Life Sciences Commons^™

Rudra Interrupts Receptor Signaling Complexes To Negatively Regulate The Imd Pathway, Kamna Aggarwal, Florentina Rus, Christie Vriesema-Magnuson, Deniz Erturk Hasdemir, Nicholas Paquette, Neal S. Silverman

Neal Silverman

Insects rely primarily on innate immune responses to fight pathogens. In Drosophila, antimicrobial peptides are key contributors to host defense. Antimicrobial peptide gene expression is regulated by the IMD and Toll pathways. Bacterial peptidoglycans trigger these pathways, through recognition by peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs). DAP-type peptidoglycan triggers the IMD pathway via PGRP-LC and PGRP-LE, while lysine-type peptidoglycan is an agonist for the Toll pathway through PGRP-SA and PGRP-SD. Recent work has shown that the intensity and duration of the immune responses initiating with these receptors is tightly regulated at multiple levels, by a series of negative regulators. Through two-hybrid screening …

Fighting Infection Fly-Style, Louisa Wu, Neal S. Silverman

Neal Silverman

No abstract provided.

Nf-Kappab Signaling Pathways In Mammalian And Insect Innate Immunity, Neal S. Silverman, Tom Maniatis

Neal Silverman

In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the signaling pathways in mammalian and Drosophila innate immunity, with emphasis on the mechanisms by which NF-kappaB/Rel family proteins are activated.

Hormonal Regulation Of The Humoral Innate Immune Response In Drosophila Melanogaster, Thomas Flatt, Andreas Heyland, Florentina Rus, Ermelinda Porpiglia, Chris Sherlock, Rochele Yamamoto, Alina Garbuzov, Subba R. Palli, Marc Tatar, Neal S. Silverman

Neal Silverman

Juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxy-ecdysone (20E) are highly versatile hormones, coordinating development, growth, reproduction and aging in insects. Pulses of 20E provide key signals for initiating developmental and physiological transitions, while JH promotes or inhibits these signals in a stage-specific manner. Previous evidence suggests that JH and 20E might modulate innate immunity, but whether and how these hormones interact to regulate the immune response remains unclear. Here we show that JH and 20E have antagonistic effects on the induction of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes in Drosophila melanogaster. 20E pretreatment of Schneider S2 cells promoted the robust induction of AMP genes, …

Consent To The Use Of Stored Dna For Genetics Research: A Survey Of Attitudes In The Jewish Population, Marc D. Schwartz, Karen H. Rothenberg, Linda Joseph, Judith Benkendorf, Caryn Lerman

Karen H. Rothenberg

No abstract provided.

Judging Genes: Implications Of The Second Generation Of Genetic Tests In The Courtroom, Diane E. Hoffmann, Karen H. Rothenberg

Karen H. Rothenberg

The use of DNA tests for identification has revolutionized court proceedings in criminal and paternity cases. Now, requests by litigants to admit or compel a second generation of genetic tests – tests to confirm or predict genetic diseases and conditions – threaten to affect judicial decision-making in many more contexts. Unlike DNA tests for identification, these second generation tests may provide highly personal health and behavioral information about individuals and their relatives and will pose new challenges for trial court judges. This article reports on an original empirical study of how judges analyze these requests and uses the study results …

Social Implications Of Genetic Testing, Karen H. Rothenberg

Karen H. Rothenberg

This paper examines the social implications of predictive genetic testing and its impact on the insurance industry. Although the Human Genome Project has the potential to improve the health of our nation, it also may serve as a means of highlighting genetic differences among individuals and ethnic groups. Thus, if we are to reach the full promise of the Project, society must address the public's fears of genetic discrimination in insurance and employment context. Following an analysis of state and federal legislation on genetic privacy and discrimination, the paper concludes with a challenge to the insurance industry to work with …

Genetic Information And The Workplace: Legislative Approaches And Policy Challenges, Karen H. Rothenberg, Barbara Fuller, Mark Rothstein, Troy Duster, Mary Jo Ellis Kahn, Rita Cunningham, Beth Fine, Kathy Hudson, Mary-Claire King, Patricia Murphy, Gary Swergold, Francis Collins

Karen H. Rothenberg

No abstract provided.

The Scarlet Gene: Behavioral Genetics, Criminal Law, And Racial And Ethnic Stigma, Karen H. Rothenberg, Alice Wang

Karen H. Rothenberg

Imagine that a scientist from the state university asks you and your family to participate in a study on a particular gene variant associated with alcoholism. The project focuses on your ethnic group, the Tracy Islanders, who have a higher incidence of alcoholism, as well as a higher incidence of the gene variant, than the general population. You will not be informed whether you have the gene variant, but your participation in the study might help scientists develop drugs to help individuals control their addiction to alcohol. You have a family history of alcoholism, and you are concerned that your …

When Should Judges Admit Or Compel Genetic Tests?, Diane E. Hoffmann, Karen H. Rothenberg

Karen H. Rothenberg

No abstract provided.

Cancer Genetic Susceptibility Testing: Ethical And Policy Implications For Future Research And Clinical Practice, Benjamin S. Wilfond, Karen H. Rothenberg, Elizabeth J. Thomson, Caryn Lerman

Karen H. Rothenberg

No abstract provided.

Toward A Framework Of Mutualism: The Jewish Community In Genetics Research, Karen H. Rothenberg, Amy B. Rutkin

Karen H. Rothenberg

No abstract provided.

Role Of A Conserved Glutamate Residue In The Escherichia Coli Seca Atpase Mechanism, Don Oliver

Don Oliver

Escherichia coli SecA uses ATP to drive the transport of proteins across cell membranes. Glutamate 210 in the "DEVD" Walker B motif of the SecA ATP-binding site has been proposed as the catalytic base for ATP hydrolysis (Hunt, J. F., Weinkauf, S., Henry, L., Fak, J. J., McNicholas, P., Oliver, D. B., and Deisenhofer, J. (2002) Science 297, 2018-2026). Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that mutation of glutamate 210 to aspartate results in a 90-fold reduction of the ATP hydrolysis rate compared with wild type SecA, 0.3 s(-1) versus 27 s(-1), respectively. SecA-E210D also releases ADP at a slower …

Dimeric Seca Is Essential For Protein Translocation, Don Oliver

Don Oliver

SecA facilitates bacterial protein translocation by its association with presecretory or membrane proteins and the SecYEG translocon channel. Once assembled, SecA ATPase undergoes cycles of membrane insertion and retraction at SecYEG that drive protein translocation in a stepwise fashion. SecA exists in equilibrium between a monomer and dimer, and association with its translocation ligands shifts this equilibrium dramatically. Here, we examined the proposal that protein translocation can occur by means of a SecA monomer. We produced a mutant SecA protein lacking residues 2-11, which was found to exist mostly as a monomer, and it was unable to complement a conditional-lethal …

Varriation Of Growth Rates In Yellow-Bellied Marmots, Carmen M. Salsbury, K. B. Armitage

Carmen M. Salsbury

Growth rates of yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) populations over a 32-year period (1965 -1996) varied Significantly with sex, age, location, and year. Overall, males had higher growth rates than females and young and yearlings generally had higher growth rates compared to adults at all locations. The locations varied with respect to elevation and the relationship between elevation and growth rate was complex and likely weather dependent. Low rainfall in late summer was often associated with low growth rates at high elevations where the active season is constrained and delayed by late spring snowmelt compared to low elevations. Growth rates and …

Varriation Of Growth Rates In Yellow-Bellied Marmots, Carmen M. Salsbury, K. B. Armitage

Carmen M. Salsbury

Growth rates of yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) populations over a 32-year period (1965 -1996) varied Significantly with sex, age, location, and year. Overall, males had higher growth rates than females and young and yearlings generally had higher growth rates compared to adults at all locations. The locations varied with respect to elevation and the relationship between elevation and growth rate was complex and likely weather dependent. Low rainfall in late summer was often associated with low growth rates at high elevations where the active season is constrained and delayed by late spring snowmelt compared to low elevations. Growth rates and …

Emerging Role Of Micrornas In Liver Diseases, Shashi Bala, Miguel Marcos, Gyongyi Szabo

Gyongyi Szabo

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are found in plants, animals, and some viruses. They modulate the gene function at the post-transcriptional level and act as a fine tuner of various processes, such as development, proliferation, cell signaling, and apoptosis. They are associated with different types and stages of cancer. Recent studies have shown the involvement of microRNAs in liver diseases caused by various factors, such as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, metabolic disorders, and by drug abuse. This review highlights the role of microRNAs in liver diseases and their potential use as therapeutic molecules.

Reexamination Of The Role Of The Amino Terminus Of Seca In Promoting Its Dimerization And Functional State, Don Oliver

Don Oliver

No abstract provided.

Seca Dimer Cross-Linked At Its Subunit Interface Is Functional For Protein Translocation, Don Oliver

Don Oliver

SecA facilitates protein transport across the eubacterial plasma membrane by its association with cargo proteins and the SecYEG translocon, followed by ATP-driven conformational changes that promote protein translocation in a stepwise manner. Whether SecA functions as a monomer or a dimer during this process has been the subject of considerable controversy. Here we utilize cysteine-directed mutagenesis along with the crystal structure of the SecA dimer to create a cross-linked dimer at its subunit interface, which was normally active for in vitro protein translocation.

In Vivo Membrane Topology Of Escherichia Coli Seca Atpase Reveals Extensive Periplasmic Exposure Of Multiple Functionally Important Domains Clustering On One Face Of Seca, Don Oliver

Don Oliver

No abstract provided.

Applications Of Natural Products In The Control Of Mosquito-Transmitted Diseases, Jesse A. Hardin, Fatimah Linda Collier Jackson

Fatimah Linda Collier Jackson

The Behavioral And Pharmacological Actions Of Nmda Receptor Antagonism Are Conserved In Zebrafish Larvae, John Chen, Roshni Patel, Theodore C. Friedman, Kevin S. Jones

Kevin Jones

Francisella Tularensis Type A Strains Cause The Rapid Encystment Of Acanthamoeba Castellanii And Survive In Amoebal Cysts For Three Weeks Postinfection, Jeffrey J. Margolis, Sahar H. El-Etr, Denise Monack, Richard A. Robinson, Marissa Cohen, Emily Moore, Amy Rasley

Jeffrey Margolis

Modeling In Microbial Batch Culture And Its Parameter Identification, Zhaohua Gong, Chongyang Liu, Enmin Feng

Chongyang Liu

In this paper, the nonlinear dynamical system of batch fermentation is investigated in the bioconversion of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol(1,3-PD) by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Taking account of the kinetic behavior and experimental results in the batch cultures, we propose a two-stage dynamical system to formulate the fermentation process. Then some properties of the proposed system are proved. In view of the big errors between observations and numerical simulation results, we subsequently establish a parameter identification model to identify parameters in the system. The identifiability of the model is also discussed. Finally, in order to find the optimal parameters of the identification model, …

Using Plant Functional Attributes To Quantify Site Productivity And Growth Patterns In Mixed Forests, Jerome K. Vanclay, A N. Gillison, Rod J. Keenan

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Forest growth models are one of several important prerequisites for sustainable management. The complexity of tropical moist forest means that there is often little objective information to classify sites and species for growth modelling and yield prediction. Classification based on observable morphological characteristics may be a useful surrogate for, or supplement to other alternatives. This study investigated the utility of plant functional attributes (PFAs) for site and species classification. PFAs describe a plant in terms of its photosynthetic and vascular support system, and the sum of individual PFAs for all species on a plot provides an efficient summary of vegetation …

Mixed Species Plantations: Prospects And Challenges, J Doland Nichols, Mila Bristow, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

About 2% of English-language literature on plantations deals with mixed-species plantations, but only a tiny proportion (<0.1%) of industrial plantations are polycultures. Small landholders are more innovative, with 12% of Australia’s farm forestry plantations under mixed-species plantings, and 80% of Queensland’s farm forestry as polycultures. We examine reasons for this discrepancy, and explore the history, silviculture and economics of polycultures. Financial analyses suggest that a yield stimulus of 10%, depending on product and rotation length, may be sufficient to offset increased costs associated with planting and managing a mixed-species plantation, a stimulus that has been demonstrated in many field …

Improving Productivity In Mixed-Species Plantations, Mila Bristow, J Doland Nichols, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Mixed species plantations are often promoted as being environmentally preferable to monocultures, but are rarely considered operationally viable by commercial forest growers. Despite many publications documenting benefits demonstrated in research studies (e.g., Kelty 2006; Forrester et al. 2006b; Wood and Vanclay 1995), and despite continuing calls from a wide range of advocates for mixed-species plantations, polyculture remains the exception rather than the rule in industrial plantation forestry (Nichols et al 2006)...

Calibrating The Self-Thinning Frontier, Jerome K. Vanclay, Peter J. Sands

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Calibration of the self-thinning frontier in even-aged monocultures is hampered by scarce data and by subjective decisions about the proximity of data to the frontier. We present a simple model that applies to observations of the full trajectory of stand mean diameter across a range of densities not necessarily close to the frontier. Development of the model is based on a consideration of the slope s = ln(Nt/Nt−1)/ln(Dt/Dt−1) of a log-transformed plot of stocking Nt and mean stem diameter Dt at time t. This avoids the need for subjective decisions about limiting density and allows the use of abundant data …

Lessons From The Queensland Rainforests: Steps Towards Sustainability, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Commercial timber harvesting commenced in the tropical rainforests of north Queensland in 1873 and ceased in 1988 following their inclusion on the World Heritage List. The evolution of forest policy, management and research is reviewed, and strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. Between 1950-85, eight estimates of the sustainable yield varied ten-fold. Discrepancies were due to different assumptions regarding management, and to errors in estimating net productive areas and growth rates. During 1950-85, the allowable cut (130,000-207,000 m3/ann) exceeded sustained yield estimates (60,000-180,000 m3/ann), but the actual harvest (90,000-205,000 m3/ann) remained less than the allowable cut. The allowable cut was reduced …

Bias In The Journal Impact Factor, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

The ISI journal impact factor (JIF) is based on a sample that may represent half the whole-of-life citations to some journals, but a small fraction (<10%) of the citations accruing to other journals. This disproportionate sampling means that the JIF provides a misleading indication of the true impact of journals, biased in favour of journals that have a rapid rather than a prolonged impact. Many journals exhibit a consistent pattern of citation accrual from year to year, so it may be possible to adjust the JIF to provide a more reliable indication of a journal’s impact.