Stress-dependent accumulation of spermidine and spermine in the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum under salinity conditions

We studied the effects of chloride salinity (300 and 500 mM NaCl) on the content of free polyamines (PAs) from putrescine (Put) family in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. leaves and roots. The contents of Put and spermidine (Spd) in leaves increased temporarily, achieving the highest values on the third day of salinity treatment; thereafter (by days 7–14), they dropped sharply. The content of spermine (Spm) increased gradually, and its high level was maintained until the end of experiment. The dynamics of Spm accumulation in leaves under salinity conditions resembled that of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), a key enzyme of the water-saving CAM pathway of photosynthesis. This indicates indirectly the involvement of Spm in the common ice plant adaptation to salinity. A decrease in the molar ratios of Spd to Spm in the leaves under salinity conditions could point to the acceleration of Spm biosynthesis (accumulation) during plant adaptation, whereas the levels of Spm precursors, Put and Spd, did not increase. This phenomenon could be explained by an accelerated conversion of Spd into Spm, an active liberation of free Spm from its conjugates, or changes in the rates of studied PA biosynthesis and degradation under salinity. At the same time, the intracellular concentration of ethylene rose under these conditions. It was supposed and then demonstrated, that the pathway of ethylene biosynthesis and that of the synthesis of Put family PAs compete under severe salinity conditions. This competition might be based on the disturbances in sulfur metabolism and a decrease in the methionine content, an immediate precursor of S-adenosyl-L-methionine.     

Effect of long-term administration of a high protein or low protein diet on rat liver. Morphological and biochemical findings

An increase in relative liver weight, the total liver DNA content, hepatocyte volume and the total surface area of the membranes of mitochondria and the granular and smooth endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes, but a decrease in the size of the nuclei, were found in adult male rats fed three weeks on a high protein diet compared with animals given a standard laboratory diet. Serum transaminase (ALT, AST) and alkaline phosphatase activity was practically the same as the control values. Rats fed three weeks on a low protein diet showed a decrease in relative liver weight, in the total liver DNA content, in hepatocyte and nuclear volume and in ploidy, and also in the surface area of the membranes of the mitochondria and the smooth and granular endoplasmic reticulum; conversely, the number of binucleate hepatocytes rose. Serum ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activity was mildly, but statistically significantly elevated.     

Identification of structural DNA variations in human cell cultures after long-term passage

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was adapted for genomic identification of cell cultures and evaluation of DNA stability in cells of different origin at different culture passages. DNA stability was observed in cultures after no more than 5 passages. Adipose-derived stromal cells demonstrated increased DNA instability. RAPD fragments from different cell lines after different number of passages were cloned and sequenced. The chromosomal localization of these fragments was identified and single-nucleotide variations in RAPD fragments isolated from cell lines after 8–12 passages were revealed. Some of them had permanent localization, while most variations demonstrated random distribution and can be considered as de novo mutations.     

Microbial stratification in low pH oxic and suboxic macroscopic growths along an acid mine drainage

Macroscopic growths at geographically separated acid mine drainages (AMDs) exhibit distinct populations. Yet, local heterogeneities are poorly understood. To gain novel mechanistic insights into this, we used OMICs tools to profile microbial populations coexisting in a single pyrite gallery AMD (pH ∼2) in three distinct compartments: two from a stratified streamer (uppermost oxic and lowermost anoxic sediment-attached strata) and one from a submerged anoxic non-stratified mat biofilm. The communities colonising pyrite and those in the mature formations appear to be populated by the greatest diversity of bacteria and archaea (including ‘ARMAN'' (archaeal Richmond Mine acidophilic nano-organisms)-related), as compared with the known AMD, with ∼44.9% unclassified sequences. We propose that the thick polymeric matrix may provide a safety shield against the prevailing extreme condition and also a massive carbon source, enabling non-typical acidophiles to develop more easily. Only 1 of 39 species were shared, suggesting a high metabolic heterogeneity in local microenvironments, defined by the O₂ concentration, spatial location and biofilm architecture. The suboxic mats, compositionally most similar to each other, are more diverse and active for S, CO₂, CH₄, fatty acid and lipopolysaccharide metabolism. The oxic stratum of the streamer, displaying a higher diversity of the so-called ‘ARMAN''-related Euryarchaeota, shows a higher expression level of proteins involved in signal transduction, cell growth and N, H₂, Fe, aromatic amino acids, sphingolipid and peptidoglycan metabolism. Our study is the first to highlight profound taxonomic and functional shifts in single AMD formations, as well as new microbial species and the importance of H₂ in acidic suboxic macroscopic growths.     

Intraspecific chemical variability of the leaf essential oil of Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata from Corsica

The composition of 50 samples of essential oil of individual plants of Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata from Corsica was investigated by GC, GC-MS and 13C NMR. alpha-Pinene, beta-phellandrene, alpha-terpinyl acetate, Delta-3-carene, myrcene and alpha-phellandrene were found to be the main constituents. The results were submitted to cluster analysis and discriminant analysis which allowed two groups of essential oils to be distinguished with respect to the content of alpha-pinene, beta-phellandrene and alpha-terpinyl acetate.     

A Serological Survey of Ruminant Livestock in Kazakhstan During Post-Soviet Transitions in Farming and Disease Control

The results of a serological survey of livestock in Kazakhstan, carried out in 1997–1998, are reported. Serum samples from 958 animals (cattle, sheep and goats) were tested for antibodies to foot and mouth disease (FMD), bluetongue (BT), epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD), rinderpest (RP) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) viruses, and to Brucella spp. We also investigated the vaccination status of livestock and related this to changes in veterinary provision since independence in 1991. For the 2 diseases under official surveillance (FMD and brucellosis) our results were similar to official data, although we found significantly higher brucellosis levels in 2 districts and widespread ignorance about FMD vaccination status. The seroprevalence for BT virus was 23%, and seropositive animals were widespread suggesting endemicity, despite the disease not having being previously reported. We found a few seropositives for EHDV and PPRV, which may suggest that these diseases are also present in Kazakhstan. An hierarchical model showed that seroprevalence to FMD and BT viruses were clustered at the farm/village level, rather than at a larger spatial scale. This was unexpected for FMD, which is subject to vaccination policies which vary at the raion (county) level.     

Epigenetic regulation of the ELOVL6 gene is associated with a major QTL effect on fatty acid composition in pigs

Background

In previous studies on an Iberian x Landrace cross, we have provided evidence that supported the porcine ELOVL6 gene as the major causative gene of the QTL on pig chromosome 8 for palmitic and palmitoleic acid contents in muscle and backfat. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ELOVL6:c.-533C > T located in the promoter region of ELOVL6 was found to be highly associated with ELOVL6 expression and, accordingly, with the percentages of palmitic and palmitoleic acids in longissimus dorsi and adipose tissue. The main goal of the current work was to further study the role of ELOVL6 on these traits by analyzing the regulation of the expression of ELOVL6 and the implication of ELOVL6 polymorphisms on meat quality traits in pigs.

Results

High-throughput sequencing of BAC clones that contain the porcine ELOVL6 gene coupled to RNAseq data re-analysis showed that two isoforms of this gene are expressed in liver and adipose tissue and that they differ in number of exons and 3’UTR length. Although several SNPs in the 3’UTR of ELOVL6 were associated with palmitic and palmitoleic acid contents, this association was lower than that previously observed with SNP ELOVL6:c.-533C > T. This SNP is in full linkage disequilibrium with SNP ELOVL6:c.-394G > A that was identified in the binding site for estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Interestingly, the ELOVL6:c.-394G allele is associated with an increase in methylation levels of the ELOVL6 promoter and with a decrease of ELOVL6 expression. Therefore, ERα is clearly a good candidate to explain the regulation of ELOVL6 expression through dynamic epigenetic changes in the binding site of known regulators of ELOVL6 gene, such as SREBF1 and SP1.

Conclusions

Our results strongly suggest the ELOVL6:c.-394G > A polymorphism as the causal mutation for the QTL on pig chromosome 8 that affects fatty acid composition in pigs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-015-0111-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.