Asynchronous replication of imprinted genes is established in the gametes and maintained during development.

Genomic imprinting is characterized by allele-specific expression of multiple genes within large chromosomal domains that undergo DNA replication asynchronously during S phase. Here we show, using both fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and S-phase fractionation techniques, that differential replication timing is associated with imprinted genes in a variety of cell types, and is already present in the pre-implantation embryo soon after fertilization. This pattern is erased before meiosis in the germ line, and parent-specific replication timing is then reset in late gametogenesis in both the male and female. Thus, asynchronous replication timing is established in the gametes and maintained throughout development, indicating that it may function as a primary epigenetic marker for distinguishing between the parental alleles.     

Targeted disruption of mu chain membrane exon causes loss of heavy-chain allelic exclusion.

Burnet's clonal selection theory suggests that each B lymphocyte is committed to a single antibody specificity. This is achieved by a programme of somatic rearrangements of the gene segments encoding antibody variable (V) regions, in the course of B-cell development. Evidence from immunoglobulin-transgenic mice and immunoglobulin-gene-transfected transformed pre-B cells suggest that the membrane form of the immunoglobulin heavy (H) chain of class mu (microns), expressed from a rearranged H-chain (IgH) locus, may signal allelic exclusion of the homologous IgH locus in the cell and initiation of light (L)-chain gene rearrangement in the Ig kappa loci. We report here that targeted disruption of the membrane exon of the mu chain indeed results in the loss of H-chain allelic exclusion. But, some kappa chain gene rearrangement is still observed in the absence of micron expression.     

Epstein-Barr virus infection and replication in a human epithelial cell system.

Epstein-Barr virus, a human herpesvirus with oncogenic potential, infects two target tissues in vivo: B lymphocytes, where the infection is largely non-productive, and stratified squamous epithelium in which virus replication occurs. The interaction with B cells, initiated through virus binding to the B-cell surface molecule CR2 (ref. 4), has been studied in vitro and the virus 'latent' genes associated with B-cell growth transformation defined. By comparison, viral infection of epithelium remains poorly understood, reflecting the lack of an appropriate cell-culture model. Here we describe the development of such a model using as targets CR2-expressing transfected cells of two independent human epithelial lines. A high proportion of these cells bind virus and become actively infected, expressing the small EBER RNAs (small non-polyadenylated virus-coded RNAs) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 but not other latent proteins; thereafter, under conditions favouring epithelial differentiation, up to 30% of the cells can be induced to enter virus productive cycle with some progressing to full virus replication. We find significant differences between laboratory virus strains in their ability to infect epithelium that do not correlate with their B-cell growth-transforming activity.     

Adhesion receptors of the immune system

The adhesive interactions of cells with other cells and with the extracellular matrix are crucial to all developmental processes, but have a central role in the functions of the immune system throughout life. Three families of cell-surface molecules regulate the migration of lymphocytes and the interactions of activated cells during immune responses.     

植物天然免疫系统研究进展

很多植物病原菌严重地损害植物的生长和繁殖。植物与病原体协同进化过程中,也逐渐形成了一系列复杂高效的保护机制来抵御病原物的侵染。植物中抵抗外界微生物刺激所形成的系统被称为植物天然免疫系统,可分为两个层次。第1个层次是植物模式识别受体(PRRs)识别病原相关分子模式(PAMPs),触发病原相关分子模式触发的免疫反应（PTI）,激活植物体中促丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路使植物产生早期应答反应。PTI适应性较广,可识别和响应包括非致病菌的许多类微生物。第2个层次是病原菌产生效应因子抑制基础免疫响应PTI,而植物产生针对性更强的抗性蛋白(R蛋白)识别效应因子,并通过效应因子触发型免疫(ETI)来重建植物的抗性。笔者综述了近年来植物天然免疫系统的研究进展,认为随着对植物天然免疫系统研究的深入,应重视PTI和ETI的结合利用,有效扩大植物抗菌谱,改良植物ETI抗性。     

Recent excitement in the DNA replication problem.

It is now possible to reproduce most of the reactions involved in DNA replication using prokaryotic enzymes in vitro. Such systems have revealed that DNA replication is a complex process depending on a relatively large number of proteins, and that nucleoside triphosphate hydrolysis energy is used at several discrete steps. Much of the complexity of DNA replication may arise from the need for extreme copying fidelity.     

Reciprocal interactions of the intestinal microbiota and immune system

The emergence of the adaptive immune system in vertebrates set the stage for evolution of an advanced symbiotic relationship with the intestinal microbiota. The defining features of specificity and memory that characterize adaptive immunity have afforded vertebrates the mechanisms for efficiently tailoring immune responses to diverse types of microbes, whether to promote mutualism or host defence. These same attributes can put the host at risk of immune-mediated diseases that are increasingly linked to the intestinal microbiota. Understanding how the adaptive immune system copes with the remarkable number and diversity of microbes that colonize the digestive tract, and how the system integrates with more primitive innate immune mechanisms to maintain immune homeostasis, holds considerable promise for new approaches to modulate immune networks to treat and prevent disease.     

CD95's deadly mission in the immune system

Apoptosis in the immune system is a fundamental process regulating lymphocyte maturation, receptor repertoire selection and homeostasis. Thus, death by apoptosis is as essential for the function of lymphocytes as growth and differentiation. This article focuses on death receptor-associated apoptosis and the role of CD95 (Apo-1/Fas)-mediated signalling in T-cell and B-cell development and during the course of an immune response. Gaining an insight into these processes improves our understanding of the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and AIDS, and opens new approaches to rational treatment strategies.     

Human nutrition, the gut microbiome and the immune system

Marked changes in socio-economic status, cultural traditions, population growth and agriculture are affecting diets worldwide. Understanding how our diet and nutritional status influence the composition and dynamic operations of our gut microbial communities, and the innate and adaptive arms of our immune system, represents an area of scientific need, opportunity and challenge. The insights gleaned should help to address several pressing global health problems.     

几种类固醇激素对真骨鱼免疫功能的影响

从神经内分泌免疫网络的角度阐述了皮质激素、雄激素、雌激素等几种类固醇激素对真骨鱼类免疫组织细胞及抗体产生的抑制作用和促进作用，从受体水平探讨了作用的机制，为鱼类神经内分泌免疫网络研究提供了较为丰富的资料和有益的思考。     

几种类固醇激素对真骨鱼免疫功能的影响

从神经内分泌免疫网络的角度阐述了皮质激素、雄激素、雌激素等几种类固醇激素对真骨鱼类免疫组织细胞及抗体产生的抑制作用和促进作用,从受体水平探讨了作用的机制.为鱼类神经内分泌免疫网络研究提供了较为丰富的资料和有益的思考     

计算机免疫系统中沙盒主机的构建

为提高系统的安全性,介绍了一种仿生物免疫系统设计的计算机系统安全模型GECISM(general computer immune system model),该模型由不同的代理构成,各代理模拟相应免疫细胞的功能,在此基础上提出了沙盒主机代理的构建方案.     

ATM缓存控制的研究

基于异步传输方法中的一种缓存控制算法－虚时钟算法的几种缓存控制实现方法的比较，提出了宽带综合业务局域网中的虚时钟算法，设计并实现了一种易实现的ＢＩＳＬＮ缓存控制方法，进行了理论上的分析与研究。