Transient expression of β-glucuronidase in plastids of various plant cells and tissues delivered by a pneumatic particle gun

Chloroplast expression plasmids pTRBCL-GUS (tobaccorbcL promoter-gusA-tobaccorbcL terminator) and pHHU3004 (spinach ‘x gene’ promoter-gusA-spinachrbcL terminator) and a control nuclear expression plasmid pBI221 (CaMV 35S promoter-gusA-NOS terminator) were introduced separately into cultured cells and tissues of tobacco andArabidopsis thaliana, as well as into cultured cells of the lower land plants liverwort and hornwort by a pneumatic particle gun. The pTRBCL-GUS and pHHU3004 plasmids produced many blue spots in the BY-2 cells and the roots ofArabidopsis thaliana, but not in any of the green cells or tissues. The results suggest that the pTRBCL-GUS and pHHU3004 plasmids are expressed more in proplastids and amyloplasts than in chloroplasts. GUS activities of the BY-2 cells bombarded with pTRBCL-GUS and pHHU3004 were insensitive to α-amanitin treatment (10 and 50 μg/ml), while that of the cells with pBI221 greatly decreased by the same treatment. Hence, it is likely that the pTRBCL-GUS and pHHU3004 plasmids were substantially expressed in the proplastids.     

The SPP1 connection

Abstract: The connector of the virulent Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPP1 (Styloviridae) is a structure localized at the phage head vertex which attaches the tail. It is formed by oligomerization of SPP1 gene product 6 (gp6; portal protein). The purified protein is found in solution essentially as a homo-tredecamer. Its assembly pattern resembles the turbine-like organization found for other portal proteins and has a defined handedness (Dube et al. (1993) EMBO J. 12, 1303–1309). A preliminary reconstruction of the structure shows that gp6 is composed of a lower ring connected by a narrow region to the upper area consisting of 13 lobes radiating from an inner ring. The assembly is organized around a central channel which spans its full height. A functional characterization of gp6 mutants showed that substitutions of defined amino acids by more basic residues lead to packaging of reduced amounts of DNA into the phage head (Tavares et al. (1992) J. Mol. Biol. 225, 81–92). Since SPP1 encapsidates its DNA by a headful mechanism, these mutations ( siz ) affect most probably a function on the headful sensor—signal transduction—headful cut system. Combination of siz alleles has severe effects in packaging. The resulting gp6 versions lead to the encapsidation of shorter DNA molecules at a lower efficiency than single siz mutants. Gene 6 is expressed late during SPP1 infection. Interestingly, the mass of portal protein inside the cell then increases continuously until lysis, reaching a level several fold higher than the amount required to accomplish its role as a structural component of the virion.     

Determining residual reduction algorithm kinematic tracking weights for a sidestep cut via numerical optimization

Musculoskeletal modeling allows for the determination of various parameters during dynamic maneuvers by using in vivo kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data as inputs. Differences between experimental and model marker data and inconsistencies in the GRFs applied to these musculoskeletal models may not produce accurate simulations. Therefore, residual forces and moments are applied to these models in order to reduce these differences. Numerical optimization techniques can be used to determine optimal tracking weights of each degree of freedom of a musculoskeletal model in order to reduce differences between the experimental and model marker data as well as residual forces and moments. In this study, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and simplex simulated annealing (SIMPSA) algorithms were used to determine optimal tracking weights for the simulation of a sidestep cut. The PSO and SIMPSA algorithms were able to produce model kinematics that were within 1.4° of experimental kinematics with residual forces and moments of less than 10 N and 18 Nm, respectively. The PSO algorithm was able to replicate the experimental kinematic data more closely and produce more dynamically consistent kinematic data for a sidestep cut compared to the SIMPSA algorithm. Future studies should use external optimization routines to determine dynamically consistent kinematic data and report the differences between experimental and model data for these musculoskeletal simulations.     

Calcium association with phosphatidylserine Modification by cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine in monolayers and bilayers

We have examined the association of Ca²⁺ with phosphatidylserine/cholesterol and phosphatidylserine/ dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine mixed monolayers using a surface radiocounting technique. No Ca²⁺ association with pure monolayers of the uncharged molecules was observed. The Ca²⁺/phosphatidylserine surface ratio was approximately 1:2 in expanded monolayers of the pure anionic lipid and in phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine mixtures. An increase in surface-associated Ca²⁺ to a number ratio of 1:1 was observed in phosphatidylserine/cholesterol films when the mole fraction of cholesterol was raised to 0.5 and above and the phospholipid number density held constant. We interpret these findings as a prevention of intermolecular salt formation by the sterol. Further support is provided by particle electrophoresis     

Elemental analysis of particles in fungal zoospores

The elemental composition of gamma particles in zoospores ofAllomyces macrogynus andBlastocladiella emersonii was determined by use of energy dispersive X-ray analysis of glutaraldehyde fixed, thin section zoospores. Isolated preparations of gamma particles were also examined. Gamma particles contained no detectable elements. Similar sized, globular, electron dense cytoplasmic inclusions contained phosphorus and calcium. We suggest that previous studies assigning calcium and phosphorus to gamma particles may have been based on confusion of these two types of cytoplasmic inclusions.     

Ion beam radiobiology and cancer: Time to update ourselves

High-energy protons and carbon ions exhibit an inverse dose profile allowing for increased energy deposition with penetration depth. Additionally, heavier ions like carbon beams have the advantage of a markedly increased biological effectiveness characterized by enhanced ionization density in the individual tracks of the heavy particles, where DNA damage becomes clustered and therefore more difficult to repair, but is restricted to the end of their range. These superior biophysical and biological profiles of particle beams over conventional radiotherapy permit more precise dose localization and make them highly attractive for treating anatomically complex and radioresistant malignant tumors but without increasing the severe side effects in the normal tissue. More than half a century since Wilson proposed their use in cancer therapy, the effects of particle beams have been extensively investigated and the biological complexity of particle beam irradiation begins to unfold itself. The goal of this review is to provide an as comprehensive and up-to-date summary as possible of the different radiobiological aspects of particle beams for effective application in cancer treatment.     

Measuring Spray Droplet Size from Agricultural Nozzles Using Laser Diffraction

When making an application of any crop protection material such as an herbicide or pesticide, the applicator uses a variety of skills and information to make an application so that the material reaches the target site (i.e., plant). Information critical in this process is the droplet size that a particular spray nozzle, spray pressure, and spray solution combination generates, as droplet size greatly influences product efficacy and how the spray moves through the environment. Researchers and product manufacturers commonly use laser diffraction equipment to measure the spray droplet size in laboratory wind tunnels. The work presented here describes methods used in making spray droplet size measurements with laser diffraction equipment for both ground and aerial application scenarios that can be used to ensure inter- and intra-laboratory precision while minimizing sampling bias associated with laser diffraction systems. Maintaining critical measurement distances and concurrent airflow throughout the testing process is key to this precision. Real time data quality analysis is also critical to preventing excess variation in the data or extraneous inclusion of erroneous data. Some limitations of this method include atypical spray nozzles, spray solutions or application conditions that result in spray streams that do not fully atomize within the measurement distances discussed. Successful adaption of this method can provide a highly efficient method for evaluation of the performance of agrochemical spray application nozzles under a variety of operational settings. Also discussed are potential experimental design considerations that can be included to enhance functionality of the data collected.     

茶树转基因技术研究进展

茶树原产于中国,目前已经成为一种世界性的重要经济作物,也是最流行的健康饮料植物。本文概要介绍了茶树农杆菌介导法和基因枪法遗传转化的特点、研究现状及存在问题,对近年来利用这两种方法转化茶树的范例做了概述,并展望了发展前景,将为新技术在茶树育种及育苗过程中的应用提供理论依据。     

Translation elongation regulates substrate selection by the signal recognition particle

The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a universally conserved cellular machinery responsible for delivering membrane and secretory proteins to the proper cellular destination. The precise mechanism by which fidelity is achieved by the SRP pathway within the in vivo environment is yet to be understood. Previous studies have focused on the SRP pathway in isolation. Here we describe another important factor that modulates substrate selection by the SRP pathway: the ongoing synthesis of the nascent polypeptide chain by the ribosome. A slower translation elongation rate rescues the targeting defect of substrate proteins bearing mutant, suboptimal signal sequences both in vitro and in vivo. Consistent with a kinetic origin of this effect, similar rescue of protein targeting was also observed with mutant SRP receptors or SRP RNAs that specifically compromise the kinetics of SRP-receptor interaction during protein targeting. These data are consistent with a model in which ongoing protein translation is in constant kinetic competition with the targeting of the nascent proteins by the SRP and provides an important factor to regulate the fidelity of substrate selection by the SRP.     

130例智力低下儿童脆性X检测报告

本文采用脆性 X检测技术对130例先天性智力低下儿童进行了细胞遗传学研究,结果共发现27例具有染色体异常。其中t(5;15)及t(8;12),inv(9)两例核型,经鉴定为世界首报核型;检出5例脆性X综合征,检出率为3.77%,占异常核型的18.5%。 Abstract:The cytogenetic study was made on 130 mentally retarded children with the technique of Fra(X) detection.Among the 27 mentally retarded children with chromosomal abnormalities found in the study,the two karyotypes of t (5;15) and t (8;21),inv(9) were first reported in the literature.of the 130 mentally retarded cases,5 had fragile (X) syndrome (3.77%).The syndrome accounted for 18.5% in the abnormal karyotypes.