Primates,Provisioning and Plants: Impacts of Human Cultural Behaviours on Primate Ecological Functions

Human provisioning of wildlife with food is a widespread global practice that occurs in multiple socio-cultural circumstances. Provisioning may indirectly alter ecosystem functioning through changes in the eco-ethology of animals, but few studies have quantified this aspect. Provisioning of primates by humans is known to impact their activity budgets, diets and ranging patterns. Primates are also keystone species in tropical forests through their role as seed dispersers; yet there is no information on how provisioning might affect primate ecological functions. The rhesus macaque is a major human-commensal species but is also an important seed disperser in the wild. In this study, we investigated the potential impacts of provisioning on the role of rhesus macaques as seed dispersers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, India. We studied a troop of macaques which were provisioned for a part of the year and were dependent on natural resources for the rest. We observed feeding behaviour, seed handling techniques and ranging patterns of the macaques and monitored availability of wild fruits. Irrespective of fruit availability, frugivory and seed dispersal activities decreased when the macaques were provisioned. Provisioned macaques also had shortened daily ranges implying shorter dispersal distances. Finally, during provisioning periods, seeds were deposited on tarmac roads that were unconducive for germination. Provisioning promotes human-primate conflict, as commensal primates are often involved in aggressive encounters with humans over resources, leading to negative consequences for both parties involved. Preventing or curbing provisioning is not an easy task as feeding wild animals is a socio-cultural tradition across much of South and South-East Asia, including India. We recommend the initiation of literacy programmes that educate lay citizens about the ill-effects of provisioning and strongly caution them against the practice.     

Modelling dendritic ecological networks in space: an integrated network perspective

Dendritic ecological networks (DENs) are a unique form of ecological networks that exhibit a dendritic network topology (e.g. stream and cave networks or plant architecture). DENs have a dual spatial representation; as points within the network and as points in geographical space. Consequently, some analytical methods used to quantify relationships in other types of ecological networks, or in 2‐D space, may be inadequate for studying the influence of structure and connectivity on ecological processes within DENs. We propose a conceptual taxonomy of network analysis methods that account for DEN characteristics to varying degrees and provide a synthesis of the different approaches within the context of stream ecology. Within this context, we summarise the key innovations of a new family of spatial statistical models that describe spatial relationships in DENs. Finally, we discuss how different network analyses may be combined to address more complex and novel research questions. While our main focus is streams, the taxonomy of network analyses is also relevant anywhere spatial patterns in both network and 2‐D space can be used to explore the influence of multi‐scale processes on biota and their habitat (e.g. plant morphology and pest infestation, or preferential migration along stream or road corridors).     

Post-transcriptional regulation of MMP2 mRNA by its interaction with miR-20a and Nucleolin in breast cancer cell lines

Molecular Biology Reports - Matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) is a foremost MMP, governing invasion of breast cancer cells during metastasis. miR-20a was reported to induce mesenchymal to...     

Unfolded protein response during cardiovascular disorders: a tilt towards pro-survival and cellular homeostasis

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that orchestrates the production and proper assembly of an extensive types of secretory and membrane proteins....     

New target for inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase: 'switch region'

A new drug target - the 'switch region' - has been identified within bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP), the enzyme that mediates bacterial RNA synthesis. The new target serves as the binding site for compounds that inhibit bacterial RNA synthesis and kill bacteria. Since the new target is present in most bacterial species, compounds that bind to the new target are active against a broad spectrum of bacterial species. Since the new target is different from targets of other antibacterial agents, compounds that bind to the new target are not cross-resistant with other antibacterial agents. Four antibiotics that function through the new target have been identified: myxopyronin, corallopyronin, ripostatin, and lipiarmycin. This review summarizes the switch region, switch-region inhibitors, and implications for antibacterial drug discovery.     

A role for actin arcs in the leading-edge advance of migrating cells

Epithelial cell migration requires coordination of two actin modules at the leading edge: one in the lamellipodium and one in the lamella. How the two modules connect mechanistically to regulate directed edge motion is not understood. Using live-cell imaging and photoactivation approaches, we demonstrate that the actin network of the lamellipodium evolves spatio-temporally into the lamella. This occurs during the retraction phase of edge motion, when myosin II redistributes to the lamellipodial actin and condenses it into an actin arc parallel to the edge. The new actin arc moves rearward, slowing down at focal adhesions in the lamella. We propose that net edge extension occurs by nascent focal adhesions advancing the site at which new actin arcs slow down and form the base of the next protrusion event. The actin arc thereby serves as a structural element underlying the temporal and spatial connection between the lamellipodium and the lamella during directed cell motion.     

Water deficit as a regulatory switch for legume root responses

Plant roots perceive declining soil water potential as an initial signal which further triggers an array of physiological, morphological and molecular responses in the whole plant. Understanding the root responses with parallel insights on protein level changes has always been an area of interest for stress biologists. In a recent study, we reported drought stress-induced changes among certain structural and functional root proteins involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, primary and secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways as well as proteins associated with cell signaling in an economically important legume crop Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. We also demonstrated photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics and root physiology under varying levels of water-deficit and recovery. In this report, we depict a closer analysis of the expression patterns of the identified proteins which were categorized into five major functional groups. These proteins represent a unique coherence and networking with each other as well as with the overall physiological and metabolic machinery in the plant cell.Key words: drought, legume, plant metabolism, root proteins, signaling, root response     

Localization of melatonin receptor 1 in mouse retina and its role in the circadian regulation of the electroretinogram and dopamine levels

Melatonin modulates many important functions within the eye by interacting with a family of G-protein-coupled receptors that are negatively coupled with adenylate cyclase. In the mouse, Melatonin Receptors type 1 (MT(1)) mRNAs have been localized to photoreceptors, inner retinal neurons, and ganglion cells, thus suggesting that MT(1) receptors may play an important role in retinal physiology. Indeed, we have recently reported that absence of the MT(1) receptors has a dramatic effect on the regulation of the daily rhythm in visual processing, and on retinal cell viability during aging. We have also shown that removal of MT(1) receptors leads to a small (3-4 mmHg) increase in the level of the intraocular pressure during the night and to a significant loss (25-30%) in the number of cells within the retinal ganglion cell layer during aging. In the present study we investigated the cellular distribution in the C3H/f(+/+) mouse retina of MT(1) receptors using a newly developed MT(1) receptor antibody, and then we determined the role that MT(1) signaling plays in the circadian regulation of the mouse electroretinogram, and in the retinal dopaminergic system. Our data indicate that MT(1) receptor immunoreactivity is present in many retinal cell types, and in particular, on rod and cone photoreceptors and on intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells (ipRGCs). MT(1) signaling is necessary for the circadian rhythm in the photopic ERG, but not for the circadian rhythm in the retinal dopaminergic system. Finally our data suggest that the circadian regulation of dopamine turnover does not drive the photopic ERG rhythm.