European checkerspots (Melitaeini: Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae) are not aposematic – the point of view of great tits (Parus major)

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Comparative properties of sensitive to GABAA-ergic ligands, Cl(-), HCO3(-)-activated Mg2+-ATPase from brain plasma membranes of fish and rats

Action of Cl(-) + HCO3(-) ions on Mg2+-ATPase from brain plasma membranes of fish and rats has been studied. Maximal effect of the anions on the Mg2+-ATPase activity is revealed in the presence of 10 mM Cl(-) and 3 mM HCO3(-) at physiological values of pH of incubation medium. The studied Cl(-), HCO3(-)-activated Mg2+-ATPases of both animal species, by their sensitivity to SH-reagents (5,5-dithiobis-nitrobenzoic acid, N-ethylmaleimide), oligomycin, and orthovanadate, are similar to transport ATPase of the P-type, but differ from them by molecular properties and by sensitivity to ligands of GABAA-receptors. It has been established that the sensitive to GABAA-ergic ligands, Cl(-), HCO3(-)-activated Mg2+-ATPase from brain of the both animal species is protein of molecular mass around 300 kDa and of Stocks' radius 5.4 nm. In fish the enzyme is composed of one major unit of molecular mass approximately 56 kDa, while in rats--of three subunits of molecular masses about 57, 53, and 45 kDa. A functional and structural coupling of the ATP-hydrolyzing areas of the studied enzyme to sites of binding of GABAA-receptor ligands is suggested.     

Molecular weight and subunit composition of GABAA-ergic compound-sensitive Cl−, HCO 3 − -Stimulated Mg2+ ATPase from the plasma membrane of carp brain (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Molecular weight and subunit composition of Cl^?, HCO ₃ ^? , and picrotoxin-stimulated Mg²⁺-ATPase solubilized with sodium deoxycholate from the plasma membrane fraction of fish brain were studied by gel filtration. These enzymes were eluted from a Sephacryl S-300 column as a single peak and corresponded to a ～300 kDa protein with a Stokes radius of 5.4 nm. The enzyme-enriched fraction concentrated and denatured by SDS was eluted from a Sephacryl S-200 column as a single subunit with a molecular weight of ～56 kDa. SDS-PAGE also revealed a single major protein band with a molecular weight of ～56 kDa. It was concluded that the molecular weight and subunit composition of Cl^?, HCO ₃ ^? -stimulated Mg²⁺-ATPase isolated from the plasma membrane of fish brain are similar to those of GABA_A/benzodiazepine receptor complex from fish brain but differ from those of P-type transport ATPases.     

ONTOGENETIC NICHE SHIFT IN THE BRACHIOPOD TEREBRATALIA TRANSVERSA: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOSS OF ROTATION ABILITY AND ALLOMETRIC GROWTH

Abstract: Many articulated brachiopods experience marked life habit variations during ontogeny because they experience their fluid environment at successively higher Reynolds numbers, and they can change the configuration of their inhalant and exhalant flows as body size increases. We show that the extant brachiopod Terebratalia transversa undergoes a substantial ontogenetic change in reorientation governed by rotation around the pedicle. T. transversa′s reorientation angle (maximum ability to rotate on the pedicle) decreases during ontogeny, from 180 degrees in juveniles to 10–20 degrees in individuals exceeding 5 mm, to complete cessation of rotation in individuals larger than 10 mm. Rotation ability is substantially reduced after T. transversa achieves the adult lophophore configuration and preferred orientation with respect to ambient water currents at a length of 2.5–5 mm. We hypothesize that the rotation angle of T. transversa is determined mainly by the position of ventral and dorsal points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles relative to the pedicle. T. transversa shows a close correlation between the ontogenetic change in reorientation angle and ontogeny of morphological traits that are related to points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles, although other morphological features can also limit rotation in the adult stage. The major morphological change in cardinalia shape and the observed reduction of rotation affect individuals 2.5–10 mm in length. The position of ventral insertions of dorsal pedicle muscles remains constant, but contraction of dorsal pedicle muscles is functionally handicapped because dorsal insertions shift away from the valve midline, rise above the dorsal valve floor, and become limited by a wide cardinal process early in ontogeny (<5 mm). The rate of increase of cardinal process width and of distance between dorsal pedicle muscle scars substantially decreases in the subadult stage (5–10 mm), and most of the cardinalia shell traits grow nearly isometrically in the adult stage (>10 mm). T. transversa attains smaller shell length in crevices than on exposed substrates. The proportion of small‐sized individuals and population density is lower on exposed substrates than in crevices, indicating higher juvenile mortality on substrates prone to grazing and physical disturbance. The loss of reorientation ability can be a consequence of morphological changes that strengthen substrate attachment and maximize protection against biotic or physical disturbance (1) by minimizing torques around the pedicle axis and/or (2) by shifting energy investments into attachment strength at the expense of the cost involved in reorientation.     

Effect of Naloxone on the Activity of Cl–-Activated Mg2+-ATPase from Plasma Membrane Fraction of Bream Brain (Abramis brama L.) in the Presence of GABAa-ergic Substances

We studied the effect of naloxone—an antagonist of the opioid receptors—on sensitivity of Cl^–-activated Mg²⁺-ATPase from the plasma membrane fraction of bream brain (Abramis brama L.) to GABA_a-ergic substances. Preincubation of the plasma membranes with 1–100 M naloxone increased the basal Mg²⁺-ATPase activity and suppressed its activation by chloride ions. The same effects were observed in the presence of the agonists of GABA_a/benzodiazepine receptors: 0.1–100 M GABA, 1–500 M pentobarbital, and 0.1–100 M phenazepam. Naloxone (10 M) inhibited activation of the basal Mg²⁺-ATPase by the studied ligands and restored the enzyme sensitivity to Cl^–. However, the effect of naloxone was not observed in the presence of high concentrations of pentobarbital (500 M) and phenazepam (100 M). The obtained data show that naloxone modulates the activity of Cl^–-activated Mg²⁺-ATPase from the plasma membranes of bream brain and antagonizes the GABA_a receptor ligands.     

Changes in fatty acids contents and growth characteristics in transformed oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Spring oilseed rapeBrassica napus L. ssp.oleifera cv. HM-81 was transformed with T_L-DNA of the Ri plasmid of the agropine strainAgrobacterium rhizogenes 15834. Selfed progenies (R₂ and R₃ generations) were studied for changes in values of growth characteristics and fatty acids contents. Transformants are ‘homozygous’ for T_L-DNA. Both generations of transformants differed significantly from the nontransformed control plants in reduced length, lower number of pods per plant, lower total mass of seeds and the higher number of branches. The contents of palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids were significantly higher in transformants when compared with the control. On the contrary, the contents of both stearic and oleic acids were in most of transformants significantly lower. Only traces of erucic acid (less than 0.05 % ) were found, both in transformed and nontransformed plants.     

Effect of Glycine and Strychnine on Cl–-Activated Mg2+-ATPase from Bream Brain Microsomes (Abramis bramaL.)

The effect of glycine and strychnine on Mg²⁺-ATPase from the microsomal fraction of the bream (Abramis bramaL.) brain was studied. The glycine in the concentration range 10^–7–10^–4M activates the enzyme. The effect of glycine on Mg²⁺-ATPase is obviated by 100 M strychnine. The strychnine in the concentration range 5–90 M activates the basal Mg²⁺-ATPase but decreases the effect of the enzyme activation by 10^–4M glycine. The effect of Cl^–on Mg²⁺-ATPase depends on the substrate concentration (Mg²⁺-ATP) and is not observed in the presence of 100 M strychnine. A receptor-dependent pathway of glycine and strychnine action on Cl^–-activated Mg²⁺-ATPase from bream brain microsomes is proposed.     

Effect of picrotoxin on the Cl-activated ATPase microsomal fraction of bream brain (Abramis brama L.)

It is found that picrotoxine in range concentrations 0.1-10 microM stimulates the basal Mg(2+)-ATPase from microsomal fraction of fish bream (Abramis brama L.), however decreases activating effect of 10(-5) M GABA on the enzyme. The stimulative effect of picrotoxine dependants on duration of preincubation with microsomes. It was established that basal Mg(2+)-ATP-ase activity was activated by anions (Cl- > Br- > I-). The activated effect of anions on the Mg(2+)-ATP-ase is decreased in the presence 1 microM picrotoxine. It was shown that in the dependence on concentration of the Mg(2+)-ATP (0.2 or 1 mM) in the incubation medium the picrotoxine serves as on activator or inhibitor of the enzyme activity. It is supposed that picrotoxine allosterially influences on the enzyme by the receptor-dependent way.