Is there an error correcting code in the base sequence in DNA?

Modern methods of encoding information into digital form include error check digits that are functions of the other information digits. When digital information is transmitted, the values of the error check digits can be computed from the information digits to determine whether the information has been received accurately. These error correcting codes make it possible to detect and correct common errors in transmission. The sequence of bases in DNA is also a digital code consisting of four symbols: A, C, G, and T. Does DNA also contain an error correcting code? Such a code would allow repair enzymes to protect the fidelity of nonreplicating DNA and increase the accuracy of replication. If a linear block error correcting code is present in DNA then some bases would be a linear function of the other bases in each set of bases. We developed an efficient procedure to determine whether such an error correcting code is present in the base sequence. We illustrate the use of this procedure by using it to analyze the lac operon and the gene for cytochrome c. These genes do not appear to contain such a simple error correcting code.     

Estimation of the primary productivity of Spartina alterniflora using a canopy model

A comprehensive canopy productivity model was built to study the productivity of a primary salt marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora. in Georgia, USA The canopy model was unique in employing plant demographic data to reconstruct canopy profiles and dynamics, which showed many growth processes that are otherwise difficult to discern in the field By linking canopy dynamics and leaf photosynthesis, the net total primary productivity of S alterniflora m a Georgia salt marsh was estimated to be 1421, 749, and 1441 g C m^-2 yr^-1 for the tall, short, and N-fertilized short populations respectively These estimates are reasonable in terms of the physiological capacity of S alterniflora and well below the range of 3000–4200 g C m^-2 yr^-1 as reported by some recent harvest studies Our detailed analysis suggested the net total productivity of S alterniflora might be greatly overestimated in the past This is mainly because of 1) failure to consider the translocation of photosynthate between aboveground and belowground parts, and 2) possible overestimates of belowground production We estimated the net belowground production to be 872, 397, and 762 g C m^-2 yr^-1 for the tall, short, and N-fertilized populations respectively After receiving nitrogen fertilizer, the net leaf carbon fixation in the short population increased from 1489 to 2487 g C m^-2 yr^-1, and our simulation showed the contribution of elevated leaf N to this increase was small, 21%, compared with that of increased leaf area, 79% Both tall and short populations allocated ca 48-49% of their annual gross leaf carbon fixation to belowground structures Nitrogen enrichment caused more allocation to aboveground parts in the short population, mainly for increasing leaf area The canopy model assumed that there was no leaf photosynthesis under tidal submergence, but if this assumption was relaxed, then leaf carbon fixation might increase 7–13% for different S alterniflora populations Although this research focused only on a salt marsh species, our general approaches, especially the coupling of leaf physiology with the reconstructed canopies, should be applicable to the study of production processes of many other plant populations     

用蛋白质工程方法改变葡萄糖异构酶最适pH和最适温度

用寡核苷酸诱导的定点突变方法构建了葡萄糖异构酶基因的突变体（Ｎ１８４Ｄ和Ａ１９８Ｃ）。含突变体的重组质粒ｐＴＫＤ－ＧＩ１（Ｎ１８４Ｄ）和ｐＴＫＤ－ＧＩ２（Ａ１９８ｃ）在Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉＫ３８菌株中表达,用ＤＥＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ＦＦ和Ｓｅｐｈａｃｒｙｌ Ｓ－３００ＨＲ柱层析分离纯化突变酶。与野生型葡萄糖异构酶比较实验表明：（１）突变酶Ｎ１８４Ｄ的最适ｐＨ值下降了１个单位;等电点下降了０．６个单位     

长白山常绿针叶树越冬期间光合能力的抑制

在长白山地区以红皮云杉、樟子松为材料,研究其冬季光合能力的变化,探讨了除红松外的其它针叶树是否在冬季也存在光合抑制以及遮荫是否可减轻抑制等问题,结果表明,红皮云杉、樟子松有与红松相似的冬季光合抑制,但程度较轻;遮荫对减轻光合抑制非常有效,可以推测,在长白山地区或冬季气候与之相似的地区,常绿针叶树在冬季均可能表现光合抑制,遭受冬季光氧化伤害,并且其释放的ＣＯ２（光越强,释放量越大）是空气中ＣＯ２含量     

我国仓贮昆虫病原芽孢杆菌的研究

对９５１个样品分离鉴定,有７４７个样品含芽孢杆菌,有菌率为７８．５５％．共分离得到芽孢杆菌１１３８株,其中苏云金杆菌（Ｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓｔｈｕｒｉｎｇｉｅｎｓｉｓ,简称Ｂ．ｔ）１４３株,占１２．５％;球形芽孢杆菌（Ｂａｃｉｌｌｕｓｓｐｈａｅｒｉｃｕｓ,简称Ｂ．ｓ）１１株,占０．９７％;其他芽孢杆菌９８４株,占８６．４０％．从芽孢杆菌中选出产生晶体、苏云金素或磷酸酯酶Ｃ（ＰｈｏｓｐｈａｌｉｐａｓｅＣ,简称ＰＬＣ）的毒素菌株１６８株,其中Ｂ．ｔ占１４３株,Ｂ．ｓ有５株,其他芽孢杆菌１０株．在产毒素菌株中,经测定有１２０株菌对供试昆虫毒性达标．占７７．９２％．不同菌株的杀虫毒素、杀虫范围和毒力各异,认为这种差异取决于毒素和虫种两方面的特异性．     

屎克螂适宜的繁殖条件初步研究

１９９１—１９９４年对屎克螂适宜的繁殖条件研究结果：１．土层４０ｃｍ和６０ｃｍ的平均温度分别为１５．９２±６．３４℃和１５．８９±６．０８℃;平均土壤含水量分别为２６．７０±３．７４％和２３．７２±１．８８％,使各虫态处于一个几乎恒温恒湿的条件,有利于生长发育与越冬,２．土壤含水量１７％、２０％、２２％、２６％和２９％,其产卵最多的深度分别在６５─７０ｃｍ,７５─８０ｃｍ,６５─８０ｃｍ,６５—８０ｃｍ和３５—５０ｃｍ,分别占产卵总数的３４．１６％、４２．４２％、６８．４２％、５５．４０％和９０．５６％。３．不同土壤的产卵深度,沙壤土以土下４５—５０ｃｍ处最多,占产卵总数的３４．７８％;沙土以６５—８５ｃｍ最多,占产卵总数的８６．６７％;粘土以４５—６０ｃｍ最多,占产卵总数的５１．１１％。     

不同生境区稻田节肢动物群落相似性分析

根据不同生境区稻田节肢动物群落系统调查结果,应用组平均聚类分析法及主成分分析法,讨论节肢动物群落的相似（相异）性问题。结果表明：生境条件及管理措施的差异对群落的结构影响较为明显,不同生境区的稻田节肢动物群落,都能在一定距离取值时聚合成一类,而水稻品种对此影响较小。主成分分析结果由二维图表达已基本满足要求。结果说明大八镇生境区稻田节肢动物群落与岗列镇生境区稻田节肢动物群落差异较大,分别列于两个极端。海陵镇生境区稻田介于两者之间,而与岗列镇生境区稻田节肢动物群落重叠。与聚类分析结果有所差异。这可能与主成分分析法损失部分信息有关。     

Insertional Mutation on Mouse Chromosome 18 with Vestibular and Craniofacial Abnormalities

A dominant mutation was generated in transgenic mice as a consequence of insertional mutation. Heterozygous mice from transgenic line 9257 (Tg(9257)) are hyperactive with bidirectional circling behavior and have a distinctive facial appearance due to hypoplasia of the nasal bone. Morphological analysis of the inner ear revealed asymmetric abnormalities of the horizontal canal and flattening or invagination of the crista ampullaris, which can account for the circling behavior. The sensory epithelium appeared to be normal. The transgene insertion site was localized by in situ hybridization to the B1 band of mouse chromosome 18. Genetic mapping in an interspecific backcross demonstrated the gene order centromere--Tg(9257)--8.8 +/- 3.4--Grl-1, Egr-1, Fgf-1, Apc--14.7 +/- 4.3--Pdgfr. The phenotype and the mapping data suggest that the transgene may be inserted at the Twirler locus. Homozygosity for the transgene results in prenatal lethality, but compound heterozygotes carrying the Tw allele and the transgene are viable. The function of the closely linked ataxia locus is not disrupted by the transgene insertion. This insertional mutant will provide molecular access to genes located in the Twirler region of mouse chromosome 18.     

Potassium currents in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells

Membrane potential and ionic currents were studied in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells using whole-cell patch clamp and perforated-patch recording techniques. RPE cells exhibited both outward and inward voltage-dependent currents and had a mean membrane capacitance of 26±12 pF (sd, n=92). The resting membrane potential averaged ?31±15 mV (n=37), but it was as high as ?60 mV in some cells. When K⁺ was the principal cation in the recording electrode, depolarization-activated outward currents were apparent in 91% of cells studied. Tail current analysis revealed that the outward currents were primarily K⁺ selective. The most frequently observed outward K⁺ current was a voltage- and time-dependent outward current (I _K) which resembled the delayed rectifier K⁺ current described in other cells. I _K was blocked by tetraethylammonium ions (TEA) and barium (Ba²⁺) and reduced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). In a few cells (3–4%), depolarization to ?50 mV or more negative potentials evoked an outwardly rectifying K⁺ current (I _Kt) which showed more rapid inactivation at depolarized potentials. Inwardly rectifying K⁺ current (I _KI) was also present in 41% of cells. I _KI was blocked by extracellular Ba²⁺ or Cs⁺ and exhibited time-dependent decay, due to Na⁺ blockade, at negative potentials. We conclude that cultured rabbit RPE cells exhibit at least three voltage-dependent K⁺ currents. The K⁺ conductances reported here may provide conductive pathways important in maintaining ion and fluid homeostasis in the subretinal space.