Molecular Isolation of the M Gene Suggests That a Conserved-Residue Conversion Induces the Formation of Bisexual Flowers in Cucumber Plants

Sex determination in plants involves a variety of mechanisms. Here, we report the map-based cloning and characterization of the unisexual-flower-controlling gene M. M was identified as a previously characterized putative 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase gene, while the m allele that mutated at a conserved site (Gly33Cys) lost activity in the original enzymatically active allele.SEX determination in angiosperms, including crop plants, evolves a variety of mechanisms that involve a number of different genetic and epigenetic factors (Tanurdzic and Banks 2004). Due to its diversity in sex types and to the extensive physiological and genetic studies conducted on it, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; 2n = 2x = 14) is becoming a model plant for sex-determination research (Atsmon 1968; Tsao 1988; Perl-Treves 1999; Tanurdzic and Banks 2004). In cucumber plants, male and female flowers are generally produced separately in the same individual; however, certain lines also produce bisexual flowers. Preliminary genetic studies have indicated that three major genes are responsible for sex expression and segregation in the cucumber plantF/f, M/m, and A/a. The F gene may promote femaleness, while the m gene regulates the appearance of hermaphroditic flowers on the plant. Furthermore, in combination with the homozygous recessive f gene, the recessive a gene can intensify the androecious nature (Galun 1961; Robinson et al. 1976).Sex expression in cucumber plants can also be modified by various environmental factors and plant hormones such as ethylene (Atsmon 1968; Takahashi et al. 1983; Takahashi and Jaffe 1984; Perl-Treves 1999; Yamasaki et al. 2005). A series of studies (Kamachi et al. 1997, 2000; Trebitsh et al. 1997; Yamasaki et al. 2003a; Mibus and Tatlioglu 2004; Knopf and Trebitsh 2006) have been conducted to investigate the F/f gene. These studies have shown that CsACS1G, which encodes a key enzyme of the ethylene-synthesis pathway, is the candidate gene for the F/f locus. However, the M/m gene has not been studied in as much detail as the F/f gene. Here, we report the map-based cloning and characterization of the unisexual-flower-controlling M gene.     

Identification and mapping of molecular markers linked to the tuberculate fruit gene in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Warty fruit is one of the highly valuable external quality traits related to the market values of cucumber. Genetic analysis has shown that a single dominant gene, Tu (Tuberculate fruit), determines the warty fruit trait in the cucumber plant. An F₂ population (247 individuals) from the cross of S06 × S52 was used for the mapping of the Tu/tu locus. By combining bulked segregant analysis with the sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, 15 markers (9 SRAPs and 6 SSRs) linked to the Tu/tu locus were identified. Of nine SRAP markers, three closely linked to the Tu/tu locus were successfully converted into sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The Tu/tu locus was mapped between the co-dominant SSR marker SSR16203 and the SCAR marker C_SC933, at a genetic distance of 1.4 and 5.9 cM, respectively. Then the linked SSR markers in the study were used as anchor loci to locate the Tu/tu locus on cucumber chromosome 5. Moreover, the validity analysis of the C_SC69 and C_SC24 markers was performed with 62 cucumber lines of diverse origins, showing that the two SCAR markers can be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of the warty fruit trait in cucumber breeding. The information provided in this study will facilitate the map-based cloning of the Tu/tu gene.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Protein Folding with Supersecondary Structure Constraints

We integrate molecular dynamics simulation methods with a newly developed supersecondary structure prediction method and compute the structure of a protein molecule, crambin. The computed structure is similar to the crystal structure with an rms error of 3.94 Å.     

Prostaglandin signaling in the renal collecting duct: release, reuptake, and oxidation in the same cell

Prostaglandins mediate autacrine and paracrine signaling over short distances. We used the renal collecting duct as a model system to test the hypothesis that local control of prostaglandin signaling is achieved by expressing inactivation in the same cell as synthesis. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that renal collecting ducts in situ express the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis enzyme, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), as well as both components of prostaglandin metabolic inactivation, i.e. the prostaglandin uptake carrier prostaglandin transporter (PGT) and the enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. We characterized this system further using the collecting duct cell line Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK), which retains COX-2 and prostaglandin dehydrogenase expression but which has lost PGT expression. When we reintroduced PGT, it was correctly sorted to the apical membrane where it altered the sidedness of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release, a process we call "vectorial release via sided reuptake." Importantly, although COX-2 and prostaglandin dehydrogenase are expressed in the same MDCK cell, they must be compartmentalized because even in the presence of excess dehydrogenase newly synthesized PGE2 is released largely un-oxidized. However, when PGE2 undergoes first release and then PGT-mediated reuptake, significant oxidation takes place, suggesting that PGT imports PGE2 into the prostaglandin dehydrogenase compartment. Our data are consistent with a new model that offers significant new mechanisms for the fine control of eicosanoid signaling.     

不定胚再生植株的染色体数目变异

本实验以甜瓜“小麦瓜”和“青皮绿肉”品种为试材,经不定胚诱导再生植株。分别调查了不同继代培养时间后形成再生植株的染色体数目,并将之与对照染色体数目相比较,发现通过诱导不定胚所得到的再生植株中存在着一定的变异,而且经过不同继代培养时间后,所得到的不定胚再生植株的变异程度不同,随着时间的增加,染色体数目的变异率从3.3%增加到30%,变异幅度也从2n=23~24增加到2n=13~48。从而得出结论：不定胚再生植株染色体数目变异程度随着培养时间的增加而增加;培养时间在1~2个月内所得到的不定胚再生植株的变异较少。此外,不定胚再生植株的染色体数目变异程度也因品种而异。 Abstract:Chromosomal number of different of somatic embryos regenerated plants were investigated in melon variety “xiaomaigua” and “Qingpilurou”.Certain variations of chromosomal number were found among the regenerated plants compared with normal sample,and range of variation covered from 2n=23～24 to 2n=13～48 with the increase of generation,the rate from 3.3% to 30%.The results indicated that degree of variation in chromosomal number of somatic embryos regenerated melon plants increased with the time of culture,and those cultured in one to two months had the least variation.It was also found that degree of chromosomal number variations varied with melon varieties.     

濒危植物元宝山冷杉结实特性与种子繁殖力初探

元宝山冷杉是仅产于广西中部元宝山的珍稀濒危植物, 天然更新能力差。调查表明, 不同植株的球果产量、单果种子的数量均有差异, 球果长短、大小与种子数量、种子质量(饱满率)存在显著正相关。风干种子千粒重为16.9581 g, 含水量为12.85%。元宝山冷杉种子的吸水过程分为三个阶段, 第一阶段是0~1 小时, 为急剧的吸水阶段;第二阶段是1~10 小时, 吸水基本停滞;第三阶段是10~339 小时, 又是急剧的吸水阶段, 吸水量递增。用0.1%靛蓝溶液测定种子生活力, 按以往判别松科植物的标准判断, 其生活力极低。饱满种粒在培养箱中发芽率为18.9%, 场圃发芽率6.8%。以往判断方法是否不适用元宝山冷杉, 需作进一步的探讨和研究。种子发芽率低, 是冷杉自然更新不良、种群难以延续和扩展的重要因素。     

Alkali Etching of Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic N2 Reduction to NH3

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets show good activity in a wide range of photoreactions, with this activity being generally attributable to an abundance of surface oxygen vacancies or coordinatively unsaturated metal cations in the nanosheets which serve as active sites for reactant adsorption and activation. Recently, LDH nanosheets have been shown to be very effective for photocatalytic N₂ reduction to NH₃ using water as the reducing agent. Herein, it is demonstrated that a simple pretreatment of ZnCr‐LDH, ZnAl‐LDH, and NiAl‐LDH nanosheets with aqueous NaOH can greatly enhance the concentration of oxygen vacancies and low coordination metal centers in the nanosheets, thus significantly enhancing their photocatalytic activity for N₂ reduction to NH₃ under UV–vis irradiation (without the need for added sacrificial agents or cocatalysts). The facile alkali etching strategy introduced here is expected to be widely adopted in the future development of high‐performance LDH photocatalysts for ammonia production and other challenging chemical transformations (e.g., CO₂ reduction and water splitting).     

Novel B19-Like Parvovirus in the Brain of a Harbor Seal

Using random PCR in combination with next-generation sequencing, a novel parvovirus was detected in the brain of a young harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) with chronic non-suppurative meningo-encephalitis that was rehabilitated at the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre (SRRC) in the Netherlands. In addition, two novel viruses belonging to the family Anelloviridae were detected in the lungs of this animal. Phylogenetic analysis of the coding sequence of the novel parvovirus, tentatively called Seal parvovirus, indicated that this virus belonged to the genus Erythrovirus, to which human parvovirus B19 also belongs. Although no other seals with similar signs were rehabilitated in SRRC in recent years, a prevalence study of tissues of seals from the same area collected in the period 2008-2012 indicated that the Seal parvovirus has circulated in the harbor seal population at least since 2008. The presence of the Seal parvovirus in the brain was confirmed by real-time PCR and in vitro replication. Using in situ hybridization, we showed for the first time that a parvovirus of the genus Erythrovirus was present in the Virchow-Robin space and in cerebral parenchyma adjacent to the meninges. These findings showed that a parvovirus of the genus Erythrovirus can be involved in central nervous system infection and inflammation, as has also been suspected but not proven for human parvovirus B19 infection.