Overexpression of a phytochrome-regulated tandem zinc finger protein gene, OsTZF1, confers hypersensitivity to ABA and hyposensitivity to red light and far-red light in rice seedlings.

Unlabelled: Tandem zinc finger proteins (TZFs) in plants are involved in gene regulation, developmental responses, and hormone-mediated environmental responses in Arabidopsis. However, little information about the functions of the TZF family in monocots has been reported. Here, we investigated a cytoplasmic TZF protein, OsTZF1, which is involved in photomorphogenesis and ABA responses in rice seedlings.

Phytochromes regulate SA and JA signaling pathways in rice and are required for developmentally controlled resistance to Magnaporthe grisea.

Old leaves of wild-type rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare) are more resistant to blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) than new leaves.

Further insights into the strange role of bacterial endosymbionts in whitefly, Bemisia tabaci: comparison of secondary symbionts from biotypes B and Q in China.

The percentage infection of secondary symbionts (SS) (Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, Hamiltonella, Fritschea and Cardinium) in the exotic Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) invaders, commonly known as biotypes B and Q from China, were determined by PCR. In total, 373 biotype B and 1830 biotype Q individuals were screened for the presence of SS.

Investigation of the genetic diversity of an invasive whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in China using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.

It is often considered that reduced genetic variation due to bottlenecks and founder effects limits the capacity for species to establish in new environments and subsequently spread. The recent invasion (during the past five years) of an alien whitefly, one member of Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex, referred to as Mediterranean (herein referred to as Q-type) in Shandong Province, China, provides an ideal opportunity to study the changes in genetic variation between its home range in the Mediterranean region and its invasion range. Using both the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) and nuclear (microsatellite) DNA, we show that Q in Shandong likely originated in the western Mediterranean.

Comparison of aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene expression in laser dissected granulosa cell layers of immature rat ovaries.

In order to understand ovarian toxicity of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, in situ gene expression of the AhR was examined during follicle development in immature rats. In situ hybridization on frozen sections of ovaries from 24-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats showed that the AhR mRNA was localized in the granulosa cells and occasionally in the theca cells of the follicles irrespective of the developmental stage. In situ gene quantification on granulosa cell layers collected by laser microdissection further revealed that the granulosa cells expressed less AhR mRNA according to development of belonging follicles, but more β-subunit of inhibin A mRNA, a quality control gene.

Over-expression of the Arabidopsis CBF1 gene improves resistance of tomato leaves to low temperature under low irradiance.

A known Arabidopsis cDNA clone, the CRT/DRE binding factor 1 (CBF1), was isolated and introduced into tomato plants. CBF1 is a member of the CBF gene family related to low temperature and enhanced low temperature tolerance in plants. In the present work, transcripts of CBF1 could be detected in transgenic tomato leaves, and the photochemical efficiency of PSII (F(v) /F(m)) and oxidisable P700 in the transgenic tomato over-expressing CBF1 were higher than in non-transformed plants under low temperature stress at low irradiance.

EST sequencing and gene expression profiling of cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most important oil crops in the world. However, biotechnological based improvement of peanut is far behind many other crops.

[Improving fatty acid composition and increasing triacylglycerol content in plants by gene engineering: a review].

This article reviewed key genes that involved in fatty acid synthesis and triacylglycerol assembly pathway. The transcription factors which play important roles in seed development and oil content were also reviewed. We summarized the achievement in modifying fatty acid composition and increase oil content in plant by gene engineering using these genes.

Phylogenetic analysis and rapid identification of the whitefly, Bemisia afer, in China.

The phylogenetic relationship between the whitefly Bemisia afer (Priesner & Hosny) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) from China and other populations among the world were analyzed based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene. Phylogenetic analysis of mtCOI sequences and those of reference B. afer sequences showed that the populations of the species could be separated into 5 clades (I-V).

Change in the biotype composition of Bemisia tabaci in Shandong Province of China from 2005 to 2008.

Certain biotypes of the Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) complex cause extensive damage and are important pests and virus vectors in agricultural crops throughout the world. Among the most invasive and well studied are the B and Q biotypes. Recent reports in Shandong Province, China, have indicated that the Q biotype was introduced there in approximately 2005, whereas the B biotype has been established there for approximately 10 yr.

Deep sequencing identifies novel and conserved microRNAs in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.).

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of small, endogenous RNAs that play a regulatory role in the cell by negatively affecting gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNAs have been shown to control numerous genes involved in various biological and metabolic processes. There have been extensive studies on discovering miRNAs and analyzing their functions in model species, such as Arabidopsis and rice.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis CBF1 gene in transgenic tobacco alleviates photoinhibition of PSII and PSI during chilling stress under low irradiance.

A known arabidopsis cDNA clone, the CRT/DRE binding factor 1 (CBF1), was isolated and introduced into tobacco plants. It has been reported that CBF1 is one member of CBF gene family related to low temperature and enhancing low temperature tolerance of plants. In the present work, the transcripts could be detected in the transgenic lines.

Evolution of Ge nanoislands on Si(110)-'16 x 2' surface under thermal annealing studied using STM.

The initial nucleation of Ge nanoclusters on Si(110) at room temperature (RT), annealing-induced surface roughening and the evolution of three-dimensional Ge nanoislands have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). A few monolayers (ML) of Ge deposited at room temperature lead to the formation of Ge clusters which are homogeneously distributed across the surface. The stripe-like patterns, characteristic of the Si(110)-'16 x 2' surface reconstruction are also retained.

Cloning and sequence analysis of putative type II fatty acid synthase genes from Arachis hypogaea L.

The cultivated peanut is a valuable source of dietary oil and ranks fifth among the world oil crops. Plant fatty acid biosynthesis is catalysed by type II fatty acid synthase (FAS) in plastids and mitochondria. By constructing a full-length cDNA library derived from immature peanut seeds and homology-based cloning, candidate genes of acyl carrier protein (ACP), malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase, beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (I, II, III), beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase, beta-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydrase and enoyl-ACP reductase were isolated.

Delimitation of the PSH1(t) gene for rice purple leaf sheath to a 23.5 kb DNA fragment.

Leaf sheath color plays an important role as a marker for rice genetic improvement. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population consisting of 220 individuals was developed from a cross between an Oryza sativa subsp. indica variety, IRBB60, and an Oryza sativa subsp.

Loss of 14-3-3 sigma protein expression and presence of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To confirm the expression of 14-3-3 sigma in oral malignant lesions and in adjacent nonmalignant oral epithelium to provide a clue to the involvement in the cell cycle progression and note any association with human papillomavirus (HPV) status. 14-3-3 Sigma plays important roles in a wide range of vital regulatory processes, including signal transduction, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and DNA replication. 14-3-3 Sigma is an exclusive epithelial marker, and data on its expression in different malignancies are very scarce.

Primary structure, tissue distribution, and biological activity of chicken motilin receptor.

Motilin is a peptide hormone involved in gastrointestinal motility. GPR38, initially cloned as an orphan receptor, is now considered a specific receptor for motilin. Previously, molecular characterization of the motilin receptor had only been performed in mammalian and fish species.

Biotype status and distribution of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Shandong province of China based on mitochondrial DNA markers.

Bemisia tabaci has caused significant crop losses in China during the last decade. Recent research has shown that two potentially invasive variants, biotypes B and Q, have been found in several regions of China. Our objective was to determine the biotype status and the distribution of B.

Primary structure and tissue distribution of GPR39 messenger ribonucleic acid in Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica.

It has been found that GPR39 is an orphan receptor that belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. In mammals, GPR39 has been shown to be involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal and metabolic function. In this study, we performed cDNA cloning for GPR39 in Japanese quail and characterized the tissue expression profiles of its mRNA.

[Application of molecular marker techniques in invasion ecology].

Alien invasive species can cause huge economic loss in agricultural and forestry production, and threaten biodiversity and human health. The research of invasion ecology is of significance in understanding the invasion mechanisms of alien invasive species and in developing corresponding sustainable control methods. Molecular marker is regarded as a useful tool in approaching some essential issues in the research of invasion ecology.

Easy stable transfection of a human cancer cell line by electrogene transfer with an Epstein-Barr virus-based plasmid vector.

We report an easy and stable transfection technique using electrogene transfer with a nonviral Epstein-Barr (EB) virus-based vector. To achieve stable transfection of human breast cancer cells, we conducted electrogene transfer of an EB virus-based plasmid vector (reduced size of oriP) containing the enhanced green fluorescence protein (eGFP) gene. Because the EB virus-based vector exhibits high transfer efficiency and strong persistent transgene expression as a result of autonomous replication in human cells, and as Nucleofector electrogene transfer can achieve highly efficient gene transfection, this method is particularly suitable for generation of stably transfected cell lines.

Effects of vertically transferred 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl on gene expression in the ovaries of immature Sprague-Dawley rats.

We have previously shown that 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126) vertically transferred from dams potentially exerts a direct effect on the ovaries of offspring and adversely affects female puberty. To investigate its toxicological targets in ovarian tissues, mRNAs encoding representative peptides that regulate follicular development in granulosa cells, theca cells, and oocytes were quantified using ovaries collected on postnatal days (PND) 5, 15, and 24 from the offspring of dams administered oral doses of 0, 1 or 3 microg/kg PCB-126 starting 2 weeks prior to mating and continuing until 20 days after delivery. Quantification using the real-time RT-PCR method revealed that PCB-126 lowered the amounts of mRNAs that encoded the inhibin alpha- and inhibin/activin beta A-subunits from PND 15 onwards; the amounts of mRNAs for inhibin/activin beta B-subunit, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor, and aromatase on PND 15; and the amounts of luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA on PND 24 compared with those of the age-matched controls.

Molecular characterization of sequence and expression of chicken GPR39.

GPR39 has been recently proposed to be a specific receptor for a novel anorexic peptide, obestatin, isolated from rat stomach. Obestatin is generated from the proprotein for ghrelin by proteolytic cleavage and shows opposing action to ghrelin in the regulation of food intake and gastrointestinal movement. In this study, we performed cDNA cloning for chicken GPR39 and characterized expression profiles of its mRNA in chicken tissues.

Phylogenetic and structural analyses of the mating-type loci in Clavicipitaceae.

Entomopathogens and other econutritional fungi belonging to Clavicipitaceae were phylogenetically analyzed on the basis of the 18S rRNA gene and mating-type genes (MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1). The phylogenies of the mating-type genes yielded better resolutions than that of 18S rRNA gene. Entomopathogens (Cordyceps bassiana, Cordyceps brongniartii, Cordyceps militaris, Cordyceps sinclairii, Cordyceps takaomontana, Isaria cateniannulata, Isaria farinosa, Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria javanica, Lecanicillium muscarium and Torrubiella flava) were considered as a phylogenetically defined group, and were closely related to mycopathogens (Lecanicillium psalliotae and Verticillium fungicola).

New approach to in situ quantification of ovarian gene expression in rat using a laser microdissection technique: relationship between follicle types and regulation of inhibin-alpha and cytochrome P450aromatase genes in the rat ovary.

The recently developed laser microdissection (LMD) technique makes it possible to quantify local gene expression in the target cells of various tissues. Using the LMD technique, this study aimed at comparing the amounts of mRNAs encoding the inhibin-alpha subunit and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450(arom)) in granulosa cells between preantral and antral follicles in immature rat ovaries. Serial frozen sections of the ovaries from 24-day-old female Wistar rats were made and 30 healthy preantral (100-200 microm maximum diameter) and ten healthy antral ( > 300 microm maximum diameter) follicles were selected in each ovary based on morphological examinations, including immunohistochemistry for inhibin-alpha, in sections adjacent to those used for LMD.