Glutathione S transferase M1 andT1 genotypes and susceptibility to smoking related larynx cancer

Susceptibility to smoking related larynx cancer has been suggested to be associated with genetically determined differences in the ability to detoxify carcinogens present in tobacco smoke. The genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases, involved in the metabolic inactivation of, for example, tobacco derived carcinogens, have been recognized as potential risk modifiers in various environmentally induced malignancies, including larynx cancer. We employed PCR-based methods to determine the distribution of the GSTM 1 and G STT1 null genotypes in 171 larynx cancer patients and 180 controls to examine further their potential role in individual susceptibility to this neoplasm. The GSTM 1 null genotype was found in 49 1 % of the cases and 57 7 % of the controls and the GSTT1 null genotype in 17 5 % of the cases and 21 7 % of the controls, respectively. Larynx cancer risk associated with the lack of GST M 1 (OR = 0 7; 95 % CI: 0 5-1 1) or GSTT1 (OR = 0 8; 95 % CI: 0 5-1 3) was not significantly affected by age, smoking status, or cancer progression. Although this study thus suggests no role for the G STM 1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms in individual susceptibility to smoking-related larynx cancer, due to its relatively small sample size more data are required before any definite conclusions can be drawn.     

RFLP mapping of QTLs conferring cold tolerance during seed germination in an interspecific cross of tomato

Most cultivars of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum, are sensitive to low (chilling) temperatures (0–15 °C) during seed germination; however, genetic sources of cold (chilling) tolerance have been identified within the related wild species. The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that contribute to cold tolerance during germination in tomato using a backcross population of an interspecific cross between a cold-sensitive tomato line (NC84173, recurrent parent) and a L. pimpinellifolium accession (LA722) that germinates rapidly under low temperatures. A total of 119 BC1 individuals were genotyped for 151 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers and a genetic linkage map was constructed. The parental lines and 119 BC1S1 families (self-pollinated progeny of the BC1 individuals) were evaluated for germination at a low temperature (11±0.5 °C). Germination was scored visually as radicle protrusion at 8 h intervals for 28 consecutive days. Germination response was analyzed by the survival analysis and the times to 25, 50 and 75% germination were calculated. In addition, a germination index (GI) was calculated as the weighted mean of the time from imbibition to germination for each family/line. Two QTL mapping techniques, interval mapping (using MAPMAKER/QTL) and single-point analysis (using QGENE), were used to identify QTLs. The results of both methods were similar and two chromosomal locations (3–5 putative QTLs) with significant effects on low temperature germination were identified. The L. pimpinellifolium accession had favorable QTL alleles on chromosomes 1 and NC84173 had favorable QTL alleles on chromosome 4. The percentage of phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by individual QTLs ranged from 11.9% to 33.4%. Multilocus analysis indicated that the cumulative action of all significant QTLs accounted for 43.8% of the total phenotypic variance. Digenic epistatic interactions were evident between two of the QTL-linked markers and two unlinked markers. Transgressive phenotypes were observed in the direction of cold sensitivity. The results indicate that low temperature germination of tomato seed can be improved by marker-assisted selection.     

高山红景天（Rhodiola sachalinensis）遗传变异及其濒危机制的探讨

采用淀粉凝胶电泳手段,等位酶分析技术对分布于黑龙江大海林林业局高山红景天天然分布区内３个亚种群及吉林长白山１个亚种群的９种酶系统１８个位点进行了遗传分析,结果表明种群内存在一定的遗传变异（从态位点百分比为３０．５５％,等位基因平均数为１．３３３）但不是很丰富,主要是该种类狭窄的分布区致使生境单一及人为破坏其本身的生物学特性长期的进化过程中相互适应相互选择的结果。在黑龙江的分布区内各亚种群之间一致度     

On the Evolution of Behavioral Heterogeneity in Individuals and Populations

A wide range of ecological and evolutionary models predict variety in phenotype or behavior when a population is at equilibrium. This heterogeneity can be realized in different ways. For example, it can be realized through a complex population of individuals exhibiting different simple behaviors, or through a simple population of individuals exhibiting complex, varying behaviors. In some theoretical frameworks these different realizations are treated as equivalent, but natural selection distinguishes between these two alternatives in subtle ways. By investigating an increasingly complex series of models, from a simple fluctuating selection model up to a finite population hawk/dove game, we explore the selective pressures which discriminate between pure strategists, mixed at the population level, and individual mixed strategists. Our analysis reveals some important limitations to the ESS framework often employed to investigate the evolution of complex behavior.     

Genetic relationships among European cattle breeds

Genetic relationships among 37 European cattle breeds were investigated using blood group and serum protein polymorphisms. The 18 859 animals included in the study represented a random sample from pedigree populations in the UK. Within-breed variation was estimated by average heterozygosity and number of alleles observed, and breed relationships were evaluated by genetic distance. Standard errors of the heterozygosity, number of alleles and genetic distance were obtained by bootstrapping. The significance of breed differences was tested using an exact test of differentiation. French, Italian and Channel Island breeds were found to have generally higher heterozygosities and a greater number of alleles than breeds from mainland Britain and North Europe. Genetic distances ranged between 0·011 (±0·005) and 0·309 (±0·071). Two major breed groups were identified; a group of French, Italian and Channel Island breeds together with the Simmental and Gelbvieh, and a second group consisting of the mainland British and North European breeds. The exact test of breed differentiation showed all breeds to be significantly different from one another ( P < 0·0001). Overall relationships among breeds reflected their geographical origin and common ancestry rather than the agricultural use for which the breeds have been selected.     

浙江地方猪种线粒体DNA多态及遗传多样性研究

本实验用ＡｐａＩ、ＡｖａＩ、ＢａｍＨⅠ、ＢｃｌⅠ、ＢｇｌⅠ、ＢｇｌⅡ、ＣｌａⅠ、ＤｒａⅠ、Ｅｃｏ ＲＩ、Ｅｃｏ ＲＶ、Ｈａｅ Ⅱ、Ｈｉｎｃ Ⅱ、ＨｉｎｄⅢ、ＨｐａⅠ、ＫｐｎⅠ、ＰｖｕⅠ、ＰｖｕⅡ、Ｓａｃ Ⅰ、ＳａｌⅠ、ＳｃａⅠ、ＳｍａⅠ、ＳｔｕⅠ、ＸｂａⅠ和ＸｈｏⅠ等２５种识别６个碱基对的限制性内切酶分析了浙江地方品种猪、浙江野猪等３０个个体的线粒体ＤＮＡ,共检出３０种限制性态型,可归结成３种单倍     

枳壳外植体离体再生及农杆菌介导的遗传转化

以枳壳实生苗的上胚轴及茎段为材料,在附加有ＢＡ和ＭＴ培养基上进行培养,上胚轴出芽率普遍高于茎段,ＢＡ为１ｍｇ／Ｌ时,出芽率最高,ＢＡ浓度升高,出芽率随之下降。外植体在培养基上的接种方式,对出芽有一定影响,上胚轴切段 形态学下端垂直插入,出芽率高。     

人多肽链延伸因子1α四个反转录假基因的鉴别与定位

人多肽链延伸因子1α基因EEF1A是一个在蛋白质合成过程中起重要作用的看家基因。通过对已有GenBank、GDB等数据库的综合分析,鉴别了4个人类多肽链延伸因子1α基因的反转录假基因,并分别将其精细定位于4q2 5、7p15-21、9q34和19q13上。 Abstract:The gene for human polypeptide chain elongation factor-1α(EEF1A)is a house-keeping gene which plays an important role in the process of protein synthesis.By means of comprehensive analysis in the database of Genbank,GDB and ect,we identify 4 retropseudogenes of EEF1A and finely localized to 4q25,7p15-21,9q34 and 19q13,respectively.     

Colour-associated mating success in a polymorphic Ladybird Beetle, Harmonia axyridis

1. Body size is often an important character in mating success, but has been only infrequently mentioned in regard to colour polymorphism. In this study, mating success was investigated in a colour polymorphic Ladybird Beetle, Harmonia axyridis , with reference both to colour morph and to body size.
2. In the non-melanic males the mating individuals were significantly larger than solitary individuals, while in melanic males there was no significant difference.
3. The mating pattern was close to random mating with respect to colour morph and there was no significant deviation.
4. The results suggest both body size and colour morph affect the male mating success and males of different body size obtain mating advantage according to the colour morph. Colour polymorphism in this species is controlled by alleles on a single locus. Thus, the alleles on that locus significantly influence the effect of selection on the quantitative character.     

Interactions between spatial and temporal scales in the evolution of dispersal rate

The evolution of dispersal rate is studied with a model of several local populations linked by dispersal. Three dispersal strategies are considered where all, half or none of the offspring disperse. The spatial scale (number of patches) and the temporal scale (probability of local extinction) of the environment are critical in determining the selective advantage of the different dispersal strategies. The results from the simulations suggest that an interaction between group selection and individual selection results in a different outcome in relation to the spatial and temporal scales of the environment. Such an interaction is able to maintain a polymorphism in dispersal strategies. The maintenance of this polymorphism is also scale-dependent. This study suggests a mechanism for the short-term evolution of dispersal, and provides a testable prediction of this hypothesis, namely that loss of dispersal abilities should be more frequent in spatially more continuous environments, or in temporally more stable environments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.