A novel inhibitor of cyclin-Cdk activity detected in transforming growth factor beta-arrested epithelial cells.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of epithelial cell growth. Cyclins E and A in association with Cdk2 have been shown to play a role in the G1-to-S phase transition in mammalian cells. We have studied the effects of TGF-beta-mediated growth arrest on G1/S cyclins E and A. Inhibition of cyclin A-associated kinase by TGF-beta is primarily due to a decrease in cyclin A mRNA and protein. By contrast, while TGF-beta inhibits accumulation of cyclin E mRNA, the reduction in cyclin E protein is minimal. Instead, we find that the activation of cyclin E-associated kinase that normally accompanies the G1-to-S phase transition is inhibited. A novel inhibitor of cyclin-Cdk complexes was detected in TGF-beta-treated cell lysates. Inhibition is mediated by a heat-stable protein that targets both Cdk2 and Cdc2 kinases. In G0-arrested cells, a similar inhibitor of Cdk2 kinase was detected. These data suggest the existence of an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases induced under different conditions to mediate antiproliferative responses.     

RFLP tagging of a new semidwarfing gene in rice

A new rice semidwarfing gene which is not allelic tosd1, temporarily designated assdg, might be of use as a new source of semidwarfism in rice breeding programs. We report here the identification of a DNA marker closely linked to this gene. The DNA marker was identified by testing 120 mapped rice RFLP makers as hybridization probes for Southern analysis of a pair of nearly isogenic lines with or withoutsdg. Linkage association of the marker with the gene was verified using a F₂ population segregating for semidwarfism. RFLP analysis showed thatsdg is closely linked to a single-copy DNA clone RZ182 on chromosome 5, with a distance of 4.3 centiMorgans between them. This marker may facilitate early selection for the semidwarfing gene in rice breeding programs     

Expression of mouse metallothionein-I gene confers cadmium resistance in transgenic tobacco plants

Transgenic tobacco plants containing a mouse metallothionein-I (MT-I) gene fused to the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter and nopaline synthase (nos) polyadenylation site were obtained by transforming tobacco leaf discs with an Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain carrying the chimaeric gene. Transformants were directly selected and rooted on medium containing cadmium and kanamycin. A total of 49 individual transgenic tobacco plants were regenerated. Among them 20% showed a very high expression level and their growth was unaffected by up to 200 M cadmium, whereas the growth of control plants was severely affected leaf chlorosis occurred on medium containing only 10 M cadmium. The concentration of MT-I in leaves of control and transgenic tobacco was determined with Cd/haemoglobin saturation assay, a polarographic method and western blotting. In addition, seeds from self-fertilized transgenic plants were germinated on medium containing toxic levels of cadmium and scored for tolerance/susceptibility to this heavy metal. The ratio of tolerant to susceptible plants was 3:1 indicating that the metallothionein gene is inherited as a single locus.     

Systematic classification of Asian colobines

In order to study the differentiation of Asian colobines, fourteen variables were analysed in one way, on 123 skulls, includingRhinopithecus, Presbytis, Presbytiscus, Pygathrix, andNasalis with both cluster and differentiated functions tests. Information on paleoenvironment changes in China and South-East Asia since late Tertiary have been used to examine the influences of migratory habits and the distribution range in Asian colobines. The cladogram among different Asian colobines genera was made from the results of various analysis. Some new points or revisions were suggested: 1. Following the second migratory way, ancient species of Asian colobines perhaps passed through Xizang along the northern bank of Tethis sea and Heng-Duan Shan regions, across Yunnan into Vietnam, since the ancient continent between Yunnan and Xizang was already located in on eastern bank of Tethis sea. Thus, during the evolution, Asian colobines must have had two original centres, i.e. “Sundaland” and Heng-Duan Shan Chinese regions; 2. Pygatrix possesses a lot of cranial features more similar toPresbytiscus than toRhinopithecus. The small difference from the modification combinesPygatrix with other two genera as shown by Groves (1970), but it is better to putPygatrix andPresbytiscus together as one genus; 3.Nasalis (2n=48) may be the most primitive genus within Asian colobines. Some features shared withRhinopithecus, for example body size, terrestrial activities, limb proportion etc. ...seem to be considered as a common inheritance of symlesiomorphus characters; 4.Rhinopithecus, with reference to cranioface and cranium or to its origin, is a special genus of Asian colobine. It may represent the highest level of evolutionary position within various genera (Peng et al., 1985).     

水平回转对水稻幼苗叶细胞的影响

对在模拟微重力装置上回转１４ 天的水稻幼苗叶细胞进行了亚显微形态、电子探针和细胞酶化学研究。发现叶细胞质膜上Ｃａ２＋ －ＡＴＰ酶活性消失,膜内钙总量上升、膜外钙总量下降,细胞骨架变得疏松,细胞壁变薄并凹凸不平。叶绿体的基粒和线粒体的内嵴亦有部分变化。其变化机制,首先是细胞质膜上Ｃａ２＋ －ＡＴＰ酶活性消失,膜上钙泵停止工作,跨膜钙浓度差减小,膜内钙浓度上升,微管、微丝聚合受阻,细胞骨架疏松,分泌泡移动失去导向,从而导致细胞壁变薄等状态     

Mother-cub relationships in giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains,China, with comment on rescuing abandoned cubs

Six cases of mother-cub relationships in wild giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were observed in the Qinling Mountains, China. It was found that panda cubs are normally left alone in the den for 4–8 h while mothers forage. The mother's absence during bouts of foraging should be considered when rescuing abandoned cubs in order to avoid adding to the decline of the wild population. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of hydrocarbons from the microalgaBotryococcus braunii

Samples of the microalgaBotryococcus braunii were submitted to supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide at 40 °C and pressures of 12.5, 20.0 and 30.0 MPa. The extraction yield and the fraction of the hydrocarbons in the extracts both increased with pressure and at 30 MPa these compounds were obtained rapidly. This behaviour is associated with the localization of the hydrocarbons outside the cell wall. In the extracts, which are fluid, golden and limpid, chlorophyll and phospholipids were not detected.Author for correspondence     

Zn对细胞保护作用机理的研究

应用扫描质子微探针和同步辐射ｘ荧光分析技术测定了细胞中元素的分布和组成,为确定Zn是细胞结构成分提供了直接的实验依据.用上述核技术结合有关生化指标,分析测定了正常和损伤细胞（脂质过氧化损伤）中Fe,Zn和丙二醛、SH基含量变化的相互关系.实验结果表明,当细胞发生脂质过氧化损伤时,Fe含量和丙二醛含量同步增高,而Zn含量和SH基量则降低.给细胞补充Zn后,提高了细胞质膜中的Zn含量,SH基量也随之增加,同时丙二醛量降低.提示Zn保护细胞完整性的作用机理之一是控制脂质过氧化作用.Zn可保护膜蛋白的SH基,减少和阻止被Fe所催化的过氧化反应.     

Trace elements in hair of blackfoot disease

Blackfoot disease is a peripheral vascular disease resulting in gangrene of the lower extremities. Though extensive epidemiological study has implicated that high arsenic content in artesian well water of the endemic area, bears some important connection with the disease, the etiology of the disease is still unknown. In this study, attention is paid to multielement determination in order to find out whether the trace elements in hair of Blackfoot disease patients are different from those of the controls. Experimental results indicate that the concentrations of As and Se in hair of patients are significantly higher than those of the controls, but Ca and Zn are significantly lower than those of the controls. The possible connection of these elements with the etiology of the disease is discussed.