Molecular characterization of the Arabidopsis thaliana histidine kinase 1 and transitions from the multistep phosphorelay system to Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation

The Arabidopsis thaliana histidine kinase 1 (AHK1) is part of the multistep phosphorelay system in plants and involved in the adjustment of the plant to osmotic stress. The adjustment might be achieved by an AHK1-dependent transition from the multistep phosphorelay system to Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphorylation. This work shows results of the phosphoproteomic analysis of an ahk1 knock down mutant in comparison to the wildtype, an idea, how these differentially phosphorylated proteins can be connected to AHK1-dependent signaling and different phenotypes of ahk1 knock down mutants which confirm these hypotheses

Advertisement and combat calls of the glass frog Centrolene lynchi (Anura: Centrolenidae), with notes on combat and reproductive behaviors

Se describen los cantos de anuncio y de combate de la rana de cristal Centrolene lynchi, una especie endémica de los bosques nublados del Ecuador. El canto de anuncio típico consiste en una nota tonal seguida por 1-3 notas pulsadas, cada una de las cuales tiene 1-3 pulsos. Entre la variación observada en el canto de anuncio está la adición de una nota corta que precede a la tonal, así como también la ausencia de esta última. Estas modificaciones son similares a las observadas en otros anuros y pueden estar relacionadas a la presencia de hembras, otros machos, depredadores y/o cambios en el ruido ambiental. Adicionalmente, se describe el canto de combate emitido durante las peleas entre machos. El combate entre machos es similar al observado en otras especies de la subfamilia Centroleninae y ha sido hipotetizado como una sinapomorfía de la misma. Finalmente, se presenta información sobre los hábitos reproductivos de los machos, cuidado parental y desarrollo de las puestas de huevos.We describe the advertisement and combat calls, combat behavior, and reproductive behavior of the glass frog Centrolene lynchi, an endemic species of the cloud forests of Ecuador. The typical advertisement call consists of a tonal note and 1-3 peaked notes, each with 1-3 pulses. Variations on this advertisement call include the addition of a short note before the tonal note, as well as the absence of the tonal note. These modifications may be similar to the described call modifications of other anurans in response to the presence of conspecific females and males, potential predators and/or changes in the sound environment. Additionally, we describe the combat call emitted during previously undescribed venter-to-venter combat between males. The discovery of this combat behavior is consistent with the hypothesis that venter-to-venter combat behavior is a shared derived trait of the subfamily Centroleninae. Finally, we describe male reproductive habits and development of the species, including egg attendance by males and implied male parental care.Descrevemos aqui os cantos de anúncio e de combate de Centrolene lynchi, uma espécie endêmica dos bosques nublados do Equador. O canto de anúncio típico consiste en uma nota tonal seguida por 1-3 notas pulsadas, cada uma das quais com 1-3 pulsos. Entre a variação observada no canto de anúncio está a adição de uma nota curta que precede a nota tonal e a ausência desta última. Essas modificações são similares às observadas em outros anuros e podem estar relacionadas com a presença de fêmeas, outros machos, predadores e/ou mudanças no ruído do ambiente. Adicionalmente, descrevemos o canto de combate emitido durante as lutas entre machos. O combate entre machos é similar ao observado em outras espécies da sub-família Centroleninae e já foi hipotetizado como uma sinapomorfía do grupo. Finalmente, apresentamos informações sobre os hábitos reprodutivos dos machos, cuidado parental e desenvolvimento dos ovos

Plant Core Environmental Stress Response Genes Are Systemically Coordinated during Abiotic Stresses

Hahn A, Kilian J, Mohrholz A, et al. Plant Core Environmental Stress Response Genes Are Systemically Coordinated during Abiotic Stresses. International journal of molecular sciences. 2013;14(4):7617-7641.Studying plant stress responses is an important issue in a world threatened by global warming. Unfortunately, comparative analyses are hampered by varying experimental setups. In contrast, the AtGenExpress abiotic stress experiment displays intercomparability. Importantly, six of the nine stresses (wounding, genotoxic, oxidative, UV-B light, osmotic and salt) can be examined for their capacity to generate systemic signals between the shoot and root, which might be essential to regain homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. We classified the systemic responses into two groups: genes that are regulated in the non-treated tissue only are defined as type I responsive and, accordingly, genes that react in both tissues are termed type II responsive. Analysis of type I and II systemic responses suggest distinct functionalities, but also significant overlap between different stresses. Comparison with salicylic acid (SA) and methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) responsive genes implies that MeJA is involved in the systemic stress response. Certain genes are predominantly responding in only one of the categories, e.g., WRKY genes respond mainly non-systemically. Instead, genes of the plant core environmental stress response (PCESR), e.g., ZAT10, ZAT12, ERD9 or MES9, are part of different response types. Moreover, several PCESR genes switch between the categories in a stress-specific manner