Secondary storage of dermatan sulfate in Sanfilippo disease

Mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of genetically inherited disorders that result from the defective activity of lysosomal enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan catabolism, causing their intralysosomal accumulation. Sanfilippo disease describes a subset of mucopolysaccharidoses resulting from defects in heparan sulfate catabolism. Sanfilippo disorders cause severe neuropathology in affected children. The reason for such extensive central nervous system dysfunction is unresolved, but it may be associated with the secondary accumulation of metabolites such as gangliosides. In this article, we describe the accumulation of dermatan sulfate as a novel secondary metabolite in Sanfilippo. Based on chondroitinase ABC digestion, chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels in fibroblasts from Sanfilippo patients were elevated 2-5-fold above wild-type dermal fibroblasts. Lysosomal turnover of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate in these cell lines was significantly impaired but could be normalized by reducing heparan sulfate storage using enzyme replacement therapy. Examination of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate catabolic enzymes showed that heparan sulfate and heparin can inhibit iduronate 2-sulfatase. Analysis of the chondroitin/dermatan sulfate fraction by chondroitinase ACII digestion showed dermatan sulfate storage, consistent with inhibition of iduronate 2-sulfatase. The discovery of a novel storage metabolite in Sanfilippo patients may have important implications for diagnosis and understanding disease pathology.     

Hyaluronidase 1 and β-hexosaminidase have redundant functions in hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate degradation

Hyaluronan (HA), a member of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) family, is a critical component of the extracellular matrix. A model for HA degradation that invokes the activity of both hyaluronidases and exoglycosidases has been advanced. However, no in vivo studies have been done to determine the extent to which these enzymes contribute to HA breakdown. Herein, we used mouse models to investigate the contributions of the endoglycosidase HYAL1 and the exoglycosidase β-hexosaminidase to the lysosomal degradation of HA. We employed histochemistry and fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis to determine the degree of HA accumulation in mice deficient in one or both enzyme activities. Global HA accumulation was present in mice deficient in both enzymes, with the highest levels found in the lymph node and liver. Chondroitin, a GAG similar in structure to HA, also broadly accumulated in mice deficient in both enzymes. Accumulation of chondroitin sulfate derivatives was detected in mice deficient in both enzymes, as well as in β-hexosaminidase-deficient mice, indicating that both enzymes play a significant role in chondroitin sulfate breakdown. Extensive accumulation of HA and chondroitin when both enzymes are lacking was not observed in mice deficient in only one of these enzymes, suggesting that HYAL1 and β-hexosaminidase are functionally redundant in HA and chondroitin breakdown. Furthermore, accumulation of sulfated chondroitin in tissues provides in vivo evidence that both HYAL1 and β-hexosaminidase cleave chondroitin sulfate, but it is a preferred substrate for β-hexosaminidase. These studies provide in vivo evidence to support and extend existing knowledge of GAG breakdown.     

Analysis of the Biogenesis of Heparan Sulfate Acetyl-CoA:α-Glucosaminide N-Acetyltransferase Provides Insights into the Mechanism Underlying Its Complete Deficiency in Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC

Heparan sulfate acetyl-CoA:α-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (HGSNAT) catalyzes the transmembrane acetylation of heparan sulfate in lysosomes required for its further catabolism. Inherited deficiency of HGSNAT in humans results in lysosomal storage of heparan sulfate and causes the severe neurodegenerative disease, mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (MPS IIIC). Previously we have cloned the HGSNAT gene, identified molecular defects in MPS IIIC patients, and found that all missense mutations prevented normal folding and trafficking of the enzyme. Therefore characterization of HGSNAT biogenesis and intracellular trafficking became of central importance for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the disease and developing future therapies.In the current study we show that HGSNAT is synthesized as a catalytically inactive 77-kDa precursor that is transported to the lysosomes via an adaptor protein-mediated pathway that involves conserved tyrosine- and dileucine-based lysosomal targeting signals in its C-terminal cytoplasmic domain with a contribution from a dileucine-based signal in the N-terminal cytoplasmic loop. In the lysosome, the precursor is cleaved into a 29-kDa N-terminal α-chain and a 48-kDa C-terminal β-chain, and assembled into active ∼440-kDa oligomers. The subunits are held together by disulfide bonds between at least two cysteine residues (Cys¹²³ and Cys⁴³⁴) in the lysosomal luminal loops of the enzyme. We speculate that proteolytic cleavage allows the nucleophile residue, His²⁶⁹, in the active site to access the substrate acetyl-CoA in the cytoplasm, for further transfer of the acetyl group to the terminal glucosamine on heparan sulfate. Altogether our results identify intralysosomal oligomerization and proteolytic cleavage as two steps crucial for functional activation of HGSNAT.     

Enzymatic analysis of biomarkers for the monitoring of Gaucher patients in Colombia

Introduction

Gaucher disease is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid beta-glucosidase. There is treatment available, but given the wide variability in phenotypes, it is difficult to establish the adequate administration and change of doses. Chitotriosidase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) have been described as reliable biomarkers for the monitoring of patients. The enzymatic evaluation of these biomarkers has been traditionally made in serum or plasma samples, making difficult the monitoring of Colombian patients who live far away from big cities. Dried blood spot samples have been proposed as a solution. The aim of the present study was to validate the chitotriosidase quantification in DBS with respect to the serum determination, and to standardize a microtechnique for the quantification of serum ACE.

Results

Using a fluorometric method for the chitotriosidase quantification and a colorimetric one for ACE determinations, we found significant differences between control subjects and Gaucher patients in both serum and DBS samples. A positive correlation was observed between both kinds of samples. A reference value for the ACE determination was established. A positive correlation between chitotriosidase and ACE was found.

Conclusion

We could standardize two microtechniques for chitotriosidase and ACE analysis in serum samples. A close relation between DBS and serum samples for chitotriosidase analysis allowed us to validate DBS as a reliable sample that could facilitate the access of Colombian Gaucher patients to health services.     

Drosophila heparan sulfate, a novel design

Heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans play critical roles in a wide variety of biological processes such as growth factor signaling, cell adhesion, wound healing, and tumor metastasis. Functionally important interactions between HS and a variety of proteins depend on specific structural features within the HS chains. The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is frequently applied as a model organism to study HS function in development. Previous structural studies of Drosophila HS have been restricted to disaccharide composition, without regard to the arrangement of saccharide domains typically found in vertebrate HS. Here, we biochemically characterized Drosophila HS by selective depolymerization with nitrous acid. Analysis of the generated saccharide products revealed a novel HS design, involving a peripheral, extended, presumably single, N-sulfated domain linked to an N-acetylated sequence contiguous with the linkage to core protein. The N-sulfated domain may be envisaged as a heparin structure of unusually low O-sulfate content.     

Molecular Characterization of Arylsulfatase G: EXPRESSION,PROCESSING, GLYCOSYLATION,TRANSPORT, AND ACTIVITY*

Arylsulfatase G (ARSG) is a recently identified lysosomal sulfatase that was shown to be responsible for the degradation of 3-O-sulfated N-sulfoglucosamine residues of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans. Deficiency of ARSG leads to a new type of mucopolysaccharidosis, as described in a mouse model. Here, we provide a detailed molecular characterization of the endogenous murine enzyme. ARSG is expressed and proteolytically processed in a tissue-specific manner. The 63-kDa single-chain precursor protein localizes to pre-lysosomal compartments and tightly associates with organelle membranes, most likely the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast, proteolytically processed ARSG fragments of 34-, 18-, and 10-kDa were found in lysosomal fractions and lost their membrane association. The processing sites and a disulfide bridge between the 18- and 10-kDa chains could be roughly mapped. Proteases participating in the processing were identified as cathepsins B and L. Proteolytic processing is dispensable for hydrolytic sulfatase activity in vitro. Lysosomal transport of ARSG in the liver is independent of mannose 6-phosphate, sortilin, and Limp2. However, mutation of glycosylation site N-497 abrogates transport of ARSG to lysosomes in human fibrosarcoma cells, due to impaired mannose 6-phosphate modification.     

Transport of arylsulfatase A across the blood-brain barrier in vitro

Enzyme replacement therapy is an option to treat lysosomal storage diseases caused by functional deficiencies of lysosomal hydrolases as intravenous injection of therapeutic enzymes can correct the catabolic defect within many organ systems. However, beneficial effects on central nervous system manifestations are very limited because the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents the transfer of enzyme from the circulation to the brain parenchyma. Preclinical studies in mouse models of metachromatic leukodystrophy, however, showed that arylsulfatase A (ASA) is able to cross the BBB to some extent, thus reducing lysosomal storage in brain microglial cells. The present study aims to investigate the routing of ASA across the BBB and to improve the transfer in vitro using a well established cell culture model consisting of primary porcine brain capillary endothelial cells cultured on Transwell filter inserts. Passive apical-to-basolateral ASA transfer was observed, which was not saturable up to high ASA concentrations. No active transport could be determined. The passive transendothelial transfer was, however, charge-dependent as reduced concentrations of negatively charged monosaccharides in the N-glycans of ASA or the addition of polycations increased basolateral ASA levels. Adsorptive transcytosis is therefore considered to be the major transport pathway. Partial inhibition of the transcellular ASA transfer by mannose 6-phosphate indicated a second route depending on the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate receptor, MPR300. We conclude that cationization of ASA and an increase of the mannose 6-phosphate content of the enzyme may promote blood-to-brain transfer of ASA, thus leading to an improved therapeutic efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy behind the BBB.     

A Novel Mouse Model of a Patient Mucolipidosis II Mutation Recapitulates Disease Pathology

Mucolipidosis II (MLII) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by loss of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase, which tags lysosomal enzymes with a mannose 6-phosphate marker for transport to the lysosome. In MLII, the loss of this marker leads to deficiency of multiple enzymes and non-enzymatic proteins in the lysosome, leading to the storage of multiple substrates. Here we present a novel mouse model of MLII homozygous for a patient mutation in the GNPTAB gene. Whereas the current gene knock-out mouse model of MLII lacks some of the characteristic features of the human disease, our novel mouse model more fully recapitulates the human pathology, showing growth retardation, skeletal and facial abnormalities, increased circulating lysosomal enzymatic activities, intracellular lysosomal storage, and reduced life span. Importantly, MLII behavioral deficits are characterized for the first time, including impaired motor function and psychomotor retardation. Histological analysis of the brain revealed progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebellum with severe Purkinje cell loss as the underlying cause of the ataxic gait. In addition, based on the loss of Npc2 (Niemann-Pick type C 2) protein expression in the brain, the mice were treated with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, a drug previously reported to rescue Purkinje cell death in a mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease. No improvement in brain pathology was observed. This indicates that cerebellar degeneration is not primarily triggered by loss of Npc2 function. This study emphasizes the value of modeling MLII patient mutations to generate clinically relevant mouse mutants to elucidate the pathogenic molecular pathways of MLII and address their amenability to therapy.     

Crystal Structures of Bacillus cereus NCTU2 Chitinase Complexes with Chitooligomers Reveal Novel Substrate Binding for Catalysis: A CHITINASE WITHOUT CHITIN BINDING AND INSERTION DOMAINS*

Chitinases hydrolyze chitin, an insoluble linear polymer of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG)_n, into nutrient sources. Bacillus cereus NCTU2 chitinase (ChiNCTU2) predominantly produces chitobioses and belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 18. The crystal structure of wild-type ChiNCTU2 comprises only a catalytic domain, unlike other chitinases that are equipped with additional chitin binding and insertion domains to bind substrates into the active site. Lacking chitin binding and chitin insertion domains, ChiNCTU2 utilizes two dynamic loops (Gly-67—Thr-69 and Ile-106–Val-112) to interact with (NAG)_n, generating novel substrate binding and distortion for catalysis. Gln-109 is crucial for direct binding with substrates, leading to conformational changes of two loops with a maximum shift of ∼4.6 Å along the binding cleft. The structures of E145Q, E145Q/Y227F, and E145G/Y227F mutants complexed with (NAG)_n reveal (NAG)₂, (NAG)₂, and (NAG)₄ in the active site, respectively, implying various stages of reaction: before hydrolysis, E145G/Y227F with (NAG)₄; in an intermediate state, E145Q/Y227F with a boat-form NAG at the −1 subsite, −1-(NAG); after hydrolysis, E145Q with a chair form −1-(NAG). Several residues were confirmed to play catalytic roles: Glu-145 in cleavage of the glycosidic bond between −1-(NAG) and +1-(NAG); Tyr-227 in the conformational change of −1-(NAG); Asp-143 and Gln-225 in stabilizing the conformation of −1-(NAG). Additionally, Glu-190 acts in the process of product release, and Tyr-193 coordinates with water for catalysis. Residues Asp-143, E145Q, Glu-190, and Tyr-193 exhibit multiple conformations for functions. The inhibitors zinc ions and cyclo-(l-His-l-Pro) are located at various positions and confirm the catalytic-site topology. Together with kinetics analyses of related mutants, the structures of ChiNCTU2 and its mutant complexes with (NAG)_n provide new insights into its substrate binding and the mechanistic action.     

Two Golgi-resident 3′-Phosphoadenosine 5′-Phosphosulfate Transporters Play Distinct Roles in Heparan Sulfate Modifications and Embryonic and Larval Development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Synthesis of extracellular sulfated molecules requires active 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). For sulfation to occur, PAPS must pass through the Golgi membrane, which is facilitated by Golgi-resident PAPS transporters. Caenorhabditis elegans PAPS transporters are encoded by two genes, pst-1 and pst-2. Using the yeast heterologous expression system, we characterized PST-1 and PST-2 as PAPS transporters. We created deletion mutants to study the importance of PAPS transporter activity. The pst-1 deletion mutant exhibited defects in cuticle formation, post-embryonic seam cell development, vulval morphogenesis, cell migration, and embryogenesis. The pst-2 mutant exhibited a wild-type phenotype. The defects observed in the pst-1 mutant could be rescued by transgenic expression of pst-1 and hPAPST1 but not pst-2 or hPAPST2. Moreover, the phenotype of a pst-1;pst-2 double mutant were similar to those of the pst-1 single mutant, except that larval cuticle formation was more severely defected. Disaccharide analysis revealed that heparan sulfate from these mutants was undersulfated. Gene expression reporter analysis revealed that these PAPS transporters exhibited different tissue distributions and subcellular localizations. These data suggest that pst-1 and pst-2 play different physiological roles in heparan sulfate modification and development.     

A Novel Bacterial Enzyme with d-Glucuronyl C5-epimerase Activity

Glycosaminoglycans are biologically active polysaccharides that are found ubiquitously in the animal kingdom. The biosynthesis of these complex polysaccharides involves complicated reactions that turn the simple glycosaminoglycan backbone into highly heterogeneous structures. One of the modification reactions is the epimerization of d-glucuronic acid to its C5-epimer l-iduronic acid, which is essential for the function of heparan sulfate. Although l-iduronic acid residues have been shown to exist in polysaccharides of some prokaryotes, there has been no experimental evidence for the existence of a prokaryotic d-glucuronyl C5-epimerase. This work for the first time reports on the identification of a bacterial enzyme with d-glucuronyl C5-epimerase activity. A gene of the marine bacterium Bermanella marisrubri sp. RED65 encodes a protein (RED65_08024) of 448 amino acids that has an overall 37% homology to the human d-glucuronic acid C5-epimerase. Alignment of this peptide with the human and mouse sequences revealed a 60% similarity at the carboxyl terminus. The recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed epimerization activity toward substrates generated from heparin and the E. coli K5 capsular polysaccharide, thereby providing the first evidence for bacterial d-glucuronyl C5-epimerase activity. These findings may eventually be used for modification of mammalian glycosaminoglycans.     

Short chain dehydrogenase/reductase rdhe2 is a novel retinol dehydrogenase essential for frog embryonic development

The enzymes responsible for the rate-limiting step in retinoic acid biosynthesis, the oxidation of retinol to retinaldehyde, during embryogenesis and in adulthood have not been fully defined. Here, we report that a novel member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily, frog sdr16c5, acts as a highly active retinol dehydrogenase (rdhe2) that promotes retinoic acid biosynthesis when expressed in mammalian cells. In vivo assays of rdhe2 function show that overexpression of rdhe2 in frog embryos leads to posteriorization and induction of defects resembling those caused by retinoic acid toxicity. Conversely, antisense morpholino-mediated knockdown of endogenous rdhe2 results in phenotypes consistent with retinoic acid deficiency, such as defects in anterior neural tube closure, microcephaly with small eye formation, disruption of somitogenesis, and curved body axis with bent tail. Higher doses of morpholino induce embryonic lethality. Analyses of retinoic acid levels using either endogenous retinoic acid-sensitive gene hoxd4 or retinoic acid reporter cell line both show that the levels of retinoic acid are significantly decreased in rdhe2 morphants. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that Xenopus rdhe2 functions as a retinol dehydrogenase essential for frog embryonic development in vivo. Importantly, the retinol oxidizing activity of frog rdhe2 is conserved in its mouse homologs, suggesting that rdhe2-related enzymes may represent the previously unrecognized physiologically relevant retinol dehydrogenases that contribute to retinoic acid biosynthesis in higher vertebrates.     

Genetic Complexity in a Drosophila Model of Diabetes-Associated Misfolded Human Proinsulin

Drosophila melanogaster has been widely used as a model of human Mendelian disease, but its value in modeling complex disease has received little attention. Fly models of complex disease would enable high-resolution mapping of disease-modifying loci and the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Here, we describe a fly model of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus and explore the complexity of this model. The approach involves the transgenic expression of a misfolded mutant of human preproinsulin, hINS^C96Y, which is a cause of permanent neonatal diabetes. When expressed in fly imaginal discs, hINS^C96Y causes a reduction of adult structures, including the eye, wing, and notum. Eye imaginal discs exhibit defects in both the structure and the arrangement of ommatidia. In the wing, expression of hINS^C96Y leads to ectopic expression of veins and mechano-sensory organs, indicating disruption of wild-type signaling processes regulating cell fates. These readily measurable “disease” phenotypes are sensitive to temperature, gene dose, and sex. Mutant (but not wild-type) proinsulin expression in the eye imaginal disc induces IRE1-mediated XBP1 alternative splicing, a signal for endoplasmic reticulum stress response activation, and produces global change in gene expression. Mutant hINS transgene tester strains, when crossed to stocks from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, produce F₁ adults with a continuous range of disease phenotypes and large broad-sense heritability. Surprisingly, the severity of mutant hINS-induced disease in the eye is not correlated with that in the notum in these crosses, nor with eye reduction phenotypes caused by the expression of two dominant eye mutants acting in two different eye development pathways, Drop (Dr) or Lobe (L), when crossed into the same genetic backgrounds. The tissue specificity of genetic variability for mutant hINS-induced disease has, therefore, its own distinct signature. The genetic dominance of disease-specific phenotypic variability in our model of misfolded human proinsulin makes this approach amenable to genome-wide association study in a simple F₁ screen of natural variation.     

Origin of initial burst in activity for Trichoderma reesei endo-glucanases hydrolyzing insoluble cellulose

The kinetics of cellulose hydrolysis have long been described by an initial fast hydrolysis rate, tapering rapidly off, leading to a process that takes days rather than hours to complete. This behavior has been mainly attributed to the action of cellobiohydrolases and often linked to the processive mechanism of this exo-acting group of enzymes. The initial kinetics of endo-glucanases (EGs) is far less investigated, partly due to a limited availability of quantitative assay technologies. We have used isothermal calorimetry to monitor the early time course of the hydrolysis of insoluble cellulose by the three main EGs from Trichoderma reesei (Tr): TrCel7B (formerly EG I), TrCel5A (EG II), and TrCel12A (EG III). These endo-glucanases show a distinctive initial burst with a maximal rate that is about 5-fold higher than the rate after 5 min of hydrolysis. The burst is particularly conspicuous for TrCel7B, which reaches a maximal turnover of about 20 s(-1) at 30 °C and conducts about 1200 catalytic cycles per enzyme molecule in the initial fast phase. For TrCel5A and TrCel12A the extent of the burst is 2-300 cycles per enzyme molecule. The availability of continuous data on EG activity allows an analysis of the mechanisms underlying the initial kinetics, and it is suggested that the slowdown is linked to transient inactivation of enzyme on the cellulose surface. We propose, therefore, that the frequency of structures on the substrate surface that cause transient inactivation determine the extent of the burst phase.     

Glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans down-regulates the enzyme 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase of macrophages

The encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent of cryptococosis, an opportunistic life-threatening infection. C. neoformans is coated by a polysaccharide capsule mainly composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM). GXM is considered a key virulence factor of this pathogen. The present work aimed at evaluating the effects of GXM on the key glycolytic enzyme, 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK). GXM inhibited PFK activity in cultured murine macrophages in both dose- and time-dependent manners, which occurred in parallel to cell viability decrease. The polysaccharide also inhibited purified PFK, promoting a decrease on the enzyme affinity for its substrates. In macrophages GXM and PFK partially co-localized, suggesting that internalized polysaccharide directly may interact with this enzyme. The mechanism of PFK inhibition involved dissociation of tetramers into weakly active dimers, as revealed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Allosteric modulators of the enzyme able to stabilize its tetrameric conformation attenuated the inhibition promoted by GXM. Altogether, our results suggest that the mechanism of GXM-induced cell death involves the inhibition of the glycolytic flux.     

A Conserved Methionine Residue Controls the Substrate Selectivity of a Neuronal Glutamate Transporter

Glutamate transporters located in the brain maintain low synaptic concentrations of the neurotransmitter by coupling its flux to that of sodium and other cations. In the binding pocket of the archeal homologue Glt_Ph, a conserved methionine residue has been implicated in the binding of the benzyl moiety of the nontransportable substrate analogue threo-β-benzyloxyaspartate. To determine whether the corresponding methionine residue of the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1, Met-367, fulfills a similar role, M367L, M367C, and M367S mutants were expressed in HeLa cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes to monitor radioactive transport and transport currents, respectively. The apparent affinity of the Met-367 mutants for d-aspartate and l-glutamate, but not for l-aspartate, was 10–20-fold reduced as compared with wild type. Unlike wild type, the magnitude of I_max was different for each of the three substrates. d-Glutamate, which is also a transportable substrate of EAAC1, did not elicit any detectable response with M367C and M367S but acted as a nontransportable substrate analogue in M367L. In the mutants, substrates inhibited the anion conductance as opposed to the stimulation observed with wild type. Remarkably, the apparent affinity of the blocker d,l-threo-β-benzyloxyaspartate in the mutants was similar to that of wild type EAAC1. Our results are consistent with the idea that the side chain of Met-367 fulfills a steric role in the positioning of the substrate in the binding pocket in a step subsequent to its initial binding.     

Entomopathogenic Nematodes as a Model System for Advancing the Frontiers of Ecology

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae have a mutualistic–symbiotic association with enteric γ-Proteobacteria (Steinernema–Xenorhabdus and Heterorhabditis–Photorhabdus), which confer high virulence against insects. EPNs have been studied intensively because of their role as a natural mortality factor for soil-dwelling arthropods and their potential as biological control agents for belowground insect pests. For many decades, research on EPNs focused on the taxonomy, phylogeny, biogeography, genetics, physiology, biochemistry and ecology, as well as commercial production and application technologies. More recently, EPNs and their bacterial symbionts are being viewed as a model system for advancing research in other disciplines such as soil ecology, symbiosis and evolutionary biology. Integration of existing information, particularly the accumulating information on their biology, into increasingly detailed population models is critical to improving our ability to exploit and manage EPNs as a biological control agent and to understand ecological processes in a changing world. Here, we summarize some recent advances in phylogeny, systematics, biogeography, community ecology and population dynamics models of EPNs, and describe how this research is advancing frontiers in ecology.     

Development of a Computer-Simulation Model for a Plant-Nematode System

A computer-simulation model (MELSIM) of a Meloidogyne-grapevine system is developed. The objective is to attempt a holistic approach to the study of nematode population dynamics by using experimental data from controlled environmental conditions. A simulator with predictive ability would be useful in considering pest management alternatives and in teaching. Rates of flow and interaction between the components of the system are governed by environmental conditions. Equations for these rates are determined by fitting curves to data from controlled environment studies. Development of the model and trial simulations have revealed deficiencies in understanding of the system and identified areas where further research is necessary.