RAPD-based genetic diversities and correlation with morphological traits in Camellia (Theaceae) cultivars in China

Camellia is an economically important ornamental plant that has many uses, such as in beverages, foods and medicines. We examined 15 Camellia cultivars in Wenzhou, China, using RAPD markers and measurements of three traits (petal color, flower diameter, blooming period). PCR amplification with 15 random primers produced 1935 bands, observed at 88 amplification loci; 77% of the amplified loci were polymorphic, with a mean of 4.5 polymorphic loci per primer. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.5419 to 0.7933 among the 15 samples; the lowest value was between Manao (C. reticulata) and Feibai FR (C. japonica), and the largest value was between Chidan (C. japonica) and Yuanyang FG (C. japonica). Cluster analysis divided the 15 cultivars into two groups at the similarity coefficient of 0.65. A correlation was found between RAPD markers and petal color in the first group. No correlation was found between RAPD markers and the other traits (flower diameter, blooming period). This study provides information useful for the identification, classification, phylogenesis, and breeding of Camellia cultivars.     

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase CYP2J2 attenuates nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenases metabolize arachidonic acid into epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which play important and diverse roles in the cardiovascular system. The anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, pro-angiogenic, and anti-hypertensive properties of EETs in the cardiovascular system suggest a beneficial role for EETs in diabetic nephropathy. This study investigated the effects of endothelial specific overexpression of CYP2J2 epoxygenase on diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Endothelial CYP2J2 overexpression attenuated renal damage as measured by urinary microalbumin and glomerulosclerosis. These effects were associated with inhibition of TGF-β/Smad signaling in the kidney. Indeed, overexpression of CYP2J2 prevented TGF-β1-induced renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vitro. These findings highlight the beneficial roles of the CYP epoxygenase-EET system in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Complete genome sequence of the obligate piezophilic hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus yayanosii CH1

Pyrococcus yayanosii CH1 is the first obligate piezophilic hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from the deep-sea hydrothermal site Ashadze on the mid-Atlantic ridge at a depth of 4,100 m. This organism grows within a temperature range of 80 to 108°C and a hydrostatic pressure range of 20 to 120 MPa, with optima at 98°C and 52 MPa, respectively. Here, we report the complete genome sequence (1,716,817 bp, with a G+C content of 51.6%) of the type strain P. yayanosii CH1(T) (= JCM 16557). This genomic information reveals a systematic view of the piezoadaptation strategy and evolution scenario of metabolic pathways in Thermococcales.     

Developing a series of conservative anchor markers and their application to phylogenomics of Laurasiatherian mammals

The availability of numerous universal markers and suitable phylogenetic analysis methods are both very important for phylogenomics inference. Based on PCR amplification, a total of 122 markers, which were amplified in 19 representative species, were developed for Laurasiatherian phylogenomics. Subsequently, we illustrated the utility of these newly developed markers using a subset of eight markers. We showed that both 'supermatrix' and 'supertree' trees generated similar topology, which accorded with the current understanding of the Laurasiatherian phylogeny in most aspects. Thus, markers developed here would be likely to make a contribution to resolving evolutionary relationships and inferring evolutionary histories of the Laurasiatherian mammals in the future.     

An extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. enhances insulin receptor signaling and modulates gene expression in skeletal muscle in KK-A mice

An ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI 5011) has been observed to decrease glucose and insulin levels in animal models, but the cellular mechanisms by which insulin action is enhanced in vivo are not precisely known. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PMI 5011 to modulate gene expression and cellular signaling through the insulin receptor in skeletal muscle of KK-A^y mice. Eighteen male KK-A^y mice were randomized to a diet (w/w) mixed with PMI 5011 (1%) or diet alone for 8 weeks. Food intake, adiposity, glucose and insulin were assessed over the study, and at study completion, vastus lateralis muscle was obtained to assess insulin signaling parameters and gene expression. Animals randomized to PMI 5011 were shown to have enhanced insulin sensitivity and increased insulin receptor signaling, i.e., IRS-associated PI-3 kinase activity, Akt-1 activity and Akt phosphorylation, in skeletal muscle when compared to control animals (P<.01, P<.01 and P<.001, respectively). Gene expression for insulin signaling proteins, i.e., IRS-1, PI-3 kinase and Glut-4, was not increased, although a relative increase in protein abundance was noted with PMI 5011 treatment. Gene expression for specific ubiquitin proteins and specific 20S proteasome activity, in addition to skeletal muscle phosphatase activity, i.e., PTP1B activity, was significantly decreased in mice randomized to PMI 5011 relative to control. Thus, the data demonstrate that PMI 5011 increases insulin sensitivity and enhances insulin receptor signaling in an animal model of insulin resistance. PMI 5011 may modulate skeletal muscle protein degradation and phosphatase activity as a possible mode of action.     

Microtubule and microfilament distribution and tubulin content in the cell cycle of Indian muntjac cells

Using DAPI, rabbit antitubulin antibody, FITC-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG, and TRITC-phalloidin to stain individual cells, the microspectrophotometric analysis showed that three markers that represent the nucleus, microtubules (MT), and microfilaments (MF), respectively, could be recognized in individual cells without interference. The phase of the cell cycle was determined by DNA content. We found that in Indian muntjac (IM) cells, the amount of tubulin in G2 and M phases was about twice as much as that in G1 phase. In G2 cells, the cytoplasmic microtubule complex (CMTC) became denser than in G1 cells. The cytoplasmic MT extent in basically the same orientation as MF bundles in interphase. The regions where the MT is denser also have a denser MF distribution.     

A cell type-specific enhancer drives expression of the chick muscle acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit gene

The regulation of acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit gene expression was analyzed by transient expression assays. Using rabbit beta-globin cDNA as a reporter gene, we have confirmed that the 5'-flanking sequence of the chicken acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit gene directs specific expression in differentiated C2C12 cells, a mouse muscle cell line, but not in undifferentiated C2C12 cells and mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. Testing chimeric plasmids containing Bal31 deletion mutants of the alpha-subunit gene upstream sequence, we found the -116 to -81 region of the alpha-subunit to be responsible for tissue- and stage-specific expression. This 36 bp fragment stimulates the activity of both alpha-subunit and SV40 promoters in a distance- and orientation-independent manner, thus fulfilling the criteria of an enhancer.     

从西藏金发藓科植物初步研究兼论青藏高原的隆起

西藏金发藓科植物,已知有7属,30种,4变种;其中新种5个,新变种3个。从水平分布看,大多集中雅鲁藏布江流域附近,因该流域是印度板块北缘与欧亚大陆南缘的缝合线,因而金发藓科植物得以高度集中。本文讨论了该科在本区的地理分布和区系成份的分析等问题,并讨论了青藏高原的隆起对该群藓类的影响。