scholarly journals Nutrient-Poor Breeding Substrates of Ambrosia Beetles Are Enriched With Biologically Important Elements

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Lehenberger ◽  
Nina Foh ◽  
Axel Göttlein ◽  
Diana Six ◽  
Peter H. W. Biedermann
Keyword(s):  
Essential Elements ◽  
Trypodendron Lineatum ◽  
Ambrosia Beetles ◽  
Ambrosia Fungi ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Xylem Tissue ◽  
Fungal Associates ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
First Time ◽  
Do So

Fungus-farming within galleries in the xylem of trees has evolved independently in at least twelve lineages of weevils (Curculionidae: Scolytinae, Platypodinae) and one lineage of ship-timber beetles (Lymexylidae). Jointly these are termed ambrosia beetles because they actively cultivate nutritional “ambrosia fungi” as their main source of food. The beetles are obligately dependent on their ambrosia fungi as they provide them a broad range of essential nutrients ensuring their survival in an extremely nutrient-poor environment. While xylem is rich in carbon (C) and hydrogen (H), various elements essential for fungal and beetle growth, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) are extremely low in concentration. Currently it remains untested how both ambrosia beetles and their fungi meet their nutritional requirements in this habitat. Here, we aimed to determine for the first time if galleries of ambrosia beetles are generally enriched with elements that are rare in uncolonized xylem tissue and whether these nutrients are translocated to the galleries from the xylem by the fungal associates. To do so, we examined natural galleries of three ambrosia beetle species from three independently evolved farming lineages, Xyleborinus saxesenii (Scolytinae: Xyleborini), Trypodendron lineatum (Scolytinae: Xyloterini) and Elateroides dermestoides (Lymexylidae), that cultivate unrelated ambrosia fungi in the ascomycete orders Ophiostomatales, Microascales, and Saccharomycetales, respectively. Several elements, in particular Ca, N, P, K, Mg, Mn, and S, were present in high concentrations within the beetles’ galleries but available in only very low concentrations in the surrounding xylem. The concentration of elements was generally highest with X. saxesenii, followed by T. lineatum and E. dermestoides, which positively correlates with the degree of sociality and productivity of brood per gallery. We propose that the ambrosia fungal mutualists are translocating essential elements through their hyphae from the xylem to fruiting structures they form on gallery walls. Moreover, the extremely strong enrichment observed suggests recycling of these elements from the feces of the insects, where bacteria and yeasts might play a role.

Contraction and relaxation of rat aorta in response to ATP

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (1) ◽  
pp. H243-H251 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Dominiczak ◽  
J. Quilley ◽  
D. F. Bohr
Keyword(s):  
Direct Action ◽  
Rat Aorta ◽  
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ◽  
Spontaneously Hypertensive ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Wistar Kyoto ◽  
Contraction And Relaxation ◽  
First Time

Vascular responses to ATP were studied in aortic rings isolated from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Low concentrations of ATP (10 nM to 10 microM) caused relaxation and high concentrations (0.1 mM to 10 mM) caused contraction. Both of these responses were accentuated by factors released from the endothelium. The endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was blocked by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). This is the first time that it has been reported that ATP causes the release of an endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF). Its release was diminished but not completely blocked by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Assays of muscle bath prostanoid composition indicated that ATP stimulation caused the release of prostaglandins I2 and E2 and thromboxane A2 from intact aortic rings. Evidence is presented that neither endothelin nor superoxide anion contributed to the EDCF. No difference was observed between WKY and SHRSP with regard to either the endothelial contributions to the response, or the direct action on vascular smooth muscle of ATP. High concentrations of ATP achieved intravascularly in hypoxia may cause vasospasm by release of endothelial prostanoids.

Observed differences in dextran and polyvinylpyrrolidone as rouleaux-inducing agents

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lionel S. Sewchand ◽  
Dieter Bruckschwaiger
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Critical Concentration ◽  
Rbc Membrane ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Induced Aggregation ◽  
Do So

The effectiveness of dextran fractions (Dx-500, Dx-100, Dx-70) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-360, PVP-40) in inducing aggregation of red blood cells (RBC) was studied in a nonflowing environment. The Dx fractions, at low concentrations, induced aggregation of human RBC but failed to do so at high concentrations (concentrations greater than 70 g/L). The effect was different on RBC from animal species (cat and rabbit); aggregation increased steadily with the Dx concentration and there was no critical concentration beyond which Dx failed to induce aggregation. The PVP was found to be very effective, at all concentrations, in inducing aggregation of RBC from both human and the animal species. These results have a twofold significance: (1) they suggest that Dx and PVP, both neutral polymers, interact differently with the human RBC membrane; and (2) the association of Dx with the human RBC membrane is different from that with cat and rabbit RBC membranes.

scholarly journals Binase penetration into alveolar epithelial cellsdoes not induce cell death

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.A. Cabrera Fuentes ◽  
N.V. Kalacheva ◽  
R.T. Mukhametshina ◽  
P.V. Zelenikhin ◽  
A.I. Kolpakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Lung Epithelial Cells ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Alveolar Cells ◽  
Bacillus Intermedius ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
First Time

Microbial ribonucleases possess a broad spectra of biological activities, demonstrating stimulating properties at low concentrations and cytotoxicity and genotoxicity at high concentrations. The mechanisms of their penetration into the cells are not clear so far. This research is aimed to the study of Bacillus intermedius RNase (binase) penetration in alveolar lung epithelial cells - pneumocytes of type II. Using immunofluorescence we have shown for the first time have internalization of binase by primary non-differentiated pneumocytes АТII. The enzyme did not penetrate in pneumocytes MLE-12, which also derived from type II cells. However, binase was cytotoxic towards tumor MLE-12 cells, but not АТII cells. The obtained results testified the higher sensitivity of tumor cells towards binase compared with normal cells, and also showed that penetration of the enzyme into alveolar cells did not directly correlated with the cell death.

scholarly journals Microplastic Pollution in the Surface Waters from Plain and Mountainous Lakes in Siberia, Russia

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2287
Author(s):  
Natalia Malygina ◽  
Elena Mitrofanova ◽  
Natalia Kuryatnikova ◽  
Roman Biryukov ◽  
Dmitry Zolotov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
West Siberian Plain ◽  
Southern Siberia ◽  
Inland Lakes ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
First Time

Microplastics (MPs) contaminations of freshwater and marine environments has become a global issue. Lakes in southern Siberia provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are essential elements in the annual and interannual runoff distribution of the Great Siberian Rivers. However, the extent of their MPs pollution remains unknown. In this paper, for the first time, we analyze the concentrations, composition, and spatial distribution of MPs in six lakes in southern Siberia. The studied lakes are located both in the Altai mountains and the West Siberian plain. Some of them are significantly impacted by human activities, while others are located in protected areas with no permanent population. Nevertheless, MPs were detected in all of the studied lakes. MPs concentrations ranged from 4 to 26 MPs L−1. Comparing with other inland lakes, South Siberian lakes presented moderate MPs concentrations. Among the registered MPs forms, fragments and films were dominant, with a size range between 31 and 60 nm. The MPs’ sources depend on local human activities (fishing, transport, landfilling). Therefore, sufficiently high concentrations were observed even in remote lakes. The present study set a baseline that emphasizes the need for increased attention to waste management and sustainable water use in Siberian freshwater environments.

scholarly journals Complex-formation between reduced xanthine oxidase and purine substrates demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance

1969 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances M. Pick ◽  
R C Bray
Keyword(s):  
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Xanthine Oxidase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Paramagnetic Resonance ◽  
Freezing Method ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Appearance Rate ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Electron Paramagnetic ◽  
Do So

The origin of the Rapid molybdenum electron-paramagnetic-resonance signals, which are obtained on reducing xanthine oxidase with purine or with xanthine, and whose parameters were measured by Bray & Vänngård (1969), was studied. It is concluded that these signals represent complexes of reduced enzyme with substrate molecules. Xanthine forms one complex at high concentrations and a different one at low concentrations. Purine forms a complex indistinguishable from the low-concentration xanthine complex. There are indications that some other substrates also form complexes, but uric acid, a reaction product, does not appear to do so. The possible significance of the complexes in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme is discussed and it is suggested that they represent substrate molecules bound at the reduced active site, waiting their turn to react there, when the enzyme has been reoxidized. Support for this role for the complexes was deduced from experiments in which frozen samples of enzyme–xanthine mixtures, prepared by the rapid-freezing method, were warmed until the signals began to change. Under these conditions an increase in amplitude of the Very Rapid signal took place. Data bearing on the origin of the Slow molybdenum signal are also discussed. This signal disappears only slowly in the presence of oxygen, and its appearance rate is unaffected by change in the concentration of dithionite. It is concluded that, like other signals from the enzyme, it is due to Mov but that a slow change of ligand takes place before it is seen. The Slow species, like the Rapid, seems capable of forming complexes with purines.

scholarly journals Reversible activation of succinate dehydrogenase

1969 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 775-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. McDonald-Gibson ◽  
M. B. Thorn
Keyword(s):  
Succinate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Prolonged Incubation ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Single Substance ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Compounds ◽  
Spontaneous Activation ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Do So

1. Treatment of particulate respiratory chain preparations in ways expected to raise or lower the concentration of endogenous soluble low-molecular-weight compounds respectively increased and diminished the capacity of succinate dehydrogenase to become activated reversibly and ‘spontaneously’ when preparations were diluted in tris acetate buffer and incubated at 37°. 2. Addition of critically low concentrations of recognized activators to preparations that failed to undergo reversible ‘spontaneous’ activation when incubated at 1mg. of protein/ml. conferred on them the capacity to do so. 3. Preparations with a diminished tendency to undergo reversible ‘spontaneous’ activation had an increased tendency to become irreversibly inactivated on prolonged incubation at 1mg. of protein/ml. in tris acetate. 4. Extraction procedures designed to demonstrate the presence of possible endogenous activators in enzyme preparations failed to reveal a single substance to which such a role could be conclusively attributed. A mixture of compounds was found, however, including certain amino acids that have been shown to act as activators. It is questionable whether these compounds would be present at sufficiently high concentrations to act as activators when enzyme preparations are diluted to 1mg. of protein/ml. 5. Despite the failure to demonstrate conclusively the presence of endogenous activators, the balance of evidence appears to favour the hypothesis that reversible ‘spontaneous’ activation of these preparations can best be explained by the presence of such substances, and a scheme describing the mechanism of activation and deactivation of succinate dehydrogenase is discussed in relation to these and other observations.

Neutrophil Elastase Potentiates Cathepsin G-lnduced Platelet Activation

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (05) ◽  
pp. 570-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary A Selak
Keyword(s):  
Neutrophil Elastase ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Thromboxane A2 ◽  
Creatine Phosphate ◽  
Dense Granule ◽  
Cathepsin G ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
High Concentrations

SummaryWe have previously demonstrated that human neutrophil cathepsin G is a strong platelet agonist that binds to a specific receptor. This work describes the effect of neutrophil elastase on cathepsin G-induced platelet responses. While platelets were not activated by high concentrations of neutrophil elastase by itself, elastase enhanced aggregation, secretion and calcium mobilization induced by low concentrations of cathepsin G. Platelet aggregation and secretion were potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner by neutrophil elastase with maximal responses observable at 200 nM. Enhancement was observed when elastase was preincubated with platelets for time intervals of 10–60 s prior to addition of a low concentration of cathepsin G and required catalytically-active elastase since phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride-inhibited enzyme failed to potentiate cell activation. Neutrophil elastase potentiation of platelet responses induced by low concentrations of cathepsin G was markedly inhibited by creatine phosphate/creatine phosphokinase and/or indomethacin, indicating that the synergism between elastase and cathepsin G required the participation of ADP and thromboxane A2. On the other hand, platelet responses were not attenuated by the PAF antagonist BN 52021, signifying that PAF-acether did not play a role in elastase potentiation. At higher concentrations porcine pancreatic elastase exhibits similar effects to neutrophil elastase, demonstrating that the effect of elastase was not unique to the neutrophil protease. While neutrophil elastase failed to alter the ability of cathepsin G to hydrolyze a synthetic chromogenic substrate, preincubation of platelets with elastase increased the apparent affinity of cathepsin G binding to platelets. In contrast to their effect on cathepsin G-induced platelet responses, neither neutrophil nor pancreatic elasatse potentiated aggregation or dense granule release initiated by ADP, PAF-acether, arachidonic acid or U46619, a thromboxane A2 mimetic. Moreover, unlike its effect on cathepsin G, neutrophil elastase inhibited thrombin-induced responses. The current observations demonstrate that elastase can potentiate platelet responses mediated by low concentrations of cathepsin G, suggesting that both enzymes may function synergistically to activate platelets under conditions where neutrophil degranulation occurs.

In Vitro Effects of Ethanol on Rabbit Platelet Aggregation, Secretion of Granule Contents, and Cyclic AMP Levels in the Presence of Prostacyclin

1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (02) ◽  
pp. 254-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret L Rand ◽  
Peter L Gross ◽  
Donna M Jakowec ◽  
Marian A Packham ◽  
J Fraser Mustard
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Rabbit Platelet ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Rabbit Platelets ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
In Vitro Effects ◽  
Aggregation Of Platelets

SummaryEthanol, at physiologically tolerable concentrations, inhibits platelet responses to low concentrations of collagen or thrombin, but does not inhibit responses of washed rabbit platelets stimulated with high concentrations of ADP, collagen, or thrombin. However, when platelet responses to high concentrations of collagen or thrombin had been partially inhibited by prostacyclin (PGI2), ethanol had additional inhibitory effects on aggregation and secretion. These effects were also observed with aspirin- treated platelets stimulated with thrombin. Ethanol had no further inhibitory effect on aggregation of platelets stimulated with ADP, or the combination of ADP and epinephrine. Thus, the inhibitory effects of ethanol on platelet responses in the presence of PGI2 were very similar to its inhibitory effects in the absence of PGI2, when platelets were stimulated with lower concentrations of collagen or thrombin. Ethanol did not appear to exert its inhibitory effects by increasing cyclic AMP above basal levels and the additional inhibitory effects of ethanol in the presence of PGI2 did not appear to be brought about by further increases in platelet cyclic AMP levels.

Aggregation of Cat Platelets in Vitro

1970 ◽  
Vol 23 (03) ◽  
pp. 601-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Th. B Tschopp
Keyword(s):  
Adenosine Monophosphate ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Reversible Aggregation ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Irreversible Aggregation ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Improved Technique

SummaryAggregation of cat platelets in the citrated plasma is examined by means of Born’s absorptiometer. A marked tendency of the platelets of this species to spontaneous aggregation necessitated first of all the development of an improved technique of blood collection.A hypothesis according to which 5-HT is released from the platelets, explains the absence of oscillations on the base line of the absorptiometer, the absence of platelet swelling, when ADP is added, and the effect of stirring on the aggregation curves in cat PRP. The average volume of cat platelets amounts to 10.46 μ3 when directly fixed in the blood, when fixed from PRP to 12.17 μ3, when fixed from stirred PRP to 13.51 μ3.In low concentrations (0.3-2 μM) ADP produce reversible aggregation; in narrowly restricted, individually dissimilar mean concentrations irreversible aggregation in two phases and in high concentrations, irreversible aggregation in one phase. Like ADP serotonin produces 2 phase irreversible aggregation in concentrations of 3-10 μM, but unlike ADP, the aggregation velocity decreases again with high 5-HT concentrations (>100 μM). Adrenaline does not produce aggregation and it is likely that adenosine and adenosine monophosphate inhibit the aggregation by serotonin but not by ADP. Species differences in the aggregation of human, rabbit and cat platelets are discussed.

The Action of an Aniline Derivative (AN 162) on Blood Coagulation and on Platelets

1971 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 145-166
Author(s):  
E Deutsch ◽  
K Lechner ◽  
K Moser ◽  
L Stockinger
Keyword(s):  
Blood Coagulation ◽  
Citric Acid Cycle ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Aniline Derivative ◽  
Acid Cycle ◽  
Enhancing Effect ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Induced Aggregation

Summary1. The aniline derivative AN 162, Donau Pharmazie, Linz, Austria, has a dual action on the blood coagulation: an anticoagulant and an coagulation enhancing effect.2. The anticoagulant action may only be demonstrated with high concentrations (over 1 X 10”3 M related to plasma) preferentially in PPP. It is partially caused by an inhibition of the endogenous way of generation of the prothrombin converting principle. In addition it is suggested that it interferes with the fibrinogen-fibrin reaction in a manner not yet understood.3. The coagulant action is caused by a greater availability of platelet constituents at low concentrations of AN 162 (over 1 × 10-4 M) and by the induction of a release reaction at higher concentrations. The platelet factors 3 and 4, serotonin, adenine, and acid phosphatase are released.4. AN 162 inhibits platelet aggregation. This inhibition can be demonstrated by the PAT of Breddin and in the stirred aggregation test of Born. It is more effective to inhibit the collagen-induced and the second phase of the adrenaline-induced aggregation than the ADP induced one. The platelet retention (test of Hellem) is also reduced.5. The action of AN 162 on the platelets is caused by a damage of the platelet membrane which becomes permeabel for both, soluble platelet constitutents and granula.6. AN 162 interferes with the energy metabolism of the platelets. It causes a loss of ATP, and inhibits the key-enzymes of glycolysis, citric acid cycle, fatty acid oxydation and glutathione reduction.7. AN 162 inhibits the growth of fibroblasts without influence on mitosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document