Predictions of the properties of water from first principles

A force field for water has been developed entirely from first principles, without any fitting to experimental data. It contains both pairwise and many-body interactions. This force field predicts the properties of the water dimer and of liquid water in excellent agreement with experiments, a previously elusive objective. Precise knowledge of the intermolecular interactions in water will facilitate a better understanding of this ubiquitous substance.     

The chemistry of water on alumina surfaces: reaction dynamics from first principles

Aluminas and their surface chemistry play a vital role in many areas of modern technology. The behavior of adsorbed water is particularly important and poorly understood. Simulations of hydrated alpha-alumina (0001) surfaces with ab initio molecular dynamics elucidate many aspects of this problem, especially the complex dynamics of water dissociation and related surface reactions. At low water coverage, free energy profiles established that molecularly adsorbed water is metastable and dissociates readily, even in the absence of defects, by a kinetically preferred pathway. Observations at higher water coverage revealed rapid dissociation and unanticipated collective effects, including water-catalyzed dissociation and proton transfer reactions between adsorbed water and hydroxide. The results provide a consistent interpretation of the measured coverage dependence of water heats of adsorption, hydroxyl vibrational spectra, and other experiments.     

Structure of a 16-nm cage designed by using protein oligomers

Designing protein molecules that will assemble into various kinds of ordered materials represents an important challenge in nanotechnology. We report the crystal structure of a 12-subunit protein cage that self-assembles by design to form a tetrahedral structure roughly 16 nanometers in diameter. The strategy of fusing together oligomeric protein domains can be generalized to produce other kinds of cages or extended materials.     

Characterization of a TaJ Gene from Wheat

A novel J-domain protein gene was cloned from wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） using RT-PCR technology and named as TaJ. The J-domain protein is defined by the presence of a J-domain. The cDNA of T. aestivum gene, TaJ （GenBank accession number： DQ789026）, was 1263 bp and contained a complete open reading frame （ORF） encoding a J-domain protein of 420 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence of TaJ possesses three functionally essential domains： the Nterminal J-domain which includes the highly conserved HPD tripeptide, an adjacent domain that is rich in glycine and phenylalanine residues （G/F） and a Cysteine-rich zinc-finger domain with four repeats of CxxCxGxG that is important for protein interactions. The C-terminal of TaJ was -CAQQ, a farnesylation motif. The full-length deduced amino acid sequence of TaJ is highly homologous to J-domain proteins from various plant species. Southern blot analysis indicated that a single copy of TaJ existed in wheat genome. The expression pattern of TaJ performed by real-time PCR demonstrated that heat shock （HS） at 37℃ induced the expression of TaJ rapidly and strongly, but the response of the TaJ gene to cold stress was much slower than that to HS. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the expression level of TaJ gene was much higher in leaves than that in roots.     

一个水稻谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶启动子的特性分析

从水稻基因组文库中筛选得到1个水稻谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶基因,命名为OsGSTL1。为了研究OsGSTL1启动子在植物体内的表达特性,将OsGSTL1起始位点5′-端上游不同长度的调控序列与报告基因GUS融合,并在洋葱表皮瞬间表达和拟南芥中稳定表达。研究表明:在洋葱表皮细胞中,160 bp及更长的上游调控序列均能启动GUS基因的表达;而在转基因拟南芥中,含有2 155 bp的上游序列的PGL2.1::GUS具有时空表达的特性,在转基因的早期幼苗中GUS基因在子叶中特异性表达,但在根中没有表达;而在幼苗生长的后期,根、茎、叶中都有少量的表达。但包含1 224 bp的上游序列的PGL1.2::GUS却表现为组成型表达的特性。由此推测,OsGSTL1启动子启动的基因表达可能与幼苗的营养代谢相关;而OsGSTL1启动子的时空表达相关元件可能位于GST起始位点5′-端上游-2 155 bp~-1 224 bp范围内。     

锦鲤疱疹病毒囊膜蛋白ORF132的克隆及分析

提取感染锦鲤疱疹病毒(KHV)的锦鲤(Cyprinus carpio koi)肾脏组织DNA,通过PCR扩增了KHV ORF132基因。该基因全长513 bp,所编码的蛋白包含170个氨基酸,分子量18.5 ku,等电点8.11,有信号肽以及2个潜在的O糖基化位点。应用DNA Star程序,通过综合分析二级结构柔性区、蛋白的亲水性、表面可能性、抗原性指数,预测KHV ORF132蛋白主要B细胞表位区段位于Leu40～Ala45、Asn53～Pro66、Arg97～Thr118、Ala125～Pro136、Glu140～Arg145、Asn160～Arg170。     

柽柳类锌指基因ThZFL的功能分析

为了研究柽柳ThZFL基因的功能,将ThZFL基因过表达转入烟草后,对转基因烟草进行盐胁迫、干旱胁迫,并利用酵母双杂交及染色体步移技术,获得柽柳ThZFL基因的互作蛋白与启动子。结果表明:柽柳ThZ-FL基因能显著提高转基因烟草盐胁迫下种子的发芽率、离体叶片的分化和植株的生长能力;通过酵母双杂交筛选出两个与ThZFL蛋白互作的蛋白;ThZFL基因启动子驱动GUS活性显示,在幼苗的整体、叶脉和毛状体中表达显著,但在幼叶和茎尖处表达微弱。     

Characterization of a human TAR RNA-binding protein that activates the HIV-1 LTR

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gene expression is activated by Tat, a virally encoded protein. Tat trans-activation requires viral (trans-activation--responsive; TAR) RNA sequences located in the R region of the long terminal repeat (LTR). Existing evidence suggests that Tat probably cooperates with cellular factors that bind to TAR RNA in the overall trans-activation process. A HeLa complementary DNA was isolated and characterized that encodes a TAR RNA-binding protein (TRBP). TRBP activated the HIV-1 LTR and was synergistic with Tat function.     

一株水貂源致病性粪肠球菌分离与鉴定

对水貂肠淋巴结中分离得到的一株新细菌性病原进行分离鉴定,并作形态学和培养特征观察、生化试验、16S r RNA基因PCR鉴定、药物敏感试验、致病性试验。结果表明,该分离株可确定为粪肠球菌(Ente rococcus fae calis),其16S r RNA基因序列与Gen Bank中从猪、羊、鸡、牛、马等动物体内分离出的粪肠球菌基因同源性均在97%以上,且与猪源粪肠球菌亲缘关系最近。药物敏感试验表明,分离菌株对头孢曲松钠、万古霉素、阿莫西林、庆大霉素、多西环素、环丙沙星、左氟氧沙星、诺氟沙星、氟苯尼考、红霉素高度敏感,对其他19种抗生素具有明显抗性。致病性试验表明,分离菌株对小鼠有较强致病性。毒力基因检测结果表明,其携带cyl A、ge l E和e fa A三种毒力基因。这是从水貂中分离得到致病性粪肠球菌的首次报道,研究结果可作为水貂与肠球菌相关疾病检测、鉴别、诊断、治疗和预防依据。     

Cloning and Characterization of a PGIP-Encoding Gene from Solanum torvum

Verticillium wilt is a severe disease in eggplant caused by Verticillium dahliae.Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins （PGIPs） have been shown to be involved in preventing the invasion of fungus including V.dahliae.Cloning genes encoding PGIPs is quite valuable for plant resistance breeding to Verticillium wilt.In this study,a cDNA encoding the polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein was isolated from Solanum torvum by RT-PCR and RACE,designated StPGIP （accession no.FJ943498）.The cDNA sequence of StPGIP was 1 097 bp long and contained an open reading frame of 990 bp.The predicted amino acid sequence of the gene consisted of 329 amino acids and had conserved LRRs.The StPGIP protein had a high identity with PGIPs from other species.Analysis of StPGIP expression at the mRNA level by RT-PCR showed that the gene was expressed in all organs and could be induced to increase expression by V.erticillium dahliae infection.     

Characterization of polyclonal antibodies against nonstructural protein 9 from the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is considered to be one of the most important infectious diseases impacting the swine industry and is characterized by reproductive failure in late term gestation in sows and respiratory disease in pigs of all ages. The nonstructural protein 9 gene, Nsp9, encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is generally regarded as fairly conserved when compared to other viral proteins. Antibodies against Nsp9 will be of great importance for the diagnosis and treatment of the causal agent, PRRS virus. A study was undertaken to generate polyclonal antibodies against the immunodominant Nsp9. For this purpose, the Nsp9 was expressed in Escherichia coli and subsequently used as an antigen to immunize New Zealand rabbits. Antiserum was identified via an indirect ELISA, and then verified based on the ability to react with both naturally and artificially expressed Nsp9. Results of virus neutralization test showed that this antiserum could not neutralize the PRRSV. Nevertheless, this antiserum as a diagnostic core reagent should prove invaluable for further investigations into the mechanism of PRRS pathogenesis.     

Association of transfer RNA acceptor identity with a helical irregularity

The aminoacylation specificity ("acceptor identity") of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) has previously been associated with the position of particular nucleotides, as opposed to distinctive elements of three-dimensional structure. The contribution of a G.U wobble pair in the acceptor helix of tRNA(Ala) to acceptor identity was examined with synthetic amber suppressor tRNAs in Escherichia coli. The acceptor identity was not affected by replacing the G.U wobble pair in tRNA(Ala) with a G.A, C.A, or U.U wobble pair. Furthermore, a tRNA(Ala) acceptor identity was conferred on tRNA(Lys) when the same site in the acceptor helix was replaced with any of several wobble pairs. Additional data with tRNA(Ala) show that a substantial acceptor identity was retained when the G.U wobble pair was translocated to another site in the acceptor helix. These results suggest that the G.U wobble pair induces an irregularity in the acceptor helix of tRNA(Ala) to match a complementary structure in the aminoacylating enzyme.     

Hyaluronic acid: a novel, double helical molecule

Films prepared from a deformable gel (or putty) of hyaluronic acid show high crystallinity and orientation in their x-ray diffraction patterns. We have derived a probable structure for the molecules in these films. This is a double helix in which two identical, left-handed strands are antiparallel to one another. Each strand has four disaccharide residues per pitch length. Although the putty is prepared at pH 2.5, at which dilute solutions of hyaluronic have exaggerated rheological properties, the double helical form can also exist at physiological pH and therefore may be a biologically important form.     

藿香中一种新的二萜类物质的分离及其结构表征

[目的]对秦巴山区野生藿香枝叶中萜类物质进行了提取和分离,并对其萜类物质的结构进行了研究。[方法]用浓度95%的乙醇对藿香枝叶粉末进行浸提,并将所得浸膏分散在水相中,依次用石油醚、乙酸乙酯和正丁醇进行萃取,将所得的乙酸乙酯萃取物用硅胶柱层析梯度洗脱法分离其中的萜类物质;运用薄层色谱、红外光谱、紫外光谱、核磁共振谱等现代光谱技术对所得的萜类物质结构进行表征,并采用单晶X-衍射技术确定其晶体分子的构型和构象。[结果]从藿香中分离得到一种新的化合物。该二萜类物质是Longikaurin D,其晶体属于orthorhombic晶系,P2（1）2（1）2（1）空间群,晶胞参数a=0.845 1（4）nm,b=1.061 5（5）nm,c=2.237 1（10）nm,α=β=γ=90.00°,Mr=404.43,V=2.007（16）nm3,Dc=1.352 mg/m3,Z=4,F（000）=872,μ=0.103/mm,R1=0.076 7,ωR2=0.146 8。[结论]首次从在藿香中分离出二萜类物质Longikaurin D,为开发和利用藿香中的萜类物质提供科学依据。     

Cloning and Characterization of a Putative CTR1 Gene from Wheat

CTR1 is a key negative regulator in ethylene signal transduction. A salt-induced CTR1 like gene （TaCTR1） was cloned from wheat, its expression under abiotic stresses, subcellular localization and the effect of overexpression of TaCTR1 on salt tolerance in tobacco was studied. A putative CTR1 gene was cloned and characterized from wheat via rapid amplification of cDNA ends （RACE） and RT-PCR. TaCTR1 expression under stresses was analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and the effect of overexpression of TaCTR1 on salt tolerance was conducted in tobacco. The full-length cDNA of TaCTR1 is 2 635 bp which codes for a polypeptide of 759 amino acids. There is a conserved serine/threonine protein kinase domain at the carboxyl terminus containing an ATP-binding site. Southern blot analysis revealed that TaCTR1 consisted of a gene family in wheat. The amino acid homologies of CTR1 among different organisms share higher similarities. Expression analysis revealed that TaCTR1 was induced by NaC1 and drought stress but inhibited by ABA treatment. Transient expression of TaCTR1-GFP in the onion epidermal cells indicated that TaCTR1 was probably targeted to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of TaCTR1 decreased salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco （Nicotiana tabacum L.） plants compared with the control. To our knowledge, TaCTR1 is the first CTR1 gene cloned in wheat and may be involved in various abiotic stresses. Overexpression of TaCTR1 decreased the salt tolerance in tobacco suggested that TaCTR1 may act as a negative regulator of salt stress in plants.     

小麦类CTR1基因的克隆和特性分析

 【目的】克隆小麦类CTR1基因（TaCTR1）,研究其在各种胁迫条件下的表达、亚细胞定位和过量表达TaCTR1对转基因烟草耐盐性的影响。【方法】利用RACE结合RT-PCR技术克隆TaCTR1,利用半定量RT-PCR研究TaCTR1在各种非胁迫及ABA处理条件下的表达,通过烟草转化研究过量表达TaCTR1对转基因植株耐盐性的影响。【结果】TaCTR1全长2 635 bp,编码759个氨基酸,在其羧基端有一个非常保守的丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶结构域,该结构域含有ATP结合位点和一个钙调素结合位点;TaCTR1与其它植物中CTR1的氨基酸序列同源性较高。TaCTR1的表达受NaCl和干旱胁迫的诱导,当用30μmol?L-1 ABA对小麦幼苗进行处理时,TaCTR1的表达受到抑制,当将小麦幼苗转移至无ABA的Hoagland培养液时,TaCTR1的表达又逐渐升高。利用洋葱表皮细胞进行瞬时表达显示TaCTR1可能定位于细胞质膜。过量表达TaCTR1的转基因烟草植株耐盐性下降。【结论】 TaCTR1是小麦中克隆的第一个CTR1基因,TaCTR1:GFP可能定位于细胞质膜,过量表达TaCTR1的烟草植株耐盐性下降说明TaCTR1是植物耐盐信号传导途径的负调控因子。     

香蕉多聚半乳糖醛酸酶抑制蛋白的分离与纯化

多聚半乳糖醛酸酶抑制蛋白(PGIP)能够特异性结合并抑制真菌侵染所产生的多聚半乳糖醛酸酶.本试验以健康香蕉幼苗植株为材料,通过硫酸铵沉淀、PM10膜超滤浓缩、亲和层析、离子交换层析以及凝胶层析等步骤,纯化获得一种PGIP,SDS-PAGE确定其分子质量为38.2 ku.该PGIP的活性对温度敏感,对香蕉枯萎病菌4号小种...     

A light-actuated nanovalve derived from a channel protein

Toward the realization of nanoscale device control, we report a molecular valve embedded in a membrane that can be opened by illumination with long-wavelength ultraviolet (366 nanometers) light and then resealed by visible irradiation. The valve consists of a channel protein, the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) from Escherichia coli, modified by attachment of synthetic compounds that undergo light-induced charge separation to reversibly open and close a 3-nanometer pore. The system is compatible with a classical encapsulation system, the liposome, and external photochemical control over transport through the channel is achieved.