Genetic and evolutionary relationships among Asian Macaques

Published gene frequency data, checked for consistency of allele definitions across laboratories and for comparability of geographically identical samples, were pooled into a data set containing frequencies at nine loci for each of 20 populations that encompassed 10 macaque species. Genetic distances were calculated by the methods of Kidd and Cavalli-Sforza (1974). These distances were used to construct phylogenetic trees and to evaluate the relationships between divergence times and effective population sizes. Inter-and intraspecific genetic distances and the groupings defined by phenetic tree analyses support Fooden’s (1976) classification of the genus Macacainto four species groups. A paleozoogeographical model of Asia including the known times of major sea-level changes allows us to explain Macacainto four species groups. A paleozoogeographical model of Asia including the known times of major sea-level changes allows us to explain qualitatively the inferred evolutionary relationships among macaque species. Many assumptions are required in order to estimate the variables necessary in the quantitative prediction of genetic differences for a comparison between any two populations. Examination of those assumptions demonstrates the need for more accurate genetic as well as paleozoogeographic information. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Extracellular suppression allows mating by pheromone-deficient sterile mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MAT alpha haploids with mutations in the STE13 or KEX2 gene, and MATa haploids with mutations in the STE6 or STE14 gene, do not mate with wild-type cells of the opposite mating type. We found that such mutants were able to mate with partners that carry mutations (sst1 and sst2) that cause cells to be supersensitive to yeast mating pheromone action. Mating ability of MAT alpha ste13 and MAT alpha kex2 mutants could also be restored by adding normal MAT alpha cells to mating mixtures or by adding just the appropriate purified pheromone (alpha-factor). Therefore, the mating deficiencies caused by the ste13 and kex2 lesions, and by inference, the ste6 and ste14 mutations, appear to result only from secretion of an insufficient amount of pheromone or a nonfunctional pheromone.     

Uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by thallium.

The mechanism of integration of λ$\text{bio}$ll, which is deleted of all the known λ recombination genes, was studied using $\text{bio}$ deleted hosts as recipients. The presence of $\text{rec}$BC DNase and $\text{exo}$I in the recipient cells affected the fate of λ$\text{bio}$ll DNA. In nine of ten $\text{imm}\text{λ}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ transductants, insertion of the λ$\text{bio}$ll genome took place somewhere between J and N and the remaining one had abnormally permuted prophage λ. In this lysogen (#42), the sequence of prophage genes was similar to that of vegetative phage λ. The properties of lysogen #42 were compared with those of other lysogens.     

Corticosteroid-induced cleft palate in short-ear mice

Corticosteroid-induced facial clefting was examined in short-ear mice (inbred strain SEA/GnJ from Jackson Laboratory). They were found to be gentle, prolific breeders (average litter size 7.3 +/- 2.6), with no increased fetal loss due to treatment. Although they have the most "resistant" H-2 haplotype (H-2d), they were found to be highly susceptible to corticosteroid-induced clefting, demonstrating that loci other than H-2 are involved in susceptibility. The short-ear locus itself is a plausible candidate, given that this gene on chromosome 9 leads to defective mesenchymal condensation, which in turn may render these mice extremely sensitive to teratogen exposure. Another gene or genes on chromosome 9 are also possibilities.     

The genetic structure of a primate species: Rhesus macaques and other Cercopithecine monkeys

Among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)and other cercopithecine monkeys, social groups occupying adjacent home ranges (i.e., members of the same local population) exchange individuals and genes and thus exhibit marked genetic similarities. To assess the degree to which this pattern extends beyond the local population, the genetic structure of M. mulattaand six other primate species was determined using Nei’s (1973) gene-diversity analysis. The genetic similarities seen among social groups in the Dunga Gali population of M. mulatta (Melnick et al.,1984a) can be seen over the entire species range. Comparison of these results with the structures of other similarly organized primate species indicates that (1) the average social group contains most of its local population’s genetic diversity, (2) the average local population contains the majority of the genetic diversity found in the region to which it belongs, and (3) the proportion of species gene diversity found in the average regional population varies substantially between species. Genetic homogeneity within local and regional populations is probably the product of gene flow. The application of a number of analytical models of selection and gene flow strongly suggests that gene flow, genetic drift, and zoogeography offer a more parsimonious and plausible explanation for interspecific variation in regional differentiation than does stabilizing selection.     

Phylogenetic distribution in the genus Mus of t-complex-specific DNA and protein markers: inferences on the origin of t-haplotypes

We have examined the phylogenetic distribution of two t-specific markers among representatives of various taxa belonging to the genus Mus. The centromeric TCP-1a marker (a testicular protein variant specific for all t-haplotypes so far studied) has also been apparently detected in several non-t representatives of the Mus IVA, Mus IVB, and probably M. cervicolor species. By contrast, a t-specific restriction- fragment-length polymorphism allele (RFLP) of the telomeric alpha- globin pseudogene DNA marker alpha-psi-4 was found only in animals belonging to the M. musculus-complex species either bearing genuine t- haplotypes or, like the M. m. bactrianus specimen studied here, likely to do so. This t-specific alpha-psi-4 RFLP allele was found to be as divergent from the RFLP alleles of the latter, non-t, taxonomical groups as it is from Mus 4A, Mus 4B, or M. spretus ones. These results suggest the presence of t-haplotypes and of t-specific markers in populations other than those belonging to the M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus subspecies, implying a possible origin for t-haplotypes prior to the radiation of the most recent offshoot of the Mus genus (i.e., the spretus/domesticus divergence), some 1-3 Myr ago.      

Development of a method for concentration of rotavirus and its application to recovery of rotaviruses from estuarine waters.

As part of our studies on the ecology of human enteric viruses, an improved method for detection of rotaviruses in water was developed, and their presence in Galveston Bay was monitored. Samples (378 liters) of estuarine water adjusted to pH 3.5 and a final AlCl3 molarity of 0.001 were filtered through 25-cm pleated cartridge-type filters (Filterite Corp., Timonium, Md.) of 3.0- and 0.45-micron porosity. Adsorbed virus was eluted with 1 liter of 10% tryptose phosphate broth, pH 9.5. Primary eluates were reconcentrated to a final volume of 10 to 20 ml by a simple and rapid magnetic iron oxide adsorption and elution procedure. Two percent casein at pH 8.5 effectively eluted rotavirus from iron oxide. A total of 21 of 72 samples of water, suspended solids, fluffy sediments, and compact sediments collected in different seasons in Galveston Bay yielded rotaviruses. Recovery of rotaviruses varied from 119 to 1,000 PFU/378 liters of water, 1,200 PFU/1,000 g of compact sediment, 800 to 3,800 PFU/378 liters of fluffy sediment, and 1,800 to 4,980 PFU from suspended solids derived from 378 liters of water based on immunofluorescent foci counts on cover slip cultures of fetal monkey kidney cells.     

Persistently infected cultures as a source of hepatitis A virus.

Primary African green monkey kidney, continuous African green monkey kidney cell line BS-C-1, and buffalo green monkey kidney cultures were infected with a uniform inoculum of hepatitis A virus (HAV). Although both the cell line BS-C-1 and primary African green monkey kidney cultures produced useful amounts of virus, HAV was detected earlier and in greater quantities in primary African green monkey kidney cultures. A persistently infected primary African green monkey kidney culture was developed. The influence of incubation time (4 to 40 days) and concentration (2 to 15%) of fetal calf serum in the maintenance medium on production of HAV by this culture was examined. An incubation period of 24 to 28 days was found to be optimal; reducing this period led to decreased yields of HAV. No significant difference in the amount of HAV produced was observed with differing concentrations of fetal calf serum. Three different methods of extraction and the effect of multiple extractions on the recovery of HAV from cell lysates were examined. Sonication was a critical factor. Two extractions yielded more than 90% recoverable virus. Yields in excess of 10(11) physical particles of HAV per 850-cm2 roller bottle were routine. The total yield could be increased by concentrating the HAV present in spent maintenance medium by using bentonite or organic flocculation.     

Biochemical analysis and subcellular localization of a neutrophil-specific antigen, PMN-7, involved in the respiratory burst

The adherence of serum-opsonized yeast to neutrophils results in phagocytosis of these particulate stimuli and activation of the respiratory burst. Both events are mediated or modulated in part by the surface receptors for IgG and complement. The link between the binding of complex particulate stimuli to the cell surface, and the triggering of these neutrophil functions, is not completely understood. We have previously described an anti-human neutrophil, murine monoclonal antibody PMN7C3, which specifically inhibits the respiratory burst of neutrophils stimulated with serum-opsonized yeast. In the present study, we show that the antigen recognized by PMN7C3 (PMN7 antigen) is present on a number of neutrophil proteins, including the recently described group of related leukocyte membrane glycoproteins CR3, LFA-1, and p150,95. The PMN-7 antigen differs from other antigens associated with the C3bi receptor complex (MAC 1, MO 1, OKM1, OKM10) in that it is present only on neutrophils among peripheral blood cells. Furthermore, the binding of PMN7C3 to the neutrophil surface inhibits the activation of the respiratory burst by serum opsonized zymosan without affecting phagocytosis of these particulate stimuli. The cross-linking of cell surface PMN7 antigen by multivalent antibody is associated with the capping and internalization of antigen-antibody complexes, and appears to be necessary for the expression of maximum inhibition of opsonized zymosan-triggered respiratory burst activity. PMN7C3 also binds to a group of granule-associated proteins biochemically distinct from CR3, LFA-1, and p150,95. These granule-associated proteins containing PMN7 antigen can be mobilized to the cell surface with secretion. PMN7 antigen-bearing proteins may play a role in modulating the activation of the respiratory burst associated with phagocytosis of serum-opsonize zymosan.     

Persistently infected cultures as a source of hepatitis A virus

Primary African green monkey kidney, continuous African green monkey kidney cell line BS-C-1, and buffalo green monkey kidney cultures were infected with a uniform inoculum of hepatitis A virus (HAV). Although both the cell line BS-C-1 and primary African green monkey kidney cultures produced useful amounts of virus, HAV was detected earlier and in greater quantities in primary African green monkey kidney cultures. A persistently infected primary African green monkey kidney culture was developed. The influence of incubation time (4 to 40 days) and concentration (2 to 15%) of fetal calf serum in the maintenance medium on production of HAV by this culture was examined. An incubation period of 24 to 28 days was found to be optimal; reducing this period led to decreased yields of HAV. No significant difference in the amount of HAV produced was observed with differing concentrations of fetal calf serum. Three different methods of extraction and the effect of multiple extractions on the recovery of HAV from cell lysates were examined. Sonication was a critical factor. Two extractions yielded more than 90% recoverable virus. Yields in excess of 10(11) physical particles of HAV per 850-cm2 roller bottle were routine. The total yield could be increased by concentrating the HAV present in spent maintenance medium by using bentonite or organic flocculation.