A new species of Kurixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from northern Vietnam with comments on the biogeography of the genus

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of rhacophorid frogs from Nghe An Province in northern Vietnam based on morphological and molecular evidences. Morphologically, Kurixalus gracilloides sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following diagnostic characters: body size small (snout–vent length 27.9–31.2 mm in males); head width subequal to head length; snout rounded with no dermal projection; canthus rostralis distinct, curved; vomerine teeth present; single internal vocal sac; iris golden-brown; small nuptial pad in finger I; dorsal surfaces golden-brown with a saddle-shaped dark marking; large dark spots on ventral surfaces absent; dermal fringes along outer edge of limbs; conical dermal appendage at the heel; skin on dorsum rough; skin on throat and chest granular; finger webbing rudimentary and toe webbing moderately developed, webbing formula I 2–2½ II 1½–3 III 1¾–3½ IV 3–1½ V. The new species is separated from all other congeners by uncorrected genetic distances ranging from 5.4% to 12.7% based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA suggest that the new species is nested within a clade of Taiwanese and Yunnan Kurixalus with strong support values. The new species is currently known only from secondary bamboo forest in Pu Mat National Park, northern Vietnam, at elevations of 150 m asl. We suggest the new species should be considered as Near Threatened (NT) following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C1BF843F-2F31-4CED-B1F9-13A9035C77C9     

Systematic identification of genomic markers of drug sensitivity in cancer cells

Clinical responses to anticancer therapies are often restricted to a subset of patients. In some cases, mutated cancer genes are potent biomarkers for responses to targeted agents. Here, to uncover new biomarkers of sensitivity and resistance to cancer therapeutics, we screened a panel of several hundred cancer cell lines--which represent much of the tissue-type and genetic diversity of human cancers--with 130 drugs under clinical and preclinical investigation. In aggregate, we found that mutated cancer genes were associated with cellular response to most currently available cancer drugs. Classic oncogene addiction paradigms were modified by additional tissue-specific or expression biomarkers, and some frequently mutated genes were associated with sensitivity to a broad range of therapeutic agents. Unexpected relationships were revealed, including the marked sensitivity of Ewing's sarcoma cells harbouring the EWS (also known as EWSR1)-FLI1 gene translocation to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. By linking drug activity to the functional complexity of cancer genomes, systematic pharmacogenomic profiling in cancer cell lines provides a powerful biomarker discovery platform to guide rational cancer therapeutic strategies.     

Domain structure and function of matrix metalloprotease 23 (MMP23): role in potassium channel trafficking

MMP23 is a member of the matrix metalloprotease family of zinc- and calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which are involved in a wide variety of cellular functions. Its catalytic domain displays a high degree of structural homology with those of other metalloproteases, but its atypical domain architecture suggests that it may possess unique functional properties. The N-terminal MMP23 pro-domain contains a type-II transmembrane domain that anchors the protein to the plasma membrane and lacks the cysteine-switch motif that is required to maintain other MMPs in a latent state during passage to the cell surface. Instead of the C-terminal hemopexin domain common to other MMPs, MMP23 contains a small toxin-like domain (TxD) and an immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecule (IgCAM) domain. The MMP23 pro-domain can trap Kv1.3 but not closely-related Kv1.2 channels in the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing their passage to the cell surface, while the TxD can bind to the channel pore and block the passage of potassium ions. The MMP23 C-terminal IgCAM domain displays some similarity to Ig-like C2-type domains found in IgCAMs of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which are known to mediate protein–protein and protein–lipid interactions. MMP23 and Kv1.3 are co-expressed in a variety of tissues and together are implicated in diseases including cancer and inflammatory disorders. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of action of this unique member of the MMP family.     

TPX2: of spindle assembly,DNA damage response,and cancer

For more than 15 years, TPX2 has been studied as a factor critical for mitosis and spindle assembly. These functions of TPX2 are attributed to its Ran-regulated microtubule-associated protein properties and to its control of the Aurora A kinase. Overexpressed in cancers, TPX2 is being established as marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of malignancies. During interphase, TPX2 resides preferentially in the nucleus where its function had remained elusive until recently. The latest finding that TPX2 plays a role in amplification of the DNA damage response, combined with the characterization of TPX2 knockout mice, open new perspectives to understand the biology of this protein. This review provides an historic overview of the discovery of TPX2 and summarizes its cytoskeletal and signaling roles with relevance to cancer therapies. Finally, the review aims to reconcile discrepancies between the experimental and pathological effects of TPX2 overexpression and advances new roles for compartmentalized TPX2.     

麻栗坡半蒴苣苔:越南苦苣苔科植物国家级分布新记录

麻栗坡半蒴苣苔Hemiboea malipoensis Y.H. Tan是最近才得以被描述的、原产自中国云南麻栗坡县的苦苣苔科新种,最近在越南北部河江省(Ha Giang Province)的全坝区(Quan Ba District)也发现了该种。该新记录种的凭证标本保存在越南生态与生物资源研究所标本馆(HN)和俄罗斯科马罗夫植物研究所(LE)。本文亦同时提供了本种的详细形态描述、彩色图片、物候、生态学、保育现状等信息和目前越南已知的半蒴苣苔属植物的检索表。     

On the Edge of Web-Based Multiple Sequence Alignment Services

There are many web-based multiple sequence alignment services accessible around the world. However, many researchers working on biological sequence analysis still struggle with inefficient, unfriendly user interface, and limited capability multiple sequence alignment software. In this study, we provide a comprehensive survey of regional and continental facilities that provide web-based alignment services. We also analyze and identify much needed services that are not available through these existing service providers. We then implement a web-based model to address these needs. From that perspective, our web-based multiple sequence alignment server, SeqAna, provides a unique set of services that none of these studied facilities have. For example, SeqAna provides a multiple sequence alignment scoring and ranking service. This service, the only of its kind, allows SeqAna’s users to perform multiple sequence alignment with several alignment tools and rank the results of these alignments in the order of quality. With this service, SeqAna’s users will be able to identify which alignment tools are more appropriate for their specific set of sequences. In addition, SeqAna’s users can customize a small alignment sample as a reference for SeqAna to automatically identify the best tool to align their large set of sequences.     

Dosage compensation of the active X chromosome in mammals

Monosomy of the X chromosome owing to divergence between the sex chromosomes leads to dosage compensation mechanisms to restore balanced expression between the X and the autosomes. In Drosophila melanogaster, upregulation of the male X leads to dosage compensation. It has been hypothesized that mammals likewise upregulate their active X chromosome. Together with X inactivation, this mechanism would maintain balanced expression between the X chromosome and autosomes and between the sexes. Here, we show that doubling of the global expression level of the X chromosome leads to dosage compensation in somatic tissues from several mammalian species. X-linked genes are highly expressed in brain tissues, consistent with a role in cognitive functions. Furthermore, the X chromosome is expressed but not upregulated in spermatids and secondary oocytes, preserving balanced expression of the genome in these haploid cells. Upon fertilization, upregulation of the active X must occur to achieve the observed dosage compensation in early embryos.     

A second species of the genus Vietnamorpha Golovatch, 1984 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) and notes on the generic relationship

A second Vietnamorpha species is described from Pu Mat National Park, north-central Vietnam. The new species is distinguished by the gonopod femorite being erect and cylindrically elongate; and the solenomere being completely sheathed by the solenophore, and being only exposed at the tip. The relationship between Vietnamorpha and several sulciferinine genera was analysed using a combination of a mitochondrial gene (16S rRNA) and two nuclear genes (18S and 28S rRNA). The genus Vietnamorpha is more closely related to the genus Anoplodesmus than to other sulciferinine genera.

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