Identification and Molecular Characterization of the Alkaloid Biosynthesis Gene Family in Dendrobium catenatum

As one of the main active components of Dendrobium catenatum, alkaloids have high medicinal value. The physicochemicalproperties, conserved domains and motifs, phylogenetic analysis, and cis-acting elements of the genefamily members in the alkaloid biosynthesis pathway of D. catenatum were analyzed by bioinformatics, and theexpression of the genes in different years and tissues was analyzed by qRT-PCR. There are 16 gene families,including 25 genes, in the D. catenatum alkaloid biosynthesis pathway. The analysis of conserved domains andmotifs showed that the types, quantities, and orders of domains and motifs were similar among members ofthe same family, but there were significant differences among families. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that thegene family members showed some evolutionary conservation. Cis-acting element analysis revealed that therewere a large number of light-responsive elements and MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog)-related elements in these genes. qRT-PCR showed that expressions of gene family members involved in alkaloidsynthesis were different in different years and tissues of D. catenatum. This study provides a theoretical basisfor further exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of these genes in the alkaloid biosynthesis of D. catenatum.

Rational Engineering of Secondary Metabolic Pathways in a Heterologous Host to Enable the Biosynthesis of Hibarimicin Derivatives with Enhanced Anti-Melanomic Activity

A 61-kb biosynthetic gene cluster(BGC),which is accountable for the biosynthesis of hibarimicin(HBM)B from Microbispora rosea subsp.hibaria TP-A0121,was heterologously expressed in Streptomyces coelicolor M1154,which generated a trace of the target products but accumulated a large amount of shunt products.Based on rational analysis of the relevant secondary metabolism,directed engineering of the biosynthetic pathways resulted in the high production of HBM B,as well as new HBM derivates with improved antitumor activity.These results not only establish a biosynthetic system to effectively synthesize HBMs-a class of the largest and most complex Type-Ⅱpolyketides,with a unique pseudo-dimeric structure-but also set the stage for further engineering and deep investigation of this complex biosynthetic pathway toward potent anticancer drugs.

Transcriptome analysis reveals steroid hormones biosynthesis pathway involved in abdominal fat deposition in broilers

Excessive abdominal fat deposition reduces the feed efficiency and increase the cost of production in broilers.Therefore,it is an important task for poultry breeders to breed broilers with low abdominal fat.Abdominal fat deposition is a highly complex biological process,and its molecular basis remains elusive.In this study,we performed transcriptome analysis to compare gene expression profiles at different stages of abdominal fat deposition to identify the key genes and pathways involved in abdominal fat accumulation.We found that abdominal fat weight(AFW)increased gradually from day 35(D35)to 91(D91),and then decreased at day 119(D119).Accordingly,after detecting differentially expressed genes(DEGs)by comparing gene expression profiles at D35 vs.D63 and D35 vs.D91,and identifying gene modules associated with fat deposition by weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),we performed intersection analysis of the detected DEGs and WGCNA gene modules and identified 394 and 435 intersecting genes,respectively.The results of the Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses showed that the steroid hormone biosynthesis and insulin signaling pathways were co-enriched in all intersecting genes,steroid hormones have been shown that regulated insulin signaling pathway,indicating the importance of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway in the development of broiler abdominal fat.We then identified 6 hub genes(ACTB,SOX9,RHOBTB2,PDLIM3,NEDD9,and DOCK4)related to abdominal fat deposition.Further analysis also revealed that there were direct interactions between 6 hub genes.SOX9 has been shown to bind to proteins required for steroid hormone receptor binding,and RHOBTB2 indirectly regulates the steroid hormones biosynthesis through cyclin factor,and ultimately affect fat deposition.Our results suggest that the genes RHOBTB2 and SOX9 play an important role in fat deposition in broilers,by regulating steroid hormone synthesis.These findings provide new targets and directions for further studies on the mechanisms of fat deposition in chicken.

Systematic analysis of MYB transcription factors and the role of LuMYB216 in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in the flowers of flax(Linum usitatissimum L.)

Anthocyanin is an important pigment that affects plant color and nutritional quality.MYBs play an important role in plant anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation.However,the regulatory function of MYB transcription factors in anthocyanin synthesis in flax flowers is still unclear.In this study,402 MYB transcription factors were identified in the flax genome.These MYB members are unevenly distributed on 15 chromosomes.The R2R3-LuMYB members were divided into 32phylogenetic subfamilies.qRT-PCR analysis showed that seven R2R3-LuMYB genes in the adjacent subfamily of the evolutionary tree had similar expression patterns,among which Lu MYB216 was highly expressed in the petals of different colors.Moreover,gene editing of LuMYB216 in flax showed that the petal color,anther color and seed coat color of mutant plants were significantly lighter than those of wild-type plants,and the anthocyanin content of lumyb216 mutant plants was significantly reduced.Correlation analysis indicated that LuMYB216 was significantly positively correlated with the upstream regulator bHLH30.This study systematically analyzed the MYB gene family in flax,laying a foundation for studying the regulation of LuMYB216 in flax flower anthocyanin synthesis.

Cloning and Characterization of Genes Coding for Fructan Biosynthesis Enzymes (FBEs) in Triticeae Plants

Fructan is not only a carbon source for storage but also plays an important role as anti-stress agents in many plant species. Complex fructans having both β-（2,1）- and β-（2,6）-linked fructosyl units accumulate in Triticeae plants commonly. Three enzymes （sucrose： sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase, 1-SST, EC： 2.4.1.99; sucrose： fructan 6-fructosyltransferase, 6- SFT, EC： 2.4.1.10; and fructan： fructan 1-fructosyltransferase, 1-FFT, EC： 2.4.1.100） were involved in fructan biosynthesis in Triticeae plant species. We successfully isolated these genes from tetraploid wheat （Triticum turgidum, genotype： AABB）, common wheat （Triticum aestivum L., genotype： AABBDD） and three wild relatives of common wheat, Triticum urartu Thum. （the origin of the AA genome）, Aegilops speltoides （Tausch） Gren. （the putative source of the SS genome） and Aegilops tauschii Coss. （the source of the DD genome）. Sequence analysis revealed that all the FBEs （fructan biosynthetic enzymes） had three highly conserved functional motifs except 1-SST （EU981912） from tetraploid wheat species only with conserved DPNG. Low pI （isoelectric point） and potential N-glycosylation sites were predicted, which were crucial for protein compartmentation and post-translational process. Analysis on subcelluar localization signals showed that only 6-SFT had vacuolar-directed signal. Sequences alignment result showed that 1-SST and 1-FFT were more conservative and had closer relationship each other, while 6-SFT was more active during the evolution processing. According to the syntenic relationship between wheat and rice genome, FBEs were predicated to be located on the homeologous group 6 and group 2 chromosomes. Expression profile confirmed that expression of all the three FBEs were drought-stress induced. This study can assist to establish a useful theoretical platform for cold- or drought-tolerant improvement of wheat by modulating FBEs expression.

Functional identification of phenazine biosynthesis genes in plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Phenazines are secondary metabolites with broad spectrum antibiotic activity and thus show high potential in biological control of pathogens. In this study, we identified phenazine biosynthesis （phz） genes in two genome-completed plant pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato （Pst） DC3000 and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae （Xoo） PXO99A. Unlike the phz genes in typical phenazine-producing pseudomonads, phz homologs in Pst DC3000 and Xoo PXO99A consisted of phzC/D/E/F/G and phzC/E1/E2/F/G, respectively, and the both were not organized into an operon. Detection experiments demonstrated that phenazine-l-carboxylic acid （PCA） of Pst DC3000 accumulated to 13.4 IJg L-1, while that of Xoo PXO99A was almost undetectable. Moreover, Pst DC3000 was resistant to 1 mg mL-1 PCA, while Xoo PXO99A was sensitive to 50 IJg mL ~ PCA. Furthermore, mutation of phzF blocked the PCA production and significantly reduced the pathogenicity of Pst DC3000 in tomato, while the complementary strains restored these phenotypes. These results revealed that Pst DC3000 produces low level of and is resistant to phenazines and thus is unable to be biologically controlled by phenazines. Additionally, phz-mediated PCA production is required for full pathogenicity of Pst DC3000. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCA production and its function in pathogenicity of a plant pathogenic P. syringae strain.

Expression of <i>T4HR1</i>, a 1,3,6,8-Tetrahydroxynaphthalene Reductase Gene Involved in Melanin Biosynthesis, Is Enhanced by Near-Ultraviolet Irradiation in <i>Bipolaris oryzae</i>

Bipolaris oryzae is the causal agent of brown spot disease in rice and produces the dark pigment melanin. We isolated and characterized T4HR1 gene encoding 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (1,3,6,8-THN) reductase, which converted 1,3,6,8-THN to scytalone in the melanin biosynthesis from B. oryzae. A sequence analysis showed that the T4HR1 gene encoded a putative protein of 268 amino acids showing 50% - 99% sequence identity to other fungal 1,3,6,8-THN reductases. Targeted disruption of the T4HR1 gene showed a different phenotype of mycelial color due to an accumulation of shunt products compared to those of wild-type on PDA plates using tricyclazole as a melanin biosynthesis inhibitor. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of T4HR1 transcripts was enhanced by near-ultraviolet (NUV) irradiation and regulated by transcriptional factor BMR1, similar to three other melanin biosynthesis genes (polyketide synthase gene [PKS1], scytalone dehydratase gene [SCD1], and 1,3,8-THN reductase gene [THR1]) in the melanin biosynthesis of B. oryzae. These results suggested that common transcriptional mechanisms could regulate the enhanced gene expression of these melanin biosynthesis genes by NUV irradiation in B. oryzae.

Duplicated chalcone synthase(CHS)genes modulate flavonoid production in tea plants in response to light stress

In tea plants,the abundant flavonoid compounds are responsible for the health benefits for the human body and define the astringent flavor profile.While the downstream mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis have been extensively studied,the role of chalcone synthase(CHS)in this secondary metabolic process in tea plants remains less clear.In this study,we compared the evolutionary profile of the flavonoid metabolism pathway and discovered that gene duplication of CHS occurred in tea plants.We identified three CsCHS genes,along with a CsCHS-like gene,as potential candidates for further functional investigation.Unlike the CsCHS-like gene,the CsCHS genes effectively restored flavonoid production in Arabidopsis chs-mutants.Additionally,CsCHS transgenic tobacco plants exhibited higher flavonoid compound accumulation compared to their wild-type counterparts.Most notably,our examination of promoter and gene expression levels for the selected CHS genes revealed distinct responses to UV-B stress in tea plants.Our findings suggest that environmental factors such as UV-B exposure could have been the key drivers behind the gene duplication events in CHS.

EXPRESSION OF c－myc GENE AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES IN ANTISENSE TRANSFECTANT HL_（60）~R－9

The recombinant plasmid PGC was constructed for transcription unit of c-myc gene with diorientation in vitro, to make RNA probes for detection of c-myc mRNA and antisence RNA expression of tranfectant HL-9,which was obtained from HL60 cells transfected with inducible c-myc antisense RNA expression plasmid. The results from HL-9 cells induced by Cd2+ indicated that expression of c-myc antisense RNA increased with Cd2+ concentration and exposure time, while c-myc mRNA expression progressively reduced. Using immunohistochemical technique no c-myc P62 protein expression was detected. The incorporation of 3H-TdR, 3H-UR and 3H-Leu revealed significant suppression of DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis. It is suggested that the reversion changes previously reported in malignant Phenotypes of HL-9 cells and the inhibition of macromolecular biosynthesis mentioned above were associated with the blockade of c-myc gene expression by its antisense RNA.

长链非编码RNA PTENP1通过miR-3611/PTEN基因途径调控宫颈癌进程的分子机制研究

目的 探讨长链非编码RNA PTENP1 (以下简称“PTENP1”)在宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的分子机制。方法 选取2019年1月至2022年12月海南省妇女儿童医学中心诊断的54例的癌组织与癌旁组织,另选取宫颈癌细胞系(HeLa、SiHa、C33A、Caski)和正常宫颈上皮细胞系(H8),采用实时荧光定量PCR、蛋白质印迹法检测PTENP1、miR-3611、PTEN基因、PTEN蛋白水平。选取合适的宫颈癌细胞系,比较PTENP1在细胞质和细胞核中的表达情况,并进一步将其分为空白组(无处理)、pcDNA3.1组(转染pcDNA3.1)、pcDNA3.1-PTENP1组(转染pcDNA3.1-PTENP1)、NC组(阴性对照,转染模拟物或抑制剂NC)、miR-3611抑制剂组(转染miR-3611抑制剂)、pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+NC组(转染pcDNA3.1-PTENP1和NC)和pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+miR-3611 mimics组(转染pcDNA3.1-PTENP1和miR-3611模拟物)。比较空白组、pcDNA3.1组、pcDNA3.1-PTENP1组PTENP1、miR-3611、PTEN基因、PTEN蛋白及上皮间质转化的相关指标,采用细胞活力检测及流式细胞仪检测细胞增殖和凋亡情况;比较空白组、NC组、miR-3611抑制剂组miR-3611、PTEN基因、PTENP1水平;比较pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+NC组和pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+miR-361 1 mimics组的细胞增殖情况及上皮间质转化的相关指标。采用双萤光素酶报告基因及RNA下拉实验验证miR-3611与PTENP1、PTEN基因的靶向关系。结果 癌组织PTENP1、PTEN基因、PTEN蛋白水平低于癌旁组织,miR-3611水平高于癌旁组织(P<0.05)。HeLa、SiHa、C33A、Caski细胞PTENP1、PTEN基因、PTEN蛋白水平低于H8细胞,miR-3611水平高于H8细胞(P<0.05),后续实验选择HeLa、Caski细胞进行,PTENP1在HeLa、Caski细胞质中高表达。pcDNA3.1-PTENP1组PTENP1、凋亡率、上皮钙黏素、PTEN基因高于空白组,细胞增殖活力(培养48、72、96h)及ZEB1、Snail、波性蛋白、miR-3611低于空白组(P<0.05)。miR-3611抑制剂组miR-3611低于空白组,PTEN基因、PTENP1高于空白组(P<0.05)。pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+miR-361 1 mimics组细胞增殖活力(培养48、72、96 h)、上皮钙黏素低于pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+NC组,ZEB1、Snail、波性蛋白高于pcDNA3.1-PTENP1+NC组(P<0.05)。野生型miR-3611转染生物素标记的HeLa、Caski细胞的PTENP1水平高于转染生物素标记的空白细胞和突变型miR-3611转染生物素标记的细胞,分别转染PTENP1或PTEN野生型和miR-3611模拟物的293T细胞的相对萤光活性低于仅转染PTENP1或PTEN野生型的293T细胞(P<0.05)。结论 PTENP1通过竞争性结合miR-3611调控PTEN表达影响宫颈癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。

Expression Profile Analysis of Genes Involved in Brassinosteroid Biosynthesis Pathway in Cotton Fiber Development

Cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the leading fiber crop and one of the mainstays of the economy in the world.Cotton fibers,as the main product of cotton plants,are unicellular,linear

PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing method in detecting PTEN gene mutation and its signifi cance in human gastric cancer

AIM: To discuss the possible effect of PTEN gene mutations on occurrence and development of gastric cancer. METHODS: Fifty-three gastric cancer specimens were selected to probe PTEN gene mutations in genome of gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues using PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing method based on microdissection and to observe the protein expression by immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: PCR-SSCP-DNA sequencing indicated that 4 kinds of mutation sites were found in 5 of 53 gastric cancer specimens. One kind of mutation was found in exons. AA-TCC mutation was located at 40bp upstream of 3’ lateral exon 7 (115946 AA-TCC). Such mutations led to terminator formation in the 297th codon of the PTEN gene. The other 3 kinds of mutation were found in introns,including a G-C point mutation at 91 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5(90896 G-C),a T-G point mutation at 24 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5 (90963 T-G),and a single base A mutation at 7 bp upstream of 5’ lateral exon 5 (90980 A del). The PTEN protein expression in gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues detected using immunohistochemistry technique indicated that the total positive rate of PTEN protein expression was 66% in gastric cancer tissue,which was significantly lower than that (100%) in paracancerous tissues (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: PTEN gene mutation and expression may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer.

EFFECTS OF MUTATION AND EXPRESSION OF PTEN GENEmRNA ON TUMORIGENESIS AND PROGRESSION OFEPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER

Objective To investigate the mutation and expression of tumor suppressor gene-PTEN mRNA and explore their roles in tumorigenesis and progression of ovarian cancer. Methods Mutated exon 5 of PTEN gene was examined in normal ovary(n = 5), ovarian cyst (n =5), ovarian borderline tumor (n = 9), epithelial ovarian cancer(n = 60), and ovarian cancer cell line (n = 1)by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). mRNA expression of PTEN gene was evaluated in corresponding tissues and cell line by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The mutation and mRNA expression of PTEN gene were compared with clini-copathological features of ovarian cancer. Results Mutated exon 5 of PTEN gene was detected only in 5(7.1%)cases of epithelial ovarian cancer. mRNA expression level of PTEN gene in ovarian borderline tumor or ovarian cancer was lower than that in normal ovary or ovarian cyst(P < 0.05). The level of PTEN gene mRNA expression was negatively correlated with clinicopathological staging of ovarian cancer, whereas positively correlated with histological differentiation (P < 0.05). mRNA expression level of PTEN gene in ovarian endometrioid cancer was significantly lower than that in ovarian serous or mucinous cancer (P < 0.05=. Conclusions Mutation of PTEN gene occurs in ovarian cancer. Down-regulated expression of PTEN is probably an important molecular event in tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer. Abnormal expression of PTEN gene is involved in progression of ovarian cancer. Reduced expression of PTEN gene is closely associated with tumorigenesis and pathobiological behaviors of ovarian endometrioid cancer.

Loss of heterozygosity on 10q23.3 and mutation of tumor suppressor gene PTEN in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

AIM: To investigate the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and mutation of tumor suppressor gene PTEN in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. METHODS: Thirty cases of normal gastric mucosa, advanced and early stage gastric cancer, intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis, and atypical hyperplasia were analyzed for PTEN LOH and mutations within the entire coding region of PTEN gene by PCR-SSCP denaturing PAGE gel electrophoresis, and PTEN mutation was detected by PCR-SSCP sequencing followed by silver staining. RESULTS: LOH rate found in respectively atrophic gastritis was 10% (3/30), intestinal metaplasia 10% (3/30), atypical hyperplasia 13.3% (4/30), early stage gastric cancer 20% (6/30), and advanced stage gastric cancer 33.3% (9/30), None of the precancerous lesions and early stage gastric cancer showed PTEN mutations, but 10% (3/30) of the advanced stage gastric cancers, which were all positive for LOH, showed PTEN mutation. CONCLUSION: LOH of PTEN gene appears in precancerous lesions, and PTEN mutations are restricted to advanced gastric cancer, LOH and mutation of PTEN gene are closely related to the infiltration and metastasis of gastric cancer.

Reversal of Multidrug Resistance and Inhibition of Phosphorylation of AKT in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line by Wild-type PTEN Gene

The reversing effect of wild-type PTEN gene on resistance of C 13K cells to cisplatin and its inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of protein kinase B （AKT） were studied. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells and C13K cells were semi-quantitatively detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing human wild-type PTEN gene was transfected into C13K cells by lipofectamine2000. The expression of PTEN mRNA was monitored by RT-PCR and the expression of PTEN, Akt, p-Akt protein were ana- lyzed by Western blotting in PTEN-transfected and non-transfected C13K cells. Proliferation and chemosensitivity of cells to DDP were measured by MTT, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry after treatment with cisplatin. The expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in OV2008 cells were significantly higher than those in C13K cells. After transfection with PTEN gene for 48 h, the expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in C 13K cells were 2.04 ± 0.10, 0.94± 0.04 respectively and the expression of p-Akt protein （ 0.94± 0.07） was lower than those in control groups （1.68 ±0.14, 1.66± 0.10） （P〈 0.05）. The IC50 of DDP to C 13 K cells transfected with PTEN （7.2± 0.3 la mol/L） was obviously lower than those of empty-vector transfected cells and non-transfected cells （12.7±0.4 lamol/1, 13.0±0.3 lamol/L） （P〈0.05）. The apopototis ratio of wild-type PTEN-transfected, empty vector transfected and non-transfected C13K cells were （41.65___0.87）%, （18.61 ±0.70）% and （15.28±0.80）% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. PTEN gene plays an important role in ovarian cancer multidrug resistance. Transfection of PTEN could increase the expression of PTEN and restore drug sensitivity to cisplatin in human ovarian cancer cell line C 13K with multidrug-resistance by decreasing the expression of p-Akt.

PTEN knockdown with the Y444F mutant AAV2 vector promotes axonal regeneration in the adult optic nerve

The lack of axonal regeneration is the major cause of vision loss after optic nerve injury in adult mammals. Activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been shown to enhance the intrinsic growth capacity of neurons and to facilitate axonal regeneration in the central nervous system after injury. The deletion of the mTOR negative regulator phosphatase and tensin homolog （PTEN） enhances regeneration of adult corticospinal neurons and ganglion cells. In the present study, we used a tyrosine-mutated （Y444F） AAV2 vector to efficiently express a short hairpin RNA （shRNA） for silencing PTEN expression in retinal ganglion cells. We evaluated cell survival and axonal regeneration in a rat model of optic nerve axotomy. The rats received an intravitreal injection of wildtype AAV2 or Y444F mutant AAV2 （both carrying shRNA to PTEN） 4 weeks before optic nerve axotomy. Compared with the wildtype AAV2 vector, the Y444F mutant AAV2 vector enhanced retinal ganglia cell survival and stimulated axonal regeneration to a greater extent 6 weeks after axotomy. Moreover,post-axotomy injection of the Y444F AAV2 vector expressing the shRNA to PTEN rescued ～19% of retinal ganglion cells and induced axons to regenerate near to the optic chiasm. Taken together, our results demonstrate that PTEN knockdown with the Y444F AAV2 vector promotes retinal ganglion cell survival and stimulates long-distance axonal regeneration after optic nerve axotomy. Therefore, the Y444F AAV2 vector might be a promising gene therapy tool for treating optic nerve injury.

Effect of shade stress on lignin biosynthesis in soybean stems

To clarify how shade stress affects lignin biosynthesis in soybean stem, two varieties, Nandou 12（shade tolerant） and Nan 032-4（shade susceptible） grew under normal light and shade conditions（the photosynthetically active radiation and the ratio of red：far-red were lower than normal light condition）. Lignin accumulation, transcripts of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, and intermediates content of lignin biosynthesis were analyzed. Both soybean varieties suffered shade stress had increased plant heights and internode lengths, and reduced stem diameters and lignin accumulation in stems. The expression levels of lignin-related genes were significantly influenced by shade stress, with interactions between the light environment and variety. The gene of 3-hydroxylase（C3H）, cinnamoyl-Co A reductase（CCR）, caffeoylCoAO-methyltransferase（CCoAOMT）, and peroxidase（POD） attributed to lignin biosynthesis under shade stress, and the down-regulation of these genes resulted in lower caffeic, sinapic, and ferulic acid levels, which caused a further decrease in lignin biosynthesis. Under shade stress, the shade tolerant soybean variety（Nandou 12） showed stiffer stems, higher lignin content, and greater gene expression level and higher metabolite contents than shade susceptible one. So these characteristics could be used for screening the shade-tolerant soybean for intercropping.

Trichome-Specific Expression of Amorpha-4,11-Diene Synthase, a Key Enzyme of Artemisinin Biosynthesis in <i>Artemisia annua</i>L., as Reported by a Promoter-GUS Fusion

Artemisia annua L. produces small amounts of the sesquiterpenoid artemisinin, which is used for treatment of malaria. A worldwide shortage of the drug has led to intense research to increase the yield of artemisinin in the plant. In order to study the regulation of expression of a key enzyme of artemisinin biosynthesis, the promoter region of the key enzyme amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) was cloned and fused with the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Transgenic plants of A. annua expressing this fusion were generated and studied. Transgenic plants expressing the GUS gene were used to establish the activity of the cloned promoter by a GUS activity staining procedure. GUS under the control of the ADS promoter showed specific expression in glandular trichomes. The activity of the ADS promoter varies temporally and in old tissues essentially no GUS staining could be observed. The expression pattern of GUS and ADS in aerial parts of the transgenic plant was essentially the same indicating that the cis-elements controlling glandular trichome specific expression are included in the cloned promoter. However, some cis-element(s) that control expression in root and old leaf appears to be missing in the cloned promoter. Furthermore, qPCR was used to compare the activity of the wild-type ADS promoter with that of the cloned ADS promoter. The latter promoter showed a considerably lower activity than the wild-type promoter as judged from the levels of GUS and ADS transcripts, respectively, which may be due to the removal of an enhancing cis-element from the ADS promoter. The ADS gene is specifically expressed in stalk and secretory cells of glandular trichomes of A. annua.

一例PTEN新生杂合突变患儿临床表型与免疫特征分析

目的探讨一例PTEN杂合突变患儿的临床表型及免疫特征,丰富PTEN突变相关临床表型谱。方法收集患儿门诊及住院期间的病史资料、生化检查及影像学检查结果,抽取外周静脉血进行医学全外显子组综合检测,Sanger测序验证患儿及其父母PTEN基因突变位点,采用流式细胞术进行T细胞PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路磷酸化水平及T细胞亚群与其耗竭相关表面分子检测,采用蛋白质印迹法检测外周血单个核细胞PTEN蛋白表达水平,健康对照为患儿父亲。结果患儿以大头畸形(头围>P99)、疣状表皮痣、精神运动发育迟缓、学语延迟为主要临床表现,PTEN基因(NM_000314.8)c.388C>T(p.R130X)新生杂合突变,PTEN蛋白表达减少,血清IgA水平稍低(0.177 g/L),精细免疫分型CD4^(+)终末分化效应记忆T细胞、CD8^(+)终末分化效应记忆T细胞、过渡性B细胞比例及绝对数均增加,但T细胞PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路磷酸化水平正常。患儿以PTEN错构瘤综合征相关表型为主要表现,无明显PI3Kδ过度活化综合征样表型。结论该患儿PTEN基因的突变位点为国内首例,有助于丰富临床医生对该疾病的认识,提高诊治水平。

Relationship between promoter methylation and mRNA expression of PTEN gene and gastric carcinoma

Objective:To probe into the relationships between PTEN gene expression,the promoter methylation and gastric cancer and its clinical pathological specific features.Methods:We analyzed the PTEN gene promoter methylation and mRNA expression status in gastric cancer tissues and its adjacent normal tissues by methylation specific PCR(MSP) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) techniques.Results:PTEN promoters in 48.2%(27/56) gastric cancer tissues and 3.6(2/56) adjacent normal tissues were methylated and the PTEN promoter methylation rate in carcinoma tissues was obviously higher(P < 0.05).Of the 2 cases where the adjacent gastric tissues were methylated,the gastric cancer tissues were both methylated.Of the 29 gastric cancers with lymph node metastasis,19 had their PTEN gene promoters methylated and the PTEN gene promoter methylation in cases with lymph node metastasis was obviously higher than that without lymph node metastasis(P < 0.05).RT-PCR result showed that no expression of PTEN mRNA existed in any of the methylated gastric cancer tissues.Conclusion:The expression loss of PTEN gene mRNA in gastric cancers is related to their promoter methylation and might be one of the reasons for the generation,development and metastasis of gastric cancers.