Determining prey spectra of carnivorous sundews using DNA-metabarcoding

Prey spectra of five closely-related species of carnivorous plants (Drosera sect. Arachnopus, Droseraceae) were investigated in their natural habitats in Western Australia using novel in-situ macro photography and DNA-metabarcoding techniques. Accurate analysis of prey spectra (even of heavily digested prey) at a taxonomic resolution and level of completeness unachievable by morphology-based methods was demonstrated. Observed prey selectivity in the scented D. fragrans supported the existence of an olfactory prey attraction strategy in this species

alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's disease: causal or bystander?

Parkinson's disease (PD) comprises a spectrum of disorders with differing subtypes, the vast majority of which share Lewy bodies (LB) as a characteristic pathological hallmark. The process(es) underlying LB generation and its causal trigger molecules are not yet fully understood. alpha-Synuclein (alpha-syn) is a major component of LB and SNCA gene missense mutations or duplications/triplications are causal for rare hereditary forms of PD. As typical sporadic PD is associated with LB pathology, a factor of major importance is the study of the alpha-syn protein and its pathology. alpha-Syn pathology is, however, also evident in multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Lewy body disease (LBD), making it non-specific for PD. In addition, there is an overlap of these alpha-synucleinopathies with other protein-misfolding diseases. It has been proven that alpha-syn, phosphorylated tau protein (p tau), amyloid beta (A beta) and other proteins show synergistic effects in the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Multiple cell death mechanisms can induce pathological protein-cascades, but this can also be a reverse process. This holds true for the early phases of the disease process and especially for the progression of PD. In conclusion, while rare SNCA gene mutations are causal for a minority of familial PD patients, in sporadic PD (where common SNCA polymorphisms are the most consistent genetic risk factor across populations worldwide, accounting for 95% of PD patients) alpha-syn pathology is an important feature. Conversely, with regard to the etiopathogenesis of alpha-synucleinopathies PD, MSA and LBD, alpha-syn is rather a bystander contributing to multiple neurodegenerative processes, which overlap in their composition and individual strength. Therapeutic developments aiming to impact on alpha-syn pathology should take this fact into consideration