Comparative context analysis of codon pairs on an ORFeome scale

Codon context is an important feature of gene primary structure that modulates mRNA decoding accuracy. We have developed an analytical software package and a graphical interface for comparative codon context analysis of all the open reading frames in a genome (the ORFeome). Using the complete ORFeome sequences of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli, we show that this methodology permits large-scale codon context comparisons and provides new insight on the rules that govern the evolution of codon-pair context.     

Two-Dimensional Protein Patterns of Arabidopsis Wild-Type and Auxin Insensitive Mutants, axr1, axr2, Reveal Interactions between Drought and Hormonal Responses

In order to detect gene products involved in Arabidopsis droughtadaptive strategy, 2D-PAGE protein patterns of two auxin-insensitivemutants, axr1, axr2, differentially affected in specific droughtresponses, were compared to the wild-type Columbia ecotype,in well-watered and drought-stressed conditions. Coupled tocomputer analysis of polypeptide amounts, 2D-electrophoresisrevealed subtle changes in protein expression induced by progressivedrought stress and/or mutations affecting the auxin responsepathway. The differential protein patterns of axr1 and axr2 were consistentwith their contrasting drought responses. The specific leafand root protein patterns of axr1 showed that this mutationdisrupts drought responses related to auxin regulation. In particular,the near absence of drought rhizogenesis in axr1 was associatedwith a root protein pattern closer to the well-watered thanto the water-stressed axr2 and Columbia wild-type root proteinpatterns. Also, the largely different effects of axr1 and axr2mutations suggest that they affect different pathways in auxinresponse. Several sets of polypeptides, whose regulation wasaffected by drought and/or mutation, were thus detected. Thesepolypeptides could play a role both in the auxin and the droughtresponse pathways. Their identification, through microsequencing,should be most informative. ⁴Current address: Laboratoire de BioénergétiqueCellulaire, Département d'Ecophysiologie Végétaleet de Microbiologie, Centre d'Etudes de Cadarache, 13108 SaintPaul lez Durance, France     

The structural-functional organization of the auditory cortex in rats]

Using axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase and electrophysiological mapping technique, studies have been made on structural and functional organization of the auditory cortex in rats. After the injection of HRP to peripheral parts of the auditory cortex, mainly initial neurones were found in the dorsal and median parts of the geniculate body. Electrophysiological experiments revealed the localization of neurones with widespread frequency-threshold curves and high thresholds at characteristic frequency. On the basis of the data obtained, it is suggested that similar to other mammals, rats have the areas of secondary fields of the auditory cortex which surround central coniocortex.     

Superoxide dismutase in liver ischemia

The properties of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) from rat liver after 2-hour total ischemia or after ischemia with subsequent 24-hour reperfusion were studied. Two hours after ischemia the specific activity of SOD decreases drastically (about 3-fold) - from 510 +/- 11 u./mg in normal tissue and 196 +/- 33 u./mg after ischemia showing a further increase after reperfusion (276 +/- 40 u./mg). Using competitive immunoenzymatic analysis, the relative contents of SOD in the cytosol were determined. After ischemia the SOD content in the cytosolic fraction decreased (approximately 3-fold) but returned to the initial level after reperfusion. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that in control samples active SOD is heterogeneous and produces 3-4 bands, similar to the purified SOD from rat liver. After the ischemia the intensity of minor fast band IV increased and a new band V of a still higher mobility appeared. After the reperfusion the electrophoretic patterns were similar to control. Two or three times more SOD antigen from ischemia liver cytosol was absorbed to the surface of polystyrol plate in a direct sorption enzyme immunoassay procedure as compared to that from intact liver cytosol. It is suggested that the decreases of amount and the activity as well as changes of properties of SOD could be due to its oxidative modification and degradation of the modified enzyme.     

Effect of trihydroxyoctadecadiene acids from Bryonia alba L. on the activity of glycogen metabolism enzymes in alloxan diabetes

It was shown previously in experiments on white rats with alloxan diabetes that trihydroxyoctadecadiene acids from Bryonia alba L. have a hypoglycemic action. The present paper is concerned with the effects of the above-indicated compounds on the activity of glycogen phosphorylase (a- and b-forms), phosphoprotein phosphatase and hexokinase in liver and muscle tissues of white rats with alloxan diabetes. One of the possible mechanisms of the hypoglycemic action of trihydroxyoctadecadiene acids is discussed.     

Disordered functioning of the superoxide radical-superoxide dismutase system in rat liver ischemia

The rate of O2 radical generation in microsomal membranes (VO2), the activity of cytosol superoxide dismutase (Cu, ZnSOD) and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and the activity of xanthine oxidizing system (XO) after a two-hour ischemia following a 24-hour reoxygenation of the rat liver were investigated. The high value of VO2, as compared to Cu, ZnSOD activity, may result in regulation disorders in O2-SOD system during ischemia. During reoxygenation, xanthine oxidizing system in combination with lowered Cu, ZnSOD activity may substantially contribute to the disturbance.     

Comparison of techniques for the measurement of skin temperature during exercise in a hot,humid environment

Exercising or working in a hot, humid environment can results in the onset of heat-related illness when an individual''s temperature is not carefully monitored. The purpose of the present study was to compare three techniques (data loggers, thermal imaging, and wired electrodes) for the measurement of peripheral (bicep) and central (abdominal) skin temperature. Young men and women (N = 30) were recruited to complete the present study. The three skin temperature measurements were made at 0 and every 10-min during 40-min (60% VO₂max) of cycling in a hot (39±2°C), humid (45±5% RH) environment. Data was statistically analyzed using the Bland-Altman method and correlation analysis. For abdominal skin temperature, the Bland-Altman limits of agreement indicated that data loggers (1.5) were a better index of wired than was thermal imaging (3.5), For the bicep skin temperature the limits of agreement was similar between data loggers (1.9) and thermal (1.9), suggesting the both were suitable measurements. We also found that when skin temperature exceeded 35°C, we observed progressively better prediction between data loggers, thermal imaging, and wired skin sensors. This report describes the potential for the use of data loggers and thermal imaging to be used as alternative measures of skin temperature in exercising, human subjects.     

Soil‐nutrient availability under a global‐change scenario in a Mediterranean mountain ecosystem

Changes in rainfall availability will alter soil‐nutrient availability under a climate‐change scenario. However, studies have usually analyzed the effect of either drier or wetter soil conditions, despite the fact that both possibilities will coexist in many climatic regions of the world. Furthermore, its effect may vary across the different habitats of the ecosystem. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic scenarios on different carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) fractions in soil and microbial compartments among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean‐type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and open areas. The climatic scenarios were dry summers, according to the 30% summer rainfall reduction projected in the Mediterranean; wet summer, simulating summer storms to reach the maximum historical records in the study area; and current climatic conditions (control). Sampling was replicated during two seasons (spring and summer) and 2 years. The climatic scenario did not affect the nutrient content in the litter layer. However, soil and microbial nutrients varied among seasons, habitats, and climatic scenarios. Soil‐nutrient fractions increased with lower soil‐moisture conditions (dry scenario and summer), whereas microbial nutrients increased under the wet summer scenario and spring. This pattern was consistent both studied years, although it was modulated by habitat, differences being lower with denser plant cover. Holm oak seedlings, used as live control of the experiment, tended to increase their N and P content (although not significantly) with water availability. Thus, the results support the idea that higher rainfall boosts microbial and plant‐nutrient uptake, and hence nutrient cycling. By contrast, a rainfall reduction leads to an accumulation of nutrients in the soil, increasing the risk of nutrient loss by leaching or erosion. These results show that the projected climate change will have significant effects on nutrient cycles, and therefore will have important implications on the ecosystem functioning.