Plant growth regulator and its interactions with environment and genotype affect maize optimal plant density and yield

Increasing planting density is important to raise maize yield, however, high density often leads to an increase risk of lodging due to dense canopy and weak stem. Maize yield and optimal plant density are increased by applying plant growth regulator compound of ethephon and DA-6, however, we do not know if this compound would interact with location and genotype. In this study, a novel plant growth regulator, as the synthesis of N, N- diethyl − 2 − hexanoyl oxygen radicals − ethyl amine (2-ethyl chloride) phosphonic acid salt (DHEAP), combining the effects of ethephon and DA-6 in one chemical, was developed and tested at three locations, five plant densities (6.75, 8.25, 9.75, 11.25 and 12.75 plants m⁻²) and three cultivars in 2014–2015. This study aimed to quantify the interactions between environment, genotype and management (Appling DHEAP and plant density) on lodging-related optimal plant density and yield. DHEAP significantly increased grain yield by 10.7% due to the increases of kernel weight by 3.2% and kernel number per ear by 4.4%. On average across genotypes and environments, applying DHEAP increased optimum plant density by 6%. The optimal plant density interacted with cultivar, DHEAP and environment. Applying DHEAP reduced lodging percentage by lowering ear height. The yield-lodging relationship was affected by genotype and location. We concluded that maize yield could be enhanced by optimizing plant density, applying DHEAP and cultivar selection, but climatic and environmental differences of locations should be considered.     

巴西橡胶树乳管细胞HblMYC3互作蛋白筛选与功能分析

MYC是b HLH转录因子家族的亚家族成员,在植物茉莉酸信号转导过程中发挥着重要的调节作用。Hbl MYC3是从巴西橡胶树的乳管细胞中分离鉴定到的MYC类转录因子,其基因表达受割胶和茉莉酸上调。采用酵母双杂交方法初步筛选Hbl MYC3蛋白的互作蛋白,旨在进一步了解Hbl MYC3的功能。结果表明:Hbl MYC1、Hbl MYC2、DNAJ蛋白、谷氧还蛋白2、含A20和AN1锌指结构域的胁迫相关蛋白5、28 ku热和酸稳定的磷蛋白以及25 ku泛素连接酶E2等7种蛋白不同程度地与Hbl MYC3蛋白互作。基于这些互作蛋白的功能,推测Hbl MYC1或Hbl MYC2通过与Hbl MYC3形成二聚体对小橡胶粒子膜蛋白基因表达进行调控,其他蛋白参与胁迫条件下维持二聚体的稳定性和胁迫反应后降解该二聚体。     

Phenotypic and allelic variation for wort protein Z in Australian and Canadian barleys

Protein Z is a major component in beer foam. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyze wort proteins of two Australian (Buloke and Commander) and two Canadian (CDC Meredith and Bentley) varieties. The Canadian barley contained more abundant proteins from MW 40–45 kDa (pI 5 to 7). These proteins were identified as either protein Z4 or protein Z7 using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Full-length gene of protein Z4 and Z7 were sequenced from Canadian and Australian barleys. Sequence differences were identified in the coding region and upstream regions of the two genes, resulting in protein sequence and expression variations. Molecular markers were designed according to the indels in the upstream regions of protein Z4 and Z7 genes. These markers were highly correlated to wort protein Z content in Canadian and Australian varieties. The Canadian barleys contained ‘high level’ genotypes for protein Z4 and Z7 while most Australian barleys had ‘low level’ genotypes for protein Z4, Z7 or both. The markers identified in this study provide a valuable tool for the selection of protein Z alleles in marker-assisted breeding. Total protein Z content was assessed using different steeping conditions, and increasing air-rest time increased protein Z content in 15 varieties.     

Effect of germination time and temperature on the functionality and protein solubility of sorghum flour

Sorghum was germinated for different time (12, 24, 36 and 48 h) at different temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C) and the changes in their nutritional and functional properties of germinated sorghum flour were assessed and compared with native sorghum flour. Germination inversely affects the crude protein, fat, fibre and ash content. A decrease in water absorption and swelling power and increase in oil absorption capacity was observed due to enzymatic starch modification as the germination duration progressed. Germination of sorghum increased the gel consistency while paste clarity was decreased as compared to native flour. Proteins were modified by action of enzymes during higher germination time and temperature conditions, which results in significantly higher protein solubility of germinated sorghum flour, which also result in enhancing the foaming and emulsifying properties of the flour. Lowest % synersis value and least gelation concentrations were observed in native sorghum has, which increased during germination and were highest in sorghum germinated for 48 h at 35 °C. Germination in overall can be used as low cost natural bio-processing technique for the preparation of modified flour with enhanced function properties without chemical modification or genetic engineering.     

An improved method for extraction of sorghum polymeric protein complexes

A method for fractionating sorghum proteins using extraction solvents and techniques designed to obtain polymeric protein structures (especially disulfide linked) was developed. Extraction and separation conditions were optimized in terms of completeness of protein extraction, sample stability, and analytical resolution. After pre-extraction of albumins and globulins, a 3-step sequential procedure involving no reducing agents was applied to ground whole sorghum flour. The three fractions obtained represented proportionally different protein polymer contents and molecular weight distribution as evidenced by comparative size exclusion chromatography. Protein composition also varied among the extracts with differences in kafirin composition and non-kafirin proteins detected in the fractions by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis. The ability to quantify and further characterize sorghum polymeric protein complexes will be useful for additional studies linking protein structures with functionality and digestibility and variations for these properties within diverse sorghum germplasm.     

Reproductive barriers to hybridizations between narrow-leaf and broad-leaf Anoectochilus roxburghii

Narrow-leaf and broad-leaf Anoectochilus roxburghii were used as reciprocal parents to explore the reason for low seed setting rate. Pollen-pistil interaction was observed by fluorescence microscopy and hybrid embryo development by paraffin section technology. The results indicated that pollen tube growth could reach the embryo sac, and double fertilization could be completed. These findings showed that a pre-fertilization barrier was not the major factor in the cross of narrow-leaf and broad-leaf A. roxburghii. The endosperm development of the hybrid was abnormal and eventually promoted abortion of the embryos. A post-fertilization barrier appears to be the major factor for low seed setting rate in the cross of narrow-leaf and broad-leaf A. roxburghii. In addition, an efficient protocol of embryo rescue, the development of which is reported elsewhere, was used to compare the time needed for rescue between the reciprocal crosses.     

抗凋亡融合蛋白PTD-Bcl-xL原核表达载体的构建及表达纯化

人工抗凋亡蛋白PTD-Bcl-x L能保护多种因素引起的细胞异常凋亡,为了获得高纯度Bcl-x L与PTD(Protein transduction domains)的融合蛋白,首先采用TRIzol法提取SD大鼠肝脏总RNA,将RNA反转录为c DNA,设计引物以c DNA为模板,PCR扩增Bcl-x L基因,构建p UM19-T-Bcl-x L质粒,并对质粒双酶切鉴定和测序鉴定;其次设计包含PTD序列的Bcl-x L引物,以测序正确的p UM19-T-Bcl-x L质粒为模板,PCR扩增PTD-Bcl-x L序列,将扩增序列克隆入p ET28a载体,构建PTD-Bcl-x L蛋白的原核表达质粒p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L,并对p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L载体双酶切鉴定和测序鉴定;将p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),用IPTG诱导表达,并对IPTG诱导融合蛋白表达的浓度和诱导时间进行了优化;SDS-PAGE分析表达蛋白的可溶性情况,在变性条件下用Ni-NTA琼脂纯化融合蛋白;最后用SDS-PAGE、Western Blot及质谱对融合蛋白进行鉴定。结果表明:双酶切p UM19-T-Bcl-x L质粒出现约774 bp大小条带,p UM19-T-Bcl-x L质粒测序结果与NCBI数据库比对序列一致,表明成功构建p UM19-T-Bcl-x L质粒;双酶切p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L质粒出现约744 bp大小条带,p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L质粒测序结果与预期序列一致,表明成功构建了p ET28a-PTD-Bcl-x L原核表达载体;在IPTG诱导下p ET28a-Bcl-x L重组质粒在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达出36 k Da大小蛋白,最优IPTG诱导浓度为0.1 mmol/L,最佳IPTG诱导时间为6 h;SDS-PAGE电泳显示融合蛋白主要出现在菌液超声后的沉淀里,以包涵体形式表达,经Ni-NTA琼脂纯化获得了高纯度的融合蛋白;Western Blot和质谱鉴定证明IPTG诱导表达蛋白和纯化的融合蛋白为PTD-Bcl-x L蛋白。纯化得到了PTD-Bc L-x L融合蛋白,推进了PTD-Bcl-x L蛋白在猪、牛等家畜精液冷冻保存的应用进程。     

Drag force and reconfiguration of cultivated Saccharina latissima in current

The design of aquaculture systems requires an understanding of the drag forces on cultivated kelp. This study measured the drag on line segments of cultivated Saccharina latissima in a towing tank. The drag on segments of farm line with full kelp bundles and with stipes alone (fronds removed) was measured at tow speeds of 0.10 to 0.50 m/s. The drag on individual fronds cut from the line was also measured. Video images were collected to evaluate the plant reconfiguration. Both kelp blades and stipes contributed to the total drag force on the line bundle. Within the velocity range of our experiments, the kelp blades were essentially horizontal. However, the pronation of kelp stipes increased as flow velocity increased. The reconfiguration of kelp stipes was observed to decrease the vertical extent of the kelp bundle. Due to this reconfiguration, the measured force, $F$, increased with velocity, $U$, at a rate slower than quadratic, and was consistent with scaling laws derived for reconfiguration. Specifically, $F\sim U^{\alpha }$ with $\alpha =1.35\pm 0.17$.     

用酶法制备藏羊血食用蛋白粉的研究

采用四因素三水平正交试验,对藏羊血制备食用蛋白的工艺进行了分析。经分析食用蛋白粉水解最佳条件为：酶解用酶量4.5g,酶解温度为46℃,酶解时间为7.5h,酶解的pH值为10.5,活性炭作用于水解液时由室温升至80℃所需最佳时间为6～8min。     

Identification of the core motif of the BRCA2 C-terminal RAD51-binding domain by comparing canine and human BRCA2

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in women and non-spayed female dogs. One of the reasons for mammary tumors is mutations of the tumor suppressor gene, BRCA2. BRCA2 participates in homologous recombination repair by interacting with the RAD51 recombinase. BRCA2 has two RAD51-binding domains, consisting of BRC repeats and the C-terminal RAD51-binding domain, respectively. Although several studies have addressed the function of the C-terminal RAD51-binding domain of human BRCA2, the amino acid sequences required for the RAD51-interaction activity remain unclear. In this study, the C-terminal RAD51-binding domains of canine and human BRCA2 were compared; the canine domain displayed a weaker interaction with RAD51. This difference was attributed to the C-terminal portion of the domain via a comparison between canine and human domains. Furthermore, peptides shorter than those previously reported displayed RAD51-interacting activity, and a core motif of this domain consisting of 25 amino acids was identified. Since a mutation (S3323N) was reported in the core motif of this domain, the effect of this mutation was evaluated. The mutant exhibited similar RAD51-binding activity as that of the wild-type protein, suggesting that the mutation was functionally neutral. These data suggested that the C-terminal portion of the BRCA2 C-terminal RAD51-binding domain influenced its RAD51-interaction activity, and a minimum core motif of 25 amino acids was identified in this domain. These data may help clarify BRCA2 function, as well as the tumorigenic effects of BRCA2 mutation.