Between the Baltic and Danubian Worlds: The Genetic Affinities of a Middle Neolithic Population from Central Poland

For a long time, anthropological and genetic research on the Neolithic revolution in Europe was mainly concentrated on the mechanism of agricultural dispersal over different parts of the continent. Recently, attention has shifted towards population processes that occurred after the arrival of the first farmers, transforming the genetically very distinctive early Neolithic Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) and Mesolithic forager populations into present-day Central Europeans. The latest studies indicate that significant changes in this respect took place within the post-Linear Pottery cultures of the Early and Middle Neolithic which were a bridge between the allochthonous LBK and the first indigenous Neolithic culture of north-central Europe—the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). The paper presents data on mtDNA haplotypes of a Middle Neolithic population dated to 4700/4600–4100/4000 BC belonging to the Brześć Kujawski Group of the Lengyel culture (BKG) from the Kuyavia region in north-central Poland. BKG communities constituted the border of the “Danubian World” in this part of Europe for approx. seven centuries, neighboring foragers of the North European Plain and the southern Baltic basin. MtDNA haplogroups were determined in 11 individuals, and four mtDNA macrohaplogroups were found (H, U5, T, and HV0). The overall haplogroup pattern did not deviate from other post-Linear Pottery populations from central Europe, although a complete lack of N1a and the presence of U5a are noteworthy. Of greatest importance is the observed link between the BKG and the TRB horizon, confirmed by an independent analysis of the craniometric variation of Mesolithic and Neolithic populations inhabiting central Europe. Estimated phylogenetic pattern suggests significant contribution of the post-Linear BKG communities to the origin of the subsequent Middle Neolithic cultures, such as the TRB.     

Synthesis and biological activity of homoarginine-containing opioid peptides.

Two tris-alkoxycarbonyl homoarginine derivatives, Boc-Har{omega,omega'-[Z(2Br)]2}-OH and Boc-Har{omega,omega'-[Z(2Cl)]2}-OH, were prepared by guanidinylation of Boc-Lys-OH, and used for the synthesis of neo-endorphins and dynorphins. The results were compared with that obtained in the synthesis in which Boc-Lys(Fmoc)-OH was incorporated into the peptide chain, and after removing Fmoc protection, the resulting peptide-resin was guanidinylated with N,N'-[Z(2Br)]2- or N,N'-[Z(2Cl)]2-S-methylisourea. The peptides were tested in the guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) assays. The results indicated that replacement of Arg by Har may be a good avenue for the design of biologically active peptides with increased resistance to degradation by trypsin-like enzymes.     

Phylogeography of the smooth snake Coronella austriaca (Serpentes: Colubridae): evidence for a reduced gene pool and a genetic discontinuity in Central Europe

The present study considers the genetic structure and phylogeography of the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) in Central Europe, as analyzed on the basis of 14 microsatellite markers and a 284‐bp fragment of cytochrome b. We found deep divergence between western and south‐eastern Poland, suggesting at least two different colonization routes for Central Europe, originating in at least two different refugia. The west/south‐east divide was reflected in the haplotype distribution and topology of phylogenetic trees as defined by mitochondrial DNA, and in population structuring seen in the admixture analysis of microsatellite data. The well supported western European clade suggests that another refugium might have existed. We also note the isolation‐by‐distance and moderate‐to‐pronounced structuring in the examined geographical demes. Our data fit the assumption of the recently suggested sex‐biased dispersal, in that we found a strong divide in the maternal line, as well as evidence for a small but existent gene flow based on biparentally inherited microsatellite markers. All studied populations were very similar in respect of allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosities, and inbreeding coefficients. However, some genetic characteristics were different from those expected compared to a similar fine‐scale study of C. austriaca from Great Britain. In the present study, we observed heterozygosity deficit, high inbreeding, and low Garza–Williamson indices, suggesting a reduction in population size. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 115 , 195–210.     

Identification of a resistance gene Rpi-dlc1 to Phytophthora infestans in European accessions of Solanum dulcamara

Initial screening of 14 Solanum dulcamara accessions enabled the identification of individuals resistant and susceptible to Phytophthora infestans. Crosses between contrasting genotypes resulted in three F₂–BC₁ populations segregating for resistance to late blight in a laboratory assay and under field conditions. Genetic profiling of one of these populations using 128 AFLP primers generated three markers linked to the resistant phenotype. Blast analysis of the sequenced markers resulted in a plausible gene position on the distal end of the long arm of chromosome 9 that could be confirmed by CAPS markers. Thus, we describe a first resistant gene, named Rpi-dlc1, from S. dulcamara, a Solanum species native to Europe. In addition, one population was tested for broadness of resistance responses using a set of seven additional P. infestans isolates, varying in virulence. This indicated the possible presence of additional Rpi genes.     

Towards a Better Understanding of the Origins of Microlens Arrays in Mesozoic Ophiuroids and Asteroids

Echinoderms are characterized by a calcite endoskeleton with a unique microstructure, which is optimized for multiple functions. For instance, some light-sensitive ophiuroids (Ophiuroidea) and asteroids (Asteroidea) possess skeletal plates with multi-lens arrays that are thought to act as photosensory organs. The origins of these lens-like microstructures have long been unclear. It was recently proposed that the complex photosensory systems in certain modern ophiuroids and asteroids could be traced back to at least the Late Cretaceous (ca. 79 Ma). Here, we document similar structures in ophiuroids and asteroids from the Early Cretaceous of Poland (ca. 136 Ma) that are approximately 57 million years older than the oldest asterozoans with lens-like microstructures described thus far. We use scanning electron microscopy, synchrotron tomography, and electron backscatter diffraction combined with focused ion beam microscopy to describe the morphology and crystallography of these structures in exceptional detail. The results indicate that, similar to Recent light-sensitive ophiuroids, putative microlenses in Cretaceous ophiuroids and asteroids exhibit a shape and crystal orientation that would have minimized spherical aberration and birefringence. We suggest that these lens-like microstructures evolved by secondary deposition of calcite on pre-existing porous tubercles that were already present in ancestral Jurassic forms.     

Distribution of Hepatotoxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Belgium and Luxembourg

A survey of the distribution of cyanobacterial blooms in the southern part of Belgium, in Luxembourg as well as in bordering northeastern France was carried out for 4 years (1997, 1999–2001). In the 64 cyanobacterial bloom samples collected, Microcystis as well as Planktothrix were the most frequently encountered dominant bloom formers, followed by Anabaena, Woronichinia, and Aphanizomenon. The relative frequency of (co-)dominant genera was highly correlated to the geology of the catchments. Microcystins were found in 53% of the analysed blooms and their presence was mainly assigned to Microcystis dominance. The highest microcystin concentration of 2231 μg g⁻¹ seston DW was recorded in a sample dominated by Woronichinia naegeliana. Among the 6 investigated microcystin variants, MC-LR was the most frequently detected whereas MC-LY was never revealed.     

Regulation of chemerin chemoattractant and antibacterial activity by human cysteine cathepsins

Chemerin, a ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor chemokine-like receptor 1, requires C-terminal proteolytic processing to unleash its chemoattractant activity. Proteolytically processed chemerin selectively attracts specific subsets of immunoregulatory APCs, including chemokine-like receptor 1-positive immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Chemerin is predicted to belong to the structural cathelicidin/cystatin family of proteins composed of antibacterial polypeptide cathelicidins and inhibitors of cysteine proteinases (cystatins). We therefore hypothesized that chemerin may interact directly with cysteine proteases, and that it might also function as an antibacterial agent. In this article, we show that chemerin does not inhibit human cysteine proteases, but rather is a new substrate for cathepsin (cat) K and L. cat K- and L-cleaved chemerin triggered robust migration of human blood-derived pDC ex vivo. Furthermore, cat K- and L-truncated chemerin also displayed antibacterial activity against Enterobacteriaceae. Cathepsins may therefore contribute to host defense by activating chemerin to directly inhibit bacterial growth and to recruit pDC to sites of infection.