Identification of long-lived proteins in the mitochondria reveals increased stability of the electron transport chain

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Partial trisomies in two spontaneously arising long-lived human keratinocyte lines

Summary During experiments concerning the introduction of oncogenes into normal human keratinocytes, we observed long-lived colonies arising spontaneously at the same low frequency in control cultures as in those transfected with Ha-rasEJ or activated c-myc or both. Two of these were karyotyped early in their life span and showed additional chromosomal material on the short arm of chromosome 9 in one case and of chromosome 18 in the other, whereas the parental cells had a normal karyotype. This indicates the presence of a partial trisomy in each line, although the origin of the extra chromosomal material is not known. A similarly long-lived human keratinocyte line containing an isochromosome of the long arm of chromosome 8 has been described elsewhere. Together these results suggest that the spontaneous occurrence of long-lived lines is more common in human keratinocytes than in fibroblasts and that a triple dose of one or more genes may be the initial event in this process. This work was supported by grant CA16754 from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.     

Variation in probability of first reproduction of Weddell seals

1. For many species, when to begin reproduction is an important life-history decision that varies by individual and can have substantial implications for lifetime reproductive success and fitness. 2. We estimated age-specific probabilities of first-time breeding and modelled variation in these rates to determine age at first reproduction and understand why it varies in a population of Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica. We used multistate mark-recapture modelling methods and encounter histories of 4965 known-age female seals to test predictions about age-related variation in probability of first reproduction and the effects of annual variation, cohort and population density. 3. Mean age at first reproduction in this southerly located study population (7.62 years of age, SD=1.71) was greater than age at first reproduction for a Weddell seal population at a more northerly and typical latitude for breeding Weddell seals (mean=4-5 years of age). This difference suggests that age at first reproduction may be influenced by whether a population inhabits the core or periphery of its range. 4. Age at first reproduction varied from 4 to 14 years, but there was no age by which all seals recruited to the breeding population, suggesting that individual heterogeneity exists among females in this population. 5. In the best model, the probability of breeding for the first time varied by age and year, and the amount of annual variation varied with age (average variance ratio for age-specific rates=4.3%). 6. Our results affirmed the predictions of life-history theory that age at first reproduction in long-lived mammals will be sensitive to environmental variation. In terms of life-history evolution, this variability suggests that Weddell seals display flexibility in age at first reproduction in order to maximize reproductive output under varying environmental conditions. Future analyses will attempt to test predictions regarding relationships between environmental covariates and annual variation in age at first reproduction and evaluate the relationship between age at first reproduction and lifetime reproductive success.     

Antioxidative and Radiation Modulating Properties of Guanosine-5′-Monophosphate

Employing enhanced chemiluminescence in luminol-p-iodophenol peroxidase system and coumarine-3-carboxylic acid, it was shown that guanosine-5′-monophosphate (GMP) appreciably reduces formation of H₂O₂ and hydroxyl radicals induced by x-ray irradiation. Using immunoenzyme assay, we revealed that GMP lowered 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) formation in DNA in vitro after irradiation. The results of survival test have shown that mice being injected intraperitoneally with GMP after irradiation with a dose of 7 Gy had better survival rate than the control mice. GMP reduced leucopoenia and thrombocytopenia in irradiated mice. Obtained results give premises that GMP may be promising therapeutic agent for treatment of radiation injuries.     

Carry-over effects of food supplementation on recruitment and breeding performance of long-lived seabirds

Supplementation of food to wild animals is extensively applied as a conservation tool to increase local production of young. However, in long-lived migratory animals, the carry-over effects of food supplementation early in life on the subsequent recruitment of individuals into natal populations and their lifetime reproductive success are largely unknown. We examine how experimental food supplementation early in life affects: (i) recruitment as breeders of kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla born in a colony on Middleton Island (Alaska) between 1996 and 2006 (n = 1629) that bred in the same colony through 2013 (n = 235); and (ii) breeding success of individuals that have completed their life cycle at the colony (n = 56). Birds were raised in nests that were either supplemented with food (Fed) or unsupplemented (Unfed). Fledging success was higher in Fed compared with Unfed nests. After accounting for hatching rank, growth and oceanic conditions at fledging, Fed fledglings had a lower probability of recruiting as breeders in the Middleton colony than Unfed birds. The per-nest contribution of breeders was still significantly higher for Fed nests because of their higher productivity. Lifetime reproductive success of a subset of kittiwakes that thus far had completed their life cycle was not affected by the food supplementation during development. Our results cast light on the carry-over effects of early food conditions on the vital rates of long-lived animals and support food supplementation as an effective conservation strategy for long-lived seabirds.     

毛竹茎秆纤维细胞发育过程中ATP酶的超微细胞化学定位研究

采用磷酸铅沉淀技术,对毛竹茎秆纤维细胞发育过程中的ATP酶进行了超微细胞化学定位研究.在初生壁形成时期,大量的ATP酶的活性产物沉积在质膜、质膜内陷、运输小泡、胞间连丝等膜体系以及细胞核和各种细胞器上;在次生壁形成的初期,ATP酶在多泡小体和裂解的液泡膜上出现,凝聚并边缘化的染色质上仍然具有ATP酶活性;随着次生壁的逐渐加厚,在前四年中持续存在具有ATP酶活性的质膜内陷结构,以后消失;而在六年生纤维细胞的质膜、运输小泡、纹孔、胞间连丝和凝聚化的染色质上仍然发现有明显的ATP酶分布,并发现在染色质上ATP酶活性会随着凝聚程度的加深而增强.结果表明,ATP酶在毛竹茎秆纤维细胞壁的整个形成过程中发挥重要作用,而纤维细胞的次生壁形成过程是一个由核基因控制的主动的PCD过程;并证实毛竹茎秆纤维细胞的发育有别于其它木本植物纤维细胞的发育过程,这种纤维细胞是一种典型的长寿细胞.     

健康长寿老人肠道双歧杆菌鉴定

为研制食品双歧杆菌制剂,从健康长寿老人肠道正常菌群分离并鉴定具有较高生物活性及保健作用的双歧杆菌菌株。对３０份未明菌株标本,进行了分离,纯化,鉴定,经生物学特性,生化试验,同时做代谢产物分析,各菌均产生乙酸和乳酸为主。还做了ＤＮＡ（Ｇ＋Ｃｍｏｌ％）含量测定,测定值在５６～６３范围。而确定３株为婴儿双歧、５株为青春双歧,共选出８株双歧杆菌,为选育优良的双歧杆菌菌株提供了依据。     

Population genetic structure in Myrtus communis L. in a chronically fragmented landscape in the Mediterranean: can gene flow counteract habitat perturbation?

Ancient managed landscapes provide ideal opportunities to assess the consequences of habitat fragmentation on the patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow in long-lived plant species. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and allozyme markers, we quantified seed-mediated gene flow and population genetic diversity and structure in 14 populations of Myrtus communis (myrtle), a common endozoochorous shrub species of forest patches in lowland agricultural Mediterranean areas. Overall, allozyme diversity for myrtle was low (P₉₅   =   25%; A   =   1.411; H_e = 0.085) compared to other known populations, and a significant portion of populations (57%) had lower levels of allelic diversity and/or heterozygosity than expected at random, as shown by simulated resampling of the whole diversity of the landscape. We found significant correlations between allozyme variability and population size and patch isolation, but no significant inbreeding in any population. Genetic differentiation among populations for both allozyme and AFLP markers was significant (Φ_ST = 0.144 and Φ_ST = 0.142, respectively) but an isolation-by-distance pattern was not detected. Assignment tests on AFLP data indicated a high immigration rate in the populations ( ca. 20–22%), likely through effective seed dispersal across the landscape by birds and mammals. Our results suggest that genetic isolation is not the automatic outcome of habitat destruction since substantial levels of seed-mediated gene flow are currently detectable. However, even moderate rates of gene flow seem insufficient in this long-lived species to counteract the genetic erosion and differentiation imposed by chronic habitat destruction.