SGO1C is a non-functional isoform of Shugoshin and can disrupt sister chromatid cohesion by interacting with PP2A–B56

Shugoshin (SGO1) plays a pivotal role in sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis by protecting the centromeric cohesin from mitotic kinases and WAPL. Mammalian cells contain at least 6 alternatively spliced isoforms of SGO1. The relationship between the canonical SGO1A with shorter isoforms including SGO1C remains obscure. Here we show that SGO1C was unable to replace the loss of SGO1A. Instead, expression of SGO1C alone induced aberrant mitosis similar to depletion of SGO1A, promoting premature sister chromatid separation, activation of the spindle-assembly checkpoint, and mitotic arrest. In disagreement with previously published data, we found that SGO1C localized to kinetochores. However, the ability to induce aberrant mitosis did not correlate with its kinetochore localization. SGO1C mutants that abolished binding to kinetochores still triggered premature sister chromatid separation. We provide evidence that SGO1C-mediated mitotic arrest involved the sequestering of PP2A–B56 pool. Accordingly, SGO1C mutants that abolished binding to PP2A localized to kinetochores but did not induce aberrant mitosis. These studies imply that the expression of SGO1C should be tightly regulated to prevent dominant-negative effects on SGO1A and genome instability.     

Extracts of Phellinus linteus grown on germinated brown rice suppress liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats

Extracts of Phellinus linteus (EPB), grown on germinated brown rice, protected rats from liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Peroxidation products in the liver were decreased to 10% by EPB. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased to 55% and 39% by CCl4 administration, but EPB blocked this effect, resulting in enzyme activities at control levels. Expression of cytochromeP450 2E1 (CYP2E1) protein was significantly decreased to 88% in CCl4-treated rats but remained at control levels when EPB was also administered. EPB did not affect the altered fatty acid composition induced by CCl4. The hepatoprotective effect of EPB may be mediated by EPB's prevention of CCl4-induced CYP2E1 degradation.     

QTL analysis of cotton fiber length in advanced backcross populations derived from a cross between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. mustelinum</Emphasis>

Key message

QTLs for fiber length mapped in three generations of advanced backcross populations derived from crossing Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium mustelinum showed opportunities to improve elite cottons by introgression from wild relatives.

Abstract

The molecular basis of cotton fiber length in crosses between Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium mustelinum was dissected using 21 BC₃F₂ and 12 corresponding BC₃F_2:3 and BC₃F_2:4 families. Sixty-five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected by one-way analysis of variance. The QTL numbers detected for upper-half mean length (UHM), fiber uniformity index (UI), and short fiber content (SFC) were 19, 20, and 26 respectively. Twenty-three of the 65 QTLs could be detected at least twice near adjacent markers in the same family or near the same markers across different families/generations, and 32 QTLs were detected in both one-way variance analyses and mixed model-based composite interval mapping. G. mustelinum alleles increased UHM and UI and decreased SFC for five, one, and one QTLs, respectively. In addition to the main-effect QTLs, 17 epistatic QTLs were detected which helped to elucidate the genetic basis of cotton fiber length. Significant among-family genotypic effects were detected at 18, 16, and 16 loci for UHM, UI, and SFC, respectively. Six, two, and two loci showed genotype?×?family interaction for UHM, UI and SFC, respectively, illustrating complexities that might be faced in introgression of exotic germplasm into cultivated cotton. Co-location of many QTLs for UHM, UI, and SFC accounted for correlations among these traits, and selection of these QTLs may improve the three traits simultaneously. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with G. mustelinum QTLs will assist breeders in transferring and maintaining valuable traits from this exotic source during cultivar development.

     

Sequence polymorphisms in ribosomal RNA genes and variations in chromosomal loci of Oenothera odorata and O. laciniata

Numerous studies on Oenothera species have been investigated for the physiological and ecological characteristics. However, no such an information based on molecular cytogenetic has yet been introduced, in turn, is very essential for identifying sequence polymorphisms of rRNA genes with their loci on mitotic phases for further biological researches. In this study, sequence variations of rRNA genes in Oenothera odorata and O. laciniata were examined to identify informative factors as unique or repeat sequences in intra- and inter-specific variations. Intra-specific variation revealed that the sequences of the rRNA genes including the spacer regions were highly conserved revealing only a few variations. From the inter-specific variation, spacer regions of species were completely different as (1) non-homologous sequences in NTS and (2) different type repeat sequences in ITS 1, 2 and 5.8S rRNA, whereas the remaining coding regions were highly conserved. FISH was carried out on mitotic phases using the 5S rDNA of the analyzed sequences. From the interphase and metaphase chromosomes of the examined species, two loci of 5S rDNA in O. odorata and four loci in O. laciniata were confirmed on the telomeric region of the short arm. Due to the small size and unclear centromere of the chromosomes, karyotype could not be completed. However, we confirmed that the chromosomes are organized by meta- and acrocentric chromosomes and the chromosomes with identified loci were assumed to be paired by the location of loci at the telomeric region on the short arm with relative lengths.     

Industrial attributes of β-glucanase produced by Bacillus sp. CSB55 and its potential application as bio-industrial catalyst

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - The β-glucanase produced from Bacillus sp. CSB55 not only depicts the potent industrial characteristics but also relates as bio-industrial catalyst...     

Design of riboflavin-presenting PAMAM dendrimers as a new nanoplatform for cancer-targeted delivery

This communication describes the synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of novel generation 5 PAMAM dendrimers conjugated with riboflavin as a targeting ligand. Cell-based experiments demonstrated that a dendrimer conjugated with riboflavin is able to undergo cellular binding and uptake in KB cells, and when the dendrimer is also conjugated with methotrexate, the riboflavin dendrimer conjugate can potently inhibit cell growth.     

Blockade of L-type voltage-gated Ca channel inhibits ischemia-induced neurogenesis by down-regulating iNOS expression in adult mouse

Neurogenesis in the adult mammalian hippocampus may contribute to repairing the brain after injury. The signals that regulate neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus following ischemic stroke insult are not well known. We have previously reported that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression is necessary for ischemia-stimulated neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus. Here, we show that mice subjected to 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) significantly increased the number of new neurons and up-regulated iNOS expression in the dentate gyrus. Blockade of the L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channel (L-VGCC) prevented neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone (SVZ), and down-regulated iNOS expression in the dentate gyrus after cerebral ischemia. This study suggests that Ca(2+) influx through L-VGCC is involved in ischemia-induced neurogenesis by up-regulating iNOS expression.     

一株产酶真菌Phaeophlebiopsis sp.转录组分析

对从药渣中分离的真菌ZYJHYZ254进行鉴定及产酶活性研究,从转录组分析菌株不同生长时期差异表达基因对其生长发育及产酶调控的影响,以筛选高产木质纤维素水解酶真菌,寻找调控关键基因。鉴定ZYJHYZ254为拟暗射脉菌Phaeophlebiopsis sp.,产酶在第5-7天最高。从生长3 d与7 d的菌丝中共检测到1 232个差异基因,以3 d的菌丝为对照,显著上调、下调基因分别有826及406个,基因注释和GO、KEGG功能富集分析结果表明差异表达基因主要与蛋白质合成、代谢及酶合成相关。此外,共有387个CAZymes基因表达,GH数量最多,约占49.61%,其次为AA (97)与GT (62),约占25.06%与16.02%。GH16 (24个)占GH的12.50%,含量最多,主要编码葡萄糖苷酶、木聚糖酶等,AA中AA3 (37个)占比38.14%,编码氧化酶、脱氢酶等。结果表明ZYJHYZ254中生长3 d与7 d的菌丝经功能富集分析发现差异表达基因主要与蛋白质合成、代谢,以及酶合成相关。进一步研究发现在两个生长时期中CAZymes基因表达最多的是GH16与AA3,预示了该菌葡萄糖苷酶、木聚糖酶、β-半乳糖苷酶、氧化酶与脱氢酶含量最丰富,对降解特殊生物质中的木质纤维素具有重要意义。     

K物质对心肌细胞收缩幅度的影响及其机制探讨

目的 :探讨K物质 (SK)对心肌细胞收缩的影响及机制。方法 :原代培养幼鼠心肌细胞 ,利用计算机图像分析系统测定SK处理前后心肌细胞收缩频率和收缩幅度的变化 ,同时观察预先加入速激肽受体拮抗剂DSP、β受体阻断剂心得安、α受体阻断剂酚妥拉明对SK作用的影响。结果 :当加入SK (1 .78× 1 0 - 5mol/L)到培养细胞中时 ,心肌细胞收缩幅度增强 ,但收缩频率变化不显著 ;且在 1 0 - 8～ 1 0 - 5mol/L浓度范围内心肌细胞收缩幅度变化呈剂量 效应关系 ;预先加入DSP可抑制SK对心肌细胞的影响 ,而心得安、酚妥拉明对SK的作用无影响。结论 :SK使心肌细胞的收缩幅度增强 ,其作用是由速激肽受体介导的