Expression of glutamyl aminopeptidase by osteogenic induction in rat bone marrow stromal cells

Glutamyl aminopeptidase (GluAP, EC 3.4.11.7, ENPEP) is a 130-kDa homodimeric zinc metallopeptidase which specifically cleaves the N-terminal glutamate or aspartate residue of peptidic substrates such as cholecystokinin-8 or angiotensin (Ang) II, in vitro. We used a DNA microarray hybridization (Genechip Rat Expression Array 230A, Affymetrix Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) to demonstrate that GluAP was upregulated in osteogenic induced rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). To compare the expression of GluAP in the osteogenic differentiation and non-osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs in vitro, the cells were osteogenic induced in vitro. We also performed an MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase assay, alizarin red staining, and an immunohistochemical analysis to determine the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The expression of GluAP was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The real-time PCR results showed that GluAP was upregulated in osteogenic differentiated BMSCs in vitro, suggesting that GluAP may be correlated with the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.     

Proteolytic Activity from an Alkali-Thermotolerant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces gulbargensis</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Multiple proteases were produced and partially purified from an alkali-thermotolerant novel species of Streptomyces (i.e., Streptomyces gulbargensis DAS 131) after 48 h of growth at 45°C. The enzyme preparation exhibited activity over a broad range of pH (4–12) and temperature (27–55°C). Optimum activity was observed at a pH of 9.0 and a temperature of 45°C. Starch and protease peptone was found to be a good source of carbon and nitrogen to enhance the enzyme activity. Two active zones in the range of 19 to 35 kDa were detected on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).     

植物进化中的正选择作用

正选择是指将因含有有利突变而提高个体适合度的等位基因固定下来的选择作用, 研究正选择对理解生物进化过程具有重要意义。本文回顾了近年来在植物基因中发现的正选择作用, 分别对陆生植物和藻类中经历正选择作用的基因进行了总结, 其中在陆生植物中发现的正选择位点主要集中在与生殖相关及与抗逆相关的基因上, 这为以后对植物中正选择作用的研究提供了线索。     

Permineralized rhizomes of the Osmundaceae (Filicales): Diversity and tempo-spatial distribution pattern

The family Osmundaceae is among the most primitive ferns of the Filicales, with an extensive fossil record dating back to the Late Paleozoic. Numerous fossil osmundaceous rhizomes have been documented in the geological history. However, the diversity, variation and distribution pattern of permineralized rhizomes remain poorly known. Here we intend to analyze the fossil records with regard to the diversity and distribution pattern of the osmundaceous rhizomes based on available data. To date, about 83 species ascribed to 14 genera of fossil osmundaceous rhizomes have been described worldwide, assigned to two subfamilies, namely, Thamnopteroideae and Osmundoideae. Geologically, two groups (i.e., Thamnopteroideae and Palaeosmunda) have been reported in the Permian. All the Triassic taxa are from the southern hemisphere. Jurassic osmundaceous rhizomes are abundant and widespread throughout the world, most dominant in the southern hemisphere. During the transition of Jurassic to Cretaceous, the diversity of osmundaceous rhizomes declined rapidly. In the Cretaceous, however, the osmundaceous rhizomes from the northern hemisphere surpass those from the southern hemisphere in generic level for the first time. The Cenozoic taxa diversified in the northern hemisphere with the rise of angiosperms. Geographically, the osmundaceous fossil rhizomes have been found in both hemispheres; the major localities include Ural area of the former USSR, Tasmania of Australia, southern Argentina, Antarctica, northern India, central and western part of North America and northern China. We discuss the origin, radiation, and development of the Osmundaceae based on rhizomes, to help further understand the systematic relation and evolutionary history of the family Osmundaceae.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of C4 trait in chlorina mutant of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Biao 810S is a chlorina mutant of the thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) rice. We compared photosynthetic characteristics of these two lines. The contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids in Biao 810S were approximately half of those in 810S. However, the net photosynthetic rate (P _N) of Biao 810S was higher than that of 810S under high irradiance or low concentration of carbon dioxide, and the photon quantum efficiency was higher than that of 810S. The activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in Biao 810S was only 69.80 % of that in 810S, but the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malic enzyme were 79.50 and 69.06 % higher than those of 810S, respectively, suggesting that the efficiency of photon energy utilization in Biao 810S was enhanced by reduction of thermal dissipation and increase of electron transfer rate to generate sufficient assimilation power for the dark reactions. Consequently, the increased activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes lead to more effective fixation of CO₂ and the synergistic effect of light and dark reactions contributed to the higher P _N of Biao 810S.     

中华鲟YY肽基因电子克隆表达与生物信息学分析

以日本鳗鲡的PYY基因cDNA序列为信息探针,搜索中华鲟EST文库,得到中华鲟PYY的EST序列,经过生物信息学分析。结果表明,此cDNA序列包含完整的开放读码框,所编码的蛋白质包含97个氨基酸,前28个氨基酸为信号肽,分子量为11．03kD,理论等电点为5．54。该蛋白序列和牙鲆、河豚以及斑马鱼的PYY肽同源性较高。其中36个氨基酸构成PAH结构域,由一个α螺旋结构和一个无规则卷曲区组成。包含中华鲟PYY在内的139条真核生物神经肽Y蛋白质序列比对结果显示,有6个氨基酸位点高度保守,其中有5个氨基酸位于α螺旋上,另外1个脯氨酸位于无规则卷曲区,提示α螺旋也可能起到重要作用。     

不同水稻品系幼苗对砷（As）的耐性、吸收及转运

利用琼脂培养基模拟水稻生长的厌氧环境,研究了As对不同水稻品系幼苗生长的影响以及As在其体内的积累及转运特性.结果表明,不同浓度(0～4.0mg/L)的As对供试水稻品系根部干物质积累无显著影响(P>0.05).杂交稻与糯稻的地上部干物质积累随基质中As浓度的增加呈减小趋势,但低剂量的As(0.5mg/L)促进常规稻的生长.水稻地上部的As积累量随基质中As浓度的升高总体均呈增加趋势.水稻根系对As具有较强的吸收与累积能力.水稻根部As的积累量为156.31～504 03mg/kg,占总As含量的63.40～81.90%,远远高于其地上部As的积累量.相比于其它两个品系,糯稻的生物量积累高,耐性指数较大,根部及地上部对As的积累量较低,因此更适合种植在As污染土壤.     

ILK在肺鳞状细胞癌和肺腺癌的表达及其与临床病理特征和预后的关系

目的 探讨ILK在肺鳞状细胞癌和肺腺癌组织中的表达情况,及其与病理分型、肿瘤分化、分期、淋巴结转移及预后的关系。方法采用S-P免疫组织化学方法和Western Blot法,检测肺鳞状细胞癌和肺腺癌组织及相应癌旁肺组织中整合连接激酶（integrin-linkedkinase,ILK）的表达情况,并结合临床和病理资料进行分析。结果免疫组化结果显示：ILK在53／76（70％）的肺癌组织中阳性表达。其中鳞状细胞癌阳性率75％（33／44）,腺癌阳性率62．5％（20／32）,其表达与肺鳞状细胞癌的分化呈负相关（P〈0．01）,与临床分期（P〈0．01）、淋巴结转移（P〈0．01）呈正相关;与肺腺癌的临床分期（P〈0．01）和淋巴结转移（P〈0．01）正相关,与分化程度无相关性（P〉0．05）。同时,其表达与患者的生存时间呈负相关（P〈0．01）,与年龄、性别、肿瘤大小和组织类型等因素无关。Western Blot法进一步证实ILK在肺癌组织中的表达显著高于癌旁正常肺组织（P〈0．01）,其表达与肺癌的分化（P〈0．01）显著负相关。结论肺鳞状细胞癌和肺腺癌中,ILK与肺癌的侵袭和转移有关。ILK可作为判断肺鳞状细胞癌和肺腺癌预后的参考指标。