TAS2R38 and Its Influence on Smoking Behavior and Glucose Homeostasis in the German Sorbs

Background

Genetic variants within the bitter taste receptor gene TAS2R38 are associated with sensitivity to bitter taste and are related to eating behavior in the Amish population. Sensitivity to bitter taste is further related to anthropometric traits in an genetically isolated Italian population. We tested whether the TAS2R38 variants (rs713598; rs1726866 and rs10246939) may be related to eating behavior, anthropometric parameters, metabolic traits and consumer goods intake in the German Sorbs.

Materials and Methods

The three SNPs were genotyped in a total cohort of 1007 individuals (male/female: 405/602). The German version of the three-factor eating questionnaire was completed by 548 individuals. Genetic association analyses for smoking behavior, alcohol and coffee intake, eating behavior factors (restraint, disinhibition and hunger) and other metabolic traits were analyzed. Further, by combining the three SNPs we applied comparative haplotype analyses categorizing PAV (proline-alanine-valine) carriers (tasters) vs. homozygous AVI (alanin-valine-isoleucine) carriers (non-tasters).

Results

Significant associations of genetic variants within TAS2R38 were identified with percentage of body fat, which were driven by associations in women. In men, we observed significant associations with 30 min plasma glucose, and area under the curve for plasma glucose (0–120 min) (all adjusted P≤0.05). Further, we found that carriers of at least one PAV allele show significantly lower cigarette smoking per day (P = 0.002) as well as, albeit non-significant, lower alcohol intake. We did not confirm previously reported associations between genetic variants of TAS2R38 and eating behavior.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that genetic variation in TAS2R38 is related to individual body composition measures and may further influence consumer goods intake in the Sorbs possibly via individual sensitivity to bitter taste.     

A single nucleotide substitution in TaHKT1;5-D controls shoot Na+ accumulation in bread wheat

Improving salinity tolerance in the most widely cultivated cereal, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is essential to increase grain yields on saline agricultural lands. A Portuguese landrace, Mocho de Espiga Branca accumulates up to sixfold greater leaf and sheath sodium (Na⁺) than two Australian cultivars, Gladius and Scout, under salt stress in hydroponics. Despite high leaf and sheath Na⁺ concentrations, Mocho de Espiga Branca maintained similar salinity tolerance compared to Gladius and Scout. A naturally occurring single nucleotide substitution was identified in the gene encoding a major Na⁺ transporter TaHKT1;5-D in Mocho de Espiga Branca, which resulted in a L190P amino acid residue variation. This variant prevents Mocho de Espiga Branca from retrieving Na⁺ from the root xylem leading to a high shoot Na⁺ concentration. The identification of the tissue-tolerant Mocho de Espiga Branca will accelerate the development of more elite salt-tolerant bread wheat cultivars.     

Acusicola margulisae n. sp. (Copepoda: Ergasilidae) from freshwater fishes in a Nicaraguan crater lake based on morphological and molecular evidence

Systematic Parasitology - The ergasilid copepod Acusicola margulisae n. sp. is described based on material from three species of cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Günther), Parachromis...     

Long-term chromium picolinate supplementation improves colostrum profile of Santa Ines ewe

Biological Trace Element Research - Chromium (Cr) is a micromineral that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, ammonia, and nucleic acids; thus, its supplementation can influence...     

Polymorphism and genetic diversity of Isospora parnaitatiaiensis Silva,Rodrigues, Lopes,Berto, Luz,Ferreira & Lopes, 2015 (Eimeriidae) from antbirds (Thamnophilidae) in Brazil

Systematic Parasitology - Isospora parnaitatiaiensis Silva, Rodrigues, Lopes, Berto, Luz, Ferreira & Lopes, 2015 was identified from a new host, the plain antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis...     

Genetic monitoring of progeny derived from natural spawning of Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758 and Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771 as well as their hybrids in the Lower Volga river during the period 2017 to 2019

The state of natural spawning of sturgeons in the Lower Volga River was investigated through genetic monitoring of juveniles (larvae, fingerlings, subadults) captured at seven traditionally used monitoring locations. Sampling was performed during the period 2017–2019. In total, 460 individuals were caught and genotyped using a set of six microsatellite loci (Afug41, Afug51, Afug135, An20, AoxD161, AoxD165) and mtDNA control region sequencing. The observed species-specific microsatellite alleles revealed the presence of juvenile sturgeons originating from natural spawning also included some hybrids between Acipenser stellatus and A. ruthenus. Thus, the majority of sterlet breeding takes place in natural spawning grounds but also sterlet hybridizes with a small number of stellate sturgeons. Juveniles of other sturgeon species were not identified, and it is concluded that natural spawning activities of Russian sturgeon, beluga and ship sturgeon were insignificant or even absent in the Lower Volga during the observation period.     

Comparative larval ontogeny of two fish species (Characiformes and Siluriformes) endemic to the São Francisco River in Brazil

The aim of the present study was to perform comparative histological analyses of the ontogenetic development of two fish species endemic to the São Francisco River in Brazil: Prochilodus argenteus and Lophiosilurus alexandri. Histological analyses were performed every 24 h from the moment of hatching until 14 days post-hatching (dph) for the observation of larval development and until 39 dph for the observation of gonadal development. Whole larvae were fixed in Bouin's solution and the histological slides were stained with haematoxylin–eosin. Lophiosilurus alexandri larvae had a larger body size compared with P. argenteus larvae since hatching. Lophiosilurus alexandri larvae had mouth opening and pigmentation of the eyes upon hatching, whereas these events were observed at 1 dph in P. argenteus larvae. The visualisation and the inflation of the swim bladder occurred at 1 and 3 dph, respectively, in the P. argenteus, whereas these events occurred at 2 and 8 dph, respectively, in L. alexandri. Yolk granules were absorbed at 4 dph in P. argenteus and the 10 dph in L. alexandri. At 7 dph, the digestive tube was more differentiated in L. alexandri than P. argenteus and at 14 dph, the digestive system of both species had features of their eating habits: broad stomach and short intestine in L. alexandri, typical of carnivorous habits; stomach with a mechanical function and long intestine in P. argenteus, typical of detritivorous habits. The epithelial lining tissue, formed by a single layer of cells in the newly hatched larvae (0 dph), differentiated throughout the study, exhibiting scales in P. argenteus and numerous club cells in the middle epithelial region of L. alexandri at 39 dph. Undifferentiated gonads with somatic cells and primordial germ cells were observed at 39 dph, with caudal-cranial migration since 1 dph in both species. The anatomic changes during the ontogeny of P. argenteus and L. alexandri larvae are directly associated with the evolutionary history of each species, which explains their feeding habits, behaviour and distribution in the environment: Prochilodus argenteus is detritivorous and actively swims in the water column, whereas L. alexandri is carnivorous and inhabits bottom regions. At 39 dph neither species exhibited sexual differentiation.     

The influence of phylogeny and ecology on root,shoot and plant ionomes of 14 native Brazilian species

The ionome is the elemental composition of a living organism, its tissues, cells or cell compartments. The ionomes of roots, stems and leaves of 14 native Brazilian forest species were characterised to examine the relationships between plant and organ ionomes and the phylogenetic and ecological affiliations of species. The null hypothesis that ionomes of Brazilian forest species and their organs do not differ was tested. Concentrations of mineral nutrients in roots, stems and leaves were determined for 14 Brazilian forest species, representing seven angiosperm orders, grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution. The 14 species could be differentiated by their ionomes and the partitioning of mineral nutrients between organs. The ionomic differences between the 14 species did not reflect their phylogenetic relationships or successional ecology. Differences between shoot ionomes and root ionomes were greater than differences in the ionome of an organ when compared among genotypes. In conclusion, differences in ionomes of species and their organs reflect a combination of ancient phylogenetic and recent environmental adaptations.