Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: Proximate mechanisms,ultimate outcomes,and practical applications

In many egg-laying reptiles, the incubation temperature of the egg determines the sex of the offspring, a process known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). In TSD sex determination is an “all or none” process and intersexes are rarely formed. How is the external signal of temperature transduced into a genetic signal that determines gonadal sex and channels sexual development? Studies with the red-eared slider turtle have focused on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular cascades initiated by the temperature signal. Both male and female development are active processes—rather than the crganized/default system characteristic of vertebrates with genotypic sex determination—that require simultaneous activation and suppression of testis- and ovary-determining cascades for normal sex determination. It appears that temperature accomplishes this end by acting on genes encoaing for steroidogenic enzymes and steroid hormone receptors and modifying the endocrine microenvironment in the embryo. The temperature experienced in development also has long-term functional outcomes in addition to sex determination. Research with the leopard gecko indicates that incubation temperature as well as steroid hormones serve as organizers in shaping the adult phenotype, with temperature modulating sex hormone action in sexual differentiation. Finally, practical applications of this research have emerged for the conservation and restoration of endangered egg-laying reptiles as well as the embryonic development of reptiles as biomarkers to monitor the estrogenic effects of common environmental contaminants. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

用原位分子杂交技术定位牛生长激素基因于5号染色体

本工作利用放射性标记的ｂＧＨ基因（３．０ｋｂ）为探针,通过原位杂交定位牛生长激素基因于染色体５ｑ２２－２６内。该结果与以前的ｂＧＨ基因定位的结果不同,讨论了基因探针、基因定位方法等方面与定位准确性的关系。     

The TRH neuronal phenotype forms embryonic cell clusters that go on to establish a regionalized cell fate in forebrain

How neurons diversify in developing brain to produce discrete cell fates in their appropriate regions remains a fundamental question. Embryonic Xenopus was previously used to identify juxtaposed embryonic cells that first express proopiomelanocortin mRNA in forebrain and pituitary, supporting the idea that this neuropeptide phenotype is induced locally. (Hayes and Loh, 1990, Development 110:747–757). To begin to examine how a more widespread population of forebrain cells is set up, the present focus is on the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) phenotype. Serial section in situ hybridization histochemistry produced the unexpected finding that the adult-like TRH system spanning forebrain and comprising over six different telencephalic and diencephalic nuclei, is preceded by an embryonic TRH cell population that is initially localized and then highly regionalized in the area from which the adult pattern develops. Thus, the first TRH cells, detected in vivo after 35 h (stage 29/30), were confined to discrete anterior or posterior bilateral clusters in embryonic forebrain or hindbrain. Thereafter, the TRH cell clusters in diencephelon, but not hindbrain, expanded to form rows, extending anteriorly into telencephalon and bifurcating posteriorly around the infundibulum. By 80 h (stage 42), after extensive brain morphogenesis, these forebrain rows showed regional differences in levels of TRH and mRNA corresponding to the specific brain nuclei that have been shown to contain TRH cells in adult. These findings show that subsets of phenotype-specific forebrain cell first form a regionalized neuronal cell fate before distinct brain nuclei form. This is turn points to the testable hypothesis in Xenopus that certain neuronal cell fates in forebrain may be dictated by cell lineage or local induction. 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

重组IL－6与IL－3或／和GM－CSF合用对正常BN大鼠粒单系体外造血的调控效应

本研究探讨了重组人ＩＬ－６与大鼠ＩＬ－３和／或小鼠ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ结合对正常ＢＮ大鼠粒单系体外造血的调控效应。结果表明,ＩＬ－６在１０００－４０００Ｕ／ｍｌ呈剂量依赖性刺激粒系造血祖细胞集落形成及骨髓细胞的ＤＮＡ合成,集落以ＧＭ型为主,其刺激活性低于ＩＬ－３或ＣＭ－ＣＳＦ。ｌＬ－６与ＩＬ－３和／或ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ的结合对粒单系集落形成及ＤＮＡ合成无协同或相加作用,甚至出现拮抗效应,但却显著增大集落。提示ＩＬ－６可能具有双向调控作用,促进早期造血细胞的增殖,拮抗其它因子对晚期粒单系造血的刺激作用;具有重叠生物效应的这３种细胞因子在调控造血时,它们之间的相互作用应是顺序的而不是同时的。     

A SIGNAL GLYCOPROTEIN WITH α-d-MANNOSYL RESIDUES IS INVOLVED IN THE WOUND-HEALING RESPONSE OF ANTITHAMNION SPARSUM (CERAMIALES,RHODOPHYTA)1

A variety of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectins specific for different sugar moieties were examined as probes for the wound-healing response in the filamentous red alga Antithamnion sparsum Tokida. Among them, only concanavalin A (ConA) and Lens culrinaris agglutinin (LCA), which have specificity to α-D-mannosyl residues, bound specifically to repair cells during the wound-healing process. When ConA or LCA was added at various time intervals after wounding, it first bound (3 h post-wounding) as a thin layer at the tips of the adjacent cells. Later (4–5 h post-wounding) labeling also appeared at the tips of the repair cells. Intense labeling at these sites continued throughout the healing process until repair cell fusion, at which time the lectin labeling was reduced to a narrow ring around the area of fusion. When added to plants prior to wounding and continually monitored, these same lectins acted as inhibitors to the wound-healing response. Other control lectins showed no inhibitory effects. A crude extract solution obtained from decapitated filaments stimulated the wound-healing response, and a lectin-binding component bound strongly to a protein-binding transfer membrane. These results suggest that the labeled compound is a glycoprotein that has α-D-mannosyl residues and is similar to the repair hormone rhodomorphin found in Griffithsia pacifica Kylin.     

A SEARCH FOR SOME ANG1OSPERM HORMONES AND THEIR METABOLITES IN CAULERPA PASPALOIDES (CHLOROPHYTA)1

The best available methods were used to search for an-giosperm hormones in the green alga Caulerpa paspa-loides (Bory) Greville. Solvent partitioning of methanol extracts led to acidic ethyl acetate fractions that it were run through high-performance liquid chromatography. Each of the resulting 25 fractions was divided in half so that one half was tested in the dwarf rice or lettuce hypocotyl assays for gibberellins and the other half was methylated and silylated for capillary gas chromatography combined with computerized mass spectrometry. By comparing algal mass spectra with spectra in the extensive library of mass spectra and associated Kovats Retention Indices that MacMillan's Bristol group has amassed, indole-3-acetic acid's presence in the alga was confirmed and dioxindole-3-acetic acid was found. However, despite the presence of several peaks of gibberellin-like activity in the bioassays, no gibberellin or gibberellin metabolite was found in the thousands of full mass spectra examined. The gibberellin-like activity in the acidic ethyl acetate fractions was therefore presumably not from any gibberellin known from vascular plants.     

哺乳动物促性腺激素对文昌鱼卵母细胞成熟的影响

在繁殖季节,将哺乳动物促性腺激素注射到性腺正在成熟文昌鱼体内,注射３６小时后,检查促性腺激素的生理效应,结果表明这两种激素均有效地诱发卵母细胞成熟和产卵。从而认为雌性文昌鱼的生殖活动,像脊椎动物一样,可能受促性腺激素的调控。     

H assignment and secondary structure determination of human melanoma growth stimulating activity (MGSA) by NMR spectroscopy

The solution structure of melanoma growth stimulating activity (MGSA) has been investigated using proton NMR spectroscopy. Sequential resonance assignments have been carried out, and elements of secondary structure have been identified on the basis of NOE, coupling constant, chemical shift, and amide proton exchange data. Long-range NOEs have established that MGSA is a dimer in solution. The secondary structure and dimer interface of MGSA appear to be similar to those found previously for the homologous chemokine interleukin-8 [Clore et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 1689-1696]. The MGSA monomer contains a three stranded anti-parallel β-sheet arranged in a ‘Greek-key’ conformation, and a C-terininal -helix (residues 58 69).     

Structure-activity relationships in corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata: roles of mating and the ovary

Morphometric studies were made on corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata from animals in which increasing gland size is not coupled to hormone synthesis (ovariectomized mated females; last-instar larvae) and in which gland size is coupled to hormone synthesis (normal mated and virgin females; penultimate-instar larvae). Cell number, gland volume, and juvenile hormone synthesis were measured. From electron micrographs, nuclear, cytoplasmic, and extracellular volumes; and cell membrane area were calculated; and fine structure described. Low-activity glands of ovariectomized mated females resembled high-activity glands from mated females in high cell number, large overall and cytoplasmic volume, and low nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio; they differed in having organelles typical of low-activity glands, mitochondria with dense matrices and large whorls of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Inactive lastinstar larval glands resembled mated ovariectomized, female glands in increased cell number and organelles characteristic of inactive glands; however, their nuclearcytoplasmic volume ratio was much higher. Penultimate cytoplasmic volume ratio was much higher. Penultimate larval glands with high activity per cell resembled active glands of normal mated females. Ovariectomy did not change morphometric parameters of virgin female glands; thus mating results in increase in size of adult female glands whereas the growing ovary is needed for changes in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum associated with high juvenile hormone synthesis.