Arginine kinase: Differentiation of gene expression and protein activity in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

Arginine kinase (AK), a primary enzyme in cell metabolism and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)-consuming processes, plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism and maintaining constant ATP levels in invertebrate cells. In order to identify genes that are differentially expressed between larvae and adults, queens and workers, and female alates (winged) and queens (wingless), AK cDNA was obtained from the red imported fire ant. The cDNA sequence of the gene has open reading frames of 1065 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 355 amino acid residues that includes the substrate recognition region, the signature sequence pattern of ATP:guanidino kinases, and an “actinin-type” actin binding domain. Northern blot analysis and protein activity analysis demonstrated that the expression of the AK gene and its protein activity were developmentally, caste specifically, and tissue specifically regulated in red imported fire ants with a descending order of worker> alate (winged adult) female> alate (winged adult) male> larvae> worker pupae ≈ alate pupae. These results suggest a different demand for energy-consumption and production in the different castes of the red imported fire ant, which may be linked to their different missions and physiological activities in the colonies. The highest level of the AK gene expression and activity was identified in head tissue of both female alates and workers and thorax tissue of workers, followed by thorax tissue of female alates and abdomen tissue of male alates, suggesting the main tissues or cells in these body parts, such as brain, neurons and muscles, which have been identified as the major tissues and/or cells that display high and variable rates of energy turnover in other organisms, play a key role in energy production and its utilization in the fire ant. In contrast, in the male alate, the highest AK expression and activity were found in the abdomen, suggesting that here energy demand may relate to sperm formation and reproduction.     

Greater soil microbial biomass loss at low frequency of N addition in an Inner Mongolia grassland

低频率的氮添加使内蒙古草原土壤微生物生物量碳出现更大幅度下降 土壤微生物生物量在生物地球化学循环过程中至关重要,是土壤碳固持的前体物质。人为氮输入深刻地改变了草地土壤微生物生物量。然而,传统氮沉降模拟实验仅通过低频率的氮添加进行,与持续高频率的自然氮沉降相比,对土壤微生物生物量的影响可能存在差异。不同频率的氮添加对土壤微生物生物量的影响尚缺乏可靠的数据支撑。本研究通过在不同的氮添加速率(0–50 g N m−2 yr−1)下,控制氮添加频率(每年2次和12次),研究了土壤微生物生物量碳对不同氮添加频率的响应。研究结果表明,在两种氮添加频率下,随着施氮水平的提高,土壤微生物生物量碳逐渐降低。然而,在低施氮频率下,土壤微生物生物量的下降幅度更大,这说明传统的氮添加实验可能高估了氮沉降对土壤微生物生物量的影响。在低施氮频率下,土壤酸化、无机氮积累、碳氮失衡、地下净初级生产力分配减少和真菌细菌比例降低等情况加剧,导致微生物生物量出现较大幅度下降。在未来研究中,为可靠预测氮沉降对草地生态系统土壤微生物功能和碳循环的影响,不仅要考虑氮添加的剂量,还需要考虑氮添加的频率。     

Serum-free suspension cultivation of PER.C6(R) cells and recombinant adenovirus production under different pH conditions

PER.C6(R) cell growth, metabolism, and adenovirus production were studied in head-to-head comparisons in stirred bioreactors under different pH conditions. Cell growth rate was found to be similar in the pH range of 7.1-7.6, while a long lag phase and a slower growth rate were observed at pH 6.8. The specific consumption rates of glucose and glutamine decreased rapidly over time during batch cell growth, as did the specific lactate and ammonium production rates. Cell metabolism in both infected and uninfected cultures was very sensitive to culture pH, resulting in dramatic differences in glucose/glutamine consumption and lactate/ammonium production under different pH conditions. It appeared that glucose metabolism was suppressed at low pH but the efficiency of energy production from glucose was enhanced. Adenovirus infection resulted in profound changes in cell growth and metabolism. Cell growth was largely arrested under all pH conditions, while glucose consumption and lactate production were elevated post virus infection. Virus infection induced a reduction in glutamine consumption at low pH but an increase at high pH. The optimal pH for adenovirus production was found to be 7.3 under the experimental conditions used in the study. Deviations from this optimum resulted in significant reductions of virus productivity. The results indicate that culture pH is a very critical process parameter in PER.C6(R) cell culture and adenovirus production.     

Use of assisted reproduction for the improvement of milk production in dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Despite their production potential and ability to survive on marginal resources in extreme conditions, dromedaries have not been exploited as an important food source. Camels have not been specifically selected for milk production, and genetic improvement has been negligible. High individual variation in milk production both within the population and within breeds provides a good base for selection and genetic progress. In this paper, we discuss the possibilities and constraints of selective breeding for milk production in camels, and include a summary of the use of embryo transfer at the world's first camel dairy farm. Embryo transfer is an integral part of the breeding strategy at the camel dairy farm because it increases selection intensity and decreases the generation interval. Using high milk-producing camels as donors and low producing camels as recipients, 146 embryos were recovered (6.1 ± 1.0 embryos/donor; range: 0–18). Embryos were transferred non-surgically into 111 recipients (83 single and 28 twin embryo transfers). Pregnancy rate at 21 days and 5 months was 55% (61/111) and 45% (50/111), respectively. Finally, a total of 46 recipients delivered a live calf. These results document the utility of embryo transfer using high milk producing dromedaries as donors.     

利用肌苷发酵废液生产酵母的研究

本课题筛选了适宜在肌苷发酵废液中生长的酵母菌,从中选出了生长量最大的ＣＦ菌。并对利用肌苷发酵废液生产该酵母的条件进行了初步研究。     

A dynamic view of enzyme catalysis

Recent experimental advances have shown that enzymes are flexible molecules, and point to a direct link between dynamics and catalysis. Movements span a wide time range, from nano- to milli-seconds. In this paper we introduce two aspects of enzyme flexibility that are treated with two appropriate techniques. First, transition path sampling is used to obtain an unbiased picture of the transition state ensemble in chorismate mutase, as well as its local flexibility and the energy flow during the chemical step. Second, we consider the binding and release of substrates in L-rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase. We have calculated the normal modes of the enzyme with the elastic network model. The lowest frequency modes generate active site deformations that change the coordination number of the catalytic zinc ion. The coordination lability of zinc allows the binding and release of substrates. Substitution of zinc by magnesium blocks the exchange of ligands. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Biofumigation potential of brassicas

The relationship of global climate change to plant growth and the role of forests as sites of carbon sequestration have encouraged the refinement of the estimates of root biomass and production. However, tremendous controversy exists in the literature as to which is the best method to determine fine root biomass and production. This lack of consensus makes it difficult for researchers to determine which methods are most appropriate for their system. The sequential root coring method was the most commonly used method to collect root biomass data in the past and is still commonly used. But within the last decade the use of minirhizotrons has become a favorite method of many researchers. In addition, due to the high labor-intensive requirements of many of the direct approaches to determine root biomass, there has been a shift to develop indirect methods that would allow fine root biomass and production to be predicted using data on easily monitored variables that are highly correlated to root dynamics. Discussions occur as to which method should be used but without gathering data from the same site using different methods, these discussions can be futile. This paper discusses and compares the results of the most commonly used direct and indirect methods of determining root biomass and production: sequential root coring, ingrowth cores, minirhizotrons, carbon fluxes approach, nitrogen budget approach and correlations with abiotic resources. No consistent relationships were apparent when comparing several sites where at least one of the indirect and direct methods were used on the same site. Until the different root methods can be compared to some independently derived root biomass value obtained from total carbon budgets for systems, one root method cannot be stated to be the best and the method of choice will be determined from researcher's personal preference, experiences, equipment, and/or finances.     

过氧化氢酶发酵生产条件优化及在染整清洁生产中的应用研究

在以嗜热子囊菌生产过氧化氢酶的摇瓶发酵研究中,获得了适合工业化生产的碳源,即以26g/L的糊化玉米淀粉和1%(v/v)乙醇为混合碳源,过氧化氢酶的酶活达到了1996 u/mL,比优化前提高了25%。在此基础上,重点研究了发酵罐上的主要影响因素溶解氧对发酵的影响,通过分段控制搅拌转速,在52h将搅拌转速从200r/min提高到350r/min,过氧化氢酶最高酶活达到4505 u/mL,与不使用控制溶氧水平策略相比,酶活力提高了2.4倍。此外,还考察了该酶去除过氧化氢的效率,并在实际纺织生产中进行了应用实验,取得了良好的效果。     

Biomass changes and trophic amplification of plankton in a warmer ocean

Ocean warming can modify the ecophysiology and distribution of marine organisms, and relationships between species, with nonlinear interactions between ecosystem components potentially resulting in trophic amplification. Trophic amplification (or attenuation) describe the propagation of a hydroclimatic signal up the food web, causing magnification (or depression) of biomass values along one or more trophic pathways. We have employed 3‐D coupled physical‐biogeochemical models to explore ecosystem responses to climate change with a focus on trophic amplification. The response of phytoplankton and zooplankton to global climate‐change projections, carried out with the IPSL Earth System Model by the end of the century, is analysed at global and regional basis, including European seas (NE Atlantic, Barents Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Bay of Biscay, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea) and the Eastern Boundary Upwelling System (Benguela). Results indicate that globally and in Atlantic Margin and North Sea, increased ocean stratification causes primary production and zooplankton biomass to decrease in response to a warming climate, whilst in the Barents, Baltic and Black Seas, primary production and zooplankton biomass increase. Projected warming characterized by an increase in sea surface temperature of 2.29 ± 0.05 °C leads to a reduction in zooplankton and phytoplankton biomasses of 11% and 6%, respectively. This suggests negative amplification of climate driven modifications of trophic level biomass through bottom‐up control, leading to a reduced capacity of oceans to regulate climate through the biological carbon pump. Simulations suggest negative amplification is the dominant response across 47% of the ocean surface and prevails in the tropical oceans; whilst positive trophic amplification prevails in the Arctic and Antarctic oceans. Trophic attenuation is projected in temperate seas. Uncertainties in ocean plankton projections, associated to the use of single global and regional models, imply the need for caution when extending these considerations into higher trophic levels.     

Does directed technological change get greener: Empirical evidence from Shanghai's industrial green development transformation

The degree of technological change biased to the environmental factor is crucial to industrial sustainable development. Using the stochastic frontier analysis method based on the translog production function and the panel data of 32 industrial sub-sectors in Shanghai over 1994–2011, this paper combines the evolution dynamic of the frontier technological structure with the evolution dynamic of technological change direction to estimate the output elasticities of production factors and the growth rate of green total factor productivity. Also, we investigate and compare the degrees of technological change biased to four production factors, i.e., capital, labor, energy, and carbon emissions. The results show that the industrial green total factor productivity in Shanghai presents an overall upward trend and mainly depends on the technical efficiency change. The improvements of labor productivity, R&D intensity, and energy efficiency can effectively enhance the green technical efficiency, while capital deepening has a mitigation effect on the green technical efficiency. The technological change of Shanghai's industrial production biases to energy use and capital saving, causing a high energy demand of industrial development. Under the dual impacts of economic development and energy-saving and emission-reduction policies, the degree of technological change biased to the environmental factor (carbon emissions) displays strong and weak alternations, indicating that the green bias of industrial technological change in Shanghai is not stable and that the green transformation of industrial development model needs to be further advanced.