Tyrant flycatchers coming out in the open: phylogeny and ecological radiation of Tyrannidae (Aves, Passeriformes)

Tyrant flycatchers constitute a substantial component of the land bird fauna in all South American habitats. Past interpretations of the morphological and ecological evolution in the group have been hampered by the lack of a well‐resolved hypothesis of their phylogenetic interrelationships. Here, we present a well‐resolved phylogeny based on DNA sequences from three nuclear introns for 128 taxa. Our results confirm much of the overall picture of Tyrannidae relationships, and also identify several novel relationships. The genera Onychorhynchus, Myiobius and Terenotriccus are placed outside Tyrannidae and may be more closely related to Tityridae. Tyrannidae consists of two main lineages. An expanded pipromorphine clade includes flatbills, tody‐tyrants and antpipits, and also Phylloscartes and Pogonotriccus. The spadebills, Neopipo and Tachuris are their closest relatives. The remainder of the tyrant flycatchers forms a well‐supported clade, subdivided in two large subclades, which differ consistently in foraging behaviour, the perch‐gleaning elaeniines and the sallying myiarchines, tyrannines and fluvicolines. A third clade is formed by the genera Myiotriccus, Pyrrhomyias, Hirundinea and three species currently placed in Myiophobus. Ancestral habitat reconstruction and divergence date estimation suggest that early divergence events in Tyrannida took place in a humid forest environment during the Oligocene. Large‐scale diversification in open habitats is confined to the clade consisting of the elaeniines, myiarchines, tyrannines and fluvicolines. This radiation correlates in time to the expansion of semi‐open and open habitats from the mid‐Miocene (c. 15 Mya) onwards. The pipromorphine, elaeniine and myiarchine–tyrannine–fluvicoline clades each employ distinct foraging strategies (upward striking, perch‐gleaning and sallying, respectively), but the degree of diversity in morphology and microhabitat exploitation is markedly different between these clades. While the pipromorphines and elaeniines each are remarkably homogenous in morphology and exploit a restricted range of microhabitats, the myiarchine–tyrannine–fluvicoline clade is more diverse in these respects. This greater ecological diversity, especially as manifested in their success in colonizing a wider spectrum of open habitats, appears to be connected to a greater adaptive flexibility of the search‐and‐sally foraging behaviour.     

Analysis of a glucose-containing tetrasaccharide by high-performance liquid affinity chromatography

In the present work we have explored conditions for using a pulsed amperometric detector for on-line analysis of oligosaccharides eluted from a high-performance liquid affinity chromatography column. A monoclonal antibody that specifically binds a glucose-containing oligosaccharide is coupled to a SelectiSphere-10-activated tresyl column. The system is eluted isocratically and easily detects 10 ng of the oligosaccharide with a linear response up to 250 ng. Analysis of both serum and urine samples from normal individuals and patients with acute pancreatitis gives a single retarded peak with a retention time identical to that of authentic (Glc)4. Retarded material pooled from several analyses of urine was positively identified as (Glc)4 by GC-MS analysis. As this method requires little cleanup and no chemical derivitization of the sample and is performed rapidly (less than 20 min) at sensitivities of at least 10 micrograms/liter in biological fluids, it represents a substantial improvement over previous GC-MS, radioimmunoassay, and enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay methods used to determine (Glc)4.     

Influence of prostaglandins and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) on hormone secretion and growth in wether lambs.

A series of experiments were conducted in ewes and whether (castrate male) lambs to evaluate the influence of prostaglandins on secretion of anabolic hormones and to determine if repeated injections of prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha would chronically influence the secretion of these hormones and perhaps growth rate as well. A single intravenous injection of PGA1 and PGB1 (100 microgram/kg) exerted no significant (P greater than .10) influence on plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) or thyrotropin (TSH) in ewes. PGA1, but not PGB1, stimulated an increase in the plasma concentration of insulin. Infusion of PGF2alpha for 5.5 hr into ewes resulted in increased (P less than .05) plasma concentrations of both GH and ARL while TSH and insulin were not significantly influenced. Prostaglandin F2alpha, when injected subcutaneously into wether lambs (10 mg twice weekly) stimulated (P less than .05) plasma GH concentrations after the first injection, but not after 3 weeks of treatment. Changes in plasma PRL or TSH were not observed consistently in the lambs treated chronically with PGF2alpha or TRH. Prostaglandin F2alpha, in the present studies, and PGE1 in previously reported studies (1-3), has been demonstrated to be stimulatory to the secretion of PRL and GH. In contrast, PGA1 and PGB1, which lack an 11-hydroxyl group, failed to influence the secretion of either PRL or GH. It would, therefore, appear that the 11-hydroxyl group is a structural requirement for prostaglandins to influence the secretion of these two hormones in sheep. Treatment with thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), alone or in combination with PGF 2alpha, significantly (P less than .05) increased growth rate (average daily gains) while PGF2alpha did not, despite the fact that both compounds exerted similar effects on plasma GH.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae leukotriene A4 hydrolase: formation of leukotriene B4 and identification of catalytic residues

Leukotriene A(4) hydrolase in mammals is a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of leukotriene A(4) into the proinflammatory mediator leukotriene B(4), and also possesses an aminopeptidase activity. Recently we cloned and characterized an leukotriene A(4) hydrolase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a leucyl aminopeptidase with an epoxide hydrolase activity. Here we show that S. cerevisiae leukotriene A(4) hydrolase is a metalloenzyme containing one zinc atom complexed to His-340, His-344, and Glu-363. Mutagenetic analysis indicates that the aminopeptidase activity follows a general base mechanism with Glu-341 and Tyr-429 as the base and proton donor, respectively. Furthermore, the yeast enzyme hydrolyzes leukotriene A(4) into three compounds, viz., 5S,6S-dihydroxy-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid, leukotriene B(4), and Delta(6)-trans-Delta(8)-cis-leukotriene B(4), with a relative formation of 1:0.2:0.1. In addition, exposure of S. cerevisiae leukotriene A(4) hydrolase to leukotriene A(4) selectively inactivates the epoxide hydrolase activity with a simultaneous stimulation of the aminopeptidase activity. Moreover, kinetic analyses of wild-type and mutated S. cerevisiae leukotriene A(4) hydrolase suggest that leukotriene A(4) binds in one catalytic mode and one tight-binding, regulatory mode. Exchange of a Phe-424 in S. cerevisiae leukotriene A(4) hydrolase for a Tyr, the corresponding residue in human leukotriene A(4) hydrolase, results in a protein that converts leukotriene A(4) into leukotriene B(4) with an improved efficiency and specificity. Hence, by a single point mutation, we could make the active site better suited to bind and turn over the substrate leukotriene A(4), thus mimicking a distinct step in the molecular evolution of S. cerevisiae leukotriene A(4) hydrolase toward its mammalian counterparts.     

Interactions between neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and natural lipophilic ligands

Neutrophils are activated by both paracrine molecules, e.g. platelet activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and the bacterial hydrophobic peptide N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). Several mechanisms are involved in regulation of the activation, including receptor endocytosis and ligand breakdown. The interactions between the specific granule protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), expressed in human neutrophils, and fMLP, PAF and LTB4, were investigated by weak affinity chromatography. NGAL was immobilised to a silica matrix and packed in a micro-column and the retention times of retarded ligands were measured and used to calculate the strength of the interactions. The association constants for fMLP were K(ass) = 0.85 x 10(3) M(-1) at 20 degrees C and 0.77 x 10(3) M(-1) at 37 degrees C, for LTB4 were K(ass) = 4.37 x 10(3) M(-1) at 20 degrees C and 3.27 x 10(3) M(-1) at 37 degrees C and for PAF were K(ass) = 25.4 x 10(3) M(-1) at 20 degrees C and 10.5 x 10(3) M(-1) at 37 degrees C. Other methods of detecting the interactions such as gel filtration, immunoprecipitation, photoactivated ligands and fluorescence quenching proved to be insufficient. The results demonstrate the superiority of weak affinity chromatography as a method of studying the interactions of the specific granule protein NGAL.     

Binding interactions of Escherichia coli with globotetraosylceramide (globoside) using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor

Surface plasmon resonance with an alkane L1 chip was used to investigate the binding of uropathogenic Escherichia coli, carrying adhesion receptors, to globotetraosylceramide (globoside; GbO4). The immobilization of globoside was reproducible and resulted in a stable globoside layer on the L1 chip. The data indicated that the globoside-immobilized L1 chip could be used for studying interactions with live or chemically fixed E. coli. The results indicated that the dissociation time was significantly reduced in glutaraldehyde-fixed E. coli as compared to living cells. Overall, the report demonstrates the significance of the L1 chip in terms of sensitivity, specificity, handling, and speed when studying globoside/E. coli interactions. This model may assist in screening for compounds that can inhibit the binding of uropathogenic E. coli to glycolipid ligands on target cells.     

Analysis of carbohydrates using liquid chromatography--surface plasmon resonance immunosensing systems

An immunosensing system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was used for on-line detection and characterization of carbohydrate molecules separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. These analytes, with or without serum, were continuously separated and analyzed in the combined liquid chromatography-surface plasmon resonance (LC-SPR) system. By using weak and readily reversible monoclonal antibodies, the SPR system allowed specific on-line monitoring of the substances. To increase the specificity of the immunosensor, nonrelevant antibodies were used as reference in a serial flow cell. The sensitivity of the LC-SPR system was dependent on molecular weight of the carbohydrate, affinity of binding, and design of the sensor.     

Detection of low-molecular-weight heparin oligosaccharides (Fragmin) using surface plasmon resonance

During the last decades there has been a growing realization of the central biological role that oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide-protein interactions play. One of the most striking examples is the use of heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin oligosaccharides (Fragmin) to modify blood coagulation. Several monoclonal antibodies directed against glycosaminoglycan structures have been produced. However, their clinical use is limited by the difficulty of detection systems for oligosaccharides. In the present study we used a monoclonal antibody directed against heparin oligosaccharides prepared by partial nitrous acid deamination of heparin. Using a biosensor (BIAcore), purified antibody was immobilized on sensor surfaces and binding of oligosaccharide was measured by surface plasmon resonance. Using this technique, it was possible to quantitate low-molecular-weight heparin oligosaccharides in nanomolar concentrations.     

Use of weak monoclonal antibodies for affinity chromatography

When using weakly interacting ligands in affinity chromatography, it is possible to take advantage of a true chromatographic process in the separation, as compared with traditional affinity chromatography which is rather an on/off process. In this work, weak monoclonal antibodies were immobilized on a silica and a perfusion-type support (POROS AL) and used for high-performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLAC). Similar carbohydrate antigens were separated under isocratic conditions according to their weak interaction with the immobilized monoclonal antibody. The affinity of the antibodies was adjusted with temperature and pH to modify the separation. The productivity of the chromatographic system was increased with the immobilized perfusion support but at the expense of loss of plate numbers. This study clearly demonstrates the potential of weak affinity biological interactions as a basis for chromatographic separation.     

Molecular characterization of airborne fungal spores in boreal forests of contrasting human disturbance

In this study we present a new approach to characterize fungal diversity with DNA sequencing of mycelium grown from trapped airborne spores. Fungal spores were extracted systematically from air in three boreal forest sites (clear-cut, young and old-growth forests) using an air sampling device. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences from the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) were generated, and the sequences most likely taxon affinities were established through DNA homology searches. Phylogenetic analyses were used to classify similar sequences into operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The analyses indicated that a total of 84 different OTUs had been sampled, 24 basidiomycetes and 60 ascomycetes. OTUs belonging to the ascomycete orders Helotiales and Pleosporales were most frequent (31 and 18 respectively). A total of 54, 29 and 33 OTUs were sampled, respectively, in the old-growth, young and clear-cut forest sites. Although heavy generalization should be avoided due to few replicates, the results could indicate that old-growth boreal forests have significantly higher airborne fungal species richness than recently managed forests. The study shows that the spore-trapping approach has a great potential for targeting and studying anonymous fungi.