Composition Analysis of HMW-GS in Australian Wheat Cultivars

[Objective] The aim was to provide information for the breeding of wheat in China.[Method] 64 wheat cultivars from Australia were analyzed by SDS-PAGE to determine their high molecular weight（HMW） glutenin subunit combinations.Then,the cultivars had good HMW-GS were screened.[Result] A total of nine alleles were identified at Glu-1.Glu-A1 encoded two subunits,1 and null subunit,and 1 was the major type,the frequency was 59.37%;Glu-B1 encoded five subunits,7,7＋8,7＋9,14＋15,17＋18,and 7＋8 was the major type,the frequency was 56.2%;Glu-D1 encoded two subunits,2＋12,5＋10,and 2＋12 was the major type,the frequency was 70.3%.Furthermore,12 subunit combinations were detected,and the composition of ＂1,2＋12,7＋8＂ was the major type.The quality scores of these cultivars ranged from 4 to 10,with an average of 7.4.[Conclusion] The quality of these varieties was good.

Bioinformatics Analysis on α Subunit Gene of Phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima

[Objective]The α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima was studied in order to provide a basis for the subsequent study of phycobiliprotein.[Method] Amino acids composition,signal peptides,hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity and trails-membrane topological structure of α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima which registered in GenBank（GenBank AF441177） were analyzed and predicted by the tools of bioinformatic analysis.Meanwhile,phylogenetic tree was constructed based on α subunit gene of phycobiliprotein from Spirulina maxima,and its molecular evolution was also analyzed.[Result]The phycobiliprotein was rich in amino acids,which not only contained 18 kinds of essential amino acids,but also contained some non-essential amino acids like glycine,aspartic acid,etc.;Analysis on signal peptides and trails-membrane topological structure showed that the phycobiliprotein belonged to intracellular protein;Analysis on hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity showed that the phycobiliprotein belonged to hydrophilic protein;Phylogenetic analysis showed that the phycobiliprotein had a high homology with Arthrospira,which reached 99%-100%.[Conclusion]The study provided a certain reference for studying the relationship and interaction between α subunit and β subunit.

Characterization of the Full-length cDNA, Chromosomal Localization, and Polymorphism of the Porcine RPLP0 Gene

RPLPO gene encodes the acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein large P0 subunit, which is a component of the 60S subunit. The full-length cDNA sequence of porcine RPLPO was obtained from skeletal muscle of fetal pig cDNA library and deposited in GenBank. The nucleotide sequence and the predicted protein sequence shared high sequence identity with other mammalian homologues. A C/A single nucleotide substitution in exon 5 was detected as Csp6 Ⅰ polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） shows allele frequency diversity among Tongcheng, Xiaomeishan, Yushan, Large White, Landrace, and Duroc breeds. Analyses of somatic cell hybrid panel （SCI-IP） and radiation hybrid （IMpRH） panel showed that the RPLPO gene was mapped to SSC 14q22-q24 and was closely linked to locus SW1321 （25 cR, LOD = 14.54）.

Subcellular Localization of Aquaporins OsPIP2-6 in Rice

[Objective] This study was to explore the subcellular localization of aquaporins OsPIP2-6 in rice. [Method] A key rice aquaporins gene OsPIP2-6 was cloned and used for construction of a transient expression vector,which was then transformed into onion epidermis via particle bombardment for confocal microscopy analysis using YFP gene as a reporter gene. [Result] The results showed that rice aquaporins OsPIP2-6 was mainly located in the plasma membrane. [Conclusion] Our results provided theoretical basis for further understanding plant aquaporins.

Advances in Low-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits

The low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits（LMW-GS）account for 40% of gross glutenins of wheat,usually used as a major indicator for wheat quality improvement.Here,I comprehensively reviewed the advances in LMW-GS from their classification,coding gene loci on chromosomes and structural features,polypeptide chains composition,gene sequences accessed in Genbank,molecular markers saturation level,and their impacts on wheat process quality,in order to provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of LMW-GS in genetic improvement of wheat quality.

Fas and Bc1-2 EXpression on T Lymphocyte Subsets in the Peripheral Blood of Relapsing Patients with Condyloma Acuminatum

Objective: To study the expression of Fas and Bcl-2proteins on T lymphocyte subsets in the peripheralblood of relapsing patients with condyloma acuminatum(CA) and healthy controls. Methods: Flow cytometry (permeabization andstaining procedure with conjugated antibodies) wasused. Results: We observed that the expression of Fasprotein on CD4^+ T lymphocyte subset of CA patientswas significantly higher than that of healthy controls(P<0.01). Conclusions: Increased expression of Fas proteinon CD4^+ T lymphocyte subset may be a cause of de-creased percentage of CD4^+ T lymphocyte subset. Thisinduces the increased ratio of CD4^+/CD8^+.

Characterization of High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits and Their Coding Genes from Aegilops umbellulata

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits and their coding genes from Aegilops umbellulata Zhuk. (UU, 2n = 2x = 14) were characterized using SDS-PAGE analysis and molecular approaches. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the 1Ux subunits from four different accessions possessed electrophoretic mobilities close to, or slower than, that displayed by the 1Dx2.2 subunit of common wheat. The electrophoretic mobilities of the 1Uy subunits were generally similar to those shown by the 1Dy subunits of common wheat. The complete open reading frames of the 1Ux and 1Uy genes were amplified by PCR and subsequently cloned and sequenced. Amino acid sequence comparisons suggested that the primary structure of the 1Ux and 1Uy subunits were identical to that of published HMW glutenin subunits from related species, Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata were most closely related to those encoded by the D genome of Triticeae.

Analysis of Protein and Isoenzyme of LiLum davidii var.unicolor,Lilium Asiatic Hybrids and Their Hybrid F_1

[Objective]The paper was to provide theoretical basis for selection of parental combination and early identification of hybrids.[Method]The soluble protein and peroxidase of LiLum davidii var.unicolor,Lilium Asiatic hybrids and their filial generations were analyzed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique.[Result]The protein spectrum of filial generation with L.davidii var.unicolor as parent not only appeared the homologous band as parent with darker coloring,but also had new bands compared with parent.Peroxidase zymogram of hybrid F1 mainly displayed incomplete complementary and hybrid type of parent.[Conclusion]Protein spectrum and peroxidase zymogram could be used as the biochemical markers for the identification of hybrids of lily,which could also detect the target traits of plant.

Synthesis and reversal effect of a novel N-substituted phthalimidesugar on doxorubicin resistant of human breast cancer cells

Thalidomide （α-N-phthalimido-glutarimide, TLD） is a kind of anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory drug, and showed effects in the treatment of several disease entities. In this study, the biological effects of a novel N-sugar substituted phthalimide （STA-35） on the regulation of multidrug resistance （MDR） to doxorubicin （ADR） were investigated. The proliferation of cancer cells was detected by a SRB assay. The activity of P-glycoprotein （P-gp） was determined by a Flow cytometry. The expression of P-gp was measured by western blotting. The results showed that STA-35 inhibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its ADR resistant cell line MCF-7/ADR, and the relative resistance was only 1.19. Meanwhile, STA-35 could sensitize the cytotoxicity of ADR in MCF-7/ADR cells. In addition, we found that STA-35 reduced the activity of P-gp by suppressing the P-gp expression, which was indicated by the increase in the accumulation of rhodamine 123 in MCF-7/ADR cells. These results suggested a promising application of STA-35 as the MDR reversing agent. The underlying mechanism of the effects might be attributed to the inhibition of P-gp.

Effect of pH values on extracellular protein and polysaccharide secretions of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans during chalcopyrite bioleaching

The effect of pH values on the extracellular protein and polysaccharide secretions of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was comparatively investigated in different phases of bacterial growth during chalcopyrite bioleaching. The results indicate that the extracellular protein is always more than the extracellular polysaccharide secreted by attached cells on the chalcopyrite, on the contrary, and is always less than the extracellular polysaccharide secreted by free cells in the solution at bacterial adaptive phase, logarithmic phase and stationary phase whenever pH value is at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5; free cells are mainly through the secretion of extracellular polysaccharide rather than the extracellular protein to fight against disadvantageous solution environment, such as high concentration of metal ions and unsuitable pH solution; both amounts of polysaccharide and protein secreted by attached cells are mainly positively related to the solution acidity rather than the total concentration of soluble metal ions. The experimental results imply that bacteria are mainly through secreting more extracellular polysaccharide to fight against disadvantageous environment and the extracellular protein perhaps plays an important role in oxidation？reduction reactions in the bioleaching system.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of the High Mobility B Group Genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

[Objective] The aim was to better research the function and action mode of High Mobility Group B （HMGB） proteins in higher plants. [Method] At2G33450,At5G23405 and At5G23420 genes of HMGB protein family in Arabidopsis thaliana were cloned by the use of RT-PCR method,and the expression of these three proteins in E.coli and Arabidopsis thaliana were detected by using SDS-PAGE,Northern blot and subcellular localization methods. [Result] The results showed that the molecular weights of the three proteins were 17.5,17.0 and 27.0 kD respectively,and the expression levels of the proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana were At5G23420At5G23405At2G33450. In addition,all the three proteins were located in nucleus. [Conclusion] The study will provide a basis for the further research on the biological function of HMGB proteins in higher plants.

Construction of a fusion protein expression vector MK-EGFP and its subcellular localization in different carcinoma cell lines

AIM： To construct an expression plasmid encoding human wild-type midkine （MK） and enhanced green fluorescence protein （EGFP） fusion protein （MK-EGFP）, and to analyze the subcellular localization of MK in different cardnoma cell lines. METHODS： Two kinds of MK coding sequences with or without signal peptide were cloned into plasmid pEGFP-N2, and the recombinant plasmids constructed were introduced into HepG2, MCF7 and DU145 cells, respectively, by transfection. With the help of laser scanning confocal microscopy, the expression and subcellular localization of MK-GFP fusion protein could be detected. RESULTS： Compared with the GFP control, in which fluorescence was detected diffusely over the entire cell body except in the nucleolus, both kinds of fusion protein MK-GFP were localized exclusively to the nucleus and accumulated in the nucleolus in the three kinds of cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION： This study reveals the specific nucleolar translocation independent of signal peptide, which may be involved in the mechanism that MK works. It provides valuable evidence for further study on the functions of MK in nucleus and its possible mechanisms, in which ribosomal RNA transcription and ribosome assembly are involved.

Heterotrimeric G protein α subunit is involved in rice brassinosteroid response

Heterotrimeric G proteins are known to function as messengers in numerous signal transduction pathways.The nullmutation of RGA(rice heterotrimeric G protein α subunit),which encodes the α subunit of heterotrimeric G proteinin rice,causes severe dwarfism and reduced responsiveness to gibberellic acid in rice.However,less is known aboutheterotrimeric G protein in brassinosteroid(BR)signaling,one of the well-understood phytohormone pathways.In thepresent study,we used root elongation inhibition assay,lamina inclination assay and coleoptile elongation analysis todemonstrated reduced sensitivity of dl mutant plants(caused by the null mutation of RGA)to 24-epibrassinolide(24-epiBL),which belongs to brassinosteroids and plays a wide variety of roles in plant growth and development.Moreover,RGA transcript level was decreased in 24-epiBL-treated seedlings in a dose-dependent manner.Our results show thatRGA is involved in rice brassinosteroid response,which may be beneficial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Gprotein signaling and provide a novel perspective to understand BR signaling in higher plants.

Study on the Tripolyphosphatase (TPPase) Property of Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis) Myosin Subfragment-1

Myosin subfragment-1 was prepared from the myofibrils of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis). The myosin subfrag- ment-1 was proved to have the activity of tripolyphosphatase (TPPase) responding to the hydrolysis of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The optimum temperature and pH for the TPPase of myosin subfragment-1 were 30℃ and pH 5.0, and at pH 8.0 the TPPase also showed a high activity. Mg2+ was necessary to TPPase. The TPPase activity of myosin subfragment-1 was activated by Mg2+ under low concentrations, but was inhibited when the concentration was over 17 mmolL-1. The TPPase activity was also affected by KCl. The optimum concentration of KCl for TPPase was 0.3 molL-1 under the condition of 17 mmolL-1 Mg2+. The TPPase activity was significantly inhibited by EDTA-Na2. Reagents such as KBr, KI and KIO3 could inhibit the TPPase effectively. K2Cr2O7 as well as KMnO7 and KNO3 exhibited weak inhibiting effects. The TPPase converted STPP to pyrophosphate (PP) and orthophosphate (Pi) stoichiometrically with a KM of 3.2 mmolL-1.

A CHASE domain containing protein kinase OsCRL4, represents a new AtCRE1-like gene family in rice

AtCRE1 is known to be a cytokinin receptor in Arabidopsis. The AtCRE1 protein contains CHASE domain at the N-terminal part, followed by a transmitter (histidine kinase) domain and two receiver domains. The N-terminal CHASE domain of AtCRE1 contains putative recognition sites for cytokinin. Five CHASE domains containing proteins were found in rice, OsCRL1a, OsCRL1b, OsCRL2, OsCRL3, and OsCRL4. OsCRL1a, OsCRL1b, OsCRL2 and OsCRL3 contain the four domains existing in CRE1, whereas OsCRL4 only contains the CHASE domain and a putative Ser/Thr protein kinase domain. The authors cloned the encoding gene OsCRL4 and found that it represents a new member of the cytokinin receptor protein in rice.

Isolation and Identification of a Subgroup A Avian Leukosis Virus from Imported Meat-type Grand-parent Chickens

An exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) strain SDAU09C1 was isolated in DF-1 cells from one of 240 imported 1-day-old white meat-type grand parent breeder chicks. Inoculation of SDAU09C1 in ALV-free chickens induced antibody reactions specific to subgroup A or B. But gp85 amino acid sequence comparisons indicated that SDAU09C1 fell into subgroup A; it had homology of 88.8%-90.3% to 6 reference strains of subgroup A, much higher compared to other subgroups including subgroup B. This is the first report for ALV of subgroup A isolated from imported breeders.

Evaluation of leukocyte esterase and nitrite strip tests to detect spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

AIM： To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of leukocyte esterase and nitrite reagent strips for bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis （SBP）. METHODS： A total of 63 consecutive patients with cirrhotic ascites （38 male, 25 female） tested between April 2005 and July 2006 were included in the study. Bedside reagent strip testing was performed on ascitic fluid and the results compared to manual cell counting and ascitic fluid culture. SBP was defined as having a polymorphonuclear ascites count of ≥ 250/mm^3. RESULTS： Fifteen samples showed SBP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the leukocyte esterase reagent strips were; 93%, 100%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the nitrite reagent strips were 13%, 93%, 40%, and 77%, respectively. The combination of leukocyte esterase and nitrite reagents strips did not yield statistically significant effects on diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION： Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid, bedside diagnostic test for SBP.

Transgenic mice overexpressingγ-aminobutyric acid transporter subtypeⅠ develop obesity

Transgenic mice ubiquitously overexpressing murine γ aminobutyric acid transporter subtype Ⅰ were created. Unexpectedly, these mice markedly exhibited heritable obesity, which features significantly increased body weight and fat deposition. Behavioral examination revealed that transgeinc mice have slightly reduced spontaneous locomotive capacity and altered feeding pattern. Tills preliminary finding indicates that the inappropriate level of γ-aminobutyric acid transporters may be directly or indirectly involved in the pathogenic mechanism underlying certain types of obesity.

Membrane steroid-binding protein 1 （MSBP1） negatively regulates brassinosteroid signaling by enhancing the endocytosis of BAK1

Brassinosteroids （BRs） are perceived by transmembrane receptors and play vital roles in plant growth and development, as well as cell in responses to environmental stimuli. The transmemhrane receptor BRI1 can directly bind to brassinolide （BL）, and BAK1 interacts with BRI1 to enhance the BRI1-mediated BR signaling. Our previous studies indicated that a membrane steroid-binding protein 1 （MSBP1） could bind to BL in vitro and is negatively involved in BR signaling. To further elucidate the underlying mechanism, we here show that MSBPI specifically interacts with the extraeellular domain of BAK1 in vivo in a BL-independent manner. Suppressed cell expansion and BR responses by increased expression of MSBP1 can be recovered by overexpressing BAK1 or its intracellnlar kinase domain, sug- gesting that MSBP1 may suppress BR signaling through interacting with BAK1. Subcellular localization studies re- vealed that both MSBPI and BAK1 are localized to plasma membrane and endocytic vesicles and MSBP1 accelerates BAK1 endocytosis, which results in suppressed BR signaling by shifting the equilibrium of BAKI toward endosomes. Indeed, enhanced MSBP1 expression reduces the interaction between BRI1 and BAK1 in vivo, demonstrating that MSBP1 acts as a negative factor at an early step of the BR signaling pathway.

mIL-2R,T cell subsets & hepatitis C

AIM: To study the levels of membrane interleukin-2 receptor (mIL-2R) and T cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with hepatitis C and their role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. METHODS: The levels of mIL-2R and T cells subsets in PBMC were detected by biotin- streptatividin (BSA) technique before and after stimulation with PHA in 203 patients with hepatitis C with HCV-RNA(+), anti-HCV(+), anti-HCV(-). RESULTS: The total expressive levels of mIL-2R before and after stimulation with PHA(0.03+/-0.01, 0.03+/-0.02, 0.04+/-0.02, 0.36+/-0.03), and T cell subsets in PBMC (0.62+/-0.06, 0.37+/-0.05, 0.35+/-0.07) were all lower in patients with hepatitis C than those in normal controls (0.66+/-0.07, 0.41+/-0.06, 0.31+/-0.05, P【0.01). Among the patients, the levels of mIL-2R were lower in silence than those in situation of PHA inducting (P【0.01). However, the levels of mIL-2R were similar in acute hepatitis C to that in chronic hepatitis C (P】0.05). The levels of CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) were lower and CD(8)(+) was higher in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C with anti-HCV(+) than those in normal controls (0.62+/-0.06, 0.37+/-0.05, 0.35+/-0.07, 1.18+/-0.30, 0.61+/-0.07, 0.37+/-0.05, 1.39+/-0.33, 0.31+/-0.05, P【0.05-P【0.01). CONCLUSION: The cellular immunity is obviously changed in patients with hepatitis C. The levels of mIL-2R and activation of T cells are closely associated with chronicity of hepatitis C.