Expressed Peromyscus maniculatus (Pema) MHC class I genes: evolutionary implications and the identification of a gene encoding a Qa1-like antigen

To gain insight into the evolution of rodent major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes and identify important (conserved) nonclassical class I (class Ib) gene products and residues in these proteins, sixPeromyscus maniculatus MHC (Pema) class I cDNA clones were isolated and sequenced. FivePema class I cDNAs appeared most similar to mouse and rat classical class I (class Ia) genes. One exhibited highest similarity to anH2 class Ib gene,H2-T23 (encoding the Qa1 antigen). Phylogenetic trees constructed withPema, RT1, andH2 class I sequences suggested that the lineages of some rodent class Ib genes (e.g.,T23 andT24) originated prior toMus andPeromyscus speciation [>50 million years (My) ago]. Sequences of four Qa1-like proteins from three species permitted the identification of ten Qa1-specific amino acids. On the basis of molecular modeling, three residues showed the potential to interact with T-cell receptors and three residues (all corresponding to polymorphic positions among H2 class Ia proteins) were predicted to influence antigen binding. The recognition of mouse Qa1 proteins by a subset of T-cells in influenced by a locus,Qdm, which encodes the H2-D leader peptide. One of thePema class I cDNA clones classified asH2-K, D/L-like (class Ia) is predicted to encode an identical peptide, implying that an antigen binding protein (Qa1) and the antigen to which it binds (the product ofQdm) has been conserved for over 50 My. The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession numbers U12822 (Pm13), U12885 (Pm41), U12886 (Pm52), U12887 (Pm62), U16846 (Pm11), and U16847 (Pm53)     

PHOTOINHIBITION OF MECHANICALLY STIMULABLE BIOLUMINESCENCE IN THE AUTOTROPHIC DINOFLAGELLATE CERATIUM FUSUS (PYRROPHYTA)1

Ceratium fusus (Ehrenb.) Dujardin was exposed to light of different wavelengths and photon flux densities (PFDs) to examine their effects on mechanically stimulable bioluminescence (MSL). Photoinhibition of MSL was proportional to the logarithm of PFD. Exposure to I μmol photons·m^?2s^?1 of broadband blue light (ca. 400–500 nm) produced near-complete photoinhibition (≥90% reduction in MSL) with a threshold at ca. 0.01 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1. The threshold of photoinhibition was ca. an order of magnitude greater for both broadband green (ca. 500–580 nm) and red light (ca. 660–700 nm). Exposure to narrow spectral bands (ca. 10 nm half bandwidth) from 400 and 700 nm at a PFD of 0.1 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1 produced a maximal response of photoinhibition in the blue wavelengths (peak ca. 490 nm). A photoinhibition response (≥ 10%) in the green (ca. 500–540 nm) and red wavelengths (ca. 680 nm) occurred only at higher PFDs (1 and 10 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1). The spectral response is similar to that reported for Gonyaulax polyedra Stein and Pyrocystis lunula Schütt and unlike that of Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech et Tangen. The dinoflagellate's own bioluminescence is two orders of magnitude too low to result in self-photoinhibition. The quantitative relationships developed in the laboratory predict photoinhibition of bioluminescence in populations of C. fusus in the North Atlantic Ocean.     

Nectar parasitism of Asclepias syriaca by ants: Effect on nectar levels,pollinia insertion,pollinaria removal and pod production

Summary Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) umbels and stems attended by ants (Lasius neoniger Emery and Tapinoma sessile (Say)) initiated significantly fewer pods and showed a trend to produce fewer mature pods than did umbels and stems not attended by ants. Since similar numbers of pollinia were inserted in ant-attended flowers, we hypothesize that ant-excluded flowers obtain more pollinia from other clones than do ant-attended flowers of this normally non-selfing species. If pollinators from other clones first visited flowers not depleted of nectar by ants, they could provide this source of foreign pollinia. Our experiments suggest that nocturnal noctuid and geometrid moths can provide these pollinia.     

Oyster-MSX interactions: Alterations in hemolymph enzyme activities in Crassostrea virginica during the course of Minchinia nelsoni disease development

Hemolymph enzyme activities were investigated during the course of Minchinia nelsoni (MSX) disease development in Crassostrea virginica. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and phosphohexose isomerase activities increase significantly during the gill lesion stage of MSX disease. Enzyme activities are not significantly elevated during the general infection stage of MSX disease. The alteration of hemolymph enzyme activity is discussed with respect to host metabolism and possible humoral defense mechanisms.     

Hydroxyproline-2-epimerase of pseudomonas: Active-site peptides

Hydroxyproline-2-epimerase was treated with 14C-iodoacetate under conditions that produced almost complete inactivation of the enzyme and concomitant incorporation of almost one molar equivalent of iodoacetate. Both processes were prevented by saturating concentrations of substrate. From reaction mixtures in which both incorporation and inactivation were 85 to 90% complete, two radioactive tryptic peptides were isolated by paper chromatography-electrophoresis. The incorporated radioactivity was divided between the peptides in an approximately 2:1 ratio. Analysis of the isolated peptides suggested that they both contained 9 amino acids and had similar composition; one appeared to be a lysine, the second an arginine peptide. Attempts to sequence each peptide failed, apparently because of the conversion of the S-carboxymethylcysteine to S-carboxymethylcysteine sulfone, indicating that the cysteine residue was N-terminal in each peptide.     

Behavioral responses of the coastal copepod Acartia hudsonica (Pinhey) to simulated dinoflagellate bioluminescence

Light pulses were used to mimic dinoflagellate bioluminescence and test its effects on the swimming behavior of Acartia hudsonica (Pinhey). The horizontal swimming patterns of the copepod were tracked and described using a video-computer system. Single flashes of light of 60 ms duration, with a wavelength of peak emission of 475 nm and an intensity of 2 μE · m^?2 · s^?1 caused a “startle” response consisting of a short burst of high speed swimming. A series of these flashes repeated every 5 s resulted in higher average swimming speed, more swimming speed bursts, and straighter paths. These behavioral changes are similar to those previously found for A. hudsonica in the presence of bioluminescent dinoflagellates. The effects of altering the intensity, duration, and color of the simulated dinoflagellate flash were also tested. Our results support the hypothesis that dinoflagellate bioluminescence is a highly evolved adaptation for repelling nocturnal grazers.