Partial leptin deficiency favors diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders in mice

Partial leptin deficiency is not uncommon in the general population. We hypothesized that leptin insufficiency could favor obesity, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and other metabolic abnormalities, particularly under high calorie intake. Thus, mice partially deficient in leptin (ob/+) and their wild-type (+/+) littermates were fed for 4 mo with a standard-calorie (SC) or a high-calorie (HC) diet. Some ob/+ mice fed the HC diet were also treated weekly with leptin. Our results showed that, when fed the SC diet, ob/+ mice did not present significant metabolic abnormalities except for elevated levels of plasma adiponectin. Under high-fat feeding, increased body fat mass, hepatic steatosis, higher plasma total cholesterol, and glucose intolerance were observed in +/+ mice, and these abnormalities were further enhanced in ob/+ mice. Furthermore, some metabolic disturbances, such as blunted plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin, reduced UCP1 expression in brown adipose tissue, increased plasma liver enzymes, beta-hydroxybutyrate and triglycerides, and slight insulin resistance, were observed only in ob/+ mice fed the HC diet. Whereas de novo fatty acid synthesis in liver was decreased in +/+ mice fed the HC diet, it was disinhibited in ob/+ mice along with the restoration of the expression of several lipogenic genes. Enhanced expression of several genes involved in fatty acid oxidation was also observed only in ob/+ animals. Leptin supplementation alleviated most of the metabolic abnormalities observed in ob/+ fed the HC diet. Hence, leptin insufficiency could increase the risk of obesity, NASH, glucose intolerance, and hyperlipidemia in a context of calorie overconsumption.     

The interaction of the coloboma and aphakia mutant genes in mice

The eye development has been studied in the 12-day-old, 14-day-old embryos and in neonates of Cm/+ ak/ak genotype. The gene coloboma (Cm) in heterozygous state causes a typical coloboma of the iris and the gene aphakia (ak) blocks the lens development in the homozygotes. It has been shown that in Cm/+ ak/ak mice the eyes go through mainly the same abnormal development as that in +/+ ak/ak animals. In mice of both genotypes the lens morphogenesis blocking at the vesicle stage and the retinal fold in the dorsal half of the eye develops. However, the ventral retinal fold which is characteristic for the +/+ ak/ak mice does not form in the Cm/+ ak/ak animals that is the result of the interaction of Cm and ak genes in the eye morphogenesis. The Cm gene suppressing the growth of the retina ventral half inhibits the formation of its fold in Cm/+ ak/ak embryos. As a result of the gene interaction a certain normalization of the eye development compared to the +/+ ak/ak mice is observed in the Cm/+ ak/ak animals. The obtained data show that the Cm gene expresses in the cell clones of the retina ventral half.     

利用多重PCR反应同时筛选番茄Cf-9和Tm-1基因

利用同一PCR反应体系,对分别与番茄抗叶霉病的Cf-9基因和抗番茄烟草花叶病毒病的Tm-1基因紧密连锁的PCR标记进行了同时扩增筛选,扩增的特异性片段与单引物扩增片段吻合。其中与Cf-9基因紧密连锁的CAPs标记在抗感试材均可扩增出560bp的特异片段,且都存在TaqⅠ酶切位点,抗病基因型酶切后分别产生了450bp、330bp和290bp的不同特异性片段,而感病基因型试材酶切后产生450bp和290bp的特异性片段;与Tm-1基因紧密连锁的SCAR标记为显性标记,只有抗病试材产生750bp的特异片段,不能被TaqⅠ酶切。经反复验证,结果稳定准确,可用于在同一PCR反应体系中对两个抗病基因进行同时筛选鉴定。该体系的建立不仅省时、省工、节省费用,而且可用于苗期辅助选育,加快番茄抗病育种进程。     

A PCR-based sex-determination assay in cattle based on the bovine amelogenin locus

A method for determining the sex of bovine embryos has been established. Primers for a portion of the bovine amelogenin locus (AMX/Y) were used to amplify DNA present in either 0.1 μ1 of blood or biopsies taken from 6–7-day-old embryos. The primers amplify a 280 bp band in females and a 280 and 217bp bands in males. The method is rapid, does not require prior purification of DNA and contains an internal control which detects PCR failure.     

粘虫核型多角体病毒919bp片段的PCR双链直接序列测定

本文发展了ＰＣＲ克隆和亚克隆技术制备ＤＮＡ测序模板。首先,我们用ｐＵＣ／Ｍ１３系列质粒的通用正反向引物ＰＣＲ扩增出质粒ｐＢｌｕｅｓｃｒｉｐｔＫＳＤＮＡ的多克隆位点及其侧翼序列,用ＥｃｏＲＶ和ＸｈｏＩ消化成为左右两个引物多克隆臂,与粘虫核型多角体病毒（ＬｓＮＰＶ）的ＥｃｏＲＶ和ＸｈｏＩ约４００ｂｐ和５００ｂｐ片段分别连接,经ＰＣＲ扩增,得到两端具有上述正反向引物结合位点的测序模板,用ｄｄＮＴＰ链终止法／ＰＣＲ扩增／银染色,从片段两端测定了全部９１９ｂｐ序列,这种ｄｄＮＴＰ／ＰＣＲ／银染测序法简化了操作,大大缩短了测序模板的制备时间,易于实现自动化操作。     

β‐Aminoisobutyric Acid Prevents Diet‐induced Obesity in Mice With Partial Leptin Deficiency

β‐Aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), a thymine catabolite, increases fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in liver and reduces the gain of body fat mass in Swiss (lean) mice fed a standard chow. We determined whether BAIBA could prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders in different murine models. To this end, BAIBA (100 or 500 mg/kg/day) was administered for 4 months in mice totally deficient in leptin (ob/ob). BAIBA (100 mg/kg/day) was also given for 4 months in wild‐type (+/+) mice and mice partially deficient in leptin (ob/+) fed a high‐calorie (HC) diet. BAIBA did not limit obesity and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice, but reduced liver cytolysis and inflammation. In ob/+ mice fed the HC diet, BAIBA fully prevented, or limited, the gain of body fat, steatosis and necroinflammation, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate was increased, whereas expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 was augmented in liver and white adipose tissue. Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase was more phosphorylated, and de novo lipogenesis was less induced in liver. These favorable effects of BAIBA in ob/+ mice were associated with a restoration of plasma leptin levels. The reduction of body adiposity afforded by BAIBA was less marked in +/+ mice. Finally, BAIBA significantly stimulated the secretion of leptin in isolated ob/+ adipose cells, but not in +/+ cells. Thus, BAIBA could limit triglyceride accretion in tissues through a leptin‐dependent stimulation of FAO. As partial leptin deficiency is not uncommon in the general population, supplementation with BAIBA may help to prevent diet‐induced obesity and related metabolic disorders in low leptin secretors.     

两种泥鳅中Sox基因的检出(英文)

性别决定基因ＳＲＹ都具有一个高度保守的基因序列──ＨＭＧ－ｂｏｘ,编码Ｓｏｘ蛋白,在胚胎发育过程中起重要作用。本文利用两种引物检测了泥鳅和大鳞副泥鳅的Ｓｏｘ基因。第一对引物特异扩增人类ＳＲＹ基因的保守区。在扩增泥鳅的基因组ＤＮＡ时可见长度分别为２００、５５０、９４０和１０００ｂｐ的四条扩增带。在大鳞副泥鳅中可以扩增出２００、５５０、９００ｂｐ三条带（Ｆｉｇ．１）。Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交表明２００和５５０ｂｐ两条带可以和ＳＲＹ基因探针杂交（Ｆｉｇ．２）。第二对引物是兼并引物,可以特异扩增Ｓｏｘ基因的ＨＭＧ－ｂｏｘ区域。以基因组ＤＮＡ为模板可以在大鳞副泥鳅中扩增出２２０、５５０、７００和１５００ｂｐ四条带（Ｆｉｇ．３）;而在泥鳅中则为２２０、５３０、５７０和１５００ｂｐ四条带（Ｆｉｇ．４）。ＰＣＲ产物的长度差异被认为是由于部分Ｓｏｘ基因的ＨＭＧ－ｂｏｘ区域中存在着内含子。没有发现性别特异扩增带。以上结果说明哺乳动物与性决定有关的组分在脊椎动物中是广泛存在的。但这些组分在鱼类中是否与性决定有关,或仅是哺乳动物性决定因子的进化前体尚不得而知。无论如何广泛深入研究鱼类的Ｓｏｘ基因对于揭示性决定系统和因子的进化方式是十分     

A multiplex PCR assay for molecular sexing of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

For molecular sexing of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber), we designed a PCR primer set to amplify part of the Y-linked DBY gene. When this primer set was applied to the samples of known sex with the 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) primers as control, PCR products were successfully obtained as two DNA bands in males, a male-specific 163 bp DBY band and a 446 bp band of 16S rDNA shared with females, whereas females showed only the common band. This result shows that this multiplex PCR assay is useful for sex identification of H. glaber.     

Identification of the Hind III polymorphic site in the PAI-1 gene: analysis of the PAI-1 Hind III polymorphism by PCR

The identification of the Hind III polymorphic site in the 3' end of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) gene and a simple method to identify the Hind III polymorphism rapidly in the PAI-1 gene using PCR is described. The Hind III restriction site was identified by restriction site mapping and sequence analysis from a cosmid DNA clone. Genomic DNA was isolated from individual human umbilical cords and a 754-bp fragment of the human PAI-1 gene was amplified by PCR. Aliquots of the PCR products were digested with Hind III and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The presence of two fragments, 754 and 567 bp, was identified, and they were designated as 1/1 (750-bp band), 1/2 (754- and 567-bp bands), and 2/2 (567-bp band). The PCR method is considerably less time consuming than the conventional DNA genotyping using Southern blot analysis. To ensure that this new method identified the same PAI-1 genotypes as previously identified by Hind III restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), samples were simultaneously genotyped by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Both methods identified the same Hind III genotypes in all the samples, confirming the reliability of this new PCR method for the rapid identification of the Hind III polymorphism in the human PAI-1 gene.     

Qualitative and quantitative characterization of RAPD variation among snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes

Ten snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes were screened for polymorphism with 400 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) primers. Polymorphic RAPDs were scored and classified into three categories based on ethidium bromide staining intensity. An average of 5.19 RAPD bands were scored per primer for the 364 primers that gave scorable amplification products. An average of 2.15 polymorphic RAPDs were detected per primer. The results show that primer screening may reduce the number of RAPD reactions required for the analysis of genetic relationships among snap-bean genotypes by over 60%. Based on the analysis of the distribution of RAPD amplification, the same number of polymorphic RAPDs were amplified from different genotypes for all RAPD band intensity levels. A comparison of RAPD band amplification frequency among genotypes for the three categories of bands classified by amplification strength revealed a measurable difference in the frequencies of RAPDs classified as faint (weakly amplifying) compared to RAPD bands classified as bold (strongly amplifying) indicating a possible scoring error due to the underscoring of faint bands. Correlation analysis showed that RAPD bands amplified by the same primer are not more closely correlated then RAPD bands amplified by different primers but are more highly correlated then expected by chance. Pairwise comparisons of RAPD bands indicate that the distribution of RAPD amplification among genotypes will be a useful criterion for establishing RAPD band identity. For the average pairwise comparison of genotypes, 50% of primers tested and 15.8% of all scored RAPDs detected polymorphism. Based on RAPD data Nei's average gene diversity at a locus was 0.158 based on all scorable RAPD bands and 0.388 if only polymorphic RAPD loci were considered. RAPD-derived 1 relationships among genotypes are reported for the ten genotypes included in this study. The data presented here demonstrate that many informative, polymorphic RAPDs can be found among snap bean cultivars. These RAPDs may be useful for the unique identification of bean varieties, the organization of bean germplasm, and applications of molecular markers to bean breeding.     

一种基于PCR技术鉴定单拷贝转基因烟草的方法

为了鉴定携带单拷贝外源基因的转基因烟草植株,以烟草核基因组上已知的单拷贝内源基因（RNR2）为内参,转基因烟草植株基因组DNA为模板,在同一PCR反应体系中扩增内源基因（RNR2）和外源目的基因（NPTⅡ）。反应产物在琼脂糖凝胶上电泳,获得了预期大小的两条特异性扩增条带。经ImageJ软件捕捉分析两条目的条带的灰度比,当T1代转基因烟草植株中外源基因与内源基因的扩增条带灰度比为1时,所检测植株即为单拷贝外源基因的转基因烟草植株。孟德尔经典遗传学方法证实了上述检测结果高度可信。     

A novel method of caenophidian snake sex identification using molecular markers based on two gametologous genes

Sex identification provides important information for ecological and evolutionary studies, as well as benefiting snake conservation management. Traditional methods such as cloacal probing or cloacal popping are counterproductive for sex identification concerning very small species, resulting in difficulties in the management of their breeding programs. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of gametologous genes (CTNNB1 and WAC genes) were used for the development of molecular sexing markers in caenophidian snakes. Two candidate markers were developed with the two primer sets, and successfully amplified by a single band on the agarose gel in male (ZZ) and two bands, differing in fragment sizes, in female (ZW) of 16 caenophidian snakes for CTNNB1 and 12 caenophidian snakes for WAC. Another candidate marker was developed with the primer set to amplify the specific sequence for CTNNB1W homolog, and the PCR products were successfully obtained in a female‐specific 250‐bp DNA bands. The three candidate PCR sexing markers provide a simple sex identification method based on the amplification of gametologous genes, and they can be used to facilitate effective caenophidian snake conservation and management programs.     

一种高特异性的改良降落PCR

为提高基因组DNA中的基因PCR检出的特异性,设计了一种改良的降落PCR程序,并分别用TaqDNA聚合酶及高保真PfuDNA聚合酶进行实验。自盐藻Dunaliella bardawil中提取基因组DNA作为PCR模板,使用TaqDNA聚合酶及PfuDNA聚合酶,运用普通PCR和降落PCR程序,扩增胡萝眩素生物合成相关基因（cbr）上游启动子序列,并电泳比较PCR扩增产物的特异性。结果显示,使用普通Taq酶PCR,普通PCR程序产生200bp,500bp和1272bp长的三条带,而TD-PCR程序仅克隆出1272bp的特异带;利用高保真的PfuDNA聚合酶作PCR,在TD-PCR泳道中仅有1272bp一条带,而普通PCR除了1272bp的特异带外,还出现一条500bp的非特异带。无论使用普通Taq酶或高保真酶Pfu,改良的降落PCR程序均明显提高PCR的特异性,类似的降落PCR程序可望用于克隆用普通PCR难以克隆的基因片段,或在假阳性难以去除的情况下提高PCR的特异性。     

Adipose tissue in offspring of Lepr(db/+) mice: early-life environment vs. genotype

Gravidas with obesity and diabetes ("diabesity") may transmit this syndrome to their children through genetic and nongenetic mechanisms. Here, we used the Lepr(db/+) diabese mouse to examine the magnitude of these transmission modes, focusing on adipose tissue (AT). We compared the following six groups: wild-type (+/+) offspring from +/+ or db/+ dams (different early life environment) and db/+ offspring from db/+ dams, fed a standard or high-fat diet. Weight gain (0-8 wk) was higher in +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ mothers, and even higher in db/+ vs. +/+ offspring from db/+ mothers. In addition, we observed a stepwise increase in AT and adipocyte size in +/+ from +/+ mice, +/+ from db/+ mice, and db/+ mice at 8 wk. Differences in weight and adiposity between +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams were more pronounced in males than in females. Leptin and apelin mRNA levels in white and brown AT were higher in +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams; however, leptin, apelin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression were boosted more robustly in db/+ offspring. The high-fat diet amplified AT differences between db/+ vs. +/+ offspring from db/+ dams, but not between +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams. Moreover, db/+ but not +/+ offspring from db/+ mothers were insulin-resistant and hyperinsulinemic after a glucose challenge. In conclusion, the genetic transmission of the diabesity phenotype clearly prevailed, but the early-life diabesity environment had discernible effects on postnatal weight gain as well as on adipocyte size and adipokine expression at a postpubertal age.     

The we gene is a modifier of the wal gene in mice

Interaction of gene wellhaarig (we) with genes waved alopecia (wal) and hairless (hr) was studied in mice. The mutant gene we is responsible for the development of a specific waved coat in homozygotes. Homozygous mice carrying mutant gene wal also have a wavy coat, though a partial alopecia develops with time in these animals. In homozygotes for the hr gene, hair loss is observed beginning from the age of ten days. A series of crosses we/we and wal/wal yielded animals with we/+wal/wal and we/we wal/wal genotypes. In mice we/+wal/wal carrying gene we at a single dose, alopecia is accelerated significantly as compared to the single-dose homozygotes +/+wal/wal. In we/we wal/wal mice, alopecia starts earlier than in we/+wal/wal mice; by the age of one month, the double homozygotes are almost hairless except for small body areas covered with a sparse coat. In addition, curliness of the first-generation hair in mice we/we wal/wal is much more expressed than in +/+wal/wal and we/we+/+ mice. The obtained evidence suggests that the we gene is a modifier of the wal gene because the former enhances the effects of the wal gene, which is confirmed by the earlier onset of alopecia and progression of the latter in mice having the we/+wal/wal genotype and especially in we/we wal/wal animals. The we/we hr/+ mice do not differ in coat from we/we+/+ mice; in both cases, the coat is wavy. The coat of double homozygotes we/we hr/hr, is similar to that of we/we+/+ mice until ten days of age, when the signs of alopecia appear. By the age of 21 days, mice we/we hr/hr have lost their coat completely like mice +/+ hr/hr. Hence, the we gene is a modifier of the wal gene though it does not interact with hr gene during the coat formation.     

Biomphalaria tenagophila: genetic variability within intermediate snail hosts susceptible and resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection

DNA analysis by molecular techniques has significantly expanded the perspectives of the study and understanding of genetic variability in molluscs that are vectors of schistosomiasis. In the present study, the genetic variability of susceptible and resistant B. lenagophila strains to S. mansoni infection was investigated using amplification of their genomic DNA by RAPD-PCR. The products were analyzed by PAGE and stained with silver. The results showed polymorphism between tested strains with four different primers. We found two bands of 1,900 and 3,420 bp that were characteristic of the susceptible strains with primer 2. The primers 9 and 10 identified a single polymorphic band that was also characteristic of (3,136 and 5,041 bp, respectively) susceptible snails. Two polymorphic bands were detected by primer 15: one with 1,800 bp was characteristic of the resistant strain and the other with approximately equal to 1,700 bp in the susceptible one. These results provide additional evidence showing that the RAPD-PCR technique is adequate for the study of polymorphisms in intermediate hosts snails of S. mansoni. The obtained results are expected to expand the knowledge about the genetic variability of the snails and to permit the future identification of genomic sequences specifically related to the resistance/susceptibility of Biomphalaria to the larval forms of S. mansoni.     

一种鉴别临床常见致病性葡萄球菌方法的建立与初步评价

目的建立一种鉴别临床常见致病性葡萄球菌的聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCRRFLP）方法。方法采用经全自动微生物鉴定系统和分子生物学方法准确鉴定的金黄色葡萄球菌、表皮葡萄球菌、溶血葡萄球菌各3株,提取细菌DNA,PCR扩增tuf基因,扩增产物Alu I、Hinf I双酶切后进行琼脂糖凝胶电泳,分析不同葡萄球菌酶切后带型的差异。收集临床分离葡萄球菌142株,采用建立的PCRRFLP对其进行分类鉴别,随机选择分类鉴别的葡萄球菌各20株,PCR扩增16S r DNA,扩增产物测序,将结果与Gen Bank数据库进行比对,初步评价该方法的准确性。结果金黄色葡萄球菌,表皮葡萄球菌,溶血葡萄球菌均能扩增出长668 bp DNA片段。扩增产物经Alu I、Hinf I双酶切后电泳条带不同,金黄色葡萄球菌出现三条带（108 bp/192 bp/217 bp）,表皮葡萄球菌出现两条带（192 bp/304 bp）,溶血葡萄球菌出现两条带（192 bp/217 bp）。PCR-RFLP结果显示,142株葡萄球菌中金黄色葡葡球菌、表皮葡葡球菌和溶血葡葡球菌分别为67、29和46株。随机挑选的20株不同种葡萄球菌16S r DNA测序结果与Gen Bank数据库对应序列的相似性均〉99%,说明建立的PCR-RFLP方法能准确区分三种常见葡萄球菌。结论 PCRRFLP能准确鉴别临床常见的致病性葡萄球菌,为葡萄球菌病的分子诊断奠定了基础。     

Identification of molecular markers for selection of supermale (YY) asparagus plants

The research was aimed to elaborate a method for selection of male plants (XY, YY) and female ones (XX) as well as for identification of supermale genotypes (YY) among male phenotypes. The population obtained by self-pollination of andromonoecious plants was analysed. In order to identify the bands differentiating the male from the female genotypes, Bulk Segregant Analysis (BSA) was carried out. Primers identified by BSA analysis were used for RAPD amplification on the template of the male and female individuals. Among the products obtained by the use of primer OPB-20, some bands were linked with sex. A band of about 700 bp was found in all female plants, and in 4 phenotypically male specimens. In the male plants, the band showed a much lower intensity, compared with the female specimens. It seems that this fragment can be linked to the X chromosome in the investigated specimens. In the female specimens with XX karyotype, template duplication occurs and hence the band intensity is twice as high as in the XY karyotype. Three male plants did not include the OPB-20-700 fragment so they could potentially have the supermale (YY) karyotype. If the obtained marker proved its usefulness for identification of supermale plants, it could become a valuable tool facilitating breeding work.     

毛囊蠕形螨与皮脂蠕形螨基因组DNA的RAPD分析和序列比对

【目的】分析毛囊蠕形螨Demodex folliculorum（D.f.）和皮脂蠕形螨D. brevis（D.b.）基因组DNA的多态性, 对相关条带进行测序分析。【方法】采用改良小昆虫DNA提取法提取两种人体蠕形螨基因组DNA, 选择RAPD技术对其进行多态性分析, 将相关条带分别与pMD18-T载体连接, 克隆、测序后进行酶切鉴定和分析。【结果】毛囊蠕形螨共扩增15条带, 皮脂蠕形螨共扩增12条带;两种蠕形螨既有共有条带, 又有特异性条带;根据条带差异计算得到两种间的遗传距离为0.5556. 毛囊蠕形螨约800 bp处特异性条带测序结果显示, 序列片段长度为855 bp（GenBank登录号为FI277970）;特异性引物扩增和酶切鉴定均为毛囊蠕形螨所特有. 序列比对显示与阿糖胞苷DNA区域结合蛋白有46%的序列相似度。两种人体蠕形螨约300 bp处共有条带序列分析显示, 碱基序列均为341 bp（GenBank登录号分别为D.f. FI520176;D.b. FI520175）, 在第84和第165位点有2个碱基不同, 分别是A/G和C/T互换, 同源性高达99.4%. 但未发现有开放阅读框和相似度高的序列。 【结论】序列片段为855 bp的特异性条带为毛囊蠕形螨所特有;341 bp碱基序列为毛囊蠕形螨和皮脂蠕形螨所共有, 同源性高达99.4%. RAPD技术可用于两种人体蠕形螨基因组DNA的多态性分析和物种鉴定。     

Mitochondrial Genome Fingerprinting in Hybrid Rice and Its Associated Lines Using the Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction

A new economic and efficient DNA polymorphism assay was developed in 1990 that is based on the amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of random DNA segments using primers of arbitrary nucleotide sequence. Authors have now adapted this type of amplification to rice mitochondrial genome. Using 6 rice varieties in conjunction with 7 of 20–27 mer oligonucleotide primers, the AP-PCR products revealed that the amplified DNA bands fell into two categories, the evolutively conserved the cytoplasmic-specific. It is suggested that AP-PCR assay of mtDNA may help to classify or identify the cytoplasms in rice. By comparing "fingerprints" among the WA type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) rice, its Maintainer and Restorer lines, as well as its hybrid, one CMS cytoplasm-specific band (primer R2/630 bp) and one normal cytoplasm-specific segment (primer V5/707 bp) could be directly identified among the set of amplified DNA fragments. Further, some difference in the amplification patterns of mtDNA between CMS line and its hybrid, which infers that rearrangement of mitochondrial genome in hybrid rice probably happened.