Zhonghai Chen

cDNA cloning and characterization of a mannose-binding lectin from Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) rhizomes

Using RNA extracted fromZingiber officinale rhizomes and primers designed according to the conservative regions of monocot mannose-binding lectins, the full-length cDNA ofZ. officinale agglutinin (ZOA) was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA ofzoa was 746 bp and contained a 510 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a lectin precursor of 169 amino acids with a signal peptide. ZOA was a mannose-binding lectin with three typical mannose-binding sites (QDNY). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed thatzoa expressed in all the tested tissues ofZ. officinale including leaf, root and rhizome, suggesting it to be a constitutively expressing form. ZOA protein was successfully expressed inEscherichia coli with the molecular weight expected. To our knowledge, this is the first mannose-binding lectin cDNA cloned from the family Zingiberaceae. Our results demonstrate that monocot mannose-binding lectins also occur within the family Zingiberaceae

A novel ABA-dependent dehydrin ERD10 gene from Brassica napus.

A new dehydrin ERD10 gene was cloned and characterized from Brassica napus (designated as Bndhn ERD10). The full-length cDNA of Bndhn ERD10 was 1114 bp and contained an open reading frame of 816 bp encoding a protein of 271 amino acid residues. The deduced Bndhn ERD10 protein contained an 8-serine residue domain and two conserved repeats of the characterized lysine-rich-K-segment (KIKEKLPG). Analysis of full-length cDNA and genomic DNA indicated that there were no introns in Bndhn ERD10 gene. The promoter of Bndhn ERD10 was further obtained by genomic walking technology, and analysis of the promoter indicated that the regulation of Bndhn ERD10 was ABA-dependent. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR of different tissues in unstressed B. napus plants indicated that the transcript of Bndhn ERD10 was more abundant in leaf than in stem and root. The expression profiles of Bndhn ERD10 in B. napus seedlings under various stress conditions including cold, salt and ABA were also investigated. Upon cold, salt and ABA stresses, increased transcript accumulations of the Bndhn ERD10 mRNAs were detected in young leaves 8 h after treatment.

Molecular cloning of BPL1, a pectate lyase-like gene in Brassica napus

Pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) is an enzyme involved in the maceration and soft rotting of plant tissue via degradation of cell wall in organisms. Plants as well as bacteria and fungi are capable of producing pectate lyases. Here we report the cloning of a novel full-length cDNA of pectate lyase gene, designated BPL1, from Brassica napus by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. BPL1 cDNA is 1787 bp containing a 1503 bp ORF encoding a 500 amino acid protein precursor. The protein precursor has a potential signal peptide with 22 amino acids. Alignment of sequences shows that there are some extremely conserved amino acids among pectate lyase-like proteins from different plant species, and novel C-terminal domains are found in Arabidopsis and Brassica. Phylogenetic analysis of 50 pectate lyase-like proteins from various species demonstrates the obvious distinction among pectate lyase-like proteins from plants, bacteria and fungi, which are subsequently clustered into three groups. The cloning of BPL1 enables us to explore its diverse roles in higher plants and potential application in crop improvement.

The development of biotechnology education in China

From the middle of the 20th century, Chinese scientists have been actively involved in biotechnology. However, biotechnology education in China is a relatively recent phenomenon. This subject has not been addressed at the undergraduate level in a serious way until recently. In the last decade, biotechnology education developed rapidly and reached a new level in Chinese universities. The Chinese scientific establishment is very much aware of the importance of biotechnology and has identified this subject as one of the priority areas. Some universities are taking positive steps toward enhancing biotechnology education. This article focuses on the emergence, as well as the problems and prospects, of biotechnology education in China.