Heat treatment results in a loss of transgene-encoded activities in several tobacco lines.

Heat treatment (37 degrees C) of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants led to a reversible reduction or complete loss of transgene-encoded activities in about 40% of 10 independent transformants carrying the luciferase-coding region fused to the 355 cauliflower mosaic virus or the soybean small subunit promoter and the nopaline synthase promoter driving the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, whereas the other lines had temperature-tolerant activities. Temperature sensitivity or tolerance of transgene-encoded activities was heritable. In some of the lines, temperature sensitivity of the transgene-encoded activities depended on the stage of development, occurring in either seedlings (40% luciferase and 50% neomycin phosphotransferase) or adult plants (both 40%). The phenomenon did not correlate with copy numbers or the homo- or hemizygous state of the transgenes. In lines harboring a temperature-sensitive luciferase activity, reduction of bioluminescence was observed after 2 to 3 h at 37 degrees C. Activity was regained after 2 h of subsequent cultivation at 25 degrees C. Irrespective of the reaction to the heat treatment, the level of luciferase RNA was slightly increased at 37 degrees C. Only in lines showing temperature sensitivity of transgene-encoded activities was the amount of luciferase and neomycin phosphotransferase strongly reduced. In sterile culture, heat treatment for 15 d did not cause visible damage or changes in plant morphology. In all plants tested a slight induction of the heat-shock response was observed at 37 degrees C.     

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.     

Red-breasted goose colonies on the Taimyr Peninsula: Factors responsible for the proximity of goose nests to nests of peregrine falcons,rough-legged buzzards,and snowy owls

Red-breasted goose colonies have been studied near Medusa Bay (73°21′N, 80°32′E), on the northwestern Taimyr Peninsula, and along the Agapa River (70°11′N, 86°15′E) down to its mouth (71°26′N, 89° 13′E), in the central Taimyr Peninsula. Red-breasted geese nesting near peregrine falcons are protected by the falcons from arctic foxes; however, they are sometimes attacked by the falcons themselves. In the colonies near peregrine falcon nests, the vast majority of goose nests were situated no farther than 100 m from the falcon nest. When food is abundant, falcons protect a larger area around their nest. The distance between the falcon nest and the surrounding goose nests is inversely related to the falcon’s activity. In years of higher falcon activity, falcons prevent red-breasted geese from nesting as close to their nest as in years of lower falcon activity. Additional stimuli are required for red-breasted geese to form colonies near rough-legged buzzard nests. The distance between snowy owl nests and red-breasted goose nests was smaller when arctic foxes were abundant than when they were scarce.