ENZYMIC ACTIVITIES IN DISSOCIATED NEURONS DIFFERENTIATED IN CULTURES IN VITRO

Abstract— The appearance of the enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, monoamine oxidase and acetylcholinesterase in cultures of dissociated spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia and cerebellum removed at different stages of development have been studied. The neurons differentiated in vitro have morphological and cytochemical characteristics similar to those of the normally developing neurons. On the basis of the results obtained, it is argued that in this experimental model the histogenetic determination of the neuroblasts at the time of the explant may start and bring to an end the morphological and biochemical differentiation of the various types of neurons even under conditions extremely different from those of normal development.     

VARIATION IN DEVELOPMENTAL CONSTRAINTS IN SIGMODON

Developmental constraints can be interpreted as factors of developmental origin responsible for covariation among measured variables. Several hypotheses have been proposed to link the possession of such constraints to subsequent evolution. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we compare developmental factors across selected taxa of cotton rats, genus Sigmodon. Three factors explain well the covariation among orofacial measurements: (1) responses to body size variation, (1) coordinated growth of traits of the occluding-tooth complex, and (3) responses to musculoskeletal interactions. Sigmodon taxa share these factors, but differ in the variance-covariance matrix of factors, and the unique variances of individual traits. Patterns of covariation among measurements of the neurocranial complex reflect responses to body size variation, and perhaps also responses to fetal brain growth. While there are no significant differences across taxa in factorpattern, variance-covariance matrix of factors, or unique variance of measured neurocranial variables, the neurocranium is only weakly constrained. We doubt that even the relatively stronger developmental constraints on the orofacial complex would prevent evolutionary divergence because differences in the variances and covariances of factors, and in levels of unique variance of individual traits can provide different opportunities for selection to act in different Sigmodon taxa.     

TILLING在水稻育种中的应用前景

TILLING(Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes)是功能基因组研究中应用的一种反向遗传学技术。它能高通量低成本地在EMS诱变群体中鉴定出发生在特定基因上的点突变。在其基础上发展出的EcoTILLING技术则可发现种质资源中的SNP位点及小插入或缺失多态性位点。水稻是非常重要的粮食作物, 也是已经完成了全基因组序列测定,有丰富的生物信息学资源可以利用的基因组研究模式植物。水稻的分子标记辅助育种将在育种中扮演越来越重要的角色。在这样的背景下,本文从基于特定基因的种质资源鉴定、EMS诱变育种、及水稻功能标记开发等方面论述了其在水稻育种中的应用前景。     

被子植物多胚苗的研究进展

本文综述了被子植物多胚苗的研究进展。在被子植物中多胚苗材料的种类很多,而只有特定起源的多胚苗材料在作物杂种优势固定中才具有比较大的实用价值。关于被子植物多胚苗的发生机理目前还没形成统一的定论。单倍性、二倍性和多倍性多胚苗在作物育种上具有各自不同的意义。