Identification of differentially expressed genes in esophageal cancer through SSH in combination with high throughput reverse Northern screening

To understand the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis of esophagus and to isolate genes with different expression levels in esophageal cancer, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was combined with PCR-based cDNA synthesis and reverse Northern on the cancer tissues and matched almost normal mucosa using 5 microgram of total RNA as starting marterial. Eight genes were found expressed differentially in esophageal cancer, in which 5 were known genes and 3 were novel ones; and 6 were down-regulated in cancer tissues, while 2 were up-regulated; 6 were of mid-high abundance and 2 were of low abundance in esophagus. The results revealed that alteration in expression level of multiple genes underlied the initiation and development of esophageal cancer. The differentially expressed genes identified in this study such as liporcotinⅠ, cystatin A, cystatin B, cytokeratin 13 may play roles in dedifferentiation, transformation and malignant proliferation of esophageal cancer. The combination of SSH with PCR-based double- strand cDNA synthesis and high throughput reverse Northern screening is an efficient way to isolate differentially expressed genes from microgram of total RNA.     

Cloning,expression of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> phytoene desaturase gene and preparation of antiserum against it

A 2 149 bp full length phytoene desaturase (PDS) cDNA was first cloned from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma using RT-PCR technique and a rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) strategy. The cDNA has an open reading frame of 1 697 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 565 amino acids. The coding region of the cDNA was inserted into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-21a(+) and over-expressed inE. coli BL21 (DE3). The fusion proteins were found largely in an insoluble inclusion bodies. The purified fusion protein was used to immunize rabbits to obtain polyclonal antiserum with titer of 1×10⁵. Western blot analysis by using this particular antiserum showed that the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in leaves and stamen, and the higher expression level of PDS in mature stigma than in young stigma. Foundation item: Supported by the Doctoral Foundation of the Ministry of Education, P. R. China and the Young Science Foundation of Sichuan University (Grant 0020405505012) Biography: Bai Jie (1968-), female, Ph. D candidate, research direction: plant developmental biology and reproductive engineering.     

Function of resveratrol derived from transgenic plant expressing resveratrol synthase gene

Two genes from grapevine coding for resveratrol synthase, named RS1 and RS2, were cloned by RT-PCR. AnEscherichia coli expression vector was constructed by insertion of RS1 into pBV221. A specific protein with the same molecular weight (42 ku) as the resveratrol synthase was expressed and used to prepare the rabbit antiserum. A plant expression vector was constructed by inserting the RS1 gene into pBin438 downstream of the doubled CaMV 35S promoter and TMV-Ω fragment. PCR-positive transgenic tobacco plants were obtained after transformation withAgrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring the plant expression vector. Southern blot analysis demonstrated that the foreign gene was integrated into the tobacco genome. The results of RT-PCR and Western blot indicated that the RS1 gene was transcribed and expressed. Formation of resveratrol in transgenic tobacco was further determined by thin-layer chromatography of silica gel and HPLC. Increased accumulation of human breast adenocarcinoma cells in G₀ and G₁ phases of cell cycle was observed in cells treated with resveratrol purified from transgenic tobacco as compared to the untreated cells.     

巴西铁的茎组织培养

以巴西铁（Ｄｒａｃａｅｎａ　ｓａｎｄｅｒｉｅｎａ）茎段为接种材料，ＭＳ为基本培养基，吲哚乙酸（ＩＡＡ）、茶乙酸（ＮＡＡ），２，４－二氯苯氧乙酸（２．４－Ｄ）、６－苄氨基嘌呤（６－ＢＡ）、６一糠基氨基嘌呤（６－ＦＡ）、吲哚丁酸（ＩＢＡ）、生根粉（ＡＢＴ１）、玉米素（ＺＴ）为附加成分，进行诱导、分化、生根试验。诱导结果表明：ＩＡＡ不起作用，２，４－Ｄ有较好的促进作用，０．５ｍｇ／Ｌ（２，４－Ｄ）＋２ｍｇ／Ｌ（６－ＢＡ）组合，诱导率高达９０％。分化结果表明：ＮＡＡ、６－ＢＡ效果较好，６－ＦＡ作用不明显，ｌｍｇ／ＬＮＡＡ＋４ｍｓ／Ｌ（６－ＢＡ）＋２ｍｓ／ＬＺＴ组合，分化率最高．达８１．１％。生根结果表明：ＭＳ＋０．５ｍｇ／ＬＮＡＡ＋０．５ｍｇ／Ｌ（６－ＦＡ），ＭＳ＋０．４ｍｇ／ＬＮＡＡ＋２ｍｇ／ＬＩＢＡ，ＭＳ＋０．２ｍｇ／ＬＮＡＡ＋０．１ｍｇ／Ｌ（６－ＦＡ）＋ＡＢＴ１三种培养基均发根，生根率７０％以上，根粗，但有点脆，若培养基中加入活性碳产生的根则细而韧。     

Male non-coding RNA genes identified by comparative genomic analysis of the Drosophila genomes

This issue published a research article by Yang et al. of Peking University “Significant divergence of sex-re-lated non-coding RNA expression patterns among closely related species in Drosophila”. In a genomic     

Cloning and expression profiles of 15 genes encoding WRKY transcription factor in wheat （Triticum aestivem L.）

WRKY proteins are involved in various physiological processes, including biotic and abiotic stress responses, hormone responses and development. However, no systematic identification, expression and function analysis of WRKY genes in wheat were reported. In this study, we isolated 15 wheat cDNAs with complete open reading frame （ORF） encoding putative WRKY proteins using in silico cloning. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 15 wheat WRKY genes belonged to three major WRKY groups. Expression analysis revealed that most genes expressed drastically in leaf, except Ta WRKYIO which expressed in crown intensively. Four genes were strongly up-regulated with the senescence of leaves. Eight genes were responsive to low temperature, high temperature, NaCl or PEG treatment. Moreover, differential expression patterns were also observed between wheat hybrid and its parents, and some genes were more responsive to PEG treatment in the hybrid. These results demonstrated that wheat WRKY genes are involved in leaf senescing and abiotic stresses. And the changed expression of these WRKY genes in hybrid might contribute to the heterosis by improving the stress tolerance in hybrids.     

Duplication and divergent evolution of the CHS and CHS-like genes in the chalcone synthase （CHS） superfamily

CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) IS A KEY ENZYME OF FLA- VONOID BIOSYNTHESIS. IT CATALYSES THE CONDENSATION OF THREE MOLECULES OF MALONYL-COA WITH ONE MOLECULE OF 4-COUMAROYL-COA TO FORM NARINGENIN CHALCONE, THE PRECURSOR FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF FLAVONOIDS WHICH ARE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN THE PLANT KINGDOM AND HAVE IM- PORTANT ROLES IN FLOWER PIGMENTATION, PROTECTION AGAINST UV LIGHT A…     

菠菜AMT基因家族鉴定与表达分析

铵态氮转运蛋白（AMT）负责铵态氮的吸收与转运,对植物的生长和发育起重要的调节作用.对菠菜SoAMT基因家族进行了基因组鉴定、生物信息学分析、组织表达谱及氮素响应表达谱分析,结果表明：菠菜基因组中共存在6个AMT的基因,包括5个AMT1成员和1个AMT2成员,主要分布在1,4,5,6条染色体上,编码区长度为1 443~15 06 bp;6个SoAMT蛋白均包含AMT基因家族特有的保守结构域及保守基序,含有9~11个跨膜结构域;SoAMT启动子含有较多茉莉酸、厌氧胁迫响应元件.SoAMT基因在根、叶、柄中均有表达,大部分SoAMT1亚家族成员受缺氮、硝态氮或铵态氮诱导表达,而SoAMT2基因表达量受铵态氮抑制.两类亚家族成员不同的氮响应模式,可能与其在氮素响应中的不同作用有关.     

Evolution of genetic mechanisms controlling petal development.

Molecular genetic studies in Arabidopsis thaliana and other higher-eudicot flowering plants have led to the development of the 'ABC' model of the determination of organ identity in flowers, in which three classes of gene, A, B and C, are thought to work together to determine organ identity. According to this model, the B-class genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) act to specify petal and stamen identity. Here we test whether the roles of these genes are conserved throughout the angiosperms by analysing the expression of AP3 and PI orthologues in the lower eudicot subclass Ranunculidae. We show that, although expression of these orthologues in the stamens is conserved, the expression patterns in the petals differ from those found in the higher eudicots. The differences between these expression patterns suggest that the function of AP3 and PI homologues as B-class organ-identity genes is not rigidly conserved among all angiosperms. These observations have important implications for understanding the evolution of both angiosperm petals and the genetic mechanisms that control the identities of floral organs.     

Bile acids induce energy expenditure by promoting intracellular thyroid hormone activation

While bile acids (BAs) have long been known to be essential in dietary lipid absorption and cholesterol catabolism, in recent years an important role for BAs as signalling molecules has emerged. BAs activate mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, are ligands for the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) TGR5 and activate nuclear hormone receptors such as farnesoid X receptor alpha (FXR-alpha; NR1H4). FXR-alpha regulates the enterohepatic recycling and biosynthesis of BAs by controlling the expression of genes such as the short heterodimer partner (SHP; NR0B2) that inhibits the activity of other nuclear receptors. The FXR-alpha-mediated SHP induction also underlies the downregulation of the hepatic fatty acid and triglyceride biosynthesis and very-low-density lipoprotein production mediated by sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c. This indicates that BAs might be able to function beyond the control of BA homeostasis as general metabolic integrators. Here we show that the administration of BAs to mice increases energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue, preventing obesity and resistance to insulin. This novel metabolic effect of BAs is critically dependent on induction of the cyclic-AMP-dependent thyroid hormone activating enzyme type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) because it is lost in D2-/- mice. Treatment of brown adipocytes and human skeletal myocytes with BA increases D2 activity and oxygen consumption. These effects are independent of FXR-alpha, and instead are mediated by increased cAMP production that stems from the binding of BAs with the G-protein-coupled receptor TGR5. In both rodents and humans, the most thermogenically important tissues are specifically targeted by this mechanism because they coexpress D2 and TGR5. The BA-TGR5-cAMP-D2 signalling pathway is therefore a crucial mechanism for fine-tuning energy homeostasis that can be targeted to improve metabolic control.     

高粱(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)未成熟胚乳培养的研究

高粱未成熟胚乳在含有 BA或 2 .4-D与 KT组合的培养基上诱导启动 .诱导形成愈伤组织的适宜激素是 :2 .4-D4mg/L,BA1m g/L,NAA0 .2 mg/L 的组合或 2 .4-D2 mg/L,KT1m g/L 的组合 .适宜的分化激素组合是 (1)2 .4-D0 .5 mg/L,NAA0 .2 mg/L,BA0 .7mg/L,KT4mg/L;(2 ) NAA0 .5 mg/L,ZT1mg/L;(3 ) 2 .4-D0 .5 m g/L,KT1m g/L.脱分化后的胚乳细胞 ,部分细胞进入分裂期形成愈伤组织 ,胚乳愈伤组织有较强的分化能力 .植株形成方式为器官发生 .     

菠菜抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因家族的鉴定及表达分析

利用生物信息学分析方法,在菠菜全基因组中鉴定出了菠菜(Spinacia oleracea)抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)家族成员,并对其理化性质、亚细胞定位、基因结构、保守基序、同源关系及基因表达进行了分析,发现菠菜中存在7个SoAPXs(SoAPX1～7)基因,并通过进化树分析将菠菜APX家族分为4类.基因结构分析发现该家族基因由5～9个外显子构成.亚细胞定位预测表明大部分菠菜APX蛋白定位在细胞质.实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(qRT-PCR)结果表明:SoAPXs在各个组织器官中呈组成型表达,其中SoAPX1和SoAPX3的组织表达模式相似,SoAPX4和SoAPX5相似,SoAPX2在新叶中表达最高,SoAPX7在雄花中表达最高.对经胁迫处理后的样品进行表达分析发现,低温胁迫与氧化胁迫对SoAPXs的表达均有诱导作用,盐胁迫与干旱胁迫也刺激了大部分SoAPXs的表达.这些结果表明:SoAPXs可能在菠菜的抗盐、耐寒、抗旱以及抗氧化过程中起作用,为后续深入鉴定APX家族成员的功能提供参考.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression of a swine IgG H chain gene inE. coli

A DNA fragment about 1.5 kb has been isolated from spleen of adult Chinese swine by RT-PCR. The DNA fragment encodes immunoglobulin IgG H chain gene. Sequencing analysis showed that the DNA fragment is 1 425 bp long, complete CDS. The C region of the gene has been classified as Subclass Ig γ3, and is the same as reported by Sun et al., but V region of the present gene is 42 bp less by comparison. The gene has been ligated into expression vector pET-3b (NSEB)( - ). A protein about 52 ku has been expressed in E. coli with an expression level of about 21 % .     

专题报道Ⅰ：松材线虫病致病机理与病害防治（执行主编 叶建仁）专题编者按

松材线虫病是在我国发生最严重的毁灭性森林病害,已经在10多个省市区造成了严重的经济和生态损失。该病害原产地为北美洲,自20世纪初先后传入东亚的日本、中国和韩国等,给这些国家的松林带来了巨大的破坏。我国于1982年首次在南京发现松材线虫病,40年来病害一直在不断扩展蔓延。至2021年底,我国有19个省（自治区、直辖市）的728个县级行政区被划分为疫区,当年病死松树达到数千万株,防控形势异常严峻。本专题针对当前松材线虫病流行与防控中的一些热点和难点问题,围绕分子致病机理、疫源追溯和病害防治方法等方面开展研究,通过RNA干扰、基因重组和酵母转化实验明确松材线虫性别分化基因和热激转录因子在生长发育过程中和性别分化中具有的重要作用;以新一代测序技术、分子标记手段研究分析松材线虫在我国的种群分化情况,揭示不同线虫类群与地理区域间呈现的相关性;利用微生物培养、浸渍提取法和生理生化指标测定等方法,筛选并获得一系列对松材线虫具有明显拮抗作用的腐生线虫、松树内生细菌和植物提取物。本专题研究内容有助于深入解析松材线虫病在我国的传播蔓延规律,揭示松材线虫致病关键基因功能,提出病害防控的新方法,从而为更好地防控这一重大外来入侵物种引起的病害提供重要的理论和实践支撑。     

Gene expression profiles of the developing human retina

Retinaplaysimportantrolesintheperception,proc-essandtransmissionofvisualsignalsandthefunctionsoftheretinadepend,toalargeextent,onitshighlyorganizedstructure.During3—6weeksinhumanembryogenesis,theneuralectodermgrowsoutfromthediencephalonstoformtheopticvesicleandtheninvaginatestoformtheopticcup.Theouterlayeroftheopticcupbecomesthenon-neuralretinalpigmentepithelium(RPE)andtheinnerlayerbecomestheneuralretina.RPEcellsproliferateslowlyandappeardifferentiatedandpigmentedasearlyas6—8weeksandremain…     

Drosophila RNAi screen identifies host genes important for influenza virus replication

All viruses rely on host cell proteins and their associated mechanisms to complete the viral life cycle. Identifying the host molecules that participate in each step of virus replication could provide valuable new targets for antiviral therapy, but this goal may take several decades to achieve with conventional forward genetic screening methods and mammalian cell cultures. Here we describe a novel genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila that can be used to identify host genes important for influenza virus replication. After modifying influenza virus to allow infection of Drosophila cells and detection of influenza virus gene expression, we tested an RNAi library against 13,071 genes (90% of the Drosophila genome), identifying over 100 for which suppression in Drosophila cells significantly inhibited or stimulated reporter gene (Renilla luciferase) expression from an influenza-virus-derived vector. The relevance of these findings to influenza virus infection of mammalian cells is illustrated for a subset of the Drosophila genes identified; that is, for three implicated Drosophila genes, the corresponding human homologues ATP6V0D1, COX6A1 and NXF1 are shown to have key functions in the replication of H5N1 and H1N1 influenza A viruses, but not vesicular stomatitis virus or vaccinia virus, in human HEK 293 cells. Thus, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using genome-wide RNAi screens in Drosophila to identify previously unrecognized host proteins that are required for influenza virus replication. This could accelerate the development of new classes of antiviral drugs for chemoprophylaxis and treatment, which are urgently needed given the obstacles to rapid development of an effective vaccine against pandemic influenza and the probable emergence of strains resistant to available drugs.