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ningkeqing

木虫 (正式写手)

[交流] Nature Contents 9 March 2006 (Vol. 440 pp.127-254)

[自然要览]

(选自英国Nature杂志,2006年3月9日出版)


封面故事:鞭毛对锥体虫的重要性  Flagellar motility is required for the
viability of the bloodstream trypanosome

寻找预防非洲睡眠疾病的疫苗的希望很渺茫,目前用来治疗该疾病的大多数药物都是过
时的药物,并不是特别有效,而且难以用在该疾病所流行的撒哈拉以南非洲地区普遍存
在的那种发病情况。所以,发现有可能成为药物干预目标的一类新分子,对这一领域的
研究工作可能是一大促进。睡眠疾病寄生虫布氏锥体虫(Trypanosoma brucei)是一种
原生动物,长有鞭子一样的鞭毛。现在,RNA干涉(RNAi)基因抑制(knock-down)实
验结果表明,拥有一个能够正常发挥功能的鞭毛,是该寄生虫在血液中生存所必需的。
这说明,这种鞭毛可以成为治疗方法的一个可能的作用点,而蛋白组分析也表明,存在
若干种有可能被作为目标的锥体虫特有的鞭毛蛋白。本期封面上所示为,血液中的锥体
虫的巨型细胞,它们是由长有有缺陷鞭毛的细胞未能正常分裂而形成的。封面美术:
Helen Farr 和 Keith Gull(Letter p. 224; News and Views)


四两拨千斤的分子马达(TAKE IT FOR A SPIN)
Molecular machines: Nanomotor rotates microscale objects
纳米专家最想得到的东西,是一种能移动比自己大很多的“微型”物体的分子马达。这
样的分子马达有点像照片上的这种装置,实际上在Nature网站(www.nature.com)上的
一个QuickTime影片中也可以看到它。这是一种合成的、由光驱动的分子马达,嵌入在
一个液晶膜中,它能转动比自己大1万倍的物体。在转动过程中马达形状的变化会引起
液晶膜及其表面凸起重组,这反过来又会引起膜上亚毫米尺度的颗粒转动。(Brief
Communications p. 163)


这只狗“货真价实”(SNUPPY VERDICT)
Molecular genetics: DNA analysis of a putative dog clone
韩国黄禹锡实验室关于人类克隆问题的造假论文的披露,使人们对2005年8月25日
Nature杂志上的一篇论文也产生了怀疑,这篇论文称,两只非洲猎犬已被克隆出来。对
“Snuppy”(声称被克隆出来的猎犬的名字)所做的一个DNA分析,发表在了本星期
的Nature杂志网站上。该数据与Snuppy作为名为“Tai”的供体狗的遗传克隆体的结论
是一致的。(Brief Communications Arising; Editorial p. 127)


影响土壤碳平衡的因素(Soil carbon: Still in the balance)
Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition and feedbacks to
climate change
由化学过程诱导的、发生在地表以下的土壤、泥炭地和永久冻土中的巨大碳储量的变
化,有可能对气候变化产生重要的正反馈或负反馈。但尽管这方面的研究工作已经做了
很多,关于这个问题仍然没有形成共识:即这种变化所造成的反馈既可以是正的,又可
以是负的。Eric A. Davidson和 Ivan A. Janssens结合目前关于土壤碳动态的认识,
对这一持续的争论做了评述。(Review Article p. 165)


伽马射线暴GRB 050904的观测结果(Gamma-ray bursts: Long ago and far away)
A photometric redshift of z = 6.39  0.12 for GRB 050904
由Swift卫星在去年9月4日探测到的伽马射线暴GRB 050904,是迄今所观测到的最遥远
的天体之一。它的z = 6.3的红移值相当于发生在128亿年前的一次爆炸,当时宇宙年龄
只有8.90亿年。三个研究小组在本期Nature上报告了他们对GRB 050904余辉中的伽马射
线、X-射线、近红外射线和可见光光谱所做的详细观测结果。根据这些结果,天文学家
可以描绘出当这个天体的母天体(很可能是一个巨型恒星)爆炸时的情形。这些结果还
表明,我们今后看到的伽马射线暴,可被宇宙学家用来探寻早期宇宙中恒星和星系形成
的证据,即核合成和再离子化的证据。(Letter pp. 181, 184; Brief Communication
p. 163; News and Views)


将共价碳-碳键断开的简单方法(Carbon bonds: Breaking up is easy to do (Sheiko
MH) Adsorption-induced scission of carbon–carbon bonds
一次偶然的观察,却发现了做某种本来非常困难的事情的一种简单方法。共价碳-碳键
非常牢固,但在一个涉及大分子向一个基质上吸附的简单实验中,研究人员观察到了碳
-碳键的自发断裂和被吸附的大分子的自我解体。这一引人注目的现象,是在当刷子一
样的大分子对自己进行重组、以使与基质的接触点的数量达到最大的时候出现的。键断
裂是在调控被吸附的大分子的二级和三级结构的弱“范德华相互作用力”重新组合、以
使它们在局部的强度超过共价键的强度时发生的。该现象对于以表面为作用目标的精细
的大分子结构的设计具有重要意义。(Letter p. 191; News and Views)


低对流层白天亚硝酸浓度也会升高的原因(Nitrous acid: the day job)
Photosensitized reduction of nitrogen dioxide on humic acid as a source of
nitrous acid
亚硝酸是羟基的一个主要光化学前体,是低层大气中空气污染物降解的一个关键氧化
剂。人们知道,该气体夜间在对流层低处积累,但白天却在几个地点也测出了亚硝酸浓
度升高,这个结果是出乎意料的。现在,研究人员提出,用土壤腐殖酸和二氧化氮之间
由光诱导的反应来解释该现象。所观察到的亚硝酸形成过程的反应速度表明,这一生产
机制可能是低对流层化学体系中的一个重要因素。(Letter p. 195)


生活在海洋极端环境中的细菌(Microbes worth their salt)
Stratified prokaryote network in the oxic–anoxic transition of a deep-sea
halocline
在地中海东部的海水之下,存在地球上能够维持生命的最极端的环境之一。这里,海水
漂浮在一个咸度极大的无氧卤水湖(被称为Bannock basin)上。一次新的勘测显示,
在3.3公里深度处生活着一个引人注目的微生物群落。这个新发现的群落以细菌为主,
而不是以经常在极端环境下占主导地位的古细菌为主,它们所占据的一个小生境是由一
个不到3米厚的水层定义的,位于无氧的卤水和含氧的深层海水之间。在这一层内,专
门在一个狭窄的咸度范围和氧浓度范围内生存的细菌类型生活在一个分层的微生物绿洲
中,靠来自下面卤水的甲烷和来自上面水柱的有机颗粒生存。(Letter p. 203)


青蛙也会装成有毒的样子(Don’t eat me)
Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs
对达尔文自然选择理论的最早的验证之一是防卫性模仿,这种欺骗动作还在继续为我们
提供关于演化生物学中未知领域的线索。很少有青蛙能像毒青蛙那样引人注目,它们的
意图也是如此。它们刺眼的颜色表示自己是有毒的,而“欺骗性”物种则是在没有毒素
作为依托的情况下来模仿警告性着色。在厄瓜多尔的亚马逊热带雨林中所做的一项研
究,获得了令人吃惊的发现:可以食用的青蛙会模仿附近两种有毒青蛙中毒性较小的一
种。为什么要模仿威力不太强的武器呢?研究人员通过学习实验发现了答案:答案在于
回避心理学。毒性极强时,会使捕食者回避与有毒目标稍微有点相像的东西,而毒性不
是特别强时,捕食者的回避会变得有针对性。所以,模仿毒性不是特别强的青蛙,可以
获得100%的保护,它们会被学习区分毒性不同的青蛙的捕食者回避。(Letter p.
208)


控制运动速度的神经细胞(Walking in water)
V1 spinal neurons regulate the speed of vertebrate locomotor outputs
像行走或游泳这样的复杂运动,是由嵌入在脊索中的神经细胞网络产生的。对小鼠所做
的一项新的研究工作,首次发现了这样的一个亚组的神经细胞,它们控制运动的速度。
将遗传和电生理方法独特地结合起来所做的一项研究工作显示,这些细胞何以能够帮助
确定脊索神经细胞的有节奏的活动。研究神经失调问题的科学家,应当对这项工作感兴
趣。有趣的是,服务于这一功能的V1神经细胞,是在游泳和行走的脊椎动物之间保留下
来的。(Letter p. 215; News and Views p. xxx)


Inflammasome和Cryopyrin与先天免疫系统(The first line of defence)
Cryopyrin activates the inflammasome in response to toxins and ATP
Inflammasome是一组复杂的蛋白质,参与先天免疫系统的激发,从演化上来讲是大多数
多细胞动物一个古老的抗菌防卫体系。当被激发时,Inflammasome会启动一系列事件,
导致包括白介素在内的活性分子的生成。本期Nature上三篇论文报告了内生危险信号和
细菌成分的发现,它们激发含有Inflammasome的Cryopyrin(也被称为NALP3)。
Mariathasan等人发现,Cryopyrin响应于细菌毒素和ATP而激发Inflammasome。
Kanneganti等人发现,Cryopyrin是被细菌RNA和被免疫响应修饰因子R837 和 R848激发
的。Martinon等人发现,与痛风有关的尿酸晶体有类似效应。总而言之,这些结果表
明,Cryopyrin在主体抗菌防卫体系中扮演非常重要的角色,可起细胞压力传感器的作
用。另外,这项工作还为了解自免疫失调的机制提供了线索。研究发现,自免疫失调与
先天免疫系统中的异常有关。(Letters pp. 228, 233, 237)


基因表达的演化速度(Express yourself)
Expression profiling in primates reveals a rapid evolution of human
transcription factors
关于人类与猿类染色体之间相似性的文献已经很多,但除了基因序列外,一个基因组在
肌肉和血液中的表达还取决于基因表达模式。现在,利用一个多物种cDNA阵列来将人类
基因表达模式与黑猩猩、猩猩和恒河猴的基因表达模式进行对比,就有可能识别出发生
快速和慢速基因表达演化的不同基因来。一些基因在这些物种所经历的7000万年的演化
过程中一直在以不变的水平表达,其中包括与肝癌有关的基因,这说明,在表达水平不
变的基因中也许能找到其他疾病候选基因。与这些稳定的基因相比,在人类中,在被认
为最有可能导致机体水平上发生分异的基因类别上、即转录因子基因上所发生的积极选
择的数量之多不成比例。(Letter p. 242; News and Views)
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ningkeqing

木虫 (正式写手)

----------------------
NEWS AND VIEWS
----------------------
Cell biology: When the tail wags the dog Flagella are whip-like structures
that power the movement of certain cells. Analysis of a single-cell
parasite, the African trypanosome, reveals that flagella are also essential
for viability in this organism.
Scott M. Landfear
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440153a.html

Astrophysics: Ancient blast comes to light Light from the oldest and
farthest stellar explosion yet seen was emitted when the Universe was a mere
infant. It provides a close-up view of how and when stars formed, and how
they affect the primordial gas around them.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440154a.html

50 & 100 years ago
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440155a.html

Biological chemistry: Catalytic competition for cells Ways of evolving
proteins, and assessing the vast numbers of variants needed to identify
those with novel enzymatic activity, are themselves evolving. Oil droplets
containing basic cell machinery provide a promising approach.
Virginia W. Cornish
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440156a.html

Molecular physics: Recombination cool and fast Molecular physicists and
astrophysicists alike would like to know how fast the H3+ molecular ion
recombines with electrons.
Fast, seems to be the answer - with an awkward consequence for the
astrophysicists.
Benjamin J. McCall
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440157a.html

Neurobiology: How fast can you go?
Rhythmic activities such as walking need tight coordination.
In mice, pace is tweaked by a specific set of spinal-cord neurons that,
surprisingly, make the animals walk faster by inhibiting the underlying
circuit.
Laura N. Borodinsky
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440158a.html

Bioengineering: Diagnosis on disc
Highly complex immunoassays that identify and quantify many different
antigens simultaneously need high-resolution imaging capability. A simple,
low-cost technique could be music to our ears.
Frances S. Ligler and Jeffrey S. Erickson
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440159a.html

Physical Chemistry: Stressed molecules break down Tough carbon-carbon bonds
can snap in certain large molecules just because the two sides of the
molecule cannot agree on which way to go during adsorption. Heresy? The view
through the microscope suggests otherwise.
Steve Granick and Sung Chul Bae
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440160a.html

Comparative genomics: Difference of expression Evolutionary studies tend to
focus on alterations in proteins.
But evolutionary change can often occur through modified gene expression, a
process that is now under investigation with species-specific microarrays.
Rasmus Nielsen
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440161a.html

Obituary: Richard Dalitz (1925-2006)
Particle physicist and creator of the Dalitz plot.
Graham Ross
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440162a.html

----------------------
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS
----------------------
Molecular machines: Nanomotor rotates microscale objects A molecular motor
in a liquid-crystal film uses light to turn items thousands of times larger
than itself.
Rienk Eelkema et al.
Abstract: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/abs/440163a.html
Article: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440163a.html

Gamma-ray bursts: Huge explosion in the early Universe G. Cusumano et al.
Abstract: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/abs/440164a.html
Article: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440164a.html

CORRIGENDUM
Corrigendum
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7081/full/440164b.html

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS ARISING
Molecular genetics: DNA analysis of a putative dog clone Heidi G. Parker,
Leonid Kruglyak and Elaine A. Ostrander
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04685.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04685.html

Molecular genetics: Verification that Snuppy is a clone Seoul National
University Investigation Committee, Jung Bin Lee and Chankyu Park
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04686.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04686.html

----------------------
REVIEW
----------------------
Temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition and feedbacks to
climate change Eric A. Davidson and Ivan A. Janssens
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04514.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04514.html

----------------------
ARTICLE
----------------------
Stochastic spineless expression creates the retinal mosaic for colour vision
Mathias F. Wernet et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04615.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04615.html

----------------------
LETTERS
----------------------
A photometric redshift of z = 6.39 ± 0.12 for GRB 050904 J. B. Haislip et
al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04552.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04552.html

An optical spectrum of the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst at a redshift of z
= 6.295 N. Kawai et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04498.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04498.html

Quasiparticle breakdown in a quantum spin liquid Matthew B. Stone et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04593.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04593.html

Adsorption-induced scission of carbon-carbon bonds Sergei S. Sheiko et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04576.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04576.html

Photosensitized reduction of nitrogen dioxide on humic acid as a source of
nitrous acid Konrad Stemmler et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04603.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04603.html

Cryptic striations in the upper mantle revealed by hafnium isotopes in
southeast Indian ridge basalts D. W. Graham et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04582.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04582.html

Stratified prokaryote network in the oxic-anoxic transition of a deep-sea
halocline Daniele Daffonchio et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04418.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04418.html

Predator learning favours mimicry of a less-toxic model in poison frogs
Catherine R. Darst and Molly E. Cummings
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04297.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04297.html

Global tests of biodiversity concordance and the importance of endemism John
F. Lamoreux et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04291.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04291.html

V1 spinal neurons regulate the speed of vertebrate locomotor outputs Simon
Gosgnach et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04545.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04545.html

ClC-7 requires Ostm1 as a beta-subunit to support bone resorption and
lysosomal function Philipp F. Lange et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04535.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04535.html

Flagellar motility is required for the viability of the bloodstream
trypanosome Richard Broadhead at al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04541.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04541.html

Cryopyrin activates the inflammasome in response to toxins and ATP Sanjeev
Mariathasan et al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04515.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04515.html

Bacterial RNA and small antiviral compounds activate caspase-1 through
cryopyrin/Nalp3
Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti at al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04517.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04517.html

Gout-associated uric acid crystals activate the NALP3 inflammasome Fabio
Martinon at al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04516.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04516.html

Expression profiling in primates reveals a rapid evolution of human
transcription factors Yoav Gilad at al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04559.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04559.html

Nanospring behaviour of ankyrin repeats
Gwangrog Lee at al.
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature04437.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature04437.html
       
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