Mapping of the fate of cell lineages generated from cells that express the Wnt4 gene by time-lapse during kidney development

The Wnt4 gene encodes a secreted signaling molecule controlling the development of several organs, such as the kidney, adrenal gland, ovary, mammary gland and pituitary gland. It is thought to act in the embryonic kidney as an auto-inducer of nephrogenesis controlling mesenchyme-to-epithelium transition, and Wnt4-deficient mice die soon after birth, probably of kidney failure. Given the requirement for Wnt4 signaling in the control of organogenesis, the targeting of Cre recombinase under the control of the Wnt4 promoter would provide a valuable tool for fate mapping and functional genomics. We report here on the generation and characterization of a Wnt4^EGFPCre knock-in allele where the EGFPCre fusion cDNA and Neo selection cassette were targeted into the Wnt4 locus. EGFP-derived fluorescence was observed in the pretubular aggregates of the E14.5 embryonic kidney that normally express Wnt4 mRNA. Characterization of the pattern of recombination of the floxed Rosa26^LacZ reporter with the Wnt4^EGFPCre allele revealed that in addition to the embryonic kidney, reporter-derived staining was observed in the embryonic gonad, spinal cord, lung and adrenal gland, i.e. the sites of Wnt4 gene expression. Time-lapse fate mapping of the Wnt4^EGFPCre-activated yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) from the Rosa26 locus in organ culture revealed that the cells that had expressed the Wnt4 gene contributed to the nephrons, some of the cells around the stalk of the developing ureter and also certain presumptive medullary stromal cells. Moreover, the time-lapse movies suggested that the first few pretubular cell aggregates may not mature into nephrons but instead appear to disintegrate. In association with this, Rosa26^YFP-positive stromal cells emerge around these disintegrating structures. Such cells may be transient, since their derivatives are neither detected later in the more mature kidney nor is there an overlap of the Wnt4^EGFPCre; Rosa26^LacZ-marked cells with those of the endothelial cells, the smooth muscle cells or the macrophages. The Wnt4^EGFPCre allele provides a useful new tool for conditional mutagenesis and provides the first time-lapse-based map of the fate of nephron precursor cells.     

提高狗蔷薇离体培养植株再生频率

以狗蔷薇（Rosa canina Inermis）为材料,以MS为基本培养基,通过对不同植物生长调节剂的组合,大幅度提高了狗蔷薇离体培养植株再生频率。结果表明,2．0mg／L 6-BA＋0．3mg／L 2,4-D的组合较为适宜,其不定芽再生率为87％,增殖率为3．0;而CPPU和2,4-D的适宜组合为1．5mg／L＋0．3mg／L,其不定芽再生率高达93％,增殖率为5．0。同时,研究结果显示,以MS＋40g／L蔗糖＋6．0g／L琼脂粉＋3．5mg／L AgNO3＋1．5mg／L CPPU＋0．1mg／L 2,4-D＋0．05mg／L GA3作增殖培养基效果最好,不定芽诱导率为89％,增殖率为5．5;利于生根的培养基为1／4MS＋20g／L蔗糖＋3．5g／L琼脂＋0．3％活性碳＋0．1mg／L IBA＋0．1mg／L NAA,生根率为91％。     

Exogenous Eethylene influences flower opening of cut roses (Rosa hybrida) by regulating the genes encoding ethylene biosynthesis enzymes

1 Introduction The simple gaseous phytohormone ethylene as apotent modulator has various roles in plant growth,development and in response to biotic and abioticstress, such as germination, fruit ripening, flower andleaf senescence, and responsiveness to pathogen attack and mechanical damage[1]. The opening and senes-cence of many kinds of flowers are correlated tightly to ethylene, including carnation, petunia, orchid and rose[2]. Generally, roses are classified as ethylene-sen-sitive, however…     

商州产大马士革玫瑰精油研究

采用ISO9842:2003玫瑰油标准,对陕西商州引种的保加利亚主栽玫瑰品种“Kazanluk”(RosadamascenaMiller)精油进行分析。结果表明,该玫瑰精油香气具有天然玫瑰花香,香气细腻、柔和、飘逸。油为液体,淡黄色,相对密度(20/20℃)0.8599,折光指数(20℃)1.4592,旋光度(20℃)-4.3°,冻点20.6℃,酯值11.9,这些物理指标达到了标准要求。大量主香成分相对含量:乙醇0.5%,香茅醇45.5%,橙花醇4.5%,香叶醇7.6%,苯乙醇2.9%,十七烷烃1.13%,十九烷烃15.5%,二十一烷烃5.0%。这些成分含量与原产地保加利亚玫瑰油成分范围有一定差异,但与摩洛哥同类玫瑰油标准相符,可以作为商品油在国际市场销售。     

A Novel Flavonoid Glucoside from Anoectochilus roxburghii （Wall,） Lindl.

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate- and n-butanol-soluble fractions of the ethanollc extract of the whole plant of Anoectochllus roxburghll（Wali.） Lindi. （Orchidaceee）. On the basis of spectroscopic methods, the structures of these compounds were elucidated as quercetin-7-O-β-D-[6＂-O-（trans-feruloyi）]- giucopyranosids （compound 1）, 8-C-p-HydroxybenzyiquerceUn （compound 2）, isorhamnetin-7-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 3）, isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 4）, kaempferoi-3-O-β-D- giucopyranoside （compound 5）, kaempferoi-7-O-β-D-giucopyranoside （compound 6）, 5-hydroxy-3＇,4＇,7- trimethoxyfiavonoi-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 7）, and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-rutinoside （compound 8）. Of the compounds isoisted, compound 1 was a new flavonoid giucoside and exhibited strong scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyi-2-picryihydrazyi free radical, whereas the ethanolic extract showed weak activity. Compounds 2-8 were obtained from this family for the first time.     

Changes in endogenous polyamines during flower development in two diverse species of rose

Changes in the concentrations of endogenous free, conjugated and bound polyamine were determined in petals of two different species of rose, viz. Rosa damascena and Rosa bourboniana, from small bud (stage 1) till full bloom (stage 8). High free putrescine and spermidine concentrations were associated with early stages of flower development and then decreased in R. damascena. At full bloom, the concentration of free putrescine was higher than rest of the polyamines measured. A steady increase in conjugated putrescine, spermidine and spermine was observed during entire period of flower development with predominance of conjugated putrescine at full bloom. In R. damascena the bound spermine was higher than rest of the polyamines during full bloom. In R. bourboniana, during the early stages of flower development, similar situation was observed, however, at full bloom, free spermidine concentration was higher than rest of the polyamines. In this species, the concentration of conjugated and bound spermine was higher than rest of the polyamines during full bloom. Polyamine concentrations were generally lower in the petals of R. bourboniana than R. damascena which may be due to genotypic differences. The possible roles of the observed polyamines are discussed in relation to flower development.IHBT Communication no, 0345.     

Acceptor Specificity Observed with Crude Preparation of Nucleoside Phosphotransferases

The acceptor specificities of bacterial nucleoside phosphotransferase were further investigated by phosphorylating various kinds of nucleoside analogues. The bacteria belonging to A group(5′-nucleotide former) specifically phosphorylated the primary alcohol at 5′-position of nucleosides and their analogues, such as adenine xyloside, psicofuranine and pseudouridine, while the others belonging to B group (3′(2′)-nucleotide former) the secondary alcohol at 3′(2′)-position. The phosphorylation at 5′-primary alcohol with the bacteria belonging to A group, however, was prohibited mainly by phosphoryl-or amino-radical at 3′-position, as observed in the case of 3′-nucleotide or amino-nucleoside (or puromycin), depending on the steric conformation around the 3′-position of acceptor. Besides, both types of nucleoside phosphotransferases were also able to phosphorylate nucleoside having a C-C-linkage between base and sugar moieties.     

An investigation on Lecanicillium muscarium as a biocontrol agent of stem borer pests of Rosa damascena in Kerman Province of Iran

The Rosa damascena has organic production and this plant is the most important economic crop in Kerman province. Roses have been used since the earliest times in rituals, cosmetics, perfumes, medicines and aromatherapy. The rose stem sawfly (Hartigia trimaculata) and rose stem girdler (Agrilus aurichalceus) are new and major pests of R. damascena in the Lalehzar region of Kerman province. These pests cause severe damage to plants by feeding stems and new management strategies for their control are continually being investigated. To investigate appropriate biological control agent in the region during 2005–2007, 184 isolates of fungi were collected from these pests. Isolation of fungi was achieved using standard methods. In this study, H. trimaculata and A. aurichalceus from R. damascena for the first time were recorded in Iran. Lecnicillium muscarium from H. trimaculata, L. muscarium from A. aurichalceus, Acremonium kiliense from H. trimaculata, and A. egyptiacum from A. aurichalceus have for the first time been recorded, and L. muscarium has been introduced as a suitable biological agent for control of these pests.     

Variety protection by use of molecular markers: Some case studies on ornamentals

ABSTRACT

In vegetatively propagated ornamentals, new varieties can be obtained from i.) conventional breeding and selection or ii.) spontaneous or induced variant types of existing varieties. Indeed, variant types enlarge the assortment to be produced without the need to alter production systems. However, they inherit the breeding effort needed to create a completely new and profitable variety. Therefore, the breeder of the initial variety might want to claim at least part of the profits under the form of a royalty on what is considered as essentially derived varieties (EDV). To detect either EDV or fraud, criteria based on plant morphology are insufficient or even not applicable. Here, some case studies are presented to illustrate the possibilities and the limitations of AFLP fingerprinting in disputes on fraud and essential derivation of ornamental plants. No differences were detected between fingerprints of different azalea bud sports, all belonging to the commercially important “Hellmut Vogel?d group. In roses, it was possible to elucidate the irregular application for breeders' protection for a bud sport of a registered rose cultivar. This was confirmed by fingerprinting the putative parents given in the application file. In Phalaenopsis, a breeder tried to broaden the protection he received on a variant derived from an old free variety, to a similar clone. After fingerprinting, both parties decided to close the case.