Novel clades of chromodomain-containing Gypsy LTR retrotransposons from mosses (Bryophyta)

Retrotransposons are the major component of plant genomes. Chromodomain-containing Gypsy long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are widely distributed in eukaryotes. Four distinct clades of chromodomain-containing Gypsy retroelements are known from the vascular plants: Reina, CRM, Galadriel and Tekay. At the same time, almost nothing is known about the repertoire of LTR retrotransposons in bryophyte genomes. We have combined a search of chromodomain-containing Gypsy retroelements in Physcomitrella genomic sequences and an experimental investigation of diverse moss species. The computer-based mining of the chromodomain-containing LTR retrotransposons allowed us to describe four different elements from Physcomitrella. Four novel clades were identified that are evolutionarily distinct from the chromodomain-containing Gypsy LTR retrotransposons of other plants.     

Steady state characteristics of acclimated hydrogenotrophic methanogens on inorganic substrate in continuous chemostat reactors

A Monod model has been used to describe the steady state characteristics of the acclimated mesophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogens in experimental chemostat reactors. The bacteria were fed with mineral salts and specific trace metals and a H(2)/CO(2) supply was used as a single limited substrate. Under steady state conditions, the growth yield ( [Formula: see text] ) reached 11.66 g cells per mmol of H(2)/CO(2) consumed. The daily cells generation average was 5.67 x 10(11), 5.25 x 10(11), 4.2 x 10(11) and 2.1 x 10(11) cells/l-culture for the dilutions 0.071/d, 0.083/d, 0.1/d and 0.125/d, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate (mu(max)) and the Monod half-saturation coefficient (K(S)) were 0.15/d and 0.82 g/L, respectively. Using these results, the reactor performance was simulated. During the steady state, the simulation predicts the dependence of the H(2)/CO(2) concentration (S) and the cell concentration (X) on the dilution rate. The model fitted the experimental data well and was able to yield a maximum methanogenic activity of 0.24 L CH(4)/g VSS.d. The dilution rate was estimated to be 0.1/d. At the dilution rate of 0.14/d, the exponential cells washout was achieved.     

The structural basis of oscillation damping in plant stems - biomechanics and biomimetics

1 Introduction Dynamic wind loads can excite potentially de-structive oscillations in plants. Without dissipation ofmechanical energy a resonance catastrophe is likely tooccur in dynamic winds with frequency componentsclose to the resonant frequencies of the plant. Four modesof oscillation damping are considered [1] ? Friction with other members of the plant commu-nity as for instance in the dense stand of bamboos. ? Structural damping: other than in the engineeringscien…     

Effects of nitrogen addition on nitrogen metabolism and carbon reserves in the temperate seagrass Posidonia oceanica

The effect of repeated N additions on a dense, shallow meadow of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile in the NW Mediterranean was studied over a year. N was added biweekly both to the sediment and to the water column as ammonium and nitrate. The most obvious result of these additions was an overall increase in N content (% DW) in all tissues of fertilized plants; this increase was maximum in rhizomes, with values of 5% N reached, which confirmed the storage capacities of these organs.Fertilization affected the different N fractions in distinct ways. The free amino acid (FAA) concentration increased the most, particularly in rhizomes and roots, suggesting the function of these compounds for N storage and, probably, translocation. The non-soluble N fraction also increased greatly. The total soluble protein (TSP) and the inorganic N forms concentrations were less sensitive to fertilization, and only increased moderately in a few cases. N assimilation, assessed through in vivo glutamine synthetase (GS) activity, was maximum in leaves after the peak of growth, which coincided with the lowest N values in both control and fertilized plants. Thus assimilation was probably greatest at the period of highest N deficiency. Growth rates did not respond to N enrichment. Another clear effect of N addition was to decrease carbon reserves. In effect, the concentration of total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) greatly decreased in rhizomes of fertilized plants, coinciding with the increase in FAA. We conclude that increased nitrogen availability can affect plant survival through the decrease in their carbon reserves, crucial for P. oceanica overwintering. This interaction between N and C metabolism helps to explain changes in benthic vegetation after steadily increasing coastal water eutrophication.     

N-Terminal segment of potato virus X coat protein subunits is glycosylated and mediates formation of a bound water shell on the virion surface.

The primary structures of N-terminal 19-mer peptides, released by limited trypsin treatment of coat protein (CP) subunits in intact virions of three potato virus X (PVX) isolates, were analyzed. Two wild-type PVX strains, Russian (Ru) and British (UK3), were used and also the ST mutant of UK3 in which all 12 serine and threonine residues in the CP N-terminal segment were replaced by glycine or alanine. With the help of direct carbohydrate analysis and MS, it was found that the acetylated N-terminal peptides of both wild-type strains are glycosylated by a single monosaccharide residue (galactose or fucose) at NAcSer in the first position of the CP sequence, whereas the acetylated N-terminal segment of the ST mutant CP is unglycosylated. Fourier transform infrared spectra in the 1000-4000 cm(-1) region were measured for films of the intact and in situ trypsin-degraded PVX preparations at low and high humidity. These spectra revealed the presence of a broad-band in the region of valent vibrations of OH bonds (3100-3700 cm(-1)), which can be represented by superposition of three bands corresponding to tightly bound, weakly bound, and free OH groups. On calculating difference ('wet' minus 'dry') spectra, it was found that the intact wild-type PVX virions are characterized by high water-absorbing capacity and the ability to order a large number of water molecules on the virus particle. This effect was much weaker for the ST mutant and completely absent in the trypsin-treated PVX. It is proposed that the surface-located and glycosylated N-terminal CP segments of intact PVX virions induce the formation of a columnar-type shell from bound water molecules around the virions, which probably play a major role in maintaining the virion surface structure.     

露天采矿形成的人工湖中的水鸟建群(英文)

1999-2003年,在捷克共和国特布盆地生物圈保护区(Tebo Basin Biosphere Reserve)内,我们对13个采矿后形成的人工湖中水鸟群落的形成过程进行了研究.我们假定生活在邻近鱼塘中的水鸟会逐渐向这些人工湖迁移和聚集.在这些人工湖中共记录到42种水鸟,隶属于10个目,其中17种典型的海滨鸟类是该群落的重要组成部分.这些水鸟的季节动态过程与各物种自身的生活史阶段有关(如筑巢、迁徙),同时也被人类的采矿活动所影响.环境因素和人类干扰影响了绿头鸭(Anas platyrhynchos)、疣鼻天鹅(Cygnus olor)和凤头鸊鷉(Podiceps cristatus) 等优势种的分布.沙坑湖作为一种独特的生境为本保护区的濒危物种提供了栖息地,如:小苇(开鸟)(Ixobrychus minutus)、大苇莺(Acrocephalus arundinaceus)及其它潜在分布的鸟类.对南波西米亚地区沙坑湖鸟类的研究,可为其它相似地区水鸟群落演替研究提供了重要经验     

Immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry detection of nitrotyrosine in biological fluids: development of a clinically translatable biomarker

Measurement of nitrotyrosine levels in biological fluids can serve as a biomarker for oxidative/nitrative damage arising from formation of reactive nitrogen species, including peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is formed by the reaction of the superoxide radical (O2.-) with the nitric oxide radical (.NO) that is generated by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This article describes an immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to measure 3-nitrotyrosine at very low (picomolar) levels. Incorporation of a pronase digestion step prior to the immunoaffinity LC-MS/MS allowed for measuring not only free amino acid but also protein 3-nitrotyrosine in biological fluids. The use of an in-line antibody column allowed for increased specificity as compared with previously reported assays. The assay is linear over a range of 5 to 500 pg/ml (0.022-2.20 nM, r(2)=0.9987), with the lower detection limit being 5 pg/ml. In addition to its increased sensitivity and specificity, this assay showed great nitrotyrosine recovery from biological fluids when either nitrotyrosine or nitrotyrosine-containing peptides were added exogenously. The utility of this assay for nitrotyrosine as a clinically translatable biomarker was demonstrated by quantifying both free and total nitrotyrosine levels in various biological fluids, including urine, plasma, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and synovial fluid (SF) from both preclinical species and human subjects. Thus, whether in an animal model of human disease or in a clinical setting, the quantification of nitrotyrosine levels should provide support for NOS-driven pathology and its blockade following therapeutic intervention.     

Insulin utilizes the PI 3-kinase pathway to inhibit SP-A gene expression in lung epithelial cells

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. If we can define and detect preneoplastic lesions, we might have a chance of improving survival. The World Health Organization has defined three preneoplastic lesions of the bronchial epithelium: squamous dysplasia/carcinoma in situ; atypical adenomatous hyperplasia; and diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. These lesions are believed to progress to squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumors, respectively. In this review we summarize the data supporting the preneoplastic nature of these lesions, and delve into some of the genetic changes found in atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and squamous dysplasia/carcinoma in situ.