Organization,expression and evolution of a disease resistance gene cluster in soybean

PCR amplification was previously used to identify a cluster of resistance gene analogues (RGAs) on soybean linkage group J. Resistance to powdery mildew (Rmd-c), Phytophthora stem and root rot (Rps2), and an ineffective nodulation gene (Rj2) map within this cluster. BAC fingerprinting and RGA-specific primers were used to develop a contig of BAC clones spanning this region in cultivar "Williams 82" [rps2, Rmd (adult onset), rj2]. Two cDNAs with homology to the TIR/NBD/LRR family of R-genes have also been mapped to opposite ends of a BAC in the contig Gm_Isb001_091F11 (BAC 91F11). Sequence analyses of BAC 91F11 identified 16 different resistance-like gene (RLG) sequences with homology to the TIR/NBD/LRR family of disease resistance genes. Four of these RLGs represent two potentially novel classes of disease resistance genes: TIR/NBD domains fused inframe to a putative defense-related protein (NtPRp27-like) and TIR domains fused inframe to soybean calmodulin Ca(2+)-binding domains. RT-PCR analyses using gene-specific primers allowed us to monitor the expression of individual genes in different tissues and developmental stages. Three genes appeared to be constitutively expressed, while three were differentially expressed. Analyses of the R-genes within this BAC suggest that R-gene evolution in soybean is a complex and dynamic process.     

Long CTG.CAG repeats from myotonic dystrophy are preferred sites for intermolecular recombination

Homologous recombination was shown to enable the expansion of CTG.CAG repeat sequences. Other prior investigations revealed the involvement of replication and DNA repair in these genetic instabilities. Here we used a genetic assay to measure the frequency of homologous intermolecular recombination between two CTG.CAG tracts. When compared with non-repeating sequences of similar lengths, long (CTG.CAG)(n) repeats apparently recombine with an approximately 60-fold higher frequency. Sequence polymorphisms that interrupt the homogeneity of the CTG.CAG repeat tracts reduce the apparent recombination frequency as compared with the pure uninterrupted repeats. The orientation of the repeats relative to the origin of replication strongly influenced the apparent frequency of recombination. This suggests the involvement of DNA replication in the recombination process of triplet repeats. We propose that DNA polymerases stall within the CTG.CAG repeat tracts causing nicks or double-strand breaks that stimulate homologous recombination. The recombination process is RecA-dependent.     

Cytokinin oxidase/cytokinin dehydrogenase assay: optimized procedures and applications

1H NMR spectroscopy has been used to assess long-term toxicological effects of a rare earth. Male Wistar rats were administrated orally with La(NO3)3 at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 2.0, 10, and 20 mg/kg body wt, resp., for 3-6 months. Urine was collected at 1, 2, and 3 months and serum samples were taken after 6 months. Numerous low-M(r) metabolites in rats serum and rats urine, including creatinine, citrate, glucose, ketone bodies, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and various amino acids, were identified on 400- and 500-MHz 1H NMR spectra. La3+-induced renal and liver damage is characterized by an increase in the amounts of the excreted ketone bodies, amino acids, lactate, ethanol, succinate, TMAO, dimethylamine, and taurine and a decrease in citrate, glucose, urea, and allantoin. Information on the molecular basis of the long-term toxicity of La(NO>3)3 was derived from the abnormal patterns of metabolite excretions. An assay of some biochemical indexes and analysis of some enzymes in plasma supported NMR results.     

Flavonoids from Ficaria verna Huds

A phytochemical investigation of the flowers and leaves of Ficaria verna Huds. (Ranunculaceae) yielded four additional known flavonoid compounds including: kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-(6"-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-glucopyranoside (nicotiflorin), apigenin 8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (vitexin), luteolin 8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside (orientin) and apigenin 8-C-beta-D-(2"-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-glucopyranoside (flavosativaside). The characterisation of these compounds was achieved by various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods (UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS).     

Heat-inducible transgenic expression in the silkmoth Bombyx mori

Germline transformation with new transposon vectors now enables causal tests of gene function via ectopic protein expression or RNA interference in non-drosophilid insects. The problem remains of how to drive the transgene expression in vivo. We employed germline transformation using the piggyBac 3xP3-EGFP vector to test whether the Drosophila heat shock hsp70 promoter will be active in the live silkworm. We modified the original vector by cloning the coding sequence for Bombyx nuclear receptor Ftz-F1 between the hsp70 promoter and the terminator. Three independent transgenic lines expressing the Pax-6-driven EGFP marker in larval and adult photoreceptors were obtained with efficiencies of up to 1.7% of fertile G0 adults that gave GFP-positive progeny. Chromosomal integration of the transposon was confirmed with inverse PCR. Heat induction of the transgenic BmFtz-F1 was proven at both the mRNA and protein levels. RT-PCR data showed that the Drosophila heat shock promoter was functional in all three transgenic lines. Although basal activity was apparent at 25 degrees C, 1 h at 42 degrees C induced BmFtz-F1 mRNA at different stages of development and in diverse tissues. The relative levels of induction differed among the transgenic lines. Northern blot hybridization detected transgenic BmFtz-F1 only after heat shock and low levels of the mRNA were still present 6 h after the heat treatment. Immunostaining of epidermis using anti-BmFtz-F1 antibody showed a clear increase of nuclear signal 90 min after a heat shock.     

Effects of mating stimuli and oxytocin on plasma cortisol concentration in gilts

The involvement of oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of glucocorticoid secretion during stress reaction, parturition, and suckling has been documented in various species. In this study four in vivo experiments were conducted on gilts (1) to demonstrate the influence of mating stimuli on plasma cortisol concentration, (2) to test the effect of OT alone and (3) OT combined with OT-antagonist on cortisol secretion and (4) to clarify the role of progesterone and estradiol in cortisol response to exogenous OT. In experiment 1, plasma cortisol concentration in gilts (n=4) increased (p<0.05) from 16.1 +/- 5.3 ng ml(-)1 (control period: 30 min before mating) to 42.8 +/- 11.6 ng ml(-1) and 46.6 +/- 9.6 ng ml(-1) at the time of leaving the pen and during the first visual and olfactory contact with the boar, respectively. During coitus the elevation was maintained (48.8 +/- 9.8 ng ml(-1); p<0.05 vs. control). The plasma cortisol concentration returned to pre-mating levels within 30 min after mating. In experiment 2, gilts (n=7) were treated, according to Latin square design, with saline (2 ml; i.v.) and OT (10, 20, and 30 IU; i.v.). The magnitude of cortisol response (area under cortisol curve) was higher (p<0.01) only after treatments with 20 and 30 IU OT vs. control period (30 min before OT). Gilts (n=3) of experiment 3 were infused with OT-antagonist (Atosiban; 25 mg per gilt per 2 hours; i.v.) and then were injected with OT (20 IU; i.v.) 60 min after the beginning of Atosiban administration. Blockage of OT receptors by Atosiban reversed the stimulatory effect of OT on cortisol secretion. In experiment 4, ovariectomized gilts (n=25) primed (i.m.) with corn oil (n=7), progesterone (P4; n=7), estradiol benzoate (EB; n=4) or EB+P4 (n=7) were treated with OT (20 IU; i.v.). Plasma cortisol concentrations were increased following OT administration in all gilts of experiment 4. The highest cortisol response to OT was noted in gilts primed with EB+P4 (p<0.01 vs. other groups). In conclusion: (1) leaving the pens, visual and olfactory contact with the boar as well as coitus, increased plasma cortisol concentrations in gilts to similar levels; (2) exogenous OT (20 and 30 IU per gilt) increased cortisol plasma concentration, (3) this effect was abolished by OT-antagonist and (4) E2+P4 elevated cortisol response to OT. Oxytocin may be included to secretagogues of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in pigs.     

PCR-RFLPs within the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-A) gene of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica)

A total of 45 racing pigeons were genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. PCR product of the LDH-A gene was amplified according to the Long-PCR procedure. The amplification products were digested with restriction enzymes. PCR-RFLPs for two restriction enzymes, HaeIII and NlaIV, were observed. Two pairs of alleles LDH-A(A) and LDH-A(B) for LDH-A-NlaIV polymorphism and LDH-A(C) and LDH-A(D) for LDH-A-HaeIII polymorphism were detected in the homozygous and heterozygous states. Frequencies of alleles were as follows: A - 0.622, B - 0.378 and C - 0.256, D - 0.744.