Translocation of N-terminal tails across the plasma membrane.

Previously we have shown that the first hydrophobic domain of leader peptidase (lep) can function to translocate a short N-terminal 18 residue antigenic peptide from the phage Pf3 coat protein across the plasma membrane of Escherichia coli. We have now examined the mechanism of insertion of N-terminal periplasmic tails and have defined the features needed to translocate these regions. We find that short tails of up to 38 residues are efficiently translocated in a SecA- and SecY-independent manner while longer tails are very poorly inserted. Efficient translocation of a 138 residue tail is restored and is Sec-dependent by the addition of a leader sequence to the N-terminus of the protein. We also find that while there is no amphiphilic helix requirement for N-terminal translocation, there is a charge requirement that is needed within the tail; an arginine and lysine residue can inhibit or completely block translocation when introduced into the tail region. Intriguingly, the membrane potential is required for insertion of a 38 residue tail but not for a 23 residue tail.     

BDCA2/Fc?RIγ Complex Signals through a Novel BCR-Like Pathway in Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are equipped with lectin receptors to sense the extracellular environment and modulate cellular responses. Human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) uniquely express blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2) protein, a C-type lectin lacking an identifiable signaling motif. We demonstrate here that BDCA2 forms a complex with the transmembrane adapter FcɛRIγ. Through pathway analysis, we identified a comprehensive signaling machinery in human pDCs, similar to that which operates downstream of the B cell receptor (BCR), which is distinct from the system involved in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. BDCA2 crosslinking resulted in the activation of the BCR-like cascade, which potently suppressed the ability of pDCs to produce type I interferon and other cytokines in response to Toll-like receptor ligands. Therefore, by associating with FcɛRIγ, BDCA2 activates a novel BCR-like signaling pathway to regulate the immune functions of pDCs.     

Independence of stem and leaf hydraulic traits in six Euphorbiaceae tree species with contrasting leaf phenology

Hydraulic traits and hydraulic-related structural properties were examined in three deciduous (Hevea brasiliensis, Macaranga denticulate, and Bischofia javanica) and three evergreen (Drypetes indica, Aleurites moluccana, and Codiaeum variegatum) Euphorbiaceae tree species from a seasonally tropical forest in south-western China. Xylem water potential at 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductivity (P50_stem) was more negative in the evergreen tree, but leaf water potential at 50% loss of leaf hydraulic conductivity (P50_leaf) did not function as P50_stem did. Furthermore, P50_stem was more negative than P50_leaf in the evergreen tree; contrarily, this pattern was not observed in the deciduous tree. Leaf hydraulic conductivity overlapped considerably, but stem hydraulic conductivity diverged between the evergreen and deciduous tree. Correspondingly, structural properties of leaves overlapped substantially; however, structural properties of stem diverged markedly. Consequently, leaf and stem hydraulic traits were closely correlated with leaf and stem structural properties, respectively. Additionally, stem hydraulic efficiency was significantly correlated with stem hydraulic resistance to embolism; nevertheless, such a hydraulic pattern was not found in leaf hydraulics. Thus, these results suggest: (1) that the evergreen and deciduous tree mainly diverge in stem hydraulics, but not in leaf hydraulics, (2) that regardless of leaf or stem, their hydraulic traits result primarily from structural properties, and not from leaf phenology, (3) that leaves are more vulnerable to drought-induced embolism than stem in the evergreen tree, but not always in the deciduous tree and (4) that there exists a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety for stem hydraulics, but not for leaf hydraulics.     

基于土地利用变化情景的生态系统服务价值评估: 以钱江源国家公园体制试点区为例

土地利用变化是生物多样性与生态系统服务变化的主要原因之一。评估土地利用变化对生物多样与生态系统服务影响对于政府决策具有重要作用。钱江源国家公园体制试点区是钱塘江的源头, 也是国家的重点生态功能区。本研究以钱江源国家公园体制试点区为研究区, 首先设计自然发展情景、规划情景、生态保护情景和开发利用情景等4种2025年不同土地利用变化情景, 随后采用InVEST模型和CLUE-S模型分析不同情景下钱江源国家公园水资源供给、涵养水源、固碳释氧、土壤保持、环境净化和生境质量等生态系统服务及其价值变化。结果表明: (1)核心保护区和生态保育区的生态系统服务价值占钱江源国家公园总价值的88.30%。(2)生态保护情景下钱江源国家公园生态系统服务价值最高, 有129.17亿元; 规划情景下生态系统服务价值次之, 有126.92亿元。(3)规划情景下钱江源国家公园水资源供给服务优于生态保护情景, 其他生态系统服务则次于生态保护情景。考虑到钱江源国家公园为下游提供重要的水资源这一功能, 将规划情景作为试点区2025年最优的土地利用变化情景。     

生长素输出载体PIN蛋白的质膜定位机制

生长素浓度梯度影响植物个体及其器官的形态建成, 而PIN (PIN-FORMED)蛋白决定组织中的生长素流向。细胞质膜的脂筏特性是PIN蛋白在质膜上不均匀分布的基础。与此同时, 网格蛋白介导的胞吞、蛋白质的磷酸化/去磷酸化甚至基因的转录调控影响PIN蛋白的这种极性定位。另外, 在多细胞植物起源之时, PIN蛋白可能经历了从内质网膜定位到质膜定位的转变。     

猫延髓吻侧腹外侧区NPY、SOM和NT免疫反应物质的分布

生理学研究表明,延髓吻侧腹外侧区(RVL)在维持血压稳定方面起着关键的作用。本文用免疫组化ABC技术,观察了猫RVL神经肽Y(NPY)、生长抑素(SOM)和神经降压肽(NT)免疫反应(IR)细胞和纤维的分布,以便为研究此区血压调节功能的机制提供形态学资料。结果表明:NPY—、SOM—IR细胞和少量NT—IR细胞主要分布于旁巨细胞外侧核、外侧网状核吻侧部以及外侧网状核背侧紧邻的网状结构。这些细胞从RVL尾侧向吻侧逐渐减少。NPY—IR纤维分布于旁巨细胞外侧核以及外侧网状核吻侧部的腹内侧区。NT—IR纤维较多,可见两丛中等密度的NT—IR纤维:一丛位于旁巨细胞外侧核;另一丛位于面后核、疑核以及二核紧邻的区域。此外还可见少量SOM—IR纤维。     

淋巴细胞功能相关抗原-1在冻融PMN介导的VEC损伤中的作用

目的：探讨组织冻结融化造成血管内皮细胞（VEC）损伤的机理。方法：采用密度梯度离心法分离大鼠外周血嗜中性粒细胞（PMN）,速率冷冻仪冷冻PMN后水浴复温建立冻融PMN模型。冻融后4、12和24h,测定PMN表面淋巴细胞功能相关抗原－1（LFA－1）的表达;将冻融PMN与正常VEC共同孵育后测定培养液中乳酸脱氢酶活性及冻融PMN与VEC的粘附。结果：冻融后24h内,冻融PMN表面LFA－1的表面呈时间依赖性增强。（2）冻融PMN与VEC相互作用后,PMN－VEC粘附明显增强、VEC受到明显损伤。（3）抗LFA－1单克隆抗体明显抑制冻融PMN与VEC粘附的增强、明显减轻VEC损伤。结论：冻融可诱发PMN表面LFA－1的表达,进而增强PMN－VEC粘附而导致VEC损伤。