Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “bivalent”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,315 records · Page 73Linked to original sources

Reproduction and cytogenetic characterization of interspecific hybrids derived from crosses between Brassica carinata and B. rapa.

The tri-genomic hybrid (ABC, 2n=27) between Brassica carinata (BBCC, 2n=34) and B. rapa (AA, 2n=20) is a unique material for studying genome relationships among Brassica species and a valuable bridge for transferring desirable characteristics from one species to the other within the genus Brassica. The crossability between B. carinata and B. rapa was varied with the cultivar of B. rapa. Hybrid pollen mother cells (PMCs), confirmed by morphological observation and molecular marker assay, could be grouped into 20 classes on the basis of chromosome pairing configurations. More than 30% of the PMCs had nine or more bivalents. Genomic in situ hybridization confirmed that two of the bivalents most likely belonged to the B genome. Nearly one-half of the PMCs had trivalents (0-2) and quadrivalents (0-2), which revealed partial homology among the A, B, and C genomes and suggested that there is a good possibility to transfer genes by means of recombination among the three genomes. The advantages of using the tri-genomic hybrids as bridge material for breeding new types of B. napus are discussed.

Brassica↗

GISH and AFLP analyses of novel Brassica napus lines derived from one hybrid between B. napus and Orychophragmus violaceus.

New Brassica napus inbred lines with different petal colors and with canola quality and increased levels of oleic (approximately 70%, 10% higher than that of B. napus parent) and linoleic (28%) acids have been developed in the progenies of one B. napus cv. Oro x Orychophragmus violaceus F5 hybrid plant (2n = 31). Their genetic constituents were analyzed by using the methods of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and amplified fragments length polymorphism (AFLP). No intact chromosomes of O. violaceus origin were detected by GISH in their somatic cells of ovaries and root tips (2n = 38) and pollen mother cells (PMCs) with normal chromosome pairing (19 bivalents) and segregation (19:19), though signals of variable sizes and intensities were located mainly at terminal and centromeric parts of some mitotic chromosomes and meiotic bivalents at diakinesis or chromosomes in anaphase I groups and one large patch of chromatin was intensively labeled and separated spatially in some telophase I nuclei and metaphase II PMCs. AFLP analysis revealed that substantial genomic changes have occurred in these lines and O. violaceus-specific bands, deleted bands in 'Oro' and novel bands for two parents were detected. The possible mechanisms for these results were discussed.

Brassica napus↗

The germ-line-restricted chromosome in the zebra finch: recombination in females and elimination in males.

In the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), there is a germ-line-restricted chromosome regularly present in males and females. A reexamination of male and female meiosis in the zebra finch showed that this element forms a euchromatic bivalent in oocytes, but it is always a single, heterochromatic element in spermatocytes. Immunostaining with anti-MLH1 showed that the bivalent in oocytes has two or three foci with a localized pattern, indicating the regular occurrence of recombination. In male meiosis, the single restricted chromosome forms an axis that contains the cohesin subunit SMC3, and the associated chromatin is densely packed until late pachytene. Electron microscopy of thin-sectioned seminiferous tubules shows that the restricted chromosome is eliminated in postmeiotic stages in the form of packed chromatin inside a micronucleus, visible in the cytoplasm of young spermatids. The selective condensation of the restricted chromosome during early meiotic prophase in males is interpreted as a strategy to avoid the triggering of asynaptic checkpoints, but this condensation is reversed prior to the final condensation that leads to its (ulterior) elimination. Recombination during female meiosis may prevent the genetic attrition of the restricted chromosome and, along with the elimination in male germ cells, ensures its regular transmission through females.

Animals↗

Probing meiosis in hybrids of Lolium (Poaceae) with a discriminatory repetitive genomic sequence.

A moderately repetitive genomic DNA sequence (designated pLPBB2-123) derived from Lolium perenne L. (Poaceae) is considerably more abundant in the genome of this species than in that of the closely related L. temulentum. The repetitive sequence probe is clearly able to discriminate between the genomic DNA of both species in Southern analysis, and effectively 'paints' only the chromosome set of L. perenne in diploid and triploid hybrids with L. temulentum. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation of this sequence onto homologous chromosomes during meiosis I of the hybrids shows that the sequence is evenly distributed along all of the chromosomes of L. perenne and appears to have little effect on the structural integrity or recombination potential of hybrid bivalents. Discrimination between chromatin of different parental origin in hybrid bivalents shows for the first time a progressive relaxation of relational coiling of homoeologues throughout meiotic prophase. It also highlights structural irregularities that can now be unequivocally assigned to the longer chromosomes of L. temulentum. The advantages of the use of specific differentially amplified sequences instead of whole genome probes are discussed within the context of introgression breeding programmes within the Lolium/Festuca complex.

Chromosomes↗

The chromosomal distribution of phosphorylated histone H3 differs between plants and animals at meiosis.

Plant (Secale cereale, Triticum aestivum) and animal (Eyprepocnemis plorans) meiocytes were analyzed by indirect immunostaining with an antibody recognizing histone H3 phosphorylated at serine 10, to study the relationship between H3 phosphorylation and chromosome condensation at meiosis. To investigate whether the dynamics of histone H3 phosphorylation differs between chromosomes with a different mode of segregation, we included in this study mitotic cells and also meiotic cells of individuals forming bivalents plus three different types of univalents (A chromosomes, B chromosomes and X chromosome). During the first meiotic division, the H3 phosphorylation of the entire chromosomes initiates at the transition from leptotene to zygotene in rye and wheat, whereas in E. plorans it does so at diplotene. In all species analyzed H3 phosphorylation terminates toward interkinesis. The immunosignals at first meiotic division are identical in bivalents and univalents of A and B chromosomes, irrespective of their equational or reductional segregation at anaphase I. The grasshopper X chromosome, which always segregates reductionally, also shows the same pattern. Remarkable differences were found at second meiotic division between plant and animal material. In E. plorans H3 phosphorylation occurred all along the chromosomes, whereas in plants only the pericentromeric regions showed strong immunosignals from prophase II until telophase II. In addition, no immunolabeling was detectable on single chromatids resulting from equational segregation of plant A or B chromosome univalents during the preceding anaphase I. Simultaneous immunostaining with anti-tubulin and anti-phosphorylated H3 antibodies demonstrated that the kinetochores of all chromosomes interact with microtubules, even in the absence of detectable phosphorylated H3 immunosignals. The different pattern of H3 phosphorylation in plant and animal meiocytes suggests that this evolutionarily conserved post-translational chromatin modification might be involved in different roles in both types of organisms. The possibility that in plants H3 phosphorylation is related to sister chromatid cohesion is discussed.

Animals↗

Maternal age and trisomy--a unifying mechanism of formation.

The mechanism of trisomy formation and its relationship to increased maternal age is not understood. Molecular analysis of the pattern of inheritance of DNA markers in trisomy families shows trisomies can be grouped according to whether the affected chromosomes inherited from their mothers are heterozygous or homozygous with respect to the centromeres. Furthermore, molecular analysis reveals that those that are heterozygous have fewer chiasmata, which are located more distally, while those that are homozygous have more chiasmata proximally located. Cytogenetic analysis of human oocytes shows that the kind of imbalance predicted by the classic hypothesis of nondisjunction, i.e. extra whole chromosomes at the second metaphase, is rarely found, whereas the common expression of imbalance is seen as single chromatids. We hypothesise that one mechanism links these data: the mechanism depends on the prediction from the cytogenetic data that cohesion within the bivalent complex is severely weakened during the extended dictyate stage in older women. Consequently, when meiosis resumes, at the time of ovulation, the bivalent emerges as four chromatids held together only by its chiasmata. In accordance with the rules of orientation on the spindle, the final balanced shape of the configuration achieved at metaphase I, in this case determined by the position of the chiasmata, will dictate whether the subsequent segregation of the chromatids will result in their heterozygosity or homozygosity. It follows that the concept of "first division" and "second division" errors, i.e. of nondisjunction originating at first or second meiotic division as defined by centromeric hetero- or homozygosity, may be erroneous.

Centromere↗

Effect of complex formation between Zn2+ ions and the anticancer drug mithramycin upon enzymatic activity of zinc(II)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase.

Mithramycin (MTR), a member of the aureolic group of anticancer antibiotics, is a drug that supposedly acts via the inhibition of transcription. It binds to bivalent cations such as Mg(2+) and Zn(2+). In this paper, we report the association of MTR with Zn(2+), a biologically important bivalent cation whose coordination property leads to its important role as a cofactor in different enzymes and nucleosomal DNA-binding proteins. First, we have characterized the complex formation between MTR and Zn(2+) using spectroscopic methods. In the second part, we have examined the effect of the association of Zn(2+) with MTR on the enzymatic activity of a typical zinc(II)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from yeast. Our data show that MTR forms a single complex with Zn(2+) in a mole ratio of 2:1 in terms of MTR:Zn(2+). We also observe a negative effect for the preincubation of ADH with MTR upon the enzymatic activity. These results indicate that MTR induced structural changes in the enzyme as a sequel to its complex formation with Zn(2+) present in the enzyme, thereby leading to a loss of enzymatic activity.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Use of meiotic pachytene stage of spermatocytes for karyotypic studies in insects.

Coleopterans represent by far the largest animal group, with more than 300,000 identified species. Only little progress in their chromosome analysis has been accomplished during recent decades, compared with that made in vertebrate cytogenetics. Both the small size of their genome and the difficulty of obtaining mitotic cells with nice chromosomes have limited the application of conventional techniques, such as chromosome banding. A method for obtaining chromosome banding on well-spread bivalents from the pachytene stage of the meiotic prophase, the most frequent stage in young imagines, is described. It makes possible the identification of all bivalents and the establishment of the karyotype with greater ease and accuracy than with mitotic cells. In addition, it gives some insight into chromosome organization at a stage when autosomes are assumed to undergo an intense transcriptional activity. The results of the technique, which was successfully applied to many species, are described here in two of them, Cetonia aurata and Adesmia montana as examples.

Animals↗

A comparative cytogenetic analysis between the grasshopper species Chromacris nuptialis and C. speciosa (Romaleidae): constitutive heterochromatin variability and rDNA sites.

The chromosomes of Chromacris nuptialis and C. speciosa were comparatively analyzed using different cytogenetic techniques, in order to determine the level of karyotypic similarities and differences between the species. The results show similarities in chromosome number (2n=23,X0) and acrocentric morphology. In some C. nuptialis individuals meiotic irregularities were detected involving the L(2) bivalent. This bivalent was delayed and presented anaphasic bridges and other aberrations. Differences in constitutive heterochromatin (CH) patterns and composition were observed through C-banding and fluorochromes staining. Silver nitrate staining revealed a single medium nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) pair, per species. Differences were also observed in NORs location, which was pericentromeric in C. nuptialis and proximal in C. speciosa. FISH using an rDNA probe confirmed the existence of ribosomal sites coinciding with active regions visualized by silver nitrate. The possible implications of the karyotype differences observed between both species are discussed.

Animals↗

Antigenic properties of keratan sulfate: influence of antigen structure, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody valency.

The influence of (a) antigen structure, (b) type of monoclonal antibody, and (c) antibody bivalency on the immunochemical detection and quantification of keratan sulfate (KS) from aggrecan has been studied. Apparent KS epitope levels were determined by immunoglobulin G (IgG)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in preparations of human aggrecan and in a defined series of lower molecular weight proteoglycan preparations generated by proteolytic and alkali treatment of aggrecan. Gel filtration chromatography showed KS epitope to be preferentially detected in the higher molecular weight fragments of the preparations. In single KS chains the epitope was detected in the chains of higher M(r). The ability of the proteoglycan to inhibit in the IgG-ELISA decreased with a reduction in proteoglycan fragment size, ranging between 6- and 260-fold, depending on the antibody used. This was considered to be a cooperative binding effect. With most antibodies, the sensitivity of the IgG-ELISA (represented by the steepness of the inhibition slope) was also reduced with smaller inhibitor sizes. The lowest limit of detectability (the amount of KS required to generate 20% inhibition) varied by up to 60-fold depending on the antibody used. The use of monovalent Fab fragments instead of the whole IgG anti-KS antibody in the ELISA showed that the bivalency of the antibody also affected the quantitation of the assay. In the Fab-ELISA the assay was found to have an increased detectability (by 9.5-fold with aggrecan as the inhibitor), and the proteoglycan fragments and aggrecan all generated parallel inhibition curves. Although the Fab-ELISA was somewhat influenced by the structural presentation of the KS, this was not apparent for small fragments and single chains. Thus the effects of cooperative binding and antibody valency could be overcome and quantitative data could be obtained for all samples, using papain-digested samples and the Fab-ELISA. Application of this assay to analysis of body fluids showed the KS-containing fragments in synovial fluid, serum, and urine were of different sizes and could be quantified.

Aggrecans↗

Role of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in neutrophil hexose transport.

The influence of extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the transport of 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose into human polymorphonuclear neutrophils was studied. Omission of these cations from the cell suspensions had little effect on resting hexose uptake. Furthermore, the addition of the bivalent cation chelator, EDTA, depressed uptake only slightly. Similarly, neither cation was essential for the enhanced 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake stimulated by two chemotactic factors (C5a and N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine) and arachidonic acid: enhanced uptake was only partially depressed by the omission of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from the suspensions and was still prominent in the presence of EDTA. Two other neutrophil stimulants, the ionophores, A23187 and ionomycin, also enhanced hexose uptake but their actions were heavily dependent upon extracellular bivalent cations and were totally abrogated by EDTA. In all instances, extracellular Ca2+, but not Mg2+, supported optimal enhanced hexose transport induced by stimuli. Activation of 2-deoxy-D-[3H]glucose uptake by each of the five stimuli was totally blocked by cytochalasin B (a blocker of carrier-mediated hexose transport) and D-glucose but not by L-glucose. The data indicate, therefore, that a variety of neutrophil stimulants activate carrier-mediated hexose transport. Although this transport can be triggered by the movement of extracellular Ca2+ into the cell (as exemplified by the action of the two ionophores), such Ca2+ movement is not required for the actions of chemotactic factors or arachidonic acid. Other mechanisms, such as a rearrangement of intracellular Ca2+, may be involved in mediating the activation of hexose transport induced by the latter stimuli.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Binding of naturally occurring antibodies to oxidatively and nonoxidatively modified erythrocyte band 3.

Both oxidative clustering (elicited by diamide treatment) and nonoxidative clustering (elicited by zinc/BS3 (bis[sulfosuccinimidyl]suberate) treatment) of erythrocyte integral membrane proteins induce binding of autologous antibodies with anti-band 3 specificity, followed by complement deposition and phagocytosis. Autologous antibodies eluted from nonoxidatively clustered erythrocytes bind to and stimulate phagocytosis of oxidatively damaged erythrocytes. Those eluted antibodies bind specifically to disulfide-crosslinked band 3 dimers generated by diamide treatment. Band 3 dimerization and antibody binding are abrogated by cleavage of band 3 cytoplasmic domain. Thus, disulfide-crosslinked band 3 dimers are the minimal band 3 aggregate with enhanced affinity for anti-band 3 antibodies. The eluted antibodies do not bind to band 3 dimers generated nonoxidatively by BS3 treatment but bind avidly to larger band 3 clusters generated nonoxidatively by zinc/BS3 treatment. Possibly, disulfide crosslinking of cytoplasmic domain cysteines induces reorientation of intramembrane domains as to expose putative anti-band 3 epitopes and allow bivalent binding of anti-band 3 antibodies. Extensive nonoxidative band 3 clustering appears to disrupt the native band 3 conformation and generate reoriented dimers which expose putative anti-band 3 epitopes in the proper distance and orientation as to allow bivalent antibody binding.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Hepatocellular uptake of peptides--II. Interactions between hydrophilic linear renin-inhibiting peptides and transport systems for endogenous substrates in liver cells.

To define the endogenous transport system responsible for the hepatocellular uptake of hydrophilic linear peptides, interactions between the cationic renin-inhibitor, [5(4-amino-piperidyl-1-carbonyl-L-2,6[3H]phenyl-alanyl-beta-alanyl(4S- amino-3S-hydroxy-5-cyclo-hexyl)-pentan-carbonyl-L-isoleucyl-ami nom ethyl-4-amino-2-methyl-pyrimidine-citrat] (code number EMD 56133; EMD, E. Merck, Darmstadt) and substrates of endogenous transport systems of liver cells were studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. EMD 56133 competitively inhibited the uptake of ouabain (Ki = 75 microM) and vice versa (Ki = 200 microM). In contrast, the sodium-dependent as well as the sodium-independent uptake of cholate and the total uptake of taurocholate were non-competitively blocked, whereas EMD 56133 decreased the uptake of the cyclosomatostatin 008 in an uncompetitive manner. EMD 56133 did not interfere with transport systems for monovalent organic cations, amino acids and long chain fatty acids. The uptake of rifampicin, however, was increased in the presence of EMD 56133. The transport of EMD 56133 was non-competitively inhibited by cholate (Ki = 126 microM) and taurocholate (Ki = 44 microM), and uncompetitively inhibited by the linear peptide EMD 51921. In contrast, the uncharged compound ouabain (Ki = 200 microM) and the bivalent organic cation d-tubocurarine (Ki = 370 microM) competitively inhibited the uptake of the renin inhibitor. Several substrates of other endogenous transport systems (e.g. bilirubin, cyclopeptides, monovalent cations, dipeptides, amino acids, fatty acids, hexoses) did not interfere with the transport of EMD 56133. Our results suggest that transport systems for bivalent organic cations or uncharged compounds (ouabain) are able to eliminate the linear hydrophilic peptide tested.

Animals↗

Structure-function relationships of hirulog peptide interactions with thrombin.

Using hirudin as a model, a novel class of bivalent thrombin inhibitors has been designed and characterized (Maraganore et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 7095-7101). These peptides, designated 'hirulogs', interact with both thrombin's catalytic center and its anion-binding exosite for fibrinogen recognition. In order to investigate structure-activity relationships in hirulog peptides, a number of peptide and peptidomimetic derivatives with alterations in catalytic-site binding and anion-binding exosite binding moieties were prepared. Replacements or modifications in the catalytic site and exosite binding moieties were achieved with the consequences of maintaining or improving antithrombin activity. In addition to showing improved affinity for thrombin, some derivatives with Ki's in the sub-nanomolar range showed increased anticoagulant activities. These findings highlight the versatility of hirulog peptides in their bivalent interactions with thrombin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thermostability of beta-xylosidase from Aspergillus sydowii MG49.

Heating of Aspergillus beta-xylosidase at 85 degrees C +/- 1 degree C and pH 5.5-6.0 (optimum for activity), causes irreversible, covalent thermoinactivation of the enzyme, involving oxidation of the thiol groups that are required for catalysis. Exogenous addition of cysteine, DTT, GSH and mercaptoethanol stabilizes the enzyme by extending its half-life. A similar effect is also exhibited by bivalent cations like Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ while, on the other hand Cu2+ accelerates thermoinactivation. Chemical modification of crude beta-xylosidase with cross-linking agents like glutaraldehyde or covalent immobilization to a nonspecific protein like gelatin and BSA also enhances enzyme thermostability. These results suggest that addition of thiols and bivalent metal ions to a crude beta-xylosidase preparation or immobilization/chemical modification enhances its thermal stability, thus preventing loss of catalytic activity at elevated temperatures.

Aspergillus↗

Immunology of DNA. VI. The effect of mercaptans on IgG and IgM anti-dsDNA.

Reduction of IgM antibodies to DNA with mercaptans such as dithioerythrol or 2-mercaptoethanol completely destroys DNA binding in the Farr assay and in the immunofluorescence technique by Crithidia luciliae. In contrast reduction of IgG antibodies to DNA results in a six-fold increase of DNA binding in the Farr assay while no effect on titres in the immunofluorescence technique can be observed. Our results lead to the following conclusions: 1) The Farr assay is selective for high avidity interactions; only a minor part of IgG antibodies to DNA is measured; 2) 7S IgM antibodies to DNA cannot be demonstrated in the Farr assay or the immunofluorescence technique; obviously only multivalent interactions, as obtained with the intact 19S IgM molecule are stable in these assays; 3) reduction of IgG leads to a greater flexibility of this molecule; this facilitates monogamous bivalent binding to DNA; 4) THE PRESENTATION OF DNA in the kinetoplast of Crithidia luciliae favours a monogamous bivalent binding of antibodies to DNA with high avidity; this accounts for occasionally observed discrepancies between anti-DNA activity in the Farr assay and in the immunofluorescence technique.

Antibodies↗

Dissociation of antibodies bound to surface-immobilized antigen.

The dissociation of antibodies bound to surface-immobilized antigen was investigated by the ELISA, using a hapten (TNP) as antigen. Antibody binding was found to be stable, and no half-time of dissociation could be defined within 69 h. The role of the bivalence of antibodies and the difference between a homogeneous and a heterogeneous reaction was investigated by comparing the dissociation rate of antigen-antibody complexes formed by monovalent Fab fragments from surface-immobilized antigen and the dissociation rate of TNP-lysine from antibodies in a homogeneous liquid phase. Fab fragments were found to dissociate with a half-time value of about 16 h, whereas the homogeneous binding of TNP-antibody dissociated with a half-time of less than 4 h, indicating that both the bivalence of antibodies and the solid phase contributed to the stability of surface-bound antigen-antibody complexes. Qualitative differences between antibodies produced by different clones in a polyclonal antibody response to TNP was investigated by a spot assay. The results indicated that a minority of the antibodies produced had the capacity of binding practically irreversibly to solid-phase-immobilized antigen. The impact of the results on the interpretation of data from solid-phase assays is discussed together with the biological importance of the findings.

Animals↗

Comparison of methods for the generation of immunoreactive fragments of a monoclonal antibody (B72.3) reactive with human carcinomas.

Immunoglobulin fragments, whether of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, offer a number of advantages over the intact immunoglobulin. The generation of immunoreactive fragments from monoclonal antibodies (MAb) is not always a straightforward task. Both pepsin and papain can be used to digest MAb to a bivalent molecule with a Mr of 100,000. However, pepsin pepsin digestions does not always result in immunoreactive fragments and a stable consistent product by papain digestion is often difficult to obtain. MAb B72.3 is an example of both situations. MAb B72.3 reacts with a glycoprotein (TAG-72) with a molecular weight greater than 10(6). MAb B72.3 has been shown to exhibit a high degree of selective reactivity with colon, breast and ovarian carcinomas and has been used for radioimmunodiagnosis in model systems and in clinical trials. A third enzyme, bromelain, in the same family of sulfhydryl proteases as papain, has been used to generate a fragment of MAb B72.3, with a Mr of approximately 100,000. The bromelain-generated fragment of MAb B72.3 retained 100% immunoreactivity as measured in competitive solid-phase radioimmunoassays and could be generated with consistent results from one preparation to another. Both the bromelain- and papain-generated fragments were radiolabelled with 125I without significant loss of the MAb's reactivity to tumor extracts. Differences were observed between the bromelain- and papain-generated fragment when compared in vivo. Fragmentation of MAb B72.3 with bromelain has yielded a superior bivalent fragment for radioimmunolocalization.

Animals↗