Loss-of-function of sox3 causes follicle development retardation and reduces fecundity in zebrafish.

Folliculogenesis is essential for production of female gametes in vertebrates. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying follicle development, particularly apoptosis regulation in ovary, remain elusive. Here, we generated sox3 knockout zebrafish lines using CRISPR/Cas9. sox3 knockout led to follicle development retardation and a reduced fecundity in females. Comparative analysis of transcriptome between sox3-/- and wild-type ovaries revealed that Sox3 was involved in pathways of ovarian steroidogenesis and apoptosis. Knockout of sox3 promoted follicle apoptosis and obvious apoptosis signals were detected in somatic cells of stages III and IV follicles of sox3-/- ovaries. Moreover, Sox3 can bind to and activate the promoter of cyp19a1a. Up-regulation of Cyp19a1a expression promoted 17ß-estradiol synthesis, which inhibited apoptosis in follicle development. Thus, Sox3 functions as a regulator of Cyp19a1a expression, via 17ß-E2 linking apoptosis suppression, which is implicated in improving female fecundity.

RAB37 interacts directly with ATG5 and promotes autophagosome formation via regulating ATG5-12-16 complex assembly.

Intracellular membrane trafficking is essential for eukaryotic cell existence. Here, we show that RAB37 activation through GTP binding recruits ATG5-12 to isolation membrane and promotes autophagosome formation through the ATG5-ATG12-ATG16L1 complex. RAB37 is localized on the isolation membrane. It can bind directly with ATG5 and promotes formation of the ATG5-12-16 complex. Mutation analysis reveals that GTP-bound RAB37 exhibits an enhanced interaction with ATG5-12 and GDP-stabilised mutation impairs the interaction. RAB37 promotes ATG5-12 interaction with ATG16L1, thus facilitates lipidation of LC3B in a GTP-dependent manner to enhance autophagy. Notably, ablation of RAB37 expression affects the complex formation and decreases autophagy, whereas forced RAB37 expression promotes autophagy and also suppresses cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate a role of RAB37 in autophagosome formation through a molecular connection of RAB37, ATG5-12, ATG16L1 up to LC3B, suggesting an organiser role of RAB37 during autophagosomal membrane biogenesis. These findings have broad implications for understanding the role of RAB vesicle transport in autophagy and cancer.

[Early diagnosis of low-value forest: an approach of ecological factors].

The management and improvement of low-value forests is an important issue of forestry in China. This paper put forward a new thought of early diagnosis for low-value forest. By applying this method, the forest growth trend before the explosion of the state of low-value forest was diagnosed according to the formation rule of low-value forest, and so, managers could adopt corresponding management measures in time. Taking a case study of Chinese pine plantations in western Liaoning Province, the early diagnosis of low-value forest was studied, and set up early diagnosis techniques of ecological factor approach based on single-factor experiment and discriminant analysis: 1) following discriminant indices were selected: soil thickness (X1), organic matter (X2), soil nitrogen content (X3), soil water content (X4), and soil microbic quantity (X5); 2) discriminant function could be expressed as: Y = 1.596X1 - 0.51X2 - 3.196X3 + 1.622X4 + 1.898X5:3) early diagnosis of low-value forest was carried out by discriminant function and the value of each discriminant index. For early diagnosis of low-value forest, this paper is a pilot study. It is suggested that the forming mechanism of low-value forest and their related study should be strengthened.

[Introduction and selection of new poplar clones in shelterbelts/windbreaks in northern Liaoning].

Six new poplar clones were introduced in Qianshuanging township of Changtu county, Liaoning Province as experiment materials, and their indeces in growth, cold resistance, disease infection, and insect infection were evaluated and compared to the locally grown Fuzha II poplar. According to the comparison of the 4 indices, the study found that N-119 poplar showed all the scores obviously better than those of CK and other poplars, and was recommended for the area. The growth of Zhonglin 95 was higher, and its disease and pest infection was equal or near to the CK. So, the poplar Zhonglin 95 is also worthy to be recommended.