Does Q beta replicase synthesize RNA in the absence of template?

Q beta replicase, in the absence of added template, will synthesize RNA autocatalytically. A variety of small RNa species, termed '6S RNAs' are generated. As this reaction purportedly occurs in the absence of template, it has been termed 'de novo' RNA synthesis. The question of whether Q beta replicase can polymerize replicatable RNA molecules, without instruction from a template, has important evolutionary implications. The finding that Q beta replicase was able to synthesize RNA de novo was based on (1) failure to find contaminating RNA in Q beta replicase preparations; (2) differences in the sizes of products of apparently identical reactions; and (3) kinetic differences between template-instructed and de novo reactions. Here wer describe a procedure for production of Q beta replicase lacking one of its subunits, ribosomal protein S1, involving column chromatography in the presence of a low concentration of urea. We show that the resulting highly purified enzyme will not synthesize detectable RNA in the absence of added template. We show also that the ability to perform a reaction kinetically indistinguishable from the de novo synthesis reaction can be restored to the highly purified enzyme by adding a heat-stable, alkali-labile component of Q beta replicase preparations. Thus our findings suggest that, in the novo reaction, Q beta replicase is replicating previously undetected contaminating RNA molecules.     

Template-free RNA synthesis by Q beta replicase

In the absence of extraneously added template, standard preparations of Q beta replicase spontaneously synthesize RNA in vitro, possibly as a result of RNA contamination. Using special enzyme purifications, Sumper and Luce presented evidence that self-replicating RNA not present ab initio can grow out of 'template-free' incorporation mixtures. In contrast to DNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase, which also show de novo synthesis, the products synthesized 'de novo' by Q beta replicase are RNA species containing nonrepetitive sequences of defined lengths which differ between experiments, even when synthesized under identical conditions, in fingerprints, chain lengths and kinetic parameters. Kinetic analysis of the de novo processes distinguished it from template-instructed synthesis and excluded an assumption of self-replicating RNA contamination. These conclusions were questioned recently by Hill and Blumenthal, who claimed to show that highly purified Q beta replicase preparations cannot produce RNA de novo. We now present evidence that, under the conditions required for de novo synthesis, Q beta replicase prepared according to their method is also capable of de novo synthesis. Furthermore, we show that Q beta replicase condenses nucleoside triphosphates to more or less random oligonucleotides.     

An in vivo recombinant RNA capable of autocatalytic synthesis by Q beta replicase

A variety of small RNAs ranging from tens to hundreds of nucleotides in length grow autocatalytically in a Q beta replicase (Q beta phage RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) reaction in the absence of added template, and similar RNAs are found in Q beta phage-infected Escherichia coli cells. Three such RNAs have been sequenced. One of them that is 221 nucleotides (nt) long ('MDV-1' RNA) has been found to be partially homologous to Q beta phage RNA 8, which might be considered as an indication of its origination from by-products of the Q beta RNA replication. To gain further insight into the origin and function of these RNAs, we have sequenced a new RNA, 120 nt long, isolated from the products of spontaneous synthesis by the nominally RNA-free Q beta replicase preparation. The minus strand of this RNA appeared to be a recombinant RNA, composed of the internal fragment of Q beta RNA (approximately 80 nt long) and the 33-nt-long 3'-terminal fragment of E. coli tRNA(1Asp). This seems to be the first strong indication of RNA recombination in bacterial cells. The various implications of this finding are discussed.     

正链RNA病毒基因组的复制

许多正链RNA病毒是严重危害人类健康的病原体,是造成经济植物动物死亡的致病因子.正链RNA病毒的基因组为正链RNA,其复制酶是依赖RNA的RNA聚合酶,非编码区是病毒基因组复制的主要调控位点,3’非编码区是复制酶的第一结合位点,正链RNA病毒基因组大多可能按copy-back模型进行复制.瘟病毒基因组的复制过程出现正链复制本的数量大于负链复制本的数量,这可能是以RF中间体的负链RNA为模板、正链RNA被置换的形式进行复制的结果.本文概述了HCV细胞培养系统的研究进展.     

Template-directed synthesis of a genetic polymer in a model protocell

Contemporary phospholipid-based cell membranes are formidable barriers to the uptake of polar and charged molecules ranging from metal ions to complex nutrients. Modern cells therefore require sophisticated protein channels and pumps to mediate the exchange of molecules with their environment. The strong barrier function of membranes has made it difficult to understand the origin of cellular life and has been thought to preclude a heterotrophic lifestyle for primitive cells. Although nucleotides can cross dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine membranes through defects formed at the gel-to-liquid transition temperature, phospholipid membranes lack the dynamic properties required for membrane growth. Fatty acids and their corresponding alcohols and glycerol monoesters are attractive candidates for the components of protocell membranes because they are simple amphiphiles that form bilayer membrane vesicles that retain encapsulated oligonucleotides and are capable of growth and division. Here we show that such membranes allow the passage of charged molecules such as nucleotides, so that activated nucleotides added to the outside of a model protocell spontaneously cross the membrane and take part in efficient template copying in the protocell interior. The permeability properties of prebiotically plausible membranes suggest that primitive protocells could have acquired complex nutrients from their environment in the absence of any macromolecular transport machinery; that is, they could have been obligate heterotrophs.     

Roles of E. coli DNA polymerases IV and V in lesion-targeted and untargeted SOS mutagenesis

The expression of the Escherichia coli DNA polymerases pol V (UmuD'2C complex) and pol IV (DinB) increases in response to DNA damage. The induction of pol V is accompanied by a substantial increase in mutations targeted at DNA template lesions in a process called SOS-induced error-prone repair. Here we show that the common DNA template lesions, TT (6-4) photoproducts, TT cis-syn photodimers and abasic sites, are efficiently bypassed within 30 seconds by pol V in the presence of activated RecA protein (RecA*), single-stranded binding protein (SSB) and pol III's processivity beta,gamma-complex. There is no detectable bypass by either pol IV or pol III on this time scale. A mutagenic 'signature' for pol V is its incorporation of guanine opposite the 3'-thymine of a TT (6-4) photoproduct, in agreement with mutational spectra. In contrast, pol III and pol IV incorporate adenine almost exclusively. When copying undamaged DNA, pol V exhibits low fidelity with error rates of around 10(-3) to 10(-4), with pol IV being 5- to 10-fold more accurate. The effects of RecA protein on pol V, and beta,gamma-complex on pol IV, cause a 15,000- and 3,000-fold increase in DNA synthesis efficiency, respectively. However, both polymerases exhibit low processivity, adding 6 to 8 nucleotides before dissociating. Lesion bypass by pol V does not require beta,gamma-complex in the presence of non-hydrolysable ATPgammaS, indicating that an intact RecA filament may be required for translesion synthesis.     

生物模板剂合成介孔氧化铈及其催化性能

以无污染简单易得的天然材料壳聚糖为模板剂合成介孔氧化铈材料,并研究了材料的结构和催化性能.介孔Ce02的孔道结构由直径为5-8 nm的颗粒堆积形成,孔道孔径分布较为均匀,集中在5-10 nm,材料的比表面积约为102 m^2·g^-1.与氧化铈参比样相比,介孔氧化铈具有更好的氧化能力和催化活性,因为材料高比表面积导致了更多活性位点的暴露和表面活性氧的增多.介孔氧化铈的%T50转化率为50％时的温度点）约为300℃,远低于亚微米参比样的430℃.     

Self-replication of information-bearing nanoscale patterns

DNA molecules provide what is probably the most iconic example of self-replication--the ability of a system to replicate, or make copies of, itself. In living cells the process is mediated by enzymes and occurs autonomously, with the number of replicas increasing exponentially over time without the need for external manipulation. Self-replication has also been implemented with synthetic systems, including RNA enzymes designed to undergo self-sustained exponential amplification. An exciting next step would be to use self-replication in materials fabrication, which requires robust and general systems capable of copying and amplifying functional materials or structures. Here we report a first development in this direction, using DNA tile motifs that can recognize and bind complementary tiles in a pre-programmed fashion. We first design tile motifs so they form a seven-tile seed sequence; then use the seeds to instruct the formation of a first generation of complementary seven-tile daughter sequences; and finally use the daughters to instruct the formation of seven-tile granddaughter sequences that are identical to the initial seed sequences. Considering that DNA is a functional material that can organize itself and other molecules into useful structures, our findings raise the tantalizing prospect that we may one day be able to realize self-replicating materials with various patterns or useful functions.     

二元链状分子吸附的Monte Carlo模拟

在格子模型中，采用计算机模拟方法了二元链状分子系统在固体表面的吸附行为。从微观角度获得了系统在达到平衡之前的动态吸附过程，得到了链长不等的两种键状 固体表面附近的总链节浓度与吸附构型浓度的平衡分布。研究结果表明，开始时，短链分子优先被吸附，此后逐渐被长链分子所取代；长链分子的吸附更有利于系统的稳定。     

Natural and engineered nucleic acids as tools to explore biology

RNA and DNA molecules can form complex, three-dimensional folded structures that have surprisingly sophisticated functions, including catalysing chemical reactions and controlling gene expression. Although natural nucleic acids make occasional use of these advanced functions, the true potential for sophisticated function by these biological polymers is far greater. An important challenge for biochemists is to take RNA and DNA beyond their proven use as polymers that form double-helical structures. Molecular engineers are beginning to harness the power of nucleic acids that form more complex three-dimensional structures, and apply them as tools for exploring biological systems and as therapeutics.     

基于图像分割和融合的图像去雾算法研究

为了解决传统的暗通道先验去雾方法产生的细节丢失和亮度偏低等问题,本研究提出了一种基于图像分割和融合的去雾算法。首先对输入图像使用亮度反转的MSRCR预处理来进行色彩保真;其次用阈值分割法提取图像的特征信息并获得掩膜,根据特征信息设计自适应的Gamma校正方法,提升对比度和亮度,并使用暗通道先验方法保持去雾后的细节;最后将处理后的图像进行掩膜融合。在真实世界的数据集上仿真结果表明,本研究所提算法在去雾后能保留更多的细节且提高亮度。与几种经典的算法相比,本研究所提算法在去雾后的图像有较好的色彩保真度,保留了更多的细节,去雾效果好且亮度更自然。     

Pollinator shifts drive increasingly long nectar spurs in columbine flowers

Directional evolutionary trends have long garnered interest because they suggest that evolution can be predictable. However, the identification of the trends themselves and the underlying processes that may produce them have often been controversial. In 1862, in explaining the exceptionally long nectar spur of Angraecum sesquipedale, Darwin proposed that a coevolutionary 'race' had driven the directional increase in length of a plant's spur and its pollinator's tongue. Thus he predicted the existence of an exceptionally long-tongued moth. Though the discovery of Xanthopan morgani ssp. praedicta in 1903 with a tongue length of 22 cm validated Darwin's prediction, his 'race' model for the evolution of long-spurred flowers remains contentious. Spurs may also evolve to exceptional lengths by way of pollinator shifts as plants adapt to a series of unrelated pollinators, each with a greater tongue length. Here, using a species-level phylogeny of the columbine genus, Aquilegia, we show a significant evolutionary trend for increasing spur length during directional shifts to pollinators with longer tongues. In addition, we find evidence for 'punctuated' change in spur length during speciation events, suggesting that Aquilegia nectar spurs rapidly evolve to fit adaptive peaks predefined by pollinator morphology. These findings show that evolution may proceed in predictable pathways without reversals and that change may be concentrated during speciation.     

Synthesis of brome mosaic virus subgenomic RNA in vitro by internal initiation on (-)-sense genomic RNA

The genomes of many (+)-stranded RNA viruses, including plant viruses and alphaviruses, consist of polycistronic RNAs whose internal genes are expressed via subgenomic messenger RNAs. The mechanism(s) by which these subgenomic mRNAs arise are poorly understood. Based on indirect evidence, three models have been proposed: (1) internal initiation by the replicase on the (-)-strand of genomic RNA, (2) premature termination during (-)-strand synthesis, followed by independent replication of the subgenomic RNA and (3) processing by nuclease cleavage of genome-length RNA. Using an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (replicase) preparation from barley leaves infected with brome mosaic virus (BMV) to synthesize the viral subgenomic RNA in vitro, we now provide evidence that subgenomic RNA arises by internal initiation on the (-)-strand of genomic RNA. We believe that this also represents the first in vitro demonstration of a replicase from a eukaryotic (+)-stranded RNA virus capable of initiating synthesis of (+)-sense RNA.     

一种基于遗传优化的路由控制策略

遗传算法是通过模拟自然进化过程有效解决最优化问题的计算模型,在实际操作中得到广泛应用.但由于遗传算法的选择策略使每一代的优良个体大量的遗传到下一代,且适应度函数设定的差异,使最优个体很快充斥整个群体,缺少物种多样性,导致算法很快收敛于局部最优解,达不到全局优化.针对遗传算法存在的这一问题,结合禁忌搜索算法能够禁忌搜寻过的最优解而引入裂解、增加种群多样性的特性,提出了一种基于遗传优化的路由控制策略.该策略将遗传算法得到的最优解作为禁忌搜索的初始解,提出将染色体模版作为禁忌对象,并以此模版为基础建立邻域的方案.仿真实验表明,该策略能够有效的抑制遗传算法过早收敛的问题,减少了全局能量的消耗,从而延长了网络生命周期.     

基于细胞神经网络的图像边缘检测研究

提出一种数字图像边缘检测算法,采用差分进化算法优化细胞神经网络,通过简单的训练图像对细胞神经网络的模板参数进行适应性调整,得到边缘检测算子,采用该算子提取图像的边缘.实验结果验证了算法的有效性,该算法能够获得较好的图像边缘.     

A ribozyme composed of only two different nucleotides

RNA molecules are thought to have been prominent in the early history of life on Earth because of their ability both to encode genetic information and to exhibit catalytic function. The modern genetic alphabet relies on two sets of complementary base pairs to store genetic information. However, owing to the chemical instability of cytosine, which readily deaminates to uracil, a primitive genetic system composed of the bases A, U, G and C may have been difficult to establish. It has been suggested that the first genetic material instead contained only a single base-pairing unit. Here we show that binary informational macromolecules, containing only two different nucleotide subunits, can act as catalysts. In vitro evolution was used to obtain ligase ribozymes composed of only 2,6-diaminopurine and uracil nucleotides, which catalyse the template-directed joining of two RNA molecules, one bearing a 5'-triphosphate and the other a 3'-hydroxyl. The active conformation of the fastest isolated ribozyme had a catalytic rate that was about 36,000-fold faster than the uncatalysed rate of reaction. This ribozyme is specific for the formation of biologically relevant 3',5'-phosphodiester linkages.