The moss genes <Emphasis Type="Italic">PpSKI1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PpSKI2</Emphasis> encode nuclear SnRK1 interacting proteins with homologues in vascular plants

The yeast Snf1, animal AMPK, and plant SnRK1 protein kinases constitute a family of related proteins that have been proposed to serve as metabolic sensors of the eukaryotic cell. We have previously reported the characterization of two redundant SnRK1 encoding genes (PpSNF1a and PpSNF1b) in the moss Physcomitrella patens. Phenotypic analysis of the snf1a snf1b double knockout mutant suggested that SnRK1 is important for the plant’s ability to recognize and adapt to conditions of limited energy supply, and also suggested a possible role of SnRK1 in the control of plant development. We have now used a yeast two-hybrid system to screen for PpSnf1a interacting proteins. Two new moss genes were found, PpSKI1 and PpSKI2, which encode highly similar proteins with homologues in vascular plants. Fusions of the two encoded proteins to the green fluorescent protein localize to the nucleus. Knockout mutants for either gene have an excess of gametophores under low light conditions, and exhibit reduced gametophore stem lengths. Possible functions of the new proteins and their connection to the SnRK1 kinase are discussed.     

Characterization of p43(ARF), a derivative of the p43 component of multiaminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex released during apoptosis

In human, nine aminoacyl tRNA synthetases are associated with the three auxiliary proteins, p18, p38, and p43, to form a stable multiprotein complex. The p43 component, which has a potent tRNA binding capacity, is associated to the complex via its N-terminal moiety. This protein is also the precursor of the endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (p43(EMAPII), corresponding to the C-terminal moiety of p43), a cytokine generated during apoptosis. Here we examined the cellular pathway that, starting from the p43 subunit of the complex, leads to this extracellular cytokine. We identified a new intermediate in this pathway, named p43(ARF) for Apoptosis-released Factor. This intermediate is produced in cellulo by proteolytic cleavage of endogenous p43 and is rapidly recovered in the culture medium. This p43 derivative was purified from the medium of human U937 cells subjected to serum starvation. It contains 40 additional N-terminal amino acid residues as compared with the cytokine p43(EMAPII) and may be generated by a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. Recombinant p43(ARF) is a monomer in solution and binds tRNA with a Kd of approximately 6 nM, 30-fold lower than that of p43. Highly purified p43(ARF) or p43(EMAPII) do not stimulate the expression of E-selectin by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Our results suggest that the cleavage of p43 and its cellular delocalization, and thus the release of this tRNA binding subunit from the complex, is one of the molecular mechanisms leading to the shut down of protein synthesis in apoptosis.     

Effects of intermediate host genetic background on parasite transmission dynamics: a case study using Schistosoma mansoni

For parasites that require multiple hosts to complete their development, genetic interplay with one host may impact parasite transmission and establishment in subsequent hosts. In this study, we used microsatellite loci to address whether the genetic background of snail intermediate hosts influences life-history traits and transmission patterns of dioecious trematode parasites in their definitive hosts. We performed experimental Schistosoma mansoni infections utilizing two allopatric populations of Biomphalaria glabrata snails and assessed intensities and sex ratios of adult parasites in mouse definitive hosts. Our results suggest that the genetic background of hosts at one point in a parasite’s life cycle can influence the intensities and sex ratios of worms in subsequent hosts.     

Interactions between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glu-1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glu-3</Emphasis> loci and associations of selected molecular markers with quality traits in winter wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) DH lines

The quality of wheat depends on a large complex of genes and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci controlling technological quality traits and their stability across environments, and to assess the impact of interaction between alleles at loci Glu-1 and Glu-3 on grain quality. DH lines were evaluated in field experiments over a period of 4 years, and genotyped using simple sequence repeat markers. Lines were analysed for grain yield (GY), thousand grain weight (TGW), protein content (PC), starch content (SC), wet gluten content (WG), Zeleny sedimentation value (ZS), alveograph parameter W (APW), hectolitre weight (HW), and grain hardness (GH). A number of QTLs for these traits were identified in all chromosome groups. The Glu-D1 locus influenced TGW, PC, SC, WG, ZS, APW, GH, while locus Glu-B1 affected only PC, ZS, and WG. Most important marker-trait associations were found on chromosomes 1D and 5D. Significant effects of interaction between Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci on technological properties were recorded, and in all types of this interaction positive effects of Glu-D1 locus on grain quality were observed, whereas effects of Glu-B1 locus depended on alleles at Glu-3 loci. Effects of Glu-A3 and Glu-D3 loci per se were not significant, while their interaction with alleles present at other loci encoding HMW and LMW were important. These results indicate that selection of wheat genotypes with predicted good bread-making properties should be based on the allelic composition both in Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci, and confirm the predominant effect of Glu-D1d allele on technological properties of wheat grains.     

A DNA barcode library for Germany′s mayflies,stoneflies and caddisflies (Ephemeroptera,Plecoptera and Trichoptera)

Mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) are prominent representatives of aquatic macroinvertebrates, commonly used as indicator organisms for water quality and ecosystem assessments. However, unambiguous morphological identification of EPT species, especially their immature life stages, is a challenging, yet fundamental task. A comprehensive DNA barcode library based upon taxonomically well‐curated specimens is needed to overcome the problematic identification. Once available, this library will support the implementation of fast, cost‐efficient and reliable DNA‐based identifications and assessments of ecological status. This study represents a major step towards a DNA barcode reference library as it covers for two‐thirds of Germany's EPT species including 2,613 individuals belonging to 363 identified species. As such, it provides coverage for 38 of 44 families (86%) and practically all major bioindicator species. DNA barcode compliant sequences (≥500 bp) were recovered from 98.74% of the analysed specimens. Whereas most species (325, i.e., 89.53%) were unambiguously assigned to a single Barcode Index Number (BIN) by its COI sequence, 38 species (18 Ephemeroptera, nine Plecoptera and 11 Trichoptera) were assigned to a total of 89 BINs. Most of these additional BINs formed nearest neighbour clusters, reflecting the discrimination of geographical subclades of a currently recognized species. BIN sharing was uncommon, involving only two species pairs of Ephemeroptera. Interestingly, both maximum pairwise and nearest neighbour distances were substantially higher for Ephemeroptera compared to Plecoptera and Trichoptera, possibly indicating older speciation events, stronger positive selection or faster rate of molecular evolution.     

AKT/GSK3β Signaling in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive of primary brain tumors. Despite the progress in understanding the biology of the pathogenesis of glioma made during the past decade, the clinical outcome of patients with GBM remains still poor. Deregulation of many signaling pathways involved in growth, survival, migration and resistance to treatment has been implicated in pathogenesis of GBM. One of these pathways is phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/rapamycin-sensitive mTOR-complex (mTOR) pathway, intensively studied and widely described so far. Much less attention has been paid to the role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3β), a target of AKT. In this review we focus on the function of AKT/GSK3β signaling in GBM.