Horizontal gene transfer in chromalveolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Horizontal gene transfer (HGT), the non-genealogical transfer of genetic material between different organisms, is considered a potentially important mechanism of genome evolution in eukaryotes. Using phylogenomic analyses of expressed sequence tag (EST) data generated from a clonal cell line of a free living dinoflagellate alga <it>Karenia brevis</it>, we investigated the impact of HGT on genome evolution in unicellular chromalveolate protists.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 16 proteins that have originated in chromalveolates through ancient HGTs before the divergence of the genera <it>Karenia </it>and <it>Karlodinium </it>and one protein that was derived through a more recent HGT. Detailed analysis of the phylogeny and distribution of identified proteins demonstrates that eight have resulted from independent HGTs in several eukaryotic lineages.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Recurring intra- and interdomain gene exchange provides an important source of genetic novelty not only in parasitic taxa as previously demonstrated but as we show here, also in free-living protists. Investigating the tempo and mode of evolution of horizontally transferred genes in protists will therefore advance our understanding of mechanisms of adaptation in eukaryotes.</p

Solanum chilense partial ICE gene for transcription factor Inducer of CBF expression 1, isolate

DNA sequence, 1,944 base pairs, from Solanum chilense, a wild tomato species. GenBank accession no.: LN851583.1

Розробка купажів рослинних олій із високою біологічною цінністю та антиокиснювальною стабільністю

The compositions of fatty acids of 15 types of vegetable oils of cold pressing have been studied to develop and justify the blends of sunflower oil with camelina oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil as those that have reasonable ratios of ω-3:ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The autocatalytic oxidation of the blends was studied at a storage temperature of (20±2) ºС with free access of light and air. A significant slowdown in the rate of accumulatng peroxides and free fatty acids was established when blending 45 % of walnut oil or 40 % of camelina oil with the appropriate amount of sunflower oil.The developed blend of 55 % of sunflower oil plus 45 % of walnut oil has been found to have a ratio of ω-3:ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids close to that recommended for daily nutrition. Blends of vegetable oils with a higher ratio of ω-3:ω-6 fatty acids (75 % of sunflower oil plus 25 % of flaxseed oil and 60 % of sunflower oil plus 25 % of camelina oil) are recommended by the authors for therapeutic nutrition.Blending of traditional sunflower oil with other types of vegetable oils makes it possible to solve two problems – to increase the biological value of fat by optimizing the fatty acid composition and to increase resistance to oxidative spoilage. The developed blends of sunflower oil with walnut oil or camelina oil are stable to oxidation, so they can be recommended for making health-improving products.Исследован и уточнен состав жирных кислот растительных масел холодного прессования. Разработан и обоснован состав купажей на основе подсолнечного масла с добалением масел семян рыжика, льна и грецкого ореха, которые гарантируют рациональное соотношение ω-3:ω-6 жирных кислот с точки зрения их содержания в пищевом рационе. Исследованoавтокаталитическое окисление купажей при температуре хранения (20±2) ºС со свободным доступом света и воздуха. Установлено существенное замедление скорости накопления пероксидов и свободных жирных кислот при купажировании 45% орехового или 40 % рыжикового масла с соответствующим количеством подсолнечного маслаДосліджено і уточнено склад жирних кислот рослинних олій холодного пресування. Розроблений і обґрунтований склад купажів на основі соняшникової олії з додаванням олій насіння рижію, льону та волоського горіху, що забезпечують раціональне співвідношення ω-3:ω-6 жирних кислот з точки зору їх вмісту у харчовому раціоні. Досліджено перебіг автокаталітичного окиснення купажів при зберіганні їх за температури 20±2 ºС за вільного доступу світла та повітря. Встановлено суттєве уповільнення швидкості накопичення пероксидів при купажуванні 45 % горіхової або 40 % рижієвої олії з відповідною кількістю соняшникової олі

Supplementary tables from Signatures of natural selection in abiotic stress-responsive genes of <i>Solanum chilense</i>

This file contains tables S3-S10 with all the single values from the calculated statistic

Male Sterility in Maize after Transient Heat Stress during the Tetrad Stage of Pollen Development

Shifts in the duration and intensity of ambient temperature impair plant development and reproduction, particularly male gametogenesis. Stress exposure causes meiotic defects or premature spore abortion in male reproductive organs, leading to male sterility. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying stress and male sterility. To elucidate these mechanisms, we imposed a moderate transient heat stress on maize (Zea mays) plants at the tetrad stage of pollen development. After completion of pollen development at optimal conditions, stress responses were assessed in mature pollen. Transient heat stress resulted in reduced starch content, decreased enzymatic activity, and reduced pollen germination, resulting in sterility. A transcriptomic comparison pointed toward misregulation of starch, lipid, and energy biosynthesis-related genes. Metabolomic studies showed an increase of Suc and its monosaccharide components, as well as a reduction in pyruvate. Lipidomic analysis showed increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids and decreased levels of saturated fatty acids. In contrast, the majority of genes involved in developmental processes such as those required for auxin and unfolded protein responses, signaling, and cell wall biosynthesis remained unaltered. It is noteworthy that changes in the regulation of transcriptional and metabolic pathway genes, as well as heat stress proteins, remained altered even though pollen could recover during further development at optimal conditions. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that a short moderate heat stress during the highly susceptible tetrad stage strongly affects basic metabolic pathways and thus generates germination-defective pollen, ultimately leading to severe yield losses in maize

Optical and structural properties of Mn 4+ activated (ZnxMg1‐x)2TiO4 red phosphors

International audienceWe report on optical and structural investigations of Mn4+ activated (ZnxMg1-x)2TiO4 red phosphors by X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance methods. The phosphors of Mg2TiO4, Zn2TiO4 and solid solutions (ZnxMg1-x)2TiO4 (x=0.25, 0.50, 0.75) with manganese content of 0.1 mol. % were synthesized at temperatures in the range of 800-1200 °C via solid state reaction. Formation of solid solutions of inverse spinel structure demonstrates the features similar to both the Mg2TiO4 and Zn2TiO4, i.e. decomposition of the (Zn,Mg)2TiO4 on the (Zn,Mg)TiO3 and MgO and separation of the secondary ZnO phase, respectively. These processes depend on the composition of solid solution and sintering temperature, and for some regimes the single phase phosphor can be obtained. The largest intensity of Mn4+ red PL is found in the Mn-doped (Zn0.25Mg0.75)2TiO4 phosphor sintered at 1100°C and it is 2 times larger than those in similar Mn4+ activated Mg2TiO4 phosphor. The differences in the PL intensity of the phosphors of solid solutions are explained by different PL thermal quenching as well as by competing processes of Mn incorporation in +2 and +4 charge states in zinc-magnesium titanate crystal lattice

New Vegetable Oil Blends to Ensure High Biological Value and Oxidative Stability

The compositions of fatty acids of 15 types of vegetable oils of cold pressing have been studied to develop and justify the blends of sunflower oil with camelina oil, flaxseed oil and walnut oil as those that have reasonable ratios of ω-3:ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The autocatalytic oxidation of the blends was studied at a storage temperature of (20±2) ºС with free access of light and air. A significant slowdown in the rate of accumulatng peroxides and free fatty acids was established when blending 45 % of walnut oil or 40 % of camelina oil with the appropriate amount of sunflower oil.The developed blend of 55 % of sunflower oil plus 45 % of walnut oil has been found to have a ratio of ω-3:ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids close to that recommended for daily nutrition. Blends of vegetable oils with a higher ratio of ω-3:ω-6 fatty acids (75 % of sunflower oil plus 25 % of flaxseed oil and 60 % of sunflower oil plus 25 % of camelina oil) are recommended by the authors for therapeutic nutrition.Blending of traditional sunflower oil with other types of vegetable oils makes it possible to solve two problems – to increase the biological value of fat by optimizing the fatty acid composition and to increase resistance to oxidative spoilage. The developed blends of sunflower oil with walnut oil or camelina oil are stable to oxidation, so they can be recommended for making health-improving products