Pathogen effectors target Arabidopsis EDS1 and alter its interactions with immune regulators

Plant resistance proteins detect the presence of specific pathogen effectors and initiate effector-triggered immunity. Few immune regulators downstream of resistance proteins have been identified, none of which are known virulence targets of effectors. We show that Arabidopsis ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1), a positive regulator of basal resistance and of effector-triggered immunity specifically mediated by Toll-interleukin-1 receptor-nucleotide binding-leucine-rich repeat (TIR-NB-LRR) resistance proteins, forms protein complexes with the TIR-NB-LRR disease resistance proteins RPS4 and RPS6 and with the negative immune regulator SRFR1 at a cytoplasmic membrane. Further, the cognate bacterial effectors AvrRps4 and HopA1 disrupt these EDS1 complexes. Tight association of EDS1 with TIR-NB-LRR-mediated immunity may therefore derive mainly from being guarded by TIR-NB-LRR proteins, and activation of this branch of effector-triggered immunity may directly connect to the basal resistance signaling pathway via EDS1.     

Cleavage of Arabidopsis PBS1 by a bacterial type III effector

Plant disease-resistance (R) proteins are thought to function as receptors for ligands produced directly or indirectly by pathogen avirulence (Avr) proteins. The biochemical functions of most Avr proteins are unknown, and the mechanisms by which they activate R proteins have not been determined. In Arabidopsis, resistance to Pseudomonas syringae strains expressing AvrPphB requires RPS5, a member of the class of R proteins that have a predicted nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeats, and PBS1, a protein kinase. AvrPphB was found to proteolytically cleave PBS1, and this cleavage was required for RPS5-mediated resistance, which indicates that AvrPphB is detected indirectly via its enzymatic activity.     

Promotion of B cell immune responses via an alum-induced myeloid cell population

Exposure of na?ve B cells to the cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) and/or antigen leads to a state of "priming," in which subsequent aggregation of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules induces the mobilization of calcium ions and cell proliferation. However, it is not clear how critical this priming is for immune responses or how it is normally induced in vivo. Injection of mice with the commonly used adjuvant alum led to priming of splenic B cells and to the accumulation in the spleen of a previously unknown population of IL-4-producing, Gr1+ cells. These cells and IL-4 were both required for in vivo priming and expansion of antigen-specific B cells, as well as for optimal production of antibody. These studies reveal a key role for a previously unknown accessory myeloid cell population in the generation of humoral immune responses.     

Cell-autonomous recognition of the rust pathogen determines rp1-specified resistance in maize

The Rp1 gene of maize determines resistance to the leaf rust pathogen Puccinia sorghi. X-ray treatment of heterozygous (Rp1 Oy/rp1 oy) maize embryos generated seedlings with yellow sectors lacking. Rp1. Yellow sectored seedlings inoculated with rust spores gave rust pustule formation in yellow (Rp1-lacking) sectors and hypersensitive resistance in green tissues, thereby demonstrating that the Rp1 gene product is cellautonomous in its action. In cases where the hypersensitive reaction was initiated in green (Rp1) tissue next to a yellow sector, the hypersensitive response appeared to be propagated poorly, if at all, through Rp1-lacking cells.     

Regulation of homeostatic chemokine expression and cell trafficking during immune responses

The chemokines CCL21 and CXCL13 are immune factors that dictate homing and motility of lymphocytes and dendritic cells in lymphoid tissues. However, the means by which these chemokines are regulated and how they influence cell trafficking during immune responses remain unclear. We show that CCL21 and CXCL13 are transiently down-regulated within lymphoid tissues during immune responses by a mechanism controlled by the cytokine interferon-gamma. This modulation was found to alter the localization of lymphocytes and dendritic cells within responding lymphoid tissues. As a consequence, priming of T cell responses to a second distinct pathogen after chemokine modulation became impaired. We propose that this transient chemokine modulation may help orchestrate local cellularity, thus minimizing competition for space and resources in activated lymphoid tissues.     

Phosphorylation of ULK1 (hATG1) by AMP-activated protein kinase connects energy sensing to mitophagy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved sensor of intracellular energy activated in response to low nutrient availability and environmental stress. In a screen for conserved substrates of AMPK, we identified ULK1 and ULK2, mammalian orthologs of the yeast protein kinase Atg1, which is required for autophagy. Genetic analysis of AMPK or ULK1 in mammalian liver and Caenorhabditis elegans revealed a requirement for these kinases in autophagy. In mammals, loss of AMPK or ULK1 resulted in aberrant accumulation of the autophagy adaptor p62 and defective mitophagy. Reconstitution of ULK1-deficient cells with a mutant ULK1 that cannot be phosphorylated by AMPK revealed that such phosphorylation is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and cell survival during starvation. These findings uncover a conserved biochemical mechanism coupling nutrient status with autophagy and cell survival.     

两种生态型拟南芥对缺硼反应差异的初步研究

通过盆栽试验研究两种生态型拟南芥Arabidopsis thaliana对缺硼反应的差异,以期利用Internet拟南芥数据库的生物信息进行油菜硼高效基因的精细定位和克隆.结果表明,苗期和花期是拟南芥对缺硼反应的敏感时期;拟南芥生态型NW20和NW933对缺硼反应有明显差异;苗期缺硼,地上部生物量NW20和NW933分别为1.41g·pot-1和0.19g·pot-1,前者显著高于后者;花期缺硼,NW20能够部分结实,种子产量为0.27g·pot-1;NW933严重"花而不实",种子产量为0g·pot-1.以同一生态型苗期地上部生物量或结实期种子产量缺硼处理与施硼处理之比为硼效率系数.苗期NW20和NW933硼效率系数分别为0.51和0.10;结实期分别为0.38和0.前者也显著大于后者.NW20为硼高效生态型,NW933为硼低效生态型.     

虾应对感染的先天免疫反应研究进展

作为一类重要的无脊椎动物,由于缺少基于“抗体-抗原识别”的特异性免疫机制,虾、蟹等无脊椎动物仅依赖种系基因编码的“模式识别受体”以及相关的免疫调控系统来抵御病原侵袭。以虾、蟹为模型,研究甲壳动物的先天免疫应答机制,不仅可以增补先天免疫知识体系,同时可以为虾蟹病害防控提供有效的理论支撑。本文总结了近年来虾类先天免疫的研究成果,从免疫识别、信号转导、效应分子三个方面简述了目前的研究进展,尤其是对湖北省名特水产品克氏原螯虾(俗称小龙虾)的抗病机制和免疫应答反应作了详细的描述。     

The crystal structure of TAL effector PthXo1 bound to its DNA target

DNA recognition by TAL effectors is mediated by tandem repeats, each 33 to 35 residues in length, that specify nucleotides via unique repeat-variable diresidues (RVDs). The crystal structure of PthXo1 bound to its DNA target was determined by high-throughput computational structure prediction and validated by heavy-atom derivatization. Each repeat forms a left-handed, two-helix bundle that presents an RVD-containing loop to the DNA. The repeats self-associate to form a right-handed superhelix wrapped around the DNA major groove. The first RVD residue forms a stabilizing contact with the protein backbone, while the second makes a base-specific contact to the DNA sense strand. Two degenerate amino-terminal repeats also interact with the DNA. Containing several RVDs and noncanonical associations, the structure illustrates the basis of TAL effector-DNA recognition.     

拟南芥干旱敏感突变体的筛选及其对干旱胁迫的响应

采用质量浓度为5 g/L的PEG - 6000进行渗透胁迫,利用弯根法筛选拟南芥T-DNA插入突变体库,得到干旱敏感突变体36 -1.该突变体在PEG - 6000渗透胁迫下,种子萌发率、根系长度均低于野生型;盆栽试验表明:水分正常条件下,突变体36 -1与野生型幼苗形态、根冠比、叶片含水量等并无明显差异;干旱条件下,...     

Autoreactive B cell responses to RNA-related antigens due to TLR7 gene duplication

Antibodies against nuclear self-antigens are characteristic of systemic autoimmunity, although mechanisms promoting their generation and selection are unclear. Here, we report that B cells containing the Y-linked autoimmune accelerator (Yaa) locus are intrinsically biased toward nucleolar antigens because of increased expression of TLR7, a single-stranded RNA-binding innate immune receptor. The TLR7 gene is duplicated in Yaa mice because of a 4-Megabase expansion of the pseudoautosomal region. These results reveal high divergence in mouse Y chromosomes and represent a good example of gene copy number qualitatively altering a polygenic disease manifestation.     

Modulation of cell adhesion and motility in the immune system by Myo1f

Although class I myosins are known to play a wide range of roles, the physiological function of long-tailed class I myosins in vertebrates remains elusive. We demonstrated that one of these proteins, Myo1f, is expressed predominantly in the mammalian immune system. Cells from Myo1f-deficient mice exhibited abnormally increased adhesion and reduced motility, resulting from augmented exocytosis of beta2 integrin-containing granules. Also, the cortical actin that co-localizes with Myo1f was reduced in Myo1f-deficient cells. In vivo, Myo1f-deficient mice showed increased susceptibility to infection by Listeria monocytogenes and an impaired neutrophil response. Thus, Myo1f directs immune cell motility and innate host defense against infection.     

Superior colliculus cell responses related to eye movements in awake monkeys

Single cell responses were recorded from the superior colliculus of awake monkeys trained to move their eyes. A class of cells that discharged before eye movements was found in the intermediate and deep layers of the colliculus. The response of the cells was most vigorous before saccadic eye movements within a particular range of directions. These cells had no visual receptive fields, and visually guided eye movements were not necessary for their discharge, since they responded in total darkness before spontaneous eye movements and vestibular nystagmus.     

稻瘟菌培养液活性物质诱导水稻抗稻瘟病的研究

将液体培养的稻瘟菌(Magnaporthe grisea)ZC13菌丝过滤后,经减压浓缩、乙醇沉淀、双蒸水悬浮、透析、离心,得到滤液活性物质(Cultural fluids filtrated substance,CFS).测定结果表明,CFS含糖量为41.88 mg/mL葡萄糖当量.CFS在体外对稻瘟菌的孢子萌发和菌丝生长均无抑制作用,但处理水稻后可以显著提高水稻对稻瘟病菌的抗病性,在亲和性品系中,诱导抗病效果最高可达49.56%,且浓度与活性间存在正相关趋势,在非亲和品系中,CFS处理引起HR反应.CFS处理后,水稻POD和PAL活力明显升高.     

转Mz_2NHX_1基因拟南芥对盐胁迫的生理响应

为了探讨珠美海棠Na~+/H~+逆向转运蛋白基因Mz_2NHX_1在植物耐盐中的作用,以野生型拟南芥和转Mz_2NHX_1基因拟南芥为材料,研究不同盐浓度对转基因和野生型拟南芥种子萌发、植株耐盐性相关生理指标的影响。结果表明:在不同盐胁迫下,转基因拟南芥种子发芽率明显高于野生型。随着盐浓度的增加,野生型和转基因植株的电导率呈上升趋势;SOD活性呈先上升后下降趋势;POD活性、可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量在野生型植株中呈先上升后下降趋势,在转基因植株中呈不断升高的趋势。盐胁迫下,转基因植株的各项生理指标均优于野生型,表明Mz_2NHX_1基因的过量表达,提高了转基因拟南芥的耐盐性。     

拟南芥SOAR1基因响应ABA与渗透胁迫的表达分析

拟南芥PPR蛋白SOAR1是ABA信号转导的关键调节因子。为阐明SOAR1基因表达对ABA和渗透胁迫的响应,以及其对不同时期幼苗生长响应ABA的调控,通过拟南芥基因调控信息网站(AGRIS)分析了SOAR1基因上游可能的转录因子结合位点(顺式作用元件),并进行了不同时期幼苗受ABA诱导的生长抑制试验以及ABA处理、渗透胁迫条件下SOAR1基因的表达分析。结果表明,SOAR1启动子序列中存在多个潜在的应答ABA和逆境胁迫信号的顺式作用元件。SOAR1调控不同时期幼苗生长对ABA的敏感性,SOAR1表达调低的突变体soar1-2显著促进植物对ABA的敏感反应,而SOAR1过表达株系OE1则对ABA显著不敏感。基因表达分析结果显示,SOAR1表达量在低浓度ABA处理6 h后小幅度上调,高浓度ABA处理6 h后变化程度较低;而在低浓度ABA处理后萌发24 h的种子和生长7 d的幼苗中,SOAR1表达随ABA浓度增长而上调。在甘露醇和PEG-6000诱导的渗透胁迫处理后,SOAR1表达受到一定抑制。