Range of the transmissivity of the genetic transfer factors pAP38, pAP39, pAP41 and pAP42

A study was made of the transmissivity range of the genetic transfer factors pAP38, pAP39, pAP41 and pAP42 identified in E. coli. It was demonstrated that these factors are not capable of transfer to the cells of P. putida, P. fluorescens, R. leguminosarum, A. lipoferum, A. tumefaciens. Factor pAP42 is mobilized to transfer to P. putida and R. leguminosarum with the aid of plasmid RP4. It is assumed that in the course of mobilization, the cointegrative structures are formed between plasmids pAP42 and RP4.     

Latitudinal gradients in niche breadth: empirical evidence from haematophagous ectoparasites

Aim  We searched for relationships between latitude and both the geographic range size and host specificity of fleas parasitic on small mammals. This provided a test for the hypothesis that specialization is lower, and thus niche breadth is wider, in high-latitude species than in their counterparts at lower latitudes.
Location  We used data on the host specificity and geographic range size of 120 Palaearctic flea species (Siphonaptera) parasitic on small mammals (Soricomorpha, Lagomorpha and Rodentia). Data on host specificity were taken from 33 regions, whereas data on geographic ranges covered the entire distribution of the 120 species.
Methods  Our analyses controlled for the potentially confounding effects of phylogenetic relationships among flea species by means of the independent-contrasts method. We used regressions and structural equation modelling to determine whether the latitudinal position of the geographic range of a flea covaried with either the size of its range or its host specificity. The latter was measured as the number of host species used, as well as by an index providing the average (and variance in) taxonomic distinctness among the host species used by a flea.
Results  Geographic range size was positively correlated with the position of the centre of the range; in other words, fleas with more northerly distributions had larger geographic ranges. Although the number of host species used by a flea did not vary with latitude, both the mean taxonomic distinctness among host species used and its variance increased significantly towards higher latitudes.
Main conclusions  The results indicate that niche breadth in fleas, measured in terms of both its spatial (geographic range size) and biological (host specificity) components, increases at higher latitudes. These findings are compatible with the predictions of recent hypotheses about latitudinal gradients.     

Different mechanisms of the biochemical adaptation of mycelial fungi to temperature stress: Changes in the lipid composition

A comparative study was conducted concerning the effect of temperature stress on the lipid composition of representatives of the subkingdomsEomycota andNeomycota. Changes in the composition of lipid acyl chains (such as saturation and desaturation, isomerization, and changes in the length of fatty acid carbon chains), in the phospholipid composition, and in the contents of sterols and other neutral lipids were revealed. Hyperthermia resulted in (i) an increase in the phosphatidylcholine level, (ii) a decrease in the phosphatidylethanolamine level, (iii) a rise in the content of reserve lipids (triacylglycerols), and (iv) a decline in the free fatty acid level in the neutral lipids. An inverse pattern occurred under hypothermic conditions. The peculiarities in the patterns of the temperature adaptation-related changes in the lipid bilayer composition are considered in terms of the systematic position of the fungi.     

Protein and DNA adsorption on dehydroxylated and aluminated silochromes]

A macroporous silica - silochrom - used for immobilization and purification of biopolymers was modified by dehydroxylation and alumination. The adsorption capacity of the modified silochroms for proteins and DNA is higher than that of the initial sorbent. The biopolymers adsorbed on aluminated silochrom are strongly attached to its surface.