Cloning a Full—length cDNA Encoding UDP—glucose Pyrophosphorylase from Amorpha fruticosa by PCR—based Methods

A method based on degenerate Oligo-primed polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and randomamplification of cDNA end (RACE) PCR for cloning a full-length cDNA is described.An Amorpha fruticosa cDNA clone encoding UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase(UGP),a key enzyme producinng UDP-glucose in the synthesis of sucrose and cellulose,is cloned by using this method.We design 5‘ RACE rpimers based on UGPA1 fragment ,which obtains from degenerate PCR.Inverse PCR and nested PCR enable cloning of the remainder 5‘ and 3‘ end fragments of the gene.The deduced amino acid sequence xhibits significant homology with the other UGP genes cloned.This method is more simple and inexpensive than screening cDNA library,and can be easily adapted to clone other genes.     

Cloning of GF14 Gene from the Bulbs of Fritillaria crrishoa

GF14 widely occurs in plant species functioning as a regulatory protein in cell signal transdution,including monoamine synthesis,exocytosis and cell cycle regulation.A partial sequence,413bp in length,is cloned from the bulbs of F.crrihosa by means of RT-CPR technique.Sequence alignment with the BLAST program shows that it is highly similar to GF14 gene.A new full-length cDNA,1133bp,is obtained by RACE techniques,It contains a major open reading frame of 262 amino acids,5‘ and 3‘untranslated regions and a long Poly(A) tail,Sequence analysis of deduced GF14 protein from F.crrihosa indicates several conserved motifs of GF14 protiens are also found in sequence of GF14 protein of F.crrihosa.     

Molecular cloning and expression of interleukin Ibeta (IL-1β) from red seabream (Pagrus major)

The interleukin 1β (IL-1β) cDNA was cloned from the red seabream (Pagrus major) by homology cloning strategy. A cDNA fragment was amplified by PCR using two degenerated primers, which were designed according to the conserved regions of other known IL-1β sequences, and elongated by 3' ends and 5' ends RACE PCR to get the full length coding sequence of red seabream IL-1β (RS IL-1β). The sequence contained 1252 nucleotides that included a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 84bp, a 3' UTR of 410 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 759 nucleotides which could be translated into a putative peptide of 253 amino acids with molecular weight of 28.6 kD and putative isoelectric point pI of 5.29. The deduced peptide contained two potential N-glycosylation sites and an identifiable IL1 family signature, but lacked the signal peptide and the clear ICE cut site, which were common in other nonmammalian IL-1β genes. The RS IL-1β had the highest homology with piscine IL-1β according to phylogenetic tree analysis.     

Effect of GbKTN1 from Gossypium barbadense on cell elongation of fission yeast（Schizosaccharomyces pombe）

The GbKTN1 gene was isolated from 10 DPA fiber cells of Gossypium barbadense using 5′RACE/3′RACE.Full-length cDNA of this gene is 2006 bp, including a 113 bp of 5′untranslated region, a 1563 bp of an open reading frame(ORF), and a 327 bp of 3′untranslated region (excluding the stop codon TAA). The ORF of GbKTN1 encodes a 521-amino acid protein with a predicted size of 55 kD. Near C-terminal of the deduced protein there is a putative ATP binding site between amino acid residues from 233 to 414. Southern blot analysis indicated that the GbKTN1 was a single copy gene in G barbadense. Combining semi-quantitative RT-PCR with Southern blot hybridization revealed that GbKTN1 expressed in all the organs detected such as roots, stems, leaves and fibers. However, the mRNA of GbKTN1 was the most abundant in fiber cells, while it was the lowest in leaves. The GbKTN1 cDNA was transformed into S. pombe to verify its function on cell elongation. Results showed that most yeast cells over expressing GbKTN1 gene were elongated dramatically with an average length increase of 2.18 times than that of the non-induced cells. Even the morphology of some yeast cells appeared irregularly. To the best of our knowledge this is the first evidence that KTN1 is correlated with cell elongation in vivo.     

Cloning, sequencing and expression analysis of cDNA encoding a constitutive heat shock protein 70 （HSC70） in Fenneropenaeus chinensis

The cDNA encoding hsc70 of Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis was cloned from hepatopancreas by RT-PCR based on its EST sequence. The full length cDNA of 2090 bp contained an open reading frame of 1956 nucleotides and partial 5‘- and 3‘-untranslated region(5‘- and 3‘-UTR). PCR amplification and sequencing analysis showed the existence of introns in the region of 1--547 bp, but they did not exist in the region of 548--2090 bp of hsc70 cDNA. When the deduced 652 amino acid sequence of HSC70 was compared with the members of HSP70 family from other organisms, the results showed 85.9% similarity with HSC71 from Oncorhynchus mykiss and HSC70 from Homo sapiens. It also exhibited 85.8% similarity with HSP70 from Mus musculu and 85.4% with HSC70 from Manduca sexta. Expression analysis showed that hsc70 mRNA was espressed constitutively in hepatopancreas, muscle, eyestalks, haemocytes, heart, ovary, intestine and gills in Fenneropenaeus chinensis. No difference could be detected on hsc70 mRNA level in muscle between heat-shocked and control animals.     

Cloning and characterization of a new actin gene from Oryza sativa L.

Using Rho family member osRACD as bait, a new member of actin gene family -Act was isolated from Oryza sativa by yeast two-hybrid system. The full-length cDNA was cloned with 5' RACE technology, which contains an open reading frame of 1134 bp with a predicted protein of 377 amino acids. Sequence alignment revealed 96% to 81.8% identities with some known actin proteins in plants. The method of bioinformatics was used to analyze the protein modification sites, structure and evolution of the gene. Southern blot analysis showed that Act is a single-copy gene in the genome. The result of RT-PCR showed it is ubiquitously expressed in root, shoot, callus and panicle in a temporal fashion. The relationship between Rho family and actin family in evolution and function was also studied.     

Isolation and ectopic expression of a bamboo MADS-box gene

A cDNA named DIMADS18 was isolated from the young spikelets of the sweet bamboo, Dendrocalamus latiflorus by RACE. DNA sequence analysis showed that DIMADS18 was composed of full ORF and 3UTR, but without 5UTR. The cDNA contained 1039 nucleotides and encoded a putative protein of 249 amino acid residues. The gene displayed the structure of a typical plant MADS box gene, which consisted of an MADS domain, K domain, a short I region, and the C-terminal region. Phylogenetic analysis of plant MADS box genes based on amino acid sequences revealed that DlMADS18 was grouped into the AGAMOUS-LIKE 6 (AGL6)-like subfamily. It was most likely homologous to the OsMADS6 of rice (Oryza sativa), with 88% sequence identity for the entire amino acid sequences. The DlMADS18 also showed relatively high amino acid sequence identity (59%) to AGL6 ofArabidopsis thaliana. To study the functions of DlMADS18, DlMADS18 cDNA clone driven by the CaMV 35S promoter was transformed into Arabidopsis plants. Transgenic plants of DlMADS18 exhibited the phenotypes of curled leaves, dwarfism, and early flowering with clustered terminal flowers. These results indicated that DlMADS18 may probably be involved in controlling the flowering time of D.latiflorus.     

Analysis of cDNA sequence, protein structure and expression of parotid secretory protein in pig

Parotid secretory protein (PSP) secreted abundantly in saliva, whose function is related with the anti-bacterial effect. The PSP cDNA has been isolated from pig parotid glands by 3′ and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE), based on the conserved signal peptide region among the known mammalian PSP. The result of homologous comparison shows that pig PSP and human PSP shares the high identity at the level of the primary, secondary and tertiary protein structure. A search for functionally significant protein motifs revealed a unique amino acid sequence pattern consisting of the residues Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(7)-Leu-X(6)-Leu-X(6)-Leu near the amino-terminal portion of the protein, which is important to its function. RT-PCR, Dot blot and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that PSP was strongly expressed in parotid glands, but not in other tissues.     

Cloning and characterization of a gene encoding cysteine proteases from senescent leaves of Gossypium hirsutum

A gene encoding a cysteine proteinase was isolated from senescent leave of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cv liaomian No. 9 by utilizing rapid amplification of cDNA end spolymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR), and a set of consensus oligonucleotide primers was designed to anneal the conserved sequences of plant cysteine protease genes. The cDNA, which designated Ghcysp gene, contained 1368 bp terminating in a poly(A)^ trail, and included a putative 5‘(98 bp) and a 3‘(235 bp) non-coding region. The opening reading frame (ORF) encodes polypeptide 344 amino acids with the predicted molecular mass of 37.88 kD and theoretical pl of 4.80. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with the sequence in the GenBank database has shown considerable sequence similarity to a novel family of plant cysteine proteases. This putative cotton Ghcysp protein shows from 67% to 82% identity to the other plants. All of them share catalytic triad of residues, which are highly conserved in three regions. Hydropaths analysis of the amino acid sequence shows that the Ghcysp is a potential membrane protein and localizes to the vacuole, which has a transmembrane helix between resides 7-25. A characteristic feature of Ghcysp is the presence of a putative vacuole-targeting signal peptide of 19-amino acid residues at the N-terminal region. The expression of Ghcysp gene was determined using northern blot analysis. The Ghcysp mRNA levels are high in development senescent leaf but below the limit of detection in senescent root, hypocotyl, faded flower, 6 d post anthesis ovule, and young leaf.     

Cloning and expression of ophc2, a new organphosphorus hydrolase gene

The amino acid sequences of N-terminal and internal peptide of OPHC2, purified from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain C2-1 in our lab, are determined. The full-length organphosphorus hydrolase gene ophc2 is cloned by PCR using the degenerate primers designed according to the sequences and future inverse PCR. The ophc2 gene is 975 bp long with G C content of 63%, comprising one open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 324 amino acids with a molecular weight of 36 kD. The nucleotide sequence of ophc2 shows low homologies with those organphosphorus hydrolase genes deposited in GenBank, one of which exhibits the highest homology of 46.4% with ophc2. The organphosphorus hydrolase protein expressed in E. coli bears normal bioactivity.     

Isolation and Characterization of Phytoene Desaturase cDNA from Stigma of Crocus sativus

Phytoene desatumse (PDS) has recently been identified as an important enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. A cDNA clone encoding phytoene desaturase gene is isolated from stigma of saffron (Crocus sativus L. ) using RT-PCR technique. Sequence analysis shows 85% similarity to Narcissus pseudonarcissus, 79% to Zea mays, 78% to Arabidopsis thaliana, 77% to Lycopersicon esculentum. A new full-length cDNA is obtained by 5 ‘-RACE and 3‘ -RACE techniques. The cDNA is 2149bp long with an open reading frame of 1697bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 565 amino acids. Southern analy-sis shows that the PDS gene is a single copy in saffron. Northern blot analysis shows higher expression level of PDS gene in stigma and anther than in leaves and stem.     

Crack initiation ahead of piled-up of dislocations emitted from a modeⅡbluntcrack

In situ tensile tests in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) show that dislocations emitted from a mode II crack tip will form a inverse piled-up group after equilibrium or a double piled-up group when they meet a obstruction, e.g., grain boundary or second phase. A microcrack can initiates in front of the piled-up group of dislocations. Micromechanics analysis shows that dislocations emitted from a mode II blunt crack tip can form a inverse piled-up or double piled-up group, depending upon the applied stress intensity factor K_IIa, latticefriction stress and the distance of the obstruction from the crack tip L. The maximum normal stress in front of the double piled-up group which is located at the direction of α=-64° Increases with the increase in the stress intensity K_IIa and the obstruction site L, and the decrease in the friction stress. When it increases to equate the cohesive strength, a microcrack will initiate in front of the piled-up group.     

Cloning of a novel phosphateserine aminotransferase gene from a Triticum aestivum-Elytrigia elongatum alien substitution line with resistance to powdery mildew

Shannong 551, a T. aestivum-E, elongatum alien substitution line with resistance to powdery mildew, was inoculated with pathogenic spores of powdery mildew. The leaf samples were prepared 48 h after inoculation for scanning electron microscopy. The result showed that germination of spores and growth of young mycelia on leaves of Shannong 551 were suppressed at the early stage of infection. At the same time, RNAs were prepared from the leaves for the cloning of WRP1 and RPW2 by cDNA RDA and RACE technology. BLAST analysis of the sequences indicated that both WRP1 and RPW2 were novel genes. WRPI contains no complete ORE RPW2 contains the conserved structure domain of aminotransferase, and its DNA sequence shares high homology with genes of phosphateserine aminotransferase in many organisms. Therefore, it is speculated as a novel phosphateserine aminotransferase gene. The results of Northern blot suggested that expression of RPW2 occurred at the early stage of infection by powdery mildew. Southern blot using the probe of RPW2, in which there was strong hybridizing signals in both genome of Shannong 551 and E. elongatum, but not in those of Jinan 13 and Lumai No.5, indicated that RPW2 derived from the genome of E. elongatum.     

Isolation and expression of an aquaporin-like gene VfPIP1 in Vicia faba

To explore the effects of aquaporins on stomatal movement, we isolated a full length cDNA of aquaporin-like gene VfPIP1 (Vicia faba plasma membrane intrinsic protein gene, GenBank accession number: AY667436), which encodes for a 290-amino-acid polypeptide, from Vicia faba leaf epidermis by 5′3′ RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends). The analyses of VfPIP1 transmembrane regions and amino acid sequence show that VfPIP1 owns six membrane-spanning domains and the special plasma membrane signature sequences GGGANXXXXGY and TGITNPARSLFGAAIVIVFYN, and it should be a member of PIP1 subfamily. The results of in situ hybridization and Northern blot indicate that VfPIP1 is strongly expressed in guard cells and induced by ABA. Hereby, VfPIP1 may be involved in the water-transmembrane movement of guard cells.     

Characterization of variation induced by low-energy N+ and cloning of differentially expressed cDNA of a mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana

Using Arabidopsis thaliana as experimental materials, the variations induced by low-energy N+ have been investigated. Germination rate of the treated seeds is lower than that of the control, and it decreases with the intensification of the radiation. The phenotypic variations have been observed in M2 plants irradiated with higher doses, such as chlorisis, semilethality, plant morphology, and changes of blooming habit and fertility. In random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on M2 seedlings, some differences including band deletions or additions are found in treated plants compared to the control and the differences are associated with the radiation doses. One of the M1 plants from the seeds irradiated with the dose of 80×1015 N+/cm2 is a dwarf variant. Its stable M6 generation, mutant T80II, is used to construct subtractive cDNA library and to clone differentially expressed cDNA. A 721 bp cDNA fragment is partly homologous with GRF7 gene.     

Structure and kinematic analysis of a novel 2-DOF translational parallel robot

This paper addresses the analysis of a novel parallel robot with 2 translational degrees of freedom (DOFs). The robot can position a rigid body in a plane with constant orientation. The kinematic structure of the robot is first described in detail. Some kinematic problems, such as the inverse and forward kinematics, velocity, and singularity are then analyzed. The working and assembly modes are discussed. Since it is the most important index to design a robot, the workspace of the robot is studied systematically in this paper. Based on the analysis of reachable workspace and singularity, a kind of workspace concept characterizing the region that the end-effector of the robot can reach in practice is defined. The results of this paper will be very useful for the design and application of the robot.     

The Charms of Forrest Gump

From esthetic value, on the basis of human nature, this thesis intends to explore in what way Forrest Gump goes along with so many people‘s sensibilities and therefore wins the admiration of the public. The paper first gives an introduction to the film, then it focuses on exploring Gump‘ s philosophy of life from different aspects of the film, such as the symbolic meaning of the feather and running, the subtle romance between Gump and Jenny, Gump‘s intense loyalty to friend-ship, a consciousness of destiny and so on, which contribute to Gump‘s successful life, This paper ends with the scoring song “blowing in the wind” which reveals one of the themes of the film and it offers its readers with a spacious imagination of life.