新疆天山野生果树研究及保护

根据多年调查和初步统计,新疆天山山区的野生果树种类有81种,由于新疆天山野果林生态系统受到人类经济活动的强烈影响,野果林分布范围缩减、面积下降,物种减少,有的濒临灭绝状态,必须引起重视,本研究提出了新疆野生果树资源保护和可持续利用的建议及对策：（1）加强新疆野生果树种质资源的收集和保存;（2）开展资源调查、评价与利用工作,保育和开发利用并重,实现资源的永续利用;（3）应及早建立新疆新源野苹果林自然保护区和霍城大西沟野生樱桃李自然保护区。     

人三叶因子3在毕氏酵母中的表达及生物活性分析

利用PCR方法在人胎儿胎盘cDNA中扩增了人三叶因子3基因（hTFF3）,插入到含有AOX1启动子和α－因子信号肽序列的表达载体pPIC9K中,采用毕氏酵母表达系统对其进行了高效的分泌表达,并用G418筛选高拷贝整合转化子。2％甲醇诱导酵母表达48h后,上清经SDS－PAGE和Western印迹证明重组蛋白质以双体的形式分泌表达,占总蛋白质的45％,能被抗hTFF3抗体所识别。表达产物经S－Sepharose、Q-Sepharose离子交换及Sephacryl S-100纯化后纯度达到95％以上。体内生物学活性研究证实hTFF3可有效的防止盐酸诱导的大鼠胃溃疡。     

Persistent migration of neuroblasts from the subventricular zone to the injured striatum mediated by osteopontin following intracerebral hemorrhage

We investigated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced lateral migration of neuroblasts and the mechanism underlying this migration. ICH model was induced by collagenase injection into the striatum of adult wild-type and osteopontin (OPN) knockout mice. In the wild-type mice, the lateral migration of neuroblasts from the ipsislateral subventricular zone (SVZ) towards the hematoma started at day 3 and continued up to day 28 after ICH. In addition to migrating towards the hematoma, neuroblasts also migrated to the area of ipsilateral striatum remote to the hematoma. The migrating neuroblasts were closely associated with activated astrocytes and blood vessels in the injured striatum. Following ICH, the expression of OPN was up-regulated in the ipsilateral striatum from day 1 to day 28. In vitro , OPN treatment did not affect the proliferation of neural progenitors, but enhanced the trans-well and radial migration of neural progenitors. In vivo , OPN deficiency did not affect the proliferation of neural progenitors in the SVZ. However, following ICH a significant decrease in lateral neuroblast migration was observed in the OPN knockout mice compared with the wild-type mice. These results suggest that increased OPN expression in the injured striatum plays a significant role in the lateral migration of neuroblasts following ICH.     

The Highwire Ubiquitin Ligase Promotes Axonal Degeneration by Tuning Levels of Nmnat Protein

Axonal degeneration is a hallmark of many neuropathies, neurodegenerative diseases, and injuries. Here, using a Drosophila injury model, we have identified a highly conserved E3 ubiquitin ligase, Highwire (Hiw), as an important regulator of axonal and synaptic degeneration. Mutations in hiw strongly inhibit Wallerian degeneration in multiple neuron types and developmental stages. This new phenotype is mediated by a new downstream target of Hiw: the NAD+ biosynthetic enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenyltransferase (Nmnat), which acts in parallel to a previously known target of Hiw, the Wallenda dileucine zipper kinase (Wnd/DLK) MAPKKK. Hiw promotes a rapid disappearance of Nmnat protein in the distal stump after injury. An increased level of Nmnat protein in hiw mutants is both required and sufficient to inhibit degeneration. Ectopically expressed mouse Nmnat2 is also subject to regulation by Hiw in distal axons and synapses. These findings implicate an important role for endogenous Nmnat and its regulation, via a conserved mechanism, in the initiation of axonal degeneration. Through independent regulation of Wnd/DLK, whose function is required for proximal axons to regenerate, Hiw plays a central role in coordinating both regenerative and degenerative responses to axonal injury.     

黄河裸裂尻鱼肥胖基因克隆及其对青藏高原季节性冷环境的适应性表达

目的克隆黄河裸裂尻鱼肥胖基因(obese gene,ob),分析编码蛋白leptin的序列特征,检测ob mR-NA的组织特异性表达和不同环境温度下肝胰脏和白肌ob mRNA的相对表达水平,为探究黄河裸裂尻鱼在青藏高原季节性寒冷环境下的生态适应机制提供科学数据。方法利用RT-PCT、5’-RACE和3’-RACE法获得ob基因全长cDNA序列。通过已知cDNA序列设计半定量RT-PCR和real-time PCR引物,进行表达研究。结果黄河裸裂尻鱼ob基因序列全长为1 337 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)长513 bp,编码170个氨基酸。黄河裸裂尻鱼ob mRNA在心脏、肾脏、脂肪、肠、精巢、肝胰脏、鳃、脑和肌肉9个被检组织中均有表达,其中在心脏中表达最强,肌肉组织中表达最弱。栖息水域环境温度下降,将显著抑制黄河裸裂尻鱼肝胰脏和白肌ob mRNA的表达。结论黄河裸裂尻鱼ob基因特殊的组织表达特征可能与其特定组织的能量代谢及其特殊的生物学功能有关。Leptin在黄河裸裂尻鱼能量代谢调节和季节性环境适应方面发挥着重要作用。     

Levels of Germination Proteins in Bacillus subtilis Dormant,Superdormant, and Germinating Spores

Bacterial endospores exhibit extreme resistance to most conditions that rapidly kill other life forms, remaining viable in this dormant state for centuries or longer. While the majority of Bacillus subtilis dormant spores germinate rapidly in response to nutrient germinants, a small subpopulation termed superdormant spores are resistant to germination, potentially evading antibiotic and/or decontamination strategies. In an effort to better understand the underlying mechanisms of superdormancy, membrane-associated proteins were isolated from populations of B. subtilis dormant, superdormant, and germinated spores, and the relative abundance of 11 germination-related proteins was determined using multiple-reaction-monitoring liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays. GerAC, GerKC, and GerD were significantly less abundant in the membrane fractions obtained from superdormant spores than those derived from dormant spores. The amounts of YpeB, GerD, PrkC, GerAC, and GerKC recovered in membrane fractions decreased significantly during germination. Lipoproteins, as a protein class, decreased during spore germination, while YpeB appeared to be specifically degraded. Some protein abundance differences between membrane fractions of dormant and superdormant spores resemble protein changes that take place during germination, suggesting that the superdormant spore isolation procedure may have resulted in early, non-committal germination-associated changes. In addition to low levels of germinant receptor proteins, a deficiency in the GerD lipoprotein may contribute to heterogeneity of spore germination rates. Understanding the reasons for superdormancy may allow for better spore decontamination procedures.     

Species-Specific Viromes in the Ancestral Holobiont Hydra

Recent evidence showing host specificity of colonizing bacteria supports the view that multicellular organisms are holobionts comprised of the macroscopic host in synergistic interdependence with a heterogeneous and host-specific microbial community. Whereas host-bacteria interactions have been extensively investigated, comparatively little is known about host-virus interactions and viral contribution to the holobiont. We sought to determine the viral communities associating with different Hydra species, whether these viral communities were altered with environmental stress, and whether these viruses affect the Hydra-associated holobiont. Here we show that each species of Hydra harbors a diverse host-associated virome. Primary viral families associated with Hydra are Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Inoviridae, and Herpesviridae. Most Hydra-associated viruses are bacteriophages, a reflection of their involvement in the holobiont. Changes in environmental conditions alter the associated virome, increase viral diversity, and affect the metabolism of the holobiont. The specificity and dynamics of the virome point to potential viral involvement in regulating microbial associations in the Hydra holobiont. While viruses are generally regarded as pathogenic agents, our study suggests an evolutionary conserved ability of viruses to function as holobiont regulators and, therefore, constitutes an emerging paradigm shift in host-microbe interactions.     

Floral ecology of Oreocharis pumila (Gesneriaceae): a novel case of sigmoid corolla

Attraction of pollinators and successful pollen transfer represent the primary targets of selection during flower evolution, leading to repeated evolutionary shifts between pollinators and consequently to the diversification of floral forms. However, most studies in floral evolution focus on the characteristics of flowers with straight corolla tube. Here, we report on an unusual form of sigmoid corolla combined with protandry and herkogamy in a Chinese species of Gesneriaceae, Oreocharis pumila (formerly Opithandra pumila). Contrary to species with sigmoid corollas studied previously, the base of the corolla tube of this species is inclined at an oblique angle downwards before the tube bends forward, and the stigma and anthers are included in the upper part of the corolla tube. The plants were found to be self‐compatible but incapable of autonomous selfing. Successful pollination was found to depend fully on the presence of insect pollinators (Nomia sp.) and pollen grains are the greatest reward for the visitors. Different from the other sigmoid flowers, the sigmoid corolla of O. pumila was not found to favor insect pollinators with long flexible proboscises. A mechanical fit between floral morphology and pollinator was found, in which only small insect visitors with specialized visiting behavior are legitimate pollinators. The protandry combined with herkogamy in the sigmoid corolla tube strongly ensures pollination efficiencies. Oreocharis pumila is the only species with sigmoid corolla in the genus Oreocharis. We hypothesize that such a corolla has arisen through selection due to inadequate pollination in early spring in the mountainous habitat that O. pumila occupies.