Growth period QTL-allele constitution of global soybeans and its differential evolution changes in geographic adaptation versus maturity group extension

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) has been disseminated globally as a photoperiod/temperature-sensitive crop with extremely diverse days to flowering (DTF) and days to maturity (DTM) values. A population with 371 global varieties covering 13 geographic regions and 13 maturity groups (MGs) was analyzed for its DTF and DTM QTL-allele constitution using restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association study (RTM-GWAS). Genotypes with 20 701 genome-wide SNPLDBs (single-nucleotide polymorphism linkage disequilibrium blocks) containing 55 404 haplotypes were observed, and 52 DTF QTLs and 59 DTM QTLs (including 29 and 21 new ones) with 241 and 246 alleles (two to 13 per locus) were detected, explaining 84.8% and 74.4% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. The QTL-allele matrix characterized with all QTL-allele information of each variety in the global population was established and subsequently separated into geographic and MG set submatrices. Direct comparisons among them revealed that the genetic adaptation from the origin to geographic subpopulations was characterized by new allele/new locus emergence (mutation) but little allele exclusion (selection), while that from the primary MG set to emerged early and late MG sets was characterized by allele exclusion without allele emergence. The evolutionary changes involved mainly 72 DTF and 71 DTM alleles on 28 respective loci, 10–12 loci each with three to six alleles being most active. Further recombination potential for faster maturation (12–21 days) or slower maturation (14–56 days) supported allele convergence (recombination) as a constant genetic factor in addition to migration (inheritance). From the QTLs, 44 DTF and 36 DTM candidate genes were annotated and grouped respectively into nine biological processes, indicating multi-functional DTF/DTM genes are involved in a complex gene network. In summary, we identified QTL-alleles relatively thoroughly using RTM-GWAS for direct matrix comparisons and subsequent analysis.     

A Group I Self-Splicing Intron in the Flagellin Gene of the Thermophilic Bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus

A group I intron that can be spliced in vivo and in vitro was identified in the flagellin gene of the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus. We also found one or two intervening sequences (IVS) of flagellin genes in five additional bacterial species. Furthermore, we report the presence of these sequences in two sites of a highly conserved region in the flagellin gene.     

横斑腹小鸮一新亚种—杂斑腹小鸮(鸮形目:鸱鸮科)

在横断山区鸟类考察过程中,发现采自四川宝兴县硗碛和雅江县八角楼的两号小鴞属标本与原记录的种类有显著差异,经研究认为是横斑腹小鴞(Athene brama)的一新亚种,命名为: 横斑腹小鴞 新亚种—杂斑腹小鴞Athene brama poikila Subsp.nov. 正模标本 雄性成鸟(采集号6079),1964年12月6日,采自四川省宝兴县的硗碛,海拔高度2,200米。标本保存在四川农业大学。     

Penetration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate into human erythrocytes: Consequences for studies on phospholipid asymmetry

The glutathione content of human erythrocytes rapidly diminishes when cells are exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate (20 μmol/l cells) at 37°C. Even at 0°C a slow decrease in glutathione content is observed. The uptake of trinitrobenzenesulfonate by the cells is retarded by inhibitors of the inorganic anion exchange system, indicating that trinitrobenzenesulfonate enters the cells by this pathway.The disappearance of glutathione most probably results from the reaction: 2 GSH + trinitrobenzenesulfonate → GSSG + aminodinitrobenzenesulfonate The reaction of trinitrobenzenesulfonate with glutathione occurs prior to its covalent binding to amino groups of hemoglobin which makes this reaction a more sensitive method of detection of penetration of trinitrobenzenesulfonate into erythrocytes. Results of studies on the asymmetric distribution of phospholipids using trinitrobenzenesulfonate as the only probe should be reconsidered in the light of these new data.     

Joint Report of the Third International Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen (BoLA) Workshop, Helsinki, Finland, 27 July 1986

Summary. Two hundred and eighty-two alloantisera were submitted by 20 participating laboratories from 13 countries and tested against lymphocytes of 1298 cattle. The cell panel consisted of samples from 38 Bos taurus breeds, 11 Bos taurus crossbreeds, 4 Bos indicus breeds, 6 Bos taurus X Bos indicus , and a variety of other crossbred populations. Using a standardized lymphocytotoxicity test, all 17 previously identified BoLA specificities were confirmed. The workshop produced agreement on 16 new lymphocyte alloantigenic specificities. Three of the new specificities behaved as splits of previously identified BoLA specificities. Four of the new specificities behaved as alleles at the agreed BoLA-A locus. Seven new specificities are tentatively assigned to the BoLA-A locus but require further definition. Two new specificities may represent products of a second closely-linked BoLA locus.     

CHROMOSOMAL REPATTERNING AND LINKAGE GROUP CONSERVATION IN MOSQUITO KARYOTYPIC EVOLUTION

Chromosome number and morphology in mosquitoes is remarkably uniform: virtually all mosquitoes have a diploid chromosome number of six (2N = 6), and their chromosomes are invariably metacentric or submetacentric. Numerical changes obviously have not been important in mosquito chromosomal evolution, and because of the morphological similarity of their chromosomes, it appears that structural changes have played little or no role in mosquito karyotypic evolution. The goal of the present study was to identify the types and relative numbers of chromosomal changes in mosquito evolution and to extend the comparison where possible to the higher diptera. To do this, we compared the enzyme linkage maps of six species of Aedes to each other and to enzyme maps of seven other mosquito species and to Drosophila melanogaster. Our results indicate that Aedes chromosomes have been modified by inversions, most which were paracentric, and by translocations, most which were Robertsonian. Intrageneric comparison of Aedes enzyme maps also revealed groups of linked enzyme loci whose integrity has been maintained throughout Aedes evolution (conserved linkages/syntenies). Intergeneric comparisons of Aedes enzyme maps with those of species in the genera Culex, Anopheles, and Toxorhynchites disclosed conserved associations of enzyme loci between mosquito genera. These findings lead us to postulate that the ancestral mosquito karyotype consisted of six chromosomal elements which, other than being combined in different ways in various mosquito groups, have remained essentially intact during mosquito evolution. Furthermore, the identification of groups of linked enzyme loci common to mosquitoes and to D. melanogaster indicates that linkage group conservation may characterize the karyotypic evolution of all dipteran insects.     

Characterization of B and H blood-group active glycosphingolipids from human B erythrocyte membranes

Two blood group B active glycosphingolipids (B-I and B-II) previously isolated and highly purified from human B erythrocytes [21] were analysed first by degradation with α-D-galactosidase from coffee beans, α-L-fucosidase from bovine kidney and with 0,1 N trichloracetic acid; the native B-glycolipids as well as their degradation products were then investigated by methylation analysis with combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, by thin layer chromatography, twodimensional immunodiffusion and by the hemagglutination inhibition technique. Together with the results obtained by mass spectrometry of permethylated glycolipids [26] the following structures were elucidated: α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminosyl-(1 → 3)-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1)-ceramide for the B-I glycosphingolipid and α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminosyl-(1 → 3)-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminosyl-(1 → 3)-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1)-ceramide for the B-II glycosphingolipid. A H active glycolipid fraction from B erythrocytes further purified by thin layer chromatography was also investigated by methylation analysis. The pattern of its partially methylated alditol acetates was essentially the same as that of the α-galactosidase treated and permethylated B-I glycolipid. It also exhibited strongly precipitating and hemagglutination inhibiting H properties as well as the two α-galactosidase treated B-I and B-II glycosphingolipids. Based upon these data the following tentative structure was proposed: α-L-fucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminosyl-(1 → 3)-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1)-ceramide. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed sphingosine and lignoceric, nervonic and behenic acids to be the main components of the ceramide residues of the three glycosphingolipids. From the data presented the H active substance very probably can be regarded as the immediate precursor of the B-I glycosphingolipid from human B erythrocyte membranes.