Effect of adaptation to high light intensity on the kinetics of energy transfer from phycobilisomes to photosystem II in Anabaena cylindrica

Transfer efficiencies between phycobilisomes and photosystem II antenna chlorophylls were determined on membrane fragments isolated from low and high light adapted Anabaena cells. The observed increase in energy transfer in high light adapted cells is a consequence of shorter interchromophore distances and a decrease in the number of jumps of the exciting photons. Calculation of the rates of energy transfer and the coupling energies indicate that the weak interaction inferred for energy transfer between phycobilisome and photosystem II in low light adapted cells is replaced by an intermediate interaction in high light adapted cells.Abbreviations LLA low light adapted - HLA high light adapted - PBS phycobilisome - PS photosystem     

The increasing role of phosphatidylethanolamine as a lipid receptor in the action of host defence peptides

Host defence peptides (HDPs) are antimicrobial agents produced by organisms across the prokaryotic and eukaryotic kingdoms. Many prokaryotes produce HDPs, which utilise lipid and protein receptors in the membranes of bacterial competitors to facilitate their antibacterial action and thereby survive in their niche environment. As a major example, it is well established that cinnamycin and duramycins from Streptomyces have a high affinity for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and exhibit activity against other Gram-positive organisms, such as Bacillus. In contrast, although eukaryotic HDPs utilise membrane interactive mechanisms to facilitate their antimicrobial activity, the prevailing view has long been that these mechanisms do not involve membrane receptors. However, this view has been recently challenged by reports that a number of eukaryotic HDPs such as plant cyclotides also use PE as a receptor to promote their antimicrobial activities. Here, we review current understanding of the mechanisms that underpin the use of PE as a receptor in the antimicrobial and other biological actions of HDPs and describe medical and biotechnical uses of these peptides, which range from tumour imaging and detection to inclusion in topical microbicidal gels to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.     

Efficiency of donor cell preparation and recipient oocyte source for production of transgenic cloned dairy goats harboring human lactoferrin

The objective was to investigate the effects of the transgenic donor cell synchronization method, oocyte sources, and other factors, on production of hLF-gene nucleus transfer dairy goats. Three transfected cell lines from ear biopsies from three 3-mo-old Saanen dairy goats (designated Number 1, Number 2, and Number 3, respectively) were selected as karyoplast donors for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) after detailed identification (including PCR and sequencing of PCR products). In donor cell cycle synchronization studies, the apoptosis rate of hLF transgenic fibroblasts was not different (P > 0.05) after 3 days of serum starvation or 2 days of contact inhibition. Additionally, there was no effect (P > 0.05) on developmental capacity of reconstructed embryos; however, the kidding rate of recipients in the serum starvation group was higher than that in the contact inhibition group (18 vs. 0%, respectively). The production efficiency of the transgenic cloned goats using donor cells from the Number 1 dairy goat cell line was higher than those using the Number 2 and the Number 3 cell lines (kidding rates were 18, 2, and 0%, respectively, P < 0.05). The oocyte source did not significantly affect the pregnancy rate of hLF-transgenic cloned dairy goats, but more fetuses were aborted when using in vitro matured oocytes compared to in vivo matured oocytes. In summary, utilizing transfected 3-mo-old dairy goat fibroblasts as donor cells, seven live offspring were produced, and the hLF gene was successfully integrated. This study provided additional insights into preparation of donor cells and recipient oocytes for producing transgenic cloned goats through SCNT.     

The composition and function of all‐male herds of Thornicroft's giraffe,Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti,in Zambia

Temporary all‐male social groups are formed in a number of animal species. We examined 34 years of data collected from 36 male Thornicroft's giraffe in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia, to test a set of predictions related to five possible functions of all‐male herds (predator protection, practicing aggressive skills, prolonging life, nutritional demands and resource learning). We found that all‐male herds were significantly smaller than mixed‐sex herds, usually contained a mature bull, and were not dependent upon season or habitat. Dyadic associations between males in single sex herds were quite weak, with <25% of potential male dyads sighted together in an all‐male herd. Our data are best explained as a resource learning strategy adopted by males to obtain more extensive knowledge about the habitat, including both food and female distribution. However, other benefits in the form of predator protection, dietary intake and sharpening competitive skills for future contests over estrous females also seem to mediate formation of giraffe all‐male groups. We conclude that the primary advantage of roaming in all‐male herds changes during the life history of males.     

Lack of adequate seed supply is a major bottleneck for effective ecosystem restoration in Chile: friendly amendment to Bannister et al. (2018)

We argue that the need for a quality seed supply chain is a major bottleneck for the restoration of Chile's native ecosystems, thus supplementing the list of bottlenecks proposed by Bannister et al. in 2018. Specifically, there is a need for defining seed transfer zones, developing standards and capacities for properly collecting and storing seeds, reducing information gaps on seed physiology and longevity, and implementing an efficient seed supply chain with certification of seed origin and quality. Without such capacities, countries are unlikely to meet their restoration commitments. Although we focus on bottlenecks in Chile, the issues we raise are relevant to other countries and thus the global agenda for ecological restoration.     

利用体细胞核移植技术制作人胰岛素原转基因牛 （英文）

通过体细胞核移植技术制作了人胰岛素原转基因牛。在CMV启动子指导下以内部核糖体进入位点序列(IRES)连接的新霉素抗性基因和绿色荧光蛋白基因组成了双重标记基因的筛选系统,用于转基因细胞的富集以及细胞和植入前胚胎的筛选。转基因通过电穿孔的方法(900V/cm,5ms)转入体外培养的牛胎儿成纤维细胞,基因转染细胞在添加G418 (800μg/mL)的培养基中培养10天以富集转基因细胞。选择表达绿色荧光蛋白的转基因细胞作为核供体进行体细胞核移植,重构胚经体外培养至囊胚阶段,选择表达绿色荧光蛋白的囊胚进行胚胎移植。为比较基因转染以及供体细胞所处周期对转基因细胞核移植胚胎发育的影响,用作核移植供体的转基因细胞或非转基因细胞先饥饿培养2—4天(0.5 ?S) ,然后恢复培养(10?S) 10 h使细胞同步化于G1期,以正常培养的细胞作为对照进行核移植。结果表明,转基因细胞作为核供体得到的核移植胚胎的体外囊胚发育率低于以非转基因细胞为核供体的对照组(23.2% VS 35.2 %,P<0.05) ;转基因细胞周期同步化处理与否对其克隆胚囊胚发育率无显著影响(23.2% VS 18.9 %,P>0.05)。胚胎移植后2个月直肠检查发现7头受体牛(每头移植2—4枚胚胎)中有一头妊娠,并最终发育足月产下一头小牛。聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测和DNA测序分析表明其为转人胰岛素原基因的转基因克隆牛。     

转基因动物技术的研究进展

转基因动物是其基因组内稳定整合了所导入的外源基因的动物。目前转基因实验动物体系的研究,主要集中在导入方法和提高整合和表达效率两个方面。本文对这两个方面的进展作一综述。 Abstract：Transgenic animals are those whose genome have foreign genes integrated. Nowadays, researches concentrated in the ways of gene transfer and of improving efficiency of integration and expression.The paper has con cluded these two aspects.