Cuticular protein gene LmACP8 is involved in wing morphogenesis in the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria

Cuticular proteins(CPs) are major components of the insect cuticle-associated organs such as integument and wings, although the importance of CPs for wing development and function in hemimetabolous insects remains understudied. In the present study, a wing cuticular protein LmACP8 was identified from Locusta migratoria, which belongs to the RR-2 subfamily of cuticular protein RR consensus(CPR) chitin-binding proteins. LmACP8 was mainly expressed in the wing pads and showed high expression levels before ecdysis of third-, fourth-, and fifth-instar nymphs, with its encoded protein located in the procuticle of wing pads and adult wings. Depletion of LmACP8 by RNA interference markedly reduced the amount of its protein, which consequently caused abnormal wing morphogenesis in the transition from nymph to adult of L. migratoria. We further demonstrated that the abnormal morphogenesis was caused by severe damage of the endocuticle in the wings. LmACP8 was suppressed by 20-hydroxyecdysone(20 E) in vivo, however, its expression was significantly up-regulated after knocking down the hormone receptor gene LmHR39. Thus, the LmACP8 that is negatively regulated by the LmHR39-mediated 20 E signaling pathway is involved in wing development during the nymph to adult transition.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with corn gluten meal,pea protein isolate and their mixture in diet of black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) juveniles: Effects on growth performance,feed utilization and haematological parameters

Corn gluten meal (CGM), pea protein isolate (PPI) and their mixture (CPP, 1:1 ratio) were evaluated as fishmeal (FM) alternatives in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) juveniles (9.02 ± 0.12 g). A FM diet was designed as control, and other six diets had 20% and 40% FM protein replaced by CGM, PPI and CPP, respectively, with the supplementation of crystalline methionine, arginine and lysine. After the 8‐week feeding trial, significantly lower weight gain was found in fish fed the 40% CGM diet (p < .05), whereas other treatments had no statistical difference (p > .05). The values of feed efficiency ratio and feed intake, as well as proximate compositions of muscle and whole body, were not significantly influenced in all treatments. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine were significantly influenced by protein source. Fish fed the 40% CGM diet had significantly higher content of essential amino acid in muscle than that of the 20% PPI diet. Fish fed the 40% CGM diet had significantly lower content of serum cholesterol than other treatments (p < .05). Elevated serum superoxide dismutase activity was found in fish fed the 40% plant protein diets. In conclusion, between 20% and 40% FM protein could be replaced by CGM, while about 40% FM protein derived from PPI and CPP could be applied in black sea bream.     

利用酵母双杂交膜系统筛选与小麦蓝矮植原体免疫膜蛋白互作的异沙叶蝉蛋白

正小麦蓝矮病(Wheat blue dwarf,WBD)是我国西北麦区一种重要植原体病害,在我国西部地区危害严重。该病害由异沙叶蝉(Psammotettix alienus L.)专化性传播,介体传毒成为病害流行的重要中心环节[1]。本实验室前期通过免疫荧光标记研究发现WBD植原体免疫膜蛋白(immunodominant membrane protein, IMP)与介体异沙叶蝉肌动蛋白互作,说明IMP在植原体传播和致病过程中起关键作用。     

旱垂柳转录组测序及赤霉素在垂枝形成中的作用

垂枝作为特殊的林木形态结构,因形态优美在全世界被广泛用于绿化和园林景观而成为研究热点。国内外对垂枝植物的研究表明赤霉素在垂枝形成中起作用,但是垂枝形成的分子背景研究仍比较缺乏。本研究以旱垂柳(Salix matsudana var. pseudo-matsudana)的垂枝为研究对象,通过对旱垂柳在不同生长发育时期的叶片、茎尖和茎基部进行了转录组和数字表达谱测序研究,共获得71 474个Unigenes序列。将Unigenes与COG和KEEG数据库比对,与转录和信号转导机制相关的基因在旱垂柳中高度富集,最终确定8 359个差异表达的基因,其中427个基因与激素相关。进一步分析赤霉素相关基因得出,主要参与2条赤霉素合成途径,具有生物活性的GA4是合成途径中的主要产物,而且GA4在枝条中的含量显著高于GA1和GA3。参与赤霉素信号转导途径中的GID1B在旱垂柳中上调表达,以及在G1和G4生长期的表达量高于其他时期,而DELLA蛋白GAI在G2生长期以后下调表达,GID1B和GAI在旱垂柳的垂枝生长过程中可能起非常重要的作用。这些研究结果将有助于探索赤霉素在旱垂柳垂枝形成中的分子作用,可为林木形态的遗传改良提供基础理论依据。     

碱胁迫下榆叶梅差异基因表达分析

为了解榆叶梅(Prumus triloba Lindl.)在短期碱胁迫下的分子响应机制,本研究采用Illumina HiSeq^TM2500高通量测序技术对其在0、1、3、6、12 h碱胁迫下的叶片进行了de novo转录组测序,以此鉴定与碱胁迫相关的差异表达基因(DEGs)。结果表明,从5 960万条raw reads中获得了约5 300万条高质量clean reads,经从头组装后获得了124 786条榆叶梅unigenes。基于8 948个 unigenes差异表达(DEGs), GO富集分析发现,其中有28个基因可能在早期碱胁迫响应机制中起着重要作用; KEGG富集分析发现,不同碱处理时间下的KEGG途径(pathways)具有显著差异。对7个碱性胁迫反应相关基因进行RT-qPCR验证,所得基因的表达模式与RNA-Seq数据结果一致,证实了RNA-Seq结果的可靠性。本研究首次对碱胁迫下的榆叶梅叶片进行了转录组分析,获得的序列数据极大地丰富了榆叶梅可利用的基因资源,深入了解了榆叶梅碱胁迫的分子响应机制,同时为研究以榆叶梅为砧木的中国李(Prunus salicina)在碱胁迫下的适应机制奠定了分子研究基础。     

温度胁迫对幼体大海马基因转录表达的影响

为探究大海马幼体在高温和低温胁迫条件下基因表达水平的变化规律,采用Illumina平台的PE150测序功能对大海马幼体肝脏进行了转录组测序。对照组、高温胁迫组和低温胁迫组测序数据组装后获得22 513个单基因簇(Unigene),N50为2 223 bp,平均长度为1 122.71 bp。与对照组相比,高温胁迫组共获得14 009个差异表达基因,其中5 543个差异表达基因上调,8 466个差异表达基因下调;低温胁迫组共获得20 030个差异基因,14 016个差异表达基因上调,6 014个差异表达基因下调。差异表达基因经KEGG数据库富集发现,高/低温胁迫均导致大海马体内抗氧化途径相关基因表达(HSP70、HSP90、SOD等)发生显著改变;另外,高温胁迫还造成大海马免疫系统相关基因(PIK3R、Akt、IL-10、TLR等)以及细胞凋亡相关基因(CYCS、CASP9、CASP3等)表达显著改变;低温胁迫造成DNA损伤修复(MSH、DDB2、XRCC2、RAD52、Ogg1、PMS2等)、脂肪酸代谢(StARD7、ApoA4、CYP51、Fadsd6等)和细胞凋亡(P21、P53、BAX等)相关基因显著上调。选择HSP70、Fadsd 6与IL-10等13个差异基因验证,RT-qPCR结果与RNA-Seq测序结果基本一致。本研究结果为深入探究大海马温度应激的调控机制奠定了一定的理论基础,而且有助于预防极端温度对大海马造成损伤。     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with Clostridium autoethanogenum single‐cell protein in the diet for juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a single‐cell protein derived from ethanol production and may have potential to become a substitute for fishmeal in aquafeeds. A 70‐day feeding trial was conducted with black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) (mean initial weight 6.03 ± 0.09 g) to evaluate partial replacement of fishmeal with CAP in diets. Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with graded levels of CAP (0, 4.85, 9.70, 14.55, 19.40, 38.80 and 58.20%) to replace fishmeal. The inclusion of CAP at all dietary levels tested did not significantly affect the growth performance (p > .05). Fish fed the CAP58.20% diet showed a significantly lower feeding rate, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio compared with fish fed the other diets (p < .05). No statistical differences were found in dorsal muscle and whole‐body compositions. Total superoxide dismutase in serum of fish fed CAP58.20% diet was significantly lower compared with that of the control. Malondialdehyde, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme activities revealed no significant differences among dietary treatments. Phosphorus retention efficiency significantly increased, and phosphorus discharge showed a downward trend with increasing CAP inclusion levels. In conclusion, the results indicated that CAP is a safe and effective alternative protein source, which can replace fishmeal in the diet of black sea bream up to 58.20%, without adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidation and digestive enzyme activity. This study has shown the potential of converting industrial waste into a high protein feed ingredient for aquafeeds.     

FT-Raman and FT-IR studies of the gluten structure as a result of model dough supplementation with chosen oil pomaces

The pomaces obtained after cold pressing oil production from oil seeds can be regarded as a source of many valuable nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibre and antioxidants. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of five oil pomaces from black seed, hemp, pumpkin, milk thistle and primrose on the structure of gluten proteins. The model dough was supplemented with 3%, 6%, and 9% of the pomaces. Structural changes in gluten proteins were studied using Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Additionally, chemical composition of the pomaces was determined. Changes observed in the gluten structure resulting from the model dough supplementation with oil pomaces allow the pomace to be divided into two groups depending on the type and amount of fatty acids present in the pomaces. If the pomace contains a low number of fatty acids (black seed and pumpkin), pseudo-β-sheets are formed from β-turns and antiparallel-β-sheets in the gluten network. If the pomace contains a high number of fatty acids, non-aggregated β-structures are observed. Although the pomaces contain considerable amount of dietary fibre and polyphenols, comparison of the observed structural changes in gluten network with pomaces’ chemical composition indicates that the changes are connected with presence of fatty acids.     

昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展

昆虫对自然环境中复杂化学信号的识别多依赖于其灵敏的嗅觉系统,选择寄主、觅食、寻找配偶等行为的发生都以嗅觉识别为基础,而完成嗅觉识别还需要多种嗅觉相关蛋白的参与。嗅觉相关蛋白主要包括6种,即气味结合蛋白、化学感受蛋白、气味受体、感觉神经元膜蛋白、离子型受体和气味降解酶。不同种类和性别的昆虫中,嗅觉蛋白的种类、数量和分布各不相同。由于嗅觉蛋白在昆虫识别外界气味分子中的重要作用,国内外近年来对其展开了广泛、深入的研究。本文从几种嗅觉相关蛋白的生化特性、分子结构、生理功能、分布表达部位和研究概况等角度,较详细地综述了近年来国内外昆虫嗅觉相关蛋白的研究进展。