Structure of a beheaded 30 S ribosomal subunit from Thermus thermophilus.

The 22 S ribonucleoproten particles containing the 5' (body) and the central (platform) domains of the Thermus thermophilus 30 S subunit has been studied by sedimentation, neutron scattering and electron microscopy. The RNP particles have been obtained by oligonucleotide-directed cleavage of 16 S RNA with ribonulease H in the region of the 900th nucleotide of the protein-deficient derivatives of the 30 S subunits. It is shown that these RNP particles are very compact, though their form and dimensions differ slightly from those expected from the electron microscopy model of the 30 S subunit beheaded by computer simulation. The particles are subdivided into two structural domains whose mutual arrangement differs from that of the corresponding morphological parts of the native 30 S subunit. Electron microscopy demonstrates that the mutual arrangement of domains in the RNP particles is not strictly fixed suggesting that interaction with the third domain of the 30 S subunit is a requisite for their correct fitting.     

Trojan Genes or Transparent Genomes? Sexual Selection and Potential Impacts of Genetically Modified Animals in Natural Ecosystems

Introgression of genetically engineered modifications (GMs) into natural populations represents a new realm for mutation theory. GMs, like mutations, have direct and pleiotropic impacts that can disrupt evolved adaptive suites. If GM males are more competitive or attractive mates, the “Trojan Gene Hypothesis” predicts potentially drastic impacts. We examined sexual selection in transgenic growth hormone (Tg) mice that are strong Trojan candidates given their exceptional size and extensive pleiotropic deficits. We hypothesized that the sophisticated olfactory abilities of females would recognize dysregulation of Tg males (the Transparent Genome Hypothesis). Females expressed interest in Tg males and their volatile scent, but when allowed nasal contact with urine (critical to mate choice) they preferred normal males. Tg male urine had reduced major urinary proteins (important in social signaling) and contained albumin and transferrin indicative of pathology. Novel Tg males failed to elicit pregnancy block in recently inseminated females (the “Bruce Effect”) whereas normal males were highly effective. Normal males expressed high aggression but Tg males were placid, non-aggressive and were largely ignored by normal males. Female mice also strongly preferred normal males over p53^± knockout males in response to volatiles, contact with urine and male presence. This study suggests that conspecific discrimination of fitness may be more powerful than generally appreciated. This has great implications for introductions of GM animals and sexual selection generally.     

A device for sample pretreatment during flow cytometry]

A device for the preliminary treatment of samples immediately prior to flow cytofluorimetric analysis is described. The device is intended for several procedures: (a) mixing of batched sample volumes with the reagent and efficient stirring of the mixture; (b) disintegration of cell aggregates; and (c) disruption of cell membranes to release the cell contents (chromosomes, micronuclei, nuclei etc.). The pretreatment is useful for studying the kinetic parameters of fast cellular processes in the flow, a more correct analysis of the cell cycle and the study of karyotypes of single mitotic cells. The device was called a magnetic microstirrer.     

Proposal of a Citrus translational genomic approach for early and infield detection of Flavescence dorée in Vitis

Flavescence dorée (FD) is one of the most widely known grapevine yellows disease and one of the most unabated worldwide in the viticulture sector. In this paper, we outline a strategy for developing an integrated system of technologies to enable rapid, early disease FD detection and diagnosis. We propose the deployment of a newly developed sensor device, the differential mobility spectrometer (DMS), which has shown positive results with a similar vector-borne disease in Citrus. We have previously demonstrated that the gas chromatograph DMS (GC/DMS) can distinguish various citrus diseases, and the system may also allow detection of volatile organic compound (VOC) signals from a tree of other plant systems of unknown health status. This would be achieved by comparing it with the expected VOC profile analysis of healthy or infected trees for health status determination. We can map regions in the GC/DMS signal to gas chromatography mass spectrometry data, thus allowing for deconvolution of specific GC/DMS signatures. We showed that RNA-seq will allow identifying genes involved in volatile pathways (terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and mevalonate pathways) and could be used to guide the DMS use for the discovery of new biomarkers.     

两个苜蓿品种营养器官解剖结构特征比较

为了明确具有极强抗虫特性的‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’(Medicago sativa L.‘Caoyuan No.4’) 营养器官的解剖特征,该研究选择具有抗蓟马特性较强的‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(Medicago varia Martin.‘Caoyuan No.2’)为对照,采用显微镜观察比较两品种的根、茎、叶解剖结构特征,为揭示‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’ 抗蓟马特性提供理论依据。结果显示：(1)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’根部解剖结构的皮层薄壁细胞厚度、内皮层厚度、形成层厚度、木质部厚度和木射线宽度等5个指标均极显著高于(P＜0.01)‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’,其中木射线宽度(159.37 μm)是‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’的1.82倍。(2)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’的茎部厚角组织厚度(21.4 μm)极显著高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01),而韧皮部宽度、髓直径却均极显著低于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01)。(3)‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’叶片解剖构造的7个指标均极显著高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(P＜0.01),其中栅栏组织层数(2～3层)极明显地高于‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’(1~2层)。研究表明,‘草原4号紫花苜蓿’的组织结构特征具有明显的抗虫特征,且其组织的抗虫特征比‘草原2号杂花苜蓿’更为突出。     

Cell senescence induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate in rodent transformed cells resistant to apoptosis

The capacity of HDAC inhibitor sodium butyrate to induce senescence in cells derived from rat embryonic fibroblasts transformed by E1A+E1B19 kDa oncogenes has been studied. These transformants are resistant to apoptosis in response to gamma-irradiation and growth factor deprivation. The process of cell senescence was investigated by the analysis of cell growth curves, G1/S and G2/M cell cycle arrest, and senescent associated beta-galactosidase expression. The irreversibility of sodium butyrate antiproliferative activity was analyzed by clonogenic assay. We show that sodium butyrate suppresses proliferation and induces senescence in the E1A+E1B19 kDa transformed cells. Interestingly, NaB induces growth arrest due to accumulation of cells in G2/M phase, these cells are not tetraploid but mainly binuclear. Thus, in case of NaB induced senescence in E1A+E1B19 kDa transformed fibroblasts, the observed suppression of cell proliferation may be the result of cytokinesis failure leading to formation of binuclear and multinuclear cells incapable to proliferate.