The AGL6-like Gene CpAGL6, a Potential Regulator of Floral Time and Organ Identity in Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox)

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), a deciduous aromatic shrub endemic to China, has high ornamental value for developing beautiful flowers with strong fragrance. The transition from the vegetative to the reproductive phase in wintersweet takes 4-5 years. The molecular mechanism regulating flower development in this basal angiosperm is largely unknown. Here we characterized the molecular features and expression patterns of the C. praecox AGL6-like gene CpAGL6 and investigated its potential role in regulating floral time and organ development via ectopic expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression of CpAGL6 is highly tissue-specific, with the highest level in the middle tepals, moderate levels in inner tepals and carpels, and weak levels in stamen and young leaf tissues. Its dynamic expression in the flower is coincident with tepal opening. Ectopic expression of CpAGL6 in Arabidopsis retarded the vegetative growth and led to precocious flowering, mainly correlated with the inhibition of the floral repressor FLC and promotion of the floral promoters AP1 and FT. Although no ectopic floral organs have been observed, transgenic plants exhibited abnormal stamen and carpel development in later-developing flowers, with fertility reduced to varying degrees. These results suggest that CpAGL6, the AGL6-like gene from the basal angiosperm C. praecox, is a potential E-function regulator involved in specifying floral time and organ identity, functionally homologous to those AGL6-like genes from higher eudicots and monocots.     

Fluorescent Viability Stains to Probe the Metabolic Status of Aflatoxigenic Fungus in Dual Culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus flavus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia anomala</Emphasis>

The metabolic activity of the aflatoxigenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus co-cultured with the biocontrol yeast, Pichia anomala was examined using several viability stains. Both the FUN-1 stain and the combined use of DiBAC₄(5) with CDFA-AM stains were applied in this study. The results suggest that the ATP-generating system in A. flavus was inactivated as the ratio of yeasts to fungi increased in the dual culture. A decrease in hyphal membrane potential and esterase activity was substantiated by the combined stains of DiBAC₄(5) and CDFA-AM. Reduced metabolic function in conjunction with cell wall damage of A. flavus hindered the growth and biomass production of this fungus. Viability stains such as FUN-1 and DiBAC₄(5) with CDFA-AM may assist in elucidating the biocontrol mechanism by allowing for the visualization of the antagonistic effect of yeast species on target fungi in situ, as well as for screening potent biocontrol yeast agents against fungal pathogens.     

Overcoming hERG activity in the discovery of a series of 4-azetidinyl-1-aryl-cyclohexanes as CCR2 antagonists

A series of 4-azetidinyl-1-aryl-cyclohexanes as potent CCR2 antagonists with high selectivity over activity for the hERG potassium channel is discovered through divergent SARs of CCR2 and hERG.     

交替隔沟灌溉与施氮量对日光温室黄瓜光合作用、生长及产量的影响

以黄瓜“津育5号”为试材,研究了交替隔沟灌溉和施氮量(零氮肥、优化氮肥和常规氮肥)对日光温室黄瓜(冬春茬、秋冬茬)光合作用、生长特性、产量形成和果实品质的影响.结果表明:交替隔沟灌溉下,植株上、中、下叶位叶片的净光合速率(Pn)略低于常规灌溉下的相应叶位,而蒸腾速率(Tr)显著降低,上、中叶位叶片的瞬时水分利用效率(WUE)有所提高;交替隔沟灌溉下植株光合作用的限制因素是气孔因素.交替隔沟灌溉下施氮量的增加有助于促进黄瓜功能叶片Pn和WUE的提高.与常规灌溉相比,交替隔沟灌溉下叶片叶绿素含量和植株总生物产量有所降低,但根生物产量、根冠比以及根和果实器官的干物质分配比例增加,经济产量持平,经济产量水平的水分利用效率( WUEy)显著提高.交替隔沟灌溉有利于植株根系发育和果实形成.交替隔沟灌溉下随施氮量的增加,叶片叶绿素含量、叶绿素a/b、比叶重、植株总生物产量和经济产量呈增加趋势,果实Vc含量和可溶性糖含量升高,但优化氮肥与常规氮肥处理间差异不显著,氮肥施用对WUEy无显著影响.冬春茬黄瓜的经济产量和生物产量显著高于秋冬茬.     

The draft genome of the carcinogenic human liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis

Background

Clonorchis sinensis is a carcinogenic human liver fluke that is widespread in Asian countries. Increasing infection rates of this neglected tropical disease are leading to negative economic and public health consequences in affected regions. Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma and the infection rate of C. sinensis. To aid research into this organism, we have sequenced its genome.

Results

We combined de novo sequencing with computational techniques to provide new information about the biology of this liver fluke. The assembled genome has a total size of 516 Mb with a scaffold N50 length of 42 kb. Approximately 16,000 reliable protein-coding gene models were predicted. Genes for the complete pathways for glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and fatty acid metabolism were found, but key genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis are missing from the genome, reflecting the parasitic lifestyle of a liver fluke that receives lipids from the bile of its host. We also identified pathogenic molecules that may contribute to liver fluke-induced hepatobiliary diseases. Large proteins such as multifunctional secreted proteases and tegumental proteins were identified as potential targets for the development of drugs and vaccines.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable genomic information about the human liver fluke C. sinensis and adds to our knowledge on the biology of the parasite. The draft genome will serve as a platform to develop new strategies for parasite control.