香蕉NPR1基因的克隆及植物表达载体构建

病程相关基因非表达子(NPR1)是植物抗病信号传导的关键基因。以香蕉抗病香蕉品种为材料,根据NPR1基因序列在保守区设计引物,从香蕉cDNA中克隆获得NPR1基因片段,以RACE的方法克隆获得香蕉NPR1基因的全长,并命名为GCT119-NPR1。香蕉GCT119-NPR1基因最大阅读框(ORF)为1 707 bp。生物信息学分析结果表明,该基因含有ANK和BTB两个结构域,其中ANK结构域是NPR1基因中非常重要的结构域,在蛋白质相互作用中起着至关重要的作用。同源性分析表明,该基因与已克隆发表的NPR1基因氨基酸序列同源性为67%~82%。将其构建植物表达载体,为下一步转化工作奠定基础。     

香蕉抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因的克隆及表达分析

抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(Ascorbate peroxidase, APX)是植物重要的过氧化氢(Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2)清除酶之一。通过RACE(Rapid-amplification of cDNA ends)方法从香蕉根系cDNA均一化全长文库中获得一个抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因,命名为MaAPX2基因。MaAPX2基因是香蕉APX基因编码框全长cDNA,包含一个750 bp的最大开放阅读框(Open Reading Frame, ORF),编码249个氨基酸的蛋白质。蛋白质序列结构域比对发现,在MaAPX2 N端具有典型的APX活性位点(APLMLPLAWHSA)和过氧化物酶近端血红素配体序列(DIVALSGGHTL)的保守结构域,属于典型的APX蛋白。系统进化树比对分析表明,MaAPX2与马蹄莲ZaAPX(AAC08576.1)的亲缘关系较近。组织特异性研究表明,MaAPX2基因组成型表达于香蕉各个组织,在叶片中表达量最大。在耐病和感病品种中,MaAPX2基因均上调表达,但在耐病品种中MaAPX2基因在所有时间点相对于对照增加的倍数均高于感病品种,表明该基因在香蕉的抗病性中起着重要作用。MaAPX2基因可以作为一个新的响应枯萎病侵染的标记基因。     

香蕉中2条MaMLO基因的克隆及表达分析

MLO基因是一类植物特有的抗病基因,为了研究香蕉MLO基因在香蕉抗枯萎病中的作用,利用RACE技术从香蕉中克隆获得了香蕉2条MLO基因,分别命名为MaMLO1和MaMLO2。序列分析表明,MaMLO1的开放阅读框为1 473 bp,编码490个氨基酸;MaMLO2的开放阅读框为1 689 bp,编码562个氨基酸。系统进化树分析表明,MaMLO1与已登录的香蕉MLO1(XP_009413424)亲缘关系较近,MaMLO2与已登录的香蕉MLO6(XP_009411538)亲缘关系较近。组织特异性研究表明,这2个基因在香蕉各器官中均有表达,但MaMLO2在根中的表达量最大。不同激素处理下的研究表明,MaMLO1受ABA、乙烯和水杨酸诱导上调表达,受茉莉酸诱导下调表达;MaMLO2受ABA、乙烯、水杨酸和茉莉酸4种激素诱导上调表达。在感病品种中2个基因均是下调表达,在抗病品种中均是上调表达。结果表明,克隆到的2条MLO在感病品种中没有参与到香蕉抗枯萎病的过程,而在抗病品种中参与了香蕉抗枯萎病的过程。     

香蕉柠檬酸合酶基因MaGCS的克隆及生物信息学分析

采用RACE-PCR的方法首次在香蕉中获得一个柠檬酸合酶基因的cDNA序列。经序列测定和Blastx比对分析表明，该cDNA全长1 885bp，编码513个氨基酸残基，具有植物柠檬酸合酶基因的特征结构域，并与其他植物来源的乙醛酸循环体的柠檬酸合酶具有很高的序列相似性，将其命名为MaGCS(Musa glyoxysomal citrate synthase)，并对其进行生物信息学分析，初步预测其理化性质及功能等。     

胡椒PnNPR1基因的克隆与表达分析

根据胡椒病程相关基因非表达子1(Nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes1,NPR1)基因的部分序列设计引物,运用RT-PCR方法获得其家族成员的1个全长c DNA,命名为Pn NPR1,长度1 712 bp,开放阅读框1 362 bp,编码454个氨基酸。预测Pn NPR1分子量为141.56 ku,理论等电点为4.98。该基因含有BTB/POT结构域、ANK锚蛋白重复序列、DUF和NPR1-like C等4个结构域,具有植物NPR1所共有的保守结构域。系统进化分析表明,Pn NPR1与苜蓿的同源性最高。Real-time RT-PCR结果表明,Pn NPR1在胡椒叶片、根、茎和花中均表达,在叶中的表达量最高。辣椒疫霉菌诱导后,Pn NPR1基因的表达量在抗/感2种胡椒中均出现先增加后减少的现象,并且在抗病种质中表达量较高。研究结果为Pn NPR1的功能研究提供了理论依据。     

橡胶树抗病相关基因HbNPR1的克隆及其表达分析

前期利用cDNA-AFLP技术分离获得了一个与橡胶树抗棒孢霉落叶病反应相关的差异表达基因片段EST-IAN-188,通过Blast比对分析发现,该基因片段与植物抗病相关NPR基因家族中的NPR1具有高度的同源性。将该片段与橡胶树基因组序列进行比对,设计引物进行PCR扩增,得到了一个橡胶树NPR1基因的cDNA和基因组序列,命名为HbNPR1基因。基因序列分析显示,该基因编码区全长(CDS)1 374 nt,含有两个外显子和一个内含子,编码457个氨基酸,蛋白分子量为51.0 ku,等电点5.82,具有BTB/POZ、ANK锚蛋白重复序列、DUF和NPR1-like C等4个结构域。qRT-PCR定量分析发现,HbNPR1基因在橡胶叶片中的表达丰度最高,特别是古铜期叶片;多主棒孢病菌(Corynespora cassiicola)诱导下HbNPR1基因在抗病品种(IAN873)的表达丰度明显高于感病品种(PR107);另外,SA、MeJA、ET处理下均能诱导HbNPR1基因的表达,SA处理后的表达量丰度最高。本研究初步表明,HbNPR1基因可能参与橡胶树抗病信号途径的调控和寄主对病原菌侵染的防御反应。     

胡椒 PnNPR2 基因的克隆

基于胡椒转录组数据库,筛选胡椒病程相关基因非表达子基因的 EST 序列,设计引物,运用 RACE 法克隆得 到 1 个 NPR 基因,命名为 PnNPR2;该基因全长 2 260 bp,开放阅读框 1 722 bp,编码 573 个氨基酸;开放读码框含有 BTB/POT 结构域、ANK 锚蛋白重复序列、DUF 和 NPR1-like C 4 个结构域,具有植物 NPR1 所共有的保守结构域,并 将 PnNPR2 基因插入 pCAMBIA1300-35S-sGFP 超表达载体中。本研究结果为 PnNPR2 的功能研究奠定基础。     

香蕉果实的1个14-3-3蛋白同源基因的克隆及序列分析(简报)

根据在香蕉果实抑制缩减文库中获得的1个14-3-3蛋白基因片段,采用PCR和RACE相结合的方法从香蕉(Musa acuminate L.AAA group cv.Brazilian)cDNA文库中筛选到其全长cDNA序列.序列测定和Blastx比对分析结果表明,该cDNA全长1 037 bp,含有1个完整的阅读框,其编码区编码261个氨基酸残基,具有植物14-3-3蛋白基因的保守结构域,并与其他植物来源的14-3-3蛋白具有很高的同源性,将其命名为Ma-14-3-36(Musa acuminate 14-3-3).采用遗传进化系统发育树的分析结果表明,Ma-14-3-36与来源于单子叶植物的多数14-3-3蛋白基因序列在同一个进化枝上.采用RT-PCR对其在香蕉果实发育不同时期的表达进行分析结果表明,在香蕉果实发育的不同时期差异表达,推测其可能在果实的发育中起作用.     

甘薯等7种植物NPR1基因的生物信息学分析

水杨酸介导的植物系统获得性抗性的正向关键调控基因NPR1功能上在许多植物中极其保守。本研究利用生物信息学相关软件对以甘薯NPR1基因为主要分析对象的7个NPR1基因的核苷酸序列及其相应氨基酸序列的组成成分、氨基酸翻译后修饰、导肽、跨膜结构域、疏水性/亲水性、蛋白质二、三级结构以及功能结构域等进行分析。结果表明:该类基因属于不具信号肽的疏水性蛋白,α-螺旋和无规则卷曲是蛋白质二级结构最大量的结构元件,β-转角和延伸链散布于整个蛋白质中,具有BTB/POZ和ANK功能结构域。这一结果可为植物NPR1的结构与功能分析及利用研究提供进一步的信息与参考。     

滨麦蔗糖:果聚糖6-果糖基转移酶(6-SFT)基因全长cDNA的克隆与生物信息学分析

为了挖掘和利用滨麦(Leymus mollis,2n=4x=28,JJNN)的优良基因,以拓宽小麦非生物胁迫抗性基因资源,以滨麦为材料,利用RT-PCR结合RACE技术从滨麦叶片中克隆到6-SFT基因cDNA的全长序列,并对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,其cDNA全长为2 086bp,开放阅读框为1 866bp(命名为Lm-6-SFT),编码621个氨基酸;其推导的蛋白分子量为69.1kDa,理论等电点(pI)为5.18,属于酸性蛋白。保守结构域分析表明,该基因推导的氨基酸序列含有SDPDG、RDP和EC结构域。多序列比对及进化树分析表明,滨麦6-SFT与冰草6-SFT在氨基酸水平具有高度的序列相似性。     

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.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived Drugs

Marine organisms represent an excellent source of innovative compounds that have the potential for the development of new drugs. The pharmacokinetics of marine drugs has attracted increasing interest in recent decades due to its effective and potential contribution to the selection of rational dosage recommendations and the optimal use of the therapeutic arsenal. In general, pharmacokinetics studies how drugs change after administration via the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). This review provides a summary of the pharmacokinetics studies of marine-derived active compounds, with a particular focus on their ADME. The pharmacokinetics of compounds derived from algae, crustaceans, sea cucumber, fungus, sea urchins, sponges, mollusks, tunicate, and bryozoan is discussed, and the pharmacokinetics data in human experiments are analyzed. In-depth characterization using pharmacokinetics is useful for obtaining information for understanding the molecular basis of pharmacological activity, for correct doses and treatment schemes selection, and for more effective drug application. Thus, an increase in pharmacokinetic research on marine-derived compounds is expected in the near future.     

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.     

La pourriture fongique des tubercules de pomme de terre en atmosphère contrôlée

Résumé Fusarium culmorum et, dans une moindre mesure,F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes etCylindrocarpon sp. ont été isolés de tubercules entreposés en atmosphère contr?lée (AC) et atteints de pourriture grave. Des expériences d'inoculation de tubercules avec 10 espèces ou variétés fongiques et conservation en AC à 8 et 10°C ont montré que: 1) les champignons non pathogènes en atmosphère normale (ex.:Cylindrocarpon sp.) le devenaient en AC, 2) ceux qui étaient faiblement pathogènes en atmosphère normale étaient nettement plus virulents en AC (ex.:F. culmorum), 3) les espèces ou variétés virulentes en conditions d'air normales (Fusarium sulphureum etPhoma exigua var.foveata) ne provoquaient pas de pourriture plus grave en AC et leur activité pouvait même être légérement freinée.

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Summary The extensive rotting of tubers which occurred during storage trials in controlled atmospheres has led to a mycological and pathological study of the rots. The most frequently isolated species wasFusarium culmorum althoughF. avenaceum, F. Sambucinum, Coletotrichum coccodes and aCylindrocarpon sp. were also present. Tubers of cvs Bintje and Ulla were inoculated with 19 isolates of 10 fungal species or varieties associated with rotting of stored tubers (Table 1). The tubers were incubated at 8 or 10°C in normal or controlled (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂) atmospheres and the extent of rotting was determined a month later (Tables 2 and 3 and Fig. 2). Species which were weakly virulent in a normal atmosphere (variousFusarium spp. andPhoma exigua var.exigua) were clearly more aggressive in the controlled atmosphere and this was especially evident in the case ofF. culmorum. Species ot pathogenic in a normal atmosphere under experimental conditions (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp.,Phoma eupyrena) caused rotting in the controlled atmosphere. The two species which were virulent in a normal atmosphere (F. sulphureum andP. exigua var.foveata) were also virulent in the controlled atmosphere and in some cases the extent of rotting was even less. As a general rule, rotting caused by weakly virulent fungi was greater in both cultivars in the controlled than in a normal atmosphere.

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Zusammenfassung Eine starke F?ulnis von in Kontrotrollierter Atmosph?re gelagerten Kartoffelknollen veranlasste eine mykologische und pathologische Untersuchung. Der am h?ufigsten isolierte Pilz warFusarium culmorum. F. avenaceum, F. sambucinum, Colletotrichum coccodes undCylindrocarpon sp. wurden ebenfalls bestimmt. Neunzehn St?mme von 10 Pilzsorten oder-Arten welche bei Lagerf?ulnis vorkommen (Tab. 1) wurden auf Knollen der Sorten Bintje und Ulla inokuliert. Die Lagerung wurde bei 8 oder 10°C under Normalbedingungen oder kontrollierter Atmosph?re durchgeführt (2% O₂:1% CO₂, 2% O₂:6% CO₂, 2% O₂:12% CO₂, 6% O₂:6% CO₂). Der F?ulnisgrad (Abb. 1) wurde nach einem Monat bonitiert. Die Ergebnisse sind in den Tabellen 2 und 3 dargestellt und in der Abb. 2 illustriert. Unter in Normalbedingungen nur schwach virulente Arten (verschiedeneFusarien undPhoma exigua var. exigua) waren deutlich aktiver in kontrollierter Atmosph?re. Dies was besonders der Fall fürF. culmorum. Pilze, die im Versuch unter Normalbedingungen nicht pathogen waren (Colletotrichum coccodes, Cylindrocarpon sp., Phoma eupyrena), haben unter kontrollierter Atmosph?re Sch?den verursacht. Hingegen werden die beiden unter Normalbedingungen sehr pathogenen Arten (F. sulphureum undP., exigua var.foveata), durch kontrollierte Atmosph?re wenig beeinflusst. Es wurde sogar in einigen F?llen eine gewisse Verringerung des F?ulnisbefalls beobachtet. Ganz allgemein haben die getesteten kontrollierten Bedingungen die Entwicklung der Pilzf?ulnis an beiden Kartoffelsorten gef?rdert, speziell durch Pilzarten, welche unter Normal-bedingungen wenig Sch?den verursachen.

     

Cytoplasmic substitution inSolanum. II. Tuber characteristics of reciprocal backcross progeny

Summary Recurrent backcrosses (BC) were used to introduce nuclear factors ofS. tuberosum L. ssp.tuberosum into the cytoplasm of Andean potatoesS. tuberosum ssp.andigena (Juz. and Buk.) Hawkes andS. phureja Juz. and Buk. Each generation BC was produced in reciprocal directions to test the effect of cytoplasmic substitution on yield. This report analyses tuber number, tuber weight, and tuber length of BC₂ and BC₃ substitution into ssp.andigena cytoplasm and BC₂ and BC₂ substitutions intoS. phureja cytoplasm. Direction of cross had no consistent significant effect on yield components of ssp.andigena substitution lines. InS. phureja reciprocal progenies direction of cross was responsible for significant differences of some reciprocal sets. When there were significant differences the higher yield usually occurred when ssp.tuberosum was the pistillate parent, but in some progenies when ssp.tuberosum was the pistillate parent the yield was significantly lower than in the reciprocals. It is suggested that differences between reciprocals resulted from chromosomally encoded gene action, resulting from maternal and/or paternal effects, rather than cytoplasmic factors. Authorized for publication as paper No. 7494 in the Journal Series of The Pennsylvania Agriculture Experiment Station.