Functional insertion of an Alu type 2 (B2 SINE) repetitive sequence in murine class I genes

The regulation of expression of the family of MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I genes is complex. Sequence analysis has revealed that class I genes from the H-2D subregion of the MHC (which includes the D and L genes) differ from the class I gene from the H-2K subregion (the K gene) by the insertion of a type 2 Alu-like repetitive element (the murine B2 sequence) within the 3' noncoding region of the D and L genes. The consequence of this insertion in the D and L genes is the introduction of a novel polyadenylation signal, which is preferentially used over the more distal signal, the analog of that found in the K gene. The insertion of the type 2 Alu-like sequence results in a change in the preferred site for endonucleolytic cleavage which is necessary for generating a correct 3' terminus for polyadenylation. The data demonstrate that the type 2 Alu-like sequence has a function; the data also suggest a possible regulatory role of this sequence in the expression of class I genes.     

New ways to study developmental genes in spore-forming bacteria

The regulated activation of numerous sets of genes in multiple chromosomal locations is a hallmark of cellular differentiation in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Certain species of bacteria that experience complex developmental cycles are especially attractive as systems in which to study the mechanisms of this kind of gene regulation because they are highly amenable to both biochemical and genetic approaches. Bacillus subtilis, which undergoes extensive cellular differentiation when it sporulates, is one such system. Many new methods are now available in this Gram-positive species for identifying, manipulating, and studying the regulation of genes involved in spore formation, including the use of transposable genetic elements that create gene fusions in vivo as an automatic consequence of insertions into genes.     

A complex with chromatin modifiers that occupies E2F- and Myc-responsive genes in G0 cells

E2F-6 contributes to gene silencing in a manner independent of retinoblastoma protein family members. To better elucidate the molecular mechanism of repression by E2F-6, we have purified the factor from cultured cells. E2F-6 is found in a multimeric protein complex that contains Mga and Max, and thus the complex can bind not only to the E2F-binding site but also to Myc- and Brachyury-binding sites. Moreover, the complex contains chromatin modifiers such as a novel histone methyltransferase that modifies lysine 9 of histone H3, HP1gamma, and Polycomb group (PcG) proteins. The E2F-6 complex preferentially occupies target promoters in G0 cells rather than in G1 cells. These data suggest that these chromatin modifiers contribute to silencing of E2F- and Myc-responsive genes in quiescent cells.     

Noise propagation in gene networks

Accurately predicting noise propagation in gene networks is crucial for understanding signal fidelity in natural networks and designing noise-tolerant gene circuits. To quantify how noise propagates through gene networks, we measured expression correlations between genes in single cells. We found that noise in a gene was determined by its intrinsic fluctuations, transmitted noise from upstream genes, and global noise affecting all genes. A model was developed that explains the complex behavior exhibited by the correlations and reveals the dominant noise sources. The model successfully predicts the correlations as the network is systematically perturbed. This approach provides a step toward understanding and manipulating noise propagation in more complex gene networks.     

Prevention of allogeneic bone marrow graft rejection by H-2 transgene in donor mice

Rejection of bone marrow grafts in irradiated mice is mediated by natural killer (NK) cells and is controlled by genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). It has, however, not been possible to identify the genes or their products. An MHC class I (Dd) transgene introduced in C57BL donors prevented the rejection of their bone marrow by NK cells in irradiated allogeneic and F1 hybrid mice expressing the Dd gene. Conversely, H-2Dd transgenic C57BL recipients acquired the ability to reject bone marrow from C57BL donors but not from H-2Dd transgenic C57BL donors. These results provide formal evidence that NK cells are part of a system capable of rejecting cells because they lack normal genes of the host type, in contrast to T cells, which recognize cells that contain abnormal or novel sequences of non-host type.     

一个新的小麦非生物胁迫诱导基因的克隆及表达特性

 【目的】水分胁迫和低温是制约植物生长发育的重要限制因子，研究植物感知、传递胁迫信号，并对重要的基因进行克隆对改良作物的抗性有重要意义。本试验的目的是克隆与水分胁迫相关的基因，通过基因的功能进一步了解植物的抗旱机制，并为抗逆育种提供候选基因。【方法】试验应用噬菌体原位杂交技术从小麦旱胁迫cDNA文库中克隆了一个水分胁迫诱导基因片段W89。用5′-RACE和RT-PCR方法，获得了W89基因的全长序列。【结果】W89全长cDNA为2 392 bp，其中，编码区长1 896 bp，编码631个氨基酸。Southern杂交表明，W89是一个单拷贝基因。RT-PCR结果表明，W89受干旱、低温和ABA的诱导。氨基酸序列分析发现W89有一个DUF248保守区（pfam03141），包含一个具有SAM （Sterile Alpha Motif）结合基序的甲基转移酶区。同源性分析发现W89与一个水稻干旱诱导蛋白（BAD67956）的同源性为66%，推测W89可能是一个新的小麦干旱诱导的基因。【结论】根据甲基转移酶和SAM结合基序的功能，推测W89的SAM结合基序可能与其它蛋白或转录因子相互作用调控植物胁迫基因的表达，并且可能在干旱胁迫的早期调控信号的转导。     

樱桃自交不亲和S9-单元型特异的F-box基因克隆及其表达分析

【目的】克隆李属甜樱桃自交不亲和性花粉S-决定子基因，为今后果树配子体自交不亲和性机理研究奠定理论基础。【方法】根据GenBank登录的16个S-locus F-box同源基因保守区设计兼并引物，利用RT-PCR、RACE等手段，从甜樱桃品种红灯花粉cDNA中克隆到两个编码376-氨基酸多肽的全长基因。【结果】GenBank Blast分析显示,克隆的两个基因中一个基因编码的蛋白产物与数据库甜樱桃自交不亲和性S3-单元型特异的PaSFB3（AB096857）编码的氨基酸序列完全一致。另一个基因编码一新的PaSFB同源序列，其推测的氨基酸序列N-端同SFB3一样具有明显的F-box基序，与PaSFB1～6的一致性为76%～82%。研究显示该基因在花粉组织中特异性表达，并表现出S9-单元型特异的连锁信号。【结论】新基因为甜樱桃自交不亲和性花粉S-决定子候选基因PaSFB家族中一新成员，命名为PaSFB9 （GenBank登录号：DQ422809），红灯自交不亲和基因型确定为S3S9。     

The CD14 monocyte differentiation antigen maps to a region encoding growth factors and receptors

CD14 is a myelomonocytic differentiation antigen expressed by monocytes, macrophages, and activated granulocytes and is detectable with the monoclonal antibodies MO2, MY4, and LeuM3. Analyses of complementary DNA and genomic clones of CD14 show that it has a novel structure and that it maps to chromosome 5 within a region containing other genes encoding growth factors and receptors; it may therefore represent a new receptor important for myeloid differentiation. In addition, the CD14 gene is included in the "critical" region that is frequently deleted in certain myeloid leukemias.     

大豆SBP基因家族的序列特征、表达及进化分析

SBP基因家族是植物所特有的一类重要转录因子,由多个成员组成,主要参与植物生长、发育以及多种生理生化过程.试验在大豆基因组中鉴定49个SBP基因,被命名为GmSBP1~49.基于生物信息学手段,对大豆该基因家族49个成员的基因结构、染色体定位、蛋白保守序列、亚细胞定位、表达情况及进化关系进行分析.序列分析表明,SBP基因家族成员分散于不同染色体上,不同基因具有不同个数的外显子,其数目变异范围为1~14;该家族蛋白含有5个保守基序,尽管与SBP结构域有所重叠,但它们能形成6种不同的组织模式,这说明该基因家族序列变异较为复杂.表达分析结果显示,除GmSBP2和GmSBP11等6个基因没有相应的EST外,其余基因都有转录活性;在具有转录活性的基因中,只有GmSBP46显示出组成型表达模式,剩余基因表现出不同程度的组织特异性表达模式.拟南芥、水稻和大豆SBP蛋白的进化树揭示该家族具有8个类群,其中E类群只包括大豆SBP基因,其他类群中大豆SBP基因数目也是最多,这充分说明大豆SBP基因家族起源与进化的复杂性.研究为大豆SBP基因功能研究提供线索     

节节麦抗小麦白粉病基因的SSR定位

从节节麦(Aegilops. tauschii(Coss.)Schmal)Y189和Y176杂交F2材料鉴定出1个抗小麦白粉病基因,暂时定名PmAeY2.遗传分析表明,PmAeY2是一个显性基因.应用分离群体分组法(BSA)筛选微卫星标记,并用相应的F2分离群体进行连锁分析,发现4个标记Xgwm583、Xgwm174、Xgwm182和Xgwm271与PmAeY2连锁,遗传距离分别为25.7、16.7、9.1和7cM.根据连锁标记所在小麦微卫星图谱的位置.PmAeY2 被定位在5DL染色体.根据基因所在染色体的位置、抗病性特征以及连锁标记扩增的特异性,可以认为PmAeY2是个新的抗白粉病基因,并且可以应用于分子标记辅助选择.     

GnRH受体基因的结构和行为特征

在分析了人ＧｎＲＨ受体基因结构特征的基础上，对小鼠、大鼠和绵羊的ＧｎＲＨ受体基因进行了描述。不同动物ＧｎＲＨ受体基因的结构特征基本相同。ＰＣＲ分析表明编码ＧｎＲＨ受体的基因位于染色体的特定位置。在ＧｎＲＨ受体基因上存在多个启动子和转录起始位点与多重调节序列，表明ＧｎＲＨ受体基因的活动是复杂的和高度调节的。     

鱼类MHC II 类基因及其研究进展

主要组织相容性复合体(Major Histocompatibility Complex,MHC)是广泛存在于脊椎动物体内,与免疫相关并编码免疫蛋白受体的基因群。在鱼类中,由于其高度的多态性,使其在遗传、进化以及抗病育种等方面备受青睐。从MHC II类基因的分子结构与功能、克隆及组织分布、遗传特征及基因多态性与抗病力的关系以及MHC II类基因在鱼类研究中的应用进行综述,并对鱼类MHCⅡ类基因未来的研究重点进行展望。     

植原体翠菊黄化组分类研究进展

本文介绍了植原体翠菊黄化组分类研究概况及最新进展,四个遗传进化参数16S rRNA、rp、tuf、secY基因应用于翠菊黄化组植原体的分类,基于16S rRNA、rp、tuf、secY序列的RFLP分析,分别可将翠菊黄化组植原体划分为15个、8个、10个、8个亚组,国际比较菌原体学研究计划署(IRPCM)提出将暂定种‘CandidatusPhytop lasm a asteris’作为翠菊黄化植原体的分类参考标准。     

小麦植酸酶基因TaPHY1的克隆、分子特征和表达特性研究

利用小麦植酸酶基因PAPhya1进行同源查找,获得1个与该基因高度同源、尚未开展分子特征和生物学功能研究的小麦新型植酸酶基因TaPHY1.TaPHY1的全长cDNA序列为1771 bp,编码548个氨基酸残基,TaPHY1含有紫色酸性磷酸酶(PAP)类植酸酶通常含有的保守域Metallophos、Purple acid...     

Regulation of the apolipoprotein AI gene by ARP-1, a novel member of the steroid receptor superfamily

Apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) is a lipid-binding protein that participates in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids in the plasma. A complementary DNA clone for a protein that bound to regulatory elements of the apoAI gene was isolated. This protein, designated apoAI regulatory protein-1 (ARP-1), is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily. ARP-1 bound to DNA as a dimer, and its dimerization domain was localized to the COOH-terminal region. ARP-1 also bound to a thyroid hormone-responsive element and to regulatory regions of the apoB, apoCIII, insulin, and ovalbumin genes. In cotransfection experiments, ARP-1 downregulated the apoAI gene. The involvement of ARP-1 in the regulation of apoAI gene expression suggests that it may participate in lipid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis.