拟南芥SHI基因在烟草中的表达和矮化、延迟开花的烟草植株的获得

利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)从拟南芥基因组DNA中克隆了拟南芥SHOTINTERNODS(SHI)基因,并进行了序列测定.以载体pBI121为基本骨架构建了SHI的植物表达载体,并导入根癌农杆菌EHA105.通过农杆菌介导的叶盘法将拟南芥SHI基因转入烟草.PCR和RT-PCR检测证明,拟南芥SHI基因已整合到烟草基因组中并得以表达,获得了矮化、延迟开花的烟草植株.图5参12     

绿萍LmPDS基因RNAi载体的构建及遗传转化

PDS基因编码控制类胡萝卜素生物合成过程中的关键酶,其被沉默或抑制性表达会使叶片组织出现斑驳、黄化、白化的现象.构建绿萍(Lemna minor)LmPDS基因RNAi载体及完成遗传转化研究,对于实现RNAi技术在绿萍中的应用具有重要意义.选取595 bp LmPDS基因片段为干涉片段,利用中间载体pUCCRNAi将克隆的LmPDS干涉片段正反向插入植物表达载体pCAMBIA2300-35S-OCST中.将成功构建的RNAi载体通过农杆菌介导法转入绿萍愈伤,经愈伤抗性筛选、植株再生、植株扩培、标记基因NPTII检测等过程,获得植株70株,其中4株为转基因阳性植株.再经荧光定量PCR分析、番茄红素含量检测、表型观察转基因植株.结果显示,转基因阳性植株LmPDS相对表达量明显下降,为对照的28.8%-40.5%,其番茄红素含量也明显下降,且叶片出现了明显的白化表型.本研究成功构建绿萍LmPDS基因RNAi载体,实现了RNAi在绿萍中的应用,结果可为进一步的绿萍基因功能研究提供材料和方法.(图11表1参30)     

中国水仙DFR基因启动子的克隆及功能

为了解中国水仙花青素合成途径关键基因DFR(NtDFR)的表达调控以及中国水仙不能合成花青素的分子机制,采用染色体步移法从中国水仙中克隆NtDFR基因起始密码子上游962 bp的启动子序列.生物信息学分析结果表明启动子序列除包含TATA-box、CAAT-box等基本启动子元件外,还包含光调控元件、植物激素响应元件、胁迫响应元件等多个顺式作用元件.此外,该启动子序列还含有MYB转录因子结合位点.为验证启动子的表达特性,将NtDFR启动子取代植物表达载体pBI121上35S启动子,构建pBI121-pNtDFR::GUS载体,利用农杆菌转化烟草叶片瞬时表达,通过GUS组织染色法确定了克隆的启动子的活性.将中国水仙R2R3-MYB转录因子NtMYB2、NtMYB5分别和pBI121-p NtDFR::GUS共同注射烟草,定量PCR和GUS组织化学染色结果表明NtMYB2和NtMYB5都使NtDFR启动子诱导的烟草叶片GUS颜色变浅以及GUS基因表达量下降,表明NtMYB2和NtMYB5是NtDFR的抑制因子.本研究结果有助于了解中国水仙花青素合成途径的分子调控机制.(图5参34)     

干扰烟草GA 20-氧化酶siRNA植物表达载体的构建及矮化烟草的产生

根据烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)GA 20-氧化酶基因序列,设计2对分别含有特定酶切位点的特异引物,以烟草基因组DNA为模板,扩增目的基因(约250 bp)片段.将正、反向目的片段分别插入中间载体的内含子两侧.再经BamH I和Sac I双酶切回收约700 bp的目的片段,插入到双元载体质粒p2355中,成功构建了含GA 20-氧化酶基因片段的反向重复序列植物表达载体p23700,其转录产物能形成发夹RNA(hpRNA),产生小分子干扰RNA,干扰目的基因的表达.将p23700质粒导入根癌农杆菌EHA105中并转化烟草叶片细胞,经选择分化培养,获得表型矮化的转基因烟草.图4参14     

水稻幼穗分化特异性启动子pRFL的克隆和特征分析

组织特异性启动子能够驱动基因在特定的时期和部位表达,克服组成型启动子启动的外源基因在受体植物中非特异、持续、高效表达所造成的浪费,是基因工程技术最重要元件之一.本研究利用PCR技术从水稻基因组中克隆了幼穗分化特异表达基因RFL翻译起始位点上游2 001 bp的启动子序列,命名为pRFL.生物信息分析显示,该片段含有36个转录起始核心启动子元件TATA-box和多个启动子增强子区顺式作用元件CAAT-box,以及多个光反应调控元件和植物激素响应元件等.将其与GUS基因构建成植物表达载体,导入水稻"日本晴",组织化学染色法检测显示,转基因水稻植株叶片、茎均无GUS显色,花序及发育中的小花有较强表达;荧光定量PCR测定幼穗GUS基因转录活性,显示pRFL驱动的GUS基因表达量比actin启动子驱动的GUS基因表达量高2.9倍.上述结果初步证明了pRFL为幼穗分化特异性启动子.     

盐生杜氏藻烯醇酶基因启动子的克隆分析及胁迫转录应答

为了解盐生杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)烯醇酶(Enolase)在渗透耐受中的具体功能,利用基因组步行方法和巢式PCR,从D.salina中克隆了烯醇酶基因DsENO 5’上游约2 000 bp的调控序列,并对其进行序列分析.分析表明,它包含多个与转录调控有关的保守序列(如CAAT-box,TATA-box),富含光﹑干旱及其它胁迫应答元件.利用实时荧光定量PCR的方法,研究了高渗﹑高温以及低温外界胁迫条件下DsENO的转录情况,发现其受高渗强烈抑制,高温显著诱导而低温微弱诱导.     

盐生杜氏藻3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶不同结构域蛋白的表达纯化及其抗体的制备与分析

盐生杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)是迄今为止世界上发现的最耐盐的真核光合生物,而甘油是盐藻用于调节细胞内外渗透压变化的关键调渗物质.3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(GPDH)是盐生杜氏藻甘油合成途径中的关键酶.与已经报道的其它物种的GPDH基因不同,盐生杜氏藻3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶(Ds.GPDH)基因具有两个独立的功能结构域,即丝氨酸磷酸化酶结构域(SGPP domain)和3-磷酸甘油脱氢酶结构域(GPD domain).本实验在已克隆的Ds.GPDH2基因的基础上,以含GPDH2全基因序列的T质粒载体(pMD18-T-GPDH2)为模板,PCR扩增分别得到两个单结构域片段(SGPP与GPD),以及双结构域片段(GPDH),构建了pET32a-SGPP、pET32a-GPD和pET32a-GPDH三种原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中成功表达.纯化蛋白制备抗原,制备出3个多克隆抗体.Western Blot和交叉反应分析显示通过重组蛋白制备的多克隆抗体具有很高的特异性.图7参16     

盐藻LHCB3蛋白的表达纯化及抗体制备

为了解盐生杜氏藻(Dunaliella salina)主要光捕获蛋白LHCB蛋白的功能,将已获得的盐藻Lhcb3基因构建到原核表达载体pET32a-DsLhcb3,通过优化表达条件,建立了高效的重组系统.pET32a-DsLhcb3在大肠杆菌中的优化表达条件为1 mmol/L IPTG在37℃下诱导4 h.采用镍离子亲合层析纯化获得LHCB3蛋白,并以此为抗原制备了多克隆抗体,经琼脂糖扩散检测效价,在1:16处有明显沉淀.提取盐藻总蛋白,经过制备的LHCB3抗体杂交,在29 000处获得两条明显的杂交条带,为进一步研究盐藻LHCⅡ蛋白表达机理奠定了基础.     

Ri质粒转化烟草的影响因素及豌豆凝集素基因在烟草发根中的表达

对Ri质粒转化烟草的影响因素进行研究，以期获得较为理想的实验系统，用发根农杆菌介导，将豌豆凝集素基因导入烟草，获得转基因的烟草发根，GUS组织化学染色，蛋白免疫原位杂交证明,gus报告基因和豌豆凝集素基因已在转基因烟草发根中得到了转译表达，本结构将为瘤菌能否扩大宿主范围，为研究烟草与豌豆根瘤菌相互作用，结瘤固氮的可能性奠定基础。     

异源表达胡杨PeCPD基因提高烟草对盐、高氮和干旱胁迫的抗性

油菜素类固醇(Brassinosteroids,BRs)在调节植物生长发育和提高植物对非生物胁迫的抗性中起着重要作用,CPD(Constitutive Photomorphogenesis and Dwarfism)基因编码一种甾醇类23a羟化酶,在BR的生物合成中发挥着重要作用.本研究克隆胡杨Pe CPD基因的c DNA序列,并利用农杆菌介导法,将Pe CPD基因植物过表达载体p BI121-35S::Pe CPD转化野生型烟草,筛选得到Pe CPD基因过表达的转基因烟草植株,并利用Na Cl、高氮和甘露醇分别对转基因和野生型烟草进行胁迫处理,检测转基因烟草的耐受性和相关的生理生化指标.结果表明:(1)在正常条件下,转基因烟草的鲜重是野生型烟草的1.47倍;(2)在Na Cl、高氮以及甘露醇的胁迫处理下,转基因烟草植株的根长、叶片叶绿素和类胡萝卜素的含量均显著高于野生型植株,抗氧化酶SOD和POD活性以及渗透调节物质脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖的含量也同样表现为转基因烟草显著高于野生型,而野生型植株的丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于转基因植株.因此在烟草中异源过表达胡杨Pe CPD基因不但能够增加烟草的生物量,而且能够提高烟草对盐、高氮和干旱胁迫的抵抗能力.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

Behavior and ecology of Old World Luperini beetles of the genusAulacophora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary The attraction of Old World leaf beetles in the genusAulacophora to kairomones and parakairomones which are effective lures for New WorldDiabrotica andAcalymma were investigated. Beetles captured on sticky traps baited with single and multicomponent lures were no different from the control traps for two species ofAulacophora. Yellow colored traps and squash blossoms are attractive toAulacophora beetles which detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel. Leaf feeding behavior and flight activity data are correlated with varietal preference of threeAulacophora species. The common response byDiabrotica andAulacophora to cucurbitacins reinforces the two groups' coevolutionary association with the Cucurbitaceae. The apparent lack of a common response toCucurbita blossom volatiles suggests recent evolutionary pathways are substantially different for these two groups of beetles.     

Use of stochastic patch occupancy models in the California red-legged frog for Bayesian inference regarding past events and future persistence

Assessing causes of population decline is critically important to management of threatened species. Stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOMs) are popular tools for examining spatial and temporal dynamics of populations when presence–absence data in multiple habitat patches are available. We developed a Bayesian Markov chain method that extends existing SPOMs by focusing on past environmental changes that may have altered occupancy patterns prior to the beginning of data collection. Using occupancy data from 3 creeks, we applied the method to assess 2 hypothesized causes of population decline—in situ die-off and residual impact of past source population loss—in the California red-legged frog. Despite having no data for the 20–30 years between the hypothetical event leading to population decline and the first data collected, we were able to discriminate among hypotheses, finding evidence that in situ die-off increased in 2 of the creeks. Although the creeks had comparable numbers of occupied segments, owing to different extinction–colonization dynamics, our model predicted an 8-fold difference in persistence probabilities of their populations to 2030. Adding a source population led to a greater predicted persistence probability than did decreasing the in situ die-off, emphasizing that reversing the deleterious impacts of a disturbance may not be the most efficient management strategy. We expect our method will be useful for studying dynamics and evaluating management strategies of many species.