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Biomedical subjects

E Nevo

Publications and source records attributed to E Nevo.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Mhc class II DNA polymorphisms within and between chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of two major histocompatibility class II genes (P alpha 1 and Q beta) were studied in 13 populations of four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58 and 60) of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel. A substantial frequency of allelic fragments was found in both genes for all populations, including a desert isolate. In the P alpha 1 gene, one allelic fragment is a result of a deletion mutation which is diagnostic of the 2n = 52 chromosomal species. All other ten allelic variants are the result of point mutations. All mutations are located in a short region flanking the 3' end of the gene. Based on Mhc polymorphisms we confirm earlier evidence that gene flow does not occur between the older chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58), and that reproductive isolation decreases, progressively from the oldest to the youngest species (2n = 60).

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Geographic dialects in blind mole rats: role of vocal communication in active speciation.

We compared and contrasted the physical structure of male "courtship" calls of 59 subterranean mole rats belonging to the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel, comprising 11 populations of four chromosomal species (2N = 52, 54, 58, and 60). We also conducted behavioral auditory discrimination tests of 144 females of the four species in the laboratory. The results indicate that each chromosomal species has a vocal dialect significantly different from all others, although the call of 2N = 60, the last derivative of speciation, is not yet fully differentiated. Females of 2N = 52, 54, and 58 preferred their homospecific mates' calls, whereas females of 2N = 60 did not. We conclude that call differentiation builds up gradually and provides an efficient ethological reproductive premating isolation mechanism between the emerging species in the active speciation of mole rats in Israel.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The lens protein alpha A-crystallin of the blind mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi: evolutionary change and functional constraints.

The complete structure of the single-copy alpha A-crystallin gene of the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) has been determined in order to elucidate the evolutionary effects of the loss of vision on a lens-specific protein and its gene. The alpha A-crystallin gene appears to have all the necessary transcriptional and translational signal sequences to be expressed in the rudimentary lens of the mole rat and gives rise to probably two protein products by means of alternative splicing, as in rodents with normal vision. Comparisons of the blind mole rat alpha A-crystallin sequence with alpha A sequences from other rodents reveal a considerable acceleration of the substitution rate at nonsynonymous positions in the mole rate lineage, which reflects a relaxation of selective constraints, but the acceleration is not to the extent that might be expected if the gene were now without any function. The remaining evolutionary constraints still imposed upon the mole rat alpha A-crystallin gene may possibly reflect the need for alpha-crystallin expression as an indispensable component in the developmental program of the atrophied eye.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1987

Major histocompatibility complex gene organization in the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi: evidence for transfer of function between class II genes.

A genomic DNA library prepared from the kidney of the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi was screened with mouse probes representing major histocompatibility complex genes that encode alpha and beta polypeptide chains of class II molecules (alpha and beta genes). Restriction maps were constructed for the cross-hybridizing clones, and the class II genes borne by these clones were identified. By this procedure, five main regions containing class II genes were established. One region contained four genes and two gene fragments, the second region contained two genes, the third region contained one gene and one gene fragment, and the remaining two regions contained one gene each. Altogether, six beta genes, two alpha genes, and three alpha-gene fragments were identified. Two of the genes (one alpha and one beta) were established as belonging to the DQ subclass, and all other genes were found to be members of the DP subclass. (Subclass designations are based on the human HLA class II genes). No genes belonging to the DR and DO (DZ) subclasses were found in the library. The absence of DR genes in S. ehrenbergi was also indicated when other experimental methods were used. At least some of the DP loci are polymorphic and most likely also functional. Thus, in the evolution of the mole rat, the DR (and probably also the DO) loci have been deleted and their function(s) has been taken over by the DP loci, which have expanded to a great extent. These findings argue for functional interchangeability of the individual subclasses of class II loci.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Evolutionary diversification of class II P loci in the Mhc of the mole-rat Spalax ehrenbergi.

The class II region of the major histocompatibility complex (Smh) in the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, consists of only two gene families, P and Q, instead of the four families (P, O, Q, and R) found in all other mammals studied to date. The Spalax P family consists of at least four beta and three alpha genes or gene fragments. In DNA-hybridization experiments, two of the beta genes behave as bona fide P-family members in that they hybridize strongly with human DP beta probes and hybridize weakly with probes specific for other class II gene families. The other two beta genes, on the other hand, hybridize weakly with human DP beta probes and nearly as well with human DQ beta probes. To determine the evolutionary relationships among these P-like genes, we have sequenced one of them. The sequence reveals, on the basis of its organization, that the gene clearly belongs to the P family, yet, on the basis of its nucleotide sequence, it is only slightly more similar to human DP than to human DQ genes. These results indicate that in the Spalax the P family of genes split into two subfamilies, PA and PB. For unknown reasons, one of these subfamilies (PB) retained more similarity to the Q gene family than did the other (PA).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Evolutionary expansion of Mhc class I loci in the mole-rat, Spalax ehrenbergi.

A cosmid genomic library was prepared from a single individual of the rodent Spalax ehrenbergi, the mole rat, captured in Israel. The library was screened with a mouse probe hybridizing with all mouse class I major-histocompatibility-complex (Mhc) genes; the cross-hybridizing clones were isolated; and their restriction maps were prepared using five enzymes. A total of 93 class I-bearing clones could be identified in the library. Forty-five of these clones showed partial overlaps and could be arranged into 14 clusters. Eleven of these clusters could be shown to contain two class I genes each; the remaining clusters, as well as most of the non-overlapping clones, each contained one class I gene. After the elimination of clones with possible cloning artifacts and of clones that may carry allelic forms of a given gene in the heterozygous animal, the total number of class I loci identified in Spalax is approximately 65. The high number of loci probably arose from the duplication of either the entire class I set or the different class I families. The high number of gene copies might represent a means of selecting different functional genes from the family in different mammalian orders. Three of the approximately 65 Spalax class I genes cross-hybridize with a probe specific for the mouse K, D, and L genes; two of these genes are in the same cluster. These three elements might possibly be the functional class I genes of the mole rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) spacer polymorphism in mole rats.

Genetic differentiation of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) nontranscribed-spacer (NTS) polymorphism was analyzed in 50 individuals from 13 populations among the four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 2n = 54, 2n = 58, and 2n = 60) of subterranean mole rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi complex in Israel. Southern blot analysis with a mouse rDNA probe and two restriction enzymes, EcoRI and BamHI, revealed various sizes of major restriction fragments. The assumption that this variation is due to length polymorphism of NTS DNA was supported by the construction of restriction-site maps. On the basis of the EcoRI and BamHi fragment lengths, we could characterize the major types of NTS rDNA repeating units in each individual. Each member of the central population in the four chromosomal groups of mole rats has a characteristic combination of the NTS types, suggesting that the karyotype groups were genetically diverged. Some near-hybrid-zone populations reflect similarities with the rDNA spectra of a neighbor chromosomal group. This might have resulted from gene flow across the hybrid zones.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Plant genetic resources: prediction by isozyme markers and ecology.

Linkage or association of genetic markers to quantitative traits of agronomic importance can substantially simplify the genetic analysis of complex quantitative traits. Enzyme marker genes are ideal candidates for quantitative genetic analysis. We have recently applied this powerful methodology to the analysis of genetic resources of wild cereals in Israel, primarily wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, and wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, the progenitors of cultivated wheats and barley, respectively. We have found that allelic isozyme markers and ecological factors provide an important predictive method for identifying elite genotypes characterized by single or multiple disease resistances, high protein content, and a variety of quantitative traits of agronomic importance including germination, earliness, biomass, and yield variables. Our predictive methodology could be improved by additional crossing tests in an attempt to verify the results derived from the correlation analysis and thus establish the linkage relationships between the marker gene and the quantitative trait under discussion. This methodology, if further developed by additional isozyme and DNA markers, verified by crossing tests and gene mapping, could substantially contribute to the sampling and utilization of the genetic resources of wild gene pools for crop improvement.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1986

Adaptive optimal sound for vocal communication in tunnels of a subterranean mammal (Spalax ehrenbergi).

The adaptive value of sound signal characteristics for transmission in the underground tunnel ecotope was tested using tunnels of the solitary territorial subterranean mole rats. We analyzed the propagation of synthetic calls with various frequencies through natural tunnels along different distances. Here we present evidence that sound propagation proved efficient only across short distances (a few meters). The least attenuation of sounds occurred at low frequencies. The 440 Hz sound was transmitted better than the lower (220 Hz) or higher (880, 1760, 3520 Hz) tested frequencies. These characteristics matched perfectly with the mole rat features of vocalization and hearing, thus reflecting the operation of natural selection for adaptive vocal communication in the underground tunnel ecotope.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1986

Genetic selection of homozygote allozyme genotypes in marine gastropods exposed to cadmium pollution.

Five species of marine gastropods (Monodonta turbinata, M. turbiformis, Cerithium scabridum, Littorina punctata and L. neritoides) were exposed to cadmium in the laboratory. The enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) tested electrophoretically showed for all five species a statistically significant higher proportion of heterozygotes among the dead animals than among the survivors in the range of concentration tested. This pattern seems to have been established by natural selection. Further, it could be used in developing biological monitors of present and past cadmium pollution based on the genetic response of natural populations to this specific pollutant.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration in four chromosomal species and some isolated populations of actively speciating subterranean mole rats in Israel.

Hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration were measured in four chromosomal species and some peripherally semi-isolated and isolated populations of the mole rat superspecies Spalax ehrenbergi in Israel. HCT was 52.0, 51.4, 50.9, and 47.8%, and Hb was 16.0, 16.6, 16.3, and 14.7 g/100 ml for 2n = 52, 58, 54, and 60, respectively. The species 2n = 60, which lives in arid habitats, had lower HCT and Hb than the other three species. HCT decreased as aridity increased between the species and within the species 2n = 60. Changes in HCT probably reflect clinal changes in both soil permeability to gases and ambient temperature.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

The effect of melatonin administration and short exposures to cold on body temperature of the blind subterranean mole rat (Rodentia, Spalax ehrenberghi, Nehring).

Improvement of the cold resistance capacity of the mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi, Nehring), a blind subterranean rodent, was achieved following subcutaneous melatonin administration. Melatonin-treated mole rats exhibited reduction both in initial body temperature (Tbo) and in the decrease of body temperature (delta Tb) after 6 hours of exposure to cold. The tested mole rats were acclimated to and kept during the experiment, under long (16L/8D) photoperiod schedule while the effects of melatonin administration on body temperature simulated the effects of short photoperiod conditions. These results suggest that in mole rats, melatonin biochemically mediates photoperiodic information into body temperature physiological response. As a byproduct of the original experiment, it was found that frequently repeated short (6 hours) exposure to cold (Ta = 5 +/- 1 degrees C) can in itself initiate an improvement of cold resistance capacity similar to the effect of melatonin administration. This supports the idea that mole rats may improve their cold resistance in response to either photoperiodic or climatic changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Descriptive kinetics of spermatogenesis in four chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.

The descriptive kinetics of the spermatogenic process has been studied in the four chromosomal species of Spalax ehrenbergi between November and March, the active period of reproduction. Spermatid development can be subdivided into 16 steps in which the acrosome formation is clearly distinguishable and the Golgi, cap and acrosomic phases are identifiable. The first 12 steps of spermiogenesis can be utilized for the definition of characteristic time-dependent relationships among different germ cell associations (stages): twelve stages, I-XII, are clearly identifiable. In this regard no differences exist among the four chromosomal species. In general, the spermatogenic process in this species has the same pattern as that of Mus domesticus. Two relevant points distinguish Spalax spermatogenesis from Mus spermatogenesis: 1) the presence, throughout the stages I-XII of the seminiferous epithelium cycle of a larger size, oval shaped spermatogonium type containing heterochromatic granulations; 2) the Sertoli cells show only one heterochromatic clump closely attached to the nucleolus; moreover, the Sertoli cell cytoplasm is more PAS-positive than that of Mus.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Natural selection for resistance to mercury pollution.

The survival under conditions of mercury pollution of two natural populations of the marine gastropod Cerithium rupestre, derived from mercury-polluted and mercury-free sites, was tested in the laboratory. The results indicate a significantly higher survival rate for animals derived from the mercury-polluted site, in each of six repetitive experiments. We conclude that mercury resistance in marine organisms is reinforced in mercury polluted sites, presumably by natural selection for increased resistance. The evolution of metal tolerance in marine organisms may be as fast as that of metal tolerance in plants and the evolution of industrial melanisms in moths.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Major histocompatibility complex of the mole-rat. II. Restriction fragment polymorphism.

The major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) is a group of loci coding for lymphocyte membrane glycoproteins that provide the context for the recognition of foreign antigens in the initial phase of the immune response. The complex contains a large number of loci, some of which are highly polymorphic. The complexity and polymorphism pose a number of questions concerning the evolution of the Mhc. In an attempt to answer some of these questions, we have begun to study the Mhc of the mole-rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, a rodent representing a complex of sibling species occupying ecologically and geographically clearly delineated regions within the borders of Israel. In an earlier publication we identified the Spalax major histocompatibility (Smh) complex serologically and biochemically. Here, we analyze the Smh by Southern blotting of DNA fragments produced by restriction enzyme digestion. The fragments were hybridized to mouse probes specific for class I, class II, and C4 genes. The analysis has revealed that the Smh complex contains as many class I genes as the mouse does and that these genes are polymorphic. The number of class II genes could not be determined with certainty, but it is probably not greater than in the mouse. Polymorphism was also detected at the loci coding for the complement component 4 (C4), which are probably closely linked to the Smh complex. The polymorphism of mole-rat class I loci contrasts with the reported monomorphism of these loci in the Syrian hamster. Since the mole-rat leads a solitary, subterranean life, as the Syrian hamster does, ecology cannot be an explanation for the lack of class I polymorphism in the latter species.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Urine analysis of three rodent species with emphasis on calcium and magnesium bicarbonate.

The urine composition of three rodent species, mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi, the golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus and the white rat Rattus norvegicus was studied. These three species represent different degrees of fossoriality. The results show that the urine of the species that show a higher degree of fossoriality, the mole rat and the hamster, contain high values of calcium and magnesium bicarbonates when compared with the white rat. From these results it may be assumed that the mole rat as well as the hamster can use the kidney as a pathway for releasing bicarbonate and carbonate. This mechanism may reduce the CO2 concentration in their hypercapnic environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Distribution of a COOH-terminal amino acid extension of liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase among rodent species.

We have recently established from sequence analysis that rat liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase contains a 24-26 residue extension beyond the COOH-terminal amino acid of other mammalian fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases that results in an increased subunit molecular weight (Rittenhouse et al. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7648-7652). In the present work the distribution of the COOH-terminal extension of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases was tested by subunit molecular weight analysis of the enzyme immunoprecipitated from liver extracts. Of all rodent species tested, including several Muridae other than Rattus; only the enzyme from animals of the genus Rattus was found to have the extension. Further studies on the distribution of the enzyme extension could provide a simple tool to study the phylogeny of the genus Rattus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗