cNanog和cPouV表达下调对鸡胚胎干细胞(cESCs)多能性的影响

利用稳定干扰载体pSuper-cNanog和pSuper-cPouV转染鸡(Gallus gallus)胚胎干细胞(chicken embryonic stem cells,cESCs),观察多能性相关基因cNanog和cPouV下调后cESCs的增殖特性和多能性标记的改变。Real-time PCR检测分析结果显示,cNanog和cPouV两基因的表达量从48 h开始出现显著下降趋势,并随着转染筛选时间的延长而呈现持续显著下降趋势,96 h可达65%以上(P0.05)。下调cNanog和cPouV基因的表达后,cESCs呈现分化形态,细胞增殖速度减慢,隆起逐渐不明显,边缘不整齐。待筛选后培养至96 h时,干扰cNanog基因的细胞多能性标记碱性磷酸酶(alkline phosphatase,AKP)和阶段特异性胚胎抗原1(stage-specific embryonic antigen-1,SSEA-1)均不表达,而干扰cPouV基因的细胞中则仍有部分表达。将下调cPouV基因的cESCs再次用pSuper-cNanog转染,培养48 h多能性标记AKP和SSEA-1均不表达。结果说明,cNanog和cPouV基因在维持鸡胚胎干细胞多能性和自我更新中起重要作用,且cNanog基因占主导地位。本研究为研究家禽胚胎发育的分子机制以及家禽胚胎干细胞体外培养时自我更新和多能性维持的分子机制提供理论依据。     

PR结构域蛋白1(PRDM1)慢病毒表达载体的构建及其对脐带间充质干细胞(hUC-MSC)向生殖细胞诱导分化的影响

PR结构域蛋白1基因(PR domain containing 1,with ZNF domain,PRDM1)作为原始生殖细胞(primordial germ cell,PGC)形成过程中的一个重要起始因子,在胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ESC)向PGC的发育分化过程中发挥重要作用。为了研究其在成体干细胞诱导分化中的作用,本研究PCR克隆获得小鼠(Mus musculus)PRDM1基因(GenBank登录号:JX154081.1),构建了PRDM1慢病毒表达载体pCDH-PRDM1,通过293T细胞包装病毒,用携带有PRDM1基因的病毒颗粒转导脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell,hUC-MSC)。结果表明,PRDM1基因成功在hUC-MSC中超表达;PRDM1基因能引起生殖相关基因胚胎特定时期抗原-1(stage-specific embryonic antigen-1,SSEA-1)、多能性相关蛋白3(developmental pluripotency associated 3 Dppa3,STELLA)、干细胞生长因子受体(stem cell growth factor receptor,C-KIT)和性别决定基因-同源盒2(sex determining region Y-box 2,SOX2)的上调,为进一步研究该基因的功能和提高干细胞向生殖细胞诱导分化研究奠定了一定的基础,并且为hUCMSC向生殖细胞的诱导分化提供了一个新的思路。     

小鼠生殖细胞特异基因Oct4启动子片段克隆及报告载体构建

本研究通过PCR方法从小鼠(Mus musculus)基因组中扩增出Oct4启动子的CR4区和CR1区,将其克隆到真核报告载体pEGFP-1,构建了携带Dct4启动子片段的小鼠生殖细胞特异性报告载体CR1,4-pEGFP-1.用该载体转染多种细胞,在荧光显微镜下观察绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)在细胞中的表达情况,同时以半定量RT-PCR检测转染细胞中Oct4及其它生殖细胞特异性基因的转录情况.结果显示,GFP在小鼠胚胎干细胞、小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(MEF)和C2C12细胞中均不表达,而在P19细胞和睾丸细胞中表达.RT-PCR结果显示,Oct4在P19、睾丸细胞和生殖干细胞中特异性转录.这表明所构建的绿色荧光蛋白报告载体只在生殖细胞和多能生殖干细胞中内表达,该质粒可作为示踪生殖细胞的工具,同时也可以作为生殖干细胞多能性状态的一个监测标记.     

转EGFP基因猪羊水干细胞的体外分化

目的：获得转EGFP基因猪羊水干细胞并监测其自我更新、增殖和多向分化潜能。方法：利用羊水干细胞培养技术体系,从胎龄30 d猪胎儿羊水中分离培养羊水干细胞,通过脂质体介导转染技术,将EGFP基因导入羊水干细胞,诱导转基因羊水干细胞贴壁分化,观察其体外增殖、分化特点。采用RT-PCR技术检测干细胞和分化细胞表面标志或相关基因。结果：成功分离培养出羊水干细胞,获得转EGFP基因羊水干细胞,羊水干细胞在表达EGFP的同时仍具有多向分化潜能。羊水干细胞中β-Actin、NogoA、DCX、CyclinD2、CD133、Hes1、Oct4、Desmin、CD-90、Nanog和Sox2表达阳性;体外诱导的羊水干细胞可以分化为星形胶质细胞(表达GFAP)、少突胶质细胞(表达GalC)和神经元细胞(表达NF、NSE和MAP2);能分化为脂肪细胞（表达LPL和PPARγ-D）、成骨细胞（表达Osteonectin和Osteocalcin）、肌细胞（表达myf-6和myoD）和内皮细胞（表达CD31、CD34、CD144 和eNOS）。结论：从猪胎儿羊水分离羊水干细胞具有可行性和有效性,转EGFP基因羊水干细胞具有自我更新、增殖和多向分化潜能,可以用EGFP对羊水干细胞进行标记、追踪。     

不同培养系统对鸡精原干细胞体外增殖作用的比较

本研究比较了层粘连蛋白(laminin)、纤维连接蛋白(fibronectin)、胶原蛋白(collagen)以及睾丸支持细胞(sertoli cell)4种不同培养系统对鸡(Gallus gallus)精原干细胞(spermatogonial stem cells,SSCs)体外增殖的作用效果。采用三酶两步消化法分离SSCs,细胞经明胶差速纯化后培养,将传至3代的SSCs重新接种于层粘连蛋白、纤维连接蛋白和胶原蛋白包被的培养皿中以及睾丸支持细胞制备的饲养层上,通过形态学、5-乙基-2'-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(EDU)细胞增殖、qRT-PCR技术检测不同培养系统对鸡精原干细胞体外增殖的作用效果。结果表明,鸡SSCs的碱性磷酸酶(AKP)阳性克隆数在睾丸支持细胞组最高,达到每视野(32±3)个,层粘连蛋白组、纤维连接蛋白组和胶原蛋白组分别为(26±3)、(24±2)和(23±2)个,三组差异不显著(P0.05);EDU检测睾丸支持细胞组细胞增殖率为(92.82±2.15)%,显著高于三组基质蛋白组(P0.01);qRT-PCR结果显示,增殖标记基因原癌基因(myconcogene,c-myc)、Kruppel样因子4(kruppel-like factor 4,Klf4)、增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)在睾丸支持细胞组的表达量最高,其次为层粘连蛋白组,c-myc和Klf4在纤维连接蛋白组中的表达要高于胶原蛋白组,PCNA则相反。实验结果表明:三组基质蛋白及睾丸支持细胞都能够促进鸡SSCs的体外增殖,其中睾丸支持细胞作用最佳,其次为层粘连蛋白,纤维连接蛋白和胶原蛋白两者作用效果差异不显著。该结果为进一步优化鸡胚SSCs的体外培养体系,阐明生殖细胞增殖机制提供了实验基础和理论支撑。     

奶山羊ESCO2基因克隆及其功能的初步研究

乙酰基转移酶2 (establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N-acetyltransferase 2,ESCO2)主要作用为调控姐妹染色单体的凝聚,在细胞DNA双链断裂损伤修复中发挥着重要的作用.本研究以关中奶山羊(Capra hircus)作为实验材料,利用PCR、qRT-PCR、生物信息学、免疫荧光染色等方法,分析其基因序列以及表达规律,克隆ESCO2基因,同时构建真核表达载体pESCO2-IRES2-AcGFP并转染奶山羊雄性生殖干细胞(mGSCs-I-SB细胞).结果表明,奶山羊ESCO2基因(GenBank登录号:KP341998.1)全长为1 834bp,编码612个氨基酸.与其他物种相比,均具有较高的同源性,与牛(Bos taurus)的同源性高达97.82％.ESCO2基因在奶山羊的多个器官中广泛表达,尤其在心脏、肺部表达较高,肝、脾、睾丸次之.ESCO2基因从山羊出生后开始持续高表达,且表达量随山羊年龄增加而升高,一岁时达到最高,随之开始下降.转染pESCO2-IRES2-AcGFP表达载体的mGSCs-I-SB细胞的减数分裂相关基因表达量明显提高,证明ESCO2基因在奶山羊减数分裂和精子发生过程中发挥了重要的作用.本研究结果为进一步研究奶山羊精原细胞减数分裂的精密调控提供了分子基础.     

BRL饲细胞及血清浓度对体外小鼠精原干细胞的影响

分别以大鼠肝细胞(BRL)或小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(STO)为饲养层．采用含5％、10％及20％胎牛血清的培养液，培养6日龄小鼠生精上皮细胞，研究饲养层和血清浓度对精原干细胞生物学行为的影响。结果表明：在培养的第1周内，2个及4个连成串的精原细胞合胞体数量明显增加，同时大多数精原细胞逐渐退化。培养1周后，大多数精原细胞经短暂的存活及分裂活动后退化消失，培养体系中仅保留下少量单个及由细胞间桥相连的双个及4个成串或成团的A型精原细胞。这些细胞在随后的培养过程中，不表现明显的分裂活动，呈圆球形，表达碱性磷酸酶。不同条件培养体系中的精原细胞及精原干细胞的生物学行为无明显不同，培养20～30d时均有少量精原干细胞存活。这说明BRL细胞能用作饲养层促进精原干细胞存活，但对其更新性增殖没有明显作用；培养液中高浓度胎牛血清对精原干细胞存活和增殖无明显影响，但能促进睾丸体细胞增殖。     

山羊胎儿睾丸细胞体外分离培养及雄性生殖系干细胞的生长行为

摘要：采用4种不同的处理方法消化山羊胎儿睾丸组织，其中0.1%的胶原酶Ⅰ处理15 min后， 用0.25%胰酶处理5 min，经3次洗涤，睾丸细胞分散较好。用不同的培养体系体外培养，结果显示：原代培养山羊胎儿睾丸细胞培养120 h左右，获得桑椹状雄性生殖系干细胞(mGSCs)集落和单层支持细胞，mGSCs集落呈半悬浮式隆突生长，mGSCs集落和支持细胞分区明显；传代培养显示，在小鼠成纤维细胞饲养层上， mGSCs集落和mGSC单细胞被同质化程度较显著，而含有支持细胞的mGSC单细胞和mGSCs集落被同质化程度较弱；传代mGSCs集落和支持细胞共培养体系中，mGSCs集落正常生长，而且集落中细胞间隙紧密，mGSCs分化较慢。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.