耐辐射奇球菌中辐射/干燥响应基序的研究进展

耐辐射奇球菌是迄今为止被发现抗逆性最强的极端生物之一,是研究DNA损伤应激响应与修复机制的较为理想模式生物.其中的辐射/干燥响应基序是一组相对保守的17-bp长的回文序列,广泛地分布在众多不同功能的DNA损伤响应基因中,与抗电离辐射、氧化损伤及干旱等有关.本文结合该领域以往的研究文献与最新研究,探讨了耐辐射奇球菌中辐射/干燥响应基序的研究进展,阐释了其所涉及的DNA损伤应激响应通路,并且进一步展望了其潜在的生物学功能、意义与应用.     

耐辐射奇球菌Deinococcus radiodurans中非编码RNA

耐辐射奇球菌(Deinococcus Radiodurans)对电离辐射、紫外线以及强氧化剂等方面具有惊人的抗性。非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,ncRNA)在参与转录调控、RNA的加工与修饰、mRNA的转录、蛋白质的运输与稳定性调节等方面具有非常明显的作用。本文通过概率上下文无关算法(Stochastic ContextFree Grammar,SCFG),对耐辐射奇球菌R1菌株的基因间序列进行相似二级结构预测,结果发现,在耐辐射奇球菌R1基因组的非编码区存在28个非编码RNA家族。其中IRE家族成员最多,其次是Histone3、tRNA和SECIS家族。所发现的DicF与ctRNA_pGA1t、mRNA等家族成员为细菌所特有。与其他生物比较分析结果显示,可以用这些非编码RNA来研究耐辐射奇球菌的生物学功能,并为进一步研究其DNA损伤与修复分子机制提供依据。     

耐辐射奇球菌中RNA解旋酶功能的初步研究

RNA解旋酶参与了细胞中RNA的代谢过程,因而研究RNA解旋酶的功能具有重要意义。耐辐射奇球菌(DR)对于电离辐射具有极强的耐受性,其基因组中编码了一个RNA解旋酶(DR1624)。为研究该RNA解旋酶的功能,利用同源重组方法在细胞内对编码该蛋白的基因进行了敲除,并比较了突变株与野生株在DNA损伤因子胁迫下的生存率。结果表明,dr1624的缺失导致耐辐射奇球菌的生长速率大幅度降低,且表现出明显的温度敏感性。37℃的生长温度能够部分恢复Δ1624突变株的生长表型,其可能是由于相对较高的温度有助于细胞中RNA二级结构的自然打开。Δ1624突变株对高剂量的H2O2胁迫(40 mmol·L~(-1))敏感,其生存率较野生型菌株R1下降了3个数量级。此外,为了更近一步了解该RNA解旋酶的功能,对其进行了同源建模,发现了潜在的核酸结合位点。综上所述,RNA解旋酶在耐辐射奇球菌的生长及其极端抗性中扮演了重要的角色,该研究结果为进一步探索RNA解旋酶的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

耐辐射奇球菌Mur蛋白保守功能位点的研究

为进一步明确耐辐射奇球菌中锰调蛋白Mur的具体结构与功能,采用序列比对分析和定点突变技术构建了耐辐射奇球菌的锰调蛋白Mur(DR0865)的3个保守氨基酸位点突变株,并分析3个点突变菌株的金属离子敏感性、Mn2+结合对功能的影响、外界胁迫耐受性及点突变蛋白的DNA体外结合活性。结果表明,3个定点突变H77A、H78A和H79A都是Mur蛋白重要的活性位点,对Mur调控细胞吸收外源性锰离子的功能起到决定性的作用,同时影响了Mur的Mn2+结合活性。凝胶迁移率实验表明H78与H79位点对Mur的DNA结合活性至关重要。本研究为探究耐辐射奇球菌的极端抗性和锰调蛋白的具体作用机制提供了重要的理论依据。     

阳离子对耐辐射奇球菌对放射性铯生物吸收的影响(英文)

耐辐射奇球菌能够耐受高剂量的辐射,促使人们考虑利用此特性进行放射性核素和有毒化学品的生物修复。但是,有关耐辐射奇球菌对放射性铯的生物吸收却未见报道。本文研究了耐辐射奇球菌对放射性铯的生物吸收及其他阳离子对其生物吸收的影响。在平衡状态时,耐辐射奇球菌对放射性铯的最大吸收量为2100kBq/kg(鲜重)。在供试的一价阳离子中,NH4+对其生物吸收的拮抗作用最强,但是只有当NH4+的浓度超过100mmol/L时,这种拮抗作用才比较明显。二价阳离子,如Ca2+和Pb2+也能降低耐辐射奇球菌对放射性铯的吸收。Al3+和Cr3+对耐辐射奇球菌具有较强的细胞毒性,当其浓度超过1mmol/L时,耐辐射奇球菌的生长就完全被抑制。     

耐辐射球菌中priA类似基因突变对DNA修复和DNA转化的影响

DNA损伤很易阻断复制叉的前进。损伤DNA的修复以及接下来停止复制叉的重启动过程对细胞生存极为重要。依赖于PriA的复制重启动机制是细菌复制重启动的主要途径。为了解priA类似基因Dr2606在耐辐射球菌中的作用,并检测Dr2606在DNA修复中的作用,本研究用卡那霉素抗性基因代替Dr2606阅读框,构建了Dr2606缺失突变株,并对突变株进行UV和丝裂霉素处理,测定了Dr2606突变株的转化效率。Dr2606的突变导致菌体生长缓慢,细胞生存率急剧下降。意外的是,耐辐射球菌的DNA修复能力没有削弱。但突变株的转化效率大大削弱。这说明在耐辐射球菌中priA类似基因Dr2606对停止复制叉的重启动过程并不是必需的;耐辐射球菌不依赖于原点的复制重启动过程可能与其他细菌不同。     

耐辐射球菌清除活性氧自由基及对DNA的保护作用

用化学发光法分析了耐辐射球菌 (D .radiodurans)的两个菌株 (R1、KD830 1 )和大肠杆菌对超氧阴离子自由基、羟基自由基和过氧化氢的清除能力。通过羟基自由基诱导的DNA氧化损伤化学发光模型考察了耐辐射球菌细胞提取物对自由基氧化导致DNA氧化损伤的保护作用。结果表明 ,耐辐射球菌提取物能显著清除O-2·、H2 O2 和·OH ,清除能力明显高于大肠杆菌 ,并能有效地防止自由基所致DNA氧化损伤 ,表现出超强的抗氧化和耐辐射能力 ,这归因于耐辐射球菌中具有较高的抗氧化酶活性     

不同利福平浓度压力下耐辐射球菌的自发突变率与突变谱研究

根据耐辐射球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans) rpoB基因的保守性,建立了rpoB/Rifr 突变分析系统。为研究不同利福平(rifampin, Rif)浓度对耐辐射球菌自发突变率和突变谱的影响,分别检测耐不同利福平浓度下辐射球菌的突变率。结果表明：在5μg/ml的利福平浓度下耐辐射球菌的突变率显著高于其在25和50μg/ml浓度下的突变率。随利福平浓度的不同而表现出的突变谱差异,表明在不同利福平浓度引起的活性自由氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)压力下,耐辐射球菌可能使用不同抗突变的应对策略。在低利福平浓度下,耐辐射球菌重点修复碱基替换突变导致的DNA损伤。这可能是因为ROS的主要作用是导致DNA出现氧化性碱基损伤。     

奇球菌属的最新研究进展及其应用

奇球菌属(Deinococcus)是迄今为止发现的最具抗辐射能力的一类细菌,在环境治理上具有巨大的应用前景,其中的耐辐射奇球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans)还是研究DNA损伤修复和极端抗性应激机制的模式生物。本文介绍了奇球菌属最新的研究进展,对奇球菌属生理结构特点和抗性机制进行了讨论,并对其在生物技术上的应用前景进行了展望,以期为后续研究者们快速了解该属细菌及其在生产上的应用提供支撑。     

耐辐射异常球菌磷酸戊糖途径对DNA损伤修复的影响

耐辐射异常球菌(D.radiodurans)超强的辐照抗性归因于其高效的DNA损伤修复系统,磷酸戊糖途径(PPP)作为细胞各种糖类代谢枢纽,是合成核苷酸和核酸所需的核糖以及生成细胞还原力(NADPH)的重要途径。为探究D.radiodurans R1中PPP对DNA损伤修复的影响,本研究敲除PPP中编码限速酶葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6PD)的基因zwf,比较UV辐照后突变株Δzwf与野生型D.radiodurans的生理生化差异。结果表明,zwf突变导致菌株对UV辐照敏感;UV辐照后Δzwf胞内NADPH、D-核糖、核苷酸合成前体IMP、UMP含量明显降低;葡萄糖酸-δ-内酯及D-核糖能完全和部分恢复Δzwf的UV辐射抗性。综上可知PPP通过提供DNA损伤修复原料及还原力,在DNA损伤修复过程中起着重要作用。本研究结果为DNA损伤修复机理提供参考。     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.