The genome sequence of the orchid Phalaenopsis equestris

Orchidaceae, renowned for its spectacular flowers and other reproductive and ecological adaptations, is one of the most diverse plant families. Here we present the genome sequence of the tropical epiphytic orchid Phalaenopsis equestris, a frequently used parent species for orchid breeding. P. equestris is the first plant with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) for which the genome has been sequenced. Our assembled genome contains 29,431 predicted protein-coding genes. We find that contigs likely to be underassembled, owing to heterozygosity, are enriched for genes that might be involved in self-incompatibility pathways. We find evidence for an orchid-specific paleopolyploidy event that preceded the radiation of most orchid clades, and our results suggest that gene duplication might have contributed to the evolution of CAM photosynthesis in P. equestris. Finally, we find expanded and diversified families of MADS-box C/D-class, B-class AP3 and AGL6-class genes, which might contribute to the highly specialized morphology of orchid flowers.

Sinocurculigo, a new genus of Hypoxidaceae from China based on molecular and morphological evidence

Background

The monocot family Hypoxidaceae consists of nine genera with nearly 200 species. They occur mostly in the Southern Hemisphere with only a few species in the Northern Hemisphere, of which three genera, Hypoxis, Molineria, and Curculigo, with eight species are distributed in China. Recently, we have found a hypoxid-like plant in China that is quite different in floral structure from any of the three genera and even of the known taxa in Hypoxidaceae.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In addition to morphological analysis, we performed maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference analyses based on fragments of the chloroplast matK and rbcL genes of 60 taxa in 12 families representing all major clades of the Hypoxidaceae alliance. Results showed that Hypoxidaceae is monophyletic and and that the new plant belongs to it, forming a distinct clade within the family Hypoxidaceae as a sister of Molineria. Phylogeny of the Hypoxidaceae family was constructed based on a combined matrix of the chloroplast rbcL, trnS-G, and trnL-F regions of 59 taxa in Hypoxidaceae and its alliance. Findings of the molecular investigation is consistent with those of the morphological analysis.

Conclusions/Significance

Based on the results of our molecular and morphological analyses in the present study, we propose a new genus, Sinocurculigo.

[Full-thickness advancement flap of cheek with muscular pedicle in repair of defect of lips]

This paper reports a new technique to repair defects of the lip. It has been done in nine patients (2 upper lips and 7 lower lips), and the resultant oral configuration and function are satisfactory. The design and procedure are described in detail. The advantage of the method, the point for attention in performing the operation, and some problems in the repair of vermilion are discussed.

Clinical application of autogenous mandibular bone grafts. Analysis of 166 cases

Of the 166 patients receiving autogenous mandibular bone grafts during 1972-1987, 55 were used for repair of mandibular bone defect, 67 for correction of maxillofacial malformation and 44 for reconstruction of temporo-mandibular joint. Follow-up showed that 155 patients had satisfactory results after operation.

Rat brain hexokinase: the hydrophobic N-terminus of the mitochondrially bound enzyme is inserted in the lipid bilayer

Mitochondrially bound rat brain hexokinase was labeled with the photoactivatable reagent, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine. This highly hydrophobic reagent is strongly partitioned into the hydrophobic environment of the membrane core, and thus selectively labels segments of a protein that penetrate this region of the membrane. Labeling of hexokinase was shown to be restricted to the N-terminal region of the molecule. Approximately 80% of the radiolabel was removed by treatment of the enzyme with chymotrypsin, which preferentially cleaves a hydrophobic 9-residue sequence at the extreme N-terminus of the enzyme, and it is considered likely that the remaining 20% was associated with two additional hydrophobic residues, immediately adjacent to this segment but not susceptible to cleavage by chymotrypsin. Labeling of the enzyme was shown to be dependent on maintenance of the association with the membrane. These results are consistent with a model in which binding of hexokinase involves insertion of an 11-residue hydrophobic N-terminal "tail," possibly existing in alpha-helical secondary structure, into the hydrophobic core of the membrane.