scholarly journals Microbiomes In Natura : Importance of Invertebrates in Understanding the Natural Variety of Animal-Microbe Interactions

mSystems ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian M. Petersen ◽  
Jay Osvatic
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Group Interest ◽  
Invertebrate Animals ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function ◽  
Development And Evolution

ABSTRACT Animals evolved in a world teeming with microbes, which play pivotal roles in their health, development, and evolution. Although the overwhelming majority of living animals are invertebrates, the minority of “microbiome” studies focus on this group. Interest in invertebrate-microbe interactions is 2-fold—a range of immune components are conserved across almost all animal (including human) life, and their functional roles may be conserved. Thus, understanding cross talk between microbes and invertebrate animals can lead to insights of broader relevance. Invertebrates offer unique opportunities to “eavesdrop” on intricate host-microbe conversations because they tend to associate with fewer microbes. On the other hand, considering the vast diversity of form and function that has evolved in the invertebrates, they likely evolved an equally diverse range of ways to interact with beneficial microbes. We have investigated only a few of these interactions in detail; thus, there is still great potential for fundamentally new discoveries.

A widespread pathway for substitution of adenine by diaminopurine in phage genomes

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6541) ◽  
pp. 512-516
Author(s):  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Xuexia Xu ◽  
Yifeng Wei ◽  
Yu Cheng ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Restriction Enzymes ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Host Restriction ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Multienzyme System ◽  
Dna Modifications ◽  
Dna Production ◽  
And Function

DNA modifications vary in form and function but generally do not alter Watson-Crick base pairing. Diaminopurine (Z) is an exception because it completely replaces adenine and forms three hydrogen bonds with thymine in cyanophage S-2L genomic DNA. However, the biosynthesis, prevalence, and importance of Z genomes remain unexplored. Here, we report a multienzyme system that supports Z-genome synthesis. We identified dozens of globally widespread phages harboring such enzymes, and we further verified the Z genome in one of these phages, Acinetobacter phage SH-Ab 15497, by using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry. The Z genome endows phages with evolutionary advantages for evading the attack of host restriction enzymes, and the characterization of its biosynthetic pathway enables Z-DNA production on a large scale for a diverse range of applications.

Molecular Paleontology and Biochemical Evolution

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Gaines ◽  
Geoffrey Eglinton ◽  
Jürgen Rullkötter
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Cambrian Explosion ◽  
Microbial World ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
The Past ◽  
Unicellular Algae ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Molecular Paleontology

Carl Woese’s drive for a unified system of biological classification didn’t just open the microbial world to exploration: it reshuffled the entire taxonomic system and revolutionized the way that biologists study evolution, reigniting interest in preanimal evolution. Studies of evolution from the mid-nineteenth through most of the twentieth century relied on the comparison of forms in living and fossil organisms and were limited to the complex multicellular organisms that developed over the past 550 million years. In other words, much was known about the evolution of animals and land plants that left distinctive hard fossils, and very little was known about the unicellular algae and microorganisms that occupied the seas for most of the earth’s history. Woese’s Tree of Life, derived from nucleic acid sequences in ribosomal RNA, has revealed ancestral relationships that form and function don’t even hint at, allowing biologists to look beyond the rise of multicellular life and link it with less differentiated, more primal forms—which was precisely Woese’s intention. But evolution is a history, not just a family tree of relationships. If the information stored in the genes of extant organisms is to provide true insight into that history, it needs to be anchored in time, linked to extinct organisms and to past environments. Ultimately, we must look to the record in the rocks and sediments, just as paleontologists and biologists have been doing for the past two centuries. In Darwin’s time, that record comprised rocks from the past 550 million years, a span of time that geologists now call the Phanerozoic eon, based on Greek words meaning visible or evident life. The eon began with the rocks of the Cambrian period, in which nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century paleontologists discovered a fabulous assortment of fossils—traces of trilobites, anemones, shrimp, and other multicellular animals that were completely missing from any of the earlier strata. Thousands of new animals and plants, including representatives of almost all contemporary groups, as well as hundreds of now-extinct ones, appeared so suddenly between 542 and 530 million years ago that paleontologists refer to the phenomenon as the Cambrian “explosion.”

scholarly journals Morphology and behaviour: functional links in development and evolution

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1574) ◽  
pp. 2056-2068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rinaldo C. Bertossa
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Evolutionary Developmental Biology ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Biological Hierarchy ◽  
Object Of Study ◽  
And Function ◽  
Evo Devo ◽  
Versus Behaviour ◽  
Development And Evolution

Development and evolution of animal behaviour and morphology are frequently addressed independently, as reflected in the dichotomy of disciplines dedicated to their study distinguishing object of study (morphology versus behaviour) and perspective (ultimate versus proximate). Although traits are known to develop and evolve semi-independently, they are matched together in development and evolution to produce a unique functional phenotype. Here I highlight similarities shared by both traits, such as the decisive role played by the environment for their ontogeny. Considering the widespread developmental and functional entanglement between both traits, many cases of adaptive evolution are better understood when proximate and ultimate explanations are integrated. A field integrating these perspectives is evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), which studies the developmental basis of phenotypic diversity. Ultimate aspects in evo-devo studies—which have mostly focused on morphological traits—could become more apparent when behaviour, ‘the integrator of form and function’, is integrated into the same framework of analysis. Integrating a trait such as behaviour at a different level in the biological hierarchy will help to better understand not only how behavioural diversity is produced, but also how levels are connected to produce functional phenotypes and how these evolve. A possible framework to accommodate and compare form and function at different levels of the biological hierarchy is outlined. At the end, some methodological issues are discussed.

scholarly journals Developmental Mechanisms Linking Form and Function During Jaw Evolution

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine C. Woronowicz ◽  
Stephanie E. Gline ◽  
Safa T. Herfat ◽  
Aaron J. Fields ◽  
Richard A. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Load ◽  
Adductor Muscle ◽  
Mechanical Force ◽  
Connective Tissues ◽  
Tgfβ Signaling ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Tendon Insertion ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
And Function ◽  
Development And Evolution

AbstractHow does form arise during development and change during evolution? How does form relate to function, and what enables embryonic structures to presage their later use in adults? To address these questions, we leverage the distinct functional morphology of the jaw in duck, chick, and quail. In connection with their specialized mode of feeding, duck develop a secondary cartilage at the tendon insertion of their jaw adductor muscle on the mandible. An equivalent cartilage is absent in chick and quail. We hypothesize that species-specific jaw architecture and mechanical forces promote secondary cartilage in duck through the differential regulation of FGF and TGFβ signaling. First, we perform transplants between chick and duck embryos and demonstrate that the ability of neural crest mesenchyme (NCM) to direct the species-specific insertion of muscle and the formation of secondary cartilage depends upon the amount and spatial distribution of NCM-derived connective tissues. Second, we quantify motility and build finite element models of the jaw complex in duck and quail, which reveals a link between species-specific jaw architecture and the predicted mechanical force environment. Third, we investigate the extent to which mechanical load mediates FGF and TGFβ signaling in the duck jaw adductor insertion, and discover that both pathways are mechano-responsive and required for secondary cartilage formation. Additionally, we find that FGF and TGFβ signaling can also induce secondary cartilage in the absence of mechanical force or in the adductor insertion of quail embryos. Thus, our results provide novel insights on molecular, cellular, and biomechanical mechanisms that couple musculoskeletal form and function during development and evolution.

scholarly journals Reproductive Ontogeny and the Evolution of Morphological Diversity in Conifers and Other Plants

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
A B Leslie ◽  
J M Losada
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Developmental Rate ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
And Function

Abstract Biologists often study morphological evolution through form and function relationships. But biological structures can perform multiple functional roles, complicating efforts to understand the evolutionary significance of any one relationship. Plant reproductive organs perform multiple roles in a sequence, however, which provides a unique opportunity to understand how structures evolve to meet multiple functional demands. Using conifers as a study group, we discuss how a shared developmental trajectory links the performance of sequential functional roles. Variation in development among lineages can underlie morphological diversity; pollination-stage seed cones in Pinaceae conifers function similarly but show diverse forms reflecting differences in developmental rate. As cones develop further, the morphologies that they use to perform later functional roles are influenced by the specific developmental patterns used to meet earlier demands, which may ultimately limit morphological diversity. However, we also show how selective pressures relating to the final functional stage (seed dispersal) may influence cone anatomy and morphology over all previous stages, highlighting the complex linkages among form, function, and development. We end by discussing the potential relationships between functional ontogeny and morphological disparity in plant reproductive structures more broadly, suggesting that the complex functional roles associated with seed plant reproduction probably underlie the high disparity in this group.

Form and function of the glycocalyx on free cell surfaces

1974 ◽  
Vol 268 (891) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Cell ◽  
Surface Coat ◽  
Cell Surfaces ◽  
Cell Coat ◽  
Fresh Tissue ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Freeze Etching ◽  
Coat Layer ◽  
And Function

Selected examples of the glycocalyx or cell coat on rickettsiae, bacteria, amoebae, sea-urchin eggs and the cat intestinal microvilli are illustrated and their functional roles are discussed. The differences in the form of various surface coats are noted; while many surface components are truely extraneous expendable coatings, others are so firmly attached that they seem to be a permanent part of the cell. The fuzzy surface coat on the cat intestinal microvilli have been considered in some detail and some new observations on the form of the glycocalyx are presented. The enteric surface coat is not readily visualized in fractured surface replicas of glycerinated tissue but fixed cells frozen in distilled water when replicated after freeze-etching reveal a flamboyant array of a filamentous meshwork attached to the microvilli. This fuzzy coat layer is at least twice as thick in the freeze-etched preparations when compared to thin sectioned material. Fresh tissue frozen without fixation or glycerin treatment did not have a thick fuzzy coat. In its place a thin amorphous blanket-like layer was found.

scholarly journals The Form and Function of PIEZO2

2021 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 507-534
Author(s):  
Marcin Szczot ◽  
Alec R. Nickolls ◽  
Ruby M. Lam ◽  
Alexander T. Chesler
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Ion Channels ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Sensory Biology ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Function ◽  
Sense Of Touch

Mechanosensation is the ability to detect dynamic mechanical stimuli (e.g., pressure, stretch, and shear stress) and is essential for a wide variety of processes, including our sense of touch on the skin. How touch is detected and transduced at the molecular level has proved to be one of the great mysteries of sensory biology. A major breakthrough occurred in 2010 with the discovery of a family of mechanically gated ion channels that were coined PIEZOs. The last 10 years of investigation have provided a wealth of information about the functional roles and mechanisms of these molecules. Here we focus on PIEZO2, one of the two PIEZO proteins found in humans and other mammals. We review how work at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels over the past decade has transformed our understanding of touch and led to unexpected insights into other types of mechanosensation beyond the skin.

scholarly journals The Realizations and Functions of Figurative Speeches in Novels Written by Prasetyo Utomo

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-191
Author(s):  
Fajar Arifiyanto ◽  
Agus Nuryatin ◽  
Mukh Doyin
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Figurative Language ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Aesthetic Value ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Language Style ◽  
Language Styles ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Utomo’s novels are very related to the theme of religion and culture. The language used tends to be simple but still interesting and beautiful so research on the form and function of language style is very interesting. The purpose of this study is to describe the form and function of language style in the three Utomo novels. Data collection is done by heuristic techniques or read by repeatedly. Data analysis method used is hermeneutics. Almost all types of figurative language styles are found, but for the sake of effective exposure, only three data would be presented as examples of the form of language style and the function of language style. The three most found figurative languages are metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, and sinekdoke. The function of language also varies, starting from clarifying the picture, increasing the impression, shortening the narrative, and describing the character's feelings. Fulfillment of these functions with simple but beautiful forms of language style makes Utomo's novels have high aesthetic value and are easily understood by readers.

scholarly journals Burkholderia from fungus gardens of fungus-growing ants produce antifungals that inhibit the specialized parasite Escovopsis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte B. Francoeur ◽  
Daniel S. May ◽  
Margaret W. Thairu ◽  
Don Q. Hoang ◽  
Olivia Panthofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Fungus Garden ◽  
Ant System ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Parasitic Fungi ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Microbial Symbiosis ◽  
And Function ◽  
Fungus Growing Ants

Within animal associated microbiomes, the functional roles of specific microbial taxa are often uncharacterized. Here, we use the fungus-growing ant system, a model for microbial symbiosis, to determine the potential defensive roles of key bacterial taxa present in the ants’ fungus gardens. Fungus gardens serve as an external digestive system for the ants, with mutualistic fungi in the genus Leucoagaricus spp. converting plant substrate into energy for the ants. The fungus garden is host to specialized parasitic fungi in the genus Escovopsis. Here, we examine the potential role of Burkholderia spp. that occur within ant fungus gardens in inhibiting Escovopsis. We isolated members of the bacterial genera Burkholderia spp. and Paraburkholderia spp. from 50% of the 52 colonies sampled, indicating that family Burkholderiaceae are common fungus garden inhabitants of a diverse range of fungus-growing ant genera. Using antimicrobial inhibition bioassays, we found that 28 out of 32 isolates inhibited at least one Escovopsis strain with a zone of inhibition greater than 1 cm. Genomic assessment of fungus-garden associated Burkholderiaceae indicated that isolates with strong inhibition all belonged to the genus Burkholderia and contained biosynthetic gene clusters that encoded the production of two antifungals: burkholdine1213 and pyrrolnitrin. Organic extracts of cultured isolates confirmed these compounds as responsible for antifungal activity that inhibit Escovopsis but, at equivalent concentrations, not Leucoagaricus spp. Overall, these new findings, combined with previous evidence, suggest that members of the fungus garden microbiome play an important role in maintaining the health and function of the fungus-growing ant colony. IMPORTANCE Many organisms partner with microbes to defend themselves against parasites and pathogens. Fungus-growing ants must protect Leucoagaricus spp., the fungal mutualist that provides sustenance for the ants, from a specialized fungal parasite, Escovopsis spp. The ants take multiple approaches, including weeding their fungus gardens to remove Escovopsis spores, as well as harboring Pseudonocardia that produce antifungals that inhibit Escovopsis. In addition, a genus of bacteria commonly found in fungus gardens, Burkholderia spp., is known to produce secondary metabolites that inhibit Escovopsis spp. In this study, we isolated Burkholderia spp. from fungus-growing ants, assessed the isolates’ ability to inhibit Escovopsis spp., and identified two compounds responsible for inhibition. Our findings suggest that Burkholderia spp. are often found in fungus gardens, adding another possible mechanism within the fungus-growing ant system to suppress the growth of the specialized parasite Escovopsis.

scholarly journals LE PRÉAMBULE DE LA CONSTITUTION COMME UN EXEMPLE D'UN TEXTE DE DROIT

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 51-66
Author(s):  
Piotr PIEPRZYCA
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
The Other ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Legal Language ◽  
Legal Text ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Legal Texts ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Preamble to the Constitution is a special type of legal text, which differs significantly from the other legislative texts, both in terms of vocabulary, syntax and semantics. This paper aims to make the characteristics of the legal language of the preamble to the Constitution – its content, form and function it plays in the legal system. The linguistic corpus is composed of over twenty preambles to constitutions of European countries. The results show that, despite some differences between the preambles of individual European countries, there are many features in common – almost all mention the values and principles, considered as fundamental to the nation, such as independence, freedom or democracy. Some preambles also refer to the history of the country or religion and to the person of God – both indirectly and directly. Despite the fact that the preamble in terms of language is not like other legal texts, it has the characteristics of a normative act.

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