The Gs-linked receptor GPR3 maintains meiotic arrest in mammalian oocytes

Mammalian oocytes are held in prophase arrest by an unknown signal from the surrounding somatic cells. Here we show that the orphan Gs-linked receptor GPR3, which is localized in the oocyte, maintains this arrest. Oocytes from Gpr3 knockout mice resume meiosis within antral follicles, independently of an increase in luteinizing hormone, and this phenotype can be reversed by injection of Gpr3 RNA into the oocytes. Thus, the GPR3 receptor is a link in communication between the somatic cells and oocyte of the ovarian follicle and is crucial for the regulation of meiosis.     

Crystal structures and structural stabilities of the disulfide bond-deficient soybean proglycinin mutants C12G and C88S

The constituent subunits of seed storage protein 11S globulin have two disulfide bonds that are common among 11S globulins from legume and nonlegume seeds. In the case of the A1aB1b subunit of soybean 11S globulin, glycinin, Cys12-Cys45 and Cys88-Cys298 are observed by X-ray crystallography. The significance of these two disulfide bonds for structural stability was investigated by mutagenesis of Cys12 to Gly and of Cys88 to Ser. The disulfide bond-deficient mutants C12G and C88S could form the correct conformations identical to that of the wild-type proglycinin except in the vicinities of the mutation sites C12 and C88 as shown by their crystal structures. Thermal stability monitored by differential scanning calorimetry of the mutants indicated that the contribution of these disulfide bonds to the thermal stability of proglycinin A1aB1b is low, although there is a small difference in the extent of the contribution between the two disulfide bonds (Cys12-Cys45 > Cys88-Cys298). The contribution of Cys88-Cys298 to the resistance of proglycinin A1aB1b to proteinase digestion is higher than that of Cys12-Cys45. Possible effects of structure on the different properties of C12G and C88S are discussed.     

Comparison of extractive components in muscle and liver of three Loliginidae squids with those of one Ommastrephidae species

Extractive components were determined for the mantle muscle and liver of three species of Loliginidae squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana, Loligo bleekeri, and L. edulis, and one species of Ommastrephidae, Todarodes pacificus, as a control. Total free amino acid levels and the major free amino acids in muscle, taurine, proline, glycine, alanine, and arginine, were significantly higher in Loliginidae squids than in T. pacificus. The main nucleotide was adenosine 5′-monophosphate, which did not differ significantly between species. Malate was the organic acid found in muscle in highest concentrations. The muscle of these species contained a large amount of trimethylamine oxide. A large amount of glycine betaine was also detected in the muscle, but showed no large species difference. From these results, the muscle of Loliginidae species is considered to have a much sweeter taste than that of T. pacificus. Compared with muscle, squid liver was characteristic with high contents of taurine, glutamate, bitter amino acids, succinate, propionate, trimethylamine, and glycine betaine, and with low contents of sweet amino acids, arginine, nucleotides, malate, and trimethylamine oxide. These results suggest that squid liver is characterized by a complicated taste containing umami, bitterness, sourness, fishy flavor, and less sweetness.     

Completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) life cycle

Tuna aquaculture is currently dependent on the wild capture of juveniles for production. The development of hatchery technology for bluefin and other tunas would be a major step forward in improving sustainability of their aquaculture. The present study overviews the technology in the life cycle completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) under aquaculture conditions in Kinki University, and the problems to be solved for the establishment of tuna hatchery technology. On 23 June 2002, broodstock of PBT that were artificially hatched and reared spontaneously spawned in captivity. The resulting eggs hatched and were subsequently reared to the juvenile stage. The spawning fish were the result of a research project started in 1987 to rear wild‐caught juvenile PBT that were several months old. Fertilized eggs were obtained from these fish in 1995 and 1996. Resulting juveniles (the artificially hatched first generation) were reared to maturity and spawned in 2002. Over the summer of 2002, 1.63 million eggs from these fish were used for a mass rearing experiment, and 17 307 juveniles were produced and transferred to an open sea net cage. Of these artificially hatched second‐generation PBT, 1100 grew to approximately 95 cm total length and 14 kg body weight in 22 months. This procedure means the completion of PBT life cycle under aquaculture conditions, which was first attained among large tuna species. The problems awaiting solution in PBT hatchery production are their unpredictable spawning in captivity, to improve survival during the first 10 days post hatch, to reduce cannibalism in larval and juvenile stages, and to solve collision problem causing high mortality during the juvenile stage.     

Changes in plasma prolactin and growth hormone concentrations during freshwater adaptation of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) reared in seawater for a prolonged period

Freshwater adaptability of chum salmon was examined in juvenile fish reared in seawater for 4 months. The fish, weighing about 40g, were transferred directly to fresh water in October, when their cohorts are migrating in the North Pacific Ocean. Plasma sodium concentration decreased from 167 mM in seawater to about 130 mM during the first 24h, and increased gradually during 2–7 days after the transfer. No immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) was detected in the plasma of the seawater-adapted fish nor during the first 24h in fresh water. Significant levels of PRL were detected after 2–3 days. The maximal level (2.6 ng/ml) was observed after 5 days and became undetectable again after 7 days; no significant correlation was seen between the changes in plasma sodium and PRL levels during the transfer. Plasma growth hormone levels were relatively constant, except for a significant decrease 12h after the transfer. Although plasma thyroxine levels were highly variable during the experiment, a significant decrease and an increase were observed 12h and 5 days after the transfer, respectively. The present study indicates that juvenile chum salmon retain hyperosmoregulatory ability even after prolonged rearing in seawater. Examination of turnover rates, rather than changes in plasma levels, seems to be essential to clarify the osmoregulatory roles of the hormones.     

Ontogeny of digestive and immune system organs of larval and juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus reared in the laboratory

ABSTRACT:   A histological examination was made of the ontogenetic development of the digestive and immune systems of the larval and juvenile kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus reared in the laboratory. The liver, gall bladder, pancreas and the demarcating region between the intestines and rectum were formed within 3 days post-hatch (dph). During the preflexion phase (within 16 dph), revolution of the intestine concluded, and pharyngeal teeth and the mucous cells of the esophagus were differentiated. In the transitional period to the juvenile stage (25 dph), the blind sac of the stomach, gastric glands and pyloric caeca began to form. From the viewpoint of the differentiation phase of the adult-type digestive system, the kelp grouper is similar to Heterosomata, hitherto reported. The primordial thymus, kidney and spleen were present at 12, 1 and 6 dph, and the small lymphocytes in these lymphoid organs appeared at 21, 30 and 33 dph, respectively. The developmental sequence of the lymphoid organs and the appearance ages of the lymphoid organs and small lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs in the kelp grouper are similar to those of other marine fish previously reported, except for the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis .     

Potato yield enhancement through intensification of sink and source performances

The combined total annual yield of six major crops (maize, rice, wheat, cassava, soybean, and potato; Solanum tuberosum L.) amounts to 3.1 billion tons. In recent years, staple crops have begun to be used as substitutes for fossil fuel and feedstocks. The diversion of crop products to fuels and industrial feedstocks has become a concern in many countries because of competition for arable lands and increased food prices. These concerns are definitely justified; however, if plant biotechnology succeeds in increasing crop yields to double the current yields, it will be possible to divert the surplus to purposes other than food without detrimental effects. Maize, rice, wheat, and soybean bear their sink organs in the aerial parts of the plant, and potato in the underground parts. Plants with aerial storage organs cannot accumulate products beyond their capacity to support the weight of these organs. In contrast, potato has heavy storage organs that are supported by the soil. In this mini-review, we introduce strategies of intensifying potato productivity and discuss recent advances in this research area.     

Multiple biological functions of novel basic proteins isolated from duck egg white: duck basic protein small 1 (dBPS1) and 2 (dBPS2)

Biological functions of duck basic protein small 1 (dBPS(1)) and 2 (dBPS(2)) were investigated by in vitro experiments. Results of agarose gel retardation assay indicated that dBPS(1) and dBPS(2) associate with RNA. Addition of NaCl or urea induced partial dissociation of dBPS(1)/dBPS(2)-RNA complex, implying that electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonds are involved in the association of dBPS(1)/dBPS(2) to RNA. dBPS(1) and dBPS(2) inhibited pancreatic lipase activity with the fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 250 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Peptic hydrolysates of dBPS(1) and those of dBPS(2) showed a potent angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with an IC(50) of 22.5 and 49.6 mg/L. The most potent ACE-inhibitory peptide was a nanopeptide (EKKGFCAGY) from dBPS(1) and an octapeptide (KYCPKVGY) from dBPS(2). These multiple biological functions of dBPS(1) and dBPS(2) may contribute to reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases.     

The assessment of the effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress using saliva sampling in cows

The effect of presenting a companion's face picture on social isolation stress was assessed by saliva sampling in cows. Three Japanese Black test cows and another companion cow were used. At 09.00 hours, one of the test cows was housed in an experimental pen with the companion in a neighboring pen. At 11.30 hours, the test cow was socially isolated by taking the companion out the neighboring pen. At 12.00 hours, the test cow was exposed to one of four treatments until 15.00 hours; presenting a blank picture (P‐Blank), a white‐ground picture of the companion's face (P‐Com) or an unfamiliar Holstein's face (P‐Hol), or the companion in the neighboring pen and a blank picture (Com). The cows were randomly exposed to all treatments. The cows' saliva were sampled for measuring salivary cortisol and chromogranin A concentrations (Sa‐Cort, Sa‐ChA) at 11.30, 12.00, 12.30 and 14.00 hours. At 12.00 hours, Sa‐ChA was higher than that at 11.30 hours (P < 0.01). At 12.30 hours Sa‐ChA of Com and P‐Com were lower than that of P‐Blank (P = 0.09, P = 0.08). At 14.00 hours Sa‐Cort of Com was lower than that of P‐Blank (P < 0.01), but Sa‐Cort of P‐Com was higher than that of P‐Blank (P < 0.01). It is suggested that P‐Com might decrease isolation stress only a short time, but afterward induced stress in cows.