Mitochondrial genome sequencing of marine leukaemias reveals cancer contagion between clam species in the Seas of Southern Europe

20 Pág.Clonally transmissible cancers are tumour lineages that are transmitted between individuals via the transfer of living cancer cells. In marine bivalves, leukaemia-like transmissible cancers, called hemic neoplasia (HN), have demonstrated the ability to infect individuals from different species. We performed whole-genome sequencing in eight warty venus clams that were diagnosed with HN, from two sampling points located more than 1000 nautical miles away in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea Coasts of Spain. Mitochondrial genome sequencing analysis from neoplastic animals revealed the coexistence of haplotypes from two different clam species. Phylogenies estimated from mitochondrial and nuclear markers confirmed this leukaemia originated in striped venus clams and later transmitted to clams of the species warty venus, in which it survives as a contagious cancer. The analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences supports all studied tumours belong to a single neoplastic lineage that spreads in the Seas of Southern Europe.We thank the Galicia Supercomputing Centre (CESGA) for the availability of informatic resources. JMCT, SR, SD, and JT are supported by European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant 716,290 SCUBA CANCERS. ALB is supported by MINECO PhD fellowship BES-2016-078166. DG-S is supported by postdoctoral contract ED481B/2018/091 from Xunta de Galicia. DP is supported by ERC grant ERC-617457-PHYLOCANCER and by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) grant PID2019-106247GB-I00. This research was partially funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 730984, ASSEMBLE Plus project. CESAM got financial support from FCT/MEC (UIDP/50017/2020, UIDB/50017/2020).Peer reviewe

Clearance, O2 respiration and NH4 excretion rates of Cerastoderma edule under salinity stress

Here we investigate differences on the energetic strategy of thread drifters (3-4mm) and sedentary settlers (9-10mm) of Cerastoderma edule over a wide range of salinities (3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35) in a laboratory experiment. Several physiological indicators (clearance, respiration and excretion rates and O:N) were measured during acute (2 days) and acclimated responses (7 days of exposure) for both size classes. Our results revealed a common lethal limit for both developmental stages (Salinity <15) but a larger physiological plasticity of thread drifters than sedentary settlers

Role of RAC3 coactivator in the adipocyte differentiation

Abstract RAC3 is a member of the p160 family of steroid receptor coactivators and it is highly expressed in several human cancers, contributing to enhanced cell proliferation and cellular transformation. In this work, we have studied the role of RAC3 in adipogenesis in L-929 cells. Adipogenesis is a highly regulated process, involving cell cycle arrest and changes in the gene expression pattern required for morphological remodelling. We found that RAC3 expression levels are downregulated during adipocyte differentiation induced by specific stimulus. In addition, cells constitutively expressing low levels of RAC3 (shRNA), showed enhanced adipocyte differentiation which was evidenced by the early detection of the adipocyte markers Perilipin, PPARγ and Oil Red O staining. Moreover, RAC3 downregulation favoured cell arrest and autophagy. Early and late autophagy inhibitors blocked adipocyte differentiation in control cells, but partially inhibited shRAC3 differentiation, demonstrating that although autophagy is required for adipogenesis, additional signals could be trigged by RAC3 downregulation. We conclude that RAC3 is a key regulator of adipogenesis, since its downregulation generates the cellular arrest and autophagic responses that are required steps for this process

Cellular Automata Model with Game Theory for Power Management of Hybrid Renewable Energy Smart Grids

Δημοσιεύσεις μελών--ΣΤΕΦ--Τμήμα Αυτοματισμού,2014In recent years, control of smart grids that match electricity demand in different sites and forms with supply has been considered as one of the most difficult aspect of smart energy grids design. In this paper we present a Cellular Automata (CA) based approach combined with Game Theory for the enhancement of Power Management Strategies (PMSs) of multiple Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HYRES) that form a smart grid for the exchange of energy. More specifically, taking advantage of the local interactions of HYRES we coupled CA principles with Public Goods Game (PGG) for modeling. The presented CA model focuses on providing valuable feedback for PMSs of the understudy HYRES connected in a grid. In this manner, a flexible network based HYRES design is considered and applied to specific HYRESs located in Olvio, near Xanthi, Greece, part of SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT facilities. The proposed model can be applied to the understudy HYRESs grid management to enhance and optimize its PMS based on the provided energy prediction scenarios

First feeding of the European hake Merluccius merluccius: selective preys and prey density

The European hake is a top predator which first feeding preferences are largely unknown, despite being suspected that certain prey species and sizes are preferred. This knowledge is relevant for exogenous hatchery food supply during early life stages of hake, but remains elusive due to the difficulty of maintaining, spawning and harvesting hakes (Iglesias et al. 2010) to properly test its natural diets. Post-hatching early stages of hake are believed to feed at low light intensities associated to the deep water column, so testing parallel experimental designs of light-intensity vs. preys are key to undertake this species’ domestication. We examined in vitro prey preference, prey density and mortality of starved 7-8 DPH hake larvae under 12 zooplankton-based diets

First feeding of the European hake merluccius merluccius: Influence of light and tank background

Optimal light characteristics are species-specific in aquatic environment. Each species needs a minimal threshold intensity to develop normally and grow, which is probably related to the aptitude to localize and catch preys. The synergistic effect of food availability-day-length appears to be determining at this stage. Long day-length stimulates growth, influences early maturation and improves larval rearing quality. However, a few species are able to develop and grow at very low light intensities or in the absence of light (Boeuf & Le Bailr 1999). In this study we tested feeding efficiency of hake larvae under various light conditions and tank background

"Mr Golightly’s Holiday" by Salley Vickers. [review]

Mr Golightly is a very reassuring incarnation of God the Father. Slightly old-fashioned and unused to modern life, he is kindly and broadminded, and likes a pint at the local, though he is reluctant to involve himself in the petty affairs of the village. He has difficulty remembering what he wrote all those centuries ago in the Old Testament. The novel is full of gentle theological jokes, but the point of the story is a serious one. However hard a creator tries, once his creatures have independent life, they are out of his control. As he is told by ‘his old rival’ with ‘eyes … like ruined stars,’ ‘no author has the last word on his own work.’ Vickers claims in her note that comedy is the province of Mr Golightly, and tragedy is his rival’s; an interesting idea in these days of black and devilish comedies. But Iris Murdoch’s notion that comedy is basic to the novel, and tragedy, however hard it might try, cannot prevail within its pages is also relevant. Beautifully written, amusing and profound, "Mr Golightly’s Holiday" is wise and disarming and highly recommended

First feeding of the european hake merluccius merluccius: Growth under natural diets and larval fatty acid profile

The European hake is a top predator which first feeding preferences are largely unknown, despite being suspected that certain prey species and sizes are preferred. This knowledge is relevant for exogenous hatchery food supply during early life stages of hake, but remains elusive due to the difficulty of maintaining, spawning and harvesting hakes (Iglesias et al. 2010) to properly test its natural diets. Post-hatching early stages of hake are believed to feed at low light intensities associated to the deep water column, so testing parallel experimental designs of light-intensity vs. preys are key to undertake this species’ domestication. We examined in vitro prey preference, prey density and mortality of starved 7-8 DPH hake larvae under 12 zooplankton-based diets