Molecular mimicry regulates ABA signaling by SnRK2 kinases and PP2C phosphatases

Abscisic acid (ABA) is an essential hormone for plants to survive environmental stresses. At the center of the ABA signaling network is a subfamily of type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), which form exclusive interactions with ABA receptors and subfamily 2 Snfl-related kinase (SnRK2s). Here, we report a SnRK2-PP2C complex structure, which reveals marked similarity in PP2C recognition by SnRK2 and ABA receptors. In the complex, the kinase activation loop docks into the active site of PP2C, while the conserved ABA-sensing tryptophan of PP2C inserts into the kinase catalytic cleft, thus mimicking receptor-PP2C interactions. These structural results provide a simple mechanism that directly couples ABA binding to SnRK2 kinase activation and highlight a new paradigm of kinase-phosphatase regulation through mutual packing of their catalytic sites.     

冬播麦区Glu-1和Glu-3位点变异及1B/1R易位与小麦加工品质性状的关系

 贮藏蛋白组成是决定小麦加工品质的重要因素。本文调查了我国冬播麦区251份主栽品种和高代品系的高分子量麦谷蛋白亚基（HMW-GS）、低分子量麦谷蛋白亚基（LMW-GS）和1B/1R易位的分布状况，研究了它们与加工品质性状的关系。结果表明，品质较差的HMW-GS N、7+9、2+12和LMW-GS Glu-A3a与Glu-B3j（1B/1R易位）在冬播麦区分布较广，频率分别为39.4%、45.0%、59.8%、37.1%和44.6%。HMW-GS和LMW-GS等位变异对籽粒蛋白质含量影响较小，对SDS沉降值、和面时间与耐揉性的加性和互作效应达1%的显著水平。按位点对加工品质性状的贡献大小，Glu-D1>Glu-B3>Glu-B1>Glu-A3>Glu-A1；就单个亚基而言，Glu-A1位点，1>2*>N；Glu-B1位点，7+8>14+15>7+9；Glu-D1位点，5+10>4+12>2+12；Glu-A3位点，Glu-A3d>Glu-A3a>Glu-A3c>Glu-A3e，Glu-B3位点； Glu-B3d>Glu-B3b>Glu-B3f >Glu-B3j。1B/1R易位对SDS沉降值、和面时间和耐揉性等加工品质性状有显著负面效应。通过选择优质高低分子量麦谷蛋白亚基和淘汰1B/1R易位系，将有助于提高我国小麦的面筋质量。     

葡萄糖酸亚铁固体脂质纳米粒的制备工艺研究

[目的]探索葡萄糖酸亚铁固体脂质纳米粒的制备方法。[方法]采用两步W/O/W乳化方式制备葡萄糖酸亚铁固体脂质纳米粒(SLN)。以包埋率为指标,研究内外相、油水相体积比,卵磷脂浓度对SLN包埋率的影响。[结果]试验确定当内相中水相与油相的体积比为0.2,外水相与内相乳状液的体积比为5∶1,卵磷脂浓度为5%时,SLN的包埋率取得最大值,为52.48%。在内水相引入海藻酸钠(1∶2,W/W)的结果表明,SLN的包埋率增大,为59.03%,粒径、Zeta电位和多分散系数发生变化。体外释放试验表明,SLN能起到保护葡萄糖酸亚铁经受胃酸环境的作用,并在模拟肠液中表现为突释的释放效果。[结论]固体脂质纳米粒对葡萄糖酸亚铁有较好的保护及释放效果,可为无机铁补充剂的生产提供新的技术手段。     

Factors influencing the survivorship of the burrowing nematode,Radopholus similis (Cobb.) Thorne in two types of soil from banana plantations in Martinique

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis (Cobb.) Thorne, causes the most damage to bananas. To minimize nematicide applications, cropping systems that use fallow, crop rotation and clean planting material have been developed in the French West Indies. In order to optimize the benefit of the intercropping period, we studied the survivorship of R. similis in different soil types and conditions. We monitored the survivorship of calibrated populations of R. similis in the laboratory on a Nitisol and on an Andosol, two soils derived from volcanic ashes and pumices. We studied water potentials ranging from 0 to ?700 kPa on undisturbed soil and on soil previously frozen to get rid of living nematodes. Mortality of adult R. similis decreased regularly, and was fairly well described by Teissier's model. In the previously frozen soils, R. similis survived longer in wet soils (half-life of 21–46 days at 0 to ?5 kPa) than in dry soils (half-life of less than 10 days between ?80 and ?250 kPa). In contrast, in undisturbed soils, R. similis survived longer in dry soils: half-lives ranged from 57 days at ?273 kPa to 17 days at water saturation in the Andosol, and 36 days at ?660 kPa to 14 days at water saturation in the Nitisol. These results are consistent with the absence of anhydrobiosis in R. similis, unlike Pratylenchus coffeae. P. coffeae survivorship curves over time do not follow a model derived from exponential decrease like Teissier's model. These results also show that the recommended one year host-free period required to sanitize soils cannot be shortened without risk, even if flooding the soil could improve it.     

Malignant transformation of a unicameral bone cyst in a cat

A unicameral bone cyst in the proximal humerus of a 3-year-old Norwegian forest cat was diagnosed by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, surgical exploration, and histopathology. Surgical curettage and incorporation of bone cement led to full recovery. An osteosarcoma developed at the surgical site 17 months later. Thoracic radiographs showed pulmonary lesions consistent with metastasis.     

From shallow to deep waters: habitats used by larval lampreys (genus Petromyzon and Lampetra) over a western European basin

Abstract –  Habitat requirements of lamprey ammocoetes (Petromyzon marinus and Lampetra genus) were investigated, for the first time, from shallow to deep waters, at different spatial scales across the Gironde‐Dordogne continuum, thanks to a water suction dredge. Fish‐habitat relationships were assessed through two complementary statistical analyses: habitat‐use curves and habitat suitability models using the Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) technique. Analyses were performed on a small‐size data set that was characterised by the low prevalence of lamprey. The sea lamprey larvae occurred in deeper areas than their Lampetra genus counterparts. ‘Pools’ of 2 m’ depth and more were optimal habitats for the former species. Among the environmental variables retained to model lamprey occurrences, the mesohabitat (a categorical variable) was demonstrated to be highly influential, in terms of fine grain‐size substratum and vegetation cover. These preliminary results suggest that monitoring using the water suction dredge method may contribute to sea lamprey conservation.     

Metabolic differentiation of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei into procyclic forms. Effect of hydroxyurea, arabinosyl adenine, and serum omission

Bloodforms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei STIB 247 taken from rats and containing more than 80 per cent short stumpy forms, differentiated in vitro to procyclic forms in medium SDM 79 (Brun and Sch?nenberger 1979), enriched with 3 mmol.dm-3 cis-aconitate. Cell division was abolished by the addition of hydroxyurea (200 micrograms.ml-1) or arabinosyl adenine (20 micrograms.ml-1 to the cultivation medium, or by the omission of serum from the medium. The ultrastructure of exponentially growing controls was rearranged within 24 h. The endogenous respiration and the respiration stimulated by proline, succinate, and 2-oxoglutarate were detectable within 12 h; after 48 h the respiration rates were comparable to those found in the established procyclic forms. After 12 h the respiration was inhibited by 200 mumol.dm-3 KCN, and by 20 mumol.dm-3 antimycin to the extent found in procyclic forms. Hydroxyurea did not significantly affect respiration. Activities of procyclic-stage enzyme markers malate dehydrogenase, threonine dehydrogenase, succinate: cytochrome c reductase, and NADH: cytochrome c reductase rose within 48 h of differentiation to values which were close to those found in established procyclic forms. The activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (NAD-specific), however, was only 1/3 of that in the procyclics, and no citrate synthase was detected in differentiating culture. Glycosomal malate dehydrogenase was detected after 6 h. In the presence of hydroxyurea or arabinosyl adenine, or in the absence of serum, respiration rates, marker enzyme activities, and glycosomal malate dehydrogenase developed to the extent comparable to the untreated controls. The results suggest that it is possible to separate the process of differentiation from cell proliferation. Cell division is not a necessary prerequisite of differentiation.     

Biological effects and metabolism of fenoxycarb after treatment of the fourth and the fifth instars of the tobacco budworm,Heliothis virescens F.

Treatment of 4th and 5th instar larvae of Heliothis virescens with different amounts of fenoxycarb induced an increase in weight of the 5th larval instar, prolongation of the 5th larval instar period, or the formation of dauer larvae. No effects were observed during the 4th instar and the moult to the 5th larval instar. To check whether these effects were due to persistence of fenoxycarb in treated larvae, metabolism of this chemical was analysed. Larvae were fed with radio-labelled fenoxycarb at the first day of the 4th or at the first day of the 5th larval instar. Behaviour of the radio-labelled compounds was followed during each instar. At the time of gut purge, the whole of the radio-labelled material was excreted. The effects observed during the 5th instar of 4th-instar-treated larvae do not appear to be due to the persistence of fenoxycarb. The main metabolites of fenoxycarb were identified using coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.     

Ultrastructure of the excretory system of Brachylaimus aequans (Trematoda: Brachylaimoidea)

The ultrastructure of the flame cell, excretory capillaries, ducts, collecting ducts, excretory bladder, and excretory pore of Brachylaimus aequans was studied 6-8 days p.i. The excretory ducts, collecting ducts and excretory bladder are provided with numerous lamellae on the luminal side. The cilia of lateral flames in the excretory ducts have a triated rootlet. The excretory pore is covered by a tegument identical with the body tegument. The syncytium of the excretory bladder is connected with the tegument of the excretory pore by means of a septate desmosome. No lipid or excretory corpuscles have been demonstrated in the excretory system.