In Drosophila pseudoobscura, the amylase (Amy) multigene family is
contained within a series of inversions, or gene arrangements, on the third
chromosome. The Standard (ST), Santa Cruz (SC), and Tree Line (TL)
inversions are central to the phylogeny of arrangements, and have clusters
of other arrangements derived from them. The gene arrangements belonging to
each of these three clusters have a characteristic number of Amy genes,
ranging from three in ST to two in SC to one in TL. This distribution
pattern can reflect a history of either duplications or deletions, although
the data available in the past did not permit a decision between these
alternatives. We provide unambiguous evidence that three Amy genes were
present before the divergence of the ST, SC, and TL arrangements. Thus, the
current status of the Amy multigene family is the result of deletions in
the TL and SC arrangements, which created three new pseudogenes: TL
Amy2-psi, TL Amy3-psi, and SC Amy3- psi. Analysis of pseudogene sequences
revealed that, in the SC and ST arrangements, pseudogene evolution has been
retarded, most likely due to the homogenization effect of gene conversion.
Finally, by determining the original copy number, we have reconstructed the
evolutionary history of the Amy multigene family and linked it with the
evolution of the central gene arrangements.
相似文献
A locus for Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) has recently been mapped to a 30-cM region of chromosome 14q in five pedigrees of Japanese descent. MJD is a clinically pleomorphic neurodegenerative disease that was originally described in subjects of Azorean descent. In light of the nonallelic heterogeneity in other inherited spinocere-bellar ataxias, we were interested to determine if the MJD phenotype in Japanese and Azorean pedigrees arose from mutations at the same locus. We provide evidence that MJD in five pedigrees of Azorean descent is also linked to chromosome 14q in an 18-cM region between the markers D14S67 and AACT (multipoint lod score +7.00 near D14S81). We also report molecular evidence for homozy-gosity at the MJD locus in an MJD-affected subject with severe, early-onset symptoms. These observations confirm the initial report of linkage of MJD to chromosome 14; suggest that MJD in Japanese and Azorean subjects may represent allelic or identical mutations at the same locus; and provide one possible explanation (MJD gene dosage) for the observed phenotypic heterogeneity in this disease. 相似文献
We have used a quadrupole mass spectrometer with a gas-permeable membrane inlet for continuous measurements of the production of N2O and N2 from nitrate or nitrite by cell suspensions of Paracoccus denitrificans. The use of nitrate and nitrite labeled with 15N was shown to simplify the interpretation of the results when these gases were measured. This approach was used to study the effect of pH on the production of denitrification intermediates from nitrate and nitrite under anoxic conditions. The kinetic patterns observed were quite different at acidic and alkaline pH values. At pH 5.5, first nitrate was converted to nitrite, then nitrite was converted to N2O, and finally N2O was converted to N2. At pH 8.5, nitrate was converted directly to N2, and the intermediates accumulated to only low steady-state concentrations. The sequential usage of nitrate, nitrite, and nitrous oxide observed at pH 5.5 was simulated by using a kinetic model of a branched electron transport chain in which alternative terminal reductases compete for a common reductant. 相似文献
In July 1991, an influenza A virus, designated A/Maryland/12/91 (A/MD), was isolated from the bronchial secretions of a 27-year-old animal caretaker. He had been admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and died of acute respiratory distress syndrome 13 days later. Antigenic analyses with postinfection ferret antisera and monoclonal antibodies to recent H1 swine hemagglutinins indicated that the hemagglutinin of this virus was antigenically related to, but distinguishable from, those of other influenza A (H1N1) viruses currently circulating in swine. Oligonucleotide mapping of total viral RNAs revealed differences between A/MD and other contemporary swine viruses. However, partial sequencing of each RNA segment of A/MD demonstrated that all segments were related to those of currently circulating swine viruses. Sequence analysis of the entire hemagglutinin, nucleoprotein, and matrix genes of A/MD revealed a high level of identity with other contemporary swine viruses. Our studies on A/MD emphasize that H1N1 viruses in pigs obviously continue to cross species barriers and infect humans. 相似文献
The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers the increased production of several ER-resident proteins. This signalling pathway exists in organisms as divergent as mammals and yeast, and is the only known example of an intracellular signalling system that links the ER and the nucleus. Recently, a transmembrane kinase similar in structure to growth-factor receptor kinases has been identified as a key component of the unfolded-protein-response pathway in yeast. 相似文献
The black yeast Exophiala jeanselmei can grow on styrene as the sole source of carbon and energy in concentrations up to 0.36 mm. No growth is observed at higher styrene concentrations. Styrene oxidation is induced by styrene or styrene-related compounds, whereas glucose represses this styrene oxidation. E. jeanselmei shows a broad substrate specificity: various aromatic compounds are used as the sole source of carbon and energy. Styrene-grown cells can oxidize styrene, styrene oxide, phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetic acid and 2-phenylethanol at a rate of 1.3 to 3.2 g O2·min–1·mg–1 protein. A pathway for the degradation of styrene in E. jeanselmei is suggested. 相似文献
The Council on Scientific Affairs of the California Medical Association presents the following inventory of items of progress in pediatrics. Each item, in the judgement of a panel of knowledgeable physicians, has recently become reasonably firmly established, both as to scientific fact and important clinical significance. The items are presented in simple epitome, and an authoritative reference, both to the item itself and to the subject as a whole, is generally given for those who may be unfamiliar with a particular item. The purpose is to assist busy practitioners, students, researchers, and scholars to stay abreast of these items of progress in pediatrics that have recently achieved a substantial degree of authoritative acceptance, whether in their own field of special interest or another.The items of progress listed below were selected by the Advisory Panel to the Section on Pediatrics of the California Medical Association, and the summaries were prepared under its direction. 相似文献
The effect of the cumulus on in vitro fertilization in bovines was examined. Follicular oocytes were cultured in medium 199 plus OCS and extra granulosa cells. Frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa was separated by the swim-up technique, suspended in Talp medium and capacitated with heparin. Fresh sheep and goat semen was incubated for 4 h at room temperature, washed and spermatozoa were then suspended in Talp medium and capacitated by incubation at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 in air and heparin.
In experiment 1, cumulus-enclosed oocytes, denuded oocytes and denuded oocytes plus additional cumulus cells were incubated with a reduced concentration of bovine spermatozoa for 8 or 18 h. In Experiment 2, cumulus enclosed and denuded oocytes were incubated with bovine spermatozoa for 4, 6, 8 and 18 h using a sperm concentration adjusted to secure high fertilization rates. In Experiment 3, cumulus-enclosed and denuded bovine oocytes were incubated with either sheep or goat spermatozoa for 18 h. Fertilization rates were then calculated and compared statistically. The results showed that 1) the cumulus improved the fertilization rate only when cumulus cells were associated with the oocytes 2) the timing of sperm penetration was not modified by the cumulus and started at 4 h after sperm incubation and 3) the presence of the cumulus improved the heterologous fertilization rate only when sheep spermatozoa were used. The results suggest that the cumulus improves fertilization rate by providing a capacitation-inducing mechanism and by facilitating the interaction between capacitated spermatozoa and the zona pellucida surface. 相似文献
A lack of dystrophin results in muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin-deficient human and mouse muscle cells have higher resting levels of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and show a related increase in single-channel open probabilities of calcium leak channels. Elevated [Ca2+]i results in high levels of calcium-dependent proteolysis, which in turn increases calcium leak channel activity. This process could initiate muscle degeneration by further increasing [Ca2+]i and proteolysis in a positive feedback loop. Here, we tested the direct effect of restoration of dystrophin on [Ca2+]i and channel activity in primary myotubes from mdx mice made transgenic for full-length dystrophin. Transgenic mdx mice have been previously shown to have normal dystrophin localization and no muscle degeneration. Fura-2 calcium measurements and single-channel patch recordings showed that resting [Ca2+]i levels and open probabilities of calcium leak channels of transgenic mdx myotubes were similar to normal levels and significantly lower than mdx littermate controls (mdx) that lack dystrophin. Thus, restoration of normal calcium regulation in transgenic mdx mice may underlie the resulting absence of degeneration. 相似文献