Toll-like receptors are temporally involved in host defense

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that recognize microbial molecules and initiate host defense. To investigate how TLRs work together to fight infections, we tested the role of TLRs in host defense against the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen, Salmonella. We show that TLR4 is critical for early cytokine production and killing of bacteria by murine macrophages. Interestingly, later on, TLR2, but not TLR4, is required for macrophage responses. Myeloid differentiation factor 88, an adaptor protein directly downstream of TLRs, is required for both early and late responses. TLR4, TLR2, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 are involved in murine host defense against Salmonella in vivo, which correlates with the defects in host defense observed in vitro. We propose a model where the sequential activation of TLRs tailors the immune response to different microbes.     

Comparative analysis of two 14-3-3 homologues and their expression pattern in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved ubiquitous proteins found in all eukaryotic organisms. They are involved in various cellular processes including signal transduction, cell-cycle control, apoptosis, stress response and cytoskeleton organisation. We report here the cloning of two genes encoding 14-3-3 isoforms from the plant parasitic root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, together with an analysis of their expression. Both genes were shown to be transcribed in unhatched second stage larvae, infective second stage larvae, adult males and females. The Mi-14-3-3-a gene was shown to be specifically transcribed in the germinal primordium of infective larvae, whereas Mi-14-3-3-b was transcribed in the dorsal oesophageal gland in larvae of this stage. The MI-14-3-3-B protein was identified by mass spectrometry in in vitro-induced stylet secretions from infective larvae. The stability and distribution of MI-14-3-3 proteins in host plant cells was assessed after stable expression of the corresponding genes in tobacco BY2 cells.     

Diversity, abundance and icthyofaunistic groups of the Chantuto-Panzacola lagoon-estuarine system, Chiapas, México

In the Chantuto-Panzacola system, Chiapas, México, a study of a fish community was carried out between March and November of 1997. From a total of 1456 fish collected, 31 species, 25 genera and 19 families had been identified. The diversity and abundance were high in March with H'= 2.67 bits/ind, D = 3.89 sp/ind, biomass 1.88 g/m2. density 0.25 ind/m2 and average weight 7.55 g/ind. Significant differences were found between the ecological parameters and the environmental variables of the ecosystem in the months of study (ANOVA and Tukey, p < 0.05). The multiple discriminant analysis showed that the temperature and the salinity was the most important factors in the variation of the community. The frequency analysis and spatial distribution of the fish allowed to define fish assemblages formed by several groups of species that inhabits the system. Nine dominant species were defined for the ecosystem, representing the 71% in number and the 76.4% in weight of the total catch, Achirus mazatlanus, Caranx hippos, Cathorops fuerthi, Centropomus robalito, Cichlasoma macracanthum, Cichlasoma trimaculatum, Gobiomorus maculatus, Gobionellus microdon and Lile gracilis.     

Biology of three species of Agistemus (Acari: Stigmaeidae): life table parameters using eggs of Panonychus citri or pollen of Malephora crocea as food

The biology and life table parameters of Agistemus industani Gonzalez, A. cyprius Gonzalez, and A. floridanus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) were studied under laboratory conditions using two food sources: Panonychus citri (McGregor) eggs or ice plant, Malephora crocea (Jacquin) Schwantes pollen at 25 degrees C. The larval, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult stages of A. industani fed on citrus red mite eggs. All active stages of A. industani, except the larva, fed on all P. citri stages and the larval stage could not feed on P. citri adults. All immature stages of A. industani fed on M. crocea pollen. Agistemus cyprius larvae fed on P. citri eggs and larvae or ice plant pollen. The nymphal stages fed on P. citri eggs, larvae, and protonymphs but not deutonymphs or adults while A. cyprius deutonymphs and adults fed on all P. citri stages. Adult and nymphal stages of A. cyprius fed on ice plant pollen and successfully completed their development while A. floridanus did not. Agistemus floridanus larvae fed only on P. citri eggs, while the other stages fed on P. citri eggs, larvae, and protonymphs. The developmental times from egg to adult for A. industani and A. cyprius when fed M. crocea pollen were 11.3 and 13.4 days, respectively. Agistemus floridanus was unable to complete its life cycle on a diet of only M. crocea pollen. Agistemus industani, A. cyprius, and A. floridanus completed development from egg to adult in 11.7, 13.8, and 10.8 days, respectively, when fed P. citri eggs. The intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) values for A. cyprius and A. industani were 0.0311 and 0.1201 per day on the pollen diet. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 3.58 for A. cyprius and 10.07 for A. industani with generation times (T) of 45.2 and 35.1 days, respectively, on the ice plant pollen diet. The r(m) values for A. cyprius, A. floridanus, and A. industani on the P. citri egg only diet were: 0.0562, 0.1001, and 0.1031 per day, respectively. The Ro values for each species fed P. citri eggs only were: 6.36, 7.90, and 18.70 for A. cyprius, A. floridanus, and A. industani and the generation times (T) for each of the three species were: 35.2, 29.9 and 37.8 days, respectively.     

Evolution of dnmt-2 and mbd-2-like genes in the free-living nematodes Pristionchus pacificus, Caenorhabditis elegans and Caenorhabditis briggsae

Whole genome sequencing of several metazoan model organisms provides a platform for studying genome evolution. How representative are the genomes of these model organisms for their respective phyla? Within nematodes, for example, the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a highly derived species with unusual genomic characters, such as a reduced Hox cluster (Curr. Biol., 13, 37–40) and the absence of a Hedgehog signaling system. Here, we describe the recent loss of a DNA methyltransferase-2 gene (dnmt-2) in C.elegans. A dnmt-2-like gene is present in the satellite model organism Pristionchus pacificus, another free-living nematode that diverged from C.elegans 200–300 million years ago. In contrast, C.elegans, Caenorhabditis briggsae and P.pacificus all contain an mbd-2-like gene, which encodes another essential component of the methylation system of higher animals and fungi. Cel-mbd-2 is expressed throughout development and RNA interference (RNAi) experiments result in variable phenotypes. In contrast, Cbr-mbd-2 RNAi results in paralyzed larval or adult worms suggesting recent changes of gene function within the genus Caenorhabditis. We speculate that both genes were part of an ancestral DNA methylation system in nematodes and that gene loss and sequence divergence have abolished DNA methylation in C.elegans.     

Mechanical model of the recovery from stumbling

Several strategies have been described as a reaction to a stumble during gait. The elevating strategy, which tries to proceed with the perturbed step, was executed as a response to a perturbation during early swing. The lowering strategy, bringing the perturbed leg to the ground and overtaking the obstacle with the contralateral limb, was executed more frequently when the perturbation appeared at mid or late swing. The goal of this paper is to analyze which mechanical factors determine the most advantageous strategy. In order to determine these factors, a mechanical model of the recovery was developed and used to analyze a series of perturbation experiments. It was assumed that the goal of the recovery reaction was to control the trunk as an inverted pendulum during the double-stance phase. In order to be able to control the trunk angle, one foot should be up front and one foot should be behind the hips; otherwise it would be impossible to generate the required trunk torques. The trunk dynamics were expressed in terms of the ground reaction forces and their application point. A larger step (elevation strategy) gives the opportunity to dissolve the perturbation in one step. A small step (lowering strategy) necessarily results in a second quick step, after which the perturbation energy can be dissipated in the second double-stance phase. If a recovery step is too slow, it becomes impossible to counteract the forward flexion of the trunk. It is suggested that a measure of the ability to recover from a stumble could be based on the ability to perform quick steps.