Pedigree analysis of factor XI deficiency in Japanese black cattle

Using a DNA-based diagnostic test for factor XI deficiency in Japanese black cattle, we surveyed 123 cattle (42 sires and 81 dams) in Gifu and Hyogo prefectures, and calculated gene frequencies. In sires, we drew up the pedigree network of the cattle with the factor XI deficiency. Results showed that the mutated allele of factor XI deficiency was retroactive in at least 6 or more generations of sires. Frequencies of the mutant gene were higher at 26.4% in total, and at 33.3% in sires. All 7 cattle with the homozygote of mutated allele were clinically normal, and showed no bleeding episodes. The mutated allele of factor XI deficiency might be widespread among Japanese black cattle.     

逆境下水稻(Oryza sativa L.)rHsp90基因的克隆及功能分析

本研究中,利用差异显示法,在碳酸盐逆境下,从水稻(OryzasativaL.)根的cDNA文库中克隆得到了水稻热激蛋白90基因(rHsp90,GenBankAccessionNo.AB037681)。Northern杂交结果表明,在水稻根中,rHsp90基因的转录水平在包括盐(NaCl,NaHCO3和Na2CO3),PEG,高pH(pH8.0和pH11.0)以及热激(50℃)逆境下,都受到了不同程度的诱导。同时,适量表达rHsp90基因的酵母(Saccharomycescerevisiae)在各种盐逆境以及热激逆境中,生长状态要好于对照。对转水稻rHsp90基因烟草的抗盐(NaCl,NaHCO3)分析表明,转基因烟草的生长势要好于野生型烟草。通过以上研究表明,水稻rHsp90基因与逆境之间具有一定的应答关系,并在植物适应环境逆境过程中起着重要的作用。     

The Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Biotype Variability of Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus

ABSTRACT The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV) was determined. The viral RNA genome of strain LDM (leaf distortion mosaic) comprised 10,153 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tail, and contained one long open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3,269 amino acids (molecular weight 373,347). The polyprotein contained nine putative proteolytic cleavage sites and some motifs conserved in other potyviral polyproteins with 44 to 50% identities, indicating that PLDMV is a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus. Like the W biotype of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), the non-papaya-infecting biotype of PLDMV (PLDMV-C) was found in plants of the family Cucurbitaceae. The coat protein (CP) sequence of PLDMV-C in naturally infected-Trichosanthes bracteata was compared with those of three strains of the P biotype (PLDMV-P), LDM and two additional strains M (mosaic) and YM (yellow mosaic), which are biologically different from each other. The CP sequences of three strains of PLDMV-P share high identities of 95 to 97%, while they share lower identities of 88 to 89% with that of PLDMV-C. Significant changes in hydrophobicity and a deletion of two amino acids at the N-terminal region of the CP of PLDMV-C were observed. The finding of two biotypes of PLDMV implies the possibility that the papaya-infecting biotype evolved from the cucurbitaceae-infecting potyvirus, as has been previously suggested for PRSV. In addition, a similar evolutionary event acquiring infectivity to papaya may arise frequently in viruses in the family Cucurbitaceae.     

Migration of warble fly larvae in the yak and optimum timing of ivermectin treatment

Sixty yaks were autopsied to determine the migration pattern of warble fly larvae. In August, first instars were observed in the body of yak for the first time. These larvae peaked in number in October. From November to February, second instars were detected and their number peaked in January. Third instars appeared in January and peaked in March. Forty-five yaks were administered with ivermectin: 15 animals in September, 15 in October and 15 in November. Between December and June, the number of warbles was checked by palpation. Although some warbles were observed in the September- and November-treated groups, no warbles were detected in the October-treated group. Treatment of yaks with ivermectin was most effective for warble fly in October.     

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA of an endangered beech species,Fagus hayatae Palibin ex Hayata

Mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms were used to examine cytoplasmic diversity within a relic-like population of Fagus hayatae, located in northern Taiwan. Fifteen trees were surveyed for three restriction endonucleases (BamHI, EcoRI and HindIII) and five mitochondrial gene probes (atpA, atp6, atp9, coxI and coxII). The analysis failed to reveal any polymorphisms, an observation that suggests cytoplasmic uniformity in the F. hayatae population examined. It is also interesting to note that the chondriome type of our F. hayatae samples is very close to that characteristic of F. crenata populations in the southernmost area of Japan.     

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake: displacement reaching the trench axis

We detected and measured coseismic displacement caused by the 11 March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake [moment magnitude (M(W)) 9.0] by using multibeam bathymetric surveys. The difference between bathymetric data acquired before and after the earthquake revealed that the displacement extended out to the axis of the Japan Trench, suggesting that the fault rupture reached the trench axis. The sea floor on the outermost landward area moved about 50 meters horizontally east-southeast and ~10 meters upward. The large horizontal displacement lifted the sea floor by up to 16 meters on the landward slope in addition to the vertical displacement.     

蒙古柳cDNA转化酵母菌及NaCl胁迫抗性基因筛选

为挖掘蒙古柳的NaCl胁迫相关基因,本研究利用FOX hunting system技术,构建蒙古柳cDNA连接pYES2载体后转入酵母InVSCI菌株。本研究将pYES2-蒙古柳cDNA酵母菌在1.0 mol/L Na 抗性板胁迫处理后得到15个抗NaCl胁迫的酵母菌株,并利用这15个菌株进一步通过NaHCO3、H2O2和Srobitol抗性进行分析,结果发现都表现出比对照组更强的耐胁迫性。接着对这15个菌株提取细胞DNA后克隆获得蒙古柳cDNA,在NCBI数据库中对测序得到的基因序列进行相似性比对,结果发现大部分和毛果杨基因有高的相似性,其中一些基因已有研究表明和盐胁迫相关。本研究可为挖掘可利用的耐盐基因资源提供依据。     

苜蓿愈伤组织高频再生遗传和转化体系的建立

本研究以MS为基本培养基,在不同浓度的2,4-D与6-BA联合使用的诱导培养基上,以苜蓿子叶为外植体,诱导愈伤组织,诱导率为55%～90.6%,其中2mg/L2,4-D 1mg/L6-BA诱导率最高,达90.6%;浅黄色至淡绿色的愈伤组织在MS 2mg/LKT 0.15mg/L6-BA 0.3mg/LNAA分化培养基的分化率最高并且植株颜色深绿。丛生芽在1/2MS 2mg/L酵母提取物的生根培养基上再生成完整的苜蓿植株。以建立的苜蓿高频再生体系为基础,愈伤组织为转化的受体,用根癌农杆菌介导苜蓿,利用GUS组织化学染色法,研究影响遗传转化的若干因素,获得了100株转基因植株。乙酰丁香酮的浓度为100!mol/L,菌液浓度OD600为0.3～0.5,最佳的侵染时间为15min,共培养时间为4d,卡那霉素浓度为50mg/L时转化频率最合适。最高转化频率可达80%,Kana抗性植株Northernblotting检测表明,目的基因已整合进苜蓿基因组中。建立了苜蓿快速有效的遗传转化体系,为获得其它基因转化苜蓿,奠定基础。     

Distribution of the mutant allele of the DMRT3 gene associated with ambling gaits in Japanese native horse populations

There are currently eight native horse populations in Japan, namely, Hokkaido, Kiso, Noma, Taishu, Misaki, Tokara, Miyako, and Yonaguni horses. Since locomotion traits, including gaitedness, are important for riding and packing horses, the genetic properties associated with these traits could be informative for understanding the characteristics and history of these horses. In this study, we investigated the distribution of the mutant allele of DMRT3 gene (DMRT3:p.Ser301Ter) associated with ambling gaits in the Japanese native horse. We also examined haplotypes of SNPs in the 83‐kb region including DMRT3 gene by genotyping four SNPs in this region. The results revealed the presence of DMRT3:p.Ser301Ter in the Hokkaido and Yonaguni populations at allele frequencies of 0.18 and 0.02, respectively, and the observed haplotype associated with DMRT3:p.Ser301Ter was estimated as the most common haplotype in the horses in the world. Since DMRT3:p.Ser301Ter has been hypothesized to spread across Eurasian continent from Medieval England after 850 to 900 CE, our findings of the presence of DMRT3:p.Ser301Ter with the common haplotype in the Japanese native horses will provide a new insight into the history of the Japanese native horse, such as considerable level of gene flow from Eurasian continent after 850 to 900 CE.