Feasible mechanisms for algal digestion in the king angelfish

To determine the ability of the king angelfish Holacanthus passer to digest algae, three algal species were immersed in acidic conditions similar to that found in the stomach of fish. Only one of them was not susceptible to acidic lysis; two were affected after 40 and 60 min at pH 2·0. King angelfish have an expanded region of the intestine called here the hindgut chamber (HC) containing populations of micro-organisms. Some of these micro-organisms have the capacity to grow in cellulose, agar, and alginic acid; the main components of algal cell walls. Micro-organisms grew in carboxymethylcellulose cultures under aerobic and micro-aerobic conditions. The HC is highly vascularized, which could increase absorptive efficiency of material digested in it.     

Heat treatment results in a loss of transgene-encoded activities in several tobacco lines.

Heat treatment (37 degrees C) of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants led to a reversible reduction or complete loss of transgene-encoded activities in about 40% of 10 independent transformants carrying the luciferase-coding region fused to the 355 cauliflower mosaic virus or the soybean small subunit promoter and the nopaline synthase promoter driving the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, whereas the other lines had temperature-tolerant activities. Temperature sensitivity or tolerance of transgene-encoded activities was heritable. In some of the lines, temperature sensitivity of the transgene-encoded activities depended on the stage of development, occurring in either seedlings (40% luciferase and 50% neomycin phosphotransferase) or adult plants (both 40%). The phenomenon did not correlate with copy numbers or the homo- or hemizygous state of the transgenes. In lines harboring a temperature-sensitive luciferase activity, reduction of bioluminescence was observed after 2 to 3 h at 37 degrees C. Activity was regained after 2 h of subsequent cultivation at 25 degrees C. Irrespective of the reaction to the heat treatment, the level of luciferase RNA was slightly increased at 37 degrees C. Only in lines showing temperature sensitivity of transgene-encoded activities was the amount of luciferase and neomycin phosphotransferase strongly reduced. In sterile culture, heat treatment for 15 d did not cause visible damage or changes in plant morphology. In all plants tested a slight induction of the heat-shock response was observed at 37 degrees C.     

Externally attached radio transmitters do not affect the parental care behaviour of rock bass

Turning, pectoral fin and caudal fin rates and time spent on the nest of male rock bass Ambloplites rupestris , engaged in parental care, were not affected after the attachment of external radio transmitters. Reproductive success was similar between treatment and control fish. Micro external radio transmitters can be used on small fishes for studying parental care duration and post-care movement without altering their behaviour.     

Interactions between two catalytically distinct MCM subgroups are essential for coordinated ATP hydrolysis and DNA replication.

The six MCM (minichromosome maintenance) proteins are essential DNA replication factors that each contain a putative ATP binding motif and together form a heterohexameric complex. We show that these motifs are required for viability in vivo and coordinated ATP hydrolysis in vitro. Mutational analysis discriminates between two functionally distinct MCM protein subgroups: Mcm4p, 6p, and 7p contribute canonical ATP binding motifs essential for catalysis, whereas the related motifs in Mcm2p, 3p, and 5p serve a regulatory function. Reconstitution experiments indicate that specific functional interactions between these two subgroups are required for robust ATP hydrolysis. Our observations show parallels between the MCM complex and the F1-ATPase, and we discuss how ATP hydrolysis by the MCM complex might be coupled to DNA strand separation.     

An antigenic HIV-1 peptide sequence engineered into the surface structure of transferrin does not elicit an antibody response.

One novel approach for the biological delivery of peptide drugs is to incorporate the sequence of the peptide into the structure of a natural transport protein such as human serum transferrin (HST). However, a potential drawback is that the HST may increase the immunoreactivity of the peptide, in the same way that carrier proteins can be used to generate highly immunogenic peptide hapten conjugates. In this study we have generated a recombinant HST carrier protein that contains a peptide substrate of HIV-1 protease (VSQNYPIVL). The protein retained native HST function, and the peptide was surface exposed since it was immunoreactive in native dot blots, and was cleaved by HIV-1 protease. Immunisation of rabbits with the recombinant protein elicited only a very poor anti-peptide immune response. In contrast, strong anti-peptide immune responses were raised against both the peptide alone, and a chemical conjugate of the peptide with HST. These data demonstrate that it is possible to attenuate the immune response normally directed against an immunogenic peptide sequence by engineering into a surface exposed loop of HST. These findings may have an important impact on the future design of peptide delivery systems.     

Sexually dimorphic expression of myosin heavy chains in the adult mouse masseter.

Little is known regarding the role of androgenic hormones in the maintenance of myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition of rodent masticatory muscles. Because the masseter is the principal jaw closer in rodents, we felt it was important to characterize the influence of androgenic hormones on the MHC composition of the masseter. To determine the extent of sexual dimorphism in the phenotype of masseter muscle fibers of adult (10-mo-old) C57 mice, we stained tissue sections with antibodies specific to type IIa and IIb MHC isoforms. Females contain twice as many fibers containing the IIa MHC as males, and males contain twice as many fibers containing the IIb MHC as females. There is a modest amount of regionalization of MHC phenotypes in the mouse masseter. The rostral portions of the masseter are composed mostly of type IIa fibers, whereas the midsuperficial and caudal regions contain mostly type IIb fibers. Using immunoblots, we showed that castration results in an increase in the expression of type IIa MHC fibers in males. Ovariectomy has no effect on the fiber type composition in females. We conclude that testosterone plays a role in the maintenance of MHC expression in the adult male mouse masseter.     

Serendipity and Vision: Two Methods for Discovery Comments on Nickles

Thomas Nickles challenges my thesis that innovative discoveries can be based on deliberately chosen problems and research strategies. He suggests that all significant innovation can be seen as such only in retrospect and that its generation must be serendipitous. Here I argue in response that significant innovations can and do often arise from self conscious critical appraisal of orthodox practice combined with regulated though speculative abductive argumentation to alternative explanatory schemata. Orthodox practice is not based upon monolithic systems of belief about the subject of inquiry. Rather major domains of scientific practice often are approached from different conceptualizations that provide grounds for critical dialectic and consilient empirical information. Abductive arguments that meet appropriate conditions of likelihood, probability and analogy are an important means of justifying allocating resources to innovative practices that have yet to produce products that can rival those of established orthodoxy.