Tracing dietary origins of aphids and the predatory beetle Propylea japonica in agricultural systems using stable isotope analyses

Tracing dietary origins of the predatory beetle Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) aids understanding their roles in the food web and provides information to develop strategies for effective conservation in agroecosystems comprised of wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)], cotton [Hirsutum spp. (Malvaceae)], and maize [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)]. Intrinsic markers of carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) in P. japonica need to be developed to ascertain the source(s) of diet. Experiments were carried out to examine the changes of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N among the three crops, pests (wheat, cotton, and maize aphids; all Hemiptera: Aphididae), and P. japonica fed on aphids of each of the three crops. Results indicated that δ¹³C values in P. japonica fed on wheat, cotton, and maize aphids were ?27.2 to ?26.5‰, ?24.2 to ?23.9‰, and ?11.0 to ?10.7‰, respectively, whereas their δ¹⁵N values were 1.1 to 2.9‰, 6.0 to 7.4‰, and ?0.6 to 0.1‰, respectively. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N plots clearly identify the three crops, the dietary origins of the aphids, and the host origins of the aphid prey consumed by the ladybird beetles, as each pathway displays a non‐overlapping pattern. Based on the values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of the three food webs, dietary origins can be traced in the predatory beetle P. japonica derived from wheat, cotton, and maize crops.     

Nutritional Immunity: S100 Proteins at the Host-Pathogen Interface

The S100 family of EF-hand calcium (Ca²⁺)-binding proteins is essential for a wide range of cellular functions. During infection, certain S100 proteins act as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and interact with pattern recognition receptors to modulate inflammatory responses. In addition, these inflammatory S100 proteins have potent antimicrobial properties and are essential components of the immune response to invading pathogens. In this review, we focus on S100 proteins that exhibit antimicrobial properties through the process of metal limitation, termed nutritional immunity, and discuss several recent advances in our understanding of S100 protein-mediated metal sequestration at the site of infection.     

Congruence and conflict: case studies of morphotaxonomy versus rDNA gene tree phylogeny among articulate brachiopods (Brachiopoda: Rhynchonelliformea), with description of a new genus

We present five case studies among articulate (rhynchonelliform) brachiopods, i.e. of Rhynchonellida, Cancellothyridoidea, Terebratuloidea, Dyscolioidea, Laqueoidea, and various terebratulids with modified long‐loops, in an attempt to illustrate and better understand congruence and conflict between morpho‐classification and rDNA‐based molecular clade structure, having been prompted to address these issues by difficulties encountered when describing the newly collected brachiopod, E biscothyris bellonensis gen. et sp. nov. The five studies reveal dramatic conflict in the Rhynchonellida and Terebratuloidea/Dyscolioidea, good congruence in the Cancellothyridoidea and Laqueoidea, and fair congruence (albeit with weak phylogenetic signal) in the long‐looped terebratulids. We suggest that the leading cause of the observed conflict lies in the use of inadequately specific morphological characters and morpho‐classification. Phylogenetic systematic (cladistic) analyses of Rhynchonellida also conflict markedly with the rDNA gene tree, leading us to recognize that such analyses are not only conceptually circular (using morphological characters to assess a morphological classification) but also to propose that they are biased by the act of classification that necessarily precedes the identification of putatively homologous characters; when the prior classification does not reflect evolutionary history, phylogenetic analysis will do likewise. In addition, we propose that the brachiopod community has overlooked the significance of two sources of morphological homoplasy affecting brachiopod systematics: (1) the loss of co‐adapted genomic complexes caused by mass extinctions at the end of the Permian; and (2) the pervasive consequences of developmental integration and constraint resulting from the integrated roles of the outer mantle epithelium in shell deposition and growth that underly the determination of form and the shell‐based classification. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Computational analysis of storage synthesis in developing Brassica napus L. (oilseed rape) embryos: flux variability analysis in relation to ¹³C metabolic flux analysis

Plant oils are an important renewable resource, and seed oil content is a key agronomical trait that is in part controlled by the metabolic processes within developing seeds. A large‐scale model of cellular metabolism in developing embryos of Brassica napus (bna572) was used to predict biomass formation and to analyze metabolic steady states by flux variability analysis under different physiological conditions. Predicted flux patterns are highly correlated with results from prior ¹³C metabolic flux analysis of B. napus developing embryos. Minor differences from the experimental results arose because bna572 always selected only one sugar and one nitrogen source from the available alternatives, and failed to predict the use of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. Flux variability, indicative of alternative optimal solutions, revealed alternative pathways that can provide pyruvate and NADPH to plastidic fatty acid synthesis. The nutritional values of different medium substrates were compared based on the overall carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) for the biosynthesis of biomass. Although bna572 has a functional nitrogen assimilation pathway via glutamate synthase, the simulations predict an unexpected role of glycine decarboxylase operating in the direction of NH₄⁺ assimilation. Analysis of the light‐dependent improvement of carbon economy predicted two metabolic phases. At very low light levels small reductions in CO₂ efflux can be attributed to enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase) and glycine decarboxylase. At higher light levels relevant to the ¹³C flux studies, ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase activity is predicted to account fully for the light‐dependent changes in carbon balance.     

Metabolic network reconstruction and flux variability analysis of storage synthesis in developing oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) embryos

Computational simulation of large‐scale biochemical networks can be used to analyze and predict the metabolic behavior of an organism, such as a developing seed. Based on the biochemical literature, pathways databases and decision rules defining reaction directionality we reconstructed bna572, a stoichiometric metabolic network model representing Brassica napus seed storage metabolism. In the highly compartmentalized network about 25% of the 572 reactions are transport reactions interconnecting nine subcellular compartments and the environment. According to known physiological capabilities of developing B. napus embryos, four nutritional conditions were defined to simulate heterotrophy or photoheterotrophy, each in combination with the availability of inorganic nitrogen (ammonia, nitrate) or amino acids as nitrogen sources. Based on mathematical linear optimization the optimal solution space was comprehensively explored by flux variability analysis, thereby identifying for each reaction the range of flux values allowable under optimality. The range and variability of flux values was then categorized into flux variability types. Across the four nutritional conditions, approximately 13% of the reactions have variable flux values and 10–11% are substitutable (can be inactive), both indicating metabolic redundancy given, for example, by isoenzymes, subcellular compartmentalization or the presence of alternative pathways. About one‐third of the reactions are never used and are associated with pathways that are suboptimal for storage synthesis. Fifty‐seven reactions change flux variability type among the different nutritional conditions, indicating their function in metabolic adjustments. This predictive modeling framework allows analysis and quantitative exploration of storage metabolism of a developing B. napus oilseed.     

Sources of variation in dietary requirements in an obligate nutritional symbiosis

The nutritional symbiosis between aphids and their obligate symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola, is often characterized as a highly functional partnership in which the symbiont provides the host with essential nutrients. Despite this, some aphid lineages exhibit dietary requirements for nutrients typically synthesized by Buchnera, suggesting that some aspect of the symbiosis is disrupted. To examine this phenomenon in the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, populations were assayed using defined artificial diet to determine dietary requirements for essential amino acids (EAAs). Six clones exhibiting dependence on EAAs in their diet were investigated further. In one aphid clone, a mutation in a Buchnera amino acid biosynthesis gene could account for the clone''s requirement for dietary arginine. Analysis of aphid F₁ hybrids allowed separation of effects of the host and symbiont genomes, and revealed that both affect the requirement for dietary EAAs in the clones tested. Amino acid requirements were minimally affected by secondary symbiont infection. Our results indicate that variation among pea aphids in dependence on dietary amino acids can result from Buchnera mutation as well as variation in the host genotype.     

泰山沙参属植物资源调查与营养成分分析

目的:了解泰山沙参属植物资源现状,测定其根中脂肪、蛋白质及多糖的含量,为合理开发利用泰山沙参属植物资源提供依据。方法:采用野外实地调查法进行资源考察;分别用索氏提取法、考马斯亮蓝法和苯酚-硫酸法测定脂肪、蛋白质和多糖的含量。结果:采集的100余份标本,经鉴定为沙参属植物狭叶沙参[Adenophora gmeli-nii(Spreng)Fisch.]、石沙参(Adenophora polyantha Nakai)、杏叶沙参(Adenophora stricta Mig.)及细叶沙参(Adeno-phora paniculata Nannf.)。泰山沙参属植物狭叶沙参、石沙参、杏叶沙参和细叶沙参脂肪含量分别为2.14%～7.34%,4.27%～7.72%1,.54%～2.51%和4.98%。蛋白质含量分别为0.60～2.10 mg/g0,.80～1.89 mg/g,0.83～0.89 mg/g和1.05 mg/g,多糖含量分别为20.58%～63.21%2,7.74%～65.14%,43.14%～48.47%和45.60%。结论:泰山野生沙参属植物资源丰富,品种多、分布广、蕴藏量大,多糖含量较高,具有较大的开发前景。     

Optimal foraging for multiple nutrients in an unpredictable environment

Foraging theory has typically been concerned with the acquisition of a single resource even though organisms from mammals to protozoa are capable of balancing their requirements for multiple resources. Existing theory concerning multiple nutrients from multiple foods does not predict the sequence of food selection. We constructed an optimisation model of the simplest case of two foods containing differing amounts of two nutrients. We begin with the well-supported assumption that reproductive value declines with the distance from target nutrient intake. We show that nutrient space divides into two distinct areas where the animal should exclusively consume one food or the other. The organism thus initially concentrates on one food type until the border between the areas is reached and then moves as closely as possible along the border to approach the target. This strategy is commonly observed in a range of organisms, suggesting that the assumed fitness function is common.     

Nutritional geometry: gorillas prioritize non-protein energy while consuming surplus protein

It is widely assumed that terrestrial food webs are built on a nitrogen-limited base and consequently herbivores must compensate through selection of high-protein foods and efficient nitrogen retention. Like many folivorous primates, gorillas' diet selection supports this assumption, as they apparently prefer protein-rich foods. Our study of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Uganda revealed that, in some periods, carbohydrate-rich fruits displace a large portion of protein-rich leaves in their diet. We show that non-protein energy (NPE) intake was invariant throughout the year, whereas protein intake was substantially higher when leaves were the major portion of the diet. This pattern of macronutrient intake suggests that gorillas prioritize NPE and, to achieve this when leaves are the major dietary item, they over-eat protein. The concentrations of protein consumed in relation to energy when leaves were the major portion of the diet were close to the maximum recommended for humans and similar to high-protein human weight-loss diets. By contrast, the concentrations of protein in relation to energy when gorillas ate fruit-dominated diets were similar to those recommended for humans. Our results question the generality of nitrogen limitation in terrestrial herbivores and provide a fascinating contrast with human macronutrient intake.     

A comprehensive genome‐scale reconstruction of Escherichia coli metabolism—2011

The initial genome‐scale reconstruction of the metabolic network of Escherichia coli K‐12 MG1655 was assembled in 2000. It has been updated and periodically released since then based on new and curated genomic and biochemical knowledge. An update has now been built, named iJO1366, which accounts for 1366 genes, 2251 metabolic reactions, and 1136 unique metabolites. iJO1366 was (1) updated in part using a new experimental screen of 1075 gene knockout strains, illuminating cases where alternative pathways and isozymes are yet to be discovered, (2) compared with its predecessor and to experimental data sets to confirm that it continues to make accurate phenotypic predictions of growth on different substrates and for gene knockout strains, and (3) mapped to the genomes of all available sequenced E. coli strains, including pathogens, leading to the identification of hundreds of unannotated genes in these organisms. Like its predecessors, the iJO1366 reconstruction is expected to be widely deployed for studying the systems biology of E. coli and for metabolic engineering applications.