低免疫原性的新型葡激酶ΔNMSak在大肠杆菌中的高效表达和分离纯化

为了降低野生型葡激酶 (wild- type staphylokinase,wt- Sak)的免疫原性 ,对已构建的葡激酶N端缺失突变体 (ΔNSak) c DNA进行改造 ,将其主要的抗原决定簇编码序列突变为丙氨酸密码子 .该突变体 (ΔNMSak) c DNA与原核表达载体 p LY- 4重组后 ,转化大肠杆菌 JF1 1 2 5.经温度诱导 ,ΔNMSak获得高效表达 ,重组蛋白占全菌总蛋白的 60 % ,以包涵体形式存在 .包涵体经洗涤 ,8mol/L尿素溶解 ,稀释复性 ,离子交换色谱一步分离至电泳纯 ,纯度达 95%以上 ,分子量与理论值相符 ,比活性 8.5× 1 0 4 HU/mg.经 ELISA法、发色底物法测定 ,ΔNMSak与 wt- Sak制备的兔抗wt- Sak抗血清的免疫反应性显著降低 ,经抗血清温育后 ,wt- Sak活性下降程度远高于 ΔNMSak.ΔNMSak、wt- Sak分别免疫豚鼠 ,以 ELISA法测定豚鼠血清中相应抗体的效价 ,ΔNMSak组的抗体效价明显低于 wt- Sak组 ,表明 ΔNMSak的免疫原性显著下降 .     

低出血倾向、低免疫原性葡激酶mSAK(K130T,K135R)的表达、纯化与活性测定

为了有效降低葡激酶应用的副作用,构建低出血倾向、低免疫原性葡激酶突变体,高效表达纯化后进行活性鉴定,以野生型重组葡激酶基因为模板,PCR法引入突变位点(K130T,K135R),并将该片段克隆测序鉴定后,克隆至表达载体pBV220,构建低免疫原性葡激酶突变体.表达后的蛋白用Q-SepharoseFF柱与SephacrylS-200进行纯化,纤维蛋白溶圈法进行活性测定,体外抗体中和试验与豚鼠免疫试验测定突变体蛋白的免疫原性,同时进行动物体内出血倾向观察.测序结果表明,相应位点获得突变,无非特异性突变,将突变后的片段连接pBV220导入大肠杆菌热激诱导获得了高效表达,表达产物占菌体总蛋白的40%~50%.产物主要以可溶性形式存在,经两步纯化后的蛋白的纯度可达98%以上.活性测定试验表明,该突变体的活性较野生型葡激酶稍低,体外中和抗体试验和豚鼠免疫试验证明免疫原性大为下降,豚鼠的皮肤出血以及肺部病理切片均显示该突变体蛋白引起的出血倾向明显降低.     

Arg77和Glu80定点突变同时去除葡激酶中的T和B细胞抗原表位

【目的】对葡激酶的T和B细胞抗原表位重叠的关键氨基酸Arg77和Glu80进行定点突变以降低葡激酶的免疫原性。【方法】基于Arg77和Glu80的溶剂可及表面积设计葡激酶的突变体;突变体在大肠杆菌DH5α中进行表达。经过三步层析法纯化后,分析突变体的纤溶活性和免疫原性。【结果】免疫学实验提示,葡激酶导致Th2免疫反应;Glu80突变为丙氨酸和丝氨酸减少了溶剂可及表面积,同时去除了部分T和B细胞抗原表位;Arg77突变为天冬酰胺、谷氨酰胺和赖氨酸仅去除了部分T细胞抗原表位;6个组合突变体中,Sak(R77Q/E80A)和Sak(R77Q/E80S)有效去除了部分B和T细胞抗原表位,降低了葡激酶的免疫原性;Sak(R77Q/E80A)and Sak(R77Q/E80S)的纤溶活性和催化效率与r-Sak相当。     

钼还原菌中TrxR的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

[目的]构建枯草芽孢杆菌硫氧还蛋白还原酶(thioredoxin reductase,TrxR)原核载体,表达、纯化TrxR重组蛋白,制备并鉴定多克隆抗体。[方法]通过分子克隆获得TrxR蛋白的表达菌株;利用镍离子亲和层析获得纯化的TrxR重组蛋白,免疫兔子制备TrxR蛋白多克隆抗体;采用ELISA法测定抗体效价;Western Blot检测抗血清的特异性。[结果]TrxR重组载体双酶切结果与DNA测序鉴定结果一致,蛋白表达纯化条带大小与预测一致。ELISA法测定抗血清效价为7×104,Western Blot证实抗血清有较高的特异性。[结论]成功克隆、表达与纯化TrxR重组蛋白,制备并鉴定兔子多克隆抗体,为TrxR的生物学功能研究奠定基础。     

利用DNA免疫技术制备ASB11蛋白的多克隆抗体

ASB11参与胚胎神经祖细胞的发育、再生性肌发生以及泛素化等过程,但其机制仍不清楚。为了进一步研究斑马鱼Asb11基因的作用机制,本研究采用DNA免疫技术制备了ASB11多克隆抗体;利用斑马鱼Asb11的c DNA构建p CAGGS-P7/ASB11重组表达质粒,肌肉注射入6-8周龄的BALB/c小鼠体内,诱导抗原蛋白的表达和免疫应答的发生。结果显示,制备的p CAGGS-P7/ASB11重组质粒具有较好的免疫原性;将提取的抗血清进行Western-blot和免疫荧光检测,显示所制备的多克隆抗体抗体效价为1∶400,抗血清抗体能特异的结合ASB11蛋白。本研究为后续的功能研究奠定了基础。     

RGD-葡激酶突变体(K130T,K135R)的制备与活性分析

以葡激酶突变体质粒mSAK(K130T ,K135R)-pBV220为模板,PCR重叠引物延伸法引入突变位点,并将该片段克隆至载体pBV220 ,构建了RGD-mSAK-pBV220质粒,转化大肠杆菌后热激诱导获得了高效表达,表达产物占菌体总蛋白的50%以上,且主要以可溶性形式存在,所获蛋白依次用Q SepharoseHP柱、SephaycrylS200HR柱和SP柱进行纯化,纯化的蛋白的纯度可达98%以上,纤维蛋白溶圈法体外溶栓活性测定结果表明,所获RGD-mSAK蛋白溶栓活性与野生型葡激酶相当,豚鼠体内免疫试验证明突变体的免疫原性也有所降低,血小板聚集试验分析突变体蛋白的抗血小板聚集能力,RGD 葡激酶突变体具有一定的抗血小板聚集能力。     

鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原的制备及其免疫保护效果的研究

为制备鼠疫耶尔森氏菌F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原,观察其免疫原性和免疫保护效果,通过疏水层析、阴离子交换层析、凝胶过滤层析纯化鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原.用氢氧化铝凝胶吸附制备试验性鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原,皮下接种健康BALB/c小鼠,ELISA检测血清F1-V抗体效价、MTT法测定淋巴细胞增殖能力,进一步用400LD50鼠疫耶尔森氏菌141标准毒株皮下攻毒,观察动物的存活情况.通过三步柱层析纯化获得的鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原纯度达到90%以上.氢氧化铝凝胶吸附的鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原免疫BALB/c小鼠三次,血清抗F1-V抗体效价为1∶(51200±800),对耶尔森氏菌141强毒株攻击的保护率是90%.上述结果表明,制备的鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白抗原具有良好的免疫原性和免疫保护效果,为研制鼠疫F1-V重组融合蛋白疫苗奠定了基础.     

猪圆环病毒2型Cap蛋白多克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

旨在制备猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)Cap蛋白的多克隆抗体。以PCV2毒株(CAU0673)DNA为模板进行PCR,扩增目的片段大小约为702 bp,构建pET30a-PCV2-Cap重组质粒,转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),IPTG诱导表达;对目的蛋白进行NiNTA树脂亲和层析纯化、复性,并进行SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定;将纯化后的重组Cap蛋白与弗氏佐剂混匀乳化,经背部皮下多点注射4次,免疫新西兰大耳白兔,制备成兔抗Cap蛋白多克隆抗体,采用Western blot和间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)验证兔抗血清特异性,并用间接ELISA测定抗血清抗体效价。PCR、双酶切和测序鉴定结果表明,重组质粒pET30a-PCV2-Cap构建正确;重组Cap蛋白以包涵体的形式表达,大小约为34 kD,复性后重组Cap蛋白可与PCV2阳性猪血清发生特异性反应;制备的多克隆抗体与PCV2重组Cap蛋白和全病毒抗原均可发生反应,ELISA抗体效价 1∶12 800,显著高于商品化疫苗组。     

葡萄球菌B型肠毒素突变体SEB(Y89A,C93S,Y94A)对小鼠的免疫保护作用

目的:评价葡萄球菌B型肠毒素(SEB)突变体SEB(Y89A,C93S,Y94A)作为超抗原疫苗候选分子对小鼠的免疫保护作用。方法:制备具有一定纯度和活性的突变体蛋白SEB(Y89A,C93S,Y94A)样品,灭活后免疫BALB/c小鼠,待小鼠抗体水平上升后,再以野生型SEB(wt-SEB)攻击用D-半乳糖胺致敏的BALB/c小鼠,评价该突变体蛋白的免疫保护作用。结果:突变体蛋白SEB(Y89A,C93S,Y94A)在重组大肠杆菌DH5α中得到表达,主要以包涵体形式存在,经变性、复性、SephacrylS200凝胶过滤,制备成较高纯度(95%)的、具有与wt-SEB相同抗原性的突变体蛋白样品,甲醛灭活后免疫BALB/c小鼠至4周,ELISA法测定小鼠抗体效价水平可达106;进而以wt-SEB攻毒,在达8倍LD50的攻击下,阴性对照小鼠在24h内全部死亡,而SEB(Y89A,C93S,Y94A)组与wt-SEB组小鼠至48h仍有存活。结论:突变体蛋白的保护效果与wt-SEB相类似,有望成为SEB减毒疫苗候选分子。     

抗鳞翅目害虫基因cry1C的抗原表位分析及多克隆抗体制备

利用生物信息学方法预测cry1C蛋白的抗原表位区,并命名为Δcry1C。优化Δcry1C的核苷酸序列并进行人工合成,构建重组表达载体pET28b(+)-Δcry1C。在E.coli中诱导表达His6-Δcry1C蛋白,纯化后免疫新西兰大白兔,分离、纯化获得cry1C多抗血清。ELISA测定结果表明,抗体效价最高可达1∶512 000。Western Blot分析结果表明,cry1C多克隆抗体能够与cry1C转基因抗虫水稻蛋白特异性结合。利用生物信息学筛选抗原表位区并优化序列、原核表达重组蛋白、免疫制备cry1C多克隆抗体,为深入研究抗鳞翅目害虫植物提供了前提条件。     

Preparation of hair for measurement of elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The preparation of hair for the determination of elements is a critical component of the analysis procedure. Open-beaker, closedvessel microwave, and flowthrough microwave digestion are methods that have been used for sample preparation and are discussed. A new digestion method for use with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been developed. The method uses 0.2 g of hair and 3 mL of concentrated nitric acid in an atmospheric pressurelow-temperature microwave digestion (APLTMD) system. This preparation method is useful in handling a large numbers of samples per day and may be adapted to hair sample weights ranging from 0.08 to 0.3 g. After digestion, samples are analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the concentration of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Pd, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, and U. Benefits of the APLTMD include reduced contamination and sample handling, and increased precision, reliability, and sample throughput.     

外泌体在白血病中的重要调控作用

目前,白血病复发是患者死亡的主要原因之一。肿瘤细胞和微环境的相互作用,以及隐匿在骨髓中的肿瘤干细胞,促进了白血病的复发和向淋巴组织的转移,因此白血病的治疗、转移和复发问题受到广泛关注。外泌体是由绝大多数细胞分泌的双层脂质膜囊泡,可以调控细胞间的交流和信息传递。在白血病细胞、基质细胞和内皮细胞之间的相互联系中都涉及到外泌体,白血病细胞来源的外泌体存在于白血病患者的血浆中,能把其携带的白血病相关抗原及微小RNA呈递给靶细胞,促进白血病肿瘤细胞的增殖,有助于肿瘤细胞实现免疫逃避,保护白血病细胞抵抗化疗药物导致的细胞毒性作用,促进血管生成及肿瘤细胞的迁移。因此,外泌体与白血病的转移、治疗及预后密切相关,可以用来检测和监测白血病的进展。本文综述了外泌体的来源、形成与分泌机制,以及外泌体在白血病发生前、发展中、预后和免疫治疗中所扮演的重要角色。     

日本北海道虻类雌性外生殖器形态(双翅目：虻科)(英文)

【目的】利用日本北海道虻类评估和验证外生殖器在分类学上的意义。【方法】将虻类成虫标本浸渍在生理盐水中并置于双目显微镜下通过针和镊子在培养皿中进行解剖并绘图,观察第9背板、第10背板、尾叶、第8腹板、受精囊、受精囊管及生殖叉器的形态特征。【结果】在日本北海道共记录了虻科(Tabanidae) 3亚科7属38种。我们观察并描述了3亚科其中的6属24种的雌性外生殖器的主要特征。亚科之间存在明显差异;然而在一般情况下属之间很难建立一种方法来确定共同点;种之间只有在斑虻属Chrysops中有相似之处,其他属中则比较多样化。因此,亚科鉴定根据第9背板、第8腹板及受精囊足以进行区分,属及种鉴定需要结合第9背板、第10背板、尾叶、第8腹板、受精囊、受精囊管及生殖叉器各自的特征组合在一起才能区分开来。我们也制作了虻类外生殖器的检索表。【结论】和许多其他昆虫一样,外生殖器是虻科的重要分类特征,对于促进分类学和系统学的发展具有重要意义。本研究首次对分布在日本北海道的虻科雌性外生殖器进行了系统研究。     

Ecological importance of sedges: a survey of the Australasian Cyperaceae genus Lepidosperma

Background

Sedges (Cyperaceae) form an important ecological component of many ecosystems around the world. Sword and rapier sedges (genus Lepidosperma) are common and widespread components of the southern Australian and New Zealand floras, also occurring in New Caledonia, West Papua, Borneo, Malaysia and southern China. Sedge ecology is seldom studied and no comprehensive review of sedge ecology exists. Lepidosperma is unusual in the Cyperaceae with the majority of species occurring in dryland habitats.

Scope

Extensive review of ecological literature and field observations shows Lepidosperma species to be important components of many ecosystems, often dominating understorey and sedge-rich communities. For the first time, a detailed ecological review of a Cyperaceae genus is presented.

Conclusions Lepidosperma

species are long-lived perennials with significant abundance and persistence in the landscape. Speciation patterns in the genus are of considerable interest due to complex biogeographical patterns and a high degree of habitat specificity. Potential benefits exist for medicinal products identified from several Lepidosperma species. Over 178 organisms, including 26 mammals, 42 birds, six reptiles, five amphibians, eight arachnids, 75 insects, three crustaceans and 13 fungi, are found to be dependent on, or making use of, Lepidosperma species. A significant relationship exists between Lepidosperma species and the moth genus Elachista. Implications for the conservation and ecology of both sedges and associated species are discussed.     

Literature based species occurrence data of birds of northeast India

The northeast region of India is one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotspots. One of the richest bird areas in India, it is an important route for migratory birds and home to many endemic bird species. This paper describes a literature-based dataset of species occurrences of birds of northeast India. The occurrence records documented in the dataset are distributed across eleven states of India, viz.: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The geospatial scope of the dataset represents 24 to 29 degree North latitude and 78 to 94 degree East longitude, and it comprises over 2400 occurrence records. These records have been collated from scholarly literature published between1915 and 2008, especially from the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (JBNHS). The temporal scale of the dataset represents bird observations recorded between 1909 and 2007. The dataset has been developed by employing MS Excel. The key elements in the database are scientific name, taxonomic classification, temporal and geospatial details including geo-coordinate precision, data collector, basis of record and primary source of the data record. The temporal and geospatial quality of more than 50% of the data records has been enhanced retrospectively. Where possible, data records are annotated with geospatial coordinate precision to the nearest minute. This dataset is being constantly updated with the addition of new data records, and quality enhancement of documented occurrences. The dataset can be used in species distribution and niche modeling studies. It is planned to expand the scope of the dataset to collate bird species occurrences across the Indian peninsula.     

Characterization of citrus pectin samples extracted under different conditions: influence of acid type and pH of extraction

Background and Aims

Pectin is a complex macromolecule, the fine structure of which is influenced by many factors. It is used as a gelling, thickening and emulsifying agent in a wide range of applications, from food to pharmaceutical products. Current industrial pectin extraction processes are based on fruit peel, a waste product from the juicing industry, in which thousands of tons of citrus are processed worldwide every year. This study examines how pectin components vary in relation to the plant source (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit) and considers the influence of extraction conditions on the chemical and macromolecular characteristics of pectin samples.

Methods

Citrus peel (orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit) from a commercial supplier was used as raw material. Pectin samples were obtained on a bulk plant scale (kilograms; harsh nitric acid, mild nitric acid and harsh oxalic acid extraction) and on a laboratory scale (grams; mild oxalic acid extraction). Pectin composition (acidic and neutral sugars) and physicochemical properties (molar mass and intrinsic viscosity) were determined.

Key Results

Oxalic acid extraction allowed the recovery of pectin samples of high molecular weight. Mild oxalic acid-extracted pectins were rich in long homogalacturonan stretches and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches with conserved side chains. Nitric acid-extracted pectins exhibited lower molecular weights and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches encompassing few and/or short side chains. Grapefruit pectin was found to have short side chains compared with orange, lime and lemon. Orange and grapefruit pectin samples were both particularly rich in rhamnogalacturonan I backbones.

Conclusions

Structural, and hence macromolecular, variations within the different citrus pectin samples were mainly related to their rhamnogalacturonan I contents and integrity, and, to a lesser extent, to the length of their homogalacturonan domains.     

The Rumen Ciliate Fauna of Domestic Sheep (Ovis ammon aires) from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

ABSTRACT. Concentration and composition of ciliate protozoa in the families Ophryoscolecidae and Isotrichidae were determined in rumen contents of domestic sheep ( Ovis ammon aries ) from Cyprus. A total of five genera of Ophryoscolecidae were identified, Metadinium, Enoploplastron, Polyplastron, Epidinium , and Ophryoscolex , which included six species: Metadinium affine, Enoploplastron triloricatum, Polyplastron multivesiculatum, Epidinium ecaudatum, Epidinium graini, and Ophryoscolex purkynjei. Eight separate forms of Epidinium were identified ( E. ecaudatum f. ecaudatum, E, e. f. caudatum, E. e. f. bicaudatum, E. e. f. tricaudatum, E. e. f. quadricaudatum, E. graini f. graini, E. g. f. caudatricoronatum , and E. g. f. caudaquadricoronatum ), along with five forms of Ophryoscolex purkynjei (O. p. f. purkynjei, O. p. f. bifidobicinctus, O. p. f. bifidoquadricinctus, O. p. f. bicoronatus, O. p. f. tricoronatus , and O. p. f. quadricoronatus). Three species of Isotrichidae were observed, Isotricha intestinalis, I. prostoma , and Dasytricha ruminantium. This study reports new host records for three forms of Epidinium graini and Ophryoscolex purkynjei f. bifidobicinctus. The rumen fauna in the family Ophryoscolecidae from Cypriote domestic sheep appear to have limited diversity compared to those from Turkish and Far Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) sheep, while they are more diverse than those found in Western European (Scottish) and North American (Canadian/Alaskan) sheep.     

Micromanipulation of Gene Expression in the Adult Zebrafish Brain Using Cerebroventricular Microinjection of Morpholino Oligonucleotides

Manipulation of gene expression in tissues is required to perform functional studies. In this paper, we demonstrate the cerebroventricular microinjection (CVMI) technique as a means to modulate gene expression in the adult zebrafish brain. By using CVMI, substances can be administered into the cerebroventricular fluid and be thoroughly distributed along the rostrocaudal axis of the brain. We particularly focus on the use of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, which are potent tools for knocking down gene expression in vivo. In our method, when applied, morpholino molecules are taken up by the cells lining the ventricular surface. These cells include the radial glial cells, which act as neurogenic progenitors. Therefore, knocking down gene expression in the radial glial cells is of utmost importance to analyze the widespread neurogenesis response in zebrafish, and also would provide insight into how vertebrates could sustain adult neurogenesis response. Such an understanding would also help the efforts for clinical applications in human neurodegenerative disorders and central nervous system regeneration. Thus, we present the cerebroventricular microinjection method as a quick and efficient way to alter gene expression and neurogenesis response in the adult zebrafish forebrain. We also provide troubleshooting tips and other useful information on how to carry out the CVMI procedure.     

Frequency of cyanogenesis in tropical rainforests of far north Queensland, Australia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Plant cyanogenesis is the release of toxic cyanide from endogenous cyanide-containing compounds, typically cyanogenic glycosides. Despite a large body of phytochemical, taxonomic and ecological work on cyanogenic species, little is known of their frequency in natural plant communities. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of cyanogenesis in Australian tropical rainforests. Secondary aims were to quantify the cyanogenic glycoside content of tissues, to investigate intra-plant and intra-population variation in cyanogenic glycoside concentration and to appraise the potential chemotaxonomic significance of any findings in relation to the distribution of cyanogenesis in related taxa. METHODS: All species in six 200 m(2) plots at each of five sites across lowland, upland and highland tropical rainforest were screened for cyanogenesis using Feigl-Anger indicator papers. The concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides were accurately determined for all cyanogenic individuals. KEY RESULTS: Over 400 species from 87 plant families were screened. Overall, 18 species (4.5 %) were cyanogenic, accounting for 7.3 % of total stem basal area. Cyanogenesis has not previously been reported for 17 of the 18 species, 13 of which are endemic to Australia. Several species belong to plant families or orders in which cyanogenesis has been little reported, if at all (e.g. Elaeocarpaceae, Myrsinaceae, Araliaceae and Lamiaceae). A number of species contained concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides among the highest ever reported for mature leaves-up to 5.2 mg CN g(-1) d. wt, for example, in leaves of Elaeocarpus sericopetalus. There was significant variation in cyanogenic glycoside concentration within individuals; young leaves and reproductive tissues typically had higher cyanogen content. In addition, there was substantial variation in cyanogenic glycoside content within populations of single species. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands the limited knowledge of the frequency of cyanogenesis in natural plant communities, includes novel reports of cyanogenesis among a range of taxa and characterizes patterns in intra-plant and intra-population variation of cyanogensis.     

Fine Structure of Sperm of Ekphymatodera thomasoni (Heteroderinae,Nemata)

Fine structure of developing sperm of the monospecific genus, Ekphymatodera, was compared with other Heteroderinae as part of a study to recognize diversity and phylogenetically informative characters within the subfamily. Sperm of Ekphymatodera originate from germ cells connected to a central rachis, a character which is shared with Globodera, but not with other Heteoderinae. In Ekphymatodera, and cyst-forming genera, a layer of cortical microtubules lies just beneath the surface of the plasma membrane. Sperm of Ekphymatodera are unique among Heteroderinae examined by the presence of spiral surface elevations on the filopodia, a character that may prove to be a synapomorphy for Sarisoderini. Fibrous bodies are abundant in spermatids; however, they do not persist in sperm of Ekphymatodera as they do in Meloidodera and Verutus. The male gonad of Ekphymatodera is lined by epithelial cells, which are greatly enlarged near the ejaculatory canal. These enlarged cells contain vesicles with concentric lamellar inclusions, not observed in other genera of the subfamily. Sperm of Heteroderinae are rich in diversity, and examination of additional representative species may indicate new phylogenetically informative characters.