Silver birch (Betula pendula) plants with aux and rol genes show consistent changes in morphology,xylem structure and chemistry

The effects of Agrobacterium pRiA4 rol and aux genes, controlled by their endogenous promoters, on tree growth and wood anatomy and chemistry were studied in 5- and 7-year-old silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) plants. Southern hybridization confirmed the following rol and aux gene combinations: control plants (no genes transferred); plants with rolC and rolD genes; plants with rolA, rolB, rolC and rolD genes; and plants with rolA, rolB, rolC, rolD, aux1 and aux2 genes. Transgene mRNA was most abundant in phloem/cambium samples and in the developing xylem, whereas no expression was detected in leaves. Plants with rolC and rolD genes or with all the rol genes were significantly shorter and had smaller leaves and a more bushy growth habit than control plants or plants with both aux and rol genes. Morphological observations and wood chemistry analyses revealed that plants with rol genes produced less xylem and broke bud later than control plants or plants with both aux and rol genes. Tension wood was detected in both control and transgenic plants irrespective of their gene combination, probably as a result of greenhouse cultivation. Xylem fibers were shorter in transgenic plants than in control plants, and plants with all the rol genes were characterized by shorter vessels compared with the control plants and a smaller proportional area of vessels compared with the other groups. In addition, silver birch plants with all the rol genes had approximately a 3.3% lower concentration of total acid soluble carbohydrates than control plants. We conclude that the rolC and rolD genes induced the typical "rol-phenotype," and that this was emphasized by concomitant expression of the rolA and rolB genes and alleviated by the presence of aux1 and aux2 genes. We observed consistent phenotypic effects of rol and aux genes on the morphology, anatomy and cell wall chemistry of the plants.     

Molecular characteristics and functional analysis of the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase Bm‐eng‐1 gene of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae)

The pine nematode Bursaphelenchus mucronatus has been associated with pine wilt in China. This work was intended to investigate the role of the pathogenicity‐related β‐1,4‐endoglucanase gene of B. mucronatus in the infection of pines. In this study, the full‐length cDNA of the Bm‐eng‐1 gene was cloned and characterized from a B. mucronatus isolate. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Bm‐eng‐1 gene of B. mucronatus may be acquired from fungi through horizontal gene transfer. The function of the gene was demonstrated using RNA interference. RNA interference indicated that Bm‐eng‐1 was involved in the dispersal, reproductive ability and pathogenicity of B. mucronatus. In situ hybridization showed that Bm‐eng‐1 was specifically expressed in the oesophageal gland of B. mucronatus. Furthermore, to investigate the relation between β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and virulence of different isolates, the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activities and the expression levels of Bm‐eng‐1 were detected in six B. mucronatus isolates with different virulence. β‐1,4‐Endoglucanase activity was generally higher in pathogenic isolates than in non‐pathogenic isolates, and the Bm‐eng‐1 expression levels in different isolates were positively correlated with the β‐1,4‐endoglucanase activity. These findings suggested that β‐1,4‐endoglucanase plays important roles in the pathogenic process of B. mucronatus, and the differential expression of the gene may underlie the different activity levels of β‐1,4‐endoglucanase, subsequently influencing variations in virulence of B. mucronatus isolates.     

多拷贝rol基因对转基因杨树生长及内源激素的影响

对转入多拷贝rolB、rolC基因的三倍体毛白杨进行高生长量、生根率和内源激素(IAA、ABA)含量等指标的测定,以研究多拷贝rol基因在转基因植物中的表达。结果显示:转Ri质粒三倍体毛白杨再次分别转入rolB、rolC基因后,部分株系试管苗的生长受到了抑制,但各株系生根率均有不同程度提高;rolB基因转化植株的内源IAA平均含量高于rolC基因转化植株,其IAA/ABA值亦高于rolC基因转化植株。试验结果表明rol基因的多拷贝促使转化植株快速大量生成毛状根。     

PMI/甘露糖筛选体系在植物转基因中的应用

介绍了一种可在植物转基因中应用的新型筛选方法———磷酸甘露糖异构酶(PMI)法,与传统筛选体系不同,它以甘露糖为筛选剂对转化细胞进行正筛选。PMI能将甘露糖- 6 -磷酸转化成果糖- 6 -磷酸,使转化细胞以甘露糖为唯一或主要碳源而正常生长;非转化细胞由于不能利用甘露糖而停止生长。该筛选体系受基因型、培养基中其他糖和磷酸根离子浓度及培养条件等因素的影响。目前已应用于多种模式植物和经济作物的转基因筛选,在木本植物甜橙上也首获成功。其检测方法多样,除了常规转基因检测方法外,还可对酶活性进行检测,其中氯酚红法简单可靠,且无需昂贵试剂。安全评估结果表明PMI基因对人体健康和环境无害。PMI/甘露糖筛选体系有望成为植物转基因的又一有效筛选手段。     

Changes in carbohydrase activities during vegetative growth and development of fruit-bodies of Hypsizygus marmoreus grown in sawdust-based culture

Carbohydraseproduction of Hypsizygus marmoreus cultured on sawdust rice bran medium by bottle cultivation was investigated to elucidate the carbohydrase utilized as the growth substrate for the fruit-body formation of this fungus. Among the extracellular enzymes assayed, xylanase showed the highest activity. This activity greatly increased during the end of vegetative mycelial growth and fruit-body formation. Among the cellulases. CM-cellulase showed higher activity than avicelase. The activities of -1,3-glucanase, amylase, and chitinase were low. Among the intracellular enzymes, both xylanase and amylase showed higher activity levels than the other carbohydrases. In contrast, -1,3-glucanase, avicelase, and chitinase activities in mycelia were considerably lower. These results suggest that xylanase, CM-cellulase, and amylase play an important role in mycelial maturation and fruit-body growth of H. marmoreus.     

抗虫转基因杨树的培育及其抗虫性初步研究

以杨树优良新品种欧美杨107(Populus×euramericanacl."74/76")为试材,通过根癌农杆菌(Agrobacteriumtumefaciens)介导法,将Bt毒蛋白基因导入107杨的叶片及茎段外植体,经潮霉素抗性筛选,获得了转基因再生植株。提取转基因植株的总DNA,经PCR扩增,部分植株呈阳性反应,证明目的基因已经整合到杨树基因组中。以转基因杨树叶片饲喂天幕毛虫幼虫的杀虫试验结果表明,转基因杨树表现出一定的杀虫活性。     

Growing American ginseng in maple forests as an alternative land-use system in Québec, Canada

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is a medicinal crop which provides tens of millions of dollars in income every year for Canadian farmers. Most of the ginseng roots are produced in open fields under expensive shade structures. Farmers need to plant ginseng at a very high density to achieve profitability. Since high planting densities are related to high disease levels, field-cultivated ginseng requires frequent applications of pesticide. Growing ginseng in forests eliminates the need of a shade structure and may reduce the need for pesticides. Thus, an experiment was performed in a maple (Acer rubrum) forest in Québec to evaluate the effects of nutrient inputs such as lime or compost on ginseng development. Ginseng emergence and survival rates, leaf area and foliar and root weight were evaluated for each treatment. Soil samples were taken in each plot to determine the concentration of various soil nutrients. During the first two years of the experiment, it was noted that the application of lime had a significative positive effect on ginseng growth. This effect could be related to higher calcium concentration and/or lower aluminium toxicity. Liming would be an efficient way to improve the early development of ginseng in maple forests. This practice is also known to improve the health of maple stands. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

植物基因工程及其在林木害虫防治上的应用

植物基因工程主要包括目的基因的分离、基因工程载体的构建、植物细胞的遗传转化、转化细胞的组织培养和植株再生、外源基因表达的检测等几个方面。利用该技术目前已转化了20多种林木树种,并成功地将抗虫的苏云金芽杆菌内毒素基因和蛋白酶抑制剂基因转入林木树种。     

人参喷施“战氏生物农残降解剂”效果的试验

对6 a生人参喷施"战氏生物农残降解剂",研究农残降解与增产效果,结果表明:喷施该制剂,可多产鲜货0.17 kg.m-2,增幅为7.6%;试验区产品中的"六六六"和五氯硝基苯含量较对照区分别降低了39.4%和45.0%。"战氏生物农残降解剂"降解人参农残含量与促进增产作用显著。     

生防因子螺旋毛壳ND35的细胞壁降解酶与重寄生作用

1　IntroductionSomespeciesofthesaprophyticascomycetegeneraChaetomiumKunzeexFr .arepotentialantagonistsofseveralplantpathogenicfungi ,forexampleRhizoctoniasolaniandPythiumultimumwhichcauseseedlingdamping -offandVenturiainaequaliswhichcausestheapplescabChae…     

The aphrodisiac and adaptogenic properties of ginseng

Ginseng is the root of the perennial herbs of Panax quinquefolium and Panax ginseng which contain a series of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides) as active ingredients. It is considered a tonic or adaptogenic that enhances physical performance (including sexual), promotes vitality and increases resistance to stress and ageing. The adaptogenic properties of ginseng are believed to be due to its effects on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in elevated plasma corticotropin and corticosteroids levels. When used appropriately, ginseng appears to be safe. Nevertheless, documented side effects include hypertension, diarrhoea, restlessness, mastalgia and vaginal bleeding.     

光肩星天牛纤维素酶的性质研究

该文对光肩星天牛 (Anoplophoraglabripennis)幼虫纤维素酶的特性进行了研究 .内切 β 1,4 葡聚糖酶 (内切葡聚糖酶 ,Cx)和β 1,4 葡萄糖苷酶 (β 葡萄糖苷酶 )的最适作用温度均为 4 0℃ ,最适作用pH值分别为 4 4 5 6和 4 8,内切葡聚糖酶具有较广泛的pH值和温度作用范围 ,在 2 5 5 0℃之间能保持80 %以上活性 ,pH 3 2 7 2之间能保持 6 0 %以上的酶活性 .内切葡聚糖酶的热稳定性也稍强于 β 葡萄糖苷酶 ,但在 6 0℃温育 30min后 ,二者均丧失活性 .用含 0 1%CMC的聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳方法检测到光肩星天牛的内切葡聚糖酶具有两种同工酶 ,从非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶中回收该两条酶带 ,并在SDS 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳中呈单一酶带 ,分子量分别为 2 6kD和 39kD .纯化的同工酶处于进一步研究中     

木质素模型化合物香草醛Mannich反应及其产物化学结构表征

以木质素模型化合物香草醛、二乙醇胺及多聚甲醛为原料,1,4-二氧杂环己烷为溶剂,通过Mannich反应合成了香草醛胺基多元醇,研究了物料配比、反应温度、时间及溶剂用量等因素对Mannich反应的影响。实验结果表明:反应物料按物质的量比n(香草醛)∶n(甲醛)∶n(二乙醇胺)1∶1∶1,甲醛与二乙醇胺60℃反应2 h生成1,3-氧氮杂环戊烷,再将其滴入香草醛中,80℃反应3 h,二氧六环溶剂用量为100 mL/mol(以香草醛的物质的量计),二乙醇胺的转化率最高可达到84.92%。采用HPLC、LC-MS、FT-IR及1H NMR表征了香草醛胺基多元醇的化学结构,相对分子质量269。     

Growth responses of Cassia obtusifolia toward human intestinal bacteria

1,2-Dihydroxyanthraquinone (1) was isolated from the seed of Cassia obtusifolia through bioassay-guided fractionation. 1,2-Dihydroxyanthraquinone strongly inhibited the growth of Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli. Structure-activity relationship revealed that 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone (2) and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone (3) had strong growth-inhibition against C. perfringens. In growth-promoting activity, 1,2-, 1,4-, and 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinones exhibited strong growth-promoting activity to Bifidobacterium bifidum.     

Anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to antioxidant activity: Comparison between American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis using an ob/ob mice model

Antioxidants have been considered as a useful remedy in diabetes therapeutics, and thus, herbal medicines with antioxidant properties may play major role in treating diabetes. In this report, we performed a comparative study using American ginseng and Scutellaria baicalensis to test whether the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng is associated with its antioxidant activity. We used a simple water extraction procedure to prepare American ginseng root extract (AGE) and S. baicalensis extract (SbE), and utilized these two antioxidant herbs to evaluate their anti-diabetic effect in obese diabetic ob/ob mice. HPLC analysis was used to identify major constituents in the AGE and SbE. After 12 days of daily intraperitoneal injection, AGE at 300 mg/kg showed significant effects on fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.01) and glucose tolerance test (P < 0.01) compared to vehicle-treated mice. Animal body weights also reduced significantly after 12-day treatment (P < 0.01). However, SbE, a very strong antioxidant extract, administered at 5–50 mg/kg (based on our previous studies without adverse events) for 12 days did not show any significant effects on blood glucose and body weight changes. No effects were shown when baicalein, an effective antioxidant constituent in SbE, was administered at 1–5 mg/kg. It appears that the anti-diabetic effect of American ginseng may not be linked to its antioxidant actions. The mechanisms of American ginseng's effects on reducing high blood glucose levels and body weight remain to be investigated in future experiments.     

谷胱甘肽合成酶基因StGCS-GS的表达提高大肠杆菌对重金属的抗性

本文将来源于嗜热链球菌（S.thermophilus）的谷胱甘肽双功能合成酶基因（StGCS-GS）通过载体pETG-A10转入大肠杆菌中。在IPTG诱导后,表达产物通过凝胶电泳（SDS-PAGE）检测,重组后的融合蛋白His-GCS-GS用His-镍蛋白纯化柱纯化,SDS-PAGE和western blot检测纯化效果,鉴定表达产物。检测结果与预期一致。为了研究StGCS-GS基因的表达对大肠杆菌在重金属胁迫下的抗性作用,实验对转化大肠杆菌进行不同浓度Cd2＋、Ni2＋、Cu2＋胁迫的耐受性测试。结果发现,在1mM CdCl2、2mM NiSO4胁迫条件下,转化大肠杆菌的生长状态明显优于对照,但在Cu2＋胁迫条件下,两者没有明显区别。表明StGCS-GS基因的表达能够提高大肠杆菌对Cd2＋、Ni2＋的抗性,在其逆境胁迫下的生长发挥重要作用。     

种子胚特异性启动子的克隆及其功能验证

以水稻品种日本晴DNA为模板,用PCR的方法从水稻胚特异性表达基因OsESG上游序列扩增出特异性条带,克隆出种子胚特异性启动子,长度为1.1kb,且已知的功能部位序列没有发生改变。用它构建了带动报告基因GUS表达的双元载体,并用农杆菌介导法转化水稻得到了转基因植株。对GUS基因的表达检测表明,由该启动子序列引导的GUS基因仅在胚中特异性表达,而其它组织中都未表达,证实该启动子具有胚特异性表达的功能。