Identification of AFLP makers linked to non-seed shattering locus (sht1) in buckwheat and conversion to STS markers for marker-assisted selection.

Shattering habit in buckwheat has two forms: brittle pedicel and weak pedicel. Brittle pedicel is observed in wild buckwheat, but not in cultivated buckwheat. Brittle pedicel in buckwheat is produced by two complementary, dominant genes, Sht1 and Sht2. The sht1 locus is linked to the S locus; almost all common buckwheat cultivars possess the allele sht1. To detect molecular makers linked to the sht1 locus, we used amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis in combination with bulked segregant analysis of segregating progeny of a cross between a non-brittle common buckwheat and a brittle self-compatible buckwheat line. We screened 312 primer combinations and constructed a linkage map around the sht1 locus by using 102 F2 plants. Five AFLP markers were linked to the sht1 locus. Two of these, e54m58/610 and e55m46/320, cosegregated with the sht1 locus without recombination. The two AFLP markers were converted to STS markers according to the sequence of the AFLPs. The STS markers are useful for marker-assisted selection of non-brittle pedicel plants and provides a stepping-stone for map-based cloning and characterization of the gene encoding non-brittle pedicel.     

Fine mapping and allelic dosage effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hwc1</Emphasis>, a complementary hybrid weakness gene in rice

Hybrid weakness is a reproductive barrier that is found in many plant species. In rice, the hybrid weakness caused by two complementary genes, Hwc1 and Hwc2, has been surveyed intensively. However, their gene products and the molecular mechanism that causes hybrid weakness have remained unknown. We performed linkage analyses of Hwc1, narrowed down the area of interest to 60 kb, and identified eight candidate genes. In the F(2) population, in which both Hwc1 and Hwc2 genes were segregated, plants were separable into four classes according to their respective phenotypes: severe type, semi-severe type, F(1) type, and normal type. Severe type plants show such severe symptoms that they could produce only tiny shoot-like structures; they were unable to generate roots. Genetic analyses using closely linked DNA markers of the two genes showed that the symptoms of the F(2) plants were explainable by the genotypes of Hwc1 and Hwc2. Weakness was observed in plants that have both Hwc1 and Hwc2. In Hwc1 homozygote, the symptoms worsened and severe type or semi-severe type plants appeared. Consequently, Hwc1 should have a gene dosage effect and be a semi-dominant gene. The dosage effect of Hwc2 was recognizable, but it was not so severe as that in Hwc1. These results are useful to elucidate the mechanism that causes the hybrid weakness phenomenon and the role of each causal gene in hybrid weakness.     

Streptococcus panodentis sp. nov. from the oral cavities of chimpanzees

Three strains TKU9, TKU49 and TKU50^T, were isolated from the oral cavities of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The isolates were all gram‐positive, facultative anaerobic cocci that lacked catalase activity. Analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the most closely related species was Streptococcus infantis (96.7%). The next most closely related species to the isolates were S. rubneri, S. mitis, S. peroris and S. australis (96.6 to 96.4%). Based on the rpoB and gyrB gene sequences, TKU50^T was clustered with other member of the mitis group. Enzyme activity and sugar fermentation patterns differentiated this novel bacterium from other members of the mitis group streptococci. The DNA G + C content of strain TKU50^T was 46.7 mol%, which is the highest reported value for members of the mitis group (40–46 mol%). On the basis of the phenotypic characterization, partial 16S rRNA gene and sequences data for two housekeeping gene (gyrB and rpoB), we propose a novel taxa, S. panodentis for TKU 50^T (type strain = CM 30579^T = DSM 29921^T), for these newly described isolates.     

Evolutional conservation of molecular structure and antiviral function of a viral RNA receptor, LGP2, in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

LGP2 is an important intracellular receptor that recognizes viral RNAs in innate immunity. To understand the mechanism of viral RNA recognition, we cloned an LGP2 cDNA and gene in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus-induced expressions of LGP2 mRNA were evaluated in vivo and in vitro by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) using primers based on the clone sequences. The expression of LGP2 mRNA in the kidney dramatically increased at 3 d postinfection. The expression of LGP2 mRNA also increased in the head kidney leukocytes stimulated with artificial dsRNA (polyinosin-polycytidylic acid) in vitro. To evaluate the antiviral activity of the flounder LGP2, three expression constructs containing pcDNA4-LGP2 (full-length), pcDNA4-LGP2ΔRD (regulatory domain deleted), and pcDNA4-Empty (as a negative control) were transfected into the hirame (flounder) natural embryo (hirame natural embryo) cell line. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the transfected cells were infected with ssRNA viruses, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, or hirame rhabdovirus. The cytopathic effects of the viruses were delayed by the overexpression of Japanese flounder LGP2. The Q-PCR demonstrated that mRNA expression levels of type I IFN and IFN-inducible genes (Mx and ISG15) in the hirame natural embryo cells overexpressing LGP2 were increased by polyinosin-polycytidylic acid and viral infections. These results suggest that Japanese flounder LGP2 plays an important role in the recognition of both viral ssRNA and dsRNA to induce the antiviral activity by the production of IFN-stimulated proteins.     

Electric and magnetic fields in cryopreservation: A response

Our recent studies showed that a programmed freezer with a magnetic field (CAS freezer) is helpful in the survival of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells after cryopreservation. The theory is that a magnetic field can prevent the cluster from growing by causing it to vibrate. In this letter, we commented in detail on the influence of a magnetic field during cryopreservation.     

Serial assembly of Thermus megaplasmid DNA in the genome of Bacillus subtilis 168: a BAC-based domino method applied to DNA with a high GC content

Bacillus subtilis is the only bacterium-based host able to clone giant DNA above 1000 kbp. DNA previously handled by this host was limited to that with GC content similar to or lower than that of the B. subtilis genome. To expand the target DNA range to higher GC content, we tried to clone a pTT27 megaplasmid (257 kbp, 69% of G+C) from Thermus thermophilus. To facilitate the reconstruction process, we subcloned pTT27 in a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector of Escherichia coli. Owing to the ability of BAC to carry around 100 kbp DNA, only 4 clones were needed to cover the pTT27 and conduct step-by-step assembly in the B. subtilis genome. The full length of 257 kbp was reconstructed through 3 intermediary lengths (108, 153, and 226 kbp), despite an unexpected difficulty in the maintenance of DNA >200 kbp. Retrieval of these four pTT27 segments from the B. subtilis genome by genetic transfer to a plasmid pLS20 was attempted. A stable plasmid clone was obtained only for the 108 and 153 kbp intermediates. The B. subtilis genome was demonstrated to accommodate large DNA with a high GC content, but may be restricted to less than 200 kbp by unidentified mechanisms.     

DNA damage signaling triggers degradation of histone methyltransferases through APC/C(Cdh1) in senescent cells

Both the DNA damage response (DDR) and epigenetic mechanisms play key roles in the implementation of senescent phenotypes, but very little is known about how these two mechanisms are integrated to establish senescence-associated gene expression. Here we show that, in senescent cells, the DDR induces proteasomal degradation of G9a and GLP, major histone H3K9 mono- and dimethyltransferases, through Cdc14B- and p21(Waf1/Cip1)-dependent activation of APC/C(Cdh1) ubiquitin ligase, thereby causing a global decrease in H3K9 dimethylation, an epigenetic mark for euchromatic gene silencing. Interestingly, induction of IL-6 and IL-8, major players of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), correlated with a decline of H3K9 dimethylation around the respective gene promoters and knockdown of Cdh1 abolished IL-6/IL-8 expression in senescent cells, suggesting that the APC/C(Cdh1)-G9a/GLP axis plays crucial roles in aspects of senescent phenotype. These findings establish a role for APC/C(Cdh1) and reveal how the DDR integrates with epigenetic processes to induce senescence-associated gene expression.