Ciliary subcompartments: how are they established and what are their functions?

Cilia are conserved subcellular organelles with diverse sensory and developmental roles. Recently, they have emerged as crucial organelles whose dysfunction causes a wide spectrum of disorders called ciliopathies. Recent studies on the pathological mechanisms underlying ciliopathies showed that the ciliary compartment is further divided into subdomains with specific roles in the biogenesis, maintenance and function of cilia. Several conserved sets of molecules that play specific roles in each subcompartment have been discovered. Here we review recent progress on our understanding of ciliary subcompartments, especially focusing on the molecules required for their structure and/or function. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(7): 380-387]     

Purinergic receptor-mediated Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> signaling in the olfactory bulb and the neurogenic area of the lateral ventricles

Like in other vertebrates, the anterior part of the telencephalon of amphibians mainly consists of the olfactory bulb (OB), but different from higher vertebrates, the lateral telencephalic ventricles of larval Xenopus laevis expand deep into the anterior telencephalon. The neurogenic periventricular zone (PVZ) of the lateral ventricles generates new OB neurons throughout the animal’s lifetime. We investigated the ultrastructural organization of the PVZ and found that within a time period of 24 h, 42.54 ± 6.65% of all PVZ cells were actively proliferating. Functional purinergic receptors are widespread in the central nervous system and their activation has been associated with many critical physiological processes, including the regulation of cell proliferation. In the present study we identified and characterized the purinergic system of the OB and the PVZ. ATP and 2MeSATP induced strong [Ca²⁺]_i increases in cells of both regions, which could be attenuated by purinergic antagonists. However, a more thorough pharmacological investigation revealed clear differences between the two brain regions. Cells of the OB almost exclusively express ionotropic P2X purinergic receptor subtypes, whereas PVZ cells express both ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P1 and P2Y receptor subtypes. The P2X receptors expressed in the OB are evidently not involved in the immediate processing of olfactory information.     

1960—2005年民勤典型绿洲-荒漠过渡带景观格局与动态

利用ERDAS、GIS等技术,系统分析了1960—2005年间民勤典型绿洲 荒漠过渡带的景观格局与动态.结果表明：林地和耕地是影响过渡带景观变化的主导因素;研究期间,绿洲向外围扩张了2～3 km,且过渡带向荒漠位移,过渡带宽度由1960年的4 km增至1987年的约9 km,之后又迅速变窄;1978—1987年间,研究区景观变化强度达到历史最高水平,1998年后,景观格局相对稳定;整个过渡带景观破碎程度较大的时期出现在景观类型转化最快的1978—1987年,景观较破碎的区域出现在距绿洲边界2 km处和造林区.1960—2005年间,研究区乔木林趋于消失;灌木林在1987年前大面积增加,之后急剧减少;耕地开垦强度在1960—1998年间持续增加,1998年之后有所降低,但研究期间的弃耕率则呈直线增加趋势.     

乌江河岸带维管植物区系的初步研究

对乌江河岸带维管植物区系的研究结果表明,河岸带共有维管植物69科187属302种,其中蕨类植物9科10属16种,裸子植物1科1属1种,被子植物59科176属285种。生活型以草本为主,其次是灌木。科、属、种的分布区类型多样,在科级水平上有7个类型和4个变型,在属级水平上有13个类型和10个变型,在种级水平上有15个类型和13个变型。地理联系较为广泛,与北温带植物区系联系最为紧密,其次是泛热带植物区系和东亚植物区系。科、属的优势现象较为明显。该河岸带植物区系呈亚热带性质,与热带植物区系有较高的亲缘关系。     

RESTRICTED GENE FLOW IN A MOVING HYBRID ZONE OF THE NEWTS TRITURUS CRISTATUS AND T. MARMORATUS IN WESTERN FRANCE

Two hybridizing species of newts, Triturus cristatus and T. marmoratus, with overlapping distributions show a parapatric distribution when surveyed in detail. The factors that govern the distribution of cristatus vs. marmoratus in the département (province) of Mayenne in western France are identified as forestation and relief. The parapatric hybrid zone running through Mayenne is narrow but widens to approximately 20 km in an area with mixed habitat. In this area most breeding sites are shared and F₁ hybrids form about 4% of the total population. Analysis of survey data collected about 30 years previously also shows an essentially parapatric distribution. Comparison of past and present distribution maps reveals that cristatus has superseded marmoratus over large areas in the south of Mayenne. An area where marmoratus replaced cristatus also exists, but it is more limited in size. Gene flow between cristatus and marmoratus is analyzed using 10 diagnostic genetic markers [9 protein loci and mitochondrial (mt) DNA]. In syntopic populations nuclear gene flow is bidirectional with a mean frequency of introgressed alleles (f) of 0.3%. In allotopic populations of cristatus and marmoratus gene flow is present in areas of species replacement (f = 0.3%), while gene flow appears to be absent in those areas that have been continuously occupied by a single species. At the biogeographic level, the presence or absence of introgression is paralleled by the persistence or absence, respectively, of pockets of cristatus–marmoratus syntopy. All F₁ hybrids possess the cristatus type mtDNA. This may be due to asymmetric interspecific mate choice and would explain the observed absence of introgression of the maternally inherited mtDNA genome in areas where cristatus replaced marmoratus. The cristatus–marmoratus hybrid zone bears characteristics of both the clinal (parapatric) hybrid zone model and the mosaic hybrid zone model. Such a mixed model—for which we propose the term “reticulate hybrid zone”—can be appreciated only if studied over a two-dimensional geographic area and also through time.     

Nitrogen deposition but not ozone affects productivity and community composition of subalpine grassland after 3 yr of treatment

A field experiment was established at 2000 m above sea level (asl) in the central Swiss Alps with the aim of investigating the effects of elevated ozone (O(3)) and nitrogen deposition (N), and of their combination, on above-ground productivity and species composition of subalpine grassland. One hundred and eighty monoliths were extracted from a species-rich Geo-Montani-Nardetum pasture and exposed in a free-air O(3)-fumigation system to one of three concentrations of O(3) (ambient, 1.2 x ambient, 1.6 x ambient) and five concentrations of additional N. Above-ground biomass, proportion of functional groups and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were measured annually. After 3 yr of treatment, the vegetation responded to the N input with an increase in above-ground productivity and altered species composition, but without changes resulting from elevated O(3). N input > 10 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1) was sufficient to affect the composition of functional groups, with sedges benefiting over-proportionally. No interaction of O(3) x N was observed, except for NDVI; positive effects of N addition on canopy greenness were counteracted by accelerated leaf senescence in the highest O(3) treatment. The results suggest that effects of elevated O(3) on the productivity and floristic composition of subalpine grassland may develop slowly, regardless of the sensitive response to increasing N.     

HvPIP1;6, a barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plasma membrane water channel particularly expressed in growing compared with non-growing leaf tissues

The aim of the present study was to identify water channel(s) which are expressed specifically in the growth zone of grass leaves and may facilitate growth-associated water uptake into cells. Previously, a gene had been described (HvEmip) which encodes a membrane intrinsic protein (MIP) and which is particularly expressed in the base 1 cm of barley primary leaves. The functionality of the encoding protein was not known. In the present study on leaf 3 of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), a clone was isolated, termed HvPIP1;6, which has 99% amino acid sequence identity to HvEmip and belongs to the family of plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs). Expression of HvPIP1;6 was highest in the elongation zone, where it accounted for >85% of expression of known barley PIP1s. Within the elongation zone, faster grower regions showed higher expression than slower growing regions. Expression of HvPIP1;6 was confined to the epidermis, with some expression in neighboring mesophyll cells. Expression of HvPIP1;6 in Xenopus laevis oocytes increased osmotic water permeability 4- to 6-fold. Water channel activity was inhibited by pre-incubation of oocytes with 50 microM HgCl(2) and increased following incubation with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid or the plant hormone ABA. Plasma membrane preparations were analyzed by Western blots using an antibody that recognized PIP1s. Levels of PIP1s were highest in the elongation and adjacent non-elongation zone. The developmental expression profile of HvPIP2;1, the only known barley water channel belonging to the PIP2 subgroup, was opposite to that of HvPIP1;6.     

Comparison of APRI and Hydrus-2D models to simulate soil water dynamics in a vineyard under alternate partial root zone drip irrigation

Alternate partial root zone irrigation (APRI) is a new water-saving irrigation technique. It can reduce irrigation water and transpiration without reduction in crop yield, thus increase water and nutrient use efficiency. Understanding of soil moisture distribution and dynamic under the alternate partial root zone drip irrigation (APDI) can help to develop the efficient irrigation schemes. In this paper, a two-dimensional (2D) root water uptake model was proposed based on soil water dynamic and root distribution of grape vine, and a function of soil evaporation related to soil water content was defined under the APDI. Then the soil water dynamic model of APDI (APRI-model) was developed based on the 2D root water uptake model and soil evaporation function combined with average measured soil moisture content at 0–10 cm soil layer. Soil water dynamic in APDI was respectively simulated by Hydrus-2D model and APRI-model. The simulated soil water contents by two models were compared with the measured value. The results showed that the values of root-mean-square-error (RMSE) range from 0.01 to 0.022 cm³/cm³ for APRI-model, and from 0.012 to 0.031 cm³/cm³ for Hydrus-2D model. The average relative error between the simulated and measured soil water content is about 10% for APRI-model, and from 11% to 29% for Hydrus-2D model, indicating that two models perform well in simulating soil moisture dynamic under the APDI, but the APRI-model is more suitable for modeling the soil water dynamic in the arid region with greater soil evaporation and uneven root distribution.     

Analysis of a secondary contact between divergent lineages of brown trout Salmo trutta L. from Duero basin using microsatellites and mtDNA RFLPs

The analysis of 12 microsatellite loci in 16 native populations of Salmo trutta from Duero basin evidenced a strong genetic differentiation in accordance with the existence of two divergent Atlantic mtDNA lineages, Atlantic (AT) and Duero (DU). These lineages were observed spatially segregated mainly in the Lower-course and in the inner part of the basin. Unlike previous isozyme information, microsatellite data suggested a more downstream location of the sharpest genetic divergence in Duero basin and a more complex structure in the inward area. Putative hybrid populations evidenced higher Hardy–Weinberg and gametic disequilibria than pure ones (Pisuerga, Lower-course), not explained by mixture due to differential immigration pattern across the basin. Hybridization indexes suggested a bimodal pattern of hybridization and a higher weight of Pisuerga region in the genetic composition of hybrid samples in accordance with mtDNA data. The results suggested a limited introgression between AT and DU lineages. Taking into account the time of divergence between both lineages, selection and/or genetic incompatibility appeared necessary to explain the genetic structure observed and the ancient location of DU lineage restricted to this area.     

Population dynamics of diploid and hexaploid populations of a perennial herb

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the recent enormous increase in the number of studies on polyploid species, no studies to date have explored the population dynamics of these taxa. It is thus not known whether the commonly reported differences in single life-history traits between taxa of different ploidy levels result in differences in population dynamics. METHODS: This study explores differences in single life-history traits and in the complete life cycle between populations of different ploidy levels and compares these differences with differences observed between different habitat types and years. Diploid and hexaploid populations of a perennial herb, Aster amellus, are used as the study system. Transition matrix models were used to describe the dynamics of the populations, and population growth rates, elasticity values and life-table response experiments were used to compare the dynamics between populations and years. KEY RESULTS: The results indicate that between-year variation in population dynamics is much larger than variation between different ploidy levels and different habitat conditions. Significant differences exist, however, in the structure of the transition matrices, indicating that the dynamics of the different ploidy levels are different. Strong differences in probability of extinction of local populations were also found, with hexaploid populations having higher probability than diploid populations, indicating strong potential differences in persistence of these populations. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study on complete population dynamics of plants of different ploidy levels. This knowledge will help to understand the ability of new ploidy levels to spread into new areas and persist there, and the interactions of different ploidy levels in secondary contact zones. This knowledge will also contribute to understanding of interactions of different ploidy levels with other plant species or other interacting organisms such as pollinators or herbivores.