查看更多>>摘要：Correlative studies were made between mating success and Ming length in a drosophilid insect Phorticella striata. Mating latency (time elapsed until mating from introduction) noted for all the matings. Observations were made for one hour considering number of pairs mated in every 15 minutes as one group. Mating latency of the flies gradually increased from 0-15 min to 45-60 min. Data showed that difference in mean number of flies mated during different time intervals was significant, but the difference was non-significant between age groups, suggesting age has no influence on mating latency. Males mating in the first fifteen minutes (0-15 min) time interval had significantly longer wings. In females also there was significant difference in wing length that mate in different time intervals. Females mating in the first thirty minutes (0-30 min) bear significantly longer wings when compared with those that mate during 31-60 min. This showed large flies mate early in both the sexes. Thus the present study shows a direct relationship between wing length and mating success. So there is sexual selection acting on body size.
查看更多>>摘要：Chromatin is structurally remodeled by various posttranslational modifications including acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Among histone modification, methylation reaction is preceded by utilizing S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) of metabolic methionine pathway as a methyl donor in the cells. To examine how dietary methionine pathway is connected with histone methylation, we have treated methionine metabolites and synthetic analogs on the culturing cells. Most of methionine metabolites had no effect on the cell growth, but synthetic analogs of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) showed cell death-related inhibitory effect. Using western blot analysis, we found that dimethylation of histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) but not that of H3K4 or H3K36, was specifically reduced by metabolites treatment. However, methylation of H3K9 (di) was restored by withdrawal of the metabolites. When methionine was deprived from culturing condition, H3K9 (di) methylation be decreased, but restored by treatment of metabolites such as SAM or homocysteine. We also obtained specific reduction of H3K9 by metabolites treatment using the immunostaining analysis. Therefore, we suggest that there is a close link between dietary methionine pathway and methylation of H3K9.
查看更多>>摘要：The genetic relationships among 17 clones of Vaccinium (Vaccinium spp.), including 2 Northeast Chinese wild species and 15 commercial cultivars were evaluated through a Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of young leaves. The Rapids generated a total of 115 markers with 15 random primers, of which 98.26% were found to be polymorphic. These RAPD markers could successfully separate individuals from the 17 samples and detect variations in the Vaccinium species. Genetic similarity and genetic distance were measured by Nei's unbiased measurement. Using arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram, the unweighted pair-group method indicated that 17 samples were classified into three major groups: two groups of each mild species, and one group of 15 cultivars. The 15 cultivars could be clearly assigned into two subgroups of which the only lowbush sample (Blomidon) was clustered in one subgroup and the other 14 cultivars were clustered in one subgroup. The cluster results had some relativity with the pedigree of cultivars. These indicated that the polymorphic RAPD markers developed in this study should have general utility for identification of the varieties and examination of genetic relationships in blueberry.
Lee, Kyung LyongHan, Myun SooJo, Beom HoPark, Sun Wha...
10页
查看更多>>摘要：X-chromosomal short tandem repeat (X-STR). markers can be used to determine paternity in deficiency paternity cases with a female child(s) and in other kinship tests. In the present study, we established two X-STR hexaplex PCR systems. One set includes DXS6789, DXS6810, DXS7132, GATA172D05, DXS7423, and ARA, while the other set includes GATA165B12, DXS981, DXS6797, DXS9898, DXS8377, and DXS7424. These STR loci were genotyped in a Korean population (149 males and 121 females), and the allele frequency was obtained using the established multiplex PCR reactions and an automatic sequencing analyzer. None of the loci in female samples deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The combined probabilities of match (PM) calculated from 12 X-STR loci were 2.04 x 10(-12) in females and 7.46 x 10(-8) in males, which is highly informative. The high polymorphism of these X-STRs indicated the suitability of their use in kinship tests, and both hexaplex systems mill be used directly to analyze forensic cases.
查看更多>>摘要：The quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR) assay for prenatal diagnosis of common chromosome aneuploidies introduced during the last few years. We report the first assessment of QF-PCR aneuploidy testing performed on a large Korean population. Blind prospective study was performed in 3700 amniotic fluid samples. All samples were analyzed by QF-PCR using with four STR markers located on chromosome 21 (D21S1435/D21S11/D21S1411/ D21S1412) and subsequently performed by conventional cytogenetic analysis. Trisomy 21 was identified in 35 samples. The informative rate for at least two STR markers was 97.3%. The uninformative rate by maternal cell contamination (MCC) and inconclusive results were 0.8%, 1.9% respectively. Rare polymorphic STR duplication and somatic microsatellite mutation were detected respectively. There were no false-positive or false-negative results. QF-PCR for the rapid identification of fetus with trisomy 21 is a reliable, accurate, and speedy technique.
查看更多>>摘要：Previous studies in many species suggested that the minichromosome maintenance complex is a major physiological target of Cdc7. In this study, we examined the cellular role of Mcm2 phosphorylation by Cdc7 kinase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The in vitro phosphorylation of several truncated Mcm2 proteins by Cdc7 kinase showed that the major phosphorylation sites were located at N-terminus of Mcm2 protein. Alanine substitutions of several putative Cdc7 phosphorylation sites in this region resulted in the mutant Mcm2 proteins which were hardly phosphorylated by Cdc7 kinase in vitro. When these proteins were expressed in mcm2 mutant cells, all of alanine substituted mutant proteins still complemented the temperature sensitive phenotype of mutant cells. These results suggest that the phosphorylation of Mcm2 protein by Cdc7 kinase is not essential for the initiation of DNA replication. Cdc7 may play its essential roles by phosphorylating other Mcm subunits or proteins involved in the initiation of DNA replication.
查看更多>>摘要：We report on a 10-year-old boy with severe psychomotor retardation and craniofacial anomalies. Using high resolution GTG banding, SKY FISH, and CGH analysis, he was found to be carrying a del(7)(q34) inherited from a paternal balanced translocation t(6;7)(qter;q34). Reported deletions of the terminal part of the 7q chromosome have not been associated with a clearly distinctive and recognizable phenotype. Frequent findings included: pre/postnatal growth and developmental retardation, microcephaly, eye anomalies, flat/broad nasal bridge with bulbous nasal tip, genital abnormalities and brain defects. In addition to the typical abnormalities, this case further provides evidence for a pituitary dwarfism. The patient was beneficially treated with human growth hormone.
Kim, Sang-BumJeon, Hyung-SikOh, Hong-SikJung, Yong-Hwan...
9页
查看更多>>摘要：The phylogenetic relationship of the suborder Anisoptera distributed on Jeju Island, Korea, was analyzed by comparing partial mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. The length of the partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA genes for the 27 species of the Anisoptera studied ranged from 405 to 421 base pairs (bp). No intra-genus length-variations were identified in the genera Anax and Orthetrum, while the genes of Somatochlora and Sympetrum displayed lengths of 411 to 412 and 406 to 411 bp, respectively. The GC content of the partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene ranged from 26.76% to 30.83%. A parsimony analysis of the unambiguously aligned mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences from 28 species, including outgroup species, produced eight equally most parsimonious trees. The strict consensus tree had three large independent groups: group I (family Aeshnidae), group II (family Libellulidae), and group III (family Corduliidae). Interestingly, the eight species of the genus Sympetrum were clearly distinguishable from the other species. The strict consensus tree, based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences, contained monophyletic groups. These results concurred with previous studies published by several researchers that were based on morphological characteristics.
Kim, Heui-SooKim, Dae-SooHuh, Jae-WonYi, Joo-Mi...
10页
查看更多>>摘要：We examined the chromosomal distribution of the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-W) family in humans. FISH data indicated that the HERV-W probe (fosWE1) derived from the gorilla fosmid library was clearly detected in all chromosomes except for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, and Y. Most of the HERV-W family seems to be proliferated during the course of primate radiation approximately 2545 Myr ago. The sequences of target site duplication (TSD) for the proliferation of HERV-W family were completely different in full length or processed pseudo HERV-W sequences, respectively. The HERV-W LTR elements, having biological roles of alternative promoter, exonization, alternative polyadenylation, were detected in several loci, and those elements are actively expressed in various tissues. Taken together, these data are valuable sources for understanding the biological roles of HERV-W family in humans.
查看更多>>摘要：Human CD99 is an integral transmembrane protein, which was recently suggested as a potential tumor suppressor in the certain types of tumors. It has been previously shown that CD99 is underexpressed in malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). In this study, to investigate the mechanism by which the downregulation of CD99 molecules in H-RS cells takes place, the expression and gene methylation of human CD99 were analyzed in an H-RS cell line, L428. First, CD99 mRNA and protein expression of the cells were analyzed using RT-PCR and Western analysis. In addition, methylation profile of the CD99 promoter region was analyzed using methylation specific PCR (MSP) and subsequent DNA sequencing. In LA28, the CD99 mRNA level as well as the protein level was substantially lower than those in a corresponding normal cell line. MSP analysis of the CD99 promoter region of the L428 cells, revealed the high incidence of methylated CpG dinucleotides in the CD99 promoter. Furthermore, demethylation by the treatment of 5'-azacytidine induced CD99 expression in the L428 cells, indicating a critical role of methylation in CD99 gene silencing in H-PS cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the downregulation of CD99 in malignant H-RS cells is, at least in part, associated with methylation of the gene, suggesting a potential link between the gene hypermethylation and HL pathogenesis.
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