Origin of nucleolus-like bodies found in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm of Vicia faba meristematic cells

Cytohistochemical staining and RNase-gold labelling have been applied to root-tip meristematic cells of Vicia faba to study the origin and biological significance of 2 types of inclusions: one seen in the nucleoplasm and the other in the cytoplasm of early telophase cells. They have been termed "dense bodies" and "cytoplasmic nucleolus-like bodies" (NLB), respectively. Both types of inclusions respond positively to silver staining and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) staining in a similar fashion to nucleolus. Interestingly, the dense bodies label heavily with the RNase-gold complex, as does the nucleolus, while the cytoplasmic NLB have no affinity with the label. In most cases, the dense bodies label more heavily than the nucleolus. Light microscope surveys reveal that the dense bodies sometimes appear to be released from the surface of the nucleolus. On the other hand, prenucleolar material showing the same silver staining and RNP preferential staining characteristics as the dense bodies begin to accumulate on the surface of chromosomes in mid-anaphase. This material does not label with RNase-gold. These data are discussed in terms of the hypothesis that the dense bodies are derived from the nucleolus by direct budding or fragmentation, and the cytoplasmic NLB are composed of prenucleolar material that failed to attach to chromosomes.     

Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in male-sterile cytoplasm of rice

Summary Mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) were isolated and purified from ten strains of rice plants with male-sterile cytoplasm. The mtDNAs were digested with the restriction endonuclease PstI and the fragment patterns produced were analysed by 0.7% agarose gel electrophoresis. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was observed among the mtDNAs analysed; there were seven different patterns for the ten examined. Our results indicate that there are a variety of mtDNAs in cytoplasmically male-sterile rice.     

Salt tolerance of rice cultivars

Summary The dry matter production and the concentration of nutrients in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars from soil adjusted to different levels of salinity were evaluated under a greenhouse conditions. Soil salinity levels were produced by applying 0.34 mol l^–1 solution of NaCl which resulted in the following levels, control (0.29), 5, 10 and 15 dS m^–1 conductivity of saturation extract. The effect of salinity on dry matter production varied from cultivar to cultivar.The concentrations of P and K in the tops of rice cultivars decreased with increasing soil salinity. But the concentrations of Na, Zn, Cu and Mn increased.Significant varietal differences were found in relation to salinity tolerance. Based on dry matter yield reduction, rice cultivars were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible or susceptible.     

水稻品种条纹叶枯病抗性的研究进展

水稻条纹叶枯病是当前粳稻主产区危害最严重的病害之一,而品种抗病性的利用则被公认为是病害综合防治的根本策略.本文从抗性鉴定方法、抗性资源筛选和发掘、抗性遗传规律及抗病基因定位和抗性品种选育与抗性转基因工程4个方面,对水稻品种条纹叶枯病抗性的研究进展进行了简要综述,以期为水稻抗条纹叶枯病的育种提供参考.同时对水稻品种条纹叶枯病抗性研究的现存问题与今后的研究方向进行了讨论.     

Development of casparian strip in rice cultivars

The development of Casparian strips (CSs) on the endo- and exodermis and their chemical components in roots of three cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa) with different salt tolerance were compared using histochemistry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The development and deposition of suberin lamellae of CSs on the endo- and exodermis in the salt-tolerant cultivar Liaohan 109 was earlier than in the moderately tolerant cultivar Tianfeng 202 and the sensitive cultivar Nipponbare. The detection of chemical components indicated major contributions to the structure of the outer part from aliphatic suberin, lignin and cell wall proteins and carbohydrates to the rhizodermis, exodermis, sclerenchyma and one layer of cortical cells in series (OPR) and the endodermal Casparian strip. Moreover, the amounts of these major chemical components in the outer part of the Liaohan 109 root were higher than in Tianfeng 202 and Nipponbare, but there was no distinct difference in endodermal CSs among the three rice cultivars. The results suggest that the exodermis of the salt-tolerant cultivar Liaohan 109 functions as a barrier for resisting salt stress.Key words: casparian strip, chemical components, development, rice, rootPlant roots are in direct contact with the soil environment and thus particularly affected by unfavorable conditions. To withstand the surrounding environment, roots have developed anatomical and physiological adaptations. The development of Casparian strips (CSs) in the root endo- and exodermis is one such strategy.^1–3 In roots of most species, the sequence of development of the endo- and exodermis is roughly the same and involves two consecutive developmental stages: (1) formation of CSs in radial and transverse walls impregnating the primary cell wall pores with lipophilic and aromatic substances and (2) deposition of suberin lamellae to the inner surface of anticlinal and tangential cell walls.^4–6A major function of the CS is to block the non-selective apoplastic bypass flow of water and ions into the stele.³ Therefore, the structure,^7–9 chemical nature,^10–12 and physiological function^13,14 of endo- and exdodermal CSs in roots have been the focus of many investigations. Although oxygen loss, drought and salinity can influence the development and chemical nature of CSs in different rice cultivars,^15–19 few investigations have considered the development and formation of endo- and exdodermal CSs in the roots of rice cultivars with different salt tolerance under normal growing conditions.In the present paper, light microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to examine the cytochemistry and root anatomy of isolated CSs. The aim was to compare anatomical development and chemical characteristics of the endoand exdodermal CSs of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars having different salt tolerance in north China: the salt-tolerant Liaohan 109 and two widely grown cultivars, Tianfeng 202 and Nipponbare.     

Oxygen evolution rate of rice cultivars

Under natural conditions we found a significant variation in oxygen evolution rate (OER) in flag leaves of different rice genotypes during the grain filling stage. Cv. Roxinho showed the highest OER [42 μmol(O₂) m⁻² s⁻¹], followed by BRS Taim, BRS Pelota, BRS Bojuru, IR58025B, BRS 6 Chui, and BR-IRGA 409, with 37.0, 34.0, 33.0, 31.8, 29.0, 28.0, and 27.6 μmol(O₂) m⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. The lack of fertility in the male-sterile rice line IR58025A prolonged the photosynthetic capacity by at least 15 d when compared to the normal fertility found in the IR58025B line. No difference was observed in OER among first (flag) and second leaves in both IR58025A and IR58025B rice lines.     

Selection for low-temperature germinability on the short arm of chromosome 3 in rice cultivars adapted to Hokkaido,Japan

In plant breeding with intensive selection, the haplotype patterns in the targeted chromosomal regions may become monogenic among local populations with the most desirable combination of loci. This study demonstrated that the chromosomal region surrounding qLTG3-1 was under selection during rice breeding programs in a local region of Japan, Hokkaido. qLTG3-1 is a major quantitative trait loci controlling tolerance to low-temperature at the seed germination stage in rice, termed low-temperature germinability. A clear association between qLTG3-1 alleles and low-temperature germinability was detected among 64 rice cultivars from Hokkaido. The allele with a loss-of-function mutation seemed to be selected during rice breeding programs. Comparison of haplotype patterns along with the short arm of chromosome 3 revealed that the selection of qLTG3-1 alleles was focused on a distinct chromosomal region of at most 130 kb. In the short arm of chromosome 3, two major traits associated with the adaptability to local conditions have been identified; eating quality and heading date. This study demonstrated that recombinant haplotype patterns for these traits might shape the adaptability to local environmental conditions and market demands during rice breeding programs in addition to the selection of qLTG3-1 alleles. The present results provide new opportunities for the design of hybridization combinations based on the haplotype patterns of chromosomal regions under selection during rice breeding programs in local regions.     

云南30个水稻品种对水稻白叶枯病的抗性评价

【目的】水稻白叶枯病是一种严重危害水稻的细菌性病害,培育抗性品种是治理该病害的重要途径。因此,明确云南水稻材料对检疫性病害水稻白叶枯病的抗性,可以为该病害的防治与监测、水稻栽培的合理布局和良好抗性资源的获取提供依据。【方法】采用剪叶接种法测定云南稻区30个品种对7个不同致病型白叶枯病菌的抗性。【结果】在供试的30个云南水稻品种中,2个品种(玉粳16和JS42糯稻)对7个不同致病型菌株均表现为抗性;15个品种对7个致病型菌株均表现感病;对HEN11、SCYC-6、YN7、YN11、FUJ、YN241和PX099等7个致病型菌株表现抗性的水稻品种分别占26.67%、16.67%、23.33%、13.33%、6.67%、10.00%和20.00%。此外,区试材料的抗性比例高于主栽品种,地方稻未发现抗性品种。【结论】现在生产上的大部分水稻品种对优势致病型病原菌入侵的抵抗能力降低甚至丧失。针对云南地区的优势致病小种FUJ筛选得到2个抗性品种:玉粳16和JS42糯稻。     

水稻CMS不育系细胞质遗传效应的研究进展

在三系杂交水稻生产中,不育系的细胞质对杂种一代的表现具有一定的效应。同一种不育细胞质对不同性状的效应是不同的;不同的不育细胞质对同一性状的效应也存在着差异;且对大多数性状表现为负向效应。可通过扩大不育细胞质源以选用优质细胞质或选用强优恢复系来减少或消除其负效应,培育同核异质的多胞质不育系来适应杂交水稻生产的需要。     

Physicochemical measurements of Japonica rice cultivars in Heilongjiang Province

We here characterized 27 japonica rice cultivars grown in Heilongjiang province and evaluated the relationship among their iodine absorption curve, physical properties, and ratio of 13 kDa prolamin. We developed the novel estimation formulae for ratio of 13 kDa prolamin and overall hardness (H2) with the use of A_λmax and λmax.     

UV-B induced stress responses in three rice cultivars

UV-B responses of three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars (Sasanishiki, Norin 1 and Surjamkhi) with different photolyase activity were investigated. Carbon dioxide assimilation data support that Sasanishiki was less sensitive to UV-B than Norin 1 and Surjamkhi. UV-B radiation sharply decreased the content of Rubisco protein in Surjamkhi and has no effect in Sasanishiki. The photochemical activities of photosystem (PS) 1 and PS 2 was slightly affected by UV-B treatment. The content of H₂O₂ and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), peroxides (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were enhanced after UV-B treatment. The activities of CAT and POX isoenzymes in Sasanishiki were more enhanced by UV-B radiation than those in Norin 1 and Surjamkhi.     

Variation in biomass properties among rice diverse cultivars

Biomass properties of rice straws were compared among eight cultivars that formed a mini diverse set. The ethanol productivity from rice straws was evaluated employing a laboratory-scale method based on dilute acid-hydrolysis pretreatment. The results indicated significant variation in biomass properties among the cultivars.     

A novel deletion in delta beta-thalassemia found in Japan

High molecular weight DNA from a Japanese individual homozygous for delta beta-thalassemia was analyzed by the blot hybridization technique of Southern. Results indicated a large deletion of the non-alpha-globin gene cluster, starting in the vicinity of 3' to the A gamma-globin gene and extending through the 3' side of the beta-globin gene. Persistent expression of the gamma-globin gene in adult life has been supposed to be caused by loss of a region located about 3-4 kb 5' to the delta-globin gene from comparison of the extents of deletions in several different forms of delta beta-thalassemia and HPFH (hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin). But the novel deletion found in the present case of delta beta-thalassemia suggests that the above putative regulatory region does not have this effect on expression of the gamma-globin gene. Some explanations of expression of fetal type globin genes in this delta beta-thalassemia are discussed.     

Hormonal regulation of tiller dynamics in differentially-tillering rice cultivars

Tiller number can contribute significantly to yield potential of rice, but little knowledge is available on hormonal regulation of tillering and tiller dynamics. In the present study, Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), kinetin (6-furfuryl amino purine) and Gibberellic acid (GA₃) treatments have been applied at the early tillering stage to two rice cultivars that contrast for tiller number. The responses of the hormones were studied on growth, development, grain yield, senescence patterns, assimilate concentration of the panicle and ethylene production in different classes of tillers. The leaf area, panicle grain number, fertility percentage and grain yield of tillers were higher in the low-tillering cultivar than that of high-tillering cultivar; the treatment of kinetin was more effective in the latter than in the former. High ethylene production was responsible for reduction of growth duration and grain yield of the tillers. Kinetin application reduced ethylene production of the late-tillers significantly for the benefit of grain yield.     

Polyamines as modulators of salt tolerance in rice cultivars

The effect of NaCl on the endogenous levels of diamine, putrescine and polyamines, spermidine and spermine, was studied in the shoot system of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars during three growth stages. Salt stress increased the levels of diamine and polyamine in varying degrees among nine rice cultivars investigated. Salt tolerant AU1, Co43, and CSC1 were effective in maintaining high concentrations of spermidine and spermine, while the content of putrescine was not significantly altered in all the growth stages when plants were exposed to salinity. The salt sensitivity in rice was associated with excessive accumulation of putrescine and with low levels of spermidine and spermine in the shoot system of salt-sensitive cultivars Co36, CSC2, GR3, IR20, TKM4, and TKM9 under saline condition. One of the possible mechanisms of saline resistance was observed to be due to the highly increased polyamines against the low increase in diamines. Alternatively, the salt sensitivity could be due to high increase of diamines and an incapacity to maintain high levels of polyamines.     

Origin of the TEM-beta-lactamase gene found on plasmids.

A sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid of 2.7 times 10-6 to 3.3 times 10-6 daltons which includes the TEM beta-lactamase gene is present on the small plasmid RSF 1030 (R-Amp). This same sequence is present on plasmid derivatives that have received a translocation of deoxyribonucleic acid specifying the TEM beta-lactamase and is also present on naturally occurring plasmids of the F1, F11, N, X, O, I, C, and W incompatibility groups that do not specify ampicillin resistance or specify O-type beta-lactamases.     

Origin of some derivatives of retinoic acid found in rat bile

After the intraportal injection of retinoic acid-15-(14)C into rats, all-trans methyl retinoate, a cis isomer of methyl retinoate, retinoyl beta-glucurono-gamma-lactone, retinoic acid, and retinoyl beta-glucuronide were isolated from methanol extracts of rat bile by chromatography on anion-exchange resin and silicic acid columns and characterized on thin-layer plates of Silica Gel G. On the other hand, when bile was extracted with n-butanol or analyzed directly by thin-layer chromatography, only retinoyl beta-glucuronide and a very small amount of retinoic acid could be detected. Butanol extracts of the liver and the intestine, however, still contained a small radioactive nonpolar fraction. When retinoyl beta-glucuronide was incubated with an anion-exchange resin in the presence of methanol, several nonpolar products appeared. Apparently the methyl retinoate, retinoyl beta-glucurono-gamma-lactone, and most of the retinoic acid previously found in bile after retinoic acid administration are produced from retinoyl beta-glucuronide during the isolation procedure.