Phylogeny and systematics of the tribe Sonerileae (Melastomataceae) in Africa: A revised taxonomic classification

The tribe Sonerileae in tropical Africa and Madagascar is a morphologically diverse lineage that consists of 239 species in 10 genera. In this study, we present the first in-depth phylogenetic analysis of African Sonerileae to test monophyly of the currently recognized genera. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequence data from two nuclear (nrITS and nrETS) and three plastid loci (accD-psaI, ndhF and psbK-psbL). Sampling consisted of 140 accessions including 64 African, 27 Malagasy, 46 Asian, and three neotropical Sonerileae together with a broad outgroup sampling (105 spp.). Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference approaches, and a careful reassessment of morphological characters was carried out. Our results neither support the monophyly of the Old World nor African Sonerileae. The monospecific African genus Benna is partially supported as sister to Phainantha, one of the basal neotropical lineages, while African and Malagasy Medinilla are nested among the SE Asian genera. Gravesia (116 spp.), the most species-rich and morphologically diverse genus in Madagascar, is recovered as monophyletic. The African genera of Sonerileae Calvoa, Dicellandra, and Preussiella form well-supported clades. In contrast, Amphiblemma (including Amphiblemma molle) and Cincinnobotrys s.l. (including Cincinnobotrys felicis) are not monophyletic. To accommodate the caulescent C. felicis we propose reinstatement of the monospecific genus Bourdaria. For the distinctive A. molle a new genus Mendelia is described. Calvoa hirsuta is designated here as the type of genus Calvoa, lectotypes are designated for Medinilla engleri and Veprecella lutea, and a neotype is designated for Preussiella kamerunensis.     

Generation of in silico predicted coxsackievirus B3-derived MHC class I epitopes by proteasomes

Amino Acids - Proteasomes are known to be the main suppliers of MHC class I (MHC-I) ligands. In an attempt to identify coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-MHC-I epitopes, a combined approach of in silico...     

Blue and Red Light-dependent Alterations in the Ratio of two Forms of Glutamine Synthetase in Chlorella kessleri

Two forms of glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) can be separated in crude extracts of Chlorella kessleri on the basis of their different surface charges. The two enzyme forms (GS1 and GS2) respond differently upon transferring the cells from darkness to autotrophic growth in white light: the activity of GS2 increases, that of GS1 remains unchanged. The increase in GS2 activity is only brought about by blue light; in red light GS2 activity appears to be uninfluenced, while that of GS1 increases. There are no indications of wavelength-dependent oligomerization processes as a cause for the observed activity alterations. There is however, a strong influence of inhibitors of protein biosynthesis. Cycloheximide and lincomycin both affect the blue light-dependent increase in activity of GS2, cycloheximide preventing that of GS1 in red lgiht completely. Since literature data point to localization of GS2 in the chloroplast, and GS1 in the cytosol, the data are discussed in view of two different photoreceptors involved in the regulation of the amounts of GS1 and GS2 in different compartments of the Chlorella cell.     

Energy metabolism and ATP turnover time during the cell cycle of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

The energy production in different parts of the cell cycle due to aerobic and aerobic glycolytic metabolism and ATP turnover time was estimated by measuring the oxygen consumption, lactate-pyruvate and ATP content of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells growing in vivo. Cell fractions of high purity from the various parts of the cell cycle were obtained by means of elutriator centrifuging. The total energy production for one cell cycle was estimated to be 19 × 10^?12 mol ATP, 60% of which was due to the aerobic metabolism. Whereas the total ATP production is unchanged during G1 a fairly exponential increase is found during the S and G2 + M phases. The total cellular ATP content increases from 12 fmol ATP at early G1 to 28 fmol ATP at G2 + M; this increase, however, is discontinuous and is most pronounced during G1 and during late S phase S phase/G2 + M. The ATP turnover time, as defined as the ratio between ATP content and ATP production, was found to increase significantly from 75 sec in early G1 to 120 sec in late G1 but was constantly 100 sec during the early, middle and late S phase as well as G2 + M. These variations indicate maximum energy-requiring processes during early G1 period of the cell cycle and are discussed in relation to K⁺Na⁺ flux and macromolecule synthesis.     

Gliridae (Rodentia,Mammalia) des Eichkogels bei Mödling (Niederösterreich)

Five dormice species belonging to five genera have been recognized at Eichkogel:Vasseuromys thenii nov. spec., Muscatdinus pliocaenicus Kowalski 1963,Myomimus dehmi (De Bruijn 1966),Glirulus lissiensis HuguEnEy & Mein 1965 and a glirid gen. et spec, indet. Petauristinae, Eomyidae and most of the Gliridae representing almost half to the Eichkogel rodent species are thought to have inhabited moist woodlands.