芽孢杆菌植酸酶phy(ycD)基因在大肠杆菌中的异源表达与纯化

为研究中性植酸酶的性质,将芽孢杆菌来源植酸酶基因phy(ycD)构建到大肠杆菌表达载体pET-28a(+)上,进行诱导表达,利用Ni-NAT和Superdex-75纯化后,对重组植酸酶r-phy(ycD)的性质进行分析.结果显示,该酶是Ca2+依赖性酶,Ca2+最适浓度为1 mmol/L,酶比活为4.7 U/mg,酶促反应的最适pH为6.5,在中性条件下稳定,最适反应温度为45℃,K m值和V max值分别为0.213 mmol/L和5.55 U/mg.Zn2+、Ni2+、Ba2+和Ag2+对酶促反应均有显著抑制作用.本研究表明,Ca2+对该类酶的活性和热稳定性起着关键性作用,因此在表达和纯化过程中需要在培养基和纯化所需的各类缓冲液中添加Ca2+.     

粉纹夜蛾颗粒体病毒全长增效基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

利用PCR技术扩增了粉纹夜蛾(Trichoplusia ni)颗粒体病毒增效基因全长片段,扩增产物用EcoRⅠ/HindⅢ双酶消化,经0.7%低熔点琼脂糖凝胶电泳纯化后插入pRSET-B中,得重组表达质粒pRSET/enhancin;但重组子生长异常,在IPTG诱导下未能明显表达目标蛋白.用PstⅠ/HindⅢ双酶消化pRSET/enhancin,电泳回收2.7kb片段后插入pQE-30中,得重组表达载体pQE/enhancin;在IPTG诱导下于35℃成功表达出分子量(Mr)约为108×103的融合蛋白并命名为P108.初步纯化的P108显示了极显著的增效活性,对棉铃虫核型多角体病毒感染棉铃虫3龄幼虫的7d致死率提高34.03%,LT50缩短1.4d;对苏云金杆菌杀棉铃虫3龄幼虫的72h致死率提高65.96%.图4表2参14     

重组钝顶节旋藻藻蓝蛋白基因在聚球藻中的表达

藻蓝蛋白(Phycocyanin)具有抗氧化、消炎、抗癌、增强免疫等生理活性和荧光特性.本研究从钝顶节旋藻(Arthrospira platensis)中克隆藻蓝蛋白基因,构建重组藻蓝蛋白并在聚球藻7942(Synechococcus sp.PCC 7942)中表达.利用PCR技术克隆钝顶节旋藻藻蓝蛋白α亚基(cpc A)与β亚基(cpc B)基因,在cpc A的5’端及3’端加入编码6×His标签基因,克隆Hiscpc A基因,并构建同源重组表达载体p U BCA3D-1.通过自然转化法将p UBCA3D-1转入聚球藻中,经筛选鉴定获得了转基因藻株.PCR验证结果表明,目的基因整合到聚球藻基因组中的概率为86.6%.转基因聚球藻在无抗生素筛选条件下连续培养2个月,仍能稳定表达重组Cpc A.以上结果表明,重组钝顶节旋藻藻蓝蛋白在聚球藻中稳定表达;研究结果为节旋藻cpc A基因改造、重组Cpc A进一步分离纯化以及重组藻蓝蛋白的生产奠定了基础.     

嗜热子囊菌光孢变种β-葡萄糖苷酶的基因克隆、表达及酶学性质分析

从嗜热子囊菌光孢变种(Thermoascus aurantiacus var.levisporus)RNA中通过RT-PCR克隆出β-葡萄糖苷酶基因bgl Ⅰ的全长序列,cDNA序列为2 672 bp.Genbank登录号为EU269025,将该片段插入巴斯德毕赤酵母Pichia pastoris分泌型表达载体pPIC9K中,获得重组质粒pPIC9K/bgl,经线性化后用电穿孔法导入毕赤酵母GS115中,在醇氧化酶AOXI基因启动子作用下,获得高效表达β-葡萄糖苷酶的毕赤酵母工程菌株.经DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow阴离子层析纯化了该重组表达蛋白.SDS-PAGER测得该重组蛋白相对分子质量(M)约为120×103.经甲醇诱导,培养基中β-葡萄糖苷酶的活力可达1.2 U/mg,小规模发酵量达0.45 mg/mL.该酶的最适反应温度为60℃,最适反应pH为5.0.于70℃保温30 min仍保持80%的酶活力,具有较高的热稳定性,在pH 3.0～9.0的条件下酸碱耐受性强.图6表1参22     

碱性果胶酯裂解酶工程菌的构建

从本研究室筛选的BacillussubtilisWSHB04-02菌株中扩增出编码碱性果胶酯裂解酶的结构基因PL,将其插入大肠杆菌分泌表达载体pET22b( )多克隆位点,得到重组载体pET22b( )PL.序列分析表明,所获PL基因与已报道的B.subtilisSO113的PL基因的同源性为98%.重组载体在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中得到表达.SDS-PAGE分析显示,表达产物的分子量(Mr)均为43×103,同核酸序列测定所推导的值相符.该工程菌经IPTG诱导后,胞内酶活为8U/mL.研究发现,碱性果胶酯裂解酶不仅在胞内有酶活,胞外也有酶活,说明所构建的表达体系可使该酶向胞外分泌.图3表1参6     

重组人核糖核酸酶抑制因子基因的siRNA表达载体构建及B16细胞中基因沉默的鉴定

人核糖核酸酶抑制因子(Human ribonuclease inhibitor, hRI)是细胞质中的一种酸性糖蛋白,可以与血管生长因子(Angiogenin, Ang)紧密结合从而抑制血管形成.利用全基因组合成法合成针对人核糖核酸酶抑制因子基因(hri)的发夹shRNA序列,亚克隆到siRNA表达载体pKD;重组载体经酶切鉴定后,用脂质体法与报告基因绿色荧光蛋白重组融合的人核糖核酸酶抑制因子的逆转录病毒载体pLNCX-EGFP-C1-hri共转染到小鼠黑色素瘤细胞B16中,在荧光显微镜下检测干扰效果.用Image-Pro plus 4.5软件对绿色荧光照片半定量分析干扰效率.结果表明,荧光显微镜显示B16中表达的绿色荧光被干扰,荧光强度半定量分析干扰效率可达80%以上.成功重组构建了针对hri的siRNA表达载体.图5参9     

硫化叶菌病毒dUTPase基因的表达及酶学活性分析

对硫化叶菌病毒(Sulfolobus virus)STSV2脱氧尿苷焦磷酸酶(dUTPase)基因进行克隆表达,并分析其酶学特征.根据STSV2的dUTPase基因序列设计特异性引物,以病毒STSV2 DNA为模板进行PCR扩增,将产物克隆至原核表达载体pET32a(+)中,然后,将其转化至Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)进行dUTPase的IPTG诱导表达及纯化,通过SDS-PAGE检测其大小,并测定其酶学活性.结果表明,诱导表达的重组dUTPase蛋白分子量(Mr)约为38×103(含pET32a(+)自带的助溶标签),重组dUTPase在Mg2+存在的情况下能特异性催化dUTP生成dUMP和PPi,其反应最适温度为60℃,在pH值3-8之间有较高的活性,其在提高PCR扩增效率和特异性方面具有一定的作用.本研究通过克隆表达获得了硫化叶菌病毒(Sulfolobus virus)STSV2脱氧尿苷焦磷酸酶,其在基因扩增领域有一定的应用价值.图5表1参18     

大肠杆菌植酸酶的原核表达及酶学性质

将大肠杆菌植酸酶appA摹因重组于表达载体pET32a中,导人大肠杆菌Origami(DE3)构建工程菌Origami(DE3)-pET32aappA.对表达的appA重组植酸酶经Ni柱亲和纯化、SDS-PAGE分析表明,纯化后条带单一,酶的纯度较高.对其酶学性质的研究表明,该酶反应的比活力为3.36×106 U/mg;最适pH为4.5;最适温度为60℃ ;在80℃和85℃的耐干热能力超过耐湿热能力;在37℃下,Mg2+、Ca2+、Mn2+对酶活性有促进作用,CO2+、Cu2+、K+对酶活性有不同程度的抑制作用,而Fe3+和Zn2+对酶活性有强烈的抑制作用;此外,该酶还具有非常好的抗胃蛋白酶水解的能力和部分抗胰蛋白酶水解的能力.图8表1参21     

朱砂叶螨乙酰胆碱酯酶的原核表达及其活性分析

乙酰胆碱酯酶(ACh E)在神经信号传导过程中起重要作用,是氨基甲酸酯类和有机磷类农药的主要作用靶标.对朱砂叶螨ACh E进行体外表达和纯化,并分析其活性.将朱砂叶螨ace基因序列插入到原核高效表达载体p ET-30a中,构建表达载体p ET-30a/ace,转入表达菌株Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中,IPTG诱导高效表达;镍柱纯化目的蛋白,经SDS-PAGE和Western Blot鉴定目的蛋白;以纯化的螨ACh E为抗原制备抗螨ACh E特异性抗体;改良的Ellman法测定螨ACh E活性.结果获得了相对分子质量(Mr)约为68×103的较高纯度的螨ACh E蛋白,检测大部分为可溶性表达,酶活检测具有乙酰胆碱酯酶活性,并制备了107效价的抗螨ACh E特异性抗体.采用重组ACh E(IC50=5.4 mmol/L)检测毒扁豆碱抑制活性比螨粗酶液(IC50=58.7 mmol/L)灵敏度提高11倍.本研究构建了螨ACh E体外高效表达载体并获得了具有较好活性的重组螨ACh E,可为抗ACh E杀螨剂的体外高通量筛选和以ACh E为靶标的农药残留检测奠定基础.     

果胶寡糖生产菌的构建与筛选

生物酶解法是新兴益生元果胶寡糖(Pectin oligosaccharides,POS)生产的主要途径.通过构建黑曲霉来源的多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(Polygalacturonase,PGA)基因pga A表达载体p PIC9K-PGA,电转毕赤酵母GS115,筛选能够表达用于制备POS重组果胶酶的工程菌.利用SDS-PAGE检测诱导表达上清,TLC分析其水解产物成分,筛选得到一株特定降解果胶生成寡糖的酵母工程菌GS-12.该重组多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(Recombinant polygalacturonase,re PGA)相对分子量(Mr)为86×10~3,发酵液酶活水平24.8 U/m L;GS-12经30次传代后目的基因pga A仍能稳定遗传,水解产物成分未发生改变;酶促反应得出该酶最适温度50℃,最适p H 5.5,50℃保温5 h相对酶活保持50%以上.综上,所构建酵母工程菌GS-12遗传稳定性高,耐热性提升,作用果胶可得大分子量多糖产物,对POS的工业规模化生产具有重要价值.     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.     

Compliance with and ecosystem function of biodiversity offsets in North American and European freshwaters

Land-use change via human development is a major driver of biodiversity loss. To reduce these impacts, billions of dollars are spent on biodiversity offsets. However, studies evaluating offset project effectiveness that examine components such as the overall compliance and function of projects remain rare. We reviewed 577 offsetting projects in freshwater ecosystems that included the metrics project size, type of aquatic system (e.g., wetland and creek), offsetting measure (e.g., enhancement, restoration, and creation), and an assessment of the projects’ compliance and functional success. Project information was obtained from scientific and government databases and gray literature. Despite considerable investment in offsetting projects, crucial problems persisted. Although compliance and function were related to each other, a high level of compliance did not guarantee a high degree of function. However, large projects relative to area had better function than small projects. Function improved when projects targeted productivity or specific ecosystem features and when multiple complementary management targets were in place. Restorative measures were more likely to achieve targets than creating entirely new ecosystems. Altogether the relationships we found highlight specific ecological processes that may help improve offsetting outcomes.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

A palaeo-hydrogeological model for arsenic contamination in southern and south-east Asia

An argument is presented in which areas of natural arsenic contamination of modern groundwaters throughout Asia have a common origin. Arsenic originally accumulated in oceanic ferro-manganoan sediments of the eastern Palaeo-Tethys. This was further concentrated through oceanic crustal extinction in what later became the south-east Chinese accreted mineralised terrain. Proto-Himalayan uplift of this area created the palaeo-drainage systems of the Ganges – Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Mekong, and Red Rivers, with consequent headwater erosion of arsenic-rich sediments. Their downstream deposition as immature and easily redistributed Neogene sandstones, silts, and iron-rich clays has created secondary and tertiary reservoirs of adsorbed and authigenic arsenic, from which the current arsenic-rich groundwaters have evolved. Considering river basins within the above palaeo-hydrogeological framework provides a basis for assessing the risk of arsenic in groundwater basins of south and south-eastern Asia.     

Threats to intact tropical peatlands and opportunities for their conservation

Large, intact areas of tropical peatland are highly threatened at a global scale by the expansion of commercial agriculture and other forms of economic development. Conserving peatlands on a landscape scale, with their hydrology intact, is of international conservation importance to preserve their distinctive biodiversity and ecosystem services and maintain their resilience to future environmental change. We explored threats to and opportunities for conserving remaining intact tropical peatlands; thus, we excluded peatlands of Indonesia and Malaysia, where extensive deforestation, drainage, and conversion to plantations means conservation in this region can protect only small fragments of the original ecosystem. We focused on a case study, the Pastaza‐Marañón Foreland Basin (PMFB) in Peru, which is among the largest known intact tropical peatland landscapes in the world and is representative of peatland vulnerability. Maintenance of the hydrological conditions critical for carbon storage and ecosystem function of peatlands is, in the PMFB, primarily threatened by expansion of commercial agriculture linked to new transport infrastructure that is facilitating access to remote areas. There remain opportunities in the PMFB and elsewhere to develop alternative, more sustainable land‐use practices. Although some of the peatlands in the PMFB fall within existing legally protected areas, this protection does not include the most carbon‐dense (domed pole forest) areas. New carbon‐based conservation instruments (e.g., REDD+, Green Climate Fund), developing markets for sustainable peatland products, transferring land title to local communities, and expanding protected areas offer pathways to increased protection for intact tropical peatlands in Amazonia and elsewhere, such as those in New Guinea and Central Africa which remain, for the moment, broadly beyond the frontier of commercial development.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.