印度木薯花叶病毒DNA在寄主植物中可能存在的形式

从印度木薯花叶病毒（ＩＣＭＶ）侵染的植物中纯化特异的核酸,经ＲＮＡａｓｅ,ＤＮＡａｓｃ,Ｎｕｃｌｅ－ａｓｅＳｌ,ＥｘｏｎｕｃｌｅａｓｅⅢ和ＥｃｏＲＩ酶切,Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ和Ｄｏｔｂｌｏｔｓ杂交证实,在感病的植株中,存在两种形式的病毒核酸：环状双链ＤＮＡ和环状单链ＤＮＡ,后者可能是病毒ＤＮＡ的（－）链,环状双链ＤＮＡ经限制性内切酶作用可得２．７ｋｂ的线性双链ＤＮＡ纯化的病毒核酸含ＤＮＡ１和ＤＮＡ２两个分子量相近的组份。     

不同富硒土壤对烤烟生长及硒吸收转运的影响

以烤烟品种‘云烟87’为材料,采用盆栽试验研究安徽池州烟区不同全硒含量土壤(0.30、0.45、1.00、1.75mg·kg-1)对烤烟生长发育以及硒吸收和转运的影响。结果显示:(1)土壤硒含量≤1.00mg·kg-1时能够促进烤烟生长,而土壤硒含量≥1.75mg·kg-1则抑制烤烟的生长。(2)土壤硒含量的增加能够显著提高烤烟根系、茎秆、叶片的硒含量,烟株各部位的硒含量呈现根系叶片茎秆的特点,且根系硒含量是叶片的2~3倍,叶片硒含量则是茎秆的3~4倍。(3)土壤硒含量由0.30mg·kg-1增加至1.75mg·kg-1时,烟株对硒的吸收系数由1.08显著降低至0.36,次级转运系数则由2.84显著升高至4.03,即土壤硒含量增加降低了根系吸收硒的效率,但却增加了硒在叶中的转运和相对累积量。(4)烤烟整株硒的富集量在土壤硒含量为1.00mg·kg-1时达到最大,每株达到72μg。研究表明,在安徽池州烟区的富硒土壤(0.45~1.00 mg·kg-1)上能够生产出富硒(0.15~0.23 mg·kg-1)烟叶,不需要额外添加外源硒,既可以减少生产成本,也能够避免造成水土污染。     

Integrating Multi-Omics for Uncovering the Architecture of Cross-Talking Pathways in Breast Cancer

Cross-talk among abnormal pathways widely occurs in human cancer and generally leads to insensitivity to cancer treatment. Moreover, alterations in the abnormal pathways are not limited to single molecular level. Therefore, we proposed a strategy that integrates a large number of biological sources at multiple levels for systematic identification of cross-talk among risk pathways in cancer by random walk on protein interaction network. We applied the method to multi-Omics breast cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), including somatic mutation, DNA copy number, DNA methylation and gene expression profiles. We identified close cross-talk among many known cancer-related pathways with complex change patterns. Furthermore, we identified key genes (linkers) bridging these cross-talks and showed that these genes carried out consistent biological functions with the linked cross-talking pathways. Through identification of leader genes in each pathway, the architecture of cross-talking pathways was built. Notably, we observed that linkers cooperated with leaders to form the fundamentation of cross-talk of pathways which play core roles in deterioration of breast cancer. As an example, we observed that KRAS showed a direct connection to numerous cancer-related pathways, such as MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that it may be a central communication hub. In summary, we offer an effective way to characterize complex cross-talk among disease pathways, which can be applied to other diseases and provide useful information for the treatment of cancer.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of Ni(mnt)2-based molecular solids containing substituted isoquinolinium

Two novel ion-pair complexes, [RBzIQl]⁺[Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate, [RBzIQl]⁺ = 4-R-benzylisoquinolinium; R = H (1), Cl (2)) have been characterized structurally and magnetically. The anions and [BzIQl]⁺ cations of 1 form 1D column of alternating between cations and anions via π?π stacking interaction between Ni(mnt)₂ plane and isoquinoline ring, and the Ni(mnt)₂ anions between adjacent columns exist C?N, C?N, and N?N interaction. The anions and cations of 2 stack into well-segregated columns in the solid state; and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D zigzag chain in a Ni(mnt)₂ column through intermolecular Ni?S, S?S, Ni?Ni or π?π interactions. The chain is uniform in 2 with the Ni?Ni distances of 3.784 Å. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for these complexes in the temperature range 1.8-300 K show that 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling behavior, and 2 exhibits unusual magnetic phase transitions around 45 K. The overall magnetic behavior for 2 indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction in the high-temperature phase (HT) and spin gap in the low-temperature phase (LT).     

APC Inhibits Ligand-Independent Wnt Signaling by the Clathrin Endocytic Pathway

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Revealing the Inhibitory Effect of Ginseng on Mitochondrial Respiration through Synaptosomal Proteomics

Ginseng, the active ingredients of which are ginsenosides, is the most popular herbal medicine and has potential merit in the treatment of cerebral disorders. To better understand the function of Ginseng in the cerebral system, we examined changes in the protein expression profiles of synaptosomes extracted from the cerebral cortical and hippocampal tissues of rats administered a high or low dose of Ginseng for 2 weeks. More than 5000 proteins belonging to synaptosomes were simultaneously identified and quantitated by an approach combining tandem mass tags with 2D liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Regarding differentially expressed proteins, downregulated proteins were much more highly induced than upregulators in the cerebral cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes, regardless of the dose of Ginseng. Bioinformatic analysis indicated the majority of the altered proteins to be located in the mitochondria, directly or indirectly affecting mitochondrial oxidative respiration. Further functional experiments using the substrate‐uncoupler inhibitor titration approach confirmed that three representative ginsenosides were able to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that Ginseng can regulate the function of mitochondria and alter the energy metabolism of cells, which may be useful for the treatment of central nervous disorders.     

Effect of substrate stiffness on proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells

Objectives

The aim of this study was to understand the effect of substrate stiffness (a mechanical factor of the extracellular matrix) on periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and its underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods

Elastic substrates were fabricated by mixing 2 components, a base and curing agent in proportions of 10:1, 20:1, 30:1 or 40:1. PDLSC morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell proliferation and differentiation were assessed after PDLSCs was cultured on various elastic substrates. Data were analysed using one‐way ANOVA.

Results

SEM revealed variations in the morphology of PDLSCs cultured on elastic substrates. PDLSC proliferation increased with substrate stiffness (P < .05). Osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs was higher on stiff substrates. Notch pathway markers were up‐regulated in PDLSCs cultured on stiff substrates.

Conclusions

Results suggested that the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs might be promoted by culturing them in a stiffness‐dependent manner, which regulates the Notch pathway. This might provide a new method of enhancing osteogenesis in PDLSCs.

     

Pacer Is a Mediator of mTORC1 and GSK3-TIP60 Signaling in Regulation of Autophagosome Maturation and Lipid Metabolism

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