Receptor for retrograde transport in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii and its apicomplexan relatives (such as Plasmodium falciparum, which causes malaria) are obligate intracellular parasites that rely on sequential protein release from specialized secretory organelles for invasion and multiplication within host cells. Because of the importance of these unusual membrane trafficking pathways for drug development and comparative cell biology, characterizing them is essential. In particular, it is unclear what role retrieval mechanisms play in parasite membrane trafficking or where they operate. Previously, we showed that T. gondii's beta-COP (TgBetaCOP; a subunit of coatomer protein complex I, COPI) and retrieval reporters localize exclusively to the zone between the parasite endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. This suggested the existence of an HDEL receptor in T. gondii. We have now identified, cloned, and sequenced this receptor, TgERD2. TgERD2 localizes in a Golgi or ER pattern suggestive of the HDEL retrieval reporter (K. M. Hager, B. Striepen, L. G. Tilney, and D. S. Roos, J. Cell Sci. 112:2631-2638, 1999). A functional assay reveals that TgERD2 is able to complement the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ERD2 null mutant. Retrieval studies reveal that stable expression of a fluorescent exogenous retrieval ligand results in a dispersal of betaCOP signal throughout the cytoplasm and, surprisingly, results in betaCOP staining of the vacuolar space of the parasite. In contrast, stable expression of TgERD2GFP does not appear to disturb betaCOP staining. In addition to TgERD2, Toxoplasma contains two more divergent ERD2 relatives. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that these proteins belong to a previously unrecognized ERD2 subfamily common to plants and alveolate organisms and as such could represent mediators of parasite-specific retrieval functions. No evidence of class 2 ERD2 proteins was found in metazoan organisms or fungi.     

植物对重金属锌耐性机理的研究进展

Zn是植物必需的营养元素,同时也是一种常见的有毒重金属元素.由于长期的环境选择和适应进化,植物相应对Zn~(2+)产生了耐性,可减轻或避免Zn~(2+)的毒害.植物对锌耐性机制有:菌根和细胞膜对Zn~(2+)吸收的阻止和控制,其中控制Zn~(2+)的细胞膜跨膜转运器主要有(ZIP)类、阳离子扩散促进器(CDF)类和B-type ATPase (HMA)类;金属硫蛋白(MTs)、植物螯合素(PCs)和有机酸等Zn~(2+)螯合物质的体内螯合解毒;体内区室化分隔以及通过抗氧化系统和渗透调节物质的代谢调节等.本文从生理和分子水平上综述了植物对Zn~(2+)耐性机理的研究进展,并在此基础上提出目前存在的问题和今后研究的重点领域,为该领域的相关研究提供资料和借鉴.     

狂犬病病毒糖蛋白重组人腺病毒的构建及免疫效果的初步研究

构建表达狂犬病病毒弱毒SRV9糖蛋白(GP)的重组人5型腺病毒,检测其对小鼠的免疫效果。将狂犬病病毒SRV9株GP基因的完整开放阅读框克隆到腺病毒表达系统中的穿梭质粒多克隆位点,构建重组穿梭质粒pac-Ad5CMV-Gs9,以罗氏转染液介导线性化骨架质粒和重组穿梭质粒共转染293AD细胞,细胞病变后取培养物进行PCR鉴定并电镜观察,在293AD细胞上测定病毒滴度。以106 TCID50重组腺病毒腹腔接种昆明小鼠,免疫后不同时段采尾静脉血通过荧光抗体病毒中和试验(FAVN)检测小鼠血清狂犬病中和抗体效价。正确构建重组穿梭质粒pacAd5CMV-Gs9;获得表达狂犬病病毒SRV9株GP蛋白的缺陷型重组人5型腺病毒;病毒滴度达到106 CFU/mL以上;腹腔接种小鼠14d后均产生了抗狂犬病中和抗体,有效保护率达90%。成功获得了表达狂犬病病毒GP基因的重组腺病毒,该腺病毒免疫小鼠可产生保护性中和抗体,为进一步开发新型兽用狂犬病疫苗奠定了物质基础。     

Geographic Distribution of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and Pelteobagrus vachelli in the Yangtze River Based on Mitochondrial DNA Markers

Three populations of Pelteobagrus vachelli and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco of the Yangtze River were examined by PCR-RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA fragments. ND5/6 and D-loop fragments were digested by 10 restriction endonucleases. Significant geographic variations between upstream and mid-downstream populations in the haplotype frequencies and restriction patterns were revealed. This suggested that the diversity of P. vachelli was high; 11 haplotypes were obtained from all the samples. The upstream population shared seven haplotypes and the middle and downstream populations shared another four haplotypes. Among all of the haplotypes, one haplotype was shared in 30 samples of the populations from middle and downstream, but it was not found in the upstream population. Any haplotype found in the upstream population was not detected in the middle and downstream populations. Genetic diversity of P. fulvidraco was low and only five haplotyes were detected from all 60 samples. Phylogenic relationships also indicated that the fishes from upstream and mid-downstream were apparently divided into two populations.     

中国的猴头杜鹃矮林

猴头杜鹃矮林大多分布于中国亚热带东部地区的平缓山脊和山顶。其面积虽小,但分布广泛,猴头杜鹃毛矮林是地形顶极和半地带性的植被类型,它反映着我国亚热带地区海拔１００－２０００ｍ地段的大气状况,但也反映山顶局部气候因素的影响。本文阐述了该林型的一般群落学特点及生态,经济效益。     

Bidirectional regulation of dendritic voltage-gated potassium channels by the fragile X mental retardation protein

How transmitter receptors modulate neuronal signaling by regulating voltage-gated ion channel expression remains an open question. Here we report dendritic localization of mRNA of Kv4.2 voltage-gated potassium channel, which regulates synaptic plasticity, and its local translational regulation by fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) linked to fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common heritable mental retardation. FMRP suppression of Kv4.2 is revealed by elevation of Kv4.2 in neurons from fmr1 knockout (KO) mice and in neurons expressing Kv4.2-3'UTR that binds FMRP. Moreover, treating hippocampal slices from fmr1 KO mice with Kv4 channel blocker restores long-term potentiation induced by moderate stimuli. Surprisingly, recovery of Kv4.2 after N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-induced degradation also requires FMRP, likely due to NMDAR-induced FMRP dephosphorylation, which turns off FMRP suppression of Kv4.2. Our study of FMRP regulation of Kv4.2 deepens our knowledge of NMDAR signaling and reveals a FMRP target of potential relevance to FXS.     

重庆地区几种常见单叶与复叶树种叶内生物量分配及异速生长分析

以6种复叶和7种单叶树种为材料,对叶内光合结构和支撑结构的生物量分配及异速生长关系在单叶和复叶树种中的变化规律进行研究.结果显示:单叶树种支撑结构的生物量投资比例显著大于复叶.单叶树种的支撑结构质量比与叶大小(叶面积和总叶干重)无明显的相关性,其光合结构与支撑结构呈等速生长关系;复叶树种的支撑结构质量比随叶大小的增加而...