Silencing FKBP38 gene by siRNA induces activation of mTOR signaling in goat fetal fibroblasts

FKBP38 (also known as FKBP8) is a unique member of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family, and its role is controversial because it acts as an upstream regulator of the mTOR signaling pathway, which controls cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. This study aimed to explore the role of FKBP38 in the activation of mTOR signaling in Cashmere goat (Capra hircus) fetal fibroblasts. To construct a Cashmere goat FKBP38 siRNA eukaryotic expression vector that targets FKBP38 mRNA, we designed shRNA based on the gene sequence deposited in GenBank (accession No. JF714970) and synthesized a DNA fragment encoding the shRNA. The DNA fragment was inserted into the pRNAT-U6.1/Neo vector to construct an expression vector of shRNA, which was labeled pRNAT-FKBP38-shRNA. The recombinant plasmid was used to transfect Cashmere goat fetal fibroblasts (GFb) using lipofectamine™2000. We found that cells were successfully transfected with pRNAT-U6.1/Neo-FKBP38-shRNA. Green fluorescence could be observed in cells following 48-h transfection. Proteins were then isolated from GFbs transfected with pRNAT-FKBP38-shRNA and from control cells, and protein expression was analyzed by western blot. Expression of FKBP38 decreased and mTOR signaling was activated, which induced the phosphorylation of mTOR, S6, and 4EBP1. Thus, FKBP38 gene-silencing activates mTOR signaling in goat cells.

[Comprehensive yield and quality comparison of Bupleurum chinense' s seeds of different harvesting time from Qingchuan County with Topsis approach]

In order to investigate the comprehensive quality differences of the seeds harvested in different growing time, and offer theoretical guide for the optimization of seeds' production technology, we analyzed the apparent size, 1 000-grain weight, water absorbency, germination indexes, postharvest embryo rate change, relatively contents of coumarins and the yield of single plant of its seeds of different harvesting time, and compared their comprehensive quality by Topsis analysis. The results showed that there existed obvious differences in yield and quality between seeds of 3 harvesting times. While the harvesting time postponed, the yield of single plant raised, and the shrunken seeds rate decreased, the quality of seedlings increased, while the contents of coumarins showed a steady increase, and the germination rate decreased. The comprehensive quality of the seeds harvested in the black ripe time rank the first place, followed by the brown ripe time and the yellow ripe time. As the harvesting time delays, the seeds' comprehensive quality increases, therefore, we could put off the seeds' harvesting time properly for the high efficient seed production.

Traditional Use, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Quality Control of Species in Genus Bupleurum L

Many species of genus Bupleurum L. have been pharmaceutically used mainly in Asia and Europe for thousand years. Their roots are the most popular ingredients in Chinese materia medica prescriptions for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases. A plenty of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from the species in Bupleurum L., such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, volatile oils, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, lignins, and coumarins, most of which possess a variety of biological activities, especially for the hepatoprotective effect, antitumor activity, immunoregulation, and febrifuge efficacy. Therefore, the species in genus Bupleurum L. could be potential herbs of immunomodulator, antineoplastic, anti-oxidant, etc. Meanwhile, as potential toxicities have been discovered in some constituents, it is urgent to establish a comprehensive quality evaluation system to ensure the safety and efficiency of herbs. This paper reviews on the phytochemical and pharmacological studies, especially for the toxicology and quality control of the species in Bupleurum L., which is a reference for the species in this genus for safe usage and further development.

First Report of Subanguina moxae Infecting Mugwort in Yunnan, China

Mugwort is a perennial in the Compositae family distributed throughout Asia and Europe. The leaves are reported to have various pharmaceutical properties, e.g., antibacterial, antiviral, antitussive, and hemostatic properties, and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. In August 2011, a field of mugwort in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, exhibited more than 90% incidence of whitish and rounded galls on the leaves. There were approximately 10 galls on each leaf, impacting the quality of the leaves for medicinal use. Parasitic nematodes were found upon dissection of the galls, then eggs, second-stage juveniles (J2), and mature males and females were observed. Through the morphologic observation of juveniles and female and male adults, the parasitic nematode was identified as Subanguina moxae (Yokoo and Choi, 1968) Brzeski, 1981 (3). Key morphological features are as follows: eggs (n = 20) measured 54.0 to 71.4 × 24.1 to 30.0 μm; J2 (n = 20) had the following characteristics: body length 689.3 to 873.2 μm (x = 775.5 μm); stylet length 8.2 to 9.8 μm (x = 8.8 μm); tail length 49.5 to 74.5 μm (x = 60.1 μm); a (total body length/maximum body width) ranged from 28.6 to 38.6 μm (x = 34.1 μm); and c (total body length/the length of the tail) ranged from 11.2 to 16.0 μm (x = 13.0 μm). Females (n = 20) had the following characteristics: body length 1,252.8 to 1,665.2 μm (x = 1,475.7 μm); stylet length 7.2 to 9.2 μm (x = 8.2 μm); V of 88.0 to 92.3 μm (x = 89.6 μm); a ranged from 17.6 to 24.5 μm (x = 21.3 μm); and c ranged from 20.2 to 28.9 μm (x = 22.8 μm). Males (n = 20) had the following characteristics: body length 994.2 to 1,453.6 μm (x = 1,253.2 μm); stylet length 7.5 to 9.9 μm (x= 9.1 μm); tail length 69.2 to 88.1 μm (x = 78.0 μm); spicule length 22.2 to 33.4 μm (x = 29.4 μm); gubernaculum length 10.4 to 14.2 μm (x = 12.2 μm); a ranged from 23.1 to 37.2 μm (x = 29.9 μm); and c ranged from 13.9 to 18.7 μm (x = 16.1 μm). Amplification of the rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D2/D3 (1) fragments of the 28S RNA with universal primers rDNA1/rDNA2 and D2A/D3B yielded PCR fragments of 934 bp and 754 bp, respectively. The ITS sequence (JN865234) and D2D3 sequence (JN885540) were submitted to GenBank. The ITS sequence (JN865234) exhibited 99.4% similarity with Mesoanguina moxae (AF396314) (synonym of S. moxae) (4). S. moxae has been identified from the common mugwort in Japan (2) and in China, was reported to infect wheat in Guizhou Province, but to our knowledge, this is the first report of this nematode affecting mugwort in Yunnan, China. References: (1) S. Amiri et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 108:497, 2002. (2) K. Daigo et al. Bull. School Agric. Meiji University. 56:237, 2007. (3) M. R. Siddiqi. Tylenchida: Parasites of Plants and Insects. CABI Publishing, New York, 2000. (4) S. A. Subbotin et al. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 30:226, 2004.