发根农杆菌介导的大豆DAD基因沉默嵌合植株的获得

利用发根农杆菌介导的转化方法,获得了大豆DAD基因在根组织中沉默的嵌合植株。同时在pHells Gate12载体基础上插入一个GFP表达盒使得对转基因组织的筛选变得更加简便;通过对荧光组织进行q PCR检测发现转基因组织与对照相比,DAD基因转录水平降低45%~70%。以上结果表明大豆DAD基因在转基因根组织中已被成功沉默,并且利用改造后的p Hells Gate12:GFP载体通过荧光可以对转基因组织进行初步快速筛选。     

转基因大豆插入位点分析及特异性PCR检测方法的建立

采用TAIL-PCR方法研究转基因大豆外源基因LEC1插入位点序列特征,并根据此特征建立了LEC1转化事件特异性检测方法。依据正义表达载体上T-DNA区段侧翼序列设计特异性引物和简并引物,获得4个同源序列。对获得的序列进行Blastn分析发现,p69、p148、p225均为载体T-DNA区段一部分,未见大豆基因组序列;P217插入片段的序列分析表明,该序列长863 bp,其中T-DNA左边界序列长143 bp,720 bp为大豆基因组片段,与大豆光系统II类囊体膜蛋白(Thylakoid membrane proteins)的206-926区段同源性为99%,这表明,外源DNA插入了大豆基因组中类囊体膜蛋白编码区的206位。根据分离的序列建立事件特异性定性检测方法,扩增片段大小为277 bp。该事件特异性检测方法具有高度的特异性和良好的灵敏性,为转基因大豆品种LEC1的身份识别提供了有效的方法。     

转HAL1基因大豆侧翼序列分析及特异性检测方法研究

为方便HAL1转基因大豆的研究和检测,以转HAL1基因大豆T3代基因组DNA为模板,使用热不对称交错PCR(TAIL-PCR)方法分离其外源基因插入位点的侧翼序列,获得了插入片段DNA序列(T-DNA)的左翼序列和右翼序列。通过比对大豆基因组序列确定其整合位点,确定了HAL1基因的T-DNA在大豆基因组1号染色体非编码区49468395位点以单拷贝插入,转基因事件不影响大豆基因组功能基因的正常表达,而且在200 mmol·L~(-1)NaCl盐胁迫下转基因植株生长力明显强于对照材料。蛋白定量检测结果表明,在叶片中蛋白含量最高可达0.03 mg·g~(-1),在根茎花中也有表达,但是含量较低。根据整合位点处的左右侧翼序列设计两对特异性PCR检测引物,PCR检测结果显示只有转HAL1基因大豆阳性材料才能扩增出926和816 bp DNA片段。本研究建立的转HAL1基因大豆特异性定性检测方法,对转基因大豆的研究具有重要的意义,也为大豆转基因受体材料的管理与检测提供参考。     

RNA干扰高油GmPEPc基因转入大豆研究

通过构建GmPEPc基因的植物RNAi双元表达载体,并通过农杆菌介导的大豆子叶节遗传转化方法将控制油脂和蛋白合成途径的相关基因GmPEPc转入受体品种沈农9号中,通过抑制大豆内源GmPEPc基因的表达,增加油脂积累,从而获得高油的转基因大豆新品种。在大豆组织培养过程中,共切取大豆外植体407块,获得T0代转化苗35株,转化率8.9%。通过对转基因后代中目的基因的整合及表达情况进行分子鉴定。获得23株T_1代转基因后代,其中高抗草丁膦除草剂(喷施浓度300 mg·mL~(-1))14株,通过PCR检测结果表明其中12株为PCR阳性;PCR和Southern杂交检测表明,GmPEPc基因已经成功插入到转基因大豆植株基因组DNA中。对T_1代测定结果显示,转基因大豆籽粒的平均含油量比对照高9.51%,平均蛋白质含量下降5.44%。这些研究结果为筛选高油脂含量的转基因大豆新株系提供了依据,为下一步高油新品种的选育提供了种质基础。     

PRSV CP-VPg嵌合型ihpRNA干扰载体转化番木瓜的抗性分析

利用p CAMBIA3300载体为背景,构建PRSV CP-VPg嵌合型植物表达干扰载体p Cambia-hp RNA-CV,通过花粉管通道法将PRSV CP-VPg嵌合型植物表达载体遗传转化番木瓜,并将获得的转化番木瓜种子依次进行除草剂(PPT)筛选、PCR检测。结果表明:获得转基因番木瓜植株5株,且RT-PCR实验证明了目标片段在转基因株系中得到表达。采用人工摩擦接种法对转基因番木瓜株系进行攻毒实验,结果显示转基因番木瓜植株对PRSV病毒表现出抗病特性,说明hp RNA-CV成功的干扰了病毒基因的复制。该研究结果为番木瓜抗PRSV育种提供了一种有效的研究手段。     

利用RNA干扰技术提高大豆脂肪含量

利用冻融法将大豆11S球蛋白GY1基因RNA干扰表达载体转入农杆菌EH105中,以大豆"吉农28"为受体,通过农杆菌介导的大豆子叶节转化法导入大豆,获得T1代转基因苗12株,并对得到的转基因植株进行分子生物学鉴定。PCR和Southern杂交检测表明,RNAi植物表达载体p3301-Gy1已成功插入到转基因大豆植株的基因组DNA中;RT-PCR和SDS-PAGE检测结果表明RNA干扰在转录后水平发挥了作用,11S球蛋白表达含量降低;利用BUCHI N-500型近红外谷物分析仪对转化的大豆蛋白质和脂肪含量进行检测,结果转化植株的籽粒蛋白质含量(36.07%)平均降低1.43个百分点,脂肪含量(21.28%)平均提高0.76个百分点。因此,利用RNA干扰技术提高大豆脂肪含量是可行的。     

β-伴大豆球蛋白α'亚基和β亚基基因双价RNAi表达载体抑制大豆抗原蛋白的表达

为幼龄动物提供优质的大豆饲料,同时有效抑制α'亚基和β亚基基因表达量,根据dsRNAi原理,以α'亚基基因RNAi重组植物表达载体p CAMBIA3301-PFNZ-BADH为基础,构建以BADH安全标记为筛选标记的α'亚基和β亚基基因双价RNAi植物表达载体。用根癌农杆菌介导法转化大豆子叶节,并对再生植株进行分子生物学检测。结果表明:成功构建β-伴大豆球蛋白α'亚基和β亚基基因双价RNAi表达载体,并获得大豆转基因植株。T1转基因大豆植株经PCR检测得到11株阳性转化株,经Southern杂交检测证明构建的双价植物表达载体已经以1~2个拷贝整合到大豆基因组中,实时荧光定量PCR检测表明β-伴大豆球蛋白α'亚基和β亚基基因的表达被明显抑制。     

转基因水稻中重组植酸酶的表达

为通过在转基因植株中表达植酸酶降解植酸来提高水稻中无机磷利用率,构建了由玉米泛素基因Ubi启动子控制的植酸酶基因植物表达载体,并以来源于水稻未成熟胚的愈伤组织作为转化受体,经农杆菌介导法将植酸酶基因导入水稻中,共获得15个独立的转基因株系。对转基因水稻总DNA的PCR和Southern 杂交分析证明目的基因已整合入转基因水稻植株基因组中,并能稳定遗传。对部分转基因水稻未成熟种子总RNA进行RT PCR分析,表明导入的植酸酶基因能够在转基因水稻种子中正常表达。无机磷含量分析表明含目的基因的转基因水稻种子及其后代叶片中的无机磷含量较未转化植株均有了明显的提高。     

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。     

转γ-育酚甲基转移酶基因大豆的获得

以大豆子叶节为外植体，利用γ-生育酚甲基转移酶基因(γ-TMT)的种子特异性表达载体p7S-TMTL，通过农杆菌介导法转化大豆，获得26株抗卡那霉素再生植株。PCR检测结果表明其中4株为阳性，初步证明γ-TMT已整合到这4株大豆的基因组中。     

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.     

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).