酿酒酵母糠醛耐受性状相关微卫星标记的筛选

筛选两株表型差异单倍体菌株作为亲本,二者杂交获得F2群体共200株,利用具有多态性的微卫星位点对表型分布在两极端的菌株(39株)进行PCR扩增,运用t检验分析不同位点的基因型在两基因池中的差异显著性,以此获得与糠醛耐受性相关的微卫星位点。结果发现两个与糠醛耐受性有关的微卫星位点,其中2P3位点在两基因池中达到显著差异(P=0.0390.05),而位点2P5达到极显著差异(P=0.0000.01);对于微卫星位点2P5,耐受亲本P1在该位点的基因型(333 bp)在子代耐受群体中出现率为72.2%,而敏感亲本P2的基因型(318 bp)在子代敏感群体中出现率达100%(333 bp出现率为零)。上述结果表明微卫星位点2P5的基因型在群体分离中达到极显著差异可能与控制该性状的基因相连锁,在分子设计育种方面可用来选择有利等位基因,提高育种的准确性和预见性。     

Tn5介导的致病性副溶血弧菌溶血能力差异突变株表型分析

【目的】构建致病性副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,Vp)突变体库,分析溶血能力差异突变株表型特征,为深入挖掘和认识tdh的调控机制提供研究基础。【方法】利用双亲本接合法,将Mini-Tn5-Km2片段随机插入致病性Vp (ATCC 33846)基因组,并以含有卡那霉素(Km)和氨苄青霉素(Amp)的TCBS选择性培养基进行突变株(KmRAmpS)筛选;结合PCR方法对突变菌株进行Km基因筛查,构建在不同基因位点随机插入突变的Vp突变体库。以我妻氏血平板筛选溶血表型变化菌株,并对其生长曲线、菌膜形成能力和运动能力进行测定。【结果】采用双亲本接合法,成功建立包含490株Vp突变株的突变体库,并获得5株溶血表型变化稳定的菌株(2株为溶血能力上调,3株为下调)。5株突变株在生长速率、菌膜形成能力及运动能力方面与亲本株有显著性差异。其中,2株溶血能力上调菌株及1株溶血能力下调菌株在运动能力、生长速率和菌膜形成能力方面较亲本株显著降低(P<0.05);另2株溶血能力下调菌株菌膜形成能力较亲本株显著提高(P<0.05)。【结论】Tn5转座子可用于建立Vp突变体库;Vp溶血能力与其表型特征具有相关性;研究所获得的5株溶血表型突变株为进一步探讨Vp tdh的调控机制奠定基础。     

适于蛹虫草遗传多样性研究的线粒体分子标记的筛选

摘要:【目的】从蛹虫草线粒体DNA中寻找适于遗传多样性研究的分子标记。【方法】通过PCR扩增和序列分析,比较了20个蛹虫草菌株在12个线粒体DNA片段和3个细胞核DNA片段上的序列变异。【结果】蛹虫草在线粒体DNA上的变异水平高于核DNA,主要表现为线粒体基因内含子的插入缺失多样性和较多的碱基变异位点。不同线粒体DNA片段的变异水平也有差异,而且内含子蛋白比外显子编码的蛋白质更易发生氨基酸的改变。增加使用的分子标记数目,其所揭示的遗传多样性程度也在逐渐提高。【结论】我们依 次推荐nad3-cox2、cox2-nad5、cox2、cox3、cob和cox1这6个线粒体DNA位点用于今后蛹虫草遗传多样性或群体遗传结构的分析。     

松萝内生酿酒酵母菌株耐酸生理特性与分子机制探究

【目的】对我国西藏地区来源的不同酵母菌株进行有机酸发酵性能测试,此外,对具有良好产酸性能的分离自松萝内部的酿酒酵母菌株Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2-2进行耐酸性能分析,并探究其耐酸较强的分子机制。【方法】比较不同糖浓度培养基液体发酵培养过程中pH的变化,并比较低pH胁迫条件下菌株的生长,检测酿酒酵母菌株的产酸潜力和耐酸特性;对菌株2-2和模式酵母菌株S288C进行比较基因组分析,并利用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)分析关键基因的转录,探究菌株2-2耐酸分子机制。【结果】松萝内生酿酒酵母2-2在所有检测的菌株中产酸潜力较大,耐酸性能较好。在菌株2-2中与胁迫耐受性相关的基因PDR15、PDR12和SUR1在低pH胁迫条件下存在显著的上调或下调,但这些基因转录变化趋势与菌株S288C相反。【结论】松萝内生酿酒酵母2-2是一株产酸耐酸性能较好的菌株,对其独特的调节机制进行深入分析,有希望选育性能更好的产酸酵母菌株。     

菲律宾蛤仔EST_SSR标记与生长性状的相关分析

研究利用20个微卫星标记对菲律宾蛤仔斑马蛤F2代家系107个个体进行遗传多样性分析,并对标记位点与生长相关性状进行分析。在20个微卫星位点共检测到41个等位基因,各位点等位基因数为2—3个,等位基因片段大小为109—430 bp,平均等位基因数为2.05个。平均有效等位基因数为1.71个,观测杂合度平均值为0.504,期望杂合度的平均值为0.431,平均多态信息含量为0.324。经卡方检验,3个位点SSR11,SSR164和SSR213的基因型分布显著偏离了孟德尔定律(P0.01)。运用SPSS 20.0对20个微卫星位点与菲律宾蛤仔斑马蛤家系生长性状的相关性(壳长、壳宽、壳高和体重)进行连锁显著性检验。结果表明,SSR9位点与壳高存在显著的相关关系(P0.05),SSR135和SSR164位点与壳宽呈显著相关(P0.05),SSR142位点与体重呈显著性相关(P0.05)。研究结果可为菲律宾蛤仔的分子标记辅助选育提供参考。     

微卫星标记在不同壳色虾夷扇贝家系亲权鉴定的适用性

实验选取8 个多态性微卫星位点, 用于虾夷扇贝4 个不同壳色全同胞和半同胞家系160 个子代的亲权鉴定。在亲本未知和一亲本已知的情况下, 8 个微卫星位点累积排除概率分别为0.823 和0.961。鉴于亲权分析时子代的亲本在已知和未知情况下位点的累积排除概率不同, 实验采用了两种方法用于家系的亲权鉴定。方法1: 当子代的父母本情况未知时, 根据子代基因型数据, 通过CERVUS 2.0 软件计算子代所对应的候选亲本的LOD 值, 直接将候选亲本中具有最大的两个LOD 值的亲本确定为子代的父母本; 方法2: 在子代的亲本未知情况下, 视具有最大LOD 值的候选亲本为子代的第一候选亲本, 然后将该亲本视为已知, 通过CERVUS 2.0 软件重新计算每个侯选亲本的LOD 值, 再从中选择具有最大LOD 值的候选亲本作为该子代的第二候选亲本。结果表明, 采用方法2 得到的家系亲权鉴定成功率达到95%以上, 确定了微卫星标记在虾夷扇贝家系鉴定中的可行性。所检测的微卫星位点在子代中出现无效等位基因现象, 而无效等位基因存在会引起子代与亲本的错配。实验在家系鉴定时采用了无效等位基因存在(情况1)和缺失(情况2)两种子代基因型文件进行分析, 不同情况下同一方法家系鉴定成功率相差无几。这表明了基于多个微卫星位点计算候选亲本LOD 值大小寻找子代真实父母本可以降低由无效等位基因引起的错配的几率。研究表明了微卫星标记适合于不同壳色虾夷扇贝家系亲权鉴定工作。       

解脂亚罗酵母P12单倍体的制备

【背景】目前解脂亚罗酵母在实验研究和工业生产方面的应用越来越广泛,但相较于常规酵母而言,解脂亚罗酵母缺乏简便有效的遗传转化体系,致使其在基因表达调控方面存在较大困难。同时,酵母的染色体倍性也会对基因敲除效果产生影响,选择单倍体细胞作为功能基因改造的受体可以避免等位基因之间相互作用的影响,解决多倍体细胞基因敲除不完全的问题。【目的】以解脂亚罗酵母诱变菌株P12为研究对象,以不同方法分离得到单倍体菌株,建立解脂亚罗酵母单倍体的制备方法。【方法】分别采用固体和液体McClary产孢培养基诱导解脂亚罗酵母菌株产生子囊孢子,培养条件为30℃,固体7-14 d;液体200 r/min,2-4 d。以2%浓度的蜗牛酶33℃水浴裂解子囊孢子细胞壁3 h,通过染色镜检和PCR鉴定筛选单倍体细胞。【结果】镜检结果表明,解脂亚罗酵母在液体产孢培养基中产孢速度较快,相同视野下孢子数约为固体产孢培养基的3.7倍,在固体产孢培养基中产孢质量较好。初步探索并筛选得到6株解脂亚罗酵母P12 B型单倍体菌株。【结论】解脂亚罗酵母P12 B型单倍体菌株的获得可为后续继续开展基因工程操作奠定基础。     

3-羟基丙酸高产菌株的筛选及诱变选育

【目的】3-羟基丙酸是一种重要的化学平台化合物,期望得到一株能够高产3-羟基丙酸的菌株。【方法】从土壤及粪便筛选并对得到的菌株进行鉴定和复合诱变。【结果】得到了一株能够利用丙酸发酵生产3-羟基丙酸的酵母Y-11,经生理生化鉴定及18S rDNA序列分析确定其为Candida sp.(假丝酵母)。以Y-11为出发菌株,经紫外-亚硝基胍-60Coγ复合诱变得到了突变性状稳定且可遗传的高产菌株5-13B,其3-羟基丙酸的产量为11.78 g/L,是出发菌株的2.46倍。【结论】对出发菌株和突变株的发酵特性进行了比较,结果表明突变株的3-羟基丙酸产量、对底物丙酸的转化率、产物3-羟基丙酸的积累性能及丙酸的耐受性均优于出发菌株。     

一株污水源多重耐药大肠杆菌的耐药性检测及全基因组测序分析

【背景】水体环境分布广、流动性强,是耐药菌和耐药基因传播的主要媒介。【目的】了解北方污水厂大肠杆菌携带的耐药基因及可移动遗传元件情况。【方法】从北方污水厂筛选出一株多重耐药大肠杆菌,通过药敏试验进行耐药性检验,采用96孔板法测定菌株的最小抑菌浓度,利用酶标仪探究亚抑菌浓度抗生素对菌株生长的影响,并对菌株进行全基因组测序,对其携带的耐药基因及可移动遗传元件进行预测。【结果】大肠杆菌WEC对四环素、环丙沙星、诺氟沙星和红霉素具有耐药性,亚抑菌浓度的四环素、环丙沙星和诺氟沙星能够延缓或抑制菌株的生长。WEC菌株的基因组中包含一条大小为4 782 114 bp的环状染色体和2个大小分别为60 306 bp (pWEC-1)和92 065 bp (pWEC-2)的环状质粒。菌株共携带129个耐药基因,其中128个位于染色体上,在染色体上预测到原噬菌体、基因岛及插入序列的存在,部分可移动遗传元件携带有耐药基因。质粒pWEC-1中无耐药基因,pWEC-2含有1个耐药基因,在质粒基因组中预测到原噬菌体和插入序列。【结论】污水源大肠杆菌WEC是一株多重耐药菌株,其基因组中携带耐药基因和多种可移动遗传元件...     

自交选育秀珍菇新菌株“申秀1号”

【目的】对自交子代群体主要栽培和商品性状进行综合分析,并选育综合性状优良的秀珍菇新菌株。【方法】以秀珍菇商业菌株“3108”为亲本进行自交,综合分析其自交子代群体的菌丝生长速度、产量、菇型、抗杂、抗逆性和栽培周期等性状以选育新菌株,利用ISSR (Inter-sample sequence repeat)鉴定新菌株和亲本菌株之间遗传差异性。【结果】自交子代中,菌丝生长速度和产量分别有19.5%和8.9%的菌株优于亲本;子代群体中菌丝生长速度和子实体产量之间无相关性(R=0.102,P>0.05);37%的菌株栽培周期比亲本短;菇盖平展、厚且不易碎分别占53%、11%,菌柄直径和长度变化幅度分别为5?13 mm和21?75 mm;发生黄枯病,出现萎缩、死菇现象以及畸形分别占23%、19%、5%。【结论】通过对子代群体各性状综合分析,从中选育出生长快、产量高、菇盖厚且不易碎、柄粗长、抗杂和抗逆性强、栽培周期短等优良性状的秀珍菇新菌株“申秀1号”,前三潮菇平均单袋产量334 g,生物学效率高达74%,比亲本菌株增产7.1%,且种性稳定。经ISSR鉴定表明,该菌株具有自身特异性。     

一株耐受低pH、高浓度乳酸及琥珀酸菌株的筛选与鉴定

【目的】通过构建的人工耐酸系统,筛选耐受低pH值、乳酸及琥珀酸的菌株。【方法】构建人工耐酸系统长期驯化菌株,利用不同p H的酸性平板进行筛选,从环境中筛选出一株对低p H值、高浓度乳酸以及琥珀酸有很好耐受性的菌株。通过形态学特征、生理生化特征研究,并结合18S rDNA基因序列分析及分子系统发育树的构建结果,确定菌株的种类。【结果】经过酸性人工系统的长期驯化,筛选分离出一株耐受低pH值、高浓度乳酸以及琥珀酸的菌株WJ-2,经鉴定该菌株为酿酒酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae),其最适生长温度为30°C。酸性平板实验显示该菌株能够耐受pH2.5的酸性环境,同时对9%的乳酸及8%的琥珀酸也有很好的耐受性。另外,耐酸菌株WJ-2在pH 2.5、9%乳酸和8%琥珀酸的培养环境中仍能保持相对中性的细胞内pH值。【结论】通过构建人工酸性系统,成功筛选出一株对低pH值、高浓度乳酸以及琥珀酸具有耐受性的菌株——酿酒酵母菌WJ-2,该方法可为筛选具有特定耐受能力菌株提供一个新思路。     

Arachidonic acid turnover in peritoneal macrophages is altered in endotoxin-tolerant rats

Peritoneal macrophages from endotoxin-tolerant rats have been found to exhibit depressed metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) to prostaglandins and thromboxane in response to endotoxin. The effect of endotoxin tolerance on AA turnover in peritoneal macrophages was investigated by measuring [14C]AA incorporation and release from membrane phospholipids. Endotoxin tolerance did not affect the amount of [14C]AA incorporated into macrophages (30 min-24 h). However, the temporal incorporation of [14C]AA into individual phospholipid pools (15 min-24 h) was altered. In endotoxin-tolerant macrophages, [14C]AA incorporation into phosphatidylcholine (PC) (2, 4, 24 h) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (8 h) was increased, while the incorporation into phosphatidylserine (PS) (2-24 h) was reduced (P less than 0.005) compared to control macrophages. There was no change in [14C]AA incorporation into phosphatidylinositol (PI). Following 2 or 24 h of incorporation of [14C]AA, macrophages were incubated (3 h) with endotoxin (50 micrograms/ml) or A23187 (1 microM), and [14C]AA release was measured. Endotoxin-tolerant macrophages released decreased (P less than 0.05) amounts of [14C]AA in response to both endotoxin and the calcium ionophore A23187 compared to controls. Control macrophages in response to endotoxin released [14C]AA from PC, PI and PE. In contrast, tolerant cells released [14C]AA only from PC (P less than 0.05). A23187 released [14C]AA from all four pools in the control cells, but only from PC and PE in the tolerant cells. These data demonstrate that endotoxin tolerance alters the uptake and release of AA from specific macrophage phospholipid pools. These results suggest that changes in AA turnover and/or storage are associated with endotoxin tolerance.     

Search for microsatellite markers associated with water-stress tolerance in wheat through bulked segregant analysis

We used bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to identify microsatellite markers associated with water-stress tolerance in wheat. Two DNA pools (tolerant and sensitive) were established from the selected F₂ individuals of crosses between water-stress-tolerant and -sensitive wheat parental genotypes on the basis of the paraquat (PQ) tolerance, leaf size, and relative water content. All three traits were previously shown to be associated with water-stress tolerance on segregating F₂ progeny of the wheat crosses used in this study. Microsatellite analysis was then performed on the established DNA pools, using 35 primer pairs that included all of the chromosome group 5 (5A, 5B, 5D) markers, to detect microsatellite fragments that were present, absent, or both in the DNA pools and their parental lines. We identified one microsatellite fragment that was present in tolerant parent wheat and the tolerant bulk but absent in the sensitive parent wheat and sensitive bulk. We then followed the segregation of this marker in the tolerant F₂ individuals. Use of this marker may significantly enhance the success of selection for PQ- and water-stress-tolerant genotypes in wheat breeding programs.     

Identification of AFLP and microsatellite markers linked with an aluminium tolerance gene in barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.)

Barley is the most sensitive among the cereals to aluminium (Al) stress and breeding for more tolerant cultivars is a priority. To enhance selection efficiency for Al tolerance in barley, PCR-based AFLP and microsatellite markers linked to a locus conferring tolerance to aluminium were identified. The study used F(2) progeny derived from a single cross between Yambla (moderately tolerant of Al) and WB229 (tolerant of Al) and developed hydroponic pulse-recovery screening methods to assess tolerance of phenotypes based on root growth. The segregation ratios of tolerant and sensitive genotypes and F(3) progeny testing suggest that a single major gene controlled Al tolerance ( Alt). In order to determine the chromosomal location of the Alt gene, we used the AFLP technique coupled with bulk segregant analysis. We evaluated tolerant and sensitive bulks using 30 combinations of EcoRI/ MseI primers, and 12 of these permitted differentiation of the sensitive and tolerant bulks. More than 1,000 amplified fragments were obtained, and 98 polymorphic bands were scored. AFLP analysis of wheat-barley chromosome addition lines indicated that the Alt gene was located on barley chromosome 4H. Four chromosome 4H-specific microsatellite markers (Bmac310, Bmag353, HVM68 and HVMCABG) were tightly linked to Alt. The large allelic variation detected with microsatellite marker Bmag353 allowed us to implement this marker for routine marker-assisted selection for Al tolerance, and 396 plants could be screened on a single gel.     

Linkage map of human chromosome 9 microsatellite polymorphisms.

Ten microsatellite markers composed of polymorphic (CA)n or (AAAT)n repeats were mapped to chromosome 9. PIC values for these markers ranged from 0.46 to 0.82. The marker at the D9S54 locus was localized to 9pter-p22 by means of a somatic cell hybrid; another marker at D9S103 was similarly localized to 9q34-qter. Two-point lod scores and individual meiotic recombination events were used to position the 10 markers relative to each other. The best order resulting from these analyses was D9S54-D9S104-[D9S52-D9S43-D9S50]-D9S53+ ++- [D9S106-D9S105]-D9S51-D9S103, with order of the loci within brackets uncertain. Two-point linkage analysis was also used to approximate the positions of the microsatellite markers relative to those of 33 markers contained in the public CEPH database (v.3) and to one other available microsatellite marker at the D9S15 locus.     

Biosynthesis of an unusual amino acyl moiety contained in bestatin

The biosynthetic pathway of an unusual amino acyl [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl (AHP)] moiety which is contained in bestatin has been studied by testing the incorporation of potential precursors. L-[U-14C]-Phenylalanine, L-[U-14C]leucine, and [U-14C]acetic acid were efficiently incorporated into bestatin, but the radioactivity of L-[1-14C]phenylalanine, [1-14C]glyoxylic acid, and [14C]oxalic acid were not incorporated. Incorporation of acetic acid into 1- and 2-carbon of the AHP moiety was confirmed by incorporation of [13C]acetic acid. Thus, the AHP moiety was shown to be biosynthesized from L-phenylalanine and two carbon atoms of acetic acid, accompanied by decarboxylation of the phenylalanine.     

转醛醇酶基因差异表达影响酵母发酵木糖及耐受乙酸性能

【目的】木糖发酵是纤维素燃料乙醇生产的一个关键瓶颈,同时木质纤维素水解液中的乙酸严重抑制酿酒酵母的木糖发酵过程,因此通过基因工程手段提高菌株对木糖的利用以及对乙酸的耐受性具有重要意义。本研究以非氧化磷酸戊糖途径(PPP途径)中关键基因转醛醇酶基因(TAL1)为研究对象,探讨了3种不同启动子PTDH3、PAHP1和PUBI4,控制其表达对菌株利用木糖和耐受乙酸的影响。【方法】通过同源重组用3种启动子替换酿酒酵母基因工程菌NAPX37的TAL1基因的启动子PTAL1,再通过孢子分离和单倍体交配构建了纯合子,利用批次发酵比较了在以木糖为唯一碳源和混合糖(葡萄糖和木糖)为碳源条件下,3种启动子控制TAL1基因表达导致的发酵和乙酸耐受能力的差异。【结果】启动子PTDH3、PAHP1和PUBI4在不同程度上提高了TAL1基因的转录水平,提高了菌株对木糖的利用速率及乙酸耐受能力,提高了菌株在60 mmol/L乙酸条件下的葡萄糖利用速率。在以木糖为唯一碳源且无乙酸存在、以及混合糖为碳源的条件下,PAHP1启动子控制TAL1表达菌株的发酵结果优于PTDH3和PUBI4启动子的菌株,PAHP1启动子控制的TAL1基因的转录水平比较合适。在木糖为唯一碳源且乙酸为30 mmol/L时,PUBI4启动子控制TAL1基因表达的菌株发酵结果则优于PAHP1和PTDH3启动子菌株,此时PUBI4启动子控制的TAL1的转录水平比较合适。【结论】启动子PTDH3、PAHP1和PUBI4不同程度地提高TAL1基因的表达,在不同程度上改善了酵母菌株的木糖发酵速率和耐受乙酸性能,改善程度受发酵条件的影响。     

Stereochemistry of a methyl-group rearrangement during the biosynthesis of lanosterol.

1. (3RS,6R)-[6-2H1,6-3H1,6-14C], (3RS,6S)-[6-2H1,6-3H1,6-14C] and (3RS)-[6-3H1,6-14C]mevalonolactones were synthesised from R-[2H1,3H1,2-14C], S-[2H1,3H1,2-14C] and [3h1,2-14C]acetic acids respectively. 2. Each mevalonate was converted into cholesterol by a rat liver preparation. 3. Each cholesterol specimen was converted into androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione by incubation with Mycobacterium phlei in the presence of 2,2'.dipyridyl. Each specimen of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione was converted into androsta-1,4-dien-3-one-17-ethylene ketail. 4. The samples of androsta-1,4-dien-3-one-17-ethylene ketal were each converted chemically into oestrones in which the methyl group at C-18 is the only carbon atom that originated from C-6 in mevalonolactone. 5. The oestrone from (3RS)-[6-3H1,6-14C]mevalonolactone was oxidised chemically to acetic acid which was converted into p-bromophenacyl acetate and the 3H/14C ratio was measured. 6. There was no overall loss of tritium from the methyl group of acetic acid, as measured by determining the 3H/14C ratios of the p-bromophenacyl esters, when the synthetic and degradative procedures 1 -- 5 were tested with [3H1,2-14C]acetic acid. 7. The oestrones derived from the 6R and 6S-mevalonolactones were oxidised. The chiralities of the resulting acetates were determined by an established procedure whereby the acetates were converted into 2S-malates which were examined for loss of tritium on equilibration with fumarate hydratase. 8. The oestrone from (3RS,6R)-[6-2H1,6-3H1,6-14C]mevalonate gave acetic acid which was converted into 2S-malate that retained 68.6% of its tritium after treatment with fumarate hydratase; the configuration of this acetic acid was R. 9. The oestrone from (3RS,6S)-E16-2H1,6-3H1,6-14C]mevalonate was oxidised to acetic acid which was converted into 2S-malate that retained 31.9% of its tritium after treatment with fumarate hydratase; the configuration of this acetic acid was S. 10. There was no overall change in the configuration of a chiral methyl group between C-6 of mevalonate and C-18 of oestrone. It is cncluded that the intramolecular migration of a chiral methyl group from C-15 in 2,3-oxidosqualene to C-13 in lanosterol is stereospecific and occurs with overall retention of configuration.     

Synthesis and secretion of lipids by long-term cultures of female rat hepatocytes.

The objective of this work was to characterize lipid metabolism in long-term cultures of adult rat hepatocytes from female rats and explore the potential use of this culture system to study the effect of hormones, drugs and toxic chemicals on it. Hepatocytes, seeded on a feeder layer of 3T3 cells, maintained for 2 weeks their typical morphology. The cultures were able to take up [14C]acetic and [14C]oleic acid from the culture medium and incorporate them into lipids. The synthesis and secretion of lipids by [14C]acetic acid-labeled cultures had a maximum value after 11 and 13 days in culture. Triacylglycerols were the main lipidic species synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes (up to 67% of the total lipids); they also synthesized and secreted phospholipids, cholesterol and cholesterol esters from [14C]acetic acid. Similarly, [14C]oleic acid-labeled cultures synthesized and secreted mostly triacylglycerols (up to 60-70% of the total lipids), but they were also able to incorporate the labeled precursor into both cellular and secreted phospholipids and cholesterol esters. The activity of glycerol-phosphate-dehydrogenase, marker enzyme of glycerolipid synthesis, decreased slightly during the culture time whereas the activity of malic enzyme, marker of fatty acid synthesis, increased. Our results show that long-term cultures of female rat hepatocytes are able to synthesize and secrete several lipids, specially triacylglycerols, from both [14C]acetic and [14C]oleic acid for at least 2 weeks and that they maintain enzyme activities related with the synthetic pathways of glycerolipids and fatty acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)