The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> response regulator ARR22 is a putative AHP phospho-histidine phosphatase expressed in the chalaza of developing seeds

Background  

The Arabidopsis response regulator 22 (ARR22) is one of two members of a recently defined novel group of two-component system (TCS) elements. TCSs are stimulus perception and response modules of prokaryotic origin, which signal by a His-to-Asp phosphorelay mechanism. In plants, TCS regulators are involved in hormone response pathways, such as those for cytokinin and ethylene. While the functions of the other TCS elements in Arabidopsis, such as histidine kinases (AHKs), histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins (AHPs) and A-type and B-type ARRs are becoming evident, the role of ARR22 is poorly understood.     

三峡水库神农溪2014年春季浮游藻类演替成因分析

摘要：【目的】研究三峡水库神农溪库湾春季水华期间浮游藻类演替及其成因分析。【方法】2014年3–5月在神农溪库湾布置了6个断面(SN01–SN06),在神农溪汇入长江干流河口附近水域设置1个断面CJBD,对浮游藻类、相关环境因子及水动力因子进行了同步监测,据此分析了水体层化结构及水动力特性。【结果】神农溪在监测时段内共检测到浮游藻类6门38种(属);库湾浮游藻类生物量时间上差异显著(ANOVA,P<0.05)。春季浮游藻类群落结构具有明显的演替规律,3月份暴发大面积的硅藻水华（藻密度>100×105 cells/L),小环藻(Cyclotella spp.)为优势藻种;4月在SN02–SN06暴发以小球藻(Chlorella spp.)为主要优势种、衣藻(Chlamydomonas spp.)为次优势种的绿藻水华(藻密度>100×105 cells/L),5月份受水位大幅消落影响,浮游藻类生物量降低且无明显优势藻种。【结论】在具备充足的营养盐的水体中,水体层化结构与水动力特性对浮游藻类演替影响重大。三峡水库水位处于快速消落阶段时,流速成为抑制神农溪库湾藻类生长的主要因素。     

前列腺素E_2、F_(2α)对大鼠颗粒细胞PA活力的影响

年龄26—27天的Wistar雌鼠用PMSG与HCG诱导成熟,同时分别注射3、6、9 mg消炎痛,分离卵巢颗粒细胞并离体培养,培液中的PA活力经~(125)Ⅰ-纤维蛋白降解法检测,均无被抑制现象(图1)。仅用PMSG激动大鼠的颗粒细胞离体培养于含HCG及不同浓度(10~(-8)mol/L—10~(-5)mol/L)的消炎痛培液内,各组PA活力均未出现明显变化(图2)。离体条件下PGE_2增强PMSG激动大鼠颗粒细胞PA活力的事实说明,消炎痛抑制实验未能显示前列腺素与PA的关系,可能因所用以诱导大鼠临近排卵的PMSG和HCG分别所含FSH与LH的高活力促使PA活力达到最高点,以致前列腺素对PA的影响被掩盖;PGF_(2α)对PA未显示任何作用(图4)。另外,PGE_2使仅接受PMSG大鼠颗粒细胞PA升高的事实(图3)提示,PGE_2有摹拟LH的作用;未经PMSG与HCG处理鼠的卵泡细胞的PA活力也受PGE_2的影响,说明它还有摹拟FSH的作用。     

Complementary genetic and genomic approaches help characterize the linkage group I seed protein QTL in soybean

Background

Cotton fibers (produced by Gossypium species) are the premier natural fibers for textile production. The two tetraploid species, G. barbadense (Gb) and G. hirsutum (Gh), differ significantly in their fiber properties, the former having much longer, finer and stronger fibers that are highly prized. A better understanding of the genetics and underlying biological causes of these differences will aid further improvement of cotton quality through breeding and biotechnology. We evaluated an inter-specific Gh × Gb recombinant inbred line (RIL) population for fiber characteristics in 11 independent experiments under field and glasshouse conditions. Sites were located on 4 continents and 5 countries and some locations were analyzed over multiple years.

Results

The RIL population displayed a large variability for all major fiber traits. QTL analyses were performed on a per-site basis by composite interval mapping. Among the 651 putative QTLs (LOD > 2), 167 had a LOD exceeding permutation based thresholds. Coincidence in QTL location across data sets was assessed for the fiber trait categories strength, elongation, length, length uniformity, fineness/maturity, and color. A meta-analysis of more than a thousand putative QTLs was conducted with MetaQTL software to integrate QTL data from the RIL and 3 backcross populations (from the same parents) and to compare them with the literature. Although the global level of congruence across experiments and populations was generally moderate, the QTL clustering was possible for 30 trait x chromosome combinations (5 traits in 19 different chromosomes) where an effective co-localization of unidirectional (similar sign of additivity) QTLs from at least 5 different data sets was observed. Most consistent meta-clusters were identified for fiber color on chromosomes c6, c8 and c25, fineness on c15, and fiber length on c3.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis provided a reliable means of integrating phenotypic and genetic mapping data across multiple populations and environments for complex fiber traits. The consistent chromosomal regions contributing to fiber quality traits constitute good candidates for the further dissection of the genetic and genomic factors underlying important fiber characteristics, and for marker-assisted selection.     

不同植物群落下酸化尾矿养分状况及土壤酶活性

调查不同植被群落下铜尾矿的养分状况及土壤酶活性的变化动态,通过常规方法测定了尾矿的pH和电导率,以及有机质,总氮,有效磷,速效钾的含量。用底物反应法测定了过氧化氢酶,芳基硫酯酶,脲酶,酸性磷酸化酶和脱氢酶的活性。结果表明,与酸化的裸露尾矿相比,定居其上的芦苇(Phragmites australis)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)和双穗雀稗(Paspalum distichum)均能显著增加尾矿基质pH值(从3.6上升到5.4),降低电导率,减缓尾矿酸化过程。芦苇和狗牙根能够显著提高尾矿基质中N、K和有机质含量(P<0.05),增加尾矿中的养分。3种植物群落下有效磷较裸露尾矿没有显著增加。植物的定居显著提高了尾矿中过氧化氢酶、芳基硫脂酶和脲酶的活性(P<0.05);但酸性磷酸化酶和脱氢酶活性没有显著提高。研究表明,植物对尾矿有明显的改良作用,而且芦苇和狗牙根优于双穗雀稗。在各种植被条件的尾矿中除酸性磷酸化酶以外的其它实验土壤酶活性均与尾矿中有机质和总氮呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。     

Elevated CpG island methylation of GCK gene predicts the risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese males

Background

The GCK gene encodes hexokinase 4, which catalyzes the first step in most glucose metabolism pathways. The purpose of our study is to assess the contribution of GCK methylation to type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods and results

GCK methylation was evaluated in 48 T2D cases and 48 age- and gender-matched controls using the bisulphite pyrosequencing technology. Among the four CpG sites in the methylation assay, CpG4 and the other three CpGs (CpG1-3) were not in high correlation (r < 0.5). Significantly elevated methylation levels of GCK CpG4 methylation were observed in T2D patients than in the healthy controls (P = 0.004). A breakdown analysis by gender indicated that the association between CpG4 methylation and T2D was specific to males (P = 0.002). It is intriguing that another significant male-specific association was also found between GCK CpG4 methylation and total cholesterol (TC) concentration (r = 0.304, P = 0.036).

Conclusion

Our results showed that elevated GCK CpG4 methylation might suggest a risk of T2D in Chinese males. Gender disparity in GCK CpG4 methylation might provide a clue to elaborate the pathogenesis of T2D.     

Phosphorus Limitation in Boreal Forests: Effects of Aluminum and Iron Accumulation in the Humus Layer

Plant growth in boreal forests is generally considered to be predominantly nitrogen (N) limited, but forested groundwater discharge areas may be exceptions. In this study, we conducted tests to determine whether highly productive forested groundwater discharge areas generally differ from adjacent groundwater recharge areas in terms of humus chemistry and the availability of phosphorus (P) and N to plants. We investigated six forested sites, divided into groundwater discharge and adjacent groundwater recharge areas, in northern Sweden. The humus layers of the forested groundwater discharge areas were clearly distinguished from the adjacent groundwater recharge areas by having higher acid-digestible calcium (Ca) and/or aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) content and higher organic P and N content. Soil solution inorganic N (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻) and pH were higher in the groundwater discharge areas than in the groundwater recharge areas. The organic P content showed a positive linear relationship to the Al and Fe content in the humus layer, indicating that organic P is associated with Al and Fe compounds in the humus. A plant bioassay using humus substrate from one groundwater discharge area and the adjacent groundwater recharge area found that plants grown in groundwater discharge area humus (with a high P-fixation capacity) increased their biomass upon P fertilization, whereas no growth response was found for N additions. By contrast, plants grown in humus from the groundwater recharge area did not respond to added P unless N was added too. This study suggests that groundwater discharge can affect the nutrient availability of N and P both directly, via increased P fixation due to the redistribution of Al and Fe, and indirectly, via the inflow of groundwater high in Ca and alkalinity, maintaining a high pH in the humus layer that favors in situ N turnover processes. Received 2 March 2001; Accepted 9 November 2001.     

黄海繁茂膜海绵中微生物多样性的研究

构建了中国黄海繁茂膜海绵中细菌16S rDNA克隆,对其遗传多样性进行了分析,发现海绵中相关细菌16S rDNA基因主要归类于紫硫细菌门(Proteobacteria)中的α-亚门、γ-亚门,和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)等类群。所获得的16S rDNA序列与GenBank中的已知序列差异较大,反映出该海绵存在尚未发现的微生物新信息。     

肺炎链球菌cps操纵子的启动子序列点突变可导致细菌荚膜缺失

摘要:【目的】明确肺炎链球菌荚膜多糖合成操纵子的启动子序列出现的点突变313713 T→C是否可导致细菌荚膜缺失。【方法】Western blot检测肺炎链球菌突变株SPY1 (NC_008533.1 313713 T→C)荚膜多糖含量;实时定量荧光PCR分析荚膜多糖合成基因cps2A、cps2B、cps2C以及cps2D的表达量;构建重组质粒pEVP3-cps promoterD39和pEVP3-cps promoterSPY1,分别转化D39和SPY1菌株,通过β-半乳糖苷酶活性检测来验证转入的启动子序列对细菌荚膜合成的影响,并通过电镜观察荚膜结构和荚膜肿胀试验进一步验证。【结果】肺炎链球菌SPY1 的荚膜多糖含量较野生型显著下降,其相关基因cps2A、cps2B、cps2C以及cps2D的表达量较野生型D39均显著降低;与D39-pEVP3-cps promoterD39对比,D39-pEVP3-cps promoterSPY1的β-半乳糖苷酶活性下降了76%,与SPY1-pEVP3-cps promoterD39相比,SPY1-pEVP3-cps promoterSPY1的β-半乳糖苷酶活性下降了约79%;电镜结果显示,重组SPY1-pEVP3-cps promoterD39荚膜可恢复至野生型水平,并且重组D39-pEVP3-cps promoterSPY1 (NC_008533.1 313713 T→C)荚膜肿胀试验呈阴性。【结论】荚膜多糖合成操纵子的启动子序列点突变313713 T→C可导致荚膜多糖合成基因表达显著下调,从而引起菌株SPY1的荚膜显著减少甚至缺失。     

Linking seasonal inorganic nitrogen shift to the dynamics of microbial communities in the Chesapeake Bay

Seasonal shifts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and the dynamics of microbial communities for nitrogen transformation were investigated in the water column of Chesapeake Bay. The relative abundance of nitrogen over phosphorus (N*) showed a strong seasonal and spatial pattern: gradually decreased from upstream to downstream; high in winter and low in summer. Because the phosphorus concentration remained relatively stable, the spatiotemporal pattern of N* implied that a substantial fraction of DIN was removed in the bay, especially in summer. Correlation analyses indicated the functional microbial communities and environmental variables, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, played important roles for connecting the seasonal variation of N*. Among them, temperature was the trigger factor. High temperature in the summer induced the growth of functional microbes, which subsequently consumed a large portion of DIN inputted from the tributaries and reduced the N*. The current study provided the relative importance of microbial communities and environmental variables in driving the DIN loss in the bay.