Application of virus-induced gene silencing technology to investigate the phytochrome metabolism mechanism: a review / 生物工程学报

Color is an important indicator for evaluating the ornamental traits of horticultural plants, and plant pigments is a key factor affecting the color phenotype of plants. Plant pigments and their metabolites play important roles in color formation of ornamental organs, regulation of plant growth and development, and response to adversity stress. It has therefore became a hot topic in the field of plant research. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a vital genomics tool that specifically reduces host endogenous gene expression utilizing plant homology-dependent defense mechanisms. In addition, VIGS enables characterization of gene function by rapidly inducing the gene-silencing phenotypes in plants. It provides an efficient and feasible alternative for verifying gene function in plant species lacking genetic transformation systems. This paper reviews the current status of the application of VIGS technology in the biosynthesis, degradation and regulatory mechanisms of plant pigments. Moreover, this review discusses the potential and future prospects of VIGS technology in exploring the regulatory mechanisms of plant pigments, with the aim to further our understandings of the metabolic processes and regulatory mechanisms of different plant pigments as well as improving plant color traits.

Effects of simvastatin and amlodipine on heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide system in atherosclerosis model of rabbit / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the change rule and correlation of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/carbon monoxide(CO)and the influence of simvastatin and amlodipine in athemsclemtic progress.Methods The rabbits received 1％cholesterol diet(n=24)for eight weeks.After eight weeks,rabbits were fed with normal diet for eight weeks.The rabbits in model group(n=8)were administrated with cholesterol diet.The rabbits in simvastatin group(n=8)were administrated with simvastatin.The rabbits in amlodipine group(n=8)were administrated with amlodipine.The levels of serum lipids and plasma carbon monoxide were obtained at the beginning,the 8th week and the 16th week.The expression of heme oxygenase-1 in the thoraoia aortic tissue were observed with immunohistochemistry technique.Results By the end of 16th week,the levels ofserum lipids and plasma carbon monoxide in model group were obviously increased,however,the expression of heine oxygenase-1 were markedly decreased.Compared with model group.The levels～rurfl lipi&and plasma carbon monoxide in simvastatin group were significantly decreased,while the expression of heme oxysenase-1 in aortic great reduced.The levels flerum lipids in amlodipine group were not significant ckmged,the levels of plasma carbon monoxide were obviously decreased,while tlle expression ofheine oxygenase-1 in aortic great reduced.Conclusions In atheresclerofic progress,heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)/carbon monoxide(CO)appared the reciprocal relationship,and amlodipine may suppress athemsclemtie progress by decreasing the system.