Inhibiting ceramide synthase 5 expression in microglia decreases neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury

Microglia,the resident monocyte of the central nervous system,play a crucial role in the response to spinal cord injury.However,the precise mechanism remains unclear.To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which microglia regulate the neuroinflammatory response to spinal cord injury,we performed single-cell RNA sequencing dataset analysis,focusing on changes in microglial subpopulations.We found that the MG1 subpopulation emerged in the acute/subacute phase of spinal cord injury and expressed genes related to cell pyroptosis,sphingomyelin metabolism,and neuroinflammation at high levels.Subsequently,we established a mouse model of contusive injury and performed intrathecal injection of siRNA and molecular inhibitors to validate the role of ceramide synthase 5 in the neuroinflammatory responses and pyroptosis after spinal cord injury.Finally,we established a PC12-BV2 cell co-culture system and found that ceramide synthase 5 and pyroptosis-associated proteins were highly expressed to induce the apoptosis of neuron cells.Inhibiting ceramide synthase 5 expression in a mouse model of spinal cord injury effectively reduced pyroptosis.Furthermore,ceramide synthase 5-induced pyroptosis was dependent on activation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway.Inhibiting ceramide synthase 5 expression in microglia in vivo reduced neuronal apoptosis and promoted recovery of neurological function.Pla2g7 formed a“bridge”between sphingolipid metabolism and ceramide synthase 5-mediated cell death by inhibiting the NLRP3 signaling pathway.Collectively,these findings suggest that inhibiting ceramide synthase 5 expression in microglia after spinal cord injury effectively suppressed microglial pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3,thereby exerting neuroprotective effects.

Phytoene synthases 1 modulates tomato fruit quality through influencing the metabolic flux between carotenoid and flavonoid pathways

The deterioration in fruit quality of commercial tomatoes is a major concern of modern tomato breeding.However,the metabolism and genetics of fruit quality are poorly understood.Here,we performed transgenic and molecular biology experiments to reveal that tomato phytoene synthase 1(SlPSY1)is responsible for the accumulation of an important flavor chemical,6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one(MHO).To dissect the function of SlPSY1 in regulating fruit quality,we generated and analyzed a dataset encompassing over 2000 compounds detected by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS along with transcriptomic data.The combined results illustrated that SlPSY1 deficiency imparts novel flavor to yellow tomatoes with 236 volatiles significantly changed and improves fruit firmness,possibly due to accumulation of seven cutins.Further analysis indicated SlPSY1 is essential for carotenoid-derived metabolite biosynthesis by catalyzing prephytoene-PP(PPPP)to 15-cis-phytoene.Notably,we showed that SlPSY1 can influence the metabolic flux between carotenoid and flavonoid pathways,and this metabolic flux was confirmed by silencing SlCHS1.Our study provided insights into the multiple effects of SlPSY1 on tomato fruit metabolome and highlights the potential to produce high-quality fruit by rational design of SlPSY1 expression.

Carboxyl Ester Lipase Protects Against Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis by Binding to Fatty Acid Synthase

Carboxyl ester lipase(CEL),a pivotal enzyme involved in lipid metabolism,is recurrently mutated in obese mice.Here,we aimed to elucidate the functional significance,molecular mechanism,and therapeutic potential of CEL in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH).Hepatocyte-specific carboxyl ester lipase gene(Cel)knockout(Cel^(DHEP))and wildtype(WT)littermates were fed with cholinedeficient high-fat diet(CD-HFD)for 16 weeks,or methionine-and choline-deficient diet(MCD)for three weeks to induce MASH.Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation were employed to identify the downstream targets of CEL.CD-HFD/MCD-fed WT mice received intravenous injections of CEL-adeno-associated viral,serotype 8(AAV8)to induce specific overexpression of CEL in the liver.We observed a decrease in CEL protein levels in MASH induced by CD-HFD or MCD in mice.Cel^(DHEP) mice fed with CD-HFD or MCD exhibited pronounced hepatic steatosis,inflammation,lipid peroxidation,and liver injury compared to WT littermates,accompanied by increased hepatic nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell(NF-jB)activation.Consistently,Cel knockdown in mouse primary hepatocytes and AML12 cells aggravated lipid accumulation and inflammation,whereas CEL overexpression exerted the opposite effect.Mechanistically,CEL directly bound to fatty acid synthase(FASN),resulting in reduced FASN SUMOylation,which in turn promoted FASN degradation through the proteasome pathway.Furthermore,inhibition of FASN ameliorated hepatocyte lipid accumulation and inflammation induced by Cel knockdown in vivo and in vitro.Hepatocyte-specific CEL overexpression using AAV8-Cel significantly mitigated steatohepatitis in mice fed with CD-HFD or MCD.CEL protects against steatohepatitis development by directly interacting with FASN and suppressing its expression for de novo lipogenesis.CEL overexpression confers a therapeutic benefit in steatohepatitis.

The gene encoding flavonol synthase contributes to lesion mimic in wheat

Lesion mimic often exhibits leaf disease-like symptoms even in the absence of pathogen infection,and is characterized by a hypersensitive-response(HR)that closely linked to plant disease resistance.Despite this,only a few lesion mimic genes have been identified in wheat.In this investigation,a lesion mimic wheat mutant named je0297 was discovered,showing no alteration in yield components when compared to the wild type(WT).Segregation ratio analysis of the F_(2)individuals resulting from the cross between the WT and the mutant revealed that the lesion mimic was governed by a single recessive gene in je0297.Using Bulked segregant analysis(BSA)and exome capture sequencing,we mapped the lesion mimic gene designated as lm6 to chromosome 6BL.Further gene fine mapping using 3315 F_(2)individuals delimited the lm6 within a 1.18 Mb region.Within this region,we identified 16 high-confidence genes,with only two displaying mutations in je0297.Notably,one of the two genes,responsible for encoding flavonol synthase,exhibited altered expression levels.Subsequent phenotype analysis of TILLING mutants confirmed that the gene encoding flavonol synthase was indeed the causal gene for lm6.Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that the DEGs between the WT and mutant were significantly enriched in KEGG pathways related to flavonoid biosynthesis,including flavone and flavonol biosynthesis,isoflavonoid biosynthesis,and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways.Furthermore,more than 30 pathogen infection-related(PR)genes exhibited upregulation in the mutant.Corresponding to this expression pattern,the flavonoid content in je0297 showed a significant decrease in the 4^(th)leaf,accompanied by a notable accumulation of reactive oxygen,which likely contributed to the development of lesion mimic in the mutant.This investigation enhances our comprehension of cell death signaling pathways and provides a valuable gene resource for the breeding of disease-resistant wheat.

Effect of mutations on acetohydroxyacid synthase(AHAS)function in Cyperus difformis L.

Cyperus difformis L.is a troublesome weed in paddy fields and has attracted attention due to its resistance to acetohydroxyacid synthase(AHAS)inhibitors.It was found that the amino acid mutation in AHAS was the primary cause for the resistance of Cyperus difformis.However,the effect of different mutations on AHAS function is not clear in Cyperus difformis.To confirm the effect of mutations on AHAS function,six biotypes were collected,including Pro197Arg,Pro197Ser,Pro197Leu,Asp376Glu,Trp574Leu and wild type,from Hunan,Anhui,Jiangxi and Jiangsu provinces,China and the function of AHAS was characterized.The AHAS in vitro inhibition assay results indicated that the mutations decreased the sensitivity of AHAS to pyrazosulfuron-ethyl,in which the I_(50)(the half maximal inhibitory concentration)of wild type AHAS was 0.04μmol L^(-1)and Asp376Glu,Pro197Leu,Pro197Arg,Pro197Ser and Trp574Leu mutations were 3.98,11.50,40.38,38.19 and 311.43μmol L^(-1),respectively.In the determination of enzyme kinetics parameters,the Km and the maximum reaction velocity(Vmax)of the wild type were 5.18 mmol L^(-1)and 0.12 nmol mg^(-1)min^(-1),respectively,and the Km values of AHAS with Asp376Glu,Trp574Leu,Pro197Leu and Pro197Ser mutations were 0.38-0.93 times of the wild type.The Km value of the Pro197Arg mutation was 1.14times of the wild type,and the Vmax values of the five mutations were 1.17-3.33-fold compared to the wild type.It was found that the mutations increased the affinity of AHAS to the substrate,except for the Pro197Arg mutation.At a concentration of 0.0032-100 mmol L^(-1)branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs),the sensitivity of the other four mutant AHAS biotypes to feedback inhibition decreased,except for the Pro197Arg mutation.This study elucidated the effect of different mutations on AHAS function in Cyperus difformis and provided ideas for further study of resistance development.

Enhancing the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells by reducing spermine synthase through promoting autophagy and DNA damage

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC),the third most common cancer worldwide,has increasingly detrimental effects on human health.Radiotherapy resistance diminishes treatment efficacy.Studies suggest that spermine synthase(SMS)may serve as a potential target to enhance the radiosensitivity.AIM To investigate the association between SMS and radiosensitivity in CRC cells,along with a detailed elucidation of the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Western blot was adopted to assess SMS expression in normal colonic epithelial cells and CRC cell lines.HCT116 cells were transfected with control/SMS-specific shRNA or control/pcDNA3.1-SMS plasmids.Assessments included cell viability,colony formation,and apoptosis via MTT assays,colony formation assays,and flow cytometry.Radiosensitivity was studied in SMS-specific shRNA-transfected HCT116 cells post-4 Gy radiation,evaluating cell viability,colony formation,apoptosis,DNA damage(comet assays),autophagy(immunofluorescence),and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway protein expression(western blot).RESULTS Significant up-regulation of SMS expression levels was observed in the CRC cell lines.Upon down-regulation of SMS expression,cellular viability and colonyforming ability were markedly suppressed,concomitant with a notable increase in apoptotic indices.Furthermore,attenuation of SMS expression significantly augmented the sensitivity of HCT116 cells to radiation therapy,evidenced by a pronounced elevation in levels of cellular DNA damage and autophagy.Impor tantly,down-regulation of SMS corresponded with a marked reduction in the expression levels of proteins associated with the mTOR signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Knocking down SMS attenuates the mTOR signaling pathway,thereby promoting cellular autophagy and DNA damage to enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma:Correlation with microvessel density

AIM:Cydooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins.Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme responsible for formation of nitric oxide. Both have constitutive and inducible isoforms.The inducible isoforms (iNOS and COX-2) are of great interest as regulators of tumor angiogenesis,tumorigenesis and inflammatory processes.This study was to clarify their role in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. METHODS:We investigated the immunohistochemical iNOS and COX-2 expression in 40 pancreatic ductal adenocardnomas of different grade and stage.The results were compared with microvessel density and dinicopathological data. RESULTS:Twenty-one (52.5%) of the cases showed iNOS expression,15 (37.5%) of the cases were positive for COX-2. The immunoreaction was heterogeneously distributed within the tumors.Staining intensity was different between the tumors.No correlation between iNOS and COX-2 expression was seen.There was no relationship with microvessel density. However,iNOS positive tumors developed more often distant metastases and the more malignant tumors showed a higher COX-2 expression.There was no correlation with other clinicopathological data. CONCLUSION:Approximately half of the cases expressed iNOS and COX-2.These two enzymes do not seem to be the key step in angiogenesis or carcinogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas.Due to a low prevalence of COX-2 expression,chemoprevention of pancreatic carcinomas by COX-2 inhibitors can only achieve a limited success.

Distribution of constitutive nitric oxide synthase in the jejunum of adult rat

AIM: To study the distribution of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the jejunum of adult rat. METHODS: The distribution of endothelial NOS (eNOS) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence histochemical dual staining technique were used for studying the distribution of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and eNOS. The dual stained slides were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. RESULTS: Positive neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) cells were found to be distributed in lamina propria of villi, and the epithelial cell was not stained. eNOS was mainly located in submucosal vascular endothelia, while nNOS was mainly situated in myenteric plexus. Some cells in the villi had both nNOS and eNOS. More than 80% of the cells were positive for both nNOS and eNOS, the rest cells were positive either for nNOS or for eNOS. CONCLUSION: The two constitutive nitric oxide synthases are distributed differently in the jejunum of rat. nNOS distributed in myenteric plexus is a neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves. eNOS distributed in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels plays vasodilator role. eNOS and nNOS are coexpressed in some cells of lamina propria of villi. NO generated by those NOS is very important in the physiological and pathological process of small intestine.

Subcellular distribution of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the rat duodenum

AIM:To study the cell-type specific subcellular distribution of the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) in the rat duodenum.METHODS:Postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopy was performed,in which primary antibodies for neuronal NOS(nNOS),endothelial NOS(eNOS),and inducible NOS(iNOS),were visualized with protein A-gold-conjugated secondary antibodies.Stained ultrathin sections were examined and photographed with a Philips CM10 electron microscope equipped with a MEGAVIEW II camera.The specificity of the immunoreaction in all cases was assessed by omitting the primary antibodies in the labeling protocol and incubating the sections only in the protein A-gold conjugated secondary antibodies.RESULTS:Postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed the presence of nNOS,eNOS,and iNOS immunoreactivity in the myenteric neurons,the enteric smooth muscle cells,and the endothelium of capillariesrunning in the vicinity of the myenteric plexus of the rat duodenum.The cell type-specific distributions of the immunogold particles labeling the three different NOS isozymes were revealed.In the control experiments,in which the primary antiserum was omitted,virtually no postembedding gold particles were observed.CONCLUSION:This postembedding immunoelectronmicroscopic study provided the first evidence of celltype-specific differences in the subcellular distributions of NOS isoforms.

The Effect of Active Oxygen on the Activity of ACC Synthase Induced by Exogenous IAA

During the course of mungbean (Phaseolus radiatus L.) germination, the rate of ethylene production and the activity of ACC synthase (1_aminocyclopropane_1_carboxylic acid synthase, EC4.4.1.4) began to increase in the 5th day of germination, and reached its peak in the 10th day and then decreased. The ethylene production and the activity of ACC synthase were obviously promoted by 10 μmol/L exogenous IAA (indole_3_acetic acid). The production of superoxide radical (O -· 2) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) were also promoted by exogenous IAA, suggesting that there was some relationship between active oxygen production and the activity of ACC synthase induced by exogenous IAA. The production of ethylene and the activity of ACC synthase increased dramatically when the seedlings were treated with exogenous O -· 2, whereas the exogenous H 2O 2 had no effects on the production of ethylene and the activity of ACC synthase. Exogenous SOD (superoxide dismutase, one scavenger of O -· 2) could inhibit the production of ethylene and the activity of ACC synthase, but exogenous CAT (catalase) could not. So it was possible that IAA would stimulate the activity of ACC synthase by inducing the production of O -· 2 in germinating mungbean seedlings, and this might be one of the regulating mechanism of ethylene synthesis in higher plants; the production of H 2O 2 induced by IAA was not the cause of the increase of the activity of ACC synthase and the production of ethylene.

cDNA Cloning, Expression and Characterization of Taxadiene Synthase, a Diterpene Cyclase from Taxus chinensis

Taxadiene synthase, a diterpene cyclase, catalyzes the conversion of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to taxadiene, a key intermediate in Taxol biosynthesis in yew. A 2 151 bp cDNA fragment encoding taxadiene synthase of Taxus chinensis (Pilg.) Rehd. was cloned by homology-based PCR and cDNA library screening. The 5′-terminal 611 bp cDNA fragment of taxadiene synthase was isolated by PCR. The two fragments were ligated together and gave a 2*!712 bp cDNA fragment with a 2*!586 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding 862 amino acid residues including a presumptive plastidial transit peptide. The taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis most closely resembles the one from T. brevifolia (97% identity). Heterologous overexpression of 2.5 kb cDNA fragment from T. chinensis was obtained using a fusion expression vector pET-32a and the Escherichia coli strain BL21trxB. The expressed proteins from E. coli BL21trxB were present as inclusion bodies. After the inclusion bodies were denatured, renatured and refolded, the recombinant enzyme was purified by a single step with a His-binding metal affinity column. The catalytic product of taxadiene synthase of T. chinensis was detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified as taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene.

ACC Synthase Gene (ACSG) as a Possible Molecular Marker for Female Lines in Cucumber

利用本实验室根据已知序列分离得到的ACC合酶基因 (ACSG)为探针对不同黄瓜 (CucumissativusL .)品种(系 )的基因组DNA进行Southern杂交 ,初步分析了该基因与黄瓜性别表型之间的相关性。发现在所检测的 10个不同品系中 ,ACSG与雌性系表型之间存在明显的相关关系 ,而且这种相关关系在不同的实验中具有良好的重复性。ACSG基因可能是鉴定黄瓜雌性系的一个分子标记。

Molecular Cloning, Escherichia coli Expression and Genomic Organization of Squalene Synthase Gene from Artemisia annua

A 1 539 by squalene synthase (AaSQS) cDNA was cloned from a high-yield Artemisia annua L. strain 001 by reverse transcription-polymerise chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amino acid sequence of AaSQS is 70%, 77%, 44% and 39%a identical to that of squalene synthases from Arabidopsis thaliana, tobacco, human and yeast, respectively. The AaSQS genomic DNA has a complex organization containing 14 exons and 13 introns. Full-length or C-terminal truncated cDNA was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET30a and the constructed plasmid was introduced to Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) for induced overexpression. No squalene synthase protein with expected molecular mass was observed in E. cola containing the putative full-length squalene synthase cDNA, however, overexpression in E. coli was achieved by truncating 30 amino acids of hydrophobic region at the carboxy terminus.

Molecular Composition and Evolution of the Chalcone Synthase (CHS) Gene Family in Five Species of Camellia (Theaceae)

The molecular composition and evolution of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene family from five species in Camellia (Theaceae) are explored in this study. Sixteen CHS exon 2 from four Camellia species were amplified from total DNA by PCR method. Three sequences of the fifth species in Camellia and two sequences of Glycine max as the designated outgroups were obtained from GenBank. Our results indicated that CHS gene family in Camellia was differentiated to three subfamilies (A, B, C) during the evolutionary history with six groups (A1, A2, A3, BI, B2, C). Among them, only group A2 was possessed by all five species in this study. However, the other five groups were detected only in some species of the plants studied. All members of CHS gene family in this study had high sequence similarity, more than 90% among the members in the same subfamily and more than 78% among different subfamilies at nucleotide level., According to the estimated components of amino acids, the function of CHS genes in Camellia had been diverged. The nucleotide substitutions of the different groups were not identical. Based on phylogenetic analyse inferred from sequences of CHS genes and their deduced amino acid sequences, we concluded that the CHS genes with new function in this genus were evolved either by mutations on several important sites or by accumulation of the mutations after the gene duplication. A further analysis showed that the diversification of CHS genes in Camellia still occurred recently, and the evolutionary models were different to some extant among different species. So we assumed that the different evolutionary models resulted from the impacts of variable environmental elements after the events of speciation.

cDNA Cloning and Sequencing of Squalene Synthase of Artemisa apiacea

[Objective] cDNA from squalene synthase was cloned and sequenced.[Method] A pair of specific primers was designed according to the cDNA gene sequence of squalene synthase published in GenBank.Total RNA was extracted from the cell of Artemisia apiacea.The genes of squalene synthase were amplified by using RT-PCR.It was connected with pMD19-T vector and the cloned fragment sequences were analyzed.[Result] SS gene with the whole length of 1 257 bp was amplified and the fragment encoded 418 amino acids.The homo...

Cloning and Differential Expression of a 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase cDNA from Peach

The ACC synthase is the key enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening. To study the mechanism of ACC synthase in peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruit ripening, we cloned a full_length cDNA of ACC synthase pacs from peach using 5′/3′ RACE PCR. The nucleic acid sequence of pacs was 1 848 bp, containing 177 bp of 5′untranslated sequence, 1 449 bp of an open reading frame, and 219 bp of 3′untranslated sequence (excluding the stop codon TAA). The pacs open reading frame encoded a 483_amino acid polypeptide with a predicted size of 54 kD and a calculated PI of 6.43. The deduced protein from ACC synthase cDNA pacs had 65%, 70%, 75%, and 90% homology with the other deduced proteins from tomato (S19677), plum (AB031026), papaya (U68216) and apple (AB034993), which contained the active site of ACC synthase SLSKDMGFPGFR conserved among these plant ACC synthases. RNA_based PCR amplification combined with hybridization analysis with pacs and another ACC synthase cDNApacs12 (AF467782) cloned by us before as probes, indicated that expression patterns of both clones were very similar. mRNAs of both clones expressed in the alabastrum and petal, and were induced after ethylene treatment. Wounding and IAA treatments could induce ACC synthase expression of both clones in the leaves. However, the wounding treatment of leaves has induced more abundant pacs ACC synthase expression than that ofpacs12. Pacs mRNA expressed in both green mature and ripening fruit, whilepacs12mRNA was little or undetectable in green mature fruit, but apparent in ripening fruit. Both clone mRNAs accumulated more in leaves (following wounding and IAA treatments) and flowers than in fruits.

关于NO Synthase译文的问题

关于ＮＯ Ｓｙｎｔｈａｓｅ译文的问题李柏岩，李文汉（哈尔滨医科大学药理教研室，哈尔滨１５００８６）中国图书分类号Ｒ９１４．３近年来ＮＯ的发现已引起学术界广泛关注。最近国内许多刊物关于ＮＯ问题的报道，几乎无一例外地把ＮＯＳｙｎｔｈａｓｅ译为ＮＯ合成酶。...

EXPRESSION OF TOMATO ANTISENSE ACC SYNTHASE GENE IN TRANSGENIC TOBACCO AND ITS ROLE IN SHOOT FORMATION

An ACC synthase cDNA isolated from tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) fruit was constructed in antisense orientation under the transcriptional control of CaMV 35S promoter and then introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) . PCR amplification demonstrated the integration of this antisense gene in tobacco genomes. Northern hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR analyses indicated the expression of this heterologous antisense gene in the transgenic tobacco tissues, which caused a decrease in the ethylene production, particularly when shoot regeneration exhibited. The ability of shoot regeneration of the transgenic plant during the culture process was enhanced remarkably as compared with that of the control. These results indicate at the molecular level that ethylene may play a regulatory role in shoot formation.

Isolation of Rice EPSP Synthase cDNA and Its Sequence Analysis and Copy Number Determination

In order to isolate the total cDNA of rice (Oryza sativa L.) epsps gene, RT-PCR was carried out with template of rice first-strand cDNA and primers designed according to rice EPSP synthase genomic sequence obtained in previous study. A 1 585-bp cDNA fragment was amplified and cloned. The 1 585-bp cDNA contains an open reading frame (ORF) comprising of 1 533 nucleotides (nt) which encodes a 511 residue polypepetides, including 67 amino acids chloroplast transit peptide and 444 amino acids EPSP synthase mature peptide. A comparison between the EPSP synthase of different sources indicates that the mature peptide shows more than 51% identity except for the fungi EPSP synthase and the transit peptide shows considerably less sequence conservation. The copy number of rice epsps gene is estimated to be one copy per haploid rice genome using southern blot. RT-PCR indicated that rice epsps gene is expressed in rice leaves, endosperms and roots and has the highest expression level in leaves.

Cloning, E. coli Expression and Molecular Analysis of a Novel Sesquiterpene Synthase Gene from Artemisia annua

A 1 886 bp full-length sesquiterpene synthase (AaSES) cDNA was cloned front a high-yield Artemisia annua L. strain 001 by a rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) strategy. AaSES is 59% identical to Artemisia cyclase cDNA clone cASC125, 50% identical to epi-cedrol synthase from A. annua , 48% identical to amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase from A. annua, 39% identical to the 5-epi-aristolechene synthase from tabacco, 38 % identical to vetispiradiene synthase front H. muticus, 41 % identical to the, delta-cadinene synthase from cotton. The coding region of the cDNA was inserted into a procaryotic expression vector pET-30a and overexpressed in E. coli BL21 ( DE3). The cyclase proteins extracted front bacterial culture were found largely in an insoluble protein fraction. AaSES expresses in leaves, stems a-rid flowers, not in roots as indicated by Northern blotting analysis.