Selenium-containing 15-mer peptides with high glutathione peroxidase-like activity

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is one of the most crucial antioxidant enzymes in a variety of organisms. Here we described a new strategy for generating a novel GPX mimic by combination of a phage-displayed random 15-mer peptide library followed by computer-aided rational design and chemical mutation. The novel GPX mimic is a homodimer consisting of a 15-mer selenopeptide with an appropriate catalytic center, a specific binding site for substrates, and high catalytic efficiency. Its steady state kinetics was also studied, and the values of k(cat)/K(m)(GSH) and k(cat)/ K(mH(2)O(2)) were found to be similar to that of native GPX and the highest among the existing GPX mimics. Moreover, the novel GPX mimic was confirmed to have a strong antioxidant ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation by measuring the content of malondialdehyde, cell viability, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Importantly, the novel GPX mimic can penetrate into the cell membrane because of its small molecular size. These characteristics endue the novel mimic with potential perspective for pharmaceutical applications.     

北京城区花粉致敏植物种类、分布及物候特征

为了解北京城区花粉致敏植物的种类、分布格局和物候特征,结合文献调研及专家访问,对北京5环以内的花粉致敏植物进行了调查.结果表明:1)北京城区五环内共有致敏花粉植物19科32属99种,其中北京本地种52种,占总数的52.5%,国内其他地区引进种和国外引进种各占总数的26.3%和21.2%;2)北京城区32属花粉致敏植物以北温带成分为主,占40.6%,其次是世界性分布与泛热带分布;3)公园内的花粉致敏植物种数最多,行道树种中花粉致敏植物的比例最高.北京城区各功能区中花粉强致敏草本的盖度,从大到小的顺序是城市废弃地>体育中心及机关单位>道路绿地>公园>居民区>学校>广场;4)北京城区木本花粉致敏植物的花期主要集中在3—4月,草本在7—9月.     

偏执型精神分裂症与4个涉及多巴胺代谢的基因之间的关联分析

精神分裂症是由多基因相互作用导致的复杂疾病。对其易感基因,儿茶酚氧位甲基转移酶基因（COMT）的众多报道充满了矛盾。在对偏执型精神分裂症研究中,我们用多基因座关联分析法研究了4个涉及神经递质多巴胺代谢的基因之间的相互作用。分析结果支持如下假说：COMT-136-BclI对Val^108/158Met有调控作用。当前者的基因型是CC时,后者的易感等位基因型是Met（A）;而当前者的基因型是GG时,后者的易感等位基因型是Val（G）。这一新的假说可以解释此前单基因座分析对Val^108/158Met(COMT)的截然相反的报道,同时也显示了多基因座分析对复杂疾病研究的必要性。      

Regulation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator trafficking and protein expression by a Rho family small GTPase TC10

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-interacting protein, CFTR-associated ligand (CAL) down-regulates total and cell surface CFTR by targeting CFTR for degradation in the lysosome. Here, we report that a Rho family small GTPase TC10 interacts with CAL. This interaction specifically up-regulates CFTR protein expression. Co-expression of the constitutively active form, TC10Q75L, increases total and cell surface CFTR in a dose-dependent fashion. Moreover, co-expression of the dominant-negative mutant TC10T31N causes a dose-dependent reduction in mature CFTR. The effect of TC10 is independent of the level of CFTR expression, because a similar effect was observed in a stable cell line that expresses one-tenth of CFTR. Co-expression of TC10Q75L did not have a similar effect on the expression of plasma membrane proteins such as Frizzled-3 and Pr-cadherin or cytosolic proteins such as tubulin and green fluorescent protein. TC10Q75L also did not have a similar effect on the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. Co-expression of constitutively active and dominant-negative forms of Cdc42 or RhoA did not affect CFTR expression in a manner similar to TC10, indicating that the effect of TC10 is unique within the Rho family. Metabolic pulse-chase experiments show that TC10 did not affect CFTR maturation, suggesting that it exerts its effects on the mature CFTR. Importantly, TC10Q75L reverses CAL-mediated CFTR degradation, suggesting that TC10Q75L inhibits CAL-mediated degradation of CFTR. TC10Q75L does not operate by reducing CAL protein expression or its ability to form dimers or interact with CFTR. Interestingly, the expression of TC10Q75L causes a dramatic redistribution of CAL from the juxtanuclear region to the plasma membrane where the two molecules overlap. These data suggest that TC10 regulates both total and plasma membrane CFTR expression by interacting with CAL. The GTP-bound form of TC10 directs the trafficking of CFTR from the juxtanuclear region to the secretory pathway toward the plasma membrane, away from CAL-mediated degradation of CFTR in the lysosome.     

根际沉积及其在植物-土壤碳循环中的作用

植物根际沉积是一种重要的植物与土壤交换的界面过程,在土壤碳周转方面具有重要的作用;根际碳的沉积也是联系植物、土壤及微生物的桥梁.本文就近年来关于根际沉积中碳平衡、碳循环等相关研究,阐述了根际碳沉积的机制,探讨了相关试验中存在的问题,以及不同植物品种、种类和生育期根际沉积的差异和根际沉积物与土壤呼吸的关系,指出了根际沉积在植物 土壤体系中碳循环的重要作用.在此基础上,提出了未来的研究领域及方向.     

Identification of the ryanodine receptor mutation I4743M and its contribution to diamide insecticide resistance in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are the targets of diamide insecticides. Two point mutations G4946E and I4790M (numbering according to Plutella xylostella, PxRyR) in the transmembrane domain of the insect RyRs associated with diamide resistance have so far been identified in three lepidopteran pests, P. xylostella, Tuta absoluta and Chilo suppressalis. In this study, we identified one of the known RyR target site resistance mutations (I4790M) in a field‐collected population of Spodoptera exigua. The field‐collected WF population of S. exigua exhibited 154 fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole when compared with the susceptible WH‐S strain. Sequencing the transmembrane domains of S. exigua RyR (SeRyR) revealed that the resistant WF strain was homozygous for the I4743M mutation (corresponding to I4790M in PxRyR), whereas the G4900E allele (corresponding to G4946E of PxRyR) was not detected. The 4743M allele was introgressed into the susceptible WH‐S strain by crossing WF with WH‐S, followed by three rounds of backcrossing with WH‐S. The introgressed strain 4743M was homozygous for the mutant 4743M allele and shared about 94% of its genetic background with that of the recipient WH‐S strain. Compared with WH‐S, the near‐isogenic 4743M strain showed moderate levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (21 fold), cyantraniliprole (25 fold) and flubendiamide (22 fold), suggesting that the I4743M mutation confers medium levels of resistance to all three diamides. Genetic analysis showed diamide resistance in the 4743M strain was inherited as an autosomal and recessive trait. Results from this study have direct implications for the design of appropriate resistance monitoring and management practices to sustainably control S. exigua.     

湖南类石蛛科—新种(蛛形纲:蜘蛛目)

记述了中国湖南省类石蛛科垣蛛属一新种;大围垣蛛Ariadna daweiensis sp.nov。模式标本保存于湖南师范大学生命科学学院,文中量度单位为mm。     

Molecular characterization of avian-like H1N1 swine influenza a viruses isolated in Eastern China, 2011

Currently, three predominant subtypes of influenza virus are prevalent in pig populations worldwide: H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2. European avian-like H1N1 viruses, which were initially detected in European pig populations in 1979, have been circulating in pigs in eastern China since 2007. In this study, six influenza A viruses were isolated from 60 swine lung samples collected from January to April 2011 in eastern China. Based on whole genome sequencing, molecular characteristics of two isolates were determined. Phylogenetic analysis showed the eight genes of the two isolates were closely related to those of the avian-like H1N1 viruses circulating in pig populations, especially similar to those found in China. Four potential glycosylation sites were observed at positions 13, 26, 198, 277 in the HA1 proteins of the two isolates. Due to the presence of a stop codon at codon 12, the isolates contained truncated PB1-F2 proteins. In this study, the isolates contained 591Q, 627E and 701N in the polymerase subunit PB2, which had been shown to be determinants of virulence and host adaptation. The isolates also had a D rather than E at position 92 of the NS1, a marker of mammalian adaptation. Both isolates contained the GPKV motif at the PDZ ligand domain of the 3′ end of the NS1, a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1999, which is distinct from those of avian, human and classical swine viruses. The M2 proteins of the isolates have the mutation (S31N), a characteristic marker of the European avian-like swine viruses since about 1987, which may confer resistance to amantadine and rimantadine antivirals. Our findings further emphasize the importance of surveillance on the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses in pigs, and raise more concerns about the occurrence of cross-species transmission events.