Quantal release of transmitter is not associated with channel opening on the neuronal membrane

The traditional view that quantal release of neurotransmitter results from the fusion of transmitter-containing vesicles with the neuronal membrane has been recently challenged. Although various alternative mechanisms have been proposed, a common element among them is the release of cytoplasmic transmitter, which, in one view, could occur through large conductance channels on the presynaptic membrane. Six nerve-muscle cell pairs were examined with a whole-cell patch clamp for the presence of such channels that are associated with the production of miniature end-plate potentials. Examination of the neuronal membrane current during the occurrence of 822 miniature end-plate potentials produced no evidence of large channels. Thus it is unlikely that quantal release is mediated by such channels in the neuromuscular junction.     

杉木幼龄林化学除草试验

1988～1989年,作者在开化、临安、龙泉3县试验点,采用8种除草剂,以不同剂量,混用或单用,对1～3年生杉木幼龄林作化学除草试验。结果表明:草甘膦+盖灌能除草除灌效果最好。化学除草与人工除草相比,每年可节约费用81.8～101.6元/hm~2.     

Jupiter's nightside airglow and aurora

Observations of Jupiter's nightside airglow (nightglow) and aurora obtained during the flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft show an unexpected lack of ultraviolet nightglow emissions, in contrast to the case during the Voyager flybys in 1979. The flux and average energy of precipitating electrons generally decrease with increasing local time across the nightside, consistent with a possible source region along the dusk flank of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Visible emissions associated with the interaction of Jupiter and its satellite Io extend to a surprisingly high altitude, indicating localized low-energy electron precipitation. These results indicate that the interaction between Jupiter's upper atmosphere and near-space environment is variable and poorly understood; extensive observations of the day side are no guide to what goes on at night.     

On the origin of leprosy

Leprosy, a chronic human disease with potentially debilitating neurological consequences, results from infection with Mycobacterium leprae. This unculturable pathogen has undergone extensive reductive evolution, with half of its genome now occupied by pseudogenes. Using comparative genomics, we demonstrated that all extant cases of leprosy are attributable to a single clone whose dissemination worldwide can be retraced from analysis of very rare single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The disease seems to have originated in Eastern Africa or the Near East and spread with successive human migrations. Europeans or North Africans introduced leprosy into West Africa and the Americas within the past 500 years.     

Thalamic control of visceral nociception mediated by T-type Ca2+ channels

Sensations from viscera, like fullness, easily become painful if the stimulus persists. Mice lacking alpha1G T-type Ca2+ channels show hyperalgesia to visceral pain. Thalamic infusion of a T-type blocker induced similar hyperalgesia in wild-type mice. In response to visceral pain, the ventroposterolateral thalamic neurons evokeda surge of single spikes, which then slowly decayed as T type-dependent burst spikes gradually increased. In alpha1G-deficient neurons, the single-spike response persisted without burst spikes. These results indicate that T-type Ca2+ channels underlie an antinociceptive mechanism operating in the thalamus andsupport the idea that burst firing plays a critical role in sensory gating in the thalamus.     

Sedimentary 12-n-Propylcholestanes, Molecular Fossils Diagnostic of Marine Algae

Certain C(30)-steranes have been used for identifying sedimentary rocks and crude oils derived from organic matter deposited in marine environments. Analysis of a C(30)-sterane from Prudhoe Bay oil indicates that these C(30)-steranes are 24-n-propylcholestanes that apparently are derived from precursor sterols 24-n-propylidene-cholesterols and 24-n-propylcholesterol. These widely occurring sterols are biochemically synthesized in modern oceans by members of an order (Sarcinochrysidales) of chrysophyte algae. These data thus imply that C(30)-sterane biomarkers in sedimentary rocks and crude oils have a marine origin. Screening of a few organic-rich sedimentary rocks and oils from throughout the Phanerozoic suggests that these C(30)-steranes first appeared and, therefore, their source algae evolved between Early Ordovician and Devonian.     

Integrase inhibitors and cellular immunity suppress retroviral replication in rhesus macaques

We describe the efficacy of L-870812, an inhibitor of HIV-1 and SIV integrase, in rhesus macaques infected with the simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) 89.6P. When initiated before CD4 cell depletion, L-870812 therapy mediated a sustained suppression of viremia, preserving CD4 levels and permitting the induction of virus-specific cellular immunity. L-870812 was also active in chronic infection; however, the magnitude and durability of the effect varied in conjunction with the pretreatment immune response and viral load. These studies demonstrate integrase inhibitor activity in vivo and suggest that cellular immunity facilitates chemotherapeutic efficacy in retroviral infections.     

Measurement of suppressor transfer RNA activity

Transfer RNA (tRNA) suppression of nonsense mutations in prokaryotic systems has been widely used to study the structure and function of different prokaryotic genes. Through genetic engineering techniques, it is now possible to introduce suppressor (Su+) tRNA molecules into mammalian cells. A quantitative assay of the suppressor tRNA activity in these mammalian cells is described; it is based on the amount of tRNA-mediated readthrough of a terminating codon in the influenza virus NS1 gene after the cells are infected with virus. Suppressor activity in L cells continuously expressing Su+ (tRNAtyr) was 3.5 percent and that in CV-1 cells infected with an SV40- Su+ (tRNAtyr) recombinant was 22.5 percent.     

菌物生物技术：外源蛋白在米曲霉中的表达及分泌

米曲霉是与工业用酶及食品发酵相关的重要微生物,其分泌蛋白的能力有望将其用于外源蛋白表达的遗传工程研究。为了构建米曲霉的转化系统,首先由紫外照射,分离获argB^-突变株,再通过CaCl2调节的化学方法和电穿孔技术将携带构巢曲霉argB基因的质粒导入米曲酶受体细胞,经筛选获得多拷贝及遗传稳定的转化子,转化频率为10～50转化子/ug DNA。虽然构巢曲霉与米曲霉argB基因的同源性不高,但前者对后者argB^-突变能起到补偿作用。在电场调节的转化中--电穿孔,适宜条件为6.3kV/cm和1540ohm。电场中,原生质体相对于非原生质体在1.3kV/cm条件成活率为80%,而6.3kV/cm下为50%。为了实现外源基因在米曲霉中的表达,天然植物源的蜜饯--奇甜蛋白基因及构巢曲霉中作为营养选择标记的argB通过共转化被引入受体细胞中,然后从培养基中获得与纯化的奇甜蛋白相似的具免疫活性的22kDa分子量的蛋白质,这说明植物中的信号序列同样可在米曲霉中起作用,调节奇甜蛋白分泌到细胞外。