Expression profiles of interferon gamma genes in response to immunostimulants and alloantigen in ginbuna crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii

Interferon gamma (IFNγ), a Th1-derived cytokine is one of the key molecules inducing cell-mediated immune responses in mammals. The expression of 2 distinct IFNγ (ifng1 and ifng2) and IFNγrel (ifngrel) genes was examined in kidney leukocytes from clonal ginbuna crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii. The expression of IFNγ and IFNγrel genes was induced in kidney leukocytes by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin in a dose-dependent manner. The expression levels of IFNγ and IFNγrel genes in kidney leukocytes from allo-sensitized fish cocultured with allogeneic cells were higher than those from fish cocultured with isogeneic cells. The highest expression of ifng1 was observed at day 1, whereas that of ifng2 and ifngrel was detected at day 2 after cocultivation with allogeneic cells. However, the expression pattern of ifng2 and ifngrel in kidney leukocytes from allo-sensitized fish by scale-grafting was similar to those from non-sensitized fish. These results indicate that ifng1 is a major isoform of IFNγ related to antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI), and will be a useful marker to evaluate induction of CMI in ginbuna crucian carp. In addition, IFNγ would be a crucial type-II interferon compared to IFNγrel, relevant to cell-mediated immunity in fish as in mammals.     

Influence of bacteria isolated from rice plants and rhizospheres on antibiotic production by the antagonistic bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia marcescens</Emphasis> strain B2

Serratia marcescens strain B2 is an antagonistic bacterium that produces the red-pigmented antibiotic prodigiosin and suppresses rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA. Rice sheath blight disease was suppressed when plants were inoculated with this bacterium an hour before pathogen inoculation but not when plants were treated 4 weeks before pathogen inoculation. In both cases the bacteria were detected in the rice rhizosphere 4 weeks after inoculation. Bacteria isolated from the rice plant and rhizosphere inhibited biosynthesis of prodigiosin in S. marcescens strain B2. We suggest that bacteria isolated from rice plants and rhizospheres mediate the suppression of antibiotic production of biological control agents and that such suppression is common under field conditions.     

Morphological observations of uterine and vaginal duplexes with a developmental anomaly at the vaginovestibular junction in a Japanese brown calf

Since a rare anomaly of the female genital tract was defined as uterine and vaginal duplexes with a developmental anomaly at the vaginovestibular junction, it was morphologically examined in detail in a Japanese Brown calf. The genital tract was completely duplicated from the uterus to the vagina just cranial to the vestibule. At the vaginovestibular junction, a hymenal constriction and an aberrant location of the outer urethral orifice were also observed. These anomalies suggest that an error in the complete fusion of the Mullerian ducts and a failure in the correlated development between the Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus occurred in the embryonic stage.     

An Antibody Against the SecA Membrane Protein of One Phytoplasma Reacts with Those of Phylogenetically Different Phytoplasmas

ABSTRACT Antisera raised against phloem-limited phytoplasmas generally react only with the phytoplasma strain used to produce the antigen. There is a need for an antiserum that reacts with a variety of phytoplasmas. Here, we show that an antiserum raised against the SecA membrane protein of onion yellows phytoplasma, which belongs to the aster yellows 16S-group, detected eight phytoplasma strains from four distinct 16S-groups (aster yellows, western X, rice yellow dwarf, and elm yellows). In immunoblots, approximately 96-kDa SecA protein was detected in plants infected with each of the eight phytoplasmas. Immunohistochemical staining of thin sections prepared from infected plants was localized in phloem tissues. This antiserum should be useful in the detection and histopathological analysis of a wide range of phytoplasmas.     

Variations in genes involved in fat metabolism and their association with ultrasonic and carcass traits in Japanese Black steers

Polymorphisms in genes involved in lipid metabolism have been reported to be associated with fatty acid composition of adipose tissue. However, the relationship of these polymorphisms with premortem ultrasonic traits is unknown. The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess the association between polymorphisms in fatty acid synthase, stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase (SCD), sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1, and nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, number 3 genes with ultrasonic and carcass traits in Japanese Black steers (n = 300) under progeny testing at the Livestock Improvement Association of Miyazaki. To have a comprehensive analysis of the association between the aforementioned genetic polymorphisms and ultrasonic traits, longitudinal measurements of ultrasonic traits were taken. Furthermore, the association of these genetic polymorphisms and carcass traits was evaluated. The polymorphisms in the SCD gene and SREBP1 were associated (P < 0.05) with some ultrasonic traits at multiple stages. To add to that, the polymorphisms were associated (P < 0.05) with some carcass traits. These findings suggest that the polymorphisms in SCD and SREBP1 are functional mutations or could be related to mutations that can aid in selection to improve some ultrasonic and carcass traits.     

Response of transgenic cucumber expressing a rice class I chitinase gene to two fungal pathogens with different infectivities

A transgenic cucumber line (CR32) over-expressing the rice class I chitinase gene exhibited resistance to Phytophthora rot (Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica) but not to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum). The infection behavior of these fungi on CR32 and nontransgenic plants was examined with an optical microscope. In zoosporangia of P. nicotianae var. parasitica, the rates of germination and penetration on leaves of both CR32 and nontransgenic plants were almost equal. After infection, however, the growth of infection hyphae was markedly suppressed in CR32 compared with their growth in the nontransgenic plants. In F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, the infection hyphae localized in petiole vessels of both CR32 and nontransgenic plants, and growth did not differ in the two plants. We investigated the antifungal activity of a high-molecular-weight fraction (HF) and a low-molecular-weight fraction (LF) of crude leaf extracts from CR32 and from the nontransgenic line. CR32 HF, which included the rice chitinase, had antifungal activity only against F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. In contrast, CR32 LF, which did not have the rice chitinase, had strong antifungal activity against the two fungi. These results suggested that a low-molecular-weight antifungal substance(s) was induced in CR32 and might function as a factor of resistance to P. nicotianae var. parasitica, which has cell walls that almost never contain chitin. Because rice chitinase has already been demonstrated not to localize in vessels of CR32, the infection localization of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in vessels might enable the fungus to avoid antifungal substance(s), resulting in Fusarium wilt in transgenic cucumber.     

Distribution of the Consensus Sequences of ABC Transporter Gene among Several Taxonomically Distinct Phytopathogenic Fungi

The distribution of ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporter genes among several taxonomically distinct phytopathogenic fungi was investigated by Southern blot hybridization, polymerase chain reaction assays and partial sequencing. Consensus sequences of the ABC transporter gene, which might be concerned with multidrug resistance against fungicides and with pathogenicity in phytopathogenic fungi, were found in all of the examined phytopathogenic fungi, which belonged to the Mastigomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina and Deuteromycotina. Received 24 August 2000/ Accepted in revised form 5 December 2000     

Craniofacial skeletal abnormalities in anomalous calves with clefts of the face

Thirteen anomalous calves with clefts of the face were morphologically examined, and craniofacial skeletons were studied in detail. According to the type and site of the cleft, four groups could be distinguished: median cleft lip and jaw (CLJ); median cleft lip, jaw, and palate (CLJP); lateral CLJ; and cleft palate (CP), including unilateral and bilateral type. Craniofacial skeletal abnormalities were observed in several bones at the roof, wall, and floor of the nasal cavity and at the boundary portion between the nasal and cranial cavities. Fissure formation at the cranial sutures, partial absence of the nasal process of the incisive bone, and opening of the bony palate were characteristic changes in median CLJ and CLJP, lateral CLJ, and CP, respectively. Furthermore, various associated changes were recognized in the median and paramedian skeletal elements of the face and other organs. The morphological changes of craniofacial skeletons with various types of clefts of the face depended on the site and degree of the cleft formation and reflected developmental errors of the facial embryonic segments. These changes would suggest disorders of the correlated development of facial processes and of other fetal organs of the face. For these conditions, etiologically hereditary cases were negative.     

Synthesis of benzylaminopyrimidines and their fungicidal activities against wheat brown rust and barley powdery mildew

Members of a new class of fungicide containing benzylaminopyrimidine as a core structure were synthesized and their fungicidal potencies against wheat brown rust, Puccinia recondita, and barley powdery mildew, Erysiphe graminis, were assessed. Among these fungicides, N-(fluoroalkoxy or fluorophenoxybenzyl)-4-pyrimidinamines showed notable preventive activities. The potency of the new pyrimidines was increased when a difluoromethoxy or tetrafluorophenoxy group was introduced at the 4- or 3-position of the phenyl moiety and a methyl or ethyl group was introduced at the benzyl position. Structure–activity relationships are discussed. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry