丙肝感染宿主亲嗜性基因OCLN和CD81在猕猴川西亚种组织中的分布

丙型肝炎动物模型缺乏限制了丙型肝炎的研究,如果与人类基因背景相似的猕猴能作为丙型肝炎动物模型将有重大意义。文章拟通过检测决定HCV感染物种特异性的关键基因OCLN与CD81在猕猴不同组织的表达量,并以HCV易感的人肝癌细胞系Huh 751为对照,来探究猕猴作为丙型肝炎动物模型的可能性。结果表明,OCLN与CD81在猕猴川西亚种的肝脏、脾脏、肺脏、淋巴结和脊髓中均有表达,但表达量均极显著低于在Huh 751细胞系中的表达量（P<0.01）。肝脏中的OCLN表达量略低于肺脏中的表达量,而肝脏CD81的表达量均高于其他组织。并且,OCLN在不同组织中的表达水平与人体OCLN表达规律相符合（脾＜肝＜肺）。该结果提示HCV感染的宿主亲嗜性基因OCLN与CD81在猕猴中的低表达量可能导致HCV不能有效地结合组织靶细胞,因此推测,猕猴不能直接用于丙型肝炎动物造模可能与此有关。今后可通过转基因等技术增强OCLN与CD81基因的表达,从而使猕猴获得直接感染HCV的能力。     

Nucleotide sequence of SRV-1, a type D simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome retrovirus

Simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS) in the macaque genus of monkeys at the California Primate Research Center is apparently caused by infection by a type D retrovirus. The complete nucleotide sequence (8173 base pairs) of a molecular clone of the prototype SAIDS virus isolate, SRV-1, reveals a typical retrovirus structure with long terminal repeats (346 base pairs) and open reading frames for the gag (663 codons), pol (867 codons), and env (605 codons) genes. SRV-1 also has a separate open reading frame of 314 codons between the gag and pol genes that defines the viral protease gene (prt) and a short open reading frame of unknown significance downstream from the env gene. The SRV-1 protease region shows a high degree of homology to its counterpart in the hamster intracisternal A-type particle genome; both these protease genes are about twice as long as the analogous region of other retroviruses. SRV-1 has no notable similarity in either genetic organization or sequence to the human AIDS retroviruses.     

On the mitotic movements of chromosomes

My conclusions, which, I confess, are tentative and based mainly on studies of one kind of cell, the grasshopper neuroblast, may be summarized as follows. The late prophase orientation of the chromosomes is a carry-over from the late telophase orientation. It is apparently maintained by means of the centromeres, which appear to be attached within a limited region of the nucleus throughout telophase, interphase, and prophase. Metaphase orientation of the chromosomes may be explained as the resultant of two forces: a force involving the centromere and spindle, which is responsible for keeping the centromeres in the equatorial plane of the spindle, and a repulsion force involving the noncentromeric portion of the chromosomes, which results in a tendency toward uniform spacing of the chromosomes outside the spindle. Anaphase separation of sister chromatids and their subsequent movement toward the poles of the spindle involves at least four distinct phases: (i) the initial poleward movement of the centromeres, which may be due to intrinsic repulsion or to a force acting between spindle and centromeres that produces an angle of almost 90 degrees between the separated and unseparated portions of the chromatids; (ii) the autonomous separation of the noncentromeric part of the chromosome; (iii) elongation of the spindle, beginning just after the sister chromatids are separated proximally and ending when the longer chromatids are about to lose contact distally; and (iv) the later movement apart of the daughter chromosomes, probably resulting from a pushing force exerted by elongation of the interzonal fibers.     

The centromere paradox: stable inheritance with rapidly evolving DNA

Every eukaryotic chromosome has a centromere, the locus responsible for poleward movement at mitosis and meiosis. Although conventional loci are specified by their DNA sequences, current evidence favors a chromatin-based inheritance mechanism for centromeres. The chromosome segregation machinery is highly conserved across all eukaryotes, but the DNA and protein components specific to centromeric chromatin are evolving rapidly. Incompatibilities between rapidly evolving centromeric components may be responsible for both the organization of centromeric regions and the reproductive isolation of emerging species.     

Functional organization of the second cortical visual area in primates

The functional organization of the second cortical visual area was examined with three different anatomical markers: 2-[14C]deoxy-D-glucose, cytochrome oxidase, and various myelin stains. All three markers revealed strips running throughout the area, parallel to the cortical surface. The boundaries of these strips provide an anatomical criterion for defining the borders of this extrastriate region. Further, the demonstration of these strips allows a functional and anatomical analysis of modules in the area, just as the recent demonstration of spots in the primary visual cortex has allowed an analysis of modules there. The strips differ structurally and functionally from interstrip regions and these differences are similar to those seen between the spots and the interspot regions in the primary visual cortex. In the macaque the strips and spots differ with regard to binocular organization.     

Distribution of cones in human and monkey retina: individual variability and radial asymmetry

The distribution of photoreceptors is known for only one complete human retina and for the cardinal meridians only in the macaque monkey retina. Cones can be mapped in computer-reconstructed whole mounts of human and monkey retina. A 2.9-fold range in maximum cone density in the foveas of young adult human eyes may contribute to individual differences in acuity. Cone distribution is radially asymmetrical about the fovea in both species, as previously described for the distribution of retinal ganglion cells and for lines of visual isosensitivity. Cone density was greater in the nasal than in the temporal peripheral retina, and this nasotemporal asymmetry was more pronounced in monkey than in human retina.     

Genomic and genetic definition of a functional human centromere

The definition of centromeres of human chromosomes requires a complete genomic understanding of these regions. Toward this end, we report integration of physical mapping, genetic, and functional approaches, together with sequencing of selected regions, to define the centromere of the human X chromosome and to explore the evolution of sequences responsible for chromosome segregation. The transitional region between expressed sequences on the short arm of the X and the chromosome-specific alpha satellite array DXZ1 spans about 450 kilobases and is satellite-rich. At the junction between this satellite region and canonical DXZ1 repeats, diverged repeat units provide direct evidence of unequal crossover as the homogenizing force of these arrays. Results from deletion analysis of mitotically stable chromosome rearrangements and from a human artificial chromosome assay demonstrate that DXZ1 DNA is sufficient for centromere function. Evolutionary studies indicate that, while alpha satellite DNA present throughout the pericentromeric region of the X chromosome appears to be a descendant of an ancestral primate centromere, the current functional centromere based on DXZ1 sequences is the product of the much more recent concerted evolution of this satellite DNA.     

Poster: the macaque genome

The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) facilitates an extraordinary range of biomedical and basic research, and the publication of the genome only makes it a more powerful model for studies of human disease; moreover, the macaque's position relative to humans and chimpanzees affords the opportunity to learn about the processes that have shaped the last 25 million years of primate evolution. To allow users to explore these themes of the macaque genome, Science has created a special interactive version of the poster published in the print edition of the 13 April 2007 issue. The interactive version includes additional text and exploration, as well as embedded video featuring seven scientists discussing the importance of the macaque and its genome sequence in studies of biomedicine and evolution. We have also created an accompanying teaching resource, including a lesson plan aimed at teachers of advanced high school life science students, for exploring what a comparison of the macaque and human genomes can tell us about human biology and evolution. These items are free to all site visitors.     

楸树叶绿体基因组密码子偏性分析

【目的】分析楸树叶绿体基因组密码子使用偏性,为楸树乃至梓属植物叶绿体基因组学、物种进化特征及遗传多样性分析等研究提供理论依据。【方法】利用Codon W 1.4.2及EMBOSS expiorer的cusp和chips软件对51个楸树叶绿体基因的编码区（CDS）序列进行密码子相关参数、中性绘图、ENC-plot和PR2-plot等分析,并通过构建高、低表达偏性基因库,以ENC值和RSCU值为参考标准,最终筛选最优密码子。【结果】51个基因密码子的平均GC_all含量为38.48%,密码子不同位置GC含量为:GC₁（47.03%）>GC₂（39.93%）>GC₃（28.09%）,说明第3位的GC并非均匀分布;ENC为34.93~56.50,平均为46.87。GC₂与GC₁呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）,而GC₃与GC₁和GC₂无显著正相关（P>0.05）;ENC与GC_all、GC₁、GC₃和N均呈显著正相关（P<0.05,下同）;密码子数（N）与GC3和ENC呈显著正相关。RSCU>1的密码子共有30个,其中,以A或U结尾的密码子有29个。中性绘图分析结果显示,GC₃与GC₁₂相关系数为0.0188,二者无显著相关性,回归系数为0.143。ENC-plot分析结果显示,大部分基因偏离了ENC预期标准曲线,少数分布在预期曲线附近;有7个密码子分布在GC₃含量-0.05~0.15区间,其余区间共有44个密码子,而这44个基因离ENC标准曲线较远。PR2-plot分析结果显示,落在中线上的基因较少,平面图右下方的基因分布较多,表明在各碱基使用频率方面存在偏性,即T>A,G>C。各碱基使用频率存在偏性（T>A,G>C）,说明基因组密码子的偏性更多受选择效应的影响。最终筛选出7个为最优密码子UUU、CUU、CCU、AAA、GAU、CGA和GGU。【结论】楸树叶绿体基因组密码子偏性较弱,偏好使用A或U结尾的密码子,主要受选择压力的影响,受突变等其他因素影响较小。     

着丝粒特异组蛋白CENH3的研究及应用

着丝粒特异组蛋白CENH3是较早被发现的一种基本蛋白,存在于真核生物的功能着丝粒中,是功能着丝粒染色质最基本的特征。CENH3在进化上比较快速,其氨基末端尾巴和组蛋白质折叠域都具有变异性,在着丝粒的组装及染色体的正常分离与传递中起着关键作用。该文主要围绕CENH3的发现及进化、结构与功能及应用展开综述。     

A cortical region consisting entirely of face-selective cells

Face perception is a skill crucial to primates. In both humans and macaque monkeys, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals a system of cortical regions that show increased blood flow when the subject views images of faces, compared with images of objects. However, the stimulus selectivity of single neurons within these fMRI-identified regions has not been studied. We used fMRI to identify and target the largest face-selective region in two macaques for single-unit recording. Almost all (97%) of the visually responsive neurons in this region were strongly face selective, indicating that a dedicated cortical area exists to support face processing in the macaque.     

Chromosome alignment and segregation regulated by ubiquitination of survivin

Proper chromosome segregation requires the attachment of sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles to form bi-oriented chromosomes on the metaphase spindle. The chromosome passenger complex containing Survivin and the kinase Aurora B regulates this process from the centromeres. We report that a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, hFAM, regulates chromosome alignment and segregation by controlling both the dynamic association of Survivin with centromeres and the proper targeting of Survivin and Aurora B to centromeres. Survivin is ubiquitinated in mitosis through both Lys(48) and Lys(63) ubiquitin linkages. Lys(63) de-ubiquitination mediated by hFAM is required for the dissociation of Survivin from centromeres, whereas Lys(63) ubiquitination mediated by the ubiquitin binding protein Ufd1 is required for the association of Survivin with centromeres. Thus, ubiquitinaton regulates dynamic protein-protein interactions and chromosome segregation independently of protein degradation.     

鸭肠炎病毒核衣壳蛋白密码子偏爱性分析

为给鸭肠炎病毒（DEV）核衣壳蛋白（NP）基因选择良好的宿主表达系统提供参考依据,本研究运用EM-BOSS软件包CHIPS和CUSP程序对DEVNP基因进行了密码子偏爱性分析。结果显示,DEV NP基因的ENC值为51.180,编码NP蛋白的A、I等氨基酸不同密码子的使用频率存在一定的差异;从与DEV NP基因密码子使用频率比值上看,大肠杆菌22个、酵母18个、鸭12个和人20个密码子存在较大的偏爱性。由此可见,编码DEVNP蛋白密码子出现频率较均一,且酵母等真核生物与其密码子偏爱性较为接近,可作为该基因体外表达宿主的首选。     

文心兰叶绿体基因组密码子使用的相关分析

通过对文心兰叶绿体基因组全序列密码子的研究,利用Mobyle在线软件分析了文心兰叶绿体42个基因密码子的使用模式。结果表明,文心兰叶绿体基因组密码子GC3含量为28.59%,明显低于GC1和GC2含量,说明密码子第3位富含AT。GC1与GC2极显著相关(r=0.572**),GC3与GC1(r=-0.051)和GC2(r=-0.08)均未达到显著水平。对应性分析表明第一向量轴上基因的位置坐标与该基因的表达水平(CAI)极显著负相关(r=-0.556**),与GC3和ENC的相关系数分别为0.025和0.281,均未达到显著水平;GC含量与ENC、CAI以及第一向量轴上基因位置坐标的相关系数分别为0.228、0.381*和-0.354*。将高表达优越密码子分析法和高频密码子分析法相结合,确定了17个为文心兰叶绿体基因组的最优密码子。     

Centromeres in human meiotic chromosomes

Two heterochromnatic spots were observed in most bivalents of human spermnatocytes at the late diplotene stage from six individuals. It is our belief that these dark staining bodies are the centromeres of the meiotic chromosomes.     

香蕉基因组密码子使用偏好性分析

[目的]分析香蕉基因组的密码子组成及使用偏好性,探讨影响密码子偏好性形成的主要因素,为提高香蕉外源基因的表达水平及转基因抗病育种提供参考.[方法]以香蕉基因组的36242条高置信蛋白编码基因CDS序列为研究对象,运用CodonW 1.4.4统计分析香蕉基因组的密码子组成及使用参数,确定最优密码子,并分析密码子使用参数间相关性.[结果]从香蕉基因组数据中筛选获得36242个高置信蛋白编码基因CDS序列,平均长度为1035 bp,GC含量为3.0%~75.8%,其中低于20.0%的仅13个序列,全基因组中GC总含量为50.4%;同义密码子第3位出现G或C的频率为52.9%,比出现A或T的频率高.香蕉基因组的有效密码子数(ENC)介于20.0~61.0,平均为50.7;共有17个最优密码子,其中有15个密码子的第3位是G或C;基因编码区的长度和ENC存在正相关,随着基因编码区长度的增加,对以G或C结尾的密码子使用偏好性逐渐降低,且编码区长度为400~600 bp的基因具有较高的基因表达水平.[结论]香蕉基因组中多数基因的密码子使用偏好性较弱,但少部分基因具有强偏好性,偏好使用以G或C结尾的密码子,且偏好性受核苷酸组成、基因突变及自然选择等因素的影响.     

Representation of action sequence boundaries by macaque prefrontal cortical neurons

Complex biological systems such as human language and the genetic code are characterized by explicit markers at the beginning and end of functional sequences. We report here that macaque prefrontal cortical neurons exhibit phasic peaks of spike activity that occur at the beginning and endpoint of sequential oculomotor saccade performance and have the properties of dynamic start- and end-state encoders accompanying responses to sequential actions. Sequence bounding may thus reflect a general mechanism for encoding biological information.     

基于新农村建设视阈下的观光休闲农业发展研究——以苏北地区为例

简析了新农村建设、农业产业化、休闲农业、苏北地区几个相关概念的内涵,指出休闲农业对苏北地区发展所产生的效益主要在于:推动苏北地区农村生产发展,提高村民生活水平;开发苏北地区农业生态资源,促进农业可持续发展;转移苏北地区的剩余劳动力,提升人力资源的价值。总结了苏北地区在发展休闲农业方面所具备的自然条件、资源条件、人文条件、市场条件。在此基础上,就加快苏北地区休闲农业发展提出了相关思路对策,强调政府应给予政策、财政支持,提供职业技能培训;创新休闲农业发展理念与经营组织模式;以市场为导向,树立服务意识,做好品牌宣传;完善政府职能,健全组织管理,拓展公共服务;改革农村金融信贷体系,制定休闲农业保险措施。     

Serologic identification and characterization of a macaque T-lymphotropic retrovirus closely related to HTLV-III

Human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) is thought to play an etiologic role in the development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this study the serologic characterization of a new simian retrovirus that is related to HTLV-III is described. This new virus, here referred to as STLV-III, was isolated from sick macaques at the New England Regional Primate Research Center. Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis revealed STLV-III-specific proteins of 160, 120, 55, and 24 kilodaltons, all similar in size to the major gag and env proteins of HTLV-III. These antigens were recognized by representative macaque serum samples and human reference serum samples positive for HTLV-III antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies directed to p24, the major core protein of HTLV-III, also immunoprecipitated a 24-kilodalton species in lysates of cells infected with the macaque virus. This HTLV-III-related virus, which naturally infects a nonhuman primate species, may provide a useful model for the study of HTLV-III and the pathogenesis of AIDS.     

Isolation of a new human retrovirus from West African patients with AIDS

The etiological agent of AIDS, LAV/HTLV-III, is common in Central Africa but is not endemic in other areas of that continent. A novel human retrovirus, distinct from LAV/HTLV-III, has now been isolated from two AIDS patients from West Africa. Partial characterization of this virus revealed that it has biological and morphological properties very similar to LAV but that it differs in some of its antigenic components. Although the core antigens may share some common epitopes, the West African AIDS retrovirus and LAV differ substantially in their envelope glycoproteins. The envelope antigen of the West African virus can be recognized by serum from a macaque with simian AIDS infected by the simian retrovirus termed STLV-IIImac, suggesting that the West African AIDS virus may be more closely related to this simian virus than to LAV. Hybridization experiments with LAV subgenomic probes further established that this new retrovirus, here referred to as LAV-II, is distantly related to LAV and distinct from STLV-IIImac.