A chicken transferrin gene in transgenic mice escapes X-chromosome inactivation

Mammalian X-chromosome inactivation involves a coordinate shutting down of physically linked genes. Several proposed models require the presence of specific sequences near genes to permit the spread of inactivation into these regions. If such models are correct, one might predict that heterologous genes transferred onto the X chromosome might lack the appropriate signal sequences and therefore escape inactivation. To determine whether a foreign gene inserted into the X chromosome is subject to inactivation, transgenic mice harboring 11 copies of the complete, 17-kilobase chicken transferrin gene on the X chromosome were used. Male mice hemizygous for this insert were bred with females bearing Searle's translocation, an X-chromosome rearrangement that is always active in heterozygous females (the unrearranged X chromosome is inactive). Female offspring bearing the Searle's translocation and the chicken transferrin gene had the same amount of chicken transferrin messenger RNA in liver as did transgenic male mice or transgenic female mice lacking the Searle's chromosome. This result shows that the inserted gene is not subject to X-chromosome inactivation and suggests that the inactivation process cannot spread over 187 kilobases of DNA in the absence of specific signal sequences required for inactivation.     

转基因植物释放的风险性和转基因植物食品安全性评价

从杂草化和基因漂移方面探讨了转基因植物释放的生态风险问题；从导入的外源基因、标记基因、启动子和T-DNA边界序列以及未知预料的基因多效性等方面评述了转基因植物食品安全性问题。     

Epigenetic aspects of X-chromosome dosage compensation

The X chromosomes of mammals and fruit flies exhibit unusual properties that have evolved to deal with the different dosages of X-linked genes in males (XY) and females (XX). The X chromosome dosage-compensation mechanisms discovered in these species are evolutionarily unrelated, but exhibit surprising parallels in their regulatory strategies. These features include the importance of noncoding RNAs, and epigenetic spreading of chromatin-modifying activities. Sex chromosomes have posed a fascinating puzzle for biologists. The dissimilar organization, gene content, and regulation of the X and Y chromosomes are thought to reflect selective forces acting on original pairs of identical chromosomes (1-3). The result in many organisms is a male-specific Y chromosome that has lost most of its original genetic content, and a difference in dosage of the X chromosome in males (XY) and females (XX).     

From sequence to chromosome: the tip of the X chromosome of D. melanogaster

One of the rewards of having a Drosophila melanogaster whole-genome sequence will be the potential to understand the molecular bases for structural features of chromosomes that have been a long-standing puzzle. Analysis of 2.6 megabases of sequence from the tip of the X chromosome of Drosophila identifies 273 genes. Cloned DNAs from the characteristic bulbous structure at the tip of the X chromosome in the region of the broad complex display an unusual pattern of in situ hybridization. Sequence analysis revealed that this region comprises 154 kilobases of DNA flanked by 1.2-kilobases of inverted repeats, each composed of a 350-base pair satellite related element. Thus, some aspects of chromosome structure appear to be revealed directly within the DNA sequence itself.     

Autosomal dominant mutations affecting X inactivation choice in the mouse

X chromosome inactivation is the silencing mechanism eutherian mammals use to equalize the expression of X-linked genes between males and females early in embryonic development. In the mouse, genetic control of inactivation requires elements within the X inactivation center (Xic) on the X chromosome that influence the choice of which X chromosome is to be inactivated in individual cells. It has long been posited that unidentified autosomal factors are essential to the process. We have used chemical mutagenesis in the mouse to identify specific factors involved in X inactivation and report two genetically distinct autosomal mutations with dominant effects on X chromosome choice early in embryogenesis.     

Recruitment and spreading of the C. elegans dosage compensation complex along X chromosomes

To achieve X-chromosome dosage compensation, organisms must distinguish X chromosomes from autosomes. We identified multiple, cis-acting regions that recruit the Caenorhabditis elegans dosage compensation complex (DCC) through a search for regions of X that bind the complex when detached from X. The DCC normally assembles along the entire X chromosome, but not all detached regions recruit the complex, despite having genes known to be dosage compensated on the native X. Thus, the DCC binds first to recruitment sites, then spreads to neighboring X regions to accomplish chromosome-wide gene repression. From a large chromosomal domain, we defined a 793-base pair fragment that functions in vivo as an X-recognition element to recruit the DCC.     

小麦赤霉病抗性机理研究进展

赤霉病（Fusarium head blight,FHB）是小麦最主要的病害之一,严重影响小麦生产安全和食品安全,研究小麦赤霉病抗性机理对于解决小麦赤霉病这一世界性难题具有重要意义。根据对赤霉病的抗性表现形式,将小麦赤霉病抗性分为五个大类,分别为抗侵入（Type I）、抗扩展（Type II）、籽粒抗感染（Type III）、耐病性（Type Ⅳ）和抗毒素积累（Type V）。小麦赤霉病的抗性机理可以分为形态机制和生理机制,形态抗性机制是被动的,株高、抽穗期、花期长短、花药挤出程度、有芒无芒、穗长、穗密度、颖壳张开程度和穗部蜡质程度等形态特征均可能与赤霉病抗侵染特性有关。细胞学研究表明,病原菌侵染后抗病品种可迅速从细胞结构和生理生化方面产生防卫反应,通过乳突、胞壁沉积物的形成以及木质素、硫堇、富含羟脯氨酸糖蛋白和水解酶类等的增长来协同抵御病菌在体内的扩展。在植物复杂的信号途径中,水杨酸（SA）、茉莉酸（JA）和乙烯（ET）3种信号途径在植物抵御病原菌入侵中的作用最为重要,SA和ET信号途径对小麦赤霉病抗性方面的作用目前还存在一定争议,而JA信号途径在小麦赤霉病抗性中积极作用已经被多数研究者所证实。迄今为止,人类定位了200个以上不同类型的抗赤霉病QTL位点,这些位点分布于所有的小麦染色体,其中的22个QTL位点被不同的作图群体所定位,包括2个定位在3BS和6BS染色体上稳定的抗扩展位点Fhb1和Fhb2,以及2个定位在4B和5A染色体上的抗侵染位点Fhb4和Fhb5。在受到病原菌侵染后,植物会产生一系列复杂的信号途径激活应答反应,诱导抗病相关基因的表达,进而引起蛋白以及代谢水平的变化,抵御病原菌的侵袭,研究表明,病程相关蛋白基因、抗菌肽基因、转录因子基因、脱毒相关蛋白基因以及其他赤霉病抗性相关基因均参与了小麦赤霉病抗性提高的过程。随着生物工程技术和生物信息技术的迅猛发展,将来可利用图位克隆技术分离抗赤霉病主效基因,并在全基因组关联分析和各种组学技术的基础上,从全基因组和基因调控网络水平上研究小麦赤霉病抗性机理,以期在更深层次上理解小麦赤霉病的抗性机理。     

Senescence of nickel-transformed cells by an X chromosome: possible epigenetic control

Transfer of a normal Chinese hamster X chromosome (carried in a mouse A9 donor cell line) to a nickel-transformed Chinese hamster cell line with an Xq chromosome deletion resulted in senescense of these previously immortal cells. At early passages of the A9/CX donor cells, the hamster X chromosome was highly active, inducing senescence in 100% of the colonies obtained after its transfer into the nickel-transformed cells. However, senescence was reduced to 50% when Chinese hamster X chromosomes were transferred from later passage A9 cells. Full senescing activity of the intact hamster X chromosome was restored by treatment of the donor mouse cells with 5-azacytidine, which induced demethylation of DNA. These results suggest that a senescence gene or genes, which may be located on the Chinese hamster X chromosome, can be regulated by DNA methylation, and that escape from senescence and possibly loss of tumor suppressor gene activity can occur by epigenetic mechanisms.     

Micelles protect membrane complexes from solution to vacuum

The ability to maintain interactions between soluble protein subunits in the gas phase of a mass spectrometer gives critical insight into the stoichiometry and interaction networks of protein complexes. Conversely, for membrane protein complexes in micelles, the transition into the gas phase usually leads to the disruption of interactions, particularly between cytoplasmic and membrane subunits, and a mass spectrum dominated by large aggregates of detergent molecules. We show that by applying nanoelectrospray to a micellar solution of a membrane protein complex, the heteromeric adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter BtuC2D2, we can maintain the complex intact in the gas phase of a mass spectrometer. Dissociation of either transmembrane (BtuC) or cytoplasmic (BtuD) subunits uncovers modifications to the transmembrane subunits and cooperative binding of ATP. By protecting a membrane protein complex within a n-dodecyl-beta-d-maltoside micelle, we demonstrated a powerful strategy that will enable the subunit stoichiometry and ligand-binding properties of membrane complexes to be determined directly, by precise determination of the masses of intact complexes and dissociated subunits.     

Salivary proline-rich protein genes on chromosome 8 of mouse

Endonuclease restriction (Hind III) fragments of DNA from Chinese hamster X mouse somatic cell hybrids hybridized with proline-rich protein complementary DNA clones only when the DNA was isolated from cells containing mouse chromosome 8, or a fragment of chromosome 8. The evidence suggests that proline-rich protein genes are located at the proximal portion of chromosome 8 toward the centromere.     

转基因植物中的标记基因

随着转基因植物的商业化 ,植物转基技术将为农业生产带来一场新的革命。但目前仅仅把基因导入植物已经不能满足现代农业的要求。新的转化技术不仅要求把基因导入农艺性状优良的品种中 ,呈单拷贝 ,不带辅助序列 (标记基因 ) ,而且转基因的表达必需可预测 ,并在不同的转化体中表达一致。论文讨论标记基因及与标记基因消除的转化体系有关的问题     

Polycomb proteins targeted by a short repeat RNA to the mouse X chromosome

To equalize X-chromosome dosages between the sexes, the female mammal inactivates one of her two X chromosomes. X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is initiated by expression of Xist, a 17-kb noncoding RNA (ncRNA) that accumulates on the X in cis. Because interacting factors have not been isolated, the mechanism by which Xist induces silencing remains unknown. We discovered a 1.6-kilobase ncRNA (RepA) within Xist and identified the Polycomb complex, PRC2, as its direct target. PRC2 is initially recruited to the X by RepA RNA, with Ezh2 serving as the RNA binding subunit. The antisense Tsix RNA inhibits this interaction. RepA depletion abolishes full-length Xist induction and trimethylation on lysine 27 of histone H3 of the X. Likewise, PRC2 deficiency compromises Xist up-regulation. Therefore, RepA, together with PRC2, is required for the initiation and spread of XCI. We conclude that a ncRNA cofactor recruits Polycomb complexes to their target locus.     

复杂地形下风场插值与林火蔓延模拟应用研究

山区地形复杂多变,风场随地形而变化,作为影响林火蔓延的主要因素,风场数据的准确程度将直接影响山地林火蔓延预测的结果。选择同时考虑地形起伏变化和距离作为主要因子的风场插值方法,设计并开发实现风场插值功能,并与基于空间距离的传统反距离权重(IDW)插值方法进行了比较研究。通过实验验证表明,所实现的基于地形起伏的风场插值方法对山区风场的模拟更接近实际;利用该方法的插值结果输入林火蔓延模拟,模拟的火场形状与实际范围具有更高的相似度。     

Role of histone H3 lysine 27 methylation in X inactivation

The Polycomb group (PcG) protein Eed is implicated in regulation of imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in extraembryonic cells but not of random X inactivation in embryonic cells. The Drosophila homolog of the Eed-Ezh2 PcG protein complex achieves gene silencing through methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3-K27), which suggests a role for H3-K27 methylation in imprinted X inactivation. Here we demonstrate that transient recruitment of the Eed-Ezh2 complex to the inactive X chromosome (Xi) occurs during initiation of X inactivation in both extraembryonic and embryonic cells and is accompanied by H3-K27 methylation. Recruitment of the complex and methylation on the Xi depend on Xist RNA but are independent of its silencing function. Together, our results suggest a role for Eed-Ezh2-mediated H3-K27 methylation during initiation of both imprinted and random X inactivation and demonstrate that H3-K27 methylation is not sufficient for silencing of the Xi.     

Natural selection shapes genome-wide patterns of copy-number polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster

The role that natural selection plays in governing the locations and early evolution of copy-number mutations remains largely unexplored. We used high-density full-genome tiling arrays to create a fine-scale genomic map of copy-number polymorphisms (CNPs) in Drosophila melanogaster. We inferred a total of 2658 independent CNPs, 56% of which overlap genes. These include CNPs that are likely to be under positive selection, most notably high-frequency duplications encompassing toxin-response genes. The locations and frequencies of CNPs are strongly shaped by purifying selection, with deletions under stronger purifying selection than duplications. Among duplications, those overlapping exons or introns, as well as those falling on the X chromosome, seem to be subject to stronger purifying selection.     

中国玉米灰斑病发生现状与未来扩散趋势分析

【目的】明确玉米灰斑病发生现状,预测病害未来的扩展区域,为有针对性开展灰斑病的早防早控工作、保护玉米生产提供信息。【方法】采用形态、培养及分子特征鉴定的方法明确新发生玉米灰斑病区域的病菌分离物种类;汇总2004-2014年各地玉米灰斑病的调查信息,根据季风特点,推测具有重大破坏力的玉米尾孢灰斑病扩展路线,预测未来的病害发生区域。【结果】基于形态学、培养特征以及分子鉴定结果,明确了贵州西部、西北部以及四川北部的分离物为玉米尾孢（Cercospora zeina）,河北承德地区致病菌为玉蜀黍尾孢（C. zeae-maydis）,在陕西南部、西部以及河南西部鉴定出了玉米尾孢和玉蜀黍尾孢;初步明确了具有强致病力的玉米尾孢目前分布的北界。玉米灰斑病已经在中国15个省份发生,西南地区的玉米生产受到严重影响;在南海夏季风与西北太平洋副热带高压的作用下,玉米尾孢从云南西部进境后逐渐向北向东扩展,到达四川、陕西的西部,亦可能经种子携带途径进入湖北恩施,形成一个新的病害扩散源并传播至重庆、陕西安康和商洛以及河南西部山区。未来,在季风的作用下,源自西南的玉米尾孢灰斑病可能进入甘肃东南部、宁夏南部、陕西北部,并进而逐渐向北偏东方向扩展,对中国春玉米主产区构成重大威胁。【结论】确认玉米尾孢在贵州、四川、陕西、河南引起玉米灰斑病,河北的致病菌为玉蜀黍尾孢;由玉米尾孢引起的灰斑病已突破秦岭和巴山的阻隔,扩散至陕西西部、南部和河南西部,从西南玉米生产区进入了北方玉米生产区;夏季季风以及种子带菌是该种灰斑病快速传播的主要因素;未来玉米尾孢灰斑病将在季风作用下继续缓慢向北方玉米区扩散,在无灰斑病发生区域引发病害并可能在已有玉蜀黍尾孢灰斑病发生的区域形成新的重大病害威胁。