The specificity of the serum agglutinins of Periplaneta americana and Schistocerca gregaria and its relationship to the insects' immune response

The agglutinating activity of insect serum against vertebrate erythrocytes has been examined for two insect species, the cockroach Periplaneta americana and the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Differences were found between the two insect species, in that cockroach serum agglutinated a wider range of erythrocyte types than did locust serum and the titre of the agglutinating activity of cockroach serum was higher in all cases. The results of attempts to inhibit the agglutinating activity using a variety of sugars and glycoproteins revealed that the combining specificities of the agglutinating molecules of the two species differed. Agglutination of rat erythrocytes by cockroach serum was not inhibited by any of the sugars or glycoproteins tested, whereas several of these compounds, in particular sucrose, partially inhibited the agglutination of rat erythrocytes by locust serum.The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the observation that haemocytes of the cockroach respond to a wider range of transplanted tissues in vivo than do those of the locust.     

Metabolism of low molecular weight lignin-related compounds by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A

The ability of the ligninolytic actinomycete Streptomyces viridosporus T7A to degrade selected lignin model compounds, both in the presence and in the absence of lignocellulose, was examined. Compounds studied included benzyl alcohols and aldehydes, plus dimers possessing intermonomeric linkages, which are characteristic of the lignin macromolecule. Oxidation of veratryl alcohol to the corresponding acid was significant only under ligninolytic growth conditions, i.e., in medium containing lignocellulose, while other benzyl alcohols and aldehydes were readily oxidized in its absence. S. viridosporus T7A reduces carbonylic groups of 1,2-diarylethane, but not of 1,2-diarylpropane structures, under both ligninolytic and non-ligninolytic culture conditions. Cleavage of 1,2-diarylpropane (β-1), arylglycerol-β-arylether(β-0-4) and biphenyl structures by this strain could not be detected under either metabolic conditions.     

Crowded locusts produce hatchlings vulnerable to fungal attack

Transgenerational effects of parental experience on offspring immunity are well documented in the vertebrate literature (where antibodies play an obligatory role), but have only recently been described in invertebrates. We have assessed the impact of parental rearing density upon offspring disease resistance by challenging day-old locust hatchlings (Schistocerca gregaria) from either crowd- or solitary-reared parents with the fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum. When immersed in standardized conidia suspensions, hatchlings from gregarious parents suffered greater pathogen-induced mortality than hatchlings from solitary-reared parents. This observation contradicts the basic theory of positive density-dependent prophylaxis and demonstrates that crowding has a transgenerational influence upon locust disease resistance.     

Fatty acid binding protein in locust and mammalian muscle. Comparison of structure,function and regulation

The flight muscle of adult desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, contains a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) that is homologous to mammalian M-FABP (cardiac FABP). In spite of the evolutionary distance between invertebrates and vertebrates, locust muscle FABP is similar to cardiac FABP in its amino acid sequence, structure, and binding behavior. While cardiac FABP is present already in the prenatal period, locust FABP is an adult specific protein; its expression is directly linked to metamorphosis. A correlation seems to exist between fatty acid oxidative capacity and FABP content in both locust and mammals. To accomplish the higher metabolic rate encountered during migratory flight, locust flight muscle cytosol contains more than three times as much FABP as that in mammalian heart. Increased fatty acid utilization by exercise or endurance training apparently induces FABP expression. Similarities and differences between vertebrate and invertebrate M-FABP are discussed in light of the proposed functions of muscle FABP as fatty acid transporter and cytoprotectant.     

Nup93, a Vertebrate Homologue of Yeast Nic96p, Forms a Complex with a Novel 205-kDa Protein and Is Required for Correct Nuclear Pore Assembly

Yeast and vertebrate nuclear pores display significant morphological similarity by electron microscopy, but sequence similarity between the respective proteins has been more difficult to observe. Herein we have identified a vertebrate nucleoporin, Nup93, in both human and Xenopus that has proved to be an evolutionarily related homologue of the yeast nucleoporin Nic96p. Polyclonal antiserum to human Nup93 detects corresponding proteins in human, rat, and Xenopus cells. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy localize vertebrate Nup93 at the nuclear basket and at or near the nuclear entry to the gated channel of the pore. Immunoprecipitation from both mammalian and Xenopus cell extracts indicates that a small fraction of Nup93 physically interacts with the nucleoporin p62, just as yeast Nic96p interacts with the yeast p62 homologue. However, a large fraction of vertebrate Nup93 is extracted from pores and is also present in Xenopus egg extracts in complex with a newly discovered 205-kDa protein. Mass spectrometric sequencing of the human 205-kDa protein reveals that this protein is encoded by an open reading frame, KIAAO225, present in the human database. The putative human nucleoporin of 205 kDa has related sequence homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To analyze the role of the Nup93 complex in the pore, nuclei were assembled that lack the Nup93 complex after immunodepletion of a Xenopus nuclear reconstitution extract. The Nup93-complex–depleted nuclei are clearly defective for correct nuclear pore assembly. From these experiments, we conclude that the vertebrate and yeast pore have significant homology in their functionally important cores and that, with the identification of Nup93 and the 205-kDa protein, we have extended the knowledge of the nearest-neighbor interactions of this core in both yeast and vertebrates.     

Non-swarming grasshoppers exhibit density-dependent phenotypic plasticity reminiscent of swarming locusts

Locusts are well known for exhibiting an extreme form of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity known as locust phase polyphenism. At low density, locust nymphs are cryptically colored and shy, but at high density they transform into conspicuously colored and gregarious individuals. Most of what we know about locust phase polyphenism come from the study of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål), which is a devastating pest species affecting many countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The desert locust belongs to the grasshopper genus Schistocerca Stål, which includes mostly non-swarming, sedentary species. Recent phylogenetic studies suggest that the desert locust is the earliest branching lineage within Schistocerca, which raises a possibility that the presence of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity may be a plesiomorphic trait for the whole genus. In order to test this idea, we have quantified the effect of rearing density in terms of the resulting behavior, color, and morphology in two non-swarming Schistocerca species native to Florida. When reared in both isolated and crowded conditions, the two non-swarming species, Schistocerca americana (Drury) and Schistocerca serialis cubense (Saussure) clearly exhibited plastic reaction norms in all traits measured, which were reminiscent of the desert locust. Specifically, we found that both species were more active and more attracted to each other when reared in a crowded condition than in isolation. They were mainly bright green in color when isolated, but developed strong black patterns and conspicuous background colors when crowded. We found a strong effect of rearing density in terms of size. There were also more mechanoreceptor hairs on the outer face of the hind femora in the crowded nymphs in both species. Although both species responded similarly, there were some clear species-specific differences in terms of color and behavior. Furthermore, we compare and contrast our findings with those on the desert locust and other relevant studies. We attribute the presence of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity in the non-swarming Schistocerca species to phylogenetic conservatism, but there may be a possible role of local adaptation in further shaping the ultimate expressions of plasticity.     

Pharmacological characterization of the locust neuronal 3H-mianserin binding site,a putative histamine receptor

1. The ³H-mianserin binding protein in the nervous tissue of the locust Locusta migratoria reveals properties that are characteristic for ligand receptor interactions.2. ³H-mianserin binds with high affinity (K₁ = 7.05 nM) to its single binding site (B_max = 1.53 pmol/mg protein). This binding site shows pharmacological properties similar to those of vertebrate histamine H₁-receptors. All tested histamine H₁-antagonists, and sole H₁-antagonists, are able to displace ³H-rnianserin binding even at low concentrations.3. Quantitative comparison of the pharmacological properties of the locust ³H-mianserin binding site with human and rat H₁-receptors revealed striking similarities (r² of locust/rat = 0.793, of locust/human 0.852).4. The ³H-mianserin binding site shows affinity decrease if the incubation medium is depleted of Mg²⁺-ions. This decrease is characteristic for G-protein coupled receptors.     

Solution Structure and Calcium-Binding Properties of M-Crystallin, A Primordial βγ-Crystallin from Archaea

The lens βγ-crystallin superfamily has many diverse but topologically related members belonging to various taxa. Based on structural topology, these proteins are considered to be evolutionarily related to lens crystallins, suggesting their origin from a common ancestor. Proteins with βγ-crystallin domains, although found in some eukaryotes and eubacteria, have not yet been reported in archaea. Sequence searches in the genome of the archaebacterium Methanosarcina acetivorans revealed the presence of a protein annotated as a βγ-crystallin family protein, named M-crystallin. Solution structure of this protein indicates a typical βγ-crystallin fold with a paired Greek-key motif. Among the known structures of βγ-crystallin members, M-crystallin was found to be structurally similar to the vertebrate lens βγ-crystallins. The Ca^2 +-binding properties of this primordial protein are somewhat more similar to those of vertebrate βγ-crystallins than to those of bacterial homologues. These observations, taken together, suggest that amphibian and vertebrate βγ-crystallin domains are evolutionarily more related to archaeal homologues than to bacterial homologues. Additionally, identification of a βγ-crystallin homologue in archaea allows us to demonstrate the presence of this domain in all the three domains of life.     

Social aggregation of adult Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides in relation to the final moult and ageing

Laboratory experiments, were carried out on nymphs and adults of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the African migratory locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides, in view of the field observation that locusts become temporarily less gregarious after the final moult. The experiments showed no reduction in grouping after the final moult but did show a reduction in grouping in mature Schistocerca. There was little change in the numbers of locusts found in small groups but a dramatic reduction in the number found in large groups.     

Effect of Paranosema (Nosema) locustae (Microsporidia) on morphological phase transformation of Locusta migratoria manilensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Field and laboratory studies demonstrated that Paranosema (Nosema) locustae had significant effects on the morphological phase transformation of Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen 1835). In the field, spraying P. locustae on gregarious locusts caused a substantial population reduction by 16 days after treatment, with most of the surviving locusts being phase solitaria. However, the effects of P. locustae on locust phase transformation began before direct mortality had caused a substantial reduction in locust density: locust numbers were still high at day 10, but locusts had already transformed to phase transiens. Laboratory assays showed that while a low dose of P. locustae had no effect on phase transformation, at a higher dose of 1×10⁵ spores/mL, locusts had F/C ratios that were significantly (P<0.05) more solitaria than untreated locusts, with locusts having ratios that were either phase solitaria or on the solitaria side of phase transiens. In a second laboratory experiment that analysed the effects of locust density on phase transformation by P. locustae, there was no obvious effect of density on female locusts 10 days later as all were solitaria at all locust densities. At day 16, female locusts were transiens at higher densities, but were solitaria at 4/cage. With males there were lesser effects. These results provide new evidence for P. locustae having sub-lethal effects on locust phase transformation at a wide range of locust densities.     

Adaptive difference in daily timing of hatch in two locust species,Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria: The effects of thermocycles and phase polyphenism

This study examined the effects of temperature and phase polyphenism on egg hatching time in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. The two species exhibited differences and similarities in hatching behavior when exposed to different temperature conditions. In 12-h thermocycles of various temperatures, the S. gregaria eggs hatched during the cryoperiod (low temperature period), whereas L. migratoria eggs hatched during the thermoperiod (high temperature period). The eggs of both species hatched during the species-specific period of the thermoperiod in response to a temperature difference as small as 1 °C. Furthermore, the locusts adjusted hatching time to a new thermal environment that occurred shortly before the expected hatching time. In both species, the hatching of the eggs was synchronized to a specific time of the day, and two hatching peaks separated by approximately 1 day were observed at a constant temperature after the eggs were transferred from thermocycles 3 days before hatching. Eggs laid by gregarious females hatched earlier than those laid by solitarious females in S. gregaria but this difference was not observed in L. migratoria.     

Resource dependence in a new ecosystem: A host plant and its colonizing community

The introduced black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) has become an invasive plant species in Europe. The introduction of alien plants such as the black locust may modify ecosystem composition and functioning. In response to the presence of a potential host plant, herbivores can adapt and shift to the consumption of the new host plant. In Eastern-Central Europe, the seed predator Bruchophagus robiniae (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important consumer of black locust seeds which presumably shifted from its formerly host species to black locust. We tested the influence of host plant abundance on a seed predator – parasitoid community. We found that the seed predator B. robiniae was present in higher numbers in woodlots than in small patches of black locust. The density of the specialist parasitoid Mesopolobus sp. was lower in woodlots than in small patches, while the generalist parasitoid Eupelmus urozonos was evenly distributed between woodlots and small patches of black locust. We found that parasitoid species are influenced by the patch size of host plants, thus characteristics of introduced host plants can also manifest in higher trophic levels.     

Inhibitors of microsomal oxidations in insect homogenates

1. Homogenates of insect tissues were assayed for enzymes capable of oxidizing p-nitrotoluene to p-nitrobenzoic acid. 2. Locust fat-body homogenate 10000g supernatant was an effective enzyme and required no added cofactors. 3. Homogenates of other insects or locust organs and 10000g sediment from locust fat-body were not active and inhibited microsomal oxidations carried out by locust fat-body or rabbit liver enzyme. 4. Inhibitory power was high in homogenates of whole flies and of fly heads or thoraces. 5. Inhibition appeared to involve both irreversible inactivation of enzyme and the removal of essential cofactors.     

An Internally Modulated,Thermostable, pH-sensitive Cys Loop Receptor from the Hydrothermal Vent Worm Alvinella pompejana

Cys loop receptors (CLRs) are commonly known as ligand-gated channels that transiently open upon binding of neurotransmitters to modify the membrane potential. However, a class of cation-selective bacterial homologues of CLRs have been found to open upon a sudden pH drop, suggesting further ligands and more functions of the homologues in prokaryotes. Here we report an anion-selective CLR from the hydrothermal vent annelid worm Alvinella pompejana that opens at low pH. A. pompejana expressed sequence tag databases were explored by us, and two full-length CLR sequences were identified, synthesized, cloned, expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and studied by two-electrode voltage clamp. One channel, named Alv-a1-pHCl, yielded functional receptors and opened upon a sudden pH drop but not by other known agonists. Sequence comparison showed that both CLR proteins share conserved characteristics with eukaryotic CLRs, such as an N-terminal helix, a cysteine loop motif, and an intracellular loop intermediate in length between the long loops of other eukaryotic CLRs and those of prokaryotic CLRs. Both full-length Alv-a1-pHCl and a truncated form, termed tAlv-a1-pHCl, lacking 37 amino-terminal residues that precede the N-terminal helix, formed functional channels in oocytes. After pH activation, tAlv-a1-pHCl showed desensitization and was not modulated by ivermectin. In contrast, pH-activated, full-length Alv-a1-pHCl showed a marked rebound current and was modulated significantly by ivermectin. A thermostability assay indicated that purified tAlv-a1-pHCl expressed in Sf9 cells denatured at a higher temperature than the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica.     

Calcium-Dependent Myosin from Insect Flight Muscles

Calcium regulation of the insect actomyosin ATPase is associated with the thin filaments as in vertebrate muscles, and also with the myosin molecule as in mollusks. This dual regulation is demonstrated using combinations of locust thin filaments with rabbit myosin and locust myosin with rabbit actin; in each case the ATPase of the hybrid actomyosin is calcium dependent. The two regulatory systems are synergistic, the calcium dependency of the locust actomyosin ATPase being at least 10 times that of the hybrid actomyosins described above. Likewise Lethocerus myosin also contains regulatory proteins. The ATPase activity of Lethocerus myosin is labile and is stabilized by the presence of rabbit actin. Tropomyosin activates the ATPase of insect actomyosin and the activation occurs irrespective of whether the myosin is calcium dependent or rendered independent of calcium.     

气候和密度对刺槐径向生长和干旱脆弱性的影响

为评估气候和竞争对刺槐径向生长、抗性和弹性的影响,使用年轮气候学方法建立河南省民权和济源不同密度刺槐的生长年表,确定不同密度刺槐径向生长与气象因子的关联,利用胸高断面积增量变化获得干旱事件前后不同密度刺槐的干旱脆弱性,旨在确定气候和密度对刺槐径向生长和干旱脆弱性影响。结果表明：在生长前期,不同密度刺槐的径向生长无显著差异,随着树木的生长,高密度刺槐的年轮宽度和胸高断面积增量(BAI)开始显著低于低密度(P<0.05)。Pearson相关分析结果显示,生长季的标准化植被蒸散指数、降水、相对湿度、温度和饱和水汽压亏缺是影响刺槐生长的重要因素。路径分析结果显示降水和温度是年尺度上影响刺槐生长关键因素。受干旱事件的影响,刺槐的年轮宽度和BAI均下降,低密度刺槐恢复力、弹性、相对弹性均显著高于高密度(P<0.05),在第1次干旱事件发生后,不同密度刺槐均恢复生长,但无法恢复到干旱前的生长水平。在多次干旱事件后,高密度刺槐相对弹性趋于或小于0,表明受多次干旱影响,其生长不能恢复到干旱前水平。随着时间的推移,济源刺槐在经历3次干旱后仍保留一定的弹性,但民权高密度刺槐在第2次干旱事件后相对...     

tRNA Nuclear Export in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: In Situ Hybridization Analysis

To understand the factors specifically affecting tRNA nuclear export, we adapted in situ hybridization procedures to locate endogenous levels of individual tRNA families in wild-type and mutant yeast cells. Our studies of tRNAs encoded by genes lacking introns show that nucleoporin Nup116p affects both poly(A) RNA and tRNA export, whereas Nup159p affects only poly(A) RNA export. Los1p is similar to exportin-t, which facilitates vertebrate tRNA export. A los1 deletion mutation affects tRNA but not poly(A) RNA export. The data support the notion that Los1p and exportin-t are functional homologues. Because LOS1 is nonessential, tRNA export in vertebrate and yeast cells likely involves factors in addition to exportin-t. Mutation of RNA1, which encodes RanGAP, causes nuclear accumulation of tRNAs and poly(A) RNA. Many yeast mutants, including those with the rna1-1 mutation, affect both pre-tRNA splicing and RNA export. Our studies of the location of intron-containing pre-tRNAs in the rna1-1 mutant rule out the possibility that this results from tRNA export occurring before splicing. Our results also argue against inappropriate subnuclear compartmentalization causing defects in pre-tRNA splicing. Rather, the data support “feedback” of nucleus/cytosol exchange to the pre-tRNA splicing machinery.