FBXW7/hCDC4 controls glioma cell proliferation in vitro and is a prognostic marker for survival in glioblastoma patients

Ubiquitin is a highly versatile post-translational modification that controls virtually all types of cellular events. Over the past ten years we have learned that diverse forms of ubiquitin modifications and of ubiquitin binding modules co-exist in the cell, giving rise to complex networks of protein:protein interactions. A central problem that continues to puzzle ubiquitinologists is how cells translate this myriad of stimuli into highly specific responses. This is a classical signalling problem. Here, we draw parallels with the phosphorylation signalling pathway and we discuss the expanding repertoire of ubiquitin signals, signal tranducers and signalling-regulated E3 enzymes. We examine recent advances in the field, including a new mechanism of regulation of E3 ligases that relies on ubiquitination.     

Isolation of 21 new polymorphic microsatellite loci in the phytopathogenic fungus Venturia inaequalis

Twenty‐one new polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated in the phytopathogenic fungus Venturia inaequalis, the causal agent of apple scab. An enrichment protocol was used to isolate microsatellite loci and the level of polymorphism was assessed on 44 European isolates. All loci were polymorphic with an average of 9.1 alleles per locus (range 2–24). Tests of cross‐species amplifications suggest that at least some of these microsatellites could be used in different species, mainly Spilocaea pyracanthae and S. eriobotryae.     

Isolation and analysis of a gene from the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana that encodes a lipase-like protein

Microalgae constitute a novel study area for characterising new lipolytic enzymes of biotechnological interest. A new gene from the microalga Isochrysis galbana has been isolated and a preliminary characterisation performed. The full-length cDNA contains 2,060 base pairs with an open reading frame of 1,374 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 457 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 49 kDa, and a theoretical pI of 5.65. The deduced protein includes highly conserved motifs found in α/β fold hydrolases, and shares some similarities with putative or known lipases. Sequence comparison indicated that the catalytic triad corresponds to residues Ser¹⁸⁸, Asp³⁰⁶ and His³⁹¹, with the nucleophilic residue Ser¹⁸⁸ positioned within the consensus G-X-S¹⁸⁸-X-G pentapeptide. Phylogenetic analyses established close relationships with fungal lipases and microalgal sequences.     

Detection of the elusive Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) using environmental DNA at Malpelo island (Eastern Pacific,Colombia)

1. Monitoring large marine mammals is challenging due to their low abundances in general, an ability to move over large distances and wide geographical range sizes.
2. The distribution of the pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales is informed by relatively rare sightings, which does not permit accurate estimates of their distribution ranges. Hence, their conservation status has long remained Data Deficient (DD) in the Red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which prevent appropriate conservation measures.
3. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding uses DNA traces left by organisms in their environments to detect the presence of targeted taxon, and is here proved to be useful to increase our knowledge on the distribution of rare but emblematic megafauna.
4. Retrieving eDNA from filtered surface water provides the first detection of the Dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) around the remote Malpelo island (Colombia).
5. Environmental DNA collected during oceanic missions can generate better knowledge on rare but emblematic animals even in regions that are generally well sampled for other taxa.