Excessive folate synthesis limits lifespan in the C. elegans: E. coli aging model

Background

Repeated adaptive radiations are evident when phenotypic divergence occurs within lineages, but this divergence into different forms is convergent when compared across lineages. Classic examples of such repeated adaptive divergence occur in island (for example, Caribbean Anolis lizards) and lake systems (for example, African cichlids). Host-parasite systems in many respects are analogous to island systems, where host species represent isolated islands for parasites whose life cycle is highly tied to that of their hosts. Thus, host-parasite systems might exhibit interesting cases of repeated adaptive divergence as seen in island and lake systems. The feather lice of birds spend their entire life cycle on the body of the host and occupy distinct microhabitats on the host: head, wing, body and generalist. These microhabitat specialists show pronounced morphological differences corresponding to how they escape from host preening. We tested whether these different microhabitat specialists were a case of repeated adaptive divergence by constructing both morphological and molecular phylogenies for a diversity of avian feather lice, including many examples of head, wing, body and generalist forms.

Results

Morphological and molecular based phylogenies were highly incongruent, which could be explained by rampant convergence in morphology related to microhabitat specialization on the host. In many cases lice from different microhabitat specializations, but from the same group of birds, were sister taxa.

Conclusions

This pattern indicates a process of repeated adaptive divergence of these parasites within host group, but convergence when comparing parasites across host groups. These results suggest that host-parasite systems might be another case in which repeated adaptive radiations could be relatively common, but potentially overlooked, because morphological convergence can obscure evolutionary relationships.     

山东省冬小麦干热风灾害预警模型研究

以30年的气象和产量数据为研究对象,对冬小麦成熟收获前16天的23个温度指标、23个空气相对湿度指标和16个风速指标与相对气象产量进行统计分析.通过相关分析确定不同生态区的干热风灾害风险因子,对不同生态区的风险因子和相对气象产量进行回归分析,构建冬小麦干热风灾害风险预警模型.结果表明:同类气象因子在不同生态区中的作用表现不同,模型因素构成以因子的互作为主,单因子的直接影响作用不突出.鲁西北和鲁中是干热风灾害的高危险区,鲁西南干热风灾害的危险最小.     

Recognition of H3K9me1 by maize RNA-directed DNA methylation factor SHH2

RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) is a plant-specific de novo DNA methylation pathway, which has extensive cross-talk with histone modifications. Here, we report that the maize RdDM regulator SAWADEE HOMEODOMAIN HOMOLOG 2 (SHH2) is an H3K9me1 reader. Our structural studies reveal that H3K9me1 recognition is achieved by recognition of the methyl group via a classic aromatic cage and hydrogen-bonding and salt-bridge interactions with the free protons of the mono-methyllysine. The di- and tri-methylation states disrupt the polar interactions, decreasing the binding affinity. Our study reveals a mono-methyllysine recognition mechanism which potentially links RdDM to H3K9me1 in maize.     

Regeneration of Stereocilia of Hair Cells by Forced Atoh1 Expression in the Adult Mammalian Cochlea

The hallmark of mechanosensory hair cells is the stereocilia, where mechanical stimuli are converted into electrical signals. These delicate stereocilia are susceptible to acoustic trauma and ototoxic drugs. While hair cells in lower vertebrates and the mammalian vestibular system can spontaneously regenerate lost stereocilia, mammalian cochlear hair cells no longer retain this capability. We explored the possibility of regenerating stereocilia in the noise-deafened guinea pig cochlea by cochlear inoculation of a viral vector carrying Atoh1, a gene critical for hair cell differentiation. Exposure to simulated gunfire resulted in a 60–70 dB hearing loss and extensive damage and loss of stereocilia bundles of both inner and outer hair cells along the entire cochlear length. However, most injured hair cells remained in the organ of Corti for up to 10 days after the trauma. A viral vector carrying an EGFP-labeled Atoh1 gene was inoculated into the cochlea through the round window on the seventh day after noise exposure. Auditory brainstem response measured one month after inoculation showed that hearing thresholds were substantially improved. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the damaged/lost stereocilia bundles were repaired or regenerated after Atoh1 treatment, suggesting that Atoh1 was able to induce repair/regeneration of the damaged or lost stereocilia. Therefore, our studies revealed a new role of Atoh1 as a gene critical for promoting repair/regeneration of stereocilia and maintaining injured hair cells in the adult mammal cochlea. Atoh1-based gene therapy, therefore, has the potential to treat noise-induced hearing loss if the treatment is carried out before hair cells die.     

蜂桶寨自然保护区中华姬鼠和社鼠食性的季节变化及与肠道长度的关系

为揭示啮齿动物食性及其对消化道肠道长度的影响,我们于2008 年在四川省宝兴县蜂桶寨国家级自然保护区内以中华姬鼠和社鼠为对象展开了研究。结果发现社鼠和中华姬鼠均以摄食种子为主,食谱中各食物成分在性别之间无显著差异,但季节变化明显。在各食物成分中,摄入种子百分比与中华姬鼠及社鼠小肠长之间呈显著正相关,而昆虫成分则相反。分析认为,中华姬鼠和社鼠取食食物成分的季节变化,可能与不同季节中食物资源可获得性的不同有关,消化道长度的变化可能体现了对季节性食物资源和能量需求的适应.     

人白细胞介素18的基因克隆与表达

人白细胞介素１８（ＩＬ－１８）是新近发现的细胞因子之一．研究表明它参与Ｔ１辅助细胞介导的细胞免疫．利用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ技术从人外周血细胞扩增得到了ＩＬ－１８的ｃＤＮＡ并测定其核酸序列．利用基因重组技术构建ＩＬ－１８的表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中进行了表达．这为以后进一步研究ＩＬ－１８的功能奠定了基础．     

Enhanced pyruvate production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida glabrata</Emphasis> by overexpressing the <Emphasis Type="Italic">CgAMD1</Emphasis> gene to improve acid tolerance

Objectives

To enhance acid tolerance of Candida glabrata for pyruvate production by engineering AMP metabolism.

Results

The physiological function of AMP deaminase in AMP metabolism from C. glabrata was investigated by deleting or overexpresseing the corresponding gene, CgAMD1. At pH 4, CgAMD1 overexpression resulted in 59 and 51% increases in biomass and cell viability compared to those of wild type strain, respectively. In addition, the intracellular ATP level of strain Cgamd1Δ/CgAMD1 was down-regulated by 22%, which led to a 94% increase in pyruvate production. Further, various strengths of CgAMD1 expression cassettes were designed, thus resulting in a 59% increase in pyruvate production at pH 4. Strain Cgamd1Δ/CgAMD1 _(H) was grown in a 30 l batch bioreactor at pH 4, and pyruvate reached 46.1 g/l.

Conclusion

CgAMD1 overexpression plays an active role in improving acid tolerance and pyruvate fermentation performance of C. glabrata at pH 4.

     

生物复苏——大绝灭后生物演化历史的第一幕

生命史是一部生物界短期,快速剧变与长期,慢速稳定相互交替的历史。大绝灭（即集群绝灭）事件反映了全球环境的大突变,点断了地质历史中的生命记录及其发展历程,预示着生物界的演化出现了最有意义的飞跃,近年来尝试研究大绝灭后全球生物界的残存－复苏及其基本型式,并探索复苏的控制因素,标志着地质科学中一个重心的转移（即从大绝灭转向其后的生物残存与复苏的研究）。生物复苏揭示了大绝灭后生物演化历史的第一幕,其研究的