Characterization of a PDR type ABC transporter gene from wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）

DON, as a virulence factor, plays an important role in the infection of Fusarium graminearum in wheat. The infection ability of F. graminearum depends on its capacity of producing DON. The production of DON by F. graminearum is significantly decreased in the wheat varieties with scab resistance. In this study, GeneChip analysis indicated that an EST encoding an ATP-binding cassette （ABC） transporter was up-regulated by 45 times in a wheat landrace Wangshuibai, which is resistant to DON accumulation. A pair of EST-derived primers were designed based on the EST sequence, and a clone was then isolated from a wheat genomic DNA TAC library. The TAC clone was sequenced using chromosome walking and gene prediction was conducted using Softberry. A cDNA clone of this gene was subsequently isolated from Wangshuibai induced by DON using gene-specific primers designed according to the untranslated sequence of the gene. The genome size of the gene is 7377 bp, consisting of 19 exons with coding sequences of 4308 bp. It encodes a protein with 1435 amino acid residues and the calculated molecular weight is about 161 kD. BLAST analysis indicated that the gene may belong to pleiotropic drug resistance （PDR） sub-family, and hence designated as TaPDR1 （Triticum aestivum pleiotropic drug resistance）. TaPDR1 was located on chromosome 5A of wheat using nullisomic-tetrasomic lines of Chinese Spring. TaPDR1 was up-regulated by induction of both DON and F. graminearum. Expression patterns of TaPDR1 were different in wild-type Wangshuibai and the fast-neutron induced Wangshuibai mutant lacking FHB1, a major QTL of FHB resistance and DON resistance in chromosome arm 3BS. These results suggested that TaPDR1 might be a candidate gene responsible for DON accumulation resistance. The expression profile showed that TaPDR1 expression was neither induced by hormones typically involved in biotic stress, such as JA and SA, nor by abiotic stresses, such as heat, cold, wounding and NaCI. However, TaPDR1 expression was regulated by Al^3＋ and [Ca^2＋], indicating that [Ca^2＋]1 might mediate the signal of TaPDR1 expression.     

A homolog of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Riemerella anatipestifer is an extracellular protein and exhibits biological activity

Riemerella anatipestifer is the causative agent of septicemia anserum exsudativa in ducks. Its pathogenesis and virulence factors are still unclear. The glycelytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH）, an anchorless and multifunctional protein on the surface of several pathogenic microorganisms, is involved in virulence and adhesion. Whether homologs of GAPDH exist, and display similar characteristics in R. anatipestifer （RaGAPDH） has not been determined. In our research, the RaGAPDH activity from various R. anatipestifer isolates was confirmed. Twenty-two gapdh genes from genornic DNA of R. anatipestifer isolates were cloned and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The distribution of RaGAPDH in R. anatipestifer CZ2 strain was confirmed by antisera to recombinant RaGAPDH. The ability of purified RaGAPDH to bind host proteins was analyzed by solid-phase ligandbinding assay. Results revealed that all R. anatipestifer isolates showed different levels of GAPDH activity except four strains, which contained a gapdh-like gene. The gapdh of R. anatipestifer, which is located phylogenetically in the same branch as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coil （EHEC）, belonged to class I GAPDH, and encoded a 36.7-kDa protein. All RaGAPDH-encoding gene sequences from field isolates of R. anatipestiferdisplayed 100% homology. The RaGAPDH localized on the extracellular membrane of several R. anatipestifer strains. Further, it was released into the culture medium, and exhibited GAPDH enzyme activity. We also confirmed the binding of RaGAPDH to plasminogen and fibrinogen. These results demonstrated that GAPDH was present in R. anatipestifer, although not in all strains, and that RaGAPDH might contribute to the microorganism＇s virulence.     

Human cytomegalovirus induces alteration of β-actin mRNA and microfilaments in human embryo fibroblast cells

Objective: To investigate the infection of human embryo fibroblast cell line HF cells by CMV as well as the effects of CMV on β-actin mRNA and microfilaments. Methods: HF cells shape was observed after the infection of CMV.RT-PCR assay was used to detect the mRNA expression of CMV immediate early (IE) gene, β-actin and GAPDH genes of HF cells infected by CMV. CMV particles and cell microfilaments were detected with electron microscope. Results: Shape of HF cell changed after the infection by CMV. HF cells infected by CMV could express IE mRNA and the expression of β-actin mRNA decreased in a time-and titer-dependent manner compared with the uninfected HF cells whose expression of GAPDH mRNA did not change much. CMV particles were found with electron microscope in the cells. Microfilaments were ruptured and shortened after the infection of CMV. Conclusion: CMV can not only infect human embryo fibroblast cells line HF cells and replicate in the cells, but can also affect the expression of β-actin mRNA and the microfilaments.     

A BAC clone of MDV strain GX0101 with REV-LTR integration retained its pathogenicity

The complete genome of Marek＇s disease virus （MDV） strain GX0101, which was integrated with the LTR sequences of REV, was cloned in Escherichia coli as a bacterial artificial chromosome （BAC）. BAC vector sequences were introduced into the US2 locus of the MDV genome by homologous recombination. The viral DNA containing the BAC vector was used to transform Escherichia coli strain of DH10B. Then the recombinant virus was successfully rescued by transfection of the recombinant BAC DNA into primary chicken embryo fibroblast （CEF）. This BAC viral clone was named bac-GX0101. When the reconstituted virus was inoculated into 1-day-old birds, visceral tumors could be detected as early as 62 d post infection. There was no difference in growth ability and pathogenicity to birds between the BAC derived virus and its parental virus. The BAC derived virus maintained its oncogenicity and immunosuppressive effects. In conclusion, the complete genome of GX0101 strain was successfully cloned into BAC and the infectious clone was rescued. With the powerful BAC manipulation system, the infectious clone will provide a useful tool for further understanding the functional roles of the inserted REV-LTR sequence in the GX0101 strain of MDV,     

Genetic relationships among Chinese and American isolates of Phytophthora sojae assessed by RAPD markers

The genetic diversity of three geographic populations of Phytophthora sojae from China and the United States was determined using random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD）. The purpose was to explore genetic relationships among Chinese and American isolates of the organism. 21 random primers were selected among 200 random primers screened. A total of 223 reproducible RAPD fragments were scored among 111 individuals, of which 199 （89.23%） were polymorphic. Analysis of genetic variation showed that there existed higher genetic variation in the United States population in comparison to the Chinese populations. Nei＇s genetic identity and principal component analysis indicated that the populations of Fujian and United States are closer to each other than to Heilongjiang populations. Shannon-Wiener diversity index revealed that the United States populations have a higher genetic di- versity than that of Chinese populations. These data are in support of the hypothesis that P. sojae in the United States might not have been introduced from China.     

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.     

Magnetic fabric of early Quaternary loess-paleosols of Longdan Profile in Gansu Province and the reconstruction of the paleowind directions

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility （AMS） is a rapid and precise tool for determining paleowind directions. During the past several decades, AMS has been used for determining paleowind directions of Chinese loess. The AMS for a Ioess-paleosol profile in early Quaternary at Longdan in the Linxia Basin, Gansu Province, northeastern fringe of Qinghai-Xizang （Tibetan） Plateau has been obtained. The primary results show that the AMS of the Longdan profile has its typical normal eolian dust deposit. The AMS is mainly controlled by magnetic foliation （F） and the shape parameter of the AMS ellipsoid is oblate. The declination of maximum susceptibility （K1） was used to determine the paleowind direction of that area in early Quaternary and it was found that the paleowind direction is biased towards NW-SE.     

Difference in apoptosis-associated genes expression profiling and immunohistology analysis between Kashin-Beck disease and primary osteoarthritis

Kashin-Beck disease(KBD)is a chronic and deformed endemic osteoarthritis,without fully known etiology.As compared to primary osteoarthritis(POA),its pathogenesis still exists controversial.We performed this study to discriminate the difference in genes expression involved in apoptosis from KBD cartilages and POA cartilages.Microarray analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis(IPA)were used to identify the molecular mechanisms/canonical pathways implicated in KBD arthritis.Immunohistochemistry staining was carried out to detect tissue distribution of PDCD5 and EGR1 in the knee cartilages from KBD and POA.The 23 up-regulated apoptosis-related genes with[2-fold change were identified.‘‘Role of Macrophages,Fibroblasts,and Endothelial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis’’signaling was screened as the most relevant pathway through IPA.The 8 differentially regulated genes were verified by qRT-PCR analysis.Programmed cell death 5 in middle and deeper zones and early growth response 1 in superficial and middle zones showed protein overexpressed in KBD cartilage samples comparing to those in POA cartilage samples.Data indicates a higher expression level of apoptosis-related functional genes in KBD articular cartilage compared with POA articular cartilage.     

Green fluorescent protein （GFP） as a vital marker for studying the interaction of Phytophthora sojae and soybean

Transgenic Phytophthora sojae strains that produce green fluorescent protein （GFP） were obtained after stable DNA integration using the Hsp70 promoter and the Ham34 terminator of Bremia lactucae. The expression of GFP during different developmental stages of P. sojae was observed using fluorescent microscopy. Based on this reporter system, the histopathologic events caused by the pathogen in soybean leaves, hypocotyls and roots were monitored. Meanwhile, the difference in resistance between different soybean cultivars against P. sojae was analyzed microscopically in roots. The results indicate that GFP can be stably expressed in zoosporangia, zoospores, cysts, hyphae and oospores of P. sojae. Using the GFP marker, the infecting pathogens in leaves, hypocotyls and roots of host could be distinctly visualized. The germ tube length of cysts germinating on the roots of resistant cultivar Nannong 8848 was longer than that on the roots of susceptible cultivar Hefeng 35. These results show for the first time that this eukaryotic reporter can be used in P. sojae as a stable and vital marker, allowing the study of genetics of this hemibiotrophic pathogen.     

Constitutive activation of AtMEK5, a MAPK kinase, induces salicylic acidindependent cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana

In most circumstances, plants are able to defendthemselves against pathogen attack. The mechanisms ofplants resisting the invasion of pathogens often includeinduction of hypersensitive response (HR) cell death, theactivation of defense genes and the production of antim-icrobial phytoalexins[1—3]. Plant defense responses are ini-tiated either by the interaction between a plant resistance(R) gene and a pathogen avirulence (avr) gene or by thebinding of a non-race-specific elicitor to its recep…     

Low concentrations of NaHSO3 enhance NAD(P)H dehydrogenase-dependent cyclic photophosphorylation and alleviate the oxidative damage to improve photosynthesis in tobacco

Bisulfite at low concentrations(L-NaHSO3) increases cyclic electron transport around photosystem I(PSI) and photosynthesis.However,little is known regarding the detailed contribution of cyclic electron transport to the promoted photosynthesis by L-NaHSO3.In the present work,we used tobacco mutant defective in ndhC-ndhK-ndhJ(ndhCKJ) to investigate the role of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase(NDH)-dependent cyclic electron transport around PSI in an increase in photosynthesis by L-NaHSO3.After the treatment of tobacco leaves with L-NaHSO3(10 μmol L-1),the NDH-dependent cyclic electron transport,monitored by a transient post-illumination increase in Chl fluorescence and the amount of NDH,was notably up-regulated in wild type(WT).The NDH-dependent cyclic electron transport was severely impaired in ndhCKJ and was not significantly affected by treatment with L-NaHSO3.Accordingly,the NDH-dependent transthylakoid membrane proton gradient(pH),as reflected by the slow phase of millisecond-delayed light emission(ms-DLE),was increased by L-NaHSO3 in WT,but not in ndhCKJ;the enhancement of cyclic photophosphorylation(PSP) activity by L-NaHSO3 was more obvious in WT than ndhCKJ.The accumulation of both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide was reduced in WT when subjected to L-NaHSO3 treatment,but not in ndhCKJ.Furthermore,the increase of photosynthetic O 2 evolution rate by L-NaHSO3 was more significant in WT than in ndhCKJ.We therefore conclude that L-NaHSO3 alleviates the photo-oxidative damage by the enhancement of NDH-dependent cyclic PSP,thereby improving photosynthesis.     

模拟失重效应下龙血素B在大鼠体内的药物动力学及排泄

比较正常重力与模拟失重效应下大鼠口服龙血素B的血浆药物动力学及排泄差异.大鼠吊尾21 d模拟失重效应,单次灌胃给予25 mg/kg龙血素B.于系列时间点收集静脉血,并分时间段收集尿液、粪便和胆汁,采用HPLC-MS方法测定各样本中龙血素B含量,并求算药物动力学参数和排泄量.模拟失重效应下龙血素B的血药浓度-时间曲线下面积（AUC_0-t）、血药峰浓度（C_max）、达峰时间（t_max）、表观分布容积（V_d）、消除速率常数（K_e）以及生物半衰期（T_1/2）与正常重力组相比均出现显著变化,说明模拟失重效应明显改变龙血素B在大鼠体内的药物动力学过程.尿液、粪便和胆汁中龙血素B的排泄量也在增加,但与正常重力相比不明显.      

Enhanced hydrosen production by insertional inactivation of adhE gene in Klebsiella oxytoca HP1

Ethanol is the main byproduct of anaerobic H2-producing fermentation in Klebsiella oxytoca HP1. Two moles of NAD（P）H are consumed to yield one mole of ethanol that may decrease bacterial hydrogen production. In this article the adhE gene that codes for acetaldehyde dehydrogenase was disrupted for the first time. A homologous recombination vector pTA-Str was constructed in which the adhE gene was disrupted by inserting an aminoglycoside-3＇-adenyltransferase （aadA） gene. As expected, the vector includes the insertion 5＇-adhE-aadA-adhE-3＇. The amplified DNA fragment 5＇-adhE-aadA-adhE-3＇ from pTA-Str was transformed into K. oxytoca HP1 and one recombinant was obtained. PCR analysis of the resulting genomic DNA indicated the appropriate deletion and insertion. Compared with the H2-production of wild type K. oxytoca HP1, the hydrogen yield of the mutant increased by 16.07% and ethanol concentration decreased by 77.47%, suggesting that inactivation of the adhE gene in K. oxytoca HP1 is a potential method for enhancing bacterial H2-production.     

Comparative analysis of A, B, C and D genomes in the genus Oryza with Cot-1 DNA of C genome

Fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） was applied to somatic chromosomes preparations of Oryza officinalis Wall. （CC）, O. sativa L. （AA）xO. officinalis F1 hybrid （AC）, backcross progenies BC1 （AAC and ACC）, O. latifolia Desv. （CCDD）, O. alta Swallen （CCDD） and O. punctata Kotschy （BBCC） with a labelled probe of Cot-1 DNA from O. officinalis. In O. officinalis, the homologous chromosomes showed similar signal bands probed by Cot-1 DNA and karyotype analysis was conducted based on the band patterns. Using no blocking DNA, the probe identified the chromosomes of C genome clearly, but detected few signals on chromosomes of A genome in the F1 hybrid and two backcross progenies of BC1. It is obvious that the highly and moderately repetitive DNA sequences were considerably different between C and A genomes. The chromosomes of C genome were also discriminated from the chromosomes of Dand B-genome in the tetraploid species O. latifolia, O. alta and O. punctata by Cot-1 DNA-FISH. Comparison of the fluorescence intensity on the chromosomes of B, C and D genomes in O. latifolia, O. alta, and O. punctata indicated that the differentiations between C and D genomes are less than that between C and B genomes. The relationship between C and D genomes in O. alta is closer than that of C and D genomes in O. latifolia. This would be one of the causes for the fact that both the genomes are of the same karyotype （CCDD） but belong to different species. The above results showed that the Cot-1 DNA had a high specificity of genome and species. In this paper, the origin of allotetraploid in genus Oryza is also discussed.     

An explanation to the high efficiency ofm-THPC (temporfin) used in photodynamic therapy

Meso-tetrahydroxylphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) is one of the most efficient prospective sensitizers used in photodynamic therapy (PDT). ESR spectroscopy, fluorescence quenching experiments and cyclic voltammogram measurement were used to study its redox properties. The results showed that the ability of m-THPC generating superoxide radical anions was very strong, and the rate constant of m-THPC fluorescence quenching by oxygen k_q (O₂)=1.46×10¹⁰ mol^-1·s^-1. The values of fluorescence quen- ching rate constant of m-THPC by some other electron acceptors, such as methyl viologen (MV²⁺) and anthraquinone (An), were also measured. And they were k_q (MV²⁺)=5.51×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1, k_q (An)=7.81×10⁹ mol^-1·s^-1. The oxidation potential of m-THPC was examined to be +0.62 V (vs. NHE) in acetonitrile. All these suggested that m-THPC should be a much stronger electron donor than photofrin, the currently used in clinical photodrug, and may react easily through electron transfer with biological matter to yield various radicals. So it seemed reasonable that the type Ⅰ reaction may play an important role in the high activity of m-THPC-PDT.     

Bottom Factors Applied to the Zoning Study of the Risk Levels of Landslides in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Without taking inducing factors into consideration, this paper adopts a quantitative analysis of the bottom factors in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, studies the relationship between the bottom factors and the development of landslides, and then zones the area according to risk levels. The bottom factors adopted in this paper include lithological characters（U1 ）, gradient（U2 ）, slope form （U3）, difference of helght（U4 ）, and slope orientation（U5 ）. In 4 650 km^2 of the studied area, the areas of the very high, high, medium and low hazard degree area respectively were 57. 94 km^2 , 2 305.15 km^2, 1 241.6 km^2, 1 045.31 km^2. The methodological steps are （1） inversion statistic analysis, （2） the analysis of contribution ratio and weighing, （3） getting results via fuzzy evaluation of risk levels.