DNA barcoding of Cymbidium by genome skimming: Call for next-generation nuclear barcodes

Cymbidium is an orchid genus that has undergone rapid radiation and has high ornamental, economic, ecological and cultural importance, but its classification based on morphology is controversial. The plastid genome (plastome), as an extension of plant standard DNA barcodes, has been widely used as a potential molecular marker for identifying recently diverged species or complicated plant groups. In this study, we newly generated 237 plastomes of 50 species (at least two individuals per species) by genome skimming, covering 71.4% of members of the genus Cymbidium. Sequence-based analyses (barcoding gaps and automatic barcode gap discovery) and tree-based analyses (maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and multirate Poisson tree processes model) were conducted for species identification of Cymbidium. Our work provides a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library for Cymbidium species identification. The results show that compared with standard DNA barcodes (rbcL + matK) as well as the plastid trnH-psbA, the species identification rate of the plastome increased moderately from 58% to 68%. At the same time, we propose an optimized identification strategy for Cymbidium species. The plastome cannot completely resolve the species identification of Cymbidium, the main reasons being incomplete lineage sorting, artificial cultivation, natural hybridization and chloroplast capture. To further explore the potential use of nuclear data in identifying species, the Skmer method was adopted and the identification rate increased to 72%. It appears that nuclear genome data have a vital role in species identification and are expected to be used as next-generation nuclear barcodes.     

滇川桂3省暗褐网柄牛肝菌菌腔虫瘿的寄主植物与介壳虫种类调查

暗褐网柄牛肝菌Phlebopus portentosus与介壳虫形成的菌腔虫瘿是该菌营养机制研究的关键环节。本研究先后在云南、四川和广西3省区暗褐网柄牛肝菌产区的16个地点,对菌腔虫瘿的生态和生物学进行了大量的野外调查。发现根部着生菌腔虫瘿的寄主植物有31种,涉及16个科的28个属。与暗褐网柄牛肝菌形成菌腔虫瘿的介壳虫种类有12种,其中10种隶属粉蚧科Pseudococcidae、绵蚧科Monophlebidae、蚧科Coccidae各1种。在不同的寄主植物上菌腔虫瘿的寄生位置和形状会有所不同,与暗褐网柄牛肝菌菌丝形成菌腔虫瘿的寄主植物和介壳虫之间不存在专一性。上述研究结果为暗褐网柄牛肝菌的仿生栽培奠定了基础。     

Galangin ameliorates cardiac remodeling via the MEK1/2–ERK1/2 and PI3K–AKT pathways

Cardiac remodeling is associated with inflammation and apoptosis. Galangin, as a natural flavonol, has the potent function of regulating inflammation and apoptosis, which are factors related to cardiac remodeling. Beginning 3 days after aortic banding (AB) or Sham surgery, mice were treated with galangin for 4 weeks. Cardiac remodeling was assessed according to echocardiographic parameters, histological analyses, and hypertrophy and fibrosis markers. Our results showed that galangin administration attenuated cardiac hypertrophy, dysfunction, and fibrosis response in AB mice and angiotensin II-treated H9c2 cells. The inhibitory action of galangin in cardiac remodeling was mediated by MEK1/2–extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2)–GATA4 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–protein kinase B (AKT)–glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) activation. Furthermore, we found that galangin inhibited inflammatory response and apoptosis. Our findings suggest that galangin protects against cardiac remodeling through decreasing inflammatory responses and apoptosis, which are associated with inhibition of the MEK1/2–ERK1/2–GATA4 and PI3K–AKT–GSK3β signals.     

Inverse Agonistic Action of 3-Iodothyronamine at the Human Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 5

ObjectiveApplication of 3-iodothyronamine (3-T₁AM) results in decreased body temperature and body weight in rodents. The trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) 1, a family A G protein-coupled receptor, is a target of 3-T₁AM. However, 3-T₁AM effects still persist in mTaar1 knockout mice, which suggest so far unknown further receptor targets that are of physiological relevance. TAAR5 is a highly conserved TAAR subtype among mammals and we here tested TAAR5 as a potential 3-T₁AM target. First, we investigated mouse Taar5 (mTaar5) expression in several brain regions of the mouse in comparison to mTaar1. Secondly, to unravel the full spectrum of signaling capacities, we examined the distinct G_s-, G_i/o-, G_12/13-, G_q/11- and MAP kinase-mediated signaling pathways of mouse and human TAAR5 under ligand-independent conditions and after application of 3-T₁AM. We found overlapping localization of mTaar1 and mTaar5 in the amygdala and ventromedial hypothalamus of the mouse brain. Second, the murine and human TAAR5 (hTAAR5) display significant basal activity in the G_q/11 pathway but show differences in the basal activity in G_s and MAP kinase signaling. In contrast to mTaar5, 3-T₁AM application at hTAAR5 resulted in significant reduction in basal IP₃ formation and MAP kinase signaling. In conclusion, our data suggest that the human TAAR5 is a target for 3-T₁AM, exhibiting inhibitory effects on IP₃ formation and MAP kinase signaling pathways, but does not mediate G_s signaling effects as observed for TAAR1. This study also indicates differences between TAAR5 orthologs with respect to their signaling profile. In consequence, 3-T₁AM-mediated effects may differ between rodents and humans.     

Autonomic MC sets the metabolic tone

The CNS melanocortin (MC) and the autonomic nervous (ANS) system represent key regulators of energy homeostasis. In this issue, Rossi et al. (2011) dissect metabolic functions of MC4 receptors based on anatomic localization within the ANS by re-expressing MC4R subpopulations in cholinergic or brainstem neurons of MC4R-KO mice.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a novel 3D open framework structure of mixed valence ethylenediamine-vanadium phosphate: [C2H10N2][(HVO3)(HVO2) (PO4)]

A new three-dimensional open framework structure of mixed valence ethylenediamine-vanadium phosphate [C₂H₁₀N₂][(HV^IVO₃)(HV^VO₂)(PO₄)] (1), has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, fluorescent spectrum, TG-DTA and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a novel three-dimensional (3D) vanadium phosphate anion framework composed of vanadium, phosphate, and oxygen atoms through covalent bonds, with the diprotonated ethylenediamine [NH₃CH₂CH₂NH₃]²⁺ cations residing in the channels along c-axis. The organic diprotonated ethylenediamine cations interact with the O atoms in the inorganic network through hydrogen bonds. The electrochemical behavior of 1 has also been studied in detail by cyclic voltammograms, which is very important for practical applications in electrode modification. Furthermore, the strong photoluminescence property of compound 1 is also measured at room temperature.     

皱弱蛛属及其模式种的雌性新发现(蜘蛛目,弱蛛科)

首次报道了采自中国河北省赞皇县障石岩风景区(九女峰景区)的宽跗皱弱蛛Rhyssoleptoneta latitarsa Tong & Li,2007的雌性标本,并对该种的雄性模式标本进行重描述.标本保存与中国科学院动物研究所.     

百合鳞茎苯丙氨酸解氨酶提取条件的优化

研究兰州百合(Lilium davidii var. unicolor)鳞茎内PAL的最佳提取条件结果表明：pH 8.8的硼砂缓冲液为最适缓冲液;百合鳞茎的PAL不耐酸碱,更不耐酸;最适反应温度为40℃;随着水浴时间延长和水浴温度提高,PAL活性逐渐降低,但40℃水浴30 min后,酶活性仍保留47%;最适底物浓度为0.032 mol·L^-1;磨样时加入PVP 0.5 g,能够明显提高PAL活性。