厦门两种文昌鱼染色体的制备与观察

文吕鱼的进化地位十分重要,对其染色体的研究在进化和比较基因组学方面有重要意义.然而文昌鱼的染色体制备困难,使研究受到了限制.本文介绍了一种改良的义昌鱼胚胎细胞染色体标本制备方法,以及用文昌鱼成体再生细胞制备染色体,首次获得了文昌鱼体细胞中期染色体标本,并观察了厦门2种文昌鱼的染色体,其中白氏文吕鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri)二倍体2n=40,日本文昌鱼(B.japonicum)二倍体2n=36.再次从细胞分类学角度证实白氏文昌鱼和日本文昌鱼作为两个独立物种的分类地位.     

文昌鱼的实验室繁育及子二代获得

文昌鱼特殊的进化地位、简单的器官系统和终生透明的躯体等特征，使其很有希望成为一个新型实验室模式动物。要实现文昌鱼的模式动物化，实验室内全人工条件下繁殖是关键的第一步。为此，我们于2003年9月和2004年4月两次采集产于厦门海域的2种文昌鱼，开展实验室内养殖研究。经过3年多的持续实验室养殖，继2005年夏季于实验室内繁殖出子一代文昌鱼后，又在2006年夏季成功获得了这两种文昌鱼的子二代，初步实现文昌鱼在实验室内的全人工养殖。对子代文昌鱼养殖的初步观察发现，不同水温对生长发育速度有一定影响，提示有可能通过水温控制实现文昌鱼一年多次产卵的目的。目前这两种文昌鱼子二代幼体已完成变态，进入亚成体生长发育阶段，其体长分别已达14.6 mm(日本文昌鱼Branchiostoma japonicum)和6.5 mm(白氏文昌鱼B. belcheri)。     

通过Cyt b基因同源序列比较评估厦门文昌鱼的分类学地位

白氏文昌鱼Branchiostomabelcheri (Gray)在我国和日本沿海均有分布 ,由于南、北方文昌鱼形态学上有一定差异 ,且二者间存在一些过渡类型 ,其分类地位问题仍有待进一步澄清。本文测定了厦门欧厝海域产的文昌鱼mtDNACytb基因序列 ,并与日本产的文昌鱼以及另外产于大西洋的两种文昌鱼Cytb基因序列比较。分子系统学分析结果表明 :厦门欧厝海域产的文昌鱼与日本产的文昌鱼平均遗传距离为 2 1 12 % ,达到了种间分化的水平 ;经过对已有文献和文昌鱼地理分布的综合分析 ,作者建议将原来的白氏文昌鱼青岛亚种B belcheritsingtauense提升为种 ,南、北方所产文昌鱼分别作为两个独立的种存在 ,即南方的B belcheri (Gray)和北方的B tsingtauenseTchangetKoo     

文昌鱼一个GATA基因在胚胎发育中的表达图式(英文）

GATA基因在脊椎动物和非脊椎动物的发育中行使重要的功能,该家族的成员在进化上也是非常保守的。脊椎动物的GATA基因分为两个亚群：GATA1/2/3和GATA4/5/6。通过生物信息分析,在文昌鱼的基因组中找到了3个GATA基因：一个GATA1/2/3亚家族基因,两个GATA4/5/6亚家族基因;还找到一个类GATA基因。还克隆了白氏文昌鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri)GATA123的一段序列,并研究了它在早期胚胎发育中的表达图式。结果表明GATA123在原肠胚的中内胚层表达,而在神经胚晚期和幼体早期,GATA123在脑泡和消化道中部区域表达。这种表达模式与头部发育的重要基因Otx相类似。结果提示在文昌鱼脑泡的发育过程中GATA123和Otx很可能共同发挥着重要的作用。     

基于COXI基因的太平洋西岸文昌鱼地理种群分析

文昌鱼是进化发育研究的重要模式动物,目前实验材料均采自野外.因此,对其进行正确的物种鉴定和地理种群的遗传分化分析十分必要.该研究扩增并测定了COX 1基因部分序列,结合NCBI数据库中的COX 1序列信息,对太平洋西岸文昌鱼的种类和地理种群分化情况进行了分析.结果表明,马来文昌鱼(Branchiostoma malayanum)、白氏文昌鱼(B.belcheri)和日本文昌鱼(B.japonicum)这3个种之间的遗传差异很大,再次证实3个物种的有效性,同时提出应当审慎对待NCBI数据库中文昌鱼的种名标注;太平洋西岸文昌鱼属Branchiostoma的3种文昌鱼群体遗传多样性均处于较高水平,同一物种的不同地理种群间没有出现明显的遗传分化,反映了海洋动物的基因交流较容易,不同海域隔离较弱.     

文昌鱼的实验室繁育及子二代获得

文昌鱼特殊的进化地位、简单的器官系统和终生透明的躯体等特征,使其很有希望成为一个新型实验室模式动物。要实现文昌鱼的模式动物化,实验室内全人工条件下繁殖是关键的第一步。为此,我们于2003年9月和2004年4月两次采集产于厦门海域的2种文昌鱼,开展实验室内养殖研究。经过3年多的持续实验室养殖,继2005年夏季于实验室内繁殖出子一代文昌鱼后,又在2006年夏季成功获得了这两种文昌鱼的子二代,初步实现文昌鱼在实验室内的全人工养殖。对子代文昌鱼养殖的初步观察发现,不同水温对生长发育速度有一定影响,提示有可能通过水温控制实现文昌鱼一年多次产卵的目的。目前这两种文昌鱼子二代幼体已完成变态,进入亚成体生长发育阶段,其体长分别已达14.6mm(日本文昌鱼Branchiostomajaponicum)和6.5mm(白氏文昌鱼B.belcheri)。     

铁箍散(五味子科)的核型研究

采用常规制片方法首次对铁箍散(Schisandra propinqua（Wall.）Baill.)做了核型分析,结果表明铁箍散体细胞染色体数目为2n=28,核型公式为2n=2x=20m+8sm,染色体相对长度组成2n=28=2L+14M₂+8M₁+4S,染色体长度比为2.14,核型类型为2B型,核型不对称系数0.59,无次缢痕和随体。铁箍散的核型特点表明其在五味子属中处于较进化的地位。     

锦鸡儿属植物一些种类的染色体数目及核型研究

报道了国产10种锦鸡儿的染色体数目,并对其中9种的核型进行了研究。这9个种的核型公式分别为：荒漠锦鸡儿（Caragana roborovskyi）,2n＝16＝10m(2SAT)+6sm;川西锦鸡儿（C. erinacea）,2n=16=10m+6sm;密叶锦鸡儿（C. densa）,2n=16=10m（2SAT）+6sm;刺叶锦鸡儿（C. acanthophylla）,2n=16=12m+4sm;柄荚锦鸡儿（C. stipitata）,2n=16=10m+6sm;甘蒙锦鸡儿（C. opulens）,2n=16=12m(2SAT)+4sm;白皮锦鸡儿（C. leucophloea）,2n=32=22m(4SAT)＋10sm;北疆锦鸡儿（C. camilli-schneideri）,2n=32=20m(4SAT)+12sm;中亚锦鸡儿（C. tragacanthoides）,2n=32=20m(2SAT)+10sm+2st+2B。白毛锦鸡儿（C.licentiana）2个居群的染色体数目均为2n=32,为四倍体。研究结果表明,锦鸡儿属的核型一般比较对称,核型上的特化往往与其形态上的特化相关联,但也有例外。从倍性水平上来看,二倍体类群多是一些羽状叶的种,在分布上倾向于亚洲东部其祖先分布区,而四倍体的种类多是一些假掌状叶的类群,分布于西部干旱生境中,在形态上也表现的较为特化。这也符合锦鸡儿属的演化趋势。     

白氏文昌鱼单个体基因组BAC文库的构建

隶属于头索动物亚门的文昌鱼是现存生物中最近似于脊椎动物亚门直接祖先的一个类群, 具有重要的进化地位, 是研究脊椎动物原始祖先的重要材料和模式动物。随着文昌鱼实验室连续繁殖的成功, 全基因组测序成为中国文昌鱼模式化急需完成的工作之一。文章从单条雄性白氏文昌鱼精巢组织中提取高质量的基因组DNA, 经EcoRⅠ限制性内切酶和EcoRⅠ甲基化酶酶切, 脉冲场电泳选择合适酶切DNA片段, 连接线性磷酸化的载体pCC1BAC, 转化大肠杆菌EPI300 E. coli, 构建了含有44 706个克隆的全基因组BAC( Bacterial artificial chromosome)文库, 该文库平均插入片段80 kb,具有9倍的基因组覆盖率, 基本能够满足功能基因等研究需要, 为中国文昌鱼全基因组测序打下基础。     

3种甘草属植物的核型研究

用光学显微镜观察了豆科（Leguminosae）甘草属（Glycyrrhiza）3种荒漠植物的染色体,研究结果表明,3种植物的体细胞染色体数目2n=16,核型公式分别为：刺果甘草（G.pallidiflara）k(2n)=2x=16=4M+8m+4sm,光果甘草（G.glabra）k(2n)=2x=16=10M+6m,胀果某草（G.inflata）k(2n)=2x=16=6M+6m+4sm。     

Fluorescent in situ hybridisation to amphioxus chromosomes

We describe an efficient protocol for mapping genes and other DNA sequences to amphioxus chromosomes using fluorescent in situ hybridisation. We apply this method to identify the number and location of ribosomal DNA gene clusters and telomere sequences in metaphase spreads of Branchiostoma floridae. We also describe how the locations of two single copy genes can be mapped relative to each other, and demonstrate this by mapping an amphioxus Pax gene relative to a homologue of the Notch gene. These methods have great potential for performing comparative genomics between amphioxus and vertebrates.     

Chromosome distribution in a23 chinese hamster fibroblasts

This study deals with a systematic chromosome position analysis of 116 anti-mitotic and hypotonic treated a₂₃ chinese hamster cells. No chromosome or pair of chromosomes was found to be located nearer the center or the periphery of the metaphase plate than would be expected by the reference distribution. The homologous chromosomes of pair 2 lie nearer to each other but they do not form a specific angle. The same relative position was shown for the chromosome groups 1–2, 1-E1 and 2-E5 (E standing for an extra chromosome). On the other hand the chromosomes of the combinations X-7, X-8, 7–8, 8–11 and X-E2 were lying further from each other, while chromosomes 10-E1 had a greater mean angle. The non random distribution of the chromosomes 1 and 2 may be interpreted as function of their possibly more frequent participation in the organization of nucleoli. — To obtain more information about the influence of preparation techniques on the alteration of the chromosome position in metaphase plates, this study deals with some overall considerations about chromosome position. It is shown that in a₂₃ cells the smaller chromosomes do not tend to lie nearer the metaphase plate center (as it happens in human cells). Also a significant correlation between the chromosome position with respect to the metaphase plate center and the mean interchromosomal distances was not found in this type of cells.     

Morphology and behavior of the sex chromosomes in meiosis in four vole species of the genus Microtus]

Morphology and behaviour of the X and Y chromosomes of four species of genus Microtus were studied at pachytene, metaphase I and meiotic metaphase. The X chromosomes of the species varied with respect to their size and location of heterochromatic blocks. The axes of X and Y chromosomes of these species as well as Microtus agrestis never formed true synaptonemal complexes at any sub-stage of the pachytene. They approached each other at the start of the pachytene throughout to metaphase I, getting situated closely. At the end of the pachytene, they formed sex vesicle. The X and Y chromosomes kept their proximity during metaphase I, but never formed true bivalents. It is suggested that lack of synapsis of the X and Y chromosomes in the genus Microtus is the final step of evolutionary trend to reduction of the size of the pseudo-autosomal region. The abolition of restrictions on homology between the X and Y chromosomes is supposed to be a cause for the fast divergence in morphology of sex chromosomes in the genus.     

Improved methods for working with fish chromosomes with a review of metaphase chromosome banding

Improved methods for obtaining, preparing, and staining fish chromosomes are described. Included are procedures for resolving serial or G-type bands. A brief review of various metaphase banding procedures and their use in fishes is also presented.     

The relative arrangement of chromosomes in mitotic interphase and metaphase in Haplopappus gracilis

The relative position of mitotic metaphase chromosomes in Haplopappus gracilis is studied by direct observation of undisturbed metaphase cells in root tips: the homologous chromosomes lay always adjacent to each other, whereas the relative position of the pairs is not constant. — The relative position of interphase chromosomes is inferred from the frequency of radiation-induced mutual rearrangements between any possible pair of chromosomes. — It is concluded that the relative position of interphase chromosomes is reflected by the relative position of metaphase chromosomes in Haplopappus gracilis.     

Complex history of a chromosomal paralogy region: insights from amphioxus aromatic amino acid hydroxylase genes and insulin-related genes

Aromatic amino acid hydroxylase (AAAH) genes and insulin-like genes form part of an extensive paralogy region shared by human chromosomes 11 and 12, thought to have arisen by tetraploidy in early vertebrate evolution. Cloning of a complementary DNA (cDNA) for an amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) hydroxylase gene (AmphiPAH) allowed us to investigate the ancestry of the human chromosome 11/12 paralogy region. Molecular phylogenetic evidence reveals that AmphiPAH is orthologous to vertebrate phenylalanine (PAH) genes; the implication is that all three vertebrate AAAH genes arose early in metazoan evolution, predating vertebrates. In contrast, our phylogenetic analysis of amphioxus and vertebrate insulin-related gene sequences is consistent with duplication of these genes during early chordate ancestry. The conclusion is that two tightly linked gene families on human chromosomes 11 and 12 were not duplicated coincidentally. We rationalize this paradox by invoking gene loss in the AAAH gene family and conclude that paralogous genes shared by paralogous chromosomes need not have identical evolutionary histories.     

The evolutionary origin of the vertebrate neural crest and its developmental gene regulatory network – insights from amphioxus

The neural crest is an embryonic cell population unique to vertebrates. During vertebrate embryogenesis, neural crest cells are first induced from the neural plate border; subsequently, they delaminate from the dorsal neural tube and migrate to their destination, where they differentiate into a wide variety of derivatives. The emergence of the neural crest is thought to be responsible for the evolution of many complex novel structures of vertebrates that are lacking in invertebrate chordates. Despite its central importance in understanding the origin of vertebrates, the evolutionary origin of the neural crest remains elusive. The basal chordate amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) occupies an outgroup position that is useful for investigating this question. In this review, I summarize recent genomic and comparative developmental studies between amphioxus and vertebrates and discuss their implications for the evolutionary origin of neural crest cells. I focus mainly on the origin of the gene regulatory network underlying neural crest development, and suggest several hypotheses regarding how this network could have been assembled during early vertebrate evolution.