Functional polymorphism among members of abscisic acid receptor family(ZmPYL) in maize

Pyrabactin resistance 1-like proteins(PYLs) are direct receptors of abscisic acid(ABA). For the redundant and polymorphic functions, some members of the PYL family interact with components of other signaling pathways. Here, 253 positive colonies from a maize cDNA library were screened as interacting proteins with the members of ZmPYL family. After sequencing and function annotation, 17 of 28 interaction combinations were verified by yeast two-hybrid(Y2 H). The germination potential, taproot length and proline content of a quartet mutant of Arabidopsis PYL genes were significantly deceased comparing to the wild type(WT) under alkaline stress(pH 8.5) and 100 μmol L–1 methyl jasmonate(MeJA) induction. The malondialdehyde(MDA) content was significantly increased. After germinating in darkness, the characteristics of dark morphogenesis of the quartet mutant seedlings were more obvious than those of the WT. The differential expression of the related genes of photomorphogenesis in the mutant was much more than that in the WT. Three light and two JA responsive cis-affecting elements were identified during the promoter sequences of the AtPYL1 and AtPYL2 genes. These results suggested that functional polymorphism has evolved among the members of ZmPYL family. In response to developmental and environmental stimuli, they not only function as direct ABA receptors but also interact with components of other signaling pathways mediated JA, brassinosteroid(BR), auxin, etc., and even directly regulate downstream stress-related proteins. These signaling pathways can interact at various crosstalk points and different levels of gene expression within a sophisticated network.     

黄颡鱼甘露糖受体基因的克隆和功能分析

甘露糖受体(MR)隶属凝集素超家族,主要表达于巨噬细胞和未成熟的树突状细胞表面。MR不仅在先天免疫防御中发挥重要作用,还通过参与抗原呈递,激活T淋巴细胞,启动获得性免疫应答过程。本研究采用同源克隆技术获得黄颡鱼甘露糖受体(pf MR)基因,采用荧光定量PCR技术检测MR在正常黄颡鱼体内的分布情况,采用鲖爱德华菌感染黄颡鱼头肾巨噬细胞和甘露聚糖封闭MR方法研究黄颡鱼MR在抗细菌感染中的作用。结果显示,pf MR同团头鲂、草鱼、斑马鱼和尼罗罗非鱼的MR聚为一支。pf MR在所检测的12个组织中均有分布,其在肾脏、脾脏和肌肉组织中表达量较高,在血液中表达量较少。鲖爱德华菌感染黄颡鱼头肾巨噬细胞后,pf MR、IL-1β和TNF-a均被细菌诱导表达,超氧阴离子和一氧化氮的含量也上升,超氧阴离子在感染30 min后即显著上升,一氧化氮在感染12 h后才显著上升。甘露聚糖竞争结合MR,显著抑制巨噬细胞内化GFP标签的鲖爱德华菌,加入EDTA减少内化的荧光强度,加入Ca~(2+)使内化的荧光强度回升。研究表明,黄颡鱼头肾巨噬细胞MR参与鲖爱德华菌的识别和内吞过程,而且依赖Ca~(2+)。     

黄瓜生长素受体同源基因CsAFB和CsTIR在拟南芥中的转化与功能表达

植物生长素受体是生长素信号通路中的重要因子.基于前期克隆得到了黄瓜(Cucumis sativus)生长素受体同源基因生长素信号F-box蛋白基因(auxin signaling F box protein,CsAFB)和转运抑制响应基因(transport inhibitor response,CsTIR),为进一步证实和研究这2个基因的功能,本研究利用拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)Col-0野生型和生长素受体编码基因功能缺陷突变体tirl-1为材料,导入黄瓜生长素受体同源基因,获取纯合转基因系.检测发现,拟南芥突变体tirl-1转入CsAFB/TIR基因后根系发育、外源生长素敏感性和细胞伸长反应均恢复至野生型水平.检测发现,野生型拟南芥中过量表达黄瓜CsAFB/TIR,尤其是Cs TIR基因,植株主根伸长明显受抑,侧根数量剧增,子叶下卷,叶柄上翘,真叶叶缘向离轴面弯曲,顶端优势明显.本研究表明,CsAFB/TIR基因功能类似拟南芥TIR1基因,为黄瓜生长素受体同源基因;过量表达该类基因通过增加生长素受体数量、扩大生长素信号的方式参与调控植物生长发育;为进一步在黄瓜中研究生长素受体功能及作用机理提供理论依据.     

5─羟色胺在四季鹅抱窝中的作用

对５─羟色胺（５—ＨＴ）在四季鹅抱窝中的作用进行了研究．口服５－ＨＴ受体阻断剂，可使抱窝四季鹅的血液催乳素（ＰＲＬ）、β－内啡吠（β－ＥＮＤ）水平迅速下降，抱窝持续时间由２９．２０±１．５６ｄ缩短至４．２０±１．５８ｄ．结果表明：５—ＨＴ参与四季鹅ＰＲＬ和β─ＥＮＤ的调节，在抱窝机理中起着重要作用．β─ＥＮＤ在抱窝中的作用仍需进一步深入研究．     

Protective effect of curcumin analogue L6H4 on diaphragm of type 2 diabetic rats

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of curcumin analogue L6H4 on diaphragm of type 2 diabetic rats.METHODS: SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control (NC) group, high fat (HF) group, high fat+L6H4 treatment (FT) group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group and DM+L6H4 treatment (DT) group. The rats in the later 4 groups were fed with high-fat diet. After 4 weeks of high-fat diet fee-ding, the rats in DM and DT groups were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes melliutus. The rats in FT and DT groups were given L6H4 by gavage for 8 weeks. Blood glucose and blood lipid levels were detected biochemically. Fasting serum insulin (FINS) level was measured by radioimmunoassay and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Serum adiponectin (APN) level was measured by ELISA. The morphological changes of the diaphragm were observed under light and transmission electron microscopes. Lipid deposition and the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and NADH-tetrazolium reductase (NADH-TR) were observed by enzyme histochemical staining. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the diaphragm were measured by thiobarbituric acid method and hydroxylamine method, respectively. The protein expression of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in the diaphragm was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: The levels of blood lipids, blood glucose, FINS and HOMA-IR in HF and DM groups were higher than those in NC group, but decreased after L6H4 treatment. The serum APN level in HF and DM groups was lower than that in NC group, but increased after treatment with L6H4. The muscle fibers of the diaphragm were shrunk, fat particles accumulated in the muscle fibers, and the mitochondria were slightly swollen in HF and DM groups. The diaphragmatic fibrosis was obvious in DM group. These lesions were relieved after L6H4 treatment. Compared with NC group, the level of MDA and the activity of SDH and NADH-TR in the diaphragm were increased in HF and DM groups, but decreased after treatment with L6H4. The activity of SOD and the expression of AdipoR1 in the diaphragm were lower than those in NC group, but increased after L6H4 treatment.CONCLUSION: The curcumin analogue L6H4 exerts a protective effect on diaphragm in type 2 diabetic rats. The strengthened protein expression of AdipoR1, the increased serum level of APN, and anti-lipid peroxidation may be involved in the process.     

Involvement of TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome in contrast medium-induced inflammation and injury in renal tubular epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were involved in contrast medium (CM)-induced inflammation and injury in renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Iopromide was used to injure NRK-52E cells in the study. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The protein levels of TLR4, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speckle-like protein (ASC), caspase-1 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot. The releases of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were detected by ELISA. The apoptotic rate was evaluated by Hoechst staining, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was analyzed by JC-1 staining. siRNA was transfected into the NRK-52E cells to silence NLRP3 expression. RESULTS: CM decreased the viability of NRK-52E cells (P<0.05). CM also elevated the protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, TLR4, NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 (P<0.05). Silencing NLRP3 attenuated CM-induced releases of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, treatment with TLR4 inhibitor TAK-242 or knockdown of NLRP3 by siRNA transfection both attenuated cell apoptosis and loss of MMP caused by CM. CONCLUSION: TLR4/NLRP3 inflammasome takes part in the pathogenesis of CM-induced acute kidney injury, and mediates CM-induced injury and inflammation in renal tubular epithelial cells.     

Screening of lentiviral vectors carrying effective siRNA targeting S1P2 gene

AIM:To screen the lentiviral vector carrying siRNA with higher efficiency of suppressing the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1P2) gene expression in the primarily cultured corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS:SHR and SD rats (n=5 each) were used for primarily culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.The cells were randomly divided into 6 groups:SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3,SHR GFP,SHR control (SHR non-transfection group),and SD control (SD rat control group).Each group had 5 samples with 1.0×10⁵ cells of each sample.At 72 h after transfection (MOI=60) with lentiviral vectors carrying S1P2 siRNA into the SHR corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells,the expression of GFP was observed under fluorescence microscope.The protein expression of S1P2,ROCK1,ROCK2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells,and the mRNA expression of S1P2,ROCK1 and ROCK2 were determined by by Western blot and RT-PCR.RESULTS:The transfection efficiency of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were>80%.Compared with SHR control group,the mRNA levels and the protein expression of S1P2,ROCK1 and ROCK2 in SHR GFP group showed no remarkable changes,while those in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SD control groups were significantly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05).The protein expression of eNOS in SHR siRNA-1,SHR siRNA-2,SHR siRNA-3 and SHR GFP groups were not significantly changed as compared with SHR control group,but that in SD control group was significantly higher than that in SHR control group.CONCLUSION:Three groups of siRNA lentiviral vectors targeting S1P2 inhibit the expression of S1P2 in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of SHR,and by silencing the S1P2 expression,the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 is inhibited.Among them,siRNA-1 has the highest inhibitory efficiency.     

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on myocardial fibrosis and PPARγ and NF-κB expression in rat model of diabetes

AIM: To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on the myocardial fibrosis in a rat model of diabetes and its mechanism.METHODS: Single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was utilized to establish a rat model of diabetes. Sodium hydrosulfide was used as an exogenous donor of hydrogen sulfide. Male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, STZ group, STZ+H₂S group and H₂S group. Eight weeks later, HE and VG staining methods were used to observe the collagen distribution and collagen volume fraction was measured by image analysis. The expression levels of type I collagen, PPARγ and NF-κB in the cardiac tissues were determined by Western blotting.RESULTS: Compared with control group, collagen distribution and the expression levels of type I collagen and NF-κB in the cardiac tissues were markedly increased (P<0.05), while PPARγ was significantly decreased in STZ group (P<0.05), but these indexes were reversed significantly in STZ+H₂S group (P<0.05). The expression levels of type I collagen, PPARγ and NF-κB had no significant difference between H₂S group and control group.CONCLUSION: Hydrogen sulfide attenuates cardiac fibrosis in diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be related to PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathway.     

赤点石斑鱼Toll样受体(TLRs)基因家族的鉴定、进化与表达

为研究赤点石斑鱼Toll样受体(TLRs)的进化、分布及表达模式,本实验基于已公开的赤点石斑鱼基因组和转录组数据,利用Blast、系统进化与共线性等生物信息学方法,分析赤点石斑鱼TLRs基因家族的系统进化、染色体分布及在各组织中的表达模式。结果显示,在赤点石斑鱼中共鉴定出17个TLR基因,这些基因分属于5个亚家族(TLR1、TLR3、TLR5、TLR7和TLR11),分别分布在24条染色体中的11条染色体上;17个TLR基因在赤点石斑鱼不同组织中具有不同的表达模式,然而,位于相同染色体上的TLR基因的不同拷贝则存在相似的表达模式。其中EaTLR18-1与EaTLR18-2均位于9号染色体上,二者的表达模式高度相似,均在心脏中高表达;同位于20号染色体上的EaTLR2-1a与EaTLR2-1b的表达模式也高度相似,均在脑中高表达;EaTLR5M与EaTLR5S同位于14号染色体上,二者不仅具有高度相似的LRR结构域,且在不同组织中的表达水平也高度相似;而位于18号染色体的EaTLR7与EaTLR8和位于4号染色体的EaTLR2-2与EaTLR3,其表达模式却存在明显差异。研究结果可为鱼类...     

猪生长抑素Ⅱ型受体基因(SSTR2)shRNA的构建与筛选

生长激素(GH)是调控动物生长的重要激素,GH分泌水平的高低主要受正性调控因子生长激素释放因子(GRF)和负性调控因子生长抑素(SS)的双向调节。SS通过生长抑素受体(somatostatin receptor,SSTR)发挥作用,减少GH的分泌水平。本研究设计了3条SSTR2的短发夹RNA(shRNA),构建猪(Sus scrofa)SSTR2真核表达质粒(pcDNA3.1(-)-SSTR2)和SSTR2慢病毒RNA干扰质粒(pshRNA-copGFP lentivector,LV-shRNA),并共转染中国仓鼠(Cricetulus griseus)卵巢细胞系(CHO),通过对转染细胞的荧光观察、Real-time PCR和酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测,结果表明,CHO转染细胞中猪SSTR2 mRNA表达水平不同程度的抑制,分别为90.4%、28.3%和86.3%,(P<0.05)。其中,LV-shRNA1表现出最高的沉默效率:转染效率在80%左右时,猪SSTR2mRNA水平沉默效率为90.4%,蛋白质水平降低了33.3%。本研究成功地筛选到了降低猪SSTR2基因表达的shRNA,为利用shRNA技术下调动物基因表达,构建转基因模型提供思路。