Showing papers in "Science China-life Sciences in 2001"
TL;DR: The speciation of this group has a direct relationship with the three uplift intervals of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the water system of this region was separated gradually and Glyptosternum-like ancestor was isolated in different rivers and evolved into various species.
Abstract: Based on the phylogenetic and biogeographical studies of the glyptosternoid fishes in Qinghai-Tibet area, the following hypothesis is proposed: the speciation of this group has a direct relationship with the three uplift intervals of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This process was explained by the theory of vicariance of biogeography. The ancestor of this group was similar to Bagarus and/or Glyptothorax, which still have a wide distribution. At the moment when the Tethys sea closed, the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian tectonic plate, so the Glyptothorax-like and Bagarus-like ancestors entered Eurasia and gradually became widely distributed. After the Pleistocene, with the enforced colliding, the gradual uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau brought about the current water environment, and the Glyptosternoids were generated from Glyptothorax-like fish under this environment. The present Glyptosternum, distributed across the Himalayas is the ancestor of Glyptosternoids. In the three uplift intervals of the plateau, the water system of this region was separated gradually and Glyptosternum-like ancestor was isolated in different rivers and evolved into various species. All this resulted in the speciation and formation of the biogeographical pattern of glyptosternoids.
42 citations
TL;DR: The 3-D structure of CSBV showed that the capsid has aT = 1 (orP = 3) icosahedral capsid shell with a smooth surface, suggesting icosahedrally-ordered RNA organization, a novel feature not previously reported for any picornaviruses.
Abstract: The RNA of Chinese Sacbrood Bee Virus (CSBV) was purified and used as template to obtain a 1096 bp cDNA fragment by RT-PCR amplification. This DNA fragment was cloned into pGEM-T Easy Vector for sequencing. Analyses of the sequenced CSBV RNA fragment revealed a nucleotide sequence homology of 87.6% and a deduced amino-acid sequence homology of 94.6% with that of the Sacbrood Virus (SBV), indicating that CSBV is a different but highly homologous virus of SBV. The three-dimensional (3D) structure of CSBV was determined at 2.5 nm resolution by using electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM) and computer reconstruction methods. The 3-D structure showed that the capsid has aT = 1 (orP = 3) icosahedral capsid shell with a smooth surface. There were 12 pentons at its icosahedral vertices (5-fold axes) and 132 holes penetrating the shell. The 3-D structure also revealed densities corresponding to the CSBV genome, suggesting icosahedrally-ordered RNA organization, a novel feature not previously reported for any picornaviruses.
37 citations
TL;DR: The hypothesis that the first settlement of modern humans of African origin occurred in the southern part of East Asia during the last Ice Age, and a northward migration led to the peopling of northern China is supported.
Abstract: We investigated the distribution of Y-chromosome haplotype using 19 Y-SNPs in Han Chinese populations from 22 provinces of China. Our data indicate distinctive patterns of Y chromosome between southern and northern Han Chinese populations. The southern populations are much more polymorphic than northern populations. The latter has only a subset of the southern haplotypes. This result confirms the genetic difference observed between southern and northern ethnic populations in East Asia. It supports the hypothesis that the first settlement of modern humans of African origin occurred in the southern part of East Asia during the last Ice Age, and a northward migration led to the peopling of northern China.
28 citations
TL;DR: The comparative study of QTLs detected in extremely different (salt stress and nonstress) environments revealed that there existed severalQTLs for important agronomic traits on chromosome 8 which were affected significantly by salt stress.
Abstract: Genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) are commonly observed for quantitative traits. In the present study, a doubled haploid (DH) population and its genetic linkage map were used to comparatively study QTLs in salt stress and nonstress environments. A total of 24 QTLs were detected for five agronomic traits, which were distributed on all the chromosomes except 9 and 11. Under the salt stress, nine (37.5%) QTLs were detected, including one for 1 000-grain weight (GW), two for heading date (HD), one for plant height (PH), two for grains per panicle (GPP), and three for effective tillers (ET), while in the nonstress environment, 17 QTLs (70.8%) were detected, including five for GW, six for HD, three for PH, two for GPP, and one for ET. Two QTLs (8.3%) were consistently detected in both environments. One was identified on chromosome 4 for HD and the other on Chr.6 for GPP. Furthermore, three regions carrying multiple QTLs were identified on chromosomes 1, 4 and 8 respectively. For example, on chromosome 8, three QTLs for HD, GW and PH, respectively were identified between RG885-GA408 in nonstress environment, but not in the stress environment. The comparative study of QTLs detected in extremely different (salt stress and nonstress) environments revealed that there existed several QTLs for important agronomic traits on chromosome 8 which were affected significantly by salt stress.
27 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that transference and recombination of nuclear DNA can be achieved effectively by symmetric and asymmetric fusion, hybrids with small fragment translocation which are valuable in plant breeding can be obtained directly by asymmetrical fusion.
Abstract: Symmetric and asymmetric protoplast fusion between long term cell suspension-derived protoplasts ofTriticum aestivum (cv. Jinan 177) and protoplasts ofHaynaldia villosa prepared from one-year-old embryogeneric calli was performed by PEG method. In asymmetric fusion, donor calli were treated with gamma ray at a dose of 40, 60, 80 Gy (1.3 Gy/min) respectively and then used to isolate protoplasts. Results of morphological, cytological, biochemical (isozyme) and 5S rDNA spacer sequence analysis revealed that we obtained somatic hybrid lines at high frequency from both symmetric and asymmetric fusion. Hybrid plants were recovered from symmetric and low dose γ-fusion combinations. GISH (genomicin situ hybridization) analysis proved exactly the existence of both parental chromosomes and the common occurrence of several kinds of translocation between them in the hybrid clones regenerated from symmetric and asymmetric fusion. And the elimination of donor DNA in hybrid clones regenerated from asymmetric fusion combinations was found to increase with the increasing gamma doses. It is concluded that transference and recombination of nuclear DNA can be achieved effectively by symmetric and asymmetric fusion, hybrids with small fragment translocation which are valuable in plant breeding can be obtained directly by asymmetric fusion.
25 citations
TL;DR: Phylogenetic tree constructed by structural gene region indicates that China strain SHZH98 has a closer relationship with Taiwan strains, however, in the non-coding region it has a close relationship with Coxsakievirus A16, EV71 strains MS and BrCr.
Abstract: Five overlapping clones covering the full genome of Enterovirus 71 China strain SHZH98 were obtained and then the sequences were determined by the chain termination method. It showed that the full length of EV71 SHZH98 genome (not including Poly A tail) is 7408 bp. There are some diversities on the lengths and sequences of 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR between SHZH98 and the other EV71 strains. In P1 capsid region, which is closely associated with viral immunogenicity, EV71 strain SHZH98 shares the highest homology with Taiwan strains; but in P2 and P3 non-structural gene regions there are higher identities with Coxsakievirus A16 and EV71 strains MS, BrCr than with Taiwan strains. Phylogenetic tree constructed by structural gene region indicates that China strain SHZH98 has a closer relationship with Taiwan strains, however, in the non-coding region it has a closer relationship with Coxsakievirus A16, EV71 strains MS and BrCr. EV71 China strain was analyzed at the molecular level. The results will contribute to the basic study on enteroviruses and the EV71 prevention in China.
22 citations
TL;DR: The receptor binding capacity of recombined single chain insulin to insulin receptor was closely related to the length and amino acid composition of the connecting peptide and could change from 0 to 100% of insulin depending on the different connecting peptides.
Abstract: To investigate the relationship between the biological activity of recombined single chain insulin and the length of the connecting peptide, we designed and prepared three single chain insulin molecules, namely, PIP, [A]5PIP and [A]10PIP, by site-directed mutagenesis, in which B30 and A1 were linked through dipeptide A-K, heptapeptide A-A-A-A-A-A-K, and dodecapeptide A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-K, respectively. Their receptor binding capacities were 0.14%, 14.3% and 11.1% of that of insulin respectively and theirin vivo biological activities were in consistence with their receptor binding capacity; whereas their growth promoting activities were 17%, 116.3% and 38% of that of insulin. These results suggested the following conclusions. (i) The recombined single chain insulin could also possess the same metabolic and mitogenic function as insulin. (ii) The receptor binding capacity of recombined single chain insulin to insulin receptor was closely related to the length and amino acid composition of the connecting peptide and could change from 0 to 100% of insulin depending on the different connecting peptides. This result further illustrated the necessity of B chain C-terminus swaying away from A chain N-terminus when insulin binds to its receptor. (iii) The mitogenic activity of recombined single chain insulin also depended on the length and the amino acid composition of the connecting peptide and was higher than its metabolic activity.
21 citations
TL;DR: The complete sequence of the two RNAs of a furovirus isolate from durum wheat in Italy was determined and it was found that the Italian isolate was clearly distinct from SBWMV, which all appear to belong to the same virus.
Abstract: The complete sequence of the two RNAs of a furovirus isolate from durum wheat in Italy was determined. Sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis were done to compare the Italian virus withSoilborne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) from the USA and with furovirus sequences recently published asEuropean wheat mosaic virus (EWMV), from wheat in France, andSoilborne rye mosaic virus (SBRMV), from rye and wheat in Germany. Over the entire genome, the Italian isolate RNA1 and RNA2 had respectively 97.5% and 98.6% nucleotide identity with EWMV, 95.5% and 85.8% with SBRMV-G and 70.6% and 64.5% with SBWMV. The Italian isolate was therefore clearly distinct from SBWMV The European isolates all appear to belong to the same virus and the nameSoilborne cereal mosaic virus may resolve earlier ambiguities.
21 citations
TL;DR: These findings have provided the first evidence of paternal inheritance of mtDNA in sheep and possible mechanisms of paternal Inheritance were discussed.
Abstract: Paternal inheritance of mitochondria DNA in sheep was discovered by examination of 152 sheep from 38 hybrid families for mtDNA D-loop polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP, amplification of repeated sequence somain, and PCR-SSCP of the D-loop 5′ end region of a 253 bp fragment Our findings have provided the first evidence of paternal inheritance of mtDNA in sheep and possible mechanisms of paternal inheritance were discussed
20 citations
TL;DR: It is found that brassinosteroid responsive genes in a BR-deficient mutantdet2 suspension culture of Arabidopsis regulated the transcription of genes related to many physiological processes, such as photoreaction, ion transportation and some metabolic processes.
Abstract: We have systematically monitored brassinosteroid (BR) responsive genes in a BR-deficient mutantdet2 suspension culture ofArabidopsis by using a cDNA array approach Among 13000 cDNA clones arrayed on filters, 53 BR responsive clones were identified and designatedBRR1–BRR53 Sequence analysis of 43 clones showed that 19 clones are novel genes, 3 clones are genes involved in the control of cell division, 4 clones are genes related to plant stress responses, 4 clones are transcriptional factor or signal transduction component genes, and 3 clones are genes involved in RNA splicing or structure forming In addition, we also found that BR regulated the transcription of genes related to many physiological processes, such as photoreaction, ion transportation and some metabolic processes These findings present molecular evidence that BR plays an essential role in plant growth and development
19 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that some cells in areas 17 and 18 of cats have the ability to respond toICs and have different response properties of the receptive fields to ICs and luminance boundaries via different neural mechanisms.
Abstract: Responses to illusory contours (ICs) were sampled from neurons in cortical areas 17 and 18 of the anesthetized cats. For ICs sensitive cells, the differences of receptive field properties were compared when ICs and real contour stimuli were applied. Two hundred orientation or direction selective cells were studied. We find that about 42 percent of these cells were the ICs sensitive cells. Although their orientation or direction tuning curves to ICs bar and real bars were similar, the response modes (especially latency and time course) were different. The cells’ responses to ICs were independent of the spatial phases of sinusoidal gratings, which composed the ICs. The cells’ optimal spatial frequency to composing gratings the ICs was much higher than the one to moving gratings. Therefore, these cells really responded to the ICs rather than the line ends of composing gratings. For some kinds of velocity-tuning cells, the optimal velocity to moving ICs bar was much lower than the optimal velocity to moving bars. The present results demonstrate that some cells in areas 17 and 18 of cats have the ability to respond to ICs and have different response properties of the receptive fields to ICs and luminance boundaries via different neural mechanisms.
TL;DR: It is suggested that extracellular CaM is a polypeptide signal in plants, which strongly argues against the traditional concept that there is no intercellular polypeptic signal in animals and plants.
Abstract: Traditionally, calmodulin (CaM) was thought to be a multi-functional receptor for intracellular Ca2+ signals. But in the last ten years, it was found that CaM also exists and acts extracellularly in animal and plant cells to regulate many important physiological functions. Laboratory studies by the authors showed that extracellular CaM in plant cells can stimulate the proliferation of suspension cultured cell and protoplast; regulate pollen germination and pollen tube elongation, and stimulate the light-independent gene expression of Rubisco small subunit (rbcS). Furthermore, we defined the trans-membrane and intracellular signal transduction pathways for extracellular CaM by using a pollen system. The components in this pathway include heterotrimeric G-protein, phospholipase C, IP3, calcium signal and protein phosphorylation etc. Based on our findings, we suggest that extracellular CaM is a polypeptide signal in plants. This idea strongly argues against the traditional concept that there is no intercellular polypeptide signal in plants.
TL;DR: RT-PCR analysis showed that FSTRAP was transcribed in brain, heart, kidney, muscle, ovary, spleen and testis, but not in liver, and its mRNA could be detected in the oocytes from phase II to phase V, and results of Western blotting were also similar to the RT- PCR data.
Abstract: A new gene with WD domains is cloned and characterized according to its differential transcription and expression between previtellogenic oocytes (phase I oocytes) and fully-grown oocytes (phase V oocytes) from natural gynogenetic silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) by using the combinative methods of suppressive subtraction hybridization, SMART cDNA synthesis and RACE-PCR. The full-length cDNA is 1870 bp. Its 5′ untranslated region is 210 bp, followed by an open reading frame of 990 bp, which has the typical vertebrate initiator codon of ANNATG. The open reading frame encodes a protein with 329 amino acids. It has 670 bp of 3′ untranslated region and an AATAAA polyadenylation signal. Because it has 92% homology to STRAP (serinethreonine kinase receptor-associated protein), a recently reported gene, we named it FSTRAP (fish STRAP). Virtual Northern blotting indicated that the FSTRAP was transcribed in fully-grown oocytes (phase V oocytes), but not in previtellogenic oocytes (phase I oocytes). RT-PCR analysis showed that FSTRAP was transcribed in brain, heart, kidney, muscle, ovary, spleen and testis, but not in liver. And its mRNA could be detected in the oocytes from phase II to phase V. Western blotting also showed that FSTRAP protein could be detected in brain, heart, kidney, muscle, ovary, spleen and testis except liver. Results of Western blotting on various oocytes were also similar to the RT-PCR data. FSTRAP protein was not expressed in the previtellogenic oocytes. Its expression initiated from phase II oocytes after vitellogenesis, and was consistent with the mRNA transcription.
TL;DR: A rice mutant,G069, characteristic of few tiller numbers, was found in anther culture progeny from theF1 hybrid between anindica-japonica cross, Gui630×02428, showing that the traits of few-tillering and yellowing apex and margin on the mature leaves were controlled by one recessive gene.
Abstract: A rice mutant,G069, characteristic of few tiller numbers, was found in anther culture progeny from theF1 hybrid between anindica-japonica cross, Gui630×02428. The mutant has another two major features: delayed tillering development and yellowing apex and margin on the mature leaves. As a donor parent,G069 was further backcrossed with the recurrent parent,02428, for two turns to develop aBC2F2 population. Genetic analysis in theBC2F2 population showed that the traits of few-tillering and yellowing apex and margin on the mature leaves were controlled by one recessive gene. A pool of equally mixed genomic DNA, from few-tillering individual plants inBC2F2, was constructed to screen polymorphism with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in comparison with the02428 genome. One SSR marker and three restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were found possibly linked with the recessive gene. By using these markers, the gene of few-tillering was mapped on chromosome 2 between RFLP marker C424 and S13984 with a genetic distance of 2.4 cM and 0.6 cM, respectively. The gene is designatedft1.
TL;DR: Water stress-induced ABA accumulation was effectively inhibited by a non-plasmalemma-permeable sulfhydryl-modifier PCMBS (p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonic acid), suggesting that plasmalEMma protein(s) may be involved in the triggering of water stress-related-stress signaling in plants, and the protein may contain sulfHydryl group at its function domain.
Abstract: Water stress-induced ABA accumulation is a cellular signaling process from water stress perception to activation of genes encoding key enzymes of ABA biosynthesis, of which the water stress-signal perception by cells or triggering mechanism of the ABA accumulation is the center in the whole process of ABA related-stress signaling in plants. The cell biological mechanism for triggering of ABA accumulation under water stress was studied in leaves ofVicia faba. Mannitol at 890 mmol ·kg-1 osmotic concentration induced an increase of more than 5 times in ABA concentration in detached leaf tissues, but the same concentration of mannitol only induced an increase of less than 40 % in ABA concentration in protoplasts. Like in detached leaf tissues, ABA concentration in isolated cells increased more than 10 times under the treatment of mannitol at 890 mmol · kg-1 concentration, suggesting that the interaction between plasmalemma and cell wall was essential to triggering of the water stress-induced ABA accumulation. Neither Ca2+-chelating agent EGTA nor Ca2+channel activator A23187 nor the two cytoskeleton inhibitors, colchicine and cytochalasin B, had any effect on water stress-induced ABA accumulation. Interestingly water stress-induced ABA accumulation was effectively inhibited by a non-plasmalemma-permeable sulfhydryl-modifier PCMBS (p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonic acid), suggesting that plasmalemma protein(s) may be involved in the triggering of water stress-induced ABA accumulation, and the protein may contain sulfhydryl group at its function domain.
TL;DR: The packing density of phospholipid molecules in the membrane of the two cell lines detected by MC540 probe indicated that lipid packing of A549 cell membranes was looser than that of the A549/DDP cells.
Abstract: Alterations of membrane lipid biophysical properties of sensitive A549 and resistant A549/DDP cells to the Cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (Cisplatin) were performed by measurements of fluorescence and flow cytometry approaches using fluorescence dyes of DPH, N-AS and Merocyanine 540 (MC 540) respectively. Fatty acids of membrane lipid of the two cell lines were analyzed by gas chromatography. The results indicated clearly that fluorescence polarization (P) of the DPH probe is 0.169 for the sensitive A549 cell and 0.194 for the resistant A549/DDP cells. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between the two cell lines. The polarizations of 2-AS and 7-AS which reflect the fluidity of surface and middle of lipid bilayer are 0.134 and 0.144 for the sensitive A549 cells as well as 0.171 and 0.178 for the resistant A549/DDP cells respectively, but there is no significant difference of the polarization of 12-AS between the two cell lines. This shows that alterations of the membrane fluidity of both cells were mainly located on the surface and middle of the lipid bilayer. In addition, the packing density of phospholipid molecules in the membrane of the two cell lines detected by MC540 probe indicated that lipid packing of A549 cell membranes was looser than that of the A549/DDP cells. And unsaturation degree of plasma membrane fatty acids of the A549/DDP cells was also lower than that of A549 cells. Taken together, it was proposed that the alteration of membrane lipid biophysical state may be involved in the resistance of A549/DDP cells to cisplatin.
TL;DR: The Russian wheat aphid (RWA),Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), exists with holocyclic life cycle in Tacheng, Xinjiang in Northwest China and the life cycle of RWA can be changed from holocycly to anholocyCly in its long-term spread and evolution.
Abstract: The Russian wheat aphid (RWA),Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), exists with holocyclic life cycle in Tacheng, Xinjiang in Northwest China. It produces males and oviparae to mate and oviposit for overwintering by eggs. Under laboratory conditions with 14 h/d photophase and temperature not lower than 15 degrees C, RWA occurred in parthenogenesis and produced no males. The laboratory populations of Russian wheat aphid, which were kept under natural conditions in fall by 15th, 49th and 81st generation while wild populations produced males and oviparae for mating, produced males and oviparae with their number decreased gradually, but viviparae and nymphs increased sequentially. As a result, it produced a small amount of oviparae and no males emerged in fields by 49 generations' reproduction in laboratory. After development of 81 generations, oviparae happened occasionally and no eggs occurred for overwintering instead of viviparae and nymphs. A hypothesis of RWA disastrous process was proposed. The life cycle of RWA can be changed from holocycly to anholocycly in its long-term spread and evolution. Anholocycly is more dangerous than holocycly to small grains for its strong adaptability and dispersal ability.
TL;DR: The results cited above suggest that the isolated DNA sequence contains consensus sequence of MARs and has capability to increase expression level of gene in transgenic plants.
Abstract: A DNA fragment containing consensus sequence of matrix attachment region (MAR) has been isolated from pea genome. Compared with original DNA sequence, one 115 bp-long repeat sequence is deleted in the obtained DNA sequence. DNA fragments located upstream and downstream of repeat DNA sequence respectively share 84% and 93% homology to the corresponding original sequence, and contain A-box or T-box and TATAA sequence, which is characteristics short sequence of MARs. To test the function of the DNA sequence, the plant expression vectors in which β-glucuronidase gene (GUS, uidA) was used as reporter gene were constructed and transferred into tobaccosvia Agrobacterium- mediated transformation procedure. Quantitative GUS assay showed that the average level of uidA expression was increased twofold for the presence of MAR, and the highest level of GUS activity of transgenic plants could be increased six times. The results cited above suggest that the isolated DNA sequence contains consensus sequence of MARs and has capability to increase expression level of gene in transgenic plants.
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that Erythroid differentiation related geneEDRF1 can influence globin expression and hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells and modulated self-renewal inK562 cells.
Abstract: Erythroid differentiation depends on the establishment of specific patterns of gene expression. Hypersensitive site 2 (HS2, serving as a major enhancer of globin genes)-binding proteins may be involved in its natural open chromosomal environment formation. Previously we prepared monoclonal antibodies against HS2-binding nuclear proteins of terminal differentiated erythroid cells. By utilizing the monoclonal antibodies, we screened λ-gt11 human fetal liver cDNA expression library and obtained one cDNA clone, which was named erythroid differentiation related gene (EDRF1, Genbank accession number AF040247), encompassing an entire open reading frame. We investigated the expression pattern ofEDRF1 by RT-PCR technique. And a clue to the function ofEDRF1 has been found from confirmation of high levels ofEDRF1 mRNA in differentiated K562 and human fetal liver tissue. To illuminate the function ofEDRF1 in K562 cells, sense and antisenseEDRF1 constructs were prepared and transfected into K562 cells. α-globin mRNA was down-regulated and EpoR (erythropoietin receptor) mRNA expression was increased in antisense transfected cells. Cells transfected with sense construct grew more slowly than control cells suggested by [3H] thimidine incorporation experiments. Suppression of K562 proliferation was accompanied by increased spontaneous hemoglobin synthesis demonstrated by spectrometry. K562 cells transfected with sense construct exhibited reduced clongenicity compared with control cells in methycellulose culture. These data provided the evidence thatEDRF1 can influence globin expression and hemoglobin synthesis in K562 cells and modulated self-renewal in K562 cells.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate an association between the Rsa I genotype and the phenotype of CYP2E1 in human livers, and the data are compatible with the assumption that c1/c1 genotype is a susceptibility factor for certain cancers in Chinese.
Abstract: Polymorphic cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) plays an important role in the metabolic activation of many carcinogens. We have previously shown that the c1/c1 genotype recognized byRsa I in the 5′-regulatory region of theCYP2E1 may be a susceptibility factor for developing esophageal cancer and lung cancer in Chinese. The present study was to investigate the relationship between theRsa I genotype and the expression of CYP2E1 in human livers. A total of 50 liver specimens were genotyped forCYP2E1 and assayed for CYP2E1 protein contents and functional activity by using specific antibody in immunoblot and a probe substrate,p-nitrophenol. A considerable interindividual variation in CYP2E1 protein (20-fold) and functional activity (56-fold) was observed among these liver samples. However, when they were categorized according to genotype, the mean content of CYP2E1 protein was significantly higher among individuals with the c1/c1 genotype than that among those having c1/c2 or c2/c2 genotype [124.0±83.9 pmol/mg (n = 28) versus 65.5 ±38.9 pmol/mg (n = 22),P<0.01]. The mean activity of CYP2E1 towardsp-nitrophenol for the c1/c1 genotype was also higher than that for the variant genotypes (198.4±27.8 pmol/min/mg versus 101.2 ±18.1 pmol-1 · min-1 · mg-1,P<0.01). Also, the protein levels and functional activity showed a significant correlation (r = 0.68,P<0.01). These results demonstrate an association between theRsa I genotype and the phenotype of CYP2E1 in our samples, and the data are compatible with the assumption thatCYP2E1 c1/c1 genotype is a susceptibility factor for certain cancers in Chinese.
TL;DR: A new method of preparing fiber-optic DNA biosensor and its array for the simultaneous detection of multiple genes is described, and hybridization of fluorescent- labeled cDNA ofp53 gene,N-ras gene andRb1 gene to the DNA array was monitored by CCD camera.
Abstract: A new method of preparing fiber-optic DNA biosensor and its array for the simultaneous detection of multiple genes is described. The optical fibers were first treated with poly-1-lysine, and then were made into fiber-optic DNA biosensors by adsorbing and immobilizing the oligonucleotide probe on its end. By assembling the fiber-optic DNA biosensors in a bundle in which each fiber carried a different DNA probe, the fiber-optic DNA biosensor array was well prepared. Hybridization of fluorescent- labeled cDNA ofp53 gene,N-ras gene andRb1 gene to the DNA array was monitored by CCD camera. A good result was achieved.
TL;DR: This work observed HT-induced changes in nuclear morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration in HL-60 cells and developed a real-time, sensitive and invasive method for simultaneous multi-parameter observation of drugtreating living cells at the level of single cell.
Abstract: Harringtonine (HT), a kind of anticancer drug isolated from Chinese herb-Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, can induce apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. With both two-photon laser scanning microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with the fluorescent probe Hoechst 33342, tetramethyrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and Fluo 3-AM, we simultaneously observed HT-induced changes in nuclear morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HL-60 cells, and developed a real-time, sensitive and invasive method for simultaneous multi-parameter observation of drugtreating living cells at the level of single cell.
TL;DR: The results of RT-PCR suggested that EDRF1 and EDRf2 might play a critical role in early stage of organ development and histological differentiation, and also regulate the development of erythroid tissue and the expression of globin gene at different stage of the development.
Abstract: Our previous studies showed that some nuclear proteins that were expressed especially during terminal differentiation of erythroid cells might interact directly or indirectly with HS2 sequence to form the HS2-protein complexes and thus play an important role in the globin gene regulation and erythroid differentiation. Monoclonal antibodies against the nuclear proteins of terminal differentiated erythroid cells, including intermediate and late erythroblasts of human fetal liver and hemin induced K562 cells, were prepared by hybridoma technique. The monoclonal antibodies were used to screen λ-gtll human cDNA expression library of fetal liver in order to obtain the relevant cDNA clones. By the analysis of their cDNA clones and the identification of the proteins’ functions, the regulation mechanism of the HS2 binding proteins might be better understood. Two cDNA clones (GenBank accession number AF040247 and AF040248 respectively) were obtained and one of them owns a full length and the other encodes a protein characterized by a leucine-zipper domain. Both of them were expressed differentially in K562 cells and hemin-induced K562 cells. The evidence suggested that both of them were involved in erythroid differentiation. We investigated the expression pattern ofEDRF1 andEDRF2 by RT-PCR technique. The results of RT-PCR suggested that EDRF1 and EDRF2 might play a critical role in early stage of organ development and histological differentiation. EDRF1 and EDRF2 might start the program of erythroid development, and also regulate the development of erythroid tissue and the expression of globin gene at different stage of the development.
TL;DR: A role for calmodulin-dependent protein kinase homologs in mediating flowering in tobacco is suggested, as well as the prolongation of the vegetative phase in axillary buds.
Abstract: A calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (MCK1) appeared important in regulating flowering in tobacco. The expression of modifiedMCK1 that lacks the C-terminal including calmodulin-binding domain upsets the flowering developmental program, leading to the abortion of flower primordia initiated on the main axis of the plant and, as well, caused the prolongation of the vegetative phase in axillary buds. The abortion process of flowers began first in the developing anthers and subsequently the entire flower senesces. In axillary buds the prolonged vegetative phase was characterized by atypical elongated, narrow, twisted leaves. These results suggested a role for calmodulin-dependent protein kinase homologs in mediating flowering.
TL;DR: The potential use of treating hemophilia B by recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors with mutant hFIXR338A gene, an alternative strategy for hemophili B gene therapy to wild-type human factor IX, is demonstrated.
Abstract: A mutant human factor IX with arginine at 338 residual changed to alanine (hFIXR338A) by site-directed mutagenesis was introduced into AAV vectors, and a recombinant adeno-associ- ated viral vector containing hFIXR338A, prepared by rHSV/AAV hybrid helper virus system, was directly introduced to the hind leg muscle of factor IX knock out mice. The expression and the bio- logical activity of human factor IX mutant, hFIXR338A, and the immune response against it in the treated mice were assayed and detected. The results showed that (i) the high-level expression of human factor IX mutant protein, hFIXR338A, has been detected in rAAV-hFIXR338A treated he- mophilia B mice and lasted more than 15 weeks; (ii) the clotting activity of hFIXR338A in plasma is 34.2%± 5.23%, which is remarkably higher than that of (14.27% ± 3.4%) of wild type hFIX treated mice in the activated partial thromboplastin assay; (iii) immune response against factor IX R338A was absent, with no factor IX mutant protein (hFIXR338A) inhibitors development in the treated mice; and (iv) no local or systemic side-effects and toxicity associated with the gene transfer were found. It demonstrated the potential use of treating hemophilia B by recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors with mutant hFIXR338A gene, an alternative strategy for hemophilia B gene therapy to wild-type human factor IX.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the 35 ku AOX may contribute mainly to true leafρValt, and the respiratory parameters of hypocotyl, true leaf and cotyledon of mung bean seedlings show that true leaf has the highest total respiration, alternative pathway capacity (Valt) and the activity of AP (ρVALT) among the three organs.
Abstract: Twelve peptides, including eight conservative amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of hydrophilic S helix of the alternative oxidase (AOX), were synthesized by solid-phase method. The polypeptide was coupled with α-chymotrypsinogen, and the antibodies were obtained through immunizing domestic rabbit by injecting this complex. By using these antibodies, which were raised to immunoreact with total proteins of purified mitochondria from different organs of mung bean seedlings, we find that there are two hybridizable AOX bands in mitochondria. Their molecular weights are about 35 and 38 ku, respectively. Moreover, the respiratory parameters of hypocotyl, true leaf and cotyledon of mung bean seedlings show that true leaf has the highest total respiration (Vt), alternative pathway (AP) capacity (Valt) and the activity of AP (ρValt) among the three organs. Vt andρV alt of cotyledon ranked the second. Hypocotyl has the lowest Vt andρV alt, but its Valt is higher than that of cotyledon. These results are consistent with the analysis of Western blotting of expression of AOX. The highest Vt andρV alt in true leaf are accompanied two hybridizable polypeptides of AOX protein, 35 ku and 38 ku respectively. The next is cotyledon Vt andρV alt with only one 38 ku hybridizable polypeptide of AOX protein. HypocotylV t andρV alt is the lowest and its immunoblotting band is similar to that of cotyledon, but the expressive amount of 38 ku protein is less than that of cotyledon. The results suggest that the 35 ku AOX may contribute mainly to true leafρV alt.
TL;DR: The biological activities and the physicochemical properties of the purified recombinant human glucagon were found to be the same as that of native glucagon and suggested that phoA expression system may be suitable for the expression of other small peptides.
Abstract: A novel approach for the preparation of recombinant human glucagon was described. An expression vector pAGluT, containing phoA promoter, phoA signal peptide and glucagon gene, was constructed by means of genetic engineering.Escherichia coli strain YK537 was transformed with pAGluT. High-level secretory expression of recombinant human glucagon was achieved. The expression yield of recombinant human glucagon was found to be 80 mg/L, approximately 30% of the total proteins in supernatant. The biological activities and the physicochemical properties of the purified recombinant human glucagon were found to be the same as that of native glucagon. In addition, our results suggested that phoA expression system may be suitable for the expression of other small peptides.
TL;DR: A novel human ADAM gene—ADAM29, which was cloned in the laboratory, is exclusively expressed in human testis and contains a potential fusion domain that may play a certain role in the signal transduction during the maturation of testis-associated cells.
Abstract: ADAM is a family of type I integral membrane proteins which are characterized by sharing a disintegrin and metalloprotease domain and involved in many important physiological processes such as fertilization, neurogenesis and inflammatory response. A novel human ADAM gene—ADAM29, which was cloned in our laboratory, is exclusively expressed in human testis and contains a potential fusion domain. A full-length cDNA ofADAM29 was obtained by using multiple-step PCR. Phylogenetic tree of known mammalianADAMs specifically expressed in testis was reconstructed. Polyclonal antiserum was raised by immunizing the rabbits with sub-peptide of ADAM29 (Leu268—Asp374) as immunogen. The result of immunohistochemical test on human testis showed thatADAM29 is expressed in different stages of spermatogenesis and in interstitial cells. ADAM29 may play a certain role in the signal transduction during the maturation of testis-associated cells.
TL;DR: Twenty three DNA fragments with a size of about 520 bp have been cloned from rice genome by PCR amplification using primers designed according to the conserved region of most plant resistance genes which have Nucleotide Binding Site (NBS) and Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) domains, and were named R gene homologous sequences (RS).
Abstract: Twenty three DNA fragments with a size of about 520 bp have been cloned from rice genome by PCR amplification using primers designed according to the conserved region of most plant resistance (R) genes which have Nucleotide Binding Site (NBS) and Leucine-Rich Repeat (LRR) domains. Homologous comparison showed that these fragments contained typical motifs of the NBS-LRR resistance gene class, kinase 1a, kinase 2a, kinase 3a and domain 2. Thus they were named R gene homologous sequences (RS). These RS were divided into 4 groups by clustering analysis and mapped onto chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, respectively, by genetic mapping. Ten RS were located in the chromosomal intervals where known R genes had been mapped. Further RFLP analysis of an RS, RS13, near the bacterial blight resistance geneXa4 locus on chromosome 11 among near isogenic lines and pyramiding lines ofXa4 showed that RS13 was possibly amplified from the gene family ofXa4.
TL;DR: A novel post-transcriptional splicing form of Lmo2 is found and RT-PCR analysis revealed that this variant transcript was expressed widely in human tissues and cell lines, suggesting its potential basic functional importance.
Abstract: Lmo2 is a T cell leukemia-related proto-oncogene, which belongs to the LIM protein family. Previous work has established its key role in yolk sac erythropoiesis and adult hematopoiesis, and it is also necessary for regulating angiogenesis. It has been demonstrated that this gene encodes a protein of 158 amino acids, consisting of two tandem cysteine-rich LIM domains, but the detailed mechanism of its transcriptional regulation remains to be elucidated. To further investigate the mechanism of transcriptional regulation ofLmo2, we combined SMART PCR technology with 5′RACE and found a novel post-transcriptional splicing form ofLmo2 in adult human kidney. This alternative transcript contains only two exons, encoding a smaller protein of 151 amino acids. Interestingly, it shares the same reading frame as the originalLmo2, but differs in 7 amino acids at the N-terminus. Agenomic DNA fragment (from −294 nts to +180 nts) containing the putative promoter region has been inserted into the luciferase reporter gene vector pGL3-basic and showed stable promoter activity when transfected into COS7. RT-PCR analysis revealed that this variant transcript was expressed widely in human tissues and cell lines, suggesting its potential basic functional importance.