Genes with expression levels correlating to drip loss prove association of their polymorphism with water holding capacity of pork

Six genes that were known to exhibit expression levels that are correlated to drip loss BVES, SLC3A2, ZDHHC5, CS, COQ9, and EGFR have been for candidate gene analysis. Based on in silico analysis SNPs were detected, confirmed by sequencing, and used for genotyping. The SNPs were genotyped in about 1,800 animals from six pig populations including commercial herds of Pietrain (PI) and German Landrace (DL), different commercial herds of Pietrain × (German Large White × German Landrace) (PIF1(a/b/c)), and one experimental F₂-population Duroc × Pietrain (DUPI). Comparative and genetic mapping established the location of BVES on SSC1, of SLC3A2 and ZDHHC5 on SSC2, of CS on SSC5, of COQ9 on SSC6 and of EGFR on SSC9, respectively, coinciding with QTL regions for carcass and meat quality traits. BVES, SLC3A2, and CS revealed association at least with drip loss and with several other measures of water holding capacity (WHC). Moreover, COQ9 and EGFR were associated with several meat quality traits such as meat color and/or thawing loss. This study reveals statistic evidence in addition to the functional relationship of these genes to WHC previously evidenced by expression analysis. This study reveals positional and genetic statistical evidence for a link of genetic variation at these loci or close to them and promotes those six candidate genes as functional and/or positional candidate genes for meat quality traits.     

Sexually dimorphic expression of myosin heavy chains in the adult mouse masseter.

Little is known regarding the role of androgenic hormones in the maintenance of myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition of rodent masticatory muscles. Because the masseter is the principal jaw closer in rodents, we felt it was important to characterize the influence of androgenic hormones on the MHC composition of the masseter. To determine the extent of sexual dimorphism in the phenotype of masseter muscle fibers of adult (10-mo-old) C57 mice, we stained tissue sections with antibodies specific to type IIa and IIb MHC isoforms. Females contain twice as many fibers containing the IIa MHC as males, and males contain twice as many fibers containing the IIb MHC as females. There is a modest amount of regionalization of MHC phenotypes in the mouse masseter. The rostral portions of the masseter are composed mostly of type IIa fibers, whereas the midsuperficial and caudal regions contain mostly type IIb fibers. Using immunoblots, we showed that castration results in an increase in the expression of type IIa MHC fibers in males. Ovariectomy has no effect on the fiber type composition in females. We conclude that testosterone plays a role in the maintenance of MHC expression in the adult male mouse masseter.     

Floral colour diversity in plant communities,bee colour space and a null model

Evolutionary biologists have long hypothesized that the diversity of flower colours we see is in part a strategy to promote memorization by pollinators, pollinator constancy, and therefore, a directed and efficient pollen transfer between plants. However, this hypothesis has never been tested against a biologically realistic null model, nor were colours assessed in the way pollinators see them. Our intent here is to fill these gaps. Throughout one year, we sampled floral species compositions at five ecologically distinct sites near Berlin, Germany. Bee-subjective colours were quantified for all 168 species. A model of colour vision was used to predict how similar the colours of sympatric and simultaneously blooming flowers were for bees. We then compared flower colour differences in the real habitats with those of random plant communities. We did not find pronounced deviations from chance when we considered common plants. When we examined rare plants, however, we found significant divergence in two of the five plant communities. At one site, similarly coloured species were found to be more frequent than expected, and at the other two locations, flower colours were indistinguishable from a random distribution. These results fit theoretical considerations that rare plants are under stronger selective pressure to secure pollination than common plants. Our study illustrates the power of linking such distinct biological traditions as community ecology and the neuroethology of bee vision.     

Identification of protein side chains near the membrane-aqueous interface: a site-directed spin labeling study of KcsA.

This study presents an approach to identifying surface residues on membrane proteins that are exposed toward the membrane-aqueous interface. The method employs a lipid Ni(II) chelate that localizes the metal ion to a region near the membrane-aqueous interface. Lateral diffusion of the lipid chelate results in Heisenberg exchange (HE) with nitroxide side chains in the protein only if direct contact occurs between the paramagnetic species during a collision. Thus, HE serves as a signature for residues facing the bilayer in the neighborhood of the membrane-aqueous interface. To evaluate the method, 13 surface residues on the extracellular half of KcsA, a prokaryotic potassium channel of known structure, were examined for HE with the Ni(II) chelate. The HE rate between the two species is found to depend strongly on the vertical position of the nitroxide with respect to the membrane-aqueous interface. Nitroxides introduced near the interface experience relatively high HE rates, whereas nitroxides that are immersed in the bilayer interior or sterically sheltered from collision experience low or undetectable rates. The results indicate that residues near the interface can be identified on the basis of their high rates of collision with the headgroup region of the bilayer.     

Using FTA® cards to store avian blood samples for genetic studies. Their application in sex determination

FTA® cards were used for long‐term storage of avian blood samples. Blood DNA was extracted by a simple method and used in PCR for sex identification of adult and nestling Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor.     

Expression of pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein in Arabidopsis thaliana

This is the first report on using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a pH reporter in plants. Proton fluxes and pH regulation play important roles in plant cellular activity and therefore, it would be extremely helpful to have a plant gene reporter system for rapid, non‐invasive visualization of intracellular pH changes. In order to develop such a system, we constructed three vectors for transient and stable transformation of plant cells with a pH‐sensitive derivative of green fluorescent protein. Using these vectors, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco plants were produced. Here the application of pH‐sensitive GFP technology in plants is described and, for the first time, the visualization of pH gradients between different developmental compartments in intact whole‐root tissues of A. thaliana is reported. The utility of pH‐sensitive GFP in revealing rapid, environmentally induced changes in cytoplasmic pH in roots is also demonstrated.