植物基因启动子研究进展

综述了植物基因启动子的核心结构与功能、植物基因启动子的种类：异源组成型启动子(CaMV35S、MMV)和从植物自身克隆的组成型启动子(PTSB1和PPHYB),以及植物中通过按物理因素(温、光、旱、热等)、化学因素(离子、有机物、激素等)和生物因素(病菌、组织器官、发育阶段等)诱导表达的一些启动子,发育时期特异的启动子、器官特异的启动子(根、茎、叶等)和植物中应用的人工双向启动子的研究进展和应用前景。     

蔗糖转运蛋白基因VvSUC11和VvSUC12双价植物表达载体的构建及在甜菜中的遗传转化

将葡萄Vitis vinifera L.的蔗糖转运蛋白基因VvSUC11和VvSUC12与甘薯Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.的甘薯贮藏蛋白 (Sporamin) 基因的根部特异性启动子命名为SP1和SP2重组。以pCAMBIA2301为起始载体,构建了pCAMBIA2301- SP1-VvSUC11-SP2-VvSUC12用农杆菌介导法转化了甜菜Beta vulgaris L.品种KWS-9103,发现预培养4 d,侵染时农杆菌的浓度OD600值为0.5,附加0.005％表面活性剂Silwet L-77,延迟筛选4 d,转化效率最高,可达42％。对在卡那霉素中分化并生根的甜菜植株进行PCR和RT-PCR检测,证明目的基因已整合到甜菜中并表达,为进一步研究该基因在甜菜Beta vulgaris中的功能奠定了基础。     

Characterization of genome-wide enhancer-promoter interactions reveals co-expression of interacting genes and modes of higher order chromatin organization

Recent epigenomic studies have predicted thousands of potential enhancers in the human genome. However, there has not been systematic characterization of target promoters for these potential enhancers. Using H3K4me2 as a mark for active enhancers, we identified genome-wide EP interactions in human CD4⁺ T cells. Among the 6 520 long-distance chromatin interactions, we identify 2 067 enhancers that interact with 1 619 promoters and enhance their expression. These enhancers exist in accessible chromatin regions and are associated with various histone modifications and polymerase II binding. The promoters with interacting enhancers are expressed at higher levels than those without interacting enhancers, and their expression levels are positively correlated with the number of interacting enhancers. Interestingly, interacting promoters are co-expressed in a tissue-specific manner. We also find that chromosomes are organized into multiple levels of interacting domains. Our results define a global view of EP interactions and provide a data set to further understand mechanisms of enhancer targeting and long-range chromatin organization. The Gene Expression Omnibus accession number for the raw and analyzed chromatin interaction data is {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE32677","term_id":"32677"}}GSE32677.     

Effect of localized pulsed electromagnetic fields on tail-suspension osteopenia in growing mice

Pulsed magnetic fields (PEMFs) have been used effectively to treat bone fractures and sciatic-nerve-section-induced osteopenias. Properly applied PEMFs are presumed to stimulate osteogenesis. Mouse-tail suspension has been implemented as a means of inducing an osteopenic response in the long bones of the hind limbs. To evaluate localized PEMF effects, the mouse-suspension model was modified to accommodate the use of miniature wire coils affixed directly to the rear legs. Laterally and axially orientated PEMF effects were compared. Three test groups of mice included (C) control mice, (S) tail-suspended mice with treatment apparatus attached, and (SF) tail-suspended mice with apparatus attached and PEMFs delivered. The SF group was divided into mice receiving axial or lateral PEMFs. Significant bone changes occurred in suspended as compared with control mice after a 2-week test period. The PEMF mice showed significantly fewer osteopenic effects than did untreated, suspended mice. These findings are based on biomechanical measures of stiffness, strength, ductility, and energy as well as whole-bone mass and porosity. The effects of PEMFs on these properties differ for axial and lateral exposures. The results are discussed in terms of mechanisms underlying PEMF effects.     

Making space for traditions

For quite some time, the question of continuity across species with respect to culture has been linked in the academic world with definitional issues: What is culture, and how we can identify culture in a nonverbal species? 1 - 4 Behavioral scientists agree that behavioral traditions are that aspect of culture we can study in nonhuman animals, and we recognize that traditions are widespread in the animal kingdom (reviewed in Fragaszy and Perry, 5 see Laland and Hoppitt 6 ). However, confirming candidate traditions in nonhuman primates has proven frustratingly difficult. The difficulties experienced in identifying and studying traditions in nonhuman primates are correctable because they arise more from a combination of poor logic and conceptual confusion than from an inability to collect appropriate data. I argue that explicit evidence concerning social learning is necessary to evaluate the status of a behavioral practice as a tradition, and I suggest some ways that such evidence can be collected in natural settings using correlational methods and longitudinal designs. Clearer understanding of the social basis of traditions in nonhuman animals is essential to make headway in understanding their relation to human culture. No matter what else one includes in a definition of culture, a social basis for its existence is axiomatic.     

腈水合酶NHaseK在大肠杆菌中的功能表达

腈水合酶由α亚基和β亚基组成,活化元件对其功能表达至关重要,研究腈水合酶基因簇中各元件的表达比例对酶重组表达的影响具有重要意义。以来源于Klebsiella oxytoca KCTC 1686的腈水合酶（NHaseK）为研究对象,构建了多种表达策略,以期实现α亚基、β亚基和活化元件17k差异表达。利用pETDuet-1质粒具有双T7启动子的特点,将上述基因以八种不同的组合方式分别插入于两个启动子之后。当将三段基因同时插入于第一个启动子之后时,亚基表达量均衡,比活力为0.78 U/mg蛋白,是亚基表达量比例为5：3时的124%。在此基础上,在第二个启动子之后插入活化元件基因,活化元件表达水平提升2倍,比活提升5%,为0.82 U/mg蛋白。当将α亚基和β亚基插入于不同启动子之后时,酶活仅为对照组的10%,说明NHaseK的亚基必须同时转录才可形成成熟蛋白。进一步考察质粒拷贝数对大肠杆菌表达NHaseK的影响,确定15~20的质粒拷贝数足够实现NHaseK的功能表达。结果表明,亚基的均衡表达以及活化元件的充分表达对NHaseK的重组表达具有积极作用。