microPublication biology最新文献

Intraspecific variation in leaf shape affects many physiological processes but its impact on plant distribution is underexplored. Using a common garden, we studied daytime thermoregulation of lobed and entire leaf genotypes of Ipomoea hederacea, which displays a latitudinal leaf shape cline. Both leaf shapes maintained similar temperatures but entire leaf genotypes had significantly increased stomatal conductance in warmer/sunnier weather. With less potential water loss, lobed genotypes may have advantages in drier conditions. Lobed genotypes are more common in the north of the species' range, which receives less summer precipitation, suggesting water availability as a potential clinally varying selective agent.

Osteoclasts are primary bone resorbing cells. Previously, we described metabolic regulation of osteoclasts through IgSF11-mediated phosphorylation of the glycolytic enzyme PKM2. Here, we report the impact of IgSF11-PKM2-mediated regulation on gene expression in osteoclasts, utilizing RNA sequencing on osteoclasts engineered to express a chimeric protein, lacking IgSF11, and pharmacologically modulating PKM2 activity. Our analysis identified osteoclast-related genes whose expression is altered by the absence of IgSF11 and by changes in PKM2 activity. This study reveals gene expression changes associated with the IgSF11-PKM2 pathway, providing new insight into its role in osteoclasts.

CATP-4 is a subunit of a Na ⁺ /K ⁺ -ATPase important for sperm motility and fertility. Here, we report the characterization of a new allele of catp-4 isolated from a forward genetic screen for sterile mutants. The catp-4 ( as46 ) allele has a missense mutation that substitutes a highly conserved Glycine which lies close to an ATP binding site. This mutation results in a loss-of-function phenotype comparable to that of the catp-4 null alleles, emphasizing the importance of this residue for CATP-4 function. This is for the first time that a phenotype has been reported for a single missense mutation in the catp-4 gene.

Exposure of diurnal animals to constant light for extended periods dampens the clock gene circadian rhythms, which in turn affect the life history traits. However, animals are expected to maintain some form of rhythm for the body to function effectively. In this study, we used three populations of Drosophila melanogaster that were maintained under constant light for 312 generations. We entrained three other populations (derived from those in constant light for 312 generations) to 12L:12D cycles. The adaptive evolution under aperiodic conditions has compromised on longevity and fecundity- two most important fitness traits for an iteroparous species.

Organ development depends on multiple signaling pathways working in concert to specify cell fates. Improper activity or inactivity of specific signaling pathways such as EGF-Ras-MAPK can lead to dedifferentiation and cancer. In C. elegans , gain of function mutations in Ras/ let-60 lead to ectopic development of multiple ventral vulva-like lesions resembling tumors. However, this phenotype depends on normal insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling. Here, we probe how factors downstream of the IGF receptor daf-2 modify Ras signaling. These investigations led us to identify regulators of cell fate such as the Zinc finger protein encoding gene mstr-1 ( F22D6.2 ), homologous to mammalian Zfand3 / 5 / 6 .

Neopterin, a byproduct of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis, is commonly used as a biomarker for immune system activation. In addition to its role in immune responses, neopterin levels are known to increase with age. Its impact on longevity, however, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that neopterin supplementation extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans . Additionally, neopterin shows moderate activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR ^mt ), and that the neopterin-mediated lifespan extension is dependent on ATFS-1 , the primary transcription factor regulating UPR ^mt . These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the biological functions and health-promoting effects of neopterin.

Multidrug efflux pumps are transporters that are important for the removal of exogenous toxic molecules in bacteria. Recently, efflux pumps have been implicated in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis in Escherichia coli . Here, we investigated the contribution of EmrAB-TolC to metabolism in various conditions. Deletion of EmrB led to changes in several metabolic pathways, both in standard growth conditions and during nutrient stress. The pathways impacted include the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Our findings suggest that EmrAB-TolC contributes to maintaining metabolic homeostasis and adapts metabolism based on cellular needs.

Candida auris is a yeast that is increasingly pathogenic due to increased multiresistance to antimycotics. UV (ultraviolet) radiation is still capable of reducing C. auris and offers possible applications in radiation disinfection of surfaces and air. However, it is unknown whether C. auris could also develop a resistance against UV radiation. For this reason, the extent to which C. auris can develop resistance to UVC radiation (254 nm) over several irradiation cycles is being examined. The yeast is irradiated with a UVC dose of 18.2 mJ/cm ² per cycle, followed by a recovery phase under dark conditions. This irradiation-recovery process was repeated for 16 consecutive cycles, ensuring that the UVC dose of 18.2 mJ/cm ² remained constant throughout all cycles. It was observed that the log reduction (a log 1 reduction corresponds to a 90% reduction) decreased with increasing number of cycles. Resistance development against UVC could be presented.

Bacteriophages HungryHenry, CaptainRex, and ChikPic were isolated from soil collected in Tennessee using the bacterium Microbacterium foliorum . These bacteriophages have genomes that are 41,516 bp, 39,941 bp, and 40,333 bp in length and encode 62, 61, and 63 putative genes, respectively. Based on gene content similarity, all three bacteriophages are assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster EA (subclusters EA1, EA2 and EA5, respectively).

SOX15 is a broadly conserved transcription factor involved in many critical processes, including mammalian cell fate specification and pluripotency. We investigated the specificity of a commercially available, polyclonal anti-SOX15 antibody advertised as knockout-validated. We generated a new mouse line carrying a null allele of Sox15 , and then evaluated anti-SOX15 activity in Sox15 null mouse embryos. Nuclear signal was detected in both wild type and null embryos, even when potential maternally or paternally-contributed Sox15 was eliminated. We conclude that this SOX15-detecting reagent may not be suitable for all applications, and caution the growing community of users accordingly.