D-Allose,a Stereoisomer of D-Glucose,Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via Sirtuin and Insulin Signaling

D-Allose (D-All), C-3 epimer of D-glucose, is a rare sugar known to suppress reactive oxygen species generation and prevent hypertension. We previously reported that D-allulose, a structural isomer of D-All, prolongs the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Thus, D-All was predicted to affect longevity. In this study, we provide the first empirical evidence that D-All extends the lifespan of C. elegans. Lifespan assays revealed that a lifespan extension was induced by 28 mM D-All. In particular, a lifespan extension of 23.8 % was achieved (p < 0.0001). We further revealed that the effects of D-All on lifespan were dependent on the insulin gene daf-16 and the longevity gene sir-2.1, indicating a distinct mechanism from those of other hexoses, such as D-allulose, with previously reported antiaging effects.     

白蛋白乳液递送油脂的秀丽隐杆线虫营养评价模型的建立

秀丽隐杆线虫是研究脂质代谢相关疾病的重要模型。由于水溶性培养环境，油脂很难在培养基中分散均匀，影响秀丽隐杆线虫对油脂的摄入。采用白蛋白乳液建立了秀丽隐杆线虫油脂评价模型。结果表明：通过荧光标记和脂肪酸组成分析，证实白蛋白乳液可以成功地将甘三酯导入秀丽隐杆线虫；当白蛋白乳液粒径在200~400 nm范围内，粒径越小对秀丽隐杆线虫体内油脂的递送能力越强；当中碳链甘三酯（MCT）浓度在0.01~10 mmol/L范围内，MCT浓度与秀丽隐杆线虫的乳液摄入量成正相关。     

Correlative light and electron microscopy for the analysis of cell division

Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) has recently gained increasing attention, because it enables the acquisition of dynamic as well as ultrastructural information about subcellular processes. It is the power of combining the two imaging modalities that gives additional information as compared to using the imaging techniques separately. Here, we briefly summarize two CLEM approaches for the analysis of cells in mitosis and cytokinesis.     

Assessing the risk posed to free-living soil nematodes by a genetically modified maize expressing the insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein

Before pest-resistant genetically modified maize can be grown commercially, the risks for soil-beneficial, non-target organisms must be determined. Here, a tiered approach was used to assess the risk to free-living soil nematodes posed by maize genetically modified to express the insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein (event Mon88017), which confers resistance towards western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera; Coleoptera). The toxicity of purified Cry3Bb1 for the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was determined using a bioassay and gene expression analysis. In addition, a soil toxicity test was used to assess the effects on C. elegans of rhizosphere soil obtained from plots of an experimental field grown with Mon88017, the near-isogenic cultivar, or either of two conventional cultivars. Finally, the indigenous nematode communities from the experimental field site with Mon88017 and from the control cultivars were analyzed. The results showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Cry3Bb1 on the growth and reproduction of C. elegans, with EC50 values of 22.3 mg l⁻¹ and 7.9 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, Cry-protein-specific defense genes were found to be up-regulated in the presence of either Cry1Ab or Cry3Bb1. However, C. elegans was not affected by rhizosphere soils from Mon88017 compared to the control plots, due to the very low Cry3Bb1 concentrations, as indicated by quantitative analyses (< 1 ng g⁻¹ soil). Nematode abundance and diversity were essentially the same between the various maize cultivars. At the last sampling date, nematode genus composition in Bt-maize plots differed significantly from that in two of the three non-Bt cultivars, including the near-isogenic maize, but the shift in genus composition did not influence the composition of functional guilds within the nematode communities. In conclusion, the risk to free-living soil nematodes posed by Mon88017 cultivation can be regarded as low, as long as Cry3Bb1 concentrations in soil remain four orders of magnitude below the toxicity threshold.     

α-乳白蛋白对秀丽隐杆线虫寿命、繁殖力与活力的影响

为了分析α-乳白蛋白的生物功能作用,使用不同浓度的,提取自纯牛奶的α-乳白蛋白喂养秀丽隐杆线虫并观察其寿命、繁殖力与活力等。结果显示：α-乳白蛋白添加量为45 mg/L时,与对照组相比,线虫寿命延长到26.33±0.72 d（增幅59.40%,P<0.05）;平均运动速率达到149±0.82次/min（增幅19.20%, P<0.05）;平均弯曲度达到了17±1.63次/20s（增幅54.54%, P<0.05）。但当α-乳白蛋白添加量为30 mg/L时,平均产卵数相比对照组增加到236.33±12.23个（增幅53.25%,P<0.05）,并且如果继续增加α-乳白蛋白含量差异也不再显著。结论证明了α-乳白蛋白喂养对线虫寿命延长、繁殖能力提升、运动能力保持（减缓衰退）等具有一定的作用。将会进一步为通过秀丽隐杆线虫模型开展α-乳白蛋白的功能及机理研究提供方法和数据支持。