Dog chromosome-specific paints reveal evolutionary inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements in the American mink and human

Forty chromosome-specific paint probes of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris, 2n = 78) were used to delineate conserved segments on metaphase chromosomes of the American mink (Mustela vison, 2n = 30) by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Half of the 38 canine autosomal probes each painted one pair of homologous segments in a diploid mink metaphase, whereas the other 19 dog probes each painted from two to five pairs of discrete segments. In total, 38 canine autosomal paints highlighted 71 pairs of conserved segments in the mink. These painting results allow us to establish a complete comparative chromosome map between the American mink and domestic dog. This map demonstrates that extensive chromosome rearrangements differentiate the karyotypes of the dog and American mink. The 38 dog autosomes could be reconstructed from the 14 autosomes of the American mink through at least 47 fissions, 25 chromosome fusions, and six inversions. Furthermore, comparison of the current dog/mink map with the published human/dog map discloses 23 cryptic intrachromosomal rearrangements in 10 regions of conserved synteny in the human and American mink genomes and thus further refined the human/mink comparative genome map. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Conserved chromosome segments in Hylobates hoolock revealed by human and H-leucogenys paint probes

A complete comparative chromosome map of the white-browed gibbon (Hylobates hoolock, 2n = 38), white-cheeked gibbon (Hylobates leucogenys, 2n = 52), and human has been established by hybridising H. leucogenys chromosome-specific paints and human 24-colour paints onto H. hoolock metaphase chromosomes. In the 18 H. hoolock autosomes, we identified 62 conserved segments that showed DNA homology to regions of the 25 H. leucogenys autosomes, Numerous interchromosomal rearrangements differentiate the karyotypes of H. leucogenys and H. hoolock. Only H. hoolock chromosome 10 showed homology to one entire autosome of H. leucogenys. The hybridisation of human 24-colour paints not only confirmed most of the chromosome correspondences between human and H. hoolock established previously but also helped to correct five erroneous assignments and revealed three new segments. Our results demonstrate that the karyotypes of the extant gibbons have arisen mainly through extensive translocation events and that the karyotype of H. hoolock more closely resembles the ancestral karyotype of Hylobates, rather than the karyotype of H. leucogenys. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Comparative molecular cytogenetic studies in the order Carnivora: mapping chromosomal rearrangements onto the phylogenetic tree

We have made a set of chromosome-specific painting probes for the American mink by degenerate oligonucleotide primed-PCR (DOP-PCR) amplification of flow-sorted chromosomes. The painting probes were used to delimit homologous chromosomal segments among human, red fox, dog, cat and eight species of the family Mustelidae, including the European mink, steppe and forest polecats, least weasel, mountain weasel, Japanese sable, striped polecat, and badger. Based on the results of chromosome painting and G-banding, comparative maps between these species have been established. The integrated map demonstrates a high level of karyotype conservation among mustelid species. Comparative analysis of the conserved chromosomal segments among mustelids and outgroup species revealed 18 putative ancestral autosomal segments that probably represent the ancestral chromosomes, or chromosome arms, in the karyotype of the most recent ancestor of the family Mustelidae. The proposed 2n = 38 ancestral Mustelidae karyotype appears to have been retained in some modern mustelids, e.g., Martes, Lutra, ktonyx, and Vormela. The derivation of the mustelid karyotypes from the putative ancestral state resulted from centric fusions, fissions, the addition of heterochromatic arms, and occasional pericentric inversions. Our results confirm many of the evolutionary conclusions suggested by other data and strengthen the topology of the carnivore phylogenetic tree through the inclusion of genome-wide chromosome rearrangements. Copyright (C) 2002 S. KargerAG, Basel.

Karyotypic relationships of horses and zebras: results of cross-species chromosome painting

Complete sets of chromosome-specific painting probes, derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of human (HSA), Equus caballus (ECA) and Equus burchelli (EBU) were used to delineate conserved chromosomal segments between human and Equits burchelli, and among four equid species, E. przewalskii (EPR), E. caballus, E. burchelli and E. zebra hartmannae (EZH) by cross-species chromosome painting. Genome-wide comparative maps between these species have been established. Twenty-two human autosomal probes revealed 48 conserved segments in E. burchelli. The adjacent segment combinations HSA3/21, 7/16p, 16q/19q, 14/15, 12/22 and 4/8, presumed ancestral syntenies for all eutherian mammals, were also found conserved in E. burchelli. The comparative maps of equids allow for the unequivocal characterization of chromosomal rearrangements that differentiate the karyotypes of these equid species. The karyotypes of E. przewalskii and E. caballus differ by one Robertsonian translocation (ECA5 = EPR23 + EPR24); numerous Robertsonian translocations and tandem fusions and several inversions account for the karyotypic differences between the horses and zebras. Our results shed new light on the karyotypic evolution of Equidae. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chromosome painting in the long-tailed field mouse provides insights into the ancestral murid karyotype

We report on the hybridization of mouse chromosomal paints to Apodemus sylvaticus, the long-tailed field mouse. The mouse paints detected 38 conserved segments in the Apodemus karyotype. Together with the species reported here there are now six species of rodents mapped with Mus musculus painting probes. A parsimony analysis indicated that the syntenies of nine M. musculus chromosomes were most likely already formed in the muroid ancestor: 3, 4, 7, 9, 14, 18, 19, X and Y. The widespread occurrence of syntenic segment associations of mouse chromosomes 1/17, 2/13, 7/19, 10/17, 11/16, 12/17 and 13/15 suggests that these associations were ancestral syntenies for muroid rodents. The muroid ancestral karyotype probably had a diploid number of about 2n = 54. It would be desirable to have a richer phylogenetic array of species before any final conclusions are drawn about the Muridae ancestral karyotype. The ancestral karyotype presented here should be considered as a working hypothesis. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The impact of chromosome sorting and painting on the comparative analysis of primate genomes

Chromosome sorting by flow cytometry is the main source of chromosome-specific DNA for the production of painting probes. These probes have been used for cross-species in situ hybridization in the construction of comparative maps, in the study of karyotype evolution and phylogenetics, in delineating territories in interphase nuclei, and in the analysis of chromosome breakpoints. We review here the contributions that this technology has made to the analysis of primate genomes. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Karyotypic conservatism in the suborder Feliformia (Order Carnivora)

Multidirectional comparative chromosome painting was used to investigate the karyotypic relationships among representative species from three Feliformia families of the order Carnivora ( Viverridae, Hyaenidae and Felidae). Complete sets of painting probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of the domestic dog, American mink, and human were hybridized onto metaphases of the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta, 2n = 40) and masked palm civet (Paguma larvata, 2n = 44). Extensive chromosomal conservation is evident in these two species when compared with the cat karyotype, and only a few events of chromosome fusion, fission and inversion differentiate the karyotypes of these Feliformia species. The comparative chromosome painting data have enabled the integration of the hyena and palm civet chromosomes into the previously established comparative map among the domestic cat, domestic dog, American mink and human and improved our understanding on the karyotype phylogeny of Feliformia species. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Genetic evidence of a strong functional constraint of neurotrypsin during primate evolution

Neurotrypsin is one of the extra-cellular serine proteases that are predominantly expressed in the brain and involved in neuronal development and function. Mutations in humans are associated with autosomal recessive non-syndromic mental retardation (MR). We studied the molecular evolution of neurotrypsin by sequencing the coding region of neurotrypsin in 11 representative non-human primate species covering great apes, lesser apes, Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. Our results demonstrated a strong functional constraint of neurotrypsin that was caused by strong purifying selection during primate evolution, an implication of an essential functional role of neurotrypsin in primate cognition. Further analysis indicated that the purifying selection was in fact acting on the SRCR domains of neurotrypsin, which mediate the binding activity of neurotrypsin to cell surface or extracellular proteins. In addition, by comparing primates with three other mammalian orders, we demonstrated that the absence of the first copy of the SRCR domain (exon 2 and 3) in mouse and rat was due to the deletion of this segment in the murine lineage. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Molecular characterization of six Chinese families with m.3460G > A and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy

The primary mutation m.3460G > A occurs with a very low frequency (similar to 1%) in Chinese patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Up to now, there is no comprehensive study of Chinese patients harboring this mutation. We characterized six unrelated probands with m.3460G > A in this study, which were identified from 1,626 patients with LHON or suspected with LHON. The overall penetrance of LHON (25.6% [10/39]) in four pedigrees with m.3460G > A was substantially lower than those families with m.11778G > A (33.3% [619/1859]) as reported in our previous study. Intriguingly, family Le688 with a heteroplasmic m.3460G > A presented a lower penetrance (12.5%) than the other three families with a homoplasmic mutation. There is an elevated gender bias (affected male to affected female = 4:1) in the four families with m.3460G > A compared to those LHON families with m.11778G > A (2.4:1). Complete mtDNA sequencing indicated that the six matrilines belonged to haplogroups B4d1, F2, A5b, M12a, D4b2b, and D4b2, respectively. We did not identify any potential secondary mutation(s) that will affect or be associated with the penetrance of LHON in the six probands by using an evolutionary analysis and protein secondary-structure prediction. Taken together, our results suggested that the m.3460G > A mutation occurred multiple times in Chinese LHON patients. The heteroplasmic status of mutation m.3460G > A might influence the penetrance of LHON in family Le688.

Altitudinal Ranging of Black-Crested Gibbons at Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan: Effects of Food Distribution, Temperature and Human Disturbance

We studied the altitudinal ranging of one habituated group of black-crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor) at Dazhaizi, Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, China, between March 2005 and April 2006. The group ranged from 1,900 to 2,680 m above sea level. Food distribution was the driving force behind the altitudinal ranging patterns of the study group. They spent 83.2% of their time ranging between 2,100 and 2,400 m, where 75.8% of important food patches occurred. They avoided using the area above 2,500 m despite a lack of human disturbance there, apparently because there were few food resources. Temperature had a limited effect on seasonal altitudinal ranging but probably explained the diel altitudinal ranging of the group, which tended to use the lower zone in the cold morning and the higher zone in the warm afternoon. Grazing goats, the main disturbance, were limited to below 2,100 m, which was defined as the high-disturbance area (HDA). Gibbons spent less time in the HDA and, when ranging there, spent more time feeding and travelling and less time resting and singing. Human activities directly influenced gibbon behaviour, might cause forest degradation and create dispersal barriers between populations. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

New insights into the karyotypic relationships of Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and gayal (Bos frontalis)

To investigate the karyotypic relationships between Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and gayal (Bos frontalis), a complete set of Chinese muntjac chromosome-specific painting probes has been assigned to G-banded chromosomes of these three species. Sixteen autosomal probes (i.e. 6-10, 12-22) of the Chinese muntjac each delineated one pair of conserved segments in the forest musk deer and gayal, respectively. The remaining six autosomal probes (1-5, and 11) each delineated two to five pairs of conserved segments. In total, the 22 autosomal painting probes of Chinese muntjac delineated 33 and 34 conserved chromosomal segments in the genomes of forest musk deer and gayal, respectively. The combined analysis of comparative chromosome painting and G-band comparison reveals that most interspecific homologous segments show a high degree of conservation in G-banding patterns. Eleven chromosome fissions and five chromosome fusions differentiate the karyotypes of Chinese muntjac and forest musk deer; twelve chromosome fissions and six fusions are required to convert the Chinese muntjac karyotype to that of gayal; one chromosome fission and one fusion separate the forest musk deer and gayal. The musk deer has retained a highly conserved karyotype that closely resembles the proposed ancestral pecoran karyotype but shares none of the rearrangements characteristic for the Cervidae and Bovidae. Our results substantiate that chromosomes 1-5 and 11 of Chinese muntjac originated through exclusive centromere-to-telomere fusions of ancestral acrocentric chromosomes. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Genome segment S8 of grass carp hemorrhage virus encodes a virion protein

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome segment S8 of grass carp hemorrhage virus (GCHV) was determined from cDNA corresponding to the viral genomic RNA. It is 1,287 nucleotides in length and contains a large open reading frame that could encode a protein of 409 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 44 kD. The S8 was expressed using the pET fusion protein vector and detected by Western blotting analysis using the chicken egg IgY against intact GCHV particles, indicating that S8 encodes a virion protein. Amino acid sequence comparisons revealed that the protein encoded by S8 is closely related to protein alpha2 of mammalian reovirus, suggesting that the deduced protein of S8 is an inner capsid protein. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.

蟾蜍皮肤活性蛋白与多肽的研究

近年来，我们致力于蟾蛛（Bufo andrewski）皮肤活性组份的研究，构建了缥蛛皮肤cDNA文库，检测了蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中多种生物活性，进一步纯化得到了四个新的生物活性蛋白：溶菌酶、抗爱滋病毒蛋白以及两个丝氨酸蛋粼酶抑制剂，并，简述如下；I、第三章报导了我们从蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中分离得到的一个谊薇酚犷杰女呱BA一娜"zym"）·BA一lvs"Zym"经5DS一PAGE检测为一条带，其分子量约为巧k珍。·它是一个高效的溶菌酶，每毫克蛋白的溶菌活性为2．7xl护俪ts，还能抑制革兰氏阳性菌（金黄色葡萄球菌Slaj，匆褚ococcusaureus）和革兰氏阴性菌（大肠杆菌Esch邵ichiacoli）生长，其最小抑菌浓度（MIC）分别为1．36拼M和84并M。使用PCR筛选法，我们从蟾蛛皮肤c溯A文库中克隆得到编码BA一lyso即me的cDNA序列。BA一lysozymeN末端测序和肤质量图谱确认了蛋白和基因的网一性。它的蛋白全序列与鸡溶菌酶的相似性为5氏5％。系统发育分析显示，与其最相似的是来源于海龟的溶菌酶。11、第四章介绍了我们从蟋蛛皮肤分泌液中分离得到的一个新的抗lllV蛋白，命名为BAS一AH。BAS一AH是一个分子量为63kD。的单链蛋白，每摩尔蛋白质含有0．89摩尔血红素辅基。BAS一AH对人T淋巴细胞系CS166细胞的毒性（CCS。）为9．5尽M。BAs一AH具有较强的抗HIV活性，它对HIV感染和复制具有剂量依赖抑制效应，其选择指数（CCso／Ecs。）分别为14．4和11．4·BAS一麟J也能抑制HIV的逆转录酶，其1C5（）为L32冬以。BAs一AH的N末端氨基酸为NA以KADvIGKIsILLGQDI』slvAAM，与己知的抗Hlv蛋白没有同源性·表明它可能是一个新的抗川v蛋自。BAs一AH没有检测到抗菌活性、蛋自酶水解活性、胰蛋自酶抑制剂活性、L一氨基酸氧化酶活性和过氧化氢酶活性。班、第五伞报导了我们通过离子交换、分子筛和反向层析，从蟾赊皮肤中分离得到的一个新的胰蛋白酶抑制剂，命名为BATI。BATI是一个单链糖蛋自·其分子量为22kD。。它是吵～个热稳定的竞争性的抑制剂，能有效抑制胰蛋自酶·其抑制常数凡为14nM。B灯I对凝血酶、弹性蛋白酶以及糜蛋白酶都没有抑制作用。BATI的N末端序列为El犯ITD，不同于其它物种来源的蛋白酶抑制剂。W、第六章介绍了蟾蛛皮肤分泌液中纯化得到的另外一个蛋白酶抑制剂（命名为baserpin）。与上述BATI不同的是，basel咖n不可逆地抑制多种蛋白酶。它是一个分子量约为60kDa的单链糖蛋白，除了能抑制胰蛋白酶，还能有效抑制糜蛋白酶和弹性蛋白酶。它抑制上述三种酶的二级反应常数（编）分别为4．6x1护M一，s一l、8．9》1护M一15一I以及6．8xl护M一ls一l。BaserPin是第一个来源于两栖类皮肤的不可逆抑制剂，其N末端氨基酸序列为HTQYPDILIAKPxDK，与其它物种来源的蛋白酶抑制剂不同。本论文综述了蟾蛛皮肤中的活性组份，报导了我们近年来研究蟾蛛皮肤活性蛋白与多肤的进展，分四章详细介绍了蟾蛛皮肤中纯化得到的四个活性蛋白。BA一lysozyme是两栖类动物中第一个得到蛋白质全序列的溶菌酶，能有效抑制革兰氏阳性菌和革兰氏阴性菌生长；BA象AH是一个含血红素辅基的抗HIV蛋白，其独特的理化性质和功能证明它是一个新的抗病毒蛋白。根据所鉴定的性质判断，BATI和bos仰in分别属于竞争性抑制剂和不可逆抑制剂。其中，base印in是第一个从两栖类皮肤中分离得到的不可逆抑制剂。