一种新颖的阳离子非病毒基因载体 Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH 的性能研究

研究了新型阳离子聚合物Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH的性能，重点考察其粒度，基因转染效率与细胞毒性，探讨了其作为基因载体的可能性.通过动态光散射仪（DSL）、透射电镜（TEM）观察了Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH与DNA自组装形成的颗粒形态及粒径，Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH可复合DNA形成粒径160～210 nm的纳米复合物，适合进入细胞.使用MTT比色法分析Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH的毒性并与PEI，PEI-g-PEG-OH比较.选用增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP) 转染Hela细胞，应用流式细胞术检测转染效率.新型阳离子多聚物Chitosan-g-PEI-g-PEG-OH在提高基因转染效率的同时降低了其细胞毒性，有望成为基因转移的有效载体.     

鸡繁殖性能近交衰退相关CpG岛差异甲基化基因的筛选

鸡繁殖性能近交衰退是地方鸡遗传资源活体保种过程中面临的重要问题之一,本研究旨在探讨全基因组CpG岛（CpG island,CGI）区DNA甲基化在鸡繁殖性能近交衰退中的作用。分别从狼山鸡高近交组和低近交组中各选取健康母鸡3只,即试验分2个组,每组3个重复,然后采用全基因组重亚硫酸盐测序（WGBS）技术,检测分析两组个体性腺轴组织（包括卵巢和下丘脑）全基因组DNA甲基化差异,筛选差异甲基化区域（DMRs）,并对CpG岛区差异甲基化基因进行功能注释和富集分析。结果表明,狼山鸡高近交组和低近交组比较,其卵巢和下丘脑基因组整体甲基化水平均不存在显著差异（P>0.05）;高、低近交组间差异甲基化区域检测发现,下丘脑和卵巢中分别检测到5 948和4 593个差异甲基化区域,其中1 798和995个差异甲基化区域位于基因组CpG岛区,分别注释到1 020和552个基因;下丘脑中,这些CpG岛区差异甲基化基因显著富集在信号转导、神经系统发育、生殖系统发育和卵母细胞成熟调控等繁殖相关的GO条目,以及转化生长因子β信号通路、乙型肝炎、脂肪酸代谢、胰岛素信号通路等19条KEGG信号通路（P<0.05）;卵巢中,CpG岛区差异甲基化基因显著富集于12条信号通路（P<0.05）,包括慢性骨髓白血病、流感A、精氨酸和脯氨酸代谢、粘着连接等,一些与卵子发育和性激素分泌相关的信号通路也被富集到,如黄体酮介导的卵母细胞成熟、卵母细胞减数分裂、GnRH信号通路、雌激素信号通路等,其中包含CDC27、ADCY8、AKT3等10个差异甲基化基因。因此,本研究在狼山鸡高、低近交组间检测到了大量差异甲基化区域,并发现大量差异甲基化基因与繁殖性状相关,推测这些基因CpG岛区DNA甲基化可能在狼山鸡繁殖性能近交衰退调控中发挥重要作用,研究结果为进一步深入探索鸡繁殖性能近交衰退调控机制奠定了基础,为物种资源保护和家禽育种工作提供了理论参考依据。     

线粒体DNA在先天性免疫中的作用

线粒体是细胞内重要的细胞器,具有多种功能,是细胞的能量工厂。线粒体含有自己的遗传物质线粒体DNA,线粒体DNA因其在氧化磷酸化中的作用而广为人知。近年来,越来越多的研究表明线粒体DNA可作为先天性免疫系统的激动剂,并在病原体感染和炎性疾病的病理发展中起重要作用。线粒体DNA在进入细胞质或细胞外环境后,可以激活多种先天性免疫系统的模式识别受体,从而触发促炎细胞因子分泌和Ⅰ型干扰素反应。因此,本文就线粒体DNA激活先天性免疫的机制以及其在病原体感染和相关疾病发生发展中的作用进行讨论、总结,以期为进一步深入开展线粒体DNA在病原体感染及相关疾病中的作用及其机制研究提供理论依据。     

5-Aza-dC对牛成肌细胞MyoD1启动子甲基化及mRNA表达的影响

旨在探究5-氮杂-2-脱氧胞苷（5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine,5-Aza-dC）对牛成肌细胞的增殖和肌分化因子（myogenic differentiation 1,MyoD1）启动子甲基化以及mRNA表达的影响。本研究复苏了前期冻存的关岭牛成肌细胞,并进行培养,待其生长到对数生长期,再通过不同浓度的5-Aza-dC对牛成肌细胞进行处理,利用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和周期;结合高通量检测方法检测MyoD1启动子甲基化水平,并利用qRT-PCR检测MyoD1及相关基因的表达水平。研究发现,0.1 μmol·L^-15-Aza-dC为最适浓度,该浓度下细胞抗凋亡因子Bcl的表达极显著降低（P<0.01）,促凋亡因子Bax的表达极显著提高（P<0.01）,促凋亡因子Caspase-9的表达显著提高（P<0.05）;周期因子Cyclin A2的表达显著提高（P<0.05）,而细胞因子Cyclin B1、Cyclin D的表达无显著变化;检测空白组和试验组MyoD1启动子甲基化水平发现,试验组甲基化水平极显著低于空白组（P<0.01）;而mRNA的表达水平极显著高于空白组（P<0.01）。5-Aza-dC能够通过改变Caspase-9、Bcl、Bax、Cyclin A2等基因的表达来调节关岭牛成肌细胞的增殖和凋亡,并能够有效降低MyoD1基因启动子的甲基化水平（P<0.01）;极显著提高其mRNA的表达量（P<0.01）。低浓度的5-Aza-dC能通过促进细胞凋亡及调控关岭牛MyoD1的甲基化水平来调控MyoD1的表达;同时推测,MyoD1基因启动子的甲基化水平能够影响关岭牛成肌细胞的生长发育,可为遗传标记辅助关岭牛的改良提供理论参考。     

Fas对镉激活PC12细胞线粒体凋亡通路的影响

旨在探究死亡受体Fas在镉致大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤细胞（PC12）凋亡中的作用及其对线粒体通路的调控机制,用10 μmol·L^-1镉处理Fas基因沉默的PC12细胞株12 h,通过Western blot检测BH3相互作用域死亡激动剂（BID）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-9（caspase-9）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（caspase-3）、多聚二磷酸腺苷核糖聚合酶（PARP）的活化情况,Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因（Bcl-2）、凋亡诱导因子（AIF）、核酸内切酶G（Endo G）的表达情况,以及细胞色素C（Cyt C）在细胞内的分布情况,免疫荧光染色检测AIF核转位。结果显示,镉极显著上调tBID/BID比值和Bax/Bcl-2比值,诱导Cyt C从线粒体释放到细胞质,激活caspase-9、caspase-3和PARP,增加AIF和Endo G蛋白表达水平（P<0.01）,并诱导AIF核转位;沉默Fas极显著抑制镉引起的tBID/BID比值和Bax/Bcl-2比值升高,Cyt C从线粒体释放到胞浆,caspase-3、PARP蛋白活化和AIF、Endo G蛋白表达水平极显著升高（P<0.01）,显著抑制镉激活的caspase-9（P<0.05）,并抑制AIF核转位。综上表明,Fas通过调控线粒体通路参与镉致PC12细胞凋亡。     

Variation among stallions in sperm quality after single layer centrifugation

Although single layer centrifugation (SLC) selects robust spermatozoa from stallion semen, the effect of individual variation has not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to determine the variation among stallions in the effects of SLC on sperm quality during cooled storage for up to 48 hr. Semen samples from seven stallions (18 ejaculates) were split, with one portion being used for SLC and the other serving as a control (CON). Sperm quality (kinematics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, membrane integrity (MI) and chromatin integrity) were analysed at 0, 24 and 48 hr using computer-assisted sperm analysis and flow cytometry. Sperm quality was better in SLC than in CON at all timepoints, especially chromatin integrity and MI (p < .0001 for both), and some categories of ROS production (e.g. proportion of live hydrogen peroxide negative spermatozoa, p < .0001), but the degree of improvement varied among stallions and type of ROS (p < .05–p < .0001). Total and progressive motility were also better in SLC samples than in CON at 24 and 48 hr (p < .0001), although the effect on sperm kinematics varied. The interaction of treatment, time and stallion was not significant. In conclusion, sperm quality was better in SLC samples than in CON, although there was considerable individual variation among stallions. The improvement in sperm quality, particularly in chromatin integrity, was clearly beneficial, and therefore the use of this technique would be warranted for all stallion semen samples.     

AANAT基因在滩羊不同繁殖时期卵巢中的转录差异及DNA甲基化程度分析

试验旨在检测5-羟色胺-N-乙酰基转移酶（AANAT）基因在绵羊休情季节和繁殖季节（卵泡期和黄体期）卵巢组织中的转录差异,并分析转录差异是否由DNA甲基化修饰程度改变所导致。试验采用自然环境条件和饲养管理一致,且体重差异在0.5 kg范围内的空怀母滩羊作为试验动物,采集其休情期、卵泡期和黄体期（每个时期3只）的卵巢组织,采用SYBR染料法进行实时荧光定量PCR检测AANAT基因在滩羊不同繁殖时期卵巢组织中的转录水平。随后针对转录水平有差异的两个时期（休情期和卵泡期）的样本,利用MethPrimer 2.0在线软件预测AANAT基因启动子区和第一外显子区的CpG岛;用重亚硫酸盐测序法（BSP法）检测AANAT基因启动子区及第一外显子区的甲基化程度。试验结果显示,滩羊休情期卵巢组织中AANAT基因转录水平显著低于卵泡期的AANAT基因转录水平（P<0.05）,休情期与黄体期滩羊卵巢组织中AANAT基因的转录水平差异不显著（P>0.05）。滩羊卵巢组织中AANAT基因启动子区上存在着一个长度为173 bp的CpG岛,第一外显子区存在着一个长度为118 bp的CG岛。然而,两个甲基化岛区内的单个CpG位点甲基化程度在滩羊休情期和卵泡期之间均不存在显著差异,暗示AANAT基因的表达受甲基化修饰外的因素调控。本研究结果可为进一步探讨AANAT基因在季节性发情和卵泡成熟中的功能提供参考资料。     

Phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens using mitochondrial D-loop sequence reveals their characteristics as a genetic resource

Myanmar indigenous chickens play important roles in food, entertainment, and farm business for the people of Myanmar. In this study, complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences (1232 bp) were analyzed using 176 chickens, including three indigenous breeds, two fighting cock populations, and three indigenous populations to elucidate genetic diversity and accomplish a phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens. The average haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.948 ± 0.009 and 0.00814 ± 0.00024, respectively, exhibiting high genetic diversity of Myanmar indigenous chickens. Sixty-four haplotypes were classified as seven haplogroups, with the majority being haplogroup F. The breeds and populations except Inbinwa had multiple maternal haplogroups, suggesting that they experienced no recent purifying selection and bottleneck events. All breeds and populations examined shared haplogroup F. When 232 sequences belonging to haplogroup F (79 from Myanmar and 153 deposited sequences from other Asian countries/region) were analyzed together, the highest genetic diversity was observed in Myanmar indigenous chickens. Furthermore, Myanmar indigenous chickens and red junglefowls were observed in the center of the star-like median-joining network of 37 F-haplotypes, suggesting that Myanmar is one of the origins of haplogroup F. These findings revealed the unique genetic characteristic of Myanmar indigenous chickens as important genetic resources.     

达乌尔黄鼠线粒体Cyt b基因序列特征及其系统进化分析

在甘肃省天祝藏族自治县采集12只达乌尔黄鼠(Spermophilus dauricus),PCR产物直接测序获得Cyt b基因1140bp序列,采用Clustal X 1.84、MEGA 6.0、Dna SP 5.0等生物信息学软件进行了序列特征和系统地位分析。结果显示,达乌尔黄鼠Cyt b基因含116个多态信息位点,群体中多态位点类型有转换、颠换,Cyt b基因T,C,A,G碱基含量分别为33.7%,25.9%,27.6%,12.9%。基于Kimura双参数的遗传距离显示,属内种间大黄鼠(Spermophilus major)与新疆黄鼠(Spermophilus fulvus)间遗传距离最小(0.034),高加索黄鼠(Spermophilus musicus)与达乌尔黄鼠最大(0.172),达乌尔黄鼠群体内遗传距离为0.140,种群分化较大,基于NJ法构建的系统进化树符合传统分类标准,研究为达乌尔黄鼠Cyt b基因标记的种群遗传学应用提供了参考。     

DNA barcoding for identification of cryptic species in the field and existing museum collections: a case study of Aethomys and Micaelamys (Rodentia: Muridae)

DNA barcoding has been proposed as a method for species identification. However, this method has been criticised for its over-reliance on a single mitochondrial gene. In this study, four mitochondrial gene regions and one nuclear gene region were used to investigate their different abilities to identify tissue associated with museum specimens of Aethomys chrysophilus, Aethomys ineptus and Micaelamys namaquensis. Aethomys chrysophilus and the more recently elevated A. ineptus are indistinguishable on morphological grounds; however, their ranges are largely parapatric with only one syntopic locality currently known. All of the mitochondrial gene regions were able to separate M. namaquensis from A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, but they varied in their abilities to resolve differences between A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus. The sequence results identified a specimen from KwaZulu-Natal that was misclassified and should have been identified as A. ineptus. Seven specimens that had not been reclassified following the elevation of A. ineptus to species level were identified as A. ineptus. Individuals of A. chrysophilus from Malawi could not be classified as either A. chrysophilus or A. ineptus, and may be a hybrid or a new, distinct species. This study indicates that DNA barcoding may be used to separate M. namaquensis from A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, and although it was not able to separate A. chrysophilus and A. ineptus, it did indicate specimens from Malawi may be a new cryptic species.