Use of a novel strategy for the preparation and characterization of an antipeptide antibody capable of recognizing members of the annexin family

Annexins are structurally-related proteins which bind phospholipids in a Ca2+-dependent manner. We have used a novel coupling strategy to prepare an antiserum directed against a 17-amino acid synthetic peptide that resembles the sequence of a highly-conserved portion of these proteins. This antipeptide serum specifically recognizes 5 of 6 human annexins on Western blots, despite differences between the protein and peptide sequences of 3 or 4 amino acids. The antiserum does not recognize endonexin II, whose sequence differs from that of the peptide by 6 amino acids. The availability of multiple proteins with known amino acid sequence has allowed analysis of structural requirements for recognition by this antibody. In some situations, use of such an antibody may allow the identification of a protein as a member of a family.     

Linkage of usher syndrome type I gene (USH1B) to the long arm of chromosome 11

Usher syndrome is the most commonly recognized cause of combined visual and hearing loss in technologically developed countries. There are several different types and all are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. There may be as many as five different genes responsible for at least two closely related phenotypes. The nature of the gene defects is unknown, and positional cloning strategies are being employed to identify the genes. This is a report of the localization of one gene for Usher syndrome type I to chromosome 11q, probably distal to marker D11S527. Another USH1 gene had been previously localized to chromosome 14q, and this second localization establishes the existence of a new and independent locus for Usher syndrome.     

Effect of Metalaxyl on the incidence and severity of Pearl millet downy mildew disease in Northern Nigeria

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM) incidence, severity and yield losses of two pearl millet varieties (local and improved) due to the disease were determined in the field. Significant differences in the disease incidence and severity were recorded in the plots sown with metalaxyl-treated seeds and those sown with non-treated seeds, indicating the efficacy of the fungicide on the fungus. Yield losses due to non-treatment of seeds with metalaxyl was 40.88 and 45.39% in a local variety and 43.00 and 18.60% in an improved variety in the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons respectively. Significant differences between plots sown with metalaxyl-treated and those sown with non-treated seeds were obtained for other yield components such as 1000-grains weight, panicle length and weight.     

Influence of fouling on the efficiency of sacrificial anodes in providing cathodic protection in Southeast Asian tropical seawater

Aluminum and zinc based sacrificial anodes are routinely used to provide corrosion protection to metals (typically steel) exposed to seawater, for example in steel pipelines and storage tanks. However, the high fouling rates experienced in South East Asia means that both the anodes and the metals to be protected rapidly become coated with macrofoulers, which could potentially prevent the anodes from being effective. The present study, involving exposure tests of up to 18 months, indicates that both aluminum and zinc sacrificial anodes remain effective even after being completely coated with biofouling. Furthermore, it was easier to remove the biofouling on the cathodically protected samples than on their unprotected counterparts, possibly due to the higher local pH produced by cathodic protection at the metal and seawater interface.     

The effects of different cold‐temperature regimes on development,growth, and susceptibility to an abiotic and biotic stressor

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Gene expression and the evolution of phenotypic diversity in social wasps

Background  

Organisms are capable of developing different phenotypes by altering the genes they express. This phenotypic plasticity provides a means for species to respond effectively to environmental conditions. One of the most dramatic examples of phenotypic plasticity occurs in the highly social hymenopteran insects (ants, social bees, and social wasps), where distinct castes and sexes all arise from the same genes. To elucidate how variation in patterns of gene expression affects phenotypic variation, we conducted a study to simultaneously address the influence of developmental stage, sex, and caste on patterns of gene expression in Vespula wasps. Furthermore, we compared the patterns found in this species to those found in other taxa in order to investigate how variation in gene expression leads to phenotypic evolution.     

Evaluation of Prey-Stage Preference as an Indicator of Life-Style Type in Phytoseiid Mites

Discriminant analysis (DA) models were developed and applied to examine the use of prey-stage preference (Tetranychus urticae Koch egg versus larval prey) in the classification of phytoseiid mites into life-style types. Prey-stage preferences and developmental times when preying on T. urticae, and relative ovipositional rates on six food categories were determined for four phytoseiid species occurring on apple in central and eastern Oregon, USA: Galendromus flumenis (Chant), Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt), Metaseiulus citri (Garman and McGregor) and Typhlodromus caudiglans Schuster. In terms of all three aspects studied, the phytoseiid species showed a consistent polarization of G. occidentalis < or = G. flumenis < or = T. caudiglans < M. citri. Specifically, G. occidentalis ('The Dalles' strain) had a significant preference for eggs, G. flumenis had no preference, and T. caudiglans and M. citri had significant preferences for larvae; G. occidentalis had the shortest developmental time, followed by G. flumenis and T. caudiglans, while M. citri had the longest developmental time; and diet breadth was most narrow for G. occidentalis and progressively broader from G. flumenis, T. caudiglans through M. citri, which was able to sustain oviposition on the broadest range of prey and pollens. Species were classified somewhat differently depending on which traits were considered in a given DA. Prey-stage preference was not included as an indicator in the parsimonious DA model when all species and all traits were considered, but in general this trait performed well as an indicator alone (single-trait DA) and somewhat improved the classifications of multitrait discriminant analyses.     

Nuts and bolts of psychiatric genetics: building on the Human Genome Project

Schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder are chronic, disabling illnesses that together affect 2% of the population. Genetic factors are known to be important in their development, but there are, as yet, no confirmed susceptibility genes. Here we discuss important issues in terms of alternative genetic strategies (linkage, association and/or cytogenetics) in the identification of candidate genes for the major psychoses. We discuss the impact of the Human Genome Project, the role of comparative genetics in finding and testing positional candidates, and the prospects for rational drug design and personalized medicine.