BcMF9, a novel polygalacturonase gene, is required for both Brassica campestris intine and exine formation

Background and Aims

The polygalacturonase (PG) gene family has been found to be enriched in pollen of several species; however, little is currently known about the function of the PG gene in pollen development. To investigate the exact role that the PG gene has played in pollen development and about this family in general, one putative PG gene, Brassica campestris Male Fertility 9 (BcMF9), was isolated from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis, syn. B. rapa ssp. chinensis) and characterized.

Methods

RT-PCR, northern blotting and in situ hybridization were used to analyse the expression pattern of BcMF9, and antisense RNA technology was applied to study the function of this gene.

Key Results

BcMF9 is expressed in particular in the tapetum and microspore during the late stages of pollen development. Antisense RNA transgenic plants that displayed decreased expression of BcMF9 showed pollen morphological defects that resulted in reduced pollen germination efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the homogeneous pectic exintine layer of pollen facing the exterior was over-developed and predominantly occupied the intine, reversing the normal proportional distribution of the internal endintine layer and the external exintine in transgenic pollen. Inhibition of BcMF9 also resulted in break-up of the previously formed tectum and baculae from the beginning of the binucleate stage, as a result of premature degradation of tapetum.

Conclusions

Several lines of evidence, including patterns of BcMF9 expression and phenotypic defects, suggest a sporophytic role in exine patterning, and a gametophytic mode of action of BcMF9 in intine formation. BcMF9 might act as a co-ordinator in the late stages of tapetum degeneration, and subsequently in the regulation of wall material secretion and, in turn, exine formation. BcMF9 might also play a role in intine formation, possibly via regulation of the dynamic metabolism of pectin.Key words: Brassica campestris, Chinese cabbage, exine, intine, PG, pollen wall, polygalacturonase, BcMF9     

Selenium-containing 15-mer peptides with high glutathione peroxidase-like activity

Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is one of the most crucial antioxidant enzymes in a variety of organisms. Here we described a new strategy for generating a novel GPX mimic by combination of a phage-displayed random 15-mer peptide library followed by computer-aided rational design and chemical mutation. The novel GPX mimic is a homodimer consisting of a 15-mer selenopeptide with an appropriate catalytic center, a specific binding site for substrates, and high catalytic efficiency. Its steady state kinetics was also studied, and the values of k(cat)/K(m)(GSH) and k(cat)/ K(mH(2)O(2)) were found to be similar to that of native GPX and the highest among the existing GPX mimics. Moreover, the novel GPX mimic was confirmed to have a strong antioxidant ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation by measuring the content of malondialdehyde, cell viability, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Importantly, the novel GPX mimic can penetrate into the cell membrane because of its small molecular size. These characteristics endue the novel mimic with potential perspective for pharmaceutical applications.     

Seminal and endocrine characteristics of male Pallas' Cats (Otocolobus manul) maintained under artificial lighting with simulated natural photoperiods

Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) have a pronounced reproductive seasonality controlled by photoperiod. Previous studies of reproduction in captive Pallas' cats exposed to natural light showed a breeding season of December–April. This study evaluated the impact of artificial lighting timed to simulate natural photoperiods on male reproductive seasonality of four Pallas' cats housed indoors. Semen evaluation, blood collection, and body weight measurements were conducted every 1–2 months from November 2000–June 2001. Fecal samples were collected from each male twice weekly to assess testosterone and corticoid concentrations. Mean values for reproductive traits (sperm attributes, testicular volume) were highest from February–April, the defined breeding season. Fecal testosterone concentrations were highest from mid‐January to mid‐March. Male Pallas' cats managed indoors under simulated photoperiods experienced a delayed onset of the breeding season by 1–2 months and a decreased length of the breeding season. Over the course of the study, fecal corticoid concentrations did not seem to differ among seasons. Although mating attempts during this study were unsuccessful, subsequent pairings of male and female Pallas' cats in the same research colony during the 2002 and 2003 breeding seasons produced viable offspring. These results suggest that male Pallas' cats, housed indoors under simulated photoperiods, exhibit distinct reproductive cyclic patterns, characterized by a delayed and truncated breeding season. Adrenocortical activity varied among individuals, but did not adversely affect reproductive parameters. Housing Pallas' cats indoors under simulated photoperiods may represent a viable strategy for maintaining breeding success while limiting disease exposure. Zoo Biol 0:1–13, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Dilated cardiomyopathy caused by tissue-specific ablation of SC35 in the heart

Many genetic diseases are caused by mutations in cis-acting splicing signals, but few are triggered by defective trans-acting splicing factors. Here we report that tissue-specific ablation of the splicing factor SC35 in the heart causes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Although SC35 was deleted early in cardiogenesis by using the MLC-2v-Cre transgenic mouse, heart development appeared largely unaffected, with the DCM phenotype developing 3-5 weeks after birth and the mutant animals having a normal life span. This nonlethal phenotype allowed the identification of downregulated genes by microarray, one of which was the cardiac-specific ryanodine receptor 2. We showed that downregulation of this critical Ca2+ release channel preceded disease symptoms and that the mutant cardiomyocytes exhibited frequency-dependent excitation-contraction coupling defects. The implication of SC35 in heart disease agrees with a recently documented link of SC35 expression to heart failure and interference of splicing regulation during infection by myocarditis-causing viruses. These studies raise a new paradigm for the etiology of certain human heart diseases of genetic or environmental origin that may be triggered by dysfunction in RNA processing.     

Temporal Coherence of Chlorophyll a during a Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in Xiangxi Bay of Three‐Gorges Reservoir,China

Algal bloom phenomenon was defined as “the rapid growth of one or more phytoplankton species which leads to a rapid increase in the biomass of phytoplankton”, yet most estimates of temporal coherence are based on yearly or monthly sampling frequencies and little is known of how synchrony varies among phytoplankton or of the causes of temporal coherence during spring algal bloom. In this study, data of chlorophyll a and related environmental parameters were weekly gathered at 15 sampling sites in Xiangxi Bay of Three‐Gorges Reservoir (TGR, China) to evaluate patterns of temporal coherence for phytoplankton during spring bloom and test if spatial heterogeneity of nutrient and inorganic suspended particles within a single ecosystem influences synchrony of spring phytoplankton dynamics. There is a clear spatial and temporal variation in chlorophyll a across Xiangxi Bay. The degree of temporal coherence for chlorophyll a between pairs of sites located in Xiangxi Bay ranged from –0.367 to 0.952 with mean and median values of 0.349 and 0.321, respectively. Low levels of temporal coherence were often detected among the three stretches of the bay (Down reach, middle reach and upper reach), while high levels of temporal coherence were often found within the same reach of the bay. The relative difference of DIN between pair sites was the strong predictor of temporal coherence for chlorophyll a in down and middle reach of the bay, while the relative difference in Anorganic Suspended Solids was the important factor regulating temporal coherence in middle and upper reach. Contrary to many studies, these results illustrate that, in a small geographic area (a single reservoir bay of approximately 25 km), spatial heterogeneity influence synchrony of phytoplankton dynamics during spring bloom and local processes may override the effects of regional processes or dispersal. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Which RhD alleles are risk factors stimulating allo- anti-D?

The aim of this study was to identify the specific RhD alleles that are risk factors for stimulating allo-anti-D and develop a precise strategy for blood transfusion. To confirm the D phenotype, red blood cells suspended in saline should react to serological anti-D from three manufacturers. An antibody screen test, a saline phase test and a micro-column test were conducted to identify allo-anti-D and other allo-antibodies. RhD alleles were genotyped by PCR using sequence-specific primers. Seven hundred subjects who were either pregnant or had undergone transfusion were enrolled in our study; however, 28 samples were excluded because their RhD alleles were normal, as revealed by tests using genotyping kits. A total of 498 cases (74.1%) were RhD-null (lacking exons 1–10 of RhD), 336 were DEL RhD 1227A (20.2%), and 38 were RHD-CE (2-9) -D (5.6%). There were 136 cases (20.2%) with allo-anti-D among the 672 cases, with an allo-anti-D prevalence of 126 cases (25.3%) in 498 cases that were RhD-null, followed by 10 cases (26.3%) among 38 cases with RHD-CE (2-9) -D, and none in 366 cases with RhD1227A. RhD genetic polymorphism was observed in RhD-negative individuals. We concluded that RhD-null and partial D are risk factors for alloimmunization to the D antigen and should be transfused with Rh-negative blood. RHD1227A recipients can be transfused with RhD-positive blood. Pregnant women with the d/d and D-CE(2-9)-D alleles require appropriate anti-D prophylaxis and RhD1227A may induce a higher tolerance.