Thichosanthin(Tk), a polypeptide with 249 amino acid residues isolated and purified from a Chinese medicinal herb, showed the capability of inducing abortion and was able to inhibit tumor growth and HIV replication. O...Thichosanthin(Tk), a polypeptide with 249 amino acid residues isolated and purified from a Chinese medicinal herb, showed the capability of inducing abortion and was able to inhibit tumor growth and HIV replication. Owing to sequence homology of the peptide with a ribosomeinactivating protein, the downward activity of Tk was suggested to be related to its cytotoxic property. We report here, however, that Tk could exert potent inhibitory effects on human lymphoproliferative responses in vitro to allogeneic, mitogenic and soluble antigens with 50% inhibition doses ranged between 0.05 and 0.5 μg/ml. The lowresponsiveness caused by Tk was not due to toxic cytolysis. Rather, evidences suggested that, in the dose range adopted, the Tk-induced inhibition was attributable, at least in part, to immune suppression, in view of (1) Tk was more effective in the early stage of alloreactivity; (2)Suppression also occurred if responder cells were pulsetreated with Tk rather than cocultured; (3) Irradiated Tk-pulsed cells were capable of inducing suppression in a Tk-free culture; (4) Suppression could also be transferred by the supernatants of Tk-pulsed cultured cells; (5) Tkinduced immune suppression was diminished by depletion of CD8+ cells from the culture, and, finally; (6) Adding CD8+ cells back to the culture could restore the suppres Trichosanthin-induced humall immune suppression sion. Thus the possibility that Tk might function as a down-regulator by immunological mechanisms in human immune responses is discussed.展开更多
A 100 kV triode-electron-gun has been designed and manufactured for the Linac of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). In this paper the performance of the gun and some key components are described.
Objective Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the conjugation of xenobiotics. To explore whether GSTs polymorphisms are involved in the development of occupational or non-occupational bladder cancer, polymorph...Objective Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the conjugation of xenobiotics. To explore whether GSTs polymorphisms are involved in the development of occupational or non-occupational bladder cancer, polymorphism frequencies of GSTT1, M1 and P1 were investigated in a normal population, which had been settled in a rural area in Shanghai suburb for at least 5 generations as well as in a group of patients with benzidine exposure related occupational bladder cancer in Shanghai dyestuff industry and a group of patients with non-occupational bladder cancer. Methods PCR based procedures were performed in the study populations to confirm the genotypes of GSTT1, M1 and P1. Results The polymorphisms at locus of GSTP1- A1578G in the normal population differed significantly from those in Caucasians or African Americans. All the subjects genotyped so far (n =118) bore only homogenous wild genotype (C2293/ C2293) at GSTP1 - C2293T locus. This locus seemed to be a monomorphic in Shanghai population. No significant difference in GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphic form frequencies could be confirmed among three groups of subjects. An overrepresentation of GSTP1 AG or GG genotype corresponding a less stable and less effective isozyme protein was detected in patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, compared with that in the normal population though a statistical significance was not yet reached (P=0.09, OR=1.96, 95% CI 0.89-4.32,). Conclusion This study suggests that GSTM1 or GSTT1 homozygous deficiency genotypes and their combination do not have a clear impact on bladder cancer incidence in a Shanghai population. It seems that GSTP1 polymorphism is not associated with non-occupational bladder cancer. GSTP1 AG or GG genotype has a higher frequency in the patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, and further work is needed to confirm if GSTP1 AG or GG genotype plays a role in the development of occupational bladder cancer.展开更多
We used cDNA microarrays containing ～9,000 unigenes to identify 486 salt responsive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (representing ～450 unigenes) in shoots of the highly salt-tolerant rice variety, Nona Bokra (Oryza s...We used cDNA microarrays containing ～9,000 unigenes to identify 486 salt responsive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (representing ～450 unigenes) in shoots of the highly salt-tolerant rice variety, Nona Bokra (Oryza sativa L. Ssp.Indica pv. Nona). Some of the genes identified in this study had previously been associated with salt stress. Howeverthe majority were novel, indicating that there is a great number of genes that are induced by salt exposure. Analysis of the salt stress expression profile data of Nona provided clues regarding some putative cellular and molecular processes that are undertaken by this tolerant rice variety in response to salt stress. Namely, we found that multiple transcription factors were induced during the initial salt response of shoots. Many genes whose encoded proteins are implicated in detoxification, protectant and transport were rapidly induced. Genes supporting photosynthesis were repressed and those supporting carbohydrate metabolism were altered. Commonality among the genes induced by salt exposure with those induced during senescence and biotic stress responses suggests that there are shared signaling pathways among these processes. We further compared the transcriptome changes of the salt-sensitive cultivar, IR28, with that of Nona rice. Many genes that are salt responsive in Nona were found to be differentially regulated in IR28. This study identified a large number of candidate functional genes that appear to be involved in salt tolerance and further examination of these genes may enable the molecular basis of salt tolerance to be elucidated.展开更多
Six human embryonic stem cell lines were established from surplus blastocysts. The cell lines expressed alkaline phosphatase and molecules typical of primate embryonic stem cells, including Oct-4, Nanog, TDGF1, Sox2, ...Six human embryonic stem cell lines were established from surplus blastocysts. The cell lines expressed alkaline phosphatase and molecules typical of primate embryonic stem cells, including Oct-4, Nanog, TDGF1, Sox2, EBAF, Thy-1, FGF4, Rex-1, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. Five of the six lines formed embryoid bodies that expressed markers of a variety of cell types; four of them formed teratomas with tissue types representative of all three embryonic germ layers. These human embryonic stem cells are capable of producing clones of undifferentiated morphology, and one of them was propagated to become a subline. Human embryonic stem cell lines from the Chinese population should facilitate stem cell research and may be valuable in studies of population genetics and ecology.展开更多
The Sixth International Conference on the Epididymis （Epididymis VI：Networks in the Epididymis, Basic and Clinical Research） was held between October 31 and November 3 2014 in Shanghai, China.
A key question in the secondary growth of trees is how differentiation of the vascular cambium cells is directed to concurrently form two different tissues： xylem or phloem, class III homeodomain-leucine zipper （HD-...A key question in the secondary growth of trees is how differentiation of the vascular cambium cells is directed to concurrently form two different tissues： xylem or phloem, class III homeodomain-leucine zipper （HD-Zip III） genes are known to play critical roles in the initiation, patterning, and differentiation of the vascular system in the process of primary and secondary growth. However, the mechanism of how these genes control secondary vascular dif- ferentiation is unknown. Here, we show that a Populus class III HD-Zip gene, PtrHB7, was preferentially expressed in cambial zone. PtrHB7-suppressed plants displayed significant changes in vascular tissues with a reduction in xylem but increase in phloem. Transcriptional analysis revealed that genes regulating xylem differentiation were down-regulated, whereas genes regulating phloem differentiation were up-regulated. Correspondingly, PtrHB7 overexpression enhanced differentiation of cambial cells toward xylem cells but inhibited phloem differentiation. PtrHB7 regulation on cambial cell differentiation was associated with its transcript abundance. Together, the results demonstrated that PtrHB7 plays a critical role in controlling a balanced differentiation between secondary xylem and phloem tissues in the process of Populus secondary growth in a dosage-dependent manner.展开更多
Background Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion （MIS-TLIF） has been successfully used to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. There are few reports comparing the complications and cl...Background Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion （MIS-TLIF） has been successfully used to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. There are few reports comparing the complications and clinical outcomes in older patients who have undergone one- or two-level MIS-TLIF with those of younger patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of MIS-TLIF in the treatment of degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine of the patients older than 65 years, with an emphasis on perioperative complications compared to the younger patients. Methods One hundred and fifty-one consecutive cases of one- or two-level degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine treated with MIS-TLIF were reviewed for the radiological and clinical outcomes. They were divided into elderly group （age 〉65 years old） and younger group （age 〈65 years old）, and were followed for at least 6 months. Radiographs were obtained before and after surgery, 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up to determine the presence of fusion, hardware-related problems. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index （ODI） before and after surgery, and at the final follow-up. The visual analogue scale （VAS） score of back and leg pain were evaluated as well. The intra-operative data and peri-operative complications were recorded. Results The mean age of these patients at operation was （57.7±14.2） years （range 26-82 years）. Of 151 patients, 62 were 65 years or older. The elderly patients had more comorbidities and more porportion of lumbar canal stenosis. The overall fusion rate was 88.4% at the final follow-up, with no significant difference between younger and elderly patients. The ODI, the VAS of back pain and radicular pain of both young and elderly group were significantly improved after surgery and at the final follow-up, without significant difference between two groups. There were 16 complications with an incidence of 10.6%, including 7 major complications and 9 minor complications. There was no significant difference of the incidence of complications between two groups. The incidence of dura tear was significantly related to bilateral deompression. Conclusions The clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-TLIF in the treatment of one- or two-level degenerative disc diseases of lumbar spine in the elderly patients were satisfactory. Though there are more pre-operative comorbidities, with proper patient selection, the elderly patients are not at increased risk of perioperative complications compared to younger patients. Screw malposition and dura tear, which are the most frequent complications, were more related to the surgical technique and should be avoided.展开更多
The first stage of visual processing occurs in the retina, the function of which is to process the raw information obtained from the outside world. In the present study, the electrical activities of a group of retinal...The first stage of visual processing occurs in the retina, the function of which is to process the raw information obtained from the outside world. In the present study, the electrical activities of a group of retinal ganglion cells were recorded from a small functioning piece of retina, using multi-electrode array (MEA), and the action potentials were detected by applying nonlinear algorithm. By analyzing the ensemble retinal ganglion output characteristics, it is revealed that both firing rates and correlated activity between adjacent neurons in the retina contribute to visual information encoding.展开更多
Conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMPs）, such as chitin, are perceived by pattem recognition receptors （PRRs） located at the host cell surface and trigger rapid activation of mitogen- activated pr...Conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMPs）, such as chitin, are perceived by pattem recognition receptors （PRRs） located at the host cell surface and trigger rapid activation of mitogen- activated protein kinase （MAPK） cascades, which are required for plant resistance to pathogens. However, the direct links from PAMP perception to MAPK activation in plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that the PRR-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase Oryza sativa RLCK185 transmits immune signaling from the PAMP receptor OsCERK1 to an MAPK signaling cascade through interaction with an MAPK kinase kinase, OsMAPKKKε, which is the initial kinase of the MAPK cascade. OsRLCK185 interacts with and phosphorylates the C-terminal regulatory domain of OsMAPKKKε. Coexpression of phosphomi- metic OsR LCK185 and OsMAPKKKε activates MAPK3/6 phosphorylation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Moreover, OsMAPKKKε interacts with and phosphorylates OsMKK4, a key MAPK kinase that transduces the chitin signal. Overexpression of OsMAPKKKε increases chitin-induced MAPK3/6 activation, whereas OsMAPKKKε knockdown compromises chitin-induced MAPK3/6 activation and resistance to rice blast fungus. Taken together, our results suggest the existence of a phospho-signaling pathway from cell surface chitin perception to intraceilular activation of an MAPK cascade in rice.展开更多
The nervous system is one of the most compli- cated parts of animals involved in either the process of development or the regulation of their behaviors. Owing to the advances of technologies, neuroscience has become a...The nervous system is one of the most compli- cated parts of animals involved in either the process of development or the regulation of their behaviors. Owing to the advances of technologies, neuroscience has become a frontier of life science that uncovers many secrets of the nervous system. In this issue, four research papers provide new insights into neurobiology involving development, physiological functions, and neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Neuroscience is one of the most advanced areas in life science. The progresses reported in this issue might provide new clues for further understanding the complexity of the neural system, in both health and disease, ...Neuroscience is one of the most advanced areas in life science. The progresses reported in this issue might provide new clues for further understanding the complexity of the neural system, in both health and disease, as well as discovering new therapeutic targets for neural-related disorders.展开更多
Metabolic homeostasis is required for normal functions of multicellular organisms, which relies on complicated interactions among components at molecular and cellular levels. Gene mutations or pathological alterations...Metabolic homeostasis is required for normal functions of multicellular organisms, which relies on complicated interactions among components at molecular and cellular levels. Gene mutations or pathological alterations often disrupt metabolic homeostasis of the body. Papers in this collection implicate new ways to regulate or disregulate such metabolic homeostasis.展开更多
The innate immune system is critical for the early detection of invadingpathogens and dangers. In the last tew years, key cellular sensors responsible for sensing pathogen-derived RNA and triggering innate immune sig...The innate immune system is critical for the early detection of invadingpathogens and dangers. In the last tew years, key cellular sensors responsible for sensing pathogen-derived RNA and triggering innate immune signaling been discovered. However, it is less have clear how the cell triggers innate immune sig- naling in response to cytoplasmic DNA species originating from human patho- genic microbes.展开更多
文摘Thichosanthin(Tk), a polypeptide with 249 amino acid residues isolated and purified from a Chinese medicinal herb, showed the capability of inducing abortion and was able to inhibit tumor growth and HIV replication. Owing to sequence homology of the peptide with a ribosomeinactivating protein, the downward activity of Tk was suggested to be related to its cytotoxic property. We report here, however, that Tk could exert potent inhibitory effects on human lymphoproliferative responses in vitro to allogeneic, mitogenic and soluble antigens with 50% inhibition doses ranged between 0.05 and 0.5 μg/ml. The lowresponsiveness caused by Tk was not due to toxic cytolysis. Rather, evidences suggested that, in the dose range adopted, the Tk-induced inhibition was attributable, at least in part, to immune suppression, in view of (1) Tk was more effective in the early stage of alloreactivity; (2)Suppression also occurred if responder cells were pulsetreated with Tk rather than cocultured; (3) Irradiated Tk-pulsed cells were capable of inducing suppression in a Tk-free culture; (4) Suppression could also be transferred by the supernatants of Tk-pulsed cultured cells; (5) Tkinduced immune suppression was diminished by depletion of CD8+ cells from the culture, and, finally; (6) Adding CD8+ cells back to the culture could restore the suppres Trichosanthin-induced humall immune suppression sion. Thus the possibility that Tk might function as a down-regulator by immunological mechanisms in human immune responses is discussed.
文摘A 100 kV triode-electron-gun has been designed and manufactured for the Linac of Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). In this paper the performance of the gun and some key components are described.
文摘Objective Glutathione S-transferases are involved in the conjugation of xenobiotics. To explore whether GSTs polymorphisms are involved in the development of occupational or non-occupational bladder cancer, polymorphism frequencies of GSTT1, M1 and P1 were investigated in a normal population, which had been settled in a rural area in Shanghai suburb for at least 5 generations as well as in a group of patients with benzidine exposure related occupational bladder cancer in Shanghai dyestuff industry and a group of patients with non-occupational bladder cancer. Methods PCR based procedures were performed in the study populations to confirm the genotypes of GSTT1, M1 and P1. Results The polymorphisms at locus of GSTP1- A1578G in the normal population differed significantly from those in Caucasians or African Americans. All the subjects genotyped so far (n =118) bore only homogenous wild genotype (C2293/ C2293) at GSTP1 - C2293T locus. This locus seemed to be a monomorphic in Shanghai population. No significant difference in GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphic form frequencies could be confirmed among three groups of subjects. An overrepresentation of GSTP1 AG or GG genotype corresponding a less stable and less effective isozyme protein was detected in patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, compared with that in the normal population though a statistical significance was not yet reached (P=0.09, OR=1.96, 95% CI 0.89-4.32,). Conclusion This study suggests that GSTM1 or GSTT1 homozygous deficiency genotypes and their combination do not have a clear impact on bladder cancer incidence in a Shanghai population. It seems that GSTP1 polymorphism is not associated with non-occupational bladder cancer. GSTP1 AG or GG genotype has a higher frequency in the patients with benzidine related occupational bladder cancer, and further work is needed to confirm if GSTP1 AG or GG genotype plays a role in the development of occupational bladder cancer.
基金the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(JY03-A-10,2002AA2Z1003 , 2003CB114303) Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipality(03DJ14016).
文摘We used cDNA microarrays containing ～9,000 unigenes to identify 486 salt responsive expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (representing ～450 unigenes) in shoots of the highly salt-tolerant rice variety, Nona Bokra (Oryza sativa L. Ssp.Indica pv. Nona). Some of the genes identified in this study had previously been associated with salt stress. Howeverthe majority were novel, indicating that there is a great number of genes that are induced by salt exposure. Analysis of the salt stress expression profile data of Nona provided clues regarding some putative cellular and molecular processes that are undertaken by this tolerant rice variety in response to salt stress. Namely, we found that multiple transcription factors were induced during the initial salt response of shoots. Many genes whose encoded proteins are implicated in detoxification, protectant and transport were rapidly induced. Genes supporting photosynthesis were repressed and those supporting carbohydrate metabolism were altered. Commonality among the genes induced by salt exposure with those induced during senescence and biotic stress responses suggests that there are shared signaling pathways among these processes. We further compared the transcriptome changes of the salt-sensitive cultivar, IR28, with that of Nona rice. Many genes that are salt responsive in Nona were found to be differentially regulated in IR28. This study identified a large number of candidate functional genes that appear to be involved in salt tolerance and further examination of these genes may enable the molecular basis of salt tolerance to be elucidated.
基金This work was supported by grants from National Ba-sic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No:001CB509903,001CB509904)Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China(973 Program)(No:2001A A216121.2004AA205010)+3 种基金National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(No:30040003)Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipality(No:99DJ 14002,00DJI 4033,0IDJ 14003.03DJ 14017)Chinese Academy of Science(No:KSCX-2-3-08)Shanghai Municipal Edu-cation Commission and Shanghai Second Medical University.
文摘Six human embryonic stem cell lines were established from surplus blastocysts. The cell lines expressed alkaline phosphatase and molecules typical of primate embryonic stem cells, including Oct-4, Nanog, TDGF1, Sox2, EBAF, Thy-1, FGF4, Rex-1, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. Five of the six lines formed embryoid bodies that expressed markers of a variety of cell types; four of them formed teratomas with tissue types representative of all three embryonic germ layers. These human embryonic stem cells are capable of producing clones of undifferentiated morphology, and one of them was propagated to become a subline. Human embryonic stem cell lines from the Chinese population should facilitate stem cell research and may be valuable in studies of population genetics and ecology.
文摘The Sixth International Conference on the Epididymis （Epididymis VI：Networks in the Epididymis, Basic and Clinical Research） was held between October 31 and November 3 2014 in Shanghai, China.
基金This research was supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China，the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31130012) to L..L.,and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30972329) to X.W
文摘A key question in the secondary growth of trees is how differentiation of the vascular cambium cells is directed to concurrently form two different tissues： xylem or phloem, class III homeodomain-leucine zipper （HD-Zip III） genes are known to play critical roles in the initiation, patterning, and differentiation of the vascular system in the process of primary and secondary growth. However, the mechanism of how these genes control secondary vascular dif- ferentiation is unknown. Here, we show that a Populus class III HD-Zip gene, PtrHB7, was preferentially expressed in cambial zone. PtrHB7-suppressed plants displayed significant changes in vascular tissues with a reduction in xylem but increase in phloem. Transcriptional analysis revealed that genes regulating xylem differentiation were down-regulated, whereas genes regulating phloem differentiation were up-regulated. Correspondingly, PtrHB7 overexpression enhanced differentiation of cambial cells toward xylem cells but inhibited phloem differentiation. PtrHB7 regulation on cambial cell differentiation was associated with its transcript abundance. Together, the results demonstrated that PtrHB7 plays a critical role in controlling a balanced differentiation between secondary xylem and phloem tissues in the process of Populus secondary growth in a dosage-dependent manner.
文摘Background Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion （MIS-TLIF） has been successfully used to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. There are few reports comparing the complications and clinical outcomes in older patients who have undergone one- or two-level MIS-TLIF with those of younger patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of MIS-TLIF in the treatment of degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine of the patients older than 65 years, with an emphasis on perioperative complications compared to the younger patients. Methods One hundred and fifty-one consecutive cases of one- or two-level degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine treated with MIS-TLIF were reviewed for the radiological and clinical outcomes. They were divided into elderly group （age 〉65 years old） and younger group （age 〈65 years old）, and were followed for at least 6 months. Radiographs were obtained before and after surgery, 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up to determine the presence of fusion, hardware-related problems. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index （ODI） before and after surgery, and at the final follow-up. The visual analogue scale （VAS） score of back and leg pain were evaluated as well. The intra-operative data and peri-operative complications were recorded. Results The mean age of these patients at operation was （57.7±14.2） years （range 26-82 years）. Of 151 patients, 62 were 65 years or older. The elderly patients had more comorbidities and more porportion of lumbar canal stenosis. The overall fusion rate was 88.4% at the final follow-up, with no significant difference between younger and elderly patients. The ODI, the VAS of back pain and radicular pain of both young and elderly group were significantly improved after surgery and at the final follow-up, without significant difference between two groups. There were 16 complications with an incidence of 10.6%, including 7 major complications and 9 minor complications. There was no significant difference of the incidence of complications between two groups. The incidence of dura tear was significantly related to bilateral deompression. Conclusions The clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-TLIF in the treatment of one- or two-level degenerative disc diseases of lumbar spine in the elderly patients were satisfactory. Though there are more pre-operative comorbidities, with proper patient selection, the elderly patients are not at increased risk of perioperative complications compared to younger patients. Screw malposition and dura tear, which are the most frequent complications, were more related to the surgical technique and should be avoided.
基金supported by the grants from Shanghai Science and Technology Development Funding(012A14073,02JC14008)the National Basic Research Program of China(G1999054000).
文摘The first stage of visual processing occurs in the retina, the function of which is to process the raw information obtained from the outside world. In the present study, the electrical activities of a group of retinal ganglion cells were recorded from a small functioning piece of retina, using multi-electrode array (MEA), and the action potentials were detected by applying nonlinear algorithm. By analyzing the ensemble retinal ganglion output characteristics, it is revealed that both firing rates and correlated activity between adjacent neurons in the retina contribute to visual information encoding.
文摘Conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns （PAMPs）, such as chitin, are perceived by pattem recognition receptors （PRRs） located at the host cell surface and trigger rapid activation of mitogen- activated protein kinase （MAPK） cascades, which are required for plant resistance to pathogens. However, the direct links from PAMP perception to MAPK activation in plants remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that the PRR-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase Oryza sativa RLCK185 transmits immune signaling from the PAMP receptor OsCERK1 to an MAPK signaling cascade through interaction with an MAPK kinase kinase, OsMAPKKKε, which is the initial kinase of the MAPK cascade. OsRLCK185 interacts with and phosphorylates the C-terminal regulatory domain of OsMAPKKKε. Coexpression of phosphomi- metic OsR LCK185 and OsMAPKKKε activates MAPK3/6 phosphorylation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Moreover, OsMAPKKKε interacts with and phosphorylates OsMKK4, a key MAPK kinase that transduces the chitin signal. Overexpression of OsMAPKKKε increases chitin-induced MAPK3/6 activation, whereas OsMAPKKKε knockdown compromises chitin-induced MAPK3/6 activation and resistance to rice blast fungus. Taken together, our results suggest the existence of a phospho-signaling pathway from cell surface chitin perception to intraceilular activation of an MAPK cascade in rice.
文摘The nervous system is one of the most compli- cated parts of animals involved in either the process of development or the regulation of their behaviors. Owing to the advances of technologies, neuroscience has become a frontier of life science that uncovers many secrets of the nervous system. In this issue, four research papers provide new insights into neurobiology involving development, physiological functions, and neurodegenerative diseases.
文摘Neuroscience is one of the most advanced areas in life science. The progresses reported in this issue might provide new clues for further understanding the complexity of the neural system, in both health and disease, as well as discovering new therapeutic targets for neural-related disorders.
文摘Metabolic homeostasis is required for normal functions of multicellular organisms, which relies on complicated interactions among components at molecular and cellular levels. Gene mutations or pathological alterations often disrupt metabolic homeostasis of the body. Papers in this collection implicate new ways to regulate or disregulate such metabolic homeostasis.
文摘The innate immune system is critical for the early detection of invadingpathogens and dangers. In the last tew years, key cellular sensors responsible for sensing pathogen-derived RNA and triggering innate immune signaling been discovered. However, it is less have clear how the cell triggers innate immune sig- naling in response to cytoplasmic DNA species originating from human patho- genic microbes.
