Characterizing the mechanics of cultured cell monolayers.

One-cell-thick monolayers are the simplest tissues in multicellular organisms, yet they fulfill critical roles in development and normal physiology. In early development, embryonic morphogenesis results largely from monolayer rearrangement and deformation due to internally generated forces. Later, monolayers act as physical barriers separating the internal environment from the exterior and must withstand externally applied forces. Though resisting and generating mechanical forces is an essential part of monolayer function, simple experimental methods to characterize monolayer mechanical properties are lacking. Here, we describe a system for tensile testing of freely suspended cultured monolayers that enables the examination of their mechanical behavior at multi-, uni-, and subcellular scales. Using this system, we provide measurements of monolayer elasticity and show that this is two orders of magnitude larger than the elasticity of their isolated cellular components. Monolayers could withstand more than a doubling in length before failing through rupture of intercellular junctions. Measurement of stress at fracture enabled a first estimation of the average force needed to separate cells within truly mature monolayers, approximately ninefold larger than measured in pairs of isolated cells. As in single cells, monolayer mechanical properties were strongly dependent on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton, myosin, and intercellular adhesions interfacing adjacent cells. High magnification imaging revealed that keratin filaments became progressively stretched during extension, suggesting they participate in monolayer mechanics. This multiscale study of monolayer response to deformation enabled by our device provides the first quantitative investigation of the link between monolayer biology and mechanics.

Self-similar breakup of near-inviscid liquids.

The final stages of pinchoff and breakup of dripping droplets of near-inviscid Newtonian fluids are studied experimentally for pure water and ethanol. High-speed imaging and image analysis are used to determine the angle and the minimum neck size of the cone-shaped extrema of the ligaments attached to dripping droplets in the final microseconds before pinchoff. The angle is shown to steadily approach the value of 18.0 ± 0.4°, independently of the initial flow conditions or the type of breakup. The filament thins and necks following a τ(2/3) law in terms of the time remaining until pinchoff, regardless of the initial conditions. The observed behavior confirms theoretical predictions.

鲫鱼低氧相关基因差减cDNA文库的构建与分析

鲫鱼对低氧具有极强的耐受性。在低氧状态下鲫鱼鳃瓣表面积增加,无氧代谢增强,能量消耗降低。但是人们对鲫鱼产生这些低氧反应的分子机理还缺乏了解。本研究以1%低氧处理24h的鲫鱼囊胚细胞(CAB)作为检测子(Tester),常氧条件下培养的CAB细胞作为驱赶子(Driver),分别提取总RNA,利用SMART cDNA技术合成双链cDNA,经差减杂交和抑制性PCR扩增获得差减PCR产物。然后将差减PCR产物连接到pGEM-T载体上,构建差减cDNA文库。以管家基因β-actin作为指标检测差减效率,发现该文库差

两种不同终止子在转基因鲤鱼中的促生长效应

转基因构建体中启动子的选择会直接影响转植基因的活性,近年来有研究表明转基因构建体中终止子的选择会一定程度地影响转植基因的活性。为了更好地筛选转基因构建体和培育快速生长的转"全鱼"生长激素(Growth hormone,GH)基因鱼,文章用鲤鱼β-actin基因终止子和生长激素基因终止子分别构建了转基因构建体,显微注射得到转"全鱼"GH基因鱼P0代养殖群体,比较两种不同终止子构建体的活性。统计分析发现,生长激素基因终止子构建体的养殖群体的体重频率呈正态分布且平均体重显著高于β-actin基因终止子构建体的养

嗜水气单胞菌感染的中华鳖主要器官差减cDNA文库的构建

以致病性嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)人工感染的中华鳖(Trionyx sinensis)肝、脾、肾组织为材料,应用抑制性差减杂交(SSH)技术,构建了嗜水气单胞菌感染组织的差减cDNA文库。以中华鳖管家基因-βactin作为差减指标检测该文库差减效率达210倍,表明感染细菌后某些差异表达基因得到了相应倍数的富集。将获得的cDNA片段连接到pMD18-T载体并转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞。PCR阳性检测显示差减片段在150—800bp之间。该差减cDNA文库的构建为快速分离和鉴

虹鳟鱼(Oncorhynchus mykiss)组蛋白H_3启动子的分子克隆及在稀有(鱼句)鲫(Gobiocypris rarus)中的表达活性分析

使用高保真PCR方法从虹鳟鱼基因组中克隆得到虹鳟鱼组蛋白H3启动子.将虹鳟鱼组蛋白H3启动子插入启动子缺失的增强绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)表达载体pEGFP-1中,构建成重组载体pRH3EGFP-1.通过显微注射法得到转pRH3EGFP-1稀有(鱼句)鲫.在荧光解剖镜下,可以清楚地观察到EGFP在发育到原肠胚的转pRH3EGFP-1稀有(鱼句)鲫中表达.在稀有(鱼句)鲫幼体鱼苗中也可以清楚地观察到EGFP在多个组织中的泛组织表达.比较CMV启动子、鲤鱼β-actin启动子、虹鳟鱼组蛋白H3启动子的EGFP表

鱼类培养细胞抗病毒基因差减cDNA文库的构建

紫外线灭活的草鱼出血病病毒 (GCHV)能诱导鲫囊胚培养细胞 (CAB)产生高滴度的干扰素 ,从而诱导宿主细胞基因表达的改变并处于抗病毒状态。提取灭活病毒诱导未经病毒诱导的CAB细胞mRNA ,利用抑制性差减杂交技术 ,成功构建了鱼类培养细胞抗病毒基因差减cDNA文库。以鲫管家基因α tubulin和 β actin作为差减指标 ,检测差减cDNA文库的差减效率分别高达 2 15和 2 7倍 ,表明经过病毒诱导后的细胞中 ,某些差异表达基因的富集效率也接近 2 15倍。鱼类抗病毒基因差减cDNA文库的建立

Mechanics of capillary forming of aligned carbon nanotube assemblies.

Elastocapillary self-assembly is emerging as a versatile technique to manufacture three-dimensional (3D) microstructures and complex surface textures from arrangements of micro- and nanoscale filaments. Understanding the mechanics of capillary self-assembly is essential to engineering of properties such as shape-directed actuation, anisotropic wetting and adhesion, and mechanical energy transfer and dissipation. We study elastocapillary self-assembly (herein called "capillary forming") of carbon nanotube (CNT) microstructures, combining in situ optical imaging, micromechanical testing, and finite element modeling. By imaging, we identify sequential stages of liquid infiltration, evaporation, and solid shrinkage, whose kinetics relate to the size and shape of the CNT microstructure. We couple these observations with measurements of the orthotropic elastic moduli of CNT forests to understand how the dynamic of shrinkage of the vapor-liquid interface is coupled to the compression of the forest. We compare the kinetics of shrinkage to the rate of evporation from liquid droplets having the same size and geometry. Moreover, we show that the amount of shrinkage during evaporation is governed by the ability of the CNTs to slip against one another, which can be manipulated by the deposition of thin conformal coatings on the CNTs by atomic layer deposition (ALD). This insight is confirmed by finite element modeling of pairs of CNTs as corrugated beams in contact and highlights the coupled role of elasticity and friction in shrinkage and stability of nanoporous solids. Overall, this study shows that nanoscale porosity can be tailored via the filament density and adhesion at contact points, which is important to the development of lightweight multifunctional materials.

转基因异源四倍体鲫鲤F_1的研究

采用显微注射法将含有鲤鱼 β actin基因启动子的草鱼生长激素基因“全鱼”基因pCAgcGHc转入异源四倍体鲫鲤 ,然后使其自交得到转基因异源四倍体鲫鲤F1,对 15 0日龄F1体重和体长进行检测 ,可明显看见转基因异源四倍体鲫鲤F1的生长优势 ;取F12 0尾 ,提取尾鳍基因组DNA ,采用合适的引物 ,PCR方法检测转基因异源四倍体鲫鲤F1是否含有外源生长激素基因 ,结果 15 0日龄F1阳性率达到 90 % ,且有些雄性个体可以挤出少量精液 ,而普通 15 0日龄异源四倍体鲫鲤无此现象。文章阐明了

四倍体鱼的种质改良研究

β—actin基因启动子驱动的草鱼生长激素基因cDNA—“全鱼”基因 pCAgcGHc用显微注射方法导入四倍体鱼卵 ,获得了生长快 ,个体硕壮的转基因四倍体鱼。 2 4 0日龄时 ,转基因鱼平均体重为 30 2 7g ,是对照鱼的 3 1倍 ,平均体长是对照的 1 34倍 ,并可从部分转基因雄鱼挤出精液 ,而对照鱼尚无此现象。对 19尾转基因四倍体雄鱼的精液和尾鳍DNA做PCR检测 ,外源基因的阳性率分别为 94 7%和 52 6%。最后 ,展望了转基因四倍体鱼在转基因鱼产业化方面的应用前景

Nanoscale plasmonic memristor with optical readout functionality.

We experimentally demonstrate for the first time a nanoscale resistive random access memory (RRAM) electronic device integrated with a plasmonic waveguide providing the functionality of optical readout. The device fabrication is based on silicon on insulator CMOS compatible approach of local oxidation of silicon, which enables the realization of RRAM and low optical loss channel photonic waveguide at the same fabrication step. This plasmonic device operates at telecom wavelength of 1.55 μm and can be used to optically read the logic state of a memory by measuring two distinct levels of optical transmission. The experimental characterization of the device shows optical bistable behavior between these levels of transmission in addition to well-defined hysteresis. We attribute the changes in the optical transmission to the creation of a nanoscale absorbing and scattering metallic filament in the amorphous silicon layer, where the plasmonic mode resides.

Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationship of Anabaena species from Lakes Dianchi and Erhai, China

Although Anabaena is one of the most prevalent planktonic freshwater genus in China, there are few taxonomic reports of Anabaena strains by morphology and genetics. In this study, morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships of seven Anabaena strains isolated from two plateau lakes, Lakes Dianchi and Erhai, were investigated. Morphological characteristics such as morphology of filament, cellular shapes and sizes, relative position of heterocytes and akinetes, and presence or absence of aerotopes, were described for these seven strains. Phylogenetic relationships were determined by constructing 16S rRNA gene tree using the neighbor-joining algorithm. The seven strains were morphologically identified as three groups, and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also showed that these seven strains were in three groups. Strains EH-2, EH-3, and EH-4 were in group A belonging to the Anabaena circinalis and A. crassa group, and strains DC-1, DC-2, and EH-1 were in group B and identified as A. flos-aquae. Strain DC-3 without aerotopes was significantly different from the other isolated strains and was determined as A. cylindrica.

Antisense for gonadotropin-releasing hormone reduces gonadotropin synthesis and gonadal development in transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Generating transgenic fish with desirable traits (e.g., rapid growth, larger size, etc.) for commercial use has been hampered by concerns for biosafety and competition if these fish are released into the environment. These obstacles may be overcome by producing transgenic fish that are sterile, possibly by inhibiting hormones related to reproduction. In vertebrates, synthesis and release of gonadotropin (GtH) and other reproductive hormones is mediated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Recently two cDNA sequences encoding salmon-type GnRH (sGnRH) decapeptides were cloned from common carp (Cyprinus carpio). This study analyzed the expression of these two genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in different tissues carp at varying developmental stages. Transcripts of both genes were detected in ovary and testis in mature and regressed, but not in juvenile carp. To evaluate the effects of sGnRH inhibition, the recombinant gene CAsGnRHpc-antisense, expressing antisense sGnRH RNA driven by a carp beta-actin promoter, was constructed. Blocking sGnRH expression using antisense sGnRH significantly decreased GtH in the blood of male transgenic carp. Furthermore, some antisense transgenic fish had no gonadal development and were completely sterile. These data demonstrate that sGnRH is important for GtH synthesis and development of reproductive organs in carp. Also, the antisense sGnRH strategy may prove effective in generating sterile transgenic fish, eliminating environmental concerns these fish may raise. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

The recombinant beta subunit of C-phycocyanin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis

C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) from blue-green algae has been reported to have various pharmacological characteristics, including antiinflammatory and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we expressed the beta-subunit of C-PC (ref to as C-POP) in Escherichia coli. We found that the recombinant C-PC/beta has anti-cancer properties. Under the treatment of 5 mu M of the recombinant C-PC/beta, four different cancer cell lines accrued high proliferation inhibition and apoptotic induction. Substantially, a lower response occurred in non-cancer cells. We investigated the mechanism by which C-PC/beta inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. We found that the C-PC/beta interacts with membrane-associated beta-tubulin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Under the treatment of the C-PC/beta, depolymerization of microtubules and actin-filaments were observed. The cells underwent apoptosis with an increase in caspase-3, and caspase-8 activities. The cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase under the treatment of C-PC/beta. In addition, the nuclear level of GAPDH decreased significantly. Decrease in the nuclear level of GAPDH prevents the cell cycle from entering into the S phase. Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis may potentate the C-POP as a promising cancer prevention or therapy agent. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contractile and mechanical properties of epithelia with perturbed actomyosin dynamics.

Mechanics has an important role during morphogenesis, both in the generation of forces driving cell shape changes and in determining the effective material properties of cells and tissues. Drosophila dorsal closure has emerged as a reference model system for investigating the interplay between tissue mechanics and cellular activity. During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa generates one of the major forces that drive closure through the apical contraction of its constituent cells. We combined quantitation of live data, genetic and mechanical perturbation and cell biology, to investigate how mechanical properties and contraction rate emerge from cytoskeletal activity. We found that a decrease in Myosin phosphorylation induces a fluidization of amnioserosa cells which become more compliant. Conversely, an increase in Myosin phosphorylation and an increase in actin linear polymerization induce a solidification of cells. Contrary to expectation, these two perturbations have an opposite effect on the strain rate of cells during DC. While an increase in actin polymerization increases the contraction rate of amnioserosa cells, an increase in Myosin phosphorylation gives rise to cells that contract very slowly. The quantification of how the perturbation induced by laser ablation decays throughout the tissue revealed that the tissue in these two mutant backgrounds reacts very differently. We suggest that the differences in the strain rate of cells in situations where Myosin activity or actin polymerization is increased arise from changes in how the contractile forces are transmitted and coordinated across the tissue through ECadherin-mediated adhesion. Altogether, our results show that there is an optimal level of Myosin activity to generate efficient contraction and suggest that the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton and the dynamics of adhesion complexes are important parameters for the emergence of coordinated activity throughout the tissue.