Breaking the crossability barriers between disomic tetraploid Solanum acaule and tetrasomic tetraploid S. tuberosum

Summary A combination of compatible second pollinations and embryo rescue was applied for systematic production of true tetraploid hybrids from crosses between disomic tetraploid Solanum acaule and tetrasomic tetraploid potato, S. tuberosum. Several genotypes of tetraploid potatoes were pollinated with S. acaule, and the compatible second pollinations were made on the following day, with a genotype of S. phureja, IvP 35 to promote fruit development. Embryo rescue was carried out in 21 families, 14 to 27 days after the first pollination. A total of eight plants were obtained from the embryo rescue and their chromosome numbers were counted in the root tips. Three of the eight plants were identified as tetraploid, and five others as diploid. Morphology, isozyme banding patterns, and pollen stainability, as well as potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) resistance, indicated the hybrid nature of the three plants. This is the first report of successful tetraploid hybrid production between disomic tetraploid S. acaule (4x) and tetrasomic tetraploid potatoes. Seed set from the crosses between one of hybrids and diploid potatoes indicated workable levels of both male and female fertility for introgression of valuable genes from S. acaule into the cultivated potato gene pool. The methodology used may be applied to other disomic tetraploid tuber-bearing Solanum species and with some modifications also to distantly related solanaceous species and genera.     

Pachyelasides A-D, novel molluscicidal triterpene saponins from Pachyelasma tessmannii

This is the first report for secondary metabolites in an African medicinal plant, Pachyelasma tessmannii (Leguminosae). Four novel saponins, pachyelasides A-D, were isolated from the methanol extract of the root bark by using recycling HPLC. These compounds showed molluscicidal activity (LD(50) < or =8.0 mug/mL) against the South American snail, Biomphalaria glabratus. The structures were determined on the basis of extensive nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric studies.     

1-methyladenine biosynthesis in starfish ovary: action of gonad-stimulating hormone in methylation

Gonad-stimulating substance, a hormonal peptide released from the nervous system of starfishes, acts on the ovary to produce 1-methyladenine, an inducer of oocyte maturation. Addition of methionine to the incubation mixture of ovarian fragments and gonad-stimulating substance enhanced the production of 1-methyladenine, whereas ethionine inhibited it. Incubation of ovarian tissue with methionine alone failed to produce 1-methyladenine. Use of a radioactive label showed that methionine is a methyl donor in the biosynthesis of 1-methyladenine, suggesting that gonad-stimulating substance is involved in the methylation process.     

Permuted tRNA genes expressed via a circular RNA intermediate in Cyanidioschyzon merolae

A computational analysis of the nuclear genome of a red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae, identified 11 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes in which the 3' half of the tRNA lies upstream of the 5' half in the genome. We verified that these genes are expressed and produce mature tRNAs that are aminoacylated. Analysis of tRNA-processing intermediates for these genes indicates an unusual processing pathway in which the termini of the tRNA precursor are ligated, resulting in formation of a characteristic circular RNA intermediate that is then processed at the acceptor stem to generate the correct termini.     

Incipient space weathering observed on the surface of Itokawa dust particles

The reflectance spectra of the most abundant meteorites, ordinary chondrites, are different from those of the abundant S-type (mnemonic for siliceous) asteroids. This discrepancy has been thought to be due to space weathering, which is an alteration of the surfaces of airless bodies exposed to the space environment. Here we report evidence of space weathering on particles returned from the S-type asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft. Surface modification was found in 5 out of 10 particles, which varies depending on mineral species. Sulfur-bearing Fe-rich nanoparticles exist in a thin (5 to 15 nanometers) surface layer on olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, and plagioclase, which is suggestive of vapor deposition. Sulfur-free Fe-rich nanoparticles exist deeper inside (<60 nanometers) ferromagnesian silicates. Their texture suggests formation by metamictization and in situ reduction of Fe(2+).     

Neutron activation analysis of a particle returned from asteroid Itokawa

A single grain (~3 micrograms) returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft was analyzed by neutron activation analysis. This grain is mainly composed of olivine with minor amounts of plagioclase, troilite, and metal. Our results establish that the Itokawa sample has similar chemical characteristics (iron/scandium and nickel/cobalt ratios) to chondrites, confirming that this grain is extraterrestrial in origin and has primitive chemical compositions. Estimated iridium/nickel and iridium/cobalt ratios for metal in the Itokawa samples are about five times lower than CI carbonaceous chondrite values. A similar depletion of iridium was observed in chondrule metals of ordinary chondrites. These metals must have condensed from the nebular where refractory siderophile elements already condensed and were segregated.     

Nondestructive observation of bovine milk by NMR spectroscopy: analysis of existing States of compounds and detection of new compounds

In this study were successfully observed the one- (1H, 13C) and two-dimensional (1H-13C, 1H-15N, 1H-31P) NMR spectra of milk directly without any pretreatment. The signals of each NMR spectrum were assigned, and their existing states were also analyzed. Lactose existed in a free state in milk. The signals due to the butyric acid chain can be assigned among the other fatty acid chains. Monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid chains) and polyunsaturated fatty acid chains (linoleic and linolenic acid) were assigned by their characteristic signals. The signals from citrate, N-acetylcarbohydrates, and lecithin could be observed directly in the 1H-13C HSQC NMR spectra; the assignment of their signals was made through the 1H-13C, 1H-15N, and 1H-31P HMBC spectra of extracted milk. Signals from creatine and N-acetylcarbohydrates were detected for the first time.     

Breeding distribution and maternal genetic lineages in Lulu,a dwarf cattle population in Nepal

Lulu is a dwarf cattle population bred in the Mustang district of western and central Nepal. This area is located around the habitat boundary between Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The peculiarities of Lulu are their small size (weight range in the adult female: 68–153 kg) and rearing in high mountain areas at 2800 m to 4000 m in altitude. There were 5770 head of Lulu cattle in the Mustang district in 1998, 4333 females and 1437 males. The morphological appearance of Lulu is Bos taurus. However, one of the five Lulu studied in Kagbeni, Mustang had a Bos indicus mitochondrial DNA type based on the D‐loop sequence, while the other four were Bos taurus. It is suggested that there are hybrids of Lulu with Bos indicus maternal lineage in a mostly taurine‐breed genetic background. Steps must be taken to preserve the unique Lulu.     

Epidemiological survey of Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs in eastern Japan

To determine the distribution of Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs in the eastern part of Japan, an epidemiological survey of dogs suspected of having B. gibsoni infection was attempted using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-five of 115 such dogs (30.4%) were positive by PCR and/or ELISA. The 35 positive dogs consisted of 28 Tosa dogs, 4 American Pit Bull Terriers, and 3 mongrel dogs in Aomori, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Gunma, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Nagano Prefectures. The positive dogs had a significantly lower rate of tick exposure and a higher rate of bites by other dogs. Twenty-two of 35 B. gibsoni-positive dogs were infected with hemoplasma, and the rate of infection was significantly higher than that of B. gibsoni-negative dogs.     

Molecular survey of Babesia infection in dogs in Okinawa, Japan

A total of 80 free-roaming dogs on Okinawa Island, Japan, were examined for Babesia infection using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. Of 80 samples, 12 were positive in a Babesia genus-specific PCR. Consequent species-specific PCR for B. canis and B. gibsoni revealed that 5 (6.3%) and 7 (8.8%) dogs were infected with B. canis and B. gibsoni, respectively. Sequence analysis of the PCR products revealed that the 18S rRNA gene sequence of B. canis detected from dogs in Okinawa was very close to B. canis vogeli with sequence similarity of 99.94%.