A modified version of a Fos-associated cluster in HBZ affects Jun transcriptional potency

Like c-Fos, HBZ (HTLV-I bZIP factor) is able to interact with c-Jun but differs considerably from c-Fos in its ability to activate AP-1-responsive genes since HBZ rather inhibits transcriptional activity of c-Jun. To better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in this down-regulation of c-Jun activity, a large number of HBZ/c-Fos chimeras was constructed and analyzed for their ability to interact with c-Jun, to bind to the AP-1 motif and to stimulate expression of a reporter gene containing the collagenase promoter. By this approach, we demonstrate that the DNA-binding domain of HBZ is responsible for its inhibitory effect on the trans-activation potential of c-Jun. However, unexpectedly, we found that exchange of a cluster of six charged amino acids immediately adjacent to the DNA contact region altered significantly transcriptional activity of chimeras. This particular subdomain could be involved in efficient presentation of the AP-1 complex to the transcriptional machinery. To confirm this role, specific residues present in the cluster of HBZ were substituted for corresponding amino acids in c-Fos. Unlike the JunD-activating potential of wild-type HBZ, this mutant was no longer able to stimulate JunD activity, confirming the key role of this particular cluster in regulation of Jun transcriptional potency

The Normal Counterpart of IgD Myeloma Cells in Germinal Center Displays Extensively Mutated IgVH Gene, Cμ–Cδ Switch, and λ Light Chain Expression

Human myeloma are incurable hematologic cancers of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells in bone marrow. Although malignant plasma cells can be almost eradicated from the patient's bone marrow by chemotherapy, drug-resistant myeloma precursor cells persist in an apparently cryptic compartment. Controversy exists as to whether myeloma precursor cells are hematopoietic stem cells, pre–B cells, germinal center (GC) B cells, circulating memory cells, or plasma blasts. This situation reflects what has been a general problem in cancer research for years: how to compare a tumor with its normal counterpart. Although several studies have demonstrated somatically mutated immunoglobulin variable region genes in multiple myeloma, it is unclear if myeloma cells are derived from GCs or post-GC memory B cells. Immunoglobulin (Ig)D-secreting myeloma have two unique immunoglobulin features, including a biased λ light chain expression and a Cμ–Cδ isotype switch. Using surface markers, we have previously isolated a population of surface IgM−IgD+CD38+ GC B cells that carry the most impressive somatic mutation in their IgV genes. Here we show that this population of GC B cells displays the two molecular features of IgD-secreting myeloma cells: a biased λ light chain expression and a Cμ–Cδ isotype switch. The demonstration of these peculiar GC B cells to differentiate into IgD-secreting plasma cells but not memory B cells both in vivo and in vitro suggests that IgD-secreting plasma and myeloma cells are derived from GCs

Learning and the transformative potential of citizen science

The number of collaborative initiatives between scientists and volunteers (i.e., citizen science) is increasing across many research fields. The promise of societal transformation together with scientific breakthroughs contributes to the current popularity of citizen science (CS) in the policy domain. We examined the transformative capacity of citizen science in particular learning through environmental CS as conservation tool. We reviewed the CS and social-learning literature and examined 14 conservation projects across Europe that involved collaborative CS. We also developed a template that can be used to explore learning arrangements (i.e., learning events and materials) in CS projects and to explain how the desired outcomes can be achieved through CS learning. We found that recent studies aiming to define CS for analytical purposes often fail to improve the conceptual clarity of CS; CS programs may have transformative potential, especially for the development of individual skills, but such transformation is not necessarily occurring at the organizational and institutional levels; empirical evidence on simple learning outcomes, but the assertion of transformative effects of CS learning is often based on assumptions rather than empirical observation; and it is unanimous that learning in CS is considered important, but in practice it often goes unreported or unevaluated. In conclusion, we point to the need for reliable and transparent measurement of transformative effects for democratization of knowledge production

Missing the peacock - arts, sciences, creativity, and chronic environmental conflicts

Debate on conflicts and disputes over environmental issues has intensified due to climate change and other global pressing problems becoming ever more pronounced. Simultaneously, there is little evidence of natural or social sciences helping transform even local conflicts, some of them lasting decades, gradually becoming chronic and having severe and pervasive effects on people’s lives. On the contrary, natural sciences often become part of the conflicts while social sciences remain distant observers. Conflict management requires creativity: imagining new solutions, relating to, thinking and acting in new ways. Hence, stimulation of creative thinking might offer avenues for coping with conflicting situations. We tested new forms of interaction and opportunities of creative work in managing prolonged conflicts in a series of meetings between natural scientists, social scientists, artists and conflict mediation professionals. This article discusses the experiences emerging from this experimental process. Experimenting with creative working methods provided us with new tools to facilitate interaction in the conflicts we intervene in or study. However, we don't see arts-science collaborations as a panacea to resolving conflict situations. More than interactive skills and tools that would lead to a clear-cut end of conflicts, we emphasize the ability to reflect on our own practice and role in environmental conflicts. Creative experiments can be valuable in pointing out open questions, such as what is the role that scientists, artists and mediators take and should take in controversial situations

Cohabiter avec les animaux, un apprentissage sans fin

National audienceEdito d'un numéro dédier aux relations entre l'humain et les animaux

Les espaces naturels, un espace-temps du rêve

National audienceCourt article sur les espaces naturels

Lutter contre les zoonoses, vendre des produits d'origine animale et protéger des animaux sauvages : trois systèmes sociotechniques à l'épreuve de la brucellose des bouquetins du Bargy

National audienceControl measures, including a massive culling of ibex, were implemented following the discovery of enzootic brucellosis in the ibex population in the Bargy range in 2012 (Haute-Savoie, France). They triggered strong reactions, stemming for different reasons from farming professionals and from nature conservationists. Studying these reactions helps grasp how the Bargy ibex brucellosis is reconfiguring several sociotechnical systems: the system aiming to eradicate brucellosis in the ibex population itself but also two older systems that were assembled separately but that brucellosis has suddenly connected. One aims to produce raw-milk cheese on a large scale and the other to conserve endangered species such as ibex. Partially diverging conceptions of health were developed in each of them but their solutions to maintain and improve health - total protection vs total eradication of sick and exposed individuals - turn out to be equally impossible in the case of the Bargy ibex brucellosis. .../.. .../.. This episode therefore leads to redefine the animals' characteristics that matter in their conservation, by adding genetic and immunocompetence criteria to classical demographical criteria. It also leads to reflect on think about the conditions under which humans and animals can live with pathogens.Des mesures de lutte sanitaire, dont un abattage massif des bouquetins, ont été mises en oeuvre après la découverte en 2012 d'une enzootie de brucellose dans la population de bouquetins du massif du Bargy. Elles ont suscité de vives réactions, venues pour des raisons différentes à la fois des milieux professionnels agricoles et des milieux de la conservation de la nature. Étudier ces réactions permet de saisir comment la brucellose des bouquetins du Bargy ébranle plusieurs systèmes sociotechniques : le dispositif de lutte sanitaire lui-même mais aussi deux systèmes plus anciens, qui s'étaient développés séparément et que la brucellose a brutalement mis en lien. L'un vise à produire des fromages à base de lait cru à grande échelle et l'autre à conserver les espèces menacées, dont les bouquetins. Des conceptions partiellement divergentes de la santé se sont développées dans chacun d'eux mais les solutions adoptées pour maintenir et augmenter la santé, la protection totale comme l'éradication totale des individus malades ou susceptibles de l'être, se révèlent également impossibles dans le cas de la brucellose des bouquetins du Bargy. Celle-ci amène en particulier à redéfinir les caractéristiques des animaux qui comptent dans leur conservation, en ajoutant aux critères démographiques classiques des critères génétiques et d'immunocompétence et à réfléchir à quelles conditions les humains et les animaux peuvent vivre avec des agents pathogènes

Les producteurs professionnels de données sur la biodiversité face au « Big data » en écologie

National audienceThe decoupling between biodiversity data producers and users has been described as a major feature of the current data era. This text explores how professional biodiversity data producers react to this decoupling, by drawing on a set of qualitative studies carried out over the last two decades and long-time participation in the discussions of data collection protocols within the scientific councils of Alpine protected areas. It identifies five types of reactions: the producers' deep satisfaction that the data they produce interest people specialized in biodiversity treatment and analysis, their attachment to criticized protocols, their interest in data deemed as anecdotal, data withholding, and the expression of scruples concerning the extension of data production to a rising number of species, individuals, habitats and aspects of life. This exploratory work shows that the decoupling between data producers and data users tends to focus the attention on the aptitude of data production to respond to very specific research questions, whereas the production of biodiversity data fulfils several functions, such as reinforcing the ties between people interested in the same species or the attachment to a population or a place. It emphasizes the need to attend to the multiple functions of data production, to listen carefully to the ethical questionings of data producers, and to further study the link between biodiversity conservation and direct implication in data production.La phase actuelle d'accumulation de données sur la biodiversité se caractérise notamment par un découplage entre la production des données et leur traitement, de plus en plus prise en charge par des spécialistes (bioinformaticiens et biostatisticiens). En m'appuyant sur un ensemble d'enquêtes menées ces deux dernières décennies auprès de membres d'institutions publiques ou parapubliques de gestion et de conservation de la nature, je présenterai les effets complexes de ce découplage sur le travail des producteurs professionnels de données sur la biodiversité et leurs réactions à cette évolution. Je soulignerai pour finir que les questions soulevées par ces acteurs (Qui décide quelles données produire et comment, quel usage en faire, jusqu'où collecter des données ?) valent aussi pour les sociologues et les personnes avec lesquelles ils ou elles coproduisent des données et qui veulent généralement savoir comment elles sont enregistrées, archivées, partagées et utilisées

Parc naturel régional du Vercors: Les Conseils scientifiques des espaces protégés des Alpes du Nord. Une étude inter- et transdisciplinaire

Ce rapport concerne les conseils scientifiques du parc naturel régional et de la réserve naturelle des hauts plateaux du Vercors. Le Parc est créé en 1970 et est doté d’un conseil scientifique huit ans plus tard. La réserve naturelle des hauts plateaux du Vercors (RNHPV) est créée en 1985 sur 17 000 has, soit un dixième de la surface du Parc. Plusieurs activités s’y exercent : activités pastorales, activités cynégétiques sur environ 40 % du territoire de la réserve, activités touristiques (randonnée notamment), activités scientifiques. La réserve dispose d’emblée d’un conseil scientifique, qui lui est propre jusqu’en 2009. Le parc et la réserve ont depuis lors un conseil scientifique commun