Expression of the quantitative trait radius incompletus, temperature effects and localization of mobile genetic elements in Drosophila. II. Mobile genetic elements Dm-412

Two "selection" sub-populations (ris- and ris+), as well as two "temperature" ones (ric113 and ric149) were earlier developed from the control ric sub-population with interrupted vein of the fly wing. All five sub-populations were investigated for hybridization of MGE Dm-412 with drosophila polytene chromosomes in situ. The tree of similarity of MGE Dm-412 hybridization patterns was built by the methods of matrix clusterization. The sub-populations with the most resembling expressions of characters (ris- and ric113, ris+ and ric149) were found to be also most similar in patterns of MGE localization and their changes. Nonrandomness of these changes was shown, the similarity of patterns being demonstrated to be mainly the result of the changes. There is evidence that such effects cannot be accounted for by genetic drift and independent stochastic changes in MGE localization.     

Expression of the quantitative trait radius incompletus in Drosophila and localization of mobile elements MDG1 and copia

A series of subpopulations earlier obtained were studied for hybridization of mobile genetic elements (MGE). The subpopulations examined were two "selected" (ris- and ris+), two "temperature" (ri(c113) and ri(c149)) and the control (ric). The method of in situ hybridization with polytene chromosomes of larval salivary glands was used to determine the patterns of MGE localization for all subpopulations. The patterns obtained appeared to be quite different from that of mdg-2. The trees of similarity for subpopulations according to the patterns of every MGE localization were built by conventional clustering methods. These trees were topologically similar to each other and to mdg-2. Distinction spectra of patterns of four daughter subpopulations, in comparison with the control one, were shown for each of these MGE to be independent and individual. However, there are some common regularities among copia-like MGE-mdg-1, copia, mdg-2 and, probably, mdg-3, namely: non-random property of the majority of changes, the similarity of patterns for subpopulations with similar phenotypes etc. So, Drosophila genome can be conceived as a complex system of patterns of different MGE localization, capable of common or independent mass transpositions after external stress action.     

Insights into the interaction of human arginase II with substrate and manganese ions by site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic studies. Alteration of substrate specificity by replacement of Asn149 with Asp

To examine the interaction of human arginase II (EC 3.5.3.1) with substrate and manganese ions, the His120Asn, His145Asn and Asn149Asp mutations were introduced separately. About 53% and 95% of wild-type arginase activity were expressed by fully manganese activated species of the His120Asn and His145Asn variants, respectively. The K(m) for arginine (1.4-1.6 mM) was not altered and the wild-type and mutant enzymes were essentially inactive on agmatine. In contrast, the Asn149Asp mutant expressed almost undetectable activity on arginine, but significant activity on agmatine. The agmatinase activity of Asn149Asp (K(m) = 2.5 +/- 0.2 mM) was markedly resistant to inhibition by arginine. After dialysis against EDTA, the His120Asn variant was totally inactive in the absence of added Mn(2+) and contained < 0.1 Mn(2+).subunit(-1), whereas wild-type and His145Asn enzymes were half active and contained 1.1 +/- 0.1 Mn(2+).subunit(-1) and 1.3 +/- 0.1 Mn(2+).subunit(-1), respectively. Manganese reactivation of metal-free to half active species followed hyperbolic kinetics with K(d) of 1.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) M for the wild-type and His145Asn enzymes and 16.2 +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) m for the His120Asn variant. Upon mutation, the chromatographic behavior, tryptophan fluorescence properties (lambda(max) = 338-339 nm) and sensitivity to thermal inactivation were not altered. The Asn149-->Asp mutation is proposed to generate a conformational change responsible for the altered substrate specificity of arginase II. We also conclude that, in contrast with arginase I, Mn(2+) (A) is the more tightly bound metal ion in arginase II.     

Multiple In Vitro and In Vivo Regulatory Effects of Budesonide in CD4+ T Lymphocyte Subpopulations of Allergic Asthmatics

Background

Increased activation and increased survival of T lymphocytes characterise bronchial asthma.

Objectives

In this study the effect of budesonide on T cell survival, on inducible co-stimulator T cells (ICOS), on Foxp3 and on IL-10 molecules in T lymphocyte sub-populations was assessed.

Methods

Cell survival (by annexin V binding) and ICOS in total lymphocytes, in CD4+/CD25+ and in CD4+/CD25- and Foxp3 and IL-10 in CD4+/CD25+ and in CD4+/CD25-cells was evaluated, by cytofluorimetric analysis, in mild intermittent asthmatics (n = 19) and in controls (n = 15). Allergen induced T lymphocyte proliferation and the in vivo effects of budesonide in mild persistent asthmatics (n = 6) were also explored.

Results

Foxp3 was reduced in CD4+/CD25- and in CD4+/CD25+ cells and ICOS was reduced in CD4+/CD25+ cells but it was increased in CD4+CD25-in asthmatics when compared to controls. In asthmatics, in vitro, budesonide was able to: 1) increase annexin V binding and to reduce ICOS in total lymphocytes; 2) increase annexin V binding and Foxp3 and to reduce ICOS in CD4+/CD25- cells; 3) reduce annexin V binding and to increase IL-10 and ICOS in CD4+/CD25+ cells; 4) reduce cell allergen induced proliferation. In vivo, budesonide increased ICOS in CD4+/CD25+ while it increased Foxp3 and IL-10 in CD4+/CD25+ and in CD4+/CD25- cells.

Conclusions

Budesonide modulates T cell survival, ICOS, Foxp3 and IL-10 molecules differently in T lymphocyte sub-populations. The findings provided shed light on new mechanisms by which corticosteroids, drugs widely used for the clinical management of bronchial asthma, control T lymphocyte activation.     

Molecular studies on genetic integrity of open-pollinating species rye (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale cereale</Emphasis> L.) after long-term genebank maintenance

The genetic integrity of six accessions represented by 14 sub-populations of the open-pollinating species rye (Secale cereale L.) was investigated. Seeds available from a herbarium collection (first regeneration) and from the cold store (most recent regeneration) were multiplied two to fourteen times and fingerprinted using microsatellite markers. Four accessions had significantly different allele frequencies. These were multiplied seven to thirteen times. Nearly 50% of the alleles discovered in the original samples were not found in the material present in the cold store. However alleles were detected in the most recently propagated sub-populations, that were not observed in the investigated plants of the original one. The change in allele frequencies is a continuous process. Reasons for the occurrence of genetic changes and consequences for managing open pollinating species maintained in ex situ genebanks are discussed.Communicated by G. Wenzel     

The Cincinnati Lipid Research Clinic family study: cultural and biological determinants of lipids and lipoprotein concentrations.

A general linear model is described here for cultural and biological inheritance of lipids and lipoproteins. This model involves 10 parameters to be estimated from a total of 17 correlations, leaving ample degrees of freedom to test the goodness of fit. The model fits very well to each of the five lipid and lipoprotein variables analyzed here from a Lipid Research Clinic family data set. Both genetic and cultural inheritance are significant for each trait with the single exception that triglyceride levels fail to support genetic inheritance. Under the most parsimonious hypothesis, the genetic heritability (h2) ranges from .194 +/- .092 for triglyceride to .624 +/- .093 for low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Cultural heritability ranges from .070 +/- .030 for total cholesterol to .149 +/- .034 for triglyceride.     

重组大肠杆菌产角质酶-CBM摇瓶发酵优化及分泌表达研究

在TB培养基的基础上,通过单因素分析和正交设计对重组大肠杆菌产角质酶-CBM发酵进行优化,得到最适培养基的组分为:甘油5 g/L,蛋白胨 16 g/L,MgSO₄·7H₂O 2.5 mmol/L,K₂HPO₄ 13.7 g/L,KH₂PO₄ 1.53 g/L,菌体生长至对数前中期时添加终浓度为1 g/L乳糖 和0.75 g/L 甘氨酸,30℃发酵48 h,角质酶-CBM产量可达63 U/ml,较TB培养(20 U/ml)提高了近3倍。考察了热激作用、渗透调节物质及温度两控制对角质酶-CBM分泌表达的影响,在添加Lactose和Glycine后,发现在添加终浓度为75 mmol/L的L-脯氨酸,37℃热激1 h或47℃热激0.5 h,变温至25℃发酵,角质酶-CBM产量可达90 U/ml,较TB恒温培养提高了近四倍。     

Radial force development during root growth measured by photoelasticity

Background and aims

The radial growth of roots largely affects and reorganizes the porous or crack networks of soils and substrates. We studied the consequences of a radial steric constriction on the root growth and the feedback force developed by the root on the solid phase.

Methods

We developed an original method of photoelasticity to measure in situ root forces. By changing the gap width (0.5 to 2.3?mm) between two photoelastic disks we applied variable radial constrictions to root growth and simultaneously measured the corresponding radial forces. Changes in morphology and forces of primary roots of chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) seedlings were recorded by time-lapse imaging every 24?min up to 5?days.

Results

The probability of root entering the gap depended on the gap size but was also affected by circumnutation. Compared to non-constrained root controls, no significant morphological change (elongation, diameter) was measured outside the gap zone. Inside the gap zone, outer cortex cells were compressed, the central cylinder was unaffected. Radial forces were increasing with time but no force levelling was observed even after 5?days.

Conclusions

Radial constrictions applied to roots did not significantly reduce their growth. The radial force was related to the root strain in the gap.     

The development of low temperature inactive (Lti) baker's yeast

The construction of a novel baker's yeast variety via traditional genetic techniques is described. The phenotype was designated "Lti" ("Low temperature inactive"). Lti mutations with the desired characteristics within a genetically well-defined haploid laboratory strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated, and two different approaches were taken to obtain baker's yeast strains, which exhibit reduced fermenting activity at refrigeration temperatures. In a first approach, a chosen Lti strain carrying mutation lti9 was combined with other laboratory strains carrying defined MAL alleles. In a second approach, the same lti mutation was introduced in the genetic background of polyploid commercial baker's yeast strains that harbor important "industrial" properties. Lti strains arising from both approaches were characterized with specifically developed screening procedures. Strains of the "academic" Lti strain family displayed between 85% and 92% of the biomass yield of a commercial reference strain, whereas strains of the "industrial" Lti strain family showed a variation between 60% and 115%. Lti strains from both families varied strongly among each other in their activity in model doughs: at 8 degrees C they displayed activities between 5% and 30%, and at 30 degrees C between 40% and 113% of a commercial reference baker's yeast strain.     

Proteomic profiling of neuronal mitochondria reveals modulators of synaptic architecture

Background

Neurons are highly polarized cells consisting of three distinct functional domains: the cell body (and associated dendrites), the axon and the synapse. Previously, it was believed that the clinical phenotypes of neurodegenerative diseases were caused by the loss of entire neurons, however it has recently become apparent that these neuronal sub-compartments can degenerate independently, with synapses being particularly vulnerable to a broad range of stimuli. Whilst the properties governing the differential degenerative mechanisms remain unknown, mitochondria consistently appear in the literature, suggesting these somewhat promiscuous organelles may play a role in affecting synaptic stability. Synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondrial subpools are known to have different enzymatic properties (first demonstrated by Lai et al., 1977). However, the molecular basis underpinning these alterations, and their effects on morphology, has not been well documented.

Methods

The current study has employed electron microscopy, label-free proteomics and in silico analyses to characterize the morphological and biochemical properties of discrete sub-populations of mitochondria. The physiological relevance of these findings was confirmed in-vivo using a molecular genetic approach at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

Results

Here, we demonstrate that mitochondria at the synaptic terminal are indeed morphologically different to non-synaptic mitochondria, in both rodents and human patients. Furthermore, generation of proteomic profiles reveals distinct molecular fingerprints – highlighting that the properties of complex I may represent an important specialisation of synaptic mitochondria. Evidence also suggests that at least 30% of the mitochondrial enzymatic activity differences previously reported can be accounted for by protein abundance. Finally, we demonstrate that the molecular differences between discrete mitochondrial sub-populations are capable of selectively influencing synaptic morphology in-vivo. We offer several novel mitochondrial candidates that have the propensity to significantly alter the synaptic architecture in-vivo.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates discrete proteomic profiles exist dependent upon mitochondrial subcellular localization and selective alteration of intrinsic mitochondrial proteins alters synaptic morphology in-vivo.

     

基于SSR标记的30份玉米种质遗传完整性分析

利用70对SSR引物,对30份玉米地方品种种质进行遗传完整性检测,每一份种质包含来自两个不同繁种年份的供试亚群体。取样方法为DNA混合取样。结果表明,30份种质的供试亚群体之间的遗传相似系数除红包谷(统一编号00230080)为0.77外,其他都大于0.80。聚类分析表明,除二黄(统一编号00210055)和红包谷两份种质的亚群体出现分支外,其他28份种质亚群体分支都按照同一种质群分别聚类。本文同时探讨了个别种质亚群体之间遗传分化的原因,以及SSR标记作为玉米种质遗传完整性检测方法的可行性。     

DNA synthesis and induced mutations in the presence of 5-bromouracil I. DNA synthesis in the presence of 5-bromouracil

Summary An investigation has been carried out dealing with the incorporation of BU into DNA ofE. coli 15 thy^– under conditions of complete thymine deficiency. It was found that exponentially growing cells can increase their DNA 5-fold upon suspension in BU-supplemented medium. DNA increased in a linear fashion and followed the series ×, 2×, 3×, 4× where × is the amount of DNA initially present. If thy^– cells were starved for 30 minutes before being provided with BU, DNA appeared to increase stepwise although the increase during each period of synthesis was equal only to the amount of DNA initially present. Paper chromatography revealed that BU totally replaced thymine in the newly-synthesized DNA. Equilibrium density gradient techniques and radioactive labeling made it possible to ascertain that the DNA in which BU fully replaced thymine was functional on the primary level, that of priming or taking iart in the synthesis of new DNA. Cellular inhibition as indicated by lethality was described and possible explanations for the inhibition resulting from incroporation of BU into DNA were discussed.     

Photoperiodic modification of negative and positive feedback effects of oestradiol on LH secretion in ovariectomized goats

Ovariectomized Shiba goats carrying an oestradiol implant (4-10 pg/ml) were kept under a short-day light regimen (10L:14D; Group 1, N = 4) or a long-day regimen (16L:8D; Group 2, N = 4). Plasma LH concentrations were lower (P less than 0.05) in Group 2 than in Group 1 between Days 40 and 200, suggesting an enhanced negative feedback effect of oestradiol on LH secretion under a long-day regimen. On Days 30, 60, 100, 149 and 279, an LH surge was induced by i.v. infusion of oestradiol for 48 h; the infusion rate was gradually increased from 0.5 (0 h) to 4.1 (48 h) micrograms/h, thereby mimicking the preovulatory increase of oestradiol secretion. The duration and magnitude of the induced LH surge were indistinguishable between the groups. The latency from the onset of oestradiol infusion to the LH surge was relatively constant in Group 1, 41.1 +/- 0.9 h (mean +/- s.e.m., n = 17) but was shorter in Group 2 (19.7 +/- 3.7 h, P less than 0.05) on Day 149; less oestradiol was therefore required for induction of the LH surge (27.4 vs 89.7 micrograms, P less than 0.01), suggesting an increased sensitivity to the oestradiol positive feedback under a long-day regimen. These results might be interpreted to indicate that the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of the goat becomes hypersensitive to the positive as well as the negative feedback effect of oestradiol under long-day conditions.     

Study of the three-genome hybridLycopersicon esculentum Mill. —L. chilense Dun. —L. peruvianum var ‘humifusum’ Mill. and its use as a source for resistance

L. peruvianum var humifusum is reproductively the most isolated of the species of the genusLycopersicon. It can be crossed with the cultivated tomato usingL. chilense as an intermediary. After a series of backcrosses of the three-genome hybrid F₁ (L. esculentum ×L. chilense) ×L. peruvianum var humifusum withL. esculentum, accompanied by selection for resistance to some economically important diseases, several lines were established. One of these lines, Cm 180, which showed resistance toClavibacter michiganensis subsp.michiganensis, was subjected to genetic analysis. This resistance was found to be controlled by a single dominant gene (Cm) that was not allelic to the gene originating fromL. hirsutum f.glabratum. ThisCm gene was genetically mapped on chromosome 4. The germ plasm ofL. peruvianum var humifusum in combination withL. chilense was transferred intoL. esculentum. Different breeding lines possessing resistance to various diseases and pests could be developed from this material.     

蒺藜苜蓿MtSAG113基因的转化及表达特征分析

Senescence Associated Gene 113(SAG113)基因属于PP2Cc超家族,该基因的研究主要集中在植物衰老领域.为分析蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)MtSAG113基因的表达特征,探究MtSAG113基因的功能.该基因从蒺藜苜蓿中克隆得到,以烟草(Nicotiana tab...     

海洋中海藻糖产生菌的筛选及发酵条件优化

从180余份海水、海泥样品中筛选得到60株产海藻糖较高的菌株,编号为2-14的菌株海藻糖产量最高,为127.9mg/g cell。对2-14菌株进行形态特征、培养特征及生理生化试验,鉴定该菌株为红酵母属(Rhodotorula sp.)。研究摇瓶发酵条件对红酵母海藻糖产量的影响,结果为:初始pH5.5,发酵温度28℃,装液量75mL(250mL三角瓶中)。采用优化后发酵条件红酵母海藻糖产量为193.3mg/g cell,优化前对照值为132.1mg/g cell,优化后的结果是优化前的1.46倍。在5L发酵罐中培养得到最佳发酵时间为54h,发酵罐培养发酵液中海藻糖含量最高达2.5g/L,为摇瓶培养的1.6倍。     

Transferrin polymorphism in Central Amazon populations of pescada, Plagioscion squamosissimus

Blood plasma of 253 specimens from eight population samples of the sciaenid fish, pescada (Plagioscion squamosissimus), caught from four sites in the Central Amazon, was tested for molecular variants of transferrin. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to distinguish six species of transferrin molecules; 12 of the 21 theoretically possible genotypes were found. There were highly significant departures from genetic equilibrium in seven of the eight population samples (chi-square (chi(2)) test for Hardy-Weinberg expectations) due to an excess of homozygotes and a corresponding deficiency of heterozygotes. A dendrogram based on UPGMA cluster analysis of genetic distances at the transferrin gene locus, estimated among the population samples and statistical analyses of the distribution of Tf allele frequencies, indicated three genetically discreet sub-populations of P. squamosissimus. The three sub-populations, "Careiro/Iranduba", "Coari" and "Tefe", were found to have high frequencies of alleles Tf(2), Tf(4) and Tf(3), respectively. This genetic instability may be attributed to genetically discreet "allopatric stocklets", which diverged during past isolation.     

Comparison of Ca2+-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes

Cardiac tissue in the pulmonary vein sleeves plays an important role in clinical atrial fibrillation. Mechanisms leading to pulmonary vein activity in atrial fibrillation remain unclear. Indirect experimental evidence points to pulmonary vein Ca(2+) handling as a potential culprit, but there are no direct studies of pulmonary vein cardiomyocyte Ca(2+) handling in the literature. We used the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye indo-1 AM to study Ca(2+) handling in isolated canine pulmonary vein and left atrial myocytes. Results were obtained at 35 degrees C and room temperature in cells from control dogs and in cardiomyocytes from dogs subjected to 7-day rapid atrial pacing. We found that basic Ca(2+)-transient properties (amplitude: 186 +/- 28 vs. 216 +/- 25 nM; stimulus to half-decay time: 192 +/- 9 vs. 192 +/- 9 ms; atria vs. pulmonary vein, respectively, at 1 Hz), beat-to-beat regularity, propensity to alternans, beta-adrenergic response (amplitude increase at 0.4 Hz: 96 +/- 52 vs. 129 +/- 61%), number of spontaneous Ca(2+)-transient events after Ca(2+) loading (in normal Tyrode: 0.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.2; with 1 microM isoproterenol: 7.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 5.1 +/- 1.8 events/min), and caffeine-induced Ca(2+)-transient amplitudes were not significantly different between atrial and pulmonary vein cardiomyocytes. In an arrhythmia-promoting model (dogs subjected to 7-day atrial tachypacing), Ca(2+)-transient amplitude and kinetics were the same in cells from both pulmonary veins and atrium. In conclusion, the similar Ca(2+)-handling properties of canine pulmonary vein and left atrial cardiomyocytes that we observed do not support the hypothesis that intrinsic Ca(2+)-handling differences account for the role of pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation.     

Degradation of alpha-actin filaments in venous smooth muscle cells in response to mechanical stretch

Mechanical stretch has been shown to induce the degradation of alpha-actin filaments in smooth muscle cells (SMC) of experimental vein grafts. Here, we investigate the possible role of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in regulating this process using an ex vivo venous culture model that simulates an experimental vein graft. An exposure of a vein to arterial pressure induced a significant increase in the medial circumferential strain, which induced rapid alpha-actin filament disruption, followed by degradation. The percentage of SMC alpha-actin filament coverage was reduced significantly under arterial pressure (91 +/- 1%, 43 +/- 13%, 51 +/- 5%, 28 +/- 3%, and 19 +/- 5% at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively), whereas it did not change significantly in specimens under venous pressure at theses times. The degradation of SMC alpha-actin filaments paralleled an increase in the relative activity of caspase 3 (3.0 +/- 0.7- and 1.7 +/- 0.4-fold increase relative to the control level at 6 and 12 h, respectively) and a decrease in SMC density (from the control level of 1,368 +/- 66 cells/mm(2) at time 0 to 1,205 +/- 90, 783 +/- 129, 845 +/- 61, 637 +/- 55, and 432 +/- 125 cells/mm(2) at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of exposure to arterial pressure, respectively). Treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB-203580) significantly reduced the stretch-induced activation of caspase 3 at 6 h (from 3.0 +/- 0.7- to 2.2 +/- 0.3-fold) in conjunction with a significant rescue of alpha-actin filament degradation (from 43 +/- 13% to 69 +/- 15%) at the same time. Treatment with an inhibitor for the ERK1/2 activator (PD-98059), however, did not induce a significant change in the activity of caspase 3 or the percentage of SMC alpha-actin filament coverage. These results suggest that p38 MAPK and caspase 3 may mediate stretch-dependent degradation of alpha-actin filaments in vascular SMCs.