Ultrastructural characteristics of the neocortex during rehabilitation from the sequelae of long-term protein-energy deficiency

Electron microscopy of mouse neocortex was carried out during rehabilitation following long-term protein-caloric deficiency. Food rehabilitation led to partial recovery of brain ultrastructure, however, a high neuronal level of secondary lysosoms and lipofuscin bodies was preserved, with the changes in the spine apparatus and synaptic contacts persisting in neuropile. Carnitine addition to food during rehabilitation increased the number of free ribosomes in cortical neurons. A substantial development of granular endoplasmic reticulum was observed. A greater number of spine apparatus cisterns was detected, however, like in conventional rehabilitation, the width of synaptic clefts and postsynaptic densities remained narrower than in control mice.     

Mechanisms of Meiotic Restitution and Their Genetic Regulation in Wheat–Rye Polyhaploids

Meiosis has been studied in partially fertile wheat–rye F₁ hybrids yielded by crosses Triticum aestivum (Saratovskaya 29 variety) × Secale cereale L. (Onokhoiskaya variety) (4x =28). Hybrid self-fertility proved to be caused by formation of restituted nuclei, which appear after equational segregation of univalent chromosome in AI and sister chromatid non-separation in AII of meiosis, as well as after AI blockage in three different ways. Both types of meiotic restitution were found in each hybrid plant. Expression of the meiotic restitution trait varied significantly in polyhaploids of the same genotype (ears of the same plants, anthers of the same ear, microsporocytes of the same anther). Chromatin condensation in prophase proved to be related to the division type and univalent segregation in AI. During reduction segregation of univalents in AI, sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome supercondensation remained unchanged. The results obtained suggest that in the remote hybrids with haploid karyotype of the parental origin (polyhaploids), the program of two-stage meiosis may be fundamentally transformed to ensure one instead of two divisions. We propose that meiotic restitution is a result of special genetic regulation of the kinetochore organization (both structural and functional) and chromatin condensation, i.e. of major meiotic mechanisms.     

Porcine kidney extract contains a specific inhibitor of the ouabain-sensitive alpha2-isoform of Na, K-ATPase present in rat diaphragm fibres

In experiments on isolated rat diaphragm muscle, acetylcholine (100 nmol/l) hyperpolarized muscle fibres due to activation of the alpha 2 isoform of Na,K-ATPase. This hyperpolarization was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by ouabain (K0.5 = 8 +/- 4 nmol/l) as well as by a solution of porcine kidney extract (10 kDa cut-off filtration), with the K0.5 approximately equal to a 1:20,000-fold dilution. The inhibitory activity of the developed slowly over a period of 3 hours and, in contrast to ouabain, was still present after 1 hour of washing. Ouabain, but not the extract, inhibits Rb+ uptake in human erythrocytes that only express the alpha = 1 isoform of Na, K-ATPase. Our data suggest that in rat skeletal muscle the alpha 1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase is primarily responsible for ionic homeostasis, while the alpha 2 isoform provides a "regulatable" function and may be controlled by cholinergic stimulation and/or endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLFs). Porcine kidney extract contains a factor (M. W. < 10 kDa) that selectively inhibits the rat alpha 2 isoform and differs from ouabain. Our experimental protocol can be used as a highly sensitive physiological assay for factors that selectively inhibit the alpha 2 isoform of Na,K-ATPase.     

Zoobenthos communities and their seasonal dynamics in nonfreezing springs of Baikal region

The faunal composition, structure of the zoobenthos communities, and seasonal changes in two springs in the south of Irkutsk area are investigated. Both springs have the water temperature 4–5°C all year round. The fauna consists of widely distributed hydrobionts, crenobionts, stygobionts, and near-water organisms. Arctic relicts and elements of the Lake Baikal fauna are found. In macroinvertebrate communities, chironomid larvae dominate (by abundance and biomass), as do oligochaetes (by abundance). The lowest quantitative parameters are recorded in autumn-winter, and the highest parameters, in spring (March–April). Then they abruptly decline owing to emergence of amphibiotic insects. The structure of spring communities has regional specificity. By biomass of macrozoobenthos, the springs are comparable with mesotrophic and even eutrophic lakes.     

Effect of functional unloading and dystrophin deficit on the local hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of a skeletal muscle fiber

The data have been obtained that confirm the identity of the electrogenic mechanism of hyperpolarization by nanomolar concentrations of cholinergic ligands in the extrasynaptic region and endogenous nonquantal acetylcholine in the synaptic region of a skeletal muscle fiber. In both cases, this mechanism is realized through the involvement of the alpha2 isoform of Na, K-ATPase and operates in the absence of Na+ entry through membrane channels. At the same time, there are peculiar properties which take place under functional disorders. Thus, the effectiveness of this mechanism in the synaptic region selectively increases under rat hindlimb unloading and decreases in case of dystrophin deficit in mdx mice. The last fact suggests that dystrophin is a molecular component that is essential for the functioning of the electrogenic mechanism of local hyperpolarization of the end-plate membrane.     

Effect of rye Secale cereale L. chromosomes 1R and 3R on polyembryony expression in hybrid combinations between (Hordeum vulgare L.)-Triticum aestivum L. alloplasmic recombinant lines and wheat T. aestivum L.-rye S. cereale L. substitution lines

The effect of rye chromosomes on polyembryony was studied for reciprocal hybrid combinations between (Hordeum vulgare L.)-Triticum aestivum L. alloplasmic recombinant lines and five wheat T. aestivum L. (cultivar Saratovskaya 29)-rye Secale cereale L. (cultivar Onokhoiskaya) substitution lines: IR(1D), 2R(2D), 3R(3B), 5R(5A), and 6R(6A), and for direct hybrid combinations between the [H. marinum ssp. gussoneanum (H. geniculatum All.)]-T. aestivum alloplasmic recombinant line and the wheat-rye substitution lines 1R (1A), 1R (1D), and 3R(3B). Chromosomes 1R and 3R of rye cultivar Onokhoiskaya proved to affect the expression of polyembryony in the hybrid combinations that involved the alloplasmic recombinant lines of common wheat as maternal genotypes. Based on this finding, polyembryony was regarded as a phenotypic expression of nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions where an important role is played by rye chromosomes 1R and 3R and the H. vulgare cytoplasm. Consideration is given to the association between the effect of rye chromosomes 1R and 3R on polyembryony in the [(Hordeum)-T. aestivum x wheat-rye substitution lines] hybrid combinations and their stimulating effect on the development on angrogenic embryoids in isolated anther cultures of the wheat-rye substitution lines.     

Production of wheat-rye substitution lines based on winter rye cultivars with karyotype identification by means of C-banding,GISH, and SSR markers

The study presents a continuation of the research aimed at producing of wheat-rye substitution lines (2n = 42) based on the cross (Triticum aestivum L. × Secale sereale L.) × Triticum aestivum L., and using winter rye cultivars Vyatka and Vietnamskaya Mestnaya. In BC 1 F 5 two lines were identified, having karyotypes in which a pair of homologous wheat chromosomes was substituted by a homeologous pair of rye chromosomes. The chromosome composition of these lines was analyzed using C-banding, GISH, and SSR markers. It was demonstrated that karyotype of each line included a single pair of rye chromosomes and lacked wheat-rye translocations. The rye chromosomes were identified, and the chromosomes of wheat, at which the substitutions occurred, were determined. The lines generated by crosses with rye of Vyatka and Vietnamskaya Mestnaya cultivars were designated 1Rv(1A) and 5Rviet(5A), respectively. Chromosome identification and classification of the lines makes it possible to use them in breeding programs and genetic studies.     

Effect of rye Secale cereale L. chromosomes 1R and 3R on polyembryony expression in hybrid combinations between ( Hordeum L.)-Triticum aestivum L. alloplasmic recombinant lines and wheat-rye substitution lines T. aestivum L.- S. cereale L.

The effect of rye chromosomes on polyembryony was studied for reciprocal hybrid combinations between (Hordeum vulgare L.)-Triticum aestivum L. alloplasmic recombinant lines and five wheat T. aestivum L. (cultivar Saratovskaya 29)-rye Secale cereale L. (cultivar Onokhosikaya) substitution lines: 1R(1D), 2R(2D), 3R(3B), 5R(5A), and 6R(6A), and for direct hybrid combinations between the [H. marinum ssp. gussoneanum (H. geniculatum All.)]-T. aestivum alloplasmic recombinant line and the wheat-rye substitution lines 1R(1A), 1R(1D), and 3R(3B). Chromosomes 1R and 3R of rye cultivar Onokhoiskaya proved to affect the expression of polyembryony in the hybrid combinations that involved the alloplasmic recombinant lines of common wheat as maternal genotypes. Based on this finding, polyembryony was regarded as a phenotypic expression of nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions where an important role is played by rye chromosomes 1R and 3R and the H. vulgare cytoplasm. Consideration is given to the association between the effect of rye chromosomes 1R and 3R on polyembryony in the [(Hordeum)-T. aestivum × wheat-rye substitution lines] hybrid combinations and their stimulating effect on the development on androgenic embryoids in isolated anther cultures of the wheat-rye substitution lines. Original Russian Text ? L.A. Pershina, T.S. Rakovtseva, L.I. Belova, E.P. Devyatkina, O.G. Silkova, L.A. Kravisova, A.I. Shchapova, 2007, published in Genetika, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 955–962.     

Characteristics of common wheat cultivars of West Siberia carrying the wheat-rye 1RS.1BL translocation

Using genomic in situ hybidization, among the common wheat cultivars produced in West Siberia (Siberian Research Institute of Agriculture, Omsk) with the involvement of the winter wheat cultivar Kavkaz carrying the wheat-rye 1RS.1BL translocation we identified three cultivars with this translocation: Omskaya 29, Omskaya 37, and Omskaya 38. The protein and crude gluten contents in the grain of these cultivars are equal to or exceed the levels observed in cultivars without the wheat-rye translocation. The common wheat cultivars carrying the wheat-rye translocation were evaluated in terms of resistance of plants reaching wax ripeness to leaf rust and powdery mildew in the natural field conditions. The cultivars Omskaya 37 and Omskaya 38 displayed a high field resistance to leaf rust and were resistant to a variable extent to powdery mildew. The cultivar Omskaya 29 was susceptible to leaf rust and powdery mildew pathogens. Importance of the selection direction and the role of the genetic background in developing common wheat cultivars carrying the wheat-rye translocation is discussed.