Karyotypes of six species of African Cichlidae (Pisces: Perciformes)

Summary Diploid numbers of 40–46 were found among the 6 species of African Cichlidae included in this karyotypic study. More species must be studies before any generalized conclusions regarding correlations between karyotypic morphology and phylogeny can be made.This study was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's TFH Fund.     

A new chromosome race ofSorex araneus L. from Northern Poland

Summary G-band patterns were studied in the chromosomes of two Polish populations of the common shrew. Two chromosome races were established in Poland, differing by various combinations of chromosome arms.     

The origin of the brown frogs with 2n=24 chromosomes

Late replication and C-banding analyses of somatic metaphase chromosomes were attempted on three species of brown frogs with 2n=26 chromosomes (Rana japonica, R. tsushimensis andR. temporaria), and three with 2n=24 chromosomes (R. ornativentris, R. dybowskii andR. chensinensis), which are distributed in the Palearctic region. The late replication banding patterns were highly conserved in these species. Four chromosome inversions were demonstrated inR. ornativentris, two inR. dybowskii and two inR. tsushimensis. From a detailed comparison of late replication and C-banding patterns between the 2n=26 and the 2n=24 species, it was found that an end-to-end fusion of two small chromosomes (nos 11 and 13) in an ancestral 2n=26 species may have produced the medium-sized no. 6 chromosome of the 2n=24 species.     

Chromosomal evolution and zoogeographic origin of southeast Asian shrews (genusCrocidura)

To the origins and evolution of Indomalayan shrews, we investigated the chromosomal variations of 14 species ofCrocidura from SE Asia. Intraspecific polymorphism was mainly due to variation in the number of short chromosomal arms butC. lepidura andC. hutanis showed a polymorphism due to a centric fusion. The undifferentially stained karyotypes were similar in 9 species, all possessing 2n=38 and FN=54–56 (68);C. fuliginosa had 2n=40 and FN=54–58. These karyotypes are close to the presumed ancestral state for the genusCrocidura. Four species from Sulawesi had a reduced diploid number (2n=30–34), a trend not observed among other SE Asian species but present in few Palaearctic taxa. Compared to the apparent stasis of karyotypic evolution observed among other SE Asian species, the high degree of interspecific differences reported among Sulawesian shrews is unusual and needs further investigation.Stasis and reduction in diploid number found in both Indomalayan and Palaearctic species suggest that these two groups share a common ancestry. This is in sharp contrast to most Afrotropical species which evolved towards higher diploid and fundamental numbers. The zoogeographical implications of these results are discussed.     

Double cone mosaic pattern in the retina of larval and adult piranha,Serrasalmus spilopleura

The mosaic pattern of double cones of retinas in larval and adult piranha,Serrasalmus spilopleura, was examined. Samples from two habitats in the same reservoir, characterized by different light conditions, were examined. The same square pattern was found in all sampled retinas indicating that, for this species, there is no apparent relation between the patterns of double cone arrangement and environmental luminosity.     

Chromosomal findings on eight species of EuropeanCryptocephalus

Summary Chromosome studies on 8 species of EuropeanCryptocephalus; C. aureolus Suffr.,C. capucinus Suffr.,C. globicollis Suffr.,C. hypochoeridis L.,C. moraei L.,C. rugicollis Ol.,C. sexpustulatus Vill., andC. violaceus Laich. have shown an identical karyotypic formula, 14^II+Xy_r, 2n=30. Most species ofCryptocephalus share 2n=30 chromosomes. The only interspecific differences are in the size of bivalents and in the sex-determining systems. The chromosomal interrelationships ofCryptocephalus with other allied groups are also discussed.     

A chromosome study ofScarites occidentalis (Coleoptera,Caraboidea)

Summary Scarites occidentalis has 2n=41 (females 2n=42), n=19+X₁X₂Y. This multiple sex-chromosome system and other karyotypic characteristics suggest that this species andS. buparius share a recent common ancestor in which the sex trivalent was probably originated.Thanks are due to Dr N. Virkki for his valuable comments and his help with the English, to Dr Ramos and Dr Aparicio for discussion and advice, to Dr F. Hiraldo and M. Mañez for collecting the specimens. This work has been supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.     

Fluorescence replication banding of frog chromosomes

To identify individual chromosomes of a frog karyotype by their fluorescence banding patterns, chromosomes were stained with actinomycin D and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) after incorporation of BrdU during the late S-phase. The chromosomes of three Rana species which were selected for this study (R. ridibunda, R. lessonae and R. japonica) showed well-defined late replication bands. The fluorescence patterns obtained were the reverse of those produced by a 4Na-EDTA Giemsa-staining technique. Fluorescence patterns of the two water frog species (R. ridibunda and R. lessonae) were similar to each other, except for the different fluorescence of the centromeric heterochromatin, which gave extremely bright signals in R. ridibunda but no signal in R. lessonae. Experiments also showed differences between the fluorescence patterns of R. lessonae chromosome 13 in the Italian and Luxembourgian populations. These results sho w that the fluorescence replication banding using actinomycin D and DAPI is very effective in identifying individual frog chromosomes and detecting their structural changes. Received 7 June 1996; received after revision 23 July 1996; accepted 21 August 1996     

The chromosomes of four species of Falconiformes

Summary Leucocyte cultures were used in four species of Falconiformes for the purpose of karyotypic sex determination and the establishment of a breeding pair. The Andean condor has 80 Guiana eagle 54, Crane hawk 66, and Turkey vulture 76 chromosomes with readily distinguished ZW elements in the female.Our cordial thanks are extended toA. Risser, Ph. D. Assistant Curator of Birds, San Diego Zoo;Warren Thomas, D.V.M., Director, Los Angeles Zoo for their cooperation and assistance in the collection of blood samples for chromosome study. We are also grateful toK. Benirschke, M.D., Director of Research, San Diego Zoo for his kind assistance.     

HDAC2 and TXNL1 distinguish aneuploid from diploid colorectal cancers

DNA aneuploidy has been identified as a prognostic factor for epithelial malignancies. Further understanding of the translation of DNA aneuploidy into protein expression will help to define novel biomarkers to improve therapies and prognosis. DNA ploidy was assessed by image cytometry. Comparison of gel-electrophoresis-based protein expression patterns of three diploid and four aneuploid colorectal cancer cell lines detected 64 ploidy-associated proteins. Proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and subjected to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis resulting in two overlapping high-ranked networks maintaining Cellular Assembly and Organization, Cell Cycle, and Cellular Growth and Proliferation. CAPZA1, TXNL1, and HDAC2 were significantly validated by Western blotting in cell lines and the latter two showed expression differences also in clinical samples using a tissue microarray of normal mucosa (n?=?19), diploid (n?=?31), and aneuploid (n?=?47) carcinomas. The results suggest that distinct protein expression patterns, affecting TXNL1 and HDAC2, distinguish aneuploid with poor prognosis from diploid colorectal cancers.     

Sound communication inNezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Further evidence that signal transmission is substrate-borne

We investigated the sound communication associated with mating inNezara viridula (L.) to clarify conflicting reports on the medium through which acoustic signals are borne. Recordings made from virgin pairs ofN. viridula during precopulatory and compulatory behaviour have revealed that signals transmitted as vibrations through the substrate are a more likely means of communication than signals transmitted by a radiation of sound pressure waves through the air (at least in Australian populations). We present evidence (additional to that already in the literature) that air-borne acoustics are an unlikely mechanism of sexual communication in this species. Specifically, the recorded pulse train patterns showed no consistency or repeatability in relation to different stages of mating behaviour. In contrast, frequency spectrograms of substrate-borne signals reveal repeatable patterns that do correspond with the stage of mating behaviour.     

Catestatin, an endogenous Chromogranin A-derived peptide, inhibits in vitro growth of Plasmodium falciparum

Catestatin, an endogenous peptide derived from bovine chromogranin A, and its active domain cateslytin display powerful antimicrobial activities. We have tested the activities of catestatin and other related peptides on the growth of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Catestatin inhibits growth of the chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum 3D7, exhibiting 88% inhibition at 20 μM. A similar partial inhibition of parasite growth was observed for the chloroquine-resistant strain, 7G8 (64%,) and the multidrug-resistant strain, W2 (62%). In the presence of parasite-specific lactate dehydrogenase, a specific protein–protein interaction between catestatin and plasmepsin II precursor was demonstrated. In addition, catestatin partially inhibited the parasite-specific proteases plasmepsin in vitro. A specific interaction between catestatin and plasmepsins II and IV from P. falciparum and plasmepsin IV from the three remaining species of Plasmodium known to infect man was observed, suggesting a catestatin-induced reduction in availability of nutrients for protein synthesis in the parasite.     

Cytogenetic studies of Hynobiidae (Urodela). IX. Karyological characteristics ofHynobius abei Sato by means of R-and C-banding

Summary Chromosomal characteristics of the salamander speciesHynobius abei, from Ohimya (Kyoto) were revealed by the techniques of R-and C-banding. The karyotype ofH. abei was characterized by the shortness of an R-negative (C-positive) band in the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome 2 and a band encompassing the whole short arm of chromosome 10. These two bands inH. abei were the shortest among those of the variousHynobius species that have been examined. Otherwise no differences could be detected betweenH. abei and seven other pond-type species ofHynobius (2n=56) in terms of the banding patterns of 18 specifically identifiable pairs of their chromosomes.     

Pseudomonic acid derivatives from a marine bacterium

The spongeDarwinella rosacea was found to harbor a host of marine microorganisms. One of these bacteria was identified as a marineAlteromonas species. The organic extract of this bacterium was antimicrobial, and the activity was traced to two novel pseudomonic acid derivatives1 and7. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by interpretation of the spectral data and extensive use of 2-dimensional NMR techniques and NOE studies on the parent compounds and the acetate derivatives2 and8.     

Plotinus’s conception of unity and multiplicity as the root to the medieval distinction between lux and lumen

Plotinus resolved the paradox of the immanent transcendence, characterizing the relation between the One and the universe, through his theory of the two energeiai. According to this doctrine, all existents have an internal activity and an external activity: the internal activity comprises the true essence and substance of each being; the external activity is emitted outwards as its image. The source of the emission is thus present in the lower layer of being by virtue of its manifold images. The prominence given to light in elucidating this solution led to a distinction between two types of lights: an original light, corresponding to the internal energeia of every existent, and a secondary light, which is the outflow and image of the first light, existing outside of the luminous body.This paper demonstrates the striking similarity between these two Plotinian lights and the concepts of lux and lumen developed by two thirteenth-century philosophers: Robert Grosseteste and Albertus Magnus. Moreover, the paper contends that the purpose of these two medieval concepts of light was identical to what Plotinus had in mind when he first made the distinction: to account for the relation between the one and the many.     

The variability of patterns of sexual dimorphism in the hominoid skull

Summary Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses are applied to a number of cranial dimensions and angles from living hominoids in order to investigate the patterns of sexual dimorphism in these groups. Clear differences in patterns of cranial sexual dimorphisms are demonstrated not only between genera but also within a single species (Homo). These differences overlay the common finding of a sexual size difference in all groups. The results imply that caution is required in using the sexual dimorphisms of living hominoids as models for those anticipated in fossils.     

Die Bedeutung des Serumeiweissbildes zur Diagnose vonBufo calamita Laur.,Bufo viridis Laur. und deren Bastarden (Amphibia,Anura, Bufonidae)

Summary Electrophoretic investigations of the serum protein patterns of natterjacks (Bufo calamita Laur.) from the Iberian Peninsula and from Western and Central Europe, and of green toads (Bufo viridis Laur.) from Central Europa, Asia Minor and North Africa show that the two species differ disctinctly in the position of their albumin fractions. The identification of problematic specimens can result from the production of mixed serum with specimens of both species. As the albumin fraction of hybrids is doubled according to this method, it is also suitable for demonstrating the existence of such hybrids in natural populations.     

Differential evolution of signal-responsive RNA elements and upstream factors that control alternative splicing

Cell signal-regulated alternative splicing occurs for many genes but the evolutionary origin of the regulatory components and their relationship remain unclear. This review focuses on the alternative splicing components of several systems based on the available bioinformatics data. Eight mammalian RNA elements for signal-regulated splicing were aligned among corresponding sequences from dozens of representative vertebrate species to allow for assessment of the trends in evolutionary changes. Four distinct trends were observed. Four of the elements are highly conserved in bird, reptile and fish species examined (i); two elements can be found in fish but the sequences have been changing till in marsupials or higher mammals (ii); one element is almost exclusively found in mammals with mostly the same sequence (iii); and one element can be found in birds or lower vertebrates but expanded abruptly to have variable numbers of copies in mammals (iv). All examined prototype trans-acting factors and protein kinases emerged earlier than the RNA elements but additional (paralog) factors emerged in the same or later species. Thus, after their emergence mainly in fish or mammals with pre-existing prototype trans-acting factors/kinases, half of the elements have been highly conserved from fish to humans but the other half have evolved differentially with additional trans-acting factors. Their differential evolution likely contributes to the exon- and species/class-specific control of alternative splicing and its regulation by cell signals. The evolvement of a group of mammal-specific components would help relay signals from extracellular stimuli to the splicing machinery and thus contribute to higher proteomic diversity.