Function and genetics of long versus short copulations in the cactophilic fruit fly,drosophila mojavensis (diptera: drosophilidae)

Variation in copulation duration of Drosophila mojavensisstrains was influenced by both sexes. Males maintained predominant control, as copulation duration of pairs from different strains was more similar to that of the strain from which the male was derived, but female origin also contributed significantly to the duration of copulation. Variation among strains was controlled by genes acting additively in both sexes. The size of both males and females also affected copulation duration. Small males copulated longer on average than large males, while males paired with large females copulated longer than those paired with small females. The importance of copulation duration to fitness was tested by correlation analyses with male size, female size, female remating latency, and number of eggs laid prior to female remating. Longer copulations stimulated earlier oviposition, possibly by increasing accessory gland secretions that are passed by males during copulation.     

Agents that elevate cAMP levels in platelets decrease thrombin binding

The effect of high intracellular levels of cAMP on the ability of rabbit and human platelets to bind and respond to thrombin was examined. Control rabbit platelets differed from human platelets in two interesting respects: they showed thrombin-dependent up-regulation of thrombin binding, but also a 3- to 5-fold lower thrombin-binding capacity. Nevertheless, treatment with prostaglandin E1 + theophylline or with forskolin decreased thrombin binding to both rabbit and human platelets by 60 to 70%. This effect was associated with a marked increase in the level of cAMP and seemed to depend on a decrease in number rather than affinity of thrombin-binding sites. Changes in thrombin binding correlated closely with changes in thrombin-stimulated incorporation of 32Pi into phosphatidic acid and a 40-kDa protein. However, regardless of the amount of thrombin that bound to treated platelets, thrombin-stimulated phosphorylation of a 20-kDa protein and serotonin secretion were severely inhibited. Thus, increased levels of platelet cAMP are associated with a reduced ability to bind and respond to thrombin. However, thrombin binding to platelets correlates more closely with some responses than others, presumably because cAMP inhibits additional platelet reactions.     

Isozymes of Ipomoea batatas catechol oxidase differ in catalase-like activity.

The amino acid sequences of two isozymes of catechol oxidase from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) were determined by Edman degradation of BrCN cleavage fragments of the native protein and by sequencing of amplified cDNA fragments. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of plant catechol oxidases revealed about 80% equidistance between the two I. batatas catechol oxidases and approximately 40--60% to catechol oxidases of other plants. When H(2)O(2) was applied as substrate the 39 kDa isozyme, but not the 40 kDa isozyme, showed catalase-like activity. The structure of the 40 kDa isozyme was modeled on the basis of the published crystal structure of the 39 kDa isozyme [T. Klabunde et al., Nat. Struct. Biol. 5 (1998) 1084]. The active site model closely resembled that of the 39 kDa isozyme determined by crystallography, except for a mutation of Thr243 (40 kDa isozyme) to Ile241 (39 kDa isozyme) close to the dimetal center. This residue difference affects the orientation of the Glu238/236 residue, which is thought to be responsible for the catalase-like activity of the 39 kDa isozyme for which a catalytic mechanism is proposed.     

Rat Sertoli and spermatogenic cells express a similar gene, and its product is antigenically related to an outer dense fiber-associated protein.

We have previously reported that a heterodimeric protein secreted by rat Sertoli cells is antigenically related to a protein associated with outer dense fibers of the sperm tail. Therefore, we have explored the possibility that Sertoli and spermatogenic cells express a similar gene encoding a homologous protein. A Sertoli cell heterodimeric protein cDNA probe recognizes specific mRNA in pachytene and round spermatids fractionated by centrifugal elutriation; however, this specific mRNA was less prominent than in cultured Sertoli cells. In agreement with these observations, in situ hybridization experiments show that Sertoli cells are predominantly engaged in active heterodimeric protein mRNA synthesis, while meiotic prophase spermatocytes and spermatids also show significant but less abundant specific mRNA. Immunoblotting experiments demonstrate that, while Sertoli cells synthesize a heterodimeric protein consisting of two disulfide-linked components with molecular masses of 45 and 35 kD, both primary spermatocytes and round spermatids synthesize single 30 kD monomers not associated by disulfide linkage but recognized by antisera to Sertoli cell heterodimeric protein. Immunoblotting and immunogold electron microscopic studies show that antisera to Sertoli cell heterodimeric protein recognize a protein associated with outer dense fibers. This immunoreactivity was abolished by a 5-min pronase treatment, without affecting the integrity of outer dense fibers. Results of this study and previous studies demonstrate that both Sertoli and spermatogenic cells express a similar gene and that an antigenically related product encoded by this gene becomes associated with outer dense fibers during their assembly at spermiogenesis.     

Predator detection and avoidance by starlings under differing scenarios of predation risk

Practically all animals must find food while avoiding predators.An individual's perception of predation risk may depend on manyfactors, such as distance to refuge and group size, but it isunclear whether individuals respond to different factors ina similar manner. We tested whether flocks of foraging starlingsresponded in the same way to an increased perception of predationrisk by assessing three factors: (1) neighbor distances, (2)habitat obstruction, and (3) recent exposure to a predator.We found that in all three scenarios of increased risk, starlingsreduced their interscan intervals (food-searching bouts), whichincreased the frequency of their vigilance periods. We thenexamined how one of these factors, habitat obstruction, affectedescape speed by simulating an attack with a model predator.Starlings were slower to respond in visually obstructed habitats(long grass swards) and slower when they had their head downin obstructed habitats than when they had their head down inopen habitats. In addition, reaction times were quicker whenstarlings could employ their peripheral fields of vision. Ourresults demonstrate that different sources of increased riskcan generate similar behavioral responses within a species.The degree of visibility in the physical and social environmentaffects both the actual and perceived risk of predation.     

Acclimation of tobacco plantlets to ex vitro conditions as affected by application of abscisic acid

Plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Petit Havana SR1 were grown in vitro on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 2% saccharose, and then transplanted ex vitro into pots with coarse sand and Hewitt nutrient solution. In the first day after transplantation, the anti-transpirant abscisic acid (ABA; 0.01, 0.05 or 0.10 mM) was added to the substrate. Leaf stomatal conductance (gs), which was high in plants during the first days after transplantation similarly as in plantlets grown in vitro, was considerably decreased by ABA-treatment. However, in the further days gs decreased more quickly in control than in ABA-treated plants, and after 2 or 3 weeks gs was significantly lower than that of plantlets grown in vitro but similar in control and ABA-treated plants. Two weeks after transplantation, net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll a + b content, maximal photochemical efficiency, and actual quantum yield of photosystem II in plant leaves were higher in comparison with those in plantlets grown in vitro. ABA-treatment had slight positive or insignificant effect on photosynthetic parameters and enhanced plant growth. Thus ABA application can alleviate 'transplant shock' and speed up acclimation of plantlets to ex vitro conditions.