Dynamic response of UV-absorbing compounds, quantum yield and the xanthophyll cycle to diel changes in UV-B and photosynthetic radiations in an aquatic liverwort

We studied the diel responses of the liverwort Jungermannia exsertifolia subsp. cordifolia to radiation changes under laboratory conditions. The samples were exposed to three radiation regimes: P (only PAR), PA (PAR + UV-A), and PAB (PAR + UV-A + UV-B). The day was divided in four periods: darkness, a first low-PAR period, the high-PAR plus UV period, and a second low-PAR period. After 15 days of culture, we measured photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence and UV-absorbing compounds in the four periods of the day on two consecutive days. With respect to UV-absorbing compounds, we analyzed their global amount (as the bulk UV absorbance of methanolic extracts) and the concentration of seven hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, both in the soluble (mainly vacuolar) and insoluble (cell wall-bound) fractions of the plant extracts. PAB samples increased the bulk UV absorbance of the soluble and insoluble fractions, and the concentrations of p-coumaroylmalic acid in the soluble fraction and p-coumaric acid in the cell wall. Most of these variables showed significant diel changes and responded within a few hours to radiation changes (more strongly to UV-B), increasing at the end of the period of high-PAR plus UV. F_v/F_m, Φ_PSII, NPQ and the components of the xanthophyll cycle showed significant and quick diel changes in response to high PAR, UV-A and UV-B radiation, indicating dynamic photoinhibition and protection of PSII from excess radiation through the xanthophyll cycle. Thus, the liverwort showed a dynamic protection and acclimation capacity to the irradiance level and spectral characteristics of the radiation received.     

Involvement of the Gi/o/cGMP/PKG pathway in the AT2-mediated inhibition of outer cortex proximal tubule Na+-ATPase by Ang-(1-7)

The molecular mechanisms involved in the Ang-(1-7) [angiotensin-(1-7)] effect on sodium renal excretion remain to be determined. In a previous study, we showed that Ang-(1-7) has a biphasic effect on the proximal tubule Na+-ATPase activity, with the stimulatory effect mediated by the AT1 receptor. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the inhibition of the Na+-ATPase by Ang-(1-7). All experiments were carried out in the presence of 0.1 nM losartan to block the AT1 receptor-mediated stimulation. In this condition, Ang-(1-7) at 0.1 nM inhibited the Na+-ATPase activity of the proximal tubule by 54%. This effect was reversed by 10 nM PD123319, a specific antagonist of the AT2 receptor, and by 1 muM GDP[beta-S] (guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate), an inhibitor of G protein. Ang-(1-7) at 0.1 M induced [35S]GTP[S] (guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate) binding and 1 mug/ml pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G(i/o) protein, reversed the Ang-(1-7) effect. Furthermore, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of Ang-(1-7) on the Na+-ATPase activity was completely reversed by 0.1 microM LY83583, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, and by 2 muM KT5823, a PKG (protein kinase G) inhibitor, and was mimicked by 10 nM d-cGMP (dibutyryl cGMP). Ang-(1-7) increased the PKG activity by 152% and this effect was abolished by 10 nM PD123319 and 0.1 microM LY83583. Taken together, these data indicate that Ang-(1-7) inhibits the proximal tubule Na+-ATPase by interaction with the AT2 receptor that subsequently activates the G(i/o) protein/cGMP/PKG pathway.     

Genomic and evolutionary comparisons of diazotrophic and pathogenic bacteria of the order Rhizobiales

Background

Species belonging to the Rhizobiales are intriguing and extensively researched for including both bacteria with the ability to fix nitrogen when in symbiosis with leguminous plants and pathogenic bacteria to animals and plants. Similarities between the strategies adopted by pathogenic and symbiotic Rhizobiales have been described, as well as high variability related to events of horizontal gene transfer. Although it is well known that chromosomal rearrangements, mutations and horizontal gene transfer influence the dynamics of bacterial genomes, in Rhizobiales, the scenario that determine pathogenic or symbiotic lifestyle are not clear and there are very few studies of comparative genomic between these classes of prokaryotic microorganisms trying to delineate the evolutionary characterization of symbiosis and pathogenesis.

Results

Non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and bacteria involved in bioremediation closer to symbionts and pathogens in study may assist in the origin and ancestry genes and the gene flow occurring in Rhizobiales. The genomic comparisons of 19 species of Rhizobiales, including nitrogen-fixing, bioremediators and pathogens resulted in 33 common clusters to biological nitrogen fixation and pathogenesis, 15 clusters exclusive to all nitrogen-fixing bacteria and bacteria involved in bioremediation, 13 clusters found in only some nitrogen-fixing and bioremediation bacteria, 01 cluster exclusive to some symbionts, and 01 cluster found only in some pathogens analyzed. In BBH performed to all strains studied, 77 common genes were obtained, 17 of which were related to biological nitrogen fixation and pathogenesis. Phylogenetic reconstructions for Fix, Nif, Nod, Vir, and Trb showed possible horizontal gene transfer events, grouping species of different phenotypes.

Conclusions

The presence of symbiotic and virulence genes in both pathogens and symbionts does not seem to be the only determinant factor for lifestyle evolution in these microorganisms, although they may act in common stages of host infection. The phylogenetic analysis for many distinct operons involved in these processes emphasizes the relevance of horizontal gene transfer events in the symbiotic and pathogenic similarity.     

Water-soluble form of RT1.A class I MHC molecules in the kidney and liver of the rat

The RT1.A (H-2K,D type) class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens of the rat are well recognized as membrane-bound glycoproteins. In this report, we demonstrate that liver and kidney in the DA rat strain contain large amounts of a water-soluble RTl. A class I molecule with a discrete heavy chain approximately 5 kd smaller than the membrane-bound form. An identical molecule could be identified in DA rat serum. This small class I molecule carries all of the polymorphic antigenic determinants of the RT1.A^av1 class I molecule. The water-soluble molecule is readily denatured in its pure form when frozen and thawed, but this does not occur when it is mixed with serum, presumably because of a stabilizing interaction with one or more carrier proteins. The half-life of the class I molecule in serum was measured to be approximately 1.5 h. The LEW rat strain produced detectable but substantially smaller amounts of water-soluble RT1.A molecules. Our studies indicate that RT1.A^av1 class I MHC antigens are synthesized and presumably secreted in a smaller water-soluble form by liver, kidney, and possibly other tissues under physiological conditions, a point of con-siderable interest in view of the immunoregulatory functions of the membrane-bound forms of these molecules.     

Cytogenetic variation of repetitive DNA elements in Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes - Erythrinidae) from white,black and clear water rivers of the Amazon basin

Hoplias malabaricus is a common fish species occurring in white, black and clear water rivers of the Amazon basin. Its large distribution across distinct aquatic environments can pose stressful conditions for dispersal and creates possibilities for the emergence of local adaptive profiles. We investigated the chromosomal localization of repetitive DNA markers (constitutive heterochromatin, rDNA and the transposable element REX-3) in populations from the Amazonas river (white water), the Negro river (black water) and the Tapajós river (clear water), in order to address the variation/association of cytogenomic features and environmental conditions. We found a conserved karyotypic macrostructure with a diploid number of 40 chromosomes (20 metacentrics + 20 submetacentrics) in all the samples. Heteromorphism in pair 14 was detected as evidence for the initial differentiation of an XX/XY system. Minor differences detected in the amount of repetitive DNA markers are interpreted as possible signatures of local adaptations to distinct aquatic environments.     

Why conserve biodiversity? A multi-national exploration of stakeholders’ views on the arguments for biodiversity conservation

Given the concern about biodiversity loss, there are a number of arguments used for biodiversity conservation ranging from those emphasising the intrinsic value of biodiversity to those on the direct use value of ecosystems. Yet arguing the case for biodiversity conservation effectively requires an understanding of why people value biodiversity. We used Q methodology to explore and understand how different conservation practitioners (social and natural science researchers, environmental non-Governmental organisations and decision-makers) in nine European countries argue for conservation. We found that there was a plurality of views about biodiversity and its conservation. A moral argument and some arguments around the intrinsic and ecological value of biodiversity were held by all stakeholder groups. They also shared the view that species valuation does not justify the destruction of nature. However, there were also some differences within and between the groups, which primarily reflected the espousal of either ecocentric or anthropocentric viewpoints. Our findings suggest that moral arguments and those around biodiversity’s intrinsic and ecological value could potentially serve as a starting point for building consensus among conservation practitioners.