Identification of a protein that binds to the Ho endonuclease recognition sequence at the yeast mating type locus.

Mating type switching in Saccharomyces cerevisiae initiates when Ho endonuclease makes a site-specific double-stranded break at MAT, the yeast mating type locus. To identify other proteins involved in this process, we examined whether extracts prepared from ho- mutants contain additional factors that bind near the recognition sequence for Ho. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we isolated a chromatographic fraction that contains an activity, named YZbp, which binds to two sequences flanking the recognition sequence at MATalpha and to one sequence overlapping it at MATa. MAT plasmids carrying mutations in the YZbp recognition sequence are cleaved by purified Ho at wild-type efficiencies in an in vitro assay. These same plasmids, however, are not cleaved by Ho inside cells, demonstrating that YZbp acts as a positive activator of in vivo cleavage. YZbp is present in all cell types, even those not undergoing mating type switching, suggesting that it has additional cellular functions.     

Phospholipase A2 inhibitors from marine algae

Twelve out of twenty-nine compounds isolated from benthic marine algae from the phyla Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta have been found to be potent inhibitors of bee venom derived phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) (> 50%) in the M range. The compounds investigated were from: Bryopsis pennata, Rhipocephalus phoenix, Caulerpa prolifera, C. racemosa, C. bikinensis, Cymopolia barbata, Laurencia cf. palisada, Laurencia sp., Ochtodes crockeri, Liagora farinosa, Sphaerococcus coronipifolius, Phacelocarpus labillardieri, Dictyota sp., B furcaria galapagensis, Stypopodium zonale, Dictyopteris undulata, Stoechospermum marginatum, Dictyopteris divaricata, Dilophus fasciola and Dilophus sp. This is the first report of bee venom PLA₂ inhibition in vitro by pure compounds isolated from marine algae.     

Predictive systems ecology

Human societies, and their well-being, depend to a significant extent on the state of the ecosystems that surround them. These ecosystems are changing rapidly usually in response to anthropogenic changes in the environment. To determine the likely impact of environmental change on ecosystems and the best ways to manage them, it would be desirable to be able to predict their future states. We present a proposal to develop the paradigm of predictive systems ecology, explicitly to understand and predict the properties and behaviour of ecological systems. We discuss the necessary and desirable features of predictive systems ecology models. There are places where predictive systems ecology is already being practised and we summarize a range of terrestrial and marine examples. Significant challenges remain but we suggest that ecology would benefit both as a scientific discipline and increase its impact in society if it were to embrace the need to become more predictive.