scholarly journals The Distribution of eIF4E-Family Members across Insecta

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gritta Tettweiler ◽  
Michelle Kowanda ◽  
Paul Lasko ◽  
Nahum Sonenberg ◽  
Greco Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Animal Group ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation ◽  
Fundamental Process ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Terrestrial Environments ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Striking Contrast

Insects are part of the earliest faunas that invaded terrestrial environments and are the first organisms that evolved controlled flight. Nowadays, insects are the most diverse animal group on the planet and comprise the majority of extant animal species described. Moreover, they have a huge impact in the biosphere as well as in all aspects of human life and economy; therefore understanding all aspects of insect biology is of great importance. In insects, as in all cells, translation is a fundamental process for gene expression. However, translation in insects has been mostly studied only in the model organismDrosophila melanogaster. We used all publicly available genomic sequences to investigate in insects the distribution of the genes encoding the cap-binding proteineIF4E, a protein that plays a crucial role in eukaryotic translation. We found that there is a diversity of multiple ortholog genes encoding eIF4E isoforms within the genusDrosophila. In striking contrast, insects outside this genus contain only a singleeIF4Egene, related toD. melanogastereIF4E-1. We also found that all insect species here analyzed contain only one Class II gene, termed4E-HP. We discuss the possible evolutionary causes originating the multiplicity ofeIF4Egenes within the genusDrosophila.

The Value of Private Non-Industrial Forestland for Wildlife Species Conservation

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly A. Johnson ◽  
Timm Kroeger ◽  
Josh Horn ◽  
Alison E. Adams ◽  
Damian C. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Monetary Value ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Wildlife Viewing ◽  
Animal Habitat

Animals in Florida provide a variety of benefits to people, from recreation (fishing, hunting, or wildlife viewing) to protection of human life and property (oysters and corals provide reef structures that help protect coasts from erosion and flooding). By measuring the economic value of these benefits, we can assign a monetary value to the habitats that sustain these species and assess the value that is lost when development or other human-based activities degrade animal habitat. This 5-page fact sheet presents the results of a study that assessed the value of protecting five animal species in Florida and showed the economic value of protecting animal habitat.

scholarly journals Linking Conservation, Community Knowledge, and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events: A Case Study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6478
Author(s):  
Amemarlita Matos ◽  
Laura Barraza ◽  
Isabel Ruiz-Mallén
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extreme Climatic Events ◽  
Water Provision

This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.

scholarly journals Vanishing White Matter Disease in a Spanish Population

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. JCNSD.S13540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eulàlia Turón-Viñas ◽  
Mercè Pineda ◽  
Victòria Cusí ◽  
Eduardo López-Laso ◽  
Rebeca Losada Del Pozo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation ◽  
Severe Ataxia ◽  
Vanishing White Matter Disease ◽  
Chronic Course ◽  
Vanishing White Matter

Vanishing white matter (VWM) leukoencephalopathy is one of the most prevalent hereditary white matter diseases. It has been associated with mutations in genes encoding eukaryotic translation initiation factor ( eIF2B). We have compiled a list of all the patients diagnosed with VWM in Spain; we found 21 children. The first clinical manifestation in all of them was spasticity, with severe ataxia in six patients, hemiparesis in one child, and dystonic movements in another. They suffered from progressive cognitive deterioration and nine of them had epilepsy too. In four children, we observed optic atrophy and three also had progressive macrocephaly, which is not common in VWM disease. The first two cases were diagnosed before the 1980s. Therefore, they were diagnosed by necropsy studies. The last 16 patients were diagnosed according to genetics: we found mutations in the genes eIF2B5 (13 cases), eIF2B3 (2 cases), and eIF2B4 (1 case). In our report, the second mutation in frequency was c.318A>T; patients with this mutation all followed a slow chronic course, both in homozygous and heterozygous states. Previously, there were no other reports to confirm this fact. We also found some mutations not described in previous reports: c.1090C>T in eIF2B4, c.314A>G in eIF2B5, and c.877C>T in eIF2B5.

scholarly journals GCN-2 dependent inhibition of protein synthesis activates osmosensitive gene transcription via WNK and Ste20 kinase signaling

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (12) ◽  
pp. C1269-C1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Choung-Hee Lee ◽  
Kevin Strange
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Kinase Signaling ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation ◽  
Hypertonic Stress ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Initiation Factors ◽  
Inhibition Of Protein Synthesis ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factors

Increased gpdh-1 transcription is required for accumulation of the organic osmolyte glycerol and survival of Caenorhabditis elegans during hypertonic stress. Our previous work has shown that regulators of gpdh-1 ( rgpd) gene knockdown constitutively activates gpdh-1 expression. Fifty-five rgpd genes play essential roles in translation suggesting that inhibition of protein synthesis is an important signal for regulating osmoprotective gene transcription. We demonstrate here that translation is reduced dramatically by hypertonic stress or knockdown of rgpd genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs). Toxin-induced inhibition of translation also activates gpdh-1 expression. Hypertonicity-induced translation inhibition is mediated by general control nonderepressible (GCN)-2 kinase signaling and eIF-2α phosphoryation. Loss of gcn-1 or gcn-2 function prevents eIF-2α phosphorylation, completely blocks reductions in translation, and inhibits gpdh-1 transcription. gpdh-1 expression is regulated by the highly conserved with-no-lysine kinase (WNK) and Ste20 kinases WNK-1 and GCK-3, which function in the GCN-2 signaling pathway downstream from eIF-2α phosphorylation. Our previous work has shown that hypertonic stress causes rapid and dramatic protein damage in C. elegans and that inhibition of translation reduces this damage. The current studies demonstrate that reduced translation also serves as an essential signal for activation of WNK-1/GCK-3 kinase signaling and subsequent transcription of gpdh-1 and possibly other osmoprotective genes.

Ecological awareness and education of the society in the light of sustainability idea – selected aspects

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Kociszewska
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Ecological Education ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Clear Water ◽  
Ecological Awareness ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
The Earth

Abstract The 20th century has left in its inheritance not only magnificent technological inventions, but also deteriorated environment of human life. Changes caused by human activity deteriorate the condition of our environment at the intimidating pace. “Mountains” of rubbish become a frequent sight, we begin to lack clear water and air, animal species become extinct, forests are thoughtlessly cut down. Human health and life gets more and more endangered. Contemporary civilization, due to the unusual pace of transformations undergoing within it, acts negatively and destructively on natural environment. Ecological crisis deepens. No one today will claim that ecological education is pointless. What the Earth will look like in the future, depends exclusively on us and the ideas we will pass on to our children. Therefore, undoubtedly developing ecological awareness and the active attitude of care towards nature can and should be done in the earliest years of a child’s life. Small, seemingly insignificant experiences that involve children, attitudes they encounter, messages they accumulate, everything that the child meets and experiences, shapes their relationship to nature. Under the guidance of parents, teachers and other older people, as well as under the influence of peers, child’s interests, knowledge and attitudes should take into account the needs of time and the conditions in which he or she lives and which will be their future

Molecular characterization of the metabotropic glutamate receptor family in Caenorhabditis elegans

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 942-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Dillon ◽  
N.A. Hopper ◽  
L. Holden-Dye ◽  
V. O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
G Protein Coupled

mGluRs (metabotropic glutamate receptors) are G-protein-coupled receptors that play an important neuromodulatory role in the brain. Glutamatergic transmission itself plays a fundamental role in the simple nervous system of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, but little is known about the contribution made by mGluR signalling. The sequenced genome of C. elegans predicts three distinct genes, mgl-1, mgl-2 and mgl-3 (designated Y4C6A.2). We have used in silico and cDNA analyses to investigate the genes encoding mgls. Our results indicate that mgl genes constitute a gene family made up of three distinct subclasses of receptor. Our transcript analysis highlights potential for complex gene regulation with respect to both expression and splicing. Further, we identify that the predicted proteins encoded by mgls harbour structural motifs that are likely to regulate function. Taken together, this molecular characterization provides a platform to further investigate mGluR function in the model organism C. elegans.

scholarly journals Supplemental Cellular Protection by a Carotenoid Extends Lifespan via Ins/IGF-1 Signaling inCaenorhabditis elegans

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koumei Yazaki ◽  
Chinatsu Yoshikoshi ◽  
Satoru Oshiro ◽  
Sumino Yanase
Keyword(s):  
Model Organism ◽  
Lifespan Extension ◽  
Cell Organelle ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Cellular Protection ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
In The Wild

Astaxanthin (AX), which is produced by some marine animals, is a type of carotenoid that has antioxidative properties. In this study, we initially examined the effects of AX on the aging of a model organismC. elegansthat has the conserved intracellular pathways related to mammalian longevity. The continuous treatments with AX (0.1 to 1 mM) from both the prereproductive and young adult stages extended the mean lifespans by about 16–30% in the wild-type and long-lived mutantage-1ofC. elegans. In contrast, the AX-dependent lifespan extension was not observed even in adaf-16null mutant. Especially, the expression of genes encoding superoxide dismutases and catalases increased in two weeks after hatching, and the DAF-16 protein was translocated to the nucleus in the AX-exposed wild type. These results suggest that AX protects the cell organelle mitochondria and nucleus of the nematode, resulting in a lifespan extension via an Ins/IGF-1 signaling pathway during normal aging, at least in part.

scholarly journals Adaptation of Porphyromonas gingivalis to microaerophilic conditions involves increased consumption of formate and reduced utilization of lactate

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (11) ◽  
pp. 3758-3774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina P. Lewis ◽  
Divya Iyer ◽  
Cecilia Anaya-Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Porphyromonas Gingivalis ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Oxygen Metabolism ◽  
Exponential Growth Phase ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Aerobic Conditions ◽  
Small Proteins ◽  
Genes Encoding

Porphyromonas gingivalis, previously classified as a strict anaerobe, can grow in the presence of low concentrations of oxygen. Microarray analysis revealed alteration in gene expression in the presence of 6 % oxygen. During the exponential growth phase, 96 genes were upregulated and 79 genes were downregulated 1.4-fold. Genes encoding proteins that play a role in oxidative stress protection were upregulated, including alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (ahpCF), superoxide dismutase (sod) and thiol peroxidase (tpx). Significant changes in gene expression of proteins that mediate oxidative metabolism, such as cytochrome d ubiquinol oxidase-encoding genes, cydA and cydB, were detected. The expression of genes encoding formate uptake transporter (PG0209) and formate tetrahydrofolate ligase (fhs) was drastically elevated, which indicates that formate metabolism plays a major role under aerobic conditions. The concomitant reduction of expression of a gene encoding the lactate transporter PG1340 suggests decreased utilization of this nutrient. The concentrations of both formate and lactate were assessed in culture supernatants and cells, and they were in agreement with the results obtained at the transcriptional level. Also, genes encoding gingipain protease secretion/maturation regulator (porR) and protease transporter (porT) had reduced expression in the presence of oxygen, which also correlated with reduced protease activities under aerobic conditions. In addition, metal transport was affected, and while iron-uptake genes such as the genes encoding the haemin uptake locus (hmu) were downregulated, expression of manganese transporter genes, such as feoB2, was elevated in the presence of oxygen. Finally, genes encoding putative regulatory proteins such as extracellular function (ECF) sigma factors as well as small proteins had elevated expression levels in the presence of oxygen. As P. gingivalis is distantly related to the well-studied model organism Escherichia coli, results from our work may provide further understanding of oxygen metabolism and protection in other related bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes.

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