Pattern formation and regulation of gene expressions in chick recombinant limbs

Recombinant limbs were performed by ensembling dissociated-reaggregated wing bud mesoderm inside an ectodermal hull. The zone of polarizing activity was excluded from the mesoderm used to perform the recombinant limbs (non-polarized recombinants), and grafted when desired (polarized recombinants). Reorganization of patterning progressively occurred in the newly formed progress zone under the influence of the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), explaining the proximo–distal gradient of morphogenesis observed in developed recombinant limbs. The AER, without the influence of the polarizing region (ZPA), was sufficient to direct outgrowth and appropriate proximo–distal patterning, as observed in the expression of the Hoxa-11 and Hoxa-13 genes. The development of the recombinant limbs coursed with symmetric AER and downregulation of Bmp expression in the mesoderm supporting a negative effect of Bmp signaling upon the apical ridge. The recombinant ectoderm maintained previously established compartments of gene expressions and organized a correct dorso-ventral patterning in the recombinant progress zone. Finally, the ZPA effect was only detected on Bmp expression and pattern formation along the antero-posterior axis.     

Synthesis of hyaluronan of distinctly different chain length is regulated by differential expression of Xhas1 and 2 during early development of Xenopus laevis

The localization of hyaluronan has been determined in tailbud stage embryos of Xenopus laevis using a neurocan-alkaline phosphatase fusion protein. This polysaccharide was located between the germ layers and enriched in mesenchyme, the lumen of the neural tube, the embryonic gut, the hepatic cavity and the heart. A full-length cDNA for a hyaluronan synthase, Xhas2 has been cloned. The expression pattern of Xhas1 and 2 is closely similar to the distribution of hyaluronan in the embryo. Xhas1 produces hyaluronan with a molecular mass of around 40–200 kDa, while the product formed by Xhas2 has a molecular mass above 1 million Da.     

RAD51 135G-->C modifies breast cancer risk among BRCA2 mutation carriers: results from a combined analysis of 19 studies

RAD51 is an important component of double-stranded DNA–repair mechanisms that interacts with both BRCA1 and BRCA2. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of RAD51, 135G→C, has been suggested as a possible modifier of breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. We pooled genotype data for 8,512 female mutation carriers from 19 studies for the RAD51 135G→C SNP. We found evidence of an increased breast cancer risk in CC homozygotes (hazard ratio [HR] 1.92 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.25–2.94) but not in heterozygotes (HR 0.95 [95% CI 0.83–1.07]; P=.002, by heterogeneity test with 2 degrees of freedom [df]). When BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers were analyzed separately, the increased risk was statistically significant only among BRCA2 mutation carriers, in whom we observed HRs of 1.17 (95% CI 0.91–1.51) among heterozygotes and 3.18 (95% CI 1.39–7.27) among rare homozygotes (P=.0007, by heterogeneity test with 2 df). In addition, we determined that the 135G→C variant affects RAD51 splicing within the 5′ UTR. Thus, 135G→C may modify the risk of breast cancer in BRCA2 mutation carriers by altering the expression of RAD51. RAD51 is the first gene to be reliably identified as a modifier of risk among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers.     

Effects of MEK inhibitor U0126 on meiotic progression in mouse oocytes： microtuble organization, asymmetric division and metaphase Ⅱ arrest

In this study we used U0126, a potent and specific inhibitor of MEK, to study the roles of MEK/ERK/p90~(rsk) signaling pathway in the meiotic cell cycle of mouse oocytes. The phosphorylation of MAP kinase and p90~(rsk) in the oocytes treated with 1.5 μM U0126 was the same as that in oocytes cultured in drug-free medium. With 1.5 μM U0126 treatment, the spindles appeared normal as they formed in oocytes, but failed to maintain its structure. Instead, the spindle lost one pole or elongated extraordinarily. After further culture, some oocytes extruded gigantic polar bodies (>30 μm) that later divided into two small ones. Some oocytes underwent symmetric division and produced two equal-size daughter cells in which normal spindles formed. In oocytes with different division patterns, MAP kinase was normally phosphorylated. When the concentration of U0126 was increased to 15 mM, the phosphorylation of both MAPK and p90~(rsk) were inhibited, while symmetric division was decreased. When incubating in medium c     

A Pin gene families encoding components of auxin efflux carriers in Brassica juncea

Based on the sequence information of Arabidopsis PIN1, two cDNAs encoding PIN homologues from Brassica juncea, Bjpin2 and Bjpin3, were isolated through cDNA library screening. Bjpin2 and Bjpin3 encoded proteins containing 640 and 635 amino acid residues, respectively, which shared 97.5% identities with each other and were highly homologous to Arabidopsis PIN1, PIN2 and other putative PIN proteins. BJPIN2 and BjPIN3 had similar structures as AtPIN proteins. Northern blot analysis indicated that Bjpin2 was expressed in stem, leaf and floral tissues, while Bjpin3 was expressed predominantly in stem and hypocotyls. Two promoter fragments of pin genes, Bjpin-X and Bjpin-Z, were isolated by 'genome walking' technique using primers at 5'-end of pin cDNA. Promoter-gus fusion studies revealed the GUS activities driven by Bjpin-X were at internal side of xylem and petal; while those driven by Bjpin-Z were detected at leaf vein, epidermal cell and cortex of stem, vascular tissues and anther. Results of the pin gene     

Association between VDR Apal Polymorphism and Hip Bone Mineral Density Can Be Modified by Body Mass Index:A Study on Postmenopausal Chinese Women

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem for old people.Genetic factors are considered tobe major contributors to the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.The vitamin D receptor(VDR)gene is a prominent candidate gene for the regulation of postmenopausal bone mass;however,despite exten-sive studies,controversy remains regarding its association with postmenopausal body mineral density(BMD)variation.In this study,a total of 260 healthy postmenopausal Chinese women were genotyped at the VDRApaI locus using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).Rawhip BMD was significantly associated with VDR ApaI polymorphism with and without adjusting for age(P=0.015 and 0.040,respectively).This genetic effect can explain 3.32% of hip BMD variation.However,the significant association vanished after correcting for both age and body mass index(BMI)(P=0.169).Inaddition,we observed a significant association between VDR ApaI polymorphism with unadjusted BMI(P=0.042)or BMI adjusted for age(P=0.049).The raw hip BMD was also found to be significantly corre-lated with BMI(r=0.517,P=0.0001),with BMI explaining 26.35% of the variation of hip BMD.All of thesefacts prompt us to conclude that the significant association between the VDR ApaI genotype and hip BMDmay be modified by BMI in postmenopausal Chinese women.Our findings may partially explain the earlierinconsistent association results concerning the VDR gene and BMD,and highlight the importance of incorpo-rating covariates such as BMI into osteoporosis association studies.     

The Modulation and Control of the Gecko''''s Foot Movement

1IntroductionAttachment is still a difficult problem in wall-climbing robotics.There are two main types ofattachment mechanisms for wall climbing robots.One issuction,which has major drawbacks.The mechanismrequires the contacting surface being smooth,otherwise itwill be ineffective.This limits adhesion of the suctioncup to relatively smooth,non-porous,non-crackedsurfaces.Another issue associated with suction adhesionis that this method requires time to develop enoughvacuum to generate suffici…