A following association between juvenile Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) and Myrichthys ocellatus (Ophichthidae)

Copyright © 2006 Société Française d’Ichtyologie.Une association entre un mérou noir juvénile Epinephelus marginatus (Serranidae) et Myrichthys ocellatus (Ophichthidae). Les informations sur le comportement des poissons marins du Brésil sont très réduites. Nous présentons dans ce travail la première observation d’une interaction dans laquelle un mérou noir Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) agit comme suiveur d’un Myrichthys ocellatus (Lesueur, 1825). Ce comportement a été observé par hasard dans un récif de la Réserve marine biologique de Arvoredo, située sur la côte centrale de l’état de Santa Catarina, Brésil. Bien que l’observation ait été unique, l’interaction entre ces deux espèces nous a semblé apporter un bénéfice pour le mérou suiveur, qui peut ainsi chasser des proies cachées. Nous l’avons vu défendre activement sa place auprès de M. ocellatus, contre l’approche de deux autres jeunes mérous

In vivo Firre and Dxz4 deletion elucidates roles for autosomal gene regulation

Recent evidence has determined that the conserved X chromosome mega-structurescontrolled by theFirreandDxz4loci are not required for X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in celllines. Here, we examined the in vivo contribution of these loci by generating mice carrying a singleor double deletion ofFirreandDxz4. We found that these mutants are viable, fertile and show nodefect in random or imprinted XCI. However, the lack of these elements results in manydysregulated genes on autosomes in an organ-specific manner. By comparing the dysregulatedgenes between the single and double deletion, we identified superloop, megadomain, andFirrelocus-dependent gene sets. The largest transcriptional effect was observed in all strains lacking theFirrelocus, indicating that this locus is the main driver for these autosomal expression signatures.Collectively, these findings suggest that these X-linked loci are involved in autosomal generegulation rather than XCI biology

The Transforming Growth Factor-β Pathway Is a Common Target of Drugs That Prevent Experimental Diabetic Retinopathy

OBJECTIVE-- Prevention of diabetic retinopathy would benefit from availability of drugs that preempt the effects of hyperglycemia on retinal vessels. We aimed to identify candidate drug targets by investigating the molecular effects of drugs that prevent retinal capillary demise in the diabetic rat. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-- We examined the gene expression profile of retinal vessels isolated from rats with 6 months of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and compared it with that of control rats. We then tested whether the aldose reductase inhibitor sorbinil and aspirin, which have different mechanisms of action, prevented common molecular abnormalities induced by diabetes. The Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Genome 230 2.0 array was complemented by real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS-- The retinal vessels of diabetic rats showed differential expression of 20 genes of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway, in addition to genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular remodeling, and apoptosis. The complete loop of TGF-β signaling, including Smad2 phosphorylation, was enhanced in the retinal vessels, but not in the neural retina. Sorbinil normalized the expression of 71% of the genes related to oxidative stress and 62% of those related to inflammation. Aspirin had minimal or no effect on these two categories. The two drugs were instead concordant in reducing the upregulation of genes of the TGF-β pathway (55% for sorbinil and 40% for aspirin) and apoptosis (74 and 42%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS-- Oxidative and inflammatory stress is the distinct signature that the polyol pathway leaves on retinal vessels. TGF-β and apoptosis are, however, the ultimate targets to prevent the capillary demise in diabetic retinopathy

Habitat use and abundance of goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara in Brazil: a participative survey

Developing survey strategies for threatened species is often limited by access to sufficient individuals to acquire information needed to design appropriate conservation measures. The goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is a large reef fish, globally classified as critically endangered. In Brazil, fishing has been prohibited since 2002. Herein we investigated habitat use and abundance of E. itajara in Brazil drawn from a participative survey, which engaged volunteer divers in data-collection. A total of 188 reports were recorded between 2005 to 2011 throughout 13 Brazilian states. Our results revealed that habitat type influenced the relationship between total length and depth of occurrence of E. itajara. We observed a significant difference between habitats, artificial presented a nonlinear and natural an asymptotic relationship. This study underscores the importance of developing conservation measures addressing specific habitats and locations to enhance population recovery. Artificial structures (shipwrecks and manmade reefs) are critical habitats that must be considered as highly sensitive areas to E. itajara strategic conservation policies. We suggest the creation and implementation of marine protected areas, as key strategies for E. itajara conservation, especially for artificial habitats and aggregation sites124803810O desenvolvimento de estratégias de pesquisa para espécies ameaçadas é frequentemente limitado pelo acesso a indivíduos suficientes para adquirir informações necessárias para elaborar medidas de conservação adequadas. Dentre essas espécies, o mero (Epinephelus itajara) é um peixe recifal de grande tamanho, classificado globalmente como criticamente ameaçado. No Brasil, a pesca é proibida desde 2002. Investigou-se o uso de hábitat e abundância de E. itajara no Brasil através de uma pesquisa participativa, que engajou mergulhadores voluntários na coleta dos dados. Um total de 188 relatos foram registrados entre 2005 a 2011 em 13 estados brasileiros. Os resultados revelaram que o tipo de hábitat influenciou a relação entre o comprimento total e profundidade de ocorrência de E. itajara. Observou-se uma diferença significativa entre hábitats: hábitat artificial apresentou uma relação não linear e hábitat natural uma relação assintótica. Este estudo ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento de medidas de conservação abordando hábitats e locais específicos visando a recuperação populacional. Estruturas artificiais (naufrágios e recifes feitos pelo homem) são hábitats críticos que devem ser considerados como áreas relevantes para as estratégias políticas conservação de E. itajara. Sugere-se a criação e implementação de áreas marinhas protegidas como uma estratégia fundamental para a conservação de E. itajara, especialmente em hábitats artificiais e locais de agregaçãosem informaçã

Peixes de Costão Rochoso de Santa Catarina. I. Arvoredo

Este livro representa um passo importante no sentido de ampliar o conhecimento acerca da ictiofauna marinha do sul do Brasil e de sensibilizar pesquisadores, tomadores de decisão e o público em geral com relação à importância da conservação da Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo.ABSTRACT: The book is timely, as it provides meaningful support to regional management strategies, where the costal zone is in demonstrable irregular overgrowth. Although not specifically meant for management applications, the check list presented, as well as the photo-drawing guide is of great utility for many ecology/community studies. The book synthesizes a 10-year research effort, and is organized in several topics, which includes an introduction about the ABMR, a synopses on reef fish ecology biological adaptations of reef fish, systematic and rocky-shore habitat occupation. A check list and menaced species are also pointed out, as well as an explanation of how-to-use the guide, glossary and index. A total of 84 species are presented in colour underwater photos, common names are given in Portuguese, Spanish and English, with a detailed description of the most important distinctive features, pointed in schematic drawings of each species; behavior, feeding habits, reaction to divers and distribution are also reported. The book is a strong tool to accurately identifying the most common observed fish species when diving along South Brazil. This guide-book can surely be widely used in Brazil, especially to introduce young scientists and the general public in the rocky-shore fish ecology. Scuba divers will also benefit from this tool, which provides a practical way for further studying and identifying fishes

The Tug1 locus is essential for male fertility

Background: Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to function as central components of molecular machines that play fundamental roles in biology. While the number of annotated lncRNAs in mammalian genomes has greatly expanded, their functions remain largely uncharacterized. This is compounded by the fact that identifying lncRNA loci that have robust and reproducible phenotypes when mutated has been a challenge. Results: We previously generated a cohort of 20 lncRNA loci knockout mice. Here, we extend our initial study and provide a more detailed analysis of the highly conserved lncRNA locus, Taurine Upregulated Gene 1 (Tug1). We report that Tug1 knockout male mice are sterile with complete penetrance due to a low sperm count and abnormal sperm morphology. Having identified a lncRNA loci with a robust phenotype, we wanted to determine which, if any, potential elements contained in the Tug1 genomic region (DNA, RNA, protein, or the act of transcription) have activity. Using engineered mouse models and cell-based assays, we provide evidence that the Tug1 locus harbors three distinct regulatory activities - two noncoding and one coding: (i) a cis DNA repressor that regulates many neighboring genes, (ii) a lncRNA that can regulate genes by a trans-based function, and finally (iii) Tug1 encodes an evolutionary conserved peptide that when overexpressed impacts mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions: Our results reveal an essential role for the Tug1 locus in male fertility and uncover three distinct regulatory activities in the Tug1 locus, thus highlighting the complexity present at lncRNA loci

Resolving mechanisms of immune-mediated disease in primary CD4 T cells

ABSTRACT Deriving mechanisms of immune-mediated disease from GWAS data remains a formidable challenge, with attempts to identify causal variants being frequently hampered by linkage disequilibrium. To determine whether causal variants could be identified via their functional effects, we adapted a massively-parallel reporter assay for use in primary CD4 T-cells, key effectors of many immune-mediated diseases. Using the results to guide further study, we provide a generalisable framework for resolving disease mechanisms from non-coding associations – illustrated by a locus linked to 6 immune-mediated diseases, where the lead functional variant causally disrupts a super-enhancer within an NF-κB-driven regulatory circuit, triggering unrestrained T-cell activation

IL-1β Is Upregulated in the Diabetic Retina and Retinal Vessels: Cell-Specific Effect of High Glucose and IL-1β Autostimulation

Many molecular and cellular abnormalities detected in the diabetic retina support a role for IL-1β-driven neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. IL-1β is well known for its role in the induction and, through autostimulation, amplification of neuroinflammation. Upregulation of IL-1β has been consistently detected in the diabetic retina; however, the mechanisms and cellular source of IL-1β overexpression are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high glucose and IL-1β itself on IL-1β expression in microglial, macroglial (astrocytes and Müller cells) and retinal vascular endothelial cells; and to study the effect of diabetes on the expression of IL-1β in isolated retinal vessels and on the temporal pattern of IL-1β upregulation and glial reactivity in the retina of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. IL-1β was quantified by RealTime RT-PCR and ELISA, glial fibrillar acidic protein, α2-macroglobulin, and ceruloplasmin by immunoblotting. We found that high glucose induced a 3-fold increase of IL-1β expression in retinal endothelial cells but not in macroglia and microglia. IL-1β induced its own synthesis in endothelial and macroglial cells but not in microglia. In retinal endothelial cells, the high glucose-induced IL-1β overexpression was prevented by calphostin C, a protein kinase C inhibitor. The retinal vessels of diabetic rats showed increased IL-1β expression as compared to non-diabetic rats. Retinal expression of IL-1β increased early after the induction of diabetes, continued to increase with progression of the disease, and was temporally associated with upregulation of markers of glial activation. These findings point to hyperglycemia as the trigger and to the endothelium as the origin of the initial retinal upregulation of IL-1β in diabetes; and to IL-1β itself, via autostimulation in endothelial and macroglial cells, as the mechanism of sustained IL-1β overexpression. Interrupting the vicious circle triggered by IL-1β autostimulation could limit the progression of diabetic retinopathy