Ultraviolet mutagenesis of the cellulase producer Aspergillus niger using protoplasts

Abstract Ultraviolet mutagenesis of Aspergillus niger strain O97 was achieved using protoplasts. Protoplasts of A. niger O97 showed the same ultraviolet killing kinetics as intact cells. After mutagenesis, several mutants were found in regenerated collonies. These mutants differ from the original strain in spore colour and cellulase-producing ability. The most active strain, designated 97V3-3 has an altered spore colour, and its carboxymethylcellose-hydrolysing, filter-paper-degradation, cotton-de-gradation and β-glucosidase activities were increased by 45.4%, 19.1%, 28.2% and 18.2%, respectively.     

2008年度国家自然科学基金委员会微生物学学科项目申请与资助情况分析

2008年度,国家自然科学基金项目申请实行了新的“申请代码”,使其能够体现科学基金不断适应变化了的基础研究状况,同时也体现基金资助项目更加侧重基础、更加侧重前沿的思想。本文对申请代码的修订、2008年度微生物学学科申请与资助项目情况进行了总结和分析,希望能为科研人员在2009年及今后申请国家自然科学基金项目时提供参考。     

ROS-Ca is associated with mitochondria permeability transition pore involved in surfactin-induced MCF-7 cells apoptosis

The surfactin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, surfactin can induce cell death in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through mitochondrial pathway. However, the molecular mechanism involved in this pathway remains to be elucidated. Here, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ on mitochondria permeability transition pore (MPTP) activity, and MCF-7 cell apoptosis which induced by surfactin were investigated. It is found that surfactin evoked mitochondrial ROS generation, and the surfactin-induced cell death was prevented by N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an inhibitor of ROS). An increasing cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration was detected in surfactin-induced MCF-7 apoptosis, which was inhibited by 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM, a chelator of calcium). In addition, the relationship between ROS generation and the increase of cytoplasm Ca²⁺ was determined. The results showed that surfactin initially induced the ROS formation, leading to the MPTP opening accompanied with the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m). Then the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration increased in virtue of the changes of mitochondrial permeability, which was prevented by BAPTA-AM. Besides, cytochrome c (cyt c) was released from mitochondria to cytoplasm through the MPTP and activated caspase-9, eventually induced apoptosis. In summary, surfactin has notable anti-tumor effect on MCF-7 cells, however, there was no obvious cytotoxicity on normal cells.     

Allografts of the acellular sciatic nerve and brain-derived neurotrophic factor repair spinal cord injury in adult rats

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether an innovative growth factor-laden scaffold composed of acellular sciatic nerve (ASN) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

Following complete transection at the thoracic level (T9), we immediately transplanted the grafts between the stumps of the severed spinal cords. We evaluated the functional recovery of the hindlimbs of the operated rats using the BBB locomotor rating scale system every week. Eight weeks after surgery, axonal regeneration was examined using the fluorogold (FG) retrograde tracing method. Electrophysiological analysis was carried out to evaluate the improvement in the neuronal circuits. Immunohistochemistry was employed to identify local injuries and recovery.

Results

The results of the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale indicated that there was no significant difference between the individual groups. The FG retrograde tracing and electrophysiological analyses indicated that the transplantation of ASN-BDNF provided a permissive environment to support neuron regeneration.

Conclusion

The ASN-BDNF transplantation provided a promising therapeutic approach to promote axonal regeneration and recovery after SCI, and can be used as part of a combinatory treatment strategy for SCI management.     

Gold-based optical biosensor for single-mismatched DNA detection using salt-induced hybridization

In this study, a gold nanoparticle (Au-NP)-based detection method for sensitive and specific DNA-based diagnostic applications is described. A sandwich format consisting of Au-NPs/DNA/PMP (Streptavidin-coated MagnetSphere Para-Magnetic Particles) was fabricated. PMPs captured and separated target DNA while Au-NPs modified with oligonucleotide detection sequences played a role in recognition and signal production. Due to the much lower stability of mismatched DNA strands caused by unstable duplex structures in solutions of relatively low salt concentration, hybridization efficiency in the presence of different buffers was well investigated, and thus, the optimized salt concentration allowed for discrimination of single-mismatched DNA (MMT) from perfectly matched DNA (PMT). Therefore, quantitative information concerning the target analyte was translated into a colorimetric signal, which could easily and quantitatively measured by low-cost UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis. The results indicated this to be a very simple and economic strategy for detection of single-mismatched DNA strands.     

Connective tissue growth factor and cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction.

The temporal and spatial expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was assessed in the left ventricle of a myocardial infarction (MI) model of injury with and without angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Coronary artery ligated rats were killed 1, 3, 7, 28, and 180 days after MI. TGF-beta(1), CTGF, and procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA were localized by in situ hybridization, and TGF-beta(1) and CTGF protein levels by immunohistochemistry. Collagen protein was measured using picrosirius red staining. In a separate group, rats were treated for 6 months with an ACE inhibitor. There were temporal and regional differences in the expression of TGF-beta(1), CTGF, and collagen after MI. Procollagen alpha1(I) mRNA expression increased in the border zone and scar peaking 1 week after MI, whereas collagen protein increased in all areas of the heart over the 180 days. Expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA and protein showed major increases in the border zone and scar peaking 1 week after MI. The major increases in CTGF mRNA and protein occurred in the viable myocardium at 180 days after MI. Long-term ACE inhibition reduced left ventricular mass and decreased fibrosis in the viable myocardium, but had no effect on cardiac TGF-beta(1) or CTGF. TGF-beta(1) is involved in the initial, acute phase of inflammation and repair after MI, whereas CTGF is involved in the ongoing fibrosis of the heart. The antifibrotic benefits of captopril are not mediated through a reduction in CTGF.     

长白落叶松生殖生物学特性研究──Ⅰ．球花芽分化与早期发育

本文研究了长白落叶松（ＬａｒｉｘｏｌｇｅｎｓｉｓＨｅｎｒｙ）大小孢子叶球的分化及其分布规律．获得如下结果：（１）６月下旬芽鳞形成期终止,７月初进入小孢子叶分化期,７月未至８月上旬小孢子叶分化期结束．８月上旬进入小孢子囊分化期,８月下旬出现造孢细胞,９月中旬形成小孢子母细胞．１０月底小孢子母细胞保持在细线期阶段,小孢子叶球进入冬季休眠期．（２）９月初苞片原基开始形成,９月中旬珠鳞原基形成;１０月上旬出现胚珠原始体,１０月下旬大孢子母细胞形成,１０月底大孢子叶球芽进入冬季休眠．（３）小孢子叶球芽主要分布在树冠的中、下部．数量上远远大于大孢子叶球芽的数量,约为大孢子叶球芽的１９倍。大孢子叶球芽主要集中分布在树冠中部,而且树冠下部多于树冠上部。     

极端耐盐放线菌白色普氏菌YIM 90005T四氢嘧啶及5-羟基四氢嘧啶合成相关基因的克隆

摘要：【目的】 为了研究耐盐放线菌对高盐环境的适应机理。【方法】 用HPLC定量检测了极端耐盐、丝状产孢放线菌——白色普氏菌（Prauserella alba） YIM 90005T在不同盐浓度下胞内相容性溶质的种类和含量。【结果】 结果发现,四氢嘧啶和5-羟基四氢嘧啶是其主要的相容性溶质。在培养基NaCl浓度为10%时,四氢嘧啶在胞内累积浓度最大,为18.77 μg/mg干菌体重。之后随NaCl浓度的升高,胞内的四氢嘧啶含量逐渐减少,而5-羟基四氢嘧啶的含量逐渐增加,在该菌耐受的最高NaCl浓度下（24% w/v）,胞内5-羟基四氢嘧啶含量达到最大值,为22.98 μg/mg干菌体重。设计兼并引物,利用染色体步移,克隆得到四氢嘧啶及5-羟基四氢嘧啶合成相关基因ectABCD。序列分析表明,ectABCD位于一个操纵子中。进一步对不同NaCl浓度培养条件下ectB,D的表达量进行定量分析,结果表明该基因簇表达量随着培养基中NaCl浓度的增加而增大。【结论】 研究结果证实5-羟基四氢嘧啶是P. alba YIM 90005T在极高盐浓度条件下起渗透调节及保护的相容性溶质。