RT-qPCR reveals opsin gene upregulation associated with age and sex in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) - a species with color-based sexual selection and 11 visual-opsin genes

Background  

PCR-based surveys have shown that guppies (Poecilia reticulata) have an unusually large visual-opsin gene repertoire. This has led to speculation that opsin duplication and divergence has enhanced the evolution of elaborate male coloration because it improves spectral sensitivity and/or discrimination in females. However, this conjecture on evolutionary connections between opsin repertoire, vision, mate choice, and male coloration was generated with little data on gene expression. Here, we used RT-qPCR to survey visual-opsin gene expression in the eyes of males, females, and juveniles in order to further understand color-based sexual selection from the perspective of the visual system.     

Stability and DNA binding ability of the DNA binding domains of interferon regulatory factors 1 and 3

The thermodynamic properties and DNA binding ability of the N-terminal DNA binding domains of interferon regulatory factors IRF-1 (DBD1) and IRF-3 (DBD3) were studied using microcalorimetric and optical methods. DBD3 is significantly more stable than DBD1: at 20 degrees C the Gibbs energy of unfolding of DBD3 is -28.6 kJ/mol, which is 2 times larger than that of DBD1, -14.9 kJ/mol. Fluorescence anisotropy titration experiments showed that at this temperature the association constants with the PRDI binding site are 1.1 x 10(6) M(-)(1) for DBD1 and 3.6 x 10(6) M(-)(1) for DBD3, corresponding to Gibbs energies of association of -34 and -37 kJ/mol, respectively. However, the larger binding energy of DBD3 is due to its larger electrostatic component, while its nonelectrostatic component is smaller than that of DBD1. Therefore, DBD1 appears to have more sequence specificity than DBD3. Binding of DBD1 to target DNA is characterized by a substantially larger negative enthalpy than binding of DBD3, implying that the more flexible structure of DBD1 forms tighter contacts with DNA than the more rigid structure of DBD3. Thus, the strength of the DBDs' specific association with DNA is inversely related to the stability of the free DBDs.     

Cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 regulates TRPV1 phosphorylation in sensory neurons

Cannabinoids are known to have multiple sites of action in the nociceptive system, leading to reduced pain sensation. However, the peripheral mechanism(s) by which this phenomenon occurs remains an issue that has yet to be resolved. Because phosphorylation of TRPV1 (transient receptor potential subtype V1) plays a key role in the induction of thermal hyperalgesia in inflammatory pain models, we evaluated whether the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) regulates the phosphorylation state of TRPV1. Here, we show that treatment of primary rat trigeminal ganglion cultures with WIN led to dephosphorylation of TRPV1, specifically at threonine residues. Utilizing Chinese hamster ovary cell lines, we demonstrate that Thr(144) and Thr(370) were dephosphorylated, leading to desensitization of the TRPV1 receptor. This post-translational modification occurred through activation of the phosphatase calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) following WIN treatment. Furthermore, knockdown of TRPA1 (transient receptor potential subtype A1) expression in sensory neurons by specific small interfering RNA abolished the WIN effect on TRPV1 dephosphorylation, suggesting that WIN acts through TRPA1. We also confirm the importance of TRPA1 in WIN-induced dephosphorylation of TRPV1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells through targeted expression of one or both receptor channels. These results imply that the cannabinoid WIN modulates the sensitivity of sensory neurons to TRPV1 activation by altering receptor phosphorylation. In addition, our data could serve as a useful strategy in determining the potential use of certain cannabinoids as peripheral analgesics.     

Floral traits mediate the vulnerability of aloes to pollen theft and inefficient pollination by bees

Background and Aims

Pollen-collecting bees are among the most important pollinators globally, but are also the most common pollen thieves and can significantly reduce plant reproduction. The pollination efficiency of pollen collectors depends on the frequency of their visits to female(-phase) flowers, contact with stigmas and deposition of pollen of sufficient quantity and quality to fertilize ovules. Here we investigate the relative importance of these components, and the hypothesis that floral and inflorescence characteristics mediate the pollination role of pollen collection by bees.

Methods

For ten Aloe species that differ extensively in floral and inflorescence traits, we experimentally excluded potential bird pollinators to quantify the contributions of insect visitors to pollen removal, pollen deposition and seed production. We measured corolla width and depth to determine nectar accessibility, and the phenology of anther dehiscence and stigma receptivity to quantify herkogamy and dichogamy. Further, we compiled all published bird-exclusion studies of aloes, and compared insect pollination success with floral morphology.

Key Results

Species varied from exclusively insect pollinated, to exclusively bird pollinated but subject to extensive pollen theft by insects. Nectar inaccessibility and strong dichogamy inhibited pollination by pollen-collecting bees by discouraging visits to female-phase (i.e. pollenless) flowers. For species with large inflorescences of pollen-rich flowers, pollen collectors successfully deposited pollen, but of such low quality (probably self-pollen) that they made almost no contribution to seed set. Indeed, considering all published bird-exclusion studies (17 species in total), insect pollination efficiency varied significantly with floral shape.

Conclusions

Species-specific floral and inflorescence characteristics, especially nectar accessibility and dichogamy, control the efficiency of pollen-collecting bees as pollinators of aloes.     

More than a store: regulatory roles for glycogen in skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise

The glycogen content of muscle determines not only our capacity for exercise but also the signaling events that occur in response to exercise. The result of the shift in signaling is that frequent training in a low-glycogen state results in improved fat oxidation during steady-state submaximal exercise. This review will discuss how the amount or localization of glycogen particles can directly or indirectly result in this differential response to training. The key direct effect discussed is carbohydrate binding, whereas the indirect effects include the metabolic shift toward fat oxidation, the increase in catecholamines, and osmotic stress. Although our understanding of the role of glycogen in response to training has expanded exponentially over the past 5 years, there are still many questions remaining as to how stored carbohydrate affects the muscular adaptation to exercise.     

Biofilms reduce solar disinfection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts

Solar radiation reduces Cryptosporidium infectivity. Biofilms grown from stream microbial assemblages inoculated with oocysts were exposed to solar radiation. The infectivity of oocysts attached at the biofilm surface and oocysts suspended in water was about half that of oocysts attached at the base of a 32-μm biofilm.     

Comparison of methods for processing drinking water samples for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare

Several protocols for isolation of mycobacteria from water exist, but there is no established standard method. This study compared methods of processing potable water samples for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare using spiked sterilized water and tap water decontaminated using 0.005% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Samples were concentrated by centrifugation or filtration and inoculated onto Middlebrook 7H10 and 7H11 plates and Lowenstein-Jensen slants and into mycobacterial growth indicator tubes with or without polymyxin, azlocillin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, and amphotericin B. The solid media were incubated at 32 degrees C, at 35 degrees C, and at 35 degrees C with CO(2) and read weekly. The results suggest that filtration of water for the isolation of mycobacteria is a more sensitive method for concentration than centrifugation. The addition of sodium thiosulfate may not be necessary and may reduce the yield. Middlebrook M7H10 and 7H11 were equally sensitive culture media. CPC decontamination, while effective for reducing growth of contaminants, also significantly reduces mycobacterial numbers. There was no difference at 3 weeks between the different incubation temperatures.     

Protection of Respiratory Chain Enzymes from Ischaemic Damage in Adult Rat Brain Slices

The effect of aglycaemic hypoxia (AH) on the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes was measured in superfused adult cortical brain slices. After 15 min of AH the activity of complex II–III was significantly reduced (by 45%) with no change in complex I or IV. Following 30 min of reperfusion the activities of complex II–III and IV were significantly reduced (by 45% and 20% respectively). These reductions in enzyme activity were abolished by removing the external calcium or by the addition of Nω-nitro-l-arginine (LNNA) or an analogue of superoxide dismutase (SOD) manganese [III] tetrakis 4-benzoic acid porphyrin (Mn-TBAP). These data suggest that a reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as peroxynitrite is involved in the reduction of mitochondrial complex activities following AH.     

Use of the EM algorithm to detect QTL affecting multiple-traits in an across half-sib family analysis

QTL detection experiments in livestock species commonly use the half-sib design. Each male is mated to a number of females, each female producing a limited number of progeny. Analysis consists of attempting to detect associations between phenotype and genotype measured on the progeny. When family sizes are limiting experimenters may wish to incorporate as much information as possible into a single analysis. However, combining information across sires is problematic because of incomplete linkage disequilibrium between the markers and the QTL in the population. This study describes formulæ for obtaining MLEs via the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for use in a multiple-trait, multiple-family analysis. A model specifying a QTL with only two alleles, and a common within sire error variance is assumed. Compared to single-family analyses, power can be improved up to fourfold with multi-family analyses. The accuracy and precision of QTL location estimates are also substantially improved. With small family sizes, the multi-family, multi-trait analyses reduce substantially, but not totally remove, biases in QTL effect estimates. In situations where multiple QTL alleles are segregating the multi-family analysis will average out the effects of the different QTL alleles.