New markers and map sequences inNeurospora crassa,with a description of mapping by duplication coverage,and of multiple translocation stocks for testing linkage

Thirty previously unmapped markers have been located; 13 are at newly designated loci. Numerous sequences for previously mapped genes have also been determined. A revised map of linkage group I is presented. The order from conventional mapping has been confirmed by testing recessive markers in IL for coverage by duplications. Assignment of new mutants to linkage groups is greatly facilitated by using gene-tagged multiple translocation strains for linkage detection; these “alcoy” tester strains and procedures for using them are described. Recent mapping data of other workers are compiled. Distal markers are now known for all but one of the 14 chromosome arms, but extensive map segments are still devoid of markers.     

The Lichen Connections of Black Fungi

Many black meristematic fungi persist on rock surfaces—hostile and exposed habitats where high doses of radiation and periods of desiccation alternate with rain and temperature extremes. To cope with these extremes, rock-inhabiting black fungi show phenotypic plasticity and produce melanin as cell wall pigments. The rather slow growth rate seems to be an additional prerequisite to oligotrophic conditions. At least some of these fungi can undergo facultative, lichen-like associations with photoautotrophs. Certain genera presenting different lifestyles are phylogenetic related among the superclass Dothideomyceta. In this paper, we focus on the genus Lichenothelia, which includes border-line lichens, that is, associations of melanised fungi with algae without forming proper lichen thalli. We provide a first phylogenetic hypothesis to show that Lichenothelia belongs to the superclass Dothideomyceta. Further, culture experiments revealed the presence of co-occurring fungi in Lichenothelia thalli. These fungi are related to plant pathogenic fungi (Mycosphaerellaceae) and to other rock-inhabiting lineages (Teratosphaeriaceae). The Lichenothelia thallus-forming fungi represent therefore consortia of different black fungal strains. Our results suggest a common link between rock-inhabiting meristematic and lichen-forming lifestyles of ascomycetous fungi.     

Immunological cross-reactions among gadidae parvalbumins

Antisera raised against apparently homogeneous whiting parvalbumin III have been found to recognize two non cross-reacting molecular species of parvalbumins. Aliquots of these antisera have been separately absorbed with two distinct parvalbumins from a near-related fish species, namely haddock parvalbumins II and III, and also with the homologous antigen. The immunochemical reactivities of absorbed and non-absorbed antisera toward parvalbumins from nine Gadidae species have been systematically explored by immunoelectrophoresis. The observed cross-reactions lead to distinguish two groups among Gadidae parvalbumins. So far this discrimination can be correlated with differences in amino-acid compositions, peptide maps and sequences which are known to characterize several protein members from each of the two groups. Using the same anti-whiting antisera, a tenuous common antigenic reactivity is shown between Gadidae and some Cyprinidae parvalbumins.     

Pseudomonas syringae isolated in lichens for the first time: Unveiling Peltigera genus as the exclusive host

Pseudomonas syringae is a bacterial complex that is widespread through a range of environments, typically associated with plants where it can be pathogenic, but also found in non-plant environments such as clouds, precipitation, and surface waters. Understanding its distribution within the environment, and the habitats it occupies, is important for examining its evolution and understanding behaviours. After a recent study found P. syringae living among a range of vascular plant species in Iceland, we questioned whether lichens could harbour P. syringae. Sixteen different species of lichens were sampled all over Iceland, but only one lichen genus, Peltigera, was found to consistently harbour P. syringae. Phylogenetic analyses of P. syringae from 10 sampling points where lichen, tracheophyte, and/or moss were simultaneously collected showed significant differences between sampling points, but not between different plants and lichens from the same point. Furthermore, while there were similarities in the P. syringae population in tracheophytes and Peltigera, the densities in Peltigera thalli were lower than in moss and tracheophyte samples. This discovery suggests P. syringae strains can localize and survive in organisms beyond higher plants, and thus reveals opportunities for studying their influence on P. syringae evolution.     

Oxide weathering and trace metal release by bacterial reduction in a New Caledonia Ferralsol

Bacterial reduction of Fe- and Mn-oxides was studied in a surfacehorizon of a New-Caledonian Ferralsol in batch experiments. Twotreatments were imposed containing different sources of organicmatter (soil organic matter with or without glucose addition) tolink organic matter biodegradation with reduction process. Theconcomitant solubilization of Ni and Co was also studied. Resultsshowed that anaerobic Fe- and Mn-reducing bacterial activity wasresponsible for Fe- and Mn-oxide solubilization by anaerobicrespiration or fermentation. When C was more available, oxidereduction was enhanced. Mn-oxide appeared as the major reduciblephase and metal source rather than goethite. Co and Ni weresolubilized with Fe and Mn but their amounts in solutiondecreased at the end of experiment. The bioavailability of heavymetals in this soil was increased by biological reduction but waslimited by adsorption or precipitation phenomena.     

Kif26b controls endothelial cell polarity through the Dishevelled/Daam1-dependent planar cell polarity–signaling pathway

Angiogenesis involves the coordinated growth and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) toward a proangiogenic signal. The Wnt planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, through the recruitment of Dishevelled (Dvl) and Dvl-associated activator of morphogenesis (Daam1), has been proposed to regulate cell actin cytoskeleton and microtubule (MT) reorganization for oriented cell migration. Here we report that Kif26b—a kinesin—and Daam1 cooperatively regulate initiation of EC sprouting and directional migration via MT reorganization. First, we find that Kif26b is recruited within the Dvl3/Daam1 complex. Using a three-dimensional in vitro angiogenesis assay, we show that Kif26b and Daam1 depletion impairs tip cell polarization and destabilizes extended vascular processes. Kif26b depletion specifically alters EC directional migration and mislocalized MT organizing center (MTOC)/Golgi and myosin IIB cell rear enrichment. Therefore the cell fails to establish a proper front–rear polarity. Of interest, Kif26b ectopic expression rescues the siDaam1 polarization defect phenotype. Finally, we show that Kif26b functions in MT stabilization, which is indispensable for asymmetrical cell structure reorganization. These data demonstrate that Kif26b, together with Dvl3/Daam1, initiates cell polarity through the control of PCP signaling pathway–dependent activation.     

Soil carbon dioxide venting through rice roots

The growth of rice in submerged soils depends on its ability to form continuous gas channels—aerenchyma—through which oxygen (O₂) diffuses from the shoots to aerate the roots. Less well understood is the extent to which aerenchyma permits venting of respiratory carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the opposite direction. Large, potentially toxic concentrations of dissolved CO₂ develop in submerged rice soils. We show using X‐ray computed tomography and image‐based mathematical modelling that CO₂ venting through rice roots is far greater than thought hitherto. We found rates of venting equivalent to a third of the daily CO₂ fixation in photosynthesis. Without this venting through the roots, the concentrations of CO₂ and associated bicarbonate (HCO₃^?) in root cells would have been well above levels known to be toxic to roots. Removal of CO₂ and hence carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) from the soil was sufficient to increase the pH in the rhizosphere close to the roots by 0.7 units, which is sufficient to solubilize or immobilize various nutrients and toxicants. A sensitivity analysis of the model showed that such changes are expected for a wide range of plant and soil conditions.