Brain size varies dramatically across populations and species in anuran species.The differences in structure,function,or size of brains are linked to processing specific cognitive tasks by different behaviors.In parti...Brain size varies dramatically across populations and species in anuran species.The differences in structure,function,or size of brains are linked to processing specific cognitive tasks by different behaviors.In particular,the causes of how male-male competition promotes the increased cognitive abilities to increase brains are as yet unexplored in anurans.To evaluate the effect of male-male competition on variation in brain size in B.andrewsi,we compared the differences in relative brain size between mated males and unpaired males under natural and experimental conditions.We found that mated males had relatively larger brains than unpaired males in a natural population when controlling the effect of body size.Likewise,we also found that there were larger brains in mated males than in unpaired males in both experiment 1 where two males competed for a female and experiment 2 where three males competed for a female,suggesting that males with mating success during male-male competition possess increased brain size and cognitive abilities.When we compared difference in relative brain size in mated males between experiment2 and experiment 1 we found that males experiencing more intense competition did not display larger brains than males experiencing relatively weak competition,suggesting that low intensity competition is already enough to trigger the increase in relative brain size in B.andrewsi.展开更多
Bufadienolides,naturally occurring steroids primarily found in toads,have garnered attention for their pharmacological properties and ecological significance.In this study,we isolated and identified 21 bufadienolides ...Bufadienolides,naturally occurring steroids primarily found in toads,have garnered attention for their pharmacological properties and ecological significance.In this study,we isolated and identified 21 bufadienolides from the gallbladders of Bufo gargarizans,comprising four new compounds and 17 known ones.Notably,the predominance of 15 bufadienolides with a 3α-OH configuration in toad bile differs significantly from the 3β-OH bufadienolides found in venom secreted by toad glands.Moreover,our investigation into the biotransformation of 3β-OH and 3α-OH bufadienolides in the liver and kidney tissues of toads revealed an irreversible conversion from 3β-OH to 3α-OH bufadienolides,suggesting a crucial role in toad self-detoxification.These findings provide valuable insights into the structural diversity of bufadienolides and advance our understanding of their medical and ecological significance.展开更多
Previous studies on the Bufo viridis complex, which is distributed broadly across Iran, are incomplete and restricted to a few regions or a few samples. In this paper a new detailed study on the B. viridis complex in ...Previous studies on the Bufo viridis complex, which is distributed broadly across Iran, are incomplete and restricted to a few regions or a few samples. In this paper a new detailed study on the B. viridis complex in southern of Iran （from West to East） is presented. The analysis of 18 morphometric characters with univariate and multivariate methods reveals significant differences between three members of the B. viridis complex namely B. variabilis, B. luristanicus, and B. surdus distributed in southern part of Iran. Our result help to resolve an old taxonomic problem about B. surdus subgroup （taxa closely related to B. surdus） confirming that B. luristanicus and B. surdus are distinct species. Moreover, for the first time we report and describe karyotype details of B. luristanicus and B. surdus which confirmed that they are diploid. Karyological studies demonstrate that all toads from three mentioned species have 2n = 22 chromosomes. These chromosomes are arranged into two groups. First group has six large chromosomes and the second group is composed of five small chromosomes. These chromosomes are metacentric or submetacentric. The number of submetacentric chromosomes is different in three mentioned species of B. viridis complex. Neither sexual heteromorphism, nor secondary constriction was observed in any pairs of chromosomes.展开更多
We examined sexual size dimorphism （SSD）, mating pattem, fertilization efficiency and female reproductive traits in two bufonid toads （Bufo gargarizans and Duttaphrynus melanostictus） to test the idea that importa...We examined sexual size dimorphism （SSD）, mating pattem, fertilization efficiency and female reproductive traits in two bufonid toads （Bufo gargarizans and Duttaphrynus melanostictus） to test the idea that importance of male body size for egg fertilization success depends on the mating pattern. Female-biased SSD was evident only in D. melanostictus. Female B. gar- garizans laid fewer larger eggs nearly three months earlier than did female D. melanostictus. Fertilization efficieneies on average were higher in B. gargarizans （95%） than in D. melanostictus （91%）. Though differing in the degree of SSD, body size, breeding season, clutch size, egg size and fertilization efficiency, the two toads were similar in four aspects： （1） both showed size-assortative mating; （2） females did not tradeoff egg size against egg number; （3） male size, clutch size and clutch dry mass were greater in male-larger than in female-larger pairs after accounting for female snout-vent length （SVL）; and （4） the ratio of male to female SVL did not affect fertilization efficiency. Our data show that： （1） a female preference for large males is likely not important in terms of egg fertilization success; （2） a male preference for large females is likely important because larger females are more fecund; and （3） size-assortative mating arises from a male preference for large females. Our study demonstrates that male size is not always important for egg fertilization success in anurans that show size-assortative mating.展开更多
In this study,to clarify the bioactive polypeptides included in the skins and secretions of Bufo,we screened the Japanese toad(Bufo japonicus formosus) skin cDNA library by colony polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and ob...In this study,to clarify the bioactive polypeptides included in the skins and secretions of Bufo,we screened the Japanese toad(Bufo japonicus formosus) skin cDNA library by colony polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and obtained a transcript of 1 075 bp consisting of 1 37 bp 5′ untranslated region(UTR),515 bp 3′ UTR and a 423 bp open reading frame(ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 140 amino acid residues(GenBank accession number: KF359945).Homolog analysis showed a 70%–96% homology with sterol carrier protein-2(SCP-2) present in other animals,which is implicated in lipid metabolism of other organisms.The gene SCP-2 of Chinese toad(B.gargarizans) was cloned from a first strand cDNA of Bufo skin(GenBank accession number: KF381341) via PCR,whose encoding polypeptide has only one amino acid difference from that of Japanese toad.Tissue distribution analysis showed that SCP-2 expressed in all organs tested,though in the liver and spleen it manifested lower expression than in other organs.These findings might indicate SCP-2 being one of the active ingredients in toad skin.These findings may in turn have implications for further drug development from traditional Chinese medicine sources.展开更多
The Mest （mesoderm-specific transcript） gene has been considered an imprinting gene in human and mouse, and was also confirmed in other mammals and flowering plants. To investigate the function and evolution of this...The Mest （mesoderm-specific transcript） gene has been considered an imprinting gene in human and mouse, and was also confirmed in other mammals and flowering plants. To investigate the function and evolution of this gene, the cDNA of full length Mest gene was obtained using 5＇- and 3＇-RACE from the Chinese Large Toad （Bufo gargarizans）. The transcript is 1 325bp in length which contains a complete open reading frame （ORF） encoding a polypeptide of 326 amino acids （GenBank accession number： ABQ10905）. There is a typical 0./13 hydrolase fold domain in the putative gene product, and it shows high similarity to sequence of homologous protein of Xenopus tropicali （86%）, mammlian （70% - 80%）. RT-PCR （reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction） analysis demonstrated that the Bufo gargarizans Mest （BgMest） gene is expressed widely in testis, ovary, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, stomach and lung. The conservation of the BgMest gene sequences, protein secondary structure of the BgMest protein, in addition to the expression pattern of the BgMest gene, suggested that the function of BgMest was conserved in amphibians. However, the phylogenetic tree of the imprinting gene of the mammals and other vertebrates examined in this study indicated their divergent origins.展开更多
Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of spontaneous electrical activities of olfactory bulb in Bufo gargarizans during postembryonic development. [Method] Microe...Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of spontaneous electrical activities of olfactory bulb in Bufo gargarizans during postembryonic development. [Method] Microelectrode technique was used to record extracellular spontaneous electrical activities of olfactory bulb in B. gar-garizans. [Result] Along with the development of olfactory bulb, the discharge types increased gradual y. Single spontaneous firing enhanced gradual y and it reached the maximum in the metamorphosis phase. The intensity of consecutive single sponta-neous firing changed slightly at the middle of post-embryonic development, but it was stil higher than in the early phase and the adult phase. Consecutive burst spontaneous firing frequency went down over time. [Conclusion] Along with the de-velopment of olfactory bulb, the neuronal excitability increases step by step and the neuronal electrical activities diversify gradualy.展开更多
Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spi...Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spined toad, Bufo melanostictus, is one of the most common amphibians in Southeast Asia and is frequently observed in human habitations throughout its distributional range. The advertisement calls of the toad have not been well described. Here, we report the advertisement calls of this species from Lishui, Zhejiang, China during its breeding season. The advertisement calls of B. melanostictus are composed of single notes with a single harmonic frequency emitted sporadically. The call parameters recorded in this study were highly variable across recording times and with different body sizes. Dominant frequency was negatively correlated with body size. Comparing the calls of the B. melanostictus population from Lishui with the populations from five other localities(Bangkok, Thailand; Coorg, India; Burma, Myanmar; Bali, Indonesia; Halimun-Salak National Park, Indonesia), we found that call structure was similar among five different populations with no harmonics, while the Halimun-Salak National Park population contained two clear harmonics. Dominant frequency was similar between Bali(1.56 kHz) and Coorg(1.6 kHz) populations, while it was highly variable among other populations. Besides call duration, call interval and pulse/call rate may also be significantly different among the comparing populations. Pooling the available data, we observed some similarities and differences in call parameters among the six populations.展开更多
Microelectrode technique was used to record the spontaneous electrical activities of the neurons in olfactory bulb of the Bufo bufo gargarizans, both in hibernation and after hibemation. This study investigated the el...Microelectrode technique was used to record the spontaneous electrical activities of the neurons in olfactory bulb of the Bufo bufo gargarizans, both in hibernation and after hibemation. This study investigated the electrophysiological characteristics of amphibian olfactory bulb in the period of hibernation and after hibernation and its effects on the start of hibernation and spontaneous awakening. The research showed four forms of spontaneous firings： single spontaneous firing, burst spontaneous firing, irregular spontaneous firing and consecutive single spontaneous firing. The single spontaneous firing includes slow depolarized spontaneous firing and fast depolarized spontaneous firing, and the slow depolarized spontaneous firing occurs only during the hibernation period. In hibernation, the low amplitude and low frequency firing with a longer duration may be relevant to maintaining the tonicity of the central nervous system in toads that are in hibernation, and this kind of firing may also provide an excited basis for their arousal from hibernation. After hibernation, the amplitude and frequency of firing increase, but the firing duration gets shorter. This form of short-term firing, which may be a phenomenon of sensory neurons fast adapting, is one of the neuronal mechanisms for the arousal of hibernating animals.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to probe into developing changes of spontaneous electrical activities of primordial hippocampus in Bufo bufo gargarizans in postembryonic phase. [Method] Microelectrode technique was used to re...[Objective] The aim was to probe into developing changes of spontaneous electrical activities of primordial hippocampus in Bufo bufo gargarizans in postembryonic phase. [Method] Microelectrode technique was used to record extracellularly spontaneous electrical activities of neurons in primordial hippocampus of B.bufo gargarizans in postembryonic phase. [Result] Single, consecutive single, burst, consecutive burst and anomalous spontaneous firing were recorded in primordial hippocampus, in which four kinds of spontaneous firings were recorded in forepart of postembryonic development except the anomalous spontaneous firing, and the burst spontaneous firing and consecutive burst spontaneous firing were predominant. The five kinds of spontaneous firings mentioned were recorded in anaphase of postembryonic development and the single and burst spontaneous firing were predominant.Following with the development of primordial hippocampus, the amplitudes of action potential of single firing and consecutive firing enhanced gradually, and it reaches the maximum in the metamorphosis phase; the differences of the frequencies of consecutive single firing and consecutive burst firing were not significant. [Conclusion] Following with the development of primordial hippocampus, the neuronal electrical activities showed diversification, the developmental degree of the primordial hippocampus in the metamorphosis phase was close to the subadult and adult.展开更多
Three new C-3 dehydrated bufadienolides were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. Their structures were elucidated as 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11-oxobufa-3,20,22-trienolide （1）, 5β,12β- 12,14-dihydrox...Three new C-3 dehydrated bufadienolides were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. Their structures were elucidated as 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11-oxobufa-3,20,22-trienolide （1）, 5β,12β- 12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22-trienolide （2）, and 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22- trienolide （3） on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D NMR and 2D NMR data. In addition, all three compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant cytotoxicities with IC50 values less than 10 μmol/L on both cancer cells.展开更多
In many anurans, the forelimb muscles of males are used to grasp females and are often heavier than those of females despite the larger female body size. Such sexual dimorphism in forelimb musculature is thought to re...In many anurans, the forelimb muscles of males are used to grasp females and are often heavier than those of females despite the larger female body size. Such sexual dimorphism in forelimb musculature is thought to result from sexual selection. In addition, the hindlimbs of frogs and toads play an important role in the reproductive process as amplectant males can expel rivals with robust hindlimbs through kicking. In this study, the sexual dimorphism in dry mass for six hindlimb muscles of the Asiatic toad （Bufo gargarizans） was investigated. The results showed that, when controlled for body size, the hindlimb muscle mass of males significantly exceeded that of females for every muscle. The hindlimb muscle mass of amplectant males was also significantly larger than that of non-amplectant males. These results suggested that if strong hindlimb muscles could improve mating success of males, sexual selection would promote the evolution of dimorphism in this character.展开更多
OBJECTIVE To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptogenic activities of peptide extracted from the Chinese toad （Bufo bufo gargarizans） skin （TSP） and its effects on hepatocarcinoma cell line. METHODS M1-F as...OBJECTIVE To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptogenic activities of peptide extracted from the Chinese toad （Bufo bufo gargarizans） skin （TSP） and its effects on hepatocarcinoma cell line. METHODS M1-F assay was used to detect the effects of TSP （50 lig/mL and 5 ug/mL） on the proliferation and viability of Hepatocarcinoma cell line （HepG2） and liver cell line （L-02）; Flow cytometry was used in DNA content analysis to determine the cell distribution in different phases of cell cycle; Annexin V-FITC/PI stained fluorescence-activated cell sorter （FACS） and transmission electron microscope （TEM） were used to detect the apoptosis of the treated cells. RESULTS TSP could not suppress the proliferation and viability of normal liver L-02 cells, but strongly inhibited the proliferation and viability of HepG2 cells; TSP （50 μg/mL） primarily arrested the HepG2 cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle; TSP （50μg/mL） induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells and enhanced the effects of 5-Fu. CONCLUSION TSP has potent antineoplastic activity against human hepatocarcinoma cells with little toxicity to normal liver cells and can enhance the effects of 5-Fu.展开更多
Difference in body size between males and females(sexual size dimorphism:SSD)and its variation are a common phenomenon in animal kingdom.Rensch’s rule predicts that the degree of SSD variation increases with the enla...Difference in body size between males and females(sexual size dimorphism:SSD)and its variation are a common phenomenon in animal kingdom.Rensch’s rule predicts that the degree of SSD variation increases with the enlarged mean body size when males are larger than females and decreases when females are larger than males.Here,whether the patterns of variations in SSD in the Andrew’s toad(Bufo andrewsi)follow Rensch’s rule was tested using unpublished data from 14 populations and published data from 17 populations.Results show the reduced major axis regression of log10(male size)on log10(female size)across all populations displayed a significant hyperallometric relationship,which was consistent with inverse Rensch’s rule(the degree of SSD increased with enlarged mean body size).SSD could also be explained by sexual age difference(SAD)due to a positive SSD–SAD relationship among all populations.The findings suggest that the occurrence of inverse Rensch’s rule in B.andrewsi is likely to be a result of fecundity selection on increased reproductive investments in larger females.展开更多
There was a slow-relaxing tail of skeletal muscles in vitro upon the inhibition of Ca2+-pump by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Herein, a new linearly-combined bi-exponential model to resolve this slow-relaxing tail from th...There was a slow-relaxing tail of skeletal muscles in vitro upon the inhibition of Ca2+-pump by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Herein, a new linearly-combined bi-exponential model to resolve this slow-relaxing tail from the fast-relaxing phase was investigated for kinetic analysis of the isometric relaxation process of Bufo gastrocnemius in vitro, in comparison to the single exponential model and the classical bi-exponential model. During repetitive stimulations at a 2-s interval by square pulses of a 2-ms duration at 12 V direct currency (DC), the isometric tension of Bufo gastrocnemius was recorded at 100 Hz. The relaxation curve with tensions falling from 90% of the peak to the 15th datum before next stimulation was analyzed by three exponential models using a program in MATLAB 6.5. Both the goodness of fit and the distribution of the residuals for the best fitting sup- ported the comparable validity of this new bi-exponential model for kinetic analysis of the relaxation process of the control muscles. After CPA treatment, however, this new bi-exponential model showed an obvious statistical superiority for kinetic analysis of the muscle relaxation process, and it gave the estimated rest tension consistent to that by experimentation, whereas both the classical bi-exponential model and the single exponential model gave biased rest tensions. Moreover, after the treatment of muscles by CPA, both the single exponential model and the classical bi-exponential model yielded lowered relaxation rates, nevertheless, this new bi-exponential model had relaxation rates of negligible changes except much higher rest tensions. These results suggest that this novel linearly-combined bi-exponential model is desirable for kinetic analysis of the relaxation process of muscles with altered Ca2+-pumping activity.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32370456)the Key Project of Natural Sciences Foundation of Sichuan Province (22NSFSC0011)。
文摘Brain size varies dramatically across populations and species in anuran species.The differences in structure,function,or size of brains are linked to processing specific cognitive tasks by different behaviors.In particular,the causes of how male-male competition promotes the increased cognitive abilities to increase brains are as yet unexplored in anurans.To evaluate the effect of male-male competition on variation in brain size in B.andrewsi,we compared the differences in relative brain size between mated males and unpaired males under natural and experimental conditions.We found that mated males had relatively larger brains than unpaired males in a natural population when controlling the effect of body size.Likewise,we also found that there were larger brains in mated males than in unpaired males in both experiment 1 where two males competed for a female and experiment 2 where three males competed for a female,suggesting that males with mating success during male-male competition possess increased brain size and cognitive abilities.When we compared difference in relative brain size in mated males between experiment2 and experiment 1 we found that males experiencing more intense competition did not display larger brains than males experiencing relatively weak competition,suggesting that low intensity competition is already enough to trigger the increase in relative brain size in B.andrewsi.
基金supported by Guangxi Natural Science Foundation Program(Grant Number 2021GXNSFBA220068)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Number 81872760 and 82204975)+1 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong province(Grant Number 2021A1515011251)Guangdong scientific scheme(Grant Number 2021A0505030032).
文摘Bufadienolides,naturally occurring steroids primarily found in toads,have garnered attention for their pharmacological properties and ecological significance.In this study,we isolated and identified 21 bufadienolides from the gallbladders of Bufo gargarizans,comprising four new compounds and 17 known ones.Notably,the predominance of 15 bufadienolides with a 3α-OH configuration in toad bile differs significantly from the 3β-OH bufadienolides found in venom secreted by toad glands.Moreover,our investigation into the biotransformation of 3β-OH and 3α-OH bufadienolides in the liver and kidney tissues of toads revealed an irreversible conversion from 3β-OH to 3α-OH bufadienolides,suggesting a crucial role in toad self-detoxification.These findings provide valuable insights into the structural diversity of bufadienolides and advance our understanding of their medical and ecological significance.
文摘Previous studies on the Bufo viridis complex, which is distributed broadly across Iran, are incomplete and restricted to a few regions or a few samples. In this paper a new detailed study on the B. viridis complex in southern of Iran （from West to East） is presented. The analysis of 18 morphometric characters with univariate and multivariate methods reveals significant differences between three members of the B. viridis complex namely B. variabilis, B. luristanicus, and B. surdus distributed in southern part of Iran. Our result help to resolve an old taxonomic problem about B. surdus subgroup （taxa closely related to B. surdus） confirming that B. luristanicus and B. surdus are distinct species. Moreover, for the first time we report and describe karyotype details of B. luristanicus and B. surdus which confirmed that they are diploid. Karyological studies demonstrate that all toads from three mentioned species have 2n = 22 chromosomes. These chromosomes are arranged into two groups. First group has six large chromosomes and the second group is composed of five small chromosomes. These chromosomes are metacentric or submetacentric. The number of submetacentric chromosomes is different in three mentioned species of B. viridis complex. Neither sexual heteromorphism, nor secondary constriction was observed in any pairs of chromosomes.
文摘We examined sexual size dimorphism （SSD）, mating pattem, fertilization efficiency and female reproductive traits in two bufonid toads （Bufo gargarizans and Duttaphrynus melanostictus） to test the idea that importance of male body size for egg fertilization success depends on the mating pattern. Female-biased SSD was evident only in D. melanostictus. Female B. gar- garizans laid fewer larger eggs nearly three months earlier than did female D. melanostictus. Fertilization efficieneies on average were higher in B. gargarizans （95%） than in D. melanostictus （91%）. Though differing in the degree of SSD, body size, breeding season, clutch size, egg size and fertilization efficiency, the two toads were similar in four aspects： （1） both showed size-assortative mating; （2） females did not tradeoff egg size against egg number; （3） male size, clutch size and clutch dry mass were greater in male-larger than in female-larger pairs after accounting for female snout-vent length （SVL）; and （4） the ratio of male to female SVL did not affect fertilization efficiency. Our data show that： （1） a female preference for large males is likely not important in terms of egg fertilization success; （2） a male preference for large females is likely important because larger females are more fecund; and （3） size-assortative mating arises from a male preference for large females. Our study demonstrates that male size is not always important for egg fertilization success in anurans that show size-assortative mating.
基金Foundation items： This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （31071181, 31372149） and the Students＇ Innovative Training Program of ZAFU （20120207, 20120213）
文摘In this study,to clarify the bioactive polypeptides included in the skins and secretions of Bufo,we screened the Japanese toad(Bufo japonicus formosus) skin cDNA library by colony polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and obtained a transcript of 1 075 bp consisting of 1 37 bp 5′ untranslated region(UTR),515 bp 3′ UTR and a 423 bp open reading frame(ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 140 amino acid residues(GenBank accession number: KF359945).Homolog analysis showed a 70%–96% homology with sterol carrier protein-2(SCP-2) present in other animals,which is implicated in lipid metabolism of other organisms.The gene SCP-2 of Chinese toad(B.gargarizans) was cloned from a first strand cDNA of Bufo skin(GenBank accession number: KF381341) via PCR,whose encoding polypeptide has only one amino acid difference from that of Japanese toad.Tissue distribution analysis showed that SCP-2 expressed in all organs tested,though in the liver and spleen it manifested lower expression than in other organs.These findings might indicate SCP-2 being one of the active ingredients in toad skin.These findings may in turn have implications for further drug development from traditional Chinese medicine sources.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.30770296)the Natural and Science Key Project of Anhui Educational Department (KJ2007A022)the Key Lab Project of Biotic Environment and Ecology Safety in Anhui Province (2006)
文摘The Mest （mesoderm-specific transcript） gene has been considered an imprinting gene in human and mouse, and was also confirmed in other mammals and flowering plants. To investigate the function and evolution of this gene, the cDNA of full length Mest gene was obtained using 5＇- and 3＇-RACE from the Chinese Large Toad （Bufo gargarizans）. The transcript is 1 325bp in length which contains a complete open reading frame （ORF） encoding a polypeptide of 326 amino acids （GenBank accession number： ABQ10905）. There is a typical 0./13 hydrolase fold domain in the putative gene product, and it shows high similarity to sequence of homologous protein of Xenopus tropicali （86%）, mammlian （70% - 80%）. RT-PCR （reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction） analysis demonstrated that the Bufo gargarizans Mest （BgMest） gene is expressed widely in testis, ovary, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, stomach and lung. The conservation of the BgMest gene sequences, protein secondary structure of the BgMest protein, in addition to the expression pattern of the BgMest gene, suggested that the function of BgMest was conserved in amphibians. However, the phylogenetic tree of the imprinting gene of the mammals and other vertebrates examined in this study indicated their divergent origins.
基金Supported by grants from the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education(2011196)the Experimental Center Director Fund of Shenyang Normal University(sy201003)~~
文摘Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of spontaneous electrical activities of olfactory bulb in Bufo gargarizans during postembryonic development. [Method] Microelectrode technique was used to record extracellular spontaneous electrical activities of olfactory bulb in B. gar-garizans. [Result] Along with the development of olfactory bulb, the discharge types increased gradual y. Single spontaneous firing enhanced gradual y and it reached the maximum in the metamorphosis phase. The intensity of consecutive single sponta-neous firing changed slightly at the middle of post-embryonic development, but it was stil higher than in the early phase and the adult phase. Consecutive burst spontaneous firing frequency went down over time. [Conclusion] Along with the de-velopment of olfactory bulb, the neuronal excitability increases step by step and the neuronal electrical activities diversify gradualy.
基金supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30770310,30970435)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang,China(Y307453)
文摘Advertisement calls play an important role in influencing female mate choice and are regarded as one of the key characters responsible for reproductive isolation and speciation events in frogs and toads. The black-spined toad, Bufo melanostictus, is one of the most common amphibians in Southeast Asia and is frequently observed in human habitations throughout its distributional range. The advertisement calls of the toad have not been well described. Here, we report the advertisement calls of this species from Lishui, Zhejiang, China during its breeding season. The advertisement calls of B. melanostictus are composed of single notes with a single harmonic frequency emitted sporadically. The call parameters recorded in this study were highly variable across recording times and with different body sizes. Dominant frequency was negatively correlated with body size. Comparing the calls of the B. melanostictus population from Lishui with the populations from five other localities(Bangkok, Thailand; Coorg, India; Burma, Myanmar; Bali, Indonesia; Halimun-Salak National Park, Indonesia), we found that call structure was similar among five different populations with no harmonics, while the Halimun-Salak National Park population contained two clear harmonics. Dominant frequency was similar between Bali(1.56 kHz) and Coorg(1.6 kHz) populations, while it was highly variable among other populations. Besides call duration, call interval and pulse/call rate may also be significantly different among the comparing populations. Pooling the available data, we observed some similarities and differences in call parameters among the six populations.
基金Liaoning Provincial Department of Education-Funded Project, No. 20068040the Experimental Center of Shenyang Normal University Foundation, No. 2008007
文摘Microelectrode technique was used to record the spontaneous electrical activities of the neurons in olfactory bulb of the Bufo bufo gargarizans, both in hibernation and after hibemation. This study investigated the electrophysiological characteristics of amphibian olfactory bulb in the period of hibernation and after hibernation and its effects on the start of hibernation and spontaneous awakening. The research showed four forms of spontaneous firings： single spontaneous firing, burst spontaneous firing, irregular spontaneous firing and consecutive single spontaneous firing. The single spontaneous firing includes slow depolarized spontaneous firing and fast depolarized spontaneous firing, and the slow depolarized spontaneous firing occurs only during the hibernation period. In hibernation, the low amplitude and low frequency firing with a longer duration may be relevant to maintaining the tonicity of the central nervous system in toads that are in hibernation, and this kind of firing may also provide an excited basis for their arousal from hibernation. After hibernation, the amplitude and frequency of firing increase, but the firing duration gets shorter. This form of short-term firing, which may be a phenomenon of sensory neurons fast adapting, is one of the neuronal mechanisms for the arousal of hibernating animals.
基金Supported by grants from the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education(2011196)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to probe into developing changes of spontaneous electrical activities of primordial hippocampus in Bufo bufo gargarizans in postembryonic phase. [Method] Microelectrode technique was used to record extracellularly spontaneous electrical activities of neurons in primordial hippocampus of B.bufo gargarizans in postembryonic phase. [Result] Single, consecutive single, burst, consecutive burst and anomalous spontaneous firing were recorded in primordial hippocampus, in which four kinds of spontaneous firings were recorded in forepart of postembryonic development except the anomalous spontaneous firing, and the burst spontaneous firing and consecutive burst spontaneous firing were predominant. The five kinds of spontaneous firings mentioned were recorded in anaphase of postembryonic development and the single and burst spontaneous firing were predominant.Following with the development of primordial hippocampus, the amplitudes of action potential of single firing and consecutive firing enhanced gradually, and it reaches the maximum in the metamorphosis phase; the differences of the frequencies of consecutive single firing and consecutive burst firing were not significant. [Conclusion] Following with the development of primordial hippocampus, the neuronal electrical activities showed diversification, the developmental degree of the primordial hippocampus in the metamorphosis phase was close to the subadult and adult.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81102518)Postdoctoral Granted Financial Support(No.20110490915)the Guangdong High Level Talent Scheme(R.W.J.)
文摘Three new C-3 dehydrated bufadienolides were isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans. Their structures were elucidated as 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11-oxobufa-3,20,22-trienolide （1）, 5β,12β- 12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22-trienolide （2）, and 5β,12β-12,14-dihydroxy-11 -oxobufa-2,20,22- trienolide （3） on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, especially 1D NMR and 2D NMR data. In addition, all three compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities against A549 and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant cytotoxicities with IC50 values less than 10 μmol/L on both cancer cells.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31101633)the Innovative Team Foundation of China West Normal University
文摘In many anurans, the forelimb muscles of males are used to grasp females and are often heavier than those of females despite the larger female body size. Such sexual dimorphism in forelimb musculature is thought to result from sexual selection. In addition, the hindlimbs of frogs and toads play an important role in the reproductive process as amplectant males can expel rivals with robust hindlimbs through kicking. In this study, the sexual dimorphism in dry mass for six hindlimb muscles of the Asiatic toad （Bufo gargarizans） was investigated. The results showed that, when controlled for body size, the hindlimb muscle mass of males significantly exceeded that of females for every muscle. The hindlimb muscle mass of amplectant males was also significantly larger than that of non-amplectant males. These results suggested that if strong hindlimb muscles could improve mating success of males, sexual selection would promote the evolution of dimorphism in this character.
文摘OBJECTIVE To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptogenic activities of peptide extracted from the Chinese toad （Bufo bufo gargarizans） skin （TSP） and its effects on hepatocarcinoma cell line. METHODS M1-F assay was used to detect the effects of TSP （50 lig/mL and 5 ug/mL） on the proliferation and viability of Hepatocarcinoma cell line （HepG2） and liver cell line （L-02）; Flow cytometry was used in DNA content analysis to determine the cell distribution in different phases of cell cycle; Annexin V-FITC/PI stained fluorescence-activated cell sorter （FACS） and transmission electron microscope （TEM） were used to detect the apoptosis of the treated cells. RESULTS TSP could not suppress the proliferation and viability of normal liver L-02 cells, but strongly inhibited the proliferation and viability of HepG2 cells; TSP （50 μg/mL） primarily arrested the HepG2 cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle; TSP （50μg/mL） induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells and enhanced the effects of 5-Fu. CONCLUSION TSP has potent antineoplastic activity against human hepatocarcinoma cells with little toxicity to normal liver cells and can enhance the effects of 5-Fu.
基金funded by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(31772451,31970393)the Key Project of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province(22NSFSC0011)。
文摘Difference in body size between males and females(sexual size dimorphism:SSD)and its variation are a common phenomenon in animal kingdom.Rensch’s rule predicts that the degree of SSD variation increases with the enlarged mean body size when males are larger than females and decreases when females are larger than males.Here,whether the patterns of variations in SSD in the Andrew’s toad(Bufo andrewsi)follow Rensch’s rule was tested using unpublished data from 14 populations and published data from 17 populations.Results show the reduced major axis regression of log10(male size)on log10(female size)across all populations displayed a significant hyperallometric relationship,which was consistent with inverse Rensch’s rule(the degree of SSD increased with enlarged mean body size).SSD could also be explained by sexual age difference(SAD)due to a positive SSD–SAD relationship among all populations.The findings suggest that the occurrence of inverse Rensch’s rule in B.andrewsi is likely to be a result of fecundity selection on increased reproductive investments in larger females.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30472139)the Education Commission for the First Batch of Excellent Young Teachers in Universities of Chongqing City, China
文摘There was a slow-relaxing tail of skeletal muscles in vitro upon the inhibition of Ca2+-pump by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Herein, a new linearly-combined bi-exponential model to resolve this slow-relaxing tail from the fast-relaxing phase was investigated for kinetic analysis of the isometric relaxation process of Bufo gastrocnemius in vitro, in comparison to the single exponential model and the classical bi-exponential model. During repetitive stimulations at a 2-s interval by square pulses of a 2-ms duration at 12 V direct currency (DC), the isometric tension of Bufo gastrocnemius was recorded at 100 Hz. The relaxation curve with tensions falling from 90% of the peak to the 15th datum before next stimulation was analyzed by three exponential models using a program in MATLAB 6.5. Both the goodness of fit and the distribution of the residuals for the best fitting sup- ported the comparable validity of this new bi-exponential model for kinetic analysis of the relaxation process of the control muscles. After CPA treatment, however, this new bi-exponential model showed an obvious statistical superiority for kinetic analysis of the muscle relaxation process, and it gave the estimated rest tension consistent to that by experimentation, whereas both the classical bi-exponential model and the single exponential model gave biased rest tensions. Moreover, after the treatment of muscles by CPA, both the single exponential model and the classical bi-exponential model yielded lowered relaxation rates, nevertheless, this new bi-exponential model had relaxation rates of negligible changes except much higher rest tensions. These results suggest that this novel linearly-combined bi-exponential model is desirable for kinetic analysis of the relaxation process of muscles with altered Ca2+-pumping activity.
