THE ACTION OF STABILIZING SELECTION,MUTATION, AND DRIFT ON EPISTATIC QUANTITATIVE TRAITS

For a quantitative trait under stabilizing selection, the effect of epistasis on its genetic architecture and on the changes of genetic variance caused by bottlenecking were investigated using theory and simulation. Assuming empirical estimates of the rate and effects of mutations and the intensity of selection, we assessed the impact of two‐locus epistasis (synergistic/antagonistic) among linked or unlinked loci on the distribution of effects and frequencies of segregating loci in populations at the mutation‐selection‐drift balance. Strong pervasive epistasis did not modify substantially the genetic properties of the trait and, therefore, the most likely explanation for the low amount of variation usually accounted by the loci detected in genome‐wide association analyses is that many causal loci will pass undetected. We investigated the impact of epistasis on the changes in genetic variance components when large populations were subjected to successive bottlenecks of different sizes, considering the action of genetic drift, operating singly (D), or jointly with mutation (MD) and selection (MSD). An initial increase of the different components of the genetic variance, as well as a dramatic acceleration of the between‐line divergence, were always associated with synergistic epistasis but were strongly constrained by selection.     

Metabolic rates,genetic constraints,and the evolution of endothermy

The metabolic distinction between endotherms and ectotherms is profound. Whereas the ecology of metabolic rates is well studied, how endotherms evolved from their ectothermic ancestors remains unclear. The aerobic capacity model postulates that a genetic constraint between resting and maximal metabolism was essential for the evolution of endothermy. Using the multivariate breeders’ equation, I illustrate how the (i) relative sizes of genetic variances and (ii) relative magnitudes of selection gradients for resting and maximal metabolism affect the genetic correlation needed for endothermy to have evolved via a correlated response to selection. If genetic variances in existing populations are representative of ancestral conditions, then the aerobic capacity model is viable even if the genetic correlation was modest. The analyses reveal how contemporary data on selection and genetic architecture can be used to test hypotheses about the evolution of endothermy, and they show the benefits of explicitly linking physiology and quantitative genetic theory.     

基因甘蔗：潜能、现状和前景

从基因中在甘蔗上的应用潜能、甘蔗遗传转化的方法及其成效、启动子及选择标记对基因表达和转化体筛选的效应,基因工程甘蔗的成就等几个方面进行综述评述,并提出了进一步的研究方向。     

Reassessing insurers' access to genetic information: genetic privacy, ignorance, and injustice

Many countries have imposed strict regulations on the genetic information to which insurers have access. Commentators have warned against the emerging body of legislation for different reasons. This paper demonstrates that, when confronted with the argument that genetic information should be available to insurers for health insurance underwriting purposes, one should avoid appeals to rights of genetic privacy and genetic ignorance. The principle of equality of opportunity may nevertheless warrant restrictions. A choice-based account of this principle implies that it is unfair to hold people responsible for the consequences of the genetic lottery, since we have no choice in selecting our genotype or the expression of it. However appealing, this view does not take us all the way to an adequate justification of inaccessibility of genetic information. A contractarian account, suggesting that health is a condition of opportunity and that healthcare is an essential good, seems more promising. I conclude that if or when predictive medical tests (such as genetic tests) are developed with significant actuarial value, individuals have less reason to accept as fair institutions that limit access to healthcare on the grounds of risk status. Given the assumption that a division of risk pools in accordance with a rough estimate of people's level of (genetic) risk will occur, fairness and justice favour universal health insurance based on solidarity.     

Invasiveness,chimerism and genetic diversity

Adaptation for invasiveness should comprise the capability to exploit and prosper in a wide range of ecological conditions and is therefore expected to be associated with a certain level of genetic diversity. Paradoxically, however, invasive populations are established by only a few founders, resulting in low genetic diversity. As a conceivable way of attaining high genetic diversity and high variance of gene expression even when a small number of founders is involved in invasiveness, I suggest here chimerism, a fusion between different individuals—a common phenomenon found in numerous phyla. The composite entity offers the chimeric organism genetic flexibility and higher inclusive fitness that depends on the joint genomic fitness of the original partners. The ability to form a chimeric entity is also applied to subsequent generations, and consequently, the level of genetic diversity does not decline over generations of population establishment following invasion.     

西藏特有植物砂生槐天然居群遗传多样性研究

采用等位酶淀粉凝胶电泳技术对西藏雅鲁藏布江中游砂生槐 (Sophoramoorcroftiana) 10个天然居群的遗传多样性进行了研究。 13个酶系统 2 4个酶位点 ( 46个等位基因 )的检测结果表明 ,砂生槐具较低的遗传变异水平。居群水平上的遗传多样性指标分别为 :多态位点百分率Pp =2 5 .0 %～ 37.5 % ,等位基因平均数Ap=1.3～ 1.7,平均期望杂合度Hep=0 .112～ 0 .16 9;种水平上的遗传多样性 (Ps=37.5 % ,As=1.9,Hes=0 .171)低于长寿命木本被子植物的平均值 (Ps=5 9.5 % ,As=2 .10 ,Hes=0 .183)。居群遗传结构的分析显示 ,10个居群中随机交配的偏差为FIS=- 0 .0 0 71,表明砂生槐在居群水平上存在轻微的杂合子过量现象 ,偏离了Hardy Weinberg平衡 ;FST=0 .1748,表明砂生槐是居群间分化较大的一类多年生木本植物 ,主要原因是环境恶化和人类活动干扰 (过度砍伐、放牧等 )导致其生境片断化 ,从而影响了居群间基因交流而造成基因流水平较低 (Nm =1.180 2 )。砂生槐高海拔居群H2 (谢通门 )、H31(江当 1)、H32 (江当 2 )、H5 (朗塞岭 )包含着绝大部分等位基因 ,显示了相对较高的遗传多样性水平 ,应加以保护和管理 ,作为砂生槐种质资源就地保存的基地。     

应用STS-PCR标记研究新疆布顿大麦的遗传多样性

利用22个来源于小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)和栽培大麦(Hordeum vulgare L.)的STS-PCR标记,研究了32份新疆布顿大麦(Hordeum bogdanii Wilensky)的遗传多样性.在这22个STS-PCR标记中,仅有3个标记的扩增产物经HinfⅠ、HhaⅠ、HaeⅢ和RsaⅠ 4种限制性内切酶消化后没有产生多态性DNA片段,而19个标记(占86.4%)和46种标记/酶组合(占52.3%)能够揭示材料间的多态性.在32份布顿大麦材料的88种STS-PCR标记/酶组合中,总共得到315条DNA片段,平均每个标记/酶组合能得到3.6条DNA片段.在这315条DNA片段中,共有123条片段(占39.0%)具有多态性,每一个多态性标记/酶组合能获得1～6条多态性DNA片段.STS-PCR标记揭示的32份布顿大麦的遗传距离变化范围为0.078～0.352,平均为0.198.根据STS-PCR标记的遗传距离矩阵,采用不完全加权算术平均数法(UPGMA)构建了32份布顿大麦群体间的遗传关系树状图,结果表明STS-PCR标记能将32份材料完全区分开来.同时,来源于同一地方的不同居群没有明显地聚类在一起,表明新疆布顿大麦的遗传多样性与其地理分布相关不紧密.     

Genetic relationships between feral cattle from Chirikof Island, Alaska and other breeds

The origin of cattle on Chirikof Island, off the coast of Alaska, is not well documented. We assessed genetic differentiation of cattle isolated on Chirikof Island from several breeds commonly used for commercial production in North America including breeds popularly believed to have contributed to the Chirikof Island population. A set of 34 microsatellite loci was used to genotype Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Highland, Limousin, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn, Simmental, Tarentaise and Texas Longhorn cattle sampled from North America and the Chirikof Island population. Resulting F(ST) statistics for these loci ranged from 0.06 to 0.22 and on average, 14% of total genetic variation was between breeds. Whether population structure was modelled as a bifurcating tree or genetic network, Chirikof Island cattle appeared to be unique and strongly differentiated relative to the other breeds that were sampled. Bayesian clustering for multiple-locus assignment to genetic groups indicated low levels of admixture in the Chirikof Island population. Thus, the Chirikof Island population may be a novel genetic resource of some importance for conservation and industry.     

应用STS—PCR标记研究新疆布顿大麦的遗传多样性

利用 2 2个来源于小麦 (TriticumaestivumL .)和栽培大麦 (HordeumvulgareL .)的STS_PCR标记 ,研究了 32份新疆布顿大麦 (HordeumbogdaniiWilensky)的遗传多样性。在这 2 2个STS_PCR标记中 ,仅有 3个标记的扩增产物经HinfⅠ、HhaⅠ、HaeⅢ和RsaⅠ 4种限制性内切酶消化后没有产生多态性DNA片段 ,而 19个标记 (占 86 .4 % )和 4 6种标记 /酶组合 (占 5 2 .3% )能够揭示材料间的多态性。在 32份布顿大麦材料的 88种STS_PCR标记 /酶组合中 ,总共得到 315条DNA片段 ,平均每个标记 /酶组合能得到 3.6条DNA片段。在这 315条DNA片段中 ,共有 12 3条片段(占 39.0 % )具有多态性 ,每一个多态性标记 /酶组合能获得 1～ 6条多态性DNA片段。STS_PCR标记揭示的 32份布顿大麦的遗传距离变化范围为 0 .0 78～ 0 .35 2 ,平均为 0 .198。根据STS_PCR标记的遗传距离矩阵 ,采用不完全加权算术平均数法 (UPGMA)构建了 32份布顿大麦群体间的遗传关系树状图 ,结果表明STS_PCR标记能将 32份材料完全区分开来。同时 ,来源于同一地方的不同居群没有明显地聚类在一起 ,表明新疆布顿大麦的遗传多样性与其地理分布相关不紧密。     

广东省中山市五桂山土沉香遗传多样性

土沉香(Aquilaria sinensis)是生产中药沉香的重要树种,现被列为国家二级重点保护野生植物。该研究通过采集该地区83株土沉香样品,利用限制性酶切位点相关DNA测序(restriction site-associated DNA sequencing,RAD-seq)方法获得的18个微卫星体作为分子标记,计算了五桂山土沉香种群的整体观测杂合度(observed-heterozygosity)、期望杂合度(expected-heterozygosity)、种群整体近交系数及其个体间的亲缘关系,并对种群可能经历的种群缩小或种群扩张状况进行了分析。结果表明:与同属其它物种以及同一生活史物种相比,五桂山地区土沉香遗传多样性略低(观测杂合度和期望杂合度分别为0.523和0.522),但种群整体处于随机交配状态(近交系数为-0.002)。瓶颈效应分析表明该种群没有经历瓶颈效应,且81.810%的个体间无亲缘关系,说明这一地区土沉香并非少数个体发育起来;种群扩张分析表明其种群大小有增长情形。综合这些结果可以看出,中山市五桂山土沉香种群整体遗传健康状况良好,较好地保存了该区域种质资源遗传多样性,为今后的保护和合理开发提供了优质资源储备。     

Genetic diversity among Angus, American Brahman, Senepol and Romosinuano cattle breeds

The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity among breeds under evaluation for tropical adaptability traits that affect the performance of beef cattle at the USDA/ARS SubTropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) near Brooksville, FL, USA. Twenty-six microsatellite loci were used to estimate parameters of genetic diversity among the breeds American Brahman, Angus, Senepol and Romosinuano; the latter was comprised of two distinct bloodlines (Costa Rican and Venezuelan). Genotypes of 47 animals from each of these STARS herds were analysed for genetic diversity and genetic distance. Using two methods, the greatest genetic distance was detected between the Costa Rican line of Romosinuano and the Senepol. Gene diversity ranged between 0.64 (Costa Rican line of Romosinuano) and 0.75 (American Brahman). The breed relationship inferences, which are based on genetic distance, provide additional tools for consideration in future crossbreeding studies and for testing the relationship between quantified breed diversity and observed heterosis.     

Landscape-level gene flow in Lobaria pulmonaria, an epiphytic lichen

Epiphytes are strongly affected by the population dynamics of their host trees. Owing to the spatio-temporal dynamics of host tree populations, substantial dispersal rates--corresponding to high levels of gene flow--are needed for populations to persist in a landscape. However, several epiphytic lichens have been suggested to be dispersal-limited, which leads to the expectation of low gene flow at the landscape scale. Here, we study landscape-level genetic structure and gene flow of a putatively dispersal-limited epiphytic lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria. The genetic structure of L. pulmonaria was quantified at three hierarchical levels, based on 923 thalli collected from 41 plots situated within a pasture-woodland landscape and genotyped at six fungal microsatellite loci. We found significant isolation by distance, and significant genetic differentiation both among sampling plots and among trees. Landscape configuration, i.e. the effect of a large open area separating two forested regions, did not leave a traceable pattern in genetic structure, as assessed with partial Mantel tests and analysis of molecular variance. Gene pools were spatially intermingled in the pasture-woodland landscape, as determined by Bayesian analysis of population structure. Evidence for local gene flow was found in a disturbed area that was mainly colonized from nearby sources. Our analyses indicated high rates of gene flow of L. pulmonaria among forest patches, which may reflect the historical connectedness of the landscape through gene movement. These results support the conclusion that dispersal in L. pulmonaria is rather effective, but not spatially unrestricted.     

Genetic effective size,Ne, tracks density in a small freshwater cyprinid,Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus pecosensis)

Genetic monitoring tracks changes in measures of diversity including allelic richness, heterozygosity and genetic effective size over time, and has emerged as an important tool for understanding evolutionary consequences of population management. One proposed application of genetic monitoring has been to estimate abundance and its trajectory through time. Here, genetic monitoring was conducted across five consecutive year for the Pecos bluntnose shiner, a federally threatened minnow. Temporal changes in allele frequencies at seven microsatellite DNA loci were used to estimate variance effective size (N_eV) across adjacent years in the time series. Likewise, effective size was computed using the linkage disequilibrium method (N_eD) for each sample. Estimates of N_e were then compared to estimates of adult fish density obtained from traditional demographic monitoring. For Pecos bluntnose shiner, density (catch‐per‐unit‐effort), N_eV and N_eD were positively associated across this time series. Results for Pecos bluntnose shiner were compared to a related and ecologically similar species, the Rio Grande silvery minnow. In this species, density and N_eV were negatively associated, which suggested decoupling of abundance and effective size trajectories. Conversely, density and N_eD were positively associated. For Rio Grande silvery minnow, discrepancies among estimates of N_e and their relationships with adult fish density could be related to effects of high variance in reproductive success in the wild and/or effects of supplementation of the wild population with captive‐bred and reared fish. The efficacy of N_e as a predictor of density and abundance may depend on intrinsic population dynamics of the species and how these dynamics are influenced by the landscape features, management protocols and other factors.     

苹果蠹蛾种群遗传多样性研究进展

苹果蠹蛾是重要的世界性果树害虫,寄主广泛,通过形成各种生态型或种群适应新入侵环境,对当地果品生产造成严重损失。本文综述了国内外有关苹果蠹蛾遗传多样性的研究进展。相关研究表明,寄主植物、地理隔离和杀虫剂等因素影响种群间的遗传多样性和遗传分化。其中,地理隔离是种群间形成遗传分化的主要原因之一,寄主分布格局、气候条件、虫体飞行能力和人为活动等因素都会影响种群间遗传分化的程度。苹果蠹蛾是我国重要的入侵害虫,我国东北地区和西北地区的苹果蠹蛾种群具有不同的遗传多样性水平,并且种群间有一定程度的分化,今后需要进一步研究影响我国苹果蠹蛾种群遗传的重要因素,明确该虫种群间分化情况、入侵来源和扩散路径,这对于延缓苹果蠹蛾在我国的扩散,制定合理有效的综合防治策略具有重要意义。     

Creation,Optimization, and Use of Semi-Synthetic Organisms that Store and Retrieve Increased Genetic Information

With few exceptions, natural proteins are built from only 20 canonical (proteogenic) amino acids which limits the functionality and accordingly the properties they can possess. Genetic code expansion, i.e. the creation of codons and the machinery needed to assign them to non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs), promises to enable the discovery of proteins with novel properties that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain. One approach to expanding the genetic code is to expand the genetic alphabet via the development of unnatural nucleotides that pair to form an unnatural base pair (UBP). Semi-synthetic organisms (SSOs), i.e. organisms that stably maintain the UBP, transcribe its component nucleotides into RNA, and use it to translate proteins, would have available to them new codons and the anticodons needed to assign them to ncAAs. This review summarizes the development of a family of UBPs, their use to create SSOs, and the optimization and application of the SSOs to produce candidate therapeutic proteins with improved properties that are now undergoing evaluation in clinical trials.     

Mate choice, genetic incompatibility, and outbreeding in the ornate dragon lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus

There has been recent interest in the role genetic incompatibility may play in mate or sperm choice. One source of incompatibility may be too similar or disparate genomes. An isolated population of the ornate dragon lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus, was followed over a breeding season and parentage assigned to the offspring using microsatellites. It was found that the adults in the population had an eight per cent chance of mating with a relative. I examined whether C. ornatus mate (or fertilize their eggs) with respect to genetic similarity. There was no difference in a female's relatedness to the male in whose territory she resided and her average relatedness to all other males. Neither was there a difference in the relatedness of the male that sired a female's offspring and the female's average relatedness to all other males. There was no evidence of a cost to mating with a more genetically similar mate, because offspring survival was not influenced by degree of inbreeding or outbreeding. However, females that were more outbred had fewer offspring survive. In this small population there are two possible explanations for the decreased fitness associated with outbreeding. First, the species may have an evolutionary history of inbreeding and thus may be susceptible to outbreeding depression. Second. as fitter individuals produce more offspring, these offspring have an increased probability of breeding with relatives, leading to an indirect relationship between fitness and outbreeding.     

A River Metapopulation Structure of a Japanese Freshwater Goby, Odontobutis Obscura, Deduced from Allozyme Genetic Indices

Gene products of 18 allozyme loci from 1268 individuals of a Japanese freshwater goby called donko, Odontobutis obscura (Odontobutidae; Gobioidei), from 33 localities in the Koya River, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, were investigated to determine the extent of genetic divergence and gene flow within a river metapopulation. Genetic indices including GST(mean FST 0.182), FIT(mean 0.192) and D(mean 0.015) indicated a considerable divergence of local populations in the river. The genetic distance (D) and channel distance between pairs of populations did not show a good correlation, and geographical neighbors were not always genetic neighbors. Therefore, the genetic divergence of populations is attributable to independent genetic drift with restricted gene flow among populations. The agricultural dams and weirs constructed across the river must be responsible for the restricted gene flow. The metapopulation structure of O. obscura in the Koya River may be barely sustained by one-way gene flow only from the upper to the lower populations. An occasional artificial transplantation of some individuals from the lower to the upper populations may be one alternative to maintain a river metapopulation structure safely.     

四川省凉山州北部栽培苦荞麦的遗传多样性研究

用等位酶电泳技术测定了四川省凉山彝族自治州北部越西和甘洛２县的苦荞麦「Ｆａｇｏｐｙｒｕｍ ｔａｔａｑｒｉｃｕｍ（Ｌ．）Ｇａｅｒｔｎ．」１７个栽培居群的遗传多样性和分化,结合农业生物学性状进行了分析。对７个酶系统的１５个位点的检测表明,苦荞麦居群内的遗传多样性水平高于该州南部的苦荞麦和其他地区甜荞麦,每个位点的等位基因平均数为１．９,多态位点比率为５２．１％,平均实际杂合度和预期杂合度分别为０．１９     

植物基因工程的应用与研究进展及潜在风险性分析

简要综述近年来植物基因工程在改善植物性状,提高植物抗性等遗传育种方面的应用与研究进展。重点介绍了植物基因工程的应用,如改良农产品品质,提高农作物抗病虫毒、抗除草剂、抗自然灾害的能力,开发疫苗等。分析了植物基因工程在农作物育种方面的应用前景及其潜在的风险性。     

Molecular genetic analysis of Wanggu remains, Inner Mongolia, China

The Wanggu tribe, which contributed significantly to the foundation of the Yuan Dynasty, was one of the groups living on the Mongolian steppes during the Jin-Yuan period (AD 1127-1368) of Chinese history. However, there has been both archaeological and historical dispute regarding the origin of the ancient tribe. Recently, we discovered human remains of the Wanggu tribe in the Chengbozi cemetery in the Siziwang Banner of Inner Mongolia, China. To investigate the genetic structure of the Wanggu tribe and to trace the origins of the tribe at a molecular level, we analyzed the control-region sequences and coding regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the remains by direct sequencing and restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis. In combination with mtDNA data of 15 extant Eurasian populations, we performed phylogenetic analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis. Our results show that the genetic structure of the Wanggu tribe in the Jin-Yuan period is a complex matriline, containing admixture from both Asian and European populations. In addition, we reveal that on the basis of mtDNA data, the ancient tribe may share a recent common ancestor with the Turkic-speaking Uzbeks and Uighurs.