Marine incursions,cryptic species and ecological diversification in Amazonia: the biogeographic history of the croaker genus Plagioscion (Sciaenidae)

Aim We propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for the marine‐derived sciaenid genus Plagioscion in the context of geomorphology and adaptation to freshwaters of South America, and assess the extent to which contemporary freshwater hydrochemical gradients influence diversification within a widely distributed Plagioscion species, Plagioscion squamosissimus. Location Amazon Basin and South America. Methods Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the five nominal Plagioscion species, together with representatives from Pachyurus and Pachypops, using character and model‐based methods. Genealogical relationships and population genetic structure of 152 P. squamosissimus specimens sampled from the five major rivers and three hydrochemical settings/‘colours’ (i.e. white, black and clear water) of the Amazon Basin were assessed. Results Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Plagioscion in South America and identify two putative cryptic species of Plagioscion. Divergence estimates suggest that the Plagioscion ancestor invaded South America via a northern route during the late Oligocene to early Miocene. Within P. squamosissimus a strong association of haplotype and water colour was observed, together with significant population structure detected between water colours. Main conclusions Our analyses of Plagioscion are consistent with a biogeographic scenario of early Miocene marine incursions into South America. Based on our phylogenetic results, the fossil record, geomorphological history and distributional data of extant Plagioscion species, we propose that marine incursions into western Venezuela between the late Oligocene and early Miocene were responsible for the adaptation to freshwaters in Plagioscion species. Following the termination of the marine incursions during the late Miocene and the establishment of the modern Amazon River, Plagioscion experienced a rapid diversification. Plagioscion squamosissimus arose during that time. The formation of the Amazon River probably facilitated population and range expansions for this species. Further, the large‐scale hydrochemical gradients within the Amazon Basin appear to be acting as ecological barriers maintaining population discontinuities in P. squamosissimus even in the face of gene flow. Our results highlight the importance of divergent natural selection through time in the generation and maintenance of sciaenid diversity in Amazonia.     

Growth Phase-Dependent Regulation of Vsr Endonuclease May Contribute to 5-Methylcytosine Mutational Hot Spots in Escherichia coli

Using rabbit polyclonal antibodies, we have shown that the Dcm cytosine methylase of Escherichia coli is maintained at a constant level during cell growth, while Vsr endonuclease levels are growth phase dependent. Decreased production of Vsr relative to Dcm during the log phase may contribute substantially to the mutability of 5-methylcytosine.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate, a stable analogue of inositol trisphosphate which mobilizes intracellular calcium.

Exposure of isolated rat hepatocytes to glucagon or chlorophenylthio cyclic AMP led to an inhibition of the incorporation of [1,2-14C]ethanolamine into phosphatidylethanolamine. Pulse-chase experiments and measurement of the activities of the enzymes involved in the CDP-ethanolamine pathway provided evidence that the inhibitory effect of glucagon on the synthesis de novo of phosphatidylethanolamine was not caused by a diminished conversion of ethanolamine phosphate into CDP-ethanolamine. The observations suggested that the glucagon-induced inhibition of the biosynthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine is probably due to a decreased supply of diacylglycerols, resulting in a decreased formation of phosphatidylethanolamine from CDP-ethanolamine and diacylglycerols.     

3-Mercaptopropionic acid administration increases the affinity of [H]Quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to membranes of the striatum and cerebellum

It is known that quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binds specifically and with high affinity to the cholinergic muscarinic receptor and that behaves as a potent antagonist of this receptor.

We have analysed -[³H]QNB binding to rat CNS membranes after the administration of the convulsant 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MP) (150 mg·kg⁻¹, i.p.). The studies were done in rats killed at two stages: during and after seizures. No changes in [³H]QNB binding to hippocampus and cerebral cortex membranes were found. [³H]QNB binding increased about 40 and 80% in striatum and cerebellum membranes, respectively. The changes were observed both in seizure and postseizures states. The study was extended to the assay of [³H]QNB binding kinetic constants in the anatomical areas modified by the convulsant. The analysis of the saturation curves indicated an increase in the binding affinity but no change in the number of binding sites. Hill number values were near the unit suggesting a non-cooperative interaction between the ligand and the receptor, and the labelling of a homogeneous population of receptor sites.

The results suggest the participation of some cholinergic pathways in the development and maintenance of MP-induced seizures.     

Cytoplasmic calcium oscillations: a two pool model

Cytosolic calcium oscillations induced by a wide range of agonists, particularly those which stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism, are the result of a periodic release of stored calcium. The formation of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) seems to play an important role because it can initiate this periodic behaviour when injected or perfused into a variety of cells. A two pool model has been developed to explain how Ins(1,4, 5)P3 sets up these calcium oscillations. It is proposed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 acts through its specific receptor to create a constant influx of primer calcium (Ca2+p) made up of calcium released from the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive pool (ISCS) together with an influx of external calcium. This Ca2+p fails to significantly elevate cytosolic calcium because it is rapidly sequestered by the Ins(1,4,5)P3-insensitive (IICS) stores of calcium distributed throughout the cytosol. Once the latter have filled, they are triggered to release their stored calcium through a process of calcium-induced calcium release to give a typical calcium spike (Ca2+s). In many cells, each Ca2+s begins at a discrete initiation site from which it then spreads through the cell as a wave. The two pool model can account for such waves if it is assumed that calcium released from one IICS diffused across to excite its neighbours thereby setting up a self-propagating wave based on calcium-induced calcium release.     

Nitrogen Source Regulates Glutamate Dehydrogenase NADP Synthesis in Neurospora crassa

Neurospora crassa glutamate dehydrogenase-NADP (EC 1.3.1.3) has a higher activity when mycelium is grown on ammonium or nitrate as nitrogen source than when grown on glutamate or glutamine. Quantitative immunoelectrophoresis established that, under all conditions, enzyme activity corresponded to enzyme concentration. Isotope incorporation studies demonstrated that the nitrogen source exerts its regulation at the level of de novo enzyme synthesis.     

Rapid accumulation of inositol trisphosphate reveals that agonists hydrolyse polyphosphoinositides instead of phosphatidylinositol.

The agonist-dependent hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids was investigated by studying the breakdown of prelabelled lipid or by measuring the accumulation of inositol phosphates. Stimulation of insect salivary glands with 5-hydroxytryptamine for 6 min provoked a rapid disappearance of [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] and [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) but had no effect on the level of [3H]phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns). The breakdown of PtdIns(4,5)P2 was associated with a very rapid release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], which reached a peak 5 1/2 times that of the resting level after 5 s of stimulation. This high level was not maintained but declined to a lower level, perhaps reflecting the disappearance of PtdIns(4,5)P2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine also induced a rapid and massive accumulation of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate [Ins(1,4)P2]. The fact that these increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,4)P2 precede in time any increase in the level of inositol 1-phosphate or inositol provides a clear indication that the primary action of 5-hydroxytryptamine is to stimulate the hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 to yield diacylglycerol and Ins(1,4,5)P3. The latter is then hydrolysed by a series of phosphomonoesterases to produce Ins(1,4)P2, Ins1P and finally inositol. The very rapid agonist-dependent increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,4)P2 suggests that they could function as second messengers, perhaps to control the release of calcium from internal pools. The PtdIns(4,5)P2 that is used by the receptor mechanism represents a small hormone-sensitive pool that must be constantly replenished by phosphorylation of PtdIns. Small changes in the size of this small energy-dependent pool of polyphosphoinositide will alter the effectiveness of the receptor mechanism and could account for phenomena such as desensitization and super-sensitivity.     

Brain stem death and organ donation.

Organs for donation are in short supply in the United Kingdom, resulting in allegations that relatives of potential donors are not being asked for consent. Legislation on "required request" has been proposed to overcome this. The incidence, causes, complications, and patterns of organ donation in brain stem dead patients in one referral centre were studied over 12 months. Data were collected on all patients fulfilling criteria for brain stem death or considered suitable for donating organs after circulatory arrest. Forty two patients fulfilled the criteria for brain stem death, and in 10 further patients circulatory arrest occurred before formal testing was finished. The major causes of brain stem death were head injury (28) and intracranial haemorrhage (17). Consent to organ donation was obtained for 24 potential donors, and organs were donated by 23 of them. Twenty nine patients did not donate organs. The commonest reasons for failure to donate were medical unsuitability (13) and the coroner not releasing the body (eight). Consent was not sought in three cases, and the relatives refused consent in the remaining five. This study suggests that required request will not considerably increase the supply of donor organs.