Lipid metabolism has been good to me

My career in research has flourished through hard work, supportive mentors, and outstanding mentees and collaborators. The Carman laboratory has contributed to the understanding of lipid metabolism through the isolation and characterization of key lipid biosynthetic enzymes as well as through the identification of the enzyme-encoding genes. Our findings from yeast have proven to be invaluable to understand regulatory mechanisms of human lipid metabolism. Several rewarding aspects of my career have been my service to the Journal of Biological Chemistry as an editorial board member and Associate Editor, the National Institutes of Health as a member of study sections, and national and international scientific meetings as an organizer. I advise early career scientists to not assume anything, acknowledge others’ accomplishments, and pay it forward.     

A comprehensive biochemical characterization of settlement stage leptocephalus larvae of bonefish (Albula vulpes)

Little is known about early development of the near-threatened bonefish (Albula vulpes), a member of superorder Elopomorpha. Members of Elopomorpha are partially defined by their synapomorphic leptocephalus larval stage, for which the nutritional requirements are not well understood. Characterizing the nutritional profile, including major nutrients (such as lipids) used for energetic processes, can help to gain a better understanding of the nutritional requirements for leptocephalus larvae. A total of 24 settlement stage A. vulpes leptocephalus larvae were collected at Long Caye Island, Belize. Samples were used to determine various biochemical characteristics including lipid class, fatty acid and glycosaminoglycan compositions. Each of these biochemical components plays a role in early developmental processes such as cellular membrane formation and is crucial for healthy development. Biochemical characteristics of settlement stage A. vulpes leptocephalus are presented in this study for the first time. The dominant lipid classes and fatty acids detected in these samples were consistent with prior studies using closely related species like the Japanese eel, indicating possible similarities in diets at this stage. In the future, similar analyses can be applied to other species that share the leptocephalus life stage to determine if nutritional requirements at this stage of development are unique to this species. The findings in this study will also help to facilitate the establishment of adequate aquaculture systems for captive bonefish, ultimately leading to improved management strategies for wild bonefish habitats.     

Crystal Structure and Pathophysiological Role of the Pneumococcal Nucleoside-binding Protein PnrA

Nucleotides are important for RNA and DNA synthesis and, despite a de novo synthesis by bacteria, uptake systems are crucial. Streptococcus pneumoniae, a facultative human pathogen, produces a surface-exposed nucleoside-binding protein, PnrA, as part of an ABC transporter system. Here we demonstrate the binding affinity of PnrA to nucleosides adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine and uridine by microscale thermophoresis and indicate the consumption of adenosine and guanosine by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In a series of five crystal structures we revealed the PnrA structure and provide insights into how PnrA can bind purine and pyrimidine ribonucleosides but with preference for purine ribonucleosides. Crystal structures of PnrA:nucleoside complexes unveil a clear pattern of interactions in which both the N- and C- domains of PnrA contribute. The ribose moiety is strongly recognized through a conserved network of H-bond interactions, while plasticity in loop 27–36 is essential to bind purine- or pyrimidine-based nucleosides.Further, we deciphered the role of PnrA in pneumococcal fitness in infection experiments. Phagocytosis experiments did not show a clear difference in phagocytosis between PnrA-deficient and wild-type pneumococci. In the acute pneumonia infection model the deficiency of PnrA attenuated moderately virulence of the mutant, which is indicated by a delay in the development of severe lung infections. Importantly, we confirmed the loss of fitness in co-infections, where the wild-type out-competed the pnrA-mutant. In conclusion, we present the PnrA structure in complex with individual nucleosides and show that the consumption of adenosine and guanosine under infection conditions is required for virulence.     

Landscape Features Fail to Explain Spatial Genetic Structure in White-Tailed Deer Across Ohio,USA

Landscape features influence wildlife movements across spatial scales and have the potential to influence the spread of disease. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting members of the family Cervidae, particularly white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and the first positive CWD case in a wild deer in Ohio, USA, was recorded in 2020. Landscape genetics approaches are increasingly used to better understand potential pathways for CWD spread in white-tailed deer, but little is known about genetic structure of white-tailed deer in Ohio. The objectives of our study were to evaluate spatial genetic structure in white-tailed deer across Ohio and compare the support for isolation by distance (IBD) and isolation by landscape resistance (IBR) models in explaining this structure. We collected genetic data from 619 individual deer from 24 counties across Ohio during 2007–2009. We used microsatellite genotypes from 619 individuals genotyped at 11 loci and haplotypes from a 547-base pair fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region. We used spatial and non-spatial genetic clustering tests to evaluate genetic structure in both types of genetic data and empirically optimized landscape resistance surfaces to compare IBD and IBR using microsatellite data. Non-spatial genetic clustering tests failed to detect spatial genetic structure, whereas spatial genetic clustering tests indicated subtle spatial genetic structure. The IBD model consistently outperformed IBR models that included land cover, traffic volume, and streams. Our results indicated widespread genetic connectivity of white-tailed deer across Ohio and negligible effects of landscape features. These patterns likely reflect some combination of minimal resistive effects of landscape features on white-tail deer movement in Ohio and the effects of regional recolonization or translocation. We encourage continued CWD surveillance in Ohio, particularly in the proximity of confirmed cases. © 2021 The Wildlife Society. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.     

Evaluation of Effects of Harvest on Alligator Populations in Louisiana

Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana, USA, have managed statewide annual harvest of alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) for 35 years (1981–present). We collected and analyzed harvest data for Louisiana alligators to determine the effects of harvest on the population structure, focusing on the larger size classes (≥274 cm) of this slow-growing species. Linear regression analyses revealed that body size-class structure, based on overall average size and the percentage of animals harvested in the larger size classes was relatively stable. Annual aerial alligator nest counts indicated a continual growth of the population, and over time harvested alligators maintained a constant average size. Analyses of population size (based on number of nests and population modeling) indicated that the current annual harvest represents approximately 3% of the population. Linear regression analysis showed that annual hunter success declined only slightly during the study period, and the scheduling of the hunt season after the hatch period and recommended hunting in areas not frequented by breeding females provides economic opportunities for hunters to participate in a sustainable harvest that preserves the larger size classes of alligators in the population. Strict enforcement of existing laws was a key factor responsible for the success of this harvest program. Comparison of alligator population size and number of harvest-related citations indicated that illegal harvest did not have a negative effect on population size, and linear regression analyses revealed that the rate of increase in citations was lower than the increase in populations over the study period. The results of this harvest program indicated that alligators can be hunted in a sustainable manner if hunting is conducted after the hatch period and occurs in areas that primarily exclude the harvest of adult females, and strict law enforcement curbs illegal activities that negatively affect populations. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wildlife Society.     

Rooting Out Genetic Structure of Invasive Wild Pigs in Texas

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa), also called feral swine or wild hogs, are recognized as among the most destructive invasive species in the world. Throughout the United States, invasive wild pigs have expanded rapidly over the past 40 years with populations now established in 38 states. Of the estimated 6.9 million wild pigs distributed throughout the United States, Texas supports approximately 40% of the population and similarly bears disproportionate ecological and economic costs. Genetic analyses are an effective tool for understanding invasion pathways and tracking dispersal of invasive species such as wild pigs and have been used recently in California and Florida, USA, which have similarly long-established populations and high densities of wild pigs. Our goals were to use molecular approaches to elucidate invasion and migration processes shaping wild pig populations throughout Texas, compare our results with patterns of genetic structure observed in California and Florida, and provide insights for effective management of this invasive species. We used a high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to evaluate population genetic structure. Genetic clusters of wild pigs throughout Texas demonstrate 2 distinct patterns: weakly resolved, spatially dispersed clusters and well-resolved, spatially localized clusters. The disparity in patterns of genetic structure suggests disparate processes are differentially shaping wild pig populations in various localities throughout the state. Our results differed from the patterns of genetic structure observed in California and Florida, which were characterized by localized genetic clusters. These differences suggest distinct biological and perhaps anthropogenic processes are shaping genetic structure in Texas. Further, these disparities demonstrate the need for location-specific management strategies for controlling wild pig populations and mitigating associated ecological and economic costs. © 2021 The Wildlife Society. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.     

间伐强度对坝上樟子松林下持水能力的影响

河北坝上地区地势复杂、气候条件较差,导致了水土流失和地质灾害的发生,使华北地区生态安全受到严重威胁。为了改善当地生态环境,樟子松、落叶松等耐贫瘠速生树种被大面积种植,然而不合理的植被密度会导致降雨的低效率利用。本研究以5种间伐强度(0、20%、40%、60%、80%)的樟子松林为对象,分析间伐强度对林下草本、枯落物、土壤各层以及整体持水能力的影响。结果表明: 草本层持水率变化幅度为47.7%～90.7%,且随着间伐强度增加持水能力整体呈减小趋势,间伐强度小于40%时减速较缓,之后迅速减小。随间伐强度的增大,枯落物未分解层、半分解层自然含水率和最大持水率均逐渐减小,而有效持水能力大小依次为60%>40%>20%>80%>0,且半分解层持水能力均优于未分解层。土壤持水能力随间伐强度的增强逐渐降低,间伐强度小于40%时对持水能力起促进作用。不同间伐强度下,林下总持水率是8.3%～14.3%,依次为20%>0>40%>60%>80%。 鉴于林下各层及整体变化,研究区内选择强度为20%的间伐措施能有效提高林下持水能力,实现更好的生态效益。     

莱菔子乙醇提取物对ApoE-/-小鼠血脂血糖及肝脂肪变性的影响*

目的:探讨莱菔子乙醇提取物(AERS)对ApoE^-/-小鼠血脂血糖及肝脂肪变性的影响及其机制。方法:随机将60只ApoE^-/-小鼠分为对照组(CG)、生理盐水组(NG)、罗格列酮组(RG)、AERS治疗组,后者再分成AERS低、中、高剂量组(AERS-L/M/H),每组10只。除CG常规饲料外,其他动物均以高脂高糖高盐饲料饲养9周,CG和NG分别每天以等容量NS灌胃1次,RG每天灌胃罗格列酮(1.33 mg·kg^-1,NS稀释成等容量溶液,每次0.2 ml·10 g^-1),AERS组动物每天分别予AERS灌胃(100、300和900 mg·kg^-1)9周后。肝病理学观察,检测FPG、FIns,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI)和肝系数(LC)。检测血清ALT、AST、瘦素(LEP)、TNF-α及血脂水平(TC、FFA等)。Western blot检测肝脂质代谢相关蛋白表达(HMG-R、LDL-R、LEP-R)。结果:与CG相比,NG和RG肝脏外观(色泽、肿胀情况等)和病理学(脂肪变性、肝细胞坏死等)改变明显,而AERS-M/H与CG相似;与CG相比,血清FPG、Fins、IRI、ALT、AST、TNF-α、LC、TG、LDL-C、FFA、LEP等指标明显升高(P＜0.05);与NG相比,AERS呈现剂量依赖性降低(P＜0.05);与RG相比,AERS-H的FPG、Fins明显升高(P＜0.05),而IRI明显降低(P＜0.05);与NG和RG相比,AERS组的HMG-R和LEP-R蛋白表达呈剂量依赖性减少,而LDL-R蛋白表达呈剂量依赖性增加(P＜0.05)。结论:AERS能阻止高脂高糖饲料诱导ApoE^-/^-小鼠血脂血糖升高及肝脂肪变性,其机制与减少FFA和LEP的生成,抑制TNF-α、HMG-R、LEP-R蛋白表达和促进LDL-R的蛋白表达有关。     

遮光处理对草珊瑚光合特性及叶片解剖结构的影响

为探索遮光处理对草珊瑚光合特性及叶片解剖结构的影响,为草珊瑚的科学栽培提供理论依据。该研究以2年生草珊瑚为材料,设置全光照(L_0)及50%(L_(50))、70%(L_(70))和90%(L_(90))遮光处理,测定分析其光合特性和叶片解剖结构以及植株生长的变化。结果表明:(1)随着遮光率的增加,草珊瑚叶面光合有效辐射(PAR)、气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)逐渐减小,胞间二氧化碳浓度(C_i)先减少后增加,净光合速率(P_n)先增加后减少,并在L_(50)和L_(70)处理下具有较低的PAR、G_s、T_r和C_i,光合‘午休’现象得到有效缓解,表现出更高的P_n。(2)随着遮光率的增加,草珊瑚光补偿点(LCP)逐渐下降,光饱和点(LSP)、暗呼吸速率(R_d)先升高后下降,表观量子效率(AQE)逐渐上升,叶片最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))先升高后下降,并在L_(50)和L_(70)处理下具有较低的LCP,较高的LSP和AQE,以及更高的最大净光合速率。(3)随着遮光率的增加,草珊瑚叶片、表皮细胞、栅栏组织和海绵组织的厚度明显增加,角质层厚度逐渐变薄;在L_(50)和L_(70)处理下,草珊瑚叶片栅栏组织和海绵组织发达,栅栏组织细胞长度变短,海绵组织厚度显著增加,细胞排列疏松,叶绿体数量显著增加;叶肉细胞和叶绿体结构完整,基粒类囊体和基质类囊体片层结构发达,叶片捕获光能力增强。(4)随着遮光率的增加,草珊瑚株高、地径、总叶面积数及单株生物量先增加后减少,并在L_(70)处理下均达到峰值,分别为58.58 cm、5.09 mm、1 038.53 cm~2和15.50 g。研究认为,草珊瑚具有一定的弱光耐受力和光可塑性,50%～70%遮光处理有利于草珊瑚生长,在实际生产中可根据该光照范围选择合适的间套作林分或进行适当的遮光处理。