Biotin deficiency decreases life span and fertility but increases stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster

Biotin deficiency is associated with fetal malformations and activation of cell survival pathways in mammals. In this study we determined whether biotin status affects life span, stress resistance, and fertility in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Male and female flies of the Canton-S strain had free access to diets containing 6.0 (control), 4.8, 2.5, or 0 pmol biotin/100 mg. Biotin concentrations in diets correlated with activities of biotin-dependent propionyl-CoA carboxylase and biotin concentrations in fly homogenates, but not with biotinylation of histones (DNA-binding proteins). Propionyl-CoA carboxylase activities and biotin concentrations were lower in males than in females fed diets low in biotin. The life span of biotin-deficient males and females was up to 30% shorter compared to biotin-sufficient controls. Exposure to oxidative stress reversed the effects of biotin status on survival in male flies: survival times increased by 40% in biotin-deficient males compared to biotin-sufficient controls. Biotin status did not affect survival of females exposed to oxidative stress. Exposure of flies to cold, heat, and oxidative stress was associated with mobilization of biotin from yet unknown sources. Biotin deficiency decreased fertility of flies. When biotin-deficient males and females were mated, the hatching rate (larvae hatched per egg) decreased by about 28% compared to biotin-sufficient controls. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that biotin affects life span, stress resistance, and fertility in fruit flies.     

Molecular tools for a molecular medicine: analyzing genes, transcripts and proteins using padlock and proximity probes

Procedures and reagents are needed to specifically detect all the macromolecules that are being identified in the course of genome projects. We discuss how this challenge may be met using a set of ligation-based reagents termed padlock probes and proximity ligation probes. These probes include elements with affinity for specific nucleic acid and protein molecules, respectively, along with unique identifier DNA sequence elements that encode the identity of the recognized target molecules. The information content of DNA strands that form in the detection reactions are recorded after amplification, allowing the recognized target molecules to be identified. The procedures permit highly specific solution-phase or localized analyses of large sets of target molecules as required in future molecular analyses.     

Mitochondrial localization and temporal expression of the Drosophila melanogaster DnaJ homologous tumor suppressor Tid50

The Drosophila melanogaster tumor suppressor gene lethal(2)tumorous imaginal discs (tid) was identified as a homolog of all dnaJ-like genes known to date which have been well preserved in evolution. Homozygous D. melanogaster l(2)tid mutants l(2)tid¹, l(2)tid² and l(2)tid³ are characterized by neoplastic transformation of the adult integumental primordia, the imaginal discs, and the death at the time of puparium formation. The first part of this study is concerned with the identification and subcellular localization of the l(2)tid-encoded protein, Tid50. The second part examines its tissue specific expression during wild-type development and in tumorous imaginal discs. To specify the function(s) of the Tid50 protein polyclonal rabbit antibodies directed against various domains of it were generated and used for staining of Western blots and whole-mounts and paraffin sections of various tissues isolated from wild-type and mutant tumor-developing animals. To identify the mutational events leading in homozygous l(2)tid mutants to abnormal expression level of l(2)tid-encoded RNA and protein, the mutant gene was isolated from homozygous l(2)tid¹ and l(2)tid² animals and sequenced.     

comparison between the complete mitochondrial DNA sequences ofHomo and the common chimpanzee based on nonchimeric sequences

The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules ofHomo and of the common chimpanzee were sequenced. Each sequence was established from tissue of one individual and thus nonchimeric. Both sequences were assembled in their entirety from natural (not PCR amplified) clones. Comparison with sequences in the literature identified the chimpanzee specimen asPan troglodytes verus, the West African variety of the species. The nucleotide difference between the complete human and chimpanzee sequences is 8.9%. The difference between the control regions of the two sequences is 13.9% and that between the remaining portions of the sequences 8.5%. The mean amino acid difference between the inferred products of the 13 peptide-coding genes is 4.4%. Sequences of the complete control regions, the complete 12S rRNA genes, the complete cytochromeb genes, and portions of the NADH4 and NADH5 genes of two other chimpanzee specimens showed that they were similar but strikingly different from the same regions of the completely sequenced molecule fromPan troglodytes verus. The two specimens were identified asPan troglodytes troglodytes, the Central African variety of the common chimpanzee.     

Green fluorescent protein as a convenient and versatile marker for studies on functional genomics in Drosophila

Gene function can be deduced from lack or gain of activity. For the manipulation of gene doses or activity in Drosophila, a set of P-based vectors was constructed containing green fluorescent protein as marker. pBLUEi, pGREENi and pYELLi were designed for large insert transformation. Mosaicism was generated in vivo with pFlipG which is also ideal for targeted gene disruption. Tissue-specific gene silencing in vivo was performed with the vector set pHIBS and pUdsGFP. pHIBS allows easy cloning and shuttling of double-headed constructs. With pUdsGFP, double stranded RNA can be produced in defined patterns and the area of interference simultaneously visualized by green fluorescence. We demonstrate nearly complete silencing of a ubiquitously expressed gene in a tissue-specific manner.     

Effects of digestive status on the reptilian gut

Reptiles, including the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus, that feed at infrequent intervals show a prominent increase in gastrointestinal mass, metabolism and brush border transport rates after feeding. Current knowledge and theories around these phenomena, as well as studies on the innervation of the reptilian gut, are summarised in this review. Little is known about the putative changes in the nervous and humoral control systems of the gut, and it is not known whether feeding affects innervation and motility of the stomach and intestine. Using immunohistochemistry, we have investigated possible up/down regulation of several neurotransmitters in specimens that had been fasted for a minimum of 3 weeks and specimens that had ingested a large meal 2 days before the experiments were conducted. There were no major changes in the innervation by nerves containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), galanin, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), somatostatin (SOM), substance P/neurokinin A (SP/NKA), or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-like immunoreactivity. Nor did we find any differences in the effect of substance P (stomach and intestine), galanin (intestine), or bradykinin (intestine) on motility in strip preparations from the gut wall. A significant increase in dry weight of the intestine was obtained 48 h after feeding. We conclude that although there are considerable changes in gut thickness and absorptive properties after feeding, the smooth muscle and its control appear little affected.