Cloning and Comparative Studies of Seaweed Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Genes

The full-length cDNA sequence (3219 base pairs) of the trehalose-6-phosphate synthase gene of Porphyra yezoensis (PyTPS) was isolated by RACE-PCR and deposited in GenBank (NCBI) with the accession number AY729671. PyTPS encodes a protein of 908 amino acids before a stop codon, and has a calculated molecular mass of 101,591 Daltons. The PyTPS protein consists of a TPS domain in the N-terminus and a putative TPP domain at the C-terminus. Homology alignment for PyTPS and the TPS proteins from bacteria, yeast and higher plants indicated that the most closely related sequences to PyTPS were those from higher plants (OsTPS and AtTPS5), whereas the most distant sequence to PyTPS was from bacteria (EcOtsAB). Based on the identified sequence of the PyTPS gene, PCR primers were designed and used to amplify the TPS genes from nine other seaweed species. Sequences of the nine obtained TPS genes were deposited in GenBank (NCBI). All 10 TPS genes encoded peptides of 908 amino acids and the sequences were highly conserved both in nucleotide composition (>94%) and in amino acid composition (>96%). Unlike the TPS genes from some other plants, there was no intron in any of the 10 isolated seaweed TPS genes.

Molecular cloning and characterization of peroxiredoxin 6 from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Peroxiredoxin is a superfamily of antioxidative proteins that play important roles in protecting organisms against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the full-length cDNA encoding peroxiredoxin 6 (designated EsPrx6) was cloned from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches. The full-length cDNA of EsPrx6 was of 1076 bp, containing a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 69 bp, a 3' UTR of 347 bp with a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 660 bp encoding a polypeptide of 219 amino acids with the predicted molecular weight of 24 kDa. The conserved Prx domain, AhpC domain and the signature of peroxidase catalytic center identified in EsPrx6 strongly suggested that EsPrx6 belonged to the 1-Cys Prx subgroup. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was employed to assess the mRNA expression of EsPrx6 in various tissues and its temporal expression in haemocytes of crabs challenged with Listonella anguillarum. The mRNA transcript of EsPrx6 could be detected in all the examined tissues with highest expression level in hepatopancreas. The expression level of EsPrx6 in haemocytes was down-regulated after bacterial challenge and significantly decreased compared to the control group at 12 h. As time progressed, the expression level began to increase but did not recover to the original level during the experiment. The results suggested the involvement of EsPrx6 in responses against bacterial infection and further highlighted its functional importance in the immune system of E sinensis. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and expression of TRAF6 (TNF receptor-associated factor 6) gene in Zhikong Scallop Chlamys farreri

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), a key signaling adaptor molecule common to the TNFR superfamily and IL-IR/TLR family, is important not only for a diverse array of physiological processes functions of the TNFR superfamily, but also is involved in adaptive immunity and innate immunity. In this report, the first bivalve TRAF6 (named as CfTRAF6) gene is identified and characterized from Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri. The full-length cDNA of CfTRAF6 is of 2510 bp, consisting of a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 337 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 208 bp with a canonical polyadenylation signal sequence AATAAA and a poly (A) tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 655 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of CfTRAF6 comprises characteristic motifs of the TRAF proteins, including a Zinc finger of RING-type, two Zinc fingers of TRAF-type, a coiled-coil region, and a MATH (the meprin and TRAF homology) domain. The overall amino acid sequence identity between CfTRAF6 and other TRAF6s is 28-68%. Phylogenetic analyses of CfTRAF6 sequence with TRAF sequences from other organisms indicate that CfTRAF6 is a true TRAF6 orthologue. The mRNA expression of CfTRAF6 in various tissues is measured by Real-time RT-PCR. The mRNA transcripts are constitutively expressed in tissues of haemocyte, muscle, mantle, heart, gonad and gill, but the highest expression is observed in the gonad. The temporal expressions of CfTRAF6 mRNA in the mixed primary cultured haemocytes are recorded after treatment with 20 mu g mL(-1) and 0.5 mu g mL(-1) peptido-glycan (PGN). The expression level of CfTRAF mRNA is down-regulated from 1.5 h to 3 h after the treatment with 0.5 mu g mL(-1) PGN, and then recovers to the original level. While the expression of CfTRAF6 is obviously decreased after treatment with 20 mu g mL(-1) PGN, and reach the lowest point (only about 1/9 times to control) at 3 h. The result Suggests that CfTRAF6 can be greatly regulated by PGN and it may be involved in signal transduction and immune response of scallop. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Purification and characterization of agarases from a marine bacterium Vibrio sp. F-6

Marine bacterium Vibrio sp. F-6, utilizing agarose as a carbon source to produce agarases, was isolated from seawater samples taken from Qingdao, China. Two agarases (AG-a and AG-b) were purified to a homogeneity from the cultural supernatant of Vibrio sp. F-6 through ammonium sulfate precipitation, Q-Sepharose FF chromatography, and Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration. Molecular weights of agarases were estimated to be 54.0 kDa (AG-a) and 34.5 kDa (AG-b) by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The optimum pH values for AG-a and AG-b were about 7.0 and 9.0, respectively. AG-a was stable in the pH range of 4.0-9.0 and AG-b was stable in the pH range of 4.0-10.0. The optimum temperatures of AG-a and AG-b were 40 and 55 degrees C, respectively. AG-a was stable at temperature below 50 degrees C. AG-b was stable at temperature below 60 degrees C. Zn2+, Mg2+ or Ca2+ increased AG-a activity, while Mn2+, Cu2+ or Ca2+ increased AG-b activity. However, Ag+, Hg2+, Fe3+, EDTA and SDS inhibited AG-a and AG-b activities. The main hydrolysates of agarose by AG-a were neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose. The main hydrolysates of agarose by AG-b were neoagarooctaose and neoagarohexaose. When the mixture of AG-a and AG-b were used, agarose was mainly degraded into neoagarobiose.

5,7-Dihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-azocin-2-one from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp.

In the course of a screening program, we have isolated the new natural product, 5,7-dihydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroazocin-2(IH)-one (1), from the staurosporine producing marine-derived Streptomyces sp. strain QD518. Here we report the isolation and structure elucidation of 1 and the artifacts 3 and 4 resulting from I by acid catalyzed intra- and inter-molecular reactions.

Analysis of the expression and antioxidative property of a peroxiredoxin 6 from Scophthalmus maximus

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a group of antioxidant proteins that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by various peroxides. To date, six different isoforms of peroxiredoxin (Prx1 to Prx6) have been identified, of which, Prx6 belongs to the 1-Cys Prx subfamily. Although Prx6 of several fish species have been reported at sequence level, there are very few documented studies on the potential function of fish Prx6. In this report, we describe the identification and analysis of a Prx6 homologue, SmPrx6, from turbot Scophthalmus maximus. The full length cDNA of SmPrx6 contains a 5'- untranslated region (UTR) of 60 bp, an open reading frame of 666 bp, and a 3'-UTR of 244 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of SmPrx6 shares 81-87% overall identities with known fish Prx6. In silico analysis identified in SmPrx6 a conserved Prx6 catalytic motif, PVCTTE, and the catalytic triads putatively involved in peroxidase and phospholipase A2 activities. Expression of SmPrx6 was detected in most fish organs, with the highest expression levels found in blood and heart and the lowest level in spleen. Experimental challenges with bacterial pathogens and poly(I:C) upregulated SmPrx6 expression in liver and spleen in a manner that is dependent on the challenging agent and the tissue type. Treatment of cultured primary hepatocytes with H2O2 enhanced SmPrx6 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Recombinant SmPrx6 expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli exhibited thiol-dependent antioxidant activity and could protect cultured hepatocytes from H2O2-induced oxidative damage. Taken together, these results indicate that SmPrx6 is a Prx6 homologue with antioxidative property and is likely to be involved in both cellular maintenance and protective response during host immune defense against bacterial infection. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）Peroxiredoxin 6和Thioredoxin1基因的克隆及表达

中华绒螯蟹是我国重要的水产经济动物，近年来养殖规模不断扩大，产量持续增加。但是，伴随着养殖规模的扩大，养殖环境也日益恶化并导致了大量疾病的发生，严重制约了中华绒螯蟹养殖业的健康发展。因此，疾病预防和控制对中华绒螯蟹养殖业的可持续发展具有举足轻重的作用。与其他无脊椎动物一样，中华绒螯蟹的免疫系统没有免疫球蛋白和淋巴细胞，而是依靠由细胞免疫和体液免疫构成的固有免疫系统来对病原进行识别和清除。中华绒螯蟹的固有免疫机制的研究有助于推动中华绒螯蟹病害防治工作的开展。 本研究采用大规模EST测序方法，结合末端快速扩增（rapid amplification of cDNA ends，RACE）技术从中华绒螯蟹血淋巴中克隆到了过氧化物还原酶（peroxiredoxin，EsPrx6）和硫氧还蛋白（thioredoxin，EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长序列；采用实时荧光定量PCR 技术检测了这两个基因在健康个体中表达的组织分布情况以及鳗弧菌刺激后血淋巴细胞中的时序表达规律；同时，将这两个基因的编码区克隆到pET 系列载体，并在大肠杆菌中实现了重组表达，并进行了体外活性检测。 过氧化物还原酶是一个抗氧化蛋白超家族，在保护机体免受活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）的伤害中发挥着重要作用。中华绒螯蟹Prx6（EsPrx6） 基因的cDNA 全长为1076 bp，5` UTR（untranslated region，UTR） 为69 bp，3` UTR 为347 bp，开放阅读框（open reading frame，ORF）为660 bp，编码219 个氨基酸的蛋白。mRNA 3`-端具有多聚腺苷酸加尾信号（polyadenylation signal）AATAAA 和polyA 尾巴。EsPrx6 的预测分子量为 24 kDa，理论等电点为6.21，具有一个保守的Prx 结构域、一个AhpC 结构域和过氧化物酶催化活性中心PVCTTE，表明EsPrx6 属于1-Cys 型Prx。在所检测的组织中均有EsPrx6 的表达，其中以肝胰腺表达量最高，为血淋巴细胞中表达量的17.4 倍。鳗弧菌刺激后，血淋巴细胞中EsPrx6 的表达下降，到12 h 时，实验组显著低于对照组（P<0.05）；随时间推移，表达水平逐渐回升，但在整个实验期间，都没有恢复到起始水平。将EsPrx6 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）中实现表达，重组EsPrx6 具有预期的抗氧化活性和过氧化物酶活性，其中抗氧化活力为14.69 U/mg 蛋白，高于相同条件下GSH 的抗氧化力（P<0.05），过氧化物酶活力为23.46 U/mg 蛋白。结果表明，EsPrx6 作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，在中华绒螯蟹抵御ROS 可能引起的氧化损伤方面具有重要作用。 硫氧还蛋白是广泛存在于生物体内的一种具有硫醇依赖性的具有还原活性的蛋白。中华绒螯蟹Trx1（EsTrx1）基因的cDNA 全长为641 bp，5` UTR 为17 bp，3` UTR 为306 bp，开放阅读框为318 bp，编码105 个氨基酸。EsTrx1 的预测分子量为12.2 kDa，理论等电点为4.8。EsTrx1 不含信号肽，其氨基酸序列与其他动物的Trx1s 具有高度相似性，如与地中海黄蝎的Trx1 相似度达到73%；而与其他物种Trx2 的同源性很低，相似度仅为14.3-22.8%，表明EsTrx1 属于Trx1 亚族。实时荧光定量PCR 检测发现，EsTrx1 在鳃、性腺、肝胰腺、肌肉、心脏和血淋巴细胞中都有表达。血淋巴细胞中EsTrx1 mRNA 的表达量在菌刺激后上升，刺激后6 h，实验组表达量显著高于对照组和空白组（P<0.05），然后逐渐恢复到刺激前水平。为进一步探讨其生物学功能，将EsTrx1 进行体外重组并在大肠杆菌E. coli BL21（DE3）得到表达，重组EsTrx1 具有预期的氧化还原调节活性，抗氧化活力为3.06 U/mg，且抗氧化活力高于GSH（P<0.05）。rEsTrx1 的二硫键还原活力为5.03，低于凡纳滨对虾的二硫键还原活力（10.44），接近于大肠杆菌（4.93），小牛胸腺（6.50）和小牛肝脏（5.09），而高于鲍鱼Trx2（1.83）活力。结果表明，EsTrx1 在生理条件下能够作为一种重要的抗氧化剂，参与对细菌感染的免疫应答反应。

Inhibition Effect of 2,3,5-Triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium Chloride and 2,4,6-Tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in 1 mol/L HCl and Mechanism Study (II)

The inhibitory effect of 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine (TPT) molecules on the corrosion of mild steel in 1 mol/L HCl and microcosmic inhibitory mechanism were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ellipsometry. XPS results showed that C Is and N Is peaks of TTC, C Is and N Is peaks of TPT and their integral areas were obtained, which suggested the layer of the inhibitors (TTC or TPT) should have effectively protected the mild steel surface from the corrosion; and the depression from the inhibitors for the corrosion of mild steel surface was studied using ellipsometry combined with potentiodynamic polarization and the phasic difference was gained, which displayed the inhibitory coverage of the inhibitors formed.

2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride and 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine on the corrosion of mild steel in HCl

Electrochemical measurement, quantum chemical method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to investigate the inhibitive effect of 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine(TPT) on the corrosion of mild steel in 1mol.L-1 HCl at room temperature. Impedance spectroscopy measurement showed that the polarization resistance increased and that double layer capacitance decreased with the increase in the inhibitive concentration, and the results of potentiodynamic polarization showed that the inhibitors suppressed both cathodic and anodic processes of steel corrosion without change in the mechanism. Higher the orbital density distribution strength of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, higher is the molecule dipole, and lower energy gap between the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital resulted in higher inhibitory efficiency. The results of SEM analysis showed that the metal was protected from aggressive corrosion by the addition of TTC and TPT.

Unprecedented 5,5-connected (4(7)center dot 6(3)) (4(8)center dot 6(2)) structural topology: A lead biphosphonate with double layered structure

A new lead(II) phosphonate, Pb[(PO3)(2)C(OH)CH3]center dot H2O (1) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, UV, TGA, SEM, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray crystallographic study showed that complex 1 has a two-dimensional double layered hybrid structure containing interconnected 4- and 12-membered rings and shows an unusual (5,5)-connected (4(7) . 6(3)) (4(8) .6(2)) topology. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

HPLC测定四川及青海地区獐牙菜植物中6种主要成分的含量

目的:建立反相高效液相色谱法同时测定四川及青海地区部分獐牙菜中獐牙菜苦苷、龙胆苦苷、芒果苷、当药醇苷、异荭草苷、1,8-二羟基-3-甲氧基(口山)酮的含量.方法:采用RP-HPLC,使用Kromasil C_(18)(4.6 mm×250mm,5 μm)柱;流动相甲醇-水(含0.02%磷酸);梯度洗脱程序为0～50 min,甲醇的体积分数(下同)由20%上升至80%;50～55 min由80%增至100%,55～60 min为100%,流速1 mL•min~(-1),检测波长254 nm;柱温35 ℃.结果:6种成分均达到基线分离,线性良好.结论:该方法快速、准确、重复性好,为该类药材的入药提供了理论依据.

栽培川西獐牙菜中6种药用成分的测定方法和动态积累研究

采用反相高效液相色谱法对川西獐牙菜中6种药用成分不同生长期的含量进行了测定.色谱柱为Kromasil C18(250 mm×4.60 mm,5 μm),流动相为甲醇-0.02%的磷酸水溶液,检测波长260 nm.该方法具有很好的线性关系和回收率.结果显示,川西獐牙菜全草的最佳采收期为9月中旬(花果期).

国产6种点地梅属植物的核型及其系统学意义

报道了点地梅属6种12个居群的染色体数目和核型。它们的染色体数目（2n）、核型公式（KF）、染色体相对长度组成（CRL）、核型不对称性系数（A. sK％）和核型类型（KT）分别为：点地梅在南京的2个居群都是2n=2x=20，KF=18m+2sm, CRL=2L+6M_2+10M_1+2S，核型KT属于1A型，但核型不对称性系数As. K％分别是55.04％和56.71％；北点地梅在内蒙古锡林郭勒和白音锡勒居群的2n=2x=20，KF分别为16m+2sm+2st+1b和16m+2sm+2st+4b，染色体相对长度组成分别是14M_2+4M_1+2S+1b和12M_2+6M_1+2S+4b，核型不对称性系数As. K％分别是57.65％和58.86％，属2A型和2B型；高原点地梅在青海玛沁县昌马河居群和兴海县温泉居群都是2n=2x=20，KF=10m+8sm+2st。但相对长度组成分别为12M_2+8M_1和4L+6M_2+6M_1+4S, As. K％分别是60.35％和62.57％，属2A型和2B型；雅江点地梅在青海玛多县巴颜喀拉山居群和大通县达坡山居群分别为2n=4x=40和20n=6x=60，KF=36m+2sm+2st和KF=46m+10sm+4st+2b, CRL=2l+20M_2+14M_1+4S和GRL=6L+30M_2+16M_1+8S+2b, As.K％分别为55.62％和58.31％，核型均属于2B；巴颜喀拉山北坡的鳞叶点地梅2n=40、60、80。西藏点地梅青湖居群中有2种细胞型：①2n=2x=24, KF=12m+6sm+6st+4b, CRL=6L+2M_2+8M_1+4S+4b, As. K％＝65.74％，核型属2B；②2n=2x=22,KF=14m+4sm(2SAT)+4st, CRL=4L+6M_2+8M_1(2SAT)+4S,As. K％=63.40％，核型也属于2B。西宁西山湾居群也有2种细胞型；①2n=3x=36, KF=36m,CRL=4L+12M_2+20M_1, As. K％=54.82％，核型属1A；②2n=3x=33,KF=33m, CRL=3L+12M_2+18M_1,As. K％=52.11％，核型属1A。点地梅属的染色体原始基数可能是x=10，在种间或种内观察到有3种核型变化：染色体非整倍性变化、多倍化和核型不对称性变化。将2倍体居群的核型和不对称性进行比较，可以看出点地梅是较对称的核型。因此，在研究的种中应是比较原始的类群。北点地梅的核型不对称性和进化程度高于点地梅而低于高原点地梅和西藏点地梅。染色体多倍化的雅江点地梅、鳞叶点地梅和西藏点地梅等在核型上也许是最进化的类群。