Molecular phylogeny of the grass genus Brachypodium P. Beauv. based on RFLP and RAPD analysis

Nuclear genome analysis using RFLPs and RAPDs has been assessed within different species of the genus Brachypodium P. Beauv. and representatives of other grasses in order to determine the characteristics of the Brachypodium genome and to establish its evolutionary position in relation to other Pooideae. Distinctive features of the Brachypodium genome are its small size, the low amount of repetitive DNA, the lack of restriction fragment length polymorphisms within the genus for the assayed probe/enzyme combinations, and the genomic variability demonstrated at species level by random DNA amplification. These molecular studies confirm Brachypodium as an isolated ancient genus best placed in its own tribe (Brachypodieae). Its relationships to other tribes Bromeae, Triticeae, Poeae are resolved, Brachypodieae being the earliest tribe to diverge from this core of pooids. Within the genus two major Old World clades are distinguishable: an annual clade, represented only by B. distachyon; and a perennial clade, represented by all the other species studied (except B. mexicanum). The perennial American species B. mexicanum appears equally attached to these two clades. RFLP data were found to be useful in obtaining phylogenies at generic and higher rank levels, whereas the highly variable RAPD data were more suitable for resolving interspecific and intraspecific evolutionary pathways.     

贵州四个民族人群线粒体DNA Region V的遗传多态性

目的研究世居贵州的侗族、仡佬族、土家族和彝族人群线粒体DNA Region V的遗传多态性。方法采用PCR-PAGE和克隆测序法对4个群体108份样本的mtDNA Region V进行序列分析。结果只检测到标准型和短型（即9-bp缺失）两种多态。贵州四个民族人群的平均9-bp缺失频率为22．2％，在侗族、仡佬族、土家族和彝族人群中依次为32．1％、22．6％、17．2％和15．0％。结论贵州四个民族mtDNA9-bp缺失频率均较高，这与其地域分布相一致；贵州彝族和土家族显示了相似的缺失频率，提示两者可能有共同的祖先。     

Transgenic mice overexpressingγ-aminobutyric acid transporter subtypeⅠ develop obesity

INTRODUCTION7-aminobutyricacid(GABA)isthemajorinhibitoryneurotransmitterinthevertebratecelltralnervoussystemwhereitactingesavaxietyofGABAreceptortypes.TheneurotransmissionofGABAisthoughttobeterllilnatedbyit'srapidre-uptakeviaGABAtransportersintopresynapticneuronsandsurroundingglialcellsll,2].BesidesfUnctioningintheterminationofsynaptictransmission,GABAtransportersplayacriticalroleintheregUlationofthemagnitudeanddurationofGABA'sactionandmayajsomediatethereleaseofGABAintotheedrac…