The urea transporter DUR3 contributes to rice production under nitrogen-deficient and field conditions.

Nitrogen is one of the most important elements for plant growth, and urea is one of the most frequently used nitrogen fertilizers worldwide. Besides the exogenously-supplied urea to the soil, urea is endogenously synthesized during secondary nitrogen metabolism. Here, we investigated the contribution of a urea transporter, DUR3, to rice production using a reverse genetic approach combined with localization studies.

Infection studies of nontarget mammalian cell lines with Bombyx mori macula-like virus.

Bombyx mori-derived cell lines are generally used for Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV)-based baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS). However, almost all of the B. mori-derived cell lines are persistently infected with Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV).

ASSESSMENT OF MOLECULAR GENETIC STABILITY BETWEEN LONG-TERM CRYOPRESERVED AND TISSUE CULTURED WASABI (Wasabia japonica) PLANTS.

Background: Maintaining the genetic integrity in long-term tissue cultured and cryopreserved plants is important for the conservation of plant genetic resources.

Objective: In this study, the genetic stability of cryopreserved wasabi shoot tips stored for 10 years at -150 degree C was visualized using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP).

Materials And Methods: The study included plants derived from cryopreserved shoot tips after 10.

Inactivation of Bombyx mori macula-like virus under physical conditions.

The Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV) is a member of the genus Maculavirus, family Tymoviridae, and contains a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome. Previously, we reported that almost all B. mori-derived cell lines have already been contaminated with BmMLV via an unknown infection route.

Correlated response of peripheral blood cytokines with selection for reduced mycoplasma pneumonia of swine lesions in Landrace pigs.

Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS) is responsible for significant economic losses in the swine industry. We selected Landrace pigs for reduced MPS pulmonary lesions over five generations, and measured concentrations of the following cytokines: interleukin (IL)-10, IL-13, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ to estimate their correlation with MPS lesions. Sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were injected twice intramuscularly at 70 and 95 kg body weight.

Detection of QTLs for white-back and basal-white grains caused by high temperature during ripening period in japonica rice.

There is increasing evidence that global warming affects the development of rice. High temperatures during ripening increase the ratio of undesirable chalky grains followed by deteriorating grain appearance quality. In order to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the occurrence of white-back and basal-white chalky grains of brown rice, QTL analysis was performed using recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between two strains, 'Tsukushiroman' (sensitive to heat stress) and 'Chikushi 52' (tolerant of heat stress).

Major QTLs associated with green stem disorder insensitivity of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.).

Green stem disorder (GSD) is one of the most serious syndromes affecting soybean (Glycine max) cultivation in Japan. In GSD, stems remain green even when pods mature. When soybean plants develop GSD, seed surfaces are soiled by tissue fluid and seed quality is deteriorated during machine harvesting.

Expression of recombinant proteins by BEVS in a macula-like virus-free silkworm cell line.

We previously established the first Bombyx mori macula-like virus (BmMLV)-free cell line (BmVF cells) from a B. mori embryo. In this study, we evaluated the expression of recombinant proteins in BmVF cells using a B.

Stable accumulation of seed storage proteins containing vaccine peptides in transgenic soybean seeds.

There has been a significant increase in the use of transgenic plants for the large-scale production of pharmaceuticals and industrial proteins. Here, we report the stable accumulation of seed storage proteins containing disease vaccine peptides in transgenic soybean seeds. To synthesize vaccine peptides in soybean seeds, we used seed storage proteins as a carrier and a soybean breeding line lacking major seed storage proteins as a host.

Tobacco MAP kinase phosphatase (NtMKP1) negatively regulates wound response and induced resistance against necrotrophic pathogens and lepidopteran herbivores.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are universal signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. In tobacco, two MAPK, wound-induced protein kinase (WIPK) and salicylic acid (SA)-induced protein kinase (SIPK), are activated by biotic and abiotic stresses. Both WIPK and SIPK positively regulate the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) or ethylene (ET) while negatively regulating SA accumulation.

Construction of a genetic linkage map and genetic analysis of domestication related traits in mungbean (Vigna radiata).

The genetic differences between mungbean and its presumed wild ancestor were analyzed for domestication related traits by QTL mapping. A genetic linkage map of mungbean was constructed using 430 SSR and EST-SSR markers from mungbean and its related species, and all these markers were mapped onto 11 linkage groups spanning a total of 727.6 cM.

Small and round seed 5 gene encodes alpha-tubulin regulating seed cell elongation in rice.

Seed size is an important trait in determinant of rice seed quality and yield. In this study, we report a novel semi-dominant mutant Small and round seed 5 (Srs5) that encodes alpha-tubulin protein. Lemma cell length was reduced in Srs5 compared with that of the wild-type.

Transgenic rice accumulating modified cedar pollen allergen Cry j 2 derivatives.

In order to create a safe tolerogenic antigen with reduced IgE reactivity, we developed transgenic rice that accumulates in the seed endosperm a sufficient amount of Cry j 2, the cedar pollen allergen, in a restructured form of tail-to-head, providing a feasible mucosal allergy vaccine against cedar pollinosis.

Characterization of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase and related genes in the larval development of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolases (JHEHs) are a family of enzymes that hydrolyze juvenile hormones (JHs). They are important in terms of organ-specific regulation and irreversible degradation. In contrast to three JHEH genes (jheh) in Drosophila melanogaster and five jheh in Tribolium castaneum, only one jheh gene has been reported to date in lepidopteran insects.

Expression profile and localization of mouse calcitonin (CT) sense/antisense transcripts in pre- and postnatal tissue development.

Calcitonin (CT) has been shown to have various functions including osteoclast activity and calcium and phosphorus metabolism in mammals. In the present study, we measured the amounts of CT mRNA in the mouse brain, liver, kidney, heart and testis at various development stages, 14 days post-coitum (dpc), 17-dpc, newborn, 1 week and 8 weeks (adult), using real-time PCR. In the brain and kidney, the amount of CT mRNA decreased with development.

Towards the understanding of complex traits in rice: substantially or superficially?

Completion of the genome analysis followed by extensive comprehensive studies on a variety of genes and gene families of rice (Oryza sativa) resulted in rapid accumulation of information concerning the presence of many complex traits that are governed by a number of genes of distinct functions in this most important crop cultivated worldwide. The genetic and molecular biological dissection of many important rice phenotypes has contributed to our understanding of the complex nature of the genetic control with respect to these phenotypes. However, in spite of the considerable advances made in the field, details of genetic control remain largely unsolved, thereby hampering our exploitation of this useful information in the breeding of new rice cultivars.

Transposition of a 600 thousand-year-old LTR retrotransposon in the model legume Lotus japonicus.

We have identified a new Ty3-gypsy retrotransposon family named LORE2 (Lotus retrotransposon 2) and documented its activity in the model legume Lotus japonicus. Three new LORE2 insertions were found in symbiotic mutant alleles isolated from a plant population, established by tissue culture mediated transformation of the L. japonicus Gifu accession.

Circadian phenotypes of Drosophila fragile x mutants in alternative genetic backgrounds.

Drosophila FMR1 mutants are models of human fragile X syndrome. They show a loss of locomotor activity rhythm and severe degradation of eclosion timing. We analyzed the circadian behavior of FMR1 mutants (dfmr1B55) in two genetic backgrounds, yellow white (yw) and Canton S (CS).

Spermatogenesis in the testes of diapause and non-diapause pupae of the sweet potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli (L.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

Dichotomous spermatogenesis was examined in relation to diapause in the sweet potato hornworm, Agrius convolvuli. In non-diapause individuals, eupyrene metaphase began during the fifth larval instar and eupyrene spermatids appeared in wandering larvae. Bundles of mature sperm were found after pupation.

Imaging of silkworm meiotic chromosome by atomic force microscopy.

Although structural information of mitotic chromosomes has been accumulated, little information is available for meiotic chromosome structures. Here, we applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the ultrastructures of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, meiotic pachytene chromosome in its native state with nanometer scale resolution. Two levels of DNA folding were observed on the meiotic chromosome surface, 50-70 nm granules, which were considered to be 30 nm chromatin fibers, and spherical protrusions of 400-600 nm, which were considered to be chromomeres and arranged on the surface of the chromosome parallel to the chromosome longitudinal axis.

Isolation and identification of F-spondin in the boar testis and its production during testis growth.

F-spondin/vascular smooth muscle cell growth-promoting factor (VSGP), purified from the follicular fluid of adult bovine ovaries, has been identified as a promoter of neuronal differentiation and vascular smooth muscle growth. The objectives of the present study were (1) to clarify whether F-spondin is also produced in the testis, which is ontogenically equivalent to the ovary, and (2) to examine whether production of this protein changes with testicular growth. To isolate F-spondin from the testis, testicular homogenates obtained from 8-week-old boars were sequentially subjected to heparin-Sepharose chromatography, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose chromatography, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).

Production of inhibin A and inhibin B in boars: changes in testicular and circulating levels of dimeric inhibins and characterization of inhibin forms during testis growth.

We investigated the production of inhibin in boars from the infantile to pubertal periods by: (1) measurement of testicular and circulating levels of inhibin, (2) characterization of inhibin forms and (3) localization of inhibin alpha subunits in the testis. Total inhibin levels in the testis increased until 8 weeks of age but then declined to much lower values at 15 weeks. Testicular inhibin A and inhibin B were high until 8 weeks.

Symbiotic "Archaezoa" of the primitive termite Mastotermes darwiniensis still play a role in cellulase production.

The relictual Mastotermes darwiniensis is one of the world's most destructive termites. Like all phylogenetically basal termites, it possesses protozoa in its hindgut, which are believed to help it digest wood. L.

Refolding and purification of recombinant OsNifU1A domain II that was expressed by Escherichia coli.

OsNifU1A is a NifU-like rice (Oryza sativa) protein, discovered recently. Its amino acid sequence is very homologous to the sequence of cyanobacterial CnfU and to the sequences of NifU C-terminal domains. Based on its sequence, OsNifU1A is probably a modular structure consisting of two CnfU-like domains, with domain I (formed by residues Leu73 to Gly153) and domain II (formed by residues Leu154 to Ser226).

AFLP targeting of the 1-cM region conferring the vrs1 gene for six-rowed spike in barley, Hordeum vulgare L.

Spike morphology is a key characteristic in the study of barley domestication, yield, and use. Multiple alleles at the vrs1 locus control the development and fertility of the lateral spikelets of barley. We developed five amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers tightly linked to the vrs1 locus using well-characterized near-isogenic lines as plant materials.