Synthesis of D-manno-3-heptulose,D-ido-3-heptulose,and some aldoheptoses via isopropylidene derivatives of heptitols

D-manno-3-Heptulose (5) was synthesized by dimethyl sulfoxide-phosphorus pentaoxide oxidation of 1,2:3,4:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-manno-heptitol (3, prepared from volemitol), followed by hydrolysis. D-ido-3-Heptulose (8) was synthesized similarly by oxidation of 1,2:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-l-galacto-heptitol (7, prepared from D-glycero-l-galacto-heptitol, 6). Another tri-O-isopropylidene derivative (11), having a free primary hydroxyl group, was produced in larger amount than 7, and 11 yielded D-glycero-l-galacto-heptose (14). Compound 8 was also synthesized by way of 1,2:4,5.6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-l-gulo-heptitol (15). The production of 15 from D-glycero-l-gulo-heptitol (13) was accompanied by a larger amount of 2,3:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-ido-heptitol (17) which, upon oxidation followed by hydrolysis, yielded D-glycero-D-ido-heptose (18). One of the two tri-O-isopropylidene derivatives obtained by acetonation of perseitol, 2,3:4,5:6,7-tri-O-isopropylidene-D-glycero-D-galacto-heptitol (19), yielded D-glycero-D-galacto-heptose (20).     

Isolation and structural analyses of positional isomers of 61,6m-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-cyclomaltooctaose (m=2–5) and 6-O-α-(n-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-α-d-mannopyranosyl-cyclomaltooctaose (n=2, 3, 4, and 6)

Eight positional isomers of 6¹,6^m-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-cyclomaltooctaose (γCD) (m=2–5) and 6-O-α-(n-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannopyranosyl-γCD (n=2, 3, 4, and 6) in a mixture of products from γCD and d-mannose by condensation reaction of α-mannosidase from jack bean were isolated by HPLC. The structures of four isomers of 6-O-α-(n-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-mannopyranosyl-γCD were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. On the other hand, four positional isomers of 6¹,6^m-di-O-α-d-mannopyranosyl-γCD were determined by LC–MS analysis of degree of polymerization of the branched oligosaccharides produced by enzymatic degradation with bacterial saccharifying α-amylase (BSA), and combination of BSA and glucoamylase. Similarly cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase also digested these isomers.     

Enantiomeric Composition of the trans-Dihydrodiols Produced from Phenanthrene by Fungi

The trans-dihydrodiols produced during the metabolism of phenanthrene by Cunninghamella elegans, Syncephalastrum racemosum, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The enantiomeric compositions and optical purities of the trans-dihydrodiols were determined to compare interspecific differences in the regio- and stereoselectivity of the fungal enzymes. Circular dichroism spectra of the trans-dihydrodiols were obtained, and the enantiomeric composition of each preparation was analyzed by HPLC with a chiral stationary-phase column. The phenanthrene trans-1,2-dihydrodiol produced by C. elegans was a mixture of the 1R,2R and 1S,2S enantiomers in variable proportions. The phenanthrene trans-3,4-dihydrodiol produced by P. chrysosporium was the optically pure 3R,4R enantiomer, but that produced by S. racemosum was a 68:32 mixture of the 3R,4R and 3S,4S enantiomers. The phenanthrene trans-9,10-dihydrodiol produced by P. chrysosporium was predominantly the 9S,10S enantiomer, but those produced by C. elegans and S. racemosum were predominantly the 9R,10R enantiomer. The results indicate that although different fungi may exhibit similar regioselectivity, there still may be differences in stereoselectivity that depend on the species and the cultural conditions.     

Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. was found in the rhizospheres of Jatropha curcas, Musa sp., Anona muricata, Cassia tora, Panicum laxum, Paspalum fasciculatum, Aeschynomene sensitiva, Saccharum officinarum, Manihot esculenta, Abelmoschus esculentus, Tamarindus indica, Mangifera indica, Vigna unguiculata, Zea mays, Commelina sp., Cyperus rotundus, Fimbristylis miliacea, Citrus sinensis, and Eichhornia crassipes on the Amazon River island of Xiborena, approximately 40 km southeast of Manaus, capital of the State of Amazonas. The type habitat is flooded annually for about 6 months by the Amazon River. Xiphidorus amazonensis n. sp. differs from the closely related species Xiphidorus yepesara Monteiro, 1976 by the larger size, by a, b, and c values, and by the rounded tail terminus. It also resembles Xiphidorus tucumanensis Chaves and Coomans, 1984, but can be distinguished by its larger size, larger a, b, and c values, more conical female tail, bilobed amphidial pouch, and the presence of a spermatheca full of sperm.     

Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae isolation and sympatric occurrence with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in geckoes,dogs and sand flies

The trypanosomatid protist Leishmania tarentolae is a saurian-associated parasite vectored by the Sergentomyia minuta sand fly. This study aimed to confirm the circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in sand flies, reptiles and dogs and to isolate new strains of these protists. Reptilian and sheltered dog blood samples were collected, and sand flies were captured. Samples were tested for Leishmania spp. using duplex real-time PCR (dqPCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR); the origin of blood meal was identified in engorged sand flies by conventional PCR. The reptilian blood and intestinal content of sand fly females were cultured. Dog sera were tested by IFAT using both Leishmania species. Four Tarentola mauritanica geckoes were molecularly positive for L. infantum or L. tarentolae, with no co-infections; moreover, amastigote-like forms of L. infantum were observed in the bone marrow. 24/294 sand flies scored positive for Leishmania spp. by dqPCR, 21 S. minuta and two Phlebotomus perniciosus were positive for L. tarentolae, while only a single Ph. perniciosus was positive for L. infantum. Blood meal analysis confirmed reptile and dog in S. minuta, dog and human in Ph. perniciosus and dog in Phlebotomus neglectus. Two axenic strains of L. tarentolae were obtained. Twelve of 19 dogs scored positive for L. infantum and L. tarentolae by IFAT and three of them also for L. infantum by dqPCR, and six by qPCR. These data confirm the sympatric circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae in geckoes, sand flies, and dogs, and suggest that geckoes may be infected with L. infantum.     

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the cytoplasm interacts with components of glycolysis and cancer

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is involved in a wide range of functions in the nucleus. However, a substantial amount of PCNA is also present in the cytoplasm, although their function is unknown. Here we show, through Far-Western blotting and mass spectrometry, that PCNA is associated with several cytoplasmic oncoproteins, including elongation factor, malate dehydrogenase, and peptidyl-prolyl isomerase. Surprisingly, PCNA is also associated with six glycolytic enzymes that are involved in the regulation of steps 4-9 in the glycolysis pathway.

Structured summary

MINT-7995351: G3P (uniprotkb:P04406) and PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescencemicroscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7995334: ENOA (uniprotkb:P06733) and PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescencemicroscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7995368: ALDOA (uniprotkb:P04075) and PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescencemicroscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7995141: G3P (uniprotkb:P04406) binds (MI:0407) to PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995182: ENOA (uniprotkb:P06733) binds (MI:0407) to PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995132: G3P (uniprotkb:P04406) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995228: PRDX6 (uniprotkb:P30041) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995220: CAH2 (uniprotkb:P00918) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995114: Triosephosphateisomerase (uniprotkb:P60174) binds (MI:0407) to PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995244: K2C7 (uniprotkb:P08729) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995252: ANXA2 (uniprotkb:P07355) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995122: Triosephosphateisomerase (uniprotkb:P60174) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995093: ALDOA (uniprotkb:P04075) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995148: PGK1 (uniprotkb:P00558) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995158: PGAM1 (uniprotkb:P18669) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995166: PGAM1 (uniprotkb:P18669) binds (MI:0407) to PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995105: ALDOA (uniprotkb:P04075) binds (MI:0407) to PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995260: PPIA (uniprotkb:P62937) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995173: ENOA (uniprotkb:P06733) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995268: EF1A (uniprotkb:P68104) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995236: MDHM (uniprotkb:P40926) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995189: RSSA (uniprotkb:P08865) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) by farwesternblotting (MI:0047)MINT-7995282: PCNA (uniprotkb:P12004) physicallyinteracts (MI:0915) with ALDOA (uniprotkb:P00883) and G3P (uniprotkb:P46406) by antibaitcoimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006).     

The tipuloid dipterans (Diptera,Tipulidae, Limoniidae) from the Putorana Plateau,with a description of Dactylolabis tschernovi sp. n.

The first data are presented on the tipuloid dipterans from the Putorana Plateau, the Central Siberian Plateau: the crane-flies, Tipula (Arctotipula) oklandi Al., Tipula (Pterelachisus) tundrensis stackelbergiana Lack., Tipula (Vestiplex) arctica Curt., and Tipula (Yamatotipula) lionota Holm.; and the limoniids, Dactylolabis (Dactylolabis) novaezemblae (Al.) and Dactylolabis (Dactylolabis) tschernovi sp. n. A new species, Dactylolabis (D.) tschernovi sp. n., is described from the adult males and females. The male of the new species is very similar to those of Dactylolabis (Dactylolabis) carbonaria Sav. and Dactylolabis (Dactylolabis) satanas Sav. but can be distinguished from the former by the presence of a distinct throat, by the coloration of the head, femora, tibiae, and abdominal segments, as well as by the spear-shaped interbase of the hypopygium; and from the latter species, by the fully developed wings and by the absence of large spines at the base of the interbases.     

Liquefaction of glutinous rice and aroma formation in tapé preparation by ragi

Ragi is an Indonesian inoculum to prepare a fermented food called tapé. Sweet tapé with high aroma was produced by inoculation of ragi on steamed glutinous rice and incubation at 30°C for 3 d. Microorganisms found in ragi were identified as Rhizopus sp., Saccharomycopsis sp., and Streptococcus sp. Steamed glutinous rice was liquefied and saccharified by the amylases produced by Rhizopus and aroma was formed by a mixed culture of Rhizopus and Saccharomycopsis. Liquefaction was not caused by the amylases of Saccharomycopsis even though it produced high activity of α-amylase. A higher level of aroma was formed by inoculation of Streptococcus in a mixed culture of Rhizopus and Saccharomycopsis sp.     

Blockade by N-methylhydroxylamine or activation of guanylate cyclase and elevations of guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate levels in nervous tissues

Hydroxylamine and N-methylhydroxylamine prevented the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by the endogenous activator as well as by nitroso compounds such as N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine or nitroprusside, while the other derivaties of hydroxylamine were ineffective. Hydroxylamine and N-methylhydroxylamine did not alter the basal guanylate cyclase activity of purified enzyme preparations. Kinetics analysis indicated that N-methylhydroxylamine competes with N-methyl-N′nitro-N-nitrosuguanidine for guanylate cyclase. The activation of guanylate cyclase by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and its inhibition by N-methylhydroxylamine were reversible reactions. These efects of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanine and N-methylhydroxylamine were observed with guanylate cyclase from other tissues.N-Methylhydroxylamine preveneed the increase of guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) levels in cerebellar slices of guinea pig by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine, veratridine and adenosine, while the elevalations of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate by these agents were not affected. N-Methylhyroxylamine also blocked the increased of cyclic GMP levels by carbachol, prostaglandin E₁ and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells. Thus N-methylhydroxylamine prevents the activation of guanylate cyclase and the increased synthesis of cyclic GMP in responses to transmitters without blocking the synthesis of cyclic GMP via basal enzyme activity.     

Relative Abundance and Plasmodium Infection Rates of Malaria Vectors in and around Jabalpur,a Malaria Endemic Region in Madhya Pradesh State,Central India

BackgroundThis study was undertaken in two Primary Health Centers (PHCs) of malaria endemic district Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh (Central India).MethodsIn this study we had investigated the relative frequencies of the different anopheline species collected within the study areas by using indoor resting catches, CDC light trap and human landing methods. Sibling species of malaria vectors were identified by cytogenetic and molecular techniques. The role of each vector and its sibling species in the transmission of the different Plasmodium species was ascertained by using sporozoite ELISA.ResultsA total of 52,857 specimens comprising of 17 anopheline species were collected by three different methods (39,964 by indoor resting collections, 1059 by human landing and 11,834 by CDC light trap). Anopheles culicifacies was most predominant species in all collections (55, 71 and 32% in indoor resting, human landing and light trap collections respectively) followed by An. subpictus and An. annularis. All five sibling species of An. culicifacies viz. species A, B, C, D and E were found while only species T and S of An. fluviatilis were collected. The overall sporozoite rate in An. culicifacies and An. fluviatilis were 0.42% (0.25% for P. falciparum and 0.17% for P. vivax) and 0.90% (0.45% for P. falciparum and 0.45% for P. vivax) respectively. An. culicifacies and An. fluviatilis were found harbouring both P. vivax variants VK-210 and VK-247, and P. falciparum. An. culicifacies sibling species C and D were incriminated as vectors during most part of the year while sibling species T of An. fluviatilis was identified as potential vector in monsoon and post monsoon season.ConclusionsAn. culicifacies species C (59%) was the most abundant species followed by An. culicifacies D (24%), B (8.7%), E (6.7%) and A (1.5%). Among An. fluviatilis sibling species, species T was common (99%) and only few specimens of S were found. Our study provides crucial information on the prevalence of An. culicifacies and An. fluviatilis sibling species and their potential in malaria transmission which will assist in developing strategic control measures against these vectors.     

Release of Extracellular Transformable Plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli Cocultivated with Algae

We studied the effects of cocultivation with either Euglena gracilis (Euglenophyta), Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyta), Chlamydomonas neglecta (Chlorophyta), or Carteria inversa (Chlorophyta) on the production of extracellular plasmid DNA by Escherichia coli LE392(pKZ105). Dot blot hybridization analysis showed a significant release of plasmid DNA by cocultivation with all the algae tested. Further analysis by electrotransformation confirmed the release of transformable plasmid DNA by cocultivation with either E. gracilis, M. aeruginosa, or C. inversa. These results suggest algal involvement in bacterial horizontal gene transfer by stimulating the release of transformable DNA into aquatic environments.     

Comparison of the primary structure ofwaxy proteins (granule-bound starch synthase) between polyploid wheats and related diploid species

Thewaxy proteins encoded by the genomes A, B, and D in polyploid wheats and related diploid species were isolated by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of mature proteins and V8 protease-induced fragments were determined. A total of five amino acid substitutions was detected in these sequences, which represent about 10% of the whole sequences of thewaxy proteins. A comparison of these sequences in polyploid wheats with those in related diploid species revealed the following: (i)waxy proteins encoded by the A genome of polyploid wheats were identical to that ofTriticum monococcum, (ii) thewaxy protein encoded by the B genome ofT. turgidum was identical to that ofT. searsii, but differed from those ofT. speltoides andT. longissimum by one amino acid substitution, (iii) thewaxy protein encoded by the B genome ofT. aestivum differed from that encoded by the B genome ofT. turgidum by one amino acid substitution, and (iv) thewaxy protein encoded by the D genome ofT. aestivum was identical to that ofT. tauschii.     

In situ adaptation and ecological release facilitate the occupied niche expansion of a non‐native Madagascan day gecko in Florida

AimTo investigate whether the frequently advocated climate‐matching species distribution modeling approach could predict the well‐characterized colonization of Florida by the Madagascar giant day gecko Phelsuma grandis.LocationMadagascar and Florida, USA.MethodsTo determine the climatic conditions associated with the native range of P. grandis, we used native‐range presence‐only records and Bioclim climatic data to build a Maxent species distribution model and projected the climatic thresholds of the native range onto Florida. We then built an analogous model using Florida presence‐only data and projected it onto Madagascar. We constructed a third model using native‐range presences for both P. grandis and the closely related parapatric species P. kochi.ResultsDespite performing well within the native range, our Madagascar Bioclim model failed to identify suitable climatic habitat currently occupied by P. grandis in Florida. The model constructed using Florida presences also failed to reflect the distribution in Madagascar by overpredicting distribution, especially in western areas occupied by P. kochi. The model built using the combined P. kochi/P. grandis dataset modestly improved the prediction of the range of P. grandis in Florida, thereby implying competitive exclusion of P. grandis by P. kochi from habitat within the former''s fundamental niche. These findings thus suggest ecological release of P. grandis in Florida. However, because ecological release cannot fully explain the divergent occupied niches of P. grandis in Madagascar versus Florida, our findings also demonstrate some degree of in situ adaptation in Florida.Main conclusionsOur models suggest that the discrepancy between the predicted and observed range of P. grandis in Florida is attributable to either in situ adaptation by P. grandis within Florida, or a combination of such in situ adaptation and competition with P. kochi in Madagascar. Our study demonstrates that climate‐matching species distribution models can severely underpredict the establishment risk posed by non‐native herpetofauna.     

Synthesis of 3,4-anhydro-1-deoxyhexulose derivatives

Epoxidation of trans- and cis-1,3,4-trideoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-glycero-hex-3-enulose (2) by alkaline hydrogen peroxide gave a mixture of 3,4-anhydro-1-deoxy-5,6-O-isopropylidene-d-arabino- and -d-xylo-hexulose that was resolved by chromatography. Epoxidation of 2 with 3-chloroperbenzoic acid gave (1S)-1-acetoxy-1,2-anhydro-3,4-O-isopropylidene-d-erythrose hydrate and (1R)-1-acetoxy-1,2-anhydro-3,4-O-isopropylidene-d-threose hydrate. Reduction of 2 followed by epoxidation and oxidation gave the corresponding epoxides with the d-ribo and d-lyxo configurations. Structures and configurations of the above compounds were established on the basis of their analytical and spectroscopic data, and by chemical transformations.     

The Common Nodulation Genes of Astragalus sinicus Rhizobia Are Conserved despite Chromosomal Diversity

The nodulation genes of Mesorhizobium sp. (Astragalus sinicus) strain 7653R were cloned by functional complementation of Sinorhizobium meliloti nod mutants. The common nod genes, nodD, nodA, and nodBC, were identified by heterologous hybridization and sequence analysis. The nodA gene was found to be separated from nodBC by approximately 22 kb and was divergently transcribed. The 2.0-kb nodDBC region was amplified by PCR from 24 rhizobial strains nodulating A. sinicus, which represented different chromosomal genotypes and geographic origins. No polymorphism was found in the size of PCR products, suggesting that the separation of nodA from nodBC is a common feature of A. sinicus rhizobia. Sequence analysis of the PCR-amplified nodA gene indicated that seven strains representing different 16S and 23S ribosomal DNA genotypes had identical nodA sequences. These data indicate that, whereas microsymbionts of A. sinicus exhibit chromosomal diversity, their nodulation genes are conserved, supporting the hypothesis of horizontal transfer of nod genes among diverse recipient bacteria.     

Assimilation of E. coli cells by Daphnia magna on the whole organism level

Consumption of E. coli cells by Daphnia magna was studied. It was found that this organism not only ingested E. coli cells but digested them as demonstrated by the release of ¹⁴CO₂ originating from E. coli grown on ¹⁴C-glucose, and by the transfer of the radioactive label from parental Daphnia to their progenies. In addition the effect of antibiotics on the consumption of E. coli cells by Daphnia magna was studied. In long incubation times, antibiotics inhibited bacterial uptake by Daphnia. The microflora isolated from Daphnia was found to be capable of causing leakage of enzymes out of E. coli cells thus playing at least a partial role in the digestion of E. coli cells by Daphnia.     

Precise Mapping of the Homothallism Genes HML and HMR in SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

The HML and HMR loci carry unexpressed copies of MATa and MATα information, and a replica of that information is transposed to MAT during mating-type interchange in Saccharomyces yeasts. A negative control mechanism keeps silent the information located at the HML and HMR loci. We mapped these loci by constructing strains in which these loci are expressed. In these strains, the mating type of the segregants is dependent upon the allele at HML and HMR. This novel approach is independent of their switching function. HML is located on the left arm of chromosome III distal to his4 by about 26.8 centimorgans (cM). HMR maps on the right arm of the same chromosome distal to thr4 by about 39.8 cM and proximal to MAL2 by about 1.0 cM. The results allow the exact placement of these loci and are in accord with the observations made by Harashima and Oshima (1976).