Linkage analysis reveals two independent loci for ocular disorders in a local Japanese Black cattle population

A vision-impairing ocular disorder was observed in a local Japanese Black cattle population, and assumed to be an autosomal recessive disease based on the presence of a founder cow. A genome scan using seven affected half-sib pairs revealed a linkage to BTA5 (Z(max) = 7.0, LOD(max) = 2.0), designated the bovine ocular disorder 1 (bod1) locus. Of the seven animals, three were heterozygous at the bod1 locus. Analysis in these three animals revealed linkage to markers on BTA18, and this locus was designated bod2. Detailed haplotype inspection of 16 affected animals indicated linkage to BTA5 in 12 animals, BTA18 in three animals, and linkage to both BTA5 and BTA18 in one animal. The bod1 locus was mapped to a 25 cM interval between DIK5237 and DIK5210 on BTA5 (Z(max) = 17.0, LOD(max) = 11.8), and bod2 was mapped to a 7 cM interval between DIK5411 and INRA038 on BTA18 (Z(max) = 13.0, LOD(max) = 4.0). This study demonstrated that the independent involvement of loss of function mutations in two loci is likely responsible for this genetic heterogeneity.     

Phylogenetic analyses of fat body endosymbionts reveal differences in invasion times of blaberid wood-feeding cockroaches (Blaberidae: Panesthiinae) into the Japanese archipelago

Cockroaches have endosymbiotic bacteria in their fat bodies. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses on both hosts and endosymbionts have revealed that co-evolution has occurred throughout the history of cockroaches and termites. Co-cladogenesis was also shown among closely related taxa (woodroach genus Cryptocercus; Cryptocercidae), and thus endosymbiont data are likely to be useful for biogeographical analyses. To test the possibility of co-cladogenesis among inter-and intraspecific taxa, as well as the utility of endosymbiont data for inferring biogeographical scenarios, we analyzed rRNA genes of endosymbionts of Japanese and Taiwanese Panesthiinae (Salganea and Panesthia; Blaberidae), on which phylogenetic analyses previously had been performed based on the mitochondrial genes. Statistical analyses on the topologies inferred from both endosymbiont and host mitochondria genes showed that co-cladogenesis has occurred. The endosymbiont sequences examined appear to have evolved in a clock-like manner, and their rate of evolution based on the host fossil data showed a major difference in the time of invasion of the two Japanese genera, that is congruent with the recent analyses of their mitochondrial genes.     

Neural- and endocrine control of flight muscle degeneration in the adult cricket,Gryllus bimaculatus

Neural- and endocrine mechanisms controlling degeneration of a dorsal longitudinal flight muscle, M112a, have been studied in adult Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Decapitation completely prevented muscle degeneration. Implantation of a pair of corpora allata or injection of juvenile hormone III into decapitated crickets caused muscle degeneration. Denervation of M112a resulted in reduction of muscle mass compared with that in sham-operated crickets. Denervation of M112a in decapitated crickets, however, did not affect muscle mass. Birefringence and ultrastructure of M112a showed an obvious regional difference in the onset of degeneration. Fibrillar structures of M112a always disappeared from the ventral to dorsal part. Distribution of axon terminals of motor neurons and mechanical responses to the motor nerve stimuli showed that M112a is composed of five motor units with similar twitch properties. When M112a was fully denervated, regional differences in degeneration disappeared. Partial denervation resulted in denervated muscle fibers losing birefringence earlier than innervated fibers. These results suggest that juvenile hormone causes breakdown of flight muscles, and neural factors control degeneration of flight muscles to some extent under the presence of the juvenile hormone.     

Evolving role of Antennapedia protein in arthropod limb patterning

Evolutional changes in homeotic gene functions have contributed to segmental diversification of arthropodan limbs, but crucial molecular changes have not been identified to date. The first leg of the crustacean Daphnia lacks a prominent ventral branch found in the second to fourth legs. We show here that this phenotype correlates with the loss of Distal-less and concomitant expression of Antennapedia in the limb primordium. Unlike its Drosophila counterpart, Daphnia Antennapedia represses Distal-less in Drosophila assays, and the protein region conferring this activity was mapped to the N terminal region of the protein. The results imply that Dapnia Antennapedia specifies leg morphology by repressing Distal-less, and this activity was acquired through a change in protein structure after separation of crustaceans and insects.     

Normal telomere lengths of spermatozoa in somatic cell-cloned bulls

Interesting questions have been raised regarding cloned animals, including whether cloning restores cellular senescence undergone by donor cells, and how long cloned animals will be able to live. In this study, focusing our attention on the fact that telomere lengths of spermatozoa are longer than those of any somatic cells and that telomere length is maintained throughout aging in humans, we compared the telomere lengths of spermatozoa in normal and two somatic cell-cloned cattle. The telomere lengths of the spermatozoa in the normal cattle (22.42+/-0.32 kb) were maintained throughout aging as in humans. In the cloned cattle, telomere lengths of the spermatozoa (25.8 and 20.9 kb) were the same as or longer than those found in normal cattle. Considering that telomere lengths of the donor cells, which had been derived from the muscle tissue of an old bull, were reported to be 20.1 kb, the results suggested that the telomere lengths of the germ cell line had extended from nucleus transfer to spermatogenesis. Moreover, we produced offspring (nine calves) from a somatic cell-cloned bull and measured the telomere lengths of their leukocytes. In all of the offspring, the telomere lengths of leukocytes were normal, too. These results indicate the possibility that somatic cloned bulls could be used as breeding sires.     

Release characteristics of flavor from spray-dried powder in boiling water and during rice cooking

The release characteristics of flavor in boiling water and the flavor retention in the rice after cooking were investigated by using spray dried powder in encapsulated in or emulsified with d-limonene or ethyl n-hexanoate in cyclodextrin and maltodextrin, or in gum arabic and maltodextrin. The behavior of flavor release into the boiling water was well simulated by Avrami's equation. The retention of d-limonene and ethyl n-hexanoate in cooked rice was correlated in each case with the flavor amount of spray-dried powder added.     

Screening of genes expressed in developing mandibles during soldier differentiation in the termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti

We investigated the morphological changes accompanying soldier differentiation in the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti. Genes expressed in the developing mandibles, which undergo the most remarkable morphological changes during soldier differentiation, were screened using fluorescent differential display. Database searches for sequence similarities were conducted and the relative expression levels were then quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among the identified candidate genes, 12 genes were upregulated during soldier differentiation. These included genes for cuticle proteins, nucleic acid binding proteins, ribosomal proteins and actin-binding protein, which were inferred to be involved in caste-specific morphogenesis in termites.     

Leukotriene B4 is an indirectly acting vasoconstrictor in guinea pig aorta via an inducible type of BLT receptor

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a potent leukocyte chemoattractant recently implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of LTB(4) on isolated aortic preparations. Rings of guinea pig aorta were challenged with LTB(4) for recording mechanical responses and measurements of mediator release, and LTB(4) receptor (BLT(1)) expression was assessed by RT-PCR. Single concentrations of LTB(4) induced concentration-dependent contractions that were inhibited by treatment with antihistamines, indomethacin, or the thromboxane receptor antagonist BAYu3405 as well as by denudation of endothelium. In addition, LTB(4) increased the release of histamine and thromboxane in the bath. The contractions induced by LTB(4) were inhibited by either the unselective BLT receptor antagonist ONO-4057 or the selective BLT(1) receptor antagonist U-75302. Pretreatment with all-trans-retinoic acid enhanced the contractions and the release of histamine induced by LTB(4), without affecting either the contractions induced by histamine or the histamine release evoked by calcium ionophore A23187. Analysis by RT-PCR indicated the expression of a BLT(1) receptor in the guinea pig aorta and that BLT(1) receptor mRNA was upregulated after treatment with retinoic acid. These results suggest that LTB(4) contracts the guinea pig aorta via an indirect mechanism involving the release of histamine and thromboxane and that this BLT(1) receptor-mediated response can be upregulated by all-trans-retinoic acid.     

Properties of mycelial aggregate-specific lectin of Pleurotus cornucopiae produced in Pichia pastoris

cDNA of a mycelial aggregate-specific lectin of Pleurotus cornucopiae was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and the expression product was purified and characterized. The product was functional, and the hemagglutinating activity was inhibited most strongly by the addition of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine as was the native lectin. The native lectin is a glycoprotein having five glycosylation recognition signals, and the expression product showed slightly larger molecular mass than that of the native one due to further glycosylation.     

Synthesis and AMPA receptor antagonistic activity of a novel 7-imidazolyl-6-trifluoromethyl quinoxalinecarboxylic acid with a substituted phenyl group and improved its good physicochemical properties by introduced CF3 group

We describe the synthesis, physicochemical, and biological properties of a novel series of 7-imidazolyl-6-trifluoromethyl quinoxalinecarboxylic acids with a substituted phenyl group attached through a urethane linkage at the C-7 position. We found that the introduction of trifluoromethyl group at the C-6 position brought about good biological activity and physicochemical properties. Among them, compound 9k (KRP-199), which has a 4-carboxyphenyl group, was found to possess high potency and selectivity for the AMPA-R in vitro and to exhibit good neuroprotective effects in vivo. Furthermore, the compound showed good physicochemical properties such as stability to light and good solubility in aqueous solutions.