Subcellular localization, expression patterns, SNPs and association analyses of the porcine HUMMLC2B gene

Myosin regulatory light chain (MLC) regulates myofilament activation via phosphorylation by Ca²⁺ dependant myosin light chain kinase. In order to further understand the functions of the porcine fast myosin regulatory light chain gene (HUMMLC2B) in muscle, the subcellular localization, the temporal and spatial distributions of its gene product were analyzed, and the association between the presence of specific polymorphisms and commercial meat traits in pig was also examined. HUMMLC2B was demonstrated to localize both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR further revealed HUMMLC2B expression variation in a waveform manner in the skeletal muscle of both Chinese Tongcheng and Western Landrace pig breeds at days 33, 65 and 90 post coitum (pc). After birth, the expression levels of HUMMLC2B were also found to decrease gradually with age. Our spatial expression analysis showed that HUMMLC2B was highly expressed in the semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and longissimus dorsi muscles. In contrast, only low levels of expression of this gene were evident in fat, and no expression was detectable in brain, heart, kidney, lung, liver, lymph node, spleen, stomach, or in either large or small intestine. A total of 23 potential polymorphisms, comprising 3 exonic and 20 intronic, were detectable in the porcine HUMMLC2B gene and the G1094A, T1513C, G1876A and T2005G polymorphisms were further analyzed. The significant associations between the T1513C, G1876A and T2005G polymorphisms with marbling score, dressing percent and meat color, respectively, were identified (P < 0.05). Associations with the percentage of leaf fat could also be demonstrated by analysis of haplotypes harboring these three polymorphisms. Our current results thus shed further light on the roles and functions of the HUMMLC2B gene in muscle.     

阔叶丰花草——浙江茜草科一新归化种

首次记载阔叶丰花草 (Spermacoce latifolia Aubl.),一种原产南美热带地区的茜草科植物,为浙江归化植物一新记录,并通过实地调查和访问对其入侵途径进行了分析,认为可能是由于植物园引种或农作物种子贸易而无意引进浙江温州的。     

Anti-convulsant Effect and Mechanism of Astragalus mongholicus Extract In Vitro and In Vivo: Protection Against Oxidative Damage and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Astragalus mongholicus (AM) is a traditional medicinal herb used as a neuroprotective agent for its anxiolytic, antidepressant, antiamnestic, and antiaggresive effects. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-convulsant properties are not well studied. In the present study, we examined the anticonvulsant effects on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice and the possible mechanisms of protection against oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. The behavioral studies showed that the root extract of AM had powerful anticonvulsant effects against seizures induced by PTZ and the biochemical studies showed that root extract of AM inhibited PTZ-induced increase in lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and reactive oxygen species, and enhanced mitochondrial function. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy studies demonstrated that the extracts from the root and aerial parts of AM possess potent effects on scavenging hydroxyl and lipid free radicals. We found that AM extract significantly protected malondialdehyde-induced oxidative damage by ameliorating activities of the mitochondrial complexes I, II, malate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial membrane potential. These data suggest that the anti-convulsant effects of AM extract may be mediated by its protective actions against oxidative damage and amelioration of mitochondrial dysfunction.     

生物传感器在植物激素测定中的研究进展

生物传感器由于其反应快速、灵敏度高、易于操作和能耗低等优点在植物激素含量测定中受到了广泛的关注。概述了生物传感器的基本原理、分类以及几种生物传感器在植物激素含量检测中的研究进展,分析了其在应用中存在的问题,并对今后的发展趋势提出展望。     

Multi-centre testing and validation of current protocols for the identification of Gyrodactylus salaris (Monogenea)

Despite routine screening requirements for the notifiable fish pathogen Gyrodactylus salaris, no standard operating procedure exists for its rapid identification and discrimination from other species of Gyrodactylus. This study assessed screening and identification efficiencies under real-world conditions for the most commonly employed identification methodologies: visual, morphometric and molecular analyses. Obtained data were used to design a best-practice processing and decision-making protocol allowing rapid specimen throughput and maximal classification accuracy. True specimen identities were established using a consensus from all three identification methods, coupled with the use of host and location information. The most experienced salmonid gyrodactylid expert correctly identified 95.1% of G. salaris specimens. Statistical methods of classification identified 66.7% of the G. salaris, demonstrating the need for much wider training. Molecular techniques (internal transcribed spacer region-restriction fragment length polymorphism (ITS-RFLP)/cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequencing) conducted in the diagnostic laboratory most experienced in the analysis of gyrodactylid material, identified 100% of the true G. salaris specimens. Taking into account causes of potential specimen loss, the probabilities of a specimen being accurately identified were 95%, 87% and 92% for visual, morphometric and molecular techniques, respectively, and the probabilities of correctly identifying a specimen of G. salaris by each method were 81%, 58% and 92%. Inter-analyst agreement for 189 gyrodactylids assessed by all three methods using Fleiss’ Kappa suggested substantial agreement in identification between the methods. During routine surveillance periods when low numbers of specimens are analysed, we recommend that specimens be analysed using the ITS-RFLP approach followed by sequencing of specimens with a “G. salaris-like” (i.e. G. salaris, Gyrodactylus thymalli) banding pattern. During periods of suspected outbreaks, where a high volume of specimens is expected, we recommended that specimens be identified using visual identification, as the fastest processing method, to select “G. salaris-like” specimens, which are subsequently identified by molecular-based techniques.     

OsSPO11-1 is essential for both homologous chromosome pairing and crossover formation in rice

Spo11 is a homolog of a subunit of archaebacterial topoisomerase, which catalyzes DNA double-strand breaks and initiates homologous chromosome recombination. In the present study, we silenced the SPO11-1 gene in rice (Oryza sativa) using RNAi. Rice plants with loss-of-function of OsSPO11-1 have no apparent growth defects during vegetative development, but homologous chromosome pairing and recombination are significantly obstructed. Telomeres can be assembled as bouquet during the zygotene stage of the OsSPO11-1-deficient plants, just as that in wild type. Although the two axial-associated proteins, REC8 and PAIR2, are loaded onto the chromosomes, the depletion of PAIR2 from the chromosomes is much later than in wild type. The central element of the synaptonemal complex (SC), ZEP1, does not load onto the chromosomes normally, implying that SC formation is disturbed severely. The crossover protein, MER3, isn't efficiently assembled onto chromosomes and the lack of bivalent suggests that crossovers are also affected in the absence of OsSPO11-1. Thus, OsSPO11-1 is essential for both homologous chromosomes pairing and crossover formation during meiosis in rice.     

小菜蛾对九种杀虫剂的抗药性

采用叶片药膜法测定了9种杀虫剂对海南、山东、广东、湖北武汉和襄樊等5个地区小菜蛾Plutella xylostella(L.)田间种群的毒力,和室内相对敏感品系比较。结果显示,5个地区的小菜蛾种群都对氯氰菊酯产生了10倍以上的抗性,广东和山东种群达到30倍以上的抗性。对阿维菌素的抗性山东小菜蛾种群达到135倍,广东种群达到30倍,其他地区均在10倍以下。但是,作用机制与阿维菌素类似的药剂,氟虫腈的抗性5个地区均在5倍或5倍以下。对昆虫生长调节剂定虫隆和氟虫脲的抗性除广东种群分别在10倍和20倍以上外,其他地区均在5倍以下。广东种群对多杀菌素的抗性为7.8倍,其他地区的种群没有产生抗性,多杀菌素和杀虫双均为作用于乙酰胆碱受体的药剂,但是作用的位点不同。杀虫双对5个种群的LC50值均是比较大的(>800 mg/L),尽管没有明显的抗性,不适宜用于小菜蛾田间防治。对呼吸链电子转移抑制剂溴虫腈的抗性均在10倍以下。对辛硫磷的抗性在2~5倍。