One specimen was collected from the main course of Lancangjiang River (upper reach of Mekong) in Guanlei Port, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China in April, 2008. It is identified as Dasyatis laosensis, a new record of Das...One specimen was collected from the main course of Lancangjiang River (upper reach of Mekong) in Guanlei Port, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China in April, 2008. It is identified as Dasyatis laosensis, a new record of Dasyatidae species in China. It could be distinguished from other Dasyatis species by a combination of the following characteristics: one enlarged venomous spine on the tail, ventral surface of body with orange marginal coloration, tail length greater than body length.展开更多
AIM: To approach the elusive function of the SLA/LP molecule, we have characterized genomic organization and conservation of the major antigenic and functional properties of the SLA/LP molecule in various species. ME...AIM: To approach the elusive function of the SLA/LP molecule, we have characterized genomic organization and conservation of the major antigenic and functional properties of the SLA/LP molecule in various species. METHODS: By means of computational biology, we have characterized the complete SLA/LP gene, mRNA and deduced protein sequences in man, mouse, zebrafish, fly, and worm. RESULTS: The human SLA/LP gene sequence of approximately 39 kb, which maps to chromosome 4p15.2, is organized in 11 exons, of which 10 or 11 are translated, depending on the splice variant. Homologous molecules were identified in several biological model organisms. The various homologous protein sequences showed a high degree of similarity or homology, notably at those residues that are of functional importance. The only domain of the human protein sequence that lacks significant homology with homologous sequences is the major antigenic epitope recognized by autoantibodies from autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients. CONCLUSION: The SLA/LP molecule and its functionally relevant residues have been highly conserved throughout the evoluti n, suggesting an indispensable function of the molecule. The finding that the only non-conserved domain is the dominant antigenic epitope of the human SLA/LP sequence, suggests that SLA/LP autoimmunity is autoantigen-driven rather than being driven by molecular mimicry.展开更多
基金This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (30970326, U0936602, 30870291)the Scientific Research Foundation of Yunnan University (2008YB004)
文摘One specimen was collected from the main course of Lancangjiang River (upper reach of Mekong) in Guanlei Port, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China in April, 2008. It is identified as Dasyatis laosensis, a new record of Dasyatidae species in China. It could be distinguished from other Dasyatis species by a combination of the following characteristics: one enlarged venomous spine on the tail, ventral surface of body with orange marginal coloration, tail length greater than body length.
基金Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(SFB 548)
文摘AIM: To approach the elusive function of the SLA/LP molecule, we have characterized genomic organization and conservation of the major antigenic and functional properties of the SLA/LP molecule in various species. METHODS: By means of computational biology, we have characterized the complete SLA/LP gene, mRNA and deduced protein sequences in man, mouse, zebrafish, fly, and worm. RESULTS: The human SLA/LP gene sequence of approximately 39 kb, which maps to chromosome 4p15.2, is organized in 11 exons, of which 10 or 11 are translated, depending on the splice variant. Homologous molecules were identified in several biological model organisms. The various homologous protein sequences showed a high degree of similarity or homology, notably at those residues that are of functional importance. The only domain of the human protein sequence that lacks significant homology with homologous sequences is the major antigenic epitope recognized by autoantibodies from autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients. CONCLUSION: The SLA/LP molecule and its functionally relevant residues have been highly conserved throughout the evoluti n, suggesting an indispensable function of the molecule. The finding that the only non-conserved domain is the dominant antigenic epitope of the human SLA/LP sequence, suggests that SLA/LP autoimmunity is autoantigen-driven rather than being driven by molecular mimicry.