secretagogues. Whereas β^low-cells represent the main population in diabetic pancreas, an increase in β^high-cells is associated with gain of function that follows sustained glucose overload.

Conclusion

Our data show that a functional heterogeneity of β-cells, assessed by PSA-NCAM surface expression, exists in vivo. These findings pinpoint new target populations involved in endocrine pancreas plasticity and in β-cell defects in type 2 diabetes.     

Alternatives for Reintroducing a Rare Ecotone Species: Manually Thinned Forest Edge versus Restored Habitat Remnant

Species native to ecotones are often overlooked in restoration efforts despite the increasing rarity of ecotone habitat. In fragmented, fire-suppressed landscapes, true ecotone may no longer exist. Restoration biologists interested in reintroducing ecotone species must decide whether to plant them in historic ecotones maintained by manual thinning or whether to opt for discrete restoration areas that are easier to maintain. We investigated these two alternatives with Lantana canescens , a rare tropical shrub native to the ecotone between pine and hardwood forests of Miami-Dade County, Florida, U.S.A. Our short-term findings show that after 15 and 18 months, survival of transplants was 69% in a restored site and 65% and 84% in two historic ecotone sites. The restored site had significantly higher photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (75%) than the historic ecotones (25–39%). Correspondingly, 267 seedlings have recruited at the restored site, whereas only 8 have emerged at both historic ecotone sites. Seedling establishment was associated with higher PAR at the restored site. We found that overall population sustainability was higher at the restored site where there is the additional benefit of less maintenance. Our work suggests that, by reducing succession, a discrete restoration area can approach the historic conditions of hardwood/pine forest ecotone more closely than degraded historic ecotones themselves. We present a viable solution for conserving rare ecotone species when their natural habitat and the processes that maintained it no longer exist.     

通过体内基因转染改变Meis1在围着床期小鼠子宫中的表达影响胚胎着床

通过宫腔内脂质体转染改变小鼠子宫内Meis1基因的表达水平,研究其对子宫内膜容 受性的影响,从而推测Meis1基因在胚胎着床中的作用.选择8～12周龄昆明小鼠,于妊娠 第2 ｄ,通过向小鼠宫腔内注入Meis1基因表达质粒和siRNA表达质粒及其各自的对照质粒 ,在妊娠第5ｄ, 提取小鼠子宫mRNA 和蛋白质行半定量RT-PCR 和免疫组化分析,观察各组小鼠子宫内膜Meis1和整合素β3的表达变化.在妊娠第9 ｄ,观察Meis1基因上调组及其对 照组、Meis1基因下调及其对照组妊娠率和胚胎着床数的差异.结果显示,Meis1基因下调组胚胎着床率明显低于对照组（P<0.05）,Meis1基因上调组胚胎着床率略高于对照组,但无统计学意义（P>0.05）;Meis1基因上调组其整合素β3的表达高于其对照组,Meis1基因下调组 整合素β3的表达低于其对照组,差异均有显著性（P<0.05）.以上观察结果表明,Meis1基因表达下降可明显减少胚胎着床率,影响整合素β3的表达.Meis1基因表达提高则可促进整合素β3的表达. 因此,Meis1可能作为1种子宫内膜容受分子,在胚胎着床中发挥重要作用.     

Targeted gene disruption in Francisella tularensis by group II introns

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious Gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of tularemia. Very little is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for F. tularensis virulence, in part due to the paucity of genetic tools available for the study of F. tularensis. We have developed a gene knockout system for F. tularensis that utilizes retargeted mobile group II introns, or “targetrons”. These targetrons disrupt both single and duplicated target genes at high efficiency in three different F. tularensis subspecies. Here we describe in detail the targetron-based method for insertional mutagenesis of F. tularensis genes, which should facilitate a better understanding of F. tularensis pathogenesis. Group II introns can be adapted to inactivate genes in bacteria for which few genetic tools exist, thus providing a powerful tool to study the genetic basis of bacterial pathogenesis.     

Biological characterization of young and aged embryogenic cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> (Ait.)

Pinus pinaster (Ait.) somatic embryogenesis (SE) has been developed during the last decade, and its application in tree improvement programs is underway. Nevertheless, a few more or less important problems still exist, which have an impact on the efficiency of specific SE stages. One phenomenon, which had been observed in embryogenic tissue (embryonal mass, EM) initiated from immature seed, has been the loss of the ability to produce mature somatic embryos after the tissue had been cultured for several months. In an attempt to get insight into the differences between young cultures of EM (3-mo-old since the first subculture) of P. pinaster that produced mature somatic embryos and the same lines of significantly increased age (18-mo-old, aged EM) that stopped producing mature somatic embryos, we analyzed in both types of materials the levels of endogenous hormones, polyamines, the global DNA methylation, and associated methylation patterns. In addition, we included in the analysis secondary EM induced from mature somatic embryos. The analysis showed that the two tested genotypes displayed inconsistent hormonal and polyamine profiles in EM cultures of a similar phenotype and that it might be difficult to attribute one specific profile to a specific culture phenotype among genotypes. Experiments were also undertaken to determine if the global DNA methylation and/or the resulting methylation pattern could be manipulated by treatment of the cultures with a hypomethylating drug 5-azacytidine (5-azaC). An aged EM was exposed to different concentrations and durations of 5-azaC, and its response in culture was established by fresh mass increases and somatic embryo maturation potential. All of the analyses are new in maritime pine, and thus, they provide the first data on the biochemistry of EM in this species related to embryogenic potential.     

利用SSR标记鉴定西瓜杂交种纯度的研究

以2个西瓜杂交品种(系)的种子黑公子和04-17及其亲本为材料,用SSR标记技术研究杂种与其双亲之间的扩增谱带多态性,以甄别真假杂种.结果发现,所试验的52对SSR引物中有13对引物分别在2个西瓜杂交种和其双亲之间存在扩增条带的多态性,表现为:多数SSR引物对自交系的扩增只出现1条带,但部分引物在某些自交系中扩增出2条带,杂交种条带均为父母本的互补型,很适合做杂交种纯度鉴定.用引物CMCT134b对黑公子和引物CMGA165对04-17进行了各100粒单种子SSR鉴定,所测纯度分别为96%和100%,与田间纯度95.6%和99.7%非常接近,表明SSR标记技术在西瓜杂交种子纯度室内快速检测中的应用前景.