Increased noise sensitivity and altered inner ear MENA distribution in VASP−/− mice

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and mammalian-enabled protein (MENA) share similar cellular localisation and functions (signal transduction pathways, regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics). Functional substitution and compensation among Ena/VASP proteins have been proposed as the reason for the absence of major morphological and functional deficits in VASP–/– mice. The aim of this study was to investigate VASP expression in the mouse cochlea, to analyse cochlear function in VASP–/– mice compared with wildtype mice, and to analyse cochlear MENA distribution taking into account that MENA protein might compensate VASP loss in the cochlea of VASP–/– mice. We confirmed specific VASP expression in the pillar cells of the mice organ of Corti as previously reported for rat cochlea. By analysing the hearing function in VASP–/– mice, we found no differences in auditory brainstem responses and distortion product otoacoustic emissions from those of wildtype mice but evidence for an increased noise sensitivity at lower frequencies. When MENA protein levels in cochlea tissue were tested in mutant and wildtype mice by Western blot analysis, no significant differences were found, as was also seen with regard to MENA mRNA levels in laser-microdissected single pillar cells. Most surprisingly, however, MENA protein was absent in pillar cells of VASP–/– mice, whereas it was detected in other cochlear cells. The finding of a cell-specific, and not organ-specific, redundancy of MENA protein expression noted for the first time in VASP–/– mice is proposed as the reason for the observed distinct cochlear phenotype.     

Tactile efficiency of insect antennae with two hinge joints

Antennae are the main organs of the arthropod tactile sense. In contrast to other senses that are capable of retrieving spatial information, e.g. vision, spatial sampling of tactile information requires active movement of the sense organ. For a quantitative analysis of basic principles of active tactile sensing, we use a generic model of arbitrary antennae with two hinge joints (revolute joints). This kind of antenna is typical for Orthoptera and Phasmatodea, i.e. insect orders that contain model species for the study of antennal movements, including cricket, locust and stick insect. First, we analyse the significance of morphological properties on workspace and sampling acuity. It is shown how joint axis orientation determines areas out of reach while affecting acuity in the areas within reach. Second, we assume a parametric set of movement strategies, based on empirical data on the stick insect Carausius morosus, and investigate the role of each strategy parameter on tactile sampling performance. A stochastic environment is used to measure sampling density, and a viscous friction model is assumed to introduce energy consumption and, thus, a measure of tactile efficiency. Up to a saturation level, sampling density is proportional to the range or frequency of joint angle modulation. The effect of phase shift is strong if joint angle modulation frequencies are equal, but diminishes for other frequency ratios. Speed of forward progression influences the optimal choice of movement strategy. Finally, for an analysis of environmental effects on tactile performance, we show how efficiency depends on predominant edge direction. For example, with slanted and non-orthogonal joint axis orientations, as present in the stick insect, the optimal sampling strategy is less sensitive to a change from horizontal to vertical edge predominance than with orthogonal and non-slanted joint axes, as present in a cricket.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at     

Functional morphology of the reproductive system of Galathea intermedia (Decapoda: Anomura)

Spermatophore formation in Galathea intermedia begins in the proximal part of the vas deferens. The contents subsequently form a spermatophoric ribbon, the so-called "secondary spermatophore," in its distal part. A strongly muscular ductus ejaculatorius is present in the coxa of the fifth pereiopod which builds up pressure for the extrusion of the spermatophoric ribbon. After extrusion, the ribbon is caught by the first gonopod, while the second gonopod dissolves the matrix of the ribbon. During copulation the spermatophores are randomly placed on the sternum of the female, near the genital opening, by the fifth pereiopods of the male. Subsequent ovulation of the female via the genital opening, an active process accomplished through muscular activity, results in fertilization of the eggs by the exploding spermatophores. External intersexes are characterized by both male and female external sexual characters, but in all individuals only male gonads are present. No trace of a female reproductive system could be detected. Thus, these external intersexes are exclusively functional males.     

Nef proteins from simian immunodeficiency virus-infected chimpanzees interact with p21-activated kinase 2 and modulate cell surface expression of various human receptors

The accessory Nef protein allows human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to persist at high levels and to cause AIDS in infected humans. The function of HIV-1 group M subtype B nef alleles has been extensively studied, and a variety of in vitro activities believed to be important for viral pathogenesis have been established. However, the function of nef alleles derived from naturally simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected chimpanzees, the original host of HIV-1, or from the HIV-1 N and O groups resulting from independent zoonotic transmissions remains to be investigated. In the present study we demonstrate that SIVcpz and HIV-1 group N or O nef alleles down-modulate CD4, CD28, and class I or II MHC molecules and up-regulate surface expression of the invariant chain (Ii) associated with immature major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II. Furthermore, the ability of Nef to interact with the p21-activated kinase 2 was generally conserved. The functional activity of HIV-1 group N and O nef genes did not differ significantly from group M nef alleles. However, SIVcpz nef genes as a group showed a 1.8- and 2.0-fold-higher activity in modulating CD28 (P = 0.0002) and Ii (P = 0.016) surface expression, respectively, but were 1.7-fold less active in down-regulating MHC class II molecules (P = 0.006) compared to HIV-1 M nef genes. Our finding that primary SIVcpz nef alleles derived from naturally infected chimpanzees modulate the surface expression of various human cellular receptors involved in T-cell activation and antigen presentation suggests that functional nef genes helped the chimpanzee virus to persist efficiently in infected humans immediately after zoonotic transmission.     

Defective epidermal barrier in neonatal mice lacking the C-terminal region of connexin43

More than 97% of mice in which the C-terminal region of connexin43 (Cx43) was removed (designated as Cx43K258stop) die shortly after birth due to a defect of the epidermal barrier. The abnormal expression of Cx43K258stop protein in the uppermost layers of the epidermis seems to perturb terminal differentiation of keratinocytes. In contrast to Cx43-deficient mice, neonatal Cx43K258stop hearts show no lethal obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract, but signs of dilatation. Electrocardiographies of neonatal hearts reveal repolarization abnormalities in 20% of homozygous Cx43K258stop animals. The very rare adult Cx43K258stop mice show a compensation of the epidermal barrier defect but persisting impairment of cardiac function in echocardiography. Female Cx43K258stop mice are infertile due to impaired folliculogenesis. Our results indicate that the C-terminally truncated Cx43K258stop mice lack essential functions of Cx43, although the truncated Cx43 protein can form open gap junctional channels.     

1-D coordination chains of Cu(hfac)2 and Mn(hfac)2 bridged by phenyl-nitronylnitroxide derivatives

Two alternating 1-D metal-radical linear [L:Cu(hfac)₂]_n and zig-zag [L:Mn(hfac)₂]_n chains (where L = 4-trimethylsilylethynyl-1-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-3-oxylimidazoline-1-oxide)benzene) and hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) are described and characterized by X-ray diffraction of their crystals. Bulk magnetic measurements of L:Cu(hfac)₂ indicated a ferromagnetic interaction with J = 6 cm⁻¹ and L:Mn(hfac)₂ yielded ferrimagnetic interactions with J = −95 cm⁻¹. For the latter, a strong increase of their magnetic moment at lowest temperatures was observed only at very low static magnetic field, while for H_dc > 0.05 T saturation effect led to a downward slope after reaching a maximum.     

Predation effects on the evolution of life-history traits in a clonal oligochaete

Although size at maturity and size and number of offspring are life-history traits widely studied in sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction, there is no such research on animals reproducing asexually without the involvement of gametes. Here we present an individual-based model in combination with experiments to study the clonal growth of Stylaria lacustris, an oligochaete reproducing through fission. We studied the effect of individual size at fission and fission ratio on clone fitness. Our results show that in benign environments without predators, fitness is higher when small worms produce small offspring. Then we included size-specific sublethal predation and found that the fitness of the clone is maximized when parental worms start fission at a large size and produce large descendants intercalated in the middle of the parental worm's body. These results agree with empirical findings. Furthermore, the results of our own laboratory experiment revealed that when S. lacustris is exposed to chemical alarm signals from injured conspecifics, it alters its life history in the same direction as predicted by the model. Our findings suggest that the effect of size-specific sublethal predation is similar to the effect of size-specific lethal predation because both modes of predation result in size-dependent prey mortality.     

Endotoxin elicits nitric oxide release in rat but prostacyclin synthesis in human and bovine vascular smooth muscle cells

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure to cells and tissues can mimic the biochemical events leading to septic shock. Previous data demonstrated a massive upregulation of prostaglandin endoperoxide H2 synthase (PGHS-2), but not NO synthase-2 (NOS-2) in bovine smooth muscle cells (SMC) between 2 and 12 h of LPS exposure. This caused an abundant release of prostacyclin (PGI2) by constitutive PGI2-synthase as a counterregulation to a dysfunctional endothelium. We here report that human as well as bovine SMC mainly respond by the induction of PGHS-2 and the subsequent release of PGI2, whereas rat SMC exhibited a distinct induction of NOS-2 and released significantly higher amounts of *NO compared with cattle and human. The induction of either PGHS-2 or NOS-2 in the three different species investigated seems to be mutually exclusive in the time window of 2-24 h. This finding should be considered in the setup of experimental models for the investigation of septic shock.