scholarly journals Morphological, phenological, and transcriptional analyses provide insight into the diverse flowering traits of a mutant of the relic woody plant Liriodendron chinense

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Sheng ◽  
Zhaodong Hao ◽  
Ye Peng ◽  
Siqin Liu ◽  
Lingfeng Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intron Retention ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Heritable Variation ◽  
Lateral Buds ◽  
Lateral Shoots ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Liriodendron Chinense ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractFlowering is crucial to plant reproduction and controlled by multiple factors. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of flowering in perennial plants are still largely unknown. Here, we first report a super long blooming 1 (slb1) mutant of the relict tree Liriodendron chinense possessing a prolonged blooming period of more than 5 months, in contrast to the 1 month blooming period in the wild type (WT). Phenotypic characterization showed that earlier maturation of lateral shoots was caused by accelerated axillary bud fate, leading to the phenotype of continuous flowering in slb1 mutants. The transcriptional activity of genes related to hormone signaling (auxin, cytokinin, and strigolactone), nutrient availability, and oxidative stress relief further indicated active outgrowth of lateral buds in slb1 mutants. Interestingly, we discovered a unique FT splicing variant with intron retention specific to slb1 mutants, representing a potential causal mutation in the slb1 mutants. Surprisingly, most slb1 inbred offspring flowered precociously with shorter juvenility (~4 months) than that (usually 8–10 years) required in WT plants, indicating heritable variation underlying continuous flowering in slb1 mutants. This study reports an example of a perennial tree mutant that flowers continuously, providing a rare resource for both breeding and genetic research.

scholarly journals The Impact of Spaceflight and Microgravity on the Human Islet-1+ Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Transcriptome

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3577
Author(s):  
Victor Camberos ◽  
Jonathan Baio ◽  
Ana Mandujano ◽  
Aida F. Martinez ◽  
Leonard Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Cardiovascular Development ◽  
Support Cell ◽  
Cell Transcriptome ◽  
Islet 1 ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Insight Into

Understanding the transcriptomic impact of microgravity and the spaceflight environment is relevant for future missions in space and microgravity-based applications designed to benefit life on Earth. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of adult and neonatal cardiovascular progenitors following culture aboard the International Space Station for 30 days and compared it to the transcriptome of clonally identical cells cultured on Earth. Cardiovascular progenitors acquire a gene expression profile representative of an early-stage, dedifferentiated, stem-like state, regardless of age. Signaling pathways that support cell proliferation and survival were induced by spaceflight along with transcripts related to cell cycle re-entry, cardiovascular development, and oxidative stress. These findings contribute new insight into the multifaceted influence of reduced gravitational environments.

scholarly journals A whole genome analysis of the red-crowned crane provides insight into avian longevity

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
HyeJin Lee ◽  
Oksung Chung ◽  
Yun Sung Cho ◽  
Sungwoong Jho ◽  
JeHoon Jun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Whole Genome Analysis ◽  
Grus Japonensis ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Avian Genomes ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is an endangered and large-bodied crane native to East Asia. It is a traditional symbol of longevity and its long lifespan has been confirmed both in captivity and in the wild. Lifespan in birds is positively correlated with body size and negatively correlated with metabolic rate; although the genetic mechanisms for the red-crowned crane’s long lifespan have not previously been investigated. Using whole genome sequencing and comparative evolutionary analyses against the grey-crowned crane and other avian genomes, we identified candidate genes that are correlated with longevity. Included among these are positively selected genes with known associations with longevity in metabolism and immunity pathways (NDUFA5, NDUFA8, NUDT12 IL9R, SOD3, NUDT12, PNLIP, CTH, and RPA1). Our analyses provide genetic evidence for low metabolic rate and longevity, accompanied by possible convergent adaptation signatures among distantly related large and long-lived birds. Finally, we identified low genetic diversity in the red-crowned crane, consistent with its listing as an endangered species, and we hope this genome will provide a useful genetic resource for future conservation studies of this rare and iconic species.

scholarly journals Brief Mating Behavior at Dawn and Dusk and Long Nocturnal Matings in the Butterfly Melanitis leda

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 138-147
Author(s):  
Freerk Molleman ◽  
Sridhar Halali ◽  
Ullasa Kodandaramaiah
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Mating Behavior ◽  
South India ◽  
Territorial Defense ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Male Territoriality ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Common ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Information on the mating system of an insect species is necessary to gain insight into sexual selection and population structure. Male territoriality of the common evening brown butterfly Melanitis leda has been studied in the wild, but other aspects of its mating system remain largely unknown. For a population of M. leda in South India, we observed male-male and male-female interactions in captivity, measured mating duration and spermatophore mass, and also determined the degree of polyandry in the wild. We found that mating behavior takes place for short periods of time around dawn and dusk. Our observations corroborate that males compete in aerial combats (twirling) and interfere with mating pairs. In the morning, they may use shivering to warm up. Females can twirl with males and refuse mating by pointing their abdomens upwards or by flying away. Males court females by fluttering their wings while perched behind females, and then initiate copulation by curling their abdomens ca. 180 degrees sideways to make genital contact. While in the morning, matings lasted on average one hour and twenty-three minutes and never exceeded three hours, in the evening, matings could be of similar duration, but 42% of butterflies only separated when dawn was approaching. However, such long nocturnal matings did not result in heavier spermatophores. The first spermatophore of a male tended to be larger than subsequent spermatophores. Together with previous studies on this species, our findings suggest that males compete mainly through territorial defense (as reported before), courtship performance, and interference, and to a lesser extent by providing spermatophores, while females exert some control over the mating system by the timing of their receptivity and mate choice.

scholarly journals The Nature of Shoot Dominance in White Yam Tubers (Dioscorea rotundata Poir)

1969 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-340
Author(s):  
Osi Mozie
Keyword(s):  
Apical Dominance ◽  
Distal Region ◽  
Proximal Region ◽  
Basal Region ◽  
Middle Region ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Dioscorea Rotundata ◽  
Lateral Buds ◽  
Lateral Shoots ◽  
White Yam

The nature of shoot dominance in white yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) was studied under ambient conditions in the conventional yam storage barn. Whole tubers sprouted only at the proximal ends (i.e. the morphological bases). The single basal shoot formed per sprouting whole tuber inhibited the formation of lateral shoots along the tuber axis. Separating the basal end by sectioning the tuber into three regions namely "head" (i.e. basal or proximal region), middle region and "tail" (i.e. apical or distal region), appeared to stimulate the formation of lateral shoots on the surfaces of the tuber pieces below the basal region. Separating the basal region from the entire tuber by sectioning appeared to remove the stress under which the lateral buds had existed in the intact tuber. This response indicated a strong "basal dominance" of basal shoots in sprouting intact or whole yam tubers. The physiology of shoot dominance in whole yam tubers could be described as "basal dominance" rather than "apical dominance", since in sprouting intact or whole tuber it is the basal shoot (i.e. shoot of the morphological base or proximal end) that inhibits the development of lateral shoots along the tuber axis.

scholarly journals Low iron-induced small RNA BrrF regulates central metabolism and oxidative stress responses in Burkholderia cenocepacia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Sass ◽  
Tom Coenye
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Small Rna ◽  
Deletion Mutant ◽  
Wild Type Strain ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Burkholderia Cenocepacia ◽  
Iron Starvation ◽  
Iron Depletion ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

AbstractBrrF is a Fur-regulated small RNA highly upregulated in Burkholderia cenocepacia under conditions of iron depletion. Its computationally predicted targets include iron-containing enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle such as aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase, as well as iron-containing enzymes responsible for the oxidative stress response, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. Phenotypic and gene expression analysis of BrrF deletion and overexpression mutants show that the regulation of these genes is BrrF-dependent. Expression of acnA, fumA, sdhA and sdhC was downregulated during iron depletion in the wild type strain, but not in a BrrF deletion mutant. TCA cycle genes not predicted as target for BrrF were not affected in the same manner by iron depletion. Likewise, expression of sodB and katB was dowregulated during iron depletion in the wild type strain, but not in a BrrF deletion mutant. BrrF overexpression reduced aconitase and superoxide dismutase activities and increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. All phenotypes and gene expression changes of the BrrF deletion mutant could be complemented by overexpressing BrrF in trans. Overall, BrrF acts as a regulator of central metabolism and oxidative stress response, possibly as an iron-sparing measure to maintain iron homeostasis under conditions of iron starvation.ImportanceRegulatory small RNAs play an essential role in maintaining cell homeostasis in bacteria in response to environmental stresses such as iron starvation. Prokaryotes generally encode a large number of RNA regulators, yet their identification and characterisation is still in its infancy for most bacterial species. Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen with high innate antimicrobial resistance, which can cause the often fatal cepacia syndrome in individuals with cystic fibrosis. In this study we characterise a small RNA which is involved in the response to iron starvation, a condition that pathogenic bacteria are likely to encounter in the host.

scholarly journals Urban biodiversity: an insight into the terrestrial vertebrate diversity of Guwahati, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 12299-12316
Author(s):  
Jayaditya Purkayastha
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Urban Biodiversity ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrate ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Insight Into

This study focuses on the assessment of the terrestrial vertebrate diversity of Guwahati.  Twenty-six species of amphibians, 57 species of reptiles, 214 species of birds, and 36 species of mammals were recorded during the study period.  Thirty-three species were found to be threatened with extinction and another 62 species need evaluation.  A single species of turtle was found to be categorized as Extinct in the Wild under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

scholarly journals Is canine distemper virus (CDV) a lurking threat to large carnivores? A case study from Ranthambhore landscape in Rajasthan, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 14220-14223
Author(s):  
Nadisha Sidhu ◽  
Jimmy Borah ◽  
Sunny Shah ◽  
Nidhi Rajput ◽  
Kajal Kumar Jadav
Keyword(s):  
Canine Distemper Virus ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Canine Distemper ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Insight Into

Canine distemper virus (CDV) was reported in wild tigers from Russia and recently from India.  Very few studies, however, have been carried out to gain an insight into the prevalence of the disease in India, particularly in the wild.  CDV is the etiological agent of one of the most infectious diseases of domestic dogs.  With the aim of exploring the threat CDV poses for tigers, a preliminary assessment was carried out to determine its prevalence from villages near Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan, India.  Free-roaming dog populations within a 4-km-radius of the park’s periphery were tested for antibodies against CDV.  The seroprevalence of CDV antibodies in the sampled dogs was 86% (95% CI 78–91 %), indicating the probability of the dogs acting as a reservoir and having been exposed to CDV in the past.  The seroprevalence of CAV antibodies was 44.23% (95% CI 35–54 %) and CPV antibodies was 95.19% (95% CI 91–99 %).  This could threaten the tiger populations in the park, considering the close proximity of dogs to tigers.  It is, therefore, crucial to assess disease threats at the domestic-wildlife interface and to establish management strategies for more effective conservation practices in the landscape.  

scholarly journals A multiplier peroxiporin signal transduction pathway powers piscine spermatozoa

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. e2019346118
Author(s):  
François Chauvigné ◽  
Carla Ducat ◽  
Alba Ferré ◽  
Tom Hansen ◽  
Montserrat Carrascal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sparus Aurata ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Gilthead Seabream ◽  
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Atp Production ◽  
Channel Trafficking ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
And Oxidative Stress ◽  
Insight Into

The primary task of a spermatozoon is to deliver its nuclear payload to the egg to form the next-generation zygote. With polyandry repeatedly evolving in the animal kingdom, however, sperm competition has become widespread, with the highest known intensities occurring in fish. Yet, the molecular controls regulating spermatozoon swimming performance in these organisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that the kinematic properties of postactivated piscine spermatozoa are regulated through a conserved trafficking mechanism whereby a peroxiporin ortholog of mammalian aquaporin-8 (Aqp8bb) is inserted into the inner mitochondrial membrane to facilitate H2O2 efflux in order to maintain ATP production. In teleosts from more ancestral lineages, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), in which spermatozoa are activated in freshwater, an intracellular Ca2+-signaling directly regulates this mechanism through monophosphorylation of the Aqp8bb N terminus. In contrast, in more recently evolved marine teleosts, such the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), in which spermatozoa activation occurs in seawater, a cross-talk between Ca2+- and oxidative stress-activated pathways generate a multiplier regulation of channel trafficking via dual N-terminal phosphorylation. These findings reveal that teleost spermatozoa evolved increasingly sophisticated detoxification pathways to maintain swimming performance under a high osmotic stress, and provide insight into molecular traits that are advantageous for postcopulatory sexual selection.

scholarly journals Bison bonasus bonasus as a museum exhibit in the 18th – early 20th centuries

2018 ◽  
Vol 322 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.A. Fedotova
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Bison Bonasus ◽  
Museum Exhibit ◽  
The Status ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Russian Empire

The paper discusses the Białowieża bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) as a museum exhibit in the 18th – early 20th centuries, basing on the analysis of archival documents, mainly from St. Petersburg. One of the last remnants of extinct megafauna once roaming through Europe, by the Early Modern time it had been eliminated in the most part of its previous range. In the 16th–18th century, it had the status of a natural curiosity and an exclusively royal game. In the 18th century, the carcasses of the European bison from the imperial menageries went into the cabinets of curiosities where they became the objects of study for naturalists. By the late 18th century, the last population of the European lowland bison had survived in Białowieża Primeval Forest, which became a part of the Russian Empire with the Third partition of Poland. The attention of the Imperial family, which preserved the system of protection of the European bison and the forest where they lived, ensured the survival of the species till WWI. The development of zoology and zoological collections provided a new status to the Białowieża bison – the status of a valuable gift of the Russian Tsar to a scientific community. To receive such a precious gift, a scientific community had to use its diplomatic and bureaucratic channels, to recruit a naturalist willing to travel to Białowieża, to organize a hunt, to process the skin and bones, and finally, to deliver this massive package to a museum. Nevertheless, throughout the second half of the 19th century, most requests made by European and Russian naturalists were granted and the majority of zoological museums received the European bison from Białowieża, either in form of a stuffed animal, a skeleton, or at least a skull. The transformation of the 17–18th century Kunstkammern into research zoological institutions and the development of taxidermy went in parallel with the transformation of the European bison as a museum exhibit. Stuffed animals became anatomically accurate; new expositions included habitat groups, and some institutions amassed extensive collections for comparative study. The presence of the European bison almost in every major European museum made them well known for wider public. In 1919, the last Białowieża bison was killed in the wild, but the popularity of this species helped the restitution of the animal. Nowadays, the “old” specimens are of interest not only from a historical point of view, but also as a source of samples for genetic research.

scholarly journals Diminished miRNA activity is associated with aberrant cytoplasmic intron retention in ALS pathogenesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Petric-Howe ◽  
Hamish Crerar ◽  
Jacob Neeves ◽  
Giulia E. Tyzack ◽  
Rickie Patani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Intron Retention ◽  
Spatiotemporal Dynamics ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Mechanistic Insight ◽  
Selective Increase ◽  
Insight Into

SUMMARYIntron retention (IR) is now recognized as a dominant splicing event during motor neuron (MN) development, however the role and regulation of intron-retaining transcripts (IRTs) localized to the cytoplasm remain particularly understudied. By resolving the spatiotemporal dynamics of IR underlying distinct stages of MN lineage restriction, we identify a cytoplasmic group of IRTs that is not associated with reduced expression of their own genes but instead with an upregulation of predicted target genes of specific miRNAs, the motifs of which are enriched within the intronic sequences of this group. Next, we show that ALS-causing VCP mutations lead to a selective increase in IR of this particular class of introns. This in turn temporally coincides with an increase in the expression level of predicted target genes of these miRNAs, providing a potential mechanistic insight into ALS pathogenesis. Altogether, we propose a novel role for the cytoplasmic intronic sequences in regulating miRNA activity through miRNA sequestration, which potentially contributes to ALS pathogenesis.

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