Determination of RAPD Markers in Rice and their Conversion into Sequence Tagged Sites (STSs) and STS-Specific Primers

We produced 102 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markersmapped on all 12 chromosomes of rice using DNAs of cultivarsNipponbare (japonica) and Kasalath (indica) and of F2 populationgenerated by a single cross of these parents. Sixty random primers10 nucleotides long were used both singly and in random pairsand about 1,400 primer-pairs were tested. Using both agarosegel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis enabled us to detectpolymorphisms appearing in the range from <100 bp to 2 kb.The loci of the RAPD markers were determined onto the frameworkof our RFLP linkage map and some of these markers were mappedto regions with few markers. Out of the 102 RAPD markers, 20STSs (sequence-tagged sites) and STS-specific primer pairs weredetermined by cloning, identifying and sequencing of the mappedpolymorphic fragments.     

Evaluation of intestinal microbiota,short-chain fatty acids,and immunoglobulin a in diversion colitis

It is reported that an increase in aerobic bacteria, a lack of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and immune disorders in the diverted colon are major causes of diversion colitis. However, the precise pathogenesis of this condition remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the microbiota, intestinal SCFAs, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the diverted colon. Eight patients underwent operative procedures for colostomies. We assessed the diverted colon using endoscopy and obtained intestinal samples from the diverted colon and oral colon in these patients. We analyzed the microbiota and SCFAs of the intestinal samples. The bacterial communities were investigated using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. The microbiota demonstrated a change in the proportion of some species, especially Lactobacillus, which significantly decreased in the diverted colon at the genus level. We also showed that intestinal SCFA values were significantly decreased in the diverted colon. Furthermore, intestinal IgA levels were significantly increased in the diverted colon. This study was the first to show that intestinal SCFAs were significantly decreased and intestinal IgA was significantly increased in the diverted colon. Our data suggest that SCFAs affect the microbiota and may play an immunological role in diversion colitis.     

Asymmetric reduction of ethyl benzoylformate with chiral NADH model systems: Mechanistic and stereochemical consideration of the reactions based on the complexation properties of the model compounds

Asymmetric reductions of ethyl benzoylformate were conducted by use of NADH model compounds with C₁ or C₂ symmetry in the presence of magnesium perchlorate. It was found that NADH model compounds which form 2 : 1 chelation complexes with the magnesium ion showed the dependence of optical yield on the reaction conversion. The stereochemical behaviors of the model compounds were classified into three reaction types on the basis of the component ratio in the chelation complex between the reductants and the magnesium ion.     

Expression Pattern of E- and P-Cadherin in Mouse Embryos and Uteri during the Periimplantation Period

Periimplantation mouse embryos and uterine tissues were examined by means of immunohistochemistry for their expression of the Ca²⁺ dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, E- and P-cadherin. E-cadherin was detected in all embryonic cells during periimplantation stages, and also detected in the uterine epithelium. When blastocysts attached to the uterine epithelium, E-cadherin was detected at implantation sites between the mural trophectoderm and the uterine epithelium on 5 day of pregnancy. P-cadherin was first detected in the mural trophectoderm on 4.5-day blastocysts, and then detected in the ectoplacental cone, giant cells and visceral endoderm from 5.5 day.
P-cadherin was also detected in the maternal uterine decidual cells from 5.5 day. After degeneration of uterine epithelial cells, giant cells make direct contact with uterine decidual cells, and P-cadherin was detected at contact sites between these cells.
Thus, the complicated process of implantation seems to be supported by temporal and spatial expression of the multiple classes of cadherins.     

Establishment and characterization of a new murine mammary tumor cell line,balb/c-MC

Summary A new murine mammary tumor cell line (BALB/c-MC) was established from a spontaneous mammary tumor in a 17-mo.-old female mouse of the low mammary cancer strain BALB/cHe. The cell line was derived from a papillary adenocarcinoma. In monolayer culture the line exhibits a pavementlike arrangement of cells and forms “domes” or “hemicysts” as the cells become confluent. The cell line rapidly forms tumors when transplanted into young syngeneic BALB/cHe mice. The subcutaneous injection of 10⁶ cells resulted in the development of mammary tumors (typical papillary adenocarcinomas) in 33 of 37 (87% recipients within 2 to 3 mo. after injection. These mammary tumors also metastasize to lung [14 of 33 (42%) of recipients] during this time. The number of chromosomes in this cell line is hyperdiploid (average of 43, range 39 to 44).     

Esterification of chlorophyllide b in higher plants

Chlorophyllide b and four chemically different chlorophyll b specieis, chlorophyllide b esterified with geranylgeraniol, dihydrogeranylgeraniol, tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol and phytol have been detected in addition to the same derivatives of chlorophyll a in the greening cotyledons of cucumber. These esters could be separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results suggest that chlorophyll b phytol is formed from the esterification of chlorophyllide b and geranylgeraniol followed by three hydrogenations of the alcohol moiety, as in the case of chlorophyll a and protochlorophyll phytol formation