‘Plantibodies’: a flexible approach to design resistance against pathogens

Engineering resistance against various diseases and pests is hampered by the lack of suitable genes. To overcome this problem we started a research program aimed at obtaining resistance by transfecting plants with genes encoding monoclonal antibodies against pathogen specific proteins. The idea is that monoclonal antibodies will inhibit the biological activity of molecules that are essential for the pathogenesis. Potato cyst nematodes are chosen as a model and it is thought that monoclonal antibodies are able to block the function of the saliva proteins of this parasite. These proteins are, among others, responsible for the induction of multinucleate transfer cells upon which the nematode feeds. It is well documented that the ability of antibodies to bind molecules is sufficient to inactivate the function of an antigen and in view of the potential of animals to synthesize antibodies to almost any molecular structure, this strategy should be feasible for a wide range of diseases and pests.Antibodies have several desirable features with regard to protein engineering. The antibody (IgG) is a Y-shaped molecule, in which the domains forming the tips of the arms bind to antigen and those forming the stem are responsible for triggering effector functions (Fc fragments) that eliminate the antigen from the animal. Domains carrying the antigen-binding loops (Fv and Fab fragments) can be used separately from the Fc fragments without loss of affinity. The antigen-binding domains can also be endowed with new properties by fusing them to toxins or enzymes. Antibody engineering is also facilitated by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A systematic comparison of the nucleotide sequence of more than 100 antibodies revealed that not only the 3′-ends, but also the 5′-ends of the antibody genes are relatively conserved. We were able to design a small set of primers with restriction sites for forced cloning, which allowed the amplification of genes encoding antibodies specific for the saliva proteins ofGlobodera rostochiensis. Complete heavy and light chain genes as well as single chain Fv fragments (scFv), in which the variable parts of the light (V_L) and heavy chain (V_H) are linked by a peptide, will be transferred to potato plants. A major challenge will be to establish a correct expression of the antibody genes with regard to three dimensional folding, assembly and intracellular location.     

胡桃长足象研究初报

胡桃长足象是核桃果实的大害虫,为害损失很大。1975年以来,我们在四川平武地区进行了生活习性观察和防治试验,初步明确了以下几个问题。1.胡桃长足象一年一代。11月份以成虫越冬,次年4月上旬开始活动,为害果、芽、嫩枝、叶柄,5月上旬交尾产卵于果中,一般一果一粒,8月中旬产卵结束,10月陆续死亡。当年成虫6月中旬羽化,进行为害。2.成虫有假死性和向阳性,飞翔力弱,具有与核桃树芽苞相似的保护色。3.防治胡桃长足象,应抓住越冬成虫大量出现和卵孵化盛期时进行。用每毫升含孢量二至五亿的白僵菌液或50%的三硫磷乳油、50%速灭松乳剂、82%磷胺乳剂加水一千倍喷雾,效果良好。     

以电导法配合Log istic方程确定茶梅‘小玫瑰’的抗寒性

 摘　要: 以不同处理时间、不同低温处理下茶梅‘小玫瑰’叶片的电解质外渗率(REC) 变化作曲线,并结合Logistic方程分别计算茶梅的半致死温度(LT50 ) , 结果发现在低温处理6 h以上, 茶梅叶片的REC均随着处理温度的降低而呈“S”形上升, 由此计算出“S”形拐点对应的温度即为茶梅叶片的LT50 , 其温度值在- 1215℃至- 14℃之间, 这可认为是茶梅抗寒能力的重要指标。关键词:     

日光温室嫁接番茄生长特性及抗病性研究

近年来，由于设施蔬菜生产的高复加值，使得连作障碍严重，土传病害广泛蔓延。有关嫁接栽培早结果、丰产、增强植株抗性等报道较多。但嫁接对番茄生长特性及抗病性影响的研究报道较少。本试验旨在选择早产、高产、抗病性砧木，为设施蔬菜无公害生产提供科学的理论依据和指导方向。     

枣胚培技术体系的建立

 以‘六月鲜’枣为试材, 对花后12～82 d的幼胚进行培养。结果表明, 适宜于胚挽救的最小胚龄为花后50 d左右; 在胚形成前进行离体培养, 蔗糖浓度以7%为宜, 而胚形成后离体培养以5%蔗糖为宜; 暗培养可促进离体胚的生长发育, 且有利于生根; 植物生长调节剂及有机添加物极显著地影响着胚培效果。花后70～72 d胚龄的胚适宜培养基为1 /2MS + IBA 0.4 (mg/L, 单位下同) +BA 0.8 +LH 500 + GA₃5 + 5%蔗糖。胚培苗经扩繁后转入1 /2 MS + IBA 1.0 + IAA 0.06 + 2%蔗糖培养基上, 获得了健壮生根苗,生根苗移栽成活率达85%以上。     

苹果采前落果与内源激素的关系

为了探讨苹果采前落果与内源激素之间的关系,在采前8周间定期测定了不同苹果品种的果柄、果台和离层形成部位组织中IAA、ABA含量;在采收前20d内定期测定了离层部位组织中细胞壁分解酶(Cellulase)的活性;在收获期测定了果实乙烯的发生量。结果表明:不同品种果柄、果台和离层部位组织中IAA和ABA含量变化有差异,但它们变化的总趋势相似,都是随着果实成熟IAA含量下降,而ABA含量上升;不同品种的成熟果实中乙烯发生量有很大差异,以落果多的品种显著大于落果少的品种;采前落果重的品种离层部位组织中细胞壁分解酶的活性在果实成熟期急剧增加。由于果实进入成熟阶段后,IAA含量下降,ABA含量升高,ABA/IAA之间的相对平衡被打破,高ABA/IAA以及高乙烯会刺激离层组织中细胞壁分解酶的活性增高,进而促进离层形成,这可能是导致落果发生的原因。     

杨桃果实生长发育过程中营养品质的变化

杨桃（Averrhoa arambola L．）为华南地区重要的热带水果。本试材为华南农业大学园艺分场种植的3年生盆栽马来西亚甜杨桃，砧木为酸杨桃。在杨桃的开花期，选择生长势、开花数量和时间较一致45株为试材，再选择受精时间一致的果实做标记。采样时问从开花后（2003年7月15日）至杨桃充分成熟（2003年10月25）。测定杨桃果实中的糖（蒽酮比色法）、有机酸（HPLC法）、维生素C（2，6-二氯靛酚钠滴定法）和单宁（高锰酸钾滴定法）的含量。     

以白菜为例的转基因植物环境安全性评价研究

以转除草剂抗性基因的白菜为例,通过对具体事实的展现和分析,介绍了关于转基因植物环境安全性评价的方法,以及目前国际上关于转基因作物的一些比较一致的结论。针对我国的农业生态环境,结合试验结果,讨论了获得的转基因白菜的环境安全性。     

黑穗醋栗新品种‘甜蜜’

 ‘甜蜜’是从波兰引进的黑穗醋栗试材中筛选出来的晚熟品种, 生长势强, 果穗长, 单果质量1.47 g, 可溶性固形物14% , 维生素C 1.6 g/kg FM。果实出汁率70%。风味酸甜, 鲜食口味佳。丰产性好。在长春地区7月中下旬成熟。     

嫁接西瓜肥料试验初报

试验结果表明,在土壤有机质含量高达4.07%的单栋钢管大棚中,进行嫁接西瓜栽培时,与常规施肥量相比,在4个减肥处理中,以减量20%的处理增产优质效果最佳。