Developmental phenotypic plasticity: Where ecology and evolution meet molecular biology

The plastic response of phenotypic traits to environmental change is a common research focus in several disciplines - from ecology and evolutionary biology to physiology and molecular genetics. The use of model systems such as the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana has facilitated a dialogue between developmental biologists asking how plasticity is controlled (proximate causes) and organismal biologists asking why plasticity exists (ultimate causes). Researchers studying ultimate causes and consequences are increasingly compelled to reject simplistic, ‘black box’ models, while those studying proximate causes and mechanisms are increasingly obliged to subject their interpretations to ecological ‘reality checks.’ We review the successful multidisciplinary efforts to understand the phytochrome-mediated shade-avoidance and light-seeking responses of flowering plants as a pertinent example of convergence between evolutionary and molecular biology. In this example, the two-way exchange between reductionist and holist camps has been essential to rapid and sustained progress. This should serve as a model for future collaborative efforts towards understanding the responses of organisms to their constantly changing environments.     

Physiological responses of Sargasso Sea picoplankton to nanomolar nitrate perturbations

A study was conducted in July 1989 at three stations in thenorthern Sargasso Sea, where picoplankton (<1 µm)provided approximately half of the standing crop of chlorophyll.Temporal changes in the position of the nitracline at a singlelocation indicated that the vertical supply of nitrate was notat ‘steady-state’ and phytoplankton distributionstracked the nitracline. Our main experimental objective wasto examine the short-term effects of ecologically significantnitrate perturbations (+20 and +100 nM) on the physiologyof <1 µm communities growing at low (nanomolar)ambient nitrate concentrations. A chemiluminescent nitrate methodwas used to measure the time course (up to 4 h) of nitratedisappearance at in situ irradiance, in parallel with measurementsof photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation. Picoplankton growing at<60 nM nitrate rapidly responded to nanomolar nitratesupplements with luxury consumption and enhanced photosynthesisin proportion to their ambient nitrate environment. Light-saturatedSynechococcus populations from the most nitrate-depleted waters(13 nM) had doubled their cellular rate of photosynthesisafter 4 h, in response to a 20 nM nitrate pulse.     

Homozygous paracentric inversion 12 in a mentally retarded boy: a case report and review of the literature

Summary A mentally retarded male was found to be homozygous for a paracentric inversion of the long arm of chromosome 12(inv(12)(q21.1q23.2)). His parents, who are first cousins, and his phenotypically normal younger brother are inversion heterozygotes. Homozygous structural rearrangements are discussed and cases of paracentric inversions, including a further nine previously unpublished, are reviewed.     

Microbial transformation of 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-β,D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-α,D-galactopyranoside (TGS) by soil populations

Summary Soil microorganisms from one site were shown to be consistently capable of the transformation of 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-,d-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-,d-galactopyranoside (TGS) in laboratory batch cultures. With fresh soils, all of the available chloride ions were released from the molecule. Subcultures of a TGS-dehalogenating bacterial community produced a progressive decline in the dehalogenating capabilities towards the substrate. The soil organisms did not utilise TGS as a carbon source. The transformation was achieved by co-metabolism and was probably supported by an unknown component in the soil. Four bacterial species were isolated from the TGS-dehalogenating soil community: twoBacillus species, anAcinetobacter group isolate and aMicrococcus group isolate. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed the disappearance of the chlorosugar and high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated that neither of the constituent monosaccharides—1,6-dichlorofructose nor 4-chlorogalactosucrose was accumulated as an intermediate.

---

Resumen Microorganismos de suelo de cierto lugar demostraron consistemente ser capaces de realizar la transformación de 1,6-dicloro-1,6 dideoxi--D-fructofuranosil-4-cloro-4-deoxi-,D-alactopiranosa (TGS) in culturas de laboratorio de tipo discontinuo. Con muestras frescas de suelo, todos los iones cloruro fueron liberados de la molecula. Subculturas de una comunidad bacterial capaz de dehalogenizar TGS produjeron una declinación progresiva de la capacidad de dehalogenizar el substrato. Los microorganismos no utilizaron el TGS como fuente de carbono. La transformación se realiza por co-metabolismo y probablemente se base en un componente del suelo, no determinado. Cuatro especies bacteriales fueron aisladas de la comunidad de bacterias de suelo con capacidad de dehalogenar el TGS: dos especies deBacilo, unaAcinelobacteria y unMicrococo. Estudios de cromatografía de capa delgada confirmaron la desaparición del clorosacárido, y estadios de cromatografía liquida demostraron que ninguno de los componentes monoscáridos — 1,6-diclorofructuosa y 4-clorogalactosucrosa — eran acumulados como productors intermedios.

---

Résumé Les microorganismes du sol d'un certain endroit ont été démontrés être capable, sans exception, de la transformation de 1,6-dichloro-1,6-dideoxy-,D-fructofuranosyl-4-chloro-4-deoxy-,D-galactopyranoside (TGS) en cultures de laboratoire du type discontinu. Avec des prélèvements frais du sol, tous les ions disponibles de chlorure ont été libérés de la molécule. Des souscultures d'une communauté bactérienne capable de déhalogeniser le TGS ont produit un déclin progressif de la capacité de déhalogeniser le substrat. Les microorganismes du sol n'ont pas utilisé le TGS comme source de carbone. La transformation s'est accomplie par cometabolisme et, probablement, s'est basée sur un component indéterminé du sol. Quatre espèces bactériennes ont été isolées de la communauté de bactéries du sol capable de déhalogeniser le TGS: deux espèces deBacillus, unAcinetobacter et unMicrococcus. Des études de chromatographie de couches fines ont confirmées la disparition du chlorosaccharide, tandis que des études de chromatographie liquide de haut rendement ont démontrées que, des monosaccharides constituants, ni 1,6-dichlorofructose ni 4-chlorogalactosucrose, n'ont été accumulés comme produits intermédiaires.

     

DNA sequence changes in mutations induced by ultraviolet light in the gpt gene on the chromosome of Escherichia coli uvr+ and urvA cells

Summary Sequence changes in mutations induced by ultraviolet light are reported for the chromosomal Escherichia coli gpt gene in almost isogenic E. coli uvr ⁺ and excision-deficient uvrA cells. Differences between the mutagenic spectra are ascribed to preferential removal of photoproducts in the transcribed strand by excision repair in uvr ⁺ cells. This conclusion is confirmed by analysis of published results for genes in both uvr ⁺ and uvr ^– cells, showing a similar selective removal of mutagenic products from the transcribed strand of the E. coli lacI gene and of the lambda phage cl repressor gene. Comparison of these data with published results for ultraviolet mutagenesis of gpt on a chromosome in Chinese hamster ovary cells showed that a mutagenic hot spot in mammalian cells is not present in E. coli; the possibility is suggested that the hot spot might arise from localized lack of excision repair. Otherwise, mutagenesis in hamster cells appeared similar to that in E. coli uvr ⁺ cells, except there appears to be a smaller fraction of single-base additions and deletions (frameshifts) in mammalian than in bacterial cells. Phenotypes of 6-thioguanine-resistant E. coli showed there is a gene (or genes) other than gpt involved in the utilization of thioguanine by bacteria.     

Nutrient Resuscitation and Growth of Starved Cells in Sandstone Cores: a Novel Approach to Enhanced Oil Recovery

Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was reduced in size (0.25 by 0.5 μm) by carbon deprivation, was injected into a series of sandstone cores and subjected to separate treatments. Scanning electron microscopy of 400-mD cores showed these small starved cells in nearly every core section. The cells were a mixture of small rods and cocci with little or no biofilm production. Continuous or dose stimulation with sodium citrate allowed the cells to grow throughout the sandstone and completely plug the length of the core. The resuscitated cells were larger than the starved cells (up to 1.7 μm) and were encased in glycocalyx. Scanning electron microscopic results of resuscitation in situ with half-strength brain heart infusion broth showed that a shallow “skin” plug of cells formed at the core inlet and that fewer cells were located in the lower sections. Starved cells also penetrated 200-mD cores and were successfully resuscitated in situ with sodium citrate, so that the entire core was plugged. Nutrient resuscitation of injected starved cells to produce full-size cells which grow and block the rock pores may be successfully applied to selective plugging and may effectively increase oil recovery.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic identification of beta-lactam antibiotics produced by dermatophytes

Thirteen of 48 dermatophyte isolates were found by bioassay to produce beta-lactam antibiotics and seven produced other antibiotics. Estimation and detection of specific beta-lactams in culture broths by derivatization and HPLC was only possible following concentration and extraction procedures. Analysis of the concentrated broths demonstrated the production of penicillin X and penicillin G by two Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains and by one Microsporum canis strain; one further T. mentagrophytes strain produced only penicillin X. Additions of the beta-lactam side-chain precursors, phenylacetic acid and phenoxyacetic acid, to fermentation media failed to increase the antibiotic titres.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic identification of beta-lactam antibiotics produced by dermatophytes

Thirteen of 48 dermatophyte isolates were found by bioassay to produce beta-lactam antibiotics and seven produced other antibiotics. Estimation and detection of specific beta-lactams in culture broths by derivatization and HPLC was only possible following concentration and extraction procedures. Analysis of the concentrated broths demonstrated the production of penicillin X and penicillin G by two Trichophyton mentagrophytes strains and by one Microsporum canis strain; one further T. mentagrophytes strain produced only penicillin X. Additions of the beta-lactam side-chain precursors, phenylacetic acid and phenoxyacetic acid, to fermentation media failed to increase the antibiotic titres.