Amino terminal myristylation of the protein kinase p60src, a retroviral transforming protein

The transforming protein of Rous sarcoma virus, p60src, was shown to be acylated at its amino terminus with the long-chain fatty acid myristic acid by isolation of a tryptic peptide with the following structure: myristylglycylserylseryllysine. The occurrence of this unusual posttranslational modification in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and in several transforming protein kinases of mammalian retroviruses suggests that myristylation of the amino terminal glycyl residue may be critical for the function of certain proteins related to cell transformation and growth control.     

Nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein CsNIP2;2 is a silicon influx transporter in Cucumis sativus L.

Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) are a family of channel-forming transmembrane proteins that function in the transport of water and other small molecules. Some NIPs can mediate silicon transport across plasma membranes and lead to silicon accumulation in plants, which is beneficial for the growth and development of plants. Cucumber is one of the most widely consumed vegetables; however, the functions of NIPs in this crop are still largely unknown. Here, we report the functional characteristics of CsNIP2;2. It was found that CsNIP2;2 is a tandem repeat of CsNIP2;1, which had been demonstrated to be a silicon influx transporter gene. CsNIP2;2 has a selectivity filter composed of cysteine, serine, glycine and arginine (CSGR), which is different from all previously characterized silicon influx transporters in higher plants at the second helix position. Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with CsNIP2;2 cRNA demonstrated a higher uptake of silicon than the control, and the uptake remained unchanged under low temperature. CsNIP2;2 was found to be expressed in the root, stem, lamina and petiole, and exogenous silicon treatment decreased its expression in the stem but not in other tissues. Transient expression of CsNIP2;2-eGFP fusion sequence in onion epidermal cells showed that CsNIP2;2 was localized to the cell nucleus, plasma membrane and an unknown structure inside the cell. The results suggest that CsNIP2;2 is a silicon influx transporter in cucumber, and its subcellular localization and the selectivity filter are different from those of the previously characterized silicon influx transporters in other plants. These findings may be helpful for understanding the functions of NIPs in cucumber plants.     

GCK家族蛋白激酶MoSOK1调控稻瘟病菌的生长发育与致病性

稻瘟病菌致病相关基因功能的研究有助于揭示其致病机理,为稻瘟病防治提供理论依据。本研究利用基因替换技术对稻瘟病菌SOK1同源基因(MoSOK1)进行了分析。MoSOK1编码GCK(germinal center kinase)家族的Ste20蛋白激酶,其与全蚀病菌中对应蛋白具有最高同源性。本研究表明,MoSOK1基因在附着胞分化关键期上调表达;与野生型菌株相比,MoSOK1基因缺失突变体菌落颜色加深,气生菌丝减少,生长速度变慢,产孢量下降,分生孢子萌发延迟,致病性降低。另外,交配实验表明,MoSOK1基因缺失突变体能够进行交配,但产子囊壳能力降低。本研究初步表明,MoSOK1基因参与稻瘟病菌生长发育和致病过程。     

A calcium-dependent protein kinase with a regulatory domain similar to calmodulin.

Calcium can function as a second messenger through stimulation of calcium-dependent protein kinases. A protein kinase that requires calcium but not calmodulin or phospholipids for activity has been purified from soybean. The kinase itself binds calcium with high affinity. A complementary DNA clone for this kinase has been identified; it encodes a protein with a predicted molecular mass of 57,175 daltons. This protein contains a catalytic domain similar to that of calmodulin-dependent kinases and a calmodulin-like region with four calcium binding domains (EF hands). The predicted structure of this kinase explains its direct regulation via calcium binding and establishes it as a prototype for a new family of calcium-regulated protein kinases.     

The substrate of Greatwall kinase, Arpp19, controls mitosis by inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A

Initiation and maintenance of mitosis require the activation of protein kinase cyclin B-Cdc2 and the inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which, respectively, phosphorylate and dephosphorylate mitotic substrates. The protein kinase Greatwall (Gwl) is required to maintain mitosis through PP2A inhibition. We describe how Gwl activation results in PP2A inhibition. We identified cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated phosphoprotein 19 (Arpp19) and α-Endosulfine as two substrates of Gwl that, when phosphorylated by this kinase, associate with and inhibit PP2A, thus promoting mitotic entry. Conversely, in the absence of Gwl activity, Arpp19 and α-Endosulfine are dephosphorylated and lose their capacity to bind and inhibit PP2A. Although both proteins can inhibit PP2A, endogenous Arpp19, but not α-Endosulfine, is responsible for PP2A inhibition at mitotic entry in Xenopus egg extracts.     

沙冬青A20／ANl锌指蛋白基因序列及表达分析

A20/AN1锌指蛋白普遍存在于真核生物中,在胁迫响应引起的信号传导过程中发挥着重要作用。本文利用生物信息学和RT-PCR方法从低温干旱胁迫的沙冬青叶片组织中分离锌指蛋白基因AmSTZF,该基因编码一条含172个氨基酸残基的多肽,含A20和AN1两个锌指蛋白保守结构域,属A20/AN1锌指蛋白。生物信息学分析显示该蛋白定位于细胞质中,具有磷酸化位点,参与细胞转录调控。RT PCR分析表明:低温和干旱胁迫处理的沙冬青叶片中,AmSTZF的表达增强,初步推测该基因与沙冬青低温、干旱胁迫响应相关。      

Paleoearthquakes in the puget sound region recorded in sediments from lake washington, u.s.a

Holocene sediments in Lake Washington contain a series of turbidites that were episodically deposited throughout the lake. The magnetic signatures of these terrigenous layers are temporally and areally correlatable. Large earthquakes appear to have triggered slumping on the steep basin walls and landslides in the drainage area, resulting in turbidite deposition. One prominent turbidite appears to have been deposited about 1100 years ago as the result of a large earthquake. Downcore susceptibility patterns suggest that near-simultaneous slumping occurred in at least three separate locations, two of which now contain submerged forests. Several other large earthquakes may have occurred in the last 3000 years.     

野生大豆AP2/RAV亚家族转录因子GsRAV3负调控拟南芥对ABA的敏感性

RAV亚家族蛋白包括1个AP2 DNA结合域和1个B3 DNA结合域。研究表明,GsRAV3是植物响应碱和ABA胁迫的重要调节因子。在碱和ABA处理下,野生大豆根系GsRAV3基因被诱导上调表达。与野生型相比,超量表达野生大豆GsRAV3的拟南芥在ABA胁迫下种子萌发状况和幼苗鲜重指标表现良好,对ABA敏感性降低。进一步研究表明,GsRAV3基因超量表达显著影响ABA合成和应答相关基因表达量。此外,GsRAV3定位于植物细胞核中,但在酵母细胞中未表现出明显的转录激活活性。综上所述,GsRAV3可能通过影响ABA合成及应答相关基因转录水平降低植物对外源ABA敏感性,表明GsRAV3在种子萌发和幼苗早期ABA信号传递过程中发挥重要作用。     

The 2.6 angstrom crystal structure of a human A2A adenosine receptor bound to an antagonist

The adenosine class of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediates the important role of extracellular adenosine in many physiological processes and is antagonized by caffeine. We have determined the crystal structure of the human A2A adenosine receptor, in complex with a high-affinity subtype-selective antagonist, ZM241385, to 2.6 angstrom resolution. Four disulfide bridges in the extracellular domain, combined with a subtle repacking of the transmembrane helices relative to the adrenergic and rhodopsin receptor structures, define a pocket distinct from that of other structurally determined GPCRs. The arrangement allows for the binding of the antagonist in an extended conformation, perpendicular to the membrane plane. The binding site highlights an integral role for the extracellular loops, together with the helical core, in ligand recognition by this class of GPCRs and suggests a role for ZM241385 in restricting the movement of a tryptophan residue important in the activation mechanism of the class A receptors.     

A Neurexin-related protein, BAM-2, terminates axonal branches in C. elegans

Neuronal axons connect to multiple target cells through the formation of collateral branches, but the mechanisms that regulate this process are largely unknown. We show that BAM-2, a neurexin-related transmembrane protein, is required for development of VC motoneuron branches in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. Expression analysis and ectopic expression experiments suggest that BAM-2 functions as a branch termination cue and reveal a mechanism for selective control of branches that sprout off a primary axon.     

Production of 2-Keto-L-Gulonate, an Intermediate in L-Ascorbate Synthesis, by a Genetically Modified Erwinia herbicola

A new metabolic pathway has been created in the microorganism Erwinia herbicola that gives it the ability to produce 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, an important intermediate in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid. Initially, a Corynebacterium enzyme that could stereoselectively reduce 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid was identified and purified. DNA probes based on amino acid sequence information from 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase were then used to isolate the gene for this enzyme from a Corynebacterium genomic library. The 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid reductase coding region was fused to the Escherichia coli trp promoter and a synthetic ribosome binding site and was then introduced into E. herbicola on a multicopy plasmid. Erwinia herbicola naturally produces 2,5-diketo-D-gluconic acid via glucose oxidation, and when recombinant cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reductase were grown in the presence of glucose, 2-keto-L-gulonic acid was made and released into the culture medium. The data demonstrate the feasibility of creating novel in vivo routes for the synthesis of important specialty chemicals by combining useful metabolic traits from diverse sources in a single organism.     

黄秋葵新品种‘闽秋葵2号’的选育

闽秋葵2号属于黄秋葵杂交一代新品种,该品种叶脉红色,侧枝多,产量高,较耐寒,果实光亮无刚毛,且不易老化;其株高1.6m,始花节位5~6,果淡紫红色、6~9棱,果长19cm,横径1.8cm,单果鲜重25g,2013-2014年参加福建省黄秋葵新品种区域试验,平均产量46 681.5kg·hm~(-2),比对照东园2号增产44.61%;2014-2015年参加福建省黄秋葵新品种生产性试验,平均产量达到41 089.5kg·hm~(-2),是一个优质高产抗病的黄秋葵新品种,2016年6月通过了福建省农作物品种审定委员会认定(闽认菜2016022)。     

Overexpression of GmBIN2, a soybean glycogen synthase kinase 3 gene,enhances tolerance to salt and drought in transgenic Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a kind of serine/threonine kinase widely found in eukaryotes. Many plant GSK3 kinases play important roles in regulating stress responses. This study investigated BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 2 (GmBIN2) gene, a member of the GSK3 protein kinase family in soybean and an orthologue of Arabidopsis BIN2/AtSK21. GmBIN2 expression was increased by salt and drought stresses, but was not significantly affected by the ABA treatment. To examine the function of GmBIN2, transgenic Arabidopsis and transgenic soybean hairy roots were generated. Overexpression of GmBIN2 in Arabidopsis resulted in increased germination rate and root length compared with wild-type plants under salt and mannitol treatments. Overexpression of GmBIN2 increased cellular Ca²⁺ content and reduced Na+ content, enhancing salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. In the soybean hairy root assay, overexpression of GmBIN2 in transgenic roots also showed significantly higher relative root growth rate than the control when subjected to salt and mannitol treatments. Measurement of physiological indicators, including proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and relative electrical conductivity, supported this conclusion. Furthermore, we also found that GmBIN2 could up-regulate the expression of some stress-related genes in transgenic Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots. Overall, these results indicated that GmBIN2 improved tolerance to salt and drought in transgenic Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots.