Application of the Red List Index as an indicator of habitat change

For the first time ever, the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Index for habitat types was calculated for an entire country, Finland. The RLIs were based on species threat assessments from 2000 and 2010 and included habitat definitions for all 10,131 species of 12 organism groups. The RLIs were bootstrapped to track statistically significant changes. The RLI changes of species grouped by habitats were negative for all habitat types except for forests and rural biotopes which showed a stable trend. Trends of beetles and true bugs were positive in rural and forest habitats. Other 16 observed trends of species group and habitat combinations were negative. Several trends observed were in accordance with studies focusing on particular taxa and habitats, and drivers for their change. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the RLI as a tool for observing habitat change based on species threat assessment data.     

A comparison of the vegetation in semi-natural grasslands under different agricultural practices in Finnish and Russian Karelia

The vegetation of semi-natural grasslands under modern, cereal/forage cropping in Finnish Karelia (n = 11) and old fashioned animal husbandry in adjacent Russian Karelia (n = 11) was compared in terms of their species composition. Each grassland site was paired with one in the other country which was as similar as possible in respect to its natural conditions. The species composition indicated differences in management between the two countries. The mean number of species was 4S.S in the Finnish sites and 52.6 in the Russian sites. A total of 12 species exhibited a statistical difference in their indicator values between the two countries. Traditional grassland species (e.g. Leontodon hispidus, Dianthus deltoides ), indicating grazing, hay making and old settlement, occurred more oñen in Russian sites, while species related to nutrient enrichment and cultivation (e.g. Urtica dioica, Elymus repens ) were more characteristic of Finnish sites.     

Characterization of the nucleotide tight-binding sites of the isolated mitochondrial F1-ATPase

The properties of the nucleotides tightly bound with mitochondrial F1-ATPase were examined. One of three bound nucleotide molecules is localized at the site with Kd approximately 10(-7) M and released with koff approximately 0.1 s-1. The second nucleotide molecule is bound with the enzyme with Kd approximately 10(-8) M and koff for its dissociation is 3 X 10(-4) s-1. The third is never released even in the presence of 1 mM ATP or ADP. The last two nucleotides are believed to be bound at the noncatalytic sites of F1-ATPase. Pyrophosphate promotes liberation of two releasable nucleotide molecules, decreasing the affinity of the enzyme to AD(T)P. From the results obtained it follows that the only suitable criterion for localization of the nucleotide at the F1-ATPase catalytic site is the high rate (koff greater than or equal to 0.1 s-1) of its spontaneous release.     

DNA polymorphism of human HLA-linked complement C4 allotypes, including C4 null alleles, in the Finnish population

Human HLA-linked complement C4 gene products, C4A and C4B, show extensive genetic polymorphism. In both loci, an allele without a gene product, C4 null, is also observed. We have performed a restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA samples from individuals having all common (frequency over 1%) C4 protein allotypes observed in the Finnish population. Only one allotype-specific RFLP marker was observed. With some enzymes a DNA polymorphism was observed, which was not detectable by C4 protein typing. Analysis of 10 different C4B null haplotypes and 4 C4A null haplotypes suggested that only one haplotype, HLA-B8 C4A0 B1, carried a C4A gene deletion. This was observed in all 4 unrelated individuals homozygous for this haplotype.     

FGFR-4, a novel acidic fibroblast growth factor receptor with a distinct expression pattern.

We have previously identified two novel members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family expressed in K562 erythroleukemia cells. Here we report cDNA cloning and analysis of one of these genes, named FGFR-4. The deduced amino acid sequence of FGFR-4 is 55% identical with both previously characterized FGFRs, flg and bek, and has the structural characteristics of a FGFR family member including three immunoglobulin-like domains in its extracellular part. Antibodies raised against the carboxy terminus of FGFR-4 detected 95 and 110 kd glycoproteins with a protein backbone of 88 kd in COS cells transfected with a FGFR-4 cDNA expression vector. The FGFR-4 protein expressed in COS cells could also be affinity-labeled with radioiodinated acidic FGF. Furthermore, ligand binding experiments demonstrated that FGFR-4 binds acidic FGF with high affinity but does not bind basic FGF. FGFR-4 is expressed as a 3.0 kb mRNA in the adrenal, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, striated muscle and spleen tissues of human fetuses. The expression pattern of FGFR-4 is distinct from that of flg and bek and the yet additional member of the same gene family, FGFR-3, which we have also cloned from the K562 leukemia cells. Our results suggest that FGFR-4 along with other fibroblast growth factor receptors performs cell lineage and tissue-specific functions.     

Confirmation of the chromosomal localization of human lamp genes and their exclusion as candidate genes for Salla disease

Summary Salla disease is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by accumulation of free sialic acid in the lysosomes. Lamp genes, lamp A and lamp B (lysosome associated membrane proteins), are the first known genes encoding for human lysosomal membrane proteins. Absence of linkage in a large group of families shows that lamp genes are not involved in Salla disease. The lamp genes were localized, using Southern hybridization in hamster — human hybrid cell panels, to chromosomes 13 (lamp A) and X (lamp B).     

Metabolism of chloroguaiacols by Rhodococcus chlorophenolicus

Summary A polychlorophenol degrader, Rhodococcus chlorophenolicus, was shown to metabolize five different chlorinated guaiacols, namely tetrachloroguaiacol, 3,4,6-trichloroguaiacol, 3,5,6-trichloroguaiacol, 3,5-dichloroguaiacol and 3,6-dichloroguaiacol. Seven different intermediate metabolites, each with three hydroxyl or methoxyl groups, were identified. Four of these metabolites were also dehalogenation products, three carrying one chlorine atom less than the parent compound, and one metabolite from tetrachloroguaiacol where two chlorine atoms had been removed. Tetrachloroguaiacol was shown to undergo reductive dehalogenation. Demethylation of guaiacol to catechol was observed with the dichloroguaiacols, but not with polychloroguaiacols.Abbreviations DCG dichloroguaiacol - TCG trichloroguaiacol - TeCG tetrachloroguaiacol - DCC dichlorocatechol - TCC trichlorocatechol - TeCC tetrachlorocatechol - TCP trichlorophenol - TeCP tetrachlorophenol - PCP pentachlorophenol. An example of numeration - 346-TCG 3,4,6-trichloroguaiacol - GLC gas liquid chromatography     

Degradation of polychlorinated phenols by Rhodococcus chlorophenolicus

Summary An actinomycete, Rhodococcus chlorophenolicus, isolated from a pentachlorophenol-degrading mixed bacterial culture is a polychlorophenol degrader. It was shown to oxidize pentachlorophenol into carbon dioxide and to metabolize also 2,3,4,5-,2,3,4,6-, and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol, 2,3,4-, 2,3,5-, 2,3,6-, 2,4,6-, and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,5-, and 2,6-dichlorophenol and tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone in an inducible manner. Pentachlorophenol set on the synthesis of enzymes required for the metabolism of all these chlorophenols and of tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone. 2,4,5-, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 2,5-, and 2,6-dichlorophenol were degraded by R. chlorophenolicus cells only if these had previous contact to pentachlorophenol. Other chlorophenols mentioned were able to set on the synthesis of enzymes for their own degradation. 2,3,4,5-, and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and 2,3,5-, 2,4,5-, and 3,4,5-trichlorophenol were more toxic to R. chlorophenolicus than the other chlorophenols, but nevertheless 2,3,4,5-, and 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and 2,3,5-trichlorophenol were readily degraded by the bacteria.Abbreviations DCP dichlorophenol - TCP trichlorophenol - TeCP tetrachlorophenol - PCP pentachlorophenol - TeCH tetrachloro-p-hydroquinone An example of numeration: 2345-TeCP, 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol     

Spatial patterns and relationships between phytoplankton, zooplankton and water quality in the Saimaa lake system, Finland

The interactions between phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied in two large lakes in the Saimaa lake system, Finland. Both are subjected to substantial waste water loading, and exhibit a clear trophic gradient between the loaded and unloaded areas. The phytoplankton and zooplankton were compared in terms of composition, abundance and biomass at 34–39 stations located in different parts of the lakes. At least four mechanisms were thought to affect the composition of plankton communities: (1) the amount of nutrients (trophic gradient), (2) grazing of algae by herbivores, (3) the effect of the algal species composition on feeding by zooplankters (large, colonial algae in the more loaded parts of the lakes) and (4) the regeneration and reorganization of nutrients.