Color vision diversity and significance in primates inferred from genetic and field studies

Color provides a reliable cue for object detection and identification during various behaviors such as foraging, mate choice, predator avoidance and navigation. The total number of colors that a visual system can discriminate is largely dependent on the number of different spectral types of cone opsins present in the retina and the spectral separations among them. Thus, opsins provide an excellent model system to study evolutionary interconnections at the genetic, phenotypic and behavioral levels. Primates have evolved a unique ability for three-dimensional color vision (trichromacy) from the two-dimensional color vision (dichromacy) present in the majority of other mammals. This was accomplished via allelic differentiation (e.g. most New World monkeys) or gene duplication (e.g. Old World primates) of the middle to long-wavelength sensitive (M/LWS, or red–green) opsin gene. However, questions remain regarding the behavioral adaptations of primate trichromacy. Allelic differentiation of the M/LWS opsins results in extensive color vision variability in New World monkeys, where trichromats and dichromats are found in the same breeding population, enabling us to directly compare visual performances among different color vision phenotypes. Thus, New World monkeys can serve as an excellent model to understand and evaluate the adaptive significance of primate trichromacy in a behavioral context. I shall summarize recent findings on color vision evolution in primates and introduce our genetic and behavioral study of vision-behavior interrelationships in free-ranging sympatric capuchin and spider monkey populations in Costa Rica.     

Characterization of genes coding for galacturonosyltransferase-like (GATL) proteins in rice

In the present study, seven galacturonosyltransferase-like (GATL) genes (OsGATLs) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) were genome-widely identified and the chromosomal locations and the gene structures of which were characterized. Under normal condition, OsGATL2 and OsGATL3 are highly expressed in root, while OsGATL4 is highly expressed in stem and leaf. Many cis-elements related to stress response and plant hormone were found in the promoter sequence of each OsGATL. The expression patterns of these OsGATL genes under treatment with abscisic acid (ABA), drought and low temperature were assessed by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of most OsGATLs significantly increased following the treatments with drought or low temperature. In addition, physicochemical properties of OsGATLs and phylogenetic analysis with GATL from rice and several other species were performed. 3D structures and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of OsGATLs were further predicted by Swiss-model and STRING 9.0 database, respectively. The identification and bioinformatic analysis of GATL family in rice could provide reference data for further study on their biological functions, especially in the responsiveness to hormones and stress signaling.     

Influences of −482C&gt;T and 3238G&gt;C polymorphisms of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apolipoprotein C3</Emphasis> gene on prevalence of metabolic syndrome

Apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) plays a regulatory role in triglyceride (TG) metabolism. The higher level of TG can be a cause in pathogenesis of the vascular diseases or metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, we examined the associations of ApoC3 polymorphisms (?482C>T rs2854117 and 3238G>C rs5128) with Korean MetS patients. A total of 835 subjects were investigated, including 320 patients with MetS and 515 healthy subjects. The genotype analysis of the ApoC3 polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Of the two polymorphisms studied, we observed a significant difference in the ?482C>T polymorphism between the MetS and control groups. The TT genotype of the ?482C>T polymorphism was associated with increased risk for MetS, compared with the controls (OR 1.627, 95 % CI 1.075–2.463, P = 0.021). The association was female-specific. No associations were found for the risk of MetS in the 3238G>C polymorphism. Haplotypes composed of two polymorphisms, however, were associated with MetS susceptibility in only male group. The 3238G>C polymorphism was significantly associated with TG levels (P = 0.013). Our data suggest that the ApoC3 ?482C>T polymorphism is associated with increased MetS susceptibility in the Korean population.     

Exploring Sources of Emotional Distress among People Living with Scleroderma: A Focus Group Study

Background

Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is a chronic and rare connective tissue disease with negative physical and psychological implications. Sources of emotional distress and the impact they have on the lives of people with scleroderma are not well understood.

Objectives

To gain an in-depth understanding of the emotional experiences and sources of emotional distress for women and men living with scleroderma through focus group discussions.

Methods

Three semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted (two in English, one in French) with a total of 22 people with scleroderma recruited through the Scleroderma Society of Ontario in Hamilton, Ontario and a scleroderma clinic in Montreal, Canada. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded for emerging themes using thematic inductive analysis.

Results

Core themes representing sources of emotional distress were identified, including: (a) facing a new reality; (b) the daily struggle of living with scleroderma; (c) handling work, employment and general financial burden; (d) changing family roles; (e) social interactions; and (f) navigating the health care system. Collectively, these themes refer to the stressful journey of living with scleroderma including the obstacles faced and the emotional experiences beginning prior to receiving a diagnosis and continuing throughout the participants’ lives.

Conclusion

Scleroderma was portrayed as being an unpredictable and overwhelming disease, resulting in many individuals experiencing multiple sources of emotional distress. Interventions and supportive resources need to be developed to help individuals with scleroderma and people close to them manage and cope with the emotional aspects of the disease.     

Design of Novel Relaxase Substrates Based on Rolling Circle Replicases for Bioconjugation to DNA Nanostructures

During bacterial conjugation and rolling circle replication, HUH endonucleases, respectively known as relaxases and replicases, form a covalent bond with ssDNA when they cleave their target sequence (nic site). Both protein families show structural similarity but limited amino acid identity. Moreover, the organization of the inverted repeat (IR) and the loop that shape the nic site differs in both proteins. Arguably, replicases cleave their target site more efficiently, while relaxases exert more biochemical control over the process. Here we show that engineering a relaxase target by mimicking the replicase target, results in enhanced formation of protein-DNA covalent complexes. Three widely different relaxases, which belong to MOB_F, MOB_Q and MOB_P families, can properly cleave DNA sequences with permuted target sequences. Collaterally, the secondary structure that the permuted targets acquired within a supercoiled plasmid DNA resulted in poor conjugation frequencies underlying the importance of relaxase accessory proteins in conjugative DNA processing. Our results reveal that relaxase and replicase targets can be interchangeable in vitro. The new Rep substrates provide new bioconjugation tools for the design of sophisticated DNA-protein nanostructures.     

Adiposity Is Associated with Gender-Specific Reductions in Left Ventricular Myocardial Perfusion during Dobutamine Stress

Background

Obesity and visceral adiposity are increasingly recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Visceral fat may reduce myocardial perfusion by impairing vascular endothelial function. Women experience more anginal symptoms compared to men despite less severe coronary artery stenosis, as assessed by angiography. Women and men have different fat storage patterns which may account for the observed differences in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the relationship between visceral adipose tissue distributions and myocardial perfusion in men and women.

Methods

Visceral and subcutaneous fat distributions and myocardial perfusion were measured in 69 men and women without coronary artery disease using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Myocardial perfusion index was quantified after first-pass perfusion with gadolinium contrast at peak dose dobutamine stress.

Results

We observed inverse relationships between female gender (r = -0.35, p = 0.003), pericardial fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.03), intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.37, p = 0.001), and retroperitoneal fat (r = -0.36, p = 0.002) and myocardial perfusion index. Visceral fat depots were not associated with reduced myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine in men. However, in women, BMI (r = -0.33, p = 0.04), pericardial fat (r = -0.53, p = 0.02), subcutaneous fat (r = -0.39, p = 0.01) and intraperitoneal fat (r = -0.30, p = 0.05) were associated with reduced myocardial perfusion during dobutamine stress.

Conclusions

Higher visceral fat volumes are associated with reduced left ventricular myocardial perfusion at peak dose dobutamine stress in women but not in men. These findings suggest that visceral fat may contribute to abnormal microcirculatory coronary artery perfusion syndromes, explaining why some women exhibit more anginal symptoms despite typically lower grade epicardial coronary artery stenoses than men.     

p110γ/δ Double-Deficiency Induces Eosinophilia and IgE Production but Protects from OVA-Induced Airway Inflammation

The catalytical isoforms p110γ and p110δ of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) and PI3Kδ play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Two key elements in allergic asthma are increased levels of eosinophils and IgE. Dual pharmacological inhibition of p110γ and p110δ reduces asthma-associated eosinophilic lung infiltration and ameliorates disease symptoms, whereas the absence of enzymatic activity in p110γ^KOδ^D910A mice increases IgE and basal eosinophil counts. This suggests that long-term inhibition of p110γ and p110δ might exacerbate asthma. Here, we analysed mice genetically deficient for both catalytical subunits (p110γ/δ^-/-) and determined basal IgE and eosinophil levels and the immune response to ovalbumin-induced asthma. Serum concentrations of IgE, IL-5 and eosinophil numbers were significantly increased in p110γ/δ^-/- mice compared to single knock-out and wildtype mice. However, p110γ/δ^-/- mice were protected against OVA-induced infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, T and B cells into lung tissue and bronchoalveolar space. Moreover, p110γ/δ^-/- mice, but not single knock-out mice, showed a reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We conclude that increased levels of eosinophils and IgE in p110γ/δ^-/- mice do not abolish the protective effect of p110γ/δ-deficiency against OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation.     

A betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase gene in quinoa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium quinoa</Emphasis>): structure,phylogeny, and expression pattern

Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) is widely considered as a key enzyme in glycine betaine metabolism in higher plants. Several paralogous genes encoding different isozymes of BADH have been identified and characterized in some plants; however, until now, only limited information is available about BADH genes in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). Here, we report the molecular cloning, structural organization, phylogenetic evolution, and expression profile of a BADH gene (CqBADH1) from quinoa. The translated putative CqBADH1 protein included five conserved features of the ALDH Family 10. Comparisons between the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed that the CqBADH1 gene contained 15 exons and 14 introns. Comparative screening of introns in homologous genes demonstrated that the number and position of the BADH introns were highly conserved among the BADH genes in Amaranthaceae plants and in other more distantly related plant species. A phylogenetic analysis showed that CqBADH1 had the closest relationship with a protein from Atriplex canescens and belonged to the ALDH10 family. Expression profile analyses indicated that CqBADH1 was expressed only in root, and showed time-dependent expression profiles under NaCl-stress condition. Moreover, in quinoa, NaCl stress led to increased levels of CqBADH1 mRNA accompanied by the accumulation of glycine betaine. This is the first study to describe a BADH gene in quinoa.     

Identification of genetic loci stratified by diabetic status and microRNA related SNPs influencing kidney function in Korean populations

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a progressive loss of kidney function over a period of months or years. It is estimated that about 7.2 % of adults over the age of 30 have CKD worldwide. Although one of the major risk factors of CKD is family history, the heritability of CKD is not fully understood. It is also known that the diabetic condition is highly influential on the onset of CKD. To understand the genetic bases of CKD that remain unidentified, we performed genetic association analyses for kidney function-related traits such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and albumin in subjects stratified by diabetic status. In the discovery stage of the study, we used genome-wide scan data and clinical data in about 8800 subjects from the Korean Association Resource (KARE) project. Health2 study data comprising about 1800 subjects were used for the replication stage. Our two stage association analyses demonstrated that the LOC105374266 locus (rs9820070) showed strong evidence of association with BUN (P = 8.47 × 10^?14) in nondiabetic normal subjects (n = ~4300). To extend our knowledge of the genetic determinants influencing kidney function, we also analyzed the association between kidney function-related traits and microRNA related variants. For this analysis, miRNA related SNPs were selected from KARE and Health2 cohort genotype data. Our study suggests the potential relevance of miRNA to the kidney function (miR-518b for BUN; miR-146a and miR-1295a for albumin) in Korean populations.