No abstract

Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides) is an important tree species in Taiwan because of the excellent properties of its wood and fascinating color qualities of its heartwood (HW), as well as the bioactive compounds therein. However, limited information is available as to the HW formation of this species. The objective of this research is to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during the HW formation process from specific Taiwania xylem tissues, and to obtain genes that might be closely associated with this process. The results indicated that our analyses have captured DEGs representative to the HW formation process of Taiwania. DEGs related to the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway were all up-regulated in the transition zone (TZ) to support the biosynthesis and accumulation of terpenoids. Many DEGs related to lignin biosynthesis, and two DEGs related to pinoresinol reductase (PrR)/pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase (PLR), were up-regulated in TZ. These DEGs together are likely involved in providing the precursors for the subsequent lignan biosynthesis. Several transcription factor-, nuclease-, and protease-encoding DEGs were also highly expressed in TZ, and these DEGs might be involved in the regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis and the autolysis of the cellular components of ray parenchyma cells in TZ. These results provide further insights into the process of HW formation in Taiwania.

In order to determine the prevalence and molecular basis of alpha-thalassemia (thal) among Filipinos, a total of 2954 Filipinos in Taiwan were enrolled in this study. A complete blood count was done for every subject. Those with microcytosis (MCV less than 82.5 fl) were studied with hemoglobin (Hb) high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the levels of Hb A2 and Hb F, and with an enzyme immunoassay to determine plasma ferritin levels. Those who had microcytosis and normal or low levels of Hb A2 and Hb F were further studied with molecular methods for alpha-globin gene mutations. We used Southern blot hybridization and/or the polymerase chain reaction to detect Southeast Asian deletion, Filipino deletion, rightward and leftward single alpha-globin gene deletions, and Hb Constant Spring and Hb Quong Sze. Specific amplification and direct DNA sequencing of the alpha2- and alpha1-globin genes were carried out in apparent alpha-thal carriers without any of the above-mentioned mutations. Our results showed that in Filipinos the prevalence of alpha-thal 1 was 5% (147 carriers) and that of alpha-thal 2 was 1.7% (49 carriers); two had Hb H disease. Among the alpha-thal 1 carriers, 89 had the Southeast Asian deletion and 58 had the Filipino deletion. Among the alpha-thal 2 carriers, 48 had a rightward deletion and one had a leftward deletion. None had Hb Constant Spring or Hb Quong Sze. Specific amplification and DNA sequencing in five apparent alpha-thal carriers did not reveal mutations in the 2-kb region spanning the alpha2- and alpha1-globin genes. The molecular defects of alpha-thal in Filipinos were different from those in the neighboring ethnic groups. Elucidation of the alpha-thal mutations in Filipinos is useful in the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of this common disease.

Polymorphic genetic markers and methods for DNA sampling in the field are the basic requirements for studies on population and conservation genetics of wild Macaca cyclopis. In this paper we screened microsatellites for their polymorphism and accessed the validity in paternity identification and gene typing of DNA samples from various sources. Among the 36 primer sets tested, 21 are polymorphic with an average observed heterozygosity 0.56. All the eight loci examined tbr a parent-offspring triad tbllowed Medelian inheritance. Application of the two most polymorphic loci in paternity identification of a captive group showed that the top-ranking male sired al'l the juveniles. DNA samples from wound and menstrual bleeding, or from ejaculates and hairs produced concordant microsatellite banding patterns for specific individuals. The success in DNA extraction from samples collected low-invasively and the polymorphic loci screened in this study can be applied in future studies on population and conservation genetics of natural primate populations.