EML4 promotes the loading of NUDC to the spindle for mitotic progression

Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein (EMAP)-like (EML) family proteins are microtubule-associated proteins that have a conserved hydrophobic EMAP-like protein (HELP) domain and multiple WD40 domains. In this study, we examined the role of EML4, which is a member of the EML family, in cell division. Time-lapse microscopy analysis demonstrated that EML4 depletion induced chromosome misalignment during metaphase and delayed anaphase initiation. Further analysis by immunofluorescence showed that EML4 was required for the organization of the mitotic spindle and for the proper attachment of kinetochores to microtubules. We searched for EML4-associating proteins by mass spectrometry analysis and found that the nuclear distribution gene C (NUDC) protein, which is a critical factor for the progression of mitosis, was associated with EML4. This interaction was mediated by the WD40 repeat of EML4 and by the C-terminus of NUDC. In the absence of EML4, NUDC was no longer able to localize to the mitotic spindle, whereas NUDC was dispensable for EML4 localization. Our results show that EML4 is critical for the loading of NUDC onto the mitotic spindle for mitotic progression.     

Essential oil variations in different Perilla L. accessions: chemotaxonomic implications

Three processes play an important role in plant speciation: isolation, hybridization and polyploidization. Galapagos endemic Opuntia display putatively all of these processes. On this archipelago most islands are inhabited by a single Opuntia taxon. Santa Cruz, however, houses two morphologically distinct O. echios varieties (echios and gigantea). Morphological intermediates are found where these two geographically isolated varieties meet. Here we used ten microsatellite loci to reveal the population genetic structure of this system. In contrast to earlier studies, we found high genetic variability within localities. Genetic structuring was weak and no evidence for the existence of hybrids was found. The reasons for this weak genetic structure may include: the species’ hexaploid nature, high levels of gene flow, recent colonization, and the lack of geographic barriers. This first detailed genetic study on these threatened species will be important for further conservation planning.     

广西天然林中藤本植物区系组成及系统发育多样性

藤本植物是热带和亚热带森林的重要组分,在过去几十年中藤本植物多样性在热带森林增加,有可能导致森林的多样性减少,碳储量等生态系统服务功能降低,引起广泛关注。以《广西植被志要》中共355个样地数据(喀斯特森林、海拔1000 m以下的非喀斯特森林和海拔1000 m以上的非喀斯特森林)为基础,结合气候数据,分析天然林中藤本植物区系组成、不同生境藤本植物物种多样性与系统发育多样性关系、藤本植物物种多样性与年平均温度关系,以及系统发育结构特点。结果表明:(1)广西天然林藤本植物中,热带分布的含藤属占比最大(75.4%),温带分布含藤属占比较低(12.3%),世界广布含藤属和亚洲分布含藤属占比最小,海拔1000 m以下的喀斯特和非喀斯特森林都有一些专有的含藤科属;(2) 3个生境藤本的Gleason物种多样性和系统发育多样性与年均温都不相关,它们的物种多样性差异不显著,但是系统发育多样性有显著差异,海拔1000 m以下的非喀斯特森林中系统发育多样性最高,喀斯特森林系统发育多样性最低;(3)非喀斯特森林藤本植物系统发育结构趋向于离散,暗指竞争排斥作用是藤本植物组合在该生境群落主要构建机制,喀斯特森林藤本植物系统发育结构趋向于聚集,暗指藤本植物组合由生境过滤作用为主形成。这些研究发现对于热带亚热带森林藤本植物的多样性组成及其共存机制提供了新认识。     

克隆鸭乙型肝炎病毒DNA双体体内转染的研究

用一种含头尾相连DHBVDNA双体的质粒体内转染2日龄芙蓉鸭,大多数鸭（86％）产生了短暂病毒血症。血清DHBs／preSAg和DHBVDNA于转染后第9天出现,第12～14天达峰值,第28天时多数转阴;少数鸭的病毒血症可持续50天以上。转染鸭肝组织中也检测到复制中间型DHBVDNA的存在。用转染鸭病毒血症期的血清作磷钨酸负染电镜观察,找到了完整的DHBV病毒颗粒,并且用此血清腹腔注射1日龄鸭,60％的鸭被感染成功,证明体内转染后有生物活性的DHBV病毒颗粒的产生。该研究方法的建立．对于研究DHBV变异株．DHBV基因结构与功能的关系等,均有一定理论意义及应用价值。     

Identification of a D-amino acid decapeptide HIV-1 entry inhibitor

Entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virion into host cells involves three major steps, each being a potential target for the development of entry inhibitors: gp120 binding to CD4, gp120-CD4 complex interacting with a coreceptor, and gp41 refolding to form a six-helix bundle. Using a D-amino acid decapeptide combinatorial library, we identified peptide dC13 as having potent HIV-1 fusion inhibitory activity, and effectively inhibiting infection by several laboratory-adapted and primary HIV-1 strains. While dC13 did not block binding of gp120 to CD4, nor disrupt the gp41 six-helix bundle formation, it effectively blocked the binding of an anti-CXCR4 monoclonal antibody and chemokine SDF-1alpha to CXCR4-expressing cells. However, because R5-using primary viruses were also neutralized, the antiviral activity of dC13 implies additional mode(s) of action. These results suggest that dC13 is a useful HIV-1 coreceptor antagonist for CXCR4 and, due to its biostability and simplicity, may be of value for developing a new class of HIV-1 entry inhibitors.     

鄱阳湖湿地不同土地利用方式下土壤微生物群落功能多样性

于2011年5月分别采集鄱阳湖围垦92、48a和38a的水稻田,退田还湖25a的退耕地以及自然湿地共5个样地的表层土壤,利用Biolog-ECO板技术对土壤微生物群落的单一碳源利用情况进行了测定,并结合群落指数和主成分分析(PCA)对培养72 h土壤微生物群落功能多样性变化进行了分析。结果表明:退耕地和自然湿地土壤微生物群落利用31种碳源的能力较强,来自不同围垦年限的土壤微生物群落利用碳源能力均较弱;且随围垦时间的增长,土壤微生物对碳源的利用能力呈降低的趋势。自然湿地、退耕地与围垦92、38a样地土壤之间存在显著的微生物功能多样性差异;围垦对土壤微生物代谢糖类、羧酸类、氨基酸类物质的影响最为明显。结果提示,围垦改变了湿地土壤微生物群落结构,退田还湖有助于湿地土壤微生物群落结构的恢复。     

中国全新世人群颞下颌关节尺寸的时代变化

本文通过对中国北方地区新石器时代(54例)、青铜铁器时代(189例) 和近代(92例) 成年男性颞下颌关节的多项测量项目的对比、分析, 对中国全新世人群颞下颌关节测量性状的变异问题进行了研究。结果显示近7000年来颞下颌关节的不同部位在全新世不同阶段有不同的变化特点。髁突、冠突在全新世厚度变薄, 髁突的变薄主要在新石器-青铜铁器时代, 冠突的变薄主要在青铜铁器-近代。髁突面积在全新世也在缩小, 在新石器-青铜铁器时代缩小的幅度更大。髁突顶缘弧度的变平、下颌窝的变浅主要发生在新石器-青铜铁器时代。髁突面积/下颌窝面积, 其变化主要发生在青铜铁器时代。这些变化可能与生活环境、食物结构改变、下颌骨与头骨不同的演化速率等有关。     

内蒙古清水河县姑姑庵汉代墓地人骨研究

本文对内蒙古清水河县姑姑庵墓地出土的13例汉代的颅骨(男性6例, 女性7例)进行了体质人类学的研究, 该组颅骨在种族特征上可归入现代亚洲蒙古人种中的东亚人种范围。在若干古代和现代对比组中,姑姑庵汉代居民的体质特征与将军沟组、近代华北组最为接近,很可能是来自中原地区的移民或是当地早期中原移民的后裔。