The genetic organisation of the capsule biosynthesis region of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 6, 7, and 12

The aim of the present study was to investigate the organisation of the genes (cps) involved in biosynthesis the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 6, 7, and 12 and to compare these to the corresponding genes previously described in other A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes. In serotypes 6 and 7 the sequenced DNA regions comprised five and four open reading frames, respectively, designated cps6ABCDE and cps7ABCD, whereas the sequenced DNA region in serotype 12 comprised only two open reading frames designated cps12AB. At the amino acid level, CpsA, CpsB, and CpsC of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2, 6, 7, and 8 contained a high degree of homology. At the amino acid level Cps6D revealed a high degree of homology to Cps8D, whereas Cps7D contained a high degree of homology to the Cps2D. The deduced gene product of the partially sequenced cps6E gene showed no homology to any deduced gene products of any cps genes of A. pleuropneumoniae investigated so far. None of the deduced gene products of the cps genes involved in encapsulation of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 2, 6, 7, and 8 revealed homology to the deduced gene products of the cps genes of serotypes 1, 5A, and 12. For some genes, a local homology was found to genes probably involved in teichoic acid synthesis in other bacteria. The results obtained revealed a high degree of homology among the genes involved in CPS biosynthesis for serotypes 2, 6, 7, and 8 and a different group of homologous cps genes for serotypes 1 and 12. In some serotype 7 strains, including the serotype 7 reference strain, WF83, the cps genes were not located adjacent to the genes responsible for CPS export (cpx), probably due to genetic rearrangements.     

稻米淀粉影响食味品质机理的研究进展

稻米食味品质是决定消费者选择和市场流通最重要的因素之一。稻米食味品质主要是由淀粉（少量蛋白质和脂肪）在水和温度共同作用下经过一段时间物理和化学变化形成独特的质构和滋味。本文介绍了稻米食味品质评价的发展历程,综述了淀粉组成结构、淀粉与其他成分互作、淀粉生物合成与分解对食味品质的影响,以及利用分子生物学手段对稻米食味品质改良的研究进展,以期为稻米食味品质提升、水稻品质育种提供参考。     

The mode of action of RH‐1965: a new phenylpyrimidinone bleaching herbicide

RH‐1965 is a new bleaching herbicide which causes newly developing leaf tissue to emerge devoid of photosynthetic pigments. Mode‐of‐action studies revealed that RH‐1965 inhibited the accumulation of both total chlorophyll and β‐carotene. Concomitantly, it induced the accumulation of the β‐carotene precursors, phytoene, phytofluene and, in particular, ξ‐carotene. Inhibition of chlorophyll accumulation by RH‐1965 is attributed to the photo‐oxidative destruction of chlorophyll in the absence of β‐carotene because RH‐1965 blocked chlorophyll accumulation to a greater extent under high light (50–330 µE m⁻² s⁻¹) than under low light (0.8 µE m⁻² s⁻¹) conditions. Radish (Raphanus sativus L) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus‐galli (L) Beauv) were very senstive to RH‐1965. Under high light (330 µE m⁻² s⁻¹), the I₅₀ values for inhibition of chlorophyll accumulation were 0.10 and 0.15 µM , respectively. Wheat (Triticum aestivus L), on the other hand, was much less sensitive to RH‐1965 (I₅₀ = 1.4 µM ). It is concluded that the mode of action of RH‐1965 involves the inhibition of ξ‐carotene desaturation. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

绿豆幼苗发育初期叶绿素生物合成的研究

为了探讨被子植物幼苗发育初期Chl生物合成和调控机制,本文采用不同波长的光照和抗生素处理,分析了光照诱导绿豆黄花幼苗发育初期Chl含量的变化和抗生素对Chl生物合成的影响.结果表明：绿豆黄化幼苗在光照最初4 h,单色光有利于Chl生物合成;光照4 h后,单色光不利于Chl生物合成;同时单色光能够诱导提早Chl b生物合成,BL的作用大于RL1和RL2;脉冲光可以诱导Chl生物合成;抗生素实验显示,在光照2 h内,Chl生物合成过程不受质体和细胞核的调控;光照2 h以后,细胞核对Chl 生物合成有明显的调控作用,光照12 h后叶绿体的发育对Chl生物合成有明显的作用.本实验从亚细胞器水平探讨了绿豆幼苗发育过程Chl生物合成的可能调控机制.     

A comparative molecular field analysis study of obtusifoliol 14α-methyl demethylase inhibitors

This report describes the development of a Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) model from a set of obtusifoliol 14α-methyl demethylase (DM) inhibitors to aid in the design of herbicides targeting sterol biosynthesis. CoMFA is a three-dimensional (3-D) quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) method that is useful in the probing of receptor binding sites when experimental structure data are unavailable. Conformational analysis and SAR of some rigid and active analogs were used to build the initial model using the active analog hypothesis. The model was subsequently used to design compounds that retain the active site shape requirements, but incorporate physical properties that favor soil-applied herbicidal action. In addition, a second-generation CoMFA model incorporating the newly designed inhibitors was developed and represents the current understanding of the DM binding site. This model was derived from a pharmacophore developed from two methods, the active analog approach as well as from the Catalyst program. The fact that two independent methods produced a similar pharmacophore strengthens the validity of the model. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Perspectives of Using L-Tryptophan for Improving Productivity of Agricultural Crops: A Review

Plant growth regulators are biologically active signaling molecules that regulate a number of plant physiological processes. Auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) is an important plant growth regulator and is synthesized within plant tissues through L-tryptophan (L-TRP)-dependent and -independent pathways. It has been found that plants respond to exogenously applied L-TRP due to insufficient endogenous auxin biosynthesis. The exogenous application of L-TRP is highly significant for normal plant growth and development. L-tryptophan is applied through foliar spray, seed priming, and soil application. Soil-applied L-TRP is either directly taken up by plants or metabolized to auxin by soil microbiota and then absorbed by plant roots. Similarly, foliar spray and seed priming with L-TRP stimulates auxin synthesis within plants and improves the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. Furthermore, L-TRP contains approximately 14% nitrogen (N) in its composition, which is released upon its metabolism within a plant or in the rhizosphere and plays a role in enhancing crop productivity. This review deals with assessing crop responses under the exogenous application of L-TRP in normal and stressed environments, mode of action of L-TRP, advantages of using L-TRP over other auxin precursors, and role of the simultaneous use of L-TRP and auxin-producing microbes in improving the productivity of agricultural crops. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review reporting the importance of the use of L-TRP in agriculture.     

New clues concerning pigment biosynthesis in green colored fiber provided by proteomics-based analysis

To separate the proteins related to pigment synthesis in green colored fiber (GCF), we performed a comparative proteomic analysis to identify the differentially expressed proteins between green cotton fiber and a white near-isogenic line (NIL). One differential spot identified as phenylocumaran benzylic ether redutase-like protein (PCBER) was expressed only in GCF, but was not found in white colored fiber (WCF) at any time points. Since PCBER was a key enzyme in lignans biosynthesis, total lignans were extracted from GCF and WCF and their content was determined by using a chromotropic acid spectrophotometric method. The results showed that total lignans content in GCF was significantly higher than that in WCF. The qPCR analysis for two PLR genes associated with lignans biosynthesis showed that the expression level of two genes was much higher in GCF than that in WCF at 24 and 27 days post anthesis (DPA), which may be responsible for the higher lignans content in GCF. Our study suggested that PCBER and lignans may be responsible for the color difference between GCF and WCF. Additionally, p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMACA) staining demonstrated that the pigment in GCF was not proanthocyanidins, and was different from that in brown colored fiber (BCF). This study provided new clues for uncovering the molecular mechanisms related to pigment biosynthesis in GCF.     

植物黄酮醇生物合成及其调控研究进展

植物黄酮醇具有广泛生物活性,其生物合成及其调控研究日益增多,逐渐成为热点。对黄酮醇生物合成关键酶（FLS、F3H、F3′H、F3′5′H、UGT）和调控因子（如MYB等转录因子）相关的生化与分子生物学研究进展进行总结,重点对相关结构基因和转录因子对黄酮醇积累发挥关键作用的试验证据进行归纳,探索调控黄酮醇物质积累的有效途径及靶标分子,以期为利用基因工程定向积累具有重要生物学功能的黄酮醇物质提供参考。     

茶叶花青素合成、调控及功能的研究进展

花青素是一类重要的多酚类物质,也是一种天然的抗氧化剂,具有调节血脂、抗癌、降压等作用。紫芽茶叶中花青素含量较丰富,因此相关特异品种逐渐受到消费者的青睐。本文基于国内外学者对花青素的研究现状,主要综述了茶树花青素的种类、生物合成、生理功能以及影响茶树花青素生物合成的其他内外因素等,以期为茶树花青素的开发利用提供理论依据。