Characterization of sugar binding by osteoclast inhibitory lectin

Osteoclast inhibitory lectin (OCIL) is a membrane-bound C-type lectin that blocks osteoclast differentiation and, via binding to its cognate receptor NKRP1D, inhibits natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. OCIL is a member of the natural killer cell receptor C-type lectin group that includes CD69 and NKRP1D. We investigated carbohydrate binding of soluble recombinant human and mouse OCIL in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based assays. OCIL bound immobilized high molecular weight sulfated glycosaminoglycans, including fucoidan, lambda-carrageenan, and dextran sulfate, but not unsulfated dextran or sialated hyaluronic acid. Carbohydrate binding was Ca(2+)-independent. Binding of immobilized low molecular weight glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin sulfate (A, B, and C forms) and heparin, was not observed. However, the soluble forms of these low molecular weight glycosaminoglycans competed for OCIL binding of immobilized fucoidan (as did soluble fucoidan, dextran sulfate, and lambda-carrageenan), indicating that OCIL does recognize these carbohydrates. Inhibition constants for chondroitin sulfate A and heparin binding were 380 and 5 nm, respectively. Immobilized and soluble monosaccharides did not bind OCIL. The presence of saturating levels of fucoidan, dextran sulfate, and lambda-carrageenan did not affect OCIL inhibition of osteoclast formation. The fucoidan-binding lectins Ulex europaeus agglutinin I and Anguilla anguilla agglutinin did not block osteoclast formation or affect the inhibitory action of OCIL. Although the osteoclast inhibitory action of OCIL is independent of sugar recognition, we have found that OCIL, a lectin widely distributed, but notably localized in bone, skin, and other connective tissues, binds a range of physiologically important glycosaminoglycans, and this property may modulate OCIL actions upon other cells.     

An inexpensive tag for short-term studies in milkfish (Cbanos chanos Forsskal) and in seabass (Lates calcarifer Bloch)

An opercular tag for marking adult milkfish ( Chanos chanos Forsskal) and seabass ( Lates calcarifer Bloch) is described. High tag retention and relatively low mortality rates were observed in adult fish handled two to ten times during 14-to 60-day tests. The features and advantages of the tag for marking large-sized fish in short-term studies are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Eine preiswerte Markierung für Kurzzeitstudien des Milchfisches (Chanos chanos Forsskal) und der Centropomidae (Lates calcarifer Bloch)
Eine Kiemendeckel-Markierung für adulte Milchfische (Chanos chanos Forsskal) und Centropomidae (Lates calcacifer Bloch) wird beschrieben. Sie zeichnet sich durch gute Haltbarkeit aus und verursacht relativ geringe Mortalität bei adulten Fischen, die in Versuchen von 14 bis 60 Tage Dauer 2-bis 10mal untersucht wurden. Die Eigenschaften und Vorteile dieser Markierung für große Fische in Kurzzeitstudien werden diskutiert.

Résumé

Un marquage économique pour des études de courte durée du chanidé (Chanos chanos Forsskal) et du centropomidé (Lates calcarifer Bloch)
Un marquage d'opercule pour les chanidés (Chanos chanos Forsskal) et les centropomidés (Lates calcarifer Bloch) adultes est décrit. Une bonne conservation et une mortalité relativement basse ont été observées chez des poissons adultes examinés 2 à 10 fois pendant des expériences d'une durée de 14 à 60 jours. Les caractéristiques et les avantages du marquage de poissons de grande taille pendant des expériences d'une courte durée sont discutés.     

Egg distribution and mortality in the alder aphid, Pterocallis alni

Alder aphid oviparae produced 14 eggs at constant temperature but in the field the average was 6. Favoured oviposition sites were bud axils and bark crevices. Summer pruning of host trees reduced the availability but not the choice of site. Oviparae reared on leaf regrowth of summer pruned alder were smaller and contained fewer eggs than those on mature leaves. Winter pruning resulted in the loss of 41% buds and 25% eggs. Total winter egg mortality was 65%, being greatest in early winter due to insect predation. Spring egg hatch was synchronised with bud burst and both were affected by temperature.

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Distribution des oeufs et mortalité Pterocallis alni

Résumé Les ovipares de P. alni ont pondu 14 oeufs à température constante mais dans la nature la moyenne n'était que de 6. La taille estivale a réduit les disponibilités, mais n'a pas modifié le choix des lieux de ponte. Les ovipares élevés sur feuilles de repousses estivales d'aulnes taillént plus petits et contenaient moins d'oeufs que ceux élevés sur feuilles adultes. La taille hivernale a provoqué la perte de 41% des bourgeons et 25% des oeufs. La mortalité hivernale totale des oeufs a été de 65%, la partie la plus importante, due à la prédation par les insectes, ayant eu lieu au début de l'hiver. L'éclosion des oeufs au printemps était synchronisée avec l'éclatement des bourgeons, tous les deux étant conditionnés par la température.

     

Patterns of extensive genetic differentiation and variation among European harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) revealed using microsatellite DNA polymorphisms

The harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) has the most extensive distribution of any phocid seal species. An analysis of population structure in this species across its European range was made using 7 phocid derived microsatellites in a sample of 1,029 individuals from 12 separate geographic areas. Despite the species potential for long-distance movement, significant genetic differentiation between areas was observed using an unbiased estimator of RST. Six distinct population units were identified: Ireland-Scotland, English east coast, Waddensea, western Scandinavia (Norway-Kattegat-Skagerrak-west Baltic), east Baltic, and Iceland. Little local substructuring is present along coastlines with a continuous distribution of breeding animals, but differentiation does increase with geographic distance. The degree of differentiation is greater over equivalent distances where the distribution is discontinuous, such as along coasts where breeding colonies are separated by large distances or by stretches of open sea. Patterns of population differentiation derived from microsatellites are very similar to those obtained from previous mitochondrial DNA analysis and suggest that philopatry in harbor seals operates over 300-500 km. In Europe, harbor seals have experienced a complex demographic history and patterns of population structure are likely to have been affected by natural environmental influences such as Pleistocene glaciations and epizootics. Comparison of Nm values from an unbiased estimator of RST, GST, and theta are consistent and, in some cases, may indicate populations where conditions deviate from the expectations of the RST model.      

A molecular and evolutionary study of the beta-globin gene family of the Australian marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Beta-globin gene families in eutherians (placental mammals) consist of a set of four or more developmentally regulated genes which are closely linked and, in general, arranged in the order 5'-embryonic/fetal genes- adult genes-3'. This cluster of genes is proposed to have arisen by tandem duplication of ancestral beta-globin genes, with the first duplication occurring 200 to 155 MYBP just prior to a period in mammalian evolution when eutherians and marsupials diverged from a common ancestor. In this paper we trace the evolutionary history of the beta-globin gene family back to the origins of these mammals by molecular characterization of the beta-globin gene family of the Australian marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Using Southern and restriction analysis of total genomic DNA and bacteriophage clones of beta-like globin genes, we provide evidence that just two functional beta-like globin genes exist in this marsupial, including one embryonic- expressed gene (S.c-epsilon) and one adult-expressed gene (S.c-beta), linked in the order 5'-epsilon-beta-3'. The entire DNA sequence of the adult beta-globin gene is reported and shown to be orthologous to the adult beta-globin genes of the North American marsupial Didelphis virginiana and eutherian mammals. These results, together with results from a phylogenetic analysis of mammalian beta-like globin genes, confirm the hypothesis that a two-gene cluster, containing an embryonic- and an adult-expressed beta-like globin gene, existed in the most recent common ancester of marsupials and eutherians. Northern analysis of total RNA isolated from embryos and neonatals indicates that a switch from embryonic to adult gene expression occurs at the time of birth, coinciding with the transfer of the marsupial from a uterus to a pouch environment.      

Domains of receptor mobility and endocytosis in the membranes of neonatal human erythrocytes in the membranes of neonatal human erythrocytes and reticulocytes are deficient in spectrin

It has previously shown (Schekman, R., and S.J. Singer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73:4075-4079) that receptors in the membranes of neonatal human erythrocytes show a restricted degree of lateral mobility, whereas in adult human erythrocytes the receptors are essentially immobile. This restricted mobility is exhibited, for example, when concanavalin A (Con A) induces a limited clustering of its receptors in the neonatal erythrocyte membrane, resulting in the formation of invaginations and endocytic vesicles. This does not happen with adult cells. By the use of indirect immunoferritin labeling of ultrathin frozen sections of Con A-treated neonatal blood cells, we now show that the invaginations and endocytotic vesicles do not stain for spectrin, whereas the adjacent unperturbed membrane is heavily stained. The reticulocytes in the neonatal cell population undergo substantially more Con A-induced invagination and endocytosis than do the erythrocytes. These results lend strong support to the hypothesis that specialized discrete domains exist, or are induced, in the membranes of these neonatal cells, in which receptors are laterally mobile, whereas in the remaining (and predominant) part of the membrane the receptors are immobile. Such mobile domains are characterized by an absence of spectrin. During the maturation of the neonatal reticulocyte to erythrocyte, it is proposed that these domains are in large part, but not completely, eliminated.     

Description ofAvesicladiella gen. nov. (hyphomycetes) for two undescribed leaf litter microfungi

The new hyphomycete genusAvesicladiella with two species,A. britannica sp. nov., type species, andA. microsperma sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Both species are leaf litter microfungi. The genus closely resemblesVesicladiella, Circinotrichum, Gyrothrix, Ceratocladium andVermiculariopsiella, several hyphomycete genera with comparable characters such as superficial hyphal networks; production of setae; absence of conidiophores; lageniform or ampulliform conidiogenous cells; and hyaline aseptate conidia produced in clusters around the apices of conidiogenous cells. The new genus differs from these by its hyaline, septate setae, typical ‘phialidic’ conidiogenous cells, and hyaline, aseptate cylindrical conidia.     

Plant‐associated Bacillus spp. alter life‐history traits of the specialist insect Brevicoryne brassicae L.

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