Control of Coptotermes havilandi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) with hexaflumuron baits and a sensor incorporated into a monitoring and baiting program

A sensor consisting of a wooden monitor painted with a conductive circuit of silver particle emulsion was placed in a monitoring station to detect feeding activity of the subterranean termite Coptotermes havilandi Holmgren. Sensor accuracy was 100% 1 mo after installation, but 9 mo after sensor placement, the rate declined to 73%. After the detection of C. havilandi in the stations, baits containing the chitin synthesis inhibitor hexaflumuron were applied in five colonies, and four colonies were eliminated within 3-5 mo. Baiting could not be completed for the remaining one colony because the site became inaccessible.     

Specificity of β1,4-galactosyltransferase inhibition by 2-naphthyl 2-butanamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranoside

Inhibitors of Galactosyltransferase (GalT) have the potential of reducing the amounts of adhesive carbohydrates on secreted and cell surface-bound glycoproteins. We recently found a potent inhibitor of β4GalT, 2-naphthyl 2-butanamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 612). In this work, we have tested compound 612 for the specificity of its inhibition and examined its effect on GalT, and on GlcNAc- and GalNAc-transferases in homogenates of different cell lines, as well as on recombinant glycosyltransferases. Compound 612 was found to be a specific inhibitor of β4GalT. The specificity of recombinant human β3GalT5 that also acts on GlcNAc-R substrates, revealed similarities to bovine milk β4GalT. However, 612 was a poor substrate and not an inhibitor for β3GalT5. To further determine the specific structures responsible for the inhibitory property of 612, we synthesized (2-naphthyl)-2-butanamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosylamine (compound 629) containing nitrogen in the glycosidic linkage, and compared it to other naphthyl and quinolinyl derivatives of GlcNAc as substrates and inhibitors. Compound 629 was a substrate for both β4GalT and β3GalT5. This suggests that properties of 612 other than the presence of the naphthyl ring alone were responsible for its inhibitory action. The results suggest a usefulness of 612 in specifically blocking the synthesis of type 2 chains and thus epitopes attached to type 2 chains. In addition, 612 potently inhibits β4GalT in cell homogenates and thus allows assaying β3GalT activity in the presence of β4GalT.     

Molecular Evidence for the Polyphyly of Macrotrichomonas (Parabasalia: Cristamonadea) and a Proposal for Macrotrichomonoides n. gen.

Macrotrichomonas (Cristamonadea: Parabasalia) is an anaerobic, amitochondriate flagellate symbiont of termite hindguts. It is noteworthy for being large but not structurally complex compared with other large parabasalians, and for retaining a structure similar in appearance to the undulating membrane (UM) of small flagellates closely related to cristamonads, e.g. Tritrichomonas. Here, we have characterised the SSU rDNA from two species described as Macrotrichomonas: M. restis Kirby 1942 from Neotermes jouteli and M. lighti Connell 1932 from Paraneotermes simplicicornis. These species do not form a clade: M. lighti branches with previously characterised Macrotrichomonas sequences from Glyptotermes, while M. restis branches with the genus Metadevescovina. We examined the M. restis UM by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, and we find common characteristics with the proximal portion of the robust recurrent flagellum of devescovinids. Altogether, we show the genus Macrotrichomonas to be polyphyletic and propose transferring M. restis to a new genus, Macrotrichomonoides. We also hypothesise that the macrotrichomonad body plan represents the ancestral state of cristamonads, from which other major forms evolved.     

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Pseudotrichonympha hertwigi and Pseudotrichonympha paulistana (Trichonymphea, parabasalia) from neotropical rhinotermitids

Pseudotrichonympha is a large hypermastigote parabasalian found in the hindgut of several species of rhinotermitid termites. The genus was discovered more than 100 years ago, and although over a dozen species have since been described, this represents only a small fraction of its likely diversity: the termite genera from which Pseudotrichonympha is known are all species rich, and in most cases their hindgut symbionts have not been examined. Even formally described species are mostly lacking in detailed microscopic data and/or sequence data. Using small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences and light and scanning electron microscopy we describe here the morphology and molecular phylogenetic position of two Pseudotrichonympha species: the type species for the genus, Pseudotrichonympha hertwigi from Coptotermes testaceus (described previously in line drawing only), and Pseudotrichonympha paulistana from Heterotermes tenuis (described previously based on light microscopy only).     

Increased expression of bradykinin type-1 receptors in endothelium of intramyocardial coronary vessels in human failing hearts

In experimental animals, bradykinin type-1 receptors (BK-1Rs) are induced during inflammation and ischemia, and, by exerting either cardioprotective or cardiotoxic effects, they may contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Nothing is known about the expression of BK-1Rs in human heart failure. Human heart tissue was obtained from excised hearts of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation (n = 13), due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC; n = 7) or to coronary heart disease (CHD; n = 6), and from normal hearts (n = 6). The expression of BK-1Rs was analyzed by means of competitive RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Expression of BK-1R mRNA was increased in both IDC (2.8-fold) and CHD (2.1-fold) hearts compared with normal hearts. The observed changes were verified at the protein level. Expression of BK-1Rs in failing hearts localized to the endothelium of intramyocardial coronary vessels and correlated with an increased expression of TNF-alpha in the vessel wall. Treatment of human coronary artery endothelial cells with TNF-alpha increases their BK-1R expression. These novel results show that BK-1Rs are induced in the endothelium of intramyocardial coronary vessels in failing human hearts and so may participate in the pathogenesis of heart failure.     

The novel protein PTPIP51 exhibits tissue- and cell-specific expression

The expression patterns of both mRNA and protein of the novel protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) were studied in various organs by in situ hybridization, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. The protein was found in all mammalian species investigated: guinea pig, rat, mouse, pig, and human. The presence of the protein was, however, restricted to specific organs. High levels of PTPIP51 were found in epidermis and seminiferous epithelium. The expression appears to be associated with distinct stages of differentiation. While basal cells in the epidermis and spermatogonia showed no perceptible amount of PTPIP51, keratinocytes of suprabasal layers and differentiating first-order spermatocytes up to spermatids exhibited high expression. In skeletal muscle, the presence of PTPIP51 was restricted to fibers of the fast twitch type. In surface epithelia containing ciliated cells, the protein was associated with the microtubular structures responsible for ciliary movement. Furthermore, specific structures of the central nervous system, for example, neurons of the hippocampal region, ganglion cells of the autonomic nervous system, and axons of the peripheral nervous system showed a distinct staining pattern with the antibody to PTPIP51. Our data suggest that PTPIP51 might be involved in the regulation of cellular processes associated with differentiation, movement, or cytoskeletal organization.Tobias Kajosch died on August 9th 2004     

Phylogeography of Y-chromosome haplogroup I reveals distinct domains of prehistoric gene flow in europe

To investigate which aspects of contemporary human Y-chromosome variation in Europe are characteristic of primary colonization, late-glacial expansions from refuge areas, Neolithic dispersals, or more recent events of gene flow, we have analyzed, in detail, haplogroup I (Hg I), the only major clade of the Y phylogeny that is widespread over Europe but virtually absent elsewhere. The analysis of 1,104 Hg I Y chromosomes, which were identified in the survey of 7,574 males from 60 population samples, revealed several subclades with distinct geographic distributions. Subclade I1a accounts for most of Hg I in Scandinavia, with a rapidly decreasing frequency toward both the East European Plain and the Atlantic fringe, but microsatellite diversity reveals that France could be the source region of the early spread of both I1a and the less common I1c. Also, I1b*, which extends from the eastern Adriatic to eastern Europe and declines noticeably toward the southern Balkans and abruptly toward the periphery of northern Italy, probably diffused after the Last Glacial Maximum from a homeland in eastern Europe or the Balkans. In contrast, I1b2 most likely arose in southern France/Iberia. Similarly to the other subclades, it underwent a postglacial expansion and marked the human colonization of Sardinia ~9,000 years ago.     

Use of a bait impact index to assess effects of bait application against populations of Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in a large area

The effects of bait applications on the overall activity of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, in a town of 1.2 km2 were assessed between 2001 and 2003 by using a bait impact index. The index incorporated the amount of baits applied and the distance between bait application loci and the monitoring stations from which termite activity was measured. Even with the collaboration of only 35% of the residents and incomplete treatment records, the bait impact index demonstrated that more baits applied in proximity to monitoring loci significantly caused the decline of C. formosanus activity.