A modified RNA polymerase transcribes a cloned gene under sporulation control in Bacillus subtilis.

A modified form of RNA polymerase from Bacillus subtilis selectively transcribes a cloned gene under early sporulation control. This RNA polymerase lacks sigma factor but contains a newly identified subunit of molecular weight 37,000, termed P37. P37 could be a regulatory protein that controls, at least in part, an early stage of spore development.     

甜菊花粉发育的超微结构及细胞化学

以电镜观察甜菊花粉及发育的结果表明:小孢子母细胞时期,出现胞质融合以及线粒体和质体数量减少、结构简化的胞质重组现象。四分孢子的显著特征是细胞核和高尔基体呈活跃状态。花粉双核期,营养细胞内出现大量的淀粉粒和脂质体,细胞器丰富,核孔多,而生殖细胞胞质稀薄核孔较少见。本文中探讨了这二类细胞的功能。双核期花粉内淀粉粒和蛋白质开始大量积累。三核期花粉成熟时,蛋白质积累达高峰,淀粉粒转化为较小分子的糖类物质以供花粉萌发生长。     

日本沼虾胚胎发育时期消化酶活力和氨基酸含量

采用生物化学方法测定了日本沼虾胚胎发育过程中四种消化酶的比活力和氨基酸的含量.结果显示：卵内可溶性蛋白的含量随着胚胎的发育逐渐下降,但在原肠期的可溶性蛋白含量略高于囊胚期.四种消化酶中类胰蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶和淀粉酶活力在胚胎发育早期和后期较高,中期较低.纤维素酶活力较低且在胚胎发育过程中变化规律不明显.总氨基酸含量在胚胎发育早期下降较快,胚胎发育至后无节幼体期氨基酸含量下降幅度变缓.必需氨基酸中亮氨酸的含量高,非必需氨基酸中谷氨酸的含量最高.单个必需氨基酸含量与必需氨基酸总量的比值（A/E）在整个胚胎发育过程中的变化基本趋于一致.     

香荚兰脱分化过程中大分子物质含量的变化

就香荚兰组织培养过程中外植体脱分化的核酸、蛋白质及淀粉含量的动态变化作了比较分析。研究发现,脱分化过程中DNA含量呈相对下降,RNA含量上升,总核酸含量呈上升趋势,蛋白质呈缓慢上升趋势;淀粉则呈现一个积累、消耗和再积累的过程。     

Accumulation of a heat shock-like protein during differentiation of human erythroid cell line K562

The human erythroid cell line K562 provides a model system for studying erythroid differentiation and eukaryotic gene regulation. These cells express glycophorin A, spectrin and i antigen. They accumulate embryonic and fetal haemoglobins on induction of erythroid differentiation with haemin, sodium butyrate or hydroxyurea. In the present study, the protein composition of K562 cells during haemin-mediated induction of erythroid maturation was analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Under conditions in which haemin did not effect cell viability and proliferation, a protein of approximately 70,000 molecular weight (MW) accumulated in the differentiated K562 cells. The accumulation appears to be due to an increase in the rate of RNA synthesis for this protein. The protein is related in sequence to a 70,000-MW heat shock protein. An antigenically related protein was also demonstrated in human bone marrow and accumulates at particular stages of human erythroid maturation.     

Isolation of a vernalization-related cDNA clone (VRC) using mRNA differential display in winter wheat

Vernalization is an essential factor which affects the flowering development in cold-requiring plants. There is a key stage of nucleic acid and protein metabolism in the process of vernalization in winter wheat. To probe into the molecular determinants of vernalization, we examined mRNA populations in differently-treated plumules of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Yanda 1817) using mRNA differential display. One vernalizationrelated cDNA clone (VRC), VRC54, was identified and was only expressed at the key stage of 20 d vernalization, rather than at other stages of nonvernalization, 4 d vernalization and devernalization. Northern blot and sequence analysis indicated that VRC54 was a novel vernalization-related clone found in higher plant which not only might play an important role in the floral induction in vernalization-requiring plants but also was different from the cold-acclimatized genes.     

Initiation of translation is impaired in E. coli cells deficient in 4.5S RNA

The 4.5S RNA of Escherichia coli is a small, stable RNA that is essential for cell growth but its function is not yet known. Its biosynthesis is stringently controlled, and it is processed by RNase P, a transfer RNA processing enzyme. To identify the biological role of the 4.5S species, we have characterized the physiological changes that occur when the bacterial cell is depleted of this RNA. We used a strain of E. coli in which synthesis of the 4.5S RNA can be turned off by removing an inducer of the Iac operon, resulting in cell death. We report here that an early consequence of depriving the cell of 4.5S RNA is the accumulation of translationally-defective ribosomes, which maintain their ability to elongate polypeptide chains, but can no longer participate in the initiation of protein synthesis.     

Phosphorylation of elongation factor 2 by EF-2 kinase affects rate of translation

A new Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase has been recently discovered in mammalian cells. The major substrate of this kinase, a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately equal to 100,000 (100K), has been identified as elongation factor 2 (EF-2), which participates in protein synthesis. The in vivo activity of the EF-2 kinase depends upon growth factors and other agents affecting the level of Ca2+ and cAMP. Its effect on EF-2 activity, however, remained obscure. This work shows that the phosphorylation of EF-2 by the EF-2 kinase results in a drastic inhibition of polyphenylalanine synthesis in poly(U)-directed translation. Phosphorylated EF-2 is completely inactive in translation and, moreover, inhibits the activity of non-phosphorylated EF-2. Dephosphorylation of EF-2 by phosphatase restores its activity. Hence, the phosphorylation of EF-2 directly affects the elongation stage of translation and thus represents a novel mechanism of translational control.     

冠突伪尾柱虫接合生殖DNA,RNA和蛋白质的合成

利用放射自显影术对冠突伪尾柱虫接合生殖期间其体内大分子合成进行研究，结果表明，接合体内除第二次成熟分裂外，其它各次核分裂之前都须进行一次ＤＮＡ合成．在大核原基发育过程中，其ＤＮＡ合成明显分为前后两个阶段．在接合体的老大核内持续进行低度的ＲＮＡ合成，并于接合后体分离时突然终止．４ｄ以后，数枚新的大核才出现活跃的转录．第二次皮膜改组启动之前，细胞内的蛋白质合成速率较低，其后显著增强．早期合成的ＲＮＡ以及蛋白质都参与了大核原基的发育．     

橘青霉侵染对杨梅果实酚类物质代谢作用的影响

以采前套袋控制病原菌潜伏侵染的杨梅果实为材料,采后接种橘青霉病菌,旨在研究橘青霉侵染对杨梅果实酚类物质含量及相关氧化酶活性变化的影响。结果表明:橘青霉侵染初期,杨梅果实细胞多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性呈上升趋势,酚类物质快速合成以提高自身的抗病能力。而同时期苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性并没有相应增加,反而下降较快,致使木质素合成受阻,说明橘青霉侵染虽然诱导杨梅果实产生一定的抗病性,但这种抗病能力有限。贮藏中后期,虽然POD活性略有下降,PPO活性保持平稳,但二者始终处于较高水平,从而导致前期积累的酚类物质被大量降解,加上前期木质素合成受阻的影响,橘青霉更容易穿透杨梅果实细胞壁,进入细胞组织内繁殖生长,最终导致果实腐败。     

Antibodies to gap-junctional protein selectively disrupt junctional communication in the early amphibian embryo

Antibodies to the major protein of rat liver gap junctions, molecular weight 27,000 (27K), have been microinjected into one identified cell of 8-cell stage Xenopus embryos. This treatment selectively disrupts both dye transfer and electrical coupling between the progeny cells. These results provide evidence that the 27K protein is an integral component of the cell-to-cell junctional channel. The disruption of junctional communication at early stages results in specific developmental defects, suggesting that blocking intercellular communication can have a pronounced influence on embryonic development.     

Inhibition of mRNA binding to ribosomes by localized activation of dsRNA-dependent protein kinase

The initiation of protein synthesis can be regulated in mammalian cells by protein kinases which phosphorylate the alpha subunit of initiation factor eIF-2. This phosphorylation results in a block in the recycling of eIF-2 and in the inhibition of messenger RNA binding to 80S initiation complexes. After eIF-2 alpha is phosphorylated, the mRNA becomes associated with 48S complexes consisting of a 40S ribosomal subunit, eIF-2 (alpha P), GDP and Met-tRNAf. One of the eIF-2 alpha kinases is activated by low concentrations of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This kinase (PKds) is present at a basal level in all mammalian cells investigated and its synthesis is induced in cells treated with interferon. The PKds may be involved in the inhibition of translation of viral mRNA in interferon-treated cells infected with RNA viruses, as it is activated by viral replicative complexes. It is not known, however, if the activated PKds preferentially inhibits the translation of viral mRNA when cellular protein synthesis proceeds at a normal rate in infected cells. We now report that mRNA covalently linked to dsRNA is preferentially inhibited from binding to 80S complexes by a localized activation of PKds. This suggests that in interferon-treated cells the binding of some nascent viral mRNAs to functional initiation complexes may be preferentially inhibited by a similar mechanism.     

不同水分生境下铅胁迫对芦苇地下芽及其输出子株能力的影响

为明确铅胁迫对不同水分生境条件下芦苇的不同克隆繁殖构件数量和繁殖能力的影响,从芽库和子株角度,采用盆栽实验模拟芦苇的水层和干旱生境,设置五个梯度的铅胁迫浓度处理(0、500、1500、3000和4500mg·kg~(-1))进行了研究.结果表明:分蘖节芽数在水层生境中,处理前期随着铅胁迫浓度的增加而显著减少,而在处理中期和后期却均显著增加,在干旱生境中处理前、中、后期铅胁迫对分蘖节芽数无显著影响.根茎节芽、根茎顶芽和总芽数无论是在水层生境还是在干旱生境,均随着铅胁迫浓度的增加而显著减少.分蘖节子株数在水层生境中,处理前期随着铅胁迫浓度的增加而显著减少,而在处理中期和后期却无显著变化,在干旱生境中随着铅胁迫浓度的增加而显著减少.根茎节子株不存在,根茎顶子株无论是在水层生境还是在干旱生境,均随着铅胁迫浓度的增加而显著减少.总子株数在水层生境中处理中期显著减少,处理后期无显著变化,在干旱生境中处理中期和后期均显著减少,并且总芽数+总子株数在胁迫前期和中期随铅胁迫浓度的增加显著减少.说明不同类型芽具有不同的抵御铅胁迫的策略,分蘖节芽采取了耐性策略而不受影响甚至增加,其他类型的芽采取了逃避策略数量减少;水生生境的芦苇具有逐步适应铅胁迫的能力,并出现了补偿生长效应,而干旱生境进一步加剧了铅胁迫的作用,铅胁迫和干旱具有协同效应.     

原核生物中心法则形成过程的逻辑分析

对生命早期原核细胞内遗传信息传递法则的形成过程进行推演是一项值得探索的工作. 基于地球诞生初期所可能存在的理化条件及演化,提出了生物小分子产生的化学必然性以及籍此促使生物大分子产生并呈现生命端倪的逻辑必然性. 在提出不同原始反应之间维持相对平衡观点的基础上,分析了产生结构相对稳定、对体系危害程度小的生物大分子以及大分子聚集体的成因及重要意义,阐释了囊泡（类细胞结构）的形成机制与意义;基于模板反应,提出了“软模板”（即mRNA）与“硬合成装置”（即核糖体）进行蛋白质合成时的相互筛选（即柔-刚对接模型）以及多种RNA参与蛋白质生物合成的成因,籍此提出了囊泡内因长期演化所导致的“弱遗传关系”的模型. 同时,也从逻辑学的视角分析了DNA与RNA形成先后的问题、蛋白质与核酸形成先后问题、病毒进化与细胞进化之关系等关乎生命起源与进化的重要科学问题. 最后,对生命起源的逻辑、生命现象的重新定义等问题进行了讨论.      

Suppressor of RNA silencing encoded by Rice gall dwarf virus genome segment 11

Rice gall dwarf virus （RGDV） is an important rice pathogen in China and Southeast Asia. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of RGDV interactions with plant cells. Here, we have identified an RGDV protein, Pns11, which acts as a suppressor of RNA silencing in coinfiltration assays with the reporter, green fluorescent protein （GFP）in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana line 16c carrying GFP. Pns11 suppressed local and systemic silencing induced by sense RNA. The spread of mobile RNA silencing signals was blocked or inactivated by Pns11. Expression of Pns11 also enhanced Potato virus X pathogenicity in IV. benthamiana. This suppressor could reduce, but not eliminate, siRNA in the local and systemic RNA silencing suppression assays, suggesting that Pns11 functions by interfering with initial stages of RNA silencing.     

日本沼虾表皮几丁质结合蛋白基因的克隆以及KK-42对其表达的影响

为探讨KK-42缩短日本沼虾蜕皮周期的可能机制,首次从日本沼虾步足表皮组织克隆了编码几丁质结合蛋白的一个新基因——MnCBP-1部分cDNA序列,对其序列进行生物信息学分析,qRT-PCR技术检测MnCBP-1基因的表达水平以及KK-42的影响.结果表明,MnCBP-1基因部分cDNA序列为1396bp,含有特征性的几丁质结合结构域(chitin-bind-4),经BLAST比对,MnCBP-1与蚤状溞相似性为44%.qRT-PCR结果显示,步足表皮组织内MnCBP-1基因表达量随着蜕皮前期(D0-2)的开始逐渐增多.KK-42处理后,蜕皮间期(C)幼虾内MnCBP-1基因表达水平分别在6、12、24和48h比对照组显著升高,而在D0-2期和D3-4期MnCBP-1基因转录物仅在个别时间点有所增多.研究表明,MnCBP-1基因表达与蜕皮周期有关,KK-42处理可显著诱导MnCBP-1基因表达,且表达的高峰提前至C期,这可能是KK-42缩短蜕皮周期的机制之一.     

豆豉低盐固态发酵过程中部分成分的转化初探

本实验以永川豆豉为阳性对照,对自制豆豉发酵过程中蛋白质、氨基酸、还原糖及亚硝酸盐等主要成分的含量和pH值的变化进行检测,并初步探讨其变化规律。实验结果:在豆豉发酵过程中,蛋白质呈下降趋势;在前发酵过程中,蛋白质最终达10.682%;在后发酵过程中,最终达4.429%。氨基酸含量不断增加,最终达1.233 g/100 g。还原糖含量不断下降,最终达5.286g/100 g。亚硝酸盐含量呈上升趋势,达到1.55μg/g。pH值前期保持不变,后期下降,最终达3.80。     

Effect of La^3＋ on osteoblastic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells

Lanthanides are increasingly used in industry and agriculture in recent years. These applications increase the accumulation of lanthanides in the human body, especially in bone[1]. Thus, people paid extensive atten-tion to the effect of lanthanides on bon…