A new major histocompatibility complex class I b gene expressed in the mouse blastocyst and placenta

 Because of the role major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I b molecules may play during mouse embryonic development, we thought it would be interesting to search for additional MHC class I b molecules that might be expressed in preimplantation embryos, and in particular in the trophoblastic lineage. We therefore screened a mouse preimplantation blastocyst cDNA library for MHC class I sequences. This search led to the identification and characterization of a new MHC class I b gene, blastocyst MHC. Sequences identical to the exons and 3′ untranslated region of this gene have been found in many laboratory mouse strains, as well as in the related mouse species Mus spreciligus. The presence of this gene in mouse strains of different MHC class I haplotypes argues that blastocyst MHC is a unique, newly-described gene rather than a new allele of a previously described mouse MHC class I gene. Blastocyst MHC has the structure of an MHC class I b gene, with the six exons characteristic of T-region genes. It is linked to H2-D. The amino acid sequence encoded by this gene maintains all the features of a functional antigen-presentation domain. The blastocyst MHC gene, like the human class I b gene HLA-G, is expressed at the blastocyst stage and in the placenta, and may be the mouse analog for HLA-G. Received: 31 May 1996 / Revised: 19 August 1996     

Production of δ-(l-α-aminoadipyl)-l-cysteinyl-d-valine by entrapped ACV-synthetase fromStreptomyces clavuligerus

Summary -(l--Aminoadipyl)-l-cysteinyl-d-valine (ACV)-synthetase fromStreptomyces clavuligerus was studied under conditions that enabled the reuse of the enzyme. Coupling of ACV-synthetase to DEAE-Trisacryl and aminopropyl-glass resulted in an immobilized enzyme product of little or no catalytic activity. However, an enzyme reactor was designed by physical confinement of partially-purified ACV-synthetase in an ultrafiltration cell. This system was stimulated by phosphoenolpyruvate at lower concentrations of ATP, an effect not observed with purified enzyme. Up to 30% conversion of the limiting substrate, cysteine, to ACV occurred under semi-continuous conditions. Reaction products were investigated as potential inhibitors: AMP was the most inhibitory, but only when used at concentrations in excess of those produced in reaction mixtures. Under a nitrogen atmosphere, both product and enzyme stabilities were greatly improved and the enzyme retained 45–46% of its initial activity after five uses at room temperature during a 24-h period. Extrapolations based on these data suggest that 1.3 g partially purified enzyme (0.13 U g^–1) would be capable of producing 411 mg of ACV in a 1-L reaction mixture in this period.     

Quantitative trait locus analysis of susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis in recombinant inbred mice

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis is a statistical method that can be applied to identify loci making a significant impact on a phenotype. For the phenotype of susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis in the mouse, we have studied four quantitative traits: area of aortic fatty streaks and serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-bound cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein A-II (apo A-II). QTL analysis revealed a significant locus on chromosome 1 distal impacting serum apo A-II concentration on a high-fat diet and serum HDL-cholesterol concentration on a chow diet. This locus is presumablyApoa-2, the structural gene for apo A-II. QTL analysis of aortic fatty streaks failed to reveal a significant locus.     

The methylation status of DNA derived from potato plants recovered from slow growth

The in vitro conservation of potato using tissue culture medium supplemented with the growth retardant mannitol causes morphological changes in the propagated material. These culture conditions seem to have an affect on the DNA extracted from the regenerated plants, when it is digested by the methylation sensitive restriction enzymes Hpa II/Msp I and Eco RII/Bst NI, compared to the control material. In most of these plants, there appears to be preferential methylation of nuclear domains that contain Eco RII/Bst NI recognition sites in contrast to those that contain Hpa II/Msp I sites. The refractory nature of the isolated DNA to these restriction enzymes was attributed to hypermethylation of genomic DNA and the ribosomal RNA genes. These findings indicate that methylation of DNA sequences may be an adaptive response to conditions of high osmotic stress. The importance of these results for the conservation of potato germplasm and international exchange is discussed.     

Genomic structure,expression and evolution of the alfalfa aspartate aminotransferase genes

Genomic clones encoding two isozymes of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) were isolated from an alfalfa genomic library and their DNA sequences were determined. The AAT1 gene contains 12 exons that encode a cytosolic protein expressed at similar levels in roots, stems and nodules. In nodules, the amount of AAT1 mRNA was similar at all stages of development, and was slightly reduced in nodules incapable of fixing nitrogen. The AAT1 mRNA is polyadenylated at multiple sites differing by more than 250 bp. The AAT2 gene contains 11 exons, with 5 introns located in positions identical to those found in animal AAT genes, and encodes a plastid-localized isozyme. The AAT2 mRNA is polyadenylated at a very limited range of sites. The transit peptide of AAT2 is encoded by the first two and part of the third exon. AAT2 mRNA is much more abundant in nodules than in other organs, and increases dramatically during the course of nodule development. Unlike AAT1, expression of AAT2 is significantly reduced in nodules incapable of fixing nitrogen. Phylogenetic analysis of deduced AAT proteins revealed 4 separate but related groups of AAT proteins; the animal cytosolic AATs, the plant cytosolic AATs, the plant plastid AATs, and the mitochondrial AATs.     

Interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation on birds across different climate zones: A mechanistic perspective

Climate change and urbanisation are among the most pervasive and rapidly growing threats to biodiversity worldwide. However, their impacts are usually considered in isolation, and interactions are rarely examined. Predicting species' responses to the combined effects of climate change and urbanisation, therefore, represents a pressing challenge in global change biology. Birds are important model taxa for exploring the impacts of both climate change and urbanisation, and their behaviour and physiology have been well studied in urban and non-urban systems. This understanding should allow interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation to be inferred, yet considerations of these interactions are almost entirely lacking from empirical research. Here, we synthesise our current understanding of the potential mechanisms that could affect how species respond to the combined effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation, with a focus on avian taxa. We discuss potential interactive effects to motivate future in-depth research on this critically important, yet overlooked, aspect of global change biology. Increased temperatures are a pronounced consequence of both urbanisation (through the urban heat island effect) and climate change. The biological impact of this warming in urban and non-urban systems will likely differ in magnitude and direction when interacting with other factors that typically vary between these habitats, such as resource availability (e.g. water, food and microsites) and pollution levels. Furthermore, the nature of such interactions may differ for cities situated in different climate types, for example, tropical, arid, temperate, continental and polar. Within this article, we highlight the potential for interactive effects of climate and urban drivers on the mechanistic responses of birds, identify knowledge gaps and propose promising future research avenues. A deeper understanding of the behavioural and physiological mechanisms mediating species' responses to urbanisation and rising temperatures will provide novel insights into ecology and evolution under global change and may help better predict future population responses.