Systematics of Juniperus section Juniperus based on leaf essential oils and random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs)

The composition of the leaf essential oils of all the species of Juniperus in sect. Juniperus (=sect. Oxycedrus) are reported and compared (J. brevifolia, J. cedrus, J. communis, J. c. var. saxatilis, J. c. var. oblonga, J. formosana, J. oxycedrus, J. o. subsp. badia, J. o. subsp. macrocarpa, J. o. subsp. transtagana, J. rigida, J. r. subsp. conferta, J. sibirica, J. taxifolia and J. t. var. lutchuensis). In addition, DNA fingerprinting by RAPDs was utilized. Based on these data, several taxa remained at the same taxonomic level: J. brevifolia, J. cedrus, J. communis, J. c. var. saxatilis, J. formosana, J. oxycedrus, J. rigida, J. r. var. conferta, and J. taxifolia. However, several taxa exhibited considerable differentiation that warranted their recognition at the specific level: J. oblonga M.-Bieb. (=J. communis var. oblonga), J. badia H. Gay (=J. oxycedrus subsp. badia), J. macrocarpa Sibth. and Sm. (=J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa), J. navicularis Gand. (=J. oxycedrus subsp. transtagana), J. sibirica Brugsd. (=J. communis var. saxatilis in part), and J. lutchuensis Koidz. (= J. taxifolia var. lutchuensis).     

Systematics of the one seeded Juniperus of the eastern hemisphere based on leaf essential oils and random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs)

The compositions of the leaf essential oils of all the one seed/cone species of Juniperus (sect. Sabina) of the eastern hemisphere are reported and compared (J. convallium, J. convallium var. microsperma, J. indica, J. komarovii, J. pingii, J. pingii var. carinata, J. prezewalskii, J. pseudosabina, J. recurva, J. recurva var. coxii, J. saltuaria, J. squamata, J. squamata var. morrisonicola, J. tibetica, J. wallachiana). In addition, DNA fingerprinting by RAPDs was utilized. The combined terpenoid and DNA data supported the continued recognition of the aforementioned taxa as distinct species except for four varieties which were recognized at the specific level: Juniperus carinata (Y.K. Yu & L.K. Fu) R.P. Adams, stat. nov. (Syn.: J. pingii var. carinata); J. coxii A.B. Jacks. (Syn.: J. recurva var. coxii); Juniperus microsperma (Cheng & L.K. Fu) R.P. Adams, stat. nov. (Syn.: J. convallium var. microsperma); J. morrisonicola Hayata (Syn.: J. squamata var. morrisonicola).     

New Taxa of the Genus Saxifraga from China

Fifteen new taxa of the genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) are described from China. They are Saxifraga erectisepala J. T. Pan, S. sublinearifolia J. T. Pan, S. rizhaoshanensis J. T. Pan, S. gedangensis J. T. Pan, S. sheqilaensis J. T. Pan, S. egregioides J. T. Pan, S. caveana W. W. Smith var. lanceolata J. T. Pan, S. subtsangchanensis J. T. Pan, S. brachypodoidea J. T. Pan, S. oreophila Franch. var. depaoshanensis J. T. Pan, S. subsediformis J. T. Pan, S. nangqenica J. T. Pan, S. medogensis J. T. Pan, S. paiquensis J. T. Pan and S. daochengensisJ. T. Pan.     

A Study on the Genus Saxifraga L. from China

This paper presents a system of the genus Saxifraga L. from China, recognizes 2 subgenera, 8 sections, 7 subsections (including 1 new subsection), 31 series (including 23 new series), 4 subseries (new subseries) and 203 species (including 2 new species and 4 new varieties). The new taxa, statuses, combinations and names in this paper are as follows: Sect. Biro- stres (Gornall) C. Y. Wu et J. T. Pan, stat. nov.,; Sect. Punctatae (Engl.) J. T. Pan, stat. nov.; Ser. Rufescentes J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Saxifraga lonshengensis J. T. Pan, sp. nov.; S. rufescens Balf. f. var. uninervata J. T. Pan, var. nov.; S. rufescens Balf. f. var. flabellifolia C. Y. Wu et J. T. Pan, nom. nov.; Ser. Stonoliferae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Stellariifoliae (Engl. et Irmsch.) J. T. Pan, stat. nov.; Subser. Aristulatae J. T. Pan, subser. nov.; Subser. Montanae J. T. Pan, subser, nov.; Saxifraga ciliatopetata (Engl. et Irmsch.) J. T. Pan var. ciliata J. T. Pan, var. nov.; Subser. Gonggashanenses J. T. Pan, subser, nov.; Subser. Car- diophyllae J. T. Pan, subser. nov.; Saxifraga egregia Engl. var. xiaojinensis J. T. Pan, var. nov.; Ser. Caveanae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Heterocladoideae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Chumbienses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Bulleyanae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Brachypodae C. Y. Wu et J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Erinaceae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Saxifraga substrigosa J. T. Pan var. gemmifera J. T. Pan, var. nov.; Ser. Umbellulatae J. T. Pan, ser. nov; Ser. Yu- shuenses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Ungviculatae J. T. Pan, Ser. nov.; Ser. Punctu- latae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Candelabriformes J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Tanguti- cae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Saxifraga tangutica Engl. var. platyphylla (H. Smith) J. T. Pan, comb. nov.; Ser. Yaluzangbuenses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Jainzhuglaenses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Saxifraga jainzhulaensis J. T. Pan, sp. nov.; Ser. Jacquemontianae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Nanae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Subsect. Microgynae J. T. Pan, subsect. nov.; Ser. Nangxi- anenses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Mucronulatae J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Parkaenses J.T. Pan, ser. nov.; Ser. Deqenenses J. T. Pan, ser. nov.; Saxifraga mucronulatoides J. T. Pan, nom. nov.     

J domain independent functions of J proteins

Heat shock proteins of 40 kDa (Hsp40s), also called J proteins, are obligate partners of Hsp70s. Via their highly conserved and functionally critical J domain, J proteins interact and modulate the activity of their Hsp70 partners. Mutations in the critical residues in the J domain often result in the null phenotype for the J protein in question. However, as more J proteins have been characterized, it is becoming increasingly clear that a significant number of J proteins do not “completely” rely on their J domains to carry out their cellular functions, as previously thought. In some cases, regions outside the highly conserved J domain have become more important making the J domain dispensable for some, if not for all functions of a J protein. This has profound effects on the evolution of such J proteins. Here we present selected examples of J proteins that perform J domain independent functions and discuss this in the context of evolution of J proteins with dispensable J domains and J-like proteins in eukaryotes.     

黑木耳种内杂交子的鉴定技术*

采用原生质体技术,获得黑木耳(Auricularia auricula)栽培菌株He-1的单核化菌株H1、H2、H3和栽培菌株Ju-1的单核化菌株J1、J2、J3,将H1、H2、H3分别与J1、J2、J3配对杂交,核相观察确认H2J1、H2J2和H2J3均为双核体。酯酶同工酶分析表明,H2J1、H2J2和H2J3不仅具有相应的亲本单核体共有的酶带,而且具有两个亲本各自的特异性标记酶带。RAPD分析表明,引物S30和S62对杂交子H2J1、H2J2和H2J3的扩增图谱中不仅包含相应的亲本单核体所共有的DNA带,而且包含亲本单核体各自的特异性DNA带。拮抗和栽培试验表明,杂交子H2J1、H2J2、H2J3与双核体亲本He-1和Ju-1的菌落之间有窄细的黑色拮抗线,子实体形态上有较明显差异。     

Geographic variation in leaf essential oils and RAPDs of Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch in central Asia

Variations in the composition of the leaf essential oils and DNA fingerprints (RAPDs) of Juniperus excelsa, J. polycarpos, J. seravschanica, and J. turcomanica were examined. Juniperus procera was also included in the analyses to aid in determining the specific status of J. polycarpos. Based on these analyses, J. polycarpos is recognized as a distinct species from J. excelsa. The common, multi-seeded juniper of central Asia is J. polycarpos. Juniperus seravschanica and J. turcomanica are treated as part of the J. polycarpos complex but are not recognized as formal taxonomic groups at this time. The Balochistan, Pakistan juniper, usually called J. excelsa var. polycarpos or J. macropoda should be referred to as J. polycarpos in the future.     

Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:
Root Development and Function. Ed. by P. J. G regory , J. V. L ake and D. A. R ose
Modern Methods in Plant Analysis. Volume 3. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Edited by H. F. L inskens and J. F. J ackson
Genetic Differentiation and Dispersal in Plants. Edited by P. J acquard , G. H eim and J. A ntonovics
Tropical Forest and its Environment . By K. A. L ongman and J. J enik
Ecology of Biological Invasions. Edited by R. H. G roves and J. J. B urdon
Ecology of Microbial Communities: 41st Symposium of The Society for General Microbiology. Ed. by M. F letcher , T. R. G. G ray and J. G. J ones     

Trigonal DnaK-DnaJ complex versus free DnaK and DnaJ: heat stress converts the former to the latter, and only the latter can do disaggregation in cooperation with ClpB

DnaK from Thermus thermophilus (TDnaK) is unique because significant fractions of cellular TDnaK exist as a trigonal K.J complex that consists of three copies each of TDnaK, TDnaJ, and an assembly factor TDafA. Here, chaperone functions of the K.J complex and free TDnaK plus free TDnaJ (K+J) were compared. Substrate proteins were completely denatured at 72-73 degrees C or 89 degrees C in the absence or the presence of K.J complex or K+J and were subsequently incubated at a moderate temperature of 55 degrees C. TGrpE and ATP were always included in the K.J complex and K+J, and TClpB was supplemented at 55 degrees C. At 72-73 degrees C, both the K.J complex and K+J suppressed heat aggregation of substrate proteins. During the next incubation at 55 degrees C, K+J, assisted by TClpB, was able to disaggregate the heat aggregates and efficiently reactivate activities of the proteins, whereas the K.J complex was not; it reactivated only the soluble inactivated proteins. When substrate proteins were heated to 89 degrees C, both the K.J complex and K+J were no longer able to prevent heat aggregation, and because of selective, irreversible denaturation of TDafA the K.J complex dissociated into K+J, which then exhibited disaggregation activity during the next incubation at 55 degrees C. Thus, TClpB-assisted disaggregation activity belongs only to K+J, and TDafA is a potential thermosensor for converting the K.J complex to K+J in response to heat stress.     

Contribution to the chromosome numbers of some species of the genus Juncus L. in Slovakia

The study presents chromosome counts of the following species of the genusJuncus from Slovakía:J. sphaerocarpus, J. capitatus, J. subnodulosus, J. atratus, J. alpino-articulatus subsp.alpino-articulatus, J. triglumis, J. castaneus.     

Phenotypic analysis of vertigo 2 Jackson mice with a Kcnq1 potassium channel mutation.

The KCNQ1 gene encodes a voltage-dependent potassium ion channel, and mutations in this gene are the most common cause of congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS). In the present study, we investigated the various phenotypic characteristics of vertigo 2 Jackson (C3H/HeJCrl-Kcnq1(vtg-2J)/J) mice with a Kcnq1 mutation. Both heterozygotes (vtg-2J/+) and homozygotes (vtg-2J/vtg-2J) showed prolonged QT intervals in electrocardiograms (ECGs) compared to C3H/HeJ control (+/+) mice. Furthermore, vtg-2J/vtg-2J mice showed gastric achlorhydria associated with elevation of their serum gastrin levels. The serum corticosterone levels were also significantly increased in vtg-2J/vtg-2J mice. In addition, vtg-2J/vtg-2J mice exhibited significantly higher blood pressure. These findings indicate that the Kcnq1 mutation in vtg-2J mice alters various physiological functions in the cardiac, gastric and adrenocortical systems, and suggest that vtg-2J mice may represent a useful model for studying Kcnq1 functions.     

Acquisition of endogenous ecotropic MuLV can occur before the late one-cell stage in the genital tract of SWR/J-RF/J hybrid females

Endogenous ecotropic MuLV proviral loci are acquired by the progeny of some [SWR/J x (SWR/J x RJ/J)F1] N2 hybrid females obtained by two successive backcrosses of RF/J mice onto the SWR/J background. This results most likely from an infection of early embryos or oocytes by MuLV particles originating from maternal tissues. However, the time and site of infection are not yet known. Using oviductal transfers of embryos at the one-cell stage, we show here that three of 88 N3 embryos from [SWR/J x (SWR/J x RF/J)F1] N2 hybrid females transferred to virus-free foster mothers harbored new proviral integrations, whereas none of 61 SWR/J embryos transferred to [SWR/J x (SWR/J x RF/J)F1] N2 hybrid females had acquired any proviruses. These data support the infection of oocyte and/or early one-cell embryo as the initial event leading to new proviral insertions.     

Reviews

Transport of photoassimilates. Ed. by D. A. B aker and J. A. M ilburn.
Plant Lipids : Targets for Manipulation (British Plant Growth Regulator Group, Monograph No. 17). Ed. by N. J. P infield and A. K. S tobart.
Experimental Techniques in Plant Disease Epidemiology. Ed. by J. K ranz and J. R otem.
The Names of Plants. By D. G ledhill
Plant Form and Vegetation Structure. Ed. by M. J. A. W erger , P. J. M. V an der A art , H. J. D uring and J. T. A. V erhoeven.
Vegetation Structure in Relation to Carbon and Nutrient Economy. Ed. by J. T. A. V erhoeven , G. W. H eil and M. J. A. W erger .
Diversity and Pattern in Plant Communities. Ed. by H. J. D uring , M. J. A. W erger and J. H. W illems .     

Variations in the amount of glucose phosphate isomerase in lymphocytes and erythrocytes from A/J and C57BL/6J mice

In a comparative study of A/J (Gpi-1a) and C57BL/6J (Gpi-1b) mice, we observed that erythrocytes of A/J mice exhibited significantly higher glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) activity compared to erythrocytes of C57BL/6J mice on a per cell, per gram of protein, or per gram of hemoglobin basis. Higher GPI activity per cell was detected for peripheral blood lymphocytes of A/J compared to C57BL/6J mice. (A/J X C57BL/6J)F1 mice expressed erythrocyte and peripheral blood lymphocyte GPI activities intermediate to those of the parental mouse strains. The GPI activities of spleen lymphocytes from A/J, C57BL/6J, or (A/J X C57BL/6J)F1 mice were not significantly different from each other. The higher activity in the A/J mice could be due to GPI of a higher catalytic rate or to the presence of more GPI molecules. In order to distinguish these two possibilities, GPI was purified to homogeneity from both strains of mice. The specific activities (activity per milligram of protein) of the purified enzymes from the two strains were found to be similar, indicating that GPI from the A/J strain was not a more active enzyme. Antibody to the purified enzymes was prepared and used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to compare the relative amounts of enzyme molecules in cells of A/J and C57BL/6J mice. Results of the ELISA tests on peripheral blood lymphocytes indicated that A/J mice contain more molecules of GPI per cell and, therefore, have a higher GPI activity than C57BL/6J mice.     

Chemosystematic studies of the Caribbean junipers based on their volatile oils

Six taxa of smooth leaf margined junipers were collected from the West Indies, Bermuda and the south-eastern United States for chemosystematic analyses of their volatile oils. These taxa were Juniperus bermudiana, J. ekmanii, J. gracilior, J. lucayana, J. silicicola and J. virginiana. Three major groups were found: Hispaniola (J. ekmanii, J. gracilior); Bermuda/Bahamas (J. bermudiana, J. lucayana) and south-eastern United States (J. silicicola, J. virginiana). The hispaniola junipers were found to be unique among the smooth leaf margined junipers of the Western Hemisphere in having a large percentage of bomyl acetate in the leaf oil composition. Systematic implications and possible routes of migration and evolution are discussed.     

Genetic determinants of resistance to ectromelia (mousepox) virus-induced mortality.

Resistance to ectromelia (mousepox) virus-induced mortality was examined in crosses between susceptible DBA/2J, A/J, and BALB/cByJ mice and resistant C57BL/6J and AKR/J mice. Depending on the cross, resistance to mousepox virus was shown to be determined by one or more independently assorting autosomal loci with dominant alleles for resistance in AKR/J and C57BL/6J mice and recessive alleles in A/J, BALB/cByJ, and DBA/2J mice. A sexual dimorphism in resistance to disease was also observed.     

Binding of the J 1 Adhesion Molecules to Extracellular Matrix Constituents

The J1 glycoproteins can be obtained in multiple forms in the soluble fraction of developing and adult mouse brain tissue. They are recovered as two forms of apparent molecular weights of 160,000 and 180,000 (J1-160) from adult mouse brain and as forms of apparent molecular weights of 200,000 and 220,000 (J1-220) from developing brain. J1-160 and J1-220 share common epitopes but are considered as separate entities, with J1-220 being immunochemically closely related if not identical to tenascin. Based on the observation that J1 immunoreactivity appears on basement membrane and interstitial collagens after denervation of the neuromuscular junction in adult rodents, we became interested in investigating the binding properties of J1 glycoproteins to extracellular matrix constituents in vitro. Both J1-160 and J1-220 bound to collagens type I-VI and IX but not to laminin, fibronectin, bovine serum albumin, or gelatin under hypotonic buffer conditions. Under isotonic buffer conditions, J1-220 bound to all collagen types, whereas J1-160 bound only to collagen types V and VI with values that could be examined by Scatchard analysis. Binding of J1-220 to collagens displayed two binding constants (KD) between 1.5 and 4.4 X 10(-9) and 1.8 and 5.5 X 10(-8) M, respectively, under hypotonic buffer conditions and a single KD of 2.1-8.0 X 10(-8) M under isotonic buffer conditions. Binding of J1-160 to collagens had an apparent KD of 1.9-8.0 X 10(-9) M under hypotonic buffer conditions. Under isotonic buffer conditions, binding constants of J1-160 to collagen types V and VI were approximately 2 X 10(-8) M. Binding of J1-220 to collagen type I could be inhibited by J1-220, J1-160, and collagen type VI but not by fibronectin or gelatin. Conversely, binding of J1-160 was inhibited by J1-220, J1-160, and collagen type VI (in order of decreasing efficacy of competition). J1-160 and J1-220 were retained on a heparin-agarose column and eluted in a salt gradient at approximately 0.5 M NaCl. The formation of the J1-heparin complexes was inhibited 100-fold more efficiently by heparin than by chondroitin sulfate. These experiments show that J1 glycoproteins resemble in many respects the extracellular matrix constituents fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, and von Willebrand factor.     

Hyperleptinemia and reduced TNF-alpha secretion cause resistance of db/db mice to endotoxin

Leptin deficiency in ob/ob mice increases susceptibility to endotoxic shock, whereas leptin pretreatment protects them against LPS-induced lethality. Lack of the long-form leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) in db/db mice causes resistance. We tested the effects of LPS in C57BL/6J db(3J)/db(3J) (BL/3J) mice, which express only the circulating leptin receptors, compared with C57BL/6J db/db (BL/6J) mice, which express all short-form and circulating isoforms of the leptin receptor. Intraperitoneal injections of LPS significantly decreased rectal temperature and increased leptin, corticosterone, and free TNF-alpha in fed and fasted BL/3J and BL/6J mice. TNF-alpha was increased three- and fourfold in BL/3J and BL/6J, respectively. LPS (100 microg) caused 50% mortality of fasted BL/6J mice but caused no mortality in fasted BL/3J mice. Pretreatment of fasted BL/3J mice with 30 microg leptin prevented the drop in rectal temperature, blunted the increase in corticosterone, but had no effect on TNF-alpha induced by 100 microg LPS. Taken together, these data provide evidence that fasted BL/3J mice are more resistant than BL/6J mice to LPS toxicity, presumably due to the absence of leptin receptors in BL/3J mice. This resistance may be due to high levels of free leptin cross-reacting with other cytokine receptors.