Assignment of biological functions to specific plasmids in a local isolate ofRhizobium cicer

The genetic basis of symbiosis, mucoid structure and melanin biosynthesis in a local isolate ofRhizobium cicer was investigated. The strain was a very effective symbiont and produced substantial amounts of exopolysaccharides and melanin. It harbored three high-molar-mass plasmids of 55, 80 and 130 kb, respectively. Thirty-one melanin production-negative (Mep⁻) derivatives were obtained through plasmid curing. The plasmid patterns of cured derivatives indicated that the loss of 55 and/or 80 kb plasmids was sufficient for obtaining Mep⁻ phenotype. The specific involvement of 55-kb plasmid in melanin production was confirmed upon re-introduction of this plasmid into one of the Mep⁻ derivatives. Further investigation also indicated that the 130-kb plasmid might be necessary for both mucoidal appearance and symbiotic functions.     

Biodiversity of palm fungi in the tropics: are global fungal diversity estimates realistic?

Two questions are addressed: 'How many species of fungi can occur on a single host palm?' and 'What are the implications of this for global estimates of fungal diversity?' Fungal diversity estimates found in the literature are reviewed. Data on the numbers of fungi occurring on the above-ground tissues of six individual palms in the genus Licuala in Australia and Brunei Darussalam (Borneo) are provided. A total of 189 species of fungi were isolated and/or collected from the six palms. In addition, 53 'morphospecies' of mycelia sterilia were isolated, giving a total of 242 taxa from the 2672 isolates/collections made. The three palms in Australia (sampled once) yielded 100 species (each palm supporting an average of 54.7 taxa), while the three palms in Brunei Darussalam (sampled three times) yielded 172 species in total (approximately 111.3 taxa each). The magnitude of global fungal diversity, estimated at 1.5 million species, is discussed. Our results indicate that 33 to 1 would be a more accurate estimate (than 5.7 to 1) of the ratio of host specific fungal to palm species in the tropics. We therefore propose that global estimates of fungal diversity, based on temperate studies, require revision upwards.     

The role of Phe329 in binding of cationic triarylmethane dyes to human butyrylcholinesterase

Cationic triarylmethane dyes (TAM(+))s which are used as colorants in industry and as frequent tools and reagents in analytical, cell biological and biomedical research have been recently characterized as reversible inhibitors of human butyrylcholinesterase. In this study, the inhibitory effects of two TAM(+)s, malachite green (MG) and methyl green (MeG) on five human BChE mutants (A277V, P285L, H77L, A328F and F329A) were studied spectrophotometrically at 25°C in 50mM MOPS buffer pH 8, using butyrylthiocholine as substrate. The kinetic results obtained with mutant enzymes were compared to those obtained with recombinant wild type BChE. MG and MeG were found to act as competitive/linear mixed inhibitors of recombinant wild type BChE and all BChE mutants except the F329A mutant. Both dyes caused complex nonlinear inhibition of F329A mutant, pointing to multisite binding. K(i) values for MG and MeG, estimated by nonlinear regression analysis, were 3.8 and 27 μM, respectively, as compared to the 50- to 150-fold lower values observed with recombinant wild type BChE. The observed significant differences in kinetic pattern and K(i) values between recombinant wild type BChE and F329A mutant suggest that phenylalanine at position 329 in human BChE is a critical residue in MG and MeG binding to enzyme.     

An intraspecific application of the leaf‐height‐seed ecology strategy scheme to forest herbs along a latitudinal gradient

We applied the leaf‐height‐seed (LHS) ecology strategy scheme (a combination of three ecologically important traits: specific leaf area (SLA), seed mass and plant height) intraspecifically to two widespread European forest herbs along a latitudinal gradient. The aims of this study were to quantify LHS trait variation, disentangle the environmental factors affecting these traits and compare the within‐species LHS trait relationships with latitude to previously established cross‐species comparisons. We measured LHS traits in 41 Anemone nemorosa and 44 Milium effusum populations along a 1900–2300 km latitudinal gradient from N France to N Sweden. We then applied multilevel models to identify the effects of regional (temperature, latitude) and local (soil fertility and acidity, overstorey canopy cover) environmental factors on LHS traits. Both species displayed a significant 4% increase in plant height with every degree northward shift (almost a two‐fold plant height difference between the southernmost and northernmost populations). Neither seed mass nor SLA showed a significant latitudinal cline. Temperature had a large effect on the three LHS traits of Anemone. Latitude, canopy cover and soil nutrients were related to the SLA and plant height of Milium. None of the investigated variables appeared to be related to the seed mass of Milium. The variation in LHS traits indicates that the ecological strategy determined by the position of each population in this three‐factor triangle is not constant along the latitudinal gradient. The significant increase in plant height suggests greater competitive abilities for both species in the northernmost populations. We also found that the studied environmental factors affected the LHS traits of the two species on various scales: spring‐flowering Anemone was affected more by temperature, whereas early‐summer flowering Milium was affected more by local and other latitude‐related factors. Finally, previously reported cross‐species correlations between LHS traits and latitude were generally unsupported by our within‐species approach.     

Functionalization of whole‐cell bacterial reporters with magnetic nanoparticles

We developed a biocompatible and highly efficient approach for functionalization of bacterial cell wall with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Three Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 chromosomally based bioreporters, which were genetically engineered to express bioluminescence in response to salicylate, toluene/xylene and alkanes, were functionalized with 18 ± 3 nm iron oxide MNPs to acquire magnetic function. The efficiency of MNPs functionalization of Acinetobacter bioreporters was 99.96 ± 0.01%. The MNPs‐functionalized bioreporters (MFBs) can be remotely controlled and collected by an external magnetic field. The MFBs were all viable and functional as good as the native cells in terms of sensitivity, specificity and quantitative response. More importantly, we demonstrated that salicylate sensing MFBs can be applied to sediments and garden soils, and semi‐quantitatively detect salicylate in those samples by discriminably recovering MFBs with a permanent magnet. The magnetically functionalized cells are especially useful to complex environments in which the indigenous cells, particles and impurities may interfere with direct measurement of bioreporter cells and conventional filtration is not applicable to distinguish and harvest bioreporters. The approach described here provides a powerful tool to remotely control and selectively manipulate MNPs‐functionalized cells in water and soils. It would have a potential in the application of environmental microbiology, such as bioremediation enhancement and environment monitoring and assessment.     

Isolation and identification of alkaline protease producer halotolerantBacillus licheniformis strain BA17

An alkaline protease producerBacillus licheniformis strain was isolated from Van Lake in Turkey. The strain is Gram positive, aerobic, motile, sporulating rod-shaped bacterium. Spores were ellipsoidal and positioned central in nonswollen sporangium. The cells were able to grow well at a pH range of 5.7–10. The optimal growth temperature was found to be 37 °C. Growth at a wide range of NaCl concentration (from 0 to 20%) showed that BA17 is halotolerant. Main fatty acid composition of BA17 was anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15∶0. The strain was presumptively identified asB. licheniformis according to 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The most appropriate medium for the growth and protease production is composed of 0.5% yeast extract, 0.5% NaNO₃, 0.02% MgSO₄\7H₂O, 0.1% K₂HPO₄ and 0.5% maltose. The optimum temperature and pH of the alkaline protease of strain BA17 were found to be 60 °C and pH 11, respectively. The activity was completely lost in the presence of PMSF, suggesting that the preparation contains serine-alkaline protease(s).     

Further studies on Nephroselmis and its allies (Prasinophyceae). I. The question of the genus Bipedinomonas

Based on a series of collections made in New Zealand it is concluded that Nephroselmis longifilis and Bipedinomonas pyriformis are identical species, for which the correct name is Nephroselmis pyriformis (N. Carter) comb. nov. A detailed examination by light and electron microscopy is given, using material from geographically widely separated areas, including Greenland, the North Sea, a shallow Danish Fiord, Thailand and New Zealand. N. pyriformis is a temperature– and halotolerant species, as shown by its known range of occurrence at temperatures from 2.3°C (West Greenland) to ca. 28°C (Thailand) and at salinities between 3 and 36%o. Features of fine structural interest include details of the scaly covering on the flagellar and cell surfaces, the former very similar to those on the flagella of Tetraselmis cordiformis , a quadriflagellate prasinophyte. Within the cell, the pyrenoid shows an unusual fine structure, being penetrated by a number of membrane–lined pockets, in which the membranes are continuous with thylakoids. N. pyriformis is compared with other members of the genus, and a list of the few known species is included.     

Screening Radiolocation Datasets for Movement Strategies With Time Series Segmentation

ABSTRACT Classical home range analysis is tailored to meet requirements of data with few points per individual with relatively large intervals between observations. The swift rise in Global Positioning System (GPS)-based studies requires the development of new analytical approaches because GPS data allow for more detailed analysis in time and space. The amount of data derived from GPS studies enhances the potential to more accurately separate movement strategies. We present a general, simple, conceptual approach to using large movement datasets to automatically screen and delimit spatial and temporal home ranges of individuals and movement strategies using time series segmentation. We used GPS data for moose (Alces alces) from a boreal Swedish population as an example. We tested predictions that our screening method could separate seasonal migration from dispersal and nomadic strategies by the movement profile, which includes several dimensions. Our analysis showed that broad strategies were detected using our simple analytical approach, which speeds up use of GPS data for management and research because the method can be used to calculate more objective spatial and temporal activity ranges in relation to movement strategies. Our examples illustrate the importance of using the time stamp on location data in describing home ranges and movements.