大豆GmGolS基因高温胁迫应答及启动子活性分析

肌醇半乳糖苷合成酶(GolS)是棉子糖系列寡糖(RFOs)生物合成途径中的关键酶。为探究大豆GmGolS基因的高温胁迫调控机制,通过实时荧光定量PCR检测GmGolS在高温胁迫下的表达量,通过PCR从大豆基因组DNA中扩增GmGolS基因启动子序列,将其连接到植物表达载体pCAMBIA1301上并转化烟草,通过GUS组织化学染色和实时荧光定量PCR检测GmGolS启动子的高温诱导启动活性。结果表明：高温胁迫可以强烈诱导GmGolS的表达。1 739 bp的GmGolS启动子序列中含1个生长素响应元件、1个干旱诱导的MYB转录因子结合位点、2个厌氧诱导元件、1个防御和胁迫响应元件、1个脱落酸响应元件、1个茉莉酸响应元件和1个缺氧诱导元件。成功获得3棵GmGolSP转基因烟草植株。GmGolS启动子的活性可以被高温胁迫诱导。     

小麦LEAsm基因及其启动子的克隆与功能研究

胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白(LEA)是一个小的高亲水性的蛋白家族,该蛋白家族在逆境胁迫下大量积累,保护植物免受逆境胁迫。LEA蛋白可分为7组,其中重复的11-氨基酸基序是第3组LEA蛋白的特征。为深入分析第3组LEA蛋白在小麦响应逆境胁迫中的作用机制,利用芯片技术从小麦表达谱中筛选出一个渗透胁迫诱导表达的第3组LEA蛋白基因TaLEAsm,然后根据该基因序列设计引物筛选石麦15的BAC文库,获得1个含有该基因的BAC单克隆,以该BAC单克隆质粒为模板,通过BAC延伸测序克隆了TaLEAsm基因及其启动子序列,并对TaLEAsm序列特征、表达模式和启动子功能进行了初步分析。结果表明,TaLEAsm基因序列仅含有1个105bp的内含子,其开放读码框长675bp,编码224个氨基酸。TaLEAsm含有10个11-氨基酸重复序列,属于第3组LEA蛋白。低温、高盐和渗透胁迫均诱导TaLEAsm基因上调表达,但在根和叶中表达模式不同。在TaLEAsm基因起始密码子上游1 500bp序列中,预测含有14个逆境响应顺式元件。在拟南芥中,TaLEAsm基因启动子能够启动GUS基因表达,渗透胁迫诱导GUS基因明显上调表达。以上结果表明,TaLEAsm为小麦脱水响应基因,其启动子为渗透胁迫诱导启动子。     

茶树CsASR基因的克隆及其表达分析

逆境胁迫影响茶树生长发育及茶叶品质,ASR(abscisic acid,stress,ripening-induced)基因在植物抗逆响应中具有重要功能。本研究以龙井43品种茶树为材料,从中克隆了CsASR基因的全长cDNA序列、基因组序列及其启动子序列,分析了该基因的生物信息学特征及在组织间和不同胁迫处理下的表达模式。结果显示,CsASR的cDNA序列全长875 bp,含有546 bp的ORF序列,编码181个氨基酸,蛋白质分子量19.89 kD,理论等电点5.69;CsASR蛋白结构序列中74.5%的序列为无序结构,是一种无序蛋白;CsASR的C-端含有ABA/WDS功能结构域,主要定位于细胞质和细胞核中;茶树CsASR与海枣的ASR相似性最高,为87%,而在进化树中与枣的关系最近。CsASR基因含2个外显子,第1个外显子长363 bp,第2个外显子长183 bp,内含子较大为2 750 bp,内含子中含7种简单重复序列和2种DNA转座子序列。克隆获得起始密码子ATG上游2 554 bp的启动子区序列,该启动子上含有干旱、低温、高温以及ABA等相关的顺式作用元件。CsASR在根中的表达量最低;ABA抑制CsASR的表达,而干旱、NaCl和低温胁迫能够显著上调CsASR的表达。表明CsASR基因可能与茶树抗逆密切相关。     

大豆F-box基因Glyma08g11030启动子克隆及植物表达载体构建

本研究以大豆Williams 82的基因组DNA为原始材料,根据前期预测的Glyma08g11030启动子序列用DNAMAN8.0设计引物,通过常规PCR方法克隆获得了Glyma08g11030基因上游长度为3 000 bp的启动子序列。在PlantCARE植物启动子区域在线预测网站上查询,预测的结果显示Glyma08g11030启动子序列里含有数量众多、功能各异的顺式作用元件。其中以TATA-box和CAAT-box这两个基本的顺式作用元件最多,此外还有许多与应答相关的顺式作用元件,如干旱、热、光、激素等。根据这些顺式作用元件在Glyma08g11030启动子序列中的位置对启动子序列进行截短并分别设计引物,采用PCR方法成功截出了3段长度分别为2 492,1 185和342bp的启动子序列,将3段序列替换pCAMBIA3301载体双酶切出的CaMV35S启动子序列,并构建了3个启动子序列驱动GUS植物融合表达载体,从而得到含不同顺式作用元件的启动子序列。研究结果将为以后分析Glyma08g11030启动子的功能和作用机理提供前期准备。     

木薯低温诱导基因MeLTI6A的启动子的克隆与序列分析

MeLTI6A（Manihot esculenta low temperature inducible 6A）是木薯低温干旱诱导基因,本研究从MeLTI6A 的序列出发,利用电子克隆设计引物进行PCR扩增的方法获得该基因的启动子,其序列共1 304 bp。生物信息学分析发现该启动子中具有真核生物典型的核心启动子区（TATA-box和CAAT-box）,并利用α-互补,蓝白斑筛选原理验证了该启动子核心序列具有活性;该启动子具有与干旱胁迫相关的激素类（如脱落酸、乙烯）的响应元件和逆境胁迫（如低温、干旱胁迫）的响应元件;还具有与木薯组织特异表达相关的调控元件和其它光响应元件;并通过Real time PCR检测了低温胁迫（4 ℃）下的木薯组培苗中MeLTI6A的表达变化,说明了该启动子区的低温胁迫顺式作用响应元件可能调节MeLIT6A在低温胁迫下的表达。这些说明木薯的MeLIT6A基因可能是通过对干旱胁迫激素信号响应以及逆境胁迫响应起作用,使木薯获得一定的抗胁迫的能力,同时还可能参与了木薯相关组织发育过程的调控。本研究有利于对MeLTI6A基因抗逆境胁迫功能的理解,为探索木薯高效抗逆的分子机制作初步研究。     

苦瓜McAPX2基因及其启动子的克隆与表达分析

基于苦瓜叶片均一化文库克隆得到McAPX2基因的cDNA全长序列(Gen Bank登录号:KJ722767.1),采用染色体步移法获得该基因的启动子序列,实时荧光定量PCR技术检测该基因在不同器官中的表达量及低温胁迫对McAPX2表达量的影响。结果表明:McAPX2基因全长1 086 bp,开放阅读框747 bp,编码249个氨基酸;McAPX2属于过氧化物酶家族ClassⅠ的成员,其脂肪族氨基酸指数为83.90,是一个亲水性蛋白,可推测定位于细胞质中;与甜瓜(NP_001284378.1)、黄瓜(ACO90193.1)、南瓜(AHF27424.1)、苦瓜(AGJ72851.1)同源性较高,分别为95%,94%,94%和93%;q RT-PCR结果显示,在苦瓜的根、茎、叶、雌花和幼果等组织器官中McAPX2的表达量存在显著差异,其中根的表达量最大,而在叶片中的表达量最低;在低温胁迫下,随着胁迫时间的延长,McAPX2表达量逐渐上调,处理12 h时达到最大,随后下降,说明该基因的表达与苦瓜耐低温胁迫相关。分离得到McAPX2基因上游调控序列1 267 bp,其启动子含有与GA、ABA、CTK、乙烯等激素和病原菌等生物胁迫以及热激、干旱、低温、光等非生物胁迫的相关元件。     

大豆GmMADS基因的克隆及表达分析

为了探究大豆MADS-box编码基因在生物和非生物胁迫中的调控作用,以SMV抗感大豆品种为试验材料,从大豆中克隆GmMADS基因Glyma.02g121500,进行生物信息学分析和表达特点分析,同时检测不同逆境胁迫下GmMADS基因表达量变化情况。结果表明:GmMADS基因完整ORF长度为735 bp,编码244个氨基酸,pI 6.68,相对分子质量为28.2 kD。抗感品种间基因CDS序列存在1个SNP差异,氨基酸序列无差异。启动子序列包含防卫和胁迫响应元件、植物激素应答元件、光应答元件等许多顺式作用元件。GmMADS与木豆、花生、豇豆、羽扇豆等物种中的同源基因亲缘关系较近。亚细胞定位结果显示GmMADS在细胞核上表达。组织特异性表达分析显示GmMADS在花中的表达量最高。接种大豆花叶病毒后,抗病品种科丰1号GmMADS在2 h表达最高且显著高于感病品种南农1138-2;低温胁迫时,GmMADS表达在2 h上调;盐胁迫时,GmMADS表达在1 h下调;干旱胁迫时,GmMADS表达在2 h下调。本研究对下一步分析该基因功能、阐明该基因在调控大豆抗病和耐逆的分子机制具有重要意义。     

野生大豆转录因子GsWRKY57基因的克隆与抗旱性功能分析

WRKY转录因子是近年来在植物中发现的一类重要转录因子,在植物抗逆相关过程中发挥重要作用。本研究通过对野生大豆转录组数据进行分析,从野生大豆中克隆得到GsWRKY57基因的CDS序列。该基因开放阅读框为903bp,编码300个氨基酸残基,分子量为34.23kD,等电点为5.88。氨基酸序列分析显示该蛋白含有一个WRKY保守结构域,属于III类WRKY转录因子。系统发育树分析表明该蛋白与栽培大豆同源性最高、其次是赤豆、木豆。启动子作用元件分析预测显示该基因可能存在多种非生物胁迫作用元件。组织特异性表达分析表明该基因在大豆叶片中高丰度表达,然后依次是茎、花、荚、根。GsWRKY57基因表达受茉莉酸、水杨酸、脱落酸、干旱等植物逆境诱导。过表达GsWRKY57基因的转基因拟南芥植株相对于野生型耐旱能力增强。     

野生大豆转录因子GsWRKY57 的克隆与抗旱性功能分析

WRKY转录因子是近年来在植物中发现的一类重要转录因子，在植物抗逆相关过程中发挥重要作用。本研究通过对野生大豆转录组数据进行分析，从野生大豆中克隆得到GsWRKY57 基因的CDS序列。该基因开放阅 读框为903bp，编码300个氨基酸残基，分子量为34.23kD，等电点为5.88。氨基酸序列分析显示该蛋白含有一个 WRKY保守结构域，属于III类WRKY转录因子。系统发育树分析表明该蛋白与栽培大豆同源性最高、其次是赤豆、木豆。启动子作用元件分析预测显示该基因可能存在多种非生物胁迫作用元件。组织特异性表达分析表明该基因在大豆叶片中高丰度表达，然后依次是茎、花、荚、根。GsWRKY57 基因表达受茉莉酸、水杨酸、脱落酸、干旱等 植物逆境诱导。过表达GsWRKY57 基因的转基因拟南芥植株相对于野生型耐旱能力增强。     

水稻二化螟诱导表达基因OsSABATH启动子的克隆与缺失体构建

Northern杂交结果表明,OsSABATH基因受二化螟(Chilo suppressalis)为害诱导表达,但却不受机械损伤诱导。利用该基因序列和水稻基因组数据库相应序列设计引物,扩增到该基因编码区5′上游2050 bp的启动子序列。用PLACE软件分析顺式作用元件,发现该基因起始密码子上游1.4 kb的区域内存在几个可能与该基因表达调控相关的顺式作用元件,如W盒、DOF 结合序列、GT 1、 BIHD1 结合序列等。将该基因启动子区域及其5′部分缺失构件与GUS报告基因相连,并克隆进pCAMBIA1391载体中,用于分析启动子活性及虫伤诱导特异性相关的顺式作用元件。     

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.     

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.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).