From Virus Research to Molecular Biology: Tobacco Mosaic Virus in Germany, 1936-1956

In 1937, a group of researchers in Nazi Germany began investigating tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) with the hope of using the virus as a model system for understanding gene behavior in higher organisms. They soon developed a creative and interdisciplinary work style and were able to continue their research in the postwar era, when they made significant contributions to the history of molecular biology. This group is significant for two major reasons. First, it provides an example of how researchers were able to produce excellent scientific research in the midst of dictatorship and war.Coupled with the group's ongoing success in postwar Germany, the German TMV investigators provide a dramatic example of how scientific communities deal with adversity as well as rapid political and social change. Second, since the researchers focused heavily (though no exclusively) on TMV, their story allows us to analyze how an experimental system other than phage contributed to the emergence of molecular biology.     

Recent progress in the molecular biology of the clonedN-acetylglucosaminyltransferases

Several genes which code for theN-acetylglucosaminyltransferases have been cloned and characterized. Physiological and pathophysiological roles of the genes still remain to be elucidated but accumulated evidence suggests that theN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase genes are implicated in differentiation, morphogenesis and cancer metastasis.     

Recent advances in the study of long-distance dispersal of aquatic invertebrates via birds

Although Darwin pioneered the study of long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of aquatic invertebrates via waterbirds, it remains in its infancy as a modern discipline. A handful of recent studies have quantified internal or external transport in the field, confirming that a variety of long‐distance migrants carry invertebrates both internally and externally. These studies show that variation in the morphology of vectors influences the frequency and size of propagules transported, and suggest that more invertebrate groups disperse via birds than was previously thought. Dispersal limitation has mainly been investigated for zooplankton in small experimental systems from which waterbirds were effectively excluded, and the extent of such limitation for invertebrate populations in wetlands interconnected by waterbird movements remains unclear. We expect that the spatial and temporal scales at which dispersal limitation constrains geographical ranges, species richness and genetic structure of invertebrates depends partly on the density of migratory birds using the area. Birds may have a major role in the expansion of exotic species. We propose several avenues for future research. There is a particular need for more quantitative studies of LDD by birds that will enable modellers to assess its role in maintaining invertebrate biodiversity among increasingly fragmented wetlands and in the face of climate change, as well as in the spread of invasive species.     

梨小食心虫化学感受蛋白cDNA的克隆、序列分析及原核表达

为了研究梨小食心虫Grapholita molesta化学感受蛋白（chemosensory proteins, CSPs）在化学感受系统中的作用, 本研究利用RT-PCR和RACE技术克隆到一条梨小食心虫化学感受蛋白的全长cDNA序列, 命名为GmolCSP （GenBank 登录号： JQ821389）。序列分析表明, GmolCSP开放阅读框序列为384 bp, 编码127个氨基酸残基, 预测N末端含有18个氨基酸组成的信号肽序列, 其成熟蛋白的预测分子量为12.80 kD, 等电点为8.33。该基因编码的氨基酸序列与其他鳞翅目昆虫化学感受蛋白的氨基酸序列具有较高同源性。RT-PCR结果显示, GmolCSP在梨小食心虫成虫触角、 去触角的头、 胸、 腹、 足和翅中都有表达。将GmolCSP重组到表达载体pET-32a中, 转入大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）进行表达。SDS-PAGE和Western 印迹检测结果显示, 梨小食心虫化学感受蛋白基因在大肠杆菌中成功地表达出一个分子量约为29 kD的融合蛋白, 与预测的融合蛋白分子量大小一致。本研究结果为进一步研究该蛋白的分子结构和功能奠定了良好基础。     

极端酶的研究进展

极端酶具有超常的生物学稳定性,能够在极端温度、pH、压力和离子强度下表现出生物学活性,因此极端酶为生物催化和生物转化提供了良机.新的极端物种的发现、基因组序列的确定及基因工程技术的应用,加快了发现和制备新酶的进程.蛋白质工程和定向进化技术进一步改善酶的活性和特异性,促进了极端酶的工业应用.对极端酶的研究加深了人们对酶稳定性机制的理解,丰富了分子进化理论.     

大葱组织培养中玻璃苗特性研究

以章丘大葱为试验材料,从形态组织学及生理生化等方面探讨了大葱试管苗玻璃化发生的可能机理。结果表明,玻璃苗形态组织结构与正常苗有很大差异,玻璃苗组织含水量增加,过氧化物酶(POD)活性增强,叶绿素总量、叶绿素a、叶绿素b、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性、可溶性蛋白含量均降低。玻璃苗酯酶同工酶谱带与正常苗相比,增加了一条带,同时缺少了两条带;可溶性蛋白电泳分析表明,玻璃苗与正常苗间也存在明显差异。可见,当外界环境条件不适宜植物生长需要时,植物体在基因表达水平上将会受到影响,表达产物的差异可引起生理代谢功能上的紊乱,从而导致形态结构的畸型,进而产生玻璃化苗。     

Intraspecific diversity of the Cassava Green Mite Mononychellus progresivus (Acari: Tetranychidae) using comparisons of mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences and cross-breeding

Intraspecific diversity in Cassava Green Mite Mononychellus progresivus Doreste was examined using individuals collected in Benin and the Congo and in Columbia and Brazil. Comparisons were based on mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA sequences and the results of several cross-breeding experiments. Sequence variation was examined in a total of 1139 base pairs (bp) constituting the ITS2 ribosomal DNA (805 bp) and a fragment of the Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene (334 bp). Sequence divergence is low, ranging from 0% to 2.1% for COI and from 0% to 0.4% for ITS2. Inter-strain comparisons have shown that the two African populations appear to be identical. They were similar to the Colombian population while the Brazilian population was clearly different. The data support the hypothesis of a single introduction of the species in the two African populations. Crossing experiments have shown partial hybrid sterility, suggesting a genetic incompatibility consistent with differences detected by sequence data. The results show the usefulness of molecular markers as a tool for determining taxonomic status and dispersion paths in spider mites.