Life Sciences Commons^™

Arabidopsis Thaliana Ahl Family Modulates Hypocotyl Growth Redundantly By Interacting With Each Other Via The Ppc/Duf296 Domain, Jianfei Zhao, David Favero, Hao Peng, Michael Neff

Jianfei Zhao

Initial Events Associated With Virus Pbcv-1 Infection Of Chlorella Nc64a, Gerhard Thiel, Anna Moroni, David Dunigan, James L. Van Etten

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Chlorella viruses (or chloroviruses) are very large, plaque-forming viruses. The viruses are multilayered structures containing a large double-stranded DNA genome, a lipid bilayered membrane, and an outer icosahedral capsid shell. The viruses replicate in certain isolates of the coccal green alga, Chlorella. Sequence analysis of the 330-kbp genome of Paramecium bursaria Chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1), the prototype of the virus family Phycodnaviridae, reveals <365 protein-encoding genes and 11 tRNA genes. Products of about 40% of these genes resemble proteins of known function, including many that are unexpected for a virus. Among these is a virus-encoded protein, called Kcv, which forms …

Chlorovirus: A Genus Of Phycodnaviridae That Infects Certain Chlorella-Like Green Algae, Ming Kang, David Dunigan, James L. Van Etten

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Taxonomy: Chlorella viruses are assigned to the family Phycodnaviridae, genus Chlorovirus, and are divided into three species: Chlorella NC64A viruses, Chlorella Pbi viruses and Hydra viridis Chlorella viruses. Chlorella viruses are large, icosahedral, plaque-forming, dsDNA viruses that infect certain unicellular, chlorella-like green algae. The type member is Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1).

Physical properties: Chlorella virus particles are large (molecular weight ~1 × 10⁹ Da) and complex. The virion of PBCV-1 contains more than 100 different proteins; the major capsid protein, Vp54, comprises ~40% of the virus protein. Cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction of PBCV-1 virions …

Phycodnaviruses: A Peek At Genetic Diversity, David Dunigan, Lisa Fitzgerald, James L. Van Etten

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

The family Phycodnaviridae encompasses a diverse collection of large icosahedral, dsDNA viruses infecting algae. These viruses have genomes ranging from 160 to 560 kb. The family consists of six genera based initially on host range and supported by sequence comparisons. The family is monophyletic with branches for each genus, but the phycodnaviruses have evolutionary roots that connect with several other families of large DNA viruses, referred to as the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV). The genomes of members in three genera in the Phycodnaviridae have recently been sequenced and the purpose of this manuscript is to summarize these data. The …

Microarray Analysis Of Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella Virus 1 Transcription, Giane M. Yanai-Balser, Garry A. Duncan, James D. Eudy, Dong Wang, Xiao Li, Irina V. Agarkova, David Dunigan, James L. Van Etten

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1), a member of the family Phycodnaviridae, is a large double-stranded DNA, plaque-forming virus that infects the unicellular green alga Chlorella sp. strain NC64A. The 330-kb PBCV-1 genome is predicted to encode 365 proteins and 11 tRNAs. To monitor global transcription during PBCV-1 replication, a microarray containing 50-mer probes to the PBCV-1 365 protein-encoding genes (CDSs) was constructed. Competitive hybridization experiments were conducted by using cDNAs from poly(A)- containing RNAs obtained from cells at seven time points after virus infection. The results led to the following conclusions: (i) the PBCV-1 replication cycle is temporally programmed …

Fungal Symbiosis From Mutualism To Parasitism: Who Controls The Outcome, Host Or Invader?, Regina S. Redman, David Dunigan, Rusty J. Rodriguez

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

• Plant symbiotic fungi are generally thought to express a single lifestyle that might increase (mutualism), decrease (parasitism), or have no influence (commensalism) on host fitness. However, data are presented here demonstrating that plant pathogenic Colletotrichum species are able to asymptomatically colonize plants and express nonpathogenic lifestyles. • Experiments were conducted in growth chambers and plant colonization was assessed by emergence of fungi from surface sterilized plant tissues. Expression of symbiotic lifestyles was assessed by monitoring the ability of fungi to confer disease resistance, drought tolerance and growth enhancement. • Several pathogenic Colletotrichum species expressed either mutualistic or commensal lifestyles …

‘Strawberry Festival’ Strawberry, C. K. Chandler, D. E. Legard, David Dunigan, T. E. Crocker, C. A. Sims

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Most of the strawberries (Fragaria xananassa Duchesne) produced in Florida are shipped fresh to locations throughout the eastern United States and Canada (Florida Agricultural Statistics [www.nass.usda.gov/ fl]). Therefore, Florida growers need cultivars that produce fruit that are attractive and flavorful, and maintain these qualities during and after long-distance shipment. 'Strawberry Festival' strawberry has produced commercially acceptable yields of firm, attractive, and flavorful fruit in trials at the Univ. of Florida's Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Dover (GCREC-Dover) and in two commercial fields in west central Florida. It is recommended for trial in areas where strawberries are grown in …

Chlorovirus-Mediated Membrane Depolarization Of Chlorella Alters Secondary Active Transport Of Solutes, Irina V. Agarkova, David Dunigan, James R. Gurnon, Timo Greiner, Julia Barres, Gerhard Thiel, James L. Van Etten

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) is the prototype of a family of large, double-stranded DNA, plaque-forming viruses that infect certain eukaryotic chlorella-like green algae from the genus Chlorovirus. PBCV-1 infection results in rapid host membrane depolarization and potassium ion release. One interesting feature of certain chloroviruses is that they code for functional potassium ion-selective channel proteins (Kcv) that are considered responsible for the host membrane depolarization and, as a consequence, the efflux of potassium ions. This report examines the relationship between cellular depolarization and solute uptake. Annotation of the virus host Chlorella strain NC64A genome revealed 482 putative transporter-encoding …

Capping Of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Rna: Analysis Of Viral-Coded Guanylyltransferase-Like Activity, David Dunigan, Milton Zaitlin

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

The 5’ end of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) genomic RNA is capped with 7- methylguanosine. A virus-coded polypeptide with guanylyltransferase activity has been investigated. This enzyme is responsible for forming the 5’→5’ linkage of guanosine 5’-monophosphate to the 5’- diphosphate of an acceptor RNA, thereby forming the cap. A critical step in the mechanism for cap formation in the eukaryotic nucleus is for guanylyltransferase to bind covalently to guanosine 5’- monophosphate with the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate when guanosine 5’- triphosphate is the substrate. The TMV 126-kilodalton protein, which is most probably a component of the TMV replicase, was found to …

Cloning Of Nt.Cviqii Nicking Endonuclease And Its Cognate Methyltransferase: M.Cviqii Methylates Ag Sequence, Siu-Hong Chan, Zhenyu Zhu, David Dunigan, James L. Van Etten, Shuang-Yong Xu

David D Dunigan Ph. D.

Chlorella virus NY-2A has a large, highly methylated dsDNA genome (45% of the cytosines are 5-methylcytosine and 37% of the adenines are N6-methyladenine). Here, we report the cloning, expression, and characterization of the NY-2A-encoded CviQII nicking-modification (N-M) system. The nicking endonuclease, Nt.CviQII, recognizes R ↓ AG (R = A or G, ↓ indicating cleavage site) sequences and cleaves the phosphodiester bond 5′ to the adenosine. Because of the difficulty in cloning and expressing the wild-type Nt.CviQII, C-terminal truncation mutants were generated and full-length Nt.CviQII was reconstructed by intein-mediated peptide ligation. The truncation mutants and the reconstructed full-length Nt.CviQII have the …

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Growth-Trait Epds For 1998- And 1999-Born Calves, Abebe T. Hassen, Doyle E. Wilson, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was designed to develop two selection lines of beef cattle for use as a research base to answer questions that influence genetic improvement. The project was started in 1996 and is being conducted at the Rhodes (central Iowa) and McNay (southern Iowa) research and demonstration farms.

Comparison Of Ultrasound And Carcass Measures To Predict The Percentage Of Lean Beef From Four Primal Cuts – A Progress Report, Richard G. Tait Jr., Gene H. Rouse, Doyle E. Wilson

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The objective of this study was to determine how real-time ultrasound (RTU) measurements would compare with carcass measurements to predict the percentage of lean from the four primals (PERL4P). Data were collected on market ready cattle (n=490). Traditional carcass measures collected were: (1) hot carcass weight (HCW); (2) 12–13th rib fat thickness (CFAT); (3) 12–13th rib ribeye area (CREA); and (4) percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH).

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Body Composition Epds Determined From Ultrasound Measures, Doyle E. Wilson, Abebe T. Hassen, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was initiated in 1996, and is being conducted at the Rhodes and McNay Research and Demonstration Farms. The project uses the field data of the American Angus Association (AAA) along with the research resource cattle of the farms to study questions that will enhance the genetic investigations using the field data.

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Growth Trait Epds For 1998-, 1999-, And 2000-Born Calves, Abebe T. Hassen, D. E. Wilson, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was designed to develop two selection lines of beef cattle for use as a research base to answer questions that influence genetic improvement. The project was started in 1996 and is being conducted at Rhodes (central Iowa) and McNay (southern Iowa) research and demonstration farms.

Beef Cattle Breeding Project Progress Report: Body Composition Epd Determined From Ultrasound Measures, D. E. Wilson, Abebe T. Hassen, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr.

Richard G. Tait Jr.

The Iowa State University beef cattle breeding project was initiated in 1996 and is being conducted at the Rhodes and McNay research and demonstration farms. The project uses the field data of the American Angus Association (AAA) along with the research resource cattle of the farms to study questions that will enhance the genetic investigations using the field data.

Modelling C3 Photosynthesis From The Choroplast To The Ecosystem, Andy Vanloocke, Carl J. Bernacchi, Justin E. Bagley, Shawn P. Serbin, Ursula M. Ruiz-Vera, David M. Rosenthal

Andy VanLoocke

Miscanthus Establishment And Overwintering In The Midwest Usa: A Regional Modeling Study Of Crop Residue Management On Critical Minimum Soil Temperatures, Christopher J. Kucharik, Andy Vanloocke, John D. Lenters, Melissa M. Motew

Andy VanLoocke

Current State Of Food Security: Research, Education And Outreach In Burkina Universities, Mamoudou H. Dicko Prof.

Pr. Mamoudou H. DICKO, PhD

Burkina Faso is a Sahelian West African country. Current population is about 16 millions and 43.9 % live below the poverty line. Burkina Faso is classified as both a least developed country and a low-income, food-deficit country. The nutritional quality is poor (1830 against 2000 Kcal/person/day). Food insecurity affects 50 % of households, and is increasing in the urban areas. However, Burkina Faso is one of the country that respect the 2003 Maputo’s declaration’s call to invest at least 10 percent of the budget in agriculture, in order to increase agricultural production and attain food self-sufficiency. Several training programs dealing …

The Vertebrate Fauna Of The Upper Permian Of Niger. Iv. Nigerpeton Ricqlesi (Temnospondyli: Cochleosauridae), And The Edopoid Colonization Of Gondwana, J. Sebastien Steyer, Ross Damiani, Christian A. Sidor, F. Robin O’Keefe, Hans C.E. Larsson, Abdoulaye Maga, Oumarou Ide

F. Robin O’Keefe

We describe the edopoid temnospondyl Nigerpeton ricqlesi from the Upper Permian Moradi Formation of northern Niger on the basis of two partial skulls and tentatively associated postcranial material. This crocodile-like taxon displays several edopoid characters states such as a long prenarial region with enlarged premaxillae, elongated vomers, large, posteriorly tapering choanae, and a jugal that broadens anteriorly. Nigerpeton possesses a unique carnivorous dentition. It is autapomorphic in its possession of an extremely elongate snout bearing a maxillary bulge that accommodates three hypertrophied caniniform teeth, inner premaxillary tusks, and anterior paired fenestrae, which pierce the skull roof. In addition, both the …

Future Carbon Dioxide Concentration Decreases Canopy Evapotranspiration And Soil Water Depletion By Field-Grown Maize, Andy Vanloocke, Mir Zaman Houssain, Matthew H. Siebers, Ursula M. Ruiz-Vera, R. J. Cody Markelz, Andrew D. B. Leakey, Donald R. Orr, Carl J. Bernacchi

Andy VanLoocke

Govindaraj., M, K. N. Rai, P. Shanmugasundaram, S. L. Dwivedi, K. L. Sahrawat, Ar Muthaiah, And A. S. Rao. 2012. Combining Ability And Heterosis For Grain Iron And Zinc Density In Pearl Millet. Crop Science 53 (2): 507-517 Https://Www.Crops.Org/Publications/Cs/Abstracts/53/2/507, Mahalingam Govindaraj

Mahalingam Govindaraj

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an important staple food crop in the semiarid tropical regions of Asia and Africa. As part of a major initiative to improve its grain Fe and Zn densities, two sets of line × tester studies were conducted. Results showed that the underlying physiological processes determining the grain Fe and Zn densities were largely under additive genetic control, and Fe and Zn densities of the inbred lines per se and their general combining ability (GCA) were positively and highly significantly correlated. This would imply that recurrent selection can be effectively used to improve …

Body Composition Changes In Bulls From Weaning Age To Yearling Age: Muscle Fat Deposition, Gene H. Rouse, Richard G. Tait Jr., M. Anderson, Abebe Hassen

Richard G. Tait Jr.

With the advent of real-time ultrasound, repeated measures of body composition changes, such as fat cover, rib eye area, and percentage intramuscular fat have greatly added to our understanding of beef cattle growth and development.

Effects Of Calf Age And Dam Age On Circulating Bvdv Ii Antibody Levels Prior To Vaccination In Angus Weanling Calves, Erika Diane Downey, Richard G. Tait Jr., Mary Sue Mayes, Dorian J. Garrick, Julia Ridpath, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Newborn calves passively acquire antibodies from their dams via consumption of colostrum immediately after birth. Colostrum quality and quantity may differ by dam age affecting the amount of circulating maternally derived antibodies. The objective of this study was to evaluate if there are differences in calf titers of maternal antibodies based on age of dam and age of calf. This knowledge is important for determining vaccination strategies because passively acquired antibodies for bovine viral diarrhea virus I and II (BVDV) have been shown to block the ability of calves to develop their own specific immune response to BVDV.

Correlations Between Carcass Traits And Mineral Concentrations In Angus Beef Raised In Iowa, Richard G. Tait Jr., Qing Duan, Qi Liu, Mary Sue Mayes, Donald C. Beitz, James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Beef is a nutritious food that is known to have high bioavailability for several minerals such as iron and zinc. Although beef is typically high in these nutrients, there is much animalto-animal variation in mineral contents. The objective of this study is to report the relationship between traditional carcass traits and mineral concentrations within the longissimus dorsi.

Ibk (Pinkeye) In Black Angus Cattle, Jose E. Rodriguez, Abebe Hassen, Richard G. Tait Jr., James M. Reecy

Richard G. Tait Jr.

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly known as pinkeye, is a contagious bacterial disease that affects cattle worldwide. IBK is characterized by excessive tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, and ulceration of the cornea. In severe cases, perforation of the cornea may occur, leading to permanent blindness. The incidence rates reported in the ISU beef herd range from 30–52% in the last four years(Figure 1). As a result of the economic impact of pinkeye in the cattle industry, estimated at $150 million/year, the lack of effective treatments against the disease and the increased demand for‘organic’ products, research in the area of disease …

Use Of Whole Plant Artemisia Annua L. As An Antimalarial Therapy, Elfawal Mostafa, Melissa J. Towler, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Douglas T. Golenbock, Pamela J. Weathers, Stephen M. Rich

Pamela Weathers

Anti-malarial drugs are primary weapons for reducing Plasmodium transmission in human populations. Successful drugs have been highly efficacious and inexpensive to synthetically manufacture. Emergence of resistant parasites reduces the lifespan of each drug that is developed and deployed. Currently, the most effective anti-malarial is artemisinin (AN), which is extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua. Because of its poor pharmacokinetic properties and prudent efforts to curtail emergence of resistance, AN is prescribed only in combination with other anti-malarials composing an Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT). Low yield in the plant and the added cost of secondary anti-malarials in the ACT, …

Phospholipids In Rice: Significance In Grain Quality And Health Benefits: A Review, Lei Liu, Daniel Le Waters, Terry J. Rose, Jinsong Bao, Graham J. King

Adjunct Associate Professor Daniel LE Waters

Phospholipids (PLs) are a major class of lipid in rice grain. Although PLs are only a minor nutrient compared to starch and protein, they may have both nutritional and functional significance. We have systemically reviewed the literature on the class, distribution and variation of PLs in rice, their relation to rice end-use quality and human health, as well as available methods for analytical profiling. Phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and their lyso forms are the major PLs in rice. The deterioration of PC in rice bran during storage was considered as a trigger for the degradation of rice lipids …

What Controls Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms In Long Island Sound?, Hans G. Dam Ph.D., Michael Finiguerra, Christina Senft-Batoh, Haley Flores

Hans G. Dam

TIny phytoplankton organisms known as dinoflagellates can accumulate and cause toxic blooms that can kill fish and even make people ill. It's rare in Long Island Sound but can happen. What drives this phenomenon? Professor Hans G. Dam and his lab team explain in this easy-to-understand article.

Mangrove Restoration In Australia: A Case Study Of Brisbane International Airport, Peter Saenger

Emeritus Professor Peter Saenger

No abstract provided.

Continental Diversity Of Chenopodium Album Seedling Recruitment, Jack Dekker

Jack Dekker

Counterpoint perspective to Schutte, et al., (2014) Weed Research 54(16):1-12.: Joint publication with EWRS working group on weed seedling emergence: Andujar, J.G., D.L. Benoit, A. Davis, J. Dekker, F. Graziani, A. Grundy, L. Karlsson, A. Mead, P. Milberg, P. Neve, I.A. Rasmussen, J. Salonen, B. Sera, E. Sousa, F. Tei, K.S. Torresen, J.M. Urbano