无尾目动物线粒体基因组结构研究最新进展

脊椎动物线粒体DNA(mtDNA)是一个长度约为15-22kb环形结构.mtDNA呈母系遗传,在大部分的脊椎动物中具有相对保守性.但是在两栖纲无尾目动物中,线粒体基因组的基因排列顺序却存在很大变异,这种基因重排现象可以用TDRL模型来解释.本文综述了今年来在无尾目线粒体基因组结构的研究成果,分析了蛙类mtDNA基因重排多样性,结果发现无尾目动物共有8类不同的线粒体基因排列方式,并初步分析了这些不同基因结构的关系.     

Transcriptomic Analysis of Aflatoxin B1-Regulated Genes in Rat Hepatic Epithelial Cells

Aflatoxins are the most popular hepatotoxicants. Chronic exposure to aflatoxins leads to a wide variety of liver diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we analyzed the genome wide expression profiles of aflatoxin B1-induced rat hepatic epithelial cells. The expression of 325, 184 and 199 special genes was altered when exposed to 0.03, 0.1 and 0.2 μmol/L aflatoxin B1 respectively, and 239 genes were commonly expressed. After the functional analysis on these dose-special genes, we determined several key pathways related to hepatotoxicity, such as TGF-beta signaling pathway, tight junction, adherens junction, the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, Erb B signaling pathway, p53 signaling pathway, pathways in cancer and axon guidance. Common genes were mainly associated with focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and cell adhesion molecules. Gene ontology annotations showed a good concordance with these pathways. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) analysis of selected genes showed similar patterns in microarrays. The toxicogenomic study provides a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of aflatoxins.     

Teaching and Exploring the Social Implications of Twenty-First Century Molecular Biology in a Laboratory-Based General Education Course

At the University of California, Los Angeles The Genome: Blueprint, Controversy, Destiny is an inquiry-based course with a laboratory component, designed for non-science majors. The course explores the many ways in which molecular biology—including the Human Genome Project, genetically modified foods, gene therapy, and forensics—is increasingly permeating society in the 21st century. The laboratory component of the course includes experience in real research—the sequencing of a microbial genome. Students feel, think, and act like scientists while they consider the societal implications of the technology. The course aims to prepare students to be scientifically literate citizens while simultaneously building a major research accomplishment.