Identification of a putative oocyte-specific small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide C in gibel carp

Previous studies have demonstrated that germinal vesicle of amphibian oocyte contains small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide C (SNRPC). In this study, a putative member of SNRPC was identified from Carassius auratus gibelio oocyte cDNA library. Its full-length cDNA has an open reading frame of 201 nt for encoding a peptide of 66 an, a short 5'-UTR of 19 nt and a long 3'-UTR of 347 nt including a polyadenylation signal and poly- (A) tail, and the deduced amino acid sequence has 47% identity with the C-terminal of the zebrafish small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide C. Western blot analysis revealed its oocyte-specific expression. Immunofluorescence localization indicated that its gene product localized to numerous nucleoli within the oocytes and showed dynamic changes with the nucleoli during oocyte maturation. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis further revealed its constant presence in the oocytes and in the embryos until hatching. The data suggested that the newly identified CagOSNRPC might be a nucleolar protein. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prediction of C-13-nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts for aliphatic amines

Prediction of C-13-nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts for aliphatic amines is performed. The topological, geological and electronic descriptors are generated. To reduce the variables, the best subsets of the descriptors are obtained by using leaps-and-bounds regression analysis. The model is achieved using multiple regression with satisfactory results.

松科nrDNA 的进化研究Evolution of nuclear ribosomal DNA in Pinaceae

核核糖体DNA（nrDNA）已被作为一个重要的标记，用于推断很多分类等级上的系统发育关系。相对于在被子植物中的快速致同进化，nrDNA在裸子植物中的致同进化速率低，且ITS和5S-NTS区有着较大的长度变异，这种现象在松科植物中尤为明显。在本研究中，我们克隆并测定了银杉属的5S rDNA以及冷杉属、银杉属、雪松属、油杉属、长苞铁杉属、金钱松属与铁杉属的ITS序列。基于获得的新数据，再结合前人报导的其它属的数据，我们探讨了如下四个问题： （1）松科 nrDNA ITS1 亚重复单位的组成、分布及进化;（2）ITS1区的长度变异与亚重复单位数目的关系以及它们的系统学意义;（3）松科ITS1的二级结构特征;（4）银杉5S rDNA编码区及非转录间隔区的结构特征。主要研究结果如下： 1. ITS区的序列分析ITS区的克隆及序列分析发现：（1） 松科ITS1的长度变异范围为 944-3271 bp, 这是目前已报导的真核生物中属间ITS变异最大的类群之一;（2） 所有松科植物的ITS区域都包含亚重复单位，亚重复单位的数目从2到9，并且这些亚重复单位可分为两种类型，即不含保守核心序列（5’-GGCCACCCTAGTC ） 的长亚重复单位（LSR）和含上述保守核心序列的短亚重复单位（SSR）;（3） ITS1区的巨大长度变异主要归因于亚重复单位的数量变异; （4） ITS1区的GC含量与 它的序列长度和亚重复单位的数目有一定关系，并能够提供一些系统发育信息，特别是支持云杉属、松属和银杉属三者具有很近的亲缘关系。 2. ITS1亚重复单位的系统发育分析为了研究亚重复单位的进化关系，我们用最大似然法和最大简约法构建了松科ITS1亚重复单位的系统发育树。结果表明：（1）在ML和MP树中可发现有共同的五个分支; （2） 银杉比松科其它属拥有更多的SSR，且该属的所有9个SSR在系统树中构成一个单系支，表明它们是在银杉属内发生重复的;（3）一些SSR在属间和种间具有同源性，可为nrDNA ITS 的进化历史以及松科的系统发育 研究提供重要信息;（4）亚重复单位的多次重复以及伴随的重组可能是导致LSR 和SSR在松科不同属中分布式样不同的原因。 3. 松科ITS1的二级结构 用 Mfold 3.2 软件对松科所有11个属的ITS1区进行了二级结构预测，共获得了563个最低自由能折叠。结合以前关于松科二级结构的报导，我们分析的结果表明：（1） 松科ITS1的二级结构主要由几个延展的发夹结构组成;（2） 构象的复杂性与亚重复的数目呈正相关;（3）配对的亚重复单位通常在保守核心区（5’-GGCCACCCTAGTC ） 处有部分重叠，并且构成一个长茎，而其它的亚重复单位通常会自身折叠，且保守核心区的部分出现在发夹结构的环中。 4. 银杉5S rDNA 序列分析 我们对来自银杉不同群体的3个个体的5S rDNA进行了克隆，共获得 45 条序列，分析结果表明：（1） 绝大多数银杉5S rDNA编码区长度为120 bp, 以GGG 开头，以CTC结尾，编码区出现的碱基替代主要为转换;（2） 银杉与其它裸子植物相比，5S rDNA基因编码区具很高的相似性（90-99%）; （3）间隔区含有一个poly-C和一个poly-T结构、两个TC丰富区以及五个GC丰富区。根据长度和序列特征，银杉的5S rDNA间隔区可分为三种类型：Type A 长751-764 bp，Type B 长770-807 bp （含一个32 bp的插入），Type C 长581-594 bp; （5）长间隔区（Type A，Type B ）中含有两个148-175 bp的串联亚重复单位，该亚重复单位与短间隔区（Type C ）中的一段143 bp的序列具有较高的相似性（56.0-66.8%）。 5. 银杉5S rRNA的二级结构 Mfold 3.2 预测结果表明：（1）银杉5S rRNA二级结构包括5个双螺旋区（干区）（Ⅰ-Ⅴ）、2个发夹结构环区（C和D）、3个中间环区（B1、B2 和 E）和1个铰链区（A）, 铰链区为三个双螺旋的结合处;（2） 二级结构中的环区通常比双螺旋区更加保守;（3）在5个双螺旋中，I 和 IV 区有较高的碱基替代率。

Phylogenetic studies of pantherine cats (Felidae) based on multiple genes, with novel application of nuclear beta-fibrinogen intron 7 to carnivores

The pantherine lineage of the cat family Felidae (order: Carnivora) includes five big cats of genus Panthera and a great many midsized cats known worldwide. Presumably because of their recent and rapid radiation, the evolutionary relationship among pantherines remains ambiguous. We provide an independent assessment of the evolutionary history of pantherine lineage using two complete mitochondrial (mt) genes (ND2 and ND4) and the nuclear beta-fibrmogen intron 7 gene, whose utility in carnivoran phylogeny was first explored. The available four mt (ND5, cytb, 12S, and 16SrRNA) and two nuclear (IRBP and TTR) sequence loci were also combined to reconstruct phylogeny of 14 closely related cat species. Our analyses of combined mt data (six genes; approximate to 3750 bp) and combined mt and nuclear data (nine genes; approximate to 6500 bp) obtained identical tree topologies, which were well-resolved and strongly supported for almost all nodes. Monophyly of Panthera genus in pantherine lineage was confirmed and interspecific affinities within this genus revealed a novel branching pattern, with P. tigris diverging first in Panthera genus, followed by P. onca, P. leo, and last two sister species P. pardus and P. uncia. In addition, close association of Neofelis nebulosa to Panthera, the phylogenetic redefinition of Otocolobus manil within the domestic cat group, and the relatedness of Acinonyx jubatus and Puma concolor were all important findings in the resulting phylogenies. The potential utilities of nine different genes for phylogenetic resolution of closely related pantherine species were also evaluated, with special interest in that of the novel nuclear beta-fibrinogen intron 7. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The nuclear matrix of Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta): A stage of nuclear matrix evolution?

Euglena gracilis cell was extracted sequentially with CSK-Triton buffer, RSB-Magik solution and DNase-As solution. DGD embedment-free electron microscopy showed that in the extracted nucleus there was a residual non-chromatin fibrous network. That it could not be removed by hot trichloroacetic acid further supported the idea that it was a non-histone, non-chromatin fibrous protein network, and should be the internal network of the nuclear matrix. After the sequential extraction, the nuclear membrane was removed, leaving behind a layer of lamina; the chromatin was digested and eluted from the dense chromosomes and residual chromosomal structures that should be chromosomal scaffold were revealed. Western blot analysis with antiserum against rat lamins showed that nuclear lamina of the cell possessed two positive polypeptides, a major one and a minor one, which had molecular masses similar to lamin B and lamin A, respectively. Comparing these data with those of the most primitive eukaryote Archezoa and of higher eukaryotes, it was suggested that the lower unicellular eukaryote E. gracillis already had the nuclear matrix structure, and its nuclear matrix (especially the lamina) might represent a stage of evolutionary history of the nuclear matrix. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.

Molecular phylogenetics of the family Cyprinidae (Actinopterygii : Cypriniformes) as evidenced by sequence variation in the first intron of S7 ribosomal protein-coding gene: Further evidence from a nuclear gene of the systematic chaos in the family

The family Cyprinidae is the largest freshwater fish group in the world, including over 200 genera and 2100 species. The phylogenetic relationships of major clades within this family are simply poorly understood, largely because of the overwhelming diversity of the group; however, several investigators have advanced different hypotheses of relationships that pre- and post-date the use of shared-derived characters as advocated through phylogenetic systematics. As expected, most previous investigations used morphological characters. Recently, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and combined morphological and mtDNA investigations have been used to explore and advance our understanding of species relationships and test monophyletic groupings. Limitations of these studies include limited taxon sampling and a strict reliance upon maternally inherited mtDNA variation. The present study is the first endeavor to recover the phylogenetic relationships of the 12 previously recognized monophyletic subfamilies within the Cyprinidae using newly sequenced nuclear DNA (nDNA) for over 50 species representing members of the different previously hypothesized subfamily and family groupings within the Cyprinidae and from other cypriniform families as outgroup taxa. Hypothesized phylogenetic relationships are constructed using maximum parsimony and Basyesian analyses of 1042 sites, of which 971 sites were variable and 790 were phylogenetically informative. Using other appropriate cypriniform taxa of the families Catostomidae (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), Gyrinocheilidae (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri), and Balitoridae (Nemacheilus sp. and Beaufortia kweichotvensis) as outgroups, the Cyprinidae is resolved as a monophyletic group. Within the family the genera Raiamas, Barilius, Danio, and Rasbora, representing many of the tropical cyprinids, represent basal members of the family. All other species can be classified into variably supported and resolved monophyletic lineages, depending upon analysis, that are consistent with or correspond to Barbini and Leuciscini. The Barbini includes taxa traditionally aligned with the subfamily Cyprininae sensu previous morphological revisionary studies by Howes (Barbinae, Labeoninae, Cyprininae and Schizothoracinae). The Leuciscini includes six other subfamilies that are mainly divided into three separate lineages. The relationships among genera and subfamilies are discussed as well as the possible origins of major lineages. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

The recombinant beta subunit of C-phycocyanin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis

C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) from blue-green algae has been reported to have various pharmacological characteristics, including antiinflammatory and anti-tumor activities. In this study, we expressed the beta-subunit of C-PC (ref to as C-POP) in Escherichia coli. We found that the recombinant C-PC/beta has anti-cancer properties. Under the treatment of 5 mu M of the recombinant C-PC/beta, four different cancer cell lines accrued high proliferation inhibition and apoptotic induction. Substantially, a lower response occurred in non-cancer cells. We investigated the mechanism by which C-PC/beta inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. We found that the C-PC/beta interacts with membrane-associated beta-tubulin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Under the treatment of the C-PC/beta, depolymerization of microtubules and actin-filaments were observed. The cells underwent apoptosis with an increase in caspase-3, and caspase-8 activities. The cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase under the treatment of C-PC/beta. In addition, the nuclear level of GAPDH decreased significantly. Decrease in the nuclear level of GAPDH prevents the cell cycle from entering into the S phase. Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis may potentate the C-POP as a promising cancer prevention or therapy agent. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular evidence for the monophyly of East Asian groups of Cyprinidae (Teleostei : Cypriniformes) derived from the nuclear recombination activating gene 2 sequences

The family Cyprinidae is one of the largest families of fishes in the world and a well-known component of the East Asian freshwater fish fauna. However, the phylogenetic relationships among cyprinids are still poorly understood despite much effort paid on the cyprinid molecular phylogenetics. Original nucleotide sequence data of the nuclear recombination activating gene 2 were collected from 109 cyprinid species and four non-cyprinid cypriniform outgroup taxa and used to infer the cyprinid phylogenetic relationships and to estimate node divergence times. Phylogenetic reconstructions using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis retrieved the same clades, only branching order within these clades varied slightly between trees. Although the morphological diversity is remarkable, the endemic cyprinid taxa in East Asia emerged as a monophyletic clade referred to as Xenocypridini. The monophyly for the subfamilies including Cyprininae and Leuciscinae, as well as the tribes including Labeonini, Gobionini, Acheilognathini, and Leuciscini, was also well resolved with high nodal support. Analysis of the RAG2 gene supported the following cyprinid molecular phylogeny: the Danioninae is the most basal subfamily within the family Cyprinidae and the Cyprininae is the sister group of the Leuciscinae. The divergence times were estimated for the nodes corresponding to the principal clades within the Cyprinidae. The family Cyprinidae appears to have originated in the mid-Eocene in Asia, with the cladogenic event of the key basal group Danioninae occurring in the early Oligocene (about 31-30 MYA), and the origins of the two subfamilies, Cyprininae and Leuciscinae, occurring in the mid-Oligocene (around 26 MYA). (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factors affecting the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transplantation in the fish embryo

Procedures to improve somatic cell nuclear transplantation in fish were evaluated. We reported effects of nonirradiated recipient eggs, inactivated recipient eggs, different combinations between recipient eggs and donor cells, duration of serum starvation, generation number, and passage number of donor cells on developmental rates of nuclear transplant (NT) embryos. Exposure to 25,000 R of gamma-rays inactivated recipient eggs. Single nucleus of cultured, synchronized somatic cell from gynogenetic bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) was transplanted into nonirradiated or genetically inactivated unfertilized egg of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). There was no significant difference in developmental rate between nonirradiated and inactivated recipient eggs (27.27% vs. 25.71%, respectively). Chromosome count showed that 70.59% of NT embryos contained 48 chromosomes. It showed that most NT embryos came from donor nuclei of bighead carp, which was supported by microsatellite analysis of NT embryos. But 23.53% of NT embryos contained more than 48 chromosomes. It was presumed that those superfluous chromosomes came from nonirradiated recipient eggs. Besides, 5.88% of NT embryos were chimeras. Eggs of blunt-snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) and gibel carp were better recipient eggs than those of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) (25% and 18.03% vs. 8.43%). Among different duration of serum starvation, developmental rate of NT embryos from somatic nuclei of three-day serum starvation was the highest, reaching 25.71% compared to 14.14% (control), 20% (five-day), and 21.95% (seven-day). Cultured donor cells of less passage facilitated reprogramming of NT embryos than those of more passage. Recloning might improve the developmental rate of NT embryos from the differentiated donor nuclei. Developmental rate of fourth generation was the highest (54.83%) and the lowest for first generation (14.14%) compared to second generation (38.96%) and third generation (53.01%). (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The onset of foreign gene transcription in nuclear-transferred embryos of fish

The transcriptional onset of hGH-transgene in fish was studied in the following three cases: the first is in MThGH-transgenic F-4 common carp (Cyprinus carpio) embryos, the second is in nuclear-transferred embryos supported by the transgenic F-4 embryonic nuclei, and the third is in nuclear-transferred embryos supported by the transgenic F-4 tail-fin nuclei. RT-PCR results show that the hGH-transgene initiates its transcriptional activity from early-gastrula stage, the early blastula stage and even 16-cell stage in the first, second and third cases, respectively. it looks like that fish egg cytoplasm could just offer a very restricted reprogramming on transcriptional activity of specific gene in differentiated cell nuclei by nuclear transplantation.