丛枝菌对转Bt基因棉根际土壤营养物质及酶活性的影响

转Bt基因抗虫棉已在全球范围内广泛种植,然而Bt棉根际分泌物是否会影响土壤理化性质及土壤功能尚缺乏深入研究。通过盆栽实验方法,设计不同的棉花品种与是否接种丛枝菌总共4个处理,以此研究Bt棉和接种丛枝菌根真菌对植物根际土壤营养物质含量以及土壤酶活性的影响。结果显示:丛枝菌可以使non-Bt棉和Bt棉根际土壤营养物质中的土壤有机质和土壤总氮含量显著增加,但是对根际土壤全磷却鲜有影响。转基因对于不同品种棉花根际土壤酶,丛枝菌均能有效增强其活性。由此表明,丛枝菌对Bt棉和non-Br棉根际土壤环境均具有改善作用。     

Field released transgenic papaya effect on soil microbial communities and enzyme activities

Soil properties, microbial communities and enzyme activities were studied in soil amended with replicase （RP）-transgenic or non-transgenic papaya under field conditions. Compared with non-transgenic papaya, significant differences （P〈0.05） were observed in total nitrogen in soils grown with transgenic papaya. There were also significant differences （P〈0.05） in the total number of colony forming units （CFUs） of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi between soils amended with RP-transgenic plants and non-transgenic plants. Compared with non-transgenic papaya, the total CFUs of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in soil with transgenic papaya increased by 0.43-1.1, 0.21-0.80 and 0.46-0.73 times respectively. Significantly higher （P〈0.05） CFUs of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi resistant to kanamycin （Km） were obtained in soils with RP-transgenic papaya than those with non-transgenic papaya in all concentrations of Km. Higher resistance quotients for Km＇ （kanamycin resistant） bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were found in soil planted with RP-transgenic papaya, and the resistance quotients for Km＇ bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in soils with transgenic papaya increased 1.6-4.46, 0.63-2.5 and 0.75-2.30 times. RP-transgenic papaya and non-transgenic papaya produced significantly different enzyme activities in arylsulfatase （5.4-5.9x）, polyphenol oxidase （0.7-1.4x）, invertase （0.5-0.79x）, cellulase （0.23-0.35x） and phosphodiesterase （0.16-0.2x）. The former three soil enzymes appeared to be more sensitive to the transgenic papaya than the others, and could be useful parameters in assessing the effects of transgenic papaya. Transgenic papaya could alter soil chemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial communities.     

Science and the Consequences of Mistruct: Lessons from Recent GM Controversies

In 2001, it was announced thattransgenic DNA had introgressed intotraditional strains of maize in Mexico. Acontroversy erupted and raged throughout 2001and 2002. This episode represents an acutebreakdown in scientific discourse. Given thestakes in the genetically modified organismdebate, a breakdown in scientific discourse isalarming. The following inquiry looks into thecauses of this breakdown. Ultimately, it willbe argued that the underlying problem is thecurrent institutional structure of science,particularly in the United States. If thediagnosis is correct, then the proper course oftreatment is to pursue a program ofinstitutional reconstruction.     

A Quantitative Safety Assessment Model For Transgenic Protein Products Produced In Agricultural Crops

Transgenic plants are now being used to develop pharmaceutical and industrial products in addition to their use in crop improvement. Using confinement requirements, these transgenic plants are grown and processed under conditions that prevent intermixing with commodity crops. Regulatory agencies in the United States have provided guidance of zero tolerance of these new industrial crops with commodity crops. While this is a worthy goal, it is theoretically unattainable. In spite of the best containment practices, there is a potential risk using any system of production due to unforeseen incidences including natural disasters or exposure to workers. The precautionary principle has been used for numerous regulated articles in addressing the potential risks of new products and technology based on a risk assessment in similar situations. We present here a risk assessment model that could be used as a start to develop an accepted model for the industry. The model is based on current risk models used for other regulated articles, but adapted for these types of products. This could be used to determine action levels in the event of an unintended exposure or to ensure that detection or confinement methods are adequate to avoid risks. As an example, aprotinin, a therapeutic protein now being produced in maize, was evaluated for potential risk to humans using this model.     

An integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression in the brains of Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice after real-world PM2.5 exposure

Fine particulatematter (PM2.5) is associated with increased risks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD),yet the toxicologicalmechanisms of PM2.5 promoting AD remain unclear. In this study,wildtype and APP/PS1 transgenic mice (AD mice) were exposed to either filtered air (FA) or PM2.5 for eight weeks with a real-world exposure system in Taiyuan, China (mean PM2.5 concentration in the cage was 61 μg/m3). We found that PM2.5 exposure could remarkably aggravate AD mice’s ethological and brain ultrastructural damage, along with the elevation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), Aβ-42 and AChE levels and the decline of ChAT levels in the brains. Based on high-throughput sequencing results, some differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and DE miRNAs in the brains of AD mice after PM2.5 exposure were screened.Using RT-qPCR, seven DEmiRNAs (mmu-miR-193b-5p, 122b-5p, 466h-3p, 10b-5p, 1895, 384–5p, and 6412) and six genes (Pcdhgb8, Unc13b, Robo3, Prph, Pter, and Tbata) were evidenced the and verified. Two miRNA-target gene pairs (miR-125b-Pcdhgb8 pair and miR-466h-3p-IL-17Rα/TGF-βR2/Aβ-42/AChE pairs) were demonstrated that they were more related to PM2.5-induced brain injury. Results of Gene Ontology (GO) pathways and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways predicted that synaptic and postsynaptic regulation, axon guidance, Wnt, MAPK, and mTOR pathways might be the possible regulatory mechanisms associated with pathological response. These revealed that PM2.5- elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and PM2.5-altered neurotransmitter levels in AD mice could be the important causes of brain damage and proposed the promising miRNA andmRNA biomarkers and potentialmiRNA-mRNA interaction networks of PM2.5-promoted AD.     

转cry1Ab基因水稻中毒蛋白的表达、分泌及其在土壤中的残留

研究了转cry1Ab基因水稻(克螟稻)中Cry1Ab毒蛋白的表达、根系分泌及其在土壤中的残留规律.结果表明,分蘖始期至成熟期,克螟稻地上部和根部中的Cry1Ab毒蛋白的表达量(FW)分别为3.23～8.22 μg/g和0.68～0.89 μg/g.生育期间克螟稻根系分泌的Cry1Ab毒蛋白含量仅为1.66～48.02 ng/(株·d).试验证实,克螟稻根际土中的Cry1Ab毒蛋白残留含量低于检测限(<0.5ng/g 干燥土).生物测定还表明,克螟稻根际土及其提取液对棉铃虫初孵幼虫和3龄幼虫不产生致死性效应.相对于Cry1Ab毒蛋白的根系分泌转移,克螟稻秸秆还田对土壤环境的影响应引起重视.     

转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂生长发育的影响

研究了取食转Bt-cry1Ac棉花花粉对意大利蜜蜂的影响,主要包括意大利蜜蜂的生长发育、体内酶活性的变化.结果发现,取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂与取食非转基因亲本棉花花粉的蜜蜂(CK)相比,4、5、6日龄幼虫体重差异不显著,幼虫及蛹的历期也没有明显差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内的谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶、总蛋白酶活力与CK相比,没有显著差异.取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的意大利蜜蜂幼虫体内的α-乙酸萘酯酶、乙酰胆碱酯酶活力极显著高于CK,强碱性、弱碱性类胰蛋白酶活力极显著低于CK,类胰凝乳蛋白酶活力显著低于CK.另外,采用酶联免疫(ELISA)方法在取食转Bt-cry1Ac基因棉花花粉的蜜蜂6日龄幼虫体内能够检测到Bt杀虫蛋白.表4参12     

转sck单价基因和cry1Ac/sck双价基因水稻对二化螟的致死效应及中肠组织病理变化观察

室内采用离体叶片法研究了转sck单价基因抗虫水稻86AS1和转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻MSB不同生育期主茎顶叶对二化螟幼虫的杀虫效果.结果发现,不同生育期的MSB对二化螟初孵幼虫表现出了很强的毒杀效果,二化螟幼虫校正死亡率在扬花期前均达到90%以上;扬花期和灌浆期抗虫性有所下降,校正死亡率高于80%;成熟期校正死亡率在60%以上.在整个生育期,二化螟幼虫取食86AS1主茎顶叶的校正死亡率均未超过50%.MSB对二化螟幼虫的毒杀效果明显高于86AS1.采用透射电镜观察二化螟幼虫取食转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻和转sck单价基因抗虫水稻主茎顶叶后中肠组织的病理变化.结果发现,两种转基因水稻都能够引起二化螟幼虫中肠组织发生病理变化,但病变程度有明显差异.二化螟幼虫取食转cry1Ac/sck双价基因抗虫水稻3d,中肠组织受到严重破坏且病理变化明显;取食转sck单价基因抗虫水稻3d,幼虫中肠组织的病理变化却较缓慢.图2参10     

Conservation Biology, Genetically Modified Organisms, and the Biosafety Protocol

Abstract:  Concerns have been raised regarding the potential adverse effects on biological diversity of the use of living modified organisms (LMOs, which are commonly known by similar terms such as genetically modified organisms). At the international level these concerns are addressed in part by an agreement known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and include potential toxic effects of insect-resistant crops on nontarget organisms and potential ecological effects of gene flow from modified crops, fish, microorganisms, or insects to wild species or counterparts. We reviewed the protocol's main provisions, including those dealing with risk assessment and risk management, decision making on imports, documentation accompanying shipments, and liability resulting from damages caused by LMOs. A medium-term program of work has been adopted by the parties, which includes the potential contribution of conservation biologists to delivering capacity building, developing risk assessment guidance, evaluating mechanisms of potential ecological damages from LMOs, and other issues. Conservation biologists and other experts have opportunities to influence the negotiations and implementation of the protocol by providing inputs at meetings, offering expertise to governments and organizations, and participating in or developing relevant projects and initiatives. Involvement of conservation biologists in the implementation and further development of the protocol would contribute to its effectiveness.     

农杆菌介导将高赖氨酸蛋白基因导入谷秆两用水稻

采用农杆菌介导法将高赖氨酸蛋白基因导入到谷秆两用水稻中，GUS组织化学染色、PCR扩增、Southem blot分析表明，该基因已经整合到水稻基因组中，测定9株转基因水稻叶片赖氨酸含量，大部分植株有明显的提高，最高幅度达到了22．71％，图6参15