X-Linked Signature of Reproductive Isolation in Humans is Mirrored in a Howler Monkey Hybrid Zone

Reproductive isolation is a fundamental step in speciation. While sex chromosomes have been linked to reproductive isolation in many model systems, including hominids, genetic studies of the contribution of sex chromosome loci to speciation for natural populations are relatively sparse. Natural hybrid zones can help identify genomic regions contributing to reproductive isolation, like hybrid incompatibility loci, since these regions exhibit reduced introgression between parental species. Here, we use a primate hybrid zone (Alouatta palliata × Alouatta pigra) to test for reduced introgression of X-linked SNPs compared to autosomal SNPs. To identify X-linked sequence in A. palliata, we used a sex-biased mapping approach with whole-genome re-sequencing data. We then used genomic cline analysis with reduced-representation sequence data for parental A. palliata and A. pigra individuals and hybrids (n = 88) to identify regions with non-neutral introgression. We identified ~26 Mb of non-repetitive, putatively X-linked genomic sequence in A. palliata, most of which mapped collinearly to the marmoset and human X chromosomes. We found that X-linked SNPs had reduced introgression and an excess of ancestry from A. palliata as compared to autosomal SNPs. One outlier region with reduced introgression overlaps a previously described “desert” of archaic hominin ancestry on the human X chromosome. These results are consistent with a large role for the X chromosome in speciation across animal taxa and further, suggest shared features in the genomic basis of the evolution of reproductive isolation in primates.

In silico analysis of Nattokinase from Bacillus subtilis sp natto

Nattokinase or subtilisin NAT (EC 3.4.21.62) is one of the most remarkable enzymes produced by Bacillus subtilis sp. Natto, which posses direct fibrinolytic activity. The aim of this study is in silico analysis of Nattokinase structure and function. The three-dimensional structure of serine protease Nattokinase from Bacillus subtilis sp. natto was determined using homology modeling performed by Geno3D2 Web Server and refined by ModRefiner. The obtained models were validated via programs such as RAMPAGE, ERRAT, 3D Match and verify 3D for consistency; moreover, functional analysis performed by PFP from Kihara Bioinformatics laboratory. RAMPAGE analysis showed that 96.7% of the residues are located in the favored region, 3.0% in allowed region and 0.4% in outlier region of the Ramachandran plot. The verify 3D value of 0.73 indicates that the environmental sketch of the model is fine. SOPMA and PSIPRED were exploited for computation of the secondary structural properties of serine protease Nattokinase. Active site determination via AADS suggested that this enzyme can be applied as a potent enzyme for cardiovascular therapy. However, these results should be more confirmed by wet lab researches for designing the more active enzyme for better functions on its fibrinolysis activity.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INNOVATION STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE U.K.: THE EFFECTS OF PERIPHERALITY

Although the U.K. has a common political system, there are distinct regional differences. These differences are reflected in the outcomes of U.K. Government attempts to devise and implement innovation strategy within all parts of the U.K. Northern Ireland's (NI) regional differences are increased by the province's peripheral location in relation to the rest of the U.K. The aim of this paper is to explore the outcomes of innovation strategy and implementation on an U.K. regional basis. Moreover, the paper seeks to examine the effects of location by comparing the NI results with the other U.K. regions. This paper's focus is on NI; however, the level of analysis is the U.K. This is extremely important as it provides comparative data in order to test whether or not NI does differ from other regions in terms of its level of innovation activity. Data from the Community Innovation Survey shows that NI has a significantly lower level of product innovation, together with the lowest level of novel product innovation and the lowest market share attributed to novel innovations compared to the rest of the U.K. In addition, NI has the fourth lowest level of process innovation (and the lowest level of novel process innovation) in the U.K. Overall, NI can be considered something of an outlier region with regard to product innovation.