Evolutionary genetics of self-incompatibility in the Solanaceae

The self-incompatibility (S) gene in flowering plants has long been appreciated as an example of extreme allelic polymorphism maintained by frequency-dependent selection. Recent studies of population samples of S-allele sequences obtained by RT-PCR from five species of Solanaceae now reveal a picture of conspicuous inter-specific variation in both S-allele number and age. Explanations for this variation are examined with reference to current theory. We propose that changes in species' effective population size, particularly those associated with the evolution of different life histories, best account for interspecific differences in both the number and average age of S alleles.     

Expression of GABA Receptor ρ Subunits in Rat Brain

Abstract: The GABA receptor ρ1, ρ2, and ρ3 subunits are expressed in the retina where they form bicuculline-insensitive GABA_C receptors. We used northern blot, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR analysis to study the expression of ρ subunits in rat brains. In situ hybridization allowed us to detect ρ-subunit expression in the superficial gray layer of the superior colliculus and in the cerebellar Purkinje cells. RT-PCR experiments indicated that (a) in retina and in domains that may contain functional GABA_C receptors, ρ2 and ρ1 subunits are expressed at similar levels; and (b) in domains and in tissues that are unlikely to contain GABA_C receptors, ρ2 mRNA is enriched relative to ρ1 mRNA. These results suggest that both ρ1 and ρ2 subunits are necessary to form a functional GABA_C receptor. The use of RT-PCR also showed that, except in the superior colliculus, ρ3 is expressed along with ρ1 and ρ2 subunits. We also raised an antibody against a peptide sequence unique to the ρ1 subunit. The use of this antibody on cerebellum revealed the rat ρ1 subunit in the soma and dendrites of Purkinje neurons. The allocation of GABA_C receptor subunits to identified neurons paves the way for future electrophysiological studies.     

Characterization of FSH-regulated genes isolated by mRNA differential display from pig ovarian granulosa cells

The present authors have isolated FSH-regulated genes from primary granulosa cell cultures with or without Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) treatment using mRNA differential display. mRNA differential display consists of amplification of partial sequences of cDNAs (150–400 bp) corresponding to 3' ends of cellular messenger RNAs, and thus, generates 3' expressed sequence tags (3' ESTs). Five thousand cDNA bands were examined, among which the present authors have isolated and sequenced 16 different FSH-regulated products. These sequences were compared with those available in databases. Three of the sequences showed similarity to identified genes from other species (bovine NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4, Xenopus chromosome sequence-associated polypeptide E and transformation-sensitive protein IEF SSP) and four others with human ESTs. Regulation of the corresponding genes has been checked by RT-PCR since most of these are expressed at a low level. FSH-regulation was confirmed for 12 mRNAs (four down- and eight up-regulated). The present authors have also mapped 12 of these ESTs on porcine chromosomes regions using a somatic cell hybrid panel.     

大麦水孔蛋白基因HvTIP2;1及其启动子的表达特性分析

组织特异性启动子作为基因工程的一种重要调控元件,在生物反应器、转基因新品种培育等领域有重要的应用前景。基于芯片数据的基因数字化差异显示分析,筛选到一个根特异表达的大麦水孔蛋白基因Hv TIP2;1,利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法了解该基因在不同组织和处理条件下的表达特性,并对基因启动子及功能进行了研究。结果表明,Hv TIP2;1表达具有根特异性并受植物生长发育的调控,其在成株期的表达量明显高于苗期。ABA激素处理组,Hv TIP2;1表现先上升,处理10h后又下降的表达变化趋势;铝、锰有毒金属离子处理组,Hv TIP2;1表达量明显高于对照组,但表现出上升-下降-上升的波动变化特征;盐胁迫导致Hv TIP2;1表达量持续下降,而干旱诱导Hv TIP2;1表达量不断升高,处理24h后表达量迅速下降,低于对照水平。利用PCR方法克隆位于基因编码区上游的启动子序列Hv1310p,该序列含有多个与根特异表达和胁迫响应有关的顺式作用元件。通过5'端缺失法分别构建514bp和1 258bp启动子的融合GUS报告基因表达载体,转基因烟草的GUS活性检测表明两个启动子片段都具有根特异性的启动活性。     

Knockdown of miR-210 decreases hypoxic glioma stem cells stemness and radioresistance

Glioma contains abundant hypoxic regions which provide niches to promote the maintenance and expansion of glioma stem cells (GSCs), which are resistant to conventional therapies and responsible for recurrence. Given the fact that miR-210 plays a vital role in cellular adaption to hypoxia and in stem cell survival and stemness maintenance, strategies correcting the aberrantly expressed miR-210 might open up a new therapeutic avenue to hypoxia GSCs. In the present study, to explore the possibility of miR-210 as an effective therapeutic target to hypoxic GSCs, we employed a lentiviral-mediated anti-sense miR-210 gene transfer technique to knockdown miR-210 expression and analyze phenotypic changes in hypoxic U87s and SHG44s cells. We found that hypoxia led to an increased HIF-2α mRNA expression and miR-210 expression in GSCs. Knockdown of miR-210 decreased neurosphere formation capacity, stem cell marker expression and cell viability, and induced differentiation and G0/G1 arrest in hypoxic GSCs by partially rescued Myc antagonist (MNT) protein expression. Knockdown of MNT could reverse the gene expression changes and the growth inhibition resulting from knockdown of miR-210 in hypoxic GSCs. Moreover, knockdown of miR-210 led to increased apoptotic rate and Caspase-3/7 activity and decreased invasive capacity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate production and radioresistance in hypoxic GSCs. These findings suggest that miR-210 might be a potential therapeutic target to eliminate GSCs located in hypoxic niches.