The fish community of a newly restored southern California estuary: ecological perspective 3 years after restoration

Bays and estuaries are considered essential fish habitat, yet in many parts of the world, these areas have been degraded or destroyed. In southern California, habitat restoration has become a widely used approach for protecting coastal ecosystems; however, there is little information available on the success of these efforts. Monthly abundance surveys were employed to examine spatial and temporal trends in the fish assemblages 3 years after the restoration of the Bolsa Chica Full Tidal Basin (BCFTB). This was used as a short-term success assessment of the BCFTB restoration, as well as an important baseline against which future studies can determine the long-term trajectory of the restoration. Forty-four species of fish were caught inside the BCFTB, at an average density of 116.8 fish 100 m^?2 and an average biomass of 4.2 kg 100 m^?2. There was a seasonal pattern in fish abundances but no overall increase or decrease in abundances during the entire study period. Marine, estuarine and migrant fish species were found in the BCFTB, each showing different seasonal patterns in abundance, similar to nearby estuaries, with 14 species driving these patterns. Water temperature and season were the most influential factors on the species composition of the fish community in the BCFTB. Therefore, 3 years after restoration the BCFTB is providing habitat for coastal fish species where none existed previously, and shows a community structure similar to natural estuaries in southern California. The BCFTB restoration has been initially successful but needs to be monitored periodically to assess its long-term success.     

Relaxin-3 and RXFP3 expression, and steroidogenic actions in the ovary of teleost fish

Relaxins are peptides similar in secondary structure to insulins. In teleost genomes, five or six relaxin genes have been identified. Two relaxins group closely with mammalian relaxin-3 on phylogenetic analysis and are named relaxin-3a and b. We refer to the remainder as relaxins c to f. Ovarian expression of relaxin-3a, d and f genes, and the relaxin-3 receptor gene Rxfp3, was studied in Danio rerio using RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of relaxin-3 peptides and RXFP3 in the ovary of Fundulus heteroclitus (killifish). Thirdly, enzyme immunoassays and ovarian follicular culture were used to determine the effect of treatment with human recombinant relaxin-3 on the production of 17beta-estradiol and 17 alpha, 20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in killifish ovarian follicles. Relaxin-3a, d, f, and Rxfp3 genes were expressed regardless of sex or reproductive condition. Relaxin-3 immunostaining was present in mid to late follicular stages within cortical alveoli of the oocyte cytopasm, whereas receptor staining was localized to follicular cells. Treatment with relaxin-3 enhanced 17beta-estradiol production in early and late maturing follicles, but did not have an effect in vitellogenic follicles. Relaxin-3 appeared to suppress the release of MIS production. This suggests that relaxin peptides may be involved with estradiol-dependant events in follicular development.     

Biosynthesis of chiral 3-hydroxyvalerate from single propionate-unrelated carbon sources in metabolically engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

Background  

The ability to synthesize chiral building block molecules with high optical purity is of considerable importance to the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Production of one such compound, 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), has previously been studied with respect to the in vivo or in vitro enzymatic depolymerization of biologically-derived co-polymers of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate). However, production of this biopolymeric precursor typically necessitates the supplementation of a secondary carbon source (e.g., propionate) into the culture medium. In addition, previous approaches for producing 3HV have not focused on its enantiopure synthesis, and thus suffer from increased costs for product purification.     

Function of UreB in Klebsiella aerogenes urease

Urease from Klebsiella aerogenes is composed of three subunits (UreA-UreB-UreC) that assemble into a (UreABC)(3) quaternary structure. UreC harbors the dinuclear nickel active site, whereas the functions of UreA and UreB remain unknown. UreD and UreF accessory proteins previously were suggested to reposition UreB and increase the level of exposure of the nascent urease active site, thus facilitating metallocenter assembly. In this study, cells were engineered to separately produce (UreAC)(3) or UreB, and the purified proteins were characterized. Monomeric UreB spontaneously binds to the trimeric heterodimer of UreA and UreC to form (UreABC*)(3) apoprotein, as shown by gel filtration chromatography, integration of electrophoretic gel band intensities, and mass spectrometry. Similar to the authentic urease apoprotein, the active enzyme is produced by incubation of (UreABC*)(3) with Ni(2+) and bicarbonate. Conversely, UreBΔ1-19, lacking the 19-residue potential hinge and tether to UreC, does not form a complex with (UreAC)(3) and yields negligible levels of the active enzyme when incubated under activation conditions with (UreAC)(3). Comparison of activities and nickel contents for (UreAC)(3), (UreABC*)(3), and (UreABC)(3) samples treated with Ni(2+) and bicarbonate and then desalted indicates that UreB facilitates efficient incorporation of the metal into the active site and protects the bound metal from chelation. Amylose resin pull-down studies reveal that MBP-UreD (a fusion of maltose binding protein with UreD) forms complexes with (UreABC)(3), (UreAC)(3), and UreB in vivo, but not in vitro. By contrast, MBP-UreD does not form an in vivo complex with UreBΔ1-19. The soluble MBP-UreD-UreF-UreG complex binds in vitro to (UreABC)(3), but not to (UreAC)(3) or UreB. Together, these data demonstrate that UreB facilitates the interaction of urease with accessory proteins during metallocenter assembly, with the N-terminal hinge and tether region being specifically required for this process. In addition to its role in urease activation, UreB enhances the stability of UreC against proteolytic cleavage.     

Structural basis for Fc gammaRIIa recognition of human IgG and formation of inflammatory signaling complexes

The interaction of Abs with their specific FcRs is of primary importance in host immune effector systems involved in infection and inflammation, and are the target for immune evasion by pathogens. FcγRIIa is a unique and the most widespread activating FcR in humans that through avid binding of immune complexes potently triggers inflammation. Polymorphisms of FcγRIIa (high responder/low responder [HR/LR]) are linked to susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and the efficacy of therapeutic Abs. In this article, we define the three-dimensional structure of the complex between the HR (arginine, R134) allele of FcγRIIa (FcγRIIa-HR) and the Fc region of a humanized IgG1 Ab, hu3S193. The structure suggests how the HR/LR polymorphism may influence FcγRIIa interactions with different IgG subclasses and glycoforms. In addition, mutagenesis defined the basis of the epitopes detected by FcR blocking mAbs specific for FcγRIIa (IV.3), FcγRIIb (X63-21), and a pan FcγRII Ab (8.7). The epitopes detected by these Abs are distinct, but all overlap with residues defined by crystallography to contact IgG. Finally, crystal structures of LR (histidine, H134) allele of FcγRIIa and FcγRIIa-HR reveal two distinct receptor dimers that may represent quaternary states on the cell surface. A model is presented whereby a dimer of FcγRIIa-HR binds Ag-Ab complexes in an arrangement that possibly occurs on the cell membrane as part of a larger signaling assembly.     

The mitochondrial genome of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines

We sequenced the entire coding region of the mitochondrial genome of Heterodera glycines. The sequence obtained comprised 14.9 kb, with PCR evidence indicating that the entire genome comprised a single, circular molecule of approximately 21-22 kb. The genome is the most T-rich nematode mitochondrial genome reported to date, with T representing over half of all nucleotides on the coding strand. The genome also contains the highest number of poly(T) tracts so far reported (to our knowledge), with 60 poly(T) tracts ≥ 12 Ts. All genes are transcribed from the same mitochondrial strand. The organization of the mitochondrial genome of H. glycines shows a number of similarities compared with Radopholus similis, but fewer similarities when compared with Meloidogyne javanica. Very few gene boundaries are shared with Globodera pallida or Globodera rostochiensis. Partial mitochondrial genome sequences were also obtained for Heterodera cardiolata (5.3 kb) and Punctodera chalcoensis (6.8 kb), and these had identical organizations compared with H. glycines. We found PCR evidence of a minicircular mitochondrial genome in P. chalcoensis, but at low levels and lacking a noncoding region. Such circularised genome fragments may be present at low levels in a range of nematodes, with multipartite mitochondrial genomes representing a shift to a condition in which these subgenomic circles predominate.     

A mutation in telethonin alters Nav1.5 function

Excitable cells express a variety of ion channels that allow rapid exchange of ions with the extracellular space. Opening of Na(+) channels in excitable cells results in influx of Na(+) and cellular depolarization. The function of Na(v)1.5, an Na(+) channel expressed in the heart, brain, and gastrointestinal tract, is altered by interacting proteins. The pore-forming alpha-subunit of this channel is encoded by SCN5A. Genetic perturbations in SCN5A cause type 3 long QT syndrome and type 1 Brugada syndrome, two distinct heritable arrhythmia syndromes. Mutations in SCN5A are also associated with increased prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, suggesting that the Na(+) channel plays a role in normal gastrointestinal physiology and that alterations in its function may cause disease. We collected blood from patients with intestinal pseudo-obstruction (a disease associated with abnormal motility in the gut) and screened for mutations in SCN5A and ion channel-interacting proteins. A 42-year-old male patient was found to have a mutation in the gene TCAP, encoding for the small protein telethonin. Telethonin was found to be expressed in the human gastrointestinal smooth muscle, co-localized with Na(v)1.5, and co-immunoprecipitated with sodium channels. Expression of mutated telethonin, when co-expressed with SCN5A in HEK 293 cells, altered steady state activation kinetics of SCN5A, resulting in a doubling of the window current. These results suggest a new role for telethonin, namely that telethonin is a sodium channel-interacting protein. Also, mutations in telethonin can alter Na(v)1.5 kinetics and may play a role in intestinal pseudo-obstruction.     

Preservation of fresh edible cactus stems (<i>Opuntia ficus indica</i> Mill.) by modified atmosphere packaging

Cactus stems, the cladodes of Opuntia spp. cacti, are consumed in Mexico and other countries due to their fresh and herbaceous flavor, and because of their widely known nutraceutical benefits. In order to extend the postharvest life of this vegetable, the effect of a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was studied in cactus stems of the cultivar Atlixco stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 20 days under three types of atmospheres: (1) air (passive atmosphere), (2) 5 kPa O₂ + 4 kPa CO₂, and (3) N₂. During storage, the titratable acidity decreased and the color of cladodes became darker and less green; however, the 5 kPa O₂ + 4 kPa CO₂ atmosphere was able to preserve both quality characteristics. All modified atmospheres reduced weight loss (from 8 to <2%) and the symptoms of chilling injury, and this physiological disorder appeared earlier in controls than in MAP-stored cladodes. The levels of fermentation metabolites were low in all three evaluated atmospheres. Because of this, only cladodes stored under the N₂ atmosphere were selected for furthersensory analysis of the MAP effect on odor perception as evaluated by a trained panel. Results indicated that there was no detrimental effect (atypical odors) of MAP on this sensory characteristic. We conclude that cultivar Atlixco is suitable for preservation using MAP technology.