GFP绿色荧光法辅助筛选玉米转基因植株

利用GFP(Green Fluorescence Protein)绿色荧光蛋白基因作为辅助性筛选标记基因,基因枪法轰击玉米自交系A188和Qi319未成熟胚的胚性愈伤组织。瞬间表达实验结果表明,轰击后GFP表达可持续近20 d,轰击后10 d左右表达量仍保持在较高的水平。采用潮霉素筛选、GFP荧光法鉴定,获得一批玉米转基因植株,转化频率为0.33%~0.47%。分子鉴定和后代分析的结果表明,外源基因已经整合到了玉米基因组中,并能够稳定地表达和遗传。GFP作为辅助性筛选标记基因可以直观、快速和有效地消除玉米遗传转化工作中的假阳性现象。     

转酸性蛋白酶pepB基因玉米的分子鉴定与农艺性状分析

通过分子生物学技术把酸性蛋白酶pepB基因转入受体玉米自交系基因组中,培育转酸性蛋白酶pepB基因玉米新品系。以耐盐基因badh作为筛选标记性基因,经过抗性筛选,对T1、T2、T3代转基因植株进行PCR检测,得到14个T1代转基因阳性植株,32个T2代转基因阳性植株和27个T3代转基因阳性植株。Southern杂交结果表明,外源酸性蛋白酶基因已经整合进玉米基因组中。RT-PCR结果表明,酸性蛋白酶基因在受体玉米中获得表达,获得外源酸性蛋白酶pepB基因遗传表达的T3代转基因玉米株系。通过对T2、T3代转基因玉米各品系农艺性状的分析结果表明,转基因玉米各品系在株高、茎粗、穗长等农艺性状上与受体亲本没有差异,但生育期均有不同程度的缩短。     

利用RNAi方法构建MS26基因雄性不育植物表达载体及农杆菌介导玉米遗传转化研究

应用RNAi技术创制了花粉彻底败育的玉米雄性不育株系,为玉米杂交制种提供雄性不育的基础材料。构建玉米MS26 RNAi植物表达载体,其中,以玉米综31未成熟的幼胚组织为受体,利用农杆菌介导法将目的基因定向转入到玉米中,以甘露糖为选择剂进行筛选获得能够稳定遗传的转基因植株。通过Taqman探针法进行分子检测,获得18株单拷贝T0代转基因植株,碘-碘化钾染色分析结果显示,12株完全不育。在田间试验中,5个转化事件的所有T1代转基因植株在散粉期都表现雄性不育,且除此之外与野生型玉米对照植株之间没有其他形态不同。实时定量PCR结果显示,MS26 RNAi转基因玉米植株中MS26基因的表达量显著下调,由此可推断,MS26 RNAiT-DNA已经整合到玉米基因组中,并能引起完全的雄性不育。     

应用PCR-DHPLC技术高通量快速检测转基因玉米

利用多重PCR结合DHPLC技术首次建立转基因玉米高通量快速检测方法。根据公布的转基因玉米外源基因序列设计并合成适合多重PCR的引物序列,以转基因玉米为模板,通过优化多重PCR和DHPLC的反应条件,建立一套同时快速筛选检测玉米中多种转基因成分的7重PCR-DHPLC检测方法。该方法的检测灵敏度为0.195 ng/μL,质粒检测灵敏度为1×103拷贝/μL。     

美国转基因玉米的生产概况和发展趋势

美国是世界上最大的玉米生产国, 种植面积、总产和单产均居世界首位。转基因玉米自1996年引入生产以来,使玉米生产上了一个新台阶。当前推广利用的转基因玉米品种基本上是抗虫和抗除草剂两种类型。抗虫是由在玉米体内表达Bacillus Thuringiensis(Bt)毒素结晶蛋白(cry蛋白)基因所致,除草剂的抗性(Herbicide tolerance, HT)是由外源的或改良的EPSPS基因在玉米体内表达来实现。转基因玉米的种植面积每年都稳步上升,转基因玉米的也由单一的Bt或HT转变为多基因多性状的叠加,将抗玉米螟和抗Rootworm结合,使玉米的地上部和地下部都得到了有效的保护,再加之抗除草剂基因的叠加,使得转基因品种在生产上更具竞争力。转基因玉米的抗虫和抗除草剂等优良性状带来了巨大的经济和环境效益, 并被越来越多的大众所接受。转基因玉米在短短10年间的应用和发展,还不能回答转基因作物对人类和环境的长期影响等问题。因此,对转基因作物的管理和利用仍不能掉以轻心,不能因对生物技术的热情而对人类和环境造成无意的不可挽回的破坏。     

转基因玉米EPSPS蛋白适体的筛选与结构分析

通过体外合成长度为70个碱基的随机ssDNA文库,采用指数富集配基的系统进化(SELEX)技术,以转基因玉米EPSPS蛋白为靶目标进行16轮筛选,将筛选到的适体群进行克隆、测序,初步获得与转基因玉米EPSPS蛋白特异性结合的适体。并用Macaw2.05和DNAMAN软件对每个适体的保守序列和二级结构进行分析。结果表明:一级结构分析序列同源性可分为四大群,其中A群有11条序列含有67个保守碱基;二级结构分析结果表明,茎环状和口袋状等结构可能是适体与转基因玉米EPSPS蛋白结合的结构基础。利用SELEX技术获得与转基因玉米EPSPS蛋白特异结合的适体群,其一级和二级结构与亲和力密切相关。     

玉米耐热DNA聚合酶基因表达载体构建与花粉介导转化

实验构建热稳定性聚合酶的基因表达双元载体,利用花粉介导法将热稳定性DNA聚合酶基因导入玉米幼胚,获得耐热转基因玉米株系。用热稳定性DNA聚合酶基因构建表达载体;然后利用花粉介导法进行转化,花粉收集自仲恺自交系玉米甜1号和自交系糯2号,将花粉与构建好的基因表达载体混合,利用花粉介导法进行转化;将收集到的T1代种子用PCR凝胶电泳技术和Southern杂交技术进行检测,选出阳性的转化株;在T2代经过田间耐热压力试验结合测定的玉米生理指标,筛选出9个具有良好耐热性玉米株系。     

橡胶树花青素合成调控因子HbAn1的克隆及其功能分析

橡胶树转基因过程筛选效率低阻碍了转基因研究快速发展。花青素累积产生的紫红色肉眼直接可辨,是一种简单、安全的可视化筛选标记。为利用橡胶树花青素作为转基因筛选标记,本文首先以R2R3-MYB保守结构域(R2、R3)为探针调取橡胶树R2R3-MYB,并与拟南芥等其他物种花青素合成相关的R2R3-MYB进行进化分析,结果显示橡胶树scaffold0374_923317和Scaffold0598_393375与其他物种已功能验证的花青素合成调控R2R3-MYB聚到同一亚类。随后从古铜期叶片中克隆到scaffold0374_923317基因,并将其命名为HbAn1。序列分析表明,HbAn1蛋白具有R2R3-MYB蛋白的典型结构:R2R3结构域及b HLH互作结构域。定量表达分析表明HbAn1在古铜期叶片及暗培养茎秆中高水平表达,在其他时期叶片及光照培养茎秆中表达水平很低,与不同组织花青素含量正相关。最后,在烟草中组成型过表达HbAn1,使烟草叶片、花瓣、花托、花丝等组织大量累积花青素,定量分析表明其激活了这些组织后期花青素合成酶基因Nt DFR,Nt LDOX,Nt UFGT。本文首次获得橡胶树花青素累积相关的正调控因子R2R3-MYB(HbAn1),这为花青素作为橡胶树转基因可视化筛选标记提供了基因资源。     

玉米转基因研究与进展

从玉米转基因的受体选择、遗传转化方法和原理、标记基因的选择、表达载体构建和启动子的选择及玉米转基因研究、生产和应用前景等方面,阐述了玉米转基因研究的进展。     

转基因耐除草剂玉米C0010.2.2定性PCR检测方法的建立

转基因耐除草剂玉米C0010.2.2是北京大北农生物技术有限公司利用农杆菌介导法,将epsps基因和pat基因转到受体玉米DBN567获得的耐除草剂玉米转化体,具有耐除草剂草甘膦和草铵膦性状。研究建立转基因耐除草剂玉米C0010.2.2的检测方法,在外源基因插入位点的左、右边界分别设计引物,经过引物筛选、特异性测试、灵敏度测试、退火温度和引物浓度测试,建立转基因耐除草剂玉米C0010.2.2的定性PCR检测方法,该方法的检出限和灵敏度可达到0.1%。验证结果表明,该方法可以特异性检测到转化事件,具有很好的重复性和再现性。     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Redox Status and Neuro Inflammation Indexes in Cerebellum and Motor Cortex of Wistar Rats Supplemented with Natural Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Astaxanthin: Fish Oil,Krill Oil,and Algal Biomass

Health authorities worldwide have consistently recommended the regular consumption of marine fishes and seafood to preserve memory, sustain cognitive functions, and prevent neurodegenerative processes in humans. Shrimp, crabs, lobster, and salmon are of particular interest in the human diet due to their substantial provision of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3/PUFAs) and the antioxidant carotenoid astaxanthin (ASTA). However, the optimal ratio between these nutraceuticals in natural sources is apparently the key factor for maximum protection against most neuro-motor disorders. Therefore, we aimed here to investigate the effects of a long-term supplementation with (n-3)/PUFAs-rich fish oil, ASTA-rich algal biomass, the combination of them, or krill oil (a natural combination of both nutrients) on baseline redox balance and neuro-inflammation indexes in cerebellum and motor cortex of Wistar rats. Significant changes in redox metabolism were only observed upon ASTA supplementation, which reinforce its antioxidant properties with a putative mitochondrial-centered action in rat brain. Krill oil imposed mild astrocyte activation in motor cortex of Wistar rats, although no redox or inflammatory index was concomitantly altered. In summary, there is no experimental evidence that krill oil, fish oil, oralgal biomass (minor variation), drastically change the baseline oxidative conditions or the neuro-inflammatory scenario in neuromotor-associated rat brain regions.     

Potential of dry fractionation of wheat bran for the development of food ingredients,part II: Electrostatic separation of particles

Wheat bran is a composite material made of several layers, such as pericarp, testa and aleurone. It could be fractionated into purified fractions, which might either be used as food ingredients, or serve as a starting material for extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of using electrostatic separation as a way to obtain purified fractions from wheat bran. Ultrafine-ground bran obtained either by cryogenic grinding or by grinding at ambient temperature was used as starting material. The ultrafine bran was then charged by tribo-electrification and introduced in a chamber containing two high voltage electrodes, where bran particles were separated depending on their acquired charge, allowing positively and negatively charged fractions to be collected separately. The particle size distribution, microstructure and biochemical composition of the obtained fractions were studied. The charge of the particles was influenced by their biochemical composition: particles rich in highly branched and cross-linked arabinoxylans (pericarp) were separated from particles rich in β-glucan, ferulic acid and para-coumaric acid (aleurone cell walls). The testa and the intracellular compounds from aleurone were not highly charged, neither positively nor negatively. The most positively charged fraction represented 34% of the initial bran, and contained 62% of the ferulic acid present in the initial bran. The yield of the separation process was good (5.4% loss), and could be further increased.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pulque</Emphasis>, An Alcoholic Drink from Rural Mexico,Contains Phytase. Its <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> Effects on Corn Tortilla

Pulque is made by fermenting the agave sap or aguamiel of Agave atrovirens with a whole array of microorganisms present in the environment including several lactic acid bacteria and yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ascorbic acid was determined in pulque and aguamiel, respectively. Phytase activity in lees, liquid and freeze-dried pulque was assayed by measuring the appearance of phosphate from phytate by a colorimetric method likewise phosphate from phytate present in fresh corn tortilla was measured after in vitro incubation with pulque. Iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium contents were measured in pulque and corn tortilla as well as in nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), the latter is used to make instant tortilla, since corn provides most of the energy as well as most of the phytate in the Mexican rural diet. Pulque showed phytase activity but much less ascorbic acid and iron than previously reported; additionally, phytase in pulque hydrolyzed most of phytate’s corn tortilla. Lees, which is mostly made of pulque’s microbiota, significantly accumulated iron and zinc but no selenium. NCF was fortified with iron by the manufacturers but poorly blended. There were significant differences on selenium content between tortillas samples, apparently some soils in central Mexico are selenium deficient. Moderate pulque intake appears to increase the bioavailability of iron and zinc bound by phytate in corn.