Drosophila heat shock response requires the jnk pathway and phosphorylation of mixed lineage kinase at a conserved serine-proline motif

Defining context specific requirements for proteins and pathways is a major challenge in the study of signal transduction. For example, the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathways are comprised of families of closely related transducers that are activated in a variety of tissues and contexts during development and organismal homeostasis. Consequently, redundant and pleiotropic effects have hampered a complete understanding of the individual contributions of transducers in distinct contexts. Here, we report on the function of a context-specific regulatory phosphorylation site, PXSP, in the Drosophila mixed lineage kinase protein, Slpr, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) in the Jun Kinase (JNK) pathway. Genetic analysis of the function of non-phosphorylatable (PXAP) and phosphomimetic mutant (PXEP) Slpr transgenes in several distinct contexts revealed minimal effects in JNK-dependent tissue closure processes but differential requirements in heat stress response. In particular, PXAP expression resulted in sensitivity of adults to sustained heat shock, like p38 and JNK pathway mutants. In contrast, PXEP overexpression conferred some resistance. Indeed, phosphorylation of the PXSP motif is enriched under heat shock conditions and requires in part, the p38 kinases for the enrichment. These data suggest that coordination of signaling between p38 and Slpr serves to maintain JNK signaling during heat stress. In sum, we demonstrate a novel role for JNK signaling in the heat shock response in flies and identify a posttranslational modification on Slpr, at a conserved site among MAP3K mixed lineage kinase family members, which bolsters stress resistance with negligible effects on JNK-dependent developmental processes. © 2012 Gonda et al

Beak deformities in north Patagonian birds

Within the last decade, many individuals of several bird species with abnormal and strange beaks deformationshave been reported from Alaska, United States, and from United Kingdom and Ireland. Different forms of beakdeformities were observed, but the causes of these abnormalities are unknown. We report beak deformities in twospecies of birds in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Austral Thrush (Turdus falcklandii) and Patagonian Mockingbird(Mimus patagonicus). Between 2013 and 2016, we captured individuals of White‐crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps, N= 305), Rufous‐collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, N = 119), Austral Thrush (N = 100), Black‐chinned Siskin (Spinusbarbata, N = 64), Patagonian Sierra‐Finch (Phrygilus patagonicus, N = 48) and Gray‐hooded Sierra‐Finch (Phrygilusgayi, N = 40) in surroundings of Esquel city, located in western Patagonia, Chubut province, and quantified the prevalenceof beak deformities. Only adult Austral Thrushes (5 out of 78; 6.41%) showed abnormal beaks. Neither juvenilethrushes (N = 22) nor the other five species showed beak deformations. Austral Thrushes with beak deformationswere also observed and photographed (but not captured) in other areas around the city. We also photographed onePatagonian Mockingbird with an abnormal beak near Las Plumas Village, Chubut province. Beak deformities variedfrom light to severe, and also in their form. Most of them were characterized by an elongated and often decurvedupper mandible, producing an overbite; in other individuals both mandibles were elongated and sometimes crossedor had a pronounced gap. Most affected birds showed signs of improper preening, and one of them was malnourished.All of these characteristics are similar to those described for birds affected by avian keratin disorder in NorthAmerica. Further research is needed to detect potential presence of other species with beak deformities in Patagonia,to find out possible causes of such deformities, and to determine whether these anomalies are associated with naturalhabitats or urban environments.Fil: Gorosito, Cristian Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Gonda, Héctor Eduardo. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "san Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Esquel; ArgentinaFil: Cueto, Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentin

Three-dimensional cultured glioma cell lines

Three-dimensional glioma spheroids were produced in vitro with size and histological differentiation previously unattained. The spheroids were grown in liquid media suspension in a Johnson Space Center (JSC) Rotating Wall Bioreactor without using support matrices such as microcarrier beads. Spheroid volumes of greater than 3.5 cu mm and diameters of 2.5 mm were achieved with a viable external layer or rim of proliferating cells, a transitional layer beneath the external layer with histological differentiation, and a degenerative central region with a hypoxic necrotic core. Cell debris was evident in the degenerative central region. The necrotics centers of some of the spheroids had hyaline droplets. Granular bodies were detected predominantly in the necrotic center

The preparation of BP single crystals by high pressure flux method

Single crystals of BP, a III-V compound semiconductor, were obtained by the high pressure flux method. Cu3P and Ni12P5 powders were used as the flux, and mixed with BP powder. Two kinds of mixtures were prepared: (1) 1.8g (BP) + 35 G (Cu3P) and (2) 1.7 g (BP) + 25 g (Ni12P5). They were compressed into pellets, heated at 1300 C for 24 h in an induction furnace under a pressure of 1 MPa using Ar-P2 gas, and slowly cooled to room temperature. In case (1), BP single crystals grew along the (III) plane, and in case (2) they grew as an aggregate of crystallites. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the synthetic BP crystals showed peaks near 680 nm (1.82 eV) for case (1), and 500 nm (2.47 eV) for case (2). By using the high pressure flux method conventional sized crystals were obtained in a relatively short time

PEDAGOGICAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEVELOPING THE SUBSTITUTION THINKING

The primary objective of the educational process is the development of the thinking of learners. This paper deals with the development of learners' thinking in mathematics, in the transition from the acquisition of calculation algorithms to the acquisition of the algorithmic rules. Algorithmic rules need to be understood and it means the need to change the way of teaching. A substantial change in teaching is the use of question-answer system. This system is described in the paper in terms of pedagogy and psychology, and all these facts lead to comprehensive view of the application of the system in teaching mathematics. In the next part of the article we describe the features of learners thinking. When the method of substitution is taught properly, these features enrich the learners ‘thinking. The method of substitution is the first algorithmic rule.  Article visualizations