Low-Frequency Shear Parameters Viscoelastic Relaxation Process

An experimental study of the shear parameters of viscoelastic liquids is carried out by the acoustic resonance method based on the changes in the natural frequency and Q factor of a piezoelectric quartz resonator. The liquid to be studied is placed between a stationary quartz strap and the piezoelectric quartz crystal vibrating at the resonance frequency. For a set of drilling mud, the values of the real and imaginary shear module are obtained at a frequency of 74 kHz. The measurements are performed with a liquid layer thickness much smaller than the shear wavelength. It is shown that the shear modulus decreases with increasing strain amplitude. A hole-cluster model based on the Isakovich- Chaban nonlocal diffusion theory is proposed for explaining the low-frequency viscoelastic relaxation process.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/pmas.v0i4.46 Proceedings of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 2009 No 4 pp.53-5

Monotreme glucagon-like peptide-1 in venom and gut: one gene – two very different functions

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/The importance of Glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) for metabolic control and insulin release sparked the evolution of genes mimicking GLP-1 action in venomous species (e.g. Exendin-4 in Heloderma suspectum (gila monster)). We discovered that platypus and echidna express a single GLP-1 peptide in both intestine and venom. Specific changes in GLP-1 of monotreme mammals result in resistance to DPP-4 cleavage which is also observed in the GLP-1 like Exendin-4 expressed in Heloderma venom. Remarkably we discovered that monotremes evolved an alternative mechanism to degrade GLP-1. We also show that monotreme GLP-1 stimulates insulin release in cultured rodent islets, but surprisingly shows low receptor affinity and bias toward Erk signaling. We propose that these changes in monotreme GLP-1 are the result of conflicting function of this peptide in metabolic control and venom. This evolutionary path is fundamentally different from the generally accepted idea that conflicting functions in a single gene favour duplication and diversification, as is the case for Exendin-4 in gila monster. This provides novel insight into the remarkably different metabolic control mechanism and venom function in monotremes and an unique example of how different selective pressures act upon a single gene in the absence of gene duplication

Peripheral Nervous System Genes Expressed in Central Neurons Induce Growth on Inhibitory Substrates

Trauma to the spinal cord and brain can result in irreparable loss of function. This failure of recovery is in part due to inhibition of axon regeneration by myelin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Peripheral nervous system (PNS) neurons exhibit increased regenerative ability compared to central nervous system neurons, even in the presence of inhibitory environments. Previously, we identified over a thousand genes differentially expressed in PNS neurons relative to CNS neurons. These genes represent intrinsic differences that may account for the PNS’s enhanced regenerative ability. Cerebellar neurons were transfected with cDNAs for each of these PNS genes to assess their ability to enhance neurite growth on inhibitory (CSPG) or permissive (laminin) substrates. Using high content analysis, we evaluated the phenotypic profile of each neuron to extract meaningful data for over 1100 genes. Several known growth associated proteins potentiated neurite growth on laminin. Most interestingly, novel genes were identified that promoted neurite growth on CSPGs (GPX3, EIF2B5, RBMX). Bioinformatic approaches also uncovered a number of novel gene families that altered neurite growth of CNS neurons

Insights into the evolution of mammalian telomerase: Platypus TERT shares similarities with genes of birds and other reptiles and localizes on sex chromosomes

Background The TERT gene encodes the catalytic subunit of the telomerase complex and is responsible for maintaining telomere length. Vertebrate telomerase has been studied in eutherian mammals, fish, and the chicken, but less attention has been paid to other vertebrates. The platypus occupies an important evolutionary position, providing unique insight into the evolution of mammalian genes. We report the cloning of a platypus TERT (OanTERT) ortholog, and provide a comparison with genes of other vertebrates. Results The OanTERT encodes a protein with a high sequence similarity to marsupial TERT and avian TERT. Like the TERT of sauropsids and marsupials, as well as that of sharks and echinoderms, OanTERT contains extended variable linkers in the N-terminal region suggesting that they were present already in basal vertebrates and lost independently in rayfinned fish and eutherian mammals. Several alternatively spliced OanTERT variants structurally similar to avian TERT variants were identified. Telomerase activity is expressed in all platypus tissues like that of cold-blooded animals and murine rodents. OanTERT was localized on pseudoautosomal regions of sex chromosomes X3/Y2, expanding the homology between human chromosome 5 and platypus sex chromosomes. Synteny analysis suggests that TERT co-localized with sex-linked genes in the last common mammalian ancestor. Interestingly, female platypuses express higher levels of telomerase in heart and liver tissues than do males. Conclusions OanTERT shares many features with TERT of the reptilian outgroup, suggesting that OanTERT represents the ancestral mammalian TERT. Features specific to TERT of eutherian mammals have, therefore, evolved more recently after the divergence of monotremes.Radmila Hrdličková, Jiří Nehyba, Shu Ly Lim, Frank Grützner, Henry R Bose J

Segmental duplication associated with evolutionary instability of human chromosome 3p25

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of human bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones to orangutan metaphase spreads localized a breakpoint between human chromosome 3p25.1 and orangutan chromosome 2 to a <30-kb interval. The inversion occurred in a relatively gene-rich region with seven genes within 500 kb. The underlying breakpoint is closely juxtaposed to validated genes, however no functional gene has been disrupted by the evolutionary rearrangement. An approximately 21-kb DNA segment at the 3p25.1 breakpoint region has been duplicated intrachromosomally and interchromosomally to multiple regions in the orangutan and human genomes, providing additional evidence for the role of segmental duplications in hominoid chromosome evolution.Y. Yue; E. Tsend-Ayush; F. Grützner; B. Grossmann and T. Haa

Changes in the ghrelin hormone pathway maybe part of an unusual gastric system in monotremes

Ghrelin is a growth hormone (GH)-releasing and appetite-regulating peptide predominately released from the stomach. Ghrelin is evolutionarily highly conserved and known to have a wide range of functions including the regulation of metabolism by maintaining an insulin-glucose balance. The peptide is produced as a single proprotein, which is later proteolytically cleaved. Ghrelin exerts its biological function after O-n-octanoylation at residue serine 3, which is catalyzed by ghrelin O-acyl transferase (GOAT) and allows binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R 1a). Genes involved in the ghrelin pathway have been identified in a broad range of vertebrate species, however, little is known about this pathway in the basal mammalian lineage of monotremes (platypus and echidna). Monotremes are particularly interesting in this context, as they have undergone massive changes in stomach anatomy and physiology, accompanied by a striking loss of genes involved in gastric function. In this study, we investigated genes in the ghrelin pathway in monotremes. Using degenerate PCR, database searches and synteny analysis we found that genes encoding ghrelin and GOAT are missing in the platypus genome, whilst, as has been reported in other species, the GHSR is present and expressed in brain, pancreas, kidney, intestine, heart and stomach. This is the first report suggesting the loss of ghrelin in a mammal. The loss of this gene may be related to changes to the platypus digestive system and raises questions about the control of blood glucose levels and insulin response in monotreme mammals. In addition, the conservation of the ghrelin receptor gene in platypus indicates that another ligand(s) maybe acting via this receptor in monotremes.Chuan He, Enkhjargal Tsend-Ayush, Mark A. Myers, Briony E. Forbes, Frank Grützne

Platypus have four male-specific chromosomes that segregate together at meiosis

More than 200 years after the discovery of the platypus, monotreme chromosomes remain deeply puzzling. Karyotypes of both sexes were claimed to contain a set of chromosomes for which no homologues could be identified. At male meiosis these presumably translocated chromosomes assemble in a multivalent chain involving the X chromosome. Such a system of translocation heterozygosity is unprecedented in vertebrates, although similar systems are found naturally in some plants and a few social insects. Mice heterozygous for autosomal translocations can be deliberately bred, but have severe meiotic defects and produce high proportions of aneuploid sperm. The number, identity and homology relationships of the translocated chromosomes have been controversial over the past 30 years, as has their role in sex determination and their segregation to form balanced gametes. In order to solve the complex chromosome system in platypus we have generated chromosome paints for 20 platypus chromosomes and hybridised these paints on male and female metaphase chromosomes as well as meiotic cells and sperm. Five paints show a different hybridisation pattern on male and female chromosomes. Four chromosomes (including the X) were identified that are present in one copy in males and in two copies in females. Additionally, four male-specific chromosomes have been identified that detect no homologues in females, but share sequences with other unpaired chromosomes. One of these has complete homology to the short arm of the X. BAC clones from one of the male specific chromosomes contain male-specific sequences. Position of these chromosomes at different meiotic stages revealed a consistent order of chromosomes within the meiotic chain. Co-localisation of these elements on mature sperm provides the first direct evidence that two different sperm types are produced as a result of alternate segregation in platypus.Frank Grützner, Willem Rens, Russell Jones, Enkhjargal Tsend-Ayush, Jennifer A. Marshall Graveshttp://hgm2004.hgu.mrc.ac.uk/Abstracts/Publish/WorkshopPosters/WorkshopPosters12/hgm308.htm

Assignment1 of the DMRT1 gene to tammar wallaby chromosome 3p by fluorescence in situ hybridization

N. El-Mogharbel, J. Deakin, E. Tsend-Ayush, A. Pask and J.A.M. Grave

Conservation and expression of piRNA pathway genes in male and female adult gonad of amniotes

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is essential for germline development and transposable element repression. Key elements of this pathway are members of the piRNA-binding PIWI/Argonaute protein family and associated factors (e.g., VASA, MAELSTROM, and TUDOR domain proteins). PIWI-interacting RNAs have been identified in mouse testis and oocytes, but information about the expression of the different piRNA pathway genes, in particular in the mammalian ovary, remains incomplete. We investigated the evolution and expression of piRNA pathway genes in gonads of amniote species (chicken, platypus, and mouse). Database searches confirm a high level of conservation and revealed lineage-specific gain and loss of Piwi genes in vertebrates. Expression analysis in mammals shows that orthologs of Piwi-like (Piwil) genes, Mael (Maelstrom), Mvh (mouse vasa homolog), and Tdrd1 (Tudor domain-containing protein 1) are expressed in platypus adult testis. In contrast to mouse, Piwil4 is expressed in platypus and human adult testis. We found evidence for Mael and Piwil2 expression in mouse Sertoli cells. Importantly, we show mRNA expression of Piwil2, Piwil4, and Mael in oocytes and supporting cells of human, mouse, and platypus ovary. We found no Piwil1 expression in mouse and chicken ovary. The conservation of gene expression in somatic parts of the gonad and germ cells of species that diverged over 800 million yr ago indicates an important role in adult male and female gonad.Shu Ly Lim, Enkhjargal Tsend-Ayush, R. Daniel Kortschak, Reuben Jacob, Carmela Ricciardelli, Martin K. Oehler, and Frank Grützne