异源表达玉米ZmWRKY11基因增强拟南芥对盐胁迫的耐受性

从玉米中分离得到响应高盐胁迫的WRKY基因,将其命名为ZmWRKY11。构建过量表达载体pCAMBIA1301-ZmWRKY11,采用花序侵染法转化拟南芥,研究ZmWRKY11基因的生物学功能,扩繁后对T3代转基因植株进行耐盐鉴定试验。结果表明,转基因株系的绿苗率在盐胁迫处理后显著高于野生型拟南芥,同时,野生型株系中丙二醛含量和相对电解质渗透率相较于转基因植株发生了更为显著的上升,但脯氨酸含量的上升幅度则小于转基因株系。结果表明,ZmWRKY11在拟南芥中的异源过表达增强了转基因植物对盐胁迫的耐受性。     

ZmLTP3 基因提高转基因拟南芥抗盐性的研究

通过RT-PCR方法从玉米中克隆了一个拟南芥LTP3 的同源基因,并命名为ZmLTP3。RT-PCR分析发现,ZmLTP3 的表达可以被多种生物和非生物胁迫因子所诱导。通过构建植物表达载体,把ZmLTP3 的全长cDNA转化到拟南芥中,以野生型为对照,检测转ZmLTP3 基因纯合体株系的抗盐性。结果表明,在盐胁迫条件下,转基因拟南芥生长状况较好,植株鲜重、干重、种子产量以及脯氨酸含量显著高于野生型株系,丙二醛含量和外渗电导率显著低于野生型株系,转基因拟南芥提高了抗盐性。     

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。     

小麦隐性核不育保持系表达载体的构建及拟南芥遗传转化

利用小麦杂种优势能够创制稳定的雄性不育系。相比于细胞质雄性不育系和光温敏雄性不育系,细胞核雄性不育具有育性稳定、易恢复、不受环境影响等特点。小麦隐性核不育基因 ms1的克隆以及杂交制种技术(hybrid seed production technology, SPT)的开发,为雄性不育的保持和杂种优势利用奠定了基础。本研究将小麦花粉育性恢复基因 Ms1、花粉致死基因 ZmAA1、红色荧光蛋白基因 DsRed2及其特异性启动子和终止子连接到表达载体pGEII上,转化野生型拟南芥,得到6株转基因拟南芥。通过荧光显微镜观察拟南芥种子,发现野生型拟南芥种子表面平滑,不能发出红色荧光;而转基因种子表面呈现颗粒状,能够发出红色荧光。这说明表达载体构建成功,并能够在拟南芥中成功表达。这为创制人工小麦隐性核不育系奠定了理论和材料基础。     

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。     

大豆GmLecRlk基因耐盐功能分析

凝集素类受体蛋白激酶属于类受体蛋白激酶（RLKs）家族,在植物的抗病防御反应、生长发育、胞内信号传导以及非生物胁迫反应过程中发挥重要作用。实验室前期对过表达抗逆转录因子GmNFYB1大豆进行转录组测序,获得了差异表达基因GmLecRlk(Glyma.07G005700),其开放阅读框长度为546 bp,编码181个氨基酸,蛋白结构域分析显示其含有两个丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶结构域,属于一种G型凝集素类受体蛋白激酶。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,GmLecRlk基因在大豆的根、茎、叶、荚中均有不同程度的表达,在根中表达量最高;200 mmol/LNaCl处理下,GmLecRlk的mRNA丰度先降低后升高,在12 h时达到最高值,表明该基因参与大豆对盐胁迫的响应。利用发根农杆菌K599获得GmLecRlk过表达转基因发状根复合植株,在盐胁迫处理下,其存活率高于对照;在拟南芥中异源表达GmLecRlk基因,转基因拟南芥在盐胁迫处理下的萌发率、绿化率和根长均高于野生型拟南芥。综上所述,GmLecRlk参与大豆对盐胁迫的反应,过量表达基因能提高大豆和拟南芥的耐盐性,为培育和改良抗盐大豆新品种提供新的途径...     

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。     

人工microRNAs干扰At3A06基因增强了拟南芥对菌核病的敏感性

基于本研究室自主开发的油菜防御cDNA芯片分析结果,油菜基因Bn3A06受菌核病诱导后特异上调表达。序列比对发现,该基因与拟南芥基因At3A06高度同源,后者编码289个氨基酸,功能未知。本研究用花序浸染法将At3A06基因的人工微RNA(amiRNA)干扰载体(该载体包含一个除草剂草胺磷抗性基因)转化拟南芥。经草胺磷筛选获得3株T1代转基因植株,PCR检测均为阳性;荧光定量PCR检测表明,与野生型对照相比,3个转基因植株的At3A06基因的表达量均显著降低;对其T2代进行菌核病抗性鉴定,结果显示转基因株系对菌核病的敏感性均显著增强(P0.05)。推测At3A06基因可能参与了植物的防御反应,与植株对核盘菌抗性相关。     

玉米耐盐基因ZmHKT1;5在烟草中的功能验证

HKT类基因是与植物耐盐性密切相关的一类基因。在作物中HKT蛋白可通过排出Na+来维持植物体内的Na~+/K~+平衡,从而影响植物耐盐性。通过在烟草中过表达玉米ZmHKT1;5基因,验证该基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。结果表明,过表达ZmHKT1;5基因的T0代材料即显示出叶片耐盐能力的明显提高;T2代转基因株系种子在含盐培养基上的发芽能力明显强于野生型材料,T2代转基因株系幼苗阶段的耐盐能力也得到了明显的提高。通过比较在盐胁迫后2月龄的转基因材料和野生型材料的生理指标,发现野生型材料中MDA和H_2O_2的含量相较转基因材料发生了更为明显的上升,说明转基因材料中过表达ZmHKT1;5基因有效降低了盐胁迫引起的过氧化物积累。综合转基因验证的结果,证明ZmHKT1;5基因具有提高植物耐盐性的作用。     

拟南芥AtNUDT8启动子的分离及其功能分析

根据已发表的拟南芥基因组序列设计合成一对引物,以拟南芥基因组DNA为模板克隆AtNUDT8上游非编码区,并与pBAR-GUS3相连构建了植物表达载体pNUDT8P-GUS,采用农杆菌GV3101介导的渗透法转化野生型拟南芥,通过除草剂筛选获得了一批抗性纯合子转基因植株,再对转基因植株2周幼苗进行GUS活性的组织化学染色分析,并对3.5~4周的转基因植株叶片进行病原菌诱导表达分析。结果表明：已获得AtNUDT8启动子,该启动子为组成型表达启动子,并且病原菌Pst.DC3000对该启动子无诱导作用。     

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.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

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.