大豆GmPRP转基因拟南芥抗盐性鉴定

为研究大豆脯氨酸富集蛋白基因Gm PRP在植物应对盐胁迫中的作用,利用前期克隆的Gm PRP基因,以p PZP为植物表达载体,构建了由组成型启动子Ca MV35S驱动Gm PRP基因的植物表达载体。通过Floral dip法对拟南芥进行遗传转化,获得7株阳性转基因株系。盐处理后,转基因拟南芥的种子萌发率高于野生型且叶片中丙二醛含量极显著低于野生型,表明Gm PRP提高了转基因拟南芥的抗盐性。     

高温干旱混合胁迫对大豆主要农艺性状的影响

干旱与高温常常相伴发生,会使大豆受害程度加剧。为了解高温干旱双重胁迫对大豆农艺性状的影响,选取了160个大豆品种,采用一点两年重复实验,在高温干旱双重胁迫和正常条件下进行种植,分析单株荚数、分枝数、百粒重、株高、单株粒数等性状。结果表明:高温干旱双重胁迫使大豆群体株高、主茎分枝数、单株粒数、单株荚数、百粒重呈下降趋势,分别下降34%、36%、60%、62%、49%,其中也有部分材料性状会有升高或不变,胁迫下株高有6%的材料变高、5%的材料没影响,单株荚数未见增加的材料,有3%材料不变,分枝数有15%材料增加,7%不变,单株粒数有9%材料升高、4%不变,百粒重有4%增加、3%未见变化。在两种生境下,株高、单株荚数、单株粒数、主茎分枝数之间相关性变化不明显,百粒重与其它性状相关性发生明显变化,同时发现两种环境下性状变异系数除株高外变化都很明显。     

杂草环境下转EPSPS基因大豆NZL06-698的生态适应性研究

为研究转EPSPS基因大豆NZL06-698在杂草环境中的生态适应性,试验设置杂草处理模拟野外环境,研究转基因大豆NZL06-698(GT698)的生存竞争能力以及外源EPSPS蛋白表达情况。结果表明:在相同处理下转基因大豆GT698的株高(R8期)、百粒重显著高于亲本大豆蒙豆12(MD12),但单株产量、单株籽粒数、结实率显著低于亲本大豆,说明外源基因的存在并未增强转基因大豆的生存竞争力,且转基因大豆在野外的生存竞争能力与亲本大豆相比较弱。试验注意到,杂草环境对转EPSPS基因大豆的生长有明显的限制作用,杂草处理下转基因大豆的单株产量、单株籽粒数、百粒重、结实率等指标均显著低于对照处理。ELISA检测结果表明,转基因大豆叶片及籽粒中外源EPSPS蛋白在杂草处理及对照中均正常表达,且两种处理下的EPSPS蛋白表达量无显著差异。以上结果表明杂草环境中转基因大豆的EPSPS蛋白正常表达,正常提供抗草甘膦性状,但是外源基因的存在并没有增加转基因大豆的生存竞争能力,且转基因大豆的生长受到杂草环境的显著抑制,由此得出结论:与亲本大豆相比,转EPSPS基因大豆NZL06-698在野外环境中生态适应能力较弱。     

开花期干旱对黑龙江省主栽大豆品种根部性状的影响

为明确黑龙江省近期主栽大豆品种根系抗旱能力的差异,选用黑龙江省近20年育成的5个主栽大豆品种为试材,利用盆栽试验,于开花期进行不同程度的干旱处理,对根系形态、生理指标和单株粒重进行测定。结果表明:随着干旱胁迫增强,参试品种根体积、根表面积、根干重和根系活力等性状均呈先升高后降低的趋势,单株粒重呈逐渐降低的趋势。合丰25和垦丰16根体积、根表面积、根干重和根系活力在轻度干旱条件下增加较多,重度干旱条件下降低较少,合丰35和合丰39次之,绥农14轻度干旱条件下增加最少,重度干旱条件下降低最多;在受到干旱胁迫后,合丰25和垦丰16单株粒重下降较少,合丰39和合丰35次之,绥农14下降最多。从根系形态和生理指标以及单株粒重的变化规律可以看出,合丰25和垦丰16抗旱能力强,合丰35和合丰39次之,绥农14抗旱能力最弱。     

不同生育时期干旱胁迫对大豆根系分布和农艺性状的影响

以大豆品种吉育88为试材,在移动旱棚内,采用根钻挖掘法,研究幼苗期、分枝期、开花期和结荚期干旱胁迫下大豆根系干重在土壤中的分布和农艺性状的影响。结果表明:与CK相比,幼苗期轻度和重度干旱促进了21~110cm土层根系的分布,增幅显著;分枝期和开花期出现干旱胁迫对根系影响最为严重,尤其是开花期重度干旱,根系总重降低22.55%,21~110 cm根系减少60%以上。与CK相比,幼苗期轻度干旱对株高、节数、单株荚重、粒重、百粒重无显著影响,分枝期、开花期轻度干旱多数性状受到显著影响,鼓粒期轻度干旱,仅百粒重显著降低;幼苗期至鼓粒期重度干旱,单株荚重、粒重、百粒重均显著降低,分枝期和开花期重度干旱,对各性状影响最大,株高、单株荚重、粒重的降幅都在40%以上,节数的降幅在20%以上。     

大豆GmWRKY20基因表达特性研究

Gs WRKY20基因是从野生大豆中挖掘到的非生物胁迫相关基因,该基因可以提高转基因拟南芥与苜蓿的抗旱性,并使拟南芥提前开花。栽培大豆中的Gm WRKY20是Gs WRKY20基因的同源基因,序列相似度达到99%。利用实时荧光定量PCR分析栽培大豆中Gm WRKY20基因表达特性,结果表明:Gm WRKY20基因在不同栽培品种间的表达没有显著差异;仅在大豆发育的特定阶段上调表达,其上调表达与大豆开花的起始相关;主要表达部位在叶片;不受光周期影响,但受到多种非生物胁迫影响。     

芒果MiNAC1基因的功能研究

NAC转录因子在植物非生物逆境胁迫应答中发挥重要作用,研究芒果MiNAC1基因的功能为芒果的抗逆性育种提供基因资源。干旱、盐和低温等非生物胁迫严重影响芒果的生长发育。前期研究中,课题组从芒果逆境胁迫转录组中获得了一个MiNAC1基因,表达模式分析发现其与芒果的逆境胁迫应答有关。本研究对芒果MiNAC1基因的功能进行了验证。将芒果MiNAC1基因构建到pBI121-MiNAC1超量表达载体中,并利用农杆菌介导的花序浸染法转化野生型拟南芥,对获得的T3代纯合株系进行表型观察分析和逆境胁迫处理。结果显示,转芒果MiNAC1基因与野生型拟南芥的表型类似,转基因不影响拟南芥的莲座叶数量、抽薹时间、开花时间以及开花时的植株高度。逆境胁迫处理：分别用0、200、300、400 mmol/L甘露醇进行干旱胁迫;用0、100、150、200 mmol/L NaCl进行盐胁迫;4℃低温胁迫处理转基因与对照拟南芥植株。结果显示：随着甘露醇处理浓度的增加,转基因株系与对照组拟南芥的根系生长发育均受到抑制,但转基因株系受到抑制的影响显著小于对照组拟南芥,比如在300 mmol/L甘露醇处理时,转基因株系的根长显著增长,OE9的根长是WT的1.51倍,侧根数量显著增加,OE7的侧根数是WT的5倍,另外根冠比分析显示,转基因植株的根冠比显著高于对照植株,OE2的根冠比是WT的1.53倍。盐胁迫和低温胁迫也取得了类似的结果。以上结果表明转芒果MiNAC1基因可以通过增加转基因植株的根长和侧根数量提高其对干旱胁迫、盐胁迫和低温胁迫的抗性。本研究初步揭示了MiNAC1基因的功能,为深入研究MiNAC1基因参与调控芒果逆境胁迫调控网络奠定基础。     

盐生草HgNHX1基因在大麦株系中的功能验证

为了探讨盐和干旱环境胁迫对转盐生草液泡膜型Na⁺/H⁺逆向转运蛋白基因HgNHX1大麦幼苗生长及抗逆性生理指标的影响,以转HgNHX1基因大麦及野生型株系为材料,分析盐(150 mmol· L^-1 NaCl)和自然干旱环境下转基因大麦幼苗的生长特性及生理指标的变化。结果表明,在盐胁迫条件下,随着胁迫时间的延长,转基因株系中HgNHX1 基因相对表达量逐渐上升;干旱胁迫条件下,转基因株系中HgNHX1 基因相对表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势,在处理3 d时达到最高。且在胁迫处理的三个不同时间点,转基因株系的相对含水量和游离脯胺酸含量均高于野生型株系,而相对电导率和丙二醛含量均低于野生型株系。这些结果说明,转基因株系中HgNHX1基因能够应答盐和干旱胁迫,具有提高大麦耐盐、抗旱性的功能。     

转TaNHX2基因大豆的抗旱性鉴定

本研究利用转TaNHX2基因大豆T3代株系,研究其在干旱胁迫情况下表型、生理特性、生物量与光合作用等方面的变化。结果表明:随着干旱时间的不断延长,对照表现出明显的萎蔫,且转基因植株能够持续地保持绿色状态。转基因植株叶片中含水量高于对照,但株系间叶绿素和可溶性糖含量差异不大,转基因植株中的脯氨酸和丙二醛含量明显低于对照,SOD的活性高于对照。综合评价表明转TaNHX2基因大豆T3代株系比对照具有更强的耐旱性。     

外施硫酸根和蛋氨酸对大豆胱硫醚-γ-合成酶基因GmCGS表达的影响

大豆蛋白中蛋氨酸等含硫氨基酸含量偏低,探究蛋氨酸合成过程关键酶胱硫醚-γ-合成酶编码基因Gm CGS表达规律,对于改善这一缺陷具有十分重要的意义。本研究以过表达At D-CGS转基因大豆株系及其受体品种Jack为材料,从上游物质硫酸根和下游产物蛋氨酸两方面入手,探究硫酸根和蛋氨酸对Gm CGS在转录水平上的影响。结果显示,较高浓度的硫酸根会促进野生型材料中该基因的表达,抑制转基因材料中该基因的表达;蛋氨酸处理之后,对Gm CGS的表达没有显著影响;转基因株系中,Gm CGS表达量显著低于野生型材料中该基因表达量。以上结果说明通过外界硫肥等栽培措施的改变只可以小幅度改变Gm CGS表达量,难以有效改善大豆蛋氨酸含量偏低的缺陷,这为提高大豆蛋氨酸含量提供了一定的理论参考。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).