INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN TWO MIMULUS TAXA MEASURED BY MULTIGENERATIONAL CHANGES IN THE INBREEDING COEFFICIENT

In mixed-mating plant populations, one can estimate the relative fitness of selfed progeny w by measuring the inbreeding coefficient F and selfing rate s of adults of one generation, together with F of adults in the following generation (after selection). In the first application of this multigenerational method, we estimated F and s for adults over three consecutive generations in adjacent populations of two annual Mimulus taxa: the outbreeding M. guttatus and the inbreeding M. platycalyx. This gave estimates of w for the last two generations. Although average multilocus selfing rates were high in both taxa (0.63 in M. guttatus; 0.84 in M. platycalyx), the relative fitness of selfed progeny averaged only 0.19 in M. guttatus and 0.32 in M. platycalyx. An alternative estimator for w that incorporates biparental inbreeding gave even lower estimates of w. These values are significantly below the 0.5 threshold thought to favor selfing, and show that partially selfing populations can harbor substantial genetic load. In accordance with the purging hypothesis, the more highly selfing M. platycalyx showed marginally lower inbreeding depression than M. guttatus in both years (P = 0.08). Inbreeding depression and selfing rates also varied among years in concert among taxa. Several sources of bias are discussed, but computer simulations indicate it is unlikely that w is biased downwards by linkage of marker loci to load loci.     

H assignment and secondary structure determination of human melanoma growth stimulating activity (MGSA) by NMR spectroscopy

The solution structure of melanoma growth stimulating activity (MGSA) has been investigated using proton NMR spectroscopy. Sequential resonance assignments have been carried out, and elements of secondary structure have been identified on the basis of NOE, coupling constant, chemical shift, and amide proton exchange data. Long-range NOEs have established that MGSA is a dimer in solution. The secondary structure and dimer interface of MGSA appear to be similar to those found previously for the homologous chemokine interleukin-8 [Clore et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 1689-1696]. The MGSA monomer contains a three stranded anti-parallel β-sheet arranged in a ‘Greek-key’ conformation, and a C-terininal -helix (residues 58 69).     

DNA fingerprint bands applied to linkage analysis with quantitative trait loci in chickens

Summary
An efficient approach to detect association between quantitative traits and bands of DNA fingerprint patterns uses intra-family tail analysis, which compares fingerprints of DNA mixes from individuals at the two tails of a phenotypic distribution. In analysis of 67 paternal half-sibs of a meat-type chicken family, of 57 sire bands generated by two probes, one sire-specific band (S6–6) was associated with abdominal fat deposition. The band effect was estimated by a linear model analysis to be 0–88 standard deviations, or about 30% of the family mean. The association between band S6–6 and abdominal fat was further examined by testing progeny of paternal half-sibs of the chickens which were used in the tail analysis, establishing genetic linkage between the DNA marker and a genetic locus affecting abdominal fat deposition.     

Dominant vs. codominant genetic markers in the estimation of male mating success

Although a major component of fitness, male reproductive success is generally extremely difficult to estimate. As a result, genetic methods and maximum likelihood models have been developed to estimate male parentage, but all are limited in practice by the degree of genetic variation observable. Scoring individuals phenotypically at a large number of random loci exhibiting dominance (e.g. RAPD markers) may provide a means of detecting sufficient genetic variation. Dominance, however, represents a loss of information and therefore greater variation in the estimate of paternity. A mixture model describing mating in a population is presented to quantify the trade-off between marker types when estimates of male fertility are sought. A sample size 1.5-2.0 times greater is required for dominant markers under some conditions to obtain the same confidence in fertility estimates as for codominant markers, although with large sample sizes the fertility estimates are similar for either marker type. Since the number of dominant DN A markers is not limited in the same manner as is the number of codominant protein markers, one's confidence in the estimates can be increased above that possible from proteins by surveying additional loci. However, for a fixed sample size a trade-off exists between the number of progeny assayed per female and the number of loci surveyed. In many cases more progeny per female provide better estimates of fertility than more loci.     

A rapid assay for chloroplast-encoded triazine resistance in higher plants

We have designed a simple and rapid assay for chloroplast-based triazine resistance in higher plants using PCR amplification of thepsbA gene coupled toMaeI digestion of the amplified product to distinguish triazine resistant from sensitive biotypes. Our assay is universal and avoids the need of lengthy procedures of previously published assays, which either required spraying of seedlings in a controlled environment, quantification of chlorophyll fluorescence of leaf discs after incubation in triazine solution, DNA sequencing of thepsbA gene, or Southern-blot analysis. Our diagnostic system is qualitative, reliable, fast and simple. More than 100 seedlings taken directly from the field can be analyzed in one day. This system has a direct application towards a more rational use of herbicides in production fields. It also represents a valuable tool to monitor spreading of resistant biotypes through time and space and can serve as a model system applicable to other gene monitoring needs.     

三角帆蚌Hc-GSK3β基因鉴定及内壳色性状相关SNP筛选

为了探究三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)糖原合成激酶-3β(GSK3β)基因对壳色的影响,研究采用RACE技术获得Hc-GSK3β基因cDNA全长1867 bp,其中包含1261 bp的ORF区编码420个氨基酸, ORF中含有一个S＿TKc结构域,该结构域序列高度保守。组织差异表达分析发现Hc-GSK3β基因在紫色蚌鳃、斧足、内脏团和边缘膜组织中表达量高于白色蚌的表达量(P<0.05),且在斧足和边缘膜表达差异水平达到极显著(P<0.01),而在紫色蚌闭壳肌组织中表达量显著低于白色蚌(P<0.05)。原位杂交(ISH)实验结果显示在三角帆蚌外套膜的外褶、中褶、內褶、背膜区和腹膜区均有阳性信号产生,且在外褶的信号表达较强烈。该基因经重测序比较,共鉴定出6个SNP位点,其中在C+185A位点的CA基因型在紫色蚌的分布频率显著高于白色三角帆蚌(P<0.05);在紫色蚌中, T+341G位点TT基因型三角帆蚌内壳颜色参数b值显著低于TG基因型(P<0.05)。研究表明, Hc-GSK3β基因参与了三角帆蚌壳色形成,筛选的SNP标记可用于三角帆蚌壳...     

Antimelanoma Activity of Chloroquine,an Antimalarial Agent With High Affinity for Melanin

The antimalarial agent chloroquine is known for high affinity for melanin. This 4-aminoquinoline derivative was examined for anti-melanoma activity and uptake into melanoma cells. Chloroquine inhibited growth of cultured melanoma cells; the effect was much greater to a moderately pigmented cell line HMV-II than to a nonpigmented HMV-I. Treatment with chloroquine at a dose of 62 mg/kg i.p. for 12 days prolonged by 71% the life span of mice bearing B16 melanoma, while 24-day treatment at 31 mg/kg resulted in a 81% increase in life span. HMV-II cells showed a two-fold increase in up-take of chloroquine as compared with HMV-I cells. Chloroquine, 24 hr after administration to mice implanted s.c. with B16 melanoma, was selectively accumulated in the pigmented tissues, melanoma and eyes. Other nonpigmented tissues such as the liver, lung, and kidney showed rapid uptake (within 1 hr) and release. These results suggest that chloroquine is toxic to pigmented melanoma cells, the process being partly mediated by binding to melanin     

Brief history of the Society for Melanoma Research: A community of clinicians,researchers, and friends

To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Society of Melanoma Research and the first International Melanoma Research Congress held in June of 2003, we have described in brief, how the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) began, the purpose, goals, and governance of the SMR, and how the society has evolved to support new melanoma researchers. In celebration of the immense progress in treating melanoma patients over the last 20 years and the impact of the SMR on these advances, we have highlighted memories and insight from early SMR members and founders.     

血清肿瘤标志物与宫颈癌病理特征的关系及对术后复发的预测研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清肿瘤标志物与宫颈癌病理特征的关系及对术后复发的预测研究。方法：选择2015年1月至2017年12月来我院诊治的宫颈癌患者82例作为观察组,选择同期来我院体检的健康女性者50例,两组均使用电化学发光免疫分析法检测血清中的CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平,观察组患者随访时间截至2022年12月。对比两组血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平,分析观察组患者血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平与临床病理特征的关系,分析观察组患者术后随访复发情况,宫颈癌根治术后患者复发的单因素与多因素Cox回归结果,血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平对宫颈癌根治术后复发的预测价值。结果：观察组的血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平明显较对照组高（P<0.05）。宫颈癌患者不同FIGO分期、间质浸润深度及是否存在淋巴结转移间血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA水平对比有统计学意义（P<0.05）。82例患者随访时间为13~60个月,中位生存时间为39个月,截止2022年12月末次随访,82例患者术后复发18例（21.95%）。单因素及多因素Cox回归分析表明,FIGO分期在ⅡA期、间质浸润深度≥1/2、有淋巴结转移、CA125≥307.41 U/mL、CA153≥185.89 U/mL、CA199≥153.23 U/mL、CEA≥30.15 ng/mL是影响宫颈癌术后复发的独立危险因素。ROC曲线显示,CA125+CA153+CA199+CEA预测宫颈癌术后复发的AUC明显较CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA单独指标预测价值高（P<0.05）。结论：宫颈癌患者血清CA125、CA153、CA199、CEA高表达,其与间质浸润深度、FIGO 分期、淋巴结转移、术后复发有关,四者联合可作为宫颈癌术后复发的预测指标。