Identification and characterization of bovine regulator of telomere length elongation helicase gene (RTEL): molecular cloning, expression distribution, splice variants and DNA methylation profile.

Background: The genetic basis of telomere length heterogeneity among mammalian species is still not well understood. Recently, a gene named regulator of telomere length elongation helicase (RTEL) was identified and predicted to be an essential participant in species-specific telomere length regulation in two murine species. To obtain broader insights into its structure and biological functions and to ascertain whether RTEL is also a candidate gene in the regulation of telomere length diversity in other mammalian species, data from other mammals may be helpful.

[Ultrastructural changes in cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex of rats under simulated weightlessness].

Objective: To study the ultrastructural changes in the cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex of rats under simulated weightlessness and the possible mechanism.

Method: The tail-suspended rats model (-30 degrees head down tilt) was adopted to simulate weightlessness in the experiment. The rats were suspended for 7 d, 14 d, 21 d, and 28 d, and then were perfused through the hearts.