5.9
CiteScore
5.9
Impact Factor

2007 Vol. 34, No. 8

Research article
The BLOC Interactomes Form a Network in Endosomal Transport
Wei Li, Yaqin Feng, Chanjuan Hao, Xiaoli Guo, Yanyan Cui, Min He, Xin He
2007, 34(8): 669-682. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60076-9
Abstract (77) HTML PDF (2)
Abstract:
With the identification of more than a dozen novel Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) proteins in vesicle trafficking in higher eukaryotes, a new class of trafficking pathways has been described. It mainly consists of three newly-defined protein complexes, BLOC-1, -2, and -3. Compelling evidence indicates that these complexes together with two other well-known complexes, AP3 and HOPS, play important roles in endosomal transport. The interactions between these complexes form a network in protein traffickingvia endosomes and cytoskeleton. Each node of this network has intra-complex and extra-complex interactions. These complexes are connected by direct interactions between the subunits from different complexes or by indirect interactions through coupling nodes that interact with two or more subunits from different complexes. The dissection of this network facilitates the understanding of a dynamic but elaborate transport machinery in protein/membrane trafficking. The disruption of this network may lead to abnormal trafficking or defective organellar development as described in patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.
Bombyx mori Pyridoxal Kinase cDNA Cloning and Enzymatic Characterization
Ruijun Shi, Jianyun Zhang, Changjun Jiang, Longquan Huang
2007, 34(8): 683-690. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60077-0
Abstract (73) HTML PDF (0)
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Pyridoxal kinase (PLK) (EC 2.7.1.35) catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of pyridoxal, generating pyridoxal-5.-phosphate (PLP), an important cofactor for many enzymatic reactions. Bombyx mori, similar to mammals, relies on a nutritional source of vitamin B6 to synthesize PLP. This article describes how a cDNA encoding PLK was cloned from Bombyx mori using the PCR method (GenBank accession number: DQ452397). The cDNA has an 894 bp open reading frame and encodes a protein of 298 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 33.1 kDa. The amino acid sequence shares 48.6% identity with that of human PLK, and it also contains signature conserved motifs of the PLK family. However, the protein is 10 or more amino acids shorter than the PLK from mammals and plants, and several amino acid residues conserved in the PLK from mammals and plants are changed in the protein. The cDNA cloned was expressed successfully in Escherichia coli using the T7 promoter/T7 RNA polymerase expression system, and the crude extracts containing the expressed product were found to have strong PLK enzymatic activity with a value of 30 nmol/min/mg, confirming that the cDNA encodes the functional PLK ofBombyx mori. This is the first identification of a gene encoding PLK in insects.
Altered Gene Expression in Articular Chondrocytes of Smad3ex8/ex8 Mice, Revealed by Gene Profiling Using Microarrays
Hao Wang, Jishuai Zhang, Qiang Sun, Xiao Yang
2007, 34(8): 698-708. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60079-4
Abstract (58) HTML PDF (0)
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It has been previously reported that small mother against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) gene knockout (Smad3ex8/ex8) mice displays phenotypes similar to human osteoarthritis, as characterized by abnormal hypertrophic differentiation of articular chondrocytes. To further clarify the crucial target genes that mediate transformation growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad3 signals on articular chondrocytes differentiation and investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of osteoarthritis, microarrays were used to perform comparative transcriptional profiling in the articular cartilage between Smad3ex8/ex8 and wild-type mice on day five after birth. The gene profiling results showed that the activity of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and TGF-β/cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) signaling pathways were enhanced in Smad3ex8/ex8 chondrocytes. Moreover, there was altered gene expression in growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1) axis and fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signaling pathway. Notably, protein synthesis related genes and electron transport chain related genes were upregulated in Smad3ex8/ex8 chondrocytes, implying that accelerated protein synthesis and enhanced cellular respiration might contribute to hypertrophic differentiation of articular chondrocytes and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
High Altitude Adaptation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tibetan Horse Based on the Mitochondrial Genome
Shuqing Xu, Jiangbai Luosang, Sang Hua, Jian He, Asan Ciren, Wei Wang, Xiaomei Tong, Yu Liang, Jian Wang, Xiaoguang Zheng
2007, 34(8): 720-729. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60081-2
Abstract (63) HTML PDF (0)
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To investigate genetic mechanisms of high altitude adaptations of animals living in the Tibetan Plateau, three mitochondrial genomes (mt-genome) of Tibetan horses living in Naqu (4,500 m) of Tibetan, Zhongdian (3,300 m) and Deqin (3,100 m) of Yunnan province were sequenced. The structures and lengths of these three mt-genomes are similar to the Cheju horse, which is related to Tibetan horses, but little shorter than the Swedish horse. The pair-wise identity of these three horses on nucleotide level is more than 99.3%. When the gene encoding the mitochondrial protein of Tibetan horses was analyzed, we found thatNADH6 has higher non-synonymous mutation rate in all of three Tibetan horses. This implies that NADH6 may play a role in Tibetan horses' high altitude adaptation. NADH6 is one of the subunits of the complex I in the respiratory chain. Furthermore, 7 D-loop sequences of Tibetan horse from different areas were sequenced, and the phylogeny tree was constructed to study the origin and evolutionary history of Tibetan horses. The result showed that the genetic diverse was high among Tibetan horses. All of Tibetan horses from Naqu were clustered into one clade, and Tibetan horses from Zhongdian and Deqin were clustered into others clades. The first molecular evidence of Tibetan horses indicated in this study is that Tibetan horse population might have multiple origins.
Characterization and Identification of a Novel Mutant fon(t) on Floral Organ Number and Floral Organ Identity in Rice
Yun Li, Peizhou Xu, Hongyu Zhang, Hai Peng, Quanfang Zhang, Xudong Wang, Xianjun Wu
2007, 34(8): 730-737. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60082-4
Abstract (90) HTML PDF (2)
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The floral-organ-number mutant fon(t) was firstly discovered in the progeny of a cross between a diploid (Chunjiang 683) and a haploid (SARIV-620-A) rice cultivar. The fon(t) mutant showed normal vegetative development and produced normal inflorescence structures. Difference between the mutant and the wild type was observed when the stamen primordia began to form. The mature flowers of fon(t) mutant showed open-hull phenotypes, which resulted in the exposure of stamens and stigmas. Normally, a single fon(t) floret consisted of six to nine stamens and one or two pistils. In addition, stamen/pistil-like structures and bulged tissues near ovaries were also observed in a few fon(t) florets. But homeotic transformation of lodicules into palea/lemma-like organs was observed almost in all the open-hull florets. The phenotypes of fon(t) flowers also suggested that fon(t) gene might affect flower organ identity in the inner whorls. Genetic analysis showed that the fon(t) mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene.
Selection of Maize Inbred Lines with High Regeneration and Susceptibility to Agrobacterium tumifacien
Yu Wang, Shaohong Fu, Ying Wen, Zhiming Zhang, Yanli Xia, Yuzhen Liu, Tingzhao Rong, Guangtang Pan
2007, 34(8): 749-755. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60084-8
Abstract (84) HTML PDF (0)
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Ten-maize inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) with high-induction rate and proliferation ability of embryonic calli were selected from 70-maize inbred lines by immature embryo culturing. Some of the embryonic calli were transferred onto regeneration medium to examine the ability of regeneration, some were transformed via Agrobacterium tumifaciens C58 carrying intron-β-glucuronidase (gus) gene, and GV3301 carrying the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene to study the susceptibility of different genotypes in maize to A. tumifaciens. All embryonic calli initiated from 10-maize inbred lines were able to regenerate into plantlets, and the regeneration frequencies of inbred lines 6010, 6038, 6015, 6051, and 6060 were 61.11%, 31.94%, 45%, 33.33%, and 56.94%, respectively, which were higher than that of other lines. Analysis of variance indicated that the susceptibility of the various genotypes in maize to A. tumifacien C58 showed a significant difference among each other, and the inbred lines 6010, 6015, 6051, 6050, 6058, 6060, 6069, 6077 were susceptible to A. tumifacien C58, of which frequency of gus expression were over 70%. Expression of GFP was observed in six-inbred lines (6050, 6015, 6051, 6058, 6069, 6077). The inbred lines 6051, 6010, 6015, 6060, and 6050 had the high regeneration and the susceptibility to A. tumifaciens C58; and the inbred lines 6051, 6015, and 6060 had the high regeneration and the susceptibility to Agrobacterium tumifaciens GV3301.
Transgenic Mini-tomato and Protection Against Alcohol-induced Gastric Injury
Qingwen Zhi, Shuhao Wang, Min Chai, Fengying Zhang, Qian Li, Shigui Li, Manji Sun
2007, 34(8): 756-763. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60085-X
Abstract (81) HTML PDF (1)
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The epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to promote the proliferation of various types of cells, to maintain the physiological function of the mucosa of the digestive tract, and to promote the healing of the gastric and duodenal ulcers. It has been expressed in many types of bacteria and yeasts. In this article, a bio-reactor was constructed, namely, the human EGF (hEGF) transgenic mini-tomato. On the basis of hEGF gene sequence, a tomato codon preference hEGF gene was chemically synthesized, and it was constructed into the plant expression vector pCAMBIA2300. The transgenic tomato plants containing gene hEGF were obtained through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The expression product was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and showed a yield of 3.48 ± 1.01 ng/g fresh fruits. The intragastric gavage (ig) administration of the rhEGF–containing juice of the transgenic tomato (equivalent to 24 ng rhEGF per mouse a day) for 15 days could significantly protect mice against the alcohol-induced ulceration. The ulcer index, expressed as a degree of the stomach lesion, decreased from 42.20 ± 18.13 to 16.25 ± 9.57.
First Announcement of and Call for Papers for “Forum on Genetics Progress and Human Health”
2007, 34(8) doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60086-1
Abstract (66) HTML PDF (0)
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Research Report
Genetic Diversity and Interrelationship Among Mulberry Genotypes
Rita Banerjee, Sukhen Roychowdhuri, Haradhan Sau, Bimal Kumar Das, Pannalal Ghosh, Beera Saratchandra
2007, 34(8): 691-697. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60078-2
Abstract (100) HTML PDF (3)
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Fourteen morphometric traits were used to examine the genetic divergence of 25 mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes from varied agroclimatic conditions of India. Wide variation was observed for all the traits. The genotypes irrespective of their place of collection were grouped into 10 different clusters. Seven accessions, that is, Baragura-2, Gorabandha-2, Kalimpong, Herbertpur, Kollegal, Resham majri-7, and UP-14 each a cluster of unique entries will be of useful for genetic resources. Nevertheless, the correlation and path analysis suggest the direct selection of lamina length, fresh leaf weight, leaf area, and single leaf weight will be rewarding for mulberry leaf yield improvement.
Research Article
Overexpression of IGF2R and IGF1R mRNA in SCNT-produced Goats Survived to Adulthood
Baosong Xing, Yinxue Xu, Yong Cheng, Honglin Liu, Miao Du
2007, 34(8): 709-719. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60080-0
Abstract (57) HTML PDF (0)
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The procedure of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is likely to affect the expression level of growth-related genes especially imprinting genes. In this study, expressions of growth-related genes including three imprinting genes (H19, IGF2, and IGF2R) and four non-imprinting genes (IGF1, IGF1R, GHR, and GHSR) in adult nuclear transferred (NT) goats were investigated by real-time PCR. The expressions of these genes in adult clones were found largely normal, but IGF2R and IGF1R were more highly expressed in cloned goats than in non-NT goats (P < 0.01). Analysis on mono-allelic expression pattern of imprinting genes indicated that mono-allelic expression patterns of H19 and IGF2 in cloned goats were similar to that in non-NT goats. In addition, the sequence of goat IGF2 gene and the putative amino acid sequence were obtained. The 986 nucleotide cDNA of goat IGF2 gene contained an open-reading frame of 540 nucleotides coding for 179 amino acids. Both cDNA sequence and amino acid sequence of IGF2 in goat showed their higher homology with that in sheep than in cattle; the partial cDNA fragments of H19, IGF2R, GHSR, IGF1R, and GHR in goat were also cloned and sequenced, which shared higher sequence identities with those in sheep than in cattle.
Inferring Genome Ancestry and Estimating Molecular Relatedness Among 187 Chinese Maize Inbred Lines
Chuanxiao Xie, Shihuang Zhang, Minshun Li, Xinhai Li, Zhuanfang Hao, Li Bai, Degui Zhang, Yehong Liang
2007, 34(8): 738-748. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(07)60083-6
Abstract (54) HTML PDF (0)
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The inference of genome ancestry and the estimation of molecular relatedness are of great importance for breeding efficiency and association studies. Seventy SSR loci, evenly distributed in 10 chromosomes, were assayed for polymorphism among 187 commonly used maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds which represent the genetic diversity in China. The identified 290 alleles served as raw data for estimating population structure using the coalescent linked loci, based on the ADMIXTURE model. Population number, K, has been inferred to be between five and seven. Specifying five subpopulations (K = 5) led to a distinct decrease and specifying K to be greater than six resulted in only minimal increases in the likelihood value. Therefore, population number, K, has been inferred into six subpopulations, which are PA, BSSS (includes Reid), PB, Lan (Lancaster Sure Crop), LRC (Luda Reb Cob, a Chinese landrace, and its derivatives), and SPT (Si-ping-tou, a Chinese landrace and its derivatives). The Kullback-Leibler distance of pairwise subpopulation was also inferred as n × p (187 × 6) Q matrices, which gave a detailed percentage of genetic composition of six subpopulations and molecular relatedness of each line. The genome-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) indicated that the association studies in QTLs and/or candidate genes might avoid nonfunctional and spurious associations, as most of the LD blocks were broken among diverse germplasm. The defined population structure has given us a clear genetic structure of these lines for breeding practice and established a good basis for association analysis.