A novel terpene synthase controls differences in anti-aphrodisiac pheromone production between closely related Heliconius butterflies

Plants and insects often use the same compounds for chemical communication, but not much is known about the genetics of convergent evolution of chemical signals. The terpene (E)-beta-ocimene is a common component of floral scent and is also used by the butterfly Heliconius melpomene as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone. While the biosynthesis of terpenes has been described in plants and microorganisms, few terpene synthases (TPSs) have been identified in insects. Here, we study the recent divergence of 2 species, H. melpomene and Heliconius cydno, which differ in the presence of (E)-beta-ocimene; combining linkage mapping, gene expression, and functional analyses, we identify 2 novel TPSs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that one, HmelOS, is able to synthesise (E)-beta-ocimene in vitro. We find no evidence for TPS activity in HcydOS (HmelOS ortholog of H. cydno), suggesting that the loss of (E)-beta-ocimene in this species is the result of coding, not regulatory, differences. The TPS enzymes we discovered are unrelated to previously described plant and insect TPSs, demonstrating that chemical convergence has independent evolutionary origins.Peer reviewe

A novel terpene synthase controls differences in anti-aphrodisiac pheromone production between closely related Heliconius butterflies

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; Grant(s): Emmy Noether Fellowship GZ:ME4845/1-1Funder: Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö; funder-id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004012Funder: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; funder-id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100009201Plants and insects often use the same compounds for chemical communication, but not much is known about the genetics of convergent evolution of chemical signals. The terpene (E)-β-ocimene is a common component of floral scent and is also used by the butterfly Heliconius melpomene as an anti-aphrodisiac pheromone. While the biosynthesis of terpenes has been described in plants and microorganisms, few terpene synthases (TPSs) have been identified in insects. Here, we study the recent divergence of 2 species, H. melpomene and Heliconius cydno, which differ in the presence of (E)-β-ocimene; combining linkage mapping, gene expression, and functional analyses, we identify 2 novel TPSs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that one, HmelOS, is able to synthesise (E)-β-ocimene in vitro. We find no evidence for TPS activity in HcydOS (HmelOS ortholog of H. cydno), suggesting that the loss of (E)-β-ocimene in this species is the result of coding, not regulatory, differences. The TPS enzymes we discovered are unrelated to previously described plant and insect TPSs, demonstrating that chemical convergence has independent evolutionary origins

Legalization of Bitcoin cryptocurrency. Private law aspects

The emergence of a cryptocurrencies in the economic circulation is a challenge for legal systems. The response of a legal system depends on social, political and international determinants. The first attempts to understand cryptocurrencies usually concerns tax law, which, however, are related to the civilian understanding of the phenomenon. In the Polish legal system, we had a lack of regulation directly related to cryptocurrencies, which caused them to be strictly qualified as an instrument whose exchange for money was not exempt from VAT as Bitcoin was not classified as money. This situation has changed as a result of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, which has recognized Bitcoin as an alternative means of payment. Recently, new statutory regulations have been introduced in non-European legal systems, i.e. in Japan and Arizona, which regulate cryptocurrencies in a wider way. This allows us to propose classification of legal systems based on the relationship they have towards cryptocurrencies

The example of GPS technique application for height measurements on mining areas

Popularyzacja technik GPS i globalnych układów odniesienia, spowodowała wzrost praktycznego znaczenia łączenia pomiarów satelitarnych z klasycznymi. Dzięki odpowiednio dokładnemu modelowi geoidy, wykorzystanie technik satelitarnych daje możliwość realizacji pomiarów wysokościowych o dokładnościach porównywalnych z niwelacją geometryczną. Niewiele publikacji poświęconych praktycznym aspektom wdrożenia techniki GPS nie sprzyja jej upowszechnieniu w praktyce inżynierskiej. Przedstawione wyniki nawiązań wysokościowych osnów kopalnianych w rejonie Inowrocławia są przykładem potwierdzenia celowości wykorzystania techniki GPS w tego typu pracach, również w aspekcie ekonomicznym.The popularization of GPS technique and global positioning system has led to increase practical importance of satellite and classic survey combination. Thanks to adequately accurate geoid model advantages of satellite techniques proves execution of height measurements with accuracy that equals classic spirit levelling. The most discussions about GPS techniques concern reference system or geoid models. The small number of papers dealing with the problem of practical uses resulting from application of GPS technique to engineering practice (in the range of height measurements) does not allow to their dissemination (what implies economical effect as well). Presented paper discusses results of height measurements on Inowrocław region (reference measurements for mines' networks) and it is an example proving utility of GPS measurements in such works

Effects of propofol and carbon dioxide on acid-base balance in Siberian sturgeon

The aim of this study was to compare physiological responses in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) induced by propofol and CO2 anaesthesia. Two procedures were applied during the experiment. In procedure I, blood samples were collected immediately after exposure (1, 2, 5, 10 min) to the anaesthetic. In procedure II, fish were exposed to the anaesthetic for 10 minutes and then were moved to anaesthetic free water. Blood was sampled after 5, 10, 20 or 30 min of recovery time. Gasometrical and biochemical analyses were performed on collected blood. In CO2 anaesthetized fish strong hypercapnic acidosis was revealed. The drop of the HCO3-/CO2 ratio, from 28:1 in control fish up to 4:1 in CO2 anaesthetized ones, proved that the compensation mechanism is not capable of preventing acidosis during CO2 anaesthesia in Siberian sturgeon. In contrast, only moderate, respiratory acidosis occurred in sturgeons anaesthetised with propofol. Hypercapnic acidosis during CO2 anaesthesia was followed by a fourfold increase of ammonia level in the blood. Glucose level, increasing only during recovery time, indicates that a secondary stress response occurred when awareness of anaesthetized fish had been restored

Induced artificial androgenesis in common tench, Tinca tinca (L.), using common carp and common bream eggs

This study presents artificial induction using tench eggs, Tinca tinca (L.), of androgenetic origin. The oocytes taken from common bream, Abramis brama (L.) and common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. were genetically inactivated using UV irradiation and then inseminated using tench spermatozoa. Androgenetic origin (haploid or diploid embryos) was checked using a recessive colour (blond) and morphological markers. The percentage of hatched embryos in all experimental groups was much lower than in the control groups. All haploid embryos showed morphological abnormalities, which were recorded as haploid syndrome (stunted body, poorly formed retina, etc.). The optimal dose of UV irradiation of common bream and common carp eggs was 3456 J m–2. At this dose, almost 100% of haploid embryos were produced at a hatching rate of over 6%. Lower UV-ray doses affected abnormal embryo development. The highest yield of tench androgenesis (about 2%) was noted when eggs were exposed to thermal shock 30 min after egg activation