Molecular Characterization of Cotton 14-3-3L Gene Preferentially Expressed During Fiber Elongation

The 14-3-3 protein, highly conserved in all eukaryotic cells, is an important regulatory protein. It plays an important role in the growth, amplification, apoptosis, signal transduction, and other crucial life activities of cells. A eDNA encoding a putative 14-3-3 protein was isolated from cotton fiber eDNA library. The eDNA, designated as Gh14-3-3L （Gossypium hirsutum 14-3-3-like）, is 1,029 bp in length （including a 762 bp long open reading frame and 5＇-/3＇-untranslated regions） and deduced a protein with 253 amino acids. The GhI4-3-3L shares higher homology with the known plant 14-3-3 proteins, and possesses the basic structure of 14-3-3 proteins： one dimeric domain, one phosphoralated-serine rich motif, four CC domains, and one EF Hand motif. Northern blotting analysis showed that Gh14-3-3L was predominantly expressed during early fiber development, and reached to the peak of expression in 10 days post anthers （DPA） fiber cells, suggesting that the gene may be involved in regulating fiber elongation. The gene is also expressed at higher level in both ovule and petal, but displays lower or undeteetable level of activity in other tissues of cotton.

Expression Analysis of 14-3-3 Gene in Tall Fescue under Several Abiotic Stresses

To study the functions of 14-3-3 gene family in tall fescue, the potential functions of 13 14-3-3 proteins in Arabidopsis were investigated by bioinformatic analysis. Based on the sequences of 14-3-3 genes in tall fescue by transcriptome and proteomic sequencing, the full-length cDNA sequences of 4 14-3-3 genes in tall fescue were obtained. Their sequences were aligned by Clustal W2. The results showed that the genetic relationships between 14-3-3A and 14-3-3D, 14-3-3B and 14-3-3C are closer, and their main structures are very conservative. The changes in expression levels of 14-3-3 genes under low nitrogen, drought, high temperature and high salt stresses were investigated by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The expres- sion level of 14-3-3A makes responses to low nitrogen, drought, high temperature and high salt stresses; the expression levels of other genes also make responses to abiotic stresses in varying degrees, but the relevant response mechanisms are not exactly the same. Therefore, it is speculated that the 14-3-3 gene family regu- lates stress resistance of plants through different pathways, and functional differenti- ation occurs during its evolution.

Wheat 14-3-3 Protein Conferring Growth Retardation in Arabidopsis

14-3-3 proteins belong to a family of phosphoserine/threonine-binding modules and participate in a wide array of signal transduction and regulatory events. Our previous study demonstrated that Ta14-3-3 was significantly down-regulated in leaf and root tissues of hybrid wheat at the tillering stage. In this paper, three homoeologous Ta14-3-3 genes were cloned from common wheat （Triticum aestivum L., 2n=6x=42, AABBDD） and mapped on chromosomes 2A, 2B, and 2D, respectively. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically overexpressing Ta14-3-3 displayed shorter primary roots, delayed flowering and retarded growth rates, indicating that Ta14-3-3 acted as a growth inhibitor in Arabidopsis. In wheat, Ta14-3-3 was down-regulated in roots and leaves of hybrids as compared to their parental lines. We proposed that Ta14-3-3 proteins might regulate growth vigor in hybrid wheat.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease presenting as Korsakoff syndrome caused by E196A mutation in PRNP gene:A case report

BACKGROUND Prion diseases are a group of degenerative nerve diseases that are caused by infectious prion proteins or gene mutations.In humans,prion diseases result from mutations in the prion protein gene(PRNP).Only a limited number of cases involving a specific PRNP mutation at codon 196(E196A)have been reported.The coexistence of Korsakoff syndrome in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)caused by E196A mutation has not been documented in the existing literature.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old Chinese man initially presented with Korsakoff syndrome,followed by rapid-onset dementia,visual hallucinations,akinetic mutism,myoclonus,and hyperthermia.The patient had no significant personal or familial medical history.Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed extensive hyperintense signals in the cortex,while positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed a diffuse reduction in cerebral cortex metabolism.Routine biochemical and microorganism testing of the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)yielded normal results.Tests for thyroid function,human immunodeficiency virus,syphilis,vitamin B1 and B12 levels,and autoimmune rheumatic disorders were normal.Blood and CSF tests for autoimmune encephalitis and autoantibody-associated paraneoplastic syndrome yielded negative results.A test for 14-3-3 protein in the CSF yielded negative results.Whole-genome sequencing revealed a diseasecausing mutation in PRNP.The patient succumbed to the illness 11 months after the initial symptom onset.CONCLUSION Korsakoff syndrome,typically associated with alcohol intoxication,also manifests in CJD patients.Individuals with CJD along with PRNP E196A mutation may present with Korsakoff syndrome.

杉木CL14-3-3-e基因克隆及其在干旱胁迫下表达分析

14-3-3蛋白是具有组织特异性的多基因家族蛋白,与植物的抗逆功能密切相关。本研究以杉木优良无性系为材料,通过RACE技术克隆得到一条新的杉木14-3-3基因,命名为CL14-3-3-e。该基因全长1 440 bp,编码258个氨基酸,在线预测的蛋白分子量为29.70 kD,等电点为4.87,是一种酸性不稳定的疏水性非跨膜蛋白,二级结构以α螺旋为主。聚类分析发现它与地钱和小立碗藓较为亲近,进化上较为保守。荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,CL14-3-3-e基因在PEG-6000模拟的不同程度干旱胁迫下均受到不同程度诱导,且轻度干旱胁迫诱导程度要强于重度干旱胁迫,说明CL14-3-3-e参与杉木干旱胁迫响应。本研究对杉木14-3-3家族的第5个基因CL14-3-3-e进行了克隆鉴定和表达分析,为解析杉木抗旱的作用机制提供帮助。