Monomer composition and sequence of sodium alginate extracted at pilot plant scale from three commercially important seaweeds from Mexico

The marine waters of the Baja California peninsula (Mexico) are a rich source of brown seaweeds with a great potential for exploitation. For that reason, Sargassum sinicola, Eisenia arborea, and Macrocystis pyrifera collected from different locations were subjected to extraction of sodium alginate using a pilot-plant scale process developed in our facilities. The composition and sequence parameters of the recovered alginate were studied by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectral analysis of the products revealed that sodium alginate from S. sinicola contains a greater proportion of guluronate monomers (64%) than that from E. arborea (48%), and M. pyrifera (38%). Computation of the frequencies of diads and triads indicated that the alginate from S. sinicola was constructed by intercalated guluronate-blocks of 14 residues in length. In contrast, the length of the G-block in the alginates from E. arborea and M. pyrifera were 7 and 4 residues, respectively. The results show that S. sinicola, E. arborea, and M. pyrifera are sources of sodium alginate with different mannuronate/guluronate ratios, as well as a varied building-block length. In consequence, aqueous dispersions of sodium alginate from the three studied species are expected to exhibit different physical properties.     

Conservation of pBuM–2 satellite DNA sequences among geographically isolated Drosophila gouveai populations from Brazil

In this study, we have compared 34 repetition units of pBuM-2 satellite DNA of individuals from six isolated populations of Drosophila gouveai, a cactophilic member of Drosophila buzzatii cluster (repleta group). In contrast to the results of previous morphological and molecular data, which suggest differentiation among the D. gouveai populations, the sequences and the cluster analysis of pBuM-2 monomers showed that this repetitive element is highly conserved among the six D. gouveai populations (97.8% similarity), indicating a slow rate of evolution of pBuM-2 sequences at the population level. Probably, some homogenization mechanisms of tandem sequences, such as unequal crossing or gene conversion, have maintained the sequence similarity of pBuM-2 among D. gouveai populations. Alternatively, such a result may be associated with a functional role of pBuM-2 sequences, although it is not understood at present.     

On the fine structure of the electrocyte of Electrophorus electricus L.

Summary The general ultrastructure of the electrocyte, the basic unit of the electric organs of Electrophorus electricus, is analyzed. Presented herein are detailed observations of the syncytial surface, its fibrillar coat, invaginations of the plasma membrane and synaptic terminals. Using Thiéry's method glycogen granules were identified in the syncytial cytoplasm and inside the synaptic terminals, their size and structure being compatible with the muscular origin of the electric organs, to which the filamentous meshwork found in the cytoplasm may be related. Among the perinuclear-organelles, are dense bodies with crystalline patterns. The mitochondrial matrix contains dense granules, their size and structure varying according to the organ to which they belong and to the fixation method used.This work has been supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Conselho de Ensino para Graduados da UFRJ and Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico, FUNTEC-241     

Interannual fluctuations in copepod abundance and contribution of small forms in the Drake Passage during austral summer

The relative importance of small forms of copepods has been historically underestimated by the traditional use of 200?C300-??m mesh nets. This work quantified the distribution and abundance of copepods, considering two size fractions (<300???m and >300???m), in superficial waters (9?m deep) of the Drake Passage and contributed to the knowledge of their interannual fluctuations among three summers. Four types of nauplii and eleven species of copepods at copepodite and adult stages were identified, with abundance values of up to 13 ind L^?1 and 28,300???g C m^?3. The <300-??m fraction, composed of Oithona similis, small cyclopoids and nauplii, dominated the copepod communities in the 3?years; it accounted for more than 77% of the total number and for between 40 and 63% of the total biomass. Changes in density and biomass values among the three cruises differed according to copepod size fraction and water mass; the >300-??m fraction showed no changes among the 3?years, both in Antarctic (density and biomass) and in Subantarctic waters (density), whereas the <300-??m fraction showed higher (density and biomass) values in 2001 both in Subantarctic and in Antarctic waters. Sea surface temperature and its anomaly accounted for the largest proportion of variability in copepod density and biomass, particularly for the <300-??m fraction.     

Alternative mRNAs arising from trans-splicing code for mitochondrial and cytosolic variants of Echinococcus granulosus thioredoxin Glutathione reductase

Thioredoxin and glutathione systems are the major thiol-dependent redox systems in animal cells. They transfer via the reversible oxidoreduction of thiols the reducing equivalents of NADPH to numerous substrates and substrate reductases and constitute major defenses against oxidative stress. In this study, we cloned from the helminth parasite Echinococcus granulosus two trans-spliced mRNA variants that encode thioredoxin glutathione reductases (TGR). These variants code for mitochondrial and cytosolic selenocysteine-containing isoforms that possess identical glutaredoxin (Grx) and thioredoxin reductase (TR) domains and differ exclusively in their N termini. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions with specific anti-TGR antibodies showed that TGR is present in both compartments. The biochemical characterization of the native purified TGR suggests that the Grx and TR domains of the enzyme can function either coupled or independently of each other, because the Grx domain can accept electrons from either TR domains or the glutathione system and the TR domains can transfer electrons to either the fused Grx domain or to E. granulosus thioredoxin.     

Proteomics fingerprinting of phagosome maturation and evidence for the role of a Galpha during uptake

Phagocytosis, whether of food particles in protozoa or bacteria and cell remnants in the metazoan immune system, is a conserved process. The particles are taken up into phagosomes, which then undergo complex remodeling of their components, called maturation. By using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry combined with genomic data, we identified 179 phagosomal proteins in the amoeba Dictyostelium, including components of signal transduction, membrane traffic, and the cytoskeleton. By carrying out this proteomics analysis over the course of maturation, we obtained time profiles for 1,388 spots and thus generated a dynamic record of phagosomal protein composition. Clustering of the time profiles revealed five clusters and 24 functional groups that were mapped onto a flow chart of maturation. Two heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Galpha4 and Gbeta, appeared at the earliest times. We showed that mutations in the genes encoding these two proteins produce a phagocytic uptake defect in Dictyostelium. This analysis of phagosome protein dynamics provides a reference point for future genetic and functional investigations.     

Acute and chronic electroconvulsive shock in rats: effects on peripheral markers of neuronal injury and glial activity

Electroconvulsive therapy is considered one of the most effective treatments of major depression, but controversy still exists on whether it may be brain damaging. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE), protein S100B and lactate of rats submitted to acute and chronic models of ECS. Rats were submitted to either one shock (acute) or a series of eight shocks, applied one at every 48 h (chronic). CSF samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the shock in the acute model and at these same time intervals after the last shock in the chronic model. Both models did not produce significant alterations in the levels of NSE. S100B levels were significantly increased at 6 h in the chronic model (p<0.0001). There was a significant increase in the levels of lactate at 0 h in both models (p<0.001). These results support the proposition that ECS does not produce neural damage, and suggest that the alterations in the levels of S100B and lactate may reflect an astrocytic activity of a protective nature.     

Molecular analyses of the genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) in southern South America, evidence from AFLP and ITS sequence data

In order to clarify the relationships among southern South American (sSA) representatives of the genus Ilex, an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was accomplished. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships of the species were studied using ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data alone and in combination with AFLP data, taking into account the possible existence of paralogous sequences and the influence of alignment parameters. To explore stability of phylogenetic hypotheses, a sensitivity analysis was performed using 15 indel-substitution models. Within each species assayed, the AFLPs allowed the recognition of several diagnostic bands. Furthermore, the AFLP analysis revealed that individuals belonging to the same morpho-species formed coherent clades. In addition, some cases of geographical association were noted. Studies on ITS sequences revealed divergence between data obtained herein and sequence data downloaded from GenBank. The sensitivity analyses yielded different interspecific hypotheses of relationships. Notwithstanding, analyses of the ITS data alone and in combination with AFLPs, rendered clades stable to variation in the analytical parameters. Topologies obtained for the AFLPs, the ITS data alone and the combined analyses, demonstrated the existence of a group formed by I. argentina, I. brasiliensis, I. brevicuspis, I. integerrima, and I. theezans, and that I. dumosa and I. paraguariensis were distantly related to the former. Incongruence with traditional taxonomical treatments was found.     

The actin gene in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: organization, expression and phylogenetic analyses

PbrACT1, the gene responsible for the synthesis of actin in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, was found as a single copy, organized into six exons and five introns. Its open reading frame (ORF) codes for a putative protein of 375 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 41.5 kDa and an isoelectric point of 5.6. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a high homology to other fungal actins, the presence of characteristic fungal actin sequences, and heat shock elements at the 5′ untranslated region (UTR). Phylogenetic analyses with deduced amino acid sequences of fungal actins grouped P. brasiliensis within the phylum Ascomycota, order Onygenales, in concordance with a few previous reports. Patterns of expression through the temperature-induced morphological transitions from mycelial to yeast-like shapes and reverse, suggests that PbrACT1 is regulated in this process. The PbrACT1 gene sequence is available at the GenBank database under accession number AY383732.