Regulation of genes encoding proteolytic enzymes during mammary gland development

The mammary gland undergoes extensive tissue remodelling during each lactation cycle. During pregnancy, the epithelial compartment of the gland is vastly expanded (Benaud et al. 1998). At the end of lactation the epithelial cells undergo apoptosis and adipocyte differentiation is induced (Lilla et al. 2002). Ductal and alveolar growth during puberty and pregnancy, and the involution process require the action of proteolytic enzymes (including matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen and membrane-peptidases) and the corresponding genes are activated during these periods (Benaud et al. 1998; Alexander et al. 2001). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are expressed in several cell types of the mammary gland including stromal fibroblasts (e.g., MMP3, MMP2), epithelial cells (e.g., MMP7 or MMP9), adipocytes (e.g., MMP2) and lymphoid cells (e.g., MMP9) (Crawford et al. 1996; Lund et al. 1996; Wiseman et al. 2003). A number of knock-out mice, which are deficient for individual MMP genes (e.g., MMP2, MMP3) or plasminogen, display alterations to mammary gland structure and impairment of lactation (Lund et al. 1999; Wiseman et al. 2003).     

Evaluation of candidate markers for the peritubular myoid cell lineage in the developing mouse testis

Despite the importance of peritubular myoid (PM) cells in the histogenesis of the fetal testis, understanding the origin and function of these cells has been hampered by the lack of suitable markers. The current study was aimed at identifying molecular markers for PM cells during the early stages of testis development in the mouse embryo. Expression of candidate marker genes was tested by section in situ hybridisation, in some instances followed by immunofluorescent detection of protein products. Collagen type-I, inhibinbetaA, caldesmon 1 and tropomyosin 1 were found to be expressed by early-stage PM cells. These markers were also expressed in subsets of interstitial cells, most likely reflecting their common embryological provenance from migrating mesonephric cells. Although not strictly specific for PM cells, these markers are likely to be useful in studying the biology of early PM cells in the fetal testis.     

高通量转录组测序技术在克罗诺杆菌毒力基因研究中的应用进展

克罗诺杆菌(Cronobacter)是一种兼性厌氧的革兰氏阴性菌, 会引起婴幼儿脑膜炎等多种疾病, 严重危害人类健康。高通量转录组测序技术是一种具体测定各基因表达量的测序方法, 不仅可以全面研究全新研究全新的转录本, 还能获得更准确、详细的研究结果。本文综述了近年来高通量转录组测序技术在克罗诺杆菌新毒力因子相关基因的发现、毒力基因表达量与菌株毒力间的变化关系, 以及不同时间段上毒力基因表达量的差异方面的研究成果, 并展望该技术在克罗诺杆菌毒力研究中的应用前景, 以期为克罗诺杆菌的研究方法、防控防治和临床治疗提供意见和建议。     

碳水化合物在生物加工过程中的变化与调控

生物转化是碳水化合物资源高效利用的有效途径.利用转糖基酶和异构化酶将现有的丰富的单糖、寡糖、环糊精等转化为功能性稀有糖、寡糖,为食品、医药、新材料等行业提供新的原料,对于社会经济发展具有明显的推动作用.本文综述了转糖基酶、异构化酶的结构、定向进化、催化过程调控策略等方面的最新研究进展,并就该领域面临的科学问题和发展趋势进行了总结和展望,以期对相关领域研究者有所启发.     

A new approach to species determination for yeast strains: DNA microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization using a yeast DNA microarray with 6000 genes

DNA-DNA hybridization is known as the superior method in the elucidation of relationships between closely related taxa, such as species and strain. For species determination we propose a new DNA-DNA hybridization method: the DNA microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) method, using a yeast DNA microarray with approximately 6000 genes. The genome from a yeast strain as a sample strain (Sample) was labelled with Cy3-dye and hybridized to a single DNA microarray, together with the Cy5-labelled genome of S. cerevisiae S288C as a reference strain (Reference). The log2 ratio values [log2[Cy3(Sample)/Cy5(Reference)]: Ratio] of signal intensities of all the gene spots were estimated and divided into the following groups: Ratio < or = -1; -1 < Ratio < 1; 1 < or = Ratio. The hybridization profiles of the genomes of type strains belonging to the genus Saccharomyces were significantly different from that of S. cerevisiae S288C. The Ratio-based grouping allowed us to discriminate between some species from S. cerevisiae more clearly. Furthermore, cluster analysis discriminated between closely related species and strains. Using this method, we were able to not only perform species determination but also to obtain information on alternation in gene copy number of such gene amplifications and deletions with single-gene resolution. These observations indicated that DNA microarray-based CGH is a powerful system for species determination and comparative genome analysis.     

Exploring polymorphisms and effects of candidate genes on milk fat quality in dairy sheep

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic control of the fatty acid (FA) composition in milk from 3 breeds of sheep: Altamurana, Gentile di Puglia, and Sarda. Single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes, encoding enzymes putatively involved in the synthesis and metabolism of milk fat, were selected for analysis, and the allele substitution effects were determined for 16 genes, which were polymorphic in the 3 sheep breeds, upon the milk fat composition. Four genes (α-1-antichymotrypsin-2; diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase homolog-2; propionyl Coenzyme A carboxylase, β polypeptide; and insulin-like growth factor-I) play a role in the desaturation of stearic FA into polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, 2 genes (growth hormone receptor and zona pellucida glycoprotein-2) affect the variability of the total fat content in addition to the butyric and stearic FA profile, and the fatty acid synthetase gene has an influence on the medium-chain FA. Milk FA profiles play an important role in dairy sheep farming because they have a large effect on cheese characteristics and also because sheep milk may be marketed as a source of nutraceuticals because it contains higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid than milk from other ruminants. The current study evaluated the global effects of a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes on traits that are not commonly investigated in sheep but that are potentially very useful for improving milk quality.     

Identification of suitable reference genes for gene expression analysis of pork meat quality and analysis of candidate genes associated with the trait drip loss

The aim of this study was to identify a set of stably expressed endogenous control genes for quantitative PCR analysis of mRNA expression in the porcine LTL muscle and to subsequently perform expression analysis of potential candidate genes associated with drip loss. Expression stability of seven commonly used reference genes was examined in n = 60 pigs from three independent populations of different genetic backgrounds. The genes examined were: ACTB, ATP5G1, B2M, GPX1, RPL4, TBP and YWHAZ. GeNorm analysis of expression stability identified B2M, RPL4 and TBP as consistently stable in each breed examined. Analysis of meat samples divergent for water holding capacity identified positive and negative associations between drip loss and gene expression using B2M, RPL4 and TBP as endogenous controls. Specifically, expression of COL1A1 increased significantly with increasing drip loss while expression of CAST decreased significantly with increasing drip loss. This study therefore indicates the use of B2M, RPL4 and TBP as suitable endogenous controls for gene expression analysis of the porcine LTL muscle. Further study is recommended to identify the detailed roles of COL1A1 and CAST with respect to the development of drip loss.     

Spermatogonial morphology and kinetics during testis development in mice: a high-resolution light microscopy approach

Despite the knowledge of spermatogonial biology in adult mice, spermatogonial development in immature animals has not been fully characterized. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ontogeny of the morphological development of the spermatogonial lineage in C57BL/6 mouse testis, using high-resolution light microscopy. Spermatogonial morphology, chronology, and absolute number were determined for different ages postpartum (pp). The morphology of spermatogonia in immature mice was similar to that of adult spermatogonia, although their nuclear diameter was slightly smaller. The A(1) spermatogonia were first observed on day 2 pp, and only 24 h later, differentiating type A(3) and A(4) spermatogonia were observed in the seminiferous cords. This result indicated a shortening of the spermatogonial phase for immature mice of about ～2.5 days when compared with adult mice and suggests that gonocytes and/or A(1) spermatogonia could directly become A(4) spermatogonia, skipping the developmental sequence of type A spermatogonia. These A(4) spermatogonia are functional as they develop into type B spermatogonia by day 5 pp. At day 8 pp, while differentiation to spermatocytes begins, the A(und) spermatogonia reach their maximal numbers, which are maintained through adulthood. The various details of the spermatogonial behavior in immature normal mice described in this study can be used as a baseline for further studies under experimental or pathological conditions.     

基于转录组测序分析葡萄籽原花青素对HepG2细胞基因及其相关功能的影响

目的:基于转录组测序分析葡萄籽原花青素对HepG2细胞基因及相关功能的影响,明确原花青素处理HepG2细胞的关键基因及代谢通路。方法:通过转录组测序,筛选差异基因,基因功能注释和KEGG通路的富集分析,进行葡萄籽原花青素处理细胞后的转录组学研究。结果:葡萄籽花青素处理HepG2细胞后主要富集到的生物学过程为细胞过程、代谢过程、生物调控过程、免疫系统过程、繁殖调节、生长调节。细胞凋亡的12个关键差异基因与TNF、p53、MAPK、PI3K-Akt、NF-κB信号通路密切相关。结论:细胞凋亡与TNF信号通路、p53信号传导途径、PI3K/Akt信号通路、NF-κB信号通路、MAPK信号通路密切相关。     

'Out of the Curriculum': sex talking, talking sex

This study draws on ethnographic research conducted over a period of 2 months at aco-education sixth form. By considering gender identities as performative, ethnographic material is used to illustrate how male students use talk to fashion heterosexual masculinities. It is argued that the relationship between male students and the formal curriculum is crucial to the styles of sex talk spoken out of the formal curriculum. A focus on sexual stories, public talk and private talk explores how in different contexts heterosexual masculinities police and regulate specific versions of gendered sexualities. By drawing attention to different styles of talk of various masculine heterosexualities, there are implications for the ways in which reconstructed curricula are strategic in producing reconstructed gendered identities.