ATM controls meiotic double-strand-break formation

In many organisms, developmentally programmed double-strand breaks (DSBs) formed by the SPO11 transesterase initiate meiotic recombination, which promotes pairing and segregation of homologous chromosomes. Because every chromosome must receive a minimum number of DSBs, attention has focused on factors that support DSB formation. However, improperly repaired DSBs can cause meiotic arrest or mutation; thus, having too many DSBs is probably as deleterious as having too few. Only a small fraction of SPO11 protein ever makes a DSB in yeast or mouse and SPO11 and its accessory factors remain abundant long after most DSB formation ceases, implying the existence of mechanisms that restrain SPO11 activity to limit DSB numbers. Here we report that the number of meiotic DSBs in mouse is controlled by ATM, a kinase activated by DNA damage to trigger checkpoint signalling and promote DSB repair. Levels of SPO11-oligonucleotide complexes, by-products of meiotic DSB formation, are elevated at least tenfold in spermatocytes lacking ATM. Moreover, Atm mutation renders SPO11-oligonucleotide levels sensitive to genetic manipulations that modulate SPO11 protein levels. We propose that ATM restrains SPO11 via a negative feedback loop in which kinase activation by DSBs suppresses further DSB formation. Our findings explain previously puzzling phenotypes of Atm-null mice and provide a molecular basis for the gonadal dysgenesis observed in ataxia telangiectasia, the human syndrome caused by ATM deficiency.     

产甘油重组大肠杆菌的构建及其耐高渗透压性能的测定

克隆了酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 中的3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶和3-磷酸甘油酯酶基因,通过融合PCR构建了双基因共表达载体,将酵母细胞内应答渗透压变化的甘油合成途径引入大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）。以葡萄糖为底物对重组大肠杆菌进行摇瓶发酵培养,该重组菌的甘油产量为1g/L。渗透压胁迫测试证明该重组菌的耐渗透压性能较出发菌株有明显提高。     

TM-Zn金属间化合物结构稳定性的第一性原理研究

基于能带结构,提出Jahn-Teller效应的诱发条件.基于声子色散曲线,揭示晶格动态稳定性和简并振动模式产生劈裂的物理特征.基于电子局域化函数和束缚能,揭示原子成键特性.结果表明,TM-Zn(TM=Ni,Pd,Pt,Cu,Ag,Au)金属间化合物发生立方到四方的相变变形过程中,结构保持稳定.     

试论汉语语素的类型及其相关概念

科学研究离不开分类 ,本文通过对汉语中最基本的语法单位语素的分类研究 ,不仅准确地定义了汉语虚词 ,而且理清了汉语语法研究中长期混淆不清的两个概念———汉语虚语与附加成分的界限     

Ants from northern Arizona and southern Utah

Ants of 22 species were collected in can pit-traps from 16 different vegetative associations to determine distribution, seasonal and annual occurrence, and population as bases for monitoring environmental impact. Thirteen species were sufficiently abundant and distributed to qualify as indicator species. Myrmecocystus mexicanus was the most widespread ecologically. Pogonomyrmex occidentalis was the most abundant species, but second in ecological distribution. The greatest number of species was found in the juniper- Ephedra -grass association, and the fewest species in Ephredra-Coleogyne-Grayia.        

Inhibition of liver fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase activity by Zn2+: reversal by imidazole pyruvate.

Imidazole pyruvate was found to be a very potent natural chelating agent in reversing the inhibition of liver fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase activity by Zn2+. This metabolite may play a physiological role in gluconeogenesis.