Cryo-EM structure of CtBP2 confirms tetrameric architecture

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The Role of Plastids and Assimilate Transport System in the Control of Plant Development

Phylogenetic and ontogenetic relationships between the plastids, cell endoplasmic reticulum, and plant transport communication have been reviewed. The initiating role of plastids (endosymbionts) in the origin of endoplasmic reticulum (buffer zone of endosymbiogenesis) has been shown, as well as a similar role of endoplasmic reticulum in the development of transport communication of xylem and phloem. Plastids, sugars and transport system for their distribution can be interpreted as leading sections in the mechanism of developmental control: gene expression of nuclear genome and genome of organelles, cell and tissue differentiation, and plant morphogenesis. The conflict between the bulk of plant genome and low percentage of its realization is explained as a result of limitation of the nuclear genome realization by plastid genome. The concept of development as applied to plant ontogenesis has been critically analyzed. The possibilities of the concept correction by with the help of symbiogenetic hypothesis are discussed.__________Translated from Ontogenez, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2005, pp. 165–181.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gamalei.     

Microencapsulation of nanoparticulate complexes of DNA with cationic lipids and polymers in pectin beads for targeted gene delivery

Nanoparticulate complexes of plasmid DNA (pDNA) with cationic liposomes/polymer, of approx 200 nm diameter, were encapsulated with a high degree of efficiency within calcium pectinate gel beads. Electron microscopy showed the DNA nanocomplexes to be evenly distributed throughout the gel matrix. Controlled release of pDNA-lipid nanocomplexes was achieved by the action of pectinase enzymes, whereas release of naked and polymer-complexed DNA was found to be more greatly influenced by the swelling behavior of the polysaccharide matrices in buffer alone. Physical degradation of pDNA within pectin beads was found to be accelerated during bead drying, most probably as a result of shear forces generated within the gel matrices by the evaporation of water. Plasmid complexation with cationic liposomes provided a greater degree of protection for the DNA during bead drying than complexation with cationic polymer, and was shown to successfully transfect cultured cells after release from the beads, via the action of pectinase. Observations concerning the physical stability of nanocomplexed pDNA, and its encapsulation within and release from pectin gel beads, are discussed with reference to the electrostatic interactions existing between the various components.     

Spatial heterogeneity and population risk analysis of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, in China

In this study, semivariance was used to quantitatively measure the spatial heterogeneity for the egg population of cotton bollworm during a growing season. The typical characteristic parameters of theoretical semivariance models against lag distances were applied to measure components of spatial heterogeneity： trend, range, spatial dependence, and the strength of spatial dependence. Then, kriging interpolation was used to evaluate the population risk of cotton bollworm exceeding economic thresholds. From early June through early September, the population densities were sampled 10 times in the study field. Results showed that the spatial patterns were related to population density. For its low-density population, the spatially heterogeneous trends were usually of spherical shapes; but for highdensity ones, the trends shifted to Gaussian shapes. The spatial dependence appeared at varied distances ranging from 52 meters to 936 meters, and the spatial dependence was in the range of 0.39-288.60, which changed with population densities. While having high heterogeneity, the strength of spatial dependence became much stronger. Results of population risk analysis showed that there was a high risk during its early stages, especially in mid-June. In August, population risk was so low that it did not need to be controlled.     

Absorption of zinc and retention of calcium: Dose-dependent inhibition by phytate

The dose-dependent inhibitory effect of sodium phytate (myo-inositol-hexaphosphate) on absorption of zinc and retention of calcium was studied in man. No systematic study of this dose-response effect has been reported to this time. Forty subjects were served meals containing white wheat rolls without/with additions of phytate. Ten subjects were given test meals containing one or two of the studied levels of phytate and in addition all subjects were served meals to which no phytate was added. The zinc content was 3.1 mg (47 micromol) and the calcium content 266 mg (6.6 mmol). The rolls were labelled extrinsically with radioisotopes, 65Zn and 47Ca, and whole-body retention of both minerals was measured. Totally 105 meals were served, 36 meals in which no phytate was added and 9-10 meals on each level of phytate. The zinc absorption in meals to which either 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 140, 175 or 250 mg of phytate-P (0, 134, 269, 403, 538, 753, 941 or 1344 micromol phytate) had been added was 22%, 16%, 14%, 11%, 7%, 7%, 7% and 6%, respectively (mean values). The addition of 50 mg phytate-P or more significantly decreased zinc absorption (p=0.01) as compared to absorption from the test meals with no added phytate. The calcium retention at day 7 in the same meals was 31%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 22%, 19%, 14% and 11% (mean values). The addition of 100 mg phytate-P or more significantly decreased calcium retention (p=0.03) compared to the test meals with no added phytate. It was concluded that the inhibitory effect of phytate on the absorption of zinc and the retention of calcium was dose dependent.     

Influence of maternal dietary calcium levels on milk zinc, calcium and phosphorus contents and milk production in rats

The aim of this study was to analyze zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents in milk and the lactational performance in rats fed different Ca levels. Female Wistar rats were fed during pregnancy and lactation with experimental diets containing 20% protein and high (0.90%, HCa), normal (0.60%, NCa) or low (0.20%, LCa) Ca levels. Milk samples were collected after 15 days to determine the milk mineral composition. Pup weight was recorded from birth to weaning (litter size: 6-8 pups) to determine weight gain and calculate milk production. At delivery there were no significant differences in the body weight of the pups between the groups, but at day 15, the LCa group showed lower values than both NCa and HCa groups (p<0.05). The weight gain of the LCa group was significantly lower than of the HCa and NCa groups, between delivery and day 5 (p<0.05). This reduced rate of weight gain led to the LCa group reaching weaning weight later than the other groups. Milk production (g/pup/day) was significantly lower when dams were fed the LCa than the NCa and HCa diets (p<0.05). There were no significant differences among the groups in milk Ca, P and Zn levels and Ca/P ratio. The body mineral composition of the pups at birth did not differ between the groups; at weaning, however, both LCa and HCa groups had lower element contents than the NCa group (p<0.05). In conclusion, dams fed with a diet containing low Ca levels produced smaller volumes of milk and their pups reached weaning weights later than the other groups. As the milk mineral composition was not affected, it can be hypothesized that in dams fed low dietary Ca, the smaller milk yield might have been a way of maintaining milk quality. High Ca levels affected neither pregnancy outcome nor lactational performance.     

基因组内三个信息层相互作用决定美臀表型产生

绵羊callipyge（美臀）是一种可遗传的肌肉肥厚体征,该表型以独特的方式“极化超显性”遗传给子代.绵羊18号染色体的DLK1-GTL2印记化结构域内存在1个远距离调控元件（long-range control element,LRCE）,该元件发生单个碱基突变（A→G）.A→G突变顺式作用于印记化结构域内的相关基因,印记化基因的产物包括蛋白质及非编码RNA分子,它们相互作用导致美臀表型产生.美臀表型产生及其独特的遗传方式是绵羊基因组内的蛋白质编码基因、非编码RNA基因以及表观遗传效应等3个信息层相互作用的结果,说明以前被忽略的隐藏信息发挥了极其重要的调控功能.这些现象对经典的中心法则形成了挑战,但是为基因组研究拓展了新的领域.     

Polyamines and stress: Biological role, metabolism, and regulation

In this review, we consider recent advances in the study of the multifaceted biological role of polyamines, primarily under stress conditions, discuss molecular mechanisms controlling their anabolism, catabolism, and transport, and also the regulation of gene expression for key enzymes of their biosynthesis and degradation. To understand the place and role of polyamines in plant adaptation, we focus the data concerning gene expression obtained by modern physicochemical methods on mutant and transgenic plants and also on natural stress-tolerant species manifesting a high tolerance to salinity, drought, and other abiotic factors.     

Hepatic SREBP-2 and cholesterol biosynthesis are regulated by FoxO3 and Sirt6

Cholesterol homeostasis is crucial for cellular function and organismal health. The key regulator for the cholesterol biosynthesis is sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-2. The biochemical process and physiological function of SREBP-2 have been well characterized; however, it is not clear how this gene is epigenetically regulated. Here we have identified sirtuin (Sirt)6 as a critical factor for Srebp2 gene regulation. Hepatic deficiency of Sirt6 in mice leads to elevated cholesterol levels. On the mechanistic level, Sirt6 is recruited by forkhead box O (FoxO)3 to the Srebp2 gene promoter where Sirt6 deacetylates histone H3 at lysines 9 and 56, thereby promoting a repressive chromatin state. Remarkably, Sirt6 or FoxO3 overexpression improves hypercholesterolemia in diet-induced or genetically obese mice. In summary, our data suggest an important role of hepatic Sirt6 and FoxO3 in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis.