Differentiation in the ability to utilize Pterostyrax hispida (Ebenales: Styracaceae) among four local populations of the phytophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna yasutomii (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The oligophagous ladybird beetle Henosepilachna yasutomii Katakura (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) shows inter-population differences in its host-use. In this beetle, populations using the deciduous tree Pterostyrax hispida Sieb. et Zucc. (Styracaceae) were recently rediscovered in the Kanto districts of central Honshu, Japan. In the present study, the ability to utilize P. hispida and other host plants was compared among four populations of H. yasutomii occurring on P. hispida and Scopolia japonica Maxim. (Solanaceae), Chelidonium japonicum Thunb. (Papaveraceae), and Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae). As regards the feeding habits of adult beetles, only the populations occurring on P. hispida accepted this plants leaves, which differed distinctly from the feeding habits of the other populations, although the differences among the four populations were not readily apparent with respect to the leaf amounts consumed. The larvae from the populations occurring on P. hispida showed significantly higher survivorship on this plant than did the larvae from the other populations. Considering the host use patterns and the life cycles of beetles under natural conditions, the large abundance of P. hispida leaves throughout the season may have played an important role in selection for the ability to utilize P. hispida observed in the H. yasutomii populations occurring on this woody host.     

Synthesis of the nascent strand of tRNAfMet from E coli.

Oligonucleotides corresponding to the total tRNAfMET FROM E. coli have been synthesized. These fragments were joined by using RNA ligase to yield quarter molecules. The 5'-quarter molecule showed 84% amino acid acceptor activity when it was combined with the natural three quarter molecule.     

The response of two rice cultivars to external Na/Ca ratio

The response of the rice cultivars ‘M9’ and ‘M-201’ to nutrient cultures salinated at −0.4 MPa with varying ratios of Na and Ca was studied. Although the dry matter production of both cultivars was sensitive to the Na/Ca ratio, this correlation was significant only for M-201. Calcium nutrition was severely affected by the composition of the external solution, and the laminae exhibited Ca-deficiency symptoms at Na/Ca molar ratios of 78 and 198. Sodium concentration in the shoot decreased as the Na/Ca ratio in the external solution decreased. Patterns of Na and Cl distribution in the shoot tissues were similar; both ions were accumulated preferentially in the tillers and older leaves. The Na-induced inhibition of Ca uptake and transport appears to be more limiting to shoot growth of M9 and M-201 than Na toxicity per se.     

Vasopressin Modulates Membrane Properties of Taste Cells Isolated from Bullfrogs

The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the membrane propertieswas analyzed in isolated bullfrog taste cells using a perforatedwhole-cell patch-clamp technique. AVP (100 nM) induced threekinds of responses in rod-type taste cells: appearance of inwardcurrent, inhibition of voltage ramp-induced outward currentand enhancement of the outward current. The Ca²⁺-ionophore ionomycin(3 µM) also induced inward current in taste cells. A membrane-permeablecAMP analog, 8-CPT-cAMP (0.3 mM) inhibited voltage ramp-inducedoutward current in some rod cells, but enhanced the currentin other rod cells. The results suggest that AVP may increaseeither intracellular Ca²⁺ level or cAMP level in taste cells,modulating the membrane excitability. Chem. Senses 21: 739–745,1996.     

Identification and Characterization of a Novel Trans-membrane Protein Gene, pdh1, from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have cloned a new gene, pdh1, from genomic DNA of fissionyeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. pdh1 is actively transcribedas 1400-nucleotide mRNA in vegetatively growing cells and cancode for a 226 amino acid polypeptide (pdh1p). Computationalstructural prediction has revealed that the pdh1p is a highlyhydrophobic protein with seven transmembrane domains. The predictionhas also detected a possible C-kinase phosphorylation site withinthe longest hydrophilic loop.     

Sex Chromosome Turnover Contributes to Genomic Divergence between Incipient Stickleback Species

Sex chromosomes turn over rapidly in some taxonomic groups, where closely related species have different sex chromosomes. Although there are many examples of sex chromosome turnover, we know little about the functional roles of sex chromosome turnover in phenotypic diversification and genomic evolution. The sympatric pair of Japanese threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) provides an excellent system to address these questions: the Japan Sea species has a neo-sex chromosome system resulting from a fusion between an ancestral Y chromosome and an autosome, while the sympatric Pacific Ocean species has a simple XY sex chromosome system. Furthermore, previous quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping demonstrated that the Japan Sea neo-X chromosome contributes to phenotypic divergence and reproductive isolation between these sympatric species. To investigate the genomic basis for the accumulation of genes important for speciation on the neo-X chromosome, we conducted whole genome sequencing of males and females of both the Japan Sea and the Pacific Ocean species. No substantial degeneration has yet occurred on the neo-Y chromosome, but the nucleotide sequence of the neo-X and the neo-Y has started to diverge, particularly at regions near the fusion. The neo-sex chromosomes also harbor an excess of genes with sex-biased expression. Furthermore, genes on the neo-X chromosome showed higher non-synonymous substitution rates than autosomal genes in the Japan Sea lineage. Genomic regions of higher sequence divergence between species, genes with divergent expression between species, and QTL for inter-species phenotypic differences were found not only at the regions near the fusion site, but also at other regions along the neo-X chromosome. Neo-sex chromosomes can therefore accumulate substitutions causing species differences even in the absence of substantial neo-Y degeneration.     

High levels of plant sterols and cholesterol precursors in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

We measured the cholestanol, cholesterol precursor (lathosterol), and plant sterol (campesterol and sitosterol) concentrations of serum and bile in 11 patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. The mean values of serum cholestanol, lathosterol, campesterol, and sitosterol were, respectively, 8.4-, 2.5-, 2.7-, and 1.4-times higher in the patients than in normal control subjects (n = 26). Cholestanol (6.7-fold) and campesterol (3.7-fold) levels in bile (n = 4) were also elevated in the patients. There was no significant difference of serum sterol levels between patients with coronary artery disease and those without it. Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment for periods ranging from 6 months to 3 years and 4 months lowered serum lathosterol (57.7% reduction) and campesterol (57.8%) levels in parallel with cholestanol (70.8%) level, but the sitosterol level (19.7%) decreased less. Thus, increased levels of cholesterol precursor (lathosterol), plant sterols (campesterol and sitosterol), and cholestanol were found in the serum and bile in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment effectively reduced the levels of these sterols, except for sitosterol.     

Variable correspondence of female host preference and larval performance in a phytophagous ladybird beetle Epilachna pustulosa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Genetic and environmental factors causing intraspecific variation of the thistle Cirsium kamtschaticum Ledeb. as a host plant of the phytophagous ladybird Epilachna pustulosa Kôno were investigated through simple food-choice tests and rearing of larvae. Two thistle clones (T1U₁ and T4H₂) were used, originally growing approximately 12 km apart. A previous study showed that adult female ladybirds preferred T1U₁ to T4H₂, and that larval performance was better on T1U₁, when leaves from the clones in situ were examined. The two clones retained their characteristics with respect to beetle preference after transplantation into a common garden. However, the difference between T1U₁ and T4H₂ with respect to larval performance was reduced after the transplantation. When leaves from shoots of T1U₁ exposed to different sunlight intensities were offered, adult female ladybirds did not show obvious preferences. Larval eclosion rates increased significantly with the increase in leaf sunlight intensity exposure. These results suggest strongly that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in interclonal variation of thistle quality in beetle preference and/or performance. It is suggested that the quality of thistle leaves for larval performance is largely affected by environmental factors, while leaf quality for beetle preference may be determined strictly by genetic factors. Under certain conditions, E. pustulosa females may behave maladaptively, preferring plants not appropriate for larval growth, or not choosing plants appropriate for the larval growth.