Species-specific oocyte proteins as molecular markers for Lineus taxonomy

The yolk proteins from the eggs of five species of thenemertean genus Lineus were analysed and theresulting data were used to define L. longissimus, L. sanguineus, L. lacteus, L. ruber, and L. viridis as distinct taxa (species to date). All fivespecies have at least one large (80–60 kDa) and onemedium sized (45–30 kDa) vitellin subunit, but thereare significant differences in the number and sizes ofthe molecular subunits. The large and medium sizedvitellin components of all the species areglycosylated, except for the 145 kDa protein of L. sanguineus. Rabbit antibodies to the L. lacteus vitellin subunits cross-reacted withthe vitellin subunits in the eggs of the otherspecies. The vitellin components of these five speciesof nemertean are very similar. Two species, L.ruber and L. viridis, lay their eggsin gelatinous masses, and the electrophoretic patternsof the jelly proteins show that the physicalconsistency of the jelly depends on molecular weightsof the components. The egg mass of L. viridis contains smaller proteins than the egg massof L. ruber. The repeatablespecies-specific patterns of vitellin componentsprovide a useful complement to the usual taxonomiccriteria.     

Neuroendocrine control of gonadogenesis in regenerating Lineus lacteus (Heteronemertea)

Previous studies have shown that a gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) secreted by the cerebral ganglia controls reproduction in nemertean worms. In order to determine whether the cerebral hormone also controls regenerative growth, as it does in other marine worms such as Nereis diversicolor (Polychaeta), we compared gonadogenesis with enterogenesis in regenerating Lineus lacteus under the influence of, and withdrawn from the influence of, GIH. Experimental evidence is presented for a high specificity and a striking efficiency of GIH on sexual development. Over 3 months, regenerating decerebrate worms differentiated mature gonads whereas regenerating worms with cerebral ganglia remained sexually undifferentiated. On the other hand, regenerative enterogenesis occurred equally well in worms with or without a brain.We also tried to delineate the influence of temperature and light on neuroendocrine activity of regenerating L. lacteus. In L. lacteus we compared sexual development in regenerating worms and normal worms co-exposed over one year, (i) either to light or dark, and (ii) either to a winter temperature (12 °C) or a summer temperature (20 °C). When continually exposed to a winter temperature, both normal and regenerating worms differentiated mature gonads from 8th to 12th month regardless of the light-dark alternative. On the other hand, worms exposed to a summer temperature reached sexual maturity at the end of year only when they were also continually exposed to dark. Summer temperature plus light permanently inhibited the sexual development, i.e. resulted in continuous release of GIH.     

固定化乳白耙齿菌脱色茜素红的研究

利用海藻酸钙法对乳白耙齿菌进行固定化,检测固定化乳白耙齿菌（固定化菌）对几种染料的脱色能力。同时,考察pH值、染料浓度、金属离子、碳源种类、氮源种类、盐浓度对固定化菌脱色茜素红的影响。结果表明,固定化菌的优化条件为海藻酸钠3%、氯化钙5%、固定化时间6h、接菌量10g/100mL;固定化菌对6种染料均可脱色,其中对茜素红染料的脱色效果最为明显;固定化菌对茜素红的脱色率随染料浓度的增加而下降,当染料浓度高于250mg/L时,其脱色效果明显下降;固定化菌对茜素红脱色的适宜pH为7,适宜碳源为可溶性淀粉、适宜氮源为硝酸铵。另外,固定化菌对茜素红的脱色率随盐浓度的升高,呈下降趋势,当盐浓度高于3%时,脱色率下降明显;固定化菌于生理盐水中保存10d后,脱色率维持在较高水平,达94.20%;固定化菌重复利用5次后,脱色率仍高达88.70%。     

Oxytalan fibres in the epidermal basement membrane of Lineus atrocaeruleus (Nemertia)

The basement membrane of the epidermis in Lineus atrocaeruleus (Schmarda 1859) (Nemertia: Heteronemertea) is formed by a tight network of oxytalan fibres which send projections into the epidermis and branch towards the proximal dermis, in close association with the subepidermal musculature. The histophysiology of this relationship is discussed.     

白囊耙齿菌产锰过氧化物酶条件优化及其对染料的脱色

锰过氧化物酶（manganese peroxidase,MnP）是白腐真菌降解多种异生物质的主要降解酶之一。本研究对白囊耙齿菌Irpex lacteus产MnP的酶活曲线进行监测,利用单因素和正交试验对I. lacteus产MnP的发酵条件进行优化,同时检测了I. lacteus的MnP粗酶液对5种染料的脱色效果。结果显示,I. lacteus在培养5d时MnP活性较大;I. lacteus产MnP较优的条件为：可溶性淀粉20g/L、尿素1g/L、pH 6.3、CaCl₂ 1mmol/L、FeCl₃ 1mmol/L,该条件下MnP活性达29.24U/L,与优化前MnP活性相比提高了1.25倍;I. lacteus的MnP粗酶液对5种染料均可脱色,其中对直接大红和活性红的脱色效果更为明显,脱色5d后的脱色率分别达到82%和81%。     

The influence of light and sea water temperature on the reproductive cycle of Lineus ruber (Heteronemertea)

The cerebral ganglia of Lineus ruber secretes a neurohormone named gonad-inhibiting hormone (GIH) controlling reproduction. As L. ruber undergoes repeated annual cycles of reproduction during its life, the way the neuroendocrine activity of the worm is seasonally regulated is an important ecophysiological question. In other words, what environmental ‘key factors’ influences the beginning of spawning season in L. ruber? In the present work we show that light is not a timer which controls the annual reproductive cycle progress of L. ruber. On the other hand our results suggest that thermoperiod is a good candidate for this function. Further work is still necessary to clarify the transduction mechanism of thermal stimuli in GIH discharge.     

Impact of the nemertean Lineus viridis on its polychaete prey on an intertidal sandflat

Interactions of the predator Lineus viridis (O. F. Muller 1774) with infaunal polychaetes were investigated in the German Wadden Sea. L. viridis is the dominant heteronemertean in this intertidal area with a mean abundance of 14 individuals per square meter. Predator enclosure experiments in the field revealed that L. viridis preyed on predatory polychaetes. The preferred prey species was Nereis diversicolor; others were Anaitides maculata. Nephtys hombergii and Harmothoe sarsi. These results were supported by a series of feeding experiments in the laboratory. The rate of consumption was estimated by laboratory and field experiments. The feeding rate of Lineus viridis was estimated by laboratory enclosure experiments to 5.6 g ashfree dry weight (AFDW) per square meter annually.     

Extra tyrosine in the carbohydrate-binding module of Irpex lacteus Xyn10B enhances its cellulose-binding ability

The xylanase (Xyn10B) that strongly adsorbs on microcrystalline cellulose was isolated from Driselase. The Xyn10B contains a Carbohydrate-binding module family 1 (CBM1) (IrpCBM_Xyn10B) at N-terminus. The canonical essential aromatic residues required for cellulose binding were conserved in IrpCBM_Xyn10B; however, its adsorption ability was markedly higher than that typically observed for the CBM1 of an endoglucanase from Trametes hirsuta (ThCBM_EG1). An analysis of the CBM-GFP fusion proteins revealed that the binding capacity to cellulose (7.8 μmol/g) and distribution coefficient (2.0 L/μmol) of IrpCBM_Xyn10B-GFP were twofold higher than those of ThCBM_EG1-GFP (3.4 μmol/g and 1.2 L/μmol, respectively), used as a reference structure. Besides the canonical aromatic residues (W24-Y50-Y51) of typical CBM1-containing proteins, IrpCBM_Xyn10B had an additional aromatic residue (Y52). The mutation of Y52 to Ser (IrpCBM_Y52S-GFP) reduced these adsorption parameters to 4.4 μmol/g and 1.5 L/μmol, which were similar to those of ThCBM_EG1-GFP. These results indicate that Y52 plays a crucial role in strong cellulose binding.     

Gene Cloning of Cellobiohydrolase II from the White Rot Fungus Irpex lacteus MC-2 and Its Expression in Pichia pastoris

A gene (cel4) coding for a cellobiohydrolase II (Ex-4) was isolated from the white rot basidiomycete, Irpex lacteus strain MC-2. The cel4 ORF was composed of 452 amino acid residues and was interrupted by eight introns. Its deduced amino acid sequence revealed a multi domain structure composed of a cellulose-binding domain, a linker, and a catalytic domain belonging to family 6 of glycosyl hydrolases, from the N-terminus. cel4 cDNA was successfully expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Recombinant Ex-4 showed endo-processive degrading activity towards cellulosic substrates, and a synergistic effect in the degradation of Avicel was observed when the enzyme acted together with either cellobiohydrolase I (Ex-1) or endoglucanase (En-1) produced by I. lacteus MC-2.     

白囊耙齿菌子实体提取物对小鼠慢性肾小球肾炎的预防与治疗

本文对白囊耙齿菌子实体不同提取物防治慢性肾小球肾炎进行研究,采用腺嘌呤灌胃法建立小鼠慢性肾小球肾炎模型,探究白囊耙齿菌子实体水提取物和醇提取物的高、中、低剂量组对慢性肾小球肾炎的预防作用及不同提取物的高剂量组对慢性肾小球肾炎的治疗作用,并对小鼠体重进行测量,检测尿蛋白(UP)、尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)、总胆固醇(TC)、超氧歧化酶(SOD)、一氧化氮(NO)、丙二醛(MDA)、白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)指标,分析肾、肝、脾、胸腺的病理变化。结果表明,水提取物中剂量(240mg/kg)能显著降低小鼠尿蛋白含量和肾组织中炎症因子含量,使血清生化指标维持正常,并对免疫器官有保护作用;醇提取物高剂量(200mg/kg)对慢性肾小球肾炎有治疗作用,但对免疫器官保护作用较弱。研究表明,白囊耙齿菌子实体水提取物中剂量具有预防慢性肾小球肾炎的作用且效果优于阳性药肾炎康胶囊,具有开发利用潜力,机制有待于进一步研究。     

白囊耙齿菌对茜素红脱色条件优化及其毒性变化检测

白囊耙齿菌Irpex lacteus是分离自倒木上的一株可以分泌漆酶和锰过氧化物酶的白腐真菌。利用I. lacteus对固体条件下的活性黑、活性红、结晶紫、茜素红和孔雀石绿进行脱色能力的检测,通过单因素和正交试验优化I. lacteus对茜素红的脱色条件,并以3种作物发芽率为指标测定茜素红被I. lacteus脱色前后的毒性变化。结果显示,I. lacteus对5种染料均可脱色,其中对茜素红染料的脱色更为彻底;单因素和正交试验优化I. lacteus对茜素红的脱色条件为：pH 7.0、葡萄糖10.0g/L、硫酸铵0.66g/L、接种量2片（Φ=8.0mm）、100.0mL三角瓶装液20.0mL,优化条件下I. lacteus对茜素红脱色10d时的脱色率为88.26%,与未优化前的脱色率相比提高了60.50%;茜素红染料被I. lacteus脱色前后毒性大小排序为：染料原液>染料脱色后>PDB培养基处理,表明茜素红染料存在一定的毒性,I. lacteus脱色茜素红后可以使其毒性减弱。通过本研究,为I. lacteus在茜素红等染料废水脱色以及降低染料废水毒性方面的应用奠定基础。     

The evolution of sex dimorphism in recombination

Sex dimorphism in recombination is widespread on both sex chromosomes and autosomes. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain these dimorphisms. Yet no theoretical model has been explored to determine how heterochiasmy--the autosomal dimorphism--could evolve. The model presented here shows three circumstances in which heterochiasmy is likely to evolve: (i) a male-female difference in haploid epistasis, (ii) a male-female difference in cis-epistasis minus trans-epistasis in diploids, or (iii) a difference in epistasis between combinations of genes inherited maternally or paternally. These results hold even if sources of linkage disequilibria besides epistasis, such as migration or Hill-Robertson interference, are considered and shed light on previous verbal models of sex dimorphism in recombination rates. Intriguingly, these results may also explain why imprinted regions on the autosomes of humans or sheep are particularly heterochiasmate.     

On Bennett's measure of sex dimorphism

A modified measure of sex dimorphism for quantitative traits is suggested considering the regions of nonoverlap of the distributions of the trait in the two sex groups. Some inadequacies of an earlier measure that disregards the presence of members of the opposite sex group beyond the threshold value discriminating the two distributions are indicated.     

Vitellin of the sweet potato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci: Biochemical characterization and titer changes in the adult

SDS-PAGE of the sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) egg extract showed one major band (approximately 190 kDa) and two minor bands (approximately 75 kDa and 67 kDa). A distinct 190 kDa band was also present in male extract. On SDS gels the vitellin band of the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporarium) was larger, about 220 kDa. The native molecular mass of sweet potato whitefly vitellin was estimated to be 375 kDa using 4–20% native pore-limiting gel electrophoresis. Its isoelectric point was estimated to be 7.3 using isoelectric focusing. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and densitometry were used to estimate vitellin subunit composition; the data suggest that the sweet potato whitefly vitellin is likely to be a 380 kDa native molecule formed by two 190 kDa subunits. The two minor bands (75 kDa and 67 kDa) may be breakdown products of the native vitellin. This conclusion was supported by a Western blot of an SDS-PAGE gel of partially degraded female and egg extracts, which showed that polyclonal antiserum raised against the 190 kDa polypeptide recognized the 75 kDa and 67 kDa bands. Seven hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against the 190 kDa band were screened, and one of them (S1A2G9H2) was mass produced. The antibody recognized the 190 kDa band in a Western blot. All the screened monoclonal antibodies were female and egg-specific by ELISA and/or Western blot, suggesting that the 190 kDa band in male extract was not a vitellin. A sensitive ELISA was established that could detect as little as 1/40 of an egg equivalent of vitellin using the monoclonal antibody from S1A2G9H2. Profiles of female sweet potato whitefly reproductive activities (egg laying, amount of vitellin in the female, and total vitellin produced by a female) within 2 days after eclosion were determined. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 34:223–237, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prenatal sex ratios influence sexual dimorphism in a reptile

The prenatal environment influences offspring traits in a variety of ways and in a wide range of taxa. For example, maternal allocation of steroids to the eggs influences offspring traits in birds, and in some mammals the intrauterine position influences morphological, behavioural, and physiological traits due to sex-related steroid transfer between sibling fetuses. We show that similar phenomena occur in the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara), a viviparous reptile. Females developing in male-biased clutches had a more masculine allometry (relatively larger heads) at parturition than females developing in female-biased clutches. Males were correspondingly feminized in female-biased clutches. The effects could either be due to diffusion of steroids produced by the offspring or by a general tendency for females to allocate steroids according to the sex ratio of her clutch. Subsequent to parturition, the sexes differed in their growth trajectories depending on sex ratio environment. In males, the difference in allometry between sex ratio environments remained over time, whereas in females the corresponding effect disappeared.