Gene cloning and functional analysis of glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme chondroitin AC lyase from Flavobacterium columnare G(4)

The chondroitin AC lyase gene, cslA, was cloned for the first time from the fish bacterial pathogen F. columnare G(4). From the first transcription initiation site, the cslA extends 2620 nucleotides to the end of the 3' region. The open reading frame of cslA transcript has 2286 nucleotides encoding 762 amino acids with a 16 residues long signal peptide at the N-terminus. The gene, cslA was then successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and recombinant chondroitin AC lyase, rChonAC was purified, with its lytic activity analyzed. Zymography analysis copolymerized with chondroitin sulphate revealed the lytic activity of rChonAC and also the crude native ChonAC isolated from periplamic space of cultured F. columnare G(4). The low level of lytic activity observed in crude native ChonAC may be due possibly to the low level of expression of this gene in the cultured condition. The expression and the role of this virulence factor is of interest for further research on the pathogenesis of F. columnare.

Functional analysis of FP25K of Helicoverpa armigera single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus

The fp25k gene of Helicoverpa armigera single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) was studied. HearNPV fp25k gene transcription was found starting from about 18 h post-infection, and protein could be detected from the same time with antiserum against FP25K. To study the function of HearNPV fp25k, a recombinant HearNPV (HaBacWD11) with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene replacing the fp25k was constructed using HaBacHZ8, a bacmid of HearNPV that lacks the polyhedrin gene. Growth curve analysis showed that HaBacWD11 produced higher titres of budded viruses (BVs) than its wild-type counterpart HaBacHZ8-GFP. Electron microscopic analysis indicated that at the late stage of infection, the number of intranuclear enveloped nucleocapsids in HaBacWD11-infected cells was much less than that of HaBacHZ8-GFP. A rescue recombinant virus HaBacWD14 was constructed by reintroducing fp25k gene into HaBacWD11. The growth curve and electron microscopic analysis of the rescued recombinant confirmed that the increase of BV yield and the decrease of the virion production in infected cells were the result of fp25k deletion. The expression of membrane fusion protein (Ha133) and ODV-E66 were studied using the FP25K mutants HaBacWD11 and HaBacHZ8-GFP. Unlike FP25K mutants in Autographa californica multicapsid NPV (AcMNPV), which caused an increase in the expression of membrane fusion protein GP64 and a decrease of ODV-E66, no obvious changes at the expression level of Ha133 and ODV-E66 were observed in HearNPV FP25K mutant.

Molecular cloning, genomic organization and functional analysis of an anti-lipopolysaccharide factor from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF) represents one kind of basic proteins, which binds and neutralizes LPS and exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative R-type bacteria. The ALF gene of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis (Milne Edwards, 1853) (denoted as EsALF) was identified from haemocytes by expressed sequence tag (EST) and PCR approaches. The full-length cDNA of EsALF consisted of 700 nucleotides with a canonical polyadenylation signal-sequence AATAAA, a polyA tail, and an open-reading frame of 363 bp encoding 120 amino acids. The high similarity of EsALF-deduced amino acid sequence shared with the ALFs from other species indicated that EsALF should be a member of ALF family. The mRNA expression of EsALF in the tissues of heart, gonad, gill, haemocytes, eyestalk and muscle was examined by Northern blot analysis and mRNA transcripts of EsALF were mainly detected in haemocytes, heart and gonad. The temporal expression of EsALF in haemocytes after Vibrio anguillarum challenge was recorded by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The relative expression level of EsALF was up-regulated rapidly at 2 h post-injection and reached 3-fold to that in blank group. After a drastic decrease to the original level from 4 to 8h, the expression level increased again and reached 4-fold to that in the blank group at 12 h post-injection. The genomic DNA sequence of EsALF gene consists of 1174bp containing three exons and two introns. The coding sequence of the EsALF mature peptide was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)-pLysS to further elucidate its biological functions. The purified recombinant product showed bactericidal activity against both Gram-positive (G(+)) and Gram-negative (G(-)) bacteria, which demonstrated that the rEsALF was a broad-spectrum antibacterial peptide. All these results indicated that EsALF was an acute-phase protein involved in the immune responses of Chinese mitten crab, and provided a potential therapeutic agent for disease control in aquaculture. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of cathepsin B in nutrient metabolism during larval development in Meretrix meretrix

Seed rearing is an important part in large scale clam culture industry. Since the nutritional history affects early development in bivalve, the condition of larval nutrition plays a key role in successful seed rearing. So far, the molecular mechanism of nutrient uptake in bivalve larvae is unclear. As one of the important proteolytic enzymes, cathepsin B of several organisms has been reported to be involved in digestion. We intended to analyze whether cathepsin B is involved in larval nutrient metabolism in the economic bivalve, clam Meretrix meretrix. The full length of M. meretrix cathepsin B (MmeCB) cDNA was cloned, which is 1647 bp with an open reading frame of 1014 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence encoded a preproenzyme of 337 residues with Cys-114, His-282 and Asn-302 composing cathepsin B activity center. The temporal and spatial expressions of MmeCB mRNA were examined from trochophore to post larva stages by whole mount in situ hybridization. In trochophore stage, no detectable signal was found. In the later three stages, MmeCB mRNA was detected in the digestive gland, suggesting a possible role of MmeCB in digestion. Moreover, MmeCB mRNA was also observed in the epidermal cells in D-veligers. Cathepsin B specific inhibitor (CA074 methyl ester) was applied to block the activity of cathepsin B in unfed larvae. The average shell lengths of treated larvae were smaller than that in control groups. The results of mRNA epidermal distribution and inhibitor treatment in D-veligers indicated that MmeCB may be also associated with other pathway of nutrient metabolism in larval epidermis. The overall results in this paper revealed that MmeCB might play a role in larval nutrient metabolism. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Governing Equations and Numerical Solutions of Tension Leg Platform with Finite Amplitude Motion

It is demonstrated that when tension leg platform (TLP) moves with finite amplitude in waves, the inertia force, the drag force and the buoyancy acting on the platform are nonlinear functions of the response of TLP. The tensions of the tethers are also nonlinear functions of the displacement of TLP. Then the displacement, the velocity and the acceleration of TLP should be taken into account when loads are calculated. In addition, equations of motions should be set up on the instantaneous position. A theoretical model for analyzing the nonlinear behavior of a TLP with finite displacement is developed, in which multifold nonlinearities are taken into account, i.e., finite displacement, coupling of the six degrees of freedom, instantaneous position, instantaneous wet surface, free surface effects and viscous drag force. Based on the theoretical model, the comprehensive nonlinear differential equations are deduced. Then the nonlinear dynamic analysis of ISSC TLP in regular waves is performed in the time domain. The degenerative linear solution of the proposed nonlinear model is verified with existing published one. Furthermore, numerical results are presented, which illustrate that nonlinearities exert a significant influence on the dynamic responses of the TLP.

Oscillatory Instabilities of Two-Layer Rayleigh-Marangoni-Benard Convection

The Rayleigh–Marangoni–Bénard convective instability (R–M–B instability) in the two-layer systems such as Silicone oil (10cSt)/Fluorinert (FC70) and Silicone oil (2cSt)/water liquids are studied. Both linear instability analysis and nonlinear instability analysis (2D numerical simulation) were performed to study the influence of thermocapillary force on the convective instability of the two-layer system. The results show the strong effects of thermocapillary force at the interface on the time-dependent oscillations at the onset of instability convection. The secondary instability phenomenon found in the real two-layer system of Silicone oil over water could explain the difference in the comparison of the Degen’s experimental observation with the previous linear stability analysis results of Renardy et al.

Oscillatory Instabilities of Two-Layer Rayleigh-Marangoni-Benard Convection

The Rayleigh-Marangoni-Benard convective instability (R-M-B instability) in the two-layer systems such as Silicone oil (10cSt)/Fluorinert (FC70) and Silicone oil (2cSt)/water liquids are studied. Both linear instability analysis and nonlinear instability analysis (2D numerical simulation) were performed to study the influence of thermocapillary force on the convective instability of the two-layer system. The results show the strong effects of thermocapillary force at the interface on the time-dependent oscillations at the onset of instability convection. The secondary instability phenomenon found in the real two-layer system of Silicone oil over water could explain the difference in the comparison of the Degen's experimental observation with the previous linear stability analysis results of Renardy et al.

小麦肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶（CCR）基因的分离和功能分析

作为植物界广泛存在的一类酚类聚合物，木质素是陆生植物正常生长发育过程中非常重要的生物大分子，而且与人类的生活息息相关。利用分子生物学手段和基因工程方法，从小麦中分离木质素生物合成途径的关键酶-肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶基因（CCR），研究肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶基因在木质素代谢途径中的调控规律，从其催化的限速步骤入手，来调控木质素的合成，有效的改变木质素的组成、含量和结构，是改善木质素在植物生长发育中的作用乃至开发木质素资源的关键所在。本文就小麦肉桂酰辅酶A还原酶基因的分离、表达特征及其在木质素合成途径中的作用开展了研究工作。 首先用RACE方法从小麦中克隆了CCR的两个cDNA的部分序列，序列分析表明它们编码的蛋白具有CCR的典型特点，GC含量高于均60%，两者在核酸水平和蛋白水平的同源性为76%和 69%，证明在小麦中至少存在着两个CCR基因。通过 RT-PCR和Northern 杂交确定W-cr6和W-cr19在小麦的发育中具有不同的表达特征，W-cr6主要在茎中表达，而W-cr19的表达集中在根中。以W-cr6为探针，从cDNA文库中筛选到一个全长1317bp的cDNA，命名为TaCCR1。TaCCR1包括开放阅读框 (ORF) 1047bp、5′端侧翼 72bp和3′端侧翼198bp的非翻译序列。TaCCR1能够编码由349个氨基酸组成的蛋白质，预期的分子量为37.4kD。同源性比较显示TaCCR1基因在核酸水平和蛋白质水平与其他物种的CCR基因的同源性高于60%。 为了分析CCR在木质素合成中的作用，用TaCCR1构建了用于转化烟草的正义和反义表达载体pStCCR和pAtCCR、用于转化小麦的正义和反义表达载体pBSC1和pBAC1。通过农杆菌介导得到了30株反义转基因烟草和12株正义转基因烟草。由于外源基因的抑制作用，转基因烟草在形态、木质素组成和含量、木质部显微结构上都程度不同的发生了变化。正义和反义的转基因株系呈现出株型矮化、木质素含量下降、木质部导管细胞壁受到破坏等现象。同时利用花粉管通道法转化小麦种子5000多粒，部分处理经过初步的PCR和 Southern分子鉴定获得了1株转基因株系，需要对其遗传、生理和形态特征做进一步的研究。 本文还对木质素对小麦茎杆的机械强度的影响做了初步的探讨，得到的结果是小麦茎杆的木质素含量、维管束的数量、茎杆有效的横界面积与其最大弯曲应力存在着正相关，而维管束的结构、密度对茎杆的最大弯曲应力没有明显的影响，从而为通过CCR基因来改善小麦茎杆的抗倒特性建立了生理学基础。

植物克隆化基因功能分析及蛋白编码基因分离的研究

直到九十年代，以利用拟南芥菜和金鱼草突变体克隆到花器官发育基因为重要标志的植物发育研究取得了重大突破。但由于开花决定过程分子控制机理研究进展却较为缓慢。以mRNA人手利用差异筛选技术获得春化相关基因克隆(verc203，verc17)，Northem blot初步证明这些克隆对春化处理的特异性。根据反义RNA理论和技术对克隆化verc203基因功能进行研究。另外，从纯化蛋白人手，在金针菇中克隆到新的溶血性毒蛋白编码基因，并在细菌中得到表达，这一实验为利用此途径来克隆发育调控蛋白的编码基因进行了有益的技术路线探索。本研究的具体结果如下： 1． 春化相关基因(verc203)对冬小麦花发育调控 根据反义RNA的理论和技术进一步证明verc203在冬小麦开花启动和花发育过程中的可能控制作用。将verc203 DNA序列插入带有CaMV35S启动子和GUS基因的pBI221表达载体， 使之能在植物中高效表达反义RNA，并以转正义基因植株作为对照。通过花粉管途径转基因方法，得到326粒反义质粒冬小麦转化种子和1 98粒正义质粒冬小麦转化种子．所有转化处理种子和正常小麦种子萌发后，经春化处理，与未春化冬小麦植株一起培养直到对照植株达到成熟期。实验观察发现，转反义基因植株的抽穗受到明显的阻抑，开花过程大大推迟。其中表达较强的6株转基因植株甚至晚花五十多天。还发现一些表达较弱的植株尽管晚花20到30天，但花器官发育却受到影响，如，雄蕊缺失，穗发育异常等。Southemblot和PCR实验结果表明外源基因整合到转基因植株基因组。 Northrenblot以及报告基因(GUS)活性等实验证明反义基因在转反义基因植株RNA水平上得到高效表达。同时，GUS基因在蛋白质水平上得到表达。基于上述实验，有理由认为ver203基因可能是控制冬小麦春化诱导的成花启动和花发育过程中的主要基因之一。 2． 金针菇毒蛋白flammutoxin编码基因的克隆及其在细菌中的表达 利用色谱分离技术及SDS．PAGE电泳技术从金针菇(Flammuleina velutips)分离得到一种分子量为31 kDa、对人血红细胞具有溶血活性的蛋白质(flammutoxin)，通过蛋白质序列微量分析技术测得其N-端3 1个氨基酸顺序。利用氨基酸序列推测其编码基因序列信息，通过RT - PCR克隆到一个由973个核苷酸组成的编码基因，5’端93个核苷酸编码肽链序列与测得flammutoxin N-端氨基酸序列完全相同。基因序列同源性分析表明在GenBank (USA)，EMBL Database (Europe)和DDBJ (Japan)基因序列数据库中未找到与之同源的基因序列。这个基因与载体p-半乳糖苷酶部分基因编码的融合蛋白在E coli细胞中有效地得到表达。表达产物的SDS-PAGE，Western blot和溶血活性实验表明它是flammutoxin蛋白原编码基因。并对融合蛋白的溶血活性降低原因作了讨论。

小麦春化相关基因的克隆及其功能分析

一． 小麦相关基因ver203F cDNA全序列克隆与功能分析 　　根据本实验室通过差异筛选技术克隆到的与春化相关的基因cDNA verc203的序列，设计PCR 5’端PCR引物，利用RACE（rapid amplification of cDNA ends）克隆策略，得到春化相关基因ver203基因的同源基因ver203F cDNA的3’端序列，长度为1,197bp。Northern分析表明ver203F全长约为1.5 kb，且其表达具有春化处理的特异性。根据3’RACE克隆的ver203F 3 ’端核苷酸序列设计了3’端PCR引物，利用5’RACE克隆到该基因的5’端片段，经DNASIS核酸分析软件分析将5’45RACE和3’RACE DNA序列拼接合并，得到ver203F全长cDNA，从TdT加尾5’末端到poly A全长为1,561 bp，5’端起始密码子ATG上游非编码区－1～－192共了192bp，终止密码子TGA到poly A的非编码区有253bp，cDNA编码区全长1,119 bp，推测编码373氨基酸残基。国际基因序列数据库检索表明该基因序列（GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ：AB012013）与大麦茉莉酸诱导基因有部分同源性。因上推测该基因在调控开花过程中可能参与茉莉酸介导的信号传导途径，ver203F作用的发挥可能需要其它蛋白的参与，或ver203F本身就是一个受体蛋白。 　　为了研究ver203F基因的功能，将通过3’RACE克隆到的ver203F 3’端序到分别构建正义和反义植物表达载体，通过花粉管通道法、农杆菌介导的叶圆片法以及农杆菌介导的真空转化法分别转化小麦、烟草和拟南芥菜。获得转基因植株后，PCR、DNA Dob Blot、Southern Blot分析以及GUS活性检测证明外源基因已整合到转基因植株中，并得到表达。在获得的小麦、烟草和拟南芥菜转基因植株中，它们开花时间都相应地推迟，表明正常植物体内该基因在控制营养生长向生殖生长的转变中起作用。ver203F可以影响小麦和拟南茶菜花序的发育，首先无论正义还是反义都使得花序的发育受到抑制，在小麦中表现为顶部小穗退化，在拟南芥菜中表现为顶花。其次在转化正义基因的转基因拟南芥菜中，观察到产生的顶花为对称的两朵或以对称的两朵顶花基部为生长点长出丛生花，这种对称花的麦型小麦小穗中小花的表型相类似，说明ver203F基因可能在小麦小花的发育过程中也起着重要作用。 二． 春化相关基因ver17在开花过程中功能的分析 以春化处理冬小麦（京冬1号）幼苗cDNA为材料，通过减法杂交与差异筛选得到春化相关cDNA克隆verc17。为了研究该基因的功能，以包含CaMV 35S启动子的pBI221为载体，将ver17cDNA片段分别从两个方向插入pBI221的BamH I－Sma I, Xba I－BamH I间，构建正义和反义表达质粒：p17S和p17X，通过花粉管通道法转化小麦。对T0和T1两代转基因小麦的观察发现，在转化反义基因p17X的转基因小麦首先表现为抽穗推迟，其次穗的顶部和基部小穗严重退化，另外还发现转化反义基因的小麦败育现象严重（主要是花粉败育），因此推测ver17基困能可具有以下几方面的特点：a．春化诱导型表达;b．促进植物开花;c．促进穗顶端和基部花的发育，减少其退化;d．影响雄蕊的发育。

烟草和衣藻中ftsZ 基因的克隆及功能分析

作为一种广泛存在于原核细胞中的原始的细胞骨架蛋白，FtsZ在植物中的发现为我们研究植物细胞中质体的分裂机制提供了可能。已有的研究证明了FtsZ与质体的分裂和形态维持有关，但高等植物中FtsZ在质体分裂和形态维持中的作用机制仍不十分清楚，同时高等植物中多个ftsZ成员的存在也使得对FtsZ功能的研究更加复杂。我们从烟草中克隆了两个ftsZ基因，序列和谱系分析表明二者均属于高等植物中的FtsZl基因家族，这也是首次在高等植物中发现多个FtsZl家族的成员。杂交分析表明ftsZ在烟草基因组中是以多拷贝形式存在，并且这两个基因具有相似的表达谱，这些结果暗示着高等植物中FtsZ在质体分裂中的作用更为复杂。GFP标记的原核定位表明二者具有与原核FtsZ类似的功能。此外，利用反义和正义表达的方法研究了二者在烟草质体分裂和形态维持中的作用。反义转化并未对烟草细胞叶绿体的数目和形态造成明显的影响，相反，二者的正义表达均导致细胞中叶绿体数目和形态上的明显变化，这一结果预示着二者在控制质体分裂和形态方面可能具有不同的功能。同时，这些结果也为高等植物中多样化的FtsZ可能具有除质体分裂之外的功能，如质体骨架．提供了证据。 　利用简并引物PCR和RACE从衣藻中扩增得到了一个ftsZ基因的部分cDNA序列，命名为CrFtsZ。序列分析表明该基因编码的蛋白具有FtsZ的典型特点，但同时还有一个与目前已知FtsZ均不同的突出c-末端：分子谱系分析认为CrFtsZ与线粒体进化祖先a -proteobacteria中的FtsZ有着共同起源，因此CrFtsZ可能是一个控制线粒体分裂的FtsZ。此外，CrFtsZ的c-端突出序列还具有目前已知真核生物线粒体分裂相关蛋白dynamin的某些特征，考虑到FtsZ在原核细胞分裂和真核细胞器分裂中的作用，我们推测CrFtsZ可能是FtsZ向dynamin过度的一种中间进化形式。这一发现为线粒体分裂机制的起源和进化提供了新的分子证据，对于认识真核线粒体分裂机制的起源与演化具有重要意义。

水稻OsRAA1基因的克隆与功能分析

FPF1（flowering promoting factor1）蛋白最早在白芥中研究发现是开花促进因子, 可能参与了赤霉素的信号传导途径。它可以和AP1和LFY蛋白协同作用，促进茎顶端分生组织向花分生组织转化。本论文将AtFPF1基因转化水稻，转基因水稻抽穗时间只有微弱的提前。然而异源表达AtFPF1却抑制了转基因水稻根的生长，促进了成苗根系的发达。这些表型类似于我们克隆的水稻OsRAA1 （Oryza sativa Root Architecture Associated 1）的功能。这是首次报道AtFPF1/OsRAA1在水稻中具有控制根系发育的功能 生物信息学分析表明水稻OsRAA1基因定位于水稻1号染色体，它编码的蛋白推测分子量为12kD和AtFPF1有58%的同源。通过RNA原位杂交和OsRAA1基因启动子调控GUS基因表达的模式，证实OsRAA1基因主要在根尖的顶端分生区和伸长区，根尖分支区和幼侧根的中柱，侧根的原基表达。同时在幼穗分支顶端，根茎结合区的边周维管束，稃片，花药与花丝的结合区也有表达。OsRAA1在玉米泛素启动子驱动下组成型表达，可以抑制水稻初生根的生长，促进不定根的形成，部分植物形成不同程度螺旋状的初生根。这些表型和野生型水稻用生长素处理的表型类似。OsRAA1组成型表达，在成苗阶段，特别是孕穗前，大大促进叶片伸长，并导致部分小花败育。光学镜检表明OsRAA1组成型表达的水稻的花丝伸长过快，部分小花花药萎缩败育。剑叶表面细胞电镜扫描表明，OsRAA1组成型表达的水稻剑叶的硅化细胞比对照植株要长。野生型水稻根系生长素处理的Northern杂交和OsRAA1基因启动子调控GUS基因表达的水稻生长素处理后GUS活性染色表明，OsRAA1基因的转录受生长素诱导。而且OsRAA1组成型表达的水稻根的向地性反应减缓。这些结果表明，OsRAA1可能参与了生长素的信号转导途径。 与此同时，从基因序列数据库中，在很多植物中寻找到很多表达片段和FPF1/OsRAA1基因同源。从已有报道和我们的结果表明，在植物中可能普遍存在一个受赤霉素和生长素调控FPF1/OsRAA1基因家族，调控着植物各个器官的发育。

水稻花药绒毡层特异基因及减数分裂相关基因的分离与功能分析

　利用RNA减法杂交、差异筛选和5’-RACE等方法从水稻分离到了一花药绒毡层特异表达的基因RA39。Southern 杂交表明，RA39在水稻基因组中是以单拷贝的形式存在的。RT-PCR 结果初步表明，RA39是一水稻花药特异表达的基因。RNA原位杂交进一步表明，RA39主要在水稻花药的绒毡层中表达，而且在小孢子母细胞减数分裂期和四分体时期表达量最高。RA39 cDNA全长1013bp，编码298个氨基酸残基。 RA39 cDNA与数据库中的已知序列没有明显的相似性，由其推测的多肽与核糖体失活蛋白（ribosome-inactivating protein, RIP）的序列相似在19-34%之间。多重序列排列分析结果表明构成RIPs活性位点的5个关键氨基酸残基在RA39中是保守的，在蓖麻毒蛋白中分别为Tyr80、 Tyr123、 Glu177、 Arg180 and Trp211 。利用原核表达系统，通过蛋白质分离和纯化获得了在SDS电泳图谱上为单一条带的纯的RA39蛋白，用兔rRNA作底物进行的酶活性分析证明该蛋白有N-糖基化作用，是一种类型I的核糖体失活蛋白。反义转基因植株的花粉用TTC进行活性染色结果显示其活性明显减弱，成熟的T0代反义转基因植株的结实率明显降低，只有对照的20-60%。这说明，RA39蛋白可能和小孢子母细胞的发育相关。 　　酵母DMC1是减数分裂过程中同源染色体配对和重组修复所必需的减数分裂特异基因。根据酵母Dmc1和拟南芥AtDmc1的保守区设计简并性引物，通过RT-PCR和RACE等方法，从水稻中分离出了酵母DMC1的同源基因OsDMC1。RT-PCR分析表明，OsDMC1在花中表达量最高，在根中表达量较低，在叶片和幼芽几乎不表达。水稻基因组中有两个拷贝的OsDMC1。OsDmc1蛋白与酵母Dmc1和拟南芥AtDmc1氨基酸一致性分别为53%和81%。 　　酵母Spo11在减数分裂过程中具有催化DNA双链断裂从而起始同源重组的功能。以酵母Spo11氨基酸序列为探针和现有的数据库通过数据分析，结合RACE技术，克隆了水稻SPO11同源基因OsSPO11-1， OsSPO11-1是一个单拷贝基因，有3个外显子和2个内含子，在转录过程中通过内含子的可变剪切产生4个不同的转录本（OsSPO11-1A、OsSPO11-1B、OsSPO11-1C和OsSPO11-1），其中，OsSPO11-1A是一个未剪切的转录本，OsSPO11-1B包含内含子2，OsSPO11-1C包含内含子1，OsSPO11-1D是一个完全剪切的转录本。这些转录本编码的蛋白有一致的246氨基酸残基的C-端，包含了Spo11/TopVIA家族蛋白共有的5个功能基元，是该家族的新成员。OsSPO11-1A和 OsSPO11-1C在花中优势积累，OsSPO11-1B是花特异的，而OsSPO11-1D在营养器官中优势积累。在花中该基因主要在减数分裂的花粉母细胞和胚曩中表达，在减数分裂期的绒毡层细胞和不同花器官的微管束细胞中也表达。这些结果说明内含子涉及到了OsSPO11-1表达的器官特异性调节，该基因除了参与减数分裂的调节外，在体细胞的发育中可能起重要作用。