Developmental Exposure to Fluoxetine Modulates the Serotonin System in Hypothalamus

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (FLU, Prozac®) is commonly prescribed for depression in pregnant women. This results in SSRI exposure of the developing fetus. However, there are knowledge gaps regarding the impact of SSRI exposure during development. Given the role of serotonin in brain development and its cross-talk with sex hormone function, we investigated effects of developmental exposure to pharmacologically relevant concentrations of FLU (3 and 30 nM (measured)) on brain neurotransmitter levels, gonadal differentiation, aromatase activity in brain and gonads, and the thyroid system, using the Xenopus tropicalis model. Tadpoles were chronically exposed (8 weeks) until metamorphosis. At metamorphosis brains were cryosectioned and levels of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid were measured in discrete regions (telencephalon, hypothalamus and the reticular formation) of the cryosections using high-performance liquid chromatography. Exposure to 30 nM FLU increased the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in hypothalamus compared with controls. FLU exposure did not affect survival, time to metamorphosis, thyroid histology, gonadal sex differentiation, or aromatase activity implying that the effect on the serotonergic neurotransmitter system in the hypothalamus region was specific. The FLU concentration that impacted the serotonin system is lower than the concentration measured in umbilical cord serum, suggesting that the serotonin system of the developing brain is highly sensitive to in utero exposure to FLU. To our knowledge this is the first study showing effects of developmental FLU exposure on brain neurochemistry. Given that SSRIs are present in the aquatic environment the current results warrant further investigation into the neurobehavioral effects of SSRIs in aquatic wildlife.     

Biotransformation of 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-Propanediol to 3-Hydroxypivalic Acid by Acetobacter Acetii DSMZ3508 and Related Bacteria

Acetobacter acetii DSMZ3508 and related bacteria converted 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol into 3-hydroxypivalic acid (2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionic acid; 3HP) during submerged cultivation in mineral salt medium. The maximum yield of 3-hydroxypivalic acid was 24.4% of the fed substrate after 18 days. Cultivation parameters, as pH, cell density, optimal substrate concentration, and oxygen supply for the bioconversion process were determined.     

Oat mesophyll protoplasts: their response to various feeder cultures

Oat (Avena sativa L.) mesophyll protoplasts were recently demonstrated to be capable of dedifferentiation, repeated divisions, and colony formation. Since the development of oat mesophyll protoplasts is decisively influenced by the nature of the used feeder culture (species, variety and concentration), we conducted a systematic study of this parameter. Generally, graminaceous feeders promoted protoplast proliferation, while dicot species repressed protoplast divisions. The beneficial effect of those feeders that promote divisions was counterbalanced by a factor that causes necrosis. The correct balance between promotion of divisions or necrosis depended on the nature of the feeder and its plating density.     

Phospholipid dependence of the anion transport system of the human erythrocyte membrane. Studies on reconstituted band 3/lipid vesicles

Band 3 protein extracted from human erythrocyte membranes by Triton X-100 was recombined with the major classes of phospholipid occurring in the erythrocyte membrane. The resulting vesicle systems were characterized with respect to recoveries, phospholipid composition, protein content and vesicle size as well as capacity and activation energy of sulfate transport. Transport was classified into band-3-specific fluxes and unspecific permeability by inhibitors. Transport numbers (sulfate ions per band 3 per minute) served as a measure of functional recovery after reconstitution. The transport properties of band 3 proved to be insensitive to replacement of phosphatidylcholine by phosphatidylethanolamine, while sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine gradually inactivated band-3-specific anion transport when present at mole fractions exceeding 30 mol%. The activation energy of transport remained unaltered in spite of the decrease in transport numbers. The results, which are discussed in terms of requirements of band 3 protein function with respect to the fluidity and surface charge of its lipid environment, provide a new piece of evidence that the transport function of band 3 protein depends on the properties of its lipid environment just as the catalytic properties of some other membrane enzymes. The well-established species differences in anion transport (Gruber, W. and Deuticke, B. (1973) J. Membrane Biol. 13, 19–36) may to some extent reflect this lipid dependence.     

Hyperprolactinaemia and testosterone production. Observations in 2 men on long-term dialysis

2 men had received maintenance dialysis for more than 5 years because of uraemia. Gradual impairment of libido had led to total impotence of more than 6 months duration. Concurrently hyperprolactinaemia occurred. Bromocriptine was given for 2 and 4 months, respectively. Potency was not restored, but in 1 patient the blood transfusion requirements were halved and general well-being and strength increased. In both men, the serum prolactin levels normalized. Inversely, the low plasma testosterone levels increased during the treatment period.     

SuperSAGE analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicotiana attenuata</Emphasis> transcriptome after fatty acid-amino acid elicitation (FAC): identification of early mediators of insect responses

Background  

Plants trigger and tailor defense responses after perception of the oral secretions (OS) of attacking specialist lepidopteran larvae. Fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs) in the OS of the Manduca sexta larvae are necessary and sufficient to elicit the herbivory-specific responses in Nicotiana attenuata, an annual wild tobacco species. How FACs are perceived and activate signal transduction mechanisms is unknown.     

The effect of light on the growth rate of intertidal Acropora pulchra (Brook) from Phuket,Thailand, lat. 8°N

Series of apices of Acropora pulchra from an intertidal reef at Phuket, Thailand, were grown at different depths in the sea, and the length growth was monitored at 12–24 h intervals with laser diffraction. The growth rates of actively growing apices were normally distributed and showed a high variability, with an average coefficient of variation of 58%. There was a highly significant difference in average growth rate between adjacent colonies. A significant linear relationship was found between irradiance and length growth, with a saturating level at 300–400 Wm^-2. At 1000 Wm^-2 length growth was significantly reduced. Under normal daylight conditions, day and night growth rates were equal.