番木瓜酪氨酸氨基转移酶基因CpTAT的分离与分析

番木瓜酪氨酸氨基转移酶(Tyrosine aminotransferase,TAT)是维生素E合成途径中的一个关键酶。在已有番木瓜果实成熟差异基因片段序列的基础上,采用RACE技术克隆了TAT基因的全长c DNA序列,命名为Cp TAT。该基因全长包含5′非编码区98 bp,3′非编码区232 bp,开放性阅读框1 266 bp,编码421个氨基酸。序列分析表明,该基因为谷草转氨酶超家族成员,催化活性位点为第253位的赖氨酸,编码蛋白与毛果杨、野草莓、桃、拟南芥和水稻的TAT蛋白同源性分别为83.69%、81.09%、80.76%、78.87%、54.67%。荧光定量分析表明,Cp TAT基因在根中的表达量最高,在茎和果实中的表达较低,在叶中的表达量最低。与对照相比,外源乙烯处理能诱导番木瓜果实中Cp TAT基因表达量升高,而1-MCP处理则抑制了该基因表达,在果实衰老期表达量升高,该基因可能在番木瓜果实成熟衰老中起作用。     

甘蔗水分胁迫响应的δ-鸟氨酸转氨酶基因克隆及分子特征分析

通过消减文库技术,结合cDNA芯片技术筛选到1个明显受水分胁迫诱导的EST序列（Ratio值为8.1）,比对分析推测其为δ-OAT基因的片段,进而通过RACE结合PCR技术获得该基因全长cDNA序列为1782bp,其中5′端非编码区150bp,开放阅读框为1362bp,3′端非编码区为270bp且存在2个终止加A信号AATAA。预测其编码的蛋白质分子量为49.5ku,等电点为6.5,为一个跨膜蛋白。序列比对分析结果表明,δ-OAT基因家族N末端和C末端相对不保守,而主要功能区均表现保守。基因进化分析显示,单子叶禾本科植物和双子叶植物鸟氨酸转氨酶编码基因分别由各自祖先进化而来,而微生物的鸟氨酸转氨酶编码基因表现出复杂的进化关系。荧光实时PCR分析δ-OAT在根、茎、叶的表达,该基因在茎的表达较高,其次是叶而后为根,但没有明显的组织表达特异性。本文首次报道甘蔗δ-OAT基因克隆研究结果,为该基因的深入研究和应用奠定一定基础。     

香蕉果实的1个14-3-3蛋白同源基因的克隆及序列分析(简报)

根据在香蕉果实抑制缩减文库中获得的1个14-3-3蛋白基因片段,采用PCR和RACE相结合的方法从香蕉(Musa acuminate L.AAA group cv.Brazilian)cDNA文库中筛选到其全长cDNA序列.序列测定和Blastx比对分析结果表明,该cDNA全长1 037 bp,含有1个完整的阅读框,其编码区编码261个氨基酸残基,具有植物14-3-3蛋白基因的保守结构域,并与其他植物来源的14-3-3蛋白具有很高的同源性,将其命名为Ma-14-3-36(Musa acuminate 14-3-3).采用遗传进化系统发育树的分析结果表明,Ma-14-3-36与来源于单子叶植物的多数14-3-3蛋白基因序列在同一个进化枝上.采用RT-PCR对其在香蕉果实发育不同时期的表达进行分析结果表明,在香蕉果实发育的不同时期差异表达,推测其可能在果实的发育中起作用.     

小麦16.9 kD热激蛋白cDNA克隆及其表达分析

为进一步了解小分子量热激蛋白在小麦耐热能力中的作用,根据玉米16.9 kD小分子热激蛋白的氨基酸序列,采用同源序列法进行序列拼接和引物设计,用RT-PCR扩增获得了1个源自小麦叶片的热激蛋白基因cDNA片段,即TaHSP16.9-1(GenBank登录号为EU649679).TaHSP16.9-1全长770 bp,5′非翻译区81 bp,3′非翻译区233 bp,开放阅读框编码151个氨基酸.序列分析结果表明,此蛋白与已知单子叶植物来源的同类基因高度同源,相似性介于78.3%～96.7%之间.定量RT-PCR表达谱分析显示,TaHSP16.9-1在小麦抽穗期的茎和旗叶以及幼苗期叶片中均能表达,其在小麦幼苗叶片中的表达受高温胁迫的诱导.     

玳玳花瓣脂氢过氧化物裂解酶基因cDNA的克隆及原核表达

以玳玳花瓣为材料,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,克隆了玳玳HPL基因cDNA全长,全长为1 776 bp,其中包含52 bp的5′非编码区,224 bp的3′非编码区,1 500 bp的编码区(编码499个氨基酸,分子量为55.7 ku)。将该HPL基因cDNA编码区的核苷酸序列及所推导的氨基酸序列与其他植物的HPL基因cDNA序列进行比较,推断玳玳花瓣HPL属于13-HPL类。通过PCR扩增得到了玳玳HPL基因组全长。测序结果显示玳玳HPL基因中包含1个长2 374 bp的内含子。将分离出来的玳玳HPL基因cDNA的编码区序列插入pET-15b载体上构建原核表达载体,在细菌BL21细胞中进行原核表达。结果表明:该编码区片段可在原核细胞中大量表达,其表达产物分子量大小约为55 ku,与13-HPL蛋白的分子量55.7 ku相符。本研究为下一步利用HPL基因cDNA进行遗传转化研究奠定基础,将为花卉香味的遗传改良提供一条新途径。     

香蕉MaARF2基因的克隆及序列表达分析

利用RT-PCR方法从巴西蕉（Musa acuminata L. AAA group, cv. Brazilian）中克隆MaARF2基因,并对其进行序列及表达分析。基因克隆结果获得该基因编码片段,命名为MaARF2,全长2655 bp,编码884个氨基酸,分子量为97 917.38 Da,理论等电点pI为6.64,序列富含丝氨酸、脯氨酸,亲水性氨基酸多于疏水性氨基酸并均匀分布在整个肽链中;通过Motif Search工具发现了ARF基因所特有的B3、Auxin_resp、AUX_IAA family结构域;多序列比对和进化树分析表明,MaARF2基因编码的蛋白与其他植物中ARF基因编码的蛋白具有较高的一致性。qRT-PCR结果表明,MaARF2在香蕉根、茎、叶、花和果实中均表达, 其中叶片中表达水平最高,果实表达量最低;MaARF2在低温、盐和干旱胁迫后表达量均上调,表明其可能参与调控香蕉低温、盐和干旱胁迫响应的过程。本研究首次在香蕉中克隆了MaARF2基因,为进一步研究该基因的生物学功能奠定了基础。     

香蕉泛素结合酶基因的克隆及其功能初步分析

根据香蕉根系均一化全长cDNA文库筛选出一个香蕉泛素结合酶基因的片段通过RACE技术克隆该基因,命名为mauce2.生物信息学分析表明,该基因全长为929 bp,有一个完整的ORF编码148个氨基酸,蛋白分子量为16 505.1 ku,理论等电点为8.41,是一个碱性氨基酸.与江南卷柏、大豆、苹果、拟南芥的同源性为97.97％、97.30％、96.62％、95.95％.器官特异性表达分析表明,该基因在各器官中均有表达,在花中表达量最高,根次之,叶中表达量最低.     

夜来香SAMT基因的分离与原核表达

为探究夜来香（Cestrum nocturnum）花香基因SAMT在花香代谢中的调控作用,以花瓣为材料,采用RT-PCR和RACE技术相结合,克隆夜来香SAMT基因的全长cDNA。结果表明：该cDNA的序列长度为1 493 bp,编码365个氨基酸,其中包含1 098 bp ORF、130 bp 5′UTR和265 bp 3′UTR,将其命名为CnSAMT;生物信息学分析结果表明：该基因所编码的氨基酸序列与烟草、番茄的同源性分别为98％和98％,属于甲基转移酶-7家族;原核表达结果表明：CnSAMT的蛋白表达产物约为42 ku,与软件预测的结果大致相同。采用染色体步移技术,克隆夜来香CnSAMT的5′端调控序列,结果表明：该序列长度为993 bp,且该序列除了含有TATA-box、CAAT-box等启动子核心元件外,还含有光、生长素、脱落酸、热胁迫、缺氧胁迫等外界环境条件响应的顺式作用元件。     

红海榄脱水素基因(RsDHN1)的克隆及表达分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术对已获得的红海榄根部其中一个差异表达基因进行克隆,通过Blast分析和序列比对可知,该基因全长cDNA序列包括146bp的5'端非编码区,43bp的3'端非编码区和一个编码241个氨基酸的开放阅读框,命名为RsDHN1基因。该cDNA编码的蛋白具有植物脱水素蛋白的特征性结构,属于SKn类脱水素蛋白,与其它植物的SKn类脱水素蛋白具有43%～55%的氨基酸序列同源性。半定量RT-PCR分析表明,盐胁迫对RsDHN1基因的表达有明显上调作用。     

一个水稻钙调素结合蛋白基因OsCaMBP的克隆及表达分析

 通过荧光差异显示和RT PCR技术,克隆到一个新的水稻钙调素结合蛋白基因OsCaMBP。序列分析表明,该基因cDNA序列全长2094 bp,编码一个具有569个氨基酸残基的多肽,推测分子量为63.2 kD;在OsCaMBP蛋白的N端存在IQ钙调素结合构象,与其他植物中的钙调素结合蛋白的相似性介于38.25%~47.28%。在热激处理15 min、30 min、 1 h或2 h后,该基因在水稻的叶、根和叶鞘中表达量急剧增加;此外,该基因表达量也受低温调控而增加。     

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.