橡胶树HAD家族蛋白酸性磷酸化酶基因VSP2的表达分析

植物营养储藏蛋白VSP2是HAD家族蛋白(haloalcanoic acid dehalogenase super family,HAD)的主要成员之一。该蛋白具有酸性磷酸化酶的功能,在橡胶树氮素储存和植物凝集素防御胁迫中发挥着重要的作用。在前期研究中,利用c DNA-AFLP获得了1条与橡胶树棒孢霉落叶病抗病性相关的差异表达片段EST-IAN-24,通过Blast比对分析,发现该基因片段与其他物种的VSP2基因具有较高同源性。采用PCR和RT-PCR技术,克隆获得了一个橡胶树VSP2基因的c DNA和基因组序列,并将该基因命名为Hb VSP2。基因序列分析显示,该基因编码区全长(CDS)975 bp,含有4个内含子和5个外显子,编码324个氨基酸,推测该蛋白的分子质量为30.01 ku,等电点为4.80。该基因蛋白是HAD家族蛋白中的酸性磷酸酶,具有DXDXT基序特征。q RT-PCR定量分析发现,受多主棒孢病菌侵染后,Hb VSP2基因在橡胶树抗、感品种中的表达量存在着明显的差异,抗病品种(IAN873)的表达量显著高于感病品种(PR107),且在接种12 h达到了峰值;此外,该基因在水杨酸、茉莉酸甲酯、乙烯的处理下均能诱导其表达,对茉莉酸甲酯的敏感性明显高于其他2个激素。本研究初步表明,Hb VSP2基因可能参与橡胶树与多主棒孢病菌的互作并且与抗病性相关。     

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。     

橡胶树热垦628品种区域试验结果

以橡胶树胶木兼用型品种作为选育种的目标，通过对海南、云南、广东3个区域试验点适应性试种的热垦628的系统观测，结果表明，热垦628生长快，优于速生品种IAN873；抗平流型寒害强，优于或相当于抗寒品种GT1，比云研77-4及IAN873略差；抗风性好，优于或相当于抗风品种PR107；白粉病抗性好，优于GT1，炭疽病的发病率较低，抗至中感；试开割时干含较高，产量优于PR107及GT1，整体表现出了速生、产量高、抗逆性好的特性及良好的适应性，是具很大推广应用价值的胶木兼优品种。     

巴西橡胶树棒孢霉落叶病菌Hog1同源基因的克隆和序列分析

为了解MAPK信号途径中hog1基因在多主棒孢病菌(Corynespora cassiicola)侵染橡胶树过程中的作用,根据几种丝状真菌的hog1基因设计简并引物,采用PCR和RT-PCR的方法扩增巴西橡胶树棒孢霉落叶病菌CC01的hog1基因,并对其扩增产物进行测序,同时还对该基因编码的蛋白进行氨基酸序列比对和系统发育分析.结果表明:该基因开放阅读框架为915 bp,编码304个氨基酸残基,包含6个内含子;该基因的氨基酸序列与小麦黄斑叶枯病菌(Pyrenophora tritici)MAPK HOG1(XP_001935555.1)、谷子弯孢病菌(Cochliobolus lunatus)MAP kinase ClK1(AFJ42499.1)等高度同源.     

不同寄主多主棒孢对橡胶树叶片组织防御酶活性的影响

以分离自4种寄主的5株多主棒孢菌株接种橡胶树叶片，均得到成功侵染。并按时间顺序测定了来自不同寄主的多主棒孢侵染橡胶树叶片后，细胞防御系统相关的4种酶活性的变化。结果表明，接种来自不同寄主的多主棒孢后，对橡胶树叶片4种防御酶活性的影响不同。其中分离自橡胶树的HCCGD01和HCCHN42两个菌株侵染后，橡胶树叶片组织4种防御酶活性变化最大，均有明显增强；来自木薯的MaCCGD02侵染橡胶树叶片后，酶活性变化次之；分离自番木瓜的CpCCYN01和黄瓜的PaCCSD04多主棒孢菌株侵染后，除PAL外，β-1,3-葡聚糖酶、POD、PPO活性变化很小。     

巴西橡胶树病程相关蛋白基因（HbPR1）的克隆及分析

利用同源克隆技术,在前期课题组对橡胶树转录组进行测序的基础上,根据模式植物中PR1蛋白的氨基酸序列进行同源搜索并设计引物,通过RT-PCR方法扩增巴西橡胶树PR1同源基因的cDNA片段,命名为HbPR1。该片段包含一个450 bp的开放阅读框,编码150个氨基酸的多肽。生物信息学分析结果表明,该氨基酸序列与杨树(Populus tomentosa)、葡萄(Vitis vinifera)和拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)的PR1蛋白高度同源,同源性分别为76%,74%和72%,并含有SCP_PR1_like结构域。半定量分析结果表明,该基因表达受水杨酸的诱导。以上结果暗示该基因为橡胶树的PR1同源基因,可作为橡胶树系统获得性抗性产生的标签基因。     

橡胶树品种‘热研8-79’区域性试种初报

2004年，在云南勐腊植胶区勐腊农场进行橡胶树新品种‘热研8-79’区域性种植试验，2011年正式进入割胶。统计资料表明：该品种幼树期生长较快，7年生胶树年平均茎围生长量达8.17 cm，分别为对照传统种植品种GT1的106.94%和PR107的112.69%，达到开割标准的胶树达73.56%，比对照品种提前一年投产，缩短橡胶树的非生产期，降低在非生产期的管理费用投入；开割第4年平均单株干胶产量达3.91 kg/株，为对照品种GT1的124.52%、PR107的174.55%，充分表现出该品种在勐腊植胶区域具有速生、高产、早熟的品种特点。     

国外橡胶树优良新品种引进与适应性试验研究

对1986年引进的PB235、PB260、PB310、PB217、PB255、PR261、IAN873、RRIM712等8个国外优良品种进行25 a的栽培适应性研究。结果表明:1~17割年的干胶产量比对照(RRIM600)高的是PB217,单株产量为3.8 kg,为对照(2.8 kg)的135.71%,单位面积产量1 360.5 kg/hm2,为对照(1 137.0 kg/hm2)的119.7%;其余品种均比对照低。25龄树的生势比较结果显示,IAN873、PB217显著优于对照,分别为对照的115.3%、109.4%;其余品种与对照相当或低于对照。IAN873抗辐射型寒害能力强于RRIM600,但较对照GT1低,为中度抗寒品种,PR261抗寒能力强于对照GT1与云研77-4相当,其余6个品种均较对照差。     

3个巴西橡胶树品种的死皮病调查

在现有割胶制度下对巴西橡胶树3个品种(热研8-79、热研7-33-97、PR107)的死皮病进行了调查。结果表明：这3个品种的幼龄树发病率和停割率从大到小依次为热研7-33-97(开割4年)＞ PR107(开割6年)＞热研8-79(开割3年),中龄树发病率和停割率从大到小依次为PR107(开割15年)＞热研7-33-97(开割8年)＞热研8-79(开割14年)。3个品种的中龄橡胶树比幼龄橡胶树的死皮病发病率、停割率和病情指数都有所上升。总体来看,对于幼龄橡胶树而言,肥水条件较好的地块,年干胶株产量高,发病率和停割率低;而中龄树除热研7-33-97表现出幼龄树的趋势外,其它2个品种(热研8-79和PR107)则干胶株产量高,发病率和停割率也高。绝大多数死皮病属割面干涸类型,少部分为褐皮病;褐皮病有一部分是一开始就发生的,多数是由割面干涸发展而来的。在停割至少1年之后,能够恢复排胶的死皮树比例较小,很少超过10%。在3个橡胶树品种中, PR107品种恢复排胶的比例最高,幼龄树和中龄树恢复率分别达8.70%和6.20%。     

巴西橡胶树HbCCoAOMT基因克隆及其表达分析

木质素是植物细胞壁的成分之一,其含量高低影响到细胞壁的弹性。橡胶树乳管膨压是割胶后胶乳排出的初动力,乳管细胞壁的物理性能可能是影响乳管膨压的因素之一。本研究采用QRT-PCR和RACE技术,从巴西橡胶树无性系CATAS7-33-97的乳管细胞中克隆到一个木质素合成关键酶CCo AOMT基因的同源基因,命名为HbCCoAOMT。该基因的开放阅读框为741 bp,编码1个由246个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白质。该蛋白质分子量为27.76 ku,理论等电点为5.255。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,割胶和乙烯利处理均下调HbCCoAOMT基因在胶乳中的表达。该基因的表达量以及内层树皮的木质素含量在两个橡胶树品种(CATAS8-79和PR107)间存在显著差异。HbCCoAOMT差异表达可能影响到乳管细胞木质素含量和乳管细胞壁的物理性能。     

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.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

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.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: 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 peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).