Parental effects influence life history traits and covary with an environmental cline in common frog populations

Oecologia - Across latitudinal clines, the juvenile developmental rates of ectotherms often covary with the length of the growing season, due to life-history trade-offs imposed by the...     

Protein Solubility and Protein Homeostasis: A Generic View of Protein Misfolding Disorders

According to the “generic view” of protein aggregation, the ability to self-assemble into stable and highly organized structures such as amyloid fibrils is not an unusual feature exhibited by a small group of peptides and proteins with special sequence or structural properties, but rather a property shared by most proteins. At the same time, through a wide variety of techniques, many of which were originally devised for applications in other disciplines, it has also been established that the maintenance of proteins in a soluble state is a fundamental aspect of protein homeostasis. Taken together, these advances offer a unified framework for understanding the molecular basis of protein aggregation and for the rational development of therapeutic strategies based on the biological and chemical regulation of protein solubility.Virtually every complex biochemical process taking place in living cells depends on the ability of the molecules involved to self-assemble into functional structures (Dobson 2003; Robinson et al. 2007; Russel et al. 2009), and a sophisticated quality control system is responsible for regulating the reactions leading to this organization within the cellular environment (Dobson 2003; Balch et al. 2008; Hartl and Hayer-Hartl 2009; Powers et al. 2009; Vendruscolo and Dobson 2009). Proteins are the molecules that are essential for enabling, regulating, and controlling almost all the tasks necessary to maintain such a balance. To function, the majority of our proteins need to fold into specific three-dimensional structures following their biosynthesis in the ribosome (Hartl and Hayer-Hartl 2002). The wide variety of highly specific structures that results from protein folding, and which serve to bring key functional groups into close proximity, has enabled living systems to develop an astonishing diversity and selectivity in their underlying chemical processes by using a common set of just 20 basic molecular components, the amino acids (Dobson 2003). Given the central importance of protein folding, it is not surprising that the failure of proteins to fold correctly, or to remain correctly folded, is at the origin of a wide variety of pathological conditions, including late-onset diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (Dobson 2003; Chiti and Dobson 2006; Haass and Selkoe 2007). In many of these disorders proteins self-assemble in an aberrant manner into large molecular aggregates, notably amyloid fibrils (Chiti and Dobson 2006; Ramirez-Alvarado et al. 2010).     

Synthesis, cannabinoid receptor activity, and enzymatic stability of reversed amide derivatives of arachidonoyl ethanolamide

Retroanandamide (2f) and its 10 analogues (1a-e, 2a-e) were synthesized and evaluated for the cannabinoid receptor activation by a [35S]GTPgammaS binding assay using rat cerebellar membranes, and Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes expressing human CB2 receptors. The primary goal of the study was to develop cannabinoid receptor agonists having improved enzymatic stability compared to endogenous N-arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA). Furthermore, by reversing the amide bond of AEA, the formation of arachidonic acid would be prevented. Finally, an effect of the carbonyl carbon position on the cannabinoid receptor activity was explored by synthesizing retroanandamide analogues having different chain lengths (1a-e, C19; 2a-f, C20). All the synthesized compounds, except 2c, behaved as partial agonists for the both cannabinoid receptors. In rat brain homogenate, the reversed amides possessed significantly higher stability against FAAH induced degradation than AEA. Therefore, the reversed amide analogues of AEA may serve as enzymatically stable structural basis for the drug design based on the endogenous cannabinoids.     

Morphological and life‐history responses of anurans to predation by an invasive crayfish: an integrative approach

Predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity has been widely documented in response to native predators, but studies examining the extent to which prey can respond to exotic invasive predators are scarce. As native prey often do not share a long evolutionary history with invasive predators, they may lack defenses against them. This can lead to population declines and even extinctions, making exotic predators a serious threat to biodiversity. Here, in a community‐wide study, we examined the morphological and life‐history responses of anuran larvae reared with the invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, feeding on conspecific tadpoles. We reared tadpoles of nine species until metamorphosis and examined responses in terms of larval morphology, growth, and development, as well as their degree of phenotypic integration. These responses were compared with the ones developed in the presence of a native predator, the larval dragonfly Aeshna sp., also feeding on tadpoles. Eight of the nine species altered their morphology or life history when reared with the fed dragonfly, but only four when reared with the fed crayfish, suggesting among‐species variation in the ability to respond to a novel predator. While morphological defenses were generally similar across species (deeper tails) and almost exclusively elicited in the presence of the fed dragonfly, life‐history responses were very variable and commonly elicited in the presence of the invasive crayfish. Phenotypes induced in the presence of dragonfly were more integrated than in crayfish presence. The lack of response to the presence of the fed crayfish in five of the study species suggests higher risk of local extinction and ultimately reduced diversity of the invaded amphibian communities. Understanding how native prey species vary in their responses to invasive predators is important in predicting the impacts caused by newly established predator–prey interactions following biological invasions.     

3D Active Stabilization System with Sub-Micrometer Resolution

Stable positioning between a measurement probe and its target from sub- to few micrometer scales has become a prerequisite in precision metrology and in cellular level measurements from biological tissues. Here we present a 3D stabilization system based on an optoelectronic displacement sensor and custom piezo-actuators driven by a feedback control loop that constantly aims to zero the relative movement between the sensor and the target. We used simulations and prototyping to characterize the developed system. Our results show that 95 % attenuation of movement artifacts is achieved at 1 Hz with stabilization performance declining to ca. 70 % attenuation at 10 Hz. Stabilization bandwidth is limited by mechanical resonances within the displacement sensor that occur at relatively low frequencies, and are attributable to the sensor's high force sensitivity. We successfully used brain derived micromotion trajectories as a demonstration of complex movement stabilization. The micromotion was reduced to a level of ～1 μm with nearly 100 fold attenuation at the lower frequencies that are typically associated with physiological processes. These results, and possible improvements of the system, are discussed with a focus on possible ways to increase the sensor's force sensitivity without compromising overall system bandwidth.     

Estimating net primary production of boreal forests in Finland and Sweden from field data and remote sensing

We calculated annual mean stem volume increment (AMSVI) and total litter fall to produce forest net primary production (NPP) maps at 1‐km² and half‐degree resolutions in Finland and Sweden. We used a multi‐scale methodology to link field inventory data reported at plot and forestry district levels through a remotely sensed total plant biomass map derived from 1‐km² AVHRR image. Total litter fall was estimated as function of elevation and latitude. Leaf litter fall, a surrogate for fine root production, was estimated from total litter fall by forest type. The gridded NPP estimates agreed well with previously reported NPP values, based on point measurements. Regional NPP increases from northeast to southwest. It is positively related to annual mean temperature and annual mean total precipitation (strongly correlated with temperature) and is negatively related to elevation at broad scale. Total NPP (TNPP) values for representative cells selected based on three criteria were highly correlated with simulated values from a process‐based model (CEVSA) at 0.5°× 0.5° resolution. At 1‐km² resolution, mean above‐ground NPP in the region was 408 g/m²/yr ranging from 172 to 1091 (standard deviation (SD) = 134). Mean TNPP was 563 (252 to 1426, SD = 176). Ranges and SD were reduced while the mean values of the estimated NPP stayed almost constant as cell size increased from 1‐km² to 0.5°× 0.5°, as expected. Nordic boreal forests seem to have lower productivity among the world boreal forests.     

Search for the determinants of allergenicity in proteins of the lipocalin family

Three different lines of analysis have been applied to approach the problem of the allergenicity of certain proteins: biological functions, molecular structures and immunological properties. It is immediately obvious that these three are interdependent. The lipocalin family of proteins includes a significant number of allergens. A considerable amount of data is already available of lipocalins and some insights about allergenic determinants can now be presented. However, more information on the molecular structures and immunological parameters of lipocalin allergens is required.     

Physical activity attenuates the influence of FTO variants on obesity risk: a meta-analysis of 218,166 adults and 19,268 children

Background

The FTO gene harbors the strongest known susceptibility locus for obesity. While many individual studies have suggested that physical activity (PA) may attenuate the effect of FTO on obesity risk, other studies have not been able to confirm this interaction. To confirm or refute unambiguously whether PA attenuates the association of FTO with obesity risk, we meta-analyzed data from 45 studies of adults (n = 218,166) and nine studies of children and adolescents (n = 19,268).

Methods and Findings

All studies identified to have data on the FTO rs9939609 variant (or any proxy [r ²>0.8]) and PA were invited to participate, regardless of ethnicity or age of the participants. PA was standardized by categorizing it into a dichotomous variable (physically inactive versus active) in each study. Overall, 25% of adults and 13% of children were categorized as inactive. Interaction analyses were performed within each study by including the FTO×PA interaction term in an additive model, adjusting for age and sex. Subsequently, random effects meta-analysis was used to pool the interaction terms. In adults, the minor (A−) allele of rs9939609 increased the odds of obesity by 1.23-fold/allele (95% CI 1.20–1.26), but PA attenuated this effect (p _interaction  = 0.001). More specifically, the minor allele of rs9939609 increased the odds of obesity less in the physically active group (odds ratio  = 1.22/allele, 95% CI 1.19–1.25) than in the inactive group (odds ratio  = 1.30/allele, 95% CI 1.24–1.36). No such interaction was found in children and adolescents.

Conclusions

The association of the FTO risk allele with the odds of obesity is attenuated by 27% in physically active adults, highlighting the importance of PA in particular in those genetically predisposed to obesity. Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary     

Microgeographic variation in temperature-induced plasticity in an isolated amphibian metapopulation

Variation in local environments may lead to variation in the selection pressures and differentiation among local populations even at microgeographic scale. We investigated variation in temperature-induced plasticity in larval life-history traits among populations of an isolated pool frog (Rana lessonae) metapopulation in Central Sweden. Successful breeding of this northern fringe metapopulation is highly dependent on early summer temperature, however, the metapopulation shows very little variation in molecular genetic markers suggesting limited potential for local differentiation. We exposed larvae from three closely-located populations to two temperatures (20 and 25°C) in laboratory to investigate their growth and development responses to temperature variation. In general, larvae exposed to warmer temperature experienced higher survival and metamorphosed faster, but at a smaller size than those at low temperature. We found differences among the populations in both trait mean values and in the plastic responses. Among-family variation within populations was found in growth rate and time to metamorphosis, as well as in plasticity suggesting that these traits have a capacity to evolve. Our results indicate ample phenotypic variation within and among these closely-located populations despite the low molecular genetic variation. The differences in pond temperature characteristics detected in the study in the three localities may suggest that differential selection is acting in the populations. The strong differentiation found in the larval traits implies that understanding the factors that influence the potential of the populations to adapt to environmental changes may be essential for successful conservation strategies.