MreB5 Is a Determinant of Rod-to-Helical Transition in the Cell-Wall-less Bacterium Spiroplasma

1. Download : Download high-res image (114KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Absence of repetitive DNA sequences associated with sex chromosomes in natural populations of the Trinidad guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

The genus Poecilia has been widely studied as a model for the evolution of sex chromosomes. In the course of molecular studies on population genetic structure and sexual selection in the Trinidad guppy, we examined our preparations for male-linked, repetitive DNA polymorphisms. We have not obtained any evidence of male-specific polymorphisms, in contrast to an earlier study. Our results have significant implications for theories on the evolution of sex chromosomes.Correspondence to: F. Breden     

Organization and expression of mouse Hox3 cluster genes

Summary The three yolk protein genes (yp) of Drosophila melanogaster are transcribed in a sex- and tissue-limited fashion. We have searched for cis-regulatory sequences in regions flanking yp1 and yp2 to identify the elements that confer female-specific expression in the fat body. One such 127 by element has previously been identified in this region. We show here the existence of two additional regions which confer female fat body-specific expression on an Adh reporter gene and on the native yp2 gene, respectively. This suggests some redundancy in the regulation of expression of the yp genes. Computer searches for putative binding sites for the DSX protein, which regulates sex-specific expression of the yp genes, revealed several such sites in our constructs. However, the significance of these is unclear since many such sites also occur in genes which one would not expect to be regulated in a sex-specific manner (e.g. Adh, Actin 5C). We suggest that DSX acts in concert with other proteins to mediate sex- and tissue-specific expression of the yp genes.     

Studies on microbiologically influenced corrosion of SS304 by a novel manganese oxidizer,Bacillus flexus

A manganese oxidizing bacterium was isolated from the surface of steel scraps and biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis confirmed the isolate as Bacillus flexus. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed ennoblement of open circuit potential, increased passive current, a lowering of breakdown potential, active re-passivation potential and enhanced cathodic current in the presence of B. flexus. Adhesion studies with B. flexus on SS304 specimens with different surface treatments demonstrated decreased adhesion on passivated and FeCl₃ treated specimens due to the removal of MnS inclusions. The present study provides evidence that surface treatment of stainless steels can reduce adhesion of this manganese oxidizing bacterium and decrease the probability of microbiologically influenced corrosion.     

Grayanoside C,a new diterpene glucoside from Leucothoe grayana

A new diterpene glucoside has been isolated from Leucothoe grayana. Its structure was elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis of a dehydrated product of the aglycone and conversion of the same to leucothol A.     

栽培条件对灵芝子实体的三萜组成及其活性的影响

以不同灵芝品种、不同栽培基质、不同管理方式、不同生长时期获得的灵芝子实体为原料,用95%乙醇超声提取,对提取物进行了含量测定、三萜组成分析和体外抗肿瘤实验。结果表明,不同子实体醇提物中三萜和甾醇类物质的含量在4.60-6.20mg/g之间;高效液相分析发现10种三萜化合物的种类和含量在样品间存在明显差异。所有灵芝子实体醇提物对肿瘤细胞L1210的增殖均有一定的抑制作用,开伞期的灵芝子实体醇提物抑制肿瘤增殖的活性优于其他生长时期。     

Genomic imprinting and evolution of insect societies

Reproductive division of labor is a hallmark of social insect societies where individuals follow different developmental pathways resulting in distinct morphological castes. There has been a long controversy over the factors determining caste fate of individuals in social insects. Increasing evidence in the last two decades for heritable influences on division of labor put an end to the assumption that social insect broods are fully totipotent and environmental factors alone determine castes. Nevertheless, the genes that underlie hereditary effects on division of labor have not been identified in any social insects. Studies investigating the hereditary effects on caste determination might have overlooked non-genetic inheritance, while transmission to offspring of factors other than DNA sequences including epigenetic states can also affect offspring phenotype. Genomic imprinting is one of the most informative paradigms for understanding the consequences of interactions between the genome and the epigenome. Recent studies of genomic imprinting show that genes can be differentially marked in egg and sperm and inheritance of these epigenetic marks cause genes to be expressed in a parental-origin-specific manner in the offspring. By reviewing both the eusocial Hymenoptera and termites, I highlight the current theoretical and empirical evidence for genomic imprinting in eusocial insects and discuss how genomic imprinting acts in caste determination and social behavior and challenges for future studies. I also introduce the new idea that genomic imprinting plays an essential role in the origin of eusociality.     

Synthesis of a highly fluorescent N,N‐dimethyl benzylamine–palladium(II) curcuminate complex and its application for determination of trace amounts of water in organic solvents

In this work a new highly fluorescent N,N‐dimethyl benzylamine–palladium(II) yu complex was synthesized by the reaction of [Pd₂{(C,N–C₆H₄CH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂(μ‐OAc)]₂] with curcumin. The structure of the synthesized complex was characterized using Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F) values of the synthesized complex in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile, ethanol, and methanol were 0.160, 0.104, 0.068, and 0.061, respectively. The fluorescence signal of the complex in the organic solvents was very sensitive to the water content of the organic solvent. The quenching effect of water was used to determine trace amounts of water in the heteroatom‐containing organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile) and redox‐active solvents (DMSO). The linear ranges for determination of water (v/v %) in ethanol, DMSO and acetonitrile were found to be 0.03–14.5, 0.08–13.8, and 0.07–18.8, respectively. Two linear ranges were found for determination of water (v/v %) in methanol (0.1–1.2 and 4.7–25.0). Detection limit (DL) values were calculated to be 0.001, 0.05, 0.004, and 0.01 (v/v %) in ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, and DMSO, respectively. The proposed method overcomes the problems of the standard Karl Fischer method for determination of water in DMSO. In addition, it gave the best DL value for determination of water in ethanol compared with all published papers to date.     

Condensation of heptaminol hydrochloride for its spectrofluorimetric determination in pure form and tablets: application in human plasma

A sensitive, simple, accurate and less expensive fluorimetric method was designed and validated for analysis of heptaminol HCl in both its pure and dosage forms, as well as in human plasma. The main principle used in the proposed approach was the condensation reaction between heptaminol's primary amino moiety and ethyl acetoacetate/formaldehyde reagents, giving a derivative that was highly fluorescent at 416 nm after excitation at 350 nm. Various experimental parameters that affected either the product's development or its stability were evaluated and optimized. The constructed calibration curve was linear over the range 0.2–2 μg/ml, with a good correlation coefficient (0.9996). Both the calculated limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.06 and 0.18 μg/ml, respectively. The presented approach was a success when used to determine Corasore® tablets and was validated according to International Council for Harmonisation guidelines.