Genome sequence of the acid-tolerant Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2230 from Karijini National Park,Australia

Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2230 is an aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming acid-tolerant rod isolated from acidic soil collected in 2001 from Karijini National Park, Western Australia, using Kennedia coccinea (Coral Vine) as a host. WSM2230 was initially effective in nitrogen-fixation with K. coccinea, but subsequently lost symbiotic competence. Here we describe the features of Burkholderia sp. strain WSM2230, together with genome sequence information and its annotation. The 6,309,801 bp high-quality-draft genome is arranged into 33 scaffolds of 33 contigs containing 5,590 protein-coding genes and 63 RNA-only encoding genes. The genome sequence of WSM2230 failed to identify nodulation genes and provides an explanation for the observed failure of the laboratory grown strain to nodulate. The genome of this strain is one of 100 sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute 2010 Genomic Encyclopedia for Bacteria and Archaea-Root Nodule Bacteria (GEBA-RNB) project.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of hydrocarbons from the microalgaBotryococcus braunii

Samples of the microalgaBotryococcus braunii were submitted to supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide at 40 °C and pressures of 12.5, 20.0 and 30.0 MPa. The extraction yield and the fraction of the hydrocarbons in the extracts both increased with pressure and at 30 MPa these compounds were obtained rapidly. This behaviour is associated with the localization of the hydrocarbons outside the cell wall. In the extracts, which are fluid, golden and limpid, chlorophyll and phospholipids were not detected.Author for correspondence     

Arabidopsis Profilin Isoforms,PRF1 and PRF2 Show Distinctive Binding Activities and Subcellular Distributions

Profilin is an actin-binding protein that shows complex effects on the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. There are five profilin isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana L. However, it is still an open question whether these isoforms are functionally different. In the present study, two profilin isoforms from Arabidopsis, PRF1 and PRF2 were fused with green fuorescent protein （GFP） tag and expressed in Escherichia coil and A. thaliana in order to compare their biochemical properties in vitro and their cellular distributions in vivo. Biochemical analysis revealed that fusion proteins of GFP-PRF1 and GFP-PRF2 can bind to poly-L-proline and G-actin showing remarkable differences. GFP-PRF1 has much higher affinities for both poly-L-proline and G-actin compared with GFP-PRF2. Observations of living cells in stable transgenic A. thaliana lines revealed that 35S：：GFP-PRF1 formed a filamentous network, while 35S：：GFP-PRF2 formed polygonal meshes. Results from the treatment with latrunculin A and a subsequent recovery experiment indicated that filamentous alignment of GFP-PRF1 was likely associated with actin filaments. However, GFP-PRF2 localized to polygonal meshes resembling the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results provide evidence that Arabidopsis profllin isoforms PRF1 and PRF2 have different biochemical affinities for poly-L-proline and G-actin, and show distinctive Iocalizations in living cells. These data suggest that PRF1 and PRF2 are functionally different isoforms.     

寄主植物物理性状及营养物质对地红蝽寄主选择性的影响

【目的】地红蝽Pyrrhocoris tibialis是一种重要的农业植食性害虫,寄主范围广泛。本研究测定地红蝽对不同植物的取食偏好及分析寄主植物物理性状和营养物质在地红蝽成虫寄主选择行为中的作用,以期从寄主理化性状的角度来探讨地红蝽寄主选择行为机制,为指导作物抗虫育种提供依据。【方法】通过自由选择方法研究地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物(谷子Setaria italica、高粱Sorghum bicolor、绿豆Vigna radiata、大豆Glycine max和玉米Zea mays)叶片的取食选择性;使用Y型嗅觉仪进一步检测地红蝽对5种植物叶片气味的趋性反应;测定分析5种植物叶片物理性状及主要营养物质含量与地红蝽取食选择性的相关性。【结果】地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物叶片的取食选择率存在显著性差异,依次为谷子＞高粱＞绿豆＝大豆＞玉米,与对这5种寄主植物叶片气味的趋性反应百分率结果一致。相关性分析表明,地红蝽成虫的取食选择性与叶片长宽比、含水量和背面茸毛密度呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.881, 0.884和0.906,而与地红蝽成虫取食前后寄主植物叶片可溶性糖含量变化和总蛋白质含量变化呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.915和-0.951。通径分析表明,寄主植物叶片背面茸毛密度和总蛋白质含量变化是地红蝽寄主选择性的重要决定因素。【结论】地红蝽成虫对不同寄主植物存在取食选择和趋向性差异,地红蝽成虫取食选择与寄主植物叶片长宽比、背面茸毛密度、含水量以及可溶性糖和总蛋白质含量变化有关。     

中国县域碳汇时空格局及影响因素

以全国1300个县级行政单位作为研究对象,利用全国县域尺度土地利用数据和社会经济数据,核算了1990—2015年间中国县域碳汇总量,并结合标准差椭圆、空间自相关、冷热点分析和地理加权回归分析方法,探析中国县域碳汇的时空分异特征及影响因素,旨在为优化国土空间开发格局,实施差异化减排路径及推动生态文明建设提供参考。研究表明:(1)时空变化上,1990—2015年中国碳汇总量呈波动下降趋势,由13307.79×10⁴t下降至13198.27×10⁴t;林地为主要碳汇类型,其余碳汇类型比例结构基本不变;在空间分布上,中国县域碳汇呈现"西部>东北>南部>中部"的"西高东低"格局。(2)在空间分异和聚集上,碳汇空间分布中心向西南移动,分布范围呈收缩态势,西南地区对整体碳汇空间格局影响作用加强;1990—2015年中国县域碳汇总量的冷热点集聚程度呈现波动稳定特征,空间集聚程度呈现高值与低值聚集,高-低区域零星分布的特征。(3)从影响因素分析来看,2015年经济发展、产业结构、土地利用程度对碳汇产生影响并存在空间异质性。建议通过合理规划县域...     

生物复合絮凝剂处理深圳湾污染水体的研究

深圳市西部海域近岸水体污染严重,水体发黑,淤泥沉积,气味恶臭,严重影响了海洋生态、周边居民生活质量与城市海岸线景观。采用高效环保的生物复合絮凝剂处理深圳近海污染水体。通过絮凝沉降技术,研究了复合絮凝剂对深圳湾近海污水处理的最佳絮凝、混凝条件,筛选了最佳絮凝剂配方及最佳浓度,结果表明壳聚糖乙酸溶液、聚合硫酸铁分别与海藻酸钠复合,终浓度为12—16ppm时处理近海污染水体效果最佳,同时可以有效抑制海洋有害弧茵。研究表明该生物复合絮凝剂可以有效处理近海污染水体。     

Axin contains three separable domains that confer intramolecular, homodimeric, and heterodimeric interactions involved in distinct functions

Axin is a major scaffold protein, interacting with diverse molecules involved in a number of signaling pathways. Axin can undergo dimer/oligomerization via its DIX domain. Here we show that whereas deletion of the DIX domain at the C terminus rendered Axin incapable of forming dimer, a larger deletion of the C-terminal region restored the ability of Axin to form dimers. Detailed analyses revealed that Axin actually contains two separate domains (D and I) in addition to the DIX domain for homodimerization. The D, I, and DIX domains alone can form homodimers. Interestingly, D and I domains strongly interact with each other, suggesting that Axin can form an intramolecular structure through D and I interaction in the absence of DIX. We also found that DIX-DIX homodimeric interaction is weak but that point mutations in the DIX domain abolished Axin homodimerization. We propose a model to suggest that Axin forms homodimeric interactions through three domains, D, I, and DIX. More importantly, lack of DIX-DIX interaction caused by point mutations in the DIX domain or deletion causes Axin to form an intramolecular loop through the D and I domains, disallowing homodimer formation. Ccd1 interacts with Axin D domain yet fails to interact with AxinDeltaDIX, confirming that D is masked after D-I looping. The Axin mutants that are defective in homodimer formation fail to activate JNK but have no effect on beta-catenin signaling. Our findings have thus provided a structural basis of conformational changes in Axin, which may underlie the diversity of Axin functions.     

Response of bacterioplankton community structures to hydrological conditions and anthropogenic pollution in contrasting subtropical environments

Bacterioplankton community structures under contrasting subtropical marine environments (Hong Kong waters) were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and subsequent sequencing of predominant bands for samples collected bimonthly from 2004 to 2006 at five stations. Generally, bacterial abundance was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter. The general seasonal variations of the bacterial community structure, as indicated by cluster analysis of the DGGE pattern, were best correlated with temperature at most stations, except for the station close to a sewage discharge outfall, which was best explained by pollution-indicating parameters (e.g. biochemical oxygen demand). Anthropogenic pollutions appear to have affected the presence and the intensity of DGGE bands at the stations receiving discharge of primarily treated sewage. The relative abundance of major bacterial species, calculated by the relative intensity of DGGE bands after PCR amplification, also indicated the effects of hydrological or seasonal variations and sewage discharges. For the first time, a systematic molecular fingerprinting analysis of the bacterioplankton community composition was carried out along the environmental and pollution gradient in a subtropical marine environment, and it suggests that hydrological conditions and anthropogenic pollutions altered the total bacterial community as well as the dominant bacterial groups.     

The structure-function relationship of MSI7, a matrix protein from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata

We previously identified a matrix protein, MSI7, from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata. According to the structural analysis, the DGD site in the N-terminal of MSI7 is crucial for its role in the shell formation. In this study, we expressed a series of recombinant MSI7 proteins, including the wild-type and several mutants directed at the DGD site, using an Escherichia coli expression system to reveal the structure-function relationship of MSI7. Furthermore, in vitro crystallization, crystallization speed assay, and circular dichroism spectrometry were carried out. Results indicated that wild-type MSI7 could induce the nucleation of aragonite and inhibit the crystallization of calcite. However, none of the mutants could induce the nucleation of aragonite, but all of them could inhibit the crystallization of calcite to some extent. And all the proteins accelerated the crystallization process. Taken together, the results indicated that MSI7 could contribute to aragonite crystallization by inducing the nucleation of aragonite and inhibiting the crystallization of calcite, which agrees with our prediction about its role in the nacreous layer formation of the shell. The DGD site was critical for the induction of the nucleation of aragonite.