International Society for Reef Studies

International Society for Reef Studies     

Morphologic evidence of poxvirus in "tattoo" lesions from captive bottlenosed dolphins.

Skin lesions known as "tattoos", were observed in several captive Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins (tursiops truncatus) maintained at the Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego, California. Biopsy of typical lesions and subsequent ultrastructural examination revealed intracytoplasmic particles with poxvirus morphology.     

Anthropology of Religion: A Handbook

Anthropology of Religion:. Handbook. Stephen D. Glazier. ed. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997. 542 pp.     

Commercial coral-reef fisheries across Micronesia: A need for improving management

A dearth of scientific data surrounding Micronesia’s coral-reef fisheries has limited their formal assessment and continues to hinder local and regional management efforts. We approach this problem by comparing catch-based datasets from market landings across Micronesia to evaluate fishery status in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Yap, and Pohnpei. Initial examinations found that calm weather and low lunar illumination predicted between 6% (Yap) and 30% (CNMI) of the variances in daily commercial landings. Both environmentally driven catch success and daily catch variability increased in accordance with reef-fish demand indices. Subsequent insight from species composition and size-at-capture data supported these findings, highlighting reduced trophic levels and capture sizes where higher human-population-per-reef-area existed. Among the 12–15 target species and/or species complexes that accounted for 70% of the harvest biomass, capture sizes were consistently smallest for CNMI and Guam, often below the reported mean reproductive sizes. Comparatively, Pohnpei has the greatest potential for reef fisheries, with a large reef area (303 km²) and a moderate human population (34,000 people). However, the estimated harvest volume of 476 mt year⁻¹ was 8–9 times higher than other jurisdictions. Even on Yap where the reef-fish demand index was lowest (67.7 people km⁻² reef habitat), many target fish were harvested below their mean reproductive sizes, including the iconic green bumphead parrotfish and humphead wrasse, as well as several other herbivores. We discuss our results with respect to the contemporary doctrine surrounding size-spectra, catch composition, and catch frequencies that afford insight into fishery pressure and status. We posit that regional catch-based policies (initially) instituted at the market level, combined with area and gear-based restrictions, represent plausible vectors for improving Micronesian fisheries.     

A synthetic recursive "+1" pathway for carbon chain elongation

Nature uses four methods of carbon chain elongation for the production of 2-ketoacids, fatty acids, polyketides, and isoprenoids. Using a combination of quantum mechanical (QM) modeling, protein-substrate modeling, and protein and metabolic engineering, we have engineered the enzymes involved in leucine biosynthesis for use as a synthetic "+1" recursive metabolic pathway to extend the carbon chain of 2-ketoacids. This modified pathway preferentially selects longer-chain substrates for catalysis, as compared to the non-recursive natural pathway, and can recursively catalyze five elongation cycles to synthesize bulk chemicals, such as 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, and phenylpropanol directly from glucose. The "+1" chemistry is a valuable metabolic tool in addition to the "+5" chemistry and "+2" chemistry for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, fatty acids, or polyketides.     

A chemical screen in diverse breast cancer cell lines reveals genetic enhancers and suppressors of sensitivity to PI3K isoform-selective inhibition

The PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) pathway regulates cell proliferation, survival and migration and is consequently of great interest for targeted cancer therapy. Using a panel of small-molecule PI3K isoform-selective inhibitors in a diverse set of breast cancer cell lines, we have demonstrated that the biochemical and biological responses were highly variable and dependent on the genetic alterations present. p110alpha inhibitors were generally effective in inhibiting the phosphorylation of PKB (protein kinase B)/Akt and S6, two downstream components of PI3K signalling, in most cell lines examined. In contrast, p110beta-selective inhibitors only reduced PKB/Akt phosphorylation in PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) mutant cell lines, and was associated with a lesser decrease in S6 phosphorylation. PI3K inhibitors reduced cell viability by causing cell-cycle arrest in the G(1) phase, with multi-targeted inhibitors causing the most potent effects. Cells expressing mutant Ras were resistant to the cell-cycle effects of PI3K inhibition, which could be reversed using inhibitors of Ras signalling pathways. Taken together, our data indicate that these compounds, alone or in suitable combinations, may be useful as breast cancer therapeutics, when used in appropriate genetic contexts.     

Lipids of the primary intracellular symbiote of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

The lipid composition of isolated primary symbiotes was investigated. The symbiotes were found to possess phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol, and glycerides. The fatty acids esterified to the various glycerides and glyceride derivatives were found to be predominantly C10, C12, C13, and C14 saturated components.The lipids of the pea aphid were also investigated as a measure of the purity of the symbiote preparation. The same classes of compounds were found, but the fatty acid complement was found to be different. The fatty acids were found to be predominantly C14, C18, C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3. A carotenoid-like pigment, whose absorption maximum in benzene was 460 nm, was also present.The possible significance of the various lipids to the systematic classification of the symbiotes is discussed, along with some insight into what may be an apparent dependency factor of the symbiote for the host.     

STUDIES ON THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF MITOCHONDRIA AND CELL MORPHOLOGY IN THE NEONATAL SWINE HEPATOCYTE

Mitochondrial preparations isolated from neonatal swine hepatocytes show a marked increase in oxidative and concomitant phosphorylative capacity between birth and 2 days postpartum. There are no changes in the coupling parameters (respiratory control ratio and adenosine diphosphate/O ratio) with age. Changes in sedimentation properties in a sucrose gradient suggest qualitative changes in the mitochondria. Some of the lipid measurements (increased phospholipid) might be interpreted as supportive of this suggestion, although most could also be regarded as indicative of quantitative changes (increased number of mitochondria). Electron microscopy of isolated mitochondria and of the hepatocyte demonstrated an increased number of mitochondria but no change in shape, size, or structure as the pig developed. An increase in a number of cytoplasmic components (Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum) and a decrease in glycogen were also observed. The functional changes in mitochondria seem to occur within a short period of time (6–12 hr postpartum).     

Phase contrast and electron microscopy of the mycetocytes and symbiotes of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Phase contrast, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy of the symbiotes of Acyrthosiphon pisum was undertaken. Some staining properties of the symbiotes were also studied.The symbiotes of the pea aphid were found to be coccoid bodies 2 to 5 μ in diameter, gram negative, stained slightly by Fuelgen's, and stained blue by Machiavello's. The symbiotes appear to be surrounded by three membranes. Ribosomes may occur within the cytoplasm of the symbiotes. The cytoplasm of the mycetocytes contains large numbers of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, and a large nucleus, and nucleolus.A discussion of the classification of the symbiotes is also presented.     

Structural basis for antibody catalysis of a disfavored ring closure reaction.

The catalysis of disfavored chemical reactions, especially those with no known natural enzyme counterparts, is one of the most promising achievements of catalytic antibody research. Antibodies 5C8, 14B9, 17F6, and 26D9, elicited by two different transition-state analogues, catalyze disfavored endo-tet cyclization reactions of trans-epoxy alcohols, in formal violation of Baldwin's rules for ring closure. Thus far, neither chemical nor enzyme catalysis has been capable of emulating the extraordinary activity and specificity of these antibodies. X-ray structures of two complexes of Fab 5C8 with the original hapten and with an inhibitor have been determined to 2.0 A resolution. The Fab structure has an active site that contains a putative catalytic diad, consisting of AspH95 and HisL89, capable of general acid/base catalysis. The stabilization of a positive charge that develops along the reaction coordinate appears to be an important factor for rate enhancement and for directing the reaction along the otherwise disfavored pathway. Sequence analysis of the four catalytic antibodies, as well as four inactive antibodies that strongly bind the transition-state analogues, suggests a conserved catalytic mechanism. The occurrence of the putative base HisL89 in all active antibodies, its absence in three out of the four analyzed inactive antibodies, and the rarity of a histidine at this position in immunoglobulins support an important catalytic role for this residue.