Performance of non-motile male gametes in the sea: analysis of paternity and fertilization success in a natural population of a red seaweed,Gracilaria gracilis

In haploid–diploid red seaweeds, the dispersal of male gametes is presumed limited due to their lack of flagella. It has been suggested that this group suffers from sperm limitation and, consequently, that fertilization is relatively inefficient. Fertilization in most floridean rhodophytes results in the formation a cystocarp, a swelling on the haploid female thallus housing the diploid zygote and its thousands of diploid daughter spores. To study the performance of non-motile male gametes in the sea, we evaluated both female and male fertilization success in a natural population of the red marine alga Gracilaria gracilis. Female fertilization success, estimated by cystocarp yield per unit female thallus, was evaluated with respect to the availability of male gametes. Male fertilization success, estimated by the individual contribution of different males to zygotes, was assessed by paternity analyses on 350 cystocarps produced in one reproductive season using two microsatellite loci. The results show that cystocarp yield is not sperm limited and that the large variation in male fertilization success cannot be solely explained by the distance travelled by the male gamete to find a mate. Taken together, the results suggest that, not only is fertilization efficient, but that male–male competition and/or female choice may play a role in shaping population mating patterns.     

Engineering and mechanistic studies of the Arabidopsis FAE1 beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase, FAE1 KCS.

The Arabidopsis FAE1 beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (FAE1 KCS) catalyzes the condensation of malonyl-CoA with long-chain acyl-CoAs. Sequence analysis of FAE1 KCS predicted that this condensing enzyme is anchored to a membrane by two adjacent N-terminal membrane-spanning domains. In order to characterize the FAE1 KCS and analyze its mechanism, FAE1 KCS and its mutants were engineered with a His6-tag at their N-terminus, and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The membrane-bound enzyme was then solubilized and purified to near homogeneity on a metal affinity column. Wild-type recombinant FAE1 KCS was active with several acyl-CoA substrates, with highest activity towards saturated and monounsaturated C16 and C18. In the absence of an acyl-CoA substrate, FAE1 KCS was unable to carry out decarboxylation of [3-(14)C]malonyl-CoA, indicating that it requires binding of the acyl-CoA for decarboxylation activity. Site-directed mutagenesis was carried out on the FAE1 KCS to assess if this condensing enzyme was mechanistically related to the well characterized soluble condensing enzymes of fatty acid and flavonoid syntheses. A C223A mutant enzyme lacking the acylation site was unable to carry out decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA even when 18:1-CoA was present. Mutational analyses of the conserved Asn424 and His391 residues indicated the importance of these residues for FAE1-KCS activity. The results presented here provide the initial analysis of the reaction mechanism for a membrane-bound condensing enzyme from any source and provide evidence for a mechanism similar to the soluble condensing enzymes.     

Explaining density-dependent regulation in earthworm populations using life-history analysis

At present there is little knowledge about how density regulates population growth rate and to what extent this is determined by life-history patterns. We compared density dependent population consequences in the Nicholsonian sense based on experimental observations and life-history modeling for the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia fetida . Both species differ in their life-histories, L. terrestris being a relatively long-lived species with slow reproduction and occurring at low densities compared to E. fetida which has a more opportunistic strategy with a high reproductive output. E. fetida is able to colonise new habitats rapidly and may occur at relatively high population densities. Density dependency of population growth rate was estimated by incorporating density dependent effects on reproduction and growth using a modified Euler equation. The results point out that E. fetida was not as strongly impacted by density as compared to L. terrestris . Population growth rate in E. fetida was hardly affected at low and moderate density, being reduced only at high level, this compares to L. terrestris where even relatively small density effects resulted in a strong negative effect on population growth rate. Our findings indicate that density-dependent regulation in earthworms can be quantified using life-history analysis. The outcomes are in agreement with empirical field observations for populations (i.e. L. terrestris occurs ar low density, E. fetida at high density). Consideration of the potential importance of Nicholsonian density dependence for field populations of these two species in light of their known biology however produces counterintuitive conclusions. In E. fetida , although density tolerant, rapid population growth may mean this species may be subject to density dependeny regulation. In L. terrestris , although density sensitive, complex behavioural ecology (surface activity, territoriality) may limit of feedback influence on population size.     

Peptides and multiple antigen peptides from Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase: preparation, immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity in C57BL/6 mice.

Four monoepitopic MAPs (MAP A, B, C and E) and one bis-diepitopic MAP B-E derived fromthe primary sequence of Schistosoma mansoni glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, previously tested in BALB/c mice, were examined for their immunogenicity and protective capacity in C57BL/6 mice. Despite multimerization into MAPs, MAP Aand MAP C were poorly immunogenic. In contrast toBALB/c mice, MAP E was non-immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice. Peptide B in the form of MAP B orbis-diepitopic MAPB-E elicited immune responses in C57BL/6 mice that were associated with a significant decrease in worm burden. The MAPs were prepared by the stepwise solid-phase peptide synthesis using Boc/Bzl chemistry, successfully purified on the RP-HPLC column and characterized by RP-HPLC, HPCE and MALDI-TOF MS techniques. A general strategy for MAPs purification is discussed here and the purification of MAP Band MAP E is documented in detail.     

Transformation of sensory organs by mutations of the cut locus of D. melanogaster

The identities of two types of sensory organs in the body wall of Drosophila, namely the external sensory organs and the chordotonal organs, are under genetic control. Embryonic lethal mutations in the cut gene complex transform the external sensory organs into chordotonal organs. The neurons, as well as the support cells forming the external sensory structures, change their morphological and antigenic characteristics to those of chordotonal organs, providing genetic evidence that these two types of sensory organs are homologous. Similar transformations of external sensory organs are observed in adult mosaic flies. Analysis of mosaic larvae and flies suggests that the cut gene function is required either in or near external sensory organs in order for them to acquire their correct identity.