Zebrafish β-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression and control of pigmentation

Beta adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily and mediate various physiological processes in many species. The expression patterns and functions of β-ARs in zebrafish are, however, largely unknown. We have identified zebrafish β-AR orthologs, which we have designated as adrb1, adrb2a, adrb2b, adrb3a and adrb3b. adrb1 was found to be expressed in the heart and brain. Expression of adrb2a predominated in the brain and skin, whereas adrb2b was found to be highly expressed in muscle, pancreas and liver. Both adrb3a and adrb3b were exclusively expressed in blood. Knock-down of these β-ARs by morpholino oligonucleotides revealed a functional importance of adrb2a in pigmentation. Expression of atp5a1 and atp5b, genes that encode subunits of F1F0-ATPase, which is known to be involved in pigmentation, was significantly increased by knock-down of adrb2a. Our data suggest that adrb2a may regulate pigmentation, partly by modulating F1F0-ATPase.     

Adenovirus-mediated hepatic overexpression of scavenger receptor class B type I accelerates chylomicron metabolism in C57BL/6J mice

The function of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in mediating the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters is well established. In SR-BI-deficient mice, we recently observed a delayed postprandial triglyceride (TG) response, suggesting an additional role for SR-BI in facilitating chylomicron (CM) metabolism. Here, we assessed the effect of adenovirus-mediated hepatic overexpression of SR-BI (Ad.SR-BI) in C57BL/6J mice on serum lipids and CM metabolism. Infection of 5 x 10(8) plaque-forming units per mouse of Ad.SR-BI significantly decreases serum cholesterol (>90%), phospholipids (>90%), and TG levels (50%), accompanied by a 41.4% reduction (P < 0.01) in apolipoprotein B-100 levels. The postprandial TG response is 2-fold lower in mice treated with Ad.SR-BI compared with control mice (area under the curve = 31.4 +/- 2.4 versus 17.7 +/- 3.2; P < 0.05). Hepatic mRNA expression levels of genes known to be involved in serum cholesterol and TG clearance are unchanged and thus could not account for the decreased plasma TG levels and the change in postprandial response. We conclude that overexpression of SR-BI accelerates CM metabolism, possibly by mediating the initial capture of CM remnants by the liver, whereby the subsequent internalization can be exerted by additional receptor systems such as the LDL receptor (LDLr) and LDLr-related protein 1.     

Functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) in the Laboratory

Stage specific functional response of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) to varying densities of Aphis gossypii Glover was examined in a simplified cucumber leaf arena under laboratory conditions. All stages of H. axyridis were isolated individually for 24 h with different prey densities at 25 °C and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. The number of prey consumed by the predator was checked at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. All stages of H. axyridis showed a Type II functional response. Based on the random predator equation, estimated attack rates of H. axyridis at 24 h were 0.0037, 0.0442, 0.3590, 0.3228, and 0.1456, and estimated handling times were 4.1001, 2.4575, 0.7500, 0.2132, and 0.1708 h for the first, second, third, and fourth instars, and female adult, respectively.     

Phytomass change in natural phytocenosis as an indicator of technogenic pollution of soils with heavy metals

This study considered the possibility of using plant community phytomass for the assessment of soil pollution with heavy metals (HM) from industrial wastes. The three-year-long field experiment was run under the regional natural meadow vegetation; the polymetallic galvanic slime was used as an industrial waste contaminant. It is shown that soil contamination primarily causes decrease of phytomass in the growing phytocenosis. The vegetation experiments determined nonlinear dependence of cultivated and wild plant biomass on the level of soil contamination; it is described by the equations of logistic and Gaussian regression. In the absence of permanent contaminants, the soil is self-cleaned over time. It reproduces phytomass mainly due to the productivity increase of the most pollution-tolerant species in the remaining phytocenosis. This phenomenon is defined as environmental hysteresis. Soil pollution by industrial waste leads to the loss of plant biodiversity. The research shows that the study of the HM impact on ecosystems is expedient given the consideration of the “soil–phytocenosis–pollutant” complex in the “dose–response” aspect. The reaction of phytocenosis on HM showing decline in phytomass leads to serious limitations in the choice of accumulating plants, because the adsorbed HM are rejected through phytomass.     

Light-Induced Body Movement of Euglena gracilis Coupled to Flagellar Photophobic Responses by Mechanical Stimulation*†

SYNOPSIS. In low viscosity media, Euglena gracilis strain Z responds to a sudden change in light intensity by a cessation of forward movement, followed by a reorientation of the locomotor flagellum which results in turning of the cell around the lateral axis (photophobic response). At a viscosity interface between low [～ 1 cP (centipoise)] and high (4000 cP) media, the cells exhibit avoidance responses or become immobilized in the higher viscosity medium. Upon changing the light intensity, free swimming cells have photophobic responses, while immobilized ones undergo body contractions. For cells immersed in media of varying viscosity, the delay between light stimulation and body contraction (transduction time) is shortest at high viscosities. From 500 to 2000 cP, where the cells are capable of both movement and light-induced body contractions, there is a logarithmic dependence of the transduction time on the viscosity. The transduction time does not vary appreciably with the intensity of the primary light stimulus within a range of 0.14-1.13 kW/m².