Host suitability and gas exchange response of grapevines to potato leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Although potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is highly polyphagous, classic host studies do not recognize grapevines (Vitis spp.), as suitable hosts. Recently, injury has been reported and reproduction documented within grape vineyards, suggesting a host expansion for the leafhopper. To document this apparent expansion in host use, we determined whether grape plants were suitable hosts for potato leafhopper reproduction, measured the consequence of feeding injury on gas exchange rates of grape leaves, and compared the susceptibility to feeding injury among cultivars. We found that potato leafhopper adults survived equally well on grape (Vitis vinifera L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and fava bean (Vicia faba L.). The total number of offspring was greater on fava bean but did not differ between alfalfa and grape. Injury to grapevines was assessed by measuring gas exchange responses of leaves in field cages and in greenhouse tests. We found marginally significant declines in photosynthesis and transpiration rates in the field (9.6 and 13.2%, respectively), and much stronger effects in greenhouse tests (ranging between 22 and 52%). Our results verify that Vitis is a suitable host, and that potato leafhopper is capable of injuring its gas exchange physiology. We discuss possible explanations for the host expansion, and its potential to damage commercial grapevines.     

Predation risk shapes thermal physiology of a predaceous damselfly

Predation risk has strong effects on organismal physiology that can cascade to impact ecosystem structure and function. Physiological processes in general are sensitive to temperature. Thus, the temperature at which predators and prey interact may shape physiological response to predation risk. We measured and evaluated how temperature and predation risk affected growth rates of predaceous damselfly nymphs (Enallagma vesperum, Odonata: Coenagrionidae). First, we conducted growth trials at five temperatures crossed with two levels of predation risk (fish predator present versus absent) and measured growth rates, consumption rates, assimilation efficiencies, and production efficiencies of 107 individual damselflies. Second, we used a model to evaluate if and how component physiological responses to predation risk affected growth rates across temperatures. In the absence of mortality threat, growth rates of damselflies increased with warming until about 23.5 °C and then began to decline, a typical unimodal response to changes in temperature. Under predation risk, growth rates were lower and the shape of the thermal response was less apparent. Higher metabolic and survival costs induced by predation risk were only partially offset by changes in consumption rates and assimilation efficiencies and the magnitude of non-consumptive effects varied as a function of temperature. Furthermore, we documented that thermal physiology was mediated by predation risk, a known driver of organismal physiology that occurs in the context of species interactions. A general understanding of climatic impacts on ectothermic populations requires consideration of the community context of thermal physiology, including non-consumptive effects of predators.     

Isolation of a novel 38 residue-hypothalamic polypeptide which stimulates adenylate cyclase in pituitary cells

A novel neuropeptide which stimulates adenylate cyclase in rat anterior pituitary cell cultures was isolated from ovine hypothalamic tissues. Its amino acid sequence was revealed as: His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Gln- Met-Ala- Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-Gly-Lys-Arg-Tyr-Lys-Gln-Arg-Val-Lys-Asn-Lys - NH2. The N-terminal sequence shows 68% homology with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) but its adenylate cyclase stimulating activity was at least 1000 times greater than that of VIP. It increased release of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), corticotropin (ACTH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from superfused rat pituitary cells at as small a dose as 10(-10)M (GH, PRL, ACTH) or 10(-9)M (LH). Whether these hypophysiotropic effects are the primary actions of the peptide or what physiological action in the pituitary is linked with the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by this peptide remains to be determined.     

Identification of an S-locus glycoprotein allele introgressed from B. napus ssp. rapifera to B. napus ssp. oleifera.

We have previously described a developmentally regulated mRNA in maize that accumulates in mature embryos and is involved in a variety of stress responses in the plant. The sequence of the encoded 16 kDa protein (MA16) predicts that it is an RNA-binding protein, since it possesses a ribonucleoprotein consensus sequence-type RNA-binding domain (CS-RBD). To assess the predicted RNA binding property of the protein and as a starting point to characterize its function we have used ribohomopolymer-binding assays. Here we show that the MA16-encoded protein binds preferentially to uridine- and guanosine-rich RNAs. In light of these results a likely role for this protein in RNA metabolism during late embryogenesis and in the stress response is discussed.     

Molecular evolution of mitochondrial 12S RNA and cytochrome b sequences in the pantherine lineage of Felidae

DNA sequence comparisons of two mitochondrial DNA genes were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among 17 Felidae species, notably 15 in the previously described pantherine lineage. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to generate sequences of 358 base pairs of the mitochondrial 12S RNA gene and 289 base pairs of the cytochrome b protein coding gene. DNA sequences were compared within and between 17 felid and five nonfelid carnivore species. Evolutionary trees were constructed using phenetic, cladistic, and maximum likelihood algorithms. The combined results suggested several phylogenetic relationships including (1) the recognition of a recently evolved monophyletic genus Panthera consisting of Panthera leo, P. pardus, P. onca, P. uncia, P. tigris, and Neofelis nebulosa; (2) the recent common ancestry of Acinonyx jubatus, the African cheetah, and Puma concolor, the American puma; and (3) two golden cat species, Profelis temmincki and Profelis aurata, are not sister species, and the latter is strongly associated with Caracal caracal. These data add to the growing database of vertebrate mtDNA sequences and, given the relatively recent divergence among the felids represented here (1-10 Myr), allow 12S and cytochrome b sequence evolution to be addressed over a time scale different from those addressed in most work on vertebrate mtDNA.      

Immunocytochemical localization of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-associated peptide portion of the LHRH precursor in the hypothalamus and extrahypothalamic regions of the rat central nervous system

Summary The gonadotropin-releasing hormone-associated peptide (GAP) of the LHRH precursor and the decapeptide LHRH were localized in the rat brain by immunocytochemistry in 12 to 18-day-old animals, by use of thick Vibratome sections and nickel intensification of the diaminobenzidinereaction product. Our results indicate that the GAP portion of the LHRH precursor is present in the same population of neurons that contain LHRH in the rat brain. An important difference observed was that the GAP antiserum, in contrast to LHRH antisera, stained several perikarya in the medial basal hypothalamus. GAP-immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the following regions: the olfactory bulb and tubercle, diagonal band of Broca, medial septum, medial preoptic and suprachiasmatic areas, anterior and lateral hypothalamus, and several regions of the hippocampus. In addition to the preoptico-terminal and the septopreoptico-infundibular pathways, we also observed GAPimmunopositive processes in several major tracts and areas of the brain, including the amygdala, stria terminalis, stria medullaris thalami, fasciculus retroflexus, stria longitudinalis medialis, periventricular plexus, periaqueductal gray of the mesencephalon and extra-cerebral regions, such as the nervus terminalis and its associated ganglion. These results confirm the specificity of previous immunocytochemical results obtained with antisera to LHRH. The presence of GAP immunoreactivity in nerve terminals of the rat brain indicates that GAP or a GAP-like peptide is located in the proper site to serve as a hypophysiotropic substance and/or as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator.Supported by AKA No. 419427, OTKA No. 104, OKKFT 2.1.5.1 and NSF No. INT-8602688     

Differentiation of typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli using colony immunoblot for detection of bundle‐forming pilus expression

Aims: The aim of study was to develop a colony immunoblot assay to differentiate typical from atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) by detection of bundle‐forming pilus (BFP) expression. Methods and Results: Anti‐BFP antiserum was raised in rabbits and its reactivity was confirmed by immunoelectron microscopy and by immunoblotting recognizing bundlin, the major pilus repeating subunit. The bacterial isolates tested in the colony immunoblot assay were grown in different media. Proteins from bacterial isolates were transferred to nitrocellulose membrane after treatment with phosphate buffer containing Triton X‐100, EDTA and sodium chloride salts. When 24 typical EPEC and 96 isolates including, 72 atypical EPEC, 13 Gram‐negative type IV‐expressing strains and 11 enterobacteriaceae were cultivated in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium agar containing fetal bovine serum or in blood agar in the presence of CaCl₂, they showed a positivity of 92 and 83%, and specificity of 96 and 97%, respectively. Conclusion: The assay enables reliable identification of BFP‐expressing isolates and contributes to the differentiation of typical and atypical EPEC. Significance and Impact of the Study: The colony immunoblot for BFP detection developed in this study combines the simplicity of an immunoserological assay with the high efficiency of testing a large number of EPEC colonies.     

PDA: Pooled DNA analyzer

Background  

Association mapping using abundant single nucleotide polymorphisms is a powerful tool for identifying disease susceptibility genes for complex traits and exploring possible genetic diversity. Genotyping large numbers of SNPs individually is performed routinely but is cost prohibitive for large-scale genetic studies. DNA pooling is a reliable and cost-saving alternative genotyping method. However, no software has been developed for complete pooled-DNA analyses, including data standardization, allele frequency estimation, and single/multipoint DNA pooling association tests. This motivated the development of the software, 'PDA' (Pooled DNA Analyzer), to analyze pooled DNA data.