Abstract Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to investigate genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among 10 species belonging to the genus Amaranthus L. The results showed that the polymorphism in cultivated species was lower than that in wild ones, reflecting the selection pressures of domestication on genetic diversity in cultivated species. A specific RAPD marker was detected for each of A. powellii PI 572262, A. tricolor PI 462129, A. palmeri PI 607455, A. caudatus PI 511679 and A. quitensis PI 511744. The overall mean similarity index of amplified fragments generated by RAPD primers on genomic DNA of Amaranthus accessions indicated that A. hypochondriacus was the closest grain amaranth to A. hybridus, followed by A. caudatus and A. cruentus. A. tricolor had a maximum genetic distance from grain amaranth species, confirming its morphological classification in a distinct subgenus Albersia. Similarly, the accessions of A. palmeri were separated in a distinct cluster, supporting its classification in a distinct subgenus Acnida. A. hybridus accessions were gathered together with grain amaranth species, thereby supporting the single progenitor hypothesis for grain amaranths. A. spinosus was separated on a distinct principal coordinate axe, indicating its low correlation with other species and confirming its morphological classification in a distinct section, i.e. Centrusa.

Resumen Se usaron marcadores aleatorios de ADN polimórfico (RAPD) para investigar la diversidad genética y las relaciones filogenéticas entre 10 especies pertenecientes al género Amaranthus L. Los resultados mostraron que el polimorfismo en las especies cultivadas fue menor que en las silvestres, lo que refleja las presiones de selección asociadas con la domesticación en la diversidad genética en las especies cultivadas. Se detectó un marcador RAPD específico para A. powellii PI 572262, A. tricolor PI 462129, A. palmeri PI 607455, A. caudatus PI 511679 y A. quitensis PI 511744. El índice de similitud media general de los fragmentos amplificados generados por los cebadores RAPD en el ADN genómico de las accesiones de Amaranthus, indicó que A. hypochondriacus es el amaranto de grano más cercano a A. hybridus, seguido de A. caudatus y A. cruentus. A. tricolor mostró una distancia genética máxima al amaranto de grano, lo que confirmó su clasificación morfológica en un subgénero distinto, i.e., Albersia. Del mismo modo, las accesiones de A. palmeri se separaron en un grupo distinto, apoyando su clasificación en un subgénero distinto, i.e., Acnida. Las accesiones de A. hybridus se agruparon junto con amaranto de grano, lo que apoya la hipótesis que propone a A. hybridus como progenitor único de los amarantos de grano. A. spinosus se separó en un eje de coordenadas principales distinto, lo que indica su baja correlación con otras especies y confirma su clasificación morfológica en una sección distinta, i.e. Centrusa.

Abstract Background: Ant venoms express surface molecules that participate in antigen presentation involving pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This work aims to investigate the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in rats injected with samsum ant venom (SAV). Methods: Rats were divided into three groups - control, SAV-treated (intraperitoneal route, 600 μg/kg), and SAV-treated (subcutaneous route, 600 μg/kg). After five doses, animals were euthanized and samples collected for analysis. Results: The subcutaneous SAV-trated rats presented decreased levels of glutathione with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Intraperitoneal SAV-treated animals displayed significantly reduced concentrations of both IFN-γ and IL-17 in comparison with the control group. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SAV-treated rats were able to upregulate the expressions of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on PMNs in comparison with the control respectively. The histological examination showed severe lymphocyte depletion in the splenic white pulp of the intraperitoneal SAV-injected rats. Conclusion: Stimulation of PMNs by SAV leads to upregulation of MHC-II, CD 80, and CD 86, which plays critical roles in antigen presentation and consequently proliferation of T-cells. Subcutaneous route was more efficient than intraperitoneal by elevating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, disturbing oxidative stability and increasing lipogram concentration.

The genes encoding the glycinin subunits G2 and G4 were molecularly manipulated and modified to test the possibility of increasing the nutritional value of soybean seed proteins. The recombinant DNAs pSP65/G2HG4, pSP65/G4HG2, pSP65/248 Metl, pSP65/248 Met2,3 and pSP65/248 Metl.2,3 were used in in vitro translation to produce (i) chimeric proteins consisting of reciprocally exchanged acidic and basic G2 and G4 domains and (ii) Gy4 point mutants with an increased number of methionine residues. The ability of the recombinant proteins to assemble into proper quaternary structures was investigated using sucrose gradient fractionation. The data produced by this study could provide valuable clues for the potential improvement of genetically modified crops.