Cloning of Cotton Delta-12 Oleate Desaturase Gene FAD2-1 and Construction of Its ihpRNA and amiRNA Interference Vectors

Delta-12 oleate desaturase gene （FAD2-1） which converts oleic acid into linoleic acid, is the key enzyme determining the fatty acid composition of cottonseed oil. By employing RT-PCR method, full length cDNA of cotton delta-12 oleate desat- urase gene GhFAD2-1 containing an open reading frame of 1 158 bp was cloned for constructing RNAi vector. A 515 bp long specific fragment of this gene was se- lected for constructing ihpRNA vector under the control of a seed-specific promoter NAPIN, named pFGC1008-NAPIN-FAD2-1; meanwhile miRNA gene-silencing vector pCAMBIA1302-amiRNA-FAD2-1 targeting GhFAD2-1 was also constructed.

陇东绒山羊KRTAP2-1基因鉴定及其对羊绒性状影响的研究

角蛋白关联蛋白(KAPs)是羊绒纤维的主要结构成分,但尚未在山羊基因组中鉴定出KRTAP2-1基因,本研究以人类KRTAP2-1基因为模板,在山羊基因组中进行同源性搜索,在19号染色体上发现了一个399 bp的开放阅读框。采用聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性(PCR-SSCP)方法,在249只陇东山羊上检测到7条不同的序列(A-G)。进化树结果表明,这7条序列与人类和绵羊的KAP2-1序列有较高的同源性,表明该序列是山羊KRTAP2-1的7个等位基因。测序结果表明,KRTAP2-1基因中存在12个单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)(5个SNPs位于编码区,7个SNPs位于非编码区),以及c.-61-63delCTC和c.9395delCCG两个碱基缺失,其中c.9395delCCG引起了第32位精氨酸的移码缺失。山羊KAP2-1蛋白含有丰富的半胱氨酸、脯氨酸、苏氨酸和丝氨酸。相关性分析表明,等位基因C的存在与较小的羊绒纤维直径相关(存在:13.4±0.05μm;缺失:13.6±0.03μm;P=0.010)。本研究表明,山羊KRTAP2-1基因有丰富的多态性,可作为陇东绒山羊羊绒纤维直径选育的分子标记用于生产实践。

Exploration and Validation of the Potential Downstream Genes Underlying ipa1-2D Locus for Rice Panicle Branching

In recent years,some super hybrid rice varieties were bred with strong culms and large panicles,which are mainly contributed by the ipa1-2D locus.A gain-of-function allele of OsSPL14 is the ipa1-2D and it can greatly increase the panicle primary branch number.However,the key downstream genes mediating this trait variation are not fully explored.In this study,we developed high-quality near-isogenic lines(NILs)with a difference of only 30 kb chromosomal segment covering the ipa1-2D locus.Using the NILs,we explored the impact of ipa1-2D on five sequential stages of early inflorescence development,and found that the locus can greatly enhance the initiation of primary branch meristems.A transcriptomic analysis was performed to unveil the downstream molecular network of ipa1-2D,and 87 genes were found differentially expressed,many of which are involved in metabolism and catalysis processes.In addition,transgenic lines of overexpression and RNA interference were generated to shape different levels of OsSPL14.They were also used to validate the expression variation explored by transcriptome.Based on the gene annotation,twelve potential downstream targets of ipa1-2D were selected,and their expression variation was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis both in NILs and transgenic lines.This research expands the molecular network underlying ipa1-2D and provides novel gene information which might be involved in the control of panicle branching.We discussed the potential function of identified genes and highlighted their values for future function exploration and breeding application.

Expressions of MMP-2,-9,TIMP-1,-2,-3 mRNA in Rat Uterus during Estrous Cycle

Zymography and in situ hybridization were used to investigate matrixmetalloproteinase -2, -9 (MMP -2, MMP-9) activities and expressions of MMP -2, -9 and TIMP1, -2, -3 (tissue inhibitors of matrix metallo-proteinases) mRNA in the rat uterus during estrouscycle. The relative activity was semiquanted by using densitometric analysis. The MMP-2(67 kDa) activity in every stage during estrpus cycle was detected by zymography. MMP-2activity was highest at proestrus; higher at estrus and metaestrus; lowest at diestrus. Throughin situ hybridization, MMP -2, -9, TIMP -1~ -3 mRNA mainly in hasal stroma cells of uterineendometrium were detected. The positive signals of MMP -2 and -9 mRNAs in hasal stromacells were shown stronger at proestrus, estrus and metaestrus while they showed the weakest atdiestrus. The expression of MMP -2 mRNA coincided with MMP -2 activity change. MMP-2and -9 mRNAs were also highly expressed in uterine circular muscle at estrus. Weak signals ofMMP -9 mRNA were detected in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells at estrus.TIMP -1 mRNA in hasal stroma cells was shown as the strongest expression at estrus andmetaestrus; stronger at proestrus and the weakest at diestrus. TIMP-2 mRNA in basal stromacells was stronger at estrus and diestrus; weaker at proestrus and metaestrus. TIMP -1 and -2mRNAs were also highly expressed in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells at estrus.TIMP -3 mRNA in hasal stroma cells revealed the strongest expression at estrus; stronger atdiestrus and metaestrus and showed the weakest at proestrus. The mRNA was also highlyexpressed in uterine circular muscle at estrus. In short, our present results provide evidencethat MMP -2, -9 and TIMP -1~ -3 were involved in rat uterine endometrium reconstructionduring estrous cycle.

Induction of anti-hepatoma immunity by recombinant retrovirus expressing B7-1 /B7-2 costimulatory molecules

Objective: To construct recombinant R7-l/B7-2 retrovirus vectors and observe the effects of B7-l/R7-2 gene expression on in ho and in for immune response against against murine hepatoma. Methods: The recombinant retrovirus vectors expressing B7-1/B7-2 were constructed by gene cloning technology to produce retrovirus-infected PE501 and PA317 cell lines and murine hepatoma Hepal-6. The expression of R7-l/B7-2 was detected by fluorescence activated cell soning analysis (FACS). B7-l/B7-2 positive Hepal-6 Cell lines were used in inducing anti-hepatoma immunity in ho and in the. Results: In contrast to the excessive growth of parental Hemal-6 tumor, the growth of B7-l/B7-2-positive Hepal-6 inoculated into syngenic mice regressed. B7-1/R7-2-positive or cytokine-treated Hepal-6 alone could only induce mild cytototicity; in contrast, B7-1/B7-2-positive Hemal-6 treated with cytokine-stimulated spleen cells and activated the cytotoxicity effectively. Immunity in mice with R7-1/B7-2-positive tumor cells or cytokine-beated Hepal-6 only provided partial protection against parental Hepa1-6 tumor, whereas pretreatment of the transfected tumor cells with IFN-r and TNF-a induced complete immunity protection in vivo. Mice receiving inoculation of cytokine-treated B7-l/R7-2-positive Hemal-6 cells presented regression of the establoshed pental tUmor and survived for more than l00 d, while those untreated mice died within 40 d. Conclu sions: B7-l/R7-2 expression is necessary but not sufficient in inducing anti-hepatoma immune response, whereas it is efficient when combined with the beatment of IFN-γ and TNF-a.

Study of the SH3-domain GRB2-1ike 2 gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma

Background Laryngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the upper respiratory tract, and in 95% of cases the tumor is laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma （LSCC）. The abnormity of SH3-domain GRB2-1ike 2 （SH3GL2） gene was found in LSCC. In order to clarify the relationship between SH3GL2 gene and LSCC, we evaluated the expression of the SH3GL2 gene in LSCC. Method Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression and find the various rules of SH3GL2 gene in LSCC. Results The result of real-time PCR showed that the expression level of SH3GL2 mRNA in LSCC tissue was apparently down-regulated; immunohistochemical analysis showed that SH3GL2 protein was mainly located in cytoplasm, the rate of positive cells and SH3GL2 protein expression level were fluctuated with the pathological classification of LSCC; the result of Western blotting showed that SH3GL2 protein was down-regulated significantly in LSCC samples, especially in metastatic lymph nodes. Conclusions These results suggest that SH3GL2 is a LSCC related gene and its expression level is fluctuated with the pathological classification which indicate that SH3GL2 participates in the development and progression of LSCC. And it may be considered as a novel tumor marker to find both a new anti-oncogene and relative factors of invasion and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.

Free fatty acids, glucose, and insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Xu et al used the HOMA2 model to estimate theβ-cell function and insulin resistance levels in an individual from simultaneously measured fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels.This method is based on the assumption that the glucose-insulin axis is central for the metabolic activities,which led to type 2 diabetes.However,significant downregulation of both the NKX2-1 gene and the TPD52L3 gene force an increase in the release of free fatty acids(FFAs)into the blood circulation,which leads to a marked reduction in membrane flexibility.These data favor a FFA-glucose-insulin axis.The authors are invited to extend their study with the introduction of the saturation index(number of carbon-carbon double bonds per 100 fatty-acyl chains),as observed in erythrocytes.

On four closely related hypotrichous ciliates(Protozoa,Ciliophora,Spirotrichea):molecular characters,interspecific relationships and phylogeny defined with multigene sequence information

In order to clarify the phylogeny and relationships of the most confused hypotrichous ciliates,Holosticha-complex,four closely related holostichids（five populations）,Holosticha bradburyae,H.diademata,Anteholosticha sp.,and A.manca,were compared and analyzed using ITS2 secondary structures,ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and SSrRNA gene sequences.The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences of these four species were first sequenced,and they shared sequence identities ranging from 68.0% to 90.1%,while two populations of Anteholosticha sp.differed in three nucleotides（sequence identity 99.8%）.There were several minor differences among ITS2 secondary structures of these species,while two populations of Anteholosticha sp.had the identical secondary structure.Phylogenetic trees inferred from the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region sequences of stichotrichs using multiple algorithms（Neighbor-Joining,Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian） revealed similar topologies.The results show that：（1） Holosticha bradburyae and H.diademata firmly clustered together with strong bootstrap supports,forming a sister clade with Anteholosticha sp.,（2） Anteholosticha appeared to be a paraphyletic assemblage,in which the morphotype A.manca was more closely related to Diaxonella trimarginata than to its congener Anteholosticha sp.Phylogenetic analyses based on the SSrRNA gene and the combined sequences of SSrRNA gene and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region revealed the similar relationships between Holosticha and Anteholosticha,nevertheless their positions within the subclass Stichotrichia differed from each other inferred from different genes.

Long non-coding RNA SAP30-2:1 is downregulated in congenital heart disease and regulates cell proliferation by targeting HAND2

Congenital heart disease(CHD)is the most common birth defect worldwide.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have been implicated in many diseases.However,their involvement in CHD is not well understood.This study aimed to investigate the role of dysregulated lncRNAs in CHD.We used Gene Expression Omnibus data mining,bioinformatics analysis,and analysis of clinical tissue samples and observed that the novel lncRNA SAP30-2:1 with unknown function was significantly downregulated in damaged cardiac tissues from patients with CHD.Knockdown of lncRNA SAP30-2:1 inhibited the proliferation of human embryonic kidney and AC16 cells and decreased the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2(HAND2).Moreover,lncRNA SAP30-2:1 was associated with HAND2 by RNA immunoprecipitation.Overall,these results suggest that lncRNA SAP30-2:1 may be involved in heart development through affecting cell proliferation via targeting HAND2 and may thus represent a novel therapeutic target for CHD.