Two different sets of cis elements regulate scute to establish two different sensory patterns

Summary We have analysed the role of the achaete-scute gene complex in the development of the pattern of campaniform sensilla on the wing blade of Drosophila. We show that the complete pattern results from the superimposition of two independent subpatterns, one of which depends on the achaete gene and the other on scute. The scute subpattern comprises several clusters of sensilla, most of which seem to require the presence of control regions located upstream of the transcribed region. This is in contrast with the pattern of scute-dependent bristles, most of which depends on control elements located downstream of the transcribed region.     

Barium- and calcium-permeable channels open at negative membrane potentials in rat ventricular myocytes

Summary Ca²⁺- and Ba²⁺-permeable channel activity from adult rat ventricular myocytes, spontaneously appeared in the three single-channel recording configurations: cell-attached, and excised inside-out or outside-out membrane patches. Single-channel activity was recorded at steady-state applied membrane potentials including the entire range of physiologic values, and displayed no rundown in excised patches. This activity occurred in irregular bursts separated by quiescent periods of 5 to 20 min in cell-attached membrane patches, whereas in excised patch experiments, this period was reduced to 2 to 10 min. During activity, a variety of kinetic behaviors could be observed with more or less complex gating patterns. Three conductance levels: 22, 45 and 78 pS were routinely observed in the same excised membrane patch, sometimes combining to give a larger level. These channels were significantly permeable to divalent cations and showed little or no permeability to potassium or sodium ions. The inorganic blockers of voltage-gated Ca channels, cobalt (2mm), cadmium (0.5mm) or nickel (3mm), had no apparent effect on these spontaneous unitary currents carried by barium ions. Under 10^–5 m bay K 8644 or nitrendipine, the activity was clearly increased in about half of the tested excised inside-out membrane patches. Both dihydropyridines enhanced openings of the larger conductance level, which was only very occasionally seen under control conditions. When the single-channel activity became sustained under 5×10^–6 m Bay K 8644, it was possible to calculate the mean unitary current at different membrane potentials and show that the mean current value increased with membrane potential.     

Different Hoechst 33342 and DAPI fluorescence of the human Y chromosome in bivariate flow karyotypes

Summary The staining properties of AT-specific dyes Hoechst 33342 and DAPI as revealed by Hoechst 33342/mithramycin and mithramycin/DAPI bivariate human flow karyotype patterns are different for chromosomes rich in heterochromatin. The peak corresponding to chromosome Y of a given cell line is higher on the A/T axis with mithramycin/DAPI staining than with mithramycin/Hoechst. The chromosome 1 was found slightly more fluorescent in mithramycin/DAPI than in mithramycin/Hoechst as judged by the slight displacement of its area on the Hoechst-DAPI axis. The other peaks did not show major differences. On the same flow karyotypes, chromosomal rearrangements were detected.     

A revision of coregonine fish distribution and abundance in eastern James-Hudson Bay

Synopsis Recent sampling programs conducted in the estuaries of the Eastmain and La Grande rivers (James Bay) and the Great Whale, Little Whale, Innuksuac and Povungnituk rivers (Hudson Bay) revealed patterns of coregonine fish distribution that differ from previous observations. The relative abundance of cisco, Coregonus artedii, and lake whitefish, C. clupeaformis, varied among rivers but did not reveal a latitudinal cline. Previous sampling programs underestimated the abundance of cisco in the Little Whale River. In addition, cisco was the third most abundant species captured in the Povungnituk River, situated 200 km to the north of the previously proposed northern limit at Innuksuac River. As such, the low abundances of cisco in the Great Whale and Innuksuac rivers cannot be attributed to a physiological inability to cope with a reduced growing season. Immature cisco were almost totally absent from the estuaries of the Hudson Bay rivers following spring breakup whereas immature lake whitefish made up 100% of the catch in the Innuksuac River at the same time of year. Species-specific migration patterns in Hudson Bay that differ from those observed in James Bay and the existence of unique juvenile overwintering rivers are 2 hypotheses proposed to explain the discontinuous age-class distribution of cisco and lake whitefish observed in Hudson Bay.Contribution to the program of GIROQ (Groupe Interuniversitaire de Recherche Océanographique du Québec).     

Redescription de Proteocephalus paraguayensis (Rudin, 1917) (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) parasite de Hydrodynastes gigas (Dum., Bibr. & Dum., 1854) du Paraguay

Redescripción de Proteocephalus paraguayensis (Rudin, 1917) (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), parásito de Hydrodynastes gigas (Dum., Bibr. & Dum., 1854) de Paraguay. Se describe esta especie notable, considerada por Freze (1965) como species inquirenda. Si comparamos esta especie con otras especies de Proteocephalidea, veremos que ella presenta caracteres anatomo-morfológicos propios. Esta especie se caracteriza por: vitelógenos de posición dorsal, adosados a la musculatura interna longitudinal, desbordando en parte sobre el córtex y la médula; formación particular del útero; posición cortical del tronco uterino y medular de los divertículos uterinos; esfínter vaginal proximal; cirro muy alargado; glándula de Mehlis muy desarrollada. Consideramos P. paraguayensis como una especie válida y presumimos que el huesped-tipo es Hydrodynastes gigas (Dum., Bibr. & Dum., 1854). A pesar de las características que posee P. paraguayensis, pensamos que no es oportuno clasificar esta especie en un nuevo género monotípico. Proteocephalus paraguayensis, considered by Freze (1965) as a species inquirenda, is redescribed and figured. When compared with other members of the Proteocephalidea, the species shows the following morpho-anatomical characters: the vitelline follicles in a dorsal position, attached to the internal longitudinal musculature and extending into both the cortex and medulla; a characteristic formation of the uterus; the uterine stem in a cortical position and uterine branches in a medullary position; a proximal vaginal sphincter; a very elongate cirrus; and very large Mehlis' glands. The specific status of Proteocephalus paraguayensis is confirmed. Our specimens were taken from Hydrodynastes gigas (the host according to Rudin was Coluber sp.). Even though the species differs significantly from other proteocephalideans, its systematic and phylogenetic position is not yet clearly demonstrated, and it is decided to refrain from attributing it to a new genus.     

Modulation of Expression and Assembly of Vinculin duringin VitroFibrillar Collagen-Induced Angiogenesis and Its Reversal

A model of collagen-inducedin vitroangiogenesis was used to investigate the modulation of expression and assembly of focal adhesion plaque-associated proteins during the process of differentiation. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), first attached on an adhesive substratum (gelatin-, fibronectin-, or laminin-coated dish) or adherent collagen gel and then covered by an overlaying collagen gel, organized within 3–4 days in tube-like structures (TLS). Removing the overlaying collagen gel from fully differentiated HUVEC induced a reversion of the process and HUVEC returned to a monolayer pattern. Modulations of focal adhesion-associated proteins occurring in HUVEC during thein vitrodifferentiation process and its reversal were investigated by Western blot analysis. A significant decrease of expression of vinculin, the integrin α₂subunit, talin, α-actinin, and actin was observed in TLS whereas the amount of FVIII-related antigen did not vary as compared to control monolayer cultures. During reversal, all the reduced proteins were markedly reexpressed. Human skin fibroblasts (HSF), submitted to the same experimental conditions, did not form TLS. Most of the focal adhesion proteins in HSF were similarly modulated by an overlaying collagen gel with the exception of vinculin, which was not modified. This particular protein was therefore more thoroughly investigated. In a nondifferentiated monolayer of HUVEC, a significant proportion of vinculin was organized into a detergent-resistant juxtamembranous structure (focal adhesion plaque) which disassembled early in TLS formation and reassembled during the reversal of the process. The reduction of vinculin during TLS formation was preceded by a downregulation of its mRNA while this mRNA was upregulated during reversal of the morphotype. These results suggest that the modulations of the cytoskeletal and focal adhesion proteins and more specifically of vinculin coupled to its subcellular redistribution are critical and early events in the cascade of mechanochemical signaling duringin vitroangiogenesis induced by fibrillar collagen.