Genome-wide RAD sequencing data suggest predominant role of vicariance in Sino-Japanese disjunction of the monotypic genus Conandron (Gesneriaceae)

Disjunct distribution is a key issue in biogeography and ecology, but it is often difficult to determine the relative roles of dispersal vs. vicariance in disjunctions. We studied the phylogeographic pattern of the monotypic Conandron ramondioides (Gesneriaceae), which shows Sino-Japanese disjunctions, with ddRAD sequencing based on a comprehensive sampling of 11 populations from mainland China, Taiwan Island, and Japan. We found a very high degree of genetic differentiation among these three regions, with very limited gene flow and a clear Isolation by Distance pattern. Mainland China and Japan clades diverged first from a widespread ancestral population in the middle Miocene, followed by a later divergence between mainland China and Taiwan Island clades in the early Pliocene. Three current groups have survived in various glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum, and experienced contraction and/or bottlenecks since their divergence during Quaternary glacial cycles, with strong niche divergence between mainland China + Japan and Taiwan Island ranges. Thus, we verified a predominant role of vicariance in the current disjunction of the monotypic genus Conandron. The sharp phylogenetic separation, ecological niche divergence among these three groups, and the great number of private alleles in all populations sampled indicated a considerable time of independent evolution, and suggests the need for a taxonomic survey to detect potentially overlooked taxa.     

Critical roles of non-coding RNAs in lifecycle and biology of Marek’s disease herpesvirus

Science China Life Sciences - Over the past two decades, numerous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified in different biological systems including virology, especially in large DNA viruses...     

Biological monitoring of deltamethrin in sprayers by HPLC method.

Using HPLC, the authors had investigated the three metabolites of deltamethrin (DM) in the urine of spraymen and one suicide, namely: dibromovinyl-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (Br2A), 3-phenoxybenzyl-hydroxy-ethyl acetate (PHE) and 3-phenoxyl-benzoic acid (BA). Br2A was chosen as the biological monitoring parameter for DM exposed people, and the urine samples of one suicide and 11 farmers sprayed DM or DM plus methamidophos were examined for Br2A quantitatively which was detected in 8 of 11 sprayers and in the suicide case.     

FACTORS AFFECTING RED SPRUCE REGENERATION IN DECLINING AREAS OF CAMELS HUMP MOUNTAIN,VERMONT

Scarcity of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) seedlings in declining spruce-fir forests of Camels Hump mountain, Vermont, prompted a study on some contributing factors involved in failure of spruce regeneration. Cones were shorter than those from low elevation red spruce trees from unaffected sites. Seed number in cones collected in declining areas of Camels Hump was low as were seed sizes and weights. Seed germination was at control levels only in good seed years. Capacity of seeds to form seedlings was reduced relative to that of controls, although seedling growth was normal. Coniferous litter contains presumed allelopathic substances leachable by contemporary precipitations that affect seed germination and seedling root development in red spruce, but not in balsam fir. Shield fern contains leachable substances that reduce seed germination and seedling root development in red spruce, but not balsam fir. Roots of red spruce germlings have lower capacity to penetrate through the increased forest duff depths of declining forests than do balsam fir roots. It is anticipated that substantial reproduction of red spruce will not occur in declining montane conifer forests under present conditions.     

Distinct genomic copy number in mitochondria of different mammalian organs

This study shows that mitochondria in liver, kidney, heart, and brain of the mouse have a distinct mitochondrial density. It also demonstrates that the mtDNA copy number per mitochondrion is organ-specific. A reliable method of determining mitochondrial density per organ is by stereological analysis of tissue sections while mtDNA quantitation is by the use of radiolabelled mtDNA probe. This is the first study in which a comprehensive examination of mitochondrial density and quantitation of mitochondrial genomes in mouse organs have been done. In summary the variability is not only in mitochondrial density but also in genomic copy number in mitochondria of various tissues.     

Spatial ecology of golden jackal in farmland in the Ethiopian Highlands

The spatial ecology of golden jackal Canis aureus was studied on farmland adjacent to the Bale Mountains National Park in southern Ethiopia during 1998–2000. Three adult and four subadult jackals were captured in leg‐hold traps and radiotagged. The range size of the adult jackals varied from 7.9 to 48.2 km² and the subadults from 24.2 to 64.8 km² . These ranges are the largest recorded for this species. Range overlap of the tagged jackals averaged 54%, which, in conjunction with observations of associations between individuals, suggested that all the tagged jackals belonged to one social group. Tagged jackals were observed alone on 87% of occasions despite the extensive overlap in individual ranges. Pairs consisting of a male and female were the most commonly observed group and larger groups were seen on only five occasions. Jackals in this population appeared less gregarious than observed elsewhere. The jackals used all the habitats available to them, particularly at night when they foraged in Artemesia and Hypericum bush and farmland. During the day they were more frequently found in Hagenia and Juniper woodland and their diurnal resting sites were characterized by thick cover. This is the first detailed study of golden jackals in a human‐modified landscape in Africa and further demonstrates the flexibility in behaviour and ecology exhibited by this species throughout its range.     

Calcineurin—immunosuppressor complexes

Crystal structures of the Ser/Thr phosphatase calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) have recently been solved by X-ray crystallography, both in the free-protein state, and complexed with the immunophilin/immunosuppressant FKBP12/FK506. Core elements of the calcineurin phosphatase have been found to be similar to the corresponding elements of Ser/Thr phosphatase 1 and purple acid phosphatase. The structures provide a basis for understanding calcineurin inhibition by a ternary complex of immunophilin and immunosuppressant proteins.     

Production of superoxide dismutases from Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris

Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris expressed a combination of superoxide dismutase (Sod) activities, which was assigned to FeSod1, FeSod2 and MnSod for P. mirabilis, and FeSod, MnSod and CuZnSod for P. vulgaris. Production of the Sod proteins was dependent on the availability of iron, whether cells were grown under anaerobiosis or aerobiosis and growth phase. Nalidixic acid and chloramphenicol inhibited cell growth and the iron- and dioxygen-dependent production of Sod. These results support the involvement of metal ions and redox status in the production of Proteus Sods.     

小米psbA基因5''末端非编码区的结构特征

以小米(Setaria italica)为材料,克隆了含有叶绿体psbA基因的2.2kb EcoRⅠ片段,测定了该基因5＇末端非编码区的核苷酸序列。序列分析显示psbA基因5＇末端非编码区存在着与原核类似的启动子结构,其“-10”区的序列为TATACT,与原核生物“-10”共有基序(Consensus motif)仅相差一个核苷酸;其“-35”区的序列为TTGACA,与原核生物“-35”共有基序完全相同。另外,在“-10”区和“-35”区之间还存在着一个类似真核启动子结构的“TATATA”保守序列。这些结果表明小米psbA基因的启动子既具有原核的特征又具有真核的特征。小米psbA基因的mRNA前导序列长87bp,与高粱完全一致,而比水稻多出了“CTATTTT”7个核苷酸,比小麦、大麦和黑麦多出了“TTTT”4个核苷酸。因此推测在禾本科的C_3和C_4植物之间,psbA基因mRNA前导序列区的差异可能具有普遍性。计算机分析结果显示,以上6种植物的psbA基因mRNA前导序列区内均能形成小的茎环结构,而且这段“CTATTTT”额外序列恰好位于茎环结构中,造成了6种植物间茎环大小的差异。这一小的二级结构可能对psbA基因的表达调控有一定的影响。