Optimized small‐molecule pull‐downs define MLBP1 as an acyl‐lipid‐binding protein

Abscisic acid (ABA) receptors belong to the START domain superfamily, which encompasses ligand‐binding proteins present in all kingdoms of life. START domain proteins contain a central binding pocket that, depending on the protein, can couple ligand binding to catalytic, transport or signaling functions. In Arabidopsis, the best characterized START domain proteins are the 14 PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, while the other members of the superfamily do not have assigned ligands. To address this, we used affinity purification of biotinylated proteins expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana coupled to untargeted LC‐MS to identify candidate binding ligands. We optimized this method using ABA–PYL interactions and show that ABA co‐purifies with wild‐type PYL5 but not a binding site mutant. The K_d of PYL5 for ABA is 1.1 μm , which suggests that the method has sufficient sensitivity for many ligand–protein interactions. Using this method, we surveyed a set of 37 START domain‐related proteins, which resulted in the identification of ligands that co‐purified with MLBP1 (At4G01883) or MLP165 (At1G35260). Metabolite identification and the use of authentic standards revealed that MLBP1 binds to monolinolenin, which we confirmed using recombinant MLBP1. Monolinolenin also co‐purified with MLBP1 purified from transgenic Arabidopsis, demonstrating that the interaction occurs in a native context. Thus, deployment of this relatively simple method allowed us to define a protein–metabolite interaction and better understand protein–ligand interactions in plants.     

2014年江苏省药品注册年度报告

通过相关数据资料的统计与分析,对2014年江苏省药品注册管理情况进行总结,以提升全省药品注册管理能力,为企业研发、管理人员提供相关参考。     

Construction of rice mini-chromosomes by telomere-mediated chromosomal truncation

Telomere truncation has been shown to be an efficient technology for the creation of mini-chromosomes that can be used as artificial chromosome platforms for genetic engineering. Artificial chromosome-based genetic engineering is considered to be superior to the existing techniques of randomized gene integration by Agrobacterium or biolistic-mediated genetic transformation. It organizes multiple transgenes as a unique genetic linkage block for subsequent manipulations in breeding. Telomere truncation technology relies on three components: the telomere sequence that mediates chromosomal truncation, a selection marker that allows the selection of transgenic events, and a site-specific recombination system that can be used to accept future genes into the mini-chromosome by gene targeting. These elements are usually pre-assembled before transformation, a process that is both time and labor consuming. We found in this research that the three elements could be mixed to transform plant cells in a biolistic transformation, and produced efficient chromosomal truncations and mini-chromosomes in rice. This system will allow rapid construction of mini-chromosomes with a flexible selection of resistant markers, site-specific recombination systems and other desirable elements. In addition, a rice telotrisomic line was used as the starting material for chromosomal truncations. Mini-chromosomes from the truncations of both the telocentric chromosome and other chromosomes were recovered. The mini-chromosomes remained stable during 2 years of subculture. The construction of mini-chromosomes in rice, an economically important crop, will provide a platform for future artificial chromosome-based genetic engineering of rice for stacking multiple genes.     

Withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration for patients in a permanent vegetative state: changing tack

In the United States, the decision of whether to withdraw or continue to provide artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) for patients in a permanent vegetative state (PVS) is placed largely in the hands of surrogate decision-makers, such as spouses and immediate family members. This practice would seem to be consistent with a strong national emphasis on autonomy and patient-centered healthcare. When there is ambiguity as to the patient's advanced wishes, the presumption has been that decisions should weigh in favor of maintaining life, and therefore, that it is the withdrawal rather than the continuation of ANH that requires particular justification. I will argue that this default position should be reversed. Instead, I will argue that the burden of justification lies with those who would continue artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH), and in the absence of knowledge as to the patient's advanced wishes, it is better to discontinue ANH. In particular, I will argue that among patients in PVS, there is not a compelling interest in being kept alive; that in general, we commit a worse violation of autonomy by continuing ANH when the patient's wishes are unknown; and that more likely than not, the maintenance of ANH as a bridge to a theoretical future time of recovery goes against the best interests of the patient.     

植物根系吸水模型研究进展

植物根系吸水模型是当前生态水文和陆面过程建模领域最为活跃的研究方向,是研究流域水文、生态、环境以及水资源可持续利用等科学问题中最为关键的部分,研究植物根系吸水的物理和生理机制及其影响因素,是建立植物根系吸水模型的基础.本文通过对植物根系吸水模型研究的回顾,讨论了水分和盐分胁迫在根系吸水中的作用、根系吸水的多维模型、根系吸水在陆面过程中的作用等问题,指出植物根系吸水模型发展所面临的问题并展望了未来的发展方向.     

微生物果胶酶研究进展

果胶酶是一类分解果胶质的酶的总称,它能将复杂的果胶分解为半乳糖醛酸等小分子。目前果胶酶在食品、纺织、医药、造纸、环境、生物技术、饲料等领域得到广泛应用。果胶酶主要来自微生物。综述了微生物果胶酶生产菌的菌种、选育、鉴定、发酵方法和发酵条件优化,酶的分离纯化、酶学性质和分子生物学方面的研究进展,并介绍了果胶酶的应用进展,最后展望了微生物果胶酶研究的广阔前景。     

葡糖杆菌属分类及其主要应用的研究进展

葡糖杆菌是醋酸菌科的一个重要属,与人类关系密切,该属中部分菌株在维生素C、米格列醇的工业生产及合成中起着重要作用;此外,该属菌株还能氧化葡萄糖生成葡糖酸盐和酮基葡糖酸等工业重要中间体。综述了葡糖杆菌的研究进展,主要介绍了葡糖杆菌的生理生化特征、分类进展及其主要应用,可以为广大醋酸菌研究者提供参考。