The careers of three Chinese physicists,Hu Ning,Ma Shijun,and Peng Huanwu at the Dublin Institute for Advance Studies in the 1940s,and later,are described.A brief history of the foundation and operations of the instit...The careers of three Chinese physicists,Hu Ning,Ma Shijun,and Peng Huanwu at the Dublin Institute for Advance Studies in the 1940s,and later,are described.A brief history of the foundation and operations of the institute,as well as the roles in it of Erwin Schrodinger,Walter Heitler,Max Born,and others are included.Some details are given of the works carried out there.The three men's post-institute careers are described,Ma eventually in Australia,and Hu and Peng in the People's Republic of China where they became distinguished leaders of theoretical physics research.展开更多
Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sam...Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases.Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog(GWAS)were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database.For eczema and autoimmune diseases,genetic instrument variants(GIVs)were identified according to the significant difference(P<5×10−8).Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse‐variance weighted(IVW)method.MR Egger,maximum likelihood,MR-PRESSO,and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses.Sensitivity tests,including heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and leave-one-out analyses,were performed.Finally,reverse causality was assessed.Results:Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease(OR=1.444,95%CI 1.199 to 1.738,P<0.001)and ulcerative colitis(OR=1.002,95%CI 1.001 to 1.003,P=0.002).However,no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases,including systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(OR=0.932,P=0.401),bullous pemphigoid(BP)(OR=1.191,P=0.642),vitiligo(OR=1.000,P=0.327),multiple sclerosis(MS)(OR=1.000,P=0.965),ankylosing spondylitis(AS)(OR=1.001,P=0.121),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)(OR=1.000,P=0.460).Additionally,no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema.Conclusion:Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE,MS,AS,RA,BP,or vitiligo.展开更多
Several brittle culm mutants of rice were identified and characterized. In this study, we characterized a brittle mutant (bc7(t)) identified from japonica variety Zhonghua 11 by means of ^60Co-γ radiation. This m...Several brittle culm mutants of rice were identified and characterized. In this study, we characterized a brittle mutant (bc7(t)) identified from japonica variety Zhonghua 11 by means of ^60Co-γ radiation. This mutant displays normal phenotype similar to its wild type plants except for the fragility of all plant body, with - 10% decrease in the cellulose content. The genetic analysis and gene fine mapping showed that the bc7(t) mutant was controlled by a recessive gene, residing on an 8.4 kb region of the long arm of chromosome 1. The gene annotation indicated that there was only one putative gene encoding cellulose synthase catalytic subunit (CesA) in this region, which was allelic to OsCesA4. Furthermore, the sequence analysis was carried out and 7 bases deletion in the junction of exon 10 and intron 10 was done in bc7(t) mutant, resulting in the change of reading frame and the consequent failure to generate functional protein. In addition, the result of RNA interference experiment showed that when the Bc7(t) was knocked down, the transplants exhibited fragility, similar to bc7(t) mutant. The finding of novel allele of OsCesA4 locus will facilitate the understanding of the mechanism of cell wall biosynthesis. The potential utilization of the bc7(t) mutant in animal food was discussed as well.展开更多
To investigate the expression characteristics of sex related gene of FTZ-F 1 in the half-smooth tongue-sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), the homologue FTZ-F1 (hsFTZ-F1) full-length cDNA was isolated from the testis b...To investigate the expression characteristics of sex related gene of FTZ-F 1 in the half-smooth tongue-sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), the homologue FTZ-F1 (hsFTZ-F1) full-length cDNA was isolated from the testis by homologous cloning, and the cDNA included the open reading frame and a 66bp 5'-UTR, along with a 1619bp 3'-UTR, encoding a predicted 485 amino acid protein. Sequence, tissue distribution and phylogenic analyses of the FTZ-F1 showed that the hsFTZ-F1 belonged to SF-1/Ad4BP group. The hsFTZ-F1 transcripts were highly abundant in the gonads, kidneys, brain and head-kidneys, but weakly in other tissues. However, the expression level in the brain and head-kidney of female was highly abundant than in the male. The hsFTZ-F1 expression was highly abundant in the embryo than in the larvae, which suggested that the hsFTZ-F1 may be involved in the organogenesis in the tongue sole.展开更多
A lectin protein(SFL) with molecular weight about 32 kD which markedly agglutinated rabbit and human red blood cells was purified from the roots of Sophora flavescens Ait. This protein, and apparently inhibited the gr...A lectin protein(SFL) with molecular weight about 32 kD which markedly agglutinated rabbit and human red blood cells was purified from the roots of Sophora flavescens Ait. This protein, and apparently inhibited the growth of Fusarium vasinfectum Atk., Gibberella saubinetii (Mont.) Sacc., and Piricularia oryzae Cav. A set of degenerate PCR primer was synthesized according to the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein. The full-length cDNA coding the lectin was cloned by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE and sequenced (GenBank AF285121). The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that a preprotein with 284 amino acid residues is firstly translated and then processed to a mature protein with 254 amino acids. A N-Glycosylation site is the Asn 182 residue.展开更多
This study cloned the hemoglobin a1 from the marine teleost, the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), and then examined its expression under hypoxia exposure. The full-length of CsHb-a1 (594 bp) cDNA ...This study cloned the hemoglobin a1 from the marine teleost, the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), and then examined its expression under hypoxia exposure. The full-length of CsHb-a1 (594 bp) cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding 144 amino acids. Sequence analysis shows that the predicted CsHb-a1 amino acids shares high identities with that of other species. Real-time PCR showed that CsHb-a1 was highly expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, kidney and blood. Five to 120 min esposure and long-term (36 h) exposure to hypoxia (1.0 mg/L) significantly increased CsHb-a1 mRNA expression in most tissues compared to those fish held in normoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen (DO): 6.2 mg/L). These results suggested that the up-regulation of Hb-a1 is an important component for adaptation of half-smooth tongue sole to short-term hypoxia.展开更多
The Na+/H+ antiport genes namedTaNHX1andTaNHX2were cloned by screening a salt_stressed wheat cDNA library using rice Na+/H+ antiport cDNA fragment as the probe. Sequencing analysis showed thatTaNHX1was 2 029 bp in le...The Na+/H+ antiport genes namedTaNHX1andTaNHX2were cloned by screening a salt_stressed wheat cDNA library using rice Na+/H+ antiport cDNA fragment as the probe. Sequencing analysis showed thatTaNHX1was 2 029 bp in length and contained a complete ORF of 1 638 bp. TheTaNHX1encodes a polypeptide of 546 amino acids with a transmembrane domain DIFFIYLLPPI.TaNHX2was 1 693 bp in length consisting of a partial ORF followed by a 3′_UTR of 808 bp. The amino acid sequence of these two genes were about 70% identical to the known NHX genes from rice, Arabidopsis and Atriplex. A RT_PCR assay showed that the level ofTaNHX1transcripts was increased and reached a steady higher level in the seedlings after 3 h treatment with 400 mmol/L NaCl.展开更多
Sex determination is composed of somatic and germ-line sex differentiation hierarchies whose interaction is poorly understood. A single gene known to control somatic sex determination, the DM-domain containing (Doubl...Sex determination is composed of somatic and germ-line sex differentiation hierarchies whose interaction is poorly understood. A single gene known to control somatic sex determination, the DM-domain containing (Doublesex/Mab-3 DNA-binding motif) gene, is highly conserved across species. Vertebrate DMRT1 (DM-related transcription factor 1) expression occurs predominantly in the testis. Here, however, isolated two distinct DM-domain cDNA from Oreochromis aurea ovary and testis have been named DMRT4 (DM-related transcription factor 4) and DMRT1 by BLAST, respectively. Despite high homology in the DM-domain there is little similarity outside the DM-domain.To better understand the structure, function, and possible roles of DMRT4 and DMRT1 as potential candidates for sex differentiation and sex determination, the intact regions encoding DMRT4 and DMRT1 obtained by PCR were sub-cloned into the vector pMAL-c2x and introduced into the Escherichia coli TB1 cell for efficient fusion expression. After purification and cleavage, DMRT4 and DMRT1 proteins were used to immunize adult rabbits following standard protocols. Consequently, it was found by using Western blot analysis that polyclonal antibodies against DMRT4 and DMRT1 had high specificity. The relative expression levels of DMRT4 and DMRT1 mRNA were determined by fluorescent Real-time RT-PCR in female and male Oreochromis aurea with 13-actin as the internal standard. DMRT1 was expressed only in testis, whereas DMRT4 was over expressed in the ovary, but in both female and male, a slight expression in the brain was also detected. Statistical analysis showed that in the brain, mean DMRT4 mRNA levels in female were significantly higher than in male. Meanwhile, the expression of DMRT4 and DMRT1 protein was also analyzed using the purified antibodies through Western blot and immunohistochemistry. It was found that DMRT4 was exclusively expressed in the ovary and DMRT1 in the testis. Study on DMRT4 and DMRT1 expression facilitated the elucidation of their roles and the understanding of sex differentiation of fish.展开更多
cDNA encoding caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) from Chinese white poplar ( Populus tomentosa Carr.) was cloned by RT-PCR and sequenced. Northern analysis displayed that the CCoAOMT was expressed specifically...cDNA encoding caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) from Chinese white poplar ( Populus tomentosa Carr.) was cloned by RT-PCR and sequenced. Northern analysis displayed that the CCoAOMT was expressed specifically in the developing secondary xylem and its expression was coincident with lignification. The antisense CCoAOMT cDNA was transformed into P. tremula x P. alba mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens ( Smith et Townsend) Conn. Transgenic plants were identified with PCR, PCR-Southern and Southern analysis. Lignin content in 5- to 6-month-old transgenic plants was measured. One of the transgenic lines had significant reduction of 17.9% in Klason lignin content as compared with that of untransformed poplar. The results demonstrate that antisense repression of CCoAOMT is an efficient way to reduce lignin content for improving pulping property in engineered trees.展开更多
Architectural plasticity of clonal plants may enhance exploitation of soil moisture heterogeneity by the plants. The plasticity of clonal architecture in response to soil moisture in the stoloniferous herb, Duchesne...Architectural plasticity of clonal plants may enhance exploitation of soil moisture heterogeneity by the plants. The plasticity of clonal architecture in response to soil moisture in the stoloniferous herb, Duchesnea indica Focke, was investigated in an experiment with different soil moisture contents as treatments, i.e. 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% of the maximum moisture content of soil (MMCS). As soil moisture content increased, the spacer length, ramet density, branching intensity and branching angle of D. indica plants changed by quadratic curve. And the optimum habitat for the plants was at 80% of the MMCS. This architectural plasticity in D. indica was simulated through the Dynamic Logistic Model. The imitative effect was statistically satisfactory. Its architectural plasticity observed here may allow the species to show foraging behavior in its habitat where soil moisture is patchily distributed.展开更多
The cDNA encoding a variant of α bungarotoxin was cloned from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by RT PCR.The deduced protein precursor contained a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a following 74 amino ...The cDNA encoding a variant of α bungarotoxin was cloned from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by RT PCR.The deduced protein precursor contained a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a following 74 amino acid mature protein.The signal peptide is very similar to those of short chain neurotoxins,κ neurotoxins and cardiotoxins.The amino acid sequence of the mature protein is identical to α bungarotoxin (V31),a minor variant of α bungarotoxin identified by protein sequencing technique.Furthermore,the cDNA encoding the deletion precursor of α bungarotoxin was also cloned.By use of pMAL p2,the variant was overexpressed in E coli as a soluble fusion protein and purified by sepharose 6B amylose affinity chromatography,which was confirmed by western blotting with the antisera agai nst α bungarotoxin.The recombinant variant was achieved after digestion by factor X a.It displayed about 1/6 in vivo toxicity of natural α bungarotoxin.The successful cloning and functional expression of α bungarotoxin provided a basis for the future study of structure function of long neurotoxins.展开更多
Betaine is a very effective osmoprotectant found in many organisms. In high plants, betaine is synthesized by oxidation of choline in two sequential steps: choline-->betaine aldehyde-->betaine. The first step is...Betaine is a very effective osmoprotectant found in many organisms. In high plants, betaine is synthesized by oxidation of choline in two sequential steps: choline-->betaine aldehyde-->betaine. The first step is catalyzed by choline monooxygenase (CMO). In this study, the full-length CMO cDNA (1 820 bp) was cloned from halophyte Suaeda liaotungensis Kitag by RT-PCR and RACE. It included a 123 bp 5' UTR, a 368 bp 3' UTR and a 1 329 bp open reading frame encoding a 442-amino-acid polypeptide with 77%, 72% and 74% sequence identity compared to CMOs from spinach, sugar beet and Atriplex hortensis, respectively. The CMO open reading frame (ORF) was cloned and the plant expression vector pBI121-CMO was constructed. It was transferred into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ev. 89) via Agrobacterium mediation. PCR and Southern blotting analysis showed that the CMO gene was integrated into tobacco genome. Transgenic tobacco plants contained higher amount of betaine than that of control plants and were able to survive on MS medium containing 250 mmol/L NaCl. Relative electronic conductivity demonstrated less membrane damage in transgenic plants as in the wild type.展开更多
LFY and LFY _like genes have been shown to control the initiation of floral meristems in higher plants. The homologous cDNA of LFY, CFL, were cloned from cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). Southern blot anal...LFY and LFY _like genes have been shown to control the initiation of floral meristems in higher plants. The homologous cDNA of LFY, CFL, were cloned from cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). Southern blot analysis showed it was a single copy gene in the cucumber genome. Northern blot analysis showed that it expressed in the floral buds and young leaves. The possible role of CFL in the floral and vegetative development of cucumber plant was discussed.展开更多
Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, ...Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, was purified from the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The protein has the activity of rRNA N-glycosidase. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal partial sequence from purified curcin. The full-length curcin cDNA by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE was cloned. The deduced amino acids sequence indicates that a preprotein with 20 amino acid residues is first translated and then processed to a mature protein with 251 amino acids. The deduced amino acids sequence shares homology of 33% and 57% to those of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and A chain of type II RIPs, respectively. The sequence encoding mature curcin was integrated into the pQE-30 vector for expression in Escherichia coli strain M15 (pREP4). The purified recombinant curcin was able to inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system.展开更多
A complete cDNA of potato Phytophthora infestans-induced hypersensitive response-related protein gene (POTHR-1) was cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy according to a fragment sequence which ...A complete cDNA of potato Phytophthora infestans-induced hypersensitive response-related protein gene (POTHR-1) was cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy according to a fragment sequence which we had cloned using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique. The potato POTHR-1 gene encodes a protein of 225 amino acids, which shares 81% identity with tobacco hin1 gene-enoded protein (harpin-induced protein). Southern blot revealed that there are two to three copies of POTHR-1 in potato genome. The POTHR-1 gene expression in potato leaves showed that its transcripts accumulated remarkably in leaves after 36 h inoculation with P. infestans. Mechanical wounding and jasmonic acid (JA) could induce the POTHR-1 gene expression and osmotic stress just induce a slight accumulation of POTHR-1 gene mRNA, while salicylic acid (SA) had no detectable function on the induction accumulation of POTHR-1 gene transcripts. The potato POTHR-1 gene may preferentially associate with hypersensitive response (HR) or biotic cell death during interaction between host and pathogen.展开更多
文摘The careers of three Chinese physicists,Hu Ning,Ma Shijun,and Peng Huanwu at the Dublin Institute for Advance Studies in the 1940s,and later,are described.A brief history of the foundation and operations of the institute,as well as the roles in it of Erwin Schrodinger,Walter Heitler,Max Born,and others are included.Some details are given of the works carried out there.The three men's post-institute careers are described,Ma eventually in Australia,and Hu and Peng in the People's Republic of China where they became distinguished leaders of theoretical physics research.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation (82273506,82273508)the Hunan Provincial Health Commission Scientific Research Plan Project (D202304128334),China。
文摘Objective:The causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases has not been previously reported.This study aims to evaluate the causal relationship between eczema and autoimmune diseases.Methods:The two‐sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method was used to assess the causal effect of eczema on autoimmune diseases.Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog(GWAS)were obtained from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database.For eczema and autoimmune diseases,genetic instrument variants(GIVs)were identified according to the significant difference(P<5×10−8).Causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse‐variance weighted(IVW)method.MR Egger,maximum likelihood,MR-PRESSO,and MR-RAPS methods were used for alternative analyses.Sensitivity tests,including heterogeneity,horizontal pleiotropy,and leave-one-out analyses,were performed.Finally,reverse causality was assessed.Results:Genetic susceptibility to eczema was associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease(OR=1.444,95%CI 1.199 to 1.738,P<0.001)and ulcerative colitis(OR=1.002,95%CI 1.001 to 1.003,P=0.002).However,no causal relationship was found for the other 6 autoimmune diseases,including systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)(OR=0.932,P=0.401),bullous pemphigoid(BP)(OR=1.191,P=0.642),vitiligo(OR=1.000,P=0.327),multiple sclerosis(MS)(OR=1.000,P=0.965),ankylosing spondylitis(AS)(OR=1.001,P=0.121),rheumatoid arthritis(RA)(OR=1.000,P=0.460).Additionally,no reverse causal relationship was found between autoimmune diseases and eczema.Conclusion:Eczema is associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.No causal relationship is found between eczema and SLE,MS,AS,RA,BP,or vitiligo.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30300220)the National Basic Research Program (973 Project) (No. 2005CB120804)
文摘Several brittle culm mutants of rice were identified and characterized. In this study, we characterized a brittle mutant (bc7(t)) identified from japonica variety Zhonghua 11 by means of ^60Co-γ radiation. This mutant displays normal phenotype similar to its wild type plants except for the fragility of all plant body, with - 10% decrease in the cellulose content. The genetic analysis and gene fine mapping showed that the bc7(t) mutant was controlled by a recessive gene, residing on an 8.4 kb region of the long arm of chromosome 1. The gene annotation indicated that there was only one putative gene encoding cellulose synthase catalytic subunit (CesA) in this region, which was allelic to OsCesA4. Furthermore, the sequence analysis was carried out and 7 bases deletion in the junction of exon 10 and intron 10 was done in bc7(t) mutant, resulting in the change of reading frame and the consequent failure to generate functional protein. In addition, the result of RNA interference experiment showed that when the Bc7(t) was knocked down, the transplants exhibited fragility, similar to bc7(t) mutant. The finding of novel allele of OsCesA4 locus will facilitate the understanding of the mechanism of cell wall biosynthesis. The potential utilization of the bc7(t) mutant in animal food was discussed as well.
基金Supported by grants from State 863 High-Technology R&D Project of China(2006AA10A403)Shandong Genetic Improvement Key Project for Agricultural OrganismDoctor Initial Funding of Guangdong Ocean University(0712103)
文摘To investigate the expression characteristics of sex related gene of FTZ-F 1 in the half-smooth tongue-sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), the homologue FTZ-F1 (hsFTZ-F1) full-length cDNA was isolated from the testis by homologous cloning, and the cDNA included the open reading frame and a 66bp 5'-UTR, along with a 1619bp 3'-UTR, encoding a predicted 485 amino acid protein. Sequence, tissue distribution and phylogenic analyses of the FTZ-F1 showed that the hsFTZ-F1 belonged to SF-1/Ad4BP group. The hsFTZ-F1 transcripts were highly abundant in the gonads, kidneys, brain and head-kidneys, but weakly in other tissues. However, the expression level in the brain and head-kidney of female was highly abundant than in the male. The hsFTZ-F1 expression was highly abundant in the embryo than in the larvae, which suggested that the hsFTZ-F1 may be involved in the organogenesis in the tongue sole.
文摘A lectin protein(SFL) with molecular weight about 32 kD which markedly agglutinated rabbit and human red blood cells was purified from the roots of Sophora flavescens Ait. This protein, and apparently inhibited the growth of Fusarium vasinfectum Atk., Gibberella saubinetii (Mont.) Sacc., and Piricularia oryzae Cav. A set of degenerate PCR primer was synthesized according to the N-terminal sequence of the purified protein. The full-length cDNA coding the lectin was cloned by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE and sequenced (GenBank AF285121). The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that a preprotein with 284 amino acid residues is firstly translated and then processed to a mature protein with 254 amino acids. A N-Glycosylation site is the Asn 182 residue.
基金supported by Nature Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK2011418)the Graduate Research and Innovation of Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province(CX09B_106Z)Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China(09KJD240004)
文摘This study cloned the hemoglobin a1 from the marine teleost, the half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), and then examined its expression under hypoxia exposure. The full-length of CsHb-a1 (594 bp) cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding 144 amino acids. Sequence analysis shows that the predicted CsHb-a1 amino acids shares high identities with that of other species. Real-time PCR showed that CsHb-a1 was highly expressed in the heart, liver, spleen, kidney and blood. Five to 120 min esposure and long-term (36 h) exposure to hypoxia (1.0 mg/L) significantly increased CsHb-a1 mRNA expression in most tissues compared to those fish held in normoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen (DO): 6.2 mg/L). These results suggested that the up-regulation of Hb-a1 is an important component for adaptation of half-smooth tongue sole to short-term hypoxia.
文摘The Na+/H+ antiport genes namedTaNHX1andTaNHX2were cloned by screening a salt_stressed wheat cDNA library using rice Na+/H+ antiport cDNA fragment as the probe. Sequencing analysis showed thatTaNHX1was 2 029 bp in length and contained a complete ORF of 1 638 bp. TheTaNHX1encodes a polypeptide of 546 amino acids with a transmembrane domain DIFFIYLLPPI.TaNHX2was 1 693 bp in length consisting of a partial ORF followed by a 3′_UTR of 808 bp. The amino acid sequence of these two genes were about 70% identical to the known NHX genes from rice, Arabidopsis and Atriplex. A RT_PCR assay showed that the level ofTaNHX1transcripts was increased and reached a steady higher level in the seedlings after 3 h treatment with 400 mmol/L NaCl.
基金This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2004CB117401)Chinese National Programsfor High Technology Research and Development(No.2004AA243060).
文摘Sex determination is composed of somatic and germ-line sex differentiation hierarchies whose interaction is poorly understood. A single gene known to control somatic sex determination, the DM-domain containing (Doublesex/Mab-3 DNA-binding motif) gene, is highly conserved across species. Vertebrate DMRT1 (DM-related transcription factor 1) expression occurs predominantly in the testis. Here, however, isolated two distinct DM-domain cDNA from Oreochromis aurea ovary and testis have been named DMRT4 (DM-related transcription factor 4) and DMRT1 by BLAST, respectively. Despite high homology in the DM-domain there is little similarity outside the DM-domain.To better understand the structure, function, and possible roles of DMRT4 and DMRT1 as potential candidates for sex differentiation and sex determination, the intact regions encoding DMRT4 and DMRT1 obtained by PCR were sub-cloned into the vector pMAL-c2x and introduced into the Escherichia coli TB1 cell for efficient fusion expression. After purification and cleavage, DMRT4 and DMRT1 proteins were used to immunize adult rabbits following standard protocols. Consequently, it was found by using Western blot analysis that polyclonal antibodies against DMRT4 and DMRT1 had high specificity. The relative expression levels of DMRT4 and DMRT1 mRNA were determined by fluorescent Real-time RT-PCR in female and male Oreochromis aurea with 13-actin as the internal standard. DMRT1 was expressed only in testis, whereas DMRT4 was over expressed in the ovary, but in both female and male, a slight expression in the brain was also detected. Statistical analysis showed that in the brain, mean DMRT4 mRNA levels in female were significantly higher than in male. Meanwhile, the expression of DMRT4 and DMRT1 protein was also analyzed using the purified antibodies through Western blot and immunohistochemistry. It was found that DMRT4 was exclusively expressed in the ovary and DMRT1 in the testis. Study on DMRT4 and DMRT1 expression facilitated the elucidation of their roles and the understanding of sex differentiation of fish.
文摘cDNA encoding caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) from Chinese white poplar ( Populus tomentosa Carr.) was cloned by RT-PCR and sequenced. Northern analysis displayed that the CCoAOMT was expressed specifically in the developing secondary xylem and its expression was coincident with lignification. The antisense CCoAOMT cDNA was transformed into P. tremula x P. alba mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens ( Smith et Townsend) Conn. Transgenic plants were identified with PCR, PCR-Southern and Southern analysis. Lignin content in 5- to 6-month-old transgenic plants was measured. One of the transgenic lines had significant reduction of 17.9% in Klason lignin content as compared with that of untransformed poplar. The results demonstrate that antisense repression of CCoAOMT is an efficient way to reduce lignin content for improving pulping property in engineered trees.
文摘Architectural plasticity of clonal plants may enhance exploitation of soil moisture heterogeneity by the plants. The plasticity of clonal architecture in response to soil moisture in the stoloniferous herb, Duchesnea indica Focke, was investigated in an experiment with different soil moisture contents as treatments, i.e. 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% of the maximum moisture content of soil (MMCS). As soil moisture content increased, the spacer length, ramet density, branching intensity and branching angle of D. indica plants changed by quadratic curve. And the optimum habitat for the plants was at 80% of the MMCS. This architectural plasticity in D. indica was simulated through the Dynamic Logistic Model. The imitative effect was statistically satisfactory. Its architectural plasticity observed here may allow the species to show foraging behavior in its habitat where soil moisture is patchily distributed.
基金the"95"great program of Chinese Academy of Sciences! (KY95 1-A1-3 0 1-0 2 )
文摘The cDNA encoding a variant of α bungarotoxin was cloned from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by RT PCR.The deduced protein precursor contained a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a following 74 amino acid mature protein.The signal peptide is very similar to those of short chain neurotoxins,κ neurotoxins and cardiotoxins.The amino acid sequence of the mature protein is identical to α bungarotoxin (V31),a minor variant of α bungarotoxin identified by protein sequencing technique.Furthermore,the cDNA encoding the deletion precursor of α bungarotoxin was also cloned.By use of pMAL p2,the variant was overexpressed in E coli as a soluble fusion protein and purified by sepharose 6B amylose affinity chromatography,which was confirmed by western blotting with the antisera agai nst α bungarotoxin.The recombinant variant was achieved after digestion by factor X a.It displayed about 1/6 in vivo toxicity of natural α bungarotoxin.The successful cloning and functional expression of α bungarotoxin provided a basis for the future study of structure function of long neurotoxins.
文摘Betaine is a very effective osmoprotectant found in many organisms. In high plants, betaine is synthesized by oxidation of choline in two sequential steps: choline-->betaine aldehyde-->betaine. The first step is catalyzed by choline monooxygenase (CMO). In this study, the full-length CMO cDNA (1 820 bp) was cloned from halophyte Suaeda liaotungensis Kitag by RT-PCR and RACE. It included a 123 bp 5' UTR, a 368 bp 3' UTR and a 1 329 bp open reading frame encoding a 442-amino-acid polypeptide with 77%, 72% and 74% sequence identity compared to CMOs from spinach, sugar beet and Atriplex hortensis, respectively. The CMO open reading frame (ORF) was cloned and the plant expression vector pBI121-CMO was constructed. It was transferred into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ev. 89) via Agrobacterium mediation. PCR and Southern blotting analysis showed that the CMO gene was integrated into tobacco genome. Transgenic tobacco plants contained higher amount of betaine than that of control plants and were able to survive on MS medium containing 250 mmol/L NaCl. Relative electronic conductivity demonstrated less membrane damage in transgenic plants as in the wild type.
文摘LFY and LFY _like genes have been shown to control the initiation of floral meristems in higher plants. The homologous cDNA of LFY, CFL, were cloned from cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.). Southern blot analysis showed it was a single copy gene in the cucumber genome. Northern blot analysis showed that it expressed in the floral buds and young leaves. The possible role of CFL in the floral and vegetative development of cucumber plant was discussed.
文摘Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, was purified from the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The protein has the activity of rRNA N-glycosidase. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal partial sequence from purified curcin. The full-length curcin cDNA by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE was cloned. The deduced amino acids sequence indicates that a preprotein with 20 amino acid residues is first translated and then processed to a mature protein with 251 amino acids. The deduced amino acids sequence shares homology of 33% and 57% to those of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and A chain of type II RIPs, respectively. The sequence encoding mature curcin was integrated into the pQE-30 vector for expression in Escherichia coli strain M15 (pREP4). The purified recombinant curcin was able to inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system.
文摘A complete cDNA of potato Phytophthora infestans-induced hypersensitive response-related protein gene (POTHR-1) was cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy according to a fragment sequence which we had cloned using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique. The potato POTHR-1 gene encodes a protein of 225 amino acids, which shares 81% identity with tobacco hin1 gene-enoded protein (harpin-induced protein). Southern blot revealed that there are two to three copies of POTHR-1 in potato genome. The POTHR-1 gene expression in potato leaves showed that its transcripts accumulated remarkably in leaves after 36 h inoculation with P. infestans. Mechanical wounding and jasmonic acid (JA) could induce the POTHR-1 gene expression and osmotic stress just induce a slight accumulation of POTHR-1 gene mRNA, while salicylic acid (SA) had no detectable function on the induction accumulation of POTHR-1 gene transcripts. The potato POTHR-1 gene may preferentially associate with hypersensitive response (HR) or biotic cell death during interaction between host and pathogen.