Phylogenetics and reticulate evolution in Pistacia (Anacardiaceae)

The systematic position and intrageneric relationships of the economically important Pistacia species (Anacardiaceae) are controversial. The phylogeny of Pistacia was assessed using five data sets: sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS, the third intron of the nuclear nitrate reductase gene (NIA-i3), and the plastid ndhF, trnL-F and trnC-trnD. Significant discordance was detected among ITS, NIA-i3, and the combined plastid DNA data sets. ITS, NIA-i3, and the combined plastid data sets were analyzed separately using Bayesian and parsimony methods. Both the ITS and the NIA-i3 data sets resolved the relationships among Pistacia species well; however, these two data sets had significant discordance. The ITS phylogeny best reflects the evolutionary relationships among Pistacia species. Lineage sorting of the NIA-i3 alleles may explain the conflicts between the NIA-i3 and the ITS data sets. The combined analysis of three plastid DNA data sets resolved Pistacia species into three major clades, within which only a few subclades were supported. Pistacia was shown to be monophyletic in all three analyses. The previous intrageneric classification was largely inconsistent with the molecular data. Some Pistacia species appear not to be genealogical species, and evidence for reticulate evolution is presented. Pistacia saportae was shown to be a hybrid with P. lentiscus (maternal) and P. terebinthus (paternal) as the parental taxa.     

FGFR4 and its novel splice form in myogenic cells: Interplay of glycosylation and tyrosine phosphorylation

The family of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) is encoded by four distinct genes. FGFR1 and FGFR4 are both expressed during myogenesis, but whereas the function of FGFR1 in myoblast proliferation has been documented, the role of FGFR4 remains unknown. Here, we report on a new splice form of FGFR4 cloned from primary cultures of mouse satellite cells. This form, named FGFR4(-16), lacks the entire exon 16, resulting in a deletion within the FGFR kinase domain. Expression of FGFR4(-16) coincided with that of wild-type FGFR4 in all FGFR4-expressing tissues examined. Moreover, expression of both FGFR4 forms correlated with the onset of myogenic differentiation, as determined in mouse C2C12 cells and in the inducible myogenic system of 10T(1/2)-MyoD-ER cell line. Both endogenous and overexpressed forms of FGFR4 exhibited N-glycosylation. In contrast to FGFR1, induced homodimerization of FGFR4 proteins did not result in receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. Surprisingly, coexpression of FGFR4 forms and a chimeric FGFR1 protein resulted in FGFR4 tyrosine phosphorylation, raising the possibility that FGFR4 phosphorylation might be enabled by a heterologous tyrosine kinase activity. Collectively, the present study reveals novel characteristics of mouse FGFR4 gene products and delineates their expression pattern during myogenesis. Our findings suggest that FGFR4 functions in a distinctly different manner than the prototype FGFR during myogenic differentiation.     

Vacuolar citrate/H+ symporter of citrus juice cells

We have isolated a cDNA, designated Citrus sinensis citrate transporter 1 CsCit1 encoding a novel vacuolar citrate/symporter. Immunoblots using antibodies raised against CsCit1 showed that the protein is localized to the juice sac cell vacuoles. The highest expression of CsCit1 and the amount of protein in the juice sac cell vacuoles coincided with the developmental stage at which the vacuolar citrate content began declining with the concomitant increase in vacuolar pH. Vacuoles from Sacharomyces cereviseae expressing CsCit1 displayed a citrate-dependent H⁺ efflux, and our results clearly demonstrate that CsCit1 is able to mediate the electroneutral co-transport of H⁺ and citrate ions, since the citrate-dependent H⁺ fluxes are not affected by changing the electrical potential difference across the tonoplast. The roles of CsCit1 in mediating citrate efflux from the vacuole and on citric acid homoestasis in Citrus juice sac cells are discussed. T. Shimada and R. Nakano contributed equally to this work.     

Managing bone loss and bone metastases in prostate cancer patients: a focus on bisphosphonate therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and bone metastases are the most important risk factors for developing skeletal complications (eg, bone loss, pathologic fractures) in prostate cancer (PC) patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease. Bisphosphonates, which inhibit excessive osteoclast activity caused by ADT and bone metastases, have proven to be safe and effective in preventing skeletal complications and presently are the standard of care in patients with metastatic disease. Bisphosphonates should be considered for use in all PC patients with locally advanced disease initiating ADT for an intended duration of at least 1 year, especially those with a low baseline bone mineral density.     

Synthesis of oligonucleotide derivatives using ChemMatrix supports

The synthesis of oligonucleotides on poly(ethylene glycol)-based (ChemMatrix) supports was studied. Results show that oligonucleotides can be indeed prepared in good yields using slightly modified synthesis cycles and automated DNA synthesizers. The use of these supports for the synthesis of oligonucleotide-peptide conjugates and for the ligation of oligonucleotides using Cu(+)-catalyzed cycloadition reactions is reported. Moreover, these supports can be used for the preparation of oligonucleotides in anhydrous solvents, followed by hybridization of the complementary sequences in aqueous buffers.     

Targeting the extrinsic apoptosis pathway in cancer

Mutational inactivation of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene, which regulates apoptosis mainly via the cell-intrinsic pathway, reduces the sensitivity of many cancers to conventional treatments. Targeting the cell-extrinsic pathway, which triggers p53-independent apoptosis, offers a unique therapeutic strategy to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This article focuses on two proapoptotic receptor agonists, recombinant human Apo2-ligand/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (rhApo2L/TRAIL) and Apomab, which activate death receptor (DR) 4 and/or DR5, thus stimulating the cell-extrinsic pathway. These agents are under investigation for the treatment of solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. Preclinical data indicate that both molecules cause significant regression or growth inhibition of malignant tumors without significant toxicity. Initial data on rhApo2L/TRAIL and Apomab from phase 1 safety trials also confirm that these agents are suitable for further clinical investigation.     

First record of Pristipomoides multidens (Day, 1871) from the Gulf of Aqaba,with a note on the species of Pristipomoides in the Red Sea (Actinopterygii: Lutjanidae)

The snapper Pristipomoides multidens is reported for the first time from the Gulf of Aqaba. A comparison of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) with available data revealed a high similarity with a sample from Mauritius and a lower similarity with samples from the China Sea. The status and distribution of the Red Sea species of Pristipomoides are summarised.     

Effects of Anisops sardea (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) on oviposition habitat selection by mosquitoes and other dipterans and on community structure in artificial pools

We investigated the effects of the predatory backswimmer, Anisops sardea, on oviposition habitat selection of mosquitoes and other dipterans, and on community structure in experimental pools. We predicted that those dipteran species whose larvae were shown to be highly vulnerable to predation by Anisops would avoid Anisops pools when choosing an oviposition site. We established the following treatments in plastic tubs: (1) Control (without Anisops); (2) Free Anisops (ten Anisops within pool but not caged); (3) Caged Anisops (ten Anisops in cage). The pools were open to colonization by insects. We added resting stages of crustaceans and first instar larvae of the mosquitoes Culiseta longiareolata and Culex laticinctus. Among the dipteran species, Culiseta longiareolata, Culex laticinctus, Chironomus riparius (Chironomidae) and Forcipomyia sp. (Ceratopogonidae), only Culisetalarvae were highly vulnerable to predation. As predicted, based on larval vulnerability, Culiseta, but not the other species, avoided Anisops pools when ovipositing. Free Anisops reduced taxon richness. This reduction resulted largely from the elimination of the cladoceran Ceriodaphniasp. and Culiseta in most free Anisops pools. Thus, Anisops sardea structures the community, both by a behavioral response of prey to its presence and by consumption of prey.