Presence of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Cattle Tick Boophilus microplus and in Epithelial Tissue Culture Cells of Chironomus tentans

A muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) has been demonstrated and partially characterized in larvae of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus. Its properties are compared with mAChR from an epithelial cell line from the dipteran insect Chironomus tentans. Competition studies with cholinergic ligands of different specificity revealed the muscarinic nature of the cholinergic receptors investigated in both species. In homogenates from tick larvae, specific binding sites for [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) with high affinity (1·2±(0·13) nM ; B_max 22·5 pmol mg protein⁻¹) were detected that do not bind nicotinic compounds specifically. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, imidacloprid and α-bungarotoxin were all in the mM range. Additionally, with tick larvae, high-affinity nicotinic binding sites were detected with [³H]nicotine which could be displaced by high concentrations of imidacloprid or QNB. The estimated IC₅₀ values for nicotine, α-bungarotoxin, imidacloprid and QNB were 43(±8) nM , 0·8(±0·2) μM , 2·8(±0·6) μM and 78(±1·9) μM , respectively. With homogenates of the non-neuronal insect cell line from C. tentans, only high-affinity binding sites for [³H]QNB were found. Muscarinic antagonists selectively displaced [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding to tick larvae homogenates. The mAChR of B. microplus preferred pirenzepine (IC₅₀ 2·13(±1·02) μM ) among different subtype-specific mAChR antagonists (4-DAMP had IC₅₀ 49·9(±9·13) μM and methoctramine had IC₅₀ 121(±14·2) μM ) indicating a type of binding site similar to the vertebrate M1 mAChR subtype. The tick muscarinic receptor seems to be a G-protein-coupled receptor, as concluded from the 4·8-fold reduction in receptor affinity for binding of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine M upon treatment with the non-hydrolysable GTP-analogue γ-S-GTP. Binding data for the agonists oxotremorine M (IC₅₀ 71·3(±19·6) μM ) and carbachol (IC₅₀ 253(±87·1) μM ) parallel the biological efficacy of these compounds, in that, while oxotremorine M showed some activity against ticks, carbachol was ineffective.     

S-诱抗素对葡萄果实着色、品质和产量的影响

[目的]明确和评价10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂果穗喷雾对葡萄果实着色的效果,以及对品质和产量的影响,为葡萄绿色高效栽培提供理论和技术支撑。[方法] 设立10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂系列浓度(0、200.0、250.0、333.3和500.0 mg/kg),采用田间小区试验,于果实成熟时调查果实外观指标(果粒纵径、果粒横径、裂果率)、着色指数以及产量指标(单穗重、单粒重、实测小区产量等);室内仪器分析测定不同浓度处理的葡萄品质指标(可溶性固形物、可滴定酸等)。[结果]1.于“夏黑”葡萄果实转色初期喷雾使用10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂,试验所有处理对葡萄果实纵径、横径以及纵横径比、裂果率等指标均未见显著差异。2. 10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂系列浓度处理的着色指数显著地高于清水对照 (P<0.05)。3.经10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂处理后,葡萄的可溶性固形物(TSS)含量明显要高于清水对照,其可滴定酸(TA)含量均显著地低于清水对照处理(P＜0.05)。4. “夏黑”葡萄经10%S-诱抗素处理后,各处理间的单株产量无显著差异,与空白对照相比,各处理的平均增产率在0.84%-1.93%之间。[结论]“夏黑”葡萄于果实黑色初期喷雾施用10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂,可显著提高着色指数,促进果实明显着色;与清水对照相比,10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂对葡萄果实纵径、横径以及裂果率等指标无显著影响;10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂可显著提高果实可溶性固形物(TSS)含量,同时能显著降低可滴定酸(TA)含量,明显提升葡萄果实品质;10%S-诱抗素可溶液剂对葡萄的增产作用不甚明显。在葡萄促进着色使用时,建议使用最优浓度范围为200.0-333.3mg/kg,用水量为833.3L/hm2^。     

Expression and functional analysis of chemokine receptor 7 in canine lymphoma cell lines

C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) contributes to cell homing to lymph nodes (LNs). Recent studies reported that CCR7 is also expressed in tumor cells, which correlates with LN metastasis in various cancers. However, the expression of CCR7 in tumor cells is unknown in dogs due to the lack of appropriate antibodies. In the present study, a fusion protein of C-C chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) was employed as an alternative method to CCR7 antibodies. The fusion CCL19 protein specifically detected CCR7 expressed in canine lymphoma cell lines, which showed active chemotaxis to both canine and mouse ligands. The present study will help further research on the involvement of canine CCR7 in LN metastasis.     

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.     

MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway mediates alcohol-induced angiogenesis in breast cancer

AIM To investigate the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) in ethanol-promoted breast cancer angiogenesis and the underlying mechanism. METH?ODS: A mouse model of transplanted breast tumor with moderate alcohol consumption was established. The correlations between the expression of MCP-1/CCR2 and the expression of angiogenesis markers [platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] in tumor tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, a 3D tumor-endothelial co-culture system was established to observe tumor angiogenesis and the role of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway in alcohol-mediated angiogenesis. The cell migration ability was detected to clarify whether MCP-1/CCR2 enhanced cell mobility to form new vessels. RESULTS MCP-1 and CCR2 were both highly expressed in the breast tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice consuming alcohol, and their expression levels were consistent with the angiogenic markers PECAM-1 and VEGF (P<0.05). The interaction between mouse breast cancer E0771 cells and endothelial cells was observed to promote angiogenesis in the 3D tumor-endothelial co-culture system with or without alcohol stimulation. MCP-1 promoted this kind of tumor angiogenesis, while CCR2 antagonist effectively inhibited the tumor angiogenesis and especially blocked alcohol-induced angiogenesis. Activation of MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway enhanced the migration ability of endothelial cells. CONCLUSION The MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway plays an important role in promoting the angiogenesis of breast cancer stimulated by alcohol. The mechanism might be that MCP-1 improves the migration of endothelial cells and then promotes angiogenesis.     

Role of IP3R in LH-EGFR-induced mouse oocyte meiotic resumption

AIM: To explore the effect of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisposphate receptor (IP₃R) in luteinizing hormone-epidermal growth factor receptor (LH-EGFR)-induced oocyte meiotic resumption. METHODS: Models of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexs (COCs) culture and follicle culture in vitro were generated to study the effects of 2-aminoethyl diphenyl borate (2-APB) and heparin (IP₃R specific inhibitors) on LH/EGF-induced oocyte meiotic resumption and EGF-induced cumulus cell expansion. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of cumulus expansion-related factors. The changes of the intracellular calcium level were monitored using Fluo 3-AM, and the cGMP level was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The inhibitors of IP₃R, 2-APB and heparin, dramatically reversed EGF-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05) and decreased cGMP levels in COCs (P<0.05). In addition, 2-APB and heparin reversed EGF-induced cumulus expansion, and significantly inhibited EGF-induced cumulus expansion-related factor expression (P<0.05). The activation of IP₃R increased intracellular calcium level, and the study found that 2-APB and heparin dramatically reversed EGF-induced elevation of calcium level in cumulus cells (P<0.05). Follicular culture in vitro showed that 2-APB and heparin significantly reversed the LH-induced oocyte maturation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LH-EGFR signaling pathway increases calcium level in cumulus cells through IP₃R, resulting in meiotic resumption.     

2001-2017年天山中段积雪时空变异研究

【目的】为干旱区提供冰雪资源的合理利用及灾害防治的科学理论不服务信息。【斱法】采取趋势分析法、相关性分析法,开展了2001-2017年积雪年内年际变化特征以及分布变化原因斱面的研究。【结果】①天山中段SCP(积雪覆盖率)年际变化呈"单峰"型曲线,6月到最小值,12月到次年1月达到最大值,从2月开始逐渐下降到最小值;从7月初开始SCP开始逐渐上升到最大值。②天山中段年际SCP呈减少趋势、春季的SCP变化呈略微减少趋势、夏季不秋季SCP变化均呈增加趋势、冬季SCP变化趋势跟全年年际SCP变化趋势基本相似,且均呈减少趋势,最高值为98.6%,最小值出现在2009年为83.2%。③天山中段54.08%区域的SCD(积雪日数)呈减少趋势,其中4.36%区域呈显著减少趋势;45.92%区域的SCD呈增加趋势,其中3.03%区域呈显著增加趋势。④天山中段积雪不LST(地表温度)年际相关性呈负相关性比较明显,负相关占总面积的55.89%,主要分布在高海拔的天山山脉,博格达尔;34.98%区域呈极显著负相关,主要分布在伊犁河谷、天山南北坡地区不阿克苏、库尔勒、博斯腾湖流域周边。【结论】天山中段积雪时空变化丌仅是LST变化的影响,还受人类活劢和海拔高度差异等因素的共同作用。     

不同灌水下限设施番茄土壤CO2排放特征及其影响因素研究

【目的】探讨不同灌水下限设施土壤CO2排放特征及其影响因素,为调控设施土壤水分和碳排放提供理论依据。【方法】在番茄生育期内采用LI-8100A土壤碳通量自动测定仪观测不同灌水下限[20 kPa(D20)、30 kPa(D30)、40 kPa(D40)]下的土壤CO2排放速率,并分析其影响因素。【结果】在番茄生育期内,不同灌水下限设施土壤CO2排放速率变化趋势基本一致,D20处理最高,平均速率为2.759μmol/(m2·s),其次是D30处理,为2.601μmol/(m2·s),D40处理最低,为2.559μmol/(m2·s)。在土壤CO2累积排放量方面,D20处理显著高于其他2个处理,而D30和D40处理之间无显著差异。就单因素模型而言,不同灌水下限处理的土壤CO2排放速率与15 cm土壤温度呈指数回归关系,且均达显著水平(P<0.05);不同灌水下限处理的土壤CO2排放速率与15 cm土壤含水率均呈显著二次回归关系(P<0.05);与单因素模型相比,土壤温度和土壤含水率的双因素复合模型(68.5%~83.8%)可以更好地解释土壤CO2排放的变化。土壤温度敏感系数Q10值在1.442~1.498之间,其中D20处理最敏感,D40处理最不敏感。相关分析结果表明,土壤CO2累积排放量与0~20 cm土层土壤有机质量、pH值、全氮量、速效磷量、速效钾量、碱解氮量和微生物量碳呈显著相关关系。采用PCA分析提取出的2个主成分累积贡献率为85.79%。【结论】灌水下限影响设施土壤CO2的排放,其中D20处理促进了设施土壤CO2的排放。