Over-expression of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> harpin-encoding gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">hrpZm</Emphasis> confers enhanced tolerance to Phytophthora root and stem rot in transgenic soybean

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR) caused by Phytophthora sojae is one of the most devastating diseases reducing soybean (Glycine max) production all over the world. Harpin proteins in many plant pathogenic bacteria were confirmed to enhance disease and insect resistance in crop plants. Here, a harpin protein-encoding gene hrpZpsta from the P. syringae pv. tabaci strain Psta218 was codon-optimized (renamed hrpZm) and introduced into soybean cultivars Williams 82 and Shennong 9 by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Three independent transgenic lines over-expressing hrpZm were obtained and exhibited stable and enhanced tolerance to P. sojae infection in T₂–T₄ generations compared to the non-transformed (NT) and empty vector (EV)-transformed plants. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the expression of salicylic acid-dependent genes PR1, PR12, and PAL, jasmonic acid-dependent gene PPO, and hypersensitive response (HR)-related genes GmNPR1 and RAR was significantly up-regulated after P. sojae inoculation. Moreover, the activities of defense-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO), peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase also increased significantly in the transgenic lines compared to the NT and EV-transformed plants after inoculation. Our results suggest that over-expression of the hrpZm gene significantly enhances PRR tolerance in soybean by eliciting resistance responses mediated by multiple defense signaling pathways, thus providing an alternative approach for development of soybean varieties with improved tolerance against the soil-borne pathogen PRR.     

ELECTROANTENNOGRAM RESPONSES OF LYSIPHLEBIA JAPONICA ASHMEAD (HYMENOPTERA: APHIDIIDAE) TO SOME COTTON PLANT VOLATILES AND COTTON APHID PHEROMONES

Abstract Electroantennogram responses (EAGs) of Lysiphlebia japonica (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) to cotton plant volatiles and cotton aphid pheromones were measured with EAG recording techniques. No sexual difference of EAG responses was found to all test samples under concentration of 10 μl/ml. The most effective chemicals were 1-heptanol, hexanal, heptanal, saturated primary-alcohols with six-carbon to nine-carbon chain and benzaldehyde. Both male and female showed the highest EAGs to green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and moderate EAGs to terpenoids among which geraniol was the most active. Cotton aphid pheromones elicited relative high EAGs. Among the four plant extracts, cotton leaf extract was the most effective. Dose curves were constructed from six female wasps' EAGs to four chosen chemicals, in which GLVs showed lower thresholds than terpenoids. According to the results above, we may draw the following conclusions: GLVs could be more important in longer distance orientation, while terpenoids may be more important in shorter ranges. Aphid pheromones may be effective attractants to parasitoids. Preadult experience can influence the antenna1 sensitivity of the parasitoid.     

棉蚜茧蜂对某些挥发性次生化合物及棉蚜寄生植物的嗅觉反应(英)

本文利用四臂嗅觉计测定了雌性棉蚜茧蜂Lysiphlebia japonica对棉蚜四种寄主植物新鲜叶片、棉蚜和几种挥发性次生化合物的嗅觉反应,结果表明新鲜棉叶片和棉蚜的气味对棉蚜茧蜂有强烈的吸引作用,两者相混合使吸引作用明显增强;切碎的叶片比未切碎的叶片更具吸引作用。所测试的四种挥发性物质β-caryophyllene、heptanol、benzaldehyde和β-pinene,在浓度为0.01(体积分数)时,只有benzaldebyde对棉蚜茧蜂具有吸引作用,β-caryopbyllene和β-pinene对棉蚜茧蜂的吸引作用不明显,而heptanol对该蜂具有排斥作用。β-pinene在浓度为1(体积分数)时,也对该蜂具有排斥作用。对于棉蚜的四种寄主植物棉花、黄瓜、南瓜和丝瓜的完整叶片,棉蚜茧蜂只对棉花叶片产生定向反应,而对其它三种瓜类叶片没有反应。根据上述结果可以推知嗅觉在寄生蜂的寄主寻找过程中起着重要作用,绿叶气味物质和寄主气味可能是寄生蜂寻找寄主的远距离化学线索。棉蚜茧蜂对寄主定向是识别了特定化学指纹图谱,单一的某种化合物在寄主定向过程中所起的作用并不象预测的那样重要,而且组成图谱的物质并不是简单地混合在一起,而是相互作用,或加强或抑制。羽化前经历能够对寄生蜂的行为产生较大影响。     

巨枝叶绿体基因组密码子偏好性分析

该文针对巨桉叶绿体基因组序列,选取其中长于300 nt且以AUG为起始密码子的43个非重复基因作为研究对象,采用CodonW1.4.2软件分析巨桉叶绿体基因组的密码子使用偏好性。结果表明:第3位密码子的平均GC含量为27.97%; ENC的变化范围为39.49～61.00,平均为47.04; RSCU1的密码子有31个,其中29个以A/U结尾;中性分析显示,GC12与GC3无显著相关;回归分析未达到显著性水平; ENCplot分析发现,大部分基因落在曲线上或附近;对应分析表明第1轴的贡献率为17.68%,第2轴的贡献率为11.49%,第3轴、第4轴的贡献率分别为8.00%和5.76%,前4轴累计贡献率达42.93%,第1轴与GC、ENC、CAI达到极显著相关。上述分析结果表明,巨桉叶绿体基因组的密码子偏好较弱,密码子第3位偏好以A或U结尾,选择和突变在巨桉叶绿体基因组密码子偏好中起相对均衡的作用,最终确定UUG、CUU、GUU、UCC、UCA、ACA、UAU、UAA、CAU、AAU、AGA和GGA 12个高频高表达密码子为最优密码子。这为转化叶绿体基因密码子优化,提高表达效率和改良巨桉目标性状奠定了坚实基础。     

Comparison of locomotor behaviour between white-headed langurs Trachypithecus leucocephalus and Franois' langurs T. franoisi in Fusui,China

We studied the locomotor behaviour of white-headed langurs Trachypithecus leucocephalus and Franois' langurs T.franoisi to test two hypotheses:(1) these monkeys have evolved locomotor ability to support their activities on limestone hills,and (2) Franois' langurs have evolved more diverse locomotor skills than white-headed langurs. Data were collected from 1996-1998 and in 2005 in Fusui Nature Reserve,Guangxi,and showed that the two species had similar locomotor types,but Franois' langurs had more locom...     

Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand induction via Jak2 and Stat5a in mammary epithelial cells

Prolactin (PRL) is the primary hormone that, in conjunction with local factors, leads to lobuloalveolar development during pregnancy. Recently, receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) has been identified as one of the effector molecules essential for lobuloalveolar development. The molecular mechanisms by which PRL may induce RANKL expression have not been carefully examined. Here we report that RANKL expression in the mammary gland is developmentally regulated and dependent on PRL and progesterone, whereas its receptor RANK (receptor activator of NF-kappaB) and decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) are constitutively expressed at all stages in both normal (PRL+/-) and prolactin knockout (PRL-/-) mice. In vitro, PRL markedly increased RANKL expression in primary mammary epithelial cells and RANKL-luciferase reporter activity in CHOD6 cells, which constitutively express the PRL receptor. We identified a gamma-interferon activation sequence (GAS) in the region between residues -965 to -725 of the RANKL promoter, which conferred a PRL response. Using dominant negative mutants of recombinant Jak2 and Stat5 in CHOD6 cells, and by reconstituting the Jak2/Stat5 pathway in COS7 cells, we determined that Jak2 and Stat5a are essential for the PRL-induced RANKL expression in mammary gland.