The controversial origin of the abdominal appendage‐like processes in immature insects: Are they true segmental appendages or secondary outgrowths? (Arthropoda hexapoda)

In this article, I review the major characteristics of different types of appendage‐like processes that develop at the abdominal segments of many immature insects, and I discuss their controversial morphological value. The main question is whether the abdominal processes are derived from segmental appendages serially homologous to thoracic legs, or whether they are “secondary” outgrowths not homologous with true appendages. Morphological and embryological data, in particular, a comparison with the structure and development of the abdominal appendages in primitive apterygote hexapods, and data from developmental genetics, support the hypothesis of appendicular origin of many of the abdominal processes present in the juvenile stages of various pterygote orders. For example, the lateral processes, such as the tracheal gills in aquatic nymphs of exopterygote insects, are regarded as derived from lateral portions of appendage primordia, homologous with the abdominal styli of apterygotan insects; these processes correspond either to rudimentary telopodites or to coxal exites. The ventrolateral processes, such as the prolegs of different endopterygote insect larvae, appear to be derived from medial portions of the appendicular primordia; they correspond to coxal endites. These views lead to the rejection of Hinton's hypothesis (Hinton [1955] Trans R Entomol Soc Lond 106:455–545) according to which all the abdominal processes of insect larvae are secondary outgrowths not derived from true appendage anlagen. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Target cells infected by avian erythroblastosis virus differentiate and become transformed

Transformation in vitro of bone marrow cells by avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) gives rise to rapidly growing cells of erythroid nature. Target cells of neoplastic transformation by AEV are recruited among the early progenitors of the erythroid lineage, the burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E). They express a brain-related antigen at a high level and an immature antigen at a low level. We show that AEV-transformed cells express low levels of the brain antigen and high levels of the immature antigen. Their response to specific factors regulating the erythroid differentiation indicates that they are very sensitive to erythropoietin. Furthermore, cells transformed by a temperature-sensitive mutant of AEV differentiate into hemoglobin-synthesizing cells 4 days after being shifted to the nonpermissive temperature. All these properties are similar to those of late progenitors of the erythroid lineage, the colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E). These results indicate that the AEV-transformed cells are blocked in their differentiation at the CFU-E stage.     

Functional analysis of tryptophans alpha 62 and beta 120 on HLA-DM.

In the endocytic pathway of antigen-presenting cells, HLA-DM catalyzes the exchange between class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) and antigenic peptides onto major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. At low pH of lysosomal compartments, both HLA-DM and HLA-DR undergo conformational changes, and it was recently postulated that two partially exposed tryptophans on HLA-DM might be involved in the interaction between the two molecules. To define contact regions on HLA-DM, we have conducted site-directed mutagenesis on those two hydrophobic residues. The HLA-DM alphaW62A,betaW120A (DM(W62A/W120A)) double mutant was expressed in HLA-DR(+) HeLa cells expressing invariant chain, and the activity of this DM molecule was assessed. Flow cytometry analysis of cell surface DR-CLIP complexes revealed that DM(W62A/W120A) removes CLIP as efficiently as its wild-type counterpart. DM(W62A/W120A) was found in the endocytic pathway by immunofluorescence, and DM-DR complexes were immunoprecipitated from these cells at pH 5. Finally, mutations alphaW62A and betaW120A on HLA-DM did not affect the association with HLA-DO. The complex egresses the endoplasmic reticulum and accumulates in endocytic vesicles. Moreover, DO and DM(W62A/)W120A were co-immunoprecipitated at pH 7. We conclude that the alpha62 and beta120 tryptophan residues are not required for the activity of DM, nor are they directly implicated in the interaction with DR or DO.     

Failure of testicular development associated with a rearrangement of 9p24.1 proximal to the SNF2 gene

In 46,XY individuals, testes are determined by the activity of the SRY gene (sex-determining region Y), located on the short arm of the Ychromosome. The other genetic components of the cascade that leads to testis formation are unknown and may be located on the Xchromosome or on the autosomes. Evidence for the existence of several loci associated with failure of male sexual development is indicated by reports of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis associated with structural abnormalities of the Xchromosome or of autosomes (chromosomes9, 10, 11 and 17). In this report, we describe the investigation of a child presenting with multiple congenital abnormalities, mental retardation and partial testicular failure. The patient had a homogeneous de novo 46,XY,inv dup(9)(pter→p24.1::p21.1 →p23.3::p24.1→qter) chromosome complement. No deletion was found by either cytogenetic or molecular analysis. The SRY gene and DSS region showed no abnormalities. Southern blotting dosage analysis with 9p probes and fluorescent in situ hybridisation data indicated that the distal breakpoint of the duplicated fragment was located at 9p24.1, proximal to the SNF2 gene. We therefore suggest that a gene involved in normal testicular development and/or maintenance is present at this position on chromosome 9. Received: 20 January 1997 / Accepted: 5 November 1997     

Preventing introduction and spread of Dermanyssus gallinae in poultry facilities using the HACCP method

Preventing the establishment of ectoparasitic poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) populations is key in ensuring welfare and egg production of laying hens and absence of allergic reactions of workers in poultry facilities. Using the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point method, a panel of experts identified hazards and associated risks concerning the introduction and spread of this mite in poultry facilities. Together we provide an overview of possible corrective actions that can be taken to prevent population establishment. Additionally, a checklist of the most critical control points has been devised as management tool for poultry farmers. This list was evaluated by Dutch and British poultry farmers. They found the checklist feasible and useful.     

Characterization of Newly Formed and Aged Granules in the Neurohypophysis

Neurosecretory granules from the rat and bovine neurohypophysis were isolated and some of their biochemical and biophysical properties studied. Neurosecretory granules (NSG) from rat neurohypophysis were labeled, in vivo, with [35S]cysteine and isolated on isoosmotic gradients. Whereas 1 day after labeling most of the radioactivity was found in the lower part of the gradient, 35 days later the isotope was also located in the lighter NSG-containing fraction. Different analytical procedures showed that the lighter fraction, both in bovine and rat NSG, contain more subpopulations of neurophysin-like material than the heavier fraction. The first material to be released during stimulation of secretion, in vivo or in vitro, is mobilized from the heavy NSG. Isolation of rat NSG, at different times during and after dehydration of the animals, reveals that the newly synthesized material is found in the heavy NSG-containing fraction. Furthermore, the results indicate that the newly synthesized NSG are more resistant to lysis than the lighter granules. The results are discussed in relation to the maturation and degradation processes of the granule content and to the functional state of the NSG.     

From the Schnauzenorgan to the back: Morphological comparison of mormyromast electroreceptor organs at different skin regions of Gnathonemus petersii

The nocturnally active weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii is known to employ active electrolocation for the detection of objects and for orientation in its environment. The fish emits pulse‐type electric signals with an electric organ and perceives these signals with more than 3,000 epidermal electroreceptor organs, the mormyromasts, which are distributed over the animal's skin surface. In this study, we measured the metric dimensions of the mormyromasts from different body regions to find structural and functional specialization of the various body parts. We focused on the two foveal regions of G. petersii, which are located at the elongated and movable chin (the Schnauzenorgan; SO) and at the nasal region (NR), the skin region between the mouth and the nares. These two foveal regions were compared to the dorsal part (back) of the fish, which contains typical nonfoveal mormyromasts. While the gross anatomy of the mormyromasts from all skin regions is similar, the metric dimensions of the main substructures differed. The mormyromasts at the SO are the smallest and contain the smallest receptor cells. In addition, the number of receptor cells per organ is lowest at the SO. In contrast, at the back the biggest receptor organs with the highest amount of receptor cells per organ occur. The mormyromasts at the NR are in several respects intermediate between those from the back and the SO. However, mormyromasts at the NR are longer than those at all other skin regions, the canal leading from the receptor pore to the inner chambers were the longest and the overlaying epidermal layers are the thickest. These results show that mormyromasts and the epidermis they are embedded in at both foveal regions differ specifically from those found on the rest of the body. The morphological specializations lead to functional specialization of the two foveae. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.