Who is coordinating collective movements in black and gold howler monkeys?

Decisions about when and where to travel are likely to have a strong influence on the feeding, ecology, and foraging strategies of individual primates living in a cohesive social group. Specifically, given differences in age, sex, reproductive status, or social dominance, particular group members may benefit from remaining at their present location while others may benefit from traveling to another area of their range to feed or rest. In this study, we present data on movement coordination in two groups of wild black and gold howler monkeys inhabiting Isla Brasilera (27º 20′S and 58º 40′W) in northern Argentina. We examine how factors such as sex, age, reproductive status, and dominance affect patterns of group movement coordination at feeding or resting sites, and in the context of intergroup encounters. Two groups were followed five days a month from sunrise to sunset during June to November 2004. Using focal and scan sampling techniques, we recorded 262 group displacements, the identity of the individual initiating and leading displacement, and the identity of the first individual to arrive at feeding, resting, or intergroup encounter sites. We found that overall age was the only factor that influenced group coordination: adults led more often (94.5 %) than immature individuals (5.5 %) in both groups. We did not find differences among adults. However, we found that males lead more often than females at intergroup encounters, consistent with the male-mate defense hypothesis. The distributed leadership pattern among adults observed in this study may suggest that adult individuals make equally shared consensus decisions. This pattern should be further examined using this individual-level approach in other populations of black and gold howlers, other species of howlers, and in other atelines in which within-group social tolerance is the rule rather than the exception.     

Sex influences the taxanes content in Taxus baccata

Like other species of the genus Taxus, European yew trees contain taxanes, including paclitaxel (T) and its precursor 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB). Taxanes are one of the most effective anticancer drugs. This study was undertaken to describe the levels and patterns of taxane variation in the Sudetian region (SW Poland). Paclitaxel (T) and 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB) concentrations were analysed in five populations. Needles and twigs were analysed from 60 individuals (30 males and 30 females) in each population. In addition, morphometric measurements were taken in the populations to obtain light intensity coefficients (specific leaf area, SLA). High variability in the taxane contents at both intra and interpopulational levels was found. Nevertheless, females had a significantly higher taxane content compared to males. Because taxanes are carbon-based secondary metabolites, females have higher rate of gas exchange of females compared to males. This was probably an adaptation to greater reproductive effort incurred by females. In this regard, female individuals seem to be better for selecting elite cultivars with a higher taxane production. The relationship between light intensity and taxane content was not significant. Shading, important for optimizing crop production, should not reduce the concentration of taxanes.     

Interaction of p190RhoGAP with C-terminal Domain of p120-catenin Modulates Endothelial Cytoskeleton and Permeability

p120-catenin is a multidomain intracellular protein, which mediates a number of cellular functions, including stabilization of cell-cell transmembrane cadherin complexes as well as regulation of actin dynamics associated with barrier function, lamellipodia formation, and cell migration via modulation of the activities of small GTPAses. One mechanism involves p120 catenin interaction with Rho GTPase activating protein (p190RhoGAP), leading to p190RhoGAP recruitment to cell periphery and local inhibition of Rho activity. In this study, we have identified a stretch of 23 amino acids within the C-terminal domain of p120 catenin as the minimal sequence responsible for the recruitment of p190RhoGAP (herein referred to as CRAD; catenin-RhoGAP association domain). Expression of the p120-catenin truncated mutant lacking the CRAD in endothelial cells attenuated effects of barrier protective oxidized phospholipid, OxPAPC. This effect was accompanied by inhibition of membrane translocation of p190RhoGAP, increased Rho signaling, as well as suppressed activation of Rac1 and its cytoskeletal effectors PAK1 (p21-activated kinase 1) and cortactin. Expression of p120 catenin-truncated mutant lacking CRAD also delayed the recovery process after thrombin-induced endothelial barrier disruption. Concomitantly, RhoA activation and downstream signaling were sustained for a longer period of time, whereas Rac signaling was inhibited. These data demonstrate a critical role for p120-catenin (amino acids 820–843) domain in the p120-catenin·p190RhoGAP signaling complex assembly, membrane targeting, and stimulation of p190RhoGAP activity toward inhibition of the Rho pathway and reciprocal up-regulation of Rac signaling critical for endothelial barrier regulation.     

Glia Maturation Factor (GMF) Interacts with Arp2/3 Complex in a Nucleotide State-dependent Manner

Glia maturation factor (GMF) is a member of the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family. ADF/cofilin promotes disassembly of aged actin filaments, whereas GMF interacts specifically with Arp2/3 complex at branch junctions and promotes debranching. A distinguishing feature of ADF/cofilin is that it binds tighter to ADP-bound than to ATP-bound monomeric or filamentous actin. The interaction is also regulated by phosphorylation at Ser-3 of mammalian cofilin, which inhibits binding to actin. However, it is unknown whether these two factors play a role in the interaction of GMF with Arp2/3 complex. Here we show using isothermal titration calorimetry that mammalian GMF has very low affinity for ATP-bound Arp2/3 complex but binds ADP-bound Arp2/3 complex with 0.7 μm affinity. The phosphomimetic mutation S2E in GMF inhibits this interaction. GMF does not bind monomeric ATP- or ADP-actin, confirming its specificity for Arp2/3 complex. We further show that mammalian Arp2/3 complex nucleation activated by the WCA region of the nucleation-promoting factor N-WASP is not affected by GMF, whereas nucleation activated by the WCA region of WAVE2 is slightly inhibited at high GMF concentrations. Together, the results suggest that GMF functions by a mechanism similar to that of other ADF/cofilin family members, displaying a preference for ADP-Arp2/3 complex and undergoing inhibition by phosphorylation of a serine residue near the N terminus. Arp2/3 complex nucleation occurs in the ATP state, and nucleotide hydrolysis promotes debranching, suggesting that the higher affinity of GMF for ADP-Arp2/3 complex plays a physiological role by promoting debranching of aged branch junctions without interfering with Arp2/3 complex nucleation.     

The tumor suppressor CDKN3 controls mitosis

Mitosis is controlled by a network of kinases and phosphatases. We screened a library of small interfering RNAs against a genome-wide set of phosphatases to comprehensively evaluate the role of human phosphatases in mitosis. We found four candidate spindle checkpoint phosphatases, including the tumor suppressor CDKN3. We show that CDKN3 is essential for normal mitosis and G1/S transition. We demonstrate that subcellular localization of CDKN3 changes throughout the cell cycle. We show that CDKN3 dephosphorylates threonine-161 of CDC2 during mitotic exit and we visualize CDC2^pThr-161 at kinetochores and centrosomes in early mitosis. We performed a phosphokinome-wide mass spectrometry screen to find effectors of the CDKN3-CDC2 signaling axis. We found that one of the identified downstream phosphotargets, CKβ phosphorylated at serine 209, localizes to mitotic centrosomes and controls the spindle checkpoint. Finally, we show that CDKN3 protein is down-regulated in brain tumors. Our findings indicate that CDKN3 controls mitosis through the CDC2 signaling axis. These results have implications for targeted anticancer therapeutics.     

Structural and Functional Analysis of the Natural JNK1 Inhibitor Quercetagetin

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) play critical roles in chronic diseases such as cancer, type II diabetes, and obesity. We describe here the binding of quercetagetin (3,3′,4′,5,6,7-hydroxyflavone), related flavonoids, and SP600125 to JNK1 and PI3-K by ATP-competitive and immobilized metal ion affinity-based fluorescence polarization assays and measure the effect of quercetagetin on JNK1 and PI3-K activities. Quercetagetin attenuated the phosphorylation of c-Jun and AKT, suppressed AP-1 and NF-κB promoter activities, and also reduced cell transformation. It attenuated tumor incidence and reduced tumor volumes in a two-stage skin carcinogenesis mouse model.Our crystallographic structure determination data show that quercetagetin binds to the ATP-binding site of JNK1. Notably, the interaction between Lys55, Asp169, and Glu73 of JNK1 and the catechol moiety of quercetagetin reorients the N-terminal lobe of JNK1, thereby improving compatibility of the ligand with its binding site. The results of a theoretical docking study suggest a binding mode of PI3-K with the hydroxyl groups of the catechol moiety forming hydrogen bonds with the side chains of Asp964 and Asp841 in the p110γ catalytic subunit. These interactions could contribute to the high inhibitory activity of quercetagetin against PI3-K. Our study suggests the potential use of quercetagetin in the prevention or therapy of cancer and other chronic diseases.     

Co-expression pattern of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) within sympathetic innervation of ovary and umbilical cord of the European bison (Bison bonasus L.)

Co-expression of dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) has never been examined in ovary (OV) and umbilical cord (UC) of the European bison (Eb), the endangered wild species. The OV and UC samples were harvested from seasonally eliminated Eb females (45–120 days post coitum). Frozen histological sections were examined by double fluorescent immunohistochemistry (dF-IHC), using the primary mouse anti-DβH monoclonals and rabbit anti-NPY polyclonals and then the immunocomplexes were visualized with FITC and CY3 fluorophores, respectively. Numerous DβH immunoreactive nerve fibers (DβH-IRs) and a little less frequent NPY-IRs were found in the bundle-like structures, innervating mainly perivascular regions of the OV. The NPY-IRs constantly co-expressed DβH, while some DβH-IRs did not express NPY. This specific pattern of innervation was observed both in the stromal and cortical regions of the OV. The simultaneous co-expression of DβH and NPY were also detected in the UC, in which specific single or bundle-like structures ran along the smooth muscles of blood vessels. The spatial-specific co-expression of DβH and NPY in OV and UC, may suggest that these markers are involved in the control of vascularization that regulates nourishing blood circulation required for proper pregnancy maintenance and efficient embryo/fetus development in the Eb.     

Plasticity of diel patterns in the diet and habitat use of feral, non-native fathead minnow Pimephales promelas (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) in a pond-dwelling population in England

The aim of the study was to test for diel patterns in the diet and habitat use in a feral, pond-dwelling, non-native fathead minnow Pimephales promelas population in England. Fish were collected in June 2009 using traps set in four habitat types (open waters, rushes??Juncus effusus, weeds??Potamogeton natans and mixed vegetation), then sexed and measured for total length and eviscerated weight in the laboratory. Data were analysed at 6-h intervals, with Fulton??s condition index and three dietary parameters (frequency of occurrence, number and weight) calculated. Minor diurnal differences in habitat use were observed in males, females and immatures, and these may be due to predator avoidance. Body condition varied greatly in rushes during daytime, probably due to shifts in habitat suitability (e.g. food, refuge). Detritus dominates the diet of native fathead minnow; however, planktonic crustaceans were the most important food resource for this population, with a clear ontogenetic shift, irrespective of habitat, towards greater proportion of ingested detritus in larger individuals. Overall, the results demonstrate that feral fathead minnows display substantial trophic plasticity and a wide range of habitat use, which is normally associated with invasive species. However, established fathead minnow populations in Europe are rare despite its wide-spread ornamental and scientific use.     

Dynamics of exocyclic groups in the Escherichia coli O91 O-antigen polysaccharide in solution studied by carbon-13 NMR relaxation

Carbon-13 relaxation data are reported for exocyclic groups of hexopyranosyl sugar residues in the repeating unit within the Escherichia coli O91 O-antigen polysaccharide in a dilute D₂O solution. The measurements of T ₁, T ₂ and heteronuclear nuclear Overhauser enhancements were carried out at 310 K at two magnetic fields (16.4 T, 21.1 T). The data were analyzed using the standard and extended Lipari–Szabo models, as well as a conformational jump model. The extended version of the Lipari–Szabo and the two-site jump models were most successful for the hydroxymethyl groups of Gal and GlcNAc sugar residues. Different dynamics was found for the hydroxymethyl groups associated with different configurations (d-gluco, d-galacto) of the sugar residues, the latter being faster than the former.