Functional properties of proteins from the coelomic fluid of the wounded sea star Asterias rubens (L)

Impact on viability and adhesion of three protein fractions, separated by size, from the coelomic fluid of wounded Asterias rubens′, was tested on autologous coelomocytes. In addition antimicrobial property of the protein fractions was tested on the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All fractions promoted viability and the larger proteins facilitated adhesion of the coelomocytes. The strongest antimicrobial effect was caused by the fraction with the smallest proteins.     

Muscodor fengyangensis sp. nov. from southeast China: morphology, physiology and production of volatile compounds

The fungal genus Muscodor was erected on the basis of Muscodor albus, an endophytic fungus originally isolated from Cinnamomum zeylanicum. It produces a mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with antimicrobial activity that can be used as mycofumigants. The genus currently comprises five species. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a new species of Muscodor on the basis of five endophytic fungal strains from leaves of Actinidia chinensis, Pseudotaxus chienii and an unidentified broad leaf tree in the Fengyangshan Nature Reserve, Zhejiang Province, Southeast of China. They exhibit white colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) media, rope-like mycelial strands, but did not sporulate. The optimum growth temperature is 25°C. The results of a phylogenetic analysis based on four loci (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, 28S rRNA, rpb2 and tub1) are consistent with the hypothesis that these five strains belong to a single taxon. All five strains also produce volatile chemical components with antimicrobial activity in vitro, which were different from those previously described for other Muscodor species.     

Studies of insect peptides alloferon,Any‐GS and their analogues. Synthesis and antiherpes activity

The subject of these studies was synthesis and determination of biological properties of a series of insect peptides, such as alloferon, Any‐GS and their analogues. The synthesis of 14 peptides was performed by the solid‐phase method. Biological effect of these peptides was evaluated by the antiviral test against Human Herpes Virus type 1 (HHV‐1) in vitro using a Vero cell line. It was found that the investigated peptides inhibit the replication of HHV‐1 in Vero cells. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of N deficiency on leaf growth and cell wall peroxidase activity in contrasting maize genotypes

Two maize genotypes differing in leaf elongation rate (high-LER and low-LER) were used for the investigation of the effects of nitrogen deficiency on leaf growth and development and activity of enzyme cell wall peroxidase in the leaf growth zone. Plants were grown in a growth cabinet in perlite as a substrate and watered with complete N-NO₃ solution (+N) and N-NO₃ deficient solution (–N). Comparison between the investigated genotypes showed that final leaf length in both N treatments was related with LER, but not with the duration of leaf elongation. Faster leaf elongation rate in high-LER compared with low-LER genotype, was associated with longer growth zone, a bigger number of cells in it, and higher cell flux rate, although cell elongation rate was similar in both genotypes. These lines of evidence indirectly indicated that leaves of the faster growing genotype were characterized by higher meristematic activity. Nitrogen deficiency reduced the flux of cells and cell elongation rate, length of cell division zone and the number of cells in whole zone, significantly for both genotypes, although duration of cell elongation was increased and final epidermal cell length was unchanged. These results showed that N deficiency reduced both cell division and cell elongation, which in turn resulted in decreased leaf length and prolonged time for leaf development. Nitrogen deficiency significantly increased both bulk and segmental cell wall peroxidase activity in the growth zone of both investigated genotypes, thus showing an interaction between leaf growth cessation and enzyme activity.     

Bt基因甜菜叶绿体转化载体构建及毒蛋白表达

利用植物叶绿体基因组在进化中高度保守的特点,根据烟草、菠菜、水稻叶绿体基因组全序列资料设计合成引物,PCR扩增并克隆了甜菜叶绿体两个重要功能基因rbcL和atpB(GenBank登录号分别为DQ067450和DQ067451),并以其作为定点整合外源基因的同源重组片段,构建了Bt基因CryIAc甜菜叶绿体定点转化载体pSKARBt,酶切鉴定表明:所构建载体符合预期设计。对克隆菌菌体总蛋白进行了生物杀虫试验,结果表明:Bt基因CryIAc能够在叶绿体特异性启动子及终止子的调控下表达,并对二龄末甘蓝夜蛾有很强的毒杀作用。该载体构建对培育甜菜高抗虫品种具有重要应用价值。叶绿体转化及后续工作正在进行中。     

卷叶黄精对植物病原菌的抗菌活性研究

采用菌丝生长速率法研究了卷叶黄精根提取物对植物病原菌的抗菌活性。结果表明:卷叶黄精对所选10种植物病原菌中的7种呈现不同程度的抗菌活性,而且各萃取物的抑菌菌种各不相同,其中正丁醇萃取物对4种病原菌、乙酸乙酯萃取物对3种病原菌有明显的抑菌活性,水浓缩物仅对1种病原菌有抗菌活性,而石油醚萃取物对供试植物病原菌没有抗菌活性;正丁醇萃取物对苹果褐腐病、玉米大斑病、棉黄萎病病原菌抑制作用较强,EC50分别为261.26、376.03和430.05μg.mL-1;乙酸乙酯萃取物对苹果腐烂病、番茄黑霉病病原菌抑制作用较强,EC50分别为386.00和865.75μg.mL-1,各样品对植物病原菌的毒力随着浓度的增高而增强;卷叶黄精对植物病原菌的抑菌活性随着作用时间的延长,均呈现不同的下降趋势。     

固氮酶铁钼辅基理化特性的研究

在紫外可见光谱区内,固氮酶铁钼辅基〔（Ｍｏ_２Ｆｅ_（１２）Ｓ_（１２））４－〕均无特征吸收峰,不含高柠檬酸盐。含双钼的铁硫簇〔（Ｍｏ_２Ｆｅ_（６～１２）Ｓ_（６～１２））~（１～４）－〕的电荷数、颜色与该金属簇中的亚铁量成对应关系,并都有较高的生物重组活性．     

The synergic and antagonistic activity of Cry1Ab and Cry2Aa proteins against lepidopteran pests

Cry1Ab and Cry2Aa were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and their proportions were determined for evaluating their synergic and antagonistic interactions on Ephestia kuehniella and Plodia interpunctella. Results indicated antagonistic interaction on both lepidopteran pests, and it was concluded that 1 : 1 combination of Cry1Ab:Cry2Aa should be avoided in control programmes for these larvae.