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Myosin Isoform Heterogeneity In Single Smooth Muscle Cells, Thomas J. Eddinger, Daniel P. Meer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

We review the current understanding of the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and show that the mRNA levels of smooth muscle (SM)1 and SM2 mimic the expressed levels of SM1 and SM2 protein. The reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique has been shown to be sufficiently sensitive to examine SM-MHC expression at the single cell level. Most single smooth muscle cells isolated from adult rabbit carotid express both SM1 and SM2. However, expression of these SM-MHC isoforms at the cellular level is nonuniform and highly variable. This work provides a foundation for future investigations as to the possible unique functional characteristics …

Exploring The Structure And Function Of The Snf1 Kinase Gene In The Slime Mold Dictyostelium Discoideum, Bryan Donald Whitemarsh

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

All organisms must respond to different environmental stresses. For unicellular organisms, the most important source of stress is starvation or nutrient depletion. These microscopic life forms must respond to a constantly changing food supply in which short periods of nutrient availability are interspersed with extended periods of famine. In addition to complete starvation, these organisms are affected by other chemical changes, such as forced switching from a desirable to a less desirable carbon source, and physical changes, such as heat shock. Many microorganisms respond to such stresses by entering a different phase of their life cycle. For example, the budding …

Evolutionary Genetics Of Canyon Treefrogs (Hyla Arenicolor), Roy A. Murray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Population genetics is the study of the mechanisms that cause genetic change in populations over time. Genetic changes may lead to both adaptive evolution and speciation. While the former process is fairly well understood, many questions remain unanswered with regard to the process of speciation. How important is population isolation in the process of speciation? How long must populations be isolated before speciation is complete? Are the genetic changes that take place during speciation caused mainly by natural selection or does genetic drift play a substantial role? Can genetic drift alone lead to reproductive isolation? These types of questions have …

The Role Of Cold Acclimatization On The Biogeography Of The Mountain Chickadee (Parus Gambeli) And The Juniper Titmouse (Parus Ridgwayi), Sheldon J. Cooper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Biogeographic patterns of animals are shaped by biotic interactions, such as competition, and by abiotic factors, such as climate. Mountain Chickadees (Parus gambeli) and Juniper Titmice (Parus ridgway) are permanent residents of regions of western North America and are ecologically similar, but have different northern range limits. l measured several physiological variables, including basal metabolic rate (BMR), peak metabolic rate (PMR = maximal thermogenic capacity), metabolic response to varying environmental temperature (MRT), evaporative water loss (EWL), and daily energy expenditure (DEE) for summer-and winter-acclimatized Mountain Chickadees and Juniper Titmice to determine if seasonal and interspecific variation in cold tolerance and …

The Effect Of Temperature On Reproductive Characteristics Of An Asexually Reproducing Rotifer (Class Bdelloidea), Kurt E. Galbreath '97

Honors Projects

Most organisms exhibit sexual reproduction. Rotifers of the class Bdelloidea, however, seem to be a notable exception to this pattern. No male bdelloid individuals have ever been observed, and females apparently reproduce entirely through parthenogenesis. Sexual reproduction occurs in rotifers of the class Monogononta, and in many cases it is induced by environmental cues (e.g. temperature, diet). In this study, Philodina sp. was examined to determine if variations in temperature could induce a sexual cycle in bdelloid rotifers. Sibling individuals (clones) were raised with equal amounts of food at 20°C and 30°C. Newly hatched offspring produced by these individuals were …

Structure Of Rgs4 Bound To Alf4--Activated G(Iα1): Stabilization Of The Transition State For Gtp Hydrolysis, John J.G. Tesmer, David M. Berman, Alfred G. Gilman, Stephen R. Sprang

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

RGS proteins are GTPase activators for heterotrimeric G proteins. We report here the 2.8 Å resolution crystal structure of the RGS protein RGS4 complexed with G(iα1)-Mg²⁺-GDP-AlF₄. Only the core domain of RGS4 is visible in the crystal. The core domain binds to the three switch regions of G(iα1), but does not contribute catalytic residues that directly interact with either GDP or AlF₄. Therefore, RGS4 appears to catalyze rapid hydrolysis of GTP primarily by stabilizing the switch regions of G(iα1), although the conserved Asn-128 from RGS4 could also play a catalytic role by interacting with …

Phylogenetic Systematics Of The Primate Genus Aotus Based On Hyoid Morphology, Melissa S. Immel '97

Honors Projects

Dissection of a specimen of the South American primate genus Aotus was performed, focusing on the morphology of the hyoid apparatus and surrounding musculature within the hyoid region (the ventral side of the throat). Data collected from this dissection, along with data from published descriptions of primate genera from both primate suborders Haplorhini and Strepsirhini, were analyzed using the computer software program PAUP (Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony). This analysis generated four equally probable phylogenetic trees (cladograms) depicting possible phylogenetic relationships of Aotus to other primates. While the cladograms differ in minor detail, they all show that Aotus appears to be …

Regulation Of Methyl Farnesoate Production By The Lobster Mandibular Organ In Vitro, Amy Shaub '97

Honors Projects

Methyl farnesoate (MF) is a crustacean compound that is structurally similar to juvenile hormone, a substance that regulates insect growth and reproduction. This similarity has led to the suggestion that MF may have juvenile hormone-like effects in crustaceans. If this is so, regulation of MF levels might be an important mechanism in the control of crustacean molting and reproduction. The understanding of, and ability to manipulate, the regulation of MF production could be a powerful tool in the aquaculture of economically Important crustaceans.

In the lobster Homarus americanus, MF synthesis occurs in the mandibular organ (MO). In vivo studies have …

Las Vegas Wash Water Quality Monitoring Program: 1996 Report Of Findings, Richard A. Roline, James J. Sartoris, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey

Publications (WR)

Las Vegas Wash, a natural wash east of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, carries stormwater, groundwater drainage, and sewage effluent from three sewage treatment plants to Lake Mead. The Wash provides nearly the only surface water outlet for the entire 2,193 mi² of Las Vegas Valley. A drainage area of 1,586 mi² contributes directly to the Wash through surface flow which is channeled to Las Vegas Bay of Lake Mead, while drainage of the remaining 607 mi² is presumably subsurface and may drain toward Las Vegas Wash.

In the 1930's and 1940's, sewage treatment plants were …

Endosome To Golgi Retrieval Of The Vacuolar Protein Sorting Receptor, Vps10p, Requires The Function Of The Vps29, Vps30, And Vps35 Gene Products, Matthew N. J. Seaman, Eric G. Marcusson, Joan Lin-Cereghino, Scott D. Emr

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

Mutations in the S. cerevisiae VPS29 and VPS30 genes lead to a selective protein sorting defect in which the vacuolar protein carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) is missorted and secreted from the cell, while other soluble vacuolar hydrolases like proteinase A (PrA) are delivered to the vacuole. This phenotype is similar to that seen in cells with mutations in the previously characterized VPS10 and VPS35 genes. Vps10p is a late Golgi transmembrane protein that acts as the sorting receptor for soluble vacuolar hydrolases like CPY and PrA, while Vps35p is a peripheral membrane protein which cofractionates with membranes enriched in Vps10p. The …

Social Organization Of Neotoma Micropus, The Southern Plains Woodrat, Sarah A. Conditt, David O. Ribble

Biology Faculty Research

This study described the social organization of Neotoma micropus, the southern plains woodrat, using radiotelemetry. We studied woodrats from September 1994 through April 1995 at the Urban Wilderness Reserve in S Bexar County, Texas. Sixteen individuals (three adult males, 11 adult females, and two subadult males) were radiocollared and located in the evening or early morning during January and February. Seventy-four percent of female radiolocations and 57% of male radiolocations were from their respective nests. No more than one adult individual was observed at any nest at the same time. Males had significantly larger (x = 1899 m^{2 …}

A Carboxy-Terminal Processing Protease Gene Is Located Immediately Upstream Of The Invasion-Associated Locus From Bartonella Bacilliformis, Samuel J. Mitchell, Michael F. Minnick

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

A gene with homology to those encoding an unusual class of C-terminal processing proteases that flanks the invasion-associated locus ialAB of Bartonella bacilliformis has been identified. The 1302 bp gene, termed ctpA, is located immediately upstream of the ialA gene and encodes a predicted nascent product of 434 amino acids, producing a mature protein of 411 amino acid residues. The Bartonella CtpA appears to undergo autolysis in vitro, producing multiple products of 43-46 kDa, and a second group of products of 36-37 kDa. Production of CtpA in vivo gives a single product of 41.8 kDa. In addition to a computer-predicted …

The Larva, Pupa And Female Of Agapetus Jocassee Morse (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae), Jason S. Craft, John C. Morse

Publications

Agapetus jocassee is a "Species of Concern" on the lists of the U.S.D.I. Fish and Wildlife Service because it is known from only three streams of the Lake Jocassee catchment in Oconee and Transylvania counties, South and North Carolina. To assist in solving identification problems and to contribute to knowledge of the distribution of this species, larvae and pupae of A. jocassee were collected from mountain streams in North and South Carolina, reared to adulthood and identified. The larva, pupa, and female of the species are described for the first time. Characters were found in those ontogenetic stages that distinguish …

Hepatic Cells' Mitotic And Peritoneal Macrophage Phagocytic Activities During Trypanosoma Musculi Infection In Zinc-Deficient Mice, Patricia Humphrey, Mohammad Ashraf, Clarence Lee

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

The effects of zinc deficiency on hepatic cell mitotic and peritoneal macrophage phagocytic activities were examined in mice infected with Trypanosoma musculi or immunized with parasitic products. On a full-complement or pair-fed diet, infected and homogenate-inoculated mice showed mitotic activity gains of 7.9% to 80.3% and 6.5% to 99.0%, respectively. Infected and homogenate-inoculated mice on a zinc-deficient diet showed 21.8% to 95.7% and 17.2% to 65.2%, respectively, more dividing liver cells compared with controls. In comparison to controls, macrophages isolated from infected and homogenate-immunized mice on full-complement or pair-fed diets had phagocytized 13.4% to 31.4% more latex particles from day …

Chromosomes And Expression Mechanisms, Sarah C.R. Elgin, S. P. Jackson

Biology Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Management Of The South Coast Purse Seine Fishery, J Fowler, K Donohue, R.C. J. Lenanton, M. Moran, D Gaughan

Fisheries Management Papers

This paper has presented a strategy for moving the management of the small pelagics fishery off the south coast to management of the whole fishery, which facilitates a more biologically sound and economically stable fishery.

A Pricing Policy For Fisheries Agencies, Management Committee Of Scfa, Standing Committee Of Fisheries And Aquaculture (Sfca), Department Of Primary Industries And Energy

Fisheries Management Papers

The intent of this paper is to inform members of Standing Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture (SCFA) and the members of the Ministerial Council for Fisheries, Forestry and Aquaculture of the methods of fee setting that are currently applied by fisheries agencies in Australia, and alternative pricing policies for fisheries agencies.

Reversion Rates In A Leub Auxotroph Of Escherichia Coli K-12 Correlate With Ppgpp Levels During Exponential Growth, Barbara E. Wright, Michael F. Minnick

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Two isogenic strains of Escherichia coli K-12 differing only in relA, as well as two spoT transductants of the relA- strain, were examined with respect to ppGpp levels and reversion rates of a leuB- allele under nine different conditions. A positive correlation was established between reversion rates and the steady-state concentration of ppGpp during exponential growth. The leuB genes from two leuB- strains (isogenic except for relA) were cloned and sequenced and found to contain a single mutation, namely, a C-to-T transition at nucleotide 857. This mutation resulted in a serine-to-leucine substitution at amino acid residue 286 of the LeuB …

Corticosterone And The Stress Response In Young Western Screech-Owls: Effects Of Captivity, Gender, And Activity Period, Alfred M. Dufty Jr., James R. Belthoff

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

We used a standard handling protocol to examine the stress response of captive young western screech-owls during their active (nighttime) and inactive (daytime) periods and to compare the stress responses of captive and free-living owls. Circulating corticosterone levels were significantly higher during the inactive period than in the active period in this nocturnal species. This suggests that the daily pattern of corticosterone secretion is reversed in nocturnal birds and is correlated with activity period rather than with the light/dark cycle. Young (ca. 4-5 mo old) screech-owls of both sexes showed increases in plasma corticosterone up to 30 min after capture, …

Do Biochemical Exaptations Link Evolution Of Defense And Pollination Systems? Historical Hypotheses And Experimental Tests With Dalechampia Vines, Jerome J. Howard

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Mapping resin secretion and pollination ecology onto the estimated phylogeny of species of the euphorb vine Dalechampia generated two historical hypotheses: resin rewards offered to pollinators by Dalechampia flowers evolved by minor modification of a preexisting, resin-based, floral defense system, and resin defense of leaves in advanced species evolved by modification of the preexisting resin-reward system. From these hypotheses, we derived two predictions: floral reward resins are chemically similar to putative floral defense resins and exhibit antiherbivore activities, and foliar resins are chemically similar to reward resins and also exhibit antiherbivore activities. We tested these predictions by chemical analyses and …

Selection Of Populations Of Puccinia Recondita F. Sp. Tritici For Shortened Latent Period On A Partially Resistant Wheat Cultivar, Jeffery S. Lehman, Gregory Shaner

Biology and Earth Science Faculty Scholarship

Wild-type fungal population 851-WT was selected for shortened latent period on cv. CI 13227 for five uredinial generations to study the adaptation of Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici to partially resistant wheat cultivars. Differences among wild-type and selected populations for traits contributing to parasitic fitness (i.e., latent period, infection frequency, and uredinium area and growth rate) were assessed in monocyclic infection experiments on susceptible cv. Monon and partially resistant cvs. Suwon 85, Sw 72469-6, L-574-1, and CI 13227. Differences were greatest among fungal populations on cv. CI 13227. The mean latent period of selected population 851-C5 was 2 days shorter …

Explanations For The Infrequent Cowbird Parasitism On Common Grackles, Brian D. Peer, Eric K. Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We determined the factors responsible for the lack of parasitism on Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater). We found no evidence of parasitism on the 401 grackle nests we monitored in east-central Illinois. By the time cowbirds began laying eggs, 88.5% of all grackle nests were beyond the point of successful parasitism. Grackles rejected cowbird eggs more frequently during the prelaying stage of the nesting cycle (38.2%) compared to later stages (12.3%). Thirty-three cowbird eggs and nestlings were cross-fostered into grackle nests. Data were collected on 15 cowbird nestlings, of which three fledged. The cross-fostered cowbird eggs …

Explanations For The Infrequent Cowbird Parasitism On Common Grackles, Brian Peer, Eric Bollinger

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

We determined the factors responsible for the lack of parasitism on Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater). We found no evidence of parasitism on the 401 grackle nests we monitored in east-central Illinois. By the time cowbirds began laying eggs, 88.5% of all grackle nests were beyond the point of successful parasitism. Grackles rejected cowbird eggs more frequently during the prelaying stage of the nesting cycle (38.2%) compared to later stages (12.3%). Thirty-three cowbird eggs and nestlings were cross-fostered into grackle nests. Data were collected on 15 cowbird nestlings, of which three fledged. The cross-fostered cowbird eggs …

Phenology Of Apothecium Production In Populations Of Monilinia Vaccinii-Corymbosi From Early- And Late-Maturing Blueberry Cultivars, Jeffery S. Lehman, Peter V. Oudemans

Biology and Earth Science Faculty Scholarship

Pseudosclerotia were evaluated for differences in timing of apothecium development in four controlled experiments conducted over a 2-year period. In a separate experiment, conidia from 10 randomly selected isolates from both of the fungal populations were used to inoculate open flowers. Germination of pseudosclerotia produced from these artificial inoculations also was evaluated. The timing and rate of shoot elongation for cvs. Weymouth and Jersey were assessed in one greenhouse and two field experiments. Average development times for the fungal population from cv. Weymouth were 8 to 15 days earlier or 33 to 42% less than those for the population from …

Αa-Adrenoceptor Activation Induces Rhythmic Contractile Activity In Carotid Arteries From Young, Not Adult, Rats, Thomas J. Eddinger, Paul H. Ratz

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Rhythmic contractions are produced by small arteries, arterioles and veins in several vascular beds, but they are often absent in large arteries. However, under certain conditions, and in certain disease states, large arteries may produce rhythmic contractions. For this reason, the present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that rhythmic contractions may be a ‘normal’ response in large arteries at some stage in development. We investigated this hypothesis by examining contractions of carotid arteries in male and female rats aged 15, 25 and 30 days, and in adult rats. Rhythmic contractions were produced by exposure to, or during washout …

Analysis Of Gene Expression During Embryonic Development In Mulberry Silkworm Bombyx Mori, Amit Singh, K. P. Gopinathan

Biology Faculty Publications

We have developed a method for dechorionation and devitellinization of the silkworm eggs without damage, to facilitate the analysis of gene expression during embryonic development of Bombyx mori. Making use of antibodies available from heterologous systems, the spatio-temporal expression patterns of peroxidase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen have been directly visualized in whole mount embryos at various stages of development without the need for generating transformed ·lines carrying specific reporter constructs. The B. mori system, previously unamenable for such studies, could thus serve as an attractive model for molecular analysis of insect development.

The attention lavished on Drosophila melanogaster as …

A Transcription-Dependent Switch Controls Competence Of Adult Neurons For Distinct Modes Of Axon Growth, Deanna S. Smith, J.H. Pate Skene

Faculty Publications

Although maturing neurons undergo a precipitous decline in the expression of genes associated with developmental axon growth, structural changes in axon arbors occur in the adult nervous system under both normal and pathological conditions. Furthermore, some neurons support extensive regrowth of long axons after nerve injury. Analysis of adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture now shows that competence for distinct types of axon growth depends on different patterns of gene expression. In the absence of ongoing transcription, newly isolated neurons can extend compact, highly branched arbors during the first day in culture. Neurons subjected to peripheral axon injury …

The Biological Flora Of Coastal Dunes And Wetlands. Sesuvium Portulacastrum (L.) L., Robert I. Lonard, Frank W. Judd

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L. (sea purslane, cenicilla) is a pantropical, perennial, trailing herb (Aizoaceae) with pink-purple or occasionally white flowers that grows on coastal beaches of five continents and many islands. Herein we present a review of the biology of S. portulacastrum. It is an important pioneer species on sandy beaches in the subtropics and tropics, where its stoloniferous, mat-forming growth habit promotes embryonic dune formation in belts parallel to the shoreline. Colonies act as barriers to intercept and hold water and wind transported sand. Sesuvium portulacastrum's success as a colonizing species is related, in large part, to its …

Effects Of Estrogen In A Place Preference Conditioning Paradigm Using Non-Sexual Social Interaction To Condition Female Rats, Timothy D. Maze

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Female Sprauge Dawley rats were used to determine if non-sexual social interaction could be used as a positive reinforcing stimulus in a place preference conditioning (PPC) paradigm. PPC is a commonly used paradigm to test the addictive properties of abused drugs, but has also been used to determine the positive effect of sexual activity and play in juvenile rats. Individually housed female rats were paired with group housed female rats or left isolated in a chamber for 15 minutes for positive or negative conditioning, respectively. Three different groups of rats were tested: intact, bilateral ovariectomized (OVX), and bilateral ovariectomized with …

Observations On Reproduction, Isozyme Patterns, And Meristics In Mosquitofish (Pisces: Poeciliidae) From West Virginia, Matt Mcreynolds

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Prior to 1988, two subspecies of the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis (G. a. affinis and G. a. holbrooki) were recognized along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of the United States. Based on electrophoretic analysis, subsequent investigators recognized G. holbrooki and G. affinis as separate species. Populations in drainages west of Mobile Bay were considered G. affinis, and those east of this divide being G. holbrooki. The only mosquitofish population in West Virginia is found in the Meadow River wetlands (1392 ha). This wetland complex is located at the western end of Greenbrier County in the Allegheny Mountain Province. …