| 1. |
- Sigvald, Roland, et al.
(author)
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Molecular identification of bloodmeals and species composition in Culicoides biting midges
- 2013
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In: Medical and Veterinary Entomology. - : Wiley. - 0269-283X .- 1365-2915. ; 27, s. 104-112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Investigations of host preferences in haematophagous insects, including Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), are critical in order to assess transmission routes of vector-borne diseases. In this study, we collected and morphologically identified 164 blood-engorged Culicoides females caught in both light traps and permanent 12-m high suction traps during 20082010 in Sweden. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in the biting midges was performed to verify species classification, discern phylogenetic relationships and uncover possible cryptic species. Bloodmeal analysis using universal vertebrate cytochrome b primers revealed a clear distinction in host selection between mammalophilic and ornithophilic Culicoides species. Host sequences found matches in horse (n = 59), sheep (n = 39), cattle (n = 26), Eurasian elk (n = 1) and 10 different bird species (n = 18). We identified 15 Culicoides species previously recorded in Scandinavia and four additional species haplotypes that were distinctly different from the described species. All ornithophilic individuals (n = 23) were caught exclusively in the suction traps, as were, interestingly, almost all mammalophilic species (n = 41), indicating that many biting midge species may be able to cover long distances after completing a bloodmeal. These results add new information on the composition of Culicoides species and their host preferences and their potential long-distance dispersal while blood-engorged.
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| 2. |
- Kalbina, Irina, et al.
(author)
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Two separate UV-B radiation wavelength regions control expression of different molecular markers in Arabidopsis thaliana
- 2008
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In: Functional Plant Biology. - Collinwood VIC : CSIRO. - 1445-4408 .- 1445-4416. ; 35:3, s. 222-227
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fluence-response curves were obtained at nine wavelengths in the interval 280-360 nm for mRNA transcripts of four molecular markers induced by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation in Arabidopsis thaliana: CHS (encoding chalcone synthase), PDX1.3 (encoding an enzyme involved in formation of pyridoxine), MEB5.2 (encoding a protein with unknown function but which is strongly up-regulated by UV-B), and LHCB1*3 (encoding a chlorophyll a/b binding protein). Intact Arabidopsis plants were irradiated for 3h using a high intensity deuterium radiation source and narrow bandwith filters (Kalbin et al. 2005, J. Biochem. Biophys. Meth. 65, 1-12) without supplementary PAR. The results obtained suggest the existence of two distinct UV-B signal responses: one sensitive between 300 and 310 nm and the other sensitive around 280-290 nm. Among the investigated molecular markers, CHS and PDX1.3 were regulated through the chromophore absorbing around 300 nm, whereas MEB5.2 and LHCB1*3 were regulated through the chromophore absorbing at 280-290 nm. The results obtained show that at least two signal transduction pathways exist that regulate gene expression as a result of absorption of UV-B radiation in plants.
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| 3. |
- Kuktaite, Ramune, et al.
(author)
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Structure and Morphology of Wheat Gluten Films : From Polymeric Protein Aggregates toward Superstructure Arrangements
- 2011
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In: Biomacromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1525-7797 .- 1526-4602. ; 12:5, s. 1438-1448
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Evaluation of structure and morphology of extruded wheat gluten (WG) films showed WG protein assemblies elucidated on a range of length scales from nano (4.4 angstrom and 9 to 10 angstrom, up to 70 angstrom) to micro (10 mu m). The presence of NaOH in WG films induced a tetragonal structure with unit cell parameters, a = 51.85 angstrom and c = 40.65 angstrom, whereas NH4OH resulted in a bidimensional hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure with a lattice parameter of 70 angstrom. In the WG films with NH4OH, a highly polymerized protein pattern with intimately mixed glutenins and gliadins bounded through SH/SS interchange reactions was found. A large content of beta-sheet structures was also found in these films, and the film structure was oriented in the extrusion direction. In conclusion, this study highlights complexities of the supramolecular structures and conformations of wheat gluten polymeric proteins in biofilms not previously reported for biobased materials.
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| 4. |
- Johansson, Renzo, et al.
(author)
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Structural Mechanism of Allosteric Activity Regulation in a Ribonucleotide Reductase with Double ATP Cones
- 2016
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In: Structure. - : Elsevier BV. - 0969-2126 .- 1878-4186. ; 24:6, s. 906-917
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) reduce ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. Their overall activity is stimulated by ATP and downregulated by dATP via a genetically mobile ATP cone domain mediating the formation of oligomeric complexes with varying quaternary structures. The crystal structure and solution X-ray scattering data of a novel dATP-induced homotetramer of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa class I RNR reveal the structural bases for its unique properties, namely one ATP cone that binds two dATP molecules and a second one that is non-functional, binding no nucleotides. Mutations in the observed tetramer interface ablate oligomerization and dATP-induced inhibition but not the ability to bind dATP. Sequence analysis shows that the novel type of ATP cone may be widespread in RNRs. The present study supports a scenario in which diverse mechanisms for allosteric activity regulation are gained and lost through acquisition and evolutionary erosion of different types of ATP cone.
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| 5. |
- Ferletta, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Opposing roles of integrin alpha6Abeta1 and dystroglycan in laminin-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation
- 2003
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In: Molecular Biology of the Cell. - 1059-1524 .- 1939-4586. ; 14:5, s. 2088-2103
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Laminin-integrin interactions can in some settings activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) but the control mechanisms are poorly understood. Herein, we studied ERK activation in response to two laminins isoforms (-1 and -10/11) in two epithelial cell lines. Both cell lines expressed beta1-containing integrins and dystroglycan but lacked integrin alpha6beta4. Antibody perturbation assays showed that both cell lines bound to laminin-10/11 via the alpha3beta1and alpha6beta1 integrins. Although laminin-10/11 was a stronger adhesion complex than laminin-1 for both cell lines, both laminins activated ERK in only one of the two cell lines. The ERK activation was mediated by integrin alpha6beta1 and not by alpha3beta1 or dystroglycan. Instead, we found that dystroglycan-binding domains of both laminin-1 and -10/11 suppressed integrin alpha6beta1-mediated ERK activation. Moreover, the responding cell line expressed the two integrin alpha6 splice variants, alpha6A and alpha6B, whereas the nonresponding cell line expressed only alpha6B. Furthermore, ERK activation was seen in cells transfected with the integrin alpha6A subunit, but not in alpha6B-transfected cells. We conclude that laminin-1 and -10/11 share the ability to induce ERK activation, that this is regulated by integrin alpha6Abeta1, and suggest a novel role for dystroglycan-binding laminin domains as suppressors of this activation.
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| 6. |
- Wintersparv Stervander, Martin, et al.
(author)
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Multiple instances of paraphyletic species and cryptic taxa revealed by mitochondrial and nuclear RAD data for Calandrella larks (Aves: Alaudidae)
- 2016
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In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 102, s. 233-245
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The avian genus Calandrella (larks) was recently suggested to be non-monophyletic, and was divided into two genera, of which Calandrella sensu stricto comprises 4-5 species in Eurasia and Africa. We analysed mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and nuclear Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) sequences from all species, and for cytb we studied 21 of the 22 recognised subspecies, with the aim to clarify the phylogenetic relationships within the genus and to compare large-scale nuclear sequence patterns with a widely used mitochondrial marker. Cytb indicated deep splits among the currently recognised species, although it failed to support the interrelationships among most of these. It also revealed unexpected deep divergences within C. brachydactyla, C. blanfordi/C erlangeri, C. cinerea, and C. acutirostris. It also suggested that both C. brachydactyla and C. blanfordi, as presently circumscribed, are paraphyletic. In contrast, most of the many subspecies of C brachydactyla and C. cinerea were unsupported by cytb, although two populations of C. cinerea were found to be genetically distinct. The RAD data corroborated the cytb tree (for the smaller number of taxa analysed) and recovered strongly supported interspecific relationships. However, coalescence analyses of the RAD data, analysed in SNAPP both with and without an outgroup, received equally strong support for two conflicting topologies. We suggest that the tree rooted with an outgroup - which is not recommended for SNAPP - is more trustworthy, and suggest that the reliability of analyses performed without any outgroup species should be thoroughly evaluated. We also demonstrate that degraded museum samples can be phylogenetically informative in RAD analyses following careful bioinformatic treatment. We note that the genus Calandrella is in need of taxonomic revision. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Vajda, Vivi, et al.
(author)
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Geochemical Fingerprints of Ginkgoales Across the Triassic-Jurassic Boundary of Greenland
- 2021
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In: International journal of plant sciences. - Chicago : University of Chicago Press. - 1058-5893 .- 1537-5315. ; 182:7, s. 649-662
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Premise of research. Geochemical fingerprinting of fossil plants is a relatively new research field complementing morphological analyses and providing information for paleoenvironmental interpretations. Ginkgoales contains a single extant species but was diverse through the Mesozoic and is an excellent target for biochemical analyses.Methodology. Cuticles derived from fresh and fallen autumn leaves of extant Ginkgo biloba and seven fossil gink- goalean leaf taxa, one seed fern taxon, and two taxa with bennettitalean affinity were analyzed by infrared (IR) microspec- troscopy at the D7 beamline in the MAX IV synchrotron laboratory, Sweden. The fossil material derives from Triassic and Jurassic successions of Greenland. Spectral data sets were compared and evaluated by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis performed on vector-normalized, first-derivative IR absorption spectra.Pivotal results. The IR absorption spectra of the fossil leaves all reveal signatures that clearly indicate the pres- ence of organic compounds. Spectra of the extant G. biloba leaves reveal the presence of aliphatic chains, aromatic and ester carbonyl functional groups from polymer cutin and other waxy compounds, and polysaccharides. Inter- estingly, both the extant autumn leaves and the fossil specimens reveal the presence of carboxyl/ketone molecules, suggesting that chemical alterations during the initial stages of decomposition are preserved through fossilization. Two major subclusters were identified through HCA of the fossil spectra.Conclusions. Consistent chemical IR signatures, specific for each fossil taxon are present in cuticles, and suf- ficient molecular content is preserved in key regions to reflect the plants’ original chemical signatures. The alter- ations of the organic compounds are initiated as soon as the leaves are shed, with loss of proteins and increased ester and carboxyl/ketone compound production in the fallen leaves. We further show that the groupings of taxa reflect a combination of phylogeny and environmental conditions related to the end-Triassic event.
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| 8. |
- Anderbrant, Olle, et al.
(author)
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Pheromone of the elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera Scolytidae) : stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol reduce interspecific competition
- 2010
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In: Chemoecology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-7409 .- 1423-0445. ; 20:3, s. 179-187
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stereoisomers of 4-methyl-3-heptanol (MH) are pheromone components of several Scolytus bark beetles. The elm bark beetle Scolytus laevis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) has in previous studies been caught in traps baited with commercial MH containing all four stereoisomers, but the lure has been considered a weak attractant. In this study, we addressed the question whether stereospecific responses by S. laevis to stereoisomers of MH might contribute to its niche separation from other sympatric Scolytus species. Using GC-MS, we analyzed extracts of hindguts and abdomens from male and female S. laevis and the sympatric S. triarmatus. We also tested all four MH-stereoisomers individually and in combinations in the field to determine their role for S. laevis. All four stereoisomers were synthesized via a boronic ester method with 1,2-dicyclohexylethanediol as chiral director. In addition, the (3S,4R)-stereoisomer of MH was prepared through enantioselective, lipase-mediated transesterification of a mixture of the four stereoisomers of MH. Females of both species contained small amounts of syn-MH, and males contained trace amounts of anti-MH. The anti stereoisomer (3R,4S)-MH was attractive to male and female S. laevis, whereas the syn stereoisomer (3S,4S)-MH acted as an inhibitor or deterrent and reduced the catch when added to the attractive isomer. The syn isomer is the main aggregation pheromone component of the larger and sympatric S. scolytus and possibly also of S. triarmatus. The avoidance response of S. laevis to the (3S,4S)-stereoisomer may reduce interspecific competition for host trees.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Gloriam, David E., et al.
(author)
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A Community Standard Format for the Representation of Protein Affinity Reagents
- 2010
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In: Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. - 1535-9476 .- 1535-9484. ; 9:1, s. 1-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protein affinity reagents (PARs), most commonly antibodies, are essential reagents for protein characterization in basic research, biotechnology, and diagnostics as well as the fastest growing class of therapeutics. Large numbers of PARs are available commercially; however, their quality is often uncertain. In addition, currently available PARs cover only a fraction of the human proteome, and their cost is prohibitive for proteome scale applications. This situation has triggered several initiatives involving large scale generation and validation of antibodies, for example the Swedish Human Protein Atlas and the German Antibody Factory. Antibodies targeting specific subproteomes are being pursued by members of Human Proteome Organisation (plasma and liver proteome projects) and the United States National Cancer Institute (cancer-associated antigens). ProteomeBinders, a European consortium, aims to set up a resource of consistently quality-controlled protein-binding reagents for the whole human proteome. An ultimate PAR database resource would allow consumers to visit one online warehouse and find all available affinity reagents from different providers together with documentation that facilitates easy comparison of their cost and quality. However, in contrast to, for example, nucleotide databases among which data are synchronized between the major data providers, current PAR producers, quality control centers, and commercial companies all use incompatible formats, hindering data exchange. Here we propose Proteomics Standards Initiative (PSI)-PAR as a global community standard format for the representation and exchange of protein affinity reagent data. The PSI-PAR format is maintained by the Human Proteome Organisation PSI and was developed within the context of ProteomeBinders by building on a mature proteomics standard format, PSI-molecular interaction, which is a widely accepted and established community standard for molecular interaction data. Further information and documentation are available on the PSI-PAR web site. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 9: 1-10, 2010.
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