植物miRNA编码小肽(miPEP)的研究进展

miRNA(microRNA)是一类长度在19～24nt的小分子RNA,参与动植物生长发育过程中的基因转录后表达调控。miPEP(microRNA-encoded peptide)是由miRNA初始转录物(primary miRNA,pri-miRNA)翻译生成的短肽。植物中的miPEP通常促进对应pri-miRNA的表达,从而增强miRNA对靶基因表达的调控。本文从miPEP的形成、生物学功能和调控机理三个方面对植物miPEP研究进展进行综述,同时也针对miPEP研究领域一些关注的问题进行讨论。     

调控植物花发育的miRNAs的研究进展

花发育是高等植物生长发育过程中的重要事件,可剖分为开花诱导、花的起始和花器官发育3个阶段,是由多种基因参与的十分复杂的调控过程。20年来,人们应用克隆、诱变和突变体等研究技术从模式植物中分离和鉴定了大量调控花发育的功能基因或调控因子,其中,microRNA(miRNA)是本世纪初才发现的一类新的调控因子。miRNA是生物体内长度约为21个核苷酸的非编码小RNA,通过与靶mRNA的互补配对而在转录后水平上对基因的表达进行负调控,导致mRNA的降解或翻译抑制。大量研究证实miRNA在花发育中起着重要的作用。文章重点综述了植物miRNA的作用机制、其功能研究方法及7个miRNA家族在花发育中的生物功能,并对其未来的发展方向进行了展望。     

毛竹PhcircRNA1的鉴定和调控通路分析

环状RNA(circRNAs)是一类经过反向剪切后,3′末端和5′末端共价结合形成的闭合环状单链非编码RNA,在环境胁迫下对植物生长发育有着重要调控作用。为探索circRNA在毛竹响应胁迫过程中的调控作用,本研究构建了circRNA-miRNA-mRNA调控通路。在分析毛竹的全转录组测序数据后,选择并鉴定了1个在紫外线胁迫（UV）和高温胁迫（42℃）下均差异表达的circRNA(PhcircRNA1),并利用生物信息学分析其调控的miRNA和靶基因。通过核糖核酸酶R(RNase R)法鉴定其转录的稳定性,并通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法分析了PhcircRNA1、靶miRNA(Ph-miR156)和靶mRNA的表达特征。本研究进一步选择GLR3.1(Glutamate Receptor–Like Gene 3.1)靶基因作为研究对象,观察毛竹水培苗根尖生长至1 cm后的circRNA-miRNA-mRNA表达调控趋势。结果表明,在UV胁迫和高温胁迫下,PhcircRNA1和靶mRNA表达量都有明显下降趋势,而miRNA表达量增高。在毛竹根尖细胞中,PhcircRNA1和G...     

转录因子在植物进化和抗逆中的作用

植物基因的表达调控是一个复杂且精准的网络系统,一般包括转录水平和翻译水平二个层次。转录水平的调控发生在基因表达的初期,是许多基因表达调控的主要方式。在此调控过程中,被称为转录因子的蛋白质特异结合到靶基因的顺式作用元件上,控制着一系列相关基因的表达,在植物生长发育、物种起源和逆境胁迫应答过程中起着非常重要的作用,是生物遗传多样性的重要遗传基础。由于转录因子的重要作用,人们对其作用机理的理解也日渐深入。根据近期的研究进展,本文就转录因子在植物驯化、生物和非生物逆境胁迫方面的工作进行概括梳理,希望读者对此领域有一个比较深入和系统的认识,同时也能为挖掘具有关键功能的转录因子,提高重要农作物的遗传改良效率提供借鉴。     

甜杨低温响应microRNAs的克隆与分析

MicroRNAs（miRNAs）作为一类21碱基左右的非编码小RNAs,参与植物生长发育的调控,并在植物对生物与非生物胁迫的应答过程中发挥重要作用。本研究依据miRNA高度保守特点,利用已公布的毛果杨（Populus trichocarpa）基因组序列设计引物,从甜杨（Populus suaveolens）基因组中克隆获得了12个miRNA基因座序列。序列比对结果表明,这些miRNA基因均为毛果杨低温响应miRNA基因的同源序列。同时,以低温（0℃）处理0～48h的甜杨幼苗为试材,通过半定量RT-PCR法对miRNA基因的成熟体序列在不同处理时间下的表达谱进行分析,结果显示,大多数miRNA成熟体序列在甜杨低温胁迫下的表达模式与其在毛果杨中的表达极为相似,由此可推测这些保守性miRNAs可能在甜杨和毛果杨两物种对低温胁迫的应答反应中发挥相似的功能,而miR168a、miR168b和miR475a在两物种间表达现象的差异,表明它们可能通过调控多种靶基因而发挥不同作用。本文结果将为进一步研究甜杨基因功能提供基础。     

miRNA1917在番茄微重力反应过程中的作用

为确定miRNA1917在植物微重力反应中的作用,对番茄培养环境中乙烯含量、与乙烯相关的表型变化以及miRNA1917及其靶基因Le CTR4相对表达量进行了测定。结果表明:模拟微重力处理条件下,番茄出现下胚轴向地性弯曲和形成螺旋等乙烯三重反应表型,丙二醛和超氧阴离子含量受模拟微重力处理影响明显,植物培养环境中乙烯含量在培养前期(10~20d)差异显著,20d以后差异不显著,miRNA1917相对表达量随处理时间持续增加,其靶基因相对表达量相应降低。由此可见,番茄下胚轴弯曲和形成螺旋等表型与模拟微重力处理初期乙烯含量有关,但在处理后期(20d以后),MDA和O2-积累等则与miRNA1917的相对表达量变化有关,miRNA1917相对表达量增加,导致其负调控乙烯反应的靶基因相对表达量减少,从而使植物对乙烯的反应灵敏度增加,即miRNA1917通过降低其靶基因表达量而增加了植物对乙烯的反应灵敏性,从而在微重力反应过程中发挥一定作用。该研究为确立miRNA介导的植物微重力反应过程奠定了基础。     

植物miR168的研究进展

microRNAs（miRNAs）是真核生物中一类长约22 nt的非编码小分子RNA,它通过对靶mRNA的切割或抑制靶mRNA的翻译调控基因的表达,从而对靶基因实施转录后水平负调控,在植物器官的形态建成、生长发育、信号转导及植物对逆境胁迫的应答中起着重要的作用。miR168是植物特有的一类RNA小分子,其主要的靶基因AGO1蛋白是RNA沉默复合体的重要组成成分,广泛参与对靶mRNA的剪切。本文综述了miR168的发现及其在植物中的分布、miR168与AGO1蛋白的关系、miR168对逆境胁迫的响应以及其在动植物间的跨界调节等,为进一步帮助人们了解miR168的功能及其参与动植物间跨界调节这一特性奠定良好的基础。     

MicroRNA调节豆科作物营养胁迫响应的研究进展

micorRNA (miRNA)是一类长度为20~24个核苷酸的非编码小RNA(small RNA,sRNA),在植物生长发育、 生物和非生物胁迫响应方面起十分重要作用。越来越多的证据表明,miRNA在植物适应养分胁迫方面起重要的调节作用。豆科植物是一类具有生物固氮能力的植物,为人类提供蛋白和食用油,显然土壤养分胁迫会抑制豆科作物生长发育而降低产量。过去数十年对于miRNA介导模式植物拟南芥和水稻养分胁迫响应的研究较多,但近年来有关豆科作物养分胁迫相关的miRNA报道在增加。近年研究结果表明,miRNA通过对靶基因的调节在豆科植物适应营养胁迫中起关键作用,如感受外界养分状态的改变及维持体内养分的动态平衡。本文综述了近年来miRNA介导豆科作物适应养分胁迫的研究进展,主要对磷、 氮、 硫、 铁、 铜、 钙等养分亏缺或毒害反应的调控,讨论了miRNA调节豆科作物适应养分胁迫的机理,并对今后豆科作物miRNA的研究做出了展望。     

人类基因组miRNA转录调控区保守性DNA序列生物信息学分析

MicroRNA(miRNA)的表达调控方式一直是一个有争议的问题,为了研究miRNA潜在的转录调控特点,本文通过Sanger网站miRNA数据库获得人类miRNA的信息,并建立miRNA相关信息数据库,用MEME和Wordspy两个软件对其上游2000bp序列进行保守性分析,得到保守性的DNA序列(motif),用TESS软件分析保守性DNA序列,预测其转录因子结合情况。通过比较位于基因间、反义链和内含子中的三类不同miRNA转录调控区的保守性和自主转录能力的差异,结果发现位于基因间、反义链上的miRNA上游调控区的保守性比位于内含子的miRNA高,在miRNA的转录调控区存在RNA聚合酶Ⅱ类型的转录因子结合位点,miRNA还表现出自身独特的转录调控方式。通过分析,我们还得到了miRNA表达调控中一些重要的转录因子以及独特的调控序列。本研究结果为miRNA转录调控机制的进一步研究提供了理论依据。     

植物抗逆反应中的转录因子网络研究进展

植物生长发育过程中会经历各种生物及非生物胁迫,转录因子所介导的基因表达调控网络在植物抵御各种胁迫反应中起着重要的作用.目前已鉴定的与植物抗胁迫有关的转录因子及家族主要有碱性域亮氨酸拉链(basic-domain leucine-zipper,bZIP)、禽成髓细胞瘤病毒致癌基因同源物类(v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog,MYB)、乙烯应答元件组合蛋白/因子(APELATA2/ethylene-responsive element binding proteins/factors,AP2/EREBP)、WRKY和NAC等.这些转录因子与特定的顺式作用元件结合组成调控网络,特异地调控植物胁迫反应中各种相关抗性功能基因的表达,提高植物对环境胁迫的适应能力.     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.