Natural variation for sulfate content in Arabidopsis thaliana is highly controlled by APR2

Most agronomic traits of importance, whether physiological (such as nutrient use efficiency) or developmental (such as flowering time), are controlled simultaneously by multiple genes and their interactions with the environment. Here, we show that variation in sulfate content between wild Arabidopsis thaliana accessions Bay-0 and Shahdara is controlled by a major quantitative trait locus that results in a strong interaction with nitrogen availability in the soil. Combining genetic and biochemical results and using a candidate gene approach, we have cloned the underlying gene, showing how a single-amino acid substitution in a key enzyme of the assimilatory sulfate reduction pathway, adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase, is responsible for a decrease in enzyme activity, leading to sulfate accumulation in the plant. This work illustrates the potential of natural variation as a source of new alleles of known genes, which can aid in the study of gene function and metabolic pathway regulation. Our new insights on sulfate assimilation may have an impact on sulfur fertilizer use and stress defense improvement.     

Gating pore current in an inherited ion channelopathy

Ion channelopathies are inherited diseases in which alterations in control of ion conductance through the central pore of ion channels impair cell function, leading to periodic paralysis, cardiac arrhythmia, renal failure, epilepsy, migraine and ataxia. Here we show that, in contrast with this well-established paradigm, three mutations in gating-charge-carrying arginine residues in an S4 segment that cause hypokalaemic periodic paralysis induce a hyperpolarization-activated cationic leak through the voltage sensor of the skeletal muscle Na(V)1.4 channel. This 'gating pore current' is active at the resting membrane potential and closed by depolarizations that activate the voltage sensor. It has similar permeability to Na+, K+ and Cs+, but the organic monovalent cations tetraethylammonium and N-methyl-D-glucamine are much less permeant. The inorganic divalent cations Ba2+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ are not detectably permeant and block the gating pore at millimolar concentrations. Our results reveal gating pore current in naturally occurring disease mutations of an ion channel and show a clear correlation between mutations that cause gating pore current and hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. This gain-of-function gating pore current would contribute in an important way to the dominantly inherited membrane depolarization, action potential failure, flaccid paralysis and cytopathology that are characteristic of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. A survey of other ion channelopathies reveals numerous examples of mutations that would be expected to cause gating pore current, raising the possibility of a broader impact of gating pore current in ion channelopathies.     

Biomaterials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet

An unsuspected attachment mechanism may help these huge spiders to avoid catastrophic falls. Spiders spin silk from specialized structures known as abdominal spinnerets--a defining feature of the creatures--and this is deployed to capture prey, protect themselves, reproduce and disperse. Here we show that zebra tarantulas (Aphonopelma seemanni) from Costa Rica also secrete silk from their feet to provide adhesion during locomotion, enabling these spiders to cling to smooth vertical surfaces. Our discovery that silk is produced by the feet provides a new perspective on the origin and diversification of spider silk.     

The morphological and functional variability of pleon-holding mechanisms in selected Eubrachyura (Crustacea: Decapoda)

Eubrachyurans not only exhibit a crab-like body shape, consisting of a mostly wide cephalothorax and a thin, shield-like pleon folded underneath it, but reportedly hold the pleon in this position with the use of specialized holding structures. To further our knowledge of the variability of these holding structures, and investigate their functionality, male and female crabs from five primary freshwater crab and five selected thoracotreme families were examined with stereomicroscopy. Exemplary specimens of each group were documented photographically and with micro-computed tomography to illustrate the holding structures in situ. The results show a press-button mechanism of variable shape in freshwater crabs, where divergent structures possibly support pleon attachment of different effectiveness. The press-button is present in the majority of basal heterotreme lineages, and is therefore regarded as an ancestral character of the Heterotremata. In the Thoracotremata, multiple holding mechanisms are identified: press-button, clasping apparatus, overhanging edge, and increased setae cover on sternal plates, with the last system probably only effective in terrestrial species, due to wet adhesion effects. The ancestral character state in the Thoracotremata is debatable, but most likely also a functional press-button was present. Each holding mechanism requires different pleon movements to engage and disengage. Additionally, in contrast to the most common press-button mechanism, divergent holding mechanisms tend to be present, and likely functional, in adult males and females.     

Contact mechanics of pad of grasshopper (Insecta: ORTHOPTERA) by finite element methods

During locomotion, insect feet endure dramatic impact force and generate adhesive force which is controlled by the architecture of the foot. The patterns of smooth attachment pads in insect feet vary widely among insect orders and families. The functional significance of the micro-structure and geometric design of insect feet remains largely unknown. In this study, we developed a two-dimensional finite element model of a grasshopper’s attachment pad. Realistic geometric microstructure and material propertie...     

Directional news impact curve

The directional news impact curve (DNIC) is a relationship between returns and the probability of next period's return exceeding a certain threshold—zero in particular. Using long series of S&P500 index returns and a number of parametric models suggested in the literature, as well and flexible semiparametric models, we investigate the shape of the DNIC and forecasting abilities of these models. The semiparametric approach reveals that the DNIC has complicated shapes characterized by nonsymmetry with respect to past returns and their signs, heterogeneity across the thresholds, and changes over time. Simple parametric models often miss some important features of the DNIC, but some nevertheless exhibit superior out‐of‐sample performance.     

蝗虫脚掌微结构及其接触的有限元分析

用电子显微镜研究了蝗虫足掌的微结构，用非线性有限元方法分析足掌接触过程的变形规律、接触刚度及接触面积、气囊的作用和足掌的应力应变规律．结果表明，蝗虫足掌以软性外表皮包含血浆(液体)的结构形式，有利于降低接触刚度、增加接触面积，并使爪垫在接触过程便产生有利于稳定附着的摩擦力．软性外表皮内的树丛状杆组织结构会提高足掌在各种表面上的适应性，降低足掌内部的应力．     

TMEM70 mutations cause isolated ATP synthase deficiency and neonatal mitochondrial encephalocardiomyopathy

We carried out whole-genome homozygosity mapping, gene expression analysis and DNA sequencing in individuals with isolated mitochondrial ATP synthase deficiency and identified disease-causing mutations in TMEM70. Complementation of the cell lines of these individuals with wild-type TMEM70 restored biogenesis and metabolic function of the enzyme complex. Our results show that TMEM70 is involved in mitochondrial ATP synthase biogenesis in higher eukaryotes.     

Argos inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signalling by ligand sequestration

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has critical functions in development and in many human cancers. During development, the spatial extent of EGFR signalling is regulated by feedback loops comprising both well-understood activators and less well-characterized inhibitors. In Drosophila melanogaster the secreted protein Argos functions as the only known extracellular inhibitor of EGFR, with clearly identified roles in multiple stages of development. Argos is only expressed when the Drosophila EGFR (DER) is activated at high levels, and downregulates further DER signalling. Although there is ample genetic evidence that Argos inhibits DER activation, the biochemical mechanism has not been established. Here we show that Argos inhibits DER signalling without interacting directly with the receptor, but instead by sequestering the DER-activating ligand Spitz. Argos binds tightly to the EGF motif of Spitz and forms a 1:1 (Spitz:Argos) complex that does not bind DER in vitro or at the cell surface. Our results provide an insight into the mechanism of Argos function, and suggest new strategies for EGFR inhibitor design.