The T allele at the g.1471620G>T in the EDG1 gene associated with high marbling in Japanese Black cattle is at a low frequency in breeds not selected for marbling

Our previous study detected a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), g.1471620G > T , in the 5' flanking region of the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G-protein-coupled receptor 1 ( EDG1 ) gene, which has been considered as a positional functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling, and showed association of the g.1471620G > T SNP with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle. In the present study, we investigated the allele frequency distribution of the g.1471620G > T SNP among the 5 cattle breeds, Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Short Horn, Holstein, and Brown Swiss breeds. The T allele at the g.1471620G > T SNP associated with high marbling was found at high frequency in Japanese Black breed that has been subjected to a strong selection for high marbling, while the allele was absent or at very low frequencies in the other breeds that have not been strongly selected for high marbling. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that the pressure of the strong selection for high marbling in Japanese Black breed has increased the frequency of the T allele at the g.1471620G > T SNP in the EDG1 .     

Polycitorols A and B,New Tricyclic Alkaloids from an Ascidian

Two new tricyclic alkaloids, polycitorols A (1) and B (2) have been isolated along with the known lepadiformine (3) from a marine ascidian of the family Polycitoridae. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR data and comparison with those of 3 and other related compounds [1–5]. Compounds 1 and 2 are closely related to cylindricines A and B, lacking C-4 oxygenation found in cylindricines and having a butyl instead of a hexyl appendage. NOE experiments on compounds 1 and 2 suggested the A/B ring fusion to be cis.     

Herbivore-induced volatiles from tea (Camellia sinensis) plants and their involvement in intraplant communication and changes in endogenous nonvolatile metabolites

As a defense response to attacks by herbivores such as the smaller tea tortrix ( Adoxophyes honmai Yasuda), tea ( Camellia sinensis ) leaves emit numerous volatiles such as (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, linalool, α-farnesene, benzyl nitrile, indole, nerolidol, and ocimenes in higher concentration. Attack of Kanzawa spider mites ( Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida), another major pest insect of tea crops, induced the emission of α-farnesene and ocimenes from tea leaves. The exogenous application of jasmonic acid to tea leaves induced a volatile blend that was similar, although not identical, to that induced by the smaller tea tortrix. Most of these herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPV) were not stored in the tea leaves but emitted after the herbivore attack. Both the adaxial and abaxial epidermal layers of tea leaves emitted blends of similar composition. Furthermore, HIPV such as α-farnesene were emitted mostly from damaged but not from undamaged leaf regions. A principal component analysis of metabolites (m/z 70-1000) in undamaged tea leaves exposed or not to HIPV suggests that external signaling via HIPV may lead to more drastic changes in the metabolite spectrum of tea leaves than internal signaling via vascular connections, although total catechin contents were slightly but not significantly increased in the external signaling via HIPV.     

Physiological role of potassium in the carbohydrate metabolism of plants (part II)

Potassium is a macronutrient still shrouded in mystery despite considerable effort to elucidate its role in the plant growth. Many investigators have demonstrated that a high carbohydrate content in the plant is associated with a love potassium content. Among them, WALL showed using tomato plants that this high carbohydrate content in plants with love potassium characterized the first stage of potassium deficiency (1).     

The effect of alternating temperature on the rest break process of male flowers of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don

In order to develop a model for predicting the period of male flower anthesis in Cryptomeria japonica, it is requisite to clarify the rest break process in male flowers. In this study, the effect of alternating temperatures in a daily cycle on rest break was investigated using twigs bearing male flowers from three clones of C. japonica. Four temperature treatments with the same daily mean of 8°C were applied to sample twigs over a period of 35 days: (1) 8°C constant (TR-A); (2) 7°–10°C alternating (TR-B); (3) 5.5°–13°C alternating (TR-C); and (4) 4°–16°C alternating (TR-D). After treatment, the sample twigs were forced to bloom at a constant temperature of 16°C, and the cumulative effective temperatures (CETs) required for anthesis were compared. While the CETs for anthesis were the same for TR-A and TR-B, that for TR-C was significantly higher. After TR-D, almost no male flower bloomed, indicating that this treatment was ineffective in breaking rest. When considering these results on an hour basis, it was a reasonable interpretation that 13°C had no effect on breaking rest while the temperatures below 10°C were all equally effective. On the other hand, temperatures of 16°C or above were considered to have an antagonizing effect that cancels the effects of chilling temperatures below 10°C. These results suggest that the effects of high temperatures during the daytime in chilling periods should be properly incorporated into a model of the process by which rest of male flowers is broken.     

Reproductive and growth performance in Jin Hua pigs cloned from somatic cell nuclei and the meat quality of their offspring

Somatic cell cloning is expected to be a valuable method for conserving genetic resources in pigs. In this study, we compared the reproductive and growth performance of Jin Hua cloned pigs with that of naturally bred Jin Hua pigs. In addition, we generated offspring from the cloned sows and examined the productivity and quality of meat in the progeny. The birth weights and growth rates of somatic cell-cloned pigs were similar to those of Jin Hua pigs. The cloned pigs reached puberty very early, and this is typical of the Jin Hua breed. Furthermore, reproductive performance, in terms of traits such as gestation period, litter size, and raising rate in the cloned pigs were similar to Jin Hua pigs. Although the offspring of the cloned (OC) pigs had lower birth weights than the Jin Hua breed, the daily weight gain of the OC pigs was significantly higher, especially at the finishing stage. The carcass quality of the OC pigs had similar characteristics to the Jin Hua breed, namely thick back fat and a small loin area. Furthermore, the meat qualities of the OC pigs were similar to those of Jin Hua pigs in terms of intramuscular fat content and tenderness. These results demonstrate that cloned pigs and their offspring were similar to the Jin Hua breed in most of the growth, reproductive, and meat productive performances. This strongly suggests that pigs cloned from somatic cell nuclei have the potential to be a valuable genetic resource for breeding.     

Cytokinin signaling and its inhibitor AHP6 regulate cell fate during vascular development

The cell lineages that form the transporting tissues (xylem and phloem) and the intervening pluripotent procambial tissue originate from stem cells near the root tip. We demonstrate that in Arabidopsis, cytokinin phytohormones negatively regulate protoxylem specification. AHP6, an inhibitory pseudophosphotransfer protein, counteracts cytokinin signaling, allowing protoxylem formation. Conversely, cytokinin signaling negatively regulates the spatial domain of AHP6 expression. Thus, by controlling the identity of cell lineages, the reciprocal interaction of cytokinin signaling and its spatially specific modulator regulates proliferation and differentiation of cell lineages during vascular development, demonstrating a previously unrecognized regulatory circuit underlying meristem organization.     

Reference values of hematological and biochemical parameters for the world smallest microminipigs

In this study, we demonstrated growth curves and reference values for hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Microminipigs, the world smallest experimental minipigs. In both male and female animals, the body weights (BWs) at 3 and 6 months of age were <5 kg and <10 kg, respectively, and growth curve revealed almost plateau (approximately 20 kg BW) after 18 months of age. Major hematological and serum biochemical parameters showed no gender differences and the values were very similar to those in G?ttingen and Yukatan minipigs. The values obtained in this study can serve as fundamental reference, and thereby facilitate the use of Microminipig in life science research.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of canine Leptospira antibodies using recombinant OmpL1 protein

OmpL1 is a 31-kDa outer membrane protein characterized in 1993 and known to be expressed only in pathogenic Leptospira spp. Recombinant OmpL1 (GST-rOmpL1) was expressed for use as an ELISA antigen for the detection of anti-Leptospira antibodies. In immunoblot analysis, the protein reacted with sera of dogs infected with three different serotypes of Leptospira interrogans, while did not react with sera of dogs both uninfected negative controls and infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, which is closely related to Leptospira spp. Moreover, in ELISA using GST-rOmpL1, the optical density (O.D.) values from the positive controls were very high (1.125 +/- 0.549). In contrast, the O.D. values from clinically healthy dogs and dogs with diseases other than leptospirosis were very low (0.109 +/- 0.046 and 0.089 +/- 0.046, respectively). These data suggest that the detection of anti-Leptospira antibodies by ELISA using the GST-rOmpL1 protein can be applied for diagnosis of canine leptospirosis.     

Detection of the anti-P53 antibodies in dogs with tumors

To detect the anti-P53 antibodies of dogs with tumors, a GST-recombinant canine (rc) P53 fusion protein was expressed and purified. Immunoblot analysis was performed using this GST-rcP53 fusion protein as an antigen and serum samples from dogs suffering from tumors as primary antibodies. Out of 16 serum samples obtained from various tumor cases, four samples showed reaction with GST-rcP53. In contrast, serum from other 12 dogs with tumors, four dogs with non-neoplastic diseases and two control healthy dogs (as controls) did not show any reaction with GST-rcP53 in immunoblotting. The p53 gene mutation and the P53 protein expression were examined, using the tumor tissues to explore the relationship between the existence of the GST-rcP53 bands, gene mutations of p53 and the accumulation of P53 protein. One case, which showed a clear GST-rcP53 band, had a point mutation of the p53 cDNA and showed nuclear accumulation of P53 protein. These results suggest that the anti-P53 antibodies are also produced in tumor dogs with p53 gene mutations.