Effect of CD137-CD137 ligand interaction on expression of NFATc1 in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

AIM: To observe the effects of CD137-CD137 ligand(CD137L) interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE^-/-) mice. METHODS: Atherosclerotic plaque model was produced by perivascular carotid collar placement in ApoE^-/- mice. In vivo, the expression levels of NFATc1 in mouse plaques and lymphocytes were detected by immunohistochemical method and flow cytometry, respectively. In vitro, the expression of NFATc1 at mRNA and protein levels in cultured lymphocytes of ApoE^-/- mice was measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: In vivo, after CD137-CD137L signaling pathway was stimulated, the expression of NFATc1 was significantly increased in the atherosclerotic plaques and lymphocytes. In vitro, the expression of NFATc1 at mRNA and protein levels in cultured leukocytes of ApoE^-/- mice was also significantly increased, with the maximal effect exerted by anti-CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) at the concentration of 20 mg/L, and 24 h after stimulation at any concentration (P<0.05). Anti-CD137L mAb significantly inhibited the expression of NFATc1 at mRNA and protein levels in the lymphocytes of ApoE^-/- mice, with the maximal effect exerted by anti-CD137L mAb at the concentration of 20 mg/L, and 24 h after stimulation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CD137-CD137L interaction can regulate the expression of NFATc1 in ApoE^-/- mice.     

辣椒新品种川椒301的选育

川椒301是以辣椒胞质雄性不育系尖113A为母本、恢复系甜C16为父本配制的早熟辣椒一代杂种。该品种果实牛角形,果面光滑有光泽,有纵棱,青果绿色,成熟果红色。单果质量63．9g,果长16．0cm,果肩宽4．6em,果肉厚0．32em,味辣,VC含量121．6mg／100g（鲜样质量）。每667m2产鲜红椒3125．6kg。田间抗病性调查,抗病毒病、炭疽病。适宜全国各地露地和保护地栽培。     

Impact of proximal cytoplasmic droplets on quality traits and in-vitro embryo production efficiency of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa

Background

Proximal cytoplasmic droplets (PCDs), a remnant of germ cell cytoplasm, are common non-specific morphological defects in bovine semen. This study evaluated the effect of higher percentages of PCDs on the quality of frozen-thawed bovine semen, embryo production and early embryo development.

Methods

Three ejaculates from each of five (group 1: PCD ≤ 1%, control) and eight adult Bos indicus bulls (group 2: PCD ≥ 24%) were analysed. Semen samples were examined for: post-thaw motility, vigour of movement, concentration, sperm morphology, slow thermoresistance test (STT), membrane integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial function using fluorescent probes association (FITC-PSA, PI and JC-1) and sperm chromatin integrity using acridine orange assay. Two bulls from group 2, with 28.5% and 48.5% PCD, respectively, and three bulls from the control group, each with 0% PCD, were selected for IVF (in vitro fertilisation).

Results

Semen analyses revealed a significant correlation (P < 0.01) between increased rates of PCD and sperm quality traits. Nevertheless, no differences were observed in sperm motility and vigour either before or after the STT or in the percentage of intact acrosomes (analysed by differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC) after STT), but membrane integrity, acrosome status (evaluated with FITC-PSA staining method after thawing) and mitochondrial function were reduced, when compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). The higher incidence of PCD was positively correlated to chromatin damage, especially after three hours of incubation at 37°C. IVF showed similar results for bull C2 (group 1, control) and bull P2 (group 2, group with higher PCDs).

Conclusion

Higher PCD levels influenced spermatozoa quality traits. IVF and embryo development data showed that cleavage, blastocyst formation and blastocyst hatching may have been influenced by the interaction of morphology traits and individual bull effects.     

水稻KV型细胞质雄性不育系的选育及其胞质效应研究初报

水稻ＫＶ型不育系与ＷＡ型不育系在育性表现和恢保关系上基本相同，但可恢性更好，恢复谱更广。特别是ＫＶ细胞质对杂种的每穗粒数及结实率有显著的正效应．因而它是个利用前景更广泛的新质源不育系．     

棉花哈克尼西胞质型三系的改良与应用

本文报告了对棉花哈克尼西胞质型三系的改良方法、过程和效果,并讨论了其应用前景。主要取得两方面结果:(1)通过转育、选择和引种适应,使它的生产水平、纤维品质、农艺性状、恢复能力都得到改善;(2)通过输入显性无腺体基因 Gl_2,得到稳定的显无三系,其种仁棉酚含量极低,营养成分构成改变,具有很高的理论研究和生产应用价值。     

水稻新质源两用核不育系—CIS28—10

ＣＩＳ２８－１０是由水稻核质杂种（Ｃａｒｌｏｒｏ／ＩＲ２８）Ｂ９Ｆ４中的突变单株按系统选育程序选育而成的新质源两用核不育系．在湘潭，它的不育期达６０多天，育性稳定，对低温钝感。在遗传上其育性受一对隐性基因控制，遗传行为简单。     

甘兰型油菜细胞质雄不育系幼叶黄化及花器官变异研究

具有萝卜细胞质的一系列甘兰型油菜胞质雄不育系(Rac),其雄不育性十分完全和稳定,也不受环境条件的影响;但存在幼叶黄化,花器官变异以及恢复系难找等问题。本研究结果表明:(1)Rac的幼叶黄化与雄不育性因子无直接关系;(2)可通过不同基因型的甘兰型油菜品种(品系)测交转育和选择,获得幼叶无黄化现象的Rac系;(3)在转育过程中,着重选择花冠大、花瓣鲜黄色、花药呈针状以及蜜腺退化不严重的Rac系,将有助于提高结籽率。     

In vitro formation of infection structures of Phytophthora infestans is associated with synthesis of stage specific polypeptides

Efficient and synchronized production of infection structures of Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight of potato, was established on an artificial membrane without the host plant. Microscopic comparison of the in vitro and the in planta formed fungal structures revealed a high degree of similarity. In vitro development of infection structures enabled detailed cytological and biochemical investigations. By video microscopy the highly dynamic phenomenon of cytoplasmic migration was monitored within the living fungus. At four distinct developmental stages, hyphae, cysts, germinating cysts and appressoria, all grown in vitro, protein synthesis was analysed by comparative two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On two-dimensional gels of protein extracts of the four developmental stages a number of polypeptides were identified that showed stage-specific differences in their relative amounts. The de novo synthesis of proteins was investigated by in vivo labelling experiments. A number of polypeptides showed development-dependent expression. The majority of changes in protein synthesis occurred during germination of cysts and development of the germ tubes. In particular, at the stage of appressoria formation, the actual start of the infection process, several major polypeptides were newly synthesized.     

Effects of nucleus,cytoplasm and male sterile nucleus-cytoplasm combinations on callus initiation in anther culture of wheat

Summary Nuclear and cytoplasmic factors affect tissue culture response in wheat (Triticum aestivum), and cytoplasmic male sterility may enhance callus initiation in anther culture. Three wheat nuclear genotypes, each in normal and two alien cytoplasms conferring cytoplasmic male sterility, were evaluated for callus initiation frequency in anther culture. Nuclear genotype had the greatest effect on callus initiation, but cytoplasm and nucleus X cytoplasm interaction also produced significant effects. The nuclear genotype of Chris outperformed Butte and Coteau in all cytoplasms. Ordinary wheat and Triticum timopheevi cytoplasms outperformed Aegilops speltoides cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic male sterility did not increase callus initiation. This suggests manipulating the nuclear genotype is the best strategy for improving the capacity of wheat to initiate callus in anther culture.     

Influence of water availability on fertility restoration of CMS lines with the 'M35', A4 and '9E' CMS-inducing cytoplasms of sorghum

Male fertility restoration in new types of sorghum cytoplasmic male sterility‐inducing cytoplasms (A4, ‘9E’, ‘M35’), characterized by the formation of non‐dehiscent anthers, is difficult. Lines with fertility‐restorer genes for these unique cytoplasms do occur, but rarely, and when found tend to be unstable in their inheritance and expression. The aim of this research was to explore reasons for this instability. Seven lines in three unique cytoplasms, ‘9E’, A4 and ‘M35’, and six lines that restore with these cytoplasms were grown at the Agricultural Research Institute for South‐East Region in Saratov, Russia from 1993 to 2004. Levels of male fertility restoration and various environmental factors were recorded. It is reported that for sorghum hybrids in the A4, ‘9E’ and ‘M35’ male‐sterile cytoplasms, the level of plant male fertility is determined by the level of water available to plants during anther and pollen formation that which ‘switches on’ the expression of fertility‐restoring genes, and is possibly involved in an unusual type of male fertility inheritance in these cytoplasms. The creation of reliable line‐fertility restorers capable of the restoration of male fertility of F₁ hybrids in ‘M35’ cytoplasm under conditions of water stress is also reported. Current research explore mechanisms involved possible in responses to water levels at various growth stages and their influence on fertility within these cytoplasms.