Reassociation and dissociation of cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA

The relationship between nuclear DNA and cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA, extracted from a human lymphocyte cell line, was examined by DNA-DNA reannealing and by dissociation of renatured molecules. Up to 2% of the total cellular DNA is found in the cytoplasm as cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA and of this 2%, approximately 70% is comprised of repeated sequences. These sequences are homologous to only about 4% of the repeated sequences of nuclear DNA. The repeat fraction of cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA consists of sequences which are only moderately repeated. The number of copies in the average “family” could range from about 1500 copies to as few as 25 copies. A small rapidly reannealing portion of cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA (C₀t < 4 × 10^?3) appears to consist of sequences derived from a single “family”.About 30% of cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA reassociates slowly with a $\text{C}{}_0\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}$ value of 223 (unique cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA). This fraction has homology with about 11% of the unique sequences of nuclear DNA. However, unique cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA comprises only about 0·6% of the total cellular DNA. If it is assumed that each cell has the same amount of cytoplasmic membrane-associated DNA, homology with 11% of the unique sequences of nuclear DNA suggests that different cells may have different unique nucleotide sequences in the cytoplasm.     

THE EFFECT OF NUCLEAR AND CYTOPLASMIC GENES ON FITNESS AND LOCAL ADAPTATION IN AN ANNUAL LEGUME,CHAMAECRISTA FASCICULATA

The role of nuclear genes in local adaptation has been well documented. However, the role of maternally inherited cytoplasmic genes to the evolution of natural populations has been relatively unstudied. To evaluate the contribution of cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes and their interactions to local adaptation we created second-generation backcross hybrids between a Maryland and an Illinois population of the annual legume Chamaecrista fasciculata. Backcross progeny were planted in the sites native to each population for two years and we quantified germination, survivorship, fruit production, vegetative biomass, and cumulative fitness. We found limited evidence for the contribution of either cytoplasmic or nuclear genes to local adaptation. In Maryland plants had greater survivorship, biomass, fruit production, and cumulative fitness if their nuclear genome was composed predominately of native Maryland genes; cytoplasmic genes did not affect fitness. In Illinois local cytoplasm marginally enhanced fitness, whereas Maryland nuclear genes outperformed local nuclear genes. Interactions between cytoplasmic and nuclear genes influenced seed weight, vegetative biomass, and fitness and therefore may affect evolution of these characters. Genetic effects were stronger acting through seed size than directly on characters. However, seed size differences between the two populations were largely genetic and therefore selection on fitness components is likely to result in evolutionary change. The contribution of nuclear and cytoplasmic genes to fitness components varied across sites and years, suggesting that experiments should be replicated and conducted under natural conditions to understand the influence of these genomes and their interactions to population differentiation.     

Distinct morphological and mito-inhibitory effects induced by TGF-β1, HGF and EGF on mouse,rat and human hepatocytes

TGF-1 is known as a potent inhibitor of proliferation of rat and human hepatocytes. In this study we show that the effects of TGF-1 are quite different on mouse hepatocytes. In rat and human hepatocytes, TGF-1 inhibited DNA synthesis and also inhibited the morphological changes induced by growth factors in rat and human hepatocytes. In contrast, addition of TGF-1 to mouse hepatocytes resulted in pronounced alterations in morphology of these cells. These changes were similar to those induced by HGF and EGF. The induction of structural changes by TGF-1 was noted only in mouse hepatocytes. Mouse hepatocytes were also much more resistant to the mito-inhibitory effect of TGF-1. These findings suggest profound differences in hepatocyte growth regulation between these species and may relate to observed differences in susceptibility to carcinogenesis.Abbreviations EGF epidermal growth factor - HGF hepatocyte growth factor - SF scatter factor - TGF-1 transforming growth factor beta type one     

DISAPPEARANCE OF MALE MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AFTER THE FOUR‐CELL STAGE IN SPOROPHYTES OF THE ISOGAMOUS BROWN ALGA SCYTOSIPHON LOMENTARIA (SCYTOSIPHONACEAE,PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the isogamous brown alga Scytosiphon lomentaria (Lyngb.) Link is inherited maternally. We used molecular biological and morphological analyses to investigate the fate of male mitochondria. Ultrastructural observations showed that the number of 25 mitochondria in a zygote coincided with the number of mitochondria derived from male and female gametes. This number remained almost constant during the first cell division. Strain‐specific PCR in single germlings suggested that mtDNA derived from the female gamete remained in the germling during development, while the male mtDNA gradually and selectively disappeared after the four‐cell stage. One week after fertilization, male mtDNA had disappeared in sporophytic cells. Using bisulfite DNA modification and methylation mapping assays, we found that the degree of methylation on three analyzed sites of mtDNA was not different between male and female gametes, suggesting that maternal inheritance of mtDNA is not defined by its methylation. This study indicates that the mechanism of selective elimination of male mtDNA is present in each cell of a four‐celled sporophyte and that it does not depend on different degrees of DNA methylation between male and female mtDNA.     

Mitochondrial DNA: an advance in eukaryotic cell biology in the 1960s

Between 1950 and 1960 mitochondria were recognized as well‐characterized organelles of animal and fungal cells. They shared more functional autonomy than other cellular structures. The transmission of some mitochondrial characteristics did not obey Mendelian rules and followed cytoplasmic inheritance patterns. Was this situation a consequence of still unknown complexities? We present a personal account on how approaches were set up to test very different hypotheses. In the end, it was shown that mitochondria had their own DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and that this molecule carried information specific to these organelles.     

New insights into the intraspecific cytoplasmic DNA diversity,maternal lineages classification and conservation issues of Tunisian pearl millet landraces

Tunisian pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) landraces are still growing in contrasting agro-ecological environments and are considered potentially useful for national and international breeders. Despite its genetic potential, the cropping areas of this species are still limited and scattered which increases the risk of genetic erosion. The chloroplast DNA polymorphism and maternal lineages classification of forty nine pearl millet landraces representing seven populations covering the main distribution area of this crop in Tunisia were undertaken based on informative cpSSR molecular markers. A total of 21 alleles combining to 9 haplotypes were detected with a mean value of 3.5 alleles per locus and a haplotype genetic diversity (Hd) of 0.82. The number of chloroplast haplotypes per population ranged from 1 to 4 with an average of 1.28. The haplotypes median-joining network and UPGMA analyses revealed two probable ancestral maternal lineages with a differential pearl millet seed-exchange rate between the investigated areas. Northern and Central populations presented unique genetic backgrounds while historical farmers’ practices in the South-East area resulted in the isolation of their own local landraces. The genetic evidences strongly support at least two introduction origins of pearl millet in Tunisia, one in the North and the other in the South followed by distinct local dispersal histories. Complementary in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies taking into account the conservation of the maternal lineage cytoplasmic diversity are required. The investigated chloroplast SSRs provide useful molecular markers which could be used in further genetic studies and breeding surveys of pearl millet genetic resources.     

Cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration in wheat are not associated with rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA in the gene regions for cob,coxII, or coxI

In comparing the genetic organization and exploring the molecular basis of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in wheat, mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNA) from Triticum aestivum, T. timopheevi, CMS alloplasmic wheat with T. aestivum nucleus and T. timopheevi mitochondria, and fertility-restored lines were compared by hybridization analysis with specific probes for three gene regions: CoxII, cob, and coxI. Minor differences between T. aestivum- and T. timopheevi-derived sources were found for gene regions for coxII and cob. For coxI, there are significant differences between T. timopheevi-derived mtDNAs and T. aestivum mtDNA extending beyond an 8 kb distance. All T. timopheevi-derived mtDNA sources have a chimeric gene region (orf256) with part of the upstream coxI gene region, including some coxI-coding region, preceding coxI. The part of orf256 that does not include any of coxI and the 3-flanking region of CMS coxI are not found in T. aestivum mtDNA. Neither orf256 nor the CMS 3-flanking region of coxI are found in T. timopheevi or T. aestivum chloroplastic or nuclear DNA. There do not appear to be DNA sequence differences for the three gene regions studied that are related to either CMS or fertility-restored states.     

高等植物细胞质雄性不育分子机理的研究进展

从线粒体DNA、叶绿体DNA和线粒体质粒DNA方面较详细地阐述了高等植物细胞质雄性不育的分子机理及最新进展;探讨了细胞核DNA和细胞质DNA之间的相互关系。     

多胺对水稻CMS系及其保持系幼穗蛋白质、核酸和活性氧代谢的影响

用ＤＡｒｇ＋ ＭＧＢＧ 处理保持系, 降低花粉可育度, 并使其幼穗中蛋白质、ＤＮＡ 和ＲＮＡ含量以及蛋白酶、ＲＮＡ 酶和ＤＮＡ 酶活性下降,使Ｏ－·２ 生成速率和ＭＤＡ 含量上升。Ｐｕｔ＋ Ｓｐｄ ＋ Ｓｐｍ 可消除或部分消除ＤＡｒｇ ＋ＭＧＢＧ的上述效应（ 对酶活性的影响除外） 。ＤＡｒｇ ＋ ＭＧＢＧ 也使ＰＯＤ、ＳＯＤ 和ＣＡＴ活性上升, 但是,多胺只能降低抑制剂对ＰＯＤ 的刺激作用。用Ｐｕｔ＋ Ｓｐｄ ＋ Ｓｐｍ 处理不育系, 使花粉可育度轻度提高, 并使其幼穗蛋白质、ＤＮＡ和ＲＮＡ 含量略有上升,使蛋白酶、ＤＮＡ酶和ＲＮＡ 酶活性、Ｏ－·２ 生成速率、ＭＤＡ 含量、ＳＯＤ 和ＣＡＴ活性下降, 使ＰＯＤ 活性上升     

水稻两种细胞质雄性不育“三系”及其F1杂交种线粒体DNA的RFLP分析

对水稻BT型和WA型细胞质的雄性不育系,相应保持系和恢复系以及杂种的mtDNA用12个线粒体探针进行了RFLP分析,结果如下(1)BT型和WA型不育系的mtDNA在组织结构上存在差异;(2)不育系的mtDNA与其保持系间存在显著差异,推测mtDNA与水稻的cms有关;(3)atp9探针检测到WA型不育系与F1之间的多态性,Frag36探针检测到BT型不育系与F1之间的多态性,Frag9探针检测到WA型和BT型不育系与其F1之间的多态性,证明核恢复基因影响mtDNA的结构;(4)对mtDNA的结构变异与细胞质雄性不育的关系进行了分析与探讨.     

Variable presence of the 1.94kb mitochondrial plasmid in maize S cytoplasm and its relationship to cytoplasmic male sterility

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated from over 100 different maize nucleo-cytoplasmic combinations. DNA preparations were assayed for the presence of the 1.94kb mitochondrial plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresis and hybridization to a recombinant clone of the plasmid. The plasmid was present in all tested inbreds which carried N, male fertile, cytoplasm or the cytoplasmically male sterile (cms) groups,cms-T andcms-C. However, members of thecms-S group differed with respect to the presence of the plasmid. Cytoplasms I, J and S possessed the plasmid, whereas cytoplasms B, CA, D, G, H, IA, ME, ML, PS, RD and VG did not.Cms-S group lines which had spontaneously reverted to fertility (nuclear and cytoplasmic revertants) did not exhibit a concomitant change in 1.94kb plasmid levels, although all such lines showed the previously reported alteration in levels of the linear mtDNAs, S1 and S2. The presence or absence of the plasmid was not correlated with (i) frequency of reversion to fertility, (ii) the degree of male sterility expressed, (iii) the presence or absence of standard nuclear restorer to fertility genes and (iv) nuclear genotype. Latin American races carrying RU cytoplasm possessed the plasmid, as did sweet corn varieties. The relevance of the data tocms and evolution of thecms-S group is discussed.     

从少量转染细胞中同时快速提取总RNA和基因组DNA

采用4mol / L LiCl将DNA和RNA分相,建立了同时从少量转染细胞中快速提取细胞总RNA和大分子基因组DNA的方法.与以前的方法相比,本法快速、简便、经济,尤其适合应用在哺乳动物细胞基因表达与调控的研究中．     

Regeneration of midgut epithelial cell in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, infected with viruses

In the larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the regeneration of midgut cells infected with a cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV), a flacherie virus (FV), and a small DNA virus (SDV) was studied. Large numbers of newly developed cells appeared in the CPV-infected part of the midgut epithelium just before larval molt, and along with their development, the CPV-infected old columnar cells were discharged into the midgut lumen during the molt. On the other hand, in the uninfected portion of the midgut only a few cells developed, and no columnar cells were discharged. Similarly, the marked replacement of midgut epithelial cells during larval molt was also observed in larvae infected with CPV + FV. In the larvae infected with CPV + SDV, the columnar cells lost their regenerative ability, and because of the exfoliation of infected columnar cells, the midgut epithelium consisted mainly of uninfected goblet cells at a late stage of infection. The degree of epithelial regeneration varied with the silkworm strain and the dosage of the virus.     

Genetics and adaptation in structured populations: sex ratio evolution in Silene vulgaris

Theoretical models suggest that population structure can interact with frequency dependent selection to affect fitness in such a way that adaptation is dependent not only on the genotype of an individual and the genotypes with which it co-occurs within populations (demes), but also the distribution of genotypes among populations. A canonical example is the evolution of altruistic behavior, where the costs and benefits of cooperation depend on the local frequency of other altruists, and can vary from one population to another. Here we review research on sex ratio evolution that we have conducted over the past several years on the gynodioecious herb Silene vulgaris in which we combine studies of negative frequency dependent fitness on female phenotypes with studies of the population structure of cytoplasmic genes affecting sex expression. This is presented as a contrast to a hypothetical example of selection on similar genotypes and phenotypes, but in the absence of population structure. Sex ratio evolution in Silene vulgaris provides one of the clearest examples of how selection occurs at multiple levels and how population structure, per se, can influence adaptive evolution.     

玉米新选细胞质雄性不育系小孢子发育的细胞学观察及DNA甲基化分析

细胞质雄性不育在高等植物中普遍存在,是杂种优势利用的重要工具,为推动植物杂种优势的利用发挥了重要作用。文章以本课题组前期新选的玉米细胞质雄性不育系A1、A2及保持系18(红)为材料,利用石蜡切片技术对不育材料小孢子发育过程进行细胞学观察,采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对不同发育时期的叶片及不同发育时期的雄穗DNA进行甲基化分析,从细胞学和表观遗传学角度了解不育系A1、A2的败育机制。结果表明：不育材料A1、A2小孢子发生败育的主要时期为四分体时期至单核小孢子中期。在不育系A2中还存在另一种败育方式,即在花粉母细胞时期表现出败育特征。甲基化分析结果表明,保持系18(红)的叶片DNA甲基化水平从苗期到拔节期迅速上升,而不育系A1、A2叶片DNA甲基化水平基本保持不变;保持系雄穗DNA甲基化水平表现为从花粉母细胞时期到双核期逐渐升高,而不育材料A1、A2从花粉母细胞时期到双核期的雄穗DNA甲基化水平表现为先上升后下降的趋势,达到最高峰的时期均出现在小孢子发育的四分体时期。从小孢子发育的细胞学观察结果可以发现,小孢子败育的主要时期往往具有较高的甲基化水平,推测DNA甲基化水平变化可能与不育材料A1、A2的花粉败育有关。     

The mitochondrial genome of safflower: Isolation and restriction fragment analysis of DNA from CMS and restorer lines

Summary Mitochondria were isolated and purified from paired lines of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) restorer and cytoplasmic male sterile plants using isopycnic gradient centrifugation in isoosmotic Percoll. Agarose gel electrophoresis of restriction endonuclease digested DNAs showed characteristic polymorphism. Restriction fragments representing about 75% of the mitochondrial genome were common to both the fertile and CMS plants, but differed significantly in stoichiometric amounts. The remaining 25% could be accounted for by unique restriction fragments observed in only one or the other plant types.     

DNA methyltransferase is actively retained in the cytoplasm during early development.

The overall DNA methylation level sharply decreases from the zygote to the blastocyst stage despite the presence of high levels of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt1). Surprisingly, the enzyme is localized in the cytoplasm of early embryos despite the presence of several functional nuclear localization signals. We mapped a region in the NH(2)-terminal, regulatory domain of Dnmt1 that is necessary and sufficient for cytoplasmic retention during early development. Altogether, our results suggest that Dnmt1 is actively retained in the cytoplasm, which prevents binding to its DNA substrate in the nucleus and thereby contributes to the erasure of gamete-specific epigenetic information during early mammalian development.     

水稻线粒体DNA的提取与分析

为了研究水稻细胞质雄性不育的分子基础,我们比较了各种提取线粒体ＤＮＡ（ｍｔＤＮＡ）的方法,并提出了一些改进措施。以丛广４１Ａ、丛广４１Ｂ和杂种一代广优青为材料,对所提取的材料ｍｔＤ－ＮＡ进行了紫外扫描、ＯＤ值测定、电泳、酶切等分析,结果表明,以新鲜材料进行不连续蔗糖密度梯度超速离心对提取高纯度的线粒体ＤＮＡ效果较好。     

转线粒体细胞模型

转线粒体细胞模型是由无线粒体DNA(mtDNA)细胞与mtDNA供体通过融合的方法而形成的融合细胞。随着转线粒体技术的发展,制备该细胞模型的方法也多种多样。现今,转线粒体模型的应用十分广泛,不仅可应用于线粒体相关疾病的基础研究,而且在线粒体相关疾病的临床研究中也发挥了重要的作用。融合细胞具有一致的核背景,可以消除核基因的作用,因而有助于判断mtDNA突变的致病作用及机制和线粒体缺陷的致病作用及机制。此外,利用该模型还可作为探讨线粒体相关疾病基因治疗和筛选疾病治疗药物的有效模型。