Ecophysiology of Aufwuchs-eating cichlids in Lake Tanganyika: niche separation by trophic specialization

Synopsis The Aufwuchs-eating cichlids of Lake Tanganyika show clear trophic differences that are correlated to their morphology, physiology and foraging behaviour. The species are grouped into three categories of relative intestinal length according to their feeding habits. A correlation between the intestinal length and the diet could be demonstrated, ranging from around 2.5 for species ingesting more animal food, to 7.8 for detritivorous and microalgivorous species. The relative intestinal length of domesticTropheus moorii, raised in aquaria was significantly lower than that of wild individuals by a factor of 1.7, demonstrating a wide range of phenotypic adaptability. The activities of trypsin and amylase were at an equal level in four Aufwuchseating species, but the activity of laminarinase of a detritivorous-microalgivorous species (Petrochromis orthognathus) was 2.6 times higher than that of an algivorous species (Tropheus moorii). The laminarinase seems to be an excellent marker enzyme for detritivorous or microalgivorous feeding.     

Human transformed trophoblast-derived cells lacking CD4 receptor exhibit restricted permissiveness for human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

We investigated the nature of interaction of the malignantly transformed cell lines of trophoblast origin BeWo, JAR, and JEG-3 with three different human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates (RF, 3B, and NDK). After inoculation with cell-free virus, the persistence of infection was determined for 1 month by monitoring the presence of viral DNA in the cells by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, the infectious virus in the culture supernatant was assayed with CEM-SS cells, and attempts to rescue the virus by cocultivation with CEM-SS cells were made. Appraised on the basis of the relative amount of viral DNA and the frequency of positive cocultivation. JEG-3 was the most permissive and BeWo was the least permissive cell line. However, when the cells were transfected with two biologically active molecular clones of HIV-1, the BRU and NDK isolates, all three cell lines turned out to support the production of mature virus progeny to the same extent. The abundance of viral DNA sequences in the infected cells varied with the isolate, showing an overall decline from RF to NDK. The amount of viral DNA in the cells and its expression decreased during the period of observation; this decrease was mirrored in an erosion of the virus recovery rate at cocultivation from 71% recovery on day 8 to failure of isolation on day 32. None of the cell lines expressed detectable amounts of cell surface CD4 molecules when assayed by flow microfluorometry and direct radioimmunoassay. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization analysis of both the total RNA and the mRNA did not reveal any CD4-specific message: nonetheless, by using the PCR, sequences specifically related to the CD4 gene were uncovered. The data demonstrate that the trophoblast-derived cell lines are susceptible to infection with HIV and that they support transient viral replication in the initial phases of infection. However, the latent form of infection may persist over a period of several weeks.     

Species-specific diversity among simian immunodeficiency viruses from African green monkeys

The prevalence, natural history, and genetic characteristics of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections in most feral African monkey species are presently unknown, yet this information is essential to elucidate their origin and relationship to other simian and human immunodeficiency viruses. In this study, a combination of classical and molecular approaches were used to identify and characterize SIV isolates from West African green monkeys (Cercopithecus sabaeus) (SIVagm isolates). Four SIVagm viruses from wild-caught West African green monkeys were isolated and analyzed biologically and molecularly. Amplification, cloning, and sequencing of a 279-bp polymerase fragment directly from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells was facilitated by the use of nested polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that West African green monkeys are naturally infected with SIVs which are closely related to East African SIVagm isolates. However, structural, antigenic, and genetic differences were observed which strongly suggest that the West African green monkey viruses comprise a phylogenetically distinct subgroup of SIVagm. These findings support our previous hypothesis that SIVagm viruses may have evolved and diverged coincident with the evolution and divergence of their African green monkey host. In addition, this study describes a polymerase chain reaction-based approach that allows the identification and molecular analysis of divergent SIV strains directly from primary monkey tissue. This approach, which does not depend on virus isolation methods, should facilitate future studies aimed at elucidating the origins and natural history of SIVs in feral African green monkey populations.     

Extinction of populations by random influences

A unifying approach described by a random birth and death process which includes both environmental and demographic noise is introduced. It is shown that both of these noise sources play an essential role in extinction processes in general. The probability distribution of the lifetime of a population is determined and its dependence on the parameters of the model is discussed. Finally a population divided into subpopulations is modeled. The lifetime of this ensemble of subpopulations is compared to the lifetime of one large population.     

Inhibition of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid by metal ions and seleniumin vitro

In liver homogenate the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid usingN-acetylglucosamine as precursor can be followed stepwise by applying different chromatographic procedures. In this cell-free system 16 metal ions (Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, La³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Ce³⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Sn²⁺, Cs⁺ and Li⁺) and the selenium compounds, selenium(IV) oxide and sodium selenite, have been checked with respect to their ability to influence a single or possible several steps of the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. It could be shown that the following enzymes are sensitive to these metal ions (usually applied at a concentration of 1 mmoll^–1):N-acetylglucosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺ and vandate), UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase (inhibited by zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, VO ₃ ^– , Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cs⁺, Li⁺, selenium(IV) oxide and selenite), andN-acetylmannosamine kinase (inhibited by Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Co²⁺). Dose dependent measurements have shown that Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and selenite are more efficient inhibitors of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-2-epimerase than vanadate. As for theN-acetylmannosamine kinase inhibition, a decreasing inhibitory effect exists in the following order Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺. In contrast, La³⁺, Al³⁺ and Mn²⁺ (1 mmoll^–1) did not interfere with the biosynthesis ofN-acetylneuraminic acid. Thus, the conclusion that the inhibitory effect of the metal ions investigated cannot be regarded as simply unspecific is justified.Dedicated to Professor Theodor Günther on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Expression of polysialylated N-CAM during rat heart development

Developmental patterns of immunoreactivity for the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and alpha 2.8-linked polysialic acid (PSA) were identified in embryonic and postnatal rat heart by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Polyclonal antibodies against N-CAM and a monoclonal antibody which recognises only polymers of PSA with a chain length greater than eight units were used. Gold- and alkaline-phosphatase-labelled antibodies were used for detection. The N-CAM polypeptide isoform pattern seen by immunoblotting after endoneuraminidase treatment changed as development progressed. During embryonic development a 160-kDa polypeptide isoform was predominant. Around birth, 130-, 160- and 170-kDa polypeptide isoforms were found. The expression of the 130- and 170-kDa isoforms diminished until finally, in the adult, weak immunoreactivity for bands of 120-, 130- and 160-kDa was seen. In general the extent and intensity of PSA and N-CAM immunostaining in rat heart increased until birth and declined thereafter. Early in development prominent immunostaining for PSA and N-CAM was seen in the epicardium while later in development this area was only weakly stained. Initially myocardial cells, endocardial cells and some cells in the atrioventricular cushions were immunoreactive for both PSA and N-CAM. Later in development N-CAM immunostaining was more prominent than PSA immunoreactivity, reflecting a decrease in N-CAM polysialylation, which was also seen by immunoblotting. During innervation of the heart, nerve fibres were strongly immunostained for PSA and N-CAM, and this was the only immunostaining seen in adult heart.