Karyotype and C-bands in the annual inca lily Alstroemeria graminea

Alstroemeria graminea Phil. (Taltalia graminea according to BAYER 1998) is the only annual species described within the genus Alstroemeria L. and its cytogenetic relationship with the perennial species have not been described. In this work, an analysis of the karyotype and the C-banding pattern of Alstroemeria graminea are reported. A. graminea, with an asymmetric karyotype 2n = 2x = 16, shows similar chromosome morphology with respect to the perennial Alstroemeria species previously analysed. However, some differences in relative length and position of the C-bands were observed in A. graminea. These differences were the presence of a centromeric band and an interstitial band in the short arm of pair 1 and pericentromeric bands in the long arms of pairs 3 and 7, which have not been observed in the other species. The cytogenetic data of the present study on A. graminea are concurrent with other species within the genus Alstroemeria, and do not justify the separation of this species from the genus Alstroemeria and its inclusion in the new monotypic genus Taltalia

Contenido de ADN nuclear en Galaxias Platei (Steindachner, 1898) (Teleostei: Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae)

Galaxias platei, es un pez endémico de Chile y cubre una extensa área geográfica desde la zona centro-sur hasta gran parte de la Patagonia (38ºS-54ºS), incluyendo también parte de Argentina. En este trabajo se determinó el contenido somático de ADN nuclear (valor 2C) de Galaxias platei (Galaxiidae) mediante microdensitometría nuclear de eritrocitos sometidos a tinción de Feulgen. El valor 2C de G. platei es 1,88±0,16 pg y su valor C es equivalente a 0,94 pg (921,2 pMb). El valor C de G. platei está dentro del rango descrito para otras especies de Osmeriformes (valores entre 0,62 y 3,2 pg) y es menor al valor documentado previamente para G. maculatus (C = 1,105 pg). Estos datos contribuyen a incrementar los antecedentes genómicos disponibles para el género Galaxias los que, en conjunto con los resultados de análisis cromosómicos previos, podrían ser útiles para evaluar aquellas relaciones genéricas y específicas que han sido propuestas para la familia Galaxiidae

NUMEROS CROMOSOMICOS DE PTERIDOFITOS CHILENOS: PRIMERA CONTRIBUCION

Mitotic chromosome counts in Chilean pteridophytes confirm the diploidy described for Equisetum L. (2n = 216) andBlechnum L. (2n = 66), as well as the tetraploidy of Asplenium L. (2n = 144). Megalastrum spectabile (Kaulf.) A.R.Sm.et R.C.Moran is diploid (2n = 82), while in metaphases of Polystichum subintegerrimum (Hook. et Arn.) R.A.Rodr.chromosome numbers from ca. 311 to 328 were counted. Tetraploidy was also described in Adiantum chilense Kaulf.(2n = 116)

Contenido de ADN nuclear en especies chilenas de Phycella y Rhodolirium (Amaryllidaceae)

Las determinaciones de ADN nuclear realizadas muestran que el valor 2C para Rhodolirium montanum Phil. (2n=2x=16) esde 17,39 pg y de 15,16 pg para Phycella ignea (Lindl.) Lindl. (2n=2x=16). Sin embargo, el tetraploide Phycella scarlatinaRavenna (2n = 4x = 32) tiene un valor de ADN 2C de 30,63 pg , el cual es concordante con su nivel de ploidía.Las determinaciones de ADN nuclear realizadas muestran que el valor 2C para Rhodolirium montanum Phil. (2n=2x=16) esde 17,39 pg y de 15,16 pg para Phycella ignea (Lindl.) Lindl. (2n=2x=16). Sin embargo, el tetraploide Phycella scarlatinaRavenna (2n = 4x = 32) tiene un valor de ADN 2C de 30,63 pg , el cual es concordante con su nivel de ploidía

Estudio cariotípico en la macha mesodesma donacium lamarck, 1818 (Bivalvia: Veneroida: Mesodesmatidae)

Mesodesma donacium is a marine clam distributed from Sechura Bay (5°S) in northern Perú to Chiloé Island (43°S) in southern Chile. Due to the commercial importance of this species, their populations have been reduced in the later years. In this work the karyotype morphology of M. donacium is described for the first time, to be additional to taxonomical, ecological, morphological, and reproductive antecedents previously documented for the species. M. donacium shows a diploid karyotype 2n = 38 with one metacentric, fifteen submetacentric and three subtelocentric chromosome pairs. The total haploid set length was 42.4 μm, and the mean chromosome size was 2.2 μm. M. donacium showed similitude in chromosome number with other species of the Veneroida order, but differences were found in morphology and size of the chromosomes. The cytogenetic relationships between M. donacium and other species of Veneroida is also discussed.Mesodesma donacium es un almeja distribuida desde Sechura Bay (5°S) en el Norte de Perú hasta la isla de Chiloé (43ºS) en el sur de Chile. Debido a la importancia económica de esta especie, su población ha sido reducida en los últimos años. En este trabajo se describe por primera vez la morfología cariotípica de M. donacium, como antecedentes adicionales taxonómicos, ecológicos, morfológicos y reproductivos descritos previamente para la especie. M. donacium muestra un cariotipo diploide 2n=38 con un par metacéntrico, quince submetacéntricos y tres pares cromosómicos subtelocéntricos. La longitud total del set haploide fue de 42,4 mm y el tamaño cromosómico medio fue de 2,2 mm. M. donacium mostró una similitud en el número cromosómico con otras especies del Orden Veneroida, sin embargo fueron encontradas diferencias en tamaño y morfología de los cromosomas. Se discuten las relaciones citogenéticas entre M. donacium y otras especies de Veneroida

Más de un siglo de estudios citogenéticos en plantas Chilenas: ¿cuánto hemos progresado?

An overview is provided on the cytogenetic of Chilean plants, highlighting information gathered from more than a century of work carried out by foreign and national researchers who have contributed to the study of native species. We briefly present the progress made to date and also emphasize some strategies that, in our opinion, could spur further advances in this second century of cytogenetic studies in Chilean plants

Localización cromosómica de la región organizadora nucleolar en Rhodophiala bagnoldii (Herb.) Traub (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) determinada por tinción con nitrato de plata

Estudios cariotípicos en Rhodophiala bagnoldii (Herb.) Traub (2n = 18) han descrito constricciones secundariassubteloméricas localizadas en el brazo largo del par cromosómico 7. En este trabajo, una señal Ag-NOR positiva fueobservada en la constricción secundaria de ambos cromosomas homólogos. Nucléolos fusionados y no fusionados fuerontambién observados en núcleos interfásicos de células meristemáticas.Estudios cariotípicos en Rhodophiala bagnoldii (Herb.) Traub (2n = 18) han descrito constricciones secundariassubteloméricas localizadas en el brazo largo del par cromosómico 7. En este trabajo, una señal Ag-NOR positiva fueobservada en la constricción secundaria de ambos cromosomas homólogos. Nucléolos fusionados y no fusionados fuerontambién observados en núcleos interfásicos de células meristemáticas

Insulin Reverses D-Glucose–Increased Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Vascular tone is controlled by the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway, and NO bioavailability is strongly affected by hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress. Insulin leads to high expression and activity of human cationic amino acid transporter 1 (hCAT-1), NO synthesis and vasodilation; thus, a protective role of insulin on high D-glucose–alterations in endothelial function is likely. Vascular reactivity to U46619 (thromboxane A2 mimetic) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) was measured in KCl preconstricted human umbilical vein rings (wire myography) incubated in normal (5 mmol/L) or high (25 mmol/L) D-glucose. hCAT-1, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), 42 and 44 kDa mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42/44mapk), protein kinase B/Akt (Akt) expression and activity were determined by western blotting and qRT-PCR, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) level was determined by HPLC, and L-arginine transport (0–1000 μmol/L) was measured in response to 5–25 mmol/L D-glucose (0–36 hours) in passage 2 human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Assays were in the absence or presence of insulin and/or apocynin (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase [NADPH oxidase] inhibitor), tempol or Mn(III)TMPyP (SOD mimetics). High D-glucose increased hCAT-1 expression and activity, which was biphasic (peaks: 6 and 24 hours of incubation). High D-glucose–increased maximal transport velocity was blocked by insulin and correlated with lower hCAT-1 expression and SLC7A1 gene promoter activity. High D-glucose–increased transport parallels higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anion (O2•–) generation, and increased U46619-contraction and reduced CGRP-dilation of vein rings. Insulin and apocynin attenuate ROS and O2•– generation, and restored vascular reactivity to U46619 and CGRP. Insulin, but not apocynin or tempol reversed high D-glucose–increased NO synthesis; however, tempol and Mn(III)TMPyP reversed the high D-glucose–reduced BH4 level. Insulin and tempol blocked the high D-glucose–increased p42/44mapk phosphorylation. Vascular dysfunction caused by high D-glucose is likely attenuated by insulin through the L-arginine/NO and O2•–/NADPH oxidase pathways. These findings are of interest for better understanding vascular dysfunction in states of foetal insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia

Contenido de ADN nuclear y número cromosómico de Krameria cistoidea Hook. & Arn. (Krameriaceae

Krameria cistoidea Hook. & Arn. tiene un valor 2C de 18,64 + 1,09 pg con un coeficiente de variación de 5,8%. El número cromosómico 2n = 12 descrito para otras seis especies de Krameria está también presente en K. cistoidea. Estos datos citológicos de K. cistoidea son discutidos en relación a antecedentes disponibles para otras Angiospermas, así como para tres géneros de la familia taxonómicamente relacionada Zygophyllaceae

Virtual Screening of Plant Volatile Compounds Reveals a High Affinity of Hylamorpha elegans (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Odorant-Binding Proteins for Sesquiterpenes From Its Native Host

Indexación: Web of ScienceHylamorpha elegans (Burmeister) is a native Chilean scarab beetle considered to be a relevant agricultural pest to pasture and cereal and small fruit crops. Because of their cryptic habits, control with conventional methods is difficult; therefore, alternative and environmentally friendly control strategies are highly desirable. The study of proteins that participate in the recognition of odorants, such as odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), offers interesting opportunities to identify new compounds with the potential to modify pest behavior and computational screening of compounds, which is commonly used in drug discovery, may help to accelerate the discovery of new semiochemicals. Here, we report the discovery of four OBPs in H. elegans as well as six new volatiles released by its native host Nothofagus obliqua (Mirbel). Molecular docking performed between OBPs and new and previously reported volatiles from N. obliqua revealed the best binding energy values for sesquiterpenic compounds. Despite remarkable divergence at the amino acid level, three of the four OBPs evaluated exhibited the best interaction energy for the same ligands. Molecular dynamics investigation reinforced the importance of sesquiterpenes, showing that hydrophobic residues of the OBPs interacted most frequently with the tested ligands, and binding free energy calculations demonstrated van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions to be the most important. Altogether, the results suggest that sesquiterpenes are interesting candidates for in vitro and in vivo assays to assess their potential application in pest management strategies.http://jinsectscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/1/3