Holocentric Chromosomes of Luzula elegans Are Characterized by a Longitudinal Centromere Groove, Chromosome Bending, and a Terminal Nucleolus Organizer Region

The structure of holocentric chromosomes was analyzed in mitotic cells of Luzula elegans. Light and scanning electron microscopy observations provided evidence for the existence of a longitudinal groove along each sister chromatid. The centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENH3, colocalized with this groove and with microtubule attachment sites. The terminal chromosomal regions were CENH3-negative. During metaphase to anaphase transition, L. elegans chromosomes typically curved to a sickle-like shape, a process that is likely to be influenced by the pulling forces of microtubules along the holocentric axis towards the corresponding microtubule organizing regions. A single pair of 45S rDNA sites, situated distal to Arabidopsis-telomere repeats, was observed at the terminal region of one chromosome pair. We suggest that the 45S rDNA position in distal centromere-free regions could be required to ensure chromosome stability. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Distribuição de elementos transponíveis em cromossomos de coffea arabica

Nos últimos anos o Brasil vem se destacando na pesquisa genética de cafeeiros, principalmente na área de melhoramento. Recentemente, a pesquisa em biotecnologia de cafeeiros vem ganhando espaço devido aos trabalhos em genômica, estes trabalhos juntamente com estudos citogenéticos têm contribuído muito para o entendimento da organização genômica em algumas espécies de Coffea. Neste gênero com mais de 100 espécies, as mais importantes economicamente são Coffea arabica e C. Canephora. A primeira espécie é a única e tetraplóide (2n = 44) do gênero, enquanto as demais são auto-incompatíveis e diplóides. Apesar das análises citogenéticas e moleculares indicarem que C. arabica é um anfidiplóide, ainda existe dificuldade para se confirmar os seus parentais. Isto se deve possivelmente a alta similaridade do genoma entre estas espécies de Coffea, uma possível consequência da presença de famílias repetitivas de DNA comuns a essas espécies. Porém, ainda são escassos os estudos sobre a distribuição e caracterização de famílias de DNA repetitivos em Coffea. Estes estudos limitam-se a identificar regiões heterocromáticas e localização de sítios de DNA ribossômico (DNAr) 45S e 5S. Com relação aos elementos transponíveis (TEs), foi encontrado um predomínio de retrotransposons Copia e Gypsy. Uma vez que a identificação e localização destes elementos transponíveis pode auxiliar a compreensão da organização genômica das espécies de Coffea, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a distribuição cromossômica em C. arabica de três elementos transponíveis. Para isso sondas de três clones contendo as sequências de elementos transponíveis, dois transposons MuDR e Tip100 (Ca_TE-009, Ca_TE-050) e um retrotransposon LTR deal (Ca_TE-079), foram hibridadas em Coffea arabica. Os resultados indicam uma distribuição co-localizada entre os transposons analisados e regiões terminais heterocromáticas, contudo o retroelemento possui uma distribuição mais dispersa. Estudos futuros serão feitos para identificar a distribuição destes elementos transponíveis nas espécies consideradas progenitoras de C. arabica

Terminal-repeat retrotransposons with GAG domain in plant genomes : a new testimony on the complex world of transposable elements

A novel structure of nonautonomous long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons called terminal repeat with GAG domain (TR-GAG) has been described in plants, both in monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous and basal angiosperm genomes. TR-GAGs are relatively short elements in length (<4 kb) showing the typical features of LTR-retrotransposons. However, they carry only one open reading frame coding for the GAG precursor protein involved for instance in transposition, the assembly, and the packaging of the element into the virus-like particle. GAG precursors show similarities with both Copia and Gypsy GAG proteins, suggesting evolutionary relationships of TR-GAG elements with both families. Despite the lack of the enzymatic machinery required for their mobility, strong evidences suggest that TR-GAGs are still active. TR-GAGs represent ubiquitous nonautonomous structures that could be involved in the molecular diversities of plant genomes

Importance of Optimum Water Quality Indices in Successful Frog Culture Practices

The optimum quality of water indices is extremely important for successful frog culture. Frogs excrete their excreta and skin debris in water. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly renew the water and clean the tanks and bays of rearing systems. Such care is necessary for the prevention and prophylaxis of diseases, which may cause severe mortalities. Bullfrogs need water of good physical and chemical quality, and thus, water quality indices must be measured before starting a breeding and rearing program. Additionally, the producers should have a good knowledge about the water quality before establishing a rearing system. Aquatic ecosystems are dynamic and even in small rearing water tanks, physical and chemical parameters are interrelated. For example, any change in dissolved oxygen level depends on the water temperature and atmospheric pressure. The dissolved oxygen level is almost 9.08 mg L−1 near sea side at a temperature of 20°C, whereas its concentration rises up to 10.07 mg L−1, if the temperature drops to 15°C, indicating that dissolved oxygen and water temperature are closely interrelated. Thus, physical and chemical parameters of water should be considered and analyzed together because all of these factors have a direct impact on the culture systems

Altered glucose homeostasis and hepatic function in obese mice deficient for both kinin receptor genes

The Kallikrein-Kinin System (KKS) has been implicated in several aspects of metabolism, including the regulation of glucose homeostasis and adiposity. Kinins and des-Arg-kinins are the major effectors of this system and promote their effects by binding to two different receptors, the kinin B2 and B1 receptors, respectively. To understand the influence of the KKS on the pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), we generated an animal model deficient for both kinin receptor genes and leptin (obB1B2KO). Six-month-old obB1B2KO mice showed increased blood glucose levels. Isolated islets of the transgenic animals were more responsive to glucose stimulation releasing greater amounts of insulin, mainly in 3-month-old mice, which was corroborated by elevated serum C-peptide concentrations. Furthermore, they presented hepatomegaly, pronounced steatosis, and increased levels of circulating transaminases. This mouse also demonstrated exacerbated gluconeogenesis during the pyruvate challenge test. The hepatic abnormalities were accompanied by changes in the gene expression of factors linked to glucose and lipid metabolisms in the liver. Thus, we conclude that kinin receptors are important for modulation of insulin secretion and for the preservation of normal glucose levels and hepatic functions in obese mice, suggesting a protective role of the KKS regarding complications associated with obesity and T2DM