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Biochemical Genetics (v.44, #11-12)

Genetic Variability in Hesperozygis ringens Benth. (Lamiaceae), an Endangered Aromatic and Medicinal Plant of Southern Brazil by Fernando Fracaro; Sergio Echeverrigaray (pp. 471-482).

Hesperozygis ringens Benth. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic and medicinal plant, characterized by a high concentration of isopulegone; it is endemic to the mountains of southeast Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and currently is considered endangered. The present study evaluated the intra- and interpopulation genetic variability of H. ringens by means of RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. The results showed that H. ringens populations are genetically structured, with low gene flow between populations, confirming the fragmentation imposed by anthropic action. Populations from the two areas of occurrence are genetically different. Low intrapopulation variability and heterozygosity were detected, indicating genetic drift and inbreeding. Based on the data, conservation strategies are discussed.

Keywords: Hesperozygis ringens ; ISSR; RAPD; conservation

Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of Larix potaninii var. chinensis Using Microsatellite DNA by Xiao-Min Yu; Qing Zhou; Zeng-Qiang Qian; Shan Li; Gui-Fang Zhao (pp. 483-493).

Larix potaninii var. chinensis is endemic to China and is found only on several peaks of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province. In China, it is classified in the second class of national protected rare plants. To estimate genetic diversity and to analyze population genetic structure of L. potaninii var. chinensis, 120 individual samples from six natural populations were assessed using seven Larix SSR primer pairs. The results indicate that the level of genetic diversity of L. potaninii var. chinensis is very high, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 4.71. On the other hand, correspondingly low genetic differentiation was found between populations, with an F _ST value of 0.116, suggesting that more than four-fifths of the genetic variation resides within populations. Besides the influence of habitat heterogeneity and historical distribution, the high level of genetic diversity of L. potaninii var. chinensis is also attributed to its biological characteristics. The definite genetic differentiation among populations, however, is attributed to the effects of genetic drift and natural selection, which are most likely due to the spatial isolation and inclement climate of the species’ habitat. This study also revealed evidence that L. potaninii var. chinensis could be endangered, and some conservation strategies are suggested.

Keywords: Larix potaninii var. chinensis ; SSR marker; genetic diversity; population differentiation

A Widely Applicable Protocol for DNA Isolation from Fecal Samples by Bao-Wei Zhang; Ming Li; Li-Chao Ma; Fu-Wen Wei (pp. 494-503).

Feces are increasingly used as sources of DNA for genetic and ecological research. This paper describes a new method for isolation of DNA from animal feces. This method combines multiple purification steps, including pretreatment with ethanol and TE, an inhibitor-absorber made of starch, the CTAB method, the phenol–chloroform extraction method, and the guanidinium thiocyanate-silica method. The new method is efficient according to PCR results of 585 fecal samples from 23 species and costs much less than the commercial kits. The protocol can be tailored to the specific purpose of examining different diets of animals and can be performed with routine laboratory reagents.

Keywords: fecal sample; DNA isolation; protocol

Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of the Dominant Species Stipa krylovii in the Inner Mongolia Steppe by Nian-Xi Zhao; Yu-Bao Gao; Jin-Long Wang; An-Zhi Ren (pp. 504-517).

Random amplified polymorphic DNA was used to assess the level of genetic diversity and genetic structure of Stipa krylovii (Gramineae), an important dominant species in the northern grasslands of China. Genetic diversity was low within S. krylovii populations, and diversity at the population level was associated with precipitation and cumulative temperature variations. There was much genetic differentiation among populations and among habitats as well. A Mantel test indicated no significant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance of populations. A nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed some spatial relationships among the 90 individuals in a two-dimensional plot. Habitat fragmentation and degradation throughout the geographic range of S. krylovii could account for the low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation of the species. Such information will be useful for conservation managers trying to plan an effective strategy to protect this important species.

Keywords: Stipa krylovii ; dominant species; RAPD; genetic diversity; genetic differentiation

Isolation and Characterization of the Bovine Microsatellite Loci by H. Y. Chung; T. H. Kim; B. H. Choi; G. W. Jang; J. W. Lee; K. T. Lee; J. M. Ha (pp. 518-532).

Microsatellite loci were isolated using five repetitive probes for Korean native cattle. Eleven microsatellite loci were developed based on a biotin hybrid capture method, and enrichment of the genomic libraries (AAAT, TG, AG, T, and TGC repeats) was performed using Sau3AI adapters. The isolated markers were tested in two half-sib Korean cattle families and four imported breeds (Angus, Limousine, Holstein, and Shorthorn). Nine informative microsatellite loci were observed, and two microsatellite loci were revealed as monomorphic in Korean cattle. In the imported breeds, however, all of the markers were informative. In total, 213 alleles were obtained at the 11 loci across five breeds, and the average number of alleles found per locus, considering all populations, was 4.26. Heterozygosity was 0.71 (expected) and 0.57 (observed). The range of the polymorphic information content for the markers in all cattle populations was 0.43–0.69. Eleven percent of genetic variation was attributed to differentiation between populations as determined by the mean F _ST values. The remaining 89% corresponded to differences among individuals. The isolated markers may be used to identify and classify the local breeds on a molecular basis.

Keywords: microsatellite loci; identification; bovine; genetic differentiation; RH mapping

No Association Between p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 Polymorphism and the Risk of Lung Cancer in a Korean Population by Jin Eun Choi; Hyo Gyoung Kang; Myung Hwa Chae; Eun Jin Kim; Won Kee Lee; Sung Ick Cha; Chang Ho Kim; Tae Hoon Jung; Jae Yong Park (pp. 533-540).

A member of the p53 family, p73 may play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Variations in the DNA sequence in the p73 gene can lead to alterations in the production of p73 and/or activity, which can affect an individual’s susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, this study examined the association between the G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism in the p73 gene and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population. The p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 genotypes were determined in 582 lung cancer patients and 582 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects. Compared with the GC/GC genotype, the GC/AT and the AT/AT genotypes were not significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.84–1.38; and adjusted OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.83–2.24, respectively]. In addition, the risk estimate for the combined variant genotype (GC/AT + AT/AT) was similar to that of the GC/GC genotype (a dominant model for the AT allele, adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.88–1.41). These results suggest that the p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism does not significantly affect susceptibility to lung cancer in the Korean population.

Keywords: p73 ; polymorphism; lung cancer; genetic susceptibility

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Biochemical Genetics (v.44, #11-12)

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Biochemical Genetics (v.44, #11-12)