A Protein Kinase-Dependent Block to Reinitiation of DNA Replication in G2 Phase in Mammalian Cells

Eukaryotic cells normally replicate their DNA only once between mitoses. Unlike G1 nuclei, intact G2 nuclei do not replicate during incubation inXenopusegg extract. However, artificial permeabilization of the nuclear membrane of G2 nuclei allows induction of new initiations byXenopusegg extract. This is consistent with the action of a replication licensing factor which is believed to enter the nucleus when the nuclear membrane breaks down at mitosis. Here, we show that G2 nuclei will initiate a new round of replication in the absence of nuclear membrane permeabilization, if they are preexposed to protein kinase inhibitorsin vivo.Competence to rereplicate is generated within 30 min of drug treatment, well before the scheduled onset of mitosis. This demonstrates that a protein kinase-dependent mechanism is continually active in G2 phase to actively prevent regeneration of replication capacity in mammalian cells. Kinase inhibition in G2 cells causes nuclear accumulation of replication protein A. Rereplication of kinase-inhibited G2 nuclei also depends on factors supplied byXenopusegg extract, which are distinct from those required for replication licensing.     

Simple models for trail-following behaviour; Trunk trails versus individual foragers

Social insects such as ants use trial-marking and trail-following to organize the behaviour and movement patterns of a large population. Since behaviour has to meet needs of the population in a changing environment, the type of trail networks formed must be adaptable. Both solitary foraging as well as mass migration along a system of trunk trails are behaviours essential for survival of the colony, and the population must be able to switch from one behaviour to the other, depending on conditions. Using a mathematical model for trail following we show that subtle changes in individual behaviour can give rise to dramatic differences in the behaviour of the population, including the ability to switch from solitary movement to organized group traffic. The model incorporates biological parameters associated with the organism, the trail-marker, and the population. Ordinary differential equations are formulated for the density of the trails and for the number of individuals following trails or exploring randomly. It is assumed that the followers reinforce trails by pheromone marking, and that individuals respond to the strength of the trails by becoming more efficient followers. The model is analyzed by qualitative phase-plane methods.     

Modelling the dynamics of F-actin in the cell

The regulation of the interactions between the actin binding proteins and the actin filaments are known to affect the cytoskeletal structure of F-actin. We develop a model depicting the formation of actin cytoskeleton, bundles and orthogonal networks, via activation or inactivation of different types of actin binding proteins. It is found that as the actin filament density increases in the cell, a spontaneous tendency to organize into bundles or networks occurs depending on the active actin binding protein concentration. Also, a minute change in the relative binding affinity of the actin binding proteins in the cell may lead to a major change in the actin cytoskeleton. Both the linear stability analysis and the numerical results indicate that the structures formed are highly sensitive to changes in the parameters, in particular to changes in the parameter ϕ, denoting the relative binding affinity and concentration of the actin binding proteins.     

Origin of the main class of repetitive DNA within selected Pennisetum species

In an attempt to identify relationships among genomes of the allotetraploid Pennisetum purpureum Schumach and closely related Pennisetum species with which it can be successfully hybridized, repetitive DNA sequences were examined. Digestion with KpnI revealed two highly repetitive fragments of 140 by and 160 bp. The possibility that these sequences could be used as genome markers was investigated. Average sequences were determined for the 140 by and 160 by KpnI families from P. purpureum and P. squamulatum Fresen. Average sequences (based upon four or five repeats) were determined for the P. glaucum (L.) R. Br. 140 by KpnI family and the diploid P. hohenackeri Hochst. ex Steud. 160 bp KpnI family. The average sequences of the 160 by KpnI families in P. purpureum and P. squamulatum differ by only nine bases. The 140 by KpnI families of the three related species, P. purpureum, P. squamulantum, and P. glaucum are nearly identical, and thus likely represent a recent divergence from a common progenitor or a common genome. Each repetitive sequence may contain internal duplications, which probably diverged following amplification of the original sequence. The 140 by KpnI repeat probably evolved from the 160 by KpnI repeat since the missing 18 by segment is part of the internal duplication that is otherwise conserved in the subrepeats. Tandemly arrayed repetitive sequences in plants are likely to be composed of subrepeats which have been duplicated and amplified.Florida Aqricultural Experiment Station series #R-02758     

Orientation by helical motion—II. Changing the direction of the axis of motion

We analyse the helical motion of organisms, concentrating on the means by which organisms change the direction in space of the axis of the helical trajectory, which is the net direction of motion. We demonstrate that the direction of the axis is determined largely by the direction of the organism's rotational velocity. Changes in direction of the rotational velocity, with respect to the organism's body, change the direction in space of the axis of the helical trajectory. Conversely, changes in direction of the translational velocity, with respect to the body of the organism, have little effect on the direction in space of the axis of the trajectory. Because the axis of helical motion is the net direction of motion, it is likely that organisms that move in helices change direction by pointing their rotational velocity, not their translational velocity, in a new direction.     

Carbon uptake in Eurasian boreal forests dominates the high-latitude net ecosystem carbon budget

Arctic-boreal landscapes are experiencing profound warming, along with changes in ecosystem moisture status and disturbance from fire. This region is of global importance in terms of carbon feedbacks to climate, yet the sign (sink or source) and magnitude of the Arctic-boreal carbon budget within recent years remains highly uncertain. Here, we provide new estimates of recent (2003–2015) vegetation gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R_eco), net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE; R_eco − GPP), and terrestrial methane (CH₄) emissions for the Arctic-boreal zone using a satellite data-driven process-model for northern ecosystems (TCFM-Arctic), calibrated and evaluated using measurements from >60 tower eddy covariance (EC) sites. We used TCFM-Arctic to obtain daily 1-km² flux estimates and annual carbon budgets for the pan-Arctic-boreal region. Across the domain, the model indicated an overall average NEE sink of −850 Tg CO₂-C year⁻¹. Eurasian boreal zones, especially those in Siberia, contributed to a majority of the net sink. In contrast, the tundra biome was relatively carbon neutral (ranging from small sink to source). Regional CH₄ emissions from tundra and boreal wetlands (not accounting for aquatic CH₄) were estimated at 35 Tg CH₄-C year⁻¹. Accounting for additional emissions from open water aquatic bodies and from fire, using available estimates from the literature, reduced the total regional NEE sink by 21% and shifted many far northern tundra landscapes, and some boreal forests, to a net carbon source. This assessment, based on in situ observations and models, improves our understanding of the high-latitude carbon status and also indicates a continued need for integrated site-to-regional assessments to monitor the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change.