Differential distribution and association of repeat DNA sequences in the lateral element of the synaptonemal complex in rat spermatocytes

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is an evolutionarily conserved structure that mediates synapsis of homologous chromosomes during meiotic prophase I. Previous studies have established that the chromatin of homologous chromosomes is organized in loops that are attached to the lateral elements (LEs) of the SC. The characterization of the genomic sequences associated with LEs of the SC represents an important step toward understanding meiotic chromosome organization and function. To isolate these genomic sequences, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in rat spermatocytes using an antibody against SYCP3, a major structural component of the LEs of the SC. Our results demonstrated the reproducible and exclusive isolation of repeat deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences, in particular long interspersed elements, short interspersed elements, long terminal direct repeats, satellite, and simple repeats. The association of these repeat sequences to the LEs of the SC was confirmed by in situ hybridization of meiotic nuclei shown by both light and electron microscopy. Signals were also detected over the chromatin surrounding SCs and in small loops protruding from the lateral elements into the SC central region. We propose that genomic repeat DNA sequences play a key role in anchoring the chromosome to the protein scaffold of the SC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Lack of alterations on meiotic chromosomes and morphological characteristics of male germ cells in mice exposed to a 60 Hz and 2.0 mT magnetic field

The effect of in vivo exposure of mice to a 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field (MF) at 2.0 mT on male germ cells was studied. The cytological endpoints measured included meiotic chromosome aberrations in spermatocytes and sperm morphology. Three independent experiments were carried out: (a) animals exposed for 72 h, (b) 10 days/8 h daily, and (c) 72 h exposure to MF plus 5 mg/kg of Mitomycin-C. No statistically significant differences indicative of MF effects were observed between MF exposed and control animals. In addition, an opposite effect between MF exposure and Mitomycin-C treatment in terms of chromosomal aberrations and sperm morphology was observed.     

CXC chemokine receptor 4 is expressed in uveal malignant melanoma and correlates with the epithelioid-mixed cell type

PURPOSE: Although relatively rare, uveal melanoma is the most common ocular tumor of adults. Up to half of uveal melanoma patients die of metastatic disease. CXCR4, a chemokine receptor, is a prognostic factor in cutaneous melanoma involved in angiogenesis and metastasis formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CXCR4 in uveal melanoma. METHODS: CXCR4 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 44 samples of uveal melanoma. Staining was categorized into three semiquantitative classes based on the rate of stained (positive) tumor cells: absence of staining, <50% of cell (+) and >50% (++). Correlations between CXCR4 expression, data on patient and tumor features were studied by contingency tables and the chi2 test. Time-to-event curves were studied using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis was performed using the log-rank test. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (95% CI) of hazard ratios were also reported. RESULTS: Staining for CXCR4 protein was absent in 18 tumors (40.9%), present in <50% of cells in 19 (43.2%) and in >50% of cells in 7 (15.9%) tumors. CXCR4 expression correlated to the epithelioid-mixed cell type (P=0.030). No statistically significant relation emerged between CXCR4 expression, largest tumor diameter (LTD) and extracellular matrix patterns as evaluated through histological patterns stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Events occurred in 2 out of 18 patients (11.1%) with negative tumors (2 deaths), in 3 out of 19 patients (15.8%) with <50% of positive tumor cells (2 deaths and 1 occurrence of metastases) and in 1 out of 7 patients (14.3%) with >50% of positive tumor cells (1 occurrence of metastases). The cell type (P=0.0457) but not CXCR4 showed prognostic value at univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study shows that CXCR4 is commonly expressed in uveal melanoma and correlates with cell type a well-established prognostic factor.     

Contrasting patterns of Andean diversification among three diverse clades of Neotropical clearwing butterflies

The Neotropical region is the most biodiverse on Earth, in a large part due to the highly diverse tropical Andean biota. The Andes are a potentially important driver of diversification within the mountains and for neighboring regions. We compared the role of the Andes in diversification among three subtribes of Ithomiini butterflies endemic to the Neotropics, Dircennina, Oleriina, and Godyridina. The diversification patterns of Godyridina have been studied previously. Here, we generate the first time‐calibrated phylogeny for the largest ithomiine subtribe, Dircennina, and we reanalyze a published phylogeny of Oleriina to test different biogeographic scenarios involving the Andes within an identical framework. We found common diversification patterns across the three subtribes, as well as major differences. In Dircennina and Oleriina, our results reveal a congruent pattern of diversification related to the Andes with an Andean origin, which contrasts with the Amazonian origin and multiple Andean colonizations of Godyridina. In each of the three subtribes, a clade diversified in the Northern Andes at a faster rate. Diversification within Amazonia occurred in Oleriina and Godyridina, while virtually no speciation occurred in Dircennina in this region. Dircennina was therefore characterized by higher diversification rates within the Andes compared to non‐Andean regions, while in Oleriina and Godyridina, we found no difference between these regions. Our results and discussion highlight the importance of comparative approaches in biogeographic studies.     

Identification and functional characterization of cation-chloride cotransporters in plants

Chloride (Cl(-)) is an essential nutrient and one of the most abundant inorganic anions in plant tissues. We have cloned an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding for a member of the cation-Cl(-) cotransporter (CCC) family. Deduced plant CCC proteins are highly conserved, and phylogenetic analyses revealed their relationships to the sub-family of animal K(+):Cl(-) cotransporters. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, the A. thaliana CCC protein (At CCC) catalysed the co-ordinated symport of K(+), Na(+) and Cl(-), and this transport activity was inhibited by the 'loop' diuretic bumetanide, a specific inhibitor of vertebrate Na(+):K(+):Cl(-) cotransporters, indicating that At CCC encodes for a bona fide Na(+):K(+):Cl(-) cotransporter. Analysis of At CCC promoter-beta-glucuronidase transgenic Arabidopsis plants revealed preferential expression in the root and shoot vasculature at the xylem/symplast boundary, root tips, trichomes, leaf hydathodes, leaf stipules and anthers. Plants homozygous for two independent T-DNA insertions in the CCC gene exhibited shorter organs such as inflorescence stems, roots, leaves and siliques. The elongation zone of the inflorescence stem of ccc plants often necrosed during bolt emergence, while seed production was strongly impaired. In addition, ccc plants exhibited defective Cl(-) homeostasis under high salinity, as they accumulated higher and lower Cl(-) amounts in shoots and roots, respectively, than the treated wild type, suggesting At CCC involvement in long-distance Cl(-) transport. Compelling evidence is provided on the occurrence of cation-chloride cotransporters in the plant kingdom and their significant role in major plant developmental processes and Cl(-) homeostasis.     

Development of a panel of genome-wide ancestry informative markers to study admixture throughout the Americas

Most individuals throughout the Americas are admixed descendants of Native American, European, and African ancestors. Complex historical factors have resulted in varying proportions of ancestral contributions between individuals within and among ethnic groups. We developed a panel of 446 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) optimized to estimate ancestral proportions in individuals and populations throughout Latin America. We used genome-wide data from 953 individuals from diverse African, European, and Native American populations to select AIMs optimized for each of the three main continental populations that form the basis of modern Latin American populations. We selected markers on the basis of locus-specific branch length to be informative, well distributed throughout the genome, capable of being genotyped on widely available commercial platforms, and applicable throughout the Americas by minimizing within-continent heterogeneity. We then validated the panel in samples from four admixed populations by comparing ancestry estimates based on the AIMs panel to estimates based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. The panel provided balanced discriminatory power among the three ancestral populations and accurate estimates of individual ancestry proportions (R2 > 0.9 for ancestral components with significant between-subject variance). Finally, we genotyped samples from 18 populations from Latin America using the AIMs panel and estimated variability in ancestry within and between these populations. This panel and its reference genotype information will be useful resources to explore population history of admixture in Latin America and to correct for the potential effects of population stratification in admixed samples in the region.     

Phylogenetic analysis on genera of Corallobothriinae (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) from North American ictalurid fishes, using partial sequences of the 28s ribosomal gene

Partial sequences of the 28S rDNA (ribosomal gene) were obtained from a total of 11 populations of 5 species (in 3 genera) of North American corallobothriine proteocephalideans. These included Corallobothrium fimbriatum (3 populations), Corallobothrium parafimbriatum (1 population), Corallotaenia minutia (1 population), Megathylacoides giganteum (2 populations), and Megathylacoides lamothei (4 populations). These sequences were used in a phylogenetic analysis to test the monophyly of Corallobothriinae and to investigate the interrelationships of the North American species. The results indicate that Corallobothriinae, as conventionally understood, is not monophyletic and that only the North American corallobothriines, parasites of ictalurid catfishes, form a monophyletic group. Corallobothrium parafimbriatum is sister taxon to a clade that includes Corallotaenia intermedia and C. minutia and not to its congener C. fimbriatum. Also, M. giganteum from Mexico appears to be more closely related to M. lamothei than to its conspecific in Canada. This and the amount of sequence divergence indicate possible cryptic speciation in its endemic host, the Lerma catfish, Ictalurus dugesi.     

Bioconversion of agrowastes by Lentinula edodes: the high potential of viticulture residues

The production of four strains of edible mushroom Lentinula edodes was evaluated through solid-state fermentation (SSF) of vineyard pruning (VP), barley straw (BS), and wheat straw (WS). Biological efficiency, proximal composition, and energy value of the fruiting bodies, as well as substrate chemical changes after harvest, were determined. The shortest primordium formation time (28 days), highest biological efficiency (93.25%), highest yield (37.46%), and shortest production cycle (6 days) were observed in VP. The fruiting bodies obtained from VP had high energy value (379.09 to 392.95 kcal) and contents of protein (12.37 to 17.19%), but low contents of fat (1.82 to 2.15%). After SSF, phenol concentration decreased on VP (1.2 mmol/L) and BS (0.31 mmol/L), but on WS remained practically the same. Hemicellulose decreased in all substrates; cellulose increased on WS and decreased in the rest of the treatments. Lignin decreased on WS and BS, but its concentration increased on VP. The variability observed in the degradation capacity of lignocellulosic components was influenced by the substrate's nature, environmental factors, and genetic factors among strains. VP has great potential for shiitake production due to its low cost, short production cycles, and high biological efficiency.Research was conducted at Instituto de Ecología, AC, and Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, AC