Ethanol tolerance in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is dependent on cellular oleic acid content

In this investigation, we examined the effects of different unsaturated fatty acid compositions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth-inhibiting effects of ethanol. The unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) composition of S. cerevisiae is relatively simple, consisting almost exclusively of the mono-UFAs palmitoleic acid (Delta(9)Z-C(16:1)) and oleic acid (Delta(9)Z-C(18:1)), with the former predominating. Both UFAs are formed in S. cerevisiae by the oxygen- and NADH-dependent desaturation of palmitic acid (C(16:0)) and stearic acid (C(18:0)), respectively, catalyzed by a single integral membrane desaturase encoded by the OLE1 gene. We systematically altered the UFA composition of yeast cells in a uniform genetic background (i) by genetic complementation of a desaturase-deficient ole1 knockout strain with cDNA expression constructs encoding insect desaturases with distinct regioselectivities (i.e., Delta(9) and Delta(11)) and substrate chain-length preferences (i.e., C(16:0) and C(18:0)); and, (ii) by supplementation of the same strain with synthetic mono-UFAs. Both experimental approaches demonstrated that oleic acid is the most efficacious UFA in overcoming the toxic effects of ethanol in growing yeast cells. Furthermore, the only other UFA tested that conferred a nominal degree of ethanol tolerance is cis-vaccenic acid (Delta(11)Z-C(18:1)), whereas neither Delta(11)Z-C(16:1) nor palmitoleic acid (Delta(9)Z-C(16:1)) conferred any ethanol tolerance. We also showed that the most ethanol-tolerant transformant, which expresses the insect desaturase TniNPVE, produces twice as much oleic acid as palmitoleic acid in the absence of ethanol and undergoes a fourfold increase in the ratio of oleic acid to palmitoleic acid in response to exposure to 5% ethanol. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that ethanol tolerance in yeast results from incorporation of oleic acid into lipid membranes, effecting a compensatory decrease in membrane fluidity that counteracts the fluidizing effects of ethanol.     

Mitochondrial gene order is not conserved in arthropods: prostriate and metastriate tick mitochondrial genomes

The entire mitochondrial genome was sequenced in a prostriate tick, Ixodes hexagonus, and a metastriate tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Both genomes encode 22 tRNAs, 13 proteins, and two ribosomal RNAs. Prostriate ticks are basal members of Ixodidae and have the same gene order as Limulus polyphemus. In contrast, in R. sanguineus, a block of genes encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), tRNA(Leu)(UUR), tRNA(Leu)(CUN), 16S rDNA, tRNA(Val), 12S rDNA, the control region, and the tRNA(Ile) and tRNA(Gln) have translocated to a position between the tRNA(Glu) and tRNA(Phe) genes. The tRNA(Cys) gene has translocated between the control region and the tRNA(Met) gene, and the tRNA(Leu)(CUN) gene has translocated between the tRNA(Ser)(UCN) gene and the control region. Furthermore, the control region is duplicated, and both copies undergo concerted evolution. Primers that flank these rearrangements confirm that this gene order is conserved in all metastriate ticks examined. Correspondence analysis of amino acid and codon use in the two ticks and in nine other arthropod mitochondrial genomes indicate a strong bias in R. sanguineus towards amino acids encoded by AT-rich codons.      

Nucleotide polymorphism at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus of pocket gophers, genus Geomys

Using the strictly neutral model as a null hypothesis, we tested for deviations from expected levels of nucleotide polymorphism at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus (Adh-1) within and among four species of pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius major, G. knoxjonesi, G. texensis llanensis, and G. attwateri). The complete protein-encoding region was examined, and 10 unique alleles, representing both electromorphic and cryptic alleles, were used to test hypotheses (e.g., the neutral model) concerning the maintenance of genetic variation. Nineteen variable sites were identified among the 10 alleles examined, including 9 segregating sites occurring in synonymous positions and 10 that were nonsynonymous. Several statistical methods, including those that test for within-species variation as well as those that examine variation within and among species, failed to reject the null hypothesis that variation (both within and between species of Geomys) at the Adh locus is consistent with the neutral theory. However, there was significant heterogeneity in the ratio of polymorphism to divergence across the gene, with polymorphisms clustered in the first half of the coding region and fixed differences clustered in the second half of the gene. Two alternative hypotheses are discussed as possible explanations for this heterogeneity: an old balanced polymorphism in the first half of the gene or a recent selective sweep in the second half of the gene.      

Ecological integrity of tropical secondary forests: concepts and indicators

Naturally regenerating forests or secondary forests (SFs) are a promising strategy for restoring large expanses of tropical forests at low cost and with high environmental benefits. This expectation is supported by the high resilience of tropical forests after natural disturbances, yet this resilience can be severely reduced by human impacts. Assessing the characteristics of SFs and their ecological integrity (EI) is essential to evaluating their role for conservation, restoration, and provisioning of ecosystem services. In this study, we aim to propose a concept and indicators that allow the assessment and classification of the EI of SFs. To this end, we review the literature to assess how EI has been addressed in different ecosystems and which indicators of EI are most commonly used for tropical forests. Building upon this knowledge we propose a modification of the concept of EI to embrace SFs and suggest indicators of EI that can be applied to different successional stages or stand ages. Additionally, we relate these indicators to ecosystem service provision in order to support the practical application of the theory. EI is generally defined as the ability of ecosystems to support and maintain composition, structure and function similar to the reference conditions of an undisturbed ecosystem. This definition does not consider the temporal dynamics of recovering ecosystems, such as SFs. Therefore, we suggest incorporation of an optimal successional trajectory as a reference in addition to the old-growth forest reference. The optimal successional trajectory represents the maximum EI that can be attained at each successional stage in a given region and enables the evaluation of EI at any given age class. We further suggest a list of indicators, the main ones being: compositional indicators (species diversity/richness and indicator species); structural indicators (basal area, heterogeneity of basal area and canopy cover); function indicators (tree growth and mortality); and landscape proxies (landscape heterogeneity, landscape connectivity). Finally, we discuss how this approach can assist in defining the value of SF patches to provide ecosystem services, restore forests and contribute to ecosystem conservation.     

Metabolic Studies on Intermediates in the myo-Inositol Oxidation Pathway in Lilium longiflorum Pollen: II. Evidence for the Participation of Uridine Diphosphoxylose and Free Xylose as Intermediates

myo-Inositol-linked glucogenesis in germinated lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb., cv. Ace) pollen was investigated by studying the effects of added l-arabinose or d-xylose on metabolism of myo-[2-(3)H]inositol and by determining the distribution of radioisotope in pentosyl and hexosyl residues of polysaccharides from pollen labeled with myo-[2-(14)C]inositol, myo-[2-(3)H]inositol, l-[5-(14)C]arabinose, and d-[5R,5S-(3)H]xylose.myo-[2-(14)C]Inositol and l-[5-(14)C]arabinose produced labeled glucose with similar patterns of distribution of (14)C, 35% in C1, and 55% in C6. Arabinosyl units were labeled exclusively in C5. Incorporation of (3)H into arabinosyl and xylosyl units in pollen labeled with myo-[2-(3)H]inositol was repressed when unlabeled l-arabinose was included in the germination medium and a related (3)H exchange with water was stimulated. Results are consistent with a process of glucogenesis in which the myo-inositol oxidation pathway furnishes UDP-d-xylose as a key intermediate for conversion to hexose via free d-xylose and the pentose phosphate pathway.Additional evidence for this process was obtained from pollen labeled with d-[5R,5S-(3)H]xylose or myo-[2-(3)H]inositol which produces d-[5R-(3)H]xylose. Glucosyl units from polysaccharides in the former had 11% of the (3)H in C1 and 78% in C6 while glucosyl units in the latter had only 4% in C1 and 78% in C6. Stereochemical considerations involving selective exchange with water of prochiral-R (3)H in C1 of fructose-6-P during conversion to glucose provide explanation for observed differences in the metabolism of these 5-labeled xyloses.Incorporation of (3)H from myo-[2-(3)H]inositol into arabinosyl and xylosyl units of pollen polysaccharides was unaffected by the presence of unlabeled d-xylose in the medium. Exchange of (3)H with water was greatly affected, decreasing from a value of 21% exchange in the absence of unlabeled d-xylose to 5% in the presence of 6.7 mmd-xylose.d-Xylose was rapidly utilized for glucogenesis by germinated pollen tubes. This observation supports the view that free d-xylose is an important intermediate following breakdown of UDP-d-xylose during myo-inositol-linked glucogenesis.     

Metabolic Studies on Intermediates in the myo-Inositol Oxidation Pathway in Lilium longiflorum Pollen: III. Polysaccharidic Origin of Labeled Glucose

myo-Inositol-linked glucogenesis in germinated lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb., cv. Ace) pollen was investigated by studying the effects of added l-arabinose or d-xylose on metabolism of myo-[2-³H]inositol and by determining the distribution of radioisotope in pentosyl and hexosyl residues of polysaccharides from pollen labeled with myo-[2-¹⁴C]inositol, myo-[2-³H]inositol, l-[5-¹⁴C]arabinose, and d-[5R,5S-³H]xylose.     

Scintigraphy,Ultrasound and CT Scanning of the Liver ,

Isotope examination of the liver depends on the functional activity of the liver phagocytes, while ultrasound and CT scanning display the anatomical structure. Cold areas on an isotope scan may be due to impaired function or space-occupying lesions. The method is nonspecific and does not differentiate between cysts, abscesses and metastases. Both ultrasound and CT scanning can differentiate space-occupying lesions with a high degree of accuracy so that both techniques can be used to improve the accuracy and specificity of the radioisotope examination. CT scanning of the liver is limited by relatively slow data acquisition and the small differences in X-ray absorption within soft tissues unless contrast agents are used. In comparison, ultrasonic data are rapidly collected and displayed and liver consistency is imaged without contrast media or ionizing radiation. Diffuse abnormalities of the liver, such as cirrhosis, cannot be detected by CT scanning but are apparent on ultrasound examination. In addition, equipment purchase and maintenance costs for ultrasound are a fraction of those for CT scanning. Experience to date at Yale indicates that ultrasound and CT scanning are complementary and supplementary to isotope examination of the liver but that ultrasound in most patients produces better resolution and enhanced tissue differentiation at considerably less cost.     

Campylobacter jejuni: incidence in processed broilers and biotype distribution in human and broiler isolates.

Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 18 of 40 processed broiler carcasses and 134 of 327 cloacal swabs obtained at four processing plants in Sydney, Australia. Three of four flocks examined carried C. jejuni. Eighty-two percent of chicken and 98% of human isolates from the area were of identical biotypes.