Knockout of Nr2e3 prevents rod photoreceptor differentiation and leads to selective L-/M-cone photoreceptor degeneration in zebrafish

Mutations in the photoreceptor cell-specific nuclear receptor gene Nr2e3 increased the number of S-cone photoreceptors in human and murine retinas and led to retinal degeneration that involved photoreceptor and non-photoreceptor cells. The mechanisms underlying these complex phenotypes remain unclear. In the hope of understanding the precise role of Nr2e3 in photoreceptor cell fate determination and differentiation, we generated a line of Nr2e3 knockout zebrafish using CRISPR technology. In these Nr2e3-null animals, rod precursors undergo terminal mitoses but fail to differentiate as rods. Rod-specific genes are not expressed and the outer segment (OS) fails to form. Formation and differentiation of cone photoreceptors is normal. Specifically, there is no increase in the number of UV-cone or S-cone photoreceptors. Laminated retinal structure is maintained. After normal development, L-/M-cones selectively degenerate, with progressive shortening of OS that starts at age 1 month. The amount of cone phototransduction proteins is concomitantly reduced, whereas UV- and S-cones have normal OS lengths even at age 10 months. In vitro studies show Nr2e3 synergizes with Crx and Nrl to enhance rhodopsin gene expression. Nr2e3 does not affect cone opsin expression. Our results extend the knowledge of Nr2e3's roles and have specific implications for the interpretation of the phenotypes observed in human and murine retinas. Furthermore, our model may offer new opportunities in finding treatments for enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) and other retinal degenerative diseases.     

藏药“加哇”的化学成分研究

藏药“加哇”来源于西藏棱子芹(Pleurospermum hookeri C. B. Clarke var. thomsonn C.B.Clarke》的根及根茎,从其中共分得10种化学成分,经理化常数、波谱数据和化学反应鉴定其结构为:川陈皮素(Ⅰ)、falcarindiol(Ⅱ)、异甘草素(Ⅲ)、甘草查耳酮甲(Ⅳ)、壬二酸(Ⅴ)、反式阿魏酸(Ⅵ)、豆甾-4,22-二烯-3-酮(Ⅶ)、月桂酸酐(Ⅷ)、β-谷甾醇(Ⅸ)、二十四烷(Ⅹ)。所鉴定的化合物皆为首次从加哇中分得。除了falcarindiol和β-谷甾醇以外,其余8种成分在棱子芹属植物中尚属首次发现。     

咸阳大穗麦84(加)79-3-1的引种研究

在福建不同生态区对陕西咸阳大穗麦84(加)7931进行了3年引种研究。结果表明,该品种为春性,其幼穗分化发育进程及生育期与福建品种类似,可以正常抽穗成熟;矮秆大穗,株高80～88cm,穗长18～20cm,每穗22～23个小穗46～48粒,千粒重50～60g,小穗排列稀疏,顶部小穗较易退化,分蘖力较弱,单株成穗数少;较耐肥,在高肥条件下产量可达6000kg·hm^-2,比对照增产20%左右;耐旱性和耐湿性较差,抗锈病,中抗白粉病,重感赤霉病;在福建沿海高产区可搭配种植,并可作为大穗亲本在育种上应用.     

Diurnal rhythms of common α-subunit mRNA expression in the pars tuberalis of hamsters and chickens

To clarify whether the common -subunit of glycoprotein hormones is involved in photic signal transduction, -subunit mRNA levels in the pars tuberalis (PT) of both hamsters and chickens were estimated at different time points of the day/night cycle by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Distinct diurnal rhythms were found for -subunit mRNA expression in both species. In the hamster PT, -subunit mRNA levels gradually increased during the dark phase; the diurnal peak was found at time (ZT) 21. The lowest value was obtained at ZT 5 during the day. In the chicken PT, -subunit mRNA levels were maintained at a low constant level at night between ZT 13 and 21. Thus, -subunit mRNA expression in the PT depends on the light–dark cycle and may be controlled by the pineal hormone melatonin. The effect of various photoperiods on the hamster PT was examined by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. In hamsters kept under short photoperiod (L/D=8 h:16 h) or complete darkness, a dramatic decrease of -subunit mRNA level was induced, and the PT-specific cells accumulated glycogen-like particles and enlarged secretory granules. Under long photoperiods (L/D=16 h:8 h), however, the -subunit mRNA level was elevated and the PT-specific cells exhibited highly active features, i.e., piles of lamellar cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and well-developed Golgi complexes. The -subunit synthesized by the PT-specific cells may therefore participate in the circadian and seasonal regulation of endocrine activities.     

五加皮及其混乱品种的药理作用研究

本文对刺五加、细柱五加、红毛五加、香加皮的醇提物及红毛五加水提物五种药液的药理作用进行了比较研究。结果如下：（１）分组腹腔注射五种药液对巴豆油引起的小鼠耳部炎症均有显著的抑制作用,其中以红毛五加水提物的抗炎作用最强。（２）灌胃给五种药液只有红毛五加水提物和刺五加醇提物能明显延长小鼠游泳时间。（３）对环磷酰胺所致白细胞数减少的小鼠分组灌胃五种药液,结果表明红毛五加水提物、刺五加醇提物及细柱五加醇提物均有明显的升白作用。（４）在研究五种药液影响巴比妥钠诱导小鼠睡眠的实验中,结果显示灌胃刺五加醇提物能明显延长小鼠的睡眠时间,香加皮和红毛五抓醇提物则明显缩短小鼠的睡眠时间,细住五加醇提物和红毛五加水提物对小鼠睡眠时间无影响。     

New derivatives of ursolic acid through the biotransformation by Bacillus megaterium CGMCC 1.1741 as inhibitors on nitric oxide production

Microbial transformation of ursolic acid (1) by Bacillus megaterium CGMCC 1.1741 was investigated and yielded five metabolites identified as 3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2); 1β,11α-dihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3); 1β-hydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28, 13-lactoe (4); 1β,3β, 11α-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (5) and 1β,11α-dihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (6). Metabolites 3, 4, 5 and 6 were new natural products. Their nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activity was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) – stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant activities with the IC₅₀ values of 1.243 and 1.711 μM, respectively. A primary structure-activity relationship was also discussed.     

Symbiotic acacia ants drive nesting behavior by birds in an African savanna

Mutualisms between plants and ants are common features of tropical ecosystems around the globe and can have cascading effects on interactions with the ecological communities in which they occur. In an African savanna, we assessed whether acacia ants influence nest site selection by tree-nesting birds. Birds selected nest sites in trees inhabited by ant species that vigorously defend against browsing mammals. Future research could address the extent to which hatching and fledging rates depend on the species of ant symbiont, and why ants tolerate nesting birds but no other tree associates (especially insects). Abstract in Swahili is available with online material.