Establishment and characterization of two cell lines derived from primary cultures of Gekko japonicus cerebral cortex

Adult Gekko japonicus is one of those vertebrates that are able to regenerate their missing or amputated tail. The most interesting feature of this animal lies in the ability of its spinal cord to regrow a functional tail. A fundamental question is whether the neuroglial cells play a different role compared with high vertebrates. Since in vitro studies using primary neuroglial cells are hampered by the limited lifespan and miscellaneous genetic background of these cells, we generated neuroglial cell lines from primary cell cultures of cerebral cortex of G. japonicus. The SV40 (simian‐virus‐40) T antigen gene was introduced into primary cell cultures. Cell cycle analysis, cell growth and proliferation, cell colony formation and contact inhibition, as well as karyotype assays were investigated. Two cell colonies, Gsn‐1 and Gsn‐3, were immunochemically characterized as glial fibrillary acidic protein and galactocerebroside‐positive respectively. Compared with parental primary cells, the Gsn cells displayed shorter population doubling time, decreased percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase, higher cell proliferation index, and increased cell activity. In assays of colony characteristics, Gsn cells showed increased cell activity at the lower cell densities or FBS (fetal bovine serum) supplement. The karyotype of immortalized Gsn cells exhibited transformational characteristics with hyperdiploid and polyploid chromosomes. The cell lines will provide a useful in vitro model for gecko neuroglial cells and facilitate systematic studies investigating the biological functions of specific gene products related to regeneration of the central nervous system.     

百脉根BIO和豌豆突变位点ELE2的比较基因组定位(英文)

豆科两侧对称花的花瓣具有背腹(DV)的分化以及可变的器官内部(IN)非对称性,在大小与形状上显示出不同的发育特征;因而花瓣的发育为克隆决定植物器官的形状与大小的关键基因提供了很好的实验系统。本研究对百脉根中BIO基因进行研究。百脉根bio突变体具有多效性,既影响花器官内部的对称性也影响器官的大小和育性,豌豆ele突变体的表型与bio相似。定位结果表明BIO和ELE2位于豆科基因组的共线性区段,提示BIO和ELE2可能是同源基因突变所致。本研究利用比较基因组定位方法,将BIO和ELE2候选基因锚定在豆科模式植物百脉根和蒺藜苜蓿基因组含有11个同源基因的BAC重叠群上。BIO和ELE2基因的克隆将有助于揭示豆科花瓣形态和大小调控的分子机理,进而为豆科作物遗传改良提供分子理论基础。     

铀尾矿库区的植物组成与多样性

对华中南某铀尾矿库区的植物组成及多样性进行了研究,并测定了各样地环境辐射状况。结果显示,库区有高等植物79种,隶属32科67属。不同环境辐射强度生境上植物重要值(IV)差别较大:轻度(LR)、中度(MR)辐射强度生境的群落物种重要值相对分散,乔灌草3层均出现多个优势植物;而重度(HR)辐射强度群落的优势植物集中于极少数种上。结合物种重要值、群落相似性系数(C)及聚类分析可把库区植物群落分为4类:1)轻度辐射(LR)的樟树+构树—红继木+牡荆—博落回+商陆群落;2)中度辐射(MR)的苦楝+构树—牡荆+白背桐—博落回+五节芒群落;3)白背桐—芦苇+白茅灌丛和4)盐肤木—狗尾草+白茅+圆果雀稗灌丛,分布于重度辐射(HR)。各样地的Shannon多样性指数(H)为0.463～1.734,表现为轻度中度重度;Margalef丰富度(DMA)为33.962～49.024,Pielou均匀度指数(Jsw)为0.463～0.986。文中还分析库区存在的生态环境问题。     

Onset of cryptic vicariance in the Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus (Mammalia, Rodentia) in the Late Tertiary, inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis

The sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and restriction site variation in the spacer region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene [rDNA-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)] were analysed to determine the phylogeographic structure of the Japanese dormouse ( Glirulus japonicus ), which is threatened by deforestation and has been designated an endangered species in Japan. The phylogenetic tree of cytochrome b grouped G. japonicus into six geographical populations: north-eastern Honshu (I), central Honshu (II), west-central Honshu/Kii Peninsula (III), western Honshu (IV), Shikoku (V), and westernmost Honshu/Kyushu (VI); the genetic distances among these groups suggest divergence in the Late Tertiary. The lineage of group VI was located at the basal position in the phylogenetic tree, followed by the radiation of the other lineages. An rDNA-RFLP analysis of 15 restriction sites roughly supported such genetic isolation; groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI have five, two, one, one, one and four unique restriction sites, respectively, revealing four geographic groups as cryptic species: I, II, III + IV + V and VI. Our results reveal the ancient divergences of the local population, which has a complicated evolutionary history, and should be useful in developing a framework for the conservation of this species.     

Genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations of Ranunculus japonicus Thunb. (Ranunculaceae)

Abstract In order to clarify the genetic diversity and population structure of Ranunculus japonicus , allozymic analysis was conducted on 60 populations in southwestern Japan. Considerable genetic variati ons were detected among the populations of R. japonicus . The genetic diversities within species ( H _es = 0.215) and within populations ( H _ep = 0.172) were slightly higher than those of other perennial herbs with widespread distribution and outcrossing plants. Significantly higher values of fixation index were detected in some populations, which might have arisen from restricted mating partners. The majority of genetic variation (approx. 80%) resided within a population and a moderate level of genetic differentiation ( G _ST = 0.203) was observed among populations. The F _ST value (0.203) suggests the existence of a substantial population structure in this species. The highly significant correlation between geographic distance and F _ST values indicates that isolation by distance has played an important role in the construction of the genetic structure of this species.     

麦冬花药绒毡层和乌氏体的细微结构

麦冬(Ophiopogon japonicus)的绒毡层发育为分泌型。在小孢子母细胞时期,绒毡层细胞达到了发育的高峰。此时,绒毡层细胞中细胞器非常丰富,具大量线粒体、高尔基体和质体,尤以肉质网含量最多;原乌氏体出现较早,在小孢子母细胞时期绒毡层细胞中就已出现;四分体时期,大量原乌氏体被排入内切向面的质膜和纤维素壁之间;到了小孢子早期,绒毡层细胞失去细胞壁,原乌氏体分布在质膜的凹陷处,孢粉素物质在其上沉积,发育为乌氏体,乌氏体有单个和复合两种类型;当花粉成熟时,绒毡层细胞完全解体。     

Chemical Structure and NMR of a New Saponin from Dipsacus japonicus (Dipsacaceae)

A new triterpenoid saponin containing five sugars was isolated from the ethanolic root extract of Dipsacus japonicus Miq., and its structure was established as 3-O-［β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)］［α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)］-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-oleanoic acid. The sites of glycosylation and the sequence of sugars in the glycoside can be determined unambiguously and total assignment of severely overlapping proton resonance of sugar residues were achieved by a combined use of the 1D-SEMDY and NOE difference spectroscopy in rotating frame techniques, without having recourse to chemical degration or modification. The results showed that these new NMR techniques are very effective and convenient for the structure determination and spectral assignment of this class of compounds.     

枣园昆虫群落及其与日本龟蜡蚧发生的关系

利用群落特征指数和典型相关分析方法,分析了枣园昆虫群落的结构特征以及日本龟蜡蚧发生程度与昆虫群落之间的关系.结果表明,根据群落相异系数(0.20水平),不同样地昆虫群落可划分为平原和丘陵为两类.平原地区日本龟蜡蚧发生程度高,其多样性和物种数较低,而植食性类群优势度较高;丘陵地区日本龟蜡蚧发生程度低,其多样性和物种数较高,而天敌类群优势度较高.典型相关分析表明,在0.05水平下,日本龟蜡蚧发生性状和群落性状的第1对和第2对典型变量相关系数分别为0.9904、0.8538,说明日本龟蜡蚧的发生状况与枣园昆虫群落性状显著相关.其中,群落多样性(3.4893)、物种数(5.8060)和优势度(6.9353)对日本龟蜡蚧的发生程度有重要影响.     

Growth of larval Pacific anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the Yellow Sea as indicated by otolith microstructure analysis

Larval Pacific anchovy Engraulis japonicus were sampled from coastal waters off the central west coast of Korea from June to November 1996. Using otolith microstructure analysis (daily growth increments), three cohorts (spring, early summer and late summer) were distinguished based on backcalculated spawning dates. Growth rates differed between cohorts, with higher growth rates for late-summer cohorts than either the spring or early-summer cohorts. Growth rate was positively related to surface water temperature, with an optimum temperature range of between 20 and 26° C occurring during the late summer (late July through to mid-September). The study highlights that early growth rates of Pacific anchovy are dependent on ecosystem (particularly water temperature) attributes during early life.