A comparative study of eleven protein systems in tamarins, genus Saguinus (Platyrrhini, Callitrichinae)

The genetic variability of six tamarin taxa, genus Saguinus, was analyzed comparatively using protein data from eleven systems coded by 15 loci. S. fuscicollis weddelli and S. midas midas were the most polymorphic taxa, and S. bicolor the least. The results of the phylogenetic analyses (UPGMA and neighbor-joining) and the genetic distances between taxa were generally consistent with their geographic and probable phylogenetic relationships. Analyses of the S. bicolor and S. midas populations suggested that they represent no more than three subspecies of a single species, S. midas, with the bicolor forms belonging to a single subspecies, S. midas bicolor. If supported by additional studies, this would have important implications for the conservation of the bicolor form, which is endangered with extinction. The genetic similarity of S. fuscicollis and S. mystax was also consistent with their geographical and morphological proximity, although more data from a larger number of taxa will be required before the taxonomic relationships within the genus can be defined.

New thermal inducible Streptomyces phages isolated from tropical soils

Two new Streptomyces phages, øBP1 and øBP2, were isolated from tropical soil samples. These phages presented a large host range and developed both lytic and lysogenic responses in different Streptomyces species tested. Variations in the incubation temperature showed to be important in the development of the replication cycle. Increasing incubation temperature from 30oC to 42oC induced the lytic response of øBP2 and lysogenic of øBP1 in the host strain Streptomyces sp. WL6. øBP1 and øBP2 have icosahedral heads with long tails and were characterized in relation to morphology, G + C content, genome size and adsorption curve

Cytogenetic study of the genus Saguinus (Callithrichidae, Primates)

Eight subspecies from the genus Saguinus (S. fuscicollis fuscicollis, S. fuscicollis weddelli, S. bicolor bicolor, S. bicolor martinsi, S. mystax mystax, S. imperator imperator, S. midas midas, and S. midas niger) were studied. Five of them (S. f. fuscicollis, S. f. weddelli, S. b. martinsi, S. m. mystax and S. i. imperator) had their karyotypes described for the first time. Conventional coloration, banding patterns G, C and NOR, and G/C sequential banding tecniques were used. All samples showed the same diploid number (2n = 46). The patterns of the G, C and NOR bands were very similar with little differences in the quantity and constitutive heterochromatin distribution of the autosomes. Constitutive heterochromatin was observed only in telomeric regions of some chromosomes of S. f. fuscicollis and S. f. weddelli. The X chromosome was the same in all subspecies, but chromosome Y differed in size and morphology. XX/XY chimerism was verified in all subspecies

Differential in vitro pathogenicity of predatory fungi of the genus Monacrosporium for phytonematodes, free-living nematodes and parasitic nematodes of cattle

In vitro tests were carried out on the pathogenicity of nine isolates of the predatory fungi of the genus Monacrosporium (5 M. sinense isolates, 3 M. appendiculatum and 1 M. thaumasium isolate) for a phytonematode (second stage juveniles from Meloidogyne incognita, race 3), a free-living nematode (Panagrellus spp), and two gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes of cattle (infective larvae of Cooperia punctata and Haemonchus placei). A suspension containing 2,000 nematodes from each species was added to Petri dishes containing fungi and grown on 2% water-agar medium at 25oC in the dark for up to 7 days. The dishes were examined every other day for 7 days and predation-free nematodes were counted. The results showed that the free-living nematodes, Panagrellus spp, were the most susceptible (P<0.05), followed by the phytonematode M. incognita, while the controls were ³98.5% viable. However, a variable susceptibility of the nematodes to different fungi was observed. This indicates that the use of predatory fungi for the environmental control of nematodes will be limited by the multiplicity of nematodes in the environment and their differential susceptibility to fungal isolates of the same genus.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles as a tool for the characterization of Brazilian keratitis isolates of the genus Acanthamoeba

The genus Acanthamoeba comprises free-living amebae identified as opportunistic pathogens of humans and other animal species. Morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches have shown wide genetic diversity within the genus. In an attempt to determine the genetic relatedness among isolates of Acanthamoeba we analyzed randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles of 11 Brazilian isolates from cases of human keratitis and 8 American type culture collection (ATCC) reference strains. We found that ATCC strains belonging to the same species present polymorphic RAPD profiles whereas strains of different species show very similar profiles. Although most Brazilian isolates could not be assigned with certainty to any of the reference species, they could be clustered according to pattern similarities. The results show that RAPD analysis is a useful tool for the rapid characterization of new isolates and the assessment of genetic relatedness of Acanthamoeba spp. A comparison between RAPD analyses and morphological characteristics of cyst stages is also discussed.

Secretion of Streptomyces tendae antifungal protein 1 by Lactococcus lactis

Lactococcus lactis, the model lactic acid bacterium, is a good candidate for heterologous protein production in both foodstuffs and the digestive tract. We attempted to produce Streptomyces tendae antifungal protein 1 (Afp1) in L. lactis with the objective of constructing a strain able to limit fungal growth. Since Afp1 activity requires disulfide bond (DSB) formation and since intracellular redox conditions are reportedly unfavorable for DSB formation in prokaryotes, Afp1 was produced as a secreted form. An inducible expression-secretion system was used to drive Afp1 secretion by L. lactis; Afp1 was fused or not with LEISSTCDA, a synthetic propeptide (LEISS) that has been described to be a secretion enhancer. Production of Afp1 alone was not achieved, but production of LEISS-Afp1 was confirmed by Western blot and immunodetection with anti-Afp1 antibodies. This protein (molecular mass: 9.8 kDa) is the smallest non-bacteriocin heterologous protein ever reported to be secreted in L. lactis via the Sec-dependent pathway. However, no anti-fungal activity was detected, even in concentrated samples of induced supernatant. This could be due to a too low secretion yield of Afp1 in L. lactis, to the absence of DSB formation, or to an improper DSB formation involving the additional cysteine residue included in LEISS propeptide. This raises questions about size limits, conformation problems, and protein secretion yields in L. lactis.

Plant rhizosphere specificity and variability in the insect and plant adhesins, Madl and Mad2, within the genus Metarhizium suggest plant adaptation as an evolutionary force

Metarhizium is a soil-inhabiting fungus currently used as a biological control agent against various insect species, and research efforts are typically focused on its ability to kill insects. In section 1, we tested the hypothesis that species of Metarhizium are not randomly distributed in soils but show plant rhizosphere-specific associations. Results indicated an association of three Metarhizium species (Metarhizium robertsii, M. brunneum and M. guizhouense) with the rhizosphere of certain types of plant species. M. robertsii was the only species that was found associated with grass roots, suggesting a possible exclusion of M. brunneum and M. guizhouense, which was supported by in vitro experiments with grass root exudate. M. guizhouense and M. brunneum only associated with wildflower rhizosphere when co-occurring with M. robertsii. With the exception of these co-occurrences, M. guizhouense was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of tree species, while M. brunneum was found to associate exclusively with the rhizosphere of shrubs and trees. These associations demonstrate that different species of Metarhizium associate with specific plant types. In section 2, we explored the variation in the insect adhesin, Madl, and the plant adhesin, Mad2, in fourteen isolates of Metarhizium representing seven different species. Analysis of the transcriptional elements within the Mad2 promoter region revealed variable STRE, PDS, degenerative TATA box, and TATA box-like regions. Phylogenetic analysis of 5' EF-Ia, which is used for species identification, as well as Madl and Mad2 sequences demonstrated that the Mad2 phylogeny is more congruent with 5' EF-1a than Madl. This suggests Mad2 has diverged among Metarhizium lineages, contributing to clade- and species-specific variation. While other abiotic and biotic factors cannot be excluded in contributing to divergence, it appears that plant associations have been the driving factor causing divergence among Metarhizium species.

Variability in the Insect and Plant Adhesins, Mad1 and Mad2, within the Fungal Genus Metarhizium Suggest Plant Adaptation as an Evolutionary Force

Several species of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium are associated with certain plant types and genome analyses suggested a bifunctional lifestyle; as an insect pathogen and as a plant symbiont. Here we wanted to explore whether there was more variation in genes devoted to plant association (Mad2) or to insect association (Mad1) overall in the genus Metarhizium. Greater divergence within the genus Metarhizium in one of these genes may provide evidence for whether host insect or plant is a driving force in adaptation and evolution in the genus Metarhizium. We compared differences in variation in the insect adhesin gene, Mad1, which enables attachment to insect cuticle, and the plant adhesin gene, Mad2, which enables attachment to plants. Overall variation for the Mad1 promoter region (7.1%), Mad1 open reading frame (6.7%), and Mad2 open reading frame (7.4%) were similar, while it was higher in the Mad2 promoter region (9.9%). Analysis of the transcriptional elements within the Mad2 promoter region revealed variable STRE, PDS, degenerative TATA box, and TATA box-like regions, while this level of variation was not found for Mad1. Sequences were also phylogenetically compared to EF-1a, which is used for species identification, in 14 isolates representing 7 different species in the genus Metarhizium. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Mad2 phylogeny is more congruent with 59 EF-1a than Mad1. This would suggest that Mad2 has diverged among Metarhizium lineages, contributing to clade- and species-specific variation, while it appears that Mad1 has been largely conserved. While other abiotic and biotic factors cannot be excluded in contributing to divergence, these results suggest that plant relationships, rather than insect host, have been a major driving factor in the divergence of the genus Metarhizium.

Variability in the Insect and Plant Adhesins, Mad1 and Mad2, within the Fungal Genus Metarhizium Suggest Plant Adaptation as an Evolutionary Force

Several species of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium are associated with certain plant types and genome analyses suggested a bifunctional lifestyle; as an insect pathogen and as a plant symbiont. Here we wanted to explore whether there was more variation in genes devoted to plant association (Mad2) or to insect association (Mad1) overall in the genus Metarhizium. Greater divergence within the genus Metarhizium in one of these genes may provide evidence for whether host insect or plant is a driving force in adaptation and evolution in the genus Metarhizium. We compared differences in variation in the insect adhesin gene, Mad1, which enables attachment to insect cuticle, and the plant adhesin gene, Mad2, which enables attachment to plants. Overall variation for the Mad1 promoter region (7.1%), Mad1 open reading frame (6.7%), and Mad2 open reading frame (7.4%) were similar, while it was higher in the Mad2 promoter region (9.9%). Analysis of the transcriptional elements within the Mad2 promoter region revealed variable STRE, PDS, degenerative TATA box, and TATA box-like regions, while this level of variation was not found for Mad1. Sequences were also phylogenetically compared to EF-1a, which is used for species identification, in 14 isolates representing 7 different species in the genus Metarhizium. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Mad2 phylogeny is more congruent with 59 EF-1a than Mad1. This would suggest that Mad2 has diverged among Metarhizium lineages, contributing to clade- and species-specific variation, while it appears that Mad1 has been largely conserved. While other abiotic and biotic factors cannot be excluded in contributing to divergence, these results suggest that plant relationships, rather than insect host, have been a major driving factor in the divergence of the genus Metarhizium.

Gradus ad Parnassum, sive, Novus synonymorum, epitethorum, phrasium poeticarum, ac versuum thesaurus : Smetium, Januam Musarum, Delectum epithetorum, Parnassum poticum, Elegantias poticas, thesaurum Virgilii, aliosque omnes id genus libros ad posin necessarios complectens : inquo singulis syllabis appositae sunt notae quantitatis indices, un cumpotarum testimoniis ordine alphabetico adjunctis . : addita sunt genera & crementa omnia nominum ac verborum, praeterita & supina : acceduntquae ex historia, fabul & geographi ad poticam artem conferunt .

UANL

El Papa y las Logias; exposición literal y comentarios interesantesde la encíclica Humanum Genus, de S.S. León XIII sobre la francmasonería

UANL

Characterization of laccase from Streptomyces psammoticus: an enzyme for eco-friendly treatment of environmental pollutants

The present study has identified an actinomycete culture (S. psammoticus) which was capable of producing all the three major ligninolytic enzymes. The study revealed that least explored mangrove regions are potential sources for the isolation of actinomycetes with novel characteristics. The laccase production by the strain in SmF and SSF was found to be much higher than the reported values. The growth of the organism was favoured by alkaline pH and salinity of the medium. The enzyme also exhibited novel characteristics such as activity and stability at alkaline pH and salt tolerance. These two characters are quite significant from the industrial point of view making the enzyme an ideal candidate for industrial applications. Many of the application studies to date are focused on enzymes from fungal sources. However, the fungal laccases, which are mostly acidic in nature, could not be used universally for all application purposes especially, for the treatment of effluents from different industries, largely due to the alkaline nature of the effluents. Under such situations the enzymes from organisms like S. psammoticus with wide pH range could play a better role than the fungal counterparts. In the present study, the ability of the isolated strain and laccase in the degradation of dyes and phenolic compounds was successfully proved. The reusability of the immobilized enzyme system made the entire treatment process inexpensive. Thus it can be concluded from the present study that the laccase from this organism could be hopefully employed for the eco-friendly treatment of dye or phenol containing industrial effluents from various sources.

α-Galactosidase from Streptomyces griseoloalbus: an enzyme with versatile applications

The present study is focused on the production, purification and characterization of multiple thermostable α-galactosidases from a novel actinomycete strain Streptomyces griseoloalbus. The Chapter I of the thesis covers the wide literature regarding α-galactosidases from various sources and their potential applications. The Chapter 11 deals with the isolation of α-galactosidase- producing actinomycetes and selection of the best strain. The Chapters III and IV describe the optimization of α-galactosidase production under submerged fermentation and solid-state fermentation respectively. The Chapter V describes the purification and characterization of multiple α-galactosidases and also the obvious existence of a novel galactose-tolerant enzyme. The Chapter VI illustrates the potential applications of α-galactosidases from S. griseoloalbus followed by the Chapter VII summarizing and concluding the results of the present investigation.