Proton magnetic resonance studies of ribonucleic acid complexes. I. Complexes of biological bases and oligonucleotides with RNA. II. Template recognition and the degeneracy of the genetic code

Part I. Complexes of Biological Bases and Oligonucleotides with RNA

The physical nature of complexes of several biological bases and oligonucleotides with single-stranded ribonucleic acids have been studied by high resolution proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The importance of various forces in the stabilization of these complexes is also discussed.

Previous work has shown that purine forms an intercalated complex with single-stranded nucleic acids. This complex formation led to severe and stereospecific broadening of the purine resonances. From the field dependence of the linewidths, T₁ measurements of the purine protons and nuclear Overhauser enhancement experiments, the mechanism for the line broadening was ascertained to be dipole-dipole interactions between the purine protons and the ribose protons of the nucleic acid.

The interactions of ethidium bromide (EB) with several RNA residues have been studied. EB forms vertically stacked aggregates with itself as well as with uridine, 3'-uridine monophosphate and 5'-uridine monophosphate and forms an intercalated complex with uridylyl (3' → 5') uridine and polyuridylic acid (poly U). The geometry of EB in the intercalated complex has also been determined.

The effect of chain length of oligo-A-nucleotides on their mode of interaction with poly U in D₂0 at neutral pD have also been studied. Below room temperatures, ApA and ApApA form a rigid triple-stranded complex involving a stoichiometry of one adenine to two uracil bases, presumably via specific adenine-uracil base pairing and cooperative base stacking of the adenine bases. While no evidence was obtained for the interaction of ApA with poly U above room temperature, ApApA exhibited complex formation of a 1:1 nature with poly U by forming Watson-Crick base pairs. The thermodynamics of these systems are discussed.

Part II. Template Recognition and the Degeneracy of the Genetic Code

The interaction of ApApG and poly U was studied as a model system for the codon-anticodon interaction of tRNA and mRNA in vivo. ApApG was shown to interact with poly U below ~20°C. The interaction was of a 1:1 nature which exhibited the Hoogsteen bonding scheme. The three bases of ApApG are in an anti conformation and the guanosine base appears to be in the lactim tautomeric form in the complex.

Due to the inadequacies of previous models for the degeneracy of the genetic code in explaining the observed interactions of ApApG with poly U, the "tautomeric doublet" model is proposed as a possible explanation of the degenerate interactions of tRNA with mRNA during protein synthesis in vivo.

Plastidic Phosphoglucose Isomerase Is an Important Determinant of Starch Accumulation in Mesophyll Cells, Growth, Photosynthetic Capacity, and Biosynthesis of Plastidic Cytokinins in Arabidopsis

Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) catalyzes the reversible isomerization of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate. It is involved in glycolysis and in the regeneration of glucose-6-P molecules in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP). In chloroplasts of illuminated mesophyll cells PGI also connects the Calvin-Benson cycle with the starch biosynthetic pathway. In this work we isolated pgi1-3, a mutant totally lacking pPGI activity as a consequence of aberrant intron splicing of the pPGI encoding gene, PGI1. Starch content in pgi1-3 source leaves was ca. 10-15% of that of wild type (WT) leaves, which was similar to that of leaves of pgi1-2, a T-DNA insertion pPGI null mutant. Starch deficiency of pgi1 leaves could be reverted by the introduction of a sex1 null mutation impeding beta-amylolytic starch breakdown. Although previous studies showed that starch granules of pgi1-2 leaves are restricted to both bundle sheath cells adjacent to the mesophyll and stomata guard cells, microscopy analyses carried out in this work revealed the presence of starch granules in the chloroplasts of pgi1-2 and pgi1-3 mesophyll cells. RT-PCR analyses showed high expression levels of plastidic and extra-plastidic beta-amylase encoding genes in pgi1 leaves, which was accompanied by increased beta-amylase activity. Both pgi1-2 and pgi1-3 mutants displayed slow growth and reduced photosynthetic capacity phenotypes even under continuous light conditions. Metabolic analyses revealed that the adenylate energy charge and the NAD(P) H/NAD(P) ratios in pgi1 leaves were lower than those of WT leaves. These analyses also revealed that the content of plastidic 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP)-pathway derived cytokinins (CKs) in pgi1 leaves were exceedingly lower than in WT leaves. Noteworthy, exogenous application of CKs largely reverted the low starch content phenotype of pgi1 leaves. The overall data show that pPGI is an important determinant of photosynthesis, energy status, growth and starch accumulation in mesophyll cells likely as a consequence of its involvement in the production of OPPP/glycolysis intermediates necessary for the synthesis of plastidic MEP-pathway derived hormones such as CKs.

Avaliação da função endotelial em mulheres jovens portadoras da síndrome dos ovários policísticos

A síndrome dos ovários policísticos é uma desordem frequente e complexa, com grande variabilidade fenotípica, predominando os sinais de disfunção ovariana. Alterações metabólicas, inflamatórias e vasculares vinculadas à resistência à insulina são muito prevalentes nessa desordem podendo manifestar-se precocemente. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi investigar a presença de alterações microvasculares em mulheres jovens e não obesas portadoras da síndrome dos ovários policísticos, através de videocapilaroscopia periungueal e dosagem dos níveis séricos de endotelina-1. O objetivo secundário foi verificar a existência de associações entre os achados vasculares, níveis séricos de androgênios, parâmetros clínicos, bioquímicos, metabólicos e inflamatórios relacionados ao risco cardiovascular. Em estudo observacional, transverso e controlado avaliamos 12 mulheres com diagnóstico de síndrome dos ovários policísticos, segundo os critérios estabelecidos pelo consenso de Rotterdam e nove voluntárias saudáveis. A idade (22,82,3 X 24,62,7), o índice de massa corporal (22,53,4 X 23,73,1) e a circunferência da cintura (7510,1 X 77,38,1) foram semelhantes nos dois grupos. As portadoras da síndrome apresentavam hiperandrogenismo clínico. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos quando analisados os níveis séricos de estradiol, testosterona total, androstenediona ou o índice de testosterona livre, entretanto a SHBG mostrou-se significativamente mais baixa no grupo de estudo (p=0,011). A glicemia de jejum, insulina, HOMA-IR e o perfil lipídico foram normais e sem diferença entre os grupos. A amostra com síndrome dos ovários policísticos não apresentava intolerância à glicose ou Diabetes Mellitus pelo teste oral de tolerância à glicose. Os níveis séricos dos marcadores inflamatórios (leucócitos, ácido úrico, adiponectina, leptina e proteína c reativa) e do marcador de função endotelial avaliado também foram similares nos dois grupos. A velocidade de deslocamento das hemácias no basal e após oclusão foram significativamente menores nas pacientes de estudo (p=0,02), mas o tempo para atingir a VDHmax e os parâmetros relativos à morfologia e densidade capilar foram semelhantes. Não observamos correlação entre a velocidade de deslocamento das hemácias e níveis plasmáticos de endotelina-1, androgênios ou parâmetros de resistência insulínica. A velocidade de deslocamento das hemácias associou-se positivamente aos níveis plasmáticos de estradiol (r= 0,45, p<0,05) e negativamente aos de colesterol total e LDL colesterol (r= -0,52, p<0,05; r=-0,47, p<0,05, respectivamente). Em conclusão nossos resultados fornecem evidência adicional de dano precoce à função microvascular em mulheres portadoras de síndrome dos ovários policísticos. Através da capilaroscopia periungueal dinâmica, demonstramos que mulheres jovens com moderado hiperandrogenismo, sem obesidade, RI, hipertensão ou dislipidemia, já apresentam disfunção microvascular nutritiva, caracterizada por redução na velocidade de fluxo das hemácias no basal e após oclusão. Estes achados micro-circulatórios não foram acompanhados de elevações nos níveis plasmáticos de endotelina-1.

Caracterização ambiental preliminar de um sistema rio estuário tropical em área de Mata Atlântica, Ilha Grande (RJ).

O presente trabalho visa contribuir para a valorização e conservação dos cursos dágua e biodiversidade em área de Mata Atlântica no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, através da caracterização ambiental preliminar do sistema rio - estuário Córrego Andorinhas, localizado no Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande (RJ), utilizando indicadores abióticos e bióticos. As amostragens ocorreram de 20/10/11 a 22/10/11, pela manhã e tarde, em duas profundidades de três estações. O fitoplâncton e protozooplâncton foram coletados com frascos de polipropileno (500 ml), fixados com formaldeído 2% neutralizado com bórax e analisados em câmaras de sedimentação de Uthermöl. O zooplâncton foi coletado com rede de 68 μm de malha, fixado com formaldeído 4% neutralizado com bórax e analisado em subamostras. Variáveis abióticas foram analisadas in situ com sondas. Os nutrientes foram coletados com garrafa de Van Dorn e frascos de polipropileno, congeladas e levadas para análise no laboratório de Geoquímica da UFF. A estação AN-01 apresentou menores valores de temperatura da água (19 C), condutividade (2,3 μS/cm) e turbidez (1,1 UNT), mas com maiores valores de OD (9,6 mg/L). Maiores valores de turbidez (6,9 UNT) e pH (7,7) foram registrados na estação AN-02, enquanto a estação AN-03 apresentou maiores valores de temperatura da água (23,7 C) e condutividade (1951 μS/cm). O fitoplâncton apresentou valores máximos nas estações AN-02 manhã em 22/10/11 (4,28 x 103 ind/L) e AN-03 tarde em 20/10/11(3,4 x 103 ind/L). O zooplâncton apresentou valores máximos na estação AN-03 manhã (421,2 x 103 ind/L) e tarde (45,8 x 103 ind/L). Os valores máximos registrados para protozooplâncton foram registrados nas estações AN-02 manhã em 22/10/11 (35,1 x 103 ind/L) tarde em 21/10/11 (12,6 x 103 ind/L). A partir dos dados abióticos, caracterizou-se o sistema como oligo-mesotrófico, com características distintas em seus pontos de coleta: A dominância de sarcodinos, diatomáceas e calanóides, em riqueza e densidade, demonstram o caráter estuarino, pois protozoários são indicadores de ambientes lóticos continentais, calanóides de ambientes marinhos e diatomáceas representantes de ambos os ambientes. Este estudo preliminar demonstrou a integridade ambiental do estuário, fato que reflete em sua preservação e da Mata Atlântica em seu entorno.

Dietas ricas em gordura, frutose e sacarose: alterações no fígado

Hábitos inadequados no estilo de vida, pelo consumo exacerbado de dietas ricas em gorduras e açúcares (frutose e sacarose), correlacionam-se positivamente com o desenvolvimento da obesidade, da resistência à insulina (RI) e da esteatose hepática não alcoólica (NAFLD). O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a magnitude dos efeitos da administração crônica de dietas ricas em gordura e/ou frutose, e ainda, comparar os efeitos dos açúcares isoladamente (frutose e sacarose) sob as alterações bioquímicas, o perfil inflamatório, as respostas morfofuncionais e as expressões proteicas e gênicas de fatores de transcrição envolvidos na lipogênese, na beta-oxidação, na gliconeogênese e no estresse oxidativo no fígado. Camundongos machos C57BL/6 foram divididos em dois experimentos: 1) Dieta controle/standard chow (SC), dieta high fat (HF 42%), dieta high frutose (HFr 34%) e dieta high fat + high frutose (HFHFr - 42% fat + 34% frutose) por 16 semanas; 2) Dieta controle/standard chow (SC), dieta high frutose (HFru 50%) e dieta high sacarose (HSu 50%) por 15 semanas. Ao final dos experimentos foram observados: 1) Não houve diferença na massa corporal entre os animais HFr e SC, só foi observado ganho de peso nos grupos HF e HFHFr. Houve ainda aumento do colesterol total, dos triglicerídeos plasmáticos e hepáticos e RI nos grupos HF, HFr e HFHFr. No fígado, foi observado NAFLD com aumento na expressão de SREBP-1c e PPAR-γ, e redução de PPAR-α. A gliconeogênese mediada pelo GLUT-2 e PEPCK também foi aumentada nos grupos HF, HFr e HFHFr em relação ao grupo SC. Áreas de necroinflamação também foram observadas nos animais HFr e HFHFr; 2) Não houve diferença na massa corporal entre os grupos SC, HFru e HSu. Porém, houve aumento do colesterol total, dos triglicerídeos plasmáticos e hepáticos, da RI, das adipocinas (IL-6, resistina, MCP-1 e leptina), e redução da adiponectina. No fígado, abundante NAFLD com predominância da expressão proteica e gênica de SREBP-1c, PPAR-γ e redução de PPAR-α; e desequilíbrio antioxidante com redução da SOD, da Catalase e da GRx nos grupos HFru e HSu quando comparados ao SC. Não houve diferença na GPx entre os três grupos. Ainda foi observado aumento na expressão proteica de G6Pase, PEPCK e GLUT-2, envolvidos na gliconeogênese hepática nos grupos HFru e HSu. Áreas de necroinflamação, característico da transição NAFLD-NASH, também foram observados. Os resultados permitem concluir que, independente do aumento da massa corporal, a administração crônica de dietas ricas em frutose e sacarose tem efeitos similares aos observados com o consumo de dieta hiperlipídica. Parece que a RI e a NAFLD sejam os precursores destas alterações.

Curta administração de GW501516 melhora o estado inflamatório do tecido adiposo branco, o dano hepático e a inflamação renal de camundongos alimentados com dieta rica em frutose

A superativação do eixo ECA/AT1r está intimamente relacionada à síndrome metabólica e no organismo tem grande relação com o quadro de inflamação. A administração de frutose, seja por dieta ou pela água, tem sido usada como um modelo para a indução da superatividade desse eixo e para o estudo das vias inflamatórias relacionadas ao AT1r. Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se a administração de GW510156 poderia diminuir a superativação do eixo ECA/AT1r e consequentemente diminuir os danos causados pela dieta rica em frutose. Para isso foram utilizados camundongos machos C57Bl/6 que receberam uma dieta contendo 47% de frutose durante oito semanas ou uma dieta controle. Após oito semanas, os grupos foram redivididos aleatoriamente para o início da administração do GW501516 durante três semanas, totalizando quatro grupos experimentais. Os animais tratados apresentaram uma melhora da pressão arterial sistólica e também dos parâmetros urinários como proteinúria e ácido úrico. Houve ainda uma melhora dos triglicerídeo e ácido úrico plasmáticos. No tecido adiposo branco, o GW501516 foi capaz de diminuir a expressão dos componentes do eixo ECA/AT1r e também amenizou a inflamação causada pela dieta rica em frutose. No fígado, não houve alterações significativa do eixo, porém a fosforilação de JAK2 dependente de AT1r foi diminuída e consequentemente houve uma menor ativação das células estreladas no grupo que recebeu o GW501516. Além disso, as proteínas e genes relacionados à β-oxidação foram aumentados com o tratamento e aqueles relacionados à lipogênese de novo, diminuídos o que resultou em menor esteatose no parênquima hepático. Os rins apresentaram uma melhora da inflamação induzida pelo eixo, apesar de o eixo também não ter apresentado diferenças significativas com o tratamento. Também não foram encontradas diferenças significativas na expressão proteica e gênica das proteínas antioxidantes. Com esses resultados podemos concluir que a curta administração do GW501516 pôde aliviar os efeitos inflamatórios e a esteatose hepática causada pela dieta rica em frutose, podendo ser pensado como uma nova ferramenta terapêutica no tratamento da superativação do eixo ECA/AT1r.

成熟番茄果实多聚半乳糖醛酸酶（PG）cDNA克隆

本研究以成熟的番茄果实为材料，以其中提取总RNA，通过O1igo(dT)纤维素亲合层析，获得了mRNA。以该mRNA为模板，以Oligo(dT)为引物合成了相应的cDNA，将其克隆到载体入gtll中，构建了一个滴度(titer)为7×105pfu，重组率高于90％的番茄果实的cDNA文库。与此同时，利用PCR技术，以上述cONA为模板，扩增到了一个含有全部阅读框架的PG cDNA片段，将该片段克隆到质粒pBluescript中，该克隆的酶切分析和部分序列分析与Grieson等发表的完全一致，表明扩增到的片段确系PG的cDNA。由于上述片段不含PG的3'非编码区，因此以上述PCR片段的部分序列为探针，对cONA文库进行筛选。通过两轮噬菌斑原位杂交，获得了11个阳性克隆，利用PCR将它们从入gtli中亚克隆到质粒pBlusoript上，对其中一个1.0kb的片段进行部分序列分析，表明其5，末端缺少800bp，3'端完整，含有一个I3个A的多聚A尾。将找们测得的序列与国外发表的比较，没有发现因PCR技术产生的错误，证明PCR是一种克隆基因的可靠方法。目前已将PCR扩增的含有全部阅读框架的1.5kb片段以反方向插入到pBl121的衍生质粒pBin437中构建表达反义RNA的双元载体中，正在对其重组子进一步鉴定。

不同葡萄糖/果糖类型桃果实发育期间可溶性糖的变化规律和代谢

以成熟果实中不同葡萄糖/果糖（G/F）类型的6个桃品种（G/F≈1品种：‘冈山白’、‘山一白桃’和‘燕红’;高G/F品种：‘张黄7号’、‘龙246’和‘临白7号’）为试材，采用高效液相色谱法测定果实发育期果实和叶片中可溶性糖含量，并在盛花后74 d或101 d测定了‘冈山白’、‘山一白桃’、‘张黄 7号’和‘龙 246’新梢韧皮部中可溶性糖的含量;测定了果实发育过程中‘山一白桃’和‘临白7号’果实中的可溶性糖和淀粉代谢相关酶的活性。研究成熟果实中不同G/F类型桃果实内G/F差异的部位和时期;分析桃果实内G/F差异的可溶性糖代谢调控机理。 成熟果实中不同G/F类型桃果实中均以蔗糖作为主要碳水化合物积累形式，花后43–85 d蔗糖含量很低，随后持续快速积累直至果实成熟;花后43–85 d山梨醇有升高趋势，在果实成熟前40 d左右迅速降低;葡萄糖和果糖含量在果实发育早期较高，之后逐渐降低;但两类不同G/F桃在整个果实发育过程中G/F值与果实成熟时相似。叶片中贮藏的可溶性糖主要是蔗糖和山梨醇，在果实整个发育期间，G/F≈1品种叶片中G/F约1-3，而高G/F品种叶片中G/F约为2-7。G/F≈1品种‘冈山白’和‘山一白桃’与高G/F品种‘张黄 7号’和‘龙 246’韧皮部中山梨醇占总可溶性糖47-63％，显著高于蔗糖、葡萄糖和果糖的含量，G/F为0.8-0.91，且两类不同G/F桃品种间G/F值不存在显著差异。 成熟果实中G/F≈1类型的‘山一白桃’和高G/F值类型的‘临白7号’整个果实发育过程中，葡萄糖、山梨醇和淀粉的含量在这两个品种间一般没有明显差异;‘山一白桃’果实中的果糖含量显著高于‘临白7号’果实中的果糖;果实最后迅速生长期，‘山一白桃’果实中的蔗糖明显高于‘临白7号’。‘山一白桃’和‘临白7号’果实中的NAD+依赖型山梨醇脱氢酶（NAD+-SDH）活性低，两者有相似的变化趋势，一般无显著差异。‘临白7号’果实中的NADP+依赖型山梨醇脱氢酶（NADP+-SDH）和山梨醇氧化酶（SOX）活性一直高于‘山一白桃’，两者NADP+-SDH和SOX的活性分别在花后93-123 d和花后43-93 d有显著差异。‘临白7号’果实中的果糖激酶（FK）活性一般高于‘山一白桃’。花后43-93 d，‘临白7号’果实中的磷酸蔗糖合成酶（SPS）和蔗糖合成酶（SS）活性一般显著‘山一白桃’。果实最后迅速生长期，蔗糖快速积累，葡萄糖、果糖、山梨醇和淀粉含量迅速降低，同时伴随有SPS和SS活性的迅速升高。在整个果实发育过程中，两个品种果实中的淀粉酶活性较高，其果实中的淀粉含量和淀粉酶活性都有明显的下降趋势。 研究结果表明，整个果实发育过程中桃果实中均存在G/F≈1和高G/F现象，光合产物在韧皮部的运输对桃果实的G/F没有显著的影响，果实中G/F的差异主要由于果实内糖代谢差异所导致。‘临白7号’果实中山梨醇向果糖方向的转化能力与‘山一白桃’一般没有显著差异，由于不同时期较高的NADP+-SDH和SOX活性，使得山梨醇向葡萄糖方向的转化能力明显高于‘山一白桃’，同时，‘临白7号’果实中的FK活性一般高于‘山一白桃’，因此导致‘临白7号’果实中G/F高于‘山一白桃’。

桃不同组织中的葡萄糖/果糖比值特点及己糖代谢

以不同葡萄糖/果糖（G/F）类型的桃品种（正常G/F 品种：‘燕红’、‘冈山白’和‘山一白桃’；高G/F 品种：‘龙124’、‘龙246’、‘张黄7 号’和‘临白7 号’）为试材，测定果实发育期果实、叶片、韧皮部和木质部中糖和淀粉含量，并分别在果实第一迅速生长期、硬核期和成熟期测定了‘燕红’、‘山一白桃’、‘龙124’、‘龙 246’和‘临白7号’果实和叶片中己糖相关酶。研究不同G/F类型桃品种产生G/F差异的组织器官和时期，并且分析相关代谢酶调控机理。 两类不同G/F 桃果实中均以蔗糖作为主要碳水化合物积累形式，花后70 d前蔗糖含量很低，随后快速积累直至果实成熟；山梨醇含量较为稳定，高G/F品种‘龙124’两年间在未成熟果实中山梨醇含量高于正常 G/F品种；葡萄糖和果糖含量在果实第一迅速生长期积累，之后逐渐降低。高 G/F 品种‘龙124’和‘临白7号’成熟果实中葡萄糖含量高于‘龙246’和正常 G/F 品种。正常G/F品种果实、叶片、韧皮部和木质部中葡萄糖和果糖含量基本相等，G/F基本保持在0.7-1.5。高G/F品种果实、叶片中葡萄糖显著高于果糖，果实中G/F在1.6-8.8，叶片中G/F在果实未成熟时为2.5-9.3，在果实成熟期为14.5-21.3。然而韧皮部和木质部中葡萄糖略高于果糖或基本相等，但较正常G/F品种高。因此，光合产物在韧皮部的运输对桃果实的G/F 没有显著影响。 在第一迅速生长期和成熟期时，所有供试桃品种果实和叶片中合成己糖的NAD+-SDH 和 SOX较为活跃，而分解己糖的FRK、GLK和PGI则保持在较低水平；在果核硬化期则相反，果实和叶片中合成己糖的NAD+-SDH 和 SOX活性较低，而分解己糖的FRK、GLK和PGI则较为活跃。高G/F品种‘龙124’和‘龙246’在果核硬化期果实中的FRK、NADP+-SDH 和GLK活性显著高于正常G/F品种，而高G/F品种‘临白7号’则与正常G/F品种没有明显差异。可见，高G/F品种间己糖代谢调控机制也有所差异。此外，叶片中两种G/F类型间的己糖代谢相关酶差异并无明显规律，由此我们认为叶片存在与果实类似但相对独立的调控机制。

Enzyme-free glucose biosensor based on low density CNT forest grown directly on a Si/SiO2 substrate

A highly sensitive nonenzymatic amperometric glucose sensor was fabricated by using Ni nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed within and on the top of a vertically aligned CNT forest (CNT/Ni nanocomposite sensor), which was directly grown on a Si/SiO2 substrate. The surface morphology and elemental analysis were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to evaluate the catalytic activities of CNT/Ni electrode. The CNT/Ni nanocomposite sensor exhibited a great enhancement of anodic peak current after adding 5 mM glucose in alkaline solution. The sensor can also be applied to the quantification of glucose content with a linear range covering from 5 μM to 7 mM, a high sensitivity of 1433 μA mM-1 cm-2, and a low detection limit of 2 μM. The CNT/Ni nanocomposite sensor exhibits good reproducibility and long-term stability, moreover, it was also relatively insensitive to commonly interfering species, such as uric acid, ascorbic acid, acetaminophen, sucrose and d-fructose. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Bifunctional enzyme FBPase/SBPase is essential for photoautotrophic growth in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp PCC 6803

From a random insertion mutant library of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, a mutant defective in photoautotrophic growth was obtained. The interrupted gene was identified to be slr2094 (rbpl), which encodes the fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (FBPase)/sedoheptulose-1,7-biphosphatase (SBPase) bifunctional enzyme (F-I). Two other independently constructed slr2094 mutants showed an identical phenotype. The FBPase activity was found to be virtually lacking in an slr2094 mutant, which was sensitive to light under mixotrophic growth conditions. These results indicate that slr2094 is the only active FBPase-encoding gene in this cyanobacterium. Inactivation of photosystem II by interrupting psbB in slr2094 mutant alleviated the sensitiveness to light. This report provides the direct genetic evidence for the essential role of F-I in the photosynthesis of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. (c) 2007 National Natural Science Foundation of China and Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science in China Press. All rights reserved.

A zebrafish forebrain-specific zinc finger gene can induce ectopic dlx2 and dlx6 expression

Identifcation of the earliest forebrain-specific markers should facilitate the elucidation of molecular events underlying vertebrate forebrain determination and specification. Here we report the sequence and characterization of fez (forebrain embryonic zinc finger), a gene that is specifically expressed in the embryonic forebrain of zebrafish. Fez encodes a putative nuclear zinc finger protein that is highly conserved in Drosophila, zebrafish, Xenopus, mouse, and human. In zebrafish, the expression of fez becomes detectable at the anterior edge of the presumptive neuroectoderm by 70% epiboly. During the segmentation period, its expression is completely restricted to the rostral region of the prospective forebrain. At approximately 24 h postfertilization, fez expression is mostly confined to the telencephalon and the anterior-ventral region of the diencephalon. Although fez expression is present in one-eyed pinhead (oep) and cyclops (cyc) zebrfish mutants, the pattern is altered. Forced expression of fez induces ectopic expression of dlx2 and dlx6, two genes involved in brain development. Knockdown of fez function using a morpholino-based antisense oligo inhibited dlx2 expression in the ventral forebrain. Our studies indicate that fez is one of the earliest markers specific for the anterior neuroectoderm and it may play a role in forebrain development by regulating Dlx gene expression. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

苯乙炔类分子导线的合成、组装及电子传输性能

分子导线作为未来分子电子器件的重要组成部分，其合成，组装及电子传输性能研究是当今化学、物理、生物和微电子工程等领域里一个非常热门的研究课题。本论文在齐聚苯乙炔及齐聚苯乙炔一唾吩乙炔分子导线的合成、组装及电子传输性能研究方面进行了一些工作，主要成果有以下几个方面：一、官能化短链分子导线的合成与表征比较系统地合成不同端基，不同分子长度和不同主链结构的乙酞琉基官能化的齐聚苯乙炔类分子导线，以便比较系统地研究各种因素对这类分子导线的自组装及电子传输性能的影响。对所有合成的官能化分子导线进行了红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱和质谱表征以确定其结构。二、长链分子导线的合成与表征用溶液和固定相快速合成方法合成了一系列苯乙炔齐聚物及苯乙炔一（蜜份乙炔交替共聚齐聚物：1）采用简便的路线，用溶液和固定相方法快速合成出十二烷氧基取代的苯乙炔齐聚物，最一长达到了八聚体。（2）采用一条最简便的路线，用固定相方法快速合成了异丙基取代的苯乙炔齐聚物，最长达到了八聚体。（3）用溶液和固定相方法首次合成了苯乙炔一唾吩乙炔交替共聚齐聚物。（4）用一种新颖的“现场去保护／偶联”二倍速方案快速合成出十二烷氧基取代的苯乙炔齐聚物，最长达到了八聚体。该方案最大的优点在于无需分离出对空气敏感的芳香端炔化合物，从而简化了实验操作以及提高了产物的纯度。对所有合成的齐聚物进行了红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱、核磁共振碳谱和激光质谱表征以确定其结构。三、官能化分子导线的组装及电子传输性能研究（l）用STM和CP-AFM研究了合成的官能化分子导线在金基底的自组装行为，发现形成的自组装单层缺陷很少，而且自组装单层非常均一。（2）用电化学和导电原子力显微镜技术研究了上述官能化齐聚苯乙炔分子导线的电子传输性能，发现界面接触和分子长度对分子导线的电子传导能力有很大的影响，而链结构的影响则相对要小些。此外，我们还发现齐聚苯乙炔体系的电子传输衰减系数β值仅为0.19A-1，说明它是一类性能优异的分子导线侯选物。（3）通过量子化学计算，我们对实验结果进行了初步解释。

Egonol龙胆三糖苷及Egonol衍生物促雌二醇生成活性研究

对Egonol龙胆三糖苷及以Egonol衍生物对雌二醇生成活性及其相关机制进行了研究。发现Egonol龙胆三糖苷促雌二醇最高生成率在MCF-7、HepG2、ROS1728中分别为157% 、182.4%、226.8%（以空白组200μg/ml睾酮转换成E2值作为100%生成率）。活性的强弱可能与芳香化酶的组织特异性表达情况一致，说明Egonol龙胆三糖苷促雌二醇活性可能与芳香化酶有关。芳香化酶的组织特异性表达与特异性启动子有关系，Egonol龙胆三糖苷在各组织中皆有促雌二醇活性，说明该化合物不是通过调节该酶的基因表达而起作用。 在探究Egonol龙胆三糖苷及其衍生物是否介导cAMP-PKA途径从而影响芳香化酶的表达中，发现该系列化合物在HEK-293T细胞中对cAMP的影响非常弱小。在人HepG2细胞中显示了极强的提高cAMP的作用。而化合物对cAMP的作用与其促雌二醇活性强弱不呈正相关关系，对c AMP-PKA途径的激活可能与胞内雌激素有关。 Egonol龙胆三糖苷及其衍生物对HepG2细胞增殖影响显示，该系列化合物同雌二醇一样有相似的较弱促HepG2细胞增殖作用。而且存在一定剂量依赖性。在瞬时转染有ERE（雌激素作用元件）的HepG2中，Egonol龙胆三糖苷及其衍生物也显示了类似于雌二醇与ERE结合的作用，进一步提示Egonol龙胆三糖苷及其衍生物在HepG2细胞中具备雌激素样作用。 为研究Egonol龙胆三糖苷及其衍生物是否可能直接提高芳香化酶的活性，我们计划将芳香化酶从芳香化酶阳性细胞中克隆后表达到芳香化酶阴性的细胞中。在MCF-7细胞中以Oligo dT为引物合成的cDNA模板，和在ROS1728细胞中以Oligo dT及大鼠引物F链为引物合成的cDNA模板能成功扩增出与芳香化酶全长编码序列大小一致的片段。 Egonol衍生物在HepG2、ROS1728细胞中促雌二醇活性的实验表明，Egonol苯环上引入其它基团可以提高Egonol的活性。 从雌激素经典的基因组效应和非基因组效应两方面对雌激素信号转导研究进展进行了简单的综述。 The promoting effects of egonol gentiotrioside and egonol derivatives on the synthesis of estrogen E2 were studied. In vitro test, egonol gentiotrioside promoted the synthesis of estrogen E2 in MCF-7, HepG2,ROS1728 cell lines with mean yields of estrogen E2 57%,82.4% and 126.8%, higher than those of blank control at a concentration of 100 mg/ml. The difference of estrogen E2 synthesis promoting effects among the cell lines suggested tissue specificity. It is in accordance with tissue specific character of aromatase expression. The evidence implied that effect of egonol gentiotrioside on promoting the synthesis of estrogen E2 was related to the aromatase. Different expression levels of aromatase in different tissues are attributed to their specific promoters, but egonol gentiotrioside can promote the synthesis of estrogen E2, in many tissues,so the fact is controversary to the estimation that this compound regulates the aromatase on gene level. In order to investigate whether egonol gentiotrioside and its synthetic derivatives regulates aromatase activity through the cAMP-PKA signal pathway,we transfected the p CRE-Luc luciferase reporter gene into the HEK-293T cells and HepG2 cells. These compounds had weak activity in promoting the cAMP activity in HEK-293T cells but strong in HepG2 cells.The compounds’effect of promoting the cAMP may be related to their estrogenic activity in cells. The modified HepG2 cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the estrogenic activity of egonol gentiotrioside and its derivatives. The weak estrogenic activity of egonol gentiotrioside and its derivatives at various concentrations expressed as proliferative effect relative to that of blank control was examined. We transfected the pERE-Luc luciferase reporter gene into the HepG2 cells. These compounds possessed significant activity on estrogen response element compared with the one treated with 10 n M estrogen E2. This evidence indicated that the estrogenic activity of egonol gentiotrioside and its derivatives. In order to investigate whether the egonol gentiotrioside and its derivatives can upregulate the activity of aromatase directly, The full-length of P450 aromatase cDNA encoding aromatase were amplified by using primer Oligo dT in MCF-7,and specific primer in ROS1728,respectively. The structure-activity relationship of Egonol in promoting the synthesis of E2 in HepG2 and ROS1728 cells indicated that introduction of some group on the basic sketon of egonol could improve the effect. The progress in research of signal pathway of estrogen in recent years was summarized.

酿酒酵母和运动发酵单胞菌木薯乙醇发酵条件研究

本文结合我国燃料乙醇发展的方针政策，以酿酒酵母和运动发酵单胞菌为菌种研究其在非粮能源作物木薯中乙醇发酵的情况，为木薯原料更好地应用于生产中提供了理论依据。 酿酒酵母木薯高浓度乙醇发酵的研究。实验采用的木薯干淀粉含量约70-75%。以酿酒酵母为菌种进行高浓度乙醇发酵的工艺条件研究，最佳条件为：木薯干粉碎细度为35目，料水比1：2，α-淀粉酶用量0.09 KNU/g淀粉，蒸煮温度85 ℃，蒸煮时间15 min。采用30 ℃同步糖化发酵工艺，糖化酶用量为3.4 AGU/g淀粉，发酵时间30 h。在10 L发酵罐中，乙醇质量比达127.88 g/kg，发酵效率为88.28%，发酵强度4.263 g/kg/h，100 L中试研究中乙醇浓度为127.75 g/kg，发酵强度4.258 g/kg/h。利用高效液相色谱对发酵液中残糖进行了分析，证明葡萄糖、果糖等单糖已完全被菌体利用，剩余糖为二糖，三糖等不可发酵的低聚糖。 运动发酵单胞菌快速乙醇发酵的研究。对实验室保藏的8株运动发酵单胞菌进行比较，选择发酵速度最快的Zymomonas mobilis232B进行研究。该菌在纯葡萄糖中的最佳发酵条件为：葡萄糖浓度18%，起始pH 6-7，发酵温度30 ℃，发酵时间18 h，乙醇浓度88 g/kg。在以木薯为底物同步糖化快速乙醇发酵中，采用Full Factorial设计和最速上升实验确定了培养基成分中的2个显著性因子及其最适浓度：酵母粉4 g/kg，硫酸铵0.8 g/kg。在最适培养基条件下，对木薯料水比和糖化酶用量进行了优化，得到Z.mobilis232B木薯乙醇发酵最佳料水比1：3，糖化酶浓度4 AGU/g淀粉，乙醇发酵4.915 g/kg/h。利用高效液相色谱对发酵液中残糖进行了分析，剩余糖为二糖，三糖等，但成分较酵母发酵后复杂。 According to the fuel ethanol development plans and policies in our country, the ethanol production from cassava by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis was studied. It provided theoretical basis for ethanol fermentation by cassava in industry. Part 1 is the study of VHG (very high gravity) ethanol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The content of starch in cassava was 70-75%. Compared with the performances under different experimental conditions, the following optimal conditions for VHG fermentation were obtained: Granule size of dry cassava 35 mashes, hydromodulus of cassava to water at 1:2, α-amylase enzyme dosage 0.09 KNU/g starch, cooking temperature 85 ℃ for 15 min, using the SSF process (simultaneous saccharification and fermentation) and the amount of glucoamylase 3.4 AGU/g starch. Accordingly, the final ethanol concentration was up to 127.88 g/kg; the ethanol yield reached 88.28%, and ethanol productivity was 4.263 g/kg/h after 30 h. When the fermentation scale expanded to 100 L, the final ethanol concentration was 127.75 g/kg, and the ethanol productivity was 4.258 g/kg/h in 30 h. The residual sugar was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, and proved that there was no glucose and fructose. The residual reducing sugar was some unfermentable oligosaccharide Part 2 is the study of the rapid ethanol production by Zymomonas mobilis. Compare with other seven stains, Zymomonas mobilis 232B was selected for research. The optimum condition in glucose medium was as follow: glucose concentration 18%, initial pH 6-7, and fermentation temperature 30 ℃. The ethanol concentration was 88g/kg in 18 h. After that, rapid ethanol production from cassava in SSF by Zymomonas mobilis 232B was studied. Through a series of experiments aided by Full Factorial Design and steepest ascent search, the optimal concentration yeast extract and ammonium sulfate were determined: 4 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg, each. Under optimum medium conditions, the optimal hydromodulus of cassava to water and glucoamylase dosages were obtained: hydromodulus of cassava to water at 1:3 and glucoamylase dosages 4 AGU/g starch. The ethanol production reached 4.915 g/kg/h. The residual sugar was analyzed by HPLC, and proved that the residual reducing sugar was some unfermentable oligosaccharide，but the components were more complex than that fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.