Stabilizing to disruptive transition of focal adhesion response to mechanical forces

Strong mechanical forces can, obviously, disrupt cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, e.g., cyclic uniaxial stretch induces instability of cell adhesion, which then causes the reorientation of cells away from the stretching direction. However, recent experiments also demonstrated the existence of force dependent adhesion growth (rather than dissociation). To provide a quantitative explanation for the two seemingly contradictory phenomena, a microscopic model that includes both integrin-integrin interaction and integrin-ligand interaction is developed at molecular level by treating the focal adhesion as an adhesion cluster. The integrin clustering dynamics and integrin-ligand binding dynamics are then simulated within one unified theoretical frame with Monte Carlo simulation. We find that the focal adhesion will grow when the traction force is higher than a relative small threshold value, and the growth is dominated by the reduction of local chemical potential energy by the traction force. In contrast, the focal adhesion will rupture when the traction force exceeds a second threshold value, and the rupture is dominated by the breaking of integrin-ligand bonds. Consistent with the experiments, these results suggest a force map for various responses of cell adhesion to different scales of mechanical force. PMID: 20542514

Dissecting Signaling Pathways That Govern Self-renewal of Rabbit Embryonic Stem Cells

The pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESC) are regulated by a variety of cytokines/growth factors with some species differences. We reported previously that rabbit ESC (rESC) are more similar to primate ESC than to mouse ESC. However,

Comparative Analysis of Five Different Homologous Feeder Cell Lines in the Ability to Support Rhesus Embryonic Stem Cells

我们以前的研究建立了五株猕猴饲养层细胞系来支持猕猴胚胎干细胞(rESCs)的生长:一岁猴耳皮肤成纤维细胞(MESFs)、两岁猴输卵管成纤维细胞(MOFs)、成年猴卵泡颗粒成纤维样细胞(MFGs)、成年猴卵泡颗粒上皮样细胞(MFGEs),以及MESFs的克隆成纤维细胞(CMESFs).我们发现MESFs、CMESFs、MOFs和MFGs,而不足MFGEs支持猕猴胚胎干细胞(rESCs,rhesus embryonic stem cells)的生长.通过半定量PCR的方法,我们在支持性的饲养层细胞中检测到了一些基因的高表达.在本研究中,我们运用Affymetrix公司的GeneChip Rhesus Macaque Genome Array芯片来研究这五株同源饲养层的表达谱,希望发现哪些细胞因子和信号通路在维持rESCs中起到重要作用.结果表明,除MFGE外,包括GREM2、bFGF,、KITLG,、DKK3、GREM1、AREG、SERPINF1和LTBF1等八个基因的mRNA在支持性的饲养层细胞中高表达.本研究结果提示,很多信号通路在支持rESCs的未分化生长和多潜能性方面可能起到了冗余的作用.

饲养层FGF2表达量对猕猴胚胎干细胞自我更新及多能性的影响

用转基因和RNA干扰(RNAi)法建立5组不同成纤维细胞生长因子-2(fibroblast growth factor-2,FGF2)表达量的猕猴耳部皮肤成纤维细胞(MESF)系:过表达FGF2组(f1),过表达的阴性对照组(f2),FGF2 RNA干扰组(f3),RNA干扰的阴性对照组(f4)和未作任何处理的对照组(f5).5组MESF的FGF2表达量相对值为f1:f2:f3:f4:f5=4:2:1:2:2;c-fos,TGF-β1,INHBA,Gremlinl在f1中表达量上升,在f3中表达量下降;BMP4,TGF-β2在f1中表达量下降,在f3中表达量上升;表明内源FGF2能够作用于MESF的TGF-β信号通路,引起相关基因表达量的变化.用这砦细胞作为饲养层长期培养(10代)猕猴胚胎干细胞(RhESC),结果在f1上培养的RhESC增殖速度都比对照组快,并且c-fos,TGF-β1,INHBA,Gremlinl,Oct-4,Nanog,Sox2表达量均上升,BMP4表达下调;在f3上培养的RhESC增殖较慢,BMP4表达上调,c-fos,TGF-β1,INHBA,Gremlinl,Oct-4,Nanog,Sox2表达下调.5组MESF上培养的RhESC形成的EB均表达各胚层早期标记基因(marker),说明RhESC的多能性没有受到影响,但表达量有差异,f1上RhESC形成的EB所有marker都低表达.结果表明饲养层的FGF2含量不仅影响自身相关基凶的表达,还对RhESC的自我更新有一定的作用.

The youngest split in sympatric schizothoracine fish (Cyprinidae) is shaped by ecological adaptations in a Tibetan Plateau glacier lake

Although new empirical evidence shows that sympatric speciation has occurred in some species, there are few indisputable model organisms for this process of speciation. The two subspecies (Gymnocypris eckloni eckloni and G. e. scoliostomus) of the schizothoracine Gymnocypris fish species complex from a small glacier lake in the Tibetan Plateau, Lake Sunmcuo, fit several of the key characteristics of the sympatric speciation model. We used combined mitochondrial control region sequences and the cytochrome b gene (1894 bp) to address the phylogenetics and population genetics of 232 specimens of G. e. eckloni and G. e. scoliostomus, as well as all of its closely related sister species. We found that: (i) a total of four old lineages were uncovered in the widespread G. e. eckloni, of which only one was shown to be shared with all G. e. scoliostomus individuals and (ii) the new subspecies (G. e. scoliostomus) evolved in Lake Sunmcuo from the ancestral G. e. eckloni population within approximately 0.057 Ma. These two taxa of the species complex are morphologically distinct, and reproductive isolation is further suggested. Ecological disruptive selection based on morphological traits (e.g. mouth cleft characters) and food utilization may be a mechanism of incipient speciation of two sympatric populations within Lake Sunmcuo. This study provides the first genetic evidence for sympatric speciation in the schizothoracine fish.

Effects of nonylphenol on the growth and microcystin production of Microcystis strains

Both organic pollution and eutrophication are prominent environmental issues concerning water pollution in the world. It is important to reveal the effects of organic pollutants on algal growth and toxin production for assessing ecological risk of organic pollution. Since nonylphenol (NP) is a kind of persistent organic pollutant with endocrine disruptive effect which exists ubiquitously in environments, NP was selected as test compound in our study to study the relationship between NP stress and Microcystis growth and microcystin production. Our study showed that responses of toxic and nontoxic Microcystis aeruginosa to NP stress were obviously different. The growth inhibition test with NP on M. aeruginosa yielded effect concentrations EbC50 values within this range of 0.67-2.96 mg/L. The nontoxic M. aeruginosa strains were more resistant to NP than toxic strains at concentration above 1 mg/L. Cell growth was enhanced by 0.02-0.2 mg/L NP for both toxic and nontoxic strains, suggesting a hormesis effect of NP on M. aeruginosa. Both toxic and nontoxic strains tended to be smaller with increasing NP. But with the increased duration of the experiment, both the cell size and the growth rate began to resume, suggesting a quick adaptation of M. aeruginosa to adverse stress. NP of 0.05-0.5 mg/L significantly promoted microcystin production of toxic strain PCC7820, suggesting that NP might affect microcystin production of some toxic M. aeruginosa in the field. Our study showed that microcystin excretion was species specific that up to 75% of microcystins in PCC7820 were released into solution, whereas > 99% of microcystins in 562 remained in algal cells after 12 days' incubation. NP also significantly influenced microcystin release into cultural media. The fact that NP enhanced growth and toxin production of M. aeruginosa at low concentrations of 0.02-0.5 mg/L that might be possibly found in natural freshwaters implies that low concentration of NP may favor survival of M. aeruginosa in the field and may play a subtle role in affecting cyanobacterial blooms and microcystin production in natural waters. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Establishment of a normal medakafish spermatogonial cell line capable of sperm production in vitro

Spermatogonia are the male germ stem cells that continuously produce sperm for the next generation. Spermatogenesis is a complicated process that proceeds through mitotic phase of stem cell renewal and differentiation, meiotic phase, and postmeiotic phase of spermiogenesis. Full recapitulation of spermatogenesis in vitro has been impossible, as generation of normal spermatogonial stem cell lines without immortalization and production of motile sperm from these cells after long-term culture have not been achieved. Here we report the derivation of a normal spermatogonial cell line from a mature medakafish testis without immortalization. After 140 passages during 2 years of culture, this cell line retains stable but growth factor-dependent proliferation, a diploid karyotype, and the phenotype and gene expression pattern of spermatogonial stem cells. Furthermore, we show that this cell line can undergo meiosis and spermiogenesis to generate motile sperm. Therefore, the ability of continuous proliferation and sperm production in culture is an intrinsic property of medaka spermatogonial stem cells, and immortalization apparently is not necessary to derive male germ cell cultures. Our findings and cell line will offer a unique opportunity to study and recapitulate spermatogenesis in vitro and to develop approaches for germ-line transmission.

黄土丘陵区油松天然次生林林窗特征与更新动态

研究了黄土丘陵区油松天然次生林林窗的形状、大小结构、分布、形成木特征及其更新状况.结果表明:在油松天然次生林中,林冠林窗(CG)和扩展林窗(EG)面积均呈以小林窗为主的偏态分布.CG平均面积为31.15 m2,以20~40 m2林窗的数量比和面积比最大,分别为38.24%和30.50%;EG平均面积为58.04 m2,以30~60 m2的数量比和面积比最大,分别为36.77%和27.79%,且CG的平均面积占EG平均面积的53.67%;林窗形状多呈椭圆形,高度多在14~16 m;林窗形成年龄以10~20年为主,占33.82%.林窗中基折和枯立木分别占形成木总数的47.66%和23.44%.林窗形成的主要因素是人为间伐或盗伐,树木衰老等引起的抗性下降、干旱、病虫害等也是导致树木死亡的原因之一;每个林窗中平均有1.89个形成木,其中以2株形成木的林窗最多.林窗形成木主要是油松,其次为山杨、白桦和辽东栎等.形成木的径级呈明显的偏态分布,以10~20 cm和21~30 cm径级最为普遍,分别占总数的25.0%和45.31%,与林窗面积偏态分布吻合;林窗内林木的更新状况好于林下,且油松幼苗不存在断层,而油松林下幼苗在年...

不同FGF-2表达量的饲养层对猕猴和兔胚胎干细胞的增殖和自我更新的影响

胚胎干细胞（ESC）培养是ESC研究的基础，饲养层的选择是ESC培养的一个重要方面。本实验曾对不同的猕猴饲养层进行研究，显示能够更好的支持猕猴ESC生长的饲养层FGF-2表达量也较高。FGF-2，又名bFGF（碱性成纤维生长因子），是ESC生长所需的重要因子，但其中的分子机制现在并未完全了解。本文一方面对ESC相关研究进展进行了综述，另一方面对以下内容进行了研究：用转基因和RNA干（RNAi）扰的方法建立不同FGF-2的表达量猕猴耳部皮肤细胞（MESF）系五组：过表达FGF-2（f1），过表达的阴性对照组（f2），FGF-2 RNA干扰组（f3），RNA干扰的阴性对照组（f4）以及未作任何处理的对照组（f5），这五组MESF的FGF-2表达量相对值为f1：f2：f3：f4：f5＝4：2：1：2：2；c-fos，TGF-β1，INHBA，Gremlin1在f1中表达量上升，在f3中表达量下降；BMP4，TGF-β2在f1中表达量下降，在f3中表达量上升；表明内源FGF-2能够作用于MESF的TGF-β信号通路，引起相关基因表达量的变化。用这些细胞作为饲养层分别培养两种ESC（猕猴ESC，R366. 4和兔ESC，RFESC） ，连续培养了10代，其中在f1上培养的两种ESC增殖速度都比对照组快，并且c-fos，TGF-β1，INHBA，Gremlin1，OCT-4，Nanog，Sox2表达量均上升，BMP4表达下调；在f3上培养的猕猴ESC增殖较慢，BMP4表达上调，c-fos，TGF-β1，INHBA，Gremlin1，OCT-4，Nanog，Sox2表达下调；f3上的兔ESC没有变化。表明ESC中的TGF-β信号通路也受到调节。五组猕猴和兔的ESC形成的EB均表达各胚层早期标记基因(marker)，但表达量有差异，f1上ESC形成的EB所有marker都低表达。实验结果表明饲养层中的FGF-2含量高低不仅影响自身相关基因的表达，还对ESC的增殖和维持自我更新有一定的作用。

兔胚胎干细胞分离建系及鉴定以及胚胎干细胞自我更新机制研究

人胚胎干细胞（ESC）的成功分离培养，吸引大批人对干细胞生物学的关注，特 别是ESC 在再生医学及人类早期胚胎发育研究的潜在价值。然而在人ESC 临床应用 之前需要找到合适的动物模型进行大量的预实验研究，从而评价其应用的安全性、有 效性及存活效率。因此，从其它物种建立稳定而可用的ESC 系也是必不可少的。ESC 能无限地自我更新并保持多潜能性，但控制其自我更新的分子机制现在仍然知之甚少 且物种间存在差异，了解ESC 的自我更新有利于提高建系率、改善培养体系及定向 分化体系。本文一方面对ESC 分离培养及自我更新机制的研究进展进行了综述，另 一方面对以下几个方面的内容进行了研究：1）建立了4 株稳定的兔ESC 系，能在体 外进行长期的培养并保持ESC 的多潜能Markers 及正常的XY 或XX 核型，具有碱性 磷酸酶活性、表达Oct-4、SSEA-1、SSEA-3、SSEA-4、TRA-1-60 及TRA-1-81。与人 和小鼠ESC 相似，兔ESC 表达多潜能基因（Oct-4、Nanog、Sox-2 及UTF-1），并表 达了与ESC 自我更新相关的信号通路（FGF、TGFβ及WNT）的许多基因。从形态 来说，兔ESC 与灵长类ESC 相似，但兔ESC 具有较快的增殖能力，与小鼠ESC 相类 似。在体外及体内兔ESC 均能分化成代表原始三胚层的各种细胞类型及组织。2) 从 受体抑制实验及生长因子的联合加入可以得出结论FGF 及TGF 信号通路对维持兔 ESC 的多潜能性发挥着重要的作用，这样的结果与人ESC 相类似。也表明FGF、TGF β及WNT 信号通路在兔ESC 的自我更新中都起着作用，而且他们之间可能形成了信 号调控网络，相互之间有着正负反馈作用。FGF2+Activin A 或TGFβ1+Noggin 的无 饲养层无血清培养体系不仅能显著抑制兔ESC 的分化，且能维持其长期的自我更新。 但与小鼠不同，TGFβ信号通路能影响其增殖能力，而对其多潜能性的维持并没有作 用。这就更说明了兔比小鼠更适宜成为人类疾病临床治疗之前的模型动物。3）四种 猕猴细胞系（MOF、MESF、MFG 和CMESF）可作为饲养层比MEFs（小鼠饲养层 细胞）更好或同等好支持猕猴ESC 的生长，保持其自我更新能力和分化的多能性。 而卵泡颗粒上皮样细胞（MFGE）不能支持猕猴ESC 的自我更新。进一步的研究表明 饲养层支持ESC 生长能力的差异可能是由于基因表达种类以及表达量上的差异而导 致的。

猕猴胚胎干细胞自我更新机理及WNT 信号通路在猕猴胚胎早期发育中作用的研究

尽管大部分动物实验是在啮齿类动物上开展的，我们仍然相信涉及人类的许多问题，如胚胎干细胞的体内功能、调亡和肿瘤形成等只有在非人灵长类模型上才能得到最好的回答。猕猴(标准的非人灵长类动物模型)在解剖、生理和代谢方面都和人类非常相似。人类很多神经疾病，如阿尔茨海默氏病、帕金森病，只能在非人灵长类模型上才能精确建模。所以研究猕猴胚胎干细胞自我更新的原理及猕猴胚胎早期发育，对研究免疫排斥，检测基于胚胎干细胞的治疗的可行性，安全性和有效性具有重要意义。本文一方面对胚胎干细胞维持自我更新和多潜能性的机理研究进行了综述，另一方面对以下两个方面的内容进行了研究： 1）运用寡核苷酸芯片和定量PCR 验证的方法来分析五株猕猴饲养层细胞的表达模式，期望发现在支持性和非支持性的饲养层细胞中差异性表达的基因。我们着重定位于饲养层胞外空间和细胞膜上的细胞因子，因为这些因子可以通过直接接触或通过膜结合受体激活下游信号通路，并最终促进猕猴胚胎干细胞的自我更新。我们发现在支持性的饲养层中有八个基因是高表达的，他们是GREM2， bFGF，KITLG，DKK3，GREM1，AREG，SERPINF1 和LTBP1； 经定量PCR 验证的SCF，bFGF 和GREM2 的表达情况都和芯片数据吻合。 2）为了描述在IVF (in vitro fertilized, 体外受精)，ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 单精注射)，SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer, 体细胞核移植)和孤雌生殖猕猴囊胚中WNT 信号通路的表达情况，我们运用了信号通路特异性PCR Array 系统及免疫细胞化学来检测mRNA 和蛋白表达水平。其中，ICSI 作为IVF 胚胎的参照组，以排除显微操作对胚胎质量的影响。结果，我们发现非经典WNT/JNK 信号，而不是经典WNT 信号通路，在IVF 正常胚胎发育中起作用。而体细胞核移植和孤雌生殖的胚胎的WNT 信号通路基因表达明显高于正常胚胎。WNT 信号通路基因的表达模式可以作为胚胎质量的一个指示标准，有助于回答为什么猕猴 SCNT 和孤雌生殖胚胎发育异常。

论自然保护与资源开发的策略

The conservation of species requires preservation of natural habitats,where the integrity of natural habitats has been severely disturbed and species goes extinct. All natural habitats are continuing to decline both inside and outside of reserves. Habitat change is partly a natural process (e.g., succession), but human activities have accelerated the process so that natural rate of renewal is insufficient to maintain natural habitats. This paper provided concept, methods of habitat renewal, habitat mitigation and their implication to protection and exploitation of natural resource. We argue that our only resourse, in light of these scenarios, is to adopt a new conservation strategy that considers the importance of habitat renewal and habitat mitigation in addition to habitat preservation. Accordingly, in our management decision, we must not only choose the size of area to preserve ,but also the size of area to balance habitat loss with habitat renewal or habitat mitigation. Finally, we explored the application of habitat renewal and habitat mitigation in regional sustainable development of Liaohe Delta wetland.

Electrochemiluminescent determination of glucose with a sol-gel derived ceramic-carbon composite electrode as a renewable optical fiber biosensor

A sol-gel derived ceramic-carbon composite electrode is used for fabrication of a new type of optical fiber biosensor based on luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL). The electrode consists of graphite powder impregnated with glucose oxidase in a silicate network. In this configuration, the immobilized enzyme oxidizes glucose to liberate hydrogen peroxide and graphite powder provides percolation conductivity for triggering the ECL between luminol and the liberated hydrogen peroxide. Both of the reactions occur simultaneously on the surface of the composite electrode, thereby the response of the biosensor is very fast. The peak intensity was achieved within only 20 s after glucose injection. In addition, the electrode could be renewed by a simple mechanical polishing step in case of contamination or fouling. The linear range extends from 0.01 to 10 mM for glucose and the detection limit is about 8.16 muM. The renewal repeatability and stability of the biosensor are also investigated in detail.

Cupric hexacyanoferrate nanoparticle modified carbon ceramic composite electrodes

Graphite powder-supported cupric hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) nanoparticles were dispersed into methyltrimethoxysilane based gels to produce a conducting carbon ceramic Composite, which was used as electrode material to fabricate surface- renewable CuHCF-modified electrodes. Electrochemical behavior of the CuHCF-modifled carbon ceramic composite electrodes was characterized using cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Cyclic voltammograms at various scan rates indicated that peak currents were surface-confined at low scan rates. In the presence of glutathione, a clear electrocatalytic response was observed at the CuHCF-modified composite electrodes. In addition, the electrodes exhibited a distinct advantage of reproducible surface-renewal by simple mechanical polishing on emery paper, as well as ease of preparation, and good chemical and mechanical stability in a flowing stream.

Sol-gel derived carbon ceramic electrode bulk-modified with tris(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)iron(II) hexafluorophosphate and its use as an amperometric iodate sensor

A surface-renewable tris (1,10-phenanthroline-5, 6-dione) iron (II) hexafluorophosphate (FePD) modified carbon ceramic electrode was constructed by dispersing FePD and graphite powder in methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) based gels. The FePD-modified electrode presented pH dependent voltammetric behavior, and its peak currents were diffusion-controlled in 0.1 mol/L Na2SO4 + H2SO4 solution (pH = 0. 4). In the, presence of iodate, clear electrocatalytic reduction waves were observed and thus the chemically modified electrode was used as an amperometric sensor for iodate in common salt. The linear range, sensitivity, detection limit and response time of the iodate sensor were 5 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-2) mol/L, 7.448 muA.L/mmol, 1.2 x 10(-6) mol/L and 5 s, respectively. A distinct advantage of this sensor is its good reproducibility of surface-renewal by simple mechanical polishing.