基于 EST 和 GSS 序列的茶树 miRNA 及其靶基因数据挖掘

microRNA（miRNA）是一类长 19~24 个碱基的小分子内源性非编码单链 RNA,通过介导靶基因的裂解或抑 制靶基因的翻译,在植物的发育、新陈代谢、应激响应等方面起着重要的调控作用,在进化上具有高度的保守性。据 此本研究以 miRBase 注册的全部成熟植物 miRNA 序列为探针,基于 NCBI 数据库中茶树表达序列标签（EST）和基因 组勘测序列（GSS）进行同源搜索和 miRNA 二级结构分析,总共发现 7 条茶树的 miRNA,分属于 6 个不同的 miRNA 家族。通过靶基因的预测分析表明,这些 miRNA 可能调节 28 种靶标基因,功能涉及新陈代谢、生长发育、胁迫应答 及转录,为茶树 miRNA 的试验鉴定和功能研究提供更详细精确的范围,为进一步探究茶树 miRNA 的调控机理奠定 基础。     

利用Solexa测序技术鉴定苋菜试管开花过程中的miRNAs

利用Solexa测序技术对苋菜试管开花过程中的miRNAs进行筛选和鉴定,使用GO数据库和KEGG代谢途径数据库对靶基因进行功能注释和分类。结果显示:共得到sRNA Unique序列5 457 486条,其中与拟南芥基因组完全匹配有27 596条,仅仅占0.51%;miRNA主要分布在18 nt~25 nt之间,其中长度为24 nt序列数量最多;苋菜试管开花过程中miRNA的表达丰度存在明显差异,主要低丰度表达;总共鉴定了235个已知的苋菜miRNA,构成20个家族,不同家族间成员数量存在巨大差异;苋菜保守miRNA的长度主要集中在21 nt和20 nt;另外总共获得14个候选的新miRNA,其中有8个miRNA含单个基因座,另6个miRNA具备多个基因座;11个候选的miRNA预测到了靶基因,总共对应着约46个基因符合靶标特征。这些靶标参与植物生物体的各个发育进程,在苋菜试管开花过程中对生物过程、细胞组分及分子功能起到重要作用。     

玉米自交系X178、掖478授粉前后miRNA表达差异分析

基于HiSeq高通量测序技术并结合生物信息学方法对X178、掖478两种材料授粉前后两个时期穗已知miRNA及靶基因进行分析。结果发现,X178授粉前后差异表达miRNA有100个,分别属于21个miRNA家族;掖478授粉前后共筛选出98个有差异的miRNA,分别属于22个miRNA家族。利用miRNA与靶基因mRNA负调控关系初步确定授粉前后miRNA可能调控的mRNA靶点,建立miRNA-靶mRNA一一对应关系。结果表明,X178中上调表达的13个miRNA对应11个下调表达靶基因,下调表达的33个miRNA对应41个上调表达靶基因;掖478中上调表达的5个miRNA对应7个下调表达靶基因,下调表达的28个miRNA对应33个上调表达靶基因,其中,6个miRNA家族共靶向11种mRNA。研究结果表明,在授粉前后玉米穗中已知miRNA在不同玉米自交系中种类具有差异。     

大豆miR164家族的生物信息学分析

microRNA164是一个高度保守的miRNA家族,广泛参与植物的细胞和生理过程。本论文旨在采用生物信息学方法,了解大豆miR164基因家族在大豆生长发育及逆境胁迫应答过程中扮演的重要角色,为其在大豆的分子育种和品种改良方面的研究提供理论基础。利用miRNA、Plant MicroRNA Database、PLACE和NCBI数据库以及Clustal X2. 0、MEGA 5. 0和DNAMAN软件对gma-miR164基因家族的序列情况、染色体定位、靶基因调控功能、启动子元件、二级结构和系统发育树进行生物信息学分析。在miRBase中搜索到11条gma-miR164基因同源序列,分别分布在7条染色体上,其中以位于Chr3上的序列最多,共有3条,位于Chr10和Chr19上各有2条,而在Chr02、Chr09、Chr18和Chr20上各有1条。11个gma-miR164基因家族成员共预测到6个靶基因,均为NAC转录因子。gma-miR164基因家族成熟序列的碱基保守性很高,其前体序列均可形成稳定的二级茎环结构。启动子中顺式调控元件分析表明,ABRE、DRE、MYB和MYC这4个元件在gma-miR164基因家族启动子序列中分布不均,其中以MYB和MYC元件数目居多。本研究为探寻miR164基因家族在逆境胁迫应答中的调控作用提供了数据基础和理论依据。     

花生miRNA与其靶基因的生物信息学预测

本研究利用生物信息学方法预测花生中的miRNA及其靶基因。将miRBase注册的已知植物miRNA与花生EST和GSS数据库进行比对搜索,筛选得到13条miRNA,进一步预测得到20个靶基因。分析结果显示大多数靶基因属于转录因子,调控植物的生长发育等多种生物过程。     

野生蕉不同颜色果皮miRNA表达谱及靶基因分析

本文以闽侯野生蕉（阿宽蕉,Musa itinerans）果皮为研究对象,对不同颜色（绿色和紫色）果皮进行转录组测序,旨在探讨miRNA在野生蕉不同颜色果皮转录后水平中发挥的作用及其可能参与的调控通路,为芭蕉属植物果皮颜色分子调控机制的研究奠定基础。取野生蕉同一果梳上不同颜色（紫色和绿色）的果皮为材料,利用高通量测序和生物信息学分析,获得野生蕉不同颜色果皮组织的miRNA表达谱,筛选不同颜色果皮差异表达的miRNA并预测相关靶基因,通过靶基因分析,获得与调控野生蕉果皮颜色可能相关的信号通路。结果从不同颜色野生蕉果皮中共获得34.11兆条原始读长,经过滤后得到28.73兆条clean reads,从中鉴定出132个已知的miRNA序列和122个新的miRNA;筛选出36个差异表达miRNA,其中10个在紫色果皮中上调表达,26个在绿色果皮中上调表达。表达量最高的miRNA为mit-miR167,而差异倍数最大的为mit-miR172a-3p-2。差异表达miRNA共预测出1164个靶基因可能参与野生蕉果皮颜色调控,并主要在DNA结合、离子跨膜运输活动等功能和植物病原互作等途径富集。其中,有7个基因直接与苯丙烷生物合成途径相关,主要受到miR156和miR482家族的调控。同时,选取6个差异表达miRNA进行定量验证,结果表明,3个miRNA在绿色果皮中上调表达,3个miRNA在紫色果皮中上调表达,定量结果与高通量测序的结果一致。本文通过高通量测序获得了野生蕉果皮miRNA表达谱,并通过生物信息学分析得到可能和调控野生蕉果皮颜色性状相关的miRNA和代谢通路。综上所述,野生蕉果皮颜色可能受到多种miRNA的调控,并涉及多个代谢通路,这有助于进一步了解果皮花青素转录后水平的调控过程,并对进一步的功能验证奠定基础。     

小麦miRNA启动子的基因组分析

MicroRNA(miRNA)是一类非编码RNA,与植物的生长发育及胁迫响应密切相关。为给小麦miRNA的转录调控以及新miRNA的预测提供参考依据,本研究通过小麦miRNA基因定位、启动子预测以及顺式作用元件鉴定等方法对小麦miRNA启动子进行了基因组分析,结果表明,小麦基因组中有105个pre-miRNA位于150个基因座上,大部分为单拷贝。148个miRNA基因座具有潜在启动子区域,其中115个miRNA基因至少能够预测到一个启动子。保守性及基因位置不同的miRNA的启动子转录起始位点（TSS）分布也稍有不同,但大多数位于上游序列近端区域。对miRNA基因TSS上游序列的顺式作用元件分析发现,miRNA启动子区域存在与胁迫响应相关的基序,且小麦中存在3个miRNA启动子特异性基序。61.4%的小麦miRNA启动子区域有CpG岛分布。     

巨桉EgrWOX5基因的克隆、表达分析与超表达载体构建

以巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)EG5无性系为试验材料,通过RT-PCR技术从中克隆得到了1个巨桉WOX家族基因成员的CDS序列,命名为Egr WOX5(Gen Bank登录号为KF964019)。该基因全长为543 bp,编码181个氨基酸,具有WOX基因家族最保守的特征结构域-Homeobox domain(HD)结构域;其氨基酸序列与草本植物的拟南芥At WOX5基因和木本植物杨树Ptr WOX5基因的氨基酸序列有较高的相似性。组织表达分析结果显示,Egr WOX5基因特异性地在巨桉EG5的根组织中表达。这些结果间接或直接地说明Egr WOX5在巨桉根组织的发育过程中发挥重要作用。本研究还利用Gateway技术成功构建了Egr WOX5基因的超表达载体,为后续基因功能的进一步鉴定奠定基础。     

植物miR172家族成员进化与分子特性分析

为了解植物miR172家族成员的进化与分子特性,对mi Rbase数据库中37个物种的161个miR172前体序列和196个miR172成熟体序列进行进化规律分析,并对植物miR172家族的保守基序、二级结构和靶基因进行预测分析。结果表明:miR172家族成员分布的37个物种都是被子植物,被子植物很可能是miR172家族进化来源的祖先。进化分析表明,植物miR172家族成员序列相似性是其聚类的首要影响因素,其次才是物种差异的影响。植物miR172家族成员成熟体序列分析表明,5p臂上形成的成熟体序列特异性较大,3p臂上形成的成熟体序列保守性较高。二级结构分析发现,植物miR172家族成员具有典型的茎环二级结构,且茎序列的保守性较环序列高。植物miR172前体序列包含1个UNCG环。靶基因预测分析发现,同一物种不同miR172成员的靶基因可能不同;不同物种miR172的靶基因也可能不同,AP2或AP2-like出现频率最高,其次还有arginine decarboxylase 1、Pathogenesis-related、MYB84等靶基因,表明其靶基因功能的多样性。     

基于高通量测序筛选‘紫娟’花青素合成相关的miRNA

为筛选调控紫娟茶树花青素合成相关miRNA,以茶树品种紫娟(ZJ)、云抗10号(YK)和福鼎大白茶(FD)为材料,构建了miRNA文库。鉴定出46种已知的miRNAs和67种新的miRNAs,预测到具有注释的靶基因765个。通过差异表达分析,筛选出在ZJ与YK、ZJ与FD共有差异表达的miRNA24个。通过对24个差异表达miRNA的靶基因分析,筛选出可能参与调控花青素合成的miRNA 4个,包括miR828a、miR845c、novel_14和novel_87,其预测的靶基因包括转录因子基因MYB4、MYB23、MYB26、MYB82、bHLH74以及4-香豆酰辅酶A链接酶(4CL)、二氢黄酮醇4-还原酶(DFR)和UDP-葡萄糖黄酮3-O-葡糖基转移酶(UFGT)等基因。利用RT-PCR分析8个差异表达的miRNA,其结果与转录组分析一致。本研究结果为进一步开展茶树花青素生物合成的调控机制研究奠定基础。     

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.     

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.

     

Marine Pharmacology in 2016–2017: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and Other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action

The review of the 2016–2017 marine pharmacology literature was prepared in a manner similar as the 10 prior reviews of this series. Preclinical marine pharmacology research during 2016–2017 assessed 313 marine compounds with novel pharmacology reported by a growing number of investigators from 54 countries. The peer-reviewed literature reported antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities for 123 marine natural products, 111 marine compounds with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities as well as affecting the immune and nervous system, while in contrast 79 marine compounds displayed miscellaneous mechanisms of action which upon further investigation may contribute to several pharmacological classes. Therefore, in 2016–2017, the preclinical marine natural product pharmacology pipeline generated both novel pharmacology as well as potentially new lead compounds for the growing clinical marine pharmaceutical pipeline, and thus sustained with its contributions the global research for novel and effective therapeutic strategies for multiple disease categories.     

Effects of Micronutrient Deficiencies on Human Health: Its Status in South Asia

SUMMARY

Vitamin A, iodine, and iron deficiencies affect large numbers of people worldwide. A deficiency of one or more of these micronutrients adversely affects the physical and mental abilities of humans. South Asia contains a high percentage of these individuals, not just because of its large population, but also the prevalence of deficiency is higher there than in many other parts of the world. The reasons for the high rates of deficiency in South Asia are many, but they include inadequate availability of micronutrient-rich foods, sub-optimal dietary habits, and high rates of infection. Across the region, national plans vary from (a) increasing availability of appropriate foods, (b) introducing new dietary behaviors, (c) improving health status, and (d) directly addressing deficiency through intervention programs. The extent to which each of the countries is making progress toward the goals of these plans can help in understanding the priorities for future efforts to address micronutrient malnutrition. This article discusses the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies in humans with special reference to South Asia.     

Management of Soil Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Summary

Within the last three decades, the rice-wheat cropping system has triggered, and with time, aggravated soil micronutrient deficiencies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). This has largely been due to the shift from an earlier rice and wheat monoculture with low yielding, long duration indigenous varieties, to an intensive rice-wheat rotation cropping system with short duration modern high yielding varieties on the same piece of land. The problems related to micronutrient deficiency in the IGP are more due to the size of its available pools in the soil rather than its total contents and are greatly influenced by crop management, or rather its mismanagement. Deficiency of zinc is widespread in the IGP, but with the extensive use of zinc sulfate, zinc deficiency has reduced in some areas of the region. Meanwhile, the deficiency of Fe, Mn and B has increased in the IGP. Deficiency of Cu and Mo is location specific and can limit rice and wheat yields. The adoption and spread of the rice-wheat system in permeable coarse textured soils, particularly in the western IGP, not only caused iron deficiency in rice but also resulted in the emergence of manganese deficiency in wheat. In highly calcareous and acidic soils, boron is the next limiting micronutrient in crop production after zinc. Bumper rice and wheat harvests in the past decade, the declining use of organic manures in the region and except for the widespread use of zinc sulfate, a general lack of awareness amongst farmers on micronutrient deficiency problems has contributed to micronutrients limiting rice and wheat yields in the IGP. Approaches to alleviating micronutrient deficiencies include matching the crop removals of the micronutrients with its replenishments through their respective external carriers, supplementation through organic sources and mobilization/utilization through cultivation of micronutrient efficient crop cultivars. Identification of efficient micronutrient carriers and finding the optimum rate, mode and time of its application is important in ameliorating the micronutrient deficiencies. This article reviews the extent of micronutrient deficiency and discusses various management options available to reduce micronutrient deficiency induced crop yield reduction for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.     

Irrigation but not N fertilization enhances seedhead density in plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii)

Plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii) is an important forage grass species in western Canada. Seed for use in pastures and ecological restoration is in high demand but supply is limited because F. hallii is an erratic seed producer. Seed producers require an understanding of the factors that influence flowering and seed set in this species. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the flowering and growth of F. hallii in a native rough fescue prairie in Alberta, Canada. Irrigation had a strong positive effect on seedhead density, whereas fertilization had limited effects on growth and reproduction of F. hallii. These results demonstrate that under field conditions, available moisture is likely to be a key factor driving flowering and seed production in F. hallii.     

Marine Drugs Regulating Apoptosis Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)

Marine biomass diversity is a tremendous source of potential anticancer compounds. Several natural marine products have been described to restore tumor cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death. TRAIL is involved during tumor immune surveillance. Its selectivity for cancer cells has attracted much attention in oncology. This review aims at discussing the main mechanisms by which TRAIL signaling is regulated and presenting how marine bioactive compounds have been found, so far, to overcome TRAIL resistance in tumor cells.     

Biochemical and morphological characterization of potato clones differing in their resistance to late blight

Summary Morphological and biochemical parameters that could be involved in resistance to late blight were studied in non-infected and in infected potato hybrids resulting from a cross betweenSolanum phureja, resistant toPhytophthora infestans, and a susceptibleSolanum tuberosum. Some morphological differences between resistant and susceptible hybrids, indicating a positive correlation between stem diameter and phloem thickness in the stem and resistance toP. infestans, were observed. The lignin content in the leaves of the resistant hybrid rose upon infection byP. infestans. In the leaves of the susceptible hybrid, a diminution of the lignin content could be observed upon infection byP. infestans. In the same context, peroxidasic activity raised upon infection byP. infestans in both resistant and susceptible hybrids. Further characterization of the hybrid clones based on the polymorphism of peroxidases was attempted using isoelectric focusing.     

Applied Biotechnology to Combat Late Blight in Potato Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora Infestans</Emphasis>

Potato is an important crop, grown worldwide. It suffers from many pests and diseases among which late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is the worst. The disease is still causing major damage in many potato production areas and control is only possible by applying fungicides frequently. The knowledge on the molecular biology and genetics of the interaction between the plant and the oomycete is developing rapidly. These are relevant fields of study, currently dominated by the discovery of many resistance genes and numerous effector proteins and the analysis of their specific mode of action. These studies may yield essential information needed for the development of durable resistance. The long-term and worldwide effort to breed for resistance so far has had little effect. A novel breeding approach may change this. It is based on cisgenic modification (CM) consisting of marker-free pyramiding of several resistance genes and their spatial and temporal deployment yielding dynamic varieties that contain potato genes only. It is envisioned that this CM approach with potato’s own genes will not only prove societally acceptable but may also result in simplifications in the legislation on use of the CM approach. Various parties in the potato research arena intend to cooperate in this novel approach in a number of developing countries where potato substantially contributes to food security. The use of resources such as land, water and energy improves when the effect of late blight is markedly reduced.     

Resistance to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potato virus Y</Emphasis> in a Multitrait Potato Breeding Scheme without Direct Selection in Each Generation

In an experimental breeding scheme to improve late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and white potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) resistance of tetraploid potato over three generations of crossing and selection, 15 clones survived the final selection, and these were derived from 15 great-grandparents. There was no direct selection for resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY), but 14 out of the 15 great-grandparents were resistant to PVY and three had extreme resistance. Thirteen of the 15 descendants had PVY resistance and one extreme resistance. This was within the range expected for a random (unselected) sample from the genotypes of the great-grandparents. Hence, we found no evidence for any positive or negative association between PVY resistance and the attributes selected. The conclusion is that laborious selection is not required in every generation when many parents have PVY resistance, including some with more than one copy of a PVY resistance gene or resistance at more than one locus. However, in the future, determining the major virus resistance genes present in potential parents in each generation using diagnostic molecular markers would prevent susceptible × susceptible crosses being made and maximise the number of resistant × resistant ones.