人降钙素基因相关肽转基因马铃薯的RT-PCR分析

报道经过农杆菌介导将人降钙素基因相关肽(calcitoningenerelatedpeptide,CGRP)基因由马铃薯块茎专一表达classIpatatin基因5′侧翼区和CaMV35S启动子驱动构建的马铃薯表达载体导入马铃薯,PCR鉴定获得了转基因植株。RTPCR分析证实classIpatatin基因5′侧翼区驱动的CGRPmRNA在转基因马铃薯中的表达。研究结果在开发转基因马铃薯生物反应器表达医用多肽中具有重要意义。     

玉米农田土壤呼吸作用的空间异质性及其根系呼吸作用的贡献

基于4月底到9月底东北地区玉米农田土壤呼吸作用全生长季的观测,阐明了土壤呼吸作用的空间异质性特征,综合分析了水热因子、土壤性质、根系生物量及其测定位置对土壤呼吸作用空间异质性的影响,并对生长季中根系呼吸作用占土壤呼吸作用的比例进行了估算。结果表明,在植株尺度上,土壤呼吸作用存在着明显的空间异质性,较高的土壤呼吸速率通常出现在靠近玉米植株的地方。根系生物量的分布格局是影响土壤呼吸作用空间异质性的关键因素。在空间尺度上,土壤呼吸作用与根系生物量呈显著的线性关系,而土壤湿度、土壤有机质、全氮和碳氮比对土壤呼吸作用空间异质性的影响并不显著。通过建立土壤呼吸作用与玉米根系生物量的回归方程,对根系呼吸作用占土壤呼吸作用的比例进行了间接估算。玉米生长季中,根系呼吸作用占土壤呼吸作用的比例在43．1％～63．6％之间波动,均值为54．5％。     

An essay on the evolution of cognition: Constructing a theoretical conceptual framework

In this essay we provide an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of the evolution of human cognition and suggest the theoretical framework of genetic system theory (GST) for organizing the relevant content of several disciplines. This bio-social-cultural theory is based on the assumption that organisms are dynamic systems which interact with one another and their environment and are themselves composed of dynamic internal relations at several levels. Special emphasis will be placed upon these internal cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological mechanisms of learning and memory. The human individual organism is emphasized because in its experiential activity over time it is the site of integration for social, and cultural stimuli and because of its unique properties among living things. The primary disciplines for our discussion are drawn from the biological, social, and humanistic sciences and several concrete examples are given from each science.     

Induction of hsp70, alterations in oxidative stress markers and apoptosis against dichlorvos exposure in transgenic Drosophila melanogaster: Modulation by reactive oxygen species

We examined a hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by organophosphate compound dichlorvos modulates Hsp70 expression and anti-oxidant defense enzymes and acts as a signaling molecule for apoptosis in the exposed organism. Dichlorvos (0.015–15.0 ppb) without or with inhibitors of Hsp70, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were fed to the third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster transgenic for hsp70 (hsp70-lacZ) Bg⁹ to examine Hsp70 expression, oxidative stress and apoptotic markers. A concentration- and time-dependent significant increase in ROS generation accompanied by a significant upregulation of Hsp70 preceded changes in antioxidant defense enzyme activities and contents of glutathione, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in the treated organisms. An inhibitory effect on SOD and CAT activities significantly upregulated ROS generation and Hsp70 expression in the exposed organism while inhibition of Hsp70 significantly affected oxidative stress markers induced by the test chemical. A comparison made among ROS generation, Hsp70 expression and apoptotic markers showed that ROS generation is positively correlated with Hsp70 expression and apoptotic cell death end points indicating involvement of ROS in the overall adversity caused by the test chemical to the organism. The study suggests that (a) Hsp70 and anti-oxidant enzymes work together for cellular defense against xenobiotic hazard in D. melanogaster and (b) free radicals may modulate Hsp70 expression and apoptosis in the exposed organism.     

Effect of chilling on the diurnal rhythm of enzymes involved in protection against oxidative stress in a chilling-tolerant and a chilling-sensitive maize genotype

The effect of chilling on diurnal changes in activity of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase, glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) and glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) was analysed in the second leaf of Z 7, a chilling-tolerant, and Penjalinan, a chilling-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) genotype. Nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.1) was measured for comparison. All enzyme activities examined changed with a typical diurnal rhythm in both genotypes cultivated at 25°C. Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase and nitrate reductase activity peaked during the light period, then decreased and reached lowest levels at the end of the dark period. Glutathione reductase activity increased in the dark and decreased during the light period. Maximum glutathione transferase activities were measured in the middle of the light period, minimal ones in the middle of the dark period. At 12°C these diurnal changes were eliminated in all enzymes examined of both genotypes.
The average adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase and glutathione reductase activity were higher in the chilling-tolerant Z 7 than in the sensitive Penjanilan at 12°C in the light. Increased levels of both enzymes may contribute in establishing increased levels of cysteine and reduced glutathione in the chilling-tolerant Z 7. Indeed it has been shown before that the chilling-tolerant maize genotypes contain higher levels of both compounds at low temperatures than chilling-sensitive ones.     

Phosphorylation of sucrose synthase at serine 170: occurrence and possible role as a signal for proteolysis

Sequence analysis identified serine 170 (S170) of the maize (Zea mays L.) SUS1 sucrose synthase (SUS) protein as a possible, second phosphorylation site. Maize leaves contained two calcium-dependent protein kinase activities and a calcium-independent kinase activity with characteristics of an sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase. Phosphorylation of the novel S170 and the known serine 15 (S15) site by these protein kinases was determined in peptide substrates and detected in SUS1 protein substrates utilizing sequence- and phosphorylation-specific antibodies. We demonstrate phosphorylation of S170 in vitro and in vivo. The calcium-dependent protein kinases phosphorylated both S170 and S15, whereas SNF1-related protein kinase activity was restricted to S15. Calcium-dependent protein-kinase-mediated S170 and S15 phosphorylation kinetics were determined in wild-type and mutant SUS1 substrates. These analyses revealed that kinase specificity for S170 was threefold lower than that for S15, and that phosphorylation of S170 was stimulated by prior phosphorylation at the S15 site. The SUS-binding peptides encoded by early nodulin 40 (ENOD40) specifically antagonized S170 phosphorylation in vitro. A model wherein S170 phosphorylation functions as part of a mechanism targeting SUS for proteasome-mediated degradation is supported by the observations that SUS proteolytic fragments: (i) were detected and possessed relatively high phosphorylated-S170 (pS170) stoichiometry; (ii) were spatially coincident with proteasome activity within developing leaves; and (iii) co-sedimented with proteasome activity. In addition, full-length pS170-SUS protein was less stable than S170-SUS in cultured leaf segments and was stabilized by proteasome inhibition. Post-translational control of SUS protein level through pS170-promoted proteolysis may explain the specific and significant decrease in SUS abundance that accompanies the sink-to-source transition in developing maize leaves.     

利用转基因动物模型研究胰岛素样生长因子-I(IGF-I)在中枢神经系统中的生物学作用

胰岛素样生长因子 I(IGF I)是一种多功能性的细胞营养因子 ,在中枢神经系统的发育过程中发挥着重要的作用。近年来 ,针对IGF I在中枢神经系统 (CNS)中的生物学作用开展了大量的研究。综述了利用IGF I及其所属蛋白家族部分成员的转基因动物模型研究它们在中枢神经系统中的分布和对中枢神经系统各组成部分生长发育的影响及其临床学上的应用。