黑色素母细胞沿神经的迁移

黑色素细胞是皮肤中的特殊细胞,它产生黑色素,并将其传递给周围的角质形成细胞,从而决定皮肤的颜色等,其来源于黑色素母细胞.因此,了解黑色素母细胞如何迁移至靶点,对改善个体肤色以及诊断和治疗黑色素瘤等都具有重要意义.文章通过对黑色素母细胞沿神经迁移这一模式的过程和相关机制进行综述,希望为个体肤色改善以及黑色素瘤术后复发机制...     

马铃薯卷叶病毒中国株(PLRV-Ch)复制酶基因结构研究

用设计合成的两对特异性引物,以马铃薯卷叶病毒中国分离株PLRV-Ch RNA为模板,经反转录PCR扩增,将复制酶基因3′端0.6 kb和5′端1.2 kb,克隆于pUC19中,分别构建了重组质粒pLR3和pLR5,并分五段进行了序列分析.将获得的核苷酸序列及氨基酸序列与国外报导的四个PLRV分离株的相应区段的序列同源性进行了比较.结果表明具有高度同源性.文中对核苷酸序列中存在的可能移码序列和其下游的茎环结构或假节结构、以及特征性三次重复区及氨基酸序列中复制酶蛋白N端的碱性氨基酸序列以及C端区域中包括GDD在内的8个特征序列进行了讨论.作者发现移码序列上游的三次重复的核苷酸序列可以形成连续折叠的互补双链区和发夹结构,这一结构可能和转译移码有关.此外PLRV复制酶蛋白N端部分氨基酸序列易变,而C端氨基酸序列十分保守,可能和复制酶功能有更重要关系.     

肺成体干细胞体外培养模型的研究进展北大核心CSCD

目前,肺体外培养模型有肺类器官和肺芯片两种主要手段。肺类器官是离体的肺上皮干细胞在体外特定的三维培养环境中生长,自发形成具有自我更新能力的干细胞簇并成功分化出功能细胞。肺芯片是利用人工活性膜为细胞提供组织分层结构,模拟微环境和机械力的仿生微流体芯片。由于原有二维培养模式缺乏精确的微结构和功能,组织体外培养模型作为模拟肺部发育、稳态、损伤和再生机制的研究工具,为肺部纤维化、癌症等疾病的探索提供了新的手段和可能。本文就肺成体干细胞两种体外培养模型的分类、研发历史、建立方法、实际应用、优缺点等方面进行综述,期望为器官移植和再生、药物筛选等应用提供参考。     

Analysis of synonymous codon usage in H5N1 virus and other influenza A viruses

In this study, we calculated the codon usage bias in H5N1 virus and performed a comparative analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in H5N1 virus, five other evolutionary related influenza A viruses and a influenza B virus. Codon usage bias in H5N1 genome is a little slight, which is mainly determined by the base compositions on the third codon position. By comparing synonymous codon usage patterns in different viruses, we observed that the codon usage pattern of H5N1 virus is similar with other influenza A viruses, but not influenza B virus, and the synonymous codon usage in influenza A virus genes is phylogenetically conservative, but not strain-specific. Synonymous codon usage in genes encoded by different influenza A viruses is genus conservative. Compositional constraints could explain most of the variation of synonymous codon usage among these virus genes, while gene function is also correlated to synonymous codon usages to a certain extent. However, translational selection and gene length have no effect on the variations of synonymous codon usage in these virus genes.     

Multiple strategies to improve sensitivity,speed and robustness of isothermal nucleic acid amplification for rapid pathogen detection

Background  

In the past decades the rapid growth of molecular diagnostics (based on either traditional PCR or isothermal amplification technologies) meet the demand for fast and accurate testing. Although isothermal amplification technologies have the advantages of low cost requirements for instruments, the further improvement on sensitivity, speed and robustness is a prerequisite for the applications in rapid pathogen detection, especially at point-of-care diagnostics. Here, we describe and explore several strategies to improve one of the isothermal technologies, helicase-dependent amplification (HDA).     

Generation of Hepatitis B virus PreS2-S antigen in Hansenula polymorpha

Despite the long availability of a traditional prophylactic vaccine containing the HBV surface antigen(HBsA g) and aluminum adjuvant, nearly 10% of the population remains unable to generate an effective immune response. Previous studies have indicated that hepatitis B virus(HBV) PreS 2-S is abundant in T/B cell epitopes, which induces a stronger immune response than HBsA g, particularly in terms of cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL) reaction. In the current study, the HBV PreS 2-S gene encoding an extra26 amino acids(PreS 2 C-terminus) located at the N-terminus of HBsA g was cloned into the pV CH1300 expression vector. Pre S2-S expressed in the methylotrophic yeast, Hansenula polymorpha, was produced at a yield of up to 250 mg/L. Subsequent purification steps involved hydrophobic adsorption to colloidal silica, ion-exchange chromatography and density ultracentrifugation. The final product was obtained with a total yield of ~15% and purity of ~99%. In keeping with previous studies, ~22 nm viruslike particles were detected using electron microscopy. The generated PreS 2-S antigen will be further studied for efficacy and safty in animals.     

应用排序分析藓类植物分类群分布与气候因素的关系

以我国21个山地藓类植物区系和气象资料为基础,应用典范对应分析(CCA)和除趋势典范对应分析(DCCA),比较了21个山地中藓类植物61个科,曲尾藓科(Dicranaceae)23个属、曲柄藓属(Campylopus)17种及曲尾藓属(Dicranum)35种分布与年均温度、>10℃积温、1月均温、7月均温、年均相对湿度、年均降雨量、年有雾天数、年有霜天数和年日照时数的关系,通过排序进行了直观的展示;同时还应用典范对应分析直观地反映了包括长白山在内的我国9个山地苔藓植物地理成分组成上的相似性及它们与气候因素间的关系.本文研究表明将DCCA和CCA应用到植物区系地理学研究上是可行的.     

Engineering imaging probes and molecular machines for nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that integrates nanotechnology, biomolecular engineering, life sciences and medicine; it is expected to produce major breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to the size-compatibility of nano-scale structures and devices with proteins and nucleic acids, the design, synthesis and application of nanoprobes, nanocarriers and nanomachines provide unprecedented opportunities for achieving a better control of biological processes, and drastic improvements in disease detection, therapy, and prevention. Recent advances in nanomedicine include the development of functional nanoparticle based molecular imaging probes, nano-structured materials as drug/gene carriers for in vivo delivery, and engineered molecular machines for treating single-gene disorders. This review focuses on the development of molecular imaging probes and engineered nucleases for nanomedicine, including quantum dot bioconjugates, quantum dot-fluorescent protein FRET probes, molecular beacons, magnetic and gold nanoparticle based imaging contrast agents, and the design and validation of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and TAL effector nucleases (TALENs) for gene targeting. The challenges in translating nanomedicine approaches to clinical applications are discussed.     

Molecular genetic characterization of rice seed lipoxygenase 3 and assessment of its effects on seed longevity

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are enzymes involved in lipid peroxidation. Here we reported the identification, molecular and functional characterization of the gene encoding rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed LOX3 (sLOX3). Via a map-based cloning strategy we identified Os03g0700400 as the candidate gene encoding sLOX3. Further functional complementary test and biochemical characterization of the recombinant Os03g0700400 protein verified the identification. The sLOX3 gene was highly expressed in roots, moderately in embryos and very weakly in leaves, leaf sheaths and stems. Transient expression experiment (in rice protoplasts) and subsequent laser confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated that the sLOX3 protein was localized into the cytosol. We next showed that overexpression of sLOX3 in a japonica sLOX3-normal rice cultivar, Wuyunjing 7 accelerated the decrease of seed germination ability when the seeds were routinely stored, which demonstrated that sLOX3 had a negative effect on seed longevity (storability). Meanwhile, an increased occurrence of embryo decay was observed in the same transgenic seeds, suggesting that sLOX3 might negatively affect seed longevity by facilitating colonization of particular seed pathogens. Our result forwarded the understanding of the effects of 9-LOX on rice seed longevity.