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[交流] Nature Contents 14 September 2006 (Vol. 443 pp124-244 )

[自然要览]

(选自英国Nature杂志,2006年9月14日出版)


封面故事:太阳发光度的变化
Variations in solar luminosity and their effect on the Earth's climate
太阳能量输出(或发光度)的微小变化因其对气候变化的意义而引起人们的注意
和争论。这种变化源自11年的太阳黑子周期中日面的暗结构(黑子)和亮结构(光
斑)。1978年以来,科学家可以用卫星对这些结构进行准确追踪,并且发现它们
的变化为0.07%。Foukal等人对我们在了解太阳发光度变化及其对地球上能量平
衡的影响方面所取得的最新进展进行了评述,他们得出结论认为,自17世纪以来
的太阳变亮不大可能对气候变化产生明显影响。与太阳紫外线和磁化等离子体输
出相关的更具猜测性的气候变化尚不能排除,但由于涉及到复杂的相互作用因而
也难以量化。本期封面所示为造成发光度变化的结构。(图片提供:Dan
Kiselman/ Mats L?fdahl,瑞典1-米太阳望远镜2003年6月拍摄)(Review
Article p. 161)


人类为什么与众不同?(The human factor)
An RNA gene expressed during cortical development evolved rapidly in
humans
什么使得人类与众不同? 关于这个问题的一种比较遗传学方法揭示了一个候选
基因,它在使人类之所以为人类方面起着部分作用。有趣的是,该基因在
neocortex的胚胎发育过程中表达,而neocortex是大脑很多最复杂过程所发生的
地点。该基因是在对直到黑猩猩/人类在进化过程中分道扬镳以前基本保持不
变、但此后在人类中加速演化的非编码基因组区域所进行的一次搜寻中发现的。
作为人类这个分支中演化速度最快的基因组区域之一的一个区域,相应于一个以
前没有被研究过的RNA基因,名叫HAR1。基因表达研究表明,该基因在妊娠的关
键阶段活跃于被称为Cajal-Retzius的神经元中,而这个时候neocortex的很多神
经细胞正在大脑内确定自己的功能。(Article p. 167; News and Views)


两种多药物排出输送分子的晶体结构(Multiple choice)
Crystal structures of a multidrug transporter reveal a functionally
rotating mechanism / Structure of a bacterial multidrug ABC
transporter
多药物排出输送分子在癌症化疗中和在细菌感染的治疗中会引起严重问题。它们
的生物学中一个令人困惑的问题是,一个单一的输送分子何以能够识别和输送范
围如此广泛的、结构又不相同的化合物? 两种很不相同的多药物排出输送分子
的晶体结构的发表,帮助解开了这个谜团。在第一项研究中,AcrB(一种来自大
肠杆菌的多药物排出输送分子)的结构被确定出来。组成它的三个亚单元是在输
送周期中的不同阶段被捕捉到的:基质结合之前、基质结合阶段和排出之后。庞
大的多药物结合包通过多点结合处理多种基质。在另一项研究中,来自金黄色葡
萄球菌(S.aureus)的一种由ATP驱动的多药物排出输送分子的结构被确定出来。
这一“ABC”家族的输送分子的临床意义在于这样一个事实:它们催化在癌症治
疗中所用的各种不同细胞毒性化合物的排出。该结构(在其中输送分子处于面向
外的构型)是人类同类结构的一个有用模型,也许可以启发研究人员去合理设计
以干涉在化疗中所用药物的排出为目标的药物。(Articles pp. 173, 180;
News and Views)


最遥远、最古老的星系(Galaxy formation: so little time)
A galaxy at a redshift z = 6.96  / Rapid evolution of the most
luminous galaxies during the first 900 million years
本期Nature上186页所描述的星系在目前来说也许是最遥远、从而也是已知最古
老的星系。在红移值为z~6的地方发现了大量星系样本,但在更早时候所做的探
测往往是不确定的和不可靠的。不过这一“新的”古老星系有一个z=6.96的光谱
红移值,相应于“大爆炸”之后仅7.50亿年。它的光谱上一个Lyman-a发射线表
明,当宇宙只有其现在年龄约6%的时候,活跃的恒星形成过程正在进行当中。这
个星系是在利用安装在Mauna Kea山顶峰上的 Subaru Suprime-Cam望远镜进行一
次搜索过程中发现的。从宇宙中的星系作为一个整体来看,同样的搜索工作在红
移为z ≈7的地方发现了若干星系,它们只有红移为z=6.6处星系密度的18-36%。
利用“哈勃太空望远镜”在红移为z~7-8处进行的另一次搜索星系的工作,只在
z~7-8处发现了一个候选星系,而如果说在z~7 和 z~6之间的星系群中没有发生
变化的话,在z~7-8处是本应发现10个星系的。对这一结果的最简单的解释是,
宇宙只是太年轻,无法在z~7-8处通过小星系的分级合并而形成很多明亮的星
系。(Letters pp. 186, 189; News and Views)


“磁畴壁”技术又现生机(Back to the bubble)
Oscillatory dependence of current-driven magnetic domain wall motion
on current pulse length
几十年前,计算机使用被称为“磁泡记忆体”的装置,在这种装置中,信息被存
储在“磁畴壁”(domain wall)(磁化方向从一个方向改变为另一个方向的一
个区域)中。“磁畴壁”是由磁场来移动的,但由于这种本来很有吸引力的技术
在可靠性和缩放性方面存在问题,它后来就失宠了。今天,一种全新的、用电流
短脉冲来移动“磁畴壁”的新手段,使得纳米尺度的基于“磁畴壁”的装置具有
了可行性。Thomas等人利用这一新体系来在非常短的时间尺度上移动铁磁线中的
“磁畴壁”,办法是施加纳秒长度的脉冲。而且,他们还观察到一种“飞去来
器”效应,即“磁畴壁”被赶出了它们的约束势之外,处在了电流脉冲的相反方
向上。(Letter p. 197)


第五相氧的精确结构(Oxygen: pieces of eight)
Observation of an O8 molecular lattice in the  phase of solid oxygen
氧作为一种气体以及在化学中以一种结合态形式出现对我们都很重要,除此之
外,它的固体形式也有有趣的性质。固体氧有六种晶体相,其中一种,即第五相
尤其具有不寻常的性质。它是暗红色的,在红外波段吸收强烈,失去了在其他相
所具有的磁序,而且在很大的压力范围内是稳定的。此前,第五相氧的精确结构
自其于1979年被发现以来一直不为人们所知。单晶X-射线衍射数据显示,第五相
氧为O8,是束缚在一个分子晶格中的4个O2组成的一个斜方六面体单元。
(Letter p. 201; News and Views)


欧洲今后夏季极端气候的出现将更频繁(Turning up the heat)
Land–atmosphere coupling and climate change in Europe
欧洲很多地方经历了一系列极不寻常的夏天,气候极端干热((2003年)和湿冷
(2002年和2005年)。气候模型预测,这种夏天今后将更频繁出现,但造成这种
变化的机制却不是很清楚。现在,Seneviratne等人利用一个区域气候模型发
现,气温和土壤水分(而不是大气环流的变化)之间的反馈,是所预测的中欧和
东欧夏季气温变化增加的主要原因。该结果突现了陆地-大气相互作用在未来气
候变化中的潜在作用。(Letter p. 205)


p53蛋白两种作用之间的关系(The two sides of p53)
The tumour suppressor Hippo acts with the NDR kinases in dendritic
tiling and maintenance / Tumour biology: Policing of oncogene activity
by p53
p53蛋白是脊椎动物DNA损伤响应和肿瘤抑制的一个重要调控因子。总体上,这两
种作用被认为是有因果关系的:p53通过对肿瘤细胞中的DNA损伤或基因组异常做
出响应以及触发生长抑制或细胞凋亡来抑制肿瘤。现在,Christophoru等人利用
一个能够可逆转换的内生p53小鼠模型,发现病理性的由p53诱导的对辐射的响
应,与由p53调控的对由这种辐射所诱导的肿瘤的抑制无关。相反,此后恢复
p53可避免辐射的病理效应,但能进行更多的肿瘤抑制。这些数据表明,DNA损伤
响应和肿瘤抑制是p53的两个没有联系的活动,每个是由不同的信号诱导的。
(Letter p 210)在另一项实验中,研究人员得出了一个类似的结论。肿瘤抑制
蛋白ARF的缺乏,被发现会消除小鼠中一个额外版本的p53的额外的癌症保护活
性。这个结果又一次说明,致癌信号作用对于触发p53的保护很关键,而由于DNA
损伤所造成的p53的激发对于肿瘤最后发育的影响要小一些。(Brief
Communication p. 159) 在一篇News and Views文章中,Anton Burns分析了这
些发现对于p53活性模型的意义。(News and View)
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ningkeqing

木虫 (正式写手)

----------------------
NEWS AND VIEWS
----------------------
Evolutionary biology: Human brain gene wins genome race The
differences in brain size and function that separate humans from other
mammals must be reflected in our genomes. It seems that the non-coding
'dark matter' of genomes harbours most of these vital changes.
Chris P. Ponting and Gerton Lunter
10.1038/443149a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443149a.html

Crystallography: Solid oxygen takes shape Oxygen crystallizes into a
sequence of structures, starting as an insulator at low pressure and
becoming a superconductor at high pressure. The elusive structure of
an intermediate phase has now been determined.
Burkhard Militzer and Russell J. Hemley
10.1038/443150a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443150a.html

Astronomy: Dawn after the dark age
The latest surveys provide evidence for one, maybe two, galaxies
farther back in cosmic time than ever detected before. But does the
fact that we don't see more mean these are the very first galaxies to
be formed?
Richard McMahon
10.1038/443151a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443151a.html

Cancer biology: Can less be more for p53?
The tumour-suppressor protein p53 is often mutated in cancer. But it
seems that p53 deficiency is not all bad, and inhibiting this protein
might mitigate toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Anton Berns
10.1038/443153a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443153a.html

Quantum physics: Observing and the observed Quantum mechanics states
that the measurement process can fundamentally alter what is being
measured. This 'back-action' has been observed on the macroscopic
scale -- in the vibrations of a tiny mechanical device.
Michael Roukes
10.1038/443154a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443154a.html

50 & 100 years ago
10.1038/443156a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443156a.html

Structural biology: The ins and outs of drug transport Multidrug
transporters provide cells with a defence against toxic chemicals, but
they are also responsible for drug resistance. The structures of two
such transporters reveal novel aspects of their mechanisms.
Shimon Schuldiner
10.1038/443156b
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443156b.html

Entomology: To catch a bee
Helen Dell
10.1038/443155a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443155a.html

Obituary: James A. Van Allen (1914-2006) Magnetospheric and space
physicist, discoverer of the eponymous belts.
Donald A. Gurnett
10.1038/443158a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443158a.html

----------------------
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS
----------------------
Tumour biology: Policing of oncogene activity by p53 Oncogenes, rather
than DNA damage, may provide the key signal to p53 to trigger tumour
suppression.
Alejo Efeyan et al.
10.1038/443159a
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7108/full/443159a.html

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS ARISING
Archaeology: Progress and pitfalls in radiocarbon dating Chris S. M.
Turney, Richard G. Roberts and Zenobia Jacobs
10.1038/nature05214
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05214.html

Archaeology: Progress and pitfalls in radiocarbon dating (Reply) Paul
Mellars
10.1038/nature05215
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05215.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05215.html

----------------------
REVIEW
----------------------
Variations in solar luminosity and their effect on the Earth's climate
P. Foukal, C. Frohlich, H. Spruit and T. M. L. Wigley
10.1038/nature05072
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05072.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05072.html

----------------------
ARTICLES
----------------------
An RNA gene expressed during cortical development evolved rapidly in
humans Katherine S. Pollard et al.
10.1038/nature05113
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05113.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05113.html

Crystal structures of a multidrug transporter reveal a functionally
rotating mechanism Satoshi Murakami et al.
10.1038/nature05076
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05076.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05076.html

Structure of a bacterial multidrug ABC transporter Roger J. P. Dawson
and Kaspar P. Locher
10.1038/nature05155
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05155.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05155.html

----------------------
LETTERS
----------------------
A galaxy at a redshift z = 6.96
Masanori Iye et al.
10.1038/nature05104
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05104.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05104.html

Rapid evolution of the most luminous galaxies during the first 900
million years Rychard J. Bouwens and Garth D. Illingworth
10.1038/nature05156
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05156.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05156.html

Cooling a nanomechanical resonator with quantum back-action A. Naik et
al.
10.1038/nature05027
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05027.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05027.html

Oscillatory dependence of current-driven magnetic domain wall motion
on current pulse length Luc Thomas et al.
10.1038/nature05093
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05093.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05093.html

Observation of an O8 molecular lattice in the ε phase of solid oxygen
Lars F. Lundegaard et al.
10.1038/nature05174
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05174.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05174.html

Land-atmosphere coupling and climate change in Europe Sonia I.
Seneviratne, Daniel Luthi, Michael Litschi and Christoph Schar
10.1038/nature05095
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05095.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05095.html

The tumour suppressor Hippo acts with the NDR kinases in dendritic
tiling and maintenance Kazuo Emoto, Jay Z. Parrish, Lily Yeh Jan and
Yuh-Nung Jan 10.1038/nature05090
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05090.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05090.html

The pathological response to DNA damage does not contribute to
p53-mediated tumour suppression M. A. Christophorou et al.
10.1038/nature05077
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05077.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05077.html

Structure of the insulin receptor ectodomain reveals a folded-over
conformation Neil M. McKern et al.
10.1038/nature05106
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05106.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05106.html

Autophosphorylation at serine 1987 is dispensable for murine Atm
activation in vivo Manuela Pellegrini et al.
10.1038/nature05112
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05112.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05112.html

Molecular identification of the CRAC channel by altered ion
selectivity in a mutant of Orai Andriy V. Yeromin et al.
10.1038/nature05108
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05108.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05108.html

Orai1 is an essential pore subunit of the CRAC channel Murali Prakriya
et al.
10.1038/nature05122
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05122.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05122.html

An intron with a constitutive transport element is retained in a Tap
messenger RNA Ying Li et al.
10.1038/nature05107
Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... bs/nature05107.html
Article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/jou ... ll/nature05107.html
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