动物线粒体核质基因互作的研究进展

线粒体是重要的细胞器 ,为细胞的生命活动提供能量 ,线粒体的正常功能是核基因和线粒体基因共同作用维持的结果。线粒体DNA是动物细胞内唯一存在的核外遗传物质 ,线粒体DNA与核基因的相互作用维持着线粒体和线粒体内膜呼吸链氧化磷酸化的正常功能状态。本文就线粒体核质基因互作在人类疾病、衰老、细胞凋亡、氯霉素抗性、ANT、MnSOD、mtTFA的研究进展进行了综述。

油菜雄性不育分子机理研究进展

该文从分子生物学角度概括介绍了油菜雄性不育机理的最新研究进展。包括细胞质雄性不育与线粒体分子生物学 ;细胞质雄性不育与基因表达调控 ,细胞质雄性不育与核质基因在分子水平上的互作关系 ;细胞核雄性不育的分子机制 ;

作物杂种优势的生理生化研究进展

杂种优势是生物界的一种普遍现象,可以大幅度提高作物产量和改良作物品质,具有巨大的商用价值。基因必须通过DNA→mRNA→蛋白质才能对最终性状起作用。通过从DNA结构、基因表达、生理生化代谢、核质基因组互作等方面的综述,总结了国内外杂种优势遗传机理的研究成果。

Analysis of Genetic Effects of Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Interaction on Quantitative Traits:Genetic Model for Diploid Plants

A genetic model was proposed for simultaneously analyzing genetic effects of nuclear, cytoplasm, and nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction （NCI） as well as their genotype by environment （GE） interaction for quantitative traits of diploid plants. In the model, the NCI effects were further partitioned into additive and dominance nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction components. Mixed linear model approaches were used for statistical analysis. On the basis of diallel cross designs, Monte Carlo simulations showed that the genetic model was robust for estimating variance components under several situations without specific effects. Random genetic effects were predicted by an adjusted unbiased prediction （AUP） method. Data on four quantitative traits （boll number, lint percentage, fiber length, and micronaire） in Upland cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） were analyzed as a worked example to show the effectiveness of the model.

Influence of Matrix Attachment Regions from Maize on Transgene Expression Level in Tobacco

The effect of matrix attachment regions (MARs) on foreign gene expression in transgenic plants was studied, The beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (uidA) was flanked by the MARs isolated from the genome of maize to form plant expression vector. The vectors with and without MARs were transferred into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedure. GUS activity assays indicated that MARs could increase expression level of uidA gene. The mean GUS activity could be increased twofold as compared to that of transformants without MARs, and the highest GUS activity of transformant could reach tenfold. The correspondence between GUS activity and mRNA accumulation was positive and indicated that MARs could improve transcription of foreign gene.

cDNA cloning, prokaryotic expression and purification of rat α-synuclein

Objective To clone the cDNA of rat α-Syn gene, investigate its prokaryotic expression and produce purified recombinant rat α-Syn protein. Methods Rat α-Syn cDNA was amplified from the rat brain total RNA by RT-PCR and was cloned into pGEX-4T-1, a prokaryotic expressing vector. The recombinant plasmid containing rat α-Syn gene was transformed into E. Coli BL21 to express a fusion protein with rat α-Syn protein tagged by glutathione-S-transferase （GST）. The fusion protein was then cleaved by thrombin during passing through the GST-agarose 4B column to release the recombinant rat α-Syn protein. The recombinant rat a-Syn protein was further purified using Superdex S200 gel filtration. Results DNA sequencing confirmed that the cloned cDNA contained 420 base pairs encoding 140 amino acids, which was identical to the reported amino acid sequence of rat α-Syn. After transformation, the recombinant plasmid pGEX-ra-Syn expressed a soluble protein that was inducible by IPTG. The purified recombinant protein was shown to be single band on SDS-PAGE, with a molecular size of around 18000, which was identical to the reported molecular size of rat α-Syn. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the recombinant protein was recognized by specific antibody against α-Syn. Conclusion The rat α-Syn gene was successfully expressed in prokaryotic expression system and highly purified rat α-Syn recombinant protein was produced.

Small inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation factor activation and function in mammalian cells

Small GTP-binding proteins of the ADP-ribosylation fac-tor （Arf） family control various cell functional responses including protein transport and recycling between different cellular compartments, phagocytosis, prolif-eration, cytoskeletal remodelling, and migration. The activity of Arfs is tightly regulated. GTPase-activating proteins （GAPs） inactivate Arfs by stimulating GTP hydrolysis, and guanine nucleotide exchange factors （GEFs） stimulate the conversion of inactive GDP-bound Arf to the active GTP-bound conformation. There is increasing evidence that Arf small GTPases contribute to cancer growth and invasion. Increased expression of Arf6 and of Arf-GEPs, or deregulation Arf-GAP functions have been correlated with enhanced invasive capacity of tumor cells and metastasis. The spatiotemporal spe-cifcity of Arf activation is dictated by their GEFs that integrate various signals in stimulated cells. Brefeldin A （BFA）, which inactivates a subset of Arf-GEFs, has been very useful for assessing the function of Golgi-localized Arfs. However, specifc inhibitors to investigate the individual function of BFA-sensitive and insensitive Arf-GEFs are lacking. In recent years, specifc screens have been developed, and new inhibitors with improved se-lectivity and potency to study cell functional responses regulated by BFA-sensitive and BFA-insensitive Arf pathways have been identified. These inhibitors have been instrumental for our understanding of the spa-tiotemporal activation of Arf proteins in cells and dem-onstrate the feasibility of developing small molecules interfering with Arf activation to prevent tumor invasion and metastasis.

Hub Genes of Astrocyte Involved in Glaucoma with Ocular Hypertension by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

This study was conducted to elucidate the potential key candidate genes and pathways in role of astrocyte involved in glaucoma with ocular hypertension.Methods Expression profiles GSE2378 and GSE758 including 27 reactive optic nerve head astrocytes(ONHAs)by hypertensions and 26 normal controls,were integrated and deeply analyzed.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were sorted and candidate genes and pathways enrichment were analyzed.DEGs-associated protein-protein interaction network(PPI)was performed.Results A total of 119 consistently expressed genes were identified from 281 commonly changed DEGs,including 68 up-regulated genes and 51 down-regulated genes.PPI network complex filtered 75 DEGs(43 up-regulated and 32 down-regulated genes)of the 119 consistently altered DEGs and developed 117 edges,and 10 hub genes were identified.The most significant 3 modules were filtered from PPI,pathway enrichment analysis showed that module 1 was associated with extracellular exosome.Module 2 was mainly associated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC)and module 3 was mainly associated with Hippo signaling pathway.Conclusion Taken above,using integrated bioinformatical analysis,we have identified DEGs candidate genes and pathways in role of astrocyte involved in glaucoma with ocular hypertension,which could improve our understanding of the cause and underlying molecular events,and these candidate genes and pathways could be therapeutic targets for glaucoma.

Construction of recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid containing murine CD40 ligand gene and its expression in H22 cells

AIM: To construct a recombinant murine CD40 ligand (mCD40L) eukaryotic expression vector for gene therapy and target therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODS: mCD40L cDNA was synthesized by RT-PCR with the specific primers and directly cloned into T vector to generate middle recombinant. After digestion with restriction endonuclease, the target fragment was subcloned into the multi-clone sites of the eukaryotic vector. The constructed vector was verified by enzyme digestion and sequencing,and the product expressed was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence methods.RESULTS: The full-length mCD40L-cDNA was successfully cloned into the eukaryotic vector through electrophoresis,and mCD40L gene was integrated into the genome of infected H22 cells by RT-PCR. Murine CD40L antigen molecule was observed in the plasma of mCD40L-H22 by indirect immuno-fluorescence staining.CONCLUSION: The recombined mCD40L eukaryotic expression vector can be expressed in H22 cell line. It providesexperimental data for gene therapy and target therapy ofhepatocellular carcinoma.

Unexpected discovery of 2 cases of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α-mutated infracentimetic adenomatosis

We present 2 cases of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1α)-mutated adenomatosis, discovered for reasons unrelated to this disease, and identified using immunohistochemical methods. These new tools may further our understanding of the link between adenomas/adenomatosis subtypes and their complications, and their association with other abnormalities.

Gene cloning and prokaryotic expression of recombinant flagellin A from Vibrio parahaemolyticus

The Gram-negative Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a common pathogen in humans and marine animals. Bacteria flagellins play an important role during infection and induction of the host immune response. Thus, flagellin proteins are an ideal target for vaccines. We amplified the complete flagellin subunit gene （tTaA） from V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802. We then cloned and expressed the gene into Escherichia coli BL21 （DE3） cells. The gene coded for a protein that was 62.78 kDa. We purified and characterized the protein using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and Anti-His antibody Western blotting, respectively. Our results provide a basis for further studies into the utility of the FlaA protein as a vaccine candidate against infection by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In addition, the purified FlaA protein can he used for further functional and structural studies.

Sequencing, Expression and Diagnostic Application of the Nucleoprotein Gene of Xinjiang Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

In order to analyze the nucleoprotein (NP) gene of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), viral RNA was amplified by RT-PCR by using the proof-reading DNA polymerase to produce the complete NP gene. The PCR product was sequenced, analyzed for phylogenesis and cloned into the expression vector pET32a and the recombinant plasmid expressed in E.coli BL-21 with high yield. The primarily purified fused protein was used to coat ELISA plates for the detect antibodies. It was found the similarities between NP gene of BA88166 and other XHFVs in nucleotide level and amino acid contents were very significant, and the NP gene of BA88166 encoded a nucleoprotein with 482 amino acid and a deduced molecular weight (MW) of 54?kDa. Western blot assay showed that the fusion protein expressed in bacteria possessed good antigenicity. The results with ELISA for the detection of the human and animal sera collected in endemic areas were found to be in good accordance to the clinical diagnosis. It concluded that the relations of NP genes of XHFV BA88166 and other XHFVs appeared to be evolutionally close. The methodologies established in this study were accurate, specific, rapid and reproducible for the clinical examinations and epidemiological survey.

Effect of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 on chemotactic gene expression by macrophage cell line U937

Objective: To study the chemotactic superfamily genes expression profiling of macrophage line U937 treated with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) using gene chip technique. Methods: Total RNA from macrophage line U937 (as control) and U937 with MCP-1 was extracted, made reverse transcript to cDNA and tested with gene expression chip HO2 human. Results: Some chemotactic-related gene expressions were changed in all analyzed genes. Regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) was up-regulated over 2-fold and 7 chemotactic-related genes (CCR2, CCR5, CCL16, GROβ, GROγ, IL-8 and granulocyte chemotactic protein 2) were down-regulated over 2-fold in MCP-1 treated U937 cells at mRNA level. Conclusion: MCP-1 can influence some chemokines and receptors expression in macrophage in vitro, in which MCP-1 mainly down-regulates the chemotactic genes expression of those influencing neutrophilic granulocyte (GROβ, GROγ, IL-8 and granulocyte chemotactic protein 2). Another novel finding is that it can also down-regulate the mRNA level of CCR5, which plays a critical role in many disorders and illnesses.

An Experimental Study on the Role of Nuclear Factor-κB in the Signal Conduction of Protein Kinase C Regulating the Proliferation and Apoptosis of T Lymphocytes in Asthma

To explore the role of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) in the signal pathway of protein kinase C (PKC) regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes in asthma. T lymphocytes were isolated from the asthmatic model of guinea pigs and the asthmatic patients. Either the T cells stimulated with PMA alone or those stimulated with PMA together with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) were incubated for 1 and 24?h. The proliferation of and the presence of NF-κB in the cells incubated for 1?h were observed by MTT and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. And the cells incubated for 24?h were observed for the apoptosis by TUNEL. All the assays were paralleled with controls, and all the data were analyzedstatistically with the software SAS. The percentage of cells of nuclear positive staining of NF-κB and the proliferation of T lymphocytes from asthmatic guinea pigs and asthmatic patients stimulated with PMA were significantly higher than those of T lymphocytes from asthmatic guinea pigs and asthmatic patients stimulated without PMA respectively (P<0.01) and those of T lymphocytes from normal control guinea pigs and normal control persons stimulated with PMA respectively (P<0.01), and were significantly reduced by PDTC (P<0.01). The apoptosis index of T lymphocytes from asthmatic guinea pigs and asthmatic patients stimulated with PMA were significantly lower than those of T lymphocytes from asthmatic guinea pigs and asthmatic patients stimulated without PMA respectively (P<0.01) and those of T lymphocytes from normal control guinea pigs and normal control persons stimulated with PMA respectively (P<0.01), and were significantly induced by PDTC (P<0.01). There were good positive correlation between the percentage of cells of nuclear staining of NF-κB of T lymphocytes and the proliferation of T lymphocytes (r=0.51-0.72, P<0.001), and also good negative correlation between the percentage of cells of nuclear staining of NF-κB and the apoptosis index of T lymphocytes (r=-0.55-0.71, P<0.001, respectively). It concludes that the active PKC of asthmatic T lymphocytes promoting the proliferation and inhibiting the apoptosis of T lymphocytes may be mediated by activating NF-κB, the activation of PKC-NF-κB signal pathway of T lymphocytes NF-κB may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Archaeal chromatin proteins

Archaea, along with Bacteria and Eukarya, are the three domains of life. In all living cells, chromatin proteins serve a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the structure and function of the genome. An array of small, abundant and basic DNA-binding proteins, considered candidates for chromatin proteins, has been isolated from the Euryarchaeota and the Crenarchaeota, the two major phyla in Archaea. While most euryarchaea encode proteins resembling eukaryotic histories, crenarchaea appear to synthesize a number of unique DNA-binding proteins likely involved in chromosomal organization. Several of these proteins （e.g., archaeal histones, Sacl0b homologs, Sul7d, Cren7, CC1, etc.） have been extensively studied. However, whether they are chromatin proteins and how they function in vivo remain to be fully understood. Future investiga- tion of archaeal chromatin proteins will lead to a better understanding of chromosomal organization and gene expression in Archaea and provide valuable information on the evolution of DNA packaging in cellular life.

The influence of mitochondria in epigenetics revealed through naturally occurring fish cybrids

Epigenetic processes are important mechanisms for phenotypic changes that occur in response to the environment. As such, it is expected that the alteration of cytoplasmic composition （the immediate environment of nuclei） results in the modifica- tion of the methylome and the expression of the nuclear genome. Cytoplasmic hybrids （or cybrids） are an ideal model to study the influence of mitochondria on gene expression. In this study, we take advantage of the natural of two biotypes that have a similar nuclear genome type Chrosomus eos, but harbor mitochondria from different species （C. eos in wild type or C. neogaeus in cybrids） to assess the effects of mitochondria on DNA methylation profiles and protein expression of the nuclear ge- nome. Comparison between these biotypes is particularly relevant given their recent divergence and their low level of genetic dif- ferentiation. Variations of DNA methylation assessed on tissues from different embryonic origins revealed the distinct profiles of cybrid and wild type populations. Differences are more pronounced between wild type and cybrids than between populations of a given biotype. The proteome is also more different between biotypes than within a given biotype. These results indicate a strong influence of mitochondria on the nuclear genome, which remains detectable in different genetic and environmental contexts. These changes in the methylome and proteome of cybrids are expected to reflect the adjustments imposed by the coexistence of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes from different species [Current Zoology 58 （1）： 138-145, 2012].

Identification of four SNPs and association analysis with meat quality traits in the porcine Pitx2c gene

The association of the porcine Pitx2c gene with meat quality traits was investigated in the present study. A total of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） were found. Allele frequencies of four SNPs were further detected in four commercial breeds and eight Chinese indigenous breeds. Single SNP and meat quality associations were analyzed in a YorkshirexMeishan F2 population. The SNPs c.474C〉T （P〈0.01） and c.636C〉T （P〈0.05） showed a significant association with meat color （MCV1）. The SNPs c,＊37G〉A and c.＊47G〉A were significantly associated with drip loss rate （DLR）, water holding capacity （WHC） and meat color value （MCV1） consistently （P〈0.05）. Linkage disequilibrium （LD） analysis revealed that the adjacent SNPs were in LD. Two major haplotypes were identified, and association analysis between haplotype combinations and meat quality indicated that the presence of two copies of haplotype 1 -CCGG- may improve meat quality.

ON NETWORK-BASED KERNEL METHODS FOR PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS WITH APPLICATIONS IN PROTEIN FUNCTIONS PREDICTION

Predicting protein functions is an important issue in the post-genomic era. This paper studies several network-based kernels including local linear embedding （LLE） kernel method, diffusion kernel and laplacian kernel to uncover the relationship between proteins functions and protein-protein interactions （PPI）. The author first construct kernels based on PPI networks, then apply support vector machine （SVM） techniques to classify proteins into different functional groups. The 5-fold cross validation is then applied to the selected 359 GO terms to compare the performance of different kernels and guilt-by-association methods including neighbor counting methods and Chi-square methods. Finally, the authors conduct predictions of functions of some unknown genes and verify the preciseness of our prediction in part by the information of other data source.