Pollen morphology of some related genera of Vernonieae (Asteraceae) and its taxonomic significance

Pollen morphology is an important source of information to increase systematic resolution in Asteraceae, especially in Vernonieae. Aiming to investigate if palynological traits give support to Caatinganthus, Strophopappus and Xiphochaeta as separate genera from Stilpnopappus, we used cluster analysis followed by a test of group sharpness. Further, ordination analysis was applied to detect informative pollen traits associated with the revealed groups. The analyses evidenced five groups: (G1) Caatinganthus rubropappus as a single-species group; (G2) species of Stilpnopappus; (G3) Xiphochaeta aquatica as a single-species group; (G4) Strophopappus bicolor, S. glomeratus, S. villosus, S. ferrugineus, S. pohlii and S. speciosus; (G5) Strophopappus bullatus and S. regnelli. The interruption in the middle of the muri in apertural lacunae explains the single-species group Caatinganthus rubropappus. The thickness of sexine, the type of apertures (porate or colporate), and spine dimensions (length, thickness and distance from each other) are the traits explaining differences between species of Stilpnopappus and Strophopappus. Equatorial lacunae give support to Xiphochaeta aquatica as a single-species group, despite the smaller size of pollen grains of this species as compared to the others species analyzed. The differences among pollen morphology give support to Caatinganthus, Stilpnopappus, Strophopappus and Xiphochaeta as genera according to the taxonomic classification currently accepted. The used approach was efficient to reveal individual pollen traits informative to explain the sharp groups, and was an effective alternative to the use of “pollen types”.     

The relation of the X-ray B-factor to protein dynamics: insights from recent dynamic solid-state NMR data

In addressing the potential use of B-factors derived from X-ray scattering data of proteins for the understanding the (functional) dynamics of proteins, we present a comparison of B-factors of five different proteins (SH3 domain, Crh, GB1, ubiquitin and thioredoxin) with data from recent solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments reflecting true (rotational) dynamics on well-defined timescales. Apart from trivial correlations involving mobile loop regions and chain termini, we find no significant correlation of B-factors with the dynamic data on any of the investigated timescales, concluding that there is no unique and general correlation of B-factors with the internal reorientational dynamics of proteins.     

The Novel Approach to the Protein Design: Active Truncated Forms of Human 1-CYS Peroxiredoxin

Abstract

The object of the present study is the verification of a new approach to the design of the active truncated forms of enzymes. The method is based on a new way of investigating the protein sequences—the ANalysis of Informational Structure (ANIS). The analysis of informational structure allows to determine the hierarchically organized structures (IDIC-trees) formed by the sites with the Increased Degree of Informational Coordination between residues. The proposed approach involves the consequent removal of the fragments corresponding to the individual IDIC-trees from the wild-type enzyme sequences. The described procedure was applied to the design of the active truncated form of human 1-CYS peroxiredoxin (PrxVI). Two variants of the PrxVI truncated sequences were proposed according to ANIS method. These truncated forms of the enzyme were expressed in E. coli and purified. The respective antioxidant activities were measured. It was shown that one of the truncated recombinant proteins retains more than 90% of the wild-type PrxVI enzymatic activity. According to the results of our study we can assume that ANIS method can be an effective tool for the design of the active truncated forms of the enzymes or the chimeric proteins which combine the enzymatic activities of their wild-type prototypes.     

Prevalence of avian influenza viruses, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis>, subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> in marsh-dwelling passerines in Slovakia, 2008

Prevalence of the infectious respiratory agens, avian influenza virus (AIV), Mycobacterium avium (M. avium), and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), was studied in migratory marsh-dwelling passerines captured in the Parížske močiare wetlands in Western Slovakia during 2008. Surveillance of 650 birds revealed a lower prevalence of AIV in spring (13.6%) than in summer (17.5%). A total of 14 different subtypes were detected in samples obtained from birds captured during the spring, with the most prevalent subtypes being H8N3, H6N4, H11N6 and H12N6. Subtypes H12N6, H6N6 and H2N5 were predominant in passerines captured during summer months. In eight cases, different AIV infections were detected in the oropharyngeal and cloacal samples originating from a single bird (H1N1 and H8N3; H1N3 and H9N3; H2N3 and H12N6; H2N1 and H8N1; H4N2 and H9N6; H5N5 and H11N6; H6N4 and H11N6; H7N1 and H10N3 in the oropharynx and cloaca, respectively). M. avium was detected in 9.2% and 0.8% of marsh-dwelling passerines captured during spring and summer, respectively. Only two birds were co-infected with AIV and M. avium. All birds were negative for MAP.     

Structure and alignment of the membrane-associated antimicrobial peptide arenicin by oriented solid-state NMR spectroscopy

The antimicrobial arenicin peptides are cationic amphipathic sequences that strongly interact with membranes. Through a cystine ring closure a cyclic β-sheet structure is formed in aqueous solution, which persists when interacting with model membranes. In order to investigate the conformation, interactions, dynamics, and topology of their bilayer-associated states, arenicin 1 and 2 were prepared by chemical solid-phase peptide synthesis or by bacterial overexpression, labeled selectively or uniformly with (15)N, reconstituted into oriented membranes, and investigated by proton-decoupled (31)P and (15)N solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Whereas the (31)P NMR spectra indicate that the peptide induces orientational disorder at the level of the phospholipid head groups, the (15)N chemical shift spectra agree well with a regular β-sheet conformation such as the one observed in micellar environments. In contrast, the data do not fit the twisted β-sheet structure found in aqueous buffer. Furthermore, the chemical shift distribution is indicative of considerable conformational and/or topological heterogeneity when at the same time the (15)N NMR spectra exclude alignments of the peptide where the β-sheet lies side ways on the membrane surface. The ensemble of experimental constraints, the amphipathic character of the peptide, and in particular the distribution of the six arginine residues are in agreement with a boatlike dimer structure, similar or related to the one observed in micellar solution, that floats on the membrane surface with the possibility to oligomerize into higher order structures and/or to insert in a transmembrane fashion.     

Structural formation of huntingtin exon 1 aggregates probed by small-angle neutron scattering

In several neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease, aspects concerning the earliest of protein structures that form along the aggregation pathway have increasingly gained attention because these particular species are likely to be neurotoxic. We used time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering to probe in solution these transient structures formed by peptides having the N-terminal sequence context of mutant huntingtin exon 1. We obtained snapshots of the formed aggregates as the kinetic reaction ensued to yield quantitative information on their size and mass. At the early stage, small precursor species with an initial radius of gyration of 16.1 ± 5.9 Å and average mass of a dimer to trimer were monitored. Structural growth was treated as two modes with a transition from three-dimensional early aggregate formation to two-dimensional fibril growth and association. Our small-angle neutron scattering results on the internal structure of the mature fibrils demonstrate loose packing with ∼1 peptide per 4.75 Å β-sheet repeat distance, which is shown to be quantitatively consistent with a β-helix model. This research provides what we believe to be new insights into the structures forming along the pathway of huntingtin exon 1 aggregation and should assist in determining the role that precursors play in neuronal toxicity.     

Postnatal development of nitrergic and cholinergic structures in rat spinal cord

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a freely diffusible gaseous neurotransmitter that is not requiring synaptic connection to exert its effects. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for NO synthesis can be visualised by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Other neurotransmitter is a classical neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), regulated by enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that hydrolyses the acetylcholine after its releasing. This work is presenting results of histochemical study of the NADPH-d and AChE expression (nitrergic and cholinergic neurons) in the spinal cord (SC) during various periods in its development. Specimens from Wistar rat pups in the age ranging from 1st to 21st postnatal days (P1-P21) have been compared with those of adult rats (P90). Transverse sections of the SC were evaluated by light microscope. In adults, the NADPH-d positivity was detectable in the neurons of superficial and deep layers of the dorsal horn, pericentral area and in the area of preganglionic autonomic nuclei. AChE positive structures were seen in the same locations as previous ones with the exception of two locations: in superficial layers of the dorsal horn AChE staining was absent, while in the ventral horn the groups of AChE positive motoneurons were found. At the perinatal period both NADPH-d and AChE positive neurons were stained from slight to moderate intensity only. During later developmental periods the staining gradually increased and achieved adult level of intensity on the day P21. Our results confirmed the presence of nitrergic and cholinergic neurons in investigated areas of the SC and indicated their fully functioning of NADPH-d and AChE positive structures in SC from the third postnatal week.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stylogyne</Emphasis> (Myrsinaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Stylogyne araujoana, a new endemic species from the Atlantic Forest Region of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil is described, illustrated, and mapped. Its relationships with Stylogyne pauciflora and Stylogyne sordida are discussed, and comments concerning the taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status are provided. Micromorphological leaf characters are illustrated and discussed.     

The Heme Oxygenase System Rescues Hepatic Deterioration in the Condition of Obesity Co-Morbid with Type-2 Diabetes

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing globally. NAFLD is a spectrum of related liver diseases that progressive from simple steatosis to serious complications like cirrhosis. The major pathophysiological driving of NAFLD includes elevated hepatic adiposity, increased hepatic triglycerides/cholesterol, excessive hepatic inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning injury is a common histo-pathological denominator. Although heme-oxygenase (HO) is cytoprotective, its effects on hepatocyte ballooning injury have not been reported. We investigated the effects of upregulating HO with hemin or inhibiting it with stannous-mesoporphyrin (SnMP) on hepatocyte ballooning injury, hepatic adiposity and inflammation in Zucker-diabetic-fatty rats (ZDFs), an obese type-2-diabetic model. Hemin administration to ZDFs abated hepatic/plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, and suppressed several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, macrophage-inflammatory-protein-1α (MIP-1α) and macrophage-chemoattractant-protein-1 (MCP-1), with corresponding reduction of the pro-inflammatory M1-phenotype marker, ED1 and hepatic macrophage infiltration. Correspondingly, hemin concomitantly potentiated the protein expression of several markers of the anti-inflammatory macrophage-M2-phenotype including ED2, IL-10 and CD-206, alongside components of the HO-system including HO-1, HO-activity and cGMP, whereas the HO-inhibitor, SnMP abolished the effects. Furthermore, hemin attenuated liver histo-pathological lesions like hepatocyte ballooning injury and fibrosis, and reduced extracellular-matrix/profibrotic proteins implicated in liver injury such as osteopontin, TGF-β1, fibronectin and collagen-IV. We conclude that hemin restore hepatic morphology by abating hepatic adiposity, suppressing macrophage infiltration, inflammation and fibrosis. The selective enhancement of anti-inflammatory macrophage-M2-phenotype with parallel reduction of pro-inflammatory macrophage-M1-phenotype and related chemokines/cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MIP-1α and MCP-1 are among the multifaceted mechanisms by which hemin restore hepatic morphology.     

Application of High-Density DNA Resequencing Microarray for Detection and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin-Producing Clostridia

Background

Clostridium botulinum and related clostridia express extremely potent toxins known as botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) that cause severe, potentially lethal intoxications in humans. These BoNT-producing bacteria are categorized in seven major toxinotypes (A through G) and several subtypes. The high diversity in nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the gene cluster encoding the BoNT components poses a great challenge for the screening and characterization of BoNT-producing strains.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In the present study, we designed and evaluated the performances of a resequencing microarray (RMA), the PathogenId v2.0, combined with an automated data approach for the simultaneous detection and characterization of BoNT-producing clostridia. The unique design of the PathogenID v2.0 array allows the simultaneous detection and characterization of 48 sequences targeting the BoNT gene cluster components.This approach allowed successful identification and typing of representative strains of the different toxinotypes and subtypes, as well as the neurotoxin-producing C. botulinum strain in a naturally contaminated food sample. Moreover, the method allowed fine characterization of the different neurotoxin gene cluster components of all studied strains, including genomic regions exhibiting up to 24.65% divergence with the sequences tiled on the arrays.

Conclusions/Significance

The severity of the disease demands rapid and accurate means for performing risk assessments of BoNT-producing clostridia and for tracing potentials sources of contamination in outbreak situations. The RMA approach constitutes an essential higher echelon component in a diagnostics and surveillance pipeline. In addition, it is an important asset to characterise potential outbreak related strains, but also environment isolates, in order to obtain a better picture of the molecular epidemiology of BoNT-producing clostridia.