Molecular genetic characterization of rice seed lipoxygenase 3 and assessment of its effects on seed longevity

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are enzymes involved in lipid peroxidation. Here we reported the identification, molecular and functional characterization of the gene encoding rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed LOX3 (sLOX3). Via a map-based cloning strategy we identified Os03g0700400 as the candidate gene encoding sLOX3. Further functional complementary test and biochemical characterization of the recombinant Os03g0700400 protein verified the identification. The sLOX3 gene was highly expressed in roots, moderately in embryos and very weakly in leaves, leaf sheaths and stems. Transient expression experiment (in rice protoplasts) and subsequent laser confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated that the sLOX3 protein was localized into the cytosol. We next showed that overexpression of sLOX3 in a japonica sLOX3-normal rice cultivar, Wuyunjing 7 accelerated the decrease of seed germination ability when the seeds were routinely stored, which demonstrated that sLOX3 had a negative effect on seed longevity (storability). Meanwhile, an increased occurrence of embryo decay was observed in the same transgenic seeds, suggesting that sLOX3 might negatively affect seed longevity by facilitating colonization of particular seed pathogens. Our result forwarded the understanding of the effects of 9-LOX on rice seed longevity.     

Phosphorylation on tyrosine-15 of p34(Cdc2) by ErbB2 inhibits p34(Cdc2) activation and is involved in resistance to taxol-induced apoptosis

ErbB2 overexpression confers resistance to taxol-induced apoptosis by inhibiting p34(Cdc2) activation. One mechanism is via ErbB2-mediated upregulation of p21(Cip1), which inhibits Cdc2. Here, we report that the inhibitory phosphorylation on Cdc2 tyrosine (Y)15 (Cdc2-Y15-p) is elevated in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells and primary tumors. ErbB2 binds to and colocalizes with cyclin B-Cdc2 complexes and phosphorylates Cdc2-Y15. The ErbB2 kinase domain is sufficient to directly phosphorylate Cdc2-Y15. Increased Cdc2-Y15-p in ErbB2-overexpressing cells corresponds with delayed M phase entry. Expressing a nonphosphorylatable mutant of Cdc2 renders cells more sensitive to taxol-induced apoptosis. Thus, ErbB2 membrane RTK can confer resistance to taxol-induced apoptosis by directly phosphorylating Cdc2.     

Engineering imaging probes and molecular machines for nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that integrates nanotechnology, biomolecular engineering, life sciences and medicine; it is expected to produce major breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to the size-compatibility of nano-scale structures and devices with proteins and nucleic acids, the design, synthesis and application of nanoprobes, nanocarriers and nanomachines provide unprecedented opportunities for achieving a better control of biological processes, and drastic improvements in disease detection, therapy, and prevention. Recent advances in nanomedicine include the development of functional nanoparticle based molecular imaging probes, nano-structured materials as drug/gene carriers for in vivo delivery, and engineered molecular machines for treating single-gene disorders. This review focuses on the development of molecular imaging probes and engineered nucleases for nanomedicine, including quantum dot bioconjugates, quantum dot-fluorescent protein FRET probes, molecular beacons, magnetic and gold nanoparticle based imaging contrast agents, and the design and validation of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and TAL effector nucleases (TALENs) for gene targeting. The challenges in translating nanomedicine approaches to clinical applications are discussed.     

肺成体干细胞体外培养模型的研究进展北大核心CSCD

目前,肺体外培养模型有肺类器官和肺芯片两种主要手段。肺类器官是离体的肺上皮干细胞在体外特定的三维培养环境中生长,自发形成具有自我更新能力的干细胞簇并成功分化出功能细胞。肺芯片是利用人工活性膜为细胞提供组织分层结构,模拟微环境和机械力的仿生微流体芯片。由于原有二维培养模式缺乏精确的微结构和功能,组织体外培养模型作为模拟肺部发育、稳态、损伤和再生机制的研究工具,为肺部纤维化、癌症等疾病的探索提供了新的手段和可能。本文就肺成体干细胞两种体外培养模型的分类、研发历史、建立方法、实际应用、优缺点等方面进行综述,期望为器官移植和再生、药物筛选等应用提供参考。     

Analysis of synonymous codon usage in H5N1 virus and other influenza A viruses

In this study, we calculated the codon usage bias in H5N1 virus and performed a comparative analysis of synonymous codon usage patterns in H5N1 virus, five other evolutionary related influenza A viruses and a influenza B virus. Codon usage bias in H5N1 genome is a little slight, which is mainly determined by the base compositions on the third codon position. By comparing synonymous codon usage patterns in different viruses, we observed that the codon usage pattern of H5N1 virus is similar with other influenza A viruses, but not influenza B virus, and the synonymous codon usage in influenza A virus genes is phylogenetically conservative, but not strain-specific. Synonymous codon usage in genes encoded by different influenza A viruses is genus conservative. Compositional constraints could explain most of the variation of synonymous codon usage among these virus genes, while gene function is also correlated to synonymous codon usages to a certain extent. However, translational selection and gene length have no effect on the variations of synonymous codon usage in these virus genes.     

吉林珲春自然保护区东北虎及其猎物资源调查

中国的野生东北虎(Panthera tigris altaica)数量已降到了极低的状态,及时开展有关东北虎及其猎物资源野外调查,对了解东北虎生存现状和制定保护策略都具有重大意义.吉林珲春东北虎国家级自然保护区是我国现存东北虎活动最频繁的地区之一,为了解该保护区的东北虎及其猎物资源状况,2009～2010年冬季,采用样...     

苔藓植物对环境变化的响应及适应性研究进展

苔藓植物由于其结构相对简单,对环境变化的反应较为敏感,是一类良好的生物指示植物.本文综述了水分、光照、温度等方面的环境因子变化对苔藓植物的影响以及苔藓植物对环境污染的响应及适应的最近研究进展,以期促进国内深入开展苔藓植物对环境污染和全球变化的响应、适应及其生态指示作用等研究.     

1α羟化酶活性和血钙水平对24羟化酶基因表达的影响

目的:研究肾脏24羟化酶基因表达的影响因素。方法:采用两种基因敲除小鼠。每种小鼠又分两种饲养方式。用生化分析仪测定小鼠血钙浓度。用半定量RT-PCR法研究小鼠肾脏组织中1α羟化酶和24羟化酶基因的表达。结果:1α羟化酶基因敲除小鼠体内血钙低于野生型小鼠(78±10.4 mg/Lvs111±16.5 mg/L,P<0.05.),测不出24羟化酶基因表达。维生素D受体基因敲除小鼠有很高的1α羟化酶表达,小鼠血钙也显著低于野生型小鼠(68±9.8 mg/Lvs111±16.5 mg/L,P<0.05),测不出24羟化酶表达。但给予高乳糖饲料后,两种基因敲除小鼠血钙都上升到与野生型小鼠一致水平。此时,24羟化酶基因的表达与野生型也基本一致。结论:血钙是调节24羟化酶基因表达的直接因素,1α羟化酶对24羟化酶的正向调节作用是通过升高血钙来实现的。     

细叶黄芪叶肉原生质体发育早期细胞壁再生的研究

采用透射电镜术、电镜多糖细胞化学染色、细胞壁荧光染色以及香豆素抑制细胞壁再生等方法,对细叶黄芪（Ａｓｔｒａｇａｌｕｓｍ ｅｌｉｌｏｔｏｉｄｅｓ ｖａｒ．ｔｅｎｕｉｓ）叶肉原生质体细胞壁的再生及其化学特点进行了研究。结果表明,离体培养２４ 小时的原生质体表面产生一些突起小泡,有时可见少量纤维组分的形成。培养３ 天时这种纤维组分明显增多。至５ 天时可清楚看到再生壁是由纤维和颗粒构成。六亚甲四胺银染色证明它们都是由多糖组分组成的。另外,培养３６ 小时的原生质体有相互粘连的现象。电镜观察、荧光染色及香豆素处理的研究表明粘连与再生壁的形成有关。根据上述观察结果,对原生质体再生壁的结构及其化学性质等问题进行了讨论