Diversity of wild and domestic pig populations estimated by a set of serum allotypes

Variation of serum protein allotypes serving as genetic markers of the blood has been analyzed in 29 populations of the domestic pig and subspecies of the wild boar. The population biodiversity and genetic structure have been estimated by two methods: by the frequencies of allotype combinations and with the use of a map constructed in the space of two principal components. The results obtained are the basis for determining the characteristics of the microevolution of wild boars and formation of the breeds of domestic pigs.     

Characteristics of some breeds of swine and populations of Georgian and Western Siberian wild boar by immunogenetic systems of blood serum proteins]

A bank of reagents for hog serum protein allotypes has been created. All of these allotypes passed international comparison tests in 1987-1988. The bank can be used for typing the animals for four generally accepted (Gp, LpB, Lpr, and IgGH) and several experimental systems. In this study, immunogenetic characteristics of some pig breeds (Large White, Lithuanian White, Swedish Landrace, Kakhetinskaya, and Svanetskaya) bred in Georgia are compared with those of western Siberian breeds (Large White, Kemerovskaya, and Northern Siberian), and some foreign breeds, as well as with European, Caucasian, and Siberian subspecies of the wild boar.     

Identification of an arginine residue important for catalytic activity in the primary structure of D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Studies with the rat skeletal-muscle enzyme.

The reaction of holo-(D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) (EC 1.2.1.12) from rat skeletal muscle with [14C]butanedione in 0.05 M-NH4HCO3, pH 8.0, resulted in modification (*) of two arginine residues per subunit with a concomitant loss of catalytic activity. From a tryptic digest of the modified protein two radiolabelled peptides were isolated, with the following sequences: (1)Val-Ile-Ile-Asn-Ala-Pro-Thr-Ala-Asp-Ala(Glx,Met,Leu,Phe,Met)Gly-Val-Asx-Arg- Glx(His,Tyr)Ser-Lys and (2) Asp-Ala-Gly-Ala-Thr-Ile-Ala-Leu(Asx,Glx,Arg,Phe,Val)Lys. By comparison of the data with the known sequences of homologous enzymes, the localization of the modified residues was established. The first peptide was identified as corresponding to residues 116--139, the second to residues 293--306. Experimental evidence from this and previous studies suggests that arginine-134 is important for the catalytic activity of the rat muscle enzyme, being involved in structural rearrangements accompanying the organization of the active centre on the binding of coenzyme and substrate.     

Modeling effect of homo- or heterozygosity on animal growth intensity

A model has been developed that describes the dependence of a quantitative selective trait on the animal homo- and heterozygosity for the genes that control the biochemical reaction rate (isoenzyme systems). The model includes any cases of gene control of a quantitative trait and is applicable to real, genetically heterogeneous populations. The results of testing the model show that it can be used for identifying the genes involved in additive polygenic determination of quantitative commercially valuable traits.     

Analysis of the participation of rat brain noradrenergic terminals in elaboration of conditioned passive avoidance response]

A change in a noradrenaline concentration in the noradrenergic terminals was investigated by the fluorescent histochemical method in pars ventralis nuc. interstitialis striae terminalis, nuc. septi lateralis and in nuc. preopticus medialis of male Wistar rats in the process of reproduction of conditioned passive avoidance response. In all the investigated structures of the preliminarily trained animals the reproduction of a conditioned response (without any electrical stimulation) led to a statistically reliable decrease in the noradrenaline concentration. The data obtained testified to the participation of the noradrenergic brain system in the reproductive process of the conditioned passive avoidance response.     

Standardized selection and its consequences for genetic population structure (examplified by Sus scrofa L.)

Type of selection for total fitness, specific for domestic animals and termed by us standardizing selection, is discussed. Consequences of such selection for the population structure genetic are considered taking a population of domestic pigs as an example. Examples of effective and ineffective standardizing selection are presented. Specific features of genetic determination often quantitative traits detected in analysis of standardizing selection are discussed.     

Cytogenetic characterization of Solanum lycopersicoides Dun. alien chromosome additions in cultivated tomato

Cytogenetic analysis of five Solanum lycopersicoides monosomic alien addition lines of tomato was carried out. Meiotic analysis showed that additional chromosomes caused serious abnormalities. It was demonstrated that different chromosomes of S. lycopersicoides had different effects on chromosome pairing. For instance, associations formed between chromosomes II and IV of S. lycopersicoides and chromosomes of cultured tomato were trivalents, while chromosome XI in all cells was present as a univalent. Pachytene analysis showed that chromosomes of homeologous group II paired at their long arms, and their nucleolus organizer regions were of different sizes. The use of molecular markers provided accelerated identification of the introgression of S. lyvcopersicoides genetic material.     

Changes in litter size in Kerry blue terrier dogs with abnormal dentition

The pleiotropic effects of mutations resulting in abnormal dentition were analyzed in Kerry Blue Terrier. A decrease in litter size was demonstrated for dogs with dentition anomalies. The mean litter size was 5.72 puppies when both parents had normal dentition and 3.64 puppies when the parents had hypodontia. Analysis showed that the decrease in litter size cannot be fully explained by the effect of inbreeding and is most probably associated with the pleiotropic effect of the genes controlling teeth development on the embryonic viability.     

A2G--a new system of alpha-2-globulin allotypes in pig blood serum]

Combinations of four alpha-2-globulin allotypes were studied for their distribution in pigs of nine different breeds and hybrid groups. Based on this analysis, a new, previously unpublished polyallelic genetic system designated A2G was postulated. The complex alleles of this system control alpha-2-globulin allotypes and are suggested to be encoded by genes of two subloci. One of these subloci is virtually monomorphic, whereas the other has at least four allelic variants.     

EEG correlates of aggression and anxiety in a social interaction model

Aggressiveness- and anxiety-related behavioral and oscillatory patterns were investigated in 49 18-30 year old subjects during virtual social interactions. The subjects were presented with pictures of "angry", "happy", and "neutral" faces and had to choose one out of three options: "attack", "avoid", or "make friends". Sources of cortical EEG were localized with sLORETA software. Subjects with high aggressiveness chose attack more frequently and this behavior was accompanied by a stronger induced delta and theta synchronization in the right orbitofrontal cortex. In subjects with high anxiety, delta and theta responses were stronger induced in the right temporal cortex during their more frequent avoidance behavior. Thus, both in anxious and in aggressive subjects, typical behavior was accompanied by increased induced low-frequency synchronization whose localization implies that it is associated with motivational and emotional processes.