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.     

Regulation of a protein synthesis initiation factor by adenovirus virus-associated RNA

A small RNA accumulating late in adenovirus infection is required for efficient protein synthesis, although not specifically for the translation of viral proteins. This RNA maintains the activity of an initiation factor catalysing the earliest step of polypeptide chain initiation.     

Internal initiation of translation of eukaryotic mRNA directed by a sequence derived from poliovirus RNA

Poliovirus RNA is naturally uncapped, therefore its translation must proceed via a cap-independent mechanism. Translation initiation on poliovirus RNA occurs by binding of ribosomes to an internal sequence within the 5' noncoding region. This novel mechanism of initiation may explain the disparate translation of several other eukaryotic messenger RNAs.     

肠道益生菌体外发酵山药低聚糖产短链脂肪酸的研究

短链脂肪酸具有促进肠道及人体健康的有益功能,采用体外模拟肠道内环境的方法,分析嗜酸乳杆菌、嗜热链球菌、保加利亚乳杆菌和植物乳杆菌、青春双歧杆菌、动物双歧杆菌等肠道益生菌发酵山药低聚糖产生短链脂肪酸的种类和含量。结果发现:山药低聚糖在模拟结肠环境中被乳酸菌作为碳源利用,产生对人体健康有积极作用的乳酸、乙酸及丙酸等短链脂肪酸,且产生短链脂肪酸的浓度与菌种及发酵时间相关。在48h发酵过程中,乳酸在植物乳杆菌48h发酵液中含量最高,达(13.800±0.243)mg/mL;乙酸在动物双歧杆菌48h发酵液中含量最高,达(1.850±0.003)mg/mL;丙酸则在动物双歧杆菌8h发酵液中含量最高,为(0.082±0.001)mg/mL。研究结果提示,可通过改善膳食结构调节肠道益生菌产生短链脂肪酸,维持肠道与人体健康。