C-banding pattern and nucleolar organizer regions of Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther, 1873

The C-banding pattern and nucleolar organizer regions of the metaphase chromosomes of Cynoglossus semilaevis are reported. The interstitial regions in all chromosomes including the pair of sex chromosomes had positive C-bands, and the 6th and 12th pairs of chromosomes were entirely stained in most cases. Some chromosomes such as the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th pairs showed C-bands at centromeric or distal ends. The C-banding heretochromatin occupies 30.03% of the total chromosome surface in C. semilaevis, which is similar to that of amphibians such as Mixophyes fasciolatus (30.2%) and M. schevilli (20.7%), but is rather lower than that of cephalochordate Branchiostoma belcheri (54.3%). Silver staining revealed a single pair of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) located in the telomeric regions of Chromosome 2. The association of NORs with heterochromatin observed in vertebrates also occurs in C. semilaevis as the telomeric regions of Chromosome 2 are always stained positively with C-banding.     

C-banding pattern and nucleolar organizer regions of Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther, 1873

The C-banding pattern and nucleolar organizer regions of the metaphase chromosomes of Cynoglossus semilaevis are reported. The interstitial regions in all chromosomes including the pair of sex chromosomes had positive C-bands, and the 6th and 12th pairs of chromosomes were entirely stained in most cases. Some chromosomes such as the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th pairs showed C-bands at centromeric or distal ends. The C-banding heretochromatin occupies 30.03% of the total chromosome surface in C. semilaevis, which is similar to that of amphibians such as Mixophyes fasciolatus (30. 2% ) and M. schevilli (20. 7% ), but is rather lower than that of cephalochordate Branchiostoma belcheri (54. 3 % ). Silver staining revealed a single pair of nucleolar organizer regions ( NORs) located in the telomeric regions of Chromosome 2. The association of NORs with heterochromatin observed in vertebrates also occurs in C. semilaevis as the telomeric regions of Chromosome 2 are always stained positively with C-banding.     

Effects of electrolysis on Microcystis aeruginosa in water

Microcystis aeruginosa (blue-green algae) is of concern in relation to drinking water because of its ability to produce toxins and odors that can significantly impair water quality. The drinking water contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria could cause the death of the domestic and wild animals and the cases of human illness. To minimize the threat, the treatment of eutrophicated water containing algae (M.aeroginosa) was conducted via electrochemical oxidation process, with titanium based anode coated with RuO₂ in this study. The research showed that the electrochemical oxidation process was effective in inhibiting the growth of the algae such as M.aeruginosa. The electrolysis parameters such as: electrolysis time, current density, and electrodes distance were analyzed by the orthogonal collocation method. The results showed the electrolysis time was the dominant factor for the inhibition of the algal growth. The optimal operating conditions were: current density of 10 mA/cm² and the electrodes distance of 6 cm. The inhibitive efficiency was 92.64% with the electrolysis time of 40 minutes. The preliminary mechanism of this process was also explored and proposed in this paper.     

Speciation of the genus Arthricocephalus Bergeron, 1899 (Trilobita) from the late Early Cambrian and its stratigraphic significance

The genus Arthricocephalus Bergeron, 1899 is revised, and Halipanktos Balker & Peel, 1997 is suggested here as a senior synonym. The subgenus Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalites) Chien & Lin in Lu et al., 1974 is considered as a separate genus. Of the 20 previously assigned species of Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalus) Bergeron, 1899, Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalites) Chien & Lin in Lu et al., 1974, Arthricocephalus (Euarthricocephalus) Ju, 1983 are lumped into eight species. The speciation trend of Arthricocephalus and Arthricocephalites is demonstrated based on their stratigraphic occurrences. It not only enhances the resolution of the biostatigraphic zonation in the uppermost Lower Cambrian, but also represents a potential candidate to define the Duyunian stage. The base of the stage is suggested at the first appearance datum (FAD) of Arthricocephalus chauveaui Bergeron, 1899 within the evolutionary lineage from Ar. jiangkouensis Yin in Yin & Li,1978 to Ar. chauveaui in a global scale.     

Speciation of the genus Arthricocephalus Bergeron, 1899 (Trilobita) from the late Early Cambrian and its stratigraphic significance

The genus Arthricocephalus Bergeron, 1899 is revised, and Halipanktos Balker & Peel, 1997 is suggested here as a senior synonym. The subgenus Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalites) Chien & Lin in Lu et al., 1974 is considered as a separate genus. Of the 20 previously assigned species of Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalus) Bergeron, 1899, Arthricocephalus (Arthricocephalites) Chien & Lin in Lu et al., 1974, Arthricocephalus (Euarthricocephalus) Ju, 1983 are lumped into eight species. The speciation trend of Arthricocephalus and Arthricocephalites is demonstrated based on their stratigraphic occurrences. It not only enhances the resolution of the biostatigraphic zonation in the uppermost Lower Cambrian, but also represents a potential candidate to define the Duyunian stage. The base of the stage is suggested at the first appearance datum (FAD) of Arthricocephalus chauveaui Bergeron, 1899 within the evolutionary lineage from Ar. jiangkouensis Yin in Yin & Li,1978 to Ar. chauveaui in a global scale.     

Primary investigation on GISH-NOR in cotton

Six loci of nucleolar organizer region (NOR) were detected in genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) of cotton (Gossypium). NOR was the characteristic of 45S rDNA but could be generated by genomic DNA (gDNA) extracted from Gossypium species as probe. With twice FISH to the same mitotic cell of G herbaceum or G hirsutum, number, position and size for NORs generated from 45S rDNA and gDNA were identified largely similar or even the same. The NORs with gDNA as probe were therefore permanently defined as GISH-NORs. GISH-NORs from G hirsutum and Graimondii mitotic images were all terminal types. Four and two GISH-NORs from G herbaceum (var. africanum) were terminal and centromere types, respectively. Six GISH-NORs in G hirsutum were chromosome mapped with two in A- and four in D-subgenomes. There were also GISH-NORs in mitotic image of G raimondii with its own gDNA as probe. From mitotic image of G herbaceum with its own gDNA as probe, GISH-NOR could not be observed but non-wholerecovery of hybridized signals was distinguished. These non-whole-recovery of hybridized signals were detected on long arm terminals of most chromosomes and especially existed in nearly half long arm of a pair of chromosomes in Gherbaceum gDNA probed itself GISH image, which may be possibly induced by low copy genes within the regions rather than inter-subgenomic segment translocations. GISH-NORs in G hirsutum mitotic images were dominantly observed when gDNAs from D and A genome species were used as probes and block, respectively, but not when the reverse probe and block gDNA from the two diploid progenitor genomes were designed. There may be two speculations to this special phenomenon: rDNA concerted evolution; content of rDNA in genome D more than genome A.     

A miniature insertion element transposable in Microcystis sp. FACHB 854

A 186-bp sequence with imperfect terminal inverted repeats and target direct repeats but without any transposase-encoding capacity was found to be transposable in an isolate derived from Microcystis sp. FACHB 854. This miniature insertion element, designated as ISM854-1, and with its homologues present at least 10 copies in the genome of Microcystis FACHB 854, is inserted into the 8-bp long and AT-rich target sequences, but none or few in other Microcystis strains. A variant of ISM854-1, denoted ISM854-1A, has perfect inverted repeat sequences and may transpose in pairs in a structure like a composite transposon. This is the first report of non-autonomous transposition of a mini-IS in a cyanobacterium.     

Characterization of root-nodulating bacteria on Retama raetam in arid Tunisian soils

The aim of this study is to investigate the diversity of Retama raetam root-nodule bacteria isolated from arid regions of Tunisia. Twelve isolates, chosen as representative for different 16S rRNA gene patterns, were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic analysis. Isolates were assigned to Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium and Agrobacterium. Symbiotic properties of Sinorhizobium and Rhizobium isolates showed a large diversity in their capacity to infect their host plant and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Strain RK 22 identified as Rhizobium was the most e?ective isolate.     

Characterization of root-nodulating bacteria on Retama raetam in arid Tunisian soils

The aim of this study is to investigate the diversity of Retama raetam root-nodule bacteria isolated from arid regions of Tunisia. Twelve isolates, chosen as representative for different 16S rRNA gene patterns, were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic analysis. Isolates were assigned to Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium and Agrobacterium. Symbiotic properties of Sinorhizobium and Rhizobium isolates showed a large diversity in their capacity to infect their host plant and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Strain RK 22 identified as Rhizobium was the most e?ective isolate.     

Identification of a bi-directional promoter from Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus

A bi-directional promoter of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) was obtained with the total DNA from TYLCCNV isolate Y10 infected tobacco leaves as a template. Plant expression vectors were constructed by fusing the amplified DNA fragment with the gus gene and nopaline terminator in different orientations. The vectors containing promoter fragments were transferred into leaf cells and plant stems of Nicotiana benthamiana by Agrobacterium-mediated method. Transient expression results showed that both the complementary and virion-sense promoters could drive the gus gene to express, and the GUS activity of the complementary-sense promoter was stronger than that of the virion-sense. Co-expression of the vector containing βC1 gene of TYLCCNV DNAβ with the vector containing a bi-directional promoter revealed that the βC1 protein has no impact on expression of either the virion- or the complementary-sense promoter.     

Identification of a bi-directional promoter from Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus

A bi-directional promoter of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) was obtained with the total DNA from TYLCCNV isolate Y10 infected tobacco leaves as a template. Plant expression vectors were constructed by fusing the amplified DNA fragment with the gus gene and nopaline terminator in different orientations. The vectors containing promoter fragments were transferred into leaf cells and plant stems of Nicotiana benthamiana by Agrobacterium-mediated method. Transient expression results showed that both the complementary and virion-sense promoters could drive the gus gene to express, and the GUS activity of the complementary-sense promoter was stronger than that of the virion-sense. Co-expression of the vector containing βC1 gene of TYLCCNV DNAβ with the vector containing a bi-directional promoter revealed that the βC1 protein has no impact on expression of either the virion- or the complementary-sense promoter.     

Genetic variations of glycinin subunit genes among cultivated and wild type soybean species

Glycinin is a predominant storage protein in most soybean accessions. It is a hexamer constituted by five major subunits, which can be classified into two groups. Group I contains G1, G2 and G3, and Group II contains G4 and G5. The genes encoding these subunits have been designated from Gy1 to Gy5 , respectively. In the present study, Gy1 genomic fragments were cloned from wild accessions of subgenera Glycine glycine, Glycine soja and a cultivar of Glycine max . Their sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences were compared. The residues critical for assembling of G1 subunits from the wild perennial accession were conservative. The Gy4 fragments were cloned from two wild perennial accessions and compared with that from subgenus Soja . The intron 3 of Gy4 had abundant variations between the subgenera G. soja and G. glycine as well as within the subgenus G. glycine. Abundant variations existed in the disordered regions 3 and 4 of G4 subunits from two wild perennial accessions. The genomic organization of glycinin genes was analyzed in 19 accessions from subgenera Soja and Glycine . The hybridization patterns were identical among the accessions of subgenus Soja. On the contrary, abundant polymorphisms existed between the accessions from subgenus Glycine . These results indicated that glycinin genes have high degree of conservation within subgenus Soja but more variations within subgenus Glycine .     

Migration and population genetics of the grain aphid Macrosiphum miscanti (Takahashi) in relation to the geographic distance and gene flow

The population genetics of the grain aphid Macrosiphum miscanti (Takahashi) is analyzed by microsatellite markers. Samples collected from 15 locations in China have been examined at 5 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Overall, genetic diversity displays a relation between the migration and gene flow in the grain aphid: a free and frequent gene flow is found in the eastern populations, and gene isolation occurs in the two western populations, especially Datong population and Guiyang population. The natural barriers may present an insurmountable obstacle preventing gene flow and aphid migration. However, a spatial genetic differentiation between populations is correlated with their geographical separation, indicating the geographic differentiation may play an important role in shaping the genetic structure of M. miscanti populations. In addition, most populations of grain aphids are out of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and there is heterozygote deficit. Based on F statistics, the average genetic differentiation among different geographical populations is relatively low. It seems that the long distance migration of the grain aphid may enhance gene flow and decrease genetic differentiation among different populations.     

Breeding and molecular cytogenetic identification of wheat-Thinopyrum intermedium addition lines resistant to powdery mildew

Wheat-related species Th. intermedium was used to cross with common wheat Yannong 15. In the self progenies of the hybrid, two addition lines, Ⅱ-1-7-1 and Ⅱ-3-3-2, stable in cytology, were developed by cytology and powdery mildew resistance identification. Their chromosome number were 2n = 44 and formed 22 bivalents at PMC MI. In F₁ of the two addition lines crossing with Yannong 15, there appeared about one univalent at PMC MI, respectively. Resistance identification in greenhouse and field using the No. 15 and mixed strains of E. gramnis f. sp. tritici showed that they were immune to powdery mildew. Chromosome number and resistance identification using the F² single plants of the addition line crossing with Yannong 15 indicated that the resistant gene was located on the alien chromosomes. In situ hybridization using St and E genomic DNA as probe showed that the added chromosome in the two addition lines probably came from the E genome of Th. intermedium, which indicated that a pair of E genome chromosomes carried a new resistant gene to powdery mildew.