Programmed cell death during terminal bud senescence in a sympodial branching tree, Eucommia ulmoides

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a typical sympodial branching tree. The apical bud of the branch ages and dies every year, replaced by the nearby axillary bud in the second year. Structural assays and a series of biochemical analyses were performed to analyze the senescence mechanism in the apical bud. It was revealed that most cells of the apical bud underwent the programmed cell death (PCD) during the senescence: the chromosomes were congregated and the nuclear contents were condensed, as shown by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorescence. DNA fragmentation was detected during senescence using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end in situ labeling (TUNEL) method, coincident with the appearance of a DNA ladder. Moreover, a 20 kD DNase related to fragmentation was found. PCD was initiated first in the young leaves, leaf primordia and peripheral zone cells, then in the central mother cells and initial layer cells in the apical meristem. The terminal buds remain in vegetative growth during senescence, in contrast to buds of many annual plants.     

扬子鳄胚胎味蕾发生的初步观察

在４例不同时期的扬子鳄胚胎中观察了味蕾的形态发生及细胞分化过程。孵化至第４８天，部分舌乳头上皮的基部出现味蕾原基。第５２天味蕾体积增大，细胞数量显著增多。第５６天部分味蕾出现味孔，味蕾细胞出现基细胞、支持细胞和味觉细胞的分化。第６２天味蕾的味孔均形成，部分味孔扩大，味毛增多并伸出味孔外。味觉细胞在分化过程中，其细胞核内的异染色质及细胞质中的线粒体均逐渐增多。     

Control of tillering in rice

Tillering in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important agronomic trait for grain production, and also a model system for the study of branching in monocotyledonous plants. Rice tiller is a specialized grain-bearing branch that is formed on the unelongated basal internode and grows independently of the mother stem (culm) by means of its own adventitious roots. Rice tillering occurs in a two-stage process: the formation of an axillary bud at each leaf axil and its subsequent outgrowth. Although the morphology and histology and some mutants of rice tillering have been well described, the molecular mechanism of rice tillering remains to be elucidated. Here we report the isolation and characterization of MONOCULM 1 (MOC1), a gene that is important in the control of rice tillering. The moc1 mutant plants have only a main culm without any tillers owing to a defect in the formation of tiller buds. MOC1 encodes a putative GRAS family nuclear protein that is expressed mainly in the axillary buds and functions to initiate axillary buds and to promote their outgrowth.     

Identification of myosin heavy chain in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Motility in biological systems is expressed in a variety of ways, such as cytoplasmic streaming, cell shaping, nuclear migration and muscle contraction. These functions are thought to be mediated by structural proteins, for example, myosin, actin and tubulin. The involvement of myosin in muscle contraction is well documented and this protein is implicated in generating the cleavage forces during cytokinesis in some non-muscle cells. Here, we report the isolation of a protein similar to myosin as judged by its biochemical and immunological properties, from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Parts of the protein have been conserved through evolution at the protein and DNA sequence levels. The presence of this protein in the region bordering mother cell and bud, as revealed by immunofluorescence, suggests that it is involved in cell division.     

Role of cortical tumour-suppressor proteins in asymmetric division of Drosophila neuroblast

Cellular diversity during development arises in part from asymmetric divisions, which generate two distinct cells by transmitting localized determinants from a progenitor cell into one daughter cell. In Drosophila, neuroblasts undergo typical asymmetric divisions to produce another neuroblast and a ganglion mother cell. At mitosis, neural fate determinants, including Prospero and Numb, localize to the basal cortex, from which the ganglion mother cell buds off; Inscuteable and Bazooka, which regulate spindle orientation, localize apically. Here we show that a tumour-suppressor protein, Lethal giant larvae (Lgl), is essential for asymmetric cortical localization of all basal determinants in mitotic neuroblasts, and is therefore indispensable for neural fate decisions. Lgl, which itself is uniformly cortical, interacts with several types of Myosin to localize the determinants. Another tumour-suppressor protein, Lethal discs large (Dlg), participates in this process by regulating the localization of Lgl. The localization of the apical components is unaffected in lgl or dlg mutants. Thus, Lgl and Dlg act in a common process that differentially mediates cortical protein targeting in mitotic neuroblasts, and that creates intrinsic differences between daughter cells.     

Centrosome misorientation reduces stem cell division during ageing

Asymmetric division of adult stem cells generates one self-renewing stem cell and one differentiating cell, thereby maintaining tissue homeostasis. A decline in stem cell function has been proposed to contribute to tissue ageing, although the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here we show that changes in the stem cell orientation with respect to the niche during ageing contribute to the decline in spermatogenesis in the male germ line of Drosophila. Throughout the cell cycle, centrosomes in germline stem cells (GSCs) are oriented within their niche and this ensures asymmetric division. We found that GSCs containing misoriented centrosomes accumulate with age and that these GSCs are arrested or delayed in the cell cycle. The cell cycle arrest is transient, and GSCs appear to re-enter the cell cycle on correction of centrosome orientation. On the basis of these findings, we propose that cell cycle arrest associated with centrosome misorientation functions as a mechanism to ensure asymmetric stem cell division, and that the inability of stem cells to maintain correct orientation during ageing contributes to the decline in spermatogenesis. We also show that some of the misoriented GSCs probably originate from dedifferentiation of spermatogonia.     

甜菊花粉发育的超微结构及细胞化学

以电镜观察甜菊花粉及发育的结果表明:小孢子母细胞时期,出现胞质融合以及线粒体和质体数量减少、结构简化的胞质重组现象。四分孢子的显著特征是细胞核和高尔基体呈活跃状态。花粉双核期,营养细胞内出现大量的淀粉粒和脂质体,细胞器丰富,核孔多,而生殖细胞胞质稀薄核孔较少见。本文中探讨了这二类细胞的功能。双核期花粉内淀粉粒和蛋白质开始大量积累。三核期花粉成熟时,蛋白质积累达高峰,淀粉粒转化为较小分子的糖类物质以供花粉萌发生长。     

Deficiencies in DNA damage repair limit the function of haematopoietic stem cells with age

A diminished capacity to maintain tissue homeostasis is a central physiological characteristic of ageing. As stem cells regulate tissue homeostasis, depletion of stem cell reserves and/or diminished stem cell function have been postulated to contribute to ageing. It has further been suggested that accumulated DNA damage could be a principal mechanism underlying age-dependent stem cell decline. We have tested these hypotheses by examining haematopoietic stem cell reserves and function with age in mice deficient in several genomic maintenance pathways including nucleotide excision repair, telomere maintenance and non-homologous end-joining. Here we show that although deficiencies in these pathways did not deplete stem cell reserves with age, stem cell functional capacity was severely affected under conditions of stress, leading to loss of reconstitution and proliferative potential, diminished self-renewal, increased apoptosis and, ultimately, functional exhaustion. Moreover, we provide evidence that endogenous DNA damage accumulates with age in wild-type stem cells. These data are consistent with DNA damage accrual being a physiological mechanism of stem cell ageing that may contribute to the diminished capacity of aged tissues to return to homeostasis after exposure to acute stress or injury.     

菘蓝离体培养过程中愈伤组织和再生芽发生的细胞组织学观察

对菘蓝子叶和下胚轴在离体培养过程中的细胞分裂、分化以及器官发生进行了细胞组织学观察.研究结果 表明:培养2～5d,切口处及维管束薄壁细胞均开始脱分化,恢复分裂能力形成愈伤组织,愈伤组织表层细胞启 动分化形成芽原基.2种外植体不定芽的起源方式均为外起源.     

土壤基质和芽体大小对水鳖冬芽萌发及早期生长的影响

为了弄清楚影响浮叶植物水鳖的早期生活的潜在因素,设计了一个3×2因子的室外实验来研究基质和冬芽对水鳖早期生活阶段的影响,即实验用的冬芽分成小、中、大3组,让它们分别在2种不同的土壤基质(沙、泥)中生长.实验结果表明,在相同的基质中,随着冬芽的不断增大,水鳖的萌发率、不同器官(根、茎、叶、叶柄)生物量和总生物量等都有相应的提高;相对来说,大的冬芽和沙基质有利于水鳖早期的萌发、构建和生存,而大的冬芽和泥基质则有利于萌发后水鳖的生长;生物量倾向于根部的分配方式,有利于植物度过不利的环境而更有利于它的生存.     

氯化三丁基锡对鲤鱼味蕾的影响

本文报导了ＴＢＴＣｌ对鲤鱼Ｃｙｐｒｉｎｕｓｃａｒｐｉｏ味蕾组织病理影响的研究，不同浓度ＴＢＴＣＬ对味蕾作用２４ｈ后，用光镜和电（ＴＥＭ）观察其毒性效应，结果出现细胞核变形，细胞膜破坏，内质网和线粒体膜肿胀，线粒体数目减少，坏死，细胞内出现空泡，整个味蕾坏死等特征，其毒性效应随ＴＢＴＣＬ浓度增加而增强。     

蓝花丹花芽分化外部形态与解剖结构的关系

【目的】观察蓝花丹的花芽分化进程,了解其花期调控关键过程。【方法】试验以6年生盆栽蓝花丹为材料,采用田间观测和石蜡切片相结合的方法,观测花芽的外部特征,使用显微镜观察花芽的解剖结构,并划分分化阶段。【结果】蓝花丹的花芽只在当年生枝条的顶端着生,在花芽9个分化进程中,蓝花丹春季萌发枝条的花芽分化时间与各阶段对应进程关系为:①营养生长阶段,在3月中旬至4月5日进行,生长锥窄且细胞排列紧密,此时花芽的外部特征肉眼还观测不到; ② 花芽分化前期,在4月5—10日进行,生长锥开始变厚加宽,此时芽体基部开始膨大; ③ 小花原基分化期,在4月10—15日进行,生长锥形成多个小凸起即为小花原基的原始体,外部的芽体已经有明显的变化,基部膨大,剥开包裹芽体的封顶叶能看见1 mm黄白色的点; ④ 萼片原基分化期,在4月15—20日进行,生长锥凹陷成半月状的小突起,萼片原基形成,此时,幼叶开始展开,花芽明显伸长,芽顶端露出叶片的包裹,芽体呈黄绿色; ⑤ 花瓣原基分化期,在4月20—25日进行,萼片原基内侧开始出现突起,形成花瓣原基,此时花芽开始加宽生长,花芽变得肥胖,芽体呈现鲜绿色; ⑥ 雄蕊原基分化期,4月25—30日进行,花瓣原基内侧形成多个突起,此时花芽伸长生长,芽体明显变长,芽轴伸长,小花芽分离,整个芽体呈现浓绿色; ⑦ 雌蕊原基分化期,在4月30日—5月5日进行,在多个雄蕊中央形成一个突起,雌蕊原基形成,此时整个芽体伸长,萼片形成,芽体暗绿色; ⑧ 花粉形成期,在5月5—10日进行,随着性器官的发育成熟,雄蕊开始伸长形成雏形,众多的花粉粒在雄蕊上形成,此时小花芽形成,按穗状排列在花序轴上; ⑨子房膨大期,在5月10—15日进行,雌蕊开始发育成熟,子房膨大,柱头开始伸长,此时芽体明显增大,小芽外部的花萼筒成熟,形成一层红色的腺体。【结论】蓝花丹花芽分化需60 d左右,并且根据芽体大小、形状、叶片开展程度、芽与第一苞片的相对大小、芽体颜色等指标观察,建立了蓝花丹花芽(花序)分化过程中外部形态变化与解剖结构特点之间的关系。     

A progeroid syndrome in mice is caused by defects in A-type lamins

Numerous studies of the underlying causes of ageing have been attempted by examining diseases associated with premature ageing, such as Werner's syndrome and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). HGPS is a rare genetic disorder resulting in phenotypes suggestive of accelerated ageing, including shortened stature, craniofacial disproportion, very thin skin, alopecia and osteoporosis, with death in the early teens predominantly due to atherosclerosis. However, recent reports suggest that developmental abnormalities may also be important in HGPS. Here we describe the derivation of mice carrying an autosomal recessive mutation in the lamin A gene (Lmna) encoding A-type lamins, major components of the nuclear lamina. Homozygous mice display defects consistent with HGPS, including a marked reduction in growth rate and death by 4 weeks of age. Pathologies in bone, muscle and skin are also consistent with progeria. The Lmna mutation resulted in nuclear morphology defects and decreased lifespan of homozygous fibroblasts, suggesting premature cell death. Here we present a mouse model for progeria that may elucidate mechanisms of ageing and development in certain tissue types, especially those developing from the mesenchymal cell lineage.     

Odorant receptor gene choice is reset by nuclear transfer from mouse olfactory sensory neurons

Of the approximately 1,000 odorant receptor (OR) genes in the mouse genome, an olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) is thought to express one gene, from one allele. This is reminiscent of immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes, which undergo DNA rearrangements in lymphocytes. Here, we test the hypothesis that OR gene choice is controlled by DNA rearrangements in OSNs. Using permanent genetic marking, we show that the choice by an OSN to express an allele of the OR gene M71 is irreversible. Using M71-expressing OSNs as donors for nuclear transfer, we generate blastocysts, embryonic stem (ntES) cell lines and clonal mice. DNA analysis of these cell lines, whose genome is clonally derived from an M71-expressing OSN, does not reveal DNA rearrangements or sequence alterations at the M71 locus. OSNs that differentiate from ntES cells after injection into blastocysts are not restricted to expression of M71 but can express other OR genes. Thus, M71 gene choice is irreversible but is reset upon nuclear transfer, and is not accompanied by genomic alterations.     

细胞不对称分裂机制--芽殖酵母接合型不对称转换

芽列酵母的母细胞与子细胞呈不对称接合型转换，其原因是只有母细胞可表达编码核酸内切酶的基因HO，使相反接合型的缄默基因转位到活动位点取代了原来的接合型基因。HO的不对称表达是因在细胞分裂的末期至G1早期，子细胞核中存在有Ashlp转录抑制因子。Ashlp的不对称分布是由其mRNA的定向转运而实现的：ASH1 mRNA在有丝分裂期被转录出之后，通过接头蛋白She2p和She3p与肌球蛋白Myo4p结合成核糖核蛋白颗粒，经肌动蛋白纤维转运到子细胞远端皮层而锚定并翻译。     

番茄离体培养的形态发生

对番茄下胚轴、子叶、叶柄不同类型外植体离体培养中有关细胞启动、分裂、分化以及器官发生作了细胞组织学观察,结果表明：番茄不同类型外植体在不同样的培养条件下,愈伤组织生长表现明显差异：下胚轴、子叶诱导产生愈伤组织时,细胞启动早,生长快,分裂方式基本为无丝分裂;下胚轴诱导愈伤组织形成时,细胞不规划的无丝分裂少于子叶,故下胚轴离体培养得到正常芽的比例高于子叶;番茄离体培养中不定芽通常发生在愈伤组织的周边区,也可起源于维管组织结节周围,形成层状细胞。不定根则由茎中柱鞘处发生。     

A diffusion barrier maintains distribution of membrane proteins in polarized neurons

The asymmetric distribution of proteins to distinct domains in the plasma membrane is crucial to the function of many polarized cells. In epithelia, distinct apical and basolateral surfaces are maintained by tight junctions that prevent diffusion of proteins and lipids between the two domains. Polarized neurons maintain axonal and somatodendritic plasma membrane domains without an obvious physical barrier. Indeed, the artificial lipid Dil encounters no diffusion barrier at the presumptive domain boundary, the axon hillock. By measuring the lateral mobility of membrane proteins using optical tweezers, we show here that some membrane proteins exhibit markedly reduced mobility in the initial segment of the axon. Disruption of F-actin and low levels of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) abolish this diffusion barrier and lead to redistribution of membrane markers that had previously been polarized. Immobilization in the initial segment may reflect, at least in part, differential tethering to cytoskeletal components. Therefore, the ability to maintain a polarized distribution of membrane proteins depends on a specialized domain at the initial segment of the axon, which restricts lateral mobility and serves as a new type of diffusion barrier that acts in the absence of cell-cell contact.     

四合木(Tetraena mongolica Maxim)雄性不育的细胞学研究

首次报导了四合木花粉发育过程中存在雄性不育现象．四合木花具八枚雄蕊,分两轮排列．药壁发育属基本型,具腺质绒毡层．正常花药的绒毡层细胞在四分孢子形成之后开始解体．四合木花药败育从小孢子母细胞减数分裂Ｉ前期开始,在以后的各个时期均有发生．败育发生在个别雄蕊或全部雄蕊中不等．败育花药的药壁中层、绒毡层在小孢子母细胞减数分裂之前即开始解体,减数分裂过程中基本全部瓦解,使小孢子母细胞正常的减数分裂不能进行,引起以后一系列败育现象,形成不正常的四分孢子或单核花粉粒．败育花药药室瓦解,花粉囊收缩变形．即使在正常发育的成熟花药内,仍能观察到败育的花粉粒,形状为椭圆形或三角形．     

滇重楼切块繁殖不定芽发生的组织学研究

 对滇重楼切块繁殖过程中不定芽发生及其组织细胞学特征进行了研究.结果表明,不定芽仅在根状茎的节上发生,切块上的不定芽,起源于薄壁组织细胞脱分化,为直接发生,不经过愈伤组织阶段.从淀粉粒的分布等情况推测,顶芽具有顶端优势,这正是自然状态下1个根茎只能产生1个芽的原因.滇重楼切块繁殖的机理是顶端优势的打破.     

百脉根的体细胞胚胎发生与高频率植株再生

百脉根的子叶，下胚轴，根在含ＢＡ，ＫＴ，ＺＴ或ＴＤＫ的ＭＳ培养基上均可直接成苗。芽分化频率与添加在培养基里的激素种类密切相关激素浓度对芽的分化和苗的形态影响极大。再生植株经不定芽和体细胞胚胎发生途径形成。体细胞起源于单细胞，其发育过程与合子胚相似。