Courtship Behavior of Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from Populations Colonizing South America

We describe for the first time the sexual behavior and the courtship song of males of the African fly Zaprionus indianus (Gupta), a recent invader of South America. The male courtship song is formed by monocyclic pulses and the courtship behavior is simple when compared to that of species of Drosophila. Two interpulse interval (IPI) distributions were observed: pre-mounting and mounting. No significant difference was observed between the pre-mounting IPIs of males that descended from three geographical populations from South America. We also observed the songs produced by females and the homosexual behavior exhibited by males. A sequence of bursts is produced by females as a refusal signal against males, while males emit a characteristic song that identifies sex genus, which differs from the courtship song. The short courtship and mating latencies recorded reveal vigorous males and receptive females, respectively.     

Removing celiac disease-related gluten proteins from bread wheat while retaining technological properties: a study with Chinese Spring deletion lines

Background  

Gluten proteins can induce celiac disease (CD) in genetically susceptible individuals. In CD patients gluten-derived peptides are presented to the immune system, which leads to a CD4⁺ T-cell mediated immune response and inflammation of the small intestine. However, not all gluten proteins contain T-cell stimulatory epitopes. Gluten proteins are encoded by multigene loci present on chromosomes 1 and 6 of the three different genomes of hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) (AABBDD).     

Development of Lactococcus lactis encoding fluorescent proteins,GFP, mCherry and iRFP regulated by the nisin-controlled gene expression system

Fluorescent proteins are useful reporter molecules for a variety of biological systems. We present an alternative strategy for cloning reporter genes that are regulated by the nisin-controlled gene expression (NICE) system. Lactoccocus lactis was genetically engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP), mCherry or near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP). The reporter gene sequences were optimized to be expressed by L. lactis using inducible promoter pNis within the pNZ8048 vector. Expression of constructions that carry mCherry or GFP was observed by fluorescence microscopy 2 h after induction with nisin. Expression of iRFP was evaluated at 700 nm using an infrared scanner; cultures induced for 6 h showed greater iRFP expression than non-induced cultures or those expressing GFP. We demonstrated that L. lactis can express efficiently GFP, mCherry and iRFP fluorescent proteins using an inducible expression system. These strains will be useful for live cell imaging studies in vitro or for imaging studies in vivo in the case of iRFP.     

Control of box C/D snoRNP assembly by N6‐methylation of adenine

N⁶‐methyladenine is the most widespread mRNA modification. A subset of human box C/D snoRNA species have target GAC sequences that lead to formation of N⁶‐methyladenine at a key trans Hoogsteen‐sugar A·G base pair, of which half are methylated in vivo. The GAC target is conserved only in those that are methylated. Methylation prevents binding of the 15.5‐kDa protein and the induced folding of the RNA. Thus, the assembly of the box C/D snoRNP could in principle be regulated by RNA methylation at its critical first stage. Crystallography reveals that N⁶‐methylation of adenine prevents the formation of trans Hoogsteen‐sugar A·G base pairs, explaining why the box C/D RNA cannot adopt its kinked conformation. More generally, our data indicate that sheared A·G base pairs (but not Watson–Crick base pairs) are more susceptible to disruption by N⁶mA methylation and are therefore possible regulatory sites. The human signal recognition particle RNA and many related Alu retrotransposon RNA species are also methylated at N6 of an adenine that forms a sheared base pair with guanine and mediates a key tertiary interaction.     

The realigment of the orchid flora in the mountain range of Guamuahaya,Cienfuegos, Cuba

The present study of the Orchidaceae family was carried out in Guamuahaya’s mountain range, from 2000 to March 2013. Fifteen districts were explored after 33 expeditions in the Province of Cienfuegos. Ninety two plant species were identified in the studied area, taking into account the ecological parameters of the mountainous areas of Cienfuegos and Cumanayagua municipalities.     

Solid-phase analysis method for (S)-[F]fluorocarazolol and its metabolites

(S)-[¹⁸F]Fluorocarazolol is a radiopharmaceutical developed to quantitatively assess β-adrenergic receptors in vivo via positron emission tomography imaging. Since radioactive metabolites of (S)-[¹⁸F]fluorocarazolol rapidly appear in the plasma, methods for conveniently and reliably evaluating plasma for (S)-[¹⁸F]fluorocarazolol content are required. Here we present methods and validation of an approach using commercial extraction cartridges that is faster and more convenient than an approach using internal-surface reverse-phase chromatography but yields comparable results.