The Plurality of Farmers’ Views on Soil Management Calls for a Policy Mix

While soil degradation is continuing to threaten the global agricultural production system, a common understanding of how to encourage sustainable soil management is missing. With this study, we aim to provide new insights on targeted policies that address the heterogeneity of farmers. We scrutinized the plurality of views on soil management among arable farmers in the Austrian (and European) policy context. To do so, we applied Q methodology, a method that identifies different perspectives on a topic present in a population and analyzes this subjectivity statistically. We interviewed 34 arable land farmers who varied in their farming backgrounds. The results yielded four different viewpoints on soil management held by the interviewed farmers: two rather ecocentric perspectives (Nature Participants, Pleasure Seekers) and two rather anthropocentric perspectives (Traditional Food Providers, Profit Maximizers). Our study shows that farmers’ soil management is influenced by more than economic considerations and suggests that a mix of policy approaches is needed to reach all farmers and avoid adverse effects of excluding farmers. We provide several suggestions for policymakers on how to complement agri-environmental policies: appealing to human-nature relationships, offering training and experimentation services, fostering social networks, and raising the social reputation of farmers

DNMT1 but not its interaction with the replication machinery is required for maintenance of DNA methylation in human cells

DNA methylation plays a central role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in vertebrates. Genetic and biochemical data indicated that DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is indispensable for the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns in mice, but targeting of the DNMT1 locus in human HCT116 tumor cells had only minor effects on genomic methylation and cell viability. In this study, we identified an alternative splicing in these cells that bypasses the disrupting selective marker and results in a catalytically active DNMT1 protein lacking the proliferating cell nuclear antigen–binding domain required for association with the replication machinery. Using a mechanism-based trapping assay, we show that this truncated DNMT1 protein displays only twofold reduced postreplicative DNA methylation maintenance activity in vivo. RNA interference–mediated knockdown of this truncated DNMT1 results in global genomic hypomethylation and cell death. These results indicate that DNMT1 is essential in mouse and human cells, but direct coupling of the replication of genetic and epigenetic information is not strictly required

Identification and characterization of two novel primate-specific histone H3 variants, H3.X and H3.Y

The expression of a new histone variant H3.Y increases during cellular stress to regulate cell cycle progression and gene expression

KDM2A integrates DNA and histone modification signals through a CXXC/PHD module and direct interaction with HP1.

Functional genomic elements are marked by characteristic DNA and histone modification signatures. How combinatorial chromatin modification states are recognized by epigenetic reader proteins and how this is linked to their biological function is largely unknown. Here we provide a detailed molecular analysis of chromatin recognition by the lysine demethylase KDM2A. Using biochemical approaches we identify a nucleosome interaction module within KDM2A consisting of a CXXC type zinc finger, a PHD domain and a newly identified Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) interaction motif that mediates direct binding between KDM2A and HP1. This nucleosome interaction module enables KDM2A to decode nucleosomal H3K9me3 modification in addition to CpG methylation signals. The multivalent engagement with DNA and HP1 results in a nucleosome binding circuit in which KDM2A can be recruited to H3K9me3-modified chromatin through HP1, and HP1 can be recruited to unmodified chromatin by KDM2A. A KDM2A mutant deficient in HP1-binding is inactive in an in vivo overexpression assay in zebrafish embryos demonstrating that the HP1 interaction is essential for KDM2A function. Our results reveal a complex regulation of chromatin binding for both KDM2A and HP1 that is modulated by DNA- and H3K9-methylation, and suggest a direct role for KDM2A in chromatin silencing

Generation and Characterization of Rat and Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for MeCP2 and Their Use in X-Inactivation Studies

Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) binds DNA, and has a preference for methylated CpGs and, hence, in cells, it accumulates in heterochromatin. Even though it is expressed ubiquitously MeCP2 is particularly important during neuronal maturation. This is underscored by the fact that in Rett syndrome, a neurological disease, 80% of patients carry a mutation in the MECP2 gene. Since the MECP2 gene lies on the X chromosome and is subjected to X chromosome inactivation, affected patients are usually chimeric for wild type and mutant MeCP2. Here, we present the generation and characterization of the first rat monoclonal MeCP2 specific antibodies as well as mouse monoclonal antibodies and a rabbit polyclonal antibody. We demonstrate that our antibodies are suitable for immunoblotting, (chromatin) immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence of endogenous and ectopically expressed MeCP2. Epitope mapping revealed that most of the MeCP2 monoclonal antibodies recognize the C-terminal domain and one the N-terminal domain of MeCP2. Using slot blot analysis, we determined a high sensitivity of all antibodies, detecting amounts as low as 1 ng of MeCP2 protein. Moreover, the antibodies recognize MeCP2 from different species, including human, mouse, rat and pig. Lastly, we have validated their use by analyzing and quantifying X chromosome inactivation skewing using brain tissue of MeCP2 heterozygous null female mice. The new MeCP2 specific monoclonal antibodies described here perform well in a large variety of immunological applications making them a very valuable set of tools for studies of MeCP2 pathophysiology in situ and in vitro

The USP7/Dnmt1 complex stimulates the DNA methylation activity of Dnmt1 and regulates the stability of UHRF1

Aberrant DNA methylation is often associated with cancer and the formation of tumors; however, the underlying mechanisms, in particular the recruitment and regulation of DNA methyltransferases remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified USP7 as an interaction partner of Dnmt1 and UHRF1 in vivo. Dnmt1 and USP7 formed a soluble dimer complex that associated with UHRF1 as a trimeric complex on chromatin. Complex interactions were mediated by the C-terminal domain of USP7 with the TS-domain of Dnmt1, whereas the TRAF-domain of USP7 bound to the SRA-domain of UHRF1. USP7 was capable of targeting UHRF1 for deubiquitination and affects UHRF1 protein stability in vivo. Furthermore, Dnmt1, UHRF1 and USP7 co-localized on silenced, methylated genes in vivo. Strikingly, when analyzing the impact of UHRF1 and USP7 on Dnmt1-dependent DNA methylation, we found that USP7 stimulated both the maintenance and de novo DNA methylation activity of Dnmt1 in vitro. Therefore, we propose a dual role of USP7, regulating the protein turnover of UHRF1 and stimulating the enzymatic activity of Dnmt1 in vitro and in vivo

Un enfoque integral para propiciar cursos abiertos on line desde la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Este proyecto de investigación aplicada da continuidad a las acciones iniciadas en el bienio anterior. Se orienta a la construcción de un prototipo MOOC, en un contexto ya institucionalizado para su desarrollo. Desarrolla acciones de formación de investigadores en tecnologías novedosas como: procesos de digitalización, blockchain, sistemas software, plataformas educativas y herramientas del campo de la Inteligencia Artificial; para coadyuvar a los diferentes enfoques requeridos en el contexto tecnológico actual caracterizado por sus vertiginosos cambios y el aprendizaje colaborativo. Avanza hacia la construcción de propuestas creativas para atender a la articulación entre niveles medio y universitario, por una parte al Ciclo General de Conocimientos Básicos (CGCB) por otra, específicamente en Matemática para Ingeniería en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). Profundiza en el conocimiento del modelo del estudiante, en sus características socioeconómicas, académicas y cognitivas, mediante el uso de Tecnologías Inteligentes de Explotación de la Información (TIEI), no sólo para mejorar los procesos de aprendizaje y evaluación, sino descubrir patrones de comportamiento relevantes para procesos decisionales en la gestión de Educación Superior (ES). Por último, desarrolla actividades interdisciplinarias que posibilitan mejores servicios a la sociedad con la finalidad última de facilitar la apropiación del conocimiento y la tecnología en ES.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Un enfoque integral para propiciar cursos abiertos on line desde la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Este proyecto de investigación aplicada da continuidad a las acciones iniciadas en el bienio anterior. Se orienta a la construcción de un prototipo MOOC, en un contexto ya institucionalizado para su desarrollo. Desarrolla acciones de formación de investigadores en tecnologías novedosas como: procesos de digitalización, blockchain, sistemas software, plataformas educativas y herramientas del campo de la Inteligencia Artificial; para coadyuvar a los diferentes enfoques requeridos en el contexto tecnológico actual caracterizado por sus vertiginosos cambios y el aprendizaje colaborativo. Avanza hacia la construcción de propuestas creativas para atender a la articulación entre niveles medio y universitario, por una parte al Ciclo General de Conocimientos Básicos (CGCB) por otra, específicamente en Matemática para Ingeniería en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). Profundiza en el conocimiento del modelo del estudiante, en sus características socioeconómicas, académicas y cognitivas, mediante el uso de Tecnologías Inteligentes de Explotación de la Información (TIEI), no sólo para mejorar los procesos de aprendizaje y evaluación, sino descubrir patrones de comportamiento relevantes para procesos decisionales en la gestión de Educación Superior (ES). Por último, desarrolla actividades interdisciplinarias que posibilitan mejores servicios a la sociedad con la finalidad última de facilitar la apropiación del conocimiento y la tecnología en ES.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Un enfoque integral para propiciar cursos abiertos on line desde la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Este proyecto de investigación aplicada da continuidad a las acciones iniciadas en el bienio anterior. Se orienta a la construcción de un prototipo MOOC, en un contexto ya institucionalizado para su desarrollo. Desarrolla acciones de formación de investigadores en tecnologías novedosas como: procesos de digitalización, blockchain, sistemas software, plataformas educativas y herramientas del campo de la Inteligencia Artificial; para coadyuvar a los diferentes enfoques requeridos en el contexto tecnológico actual caracterizado por sus vertiginosos cambios y el aprendizaje colaborativo. Avanza hacia la construcción de propuestas creativas para atender a la articulación entre niveles medio y universitario, por una parte al Ciclo General de Conocimientos Básicos (CGCB) por otra, específicamente en Matemática para Ingeniería en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). Profundiza en el conocimiento del modelo del estudiante, en sus características socioeconómicas, académicas y cognitivas, mediante el uso de Tecnologías Inteligentes de Explotación de la Información (TIEI), no sólo para mejorar los procesos de aprendizaje y evaluación, sino descubrir patrones de comportamiento relevantes para procesos decisionales en la gestión de Educación Superior (ES). Por último, desarrolla actividades interdisciplinarias que posibilitan mejores servicios a la sociedad con la finalidad última de facilitar la apropiación del conocimiento y la tecnología en ES.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic