The BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) Domain of p50RhoGAP/Cdc42GAP Sequesters RhoA from Inactivation by the Adjacent GTPase-activating Protein Domain

The BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP homology (BCH) domain is a novel regulator for Rho GTPases, but its impact on p50-Rho GTPase-activating protein (p50RhoGAP or Cdc42GAP) in cells remains elusive. Here we show that deletion of the BCH domain from p50RhoGAP enhanced its GAP activity and caused drastic cell rounding. Introducing constitutively active RhoA or inactivating GAP domain blocked such effect, whereas replacing the BCH domain with endosome-targeting SNX3 excluded requirement of endosomal localization in regulating the GAP activity. Substitution with homologous BCH domain from Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which does not bind mammalian RhoA, also led to complete loss of suppression. Interestingly, the p50RhoGAP BCH domain only targeted RhoA, but not Cdc42 or Rac1, and it was unable to distinguish between GDP and the GTP-bound form of RhoA. Further mutagenesis revealed a RhoA-binding motif (residues 85-120), which when deleted, significantly reduced BCH inhibition on GAP-mediated cell rounding, whereas its full suppression also required an intramolecular interaction motif (residues 169-197). Therefore, BCH domain serves as a local modulator in cis to sequester RhoA from inactivation by the adjacent GAP domain, adding to a new paradigm for regulating p50RhoGAP signaling.     

Size-dependent mortality in a Neotropical savanna tree: the role of height-related adjustments in hydraulic architecture and carbon allocation

Size-related changes in hydraulic architecture, carbon allocation and gas exchange of Sclerolobium paniculatum (Leguminosae), a dominant tree species in Neotropical savannas of central Brazil (Cerrado), were investigated to assess their potential role in the dieback of tall individuals. Trees greater than ∼6-m-tall exhibited more branch damage, larger numbers of dead individuals, higher wood density, greater leaf mass per area, lower leaf area to sapwood area ratio (LA/SA), lower stomatal conductance and lower net CO₂ assimilation than small trees. Stem-specific hydraulic conductivity decreased, while leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity remained nearly constant, with increasing tree size because of lower LA/SA in larger trees. Leaves were substantially more vulnerable to embolism than stems. Large trees had lower maximum leaf hydraulic conductance ( K _leaf) than small trees and all tree sizes exhibited lower K _leaf at midday than at dawn. These size-related adjustments in hydraulic architecture and carbon allocation apparently incurred a large physiological cost: large trees received a lower return in carbon gain from their investment in stem and leaf biomass compared with small trees. Additionally, large trees may experience more severe water deficits in dry years due to lower capacity for buffering the effects of hydraulic path-length and soil water deficits.     

数种昆虫5S rRNA结构特点的比较

比较已知结构的昆虫5S rRNA的核苷酸顺序,发现同科、同目的昆虫比不同科、不同目的昆虫有较少的核苷酸差别.根据Kimura和Ohta(1972)提出的经验公式,绘制了数种昆虫的系统发育图.结果表明,从分子进化得到的结论和经典分类基本上是一致的.根据DeWachter等(1982)提出的二级结构模型,归纳分析这些昆虫5S rRNA,发现保守位点与半保守位点(同一位点仅出现二种核苷酸残基)之和几乎占整个5S rRNA分子的100%.     

陕西省棘蝇属一新种(双翅目:蝇科)

整理近年来采自我国秦岭山区的蝇科标本中,发现棘蝇属Phaonia R.-D.一新种。模式标本保存于沈阳师范学院生物系。     

桑蚕促前胸腺激素的作用与前胸腺分泌活动的某些特点

本工作以前胸腺的体外器官培养技术和蜕皮激素的放射免疫分析法(MH-RIA)相结合,研究了桑蚕(Bombyx mori)促前胸腺激素(PTTH)的作用与前胸腺分泌的某些特点。结果表明,被PTTH激活后的前胸腺,在一定的时相过程内合成并分泌脱皮甾类激素;前胸腺本体不积累蜕皮甾类激素;PTTH对前胸腺的作用是积累性的;五龄不同天数的前胸腺合成分泌脱皮甾类激素的能力不同,并有不同的剂量反应。     

人酸性成纤维细胞生长因子神经营养作用的初步研究

本实验研究了人酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(haFGF)的体外神经营养作用。结果表明,haFGF在体外能明显促进鸡胚(E-8)脊髓组织神经突起的生长,并能明显改变新生大鼠脑星形胶质细胞的形态,使扁平、多角形紧密联接的细胞转化为具有纤维样突起的胶质细胞,同时对胶质细胞DNA合成也有一定促进作用。实验还证明,haFGF可增加体外培养新生大鼠海马神经元的存活,且大大增加神经元胞体体积及突起长度。     

兔边缘系统隔区呼吸相关神经元

本实验在42只家兔给与 Urethane 半量麻醉,在边缘系统隔区用玻璃微电极方法记录了60个自发的呼吸相关神经元单位放电:吸气型30个单位;呼气型16个单位;跨时相型14个单位。断双侧迷走神经,静脉注入尼克刹米后,呼吸相关神经元单位放电与呼吸节律变化具有伴随性,呈正相关。窒息可以诱发隔区神经元呼吸节律放电。延髓第四脑室局部注入2%Sod。pentothal 后,随呼吸节律抑制、隔区呼吸相关神经元单位放电立即消失。上述结果提示:到达边缘系统隔区的呼吸信息在自主功能及情绪活动的协调方面,可能被认为是有意义的。     

家兔中脑导水管周围灰质中注射八肽胆囊收缩素(CCK-8)拮抗吗啡镇痛和电针镇痛

家兔单侧PAG内注射CCK-83ng,能使静脉注射4mg/kg吗啡引起的镇痛作用降低73％或使电针镇痛效果降低67％。在1.5—6.0ng范围内呈量效关系。无硫的CCK-8无此作用。PAG内注射CCK受体拮抗剂proglumide 4μg可翻转CCK-8的抗吗啡镇痛作用。说明PAG部位注射外源性CCK-8可通过CCK受体对抗阿片镇痛。 PAG内注射CCK-8抗血清可显著增强静脉注射2mg/kg吗啡的镇痛效果。PAG内注射CCK抗血清本身也能引起痛阈轻度升高。说明PAG内有内源性的CCK-8发挥紧张性的抗阿片镇痛作用。     

小鼠体内脾脏,骨髓及精原细胞姐妹染色单体交换的比较研究

本文对几种化学诱变剂诱发小鼠体内脾脏、骨髓和精原细胞的SCE进行了比较研究,同时分析了几类常见化合物在小鼠脾脏细胞中诱发SCE的活力。结果显示诱变剂在脾脏细胞中诱发SCE比骨髓和精原细胞敏感。几类化合物都能显著地诱发小鼠脾脏SCE的增加,与对照相比差异显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01),说明利用小鼠脾脏细胞检测环境诱变物是相当灵敏的。