Pattern analysis of stem cell differentiation during <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro Arabidopsis</Emphasis> organogenesis

Plant somatic cells have the capability to switch their cell fates from differentiated to undifferentiated status under proper culture conditions, which is designated as totipotency. As a result, plant cells can easily regenerate new tissues or organs from a wide variety of explants. However, the mechanism by which plant cells have such remarkable regeneration ability is still largely unknown. In this study, we used a set of meristem-specific marker genes to analyze the patterns of stem cell differentiation in the processes of somatic embryogenesis as well as shoot or root organogenesis in vitro. Our studies furnish preliminary and important information on the patterns of the de novo stem cell differentiation during various types of in vitro organogenesis.     

厚壳贻贝whirlin类贝壳基质蛋白的重组表达与功能分析

贝壳历来是生物工程和材料学研究的重要对象。贝壳中的贝壳基质蛋白质在贝壳的形成与发育过程中具有重要的调控作用。Whirlin类蛋白质(Whirlin-like protein,WLP)是一种从厚壳贻贝(Mytilus coruscus)中鉴定的新型贝壳基质蛋白质。序列分析结果显示,该蛋白质含有PDZ(postsynaptic density/Discs large/Zonula occludens)结构域,而该结构域对贝壳生物矿化的影响目前尚无报道。为深入了解WLP在贝壳形成中对碳酸钙晶体的影响,在序列分析基础上,采用密码子优化结合原核重组表达,获得其重组表达产物后,开展了重组WLP对碳酸钙晶体形貌及晶型的影响研究,结晶速度抑制以及碳酸钙晶体结合分析。分析结果表明,重组WLP能诱导文石型碳酸钙晶体的形貌和方解石型碳酸钙晶体的晶型发生改变;同时重组WLP对碳酸钙晶体具有结合作用,且能抑制碳酸钙晶体的结晶速度。上述结果表明,WLP对贝壳的形成及发育具有重要影响,并可能在贝壳肌棱柱层的形成中发挥了重要作用。     

Integrated species delimitation and conservation implications of an endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Green and Orchid Islands of Taiwan

Oceanic islands are productive habitats for generating new species and high endemism, which is primarily due to their geographical isolation, smaller population sizes and local adaptation. However, the short divergence times and subtle morphological or ecological divergence of insular organisms may obscure species identity, so the cryptic endemism on islands may be underestimated. The endangered weevil Pachyrhynchus sonani Kôno (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Pachyrhynchini) is endemic to Green Island and Orchid Island of the Taiwan‐Luzon Archipelago and displays widespread variation in coloration and host range, thus raising questions regarding its species boundaries and degree of cryptic diversity. We tested the species boundaries of P. sonani using an integrated approach that combined morphological (body size and shape, genital shape, coloration and cuticular scale), genetic (four genes and restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, RAD‐seq) and ecological (host range and distribution) diversity. The results indicated that all the morphological datasets for male P. sonani, except for the colour spectrum, reveal overlapping but statistically significant differences between islands. In contrast, the morphology of the female P. sonani showed minimum divergence between island populations. The populations of P. sonani on the two islands were significantly different in their host ranges, and the genetic clustering and phylogenies of P. sonani established two valid evolutionary species. Integrated species delimitation combining morphological, molecular and ecological characters supported two distinct species of P. sonani from Green Island and Orchid Island. The Green Island population was described as P. jitanasaius sp.n. Chen & Lin, and it is recommended that its threatened conservation status be recognized. Our findings suggest that the inter‐island speciation of endemic organisms inhabiting both islands may be more common than previously thought, and they highlight the possibility that the cryptic diversity of small oceanic islands may still be largely underestimated.     

厦门地区鸭鹅绦虫生活史研究

本文报告了福建厦门地区寄生于鸭鹅类的膜壳科绦虫计5属9种。实验阐明了5种绦虫的生活史,其中有三种生活史为我国首次报告。厦门地区有5种嵌水甲壳类可作膜壳绦虫的中间宿主。其中短角异剑水蚤(Apocyclops royi)是矛形剑带绦虫和片形皱缘绦虫的审间宿主,不等异介虫(Heterocypris anomala)为新发现的棘盘双睾绦虫的中间宿主,介虫(Cyprinotus sp.)为新发现的美丽膜壳绦虫的中间宿主。     

Inhibited enzyme electrodes. Part 3: A sensor for low levels of H2S and HCN

It is shown that an inhibited enzyme electrode, using cytochrome oxidase, will respond to H₂S, HCN and azide ion. For all three inhibitors the kinetics of the inhibition and recovery processes have been analysed using the theoretical model presented previously (Albery et al., 1990a). Rearrangement of the differential equation describing inhibition and the development of the necessary software has enabled us to obtain values of the concentration of inhibitor in a matter of seconds after exposure of the sensor. The sensor will measure concentrations of H₂S down to 1 ppm in the gas phase and concentrations of HCN and azide ion down to 0·4 μmol dm⁻³ in the solution     

国产磨芋属的染色体核型报道(1)

本文报道了磨芋属(Amorphophallus Blume)六个种的染色体数目和核型,其中5个种属于首次报道。其核型公式如下: 1.滇磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.2.磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.3.攸落磨芋K(2n)=2x=26=22m(2SAT)+4sm.(2SAT).4.西盟磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m+4sm+2st.5.勐海磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=22m+4sm.6.白磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m(2SAT)+6sm。