Direct selection of cybrids by streptomycin and valine resistance in tobacco

Summary Direct selection of cybrids by simultaneous selection for donor chloroplasts and for the recipient nuclei is described. Mesophyll protoplasts of two tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) mutants, SR1 (streptomycin resistant) and Val^r-2 (valine resistant), were fused by polyethylene glycol treatment. Streptomycin resistance in the SR1 mutant is a maternally inherited chloroplast trait while valine resistance is a Mendelian (nuclear) digenic recessive character. The fused protoplast population was cultured and colonies were selected for resistance to valine (1 mM) and streptomycin (343 M). The efficiency of selection has been confirmed in three clones by demonstrating seed transmission of both streptomycin and valine resistances. In one subclone both streptomycin resistant and sensitive plants were obtained indicating that the streptomycin sensitive chloroplasts had not been totally eliminated by growth on the selective medium.     

Fixed effect genetic analysis of a diallel cross in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Summary A full diallel cross among four diverse homozygous strains of dry edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was evaluated for yield, protein content, and culinary quality traits in the F₂ and F₃ generations in two locations. Interpretation of diallel effects [Method 1 Model I] using a fixed-effect genetic model made it possible to combine data from two generations into a single analysis and quantify the relative contributions of additive and dominance genetic effects to general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities. GCA was found to arise from three potential sources: additive effects, dominance interactions at homozygous loci, and average dominance interactions in hybrids involving the parent in question. SCA was found to be a function solely of dominance. Additive effects were the primary determinant of GCA and were highly significant. Specific dominance interactions were significant for seed yield, cooked bean moisture content, and texture but not for protein content. Texture was the only trait for which the additive-dominance model failed to provide an adequate fit to the data, suggesting that texture is significantly affected by epistatic interaction. One cross (Brazil-2 × Sanilac) was identified that exhibited a large heterotic effect for seed yield although the parents' additive effects were nonsignificant. Such a nicking effect was attributed to complementation between the two parents.Cooperative investigations of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at Michigan State University. Approved for publication by the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article No. 11791. Research supported by USAID under a Title XII Bean/Cowpea CRSP and cooperative with Washington State University, Pullman, WA99164     

Behavioural response of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) to induced resistance of cotton plants

ABSTRACT.

• 1 Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) given a choice between a cotton plant previously damaged by mites and an undamaged control preferentially moved to the control plant.
• 2 This host-choice behaviour was seen in adult female mites but not in immatures.
• 3 Adult females were not found to be significantly more fecund on control plants than on previously damaged plants, but the duration of this choice experiment precluded full assessment of effects on fecundity.
• 4 Mites responded very quickly, choosing previously undamaged plants without contacting or feeding on the test plants. This suggests that an olfactory response to a chemical substance(s) is involved.

     

Attachment may be a basis for specialization in oak aphids

ABSTRACT.

• 1 The potential role of tarsal attachment in host selection was studied in the specialist aphids Tuberculoides annulatus Hartig and Myzocallis schreiberi Hille Ris Lambers and Stroyan.
• 2 M.schreiberi could walk freely on its host, Quercus ilex and on Q.robur, whereas T.annulatus could walk freely on its host, Q.robur but had difficulty on Q. ilex.
• 3 Attachment to the rough-textured leaves of Q.robur was achieved by means of the pretarsal claws, and to the smooth upper surface of individual trichomes on the lower surface of Q.ilex using flexible pretarsal empodia.
• 4 Both behavioural and allometric differences can account for the inability of T.annulatus to grip onto Q.ilex.
• 5 The role of attachment by phytophagous insects in host plant resistance and selection is discussed.

     

迷走神经与乙酰胆碱对缩窄的犬冠状动脉节段阻力的影响

在麻醉开胸犬,用电起搏维持心率恒定,研究了电刺激颈迷走神经(VNS)及冠状动脉内注入乙酰胆碱(ACh)对缩窄的冠状动脉的节段阻力及血流量的影响。在左旋支主干造成不同程度的冠状动脉缩窄。分别测定左旋支血流量(CBF_(cx))、主动脉压和主旋支远端冠状动脉压,记录心电图。实验发现,在冠状动脉临界狭窄和重度狭窄时,VNS 或冠脉给ACh 引起心外膜大冠状动脉阻力及冠状动脉主旋支总阻力增大,CBF_(cx)减少;随着缩窄程度加重,这些改变也愈明显,然而,心肌内小冠状动脉阻力却无显著改变。     

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Spirochaeta aurantia

Abstract A DNA-dependent RNA polymerase was isolated from Spirochaeta aurantia . The M _r values of the holoenzyme subunits are 164000, 142000, 84000, and 44500. The RNA polymerase activity was sensitive to heparin, streptolydigin, and actinomycin D, while rifampicin and streptovaricin did not inhibit activity.     

Cold stress induces in situ phospholipid molecular species changes in cell surface membranes

The structural organization of Tetrahymena pyriformis is such that its cilia are remote from the main centers of lipid metabolism. As a result, the ciliary membrane lipid composition of cells exposed to low-temperature stress is initially unaffected by the significant metabolic changes induced in microsomal membranes. Nevertheless, changes in the ciliary membrane lipid composition can be detected during the first 4 h of cold exposure. A combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments has provided strong evidence for a substantial retailoring of ciliary phospholipid molecular species in situ in the absence of any importation of lipids from the cell interior or change in overall ciliary fatty acid composition. The mechanism responsible for the ciliary lipid changes is independent of the one(s) triggering internal acclimation responses. Our observations establish for the first time that chilling stress can simultaneously induce separate and distinctive lipid modification responses in different parts of a cell. This finding could be important in identifying the molecular ‘sensor’ capable of actuating stress-induced lipid changes.     

Histopathology of Selected cultivars of Tobacco infected with Meloidogyne species

Rates of nematode penetration and the histopathology of root infections in fluecured tobacco cultivars ''McNair-944,'' ''Speight G-28,'' and ''NC-89'' with either Meloidogyne arenaria, M. incognita, M. hapla, or M. javanica were investigated. Penetration of root tips by juveniles of all species into the M. incognita-resistant NC-89 and G-28 was much less than that on the susceptible McNair-944. Few juveniles of M. incognita were detected in resistant cultivars 7 and 14 days after inoculation. Infection sites exhibited some cavities and extensive necrotic tissue at 14 days; less necrotic tissue and no intact nematodes were observed 35 days after inoculation. Although some females of M. arenaria reached maturity and produced eggs, considerable necrosis was induced in the resistant cultivars. Meloidogyne hapla and M. javanica developed on all cultivars, but there was necrotic tissue at some infection sites in the resistant cultivars. The occurrence of single multistructured nuclei in the syncytia of most M. hapla infections differed from the numerous small nuclei found in syncytia caused by the other three species.     

Functional and morphological effects of hypophysectomy and androgen replacement in the rabbit epididymis

Summary The fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from the distal corpus epididymidis of 55 male rabbits of proven fertility has been determined after artificial insemination 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 days after hypophysectomy. A significant decrease in fertility was noted 3, 5, and 7 days after hypophysectomy. Testosterone propionate (2 mg/kg/day) given for 7 days to hypophysectomized rabbits maintained the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from the corpus epididymidis when injections were started from the day of hypophysectomy or delayed by a week. The effect of hypophysectomy on the histological features of the epididymal epithelium were studied with light and electron microscopy. Regressive changes were observed: reduction in size of the stereocilia border and the endoplasmic reticulum 3 days after hypophysectomy followed by a decrease in tubular diameter and cell height, a reduction in size of the Golgi apparatus and an increase in number of lysosome-like figures and a vacuolization of the epithelium.These results are discussed in relation to the physiological requirements for sperm maturation.