Newly developed polymorphic microsatellite markers in Job's tears (Coix lacryma‐jobi L.)

A microsatellite‐enriched library of Job's tears (Coix lacryma‐jobi L. var. Ma‐yuen Stapf) was constructed using a modified biotin–streptavidin capture method. After screening, 17 polymorphic microsatellites were used for diversity analysis among 30 Job's tears accessions. The number of alleles ranged from one to five alleles per locus with an average of 2.8 alleles. Expected heterozygosity (H_E) and polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0 to 0.676 and from 0 to 0.666, respectively. The newly developed microsatellite markers are expected to be very valuable tools for evaluation of genetic diversity among large germplasm collection of Job's tears present in our Korean Gene Bank.     

The kinetics of IL—4 and IFN—γ gene expression in Mice after Trichosansin immunization

Trichosanthin (TCS) is a potent allergen to mice.According to our previous experiments,it could bring out the IgE response to ovabumin (OVA) if TCS was given one day before OVA immunization,while OVA alone could not induce IgE to it.In this work,the kinetics of interleukin 4(IL-4) and interferon γ(IFN-γ) gene expression in the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) of TCS-immunized mice was investigated using a semi-quantitative RT-PCR method.It indicated that TCS induced significant IL-4 gene expression and the peaks of IL4 gene expression were on day one after TCS immunization in both primary and secondary response.In contrast,the IFN-γ gene expression was suppressed.Furthermor,the IL-4 gene expression in the secondary response was lower than that in the primary response.Thus the presence of IgE memory B cells were studied.Results showed that the amount of mature IgE mRNA arose significantly and rapidly one day after TCS restimulation,while in the MLN of the mice primed 30 days before and without boost,it was almost as the same amount of the unimmunized control.These findings suggest the existence of the IgE memory B cells in the mice after the primary TCS immunization.     

中国棕背(鼠平)亚种分化的研究(啮齿目:仓鼠科:田鼠亚科)

本文对中国山西、河北、内蒙古南部、大、小兴安岭、长白山及新疆等地区的215号棕背(鼠平)(Clethrionomys rufocanus)标本的外形和头骨的形态进行了亚种分化研究,认为分布于山西、河北、内蒙古南部棕背(鼠平)的亚种为Clethrionomys rufocanus shanseius(Thomas);大、小兴安岭及新疆地区的亚种为Cl.r.irkutensis(Ognev);而将分布于长白山地区的亚种定为一新亚种——棕背(鼠平)长白山亚种(Clethrionomys rufocanus changbaishanensis)。     

互补交配型配对诱导蛹虫草有性子实体形成

前期我们获得了优良性状蛹虫草Cordyceps militaris野生菌株W141436,其子实体虫草素含量高达3.72 mg/kg干重,子实体多糖高达6.7 g/100 g干重,但在大规模应用中发现它发生退化。针对蛹虫草人工栽培退化问题,我们提出蛹虫草子实体形成是有性生殖过程,其两种交配型发生交配是蛹虫草子实体形成的必要条件。本文基于交配型基因分子标记研究了优良性状蛹虫草野生菌株W141436的退化机制。具体地,采用单孢子分离的方法对蛹虫草野生分离株W141436的子囊孢子进行分离,得到了72个单孢菌株。进一步采用PCR方法对单孢菌株及亲本菌株进行了交配型基因类型鉴定。在72个单孢菌株中,28株为Mat1-1类型交配基因型,31株为Mat1-2类型交配基因型,13株含有与亲本相同的交配型基因。根据鉴定结果,对2株Mat1-1型(SP28、SP33)和2株Mat1-2型(SP15、SP32)菌株进行了栽培实验。结果表明,形成子实体的栽培用亲本菌株同时含有Mat1-1和Mat1-2两种交配类型基因,即只有含不同交配型基因的菌株具有发育为子实体的能力,而含同种交配型基因的菌株则不能发育为子实体。本研究为防止蛹虫草在大规模种植中退化提供了理论依据。     

红藻氨酸和GABA受体在中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞的表达

本文报道了利用中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞作为外源性膜蛋白的表达及其功能特性研究的模式系统。将大鼠脑的mRNA微量注入蟾蜍卵母细胞(每个卵母细胞注射50ng),在19℃下经48h以上培养后,由外源mRNA表达的大鼠脑的红藻氨酸和γ-氨基丁酸受体被整合到了卵母细胞膜上。红藻氨酸(5×10~(-5)mol/L)和γ-氨基丁酸(10~(-4)mol/L)所诱导的膜电流分别达到294.0±6.4nA(n=5)和309.5±4.9nA(n=4)。红藻氨酸浓度在10~(-3)mol/L时,其诱导的膜电流达最大值。进而,注射mRNA的卵母细胞,~(36)Cl~-流入速度比对照组高一倍多。这些结果表明,中华大蟾蜍卵母细胞,如同爪蟾卵母细胞一样,能表达具有功能的外源膜蛋白(受体蛋白和离子运输蛋白)。     

Vernalization,a Switch in Initiation of Flowering,Promotes Differentiation and Development of Spikelet in Winter Wheat

Vernalization is a decisive physiological process for heading, flowering and graining of biennial plants. Variable duration of low-temperature treatment has effects on lateral morphogenesis, such as spike initiation, floral development and graining rate in winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). The investigation data showed that the duration of vernalization treatment was a decisive factor for the initiation of spike relevant to the time of initiation; the longer the duration at low temperature, the earlier the spike initiation in winter wheat. In the process of the spike differentiation, relatively lower temperature and longer differential time benefited for spike differentiation. Under laboratory condition, a low-temperature treatment for 45 d was optial for flower differentiation and graining in winter wheat. It is novelly recognized that vernalization treatment is essential for development of both spikes and spikelets, besides for promoting initiation of differentiation in winter wheat.     

Contamination of the Deep Tissues of Carcasses by Bacteria Present on the Slaughter Instruments or in the Gut

Possible routes by which bacteria might reach the deep tissues of carcasses were tested by placing genetically 'marked'strains of Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens or Bacillus thuringiensis on slaughter instruments before use and examining deep tissue samples for their presence post mortem . Bacteria present on the captive bolt pistol were recovered from the spleens of beef cattle and those placed on the pithing rod were found in both spleen and muscle of the flank and neck. Bacteria from the throat cutting ('stick') knife were isolated, on different occasions, from the heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys of sheep though rarely from their muscles. Orally administered bacteria were found in the spleen and lung, but not the musculature, of pigs.     

Quantitative trait loci for rice yield-related traits using recombinant inbred lines derived from two diverse cultivars

The thousand-grain weight and spikelets per panicle directly contribute to rice yield. Heading date and plant height also greatly influence the yield. Dissection of genetic bases of yield-related traits would provide tools for yield improvement. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for spikelets per panicle, thousand-grain weight, heading date and plant height was performed using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between two diverse cultivars, Nanyangzhan and Chuan7. In total, 20 QTLs were identified for four traits. They were located to 11 chromosomes except on chromosome 4. Seven and five QTLs were detected for thousand-grain weight and spikelets per panicle, respectively. Four QTLs were identified for both heading date and plant height. About half the QTLs were commonly detected in both years, 2006 and 2007. Six QTLs are being reported for the first time. Two QTL clusters were identified in regions flanked by RM22065 and RM5720 on chromosome 7 and by RM502 and RM264 on chromosome 8, respectively. The parent, Nanyangzhan with heavy thousand-grain weight, carried alleles with increased effects on all seven thousand-grain weight QTL, which explained why there was no transgressive segregation for thousand-grain weight in the population. In contrast, Chuan7 with more spikelets per panicle carried positive alleles at all five spikelets per panicle QTL except qspp5. Further work on distinction between pleiotropic QTL and linked QTL is needed in two yield-related QTL clusters.     

Habitat Use and Survival of Preflight Wild Turkey Broods

Abstract: Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) broods spend the first several days of life on the ground until poult flight capabilities are attained. This is a critical period of wild turkey life history, with poult survival ranging from 12% to 52%. We measured vegetation in plots used by Rio Grande wild turkey (M. g. intermedia) preflight broods at 4 sites in southwest Kansas and the Texas Panhandle, USA, to determine microhabitat selection for ground roosting and to determine if microhabitat was related to poult survival. Hens selected ground-roost locations with more visual obstruction from multiple observation heights than random sites. Plots surrounding ground roosts had 1) greater visual obstruction; 2) increased tree decay; 3) higher percent grass, shrub, litter, and forb cover; and 4) lower percent bare ground cover than random sites. Grass, shrubs, and downed trees appeared to provide desired cover for ground-roosting broods. Poult survival increased with age of poult, size of brood, and density of shrubs 1–2 m tall. Plots used by broods <10 days old with above average survival contained more visual obstruction and shrubs than plots used by broods 10–16 days old with above average survival, signifying a shift in habitat use by successful broods as poults attain flight abilities. Density of shrubs 1–2 m tall in brood-use areas appears to be important for poult survival to 16 days of age on southern Great Plains rangeland habitats. Ground-level vegetative cover appears to be a significant factor in preflight poult survival. Provisions of ground-level vegetative cover should be considered during wild turkey brooding periods where increased poult survival is desired.     

The role of PilZ domain proteins in the virulence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

Cyclic di‐GMP [(bis‐(3′–5′)‐cyclic di‐guanosine monophosphate)] is an almost ubiquitous second messenger in bacteria that is implicated in the regulation of a range of functions that include developmental transitions, aggregative behaviour, adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence. Comparatively little is known about the mechanism(s) by which cyclic di‐GMP exerts these various regulatory effects. PilZ has been identified as a cyclic di‐GMP binding protein domain; proteins with this domain are involved in regulation of specific cellular processes, including the virulence of animal pathogens. Here we have examined the role of PilZ domain proteins in virulence and the regulation of virulence factor synthesis in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the causal agent of black rot of crucifers. The Xcc genome encodes four proteins (XC0965, XC2249, XC2317 and XC3221) that have a PilZ domain. Mutation of XC0965, XC2249 and XC3221 led to a significant reduction of virulence in Chinese radish. Mutation of XC2249 and XC3221 led to a reduction in motility whereas mutation of XC2249 and XC0965 affected extracellular enzyme production. All mutant strains were unaffected in biofilm formation in vitro. The reduction of virulence following mutation of XC3221 could not be wholly attributed to an effect on motility as mutation of pilA, which abolishes motility, has a lesser effect on virulence.