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On the evolution of the karyorelict ciliate life cycle: heterophasic ciliates and the origin of ciliate binary fission.

Karyorelict ciliates have near diploid somatic nuclei (macronuclei) incapable of division. If selective pressure favors nuclear division, how could such macronuclei have evolved? I propose that they initially evolved in the context of a diplophase stage that consisted entirely of a non-dividing trophont that was terminated by the induction of meiosis. The diploid macronucleus then differentiated, functioned and was destroyed in the absence of cell division. Such a life cycle would necessarily be heterophasic, i.e. with alternating haploid and diploid generations. I call these ancestors heterophasic ciliates. I further propose that the ability of this diploid trophont to undergo binary fission arose de novo. Ciliate binary fission would then be a derived characteristic, which possibly evolved indepedently in more than one heterophasic ciliate lineage. A progression of steps, leading to the reduction of the haplophase and the generation of the karyorelict life cycle, is proposed. The shared possession of nuclear dimorphism with non-dividing macronuclei, conjugation, and a putative heterophasic ancestry invites further investigation of the phylogenetic relationship between heterokaryotic foraminifera and karyorelict ciliates.

Animals↗

Life cycle economic and environmental implications of using nanocomposites in automobiles.

By reducing the energy and materials required to provide goods and services, nanotechnology has the potential to provide more appealing products while improving environmental performance and sustainability. Whether and how soon this potential could be realized depends on phrasing the right research and development (R&D) questions and pursuing commercialization intelligently. A sufficiently broad perspective at the outset is required to understand economic and technical feasibility, estimate life cycle environmental implications, and minimize unanticipated negative impacts. The rapid rise in federally funded nanotechnology R&D dictates that consideration of societal benefits will have a large role in setting the R&D agenda. We estimate potential selected economic and environmental impacts associated with the use of nanotechnology in the automotive industry. In particular, we project the material processing and fuel economy benefits associated with using a clay-polypropylene nanocomposite instead of steel or aluminum in light-duty vehicle body panels. Although the manufacturing cost is currently higher, a life cycle analysis shows potential benefits in reducing energy use and environment discharges by using a nanocomposite design.

Conservation of Energy Resources↗

[The effect of the period of egg quiescence on the life cycle of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae) under laboratory conditions].

The influence of the period of egg quiescence on the life cycle of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera, Culicidae) was studied under laboratory conditions in order to improve the management of vector control. The eggs are known to be the most resistant stages during development, allowing a long survival of the mosquitoes under unfavorable climatic conditions. The experiments were performed in a biological chamber kept at 28 +/- 1 degrees C temperature, with 80 +/- 5% relative humidity and 12 hours of photophase. Data about the influence of different periods of quiescence on eclosion, larval and pupal development and the developmental cycle are presented. We observed a highly significant effect of the period of quiescence on larval eclosion. The period of quiescence had no influence on the duration of larval or pupal incubation. Eggs originating from the same period of quiescence showed significantly different periods of incubation. The larvae emerged in groups defined by the period of incubation. This group effect was significant during the cycle. In 99.8% of the cycles the variation was determined by incubation.

Aedes↗

Differential requirements for conserved E2 binding sites in the life cycle of oncogenic human papillomavirus type 31.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 proteins regulate viral replication by binding to sites in the upstream regulatory region (URR) and by complex formation with the E1 origin recognition protein. In the genital HPV types, the distribution and location of four E2 binding sites (BS1 to BS4) which flank a single E1 binding site are highly conserved. We have examined the roles of these four E2 sites in the viral life cycle of HPV type 31 (HPV31) by using recently developed methods for the biosynthesis of papillomaviruses from transfected DNA templates (M. G. Frattini et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:3062-3067, 1996). In transient assays, no single site was found to be necessary for replication, and mutation of the early promoter-proximal site (BS4) led to a fourfold increase in replication. Cotransfection of the HPV31 wild-type (HPV-wt) and mutant genomes with expression vectors revealed that E1 stimulated replication of HPV31-wt as well as the HPV31-BS1, -BS2, and -BS3 mutants. In contrast, increased expression of E2 decreased replication of these genomes. Replication of the HPV31-BS4 mutant genome was not further increased by cotransfection of E1 expression vectors but was stimulated by E2 coexpression. In stably transfected normal human keratinocytes, mutation of either BS1, BS3, or BS4 resulted in integration of viral genomes into host chromosomes. In contrast, mutation of BS2 had no effect on stable maintenance of episomes or copy number. Following growth of stably transfected lines in organotypic raft cultures, the differentiation-dependent induction of late gene expression and amplification of viral DNA of the BS2 mutant was found to be similar to that of HPV31-wt. We were unable to find a role for BS2 in our assays for viral functions. We conclude that at least three of the four E2 binding sites in the URRs of HPVs are essential for the productive viral life cycle. The specific arrangement of E2 binding sites within the URR appears to be more important for viral replication than merely the number of sites.

Adenovirus E2 Proteins↗

Chemical toxicity indicators for human health: case study for classification of chronic noncancer chemical hazards in life-cycle assessment.

The classification scheme for human health indicators in life-cycle assessment (LCA) and other toxicity scores is proposed based on identifiable target organ or system toxicity. This scheme represents a compromise between a subjective single overall score and highly detailed toxic mechanisms of action. A case study was used to evaluate the proposed classification scheme. The data on 117 high production volume organic chemicals were extracted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) integrated risk information system (IRIS) database. Based on the critical effect listed in the database, almost all chemicals were easily and clearly classified into the proposed categories. However, there were significant variations in test species, protocol, duration, toxicological parameter measured, etc., among different toxicity studies. Importantly, the toxicological critical effects observed, even for the same target organ or system, differed from chemical to chemical and were not equivalent. Using hepatotoxicity as an example, critical effects included changes in organ weight, a variety of different histopathological changes, and changes in circulating hepatic enzyme levels. Therefore, no universal, common basis was identified for biological equivalency in order to compare or to aggregate chemicals into an overall toxicity score. A recent proposal to develop a characterization system based on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) was also evaluated. No means were found to extrapolate animal critical effects data to predict any diminution in human lifetimes or the appearance and intensity of human disability. Still, LCA presents an ideal starting point for toxicological analysis by conducting a system-wide analysis that inventories and maps the sources of potentially important human pollutants. The LCA results could then facilitate initial toxicological and risk evaluations for those sources and chemicals and set the stage for a more detailed and informed analysis by professional toxicologists.

Databases, Factual↗

Life cycle of a new species of Duboscqia (Microsporida: Thelohaniidae) infecting the mosquito Anopheles hilli and an intermediate copepod host, Apocyclops dengizicus.

A new species of Microsporida, Duboscqia dengihilli, was found infecting larvae of the mosquito Anopheles hilli in northern Queensland, Australia. Laboratory experiments showed that binucleate spores formed within infected female mosquitoes were responsible for transovarial transmission to the next generation. Sporogony within the larval fat body was initiated by two diplokarya, one at each end of the cell, which undergo meiosis within a single sporophorous vesicle to form 16 meiospores. These spores are responsible for horizontal transmission to the copepod Apocyclops dengizicus. The microsporidium is transmitted back to the mosquito host via uninucleate pyriform spores formed within the copepod host which are infectious to larvae of A. hilli. The meronts within larvae infected by horizontal transmission ultimately develop into the binucleate spores within adult females to complete the life cycle. Thus, the development of this microsporidium involves vertical transmission between successive mosquito generations and horizontal transmission between mosquitoes and copepods similar to the life cycles of Amblyospora and Parathelohania.

Animals↗

Adaptions in the life cycle of Dermacentor variabilis (Say) and Ixodes dammini (Spielman, Clifford, Piesman, and Corwin) marginal populations (Acari: Ixodidae).

Both the Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes dammini adult diapause seasons are followed by a breeding period. At the edge of the ticks' range, where diapause and breeding occur under adverse climatic conditions, the species still conserves its fixed response for the onset of diapause. As a result, most of the following breeding effort is wasted; the population can only be maintained by an aberrant breeding period during the normal diapause season. When the diapause and breeding periods are suitable for the climate at the edge of the ticks' range, the rate of immature development versus the temperature regime can result in the appearance of the immature stages out of phase with the timing for the optimal life cycle in the marginal climate. The ticks are limited to minor adjustments of their development rates but, if this is all that is required for an optimum life cycle, this response can preadapt the species to the foreign climate.

Animals↗

Role of viral factor E3L in modified vaccinia virus ankara infection of human HeLa Cells: regulation of the virus life cycle and identification of differentially expressed host genes.

Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a highly attenuated virus strain being developed as a vaccine for delivery of viral and recombinant antigens. The MVA genome lacks functional copies of numerous genes interfering with host response to infection. The interferon resistance gene E3L encodes one important viral immune defense factor still made by MVA. Here we demonstrate an essential role of E3L to allow for completion of the MVA molecular life cycle upon infection of human HeLa cells. A deletion mutant virus, MVA-DeltaE3L, was found defective in late protein synthesis, viral late transcription, and viral DNA replication in infected HeLa cells. Moreover, we detected viral early and continuing intermediate transcription associated with degradation of rRNA, indicating rapid activation of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase/RNase L in the absence of E3L. Further molecular monitoring of E3L function by microarray analysis of host cell transcription in MVA- or MVA-DeltaE3L-infected HeLa cells revealed an overall significant down regulation of more than 50% of cellular transcripts expressed under mock conditions already at 5 h after infection, with a more prominent shutoff following MVA-DeltaE3L infection. Interestingly, a cluster of genes up regulated exclusively in MVA-DeltaE3L-infected cells could be identified, including transcripts for interleukin 6, growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein beta, and dual-specificity protein phosphatases. Our data indicate that lack of E3L inhibits MVA antigen production in human HeLa cells at the level of viral late gene expression and suggest that E3L can prevent activation of additional host factors possibly affecting the MVA molecular life cycle.

Animals↗

Histone H1 expression varies during the Leishmania major life cycle.

The deduced amino acid sequence of Leishmania major sw3 cDNA reveals the presence of characteristic histone H1 amino acid motifs. However, the open reading frame is of an unusually small size for histone H1 (105 amino acids) because it lacks the coding potential for the central hydrophobic globular domain of linker histones present in other eukaryotes. Here, we provide biochemical evidence that the SW3 protein is indeed a L. major nuclear histone H1, and that it is differentially expressed during the life cycle of the parasite. Due to its high lysine content, the SW3 protein can be purified to a high degree from L. major nuclear lysates with 5% perchloric acid, a histone H1 preparative method. Using an anti-SW3 antibody, this protein is detected as a 17 kDa or as a 17/19 kDa doublet in the nuclear subfraction in different L. major strains. The nuclear localization of the SW3 protein is further supported by immunofluorescence studies. During in vitro promastigote growth, both the sw3 cytoplasmic mRNA and its protein progressively accumulate within parasites from early log phase to stationary phase. Within amastigotes, the high level of H1 expression is maintained but decreases when amastigotes differentiate into promastigotes. Together, these observations suggest that the different levels of this histone H1 protein could influence the varying degrees of chromatin condensation during the life-cycle of the parasite, and provide us with tools to study this mechanism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[The life cycle of the trematode Pneumonoeces nanchangensis major (Plagiorchidae)--a parasite of the lungs in frogs in the Maritime Territory].

The life cycle of the trematode Pneumonoeces nanchangensis major includes three hosts: primary intermediate host (molluscs Helicorbis sujfunensis, Polypylis semiglobosa), secondary intermediate host (larvae of the dragonfly genus Lestes), and final host (frogs Rana nigrimaculata, R. semiplicata). Descriptions and measurements of cercariae and metacercariae are proposed.

Animals↗

The life cycle of Cryptosporidium baileyi n. sp. (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) infecting chickens.

The life cycle and morphology of a previously undescribed species of Cryptosporidium isolated from commercial broiler chickens is described. The prepatent period for Cryptosporidium baileyi n. sp. was three days post oral inoculation (PI) of oocysts, and the patent period was days 4-24 PI for chickens inoculated at two days of age and days 4-14 for chickens inoculated at one and six months of age. During the first three days PI, most developmental stages of C. baileyi were found in the microvillous region of enterocytes of the ileum and large intestine. By day 4 PI, most parasites occurred in enterocytes of the cloaca and bursa of Fabricius (BF). Mature Type I meronts with eight merozoites first appeared 12 h PI and measured 5.0 x 4.9 micrometers. Mature Type II meronts with four merozoites and a large granular residuum first appeared 48 h PI and measured 5.1 x 5.1 micrometers. Type III meronts with eight short merozoites and a large homogeneous residuum first appeared 72 h PI and measured 5.2 x 5.1 micrometers. Microgamonts (4.0 x 4.0 micrometers) produced approximately 16 microgametes that penetrated into macrogametes (4.7 x 4.7 micrometers). Macrogametes gave rise to two types of oocysts that sporulated within the host cells. Most were thick-walled oocysts (6.3 x 5.2 micrometers), the resistant forms that passed unaltered in the feces. Some were thin-walled oocysts whose wall (membrane) readily ruptured upon release from the host cell. Sporozoites from thin-walled oocysts were observed penetrating enterocytes in mucosal smears. The presence of thin-walled, autoinfective oocysts and the recycling of Type I meronts may explain why chickens develop heavy intestinal infections lasting up to 21 days. Oocysts of C. baileyi were inoculated orally into several animals to determine its host specificity. Cryptosporidium baileyi did not produce infections in suckling mice and goats or in two-day-old or two-week-old quail. One of six 10-day-old turkeys had small numbers of asexual stages only in the BF. Four of six one-day-old turkeys developed mild infections only in the BF, and sexual stages of the parasite were observed in only one of the four. All seven one-day-old ducks and seven two-day-old geese developed heavy infections only in the BF with all known developmental stages present.

Animals↗

[Life cycle of the nematode, Abbreviata kazachstanica].

Data are given on the life cycle of the nematode Abbreviata kazachstanica. New intermediate hosts of the species have been established as follows: 10 species of Coleoptera, 8 species of Orthoptera and 1 species of Mantoptera. In the intermediate hosts larvae of A. kazachstanica moult twice and in 20 to 23 days (in Orthoptera) and 26 to 29 days (in Coleoptera) reach the invasional stage. Rana ridibunda and Gymnodactilus russovi served as experimental reservoir hosts. The scheme of the developmental cycle of the nematode is given.

Animals↗

[Life cycle of the trematode, Plagioporus skrjabini Kowal, 1951 (Allocreadiata, Opecoelidae)].

The life cycle of the trematode Plagioporus skrjabini has been investigated. These trematodes use the mollusk Theodoxus fluviatilis as the first intermediate host and sand hoppers as additional hosts (under experimental conditions-Pontogammarus robustoides, Chaetogammarus ischnus, under natural conditions-P. robustoides, P. crassus, Dikerogammarus villosus, D. haemobaphes, Ch. ischnus, Amathillina cristata). Bullheads (Neogobius kessleri, N. fluviatilis) serve as definitive hosts. Cercaria and metacercaria are described.

Animals↗

Plasmid transfer and expression of the transfer (tra) gene product of plasmid pIJ101 are temporally regulated during the Streptomyces lividans life cycle.

We previously have shown that a chromosomally integrated copy of the tra gene of plasmid pIJ101 under the control of the KorA repressor protein, which regulates transcription of tra as well as its own synthesis, can promote the conjugal transfer of both chromosomal and plasmid genes in Streptomyces lividans. Using an antibody generated against a fusion protein containing the C-terminal portion of Tra, we show here that this essential conjugation protein is present in membrane fractions of both surface-grown S. lividans, which mate readily, and of cells grown in liquid culture, where mating has not been found. Expression of Tra during the S. lividans life cycle was temporally regulated and was reduced late during vegetative growth so that little or no Tra protein was detected in cells as they began to differentiate morphologically and produce secondary metabolites. Comparison of the membrane concentration of Tra protein with tra mRNA concentration during the S. lividans life cycle indicated that the disappearance of Tra is post-transcriptionally controlled and thus is not mediated by KorA. The results of 'interrupted mating' experiments, together with the time of appearance of Tra in S. lividans membranes, indicate that the intermycelial transfer of pIJ101 in S. lividans is complete by the onset of cellular differentiation.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Cyclophilin A is required for an early step in the life cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 before the initiation of reverse transcription.

Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is incorporated into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virions via contact with the Gag polyprotein. Genetic or pharmacologic disruption of CyPA incorporation causes a quantitative reduction in virion infectivity with no discernible effects on virion assembly or on endogenous reverse transcriptase activity. Instead, the reduction of virion-associated CyPA is accompanied by a parallel, quantitative decrease in the initiation of viral DNA synthesis after infection of T cells. The infectivity of CyPA-deficient virions is not restored by pseudotyping with Env of amphotropic murine leukemia virus, demonstrating that CyPA is not required for the HIV-1-Env-CD4 interaction. These results indicate that CyPA is required for an early step in the HIV-1 life cycle following receptor binding and membrane fusion but preceding reverse transcription. CyPA is the first cellular protein other than the cell surface receptor shown to be required for an early event in the life cycle of a retrovirus.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗

Phylogenetic relationships among Hepatozoon species from snakes, frogs and mosquitoes of Ontario, Canada, determined by ITS-1 nucleotide sequences and life-cycle, morphological and developmental characteristics.

The molecular biological characteristics of Hepatozoon species infecting various species of snakes, frogs and mosquitoes were investigated by determining the nucleotide sequences of the first internal transcribed spacer region. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on seven isolates of Hepatozoon infecting snakes, including Hepatozoon sipedon and four morphologically similar but not identical forms, and two isolates of Hepatozoon catesbianae infecting Green frogs (Rana clamitans melanota). This analysis, which utilised data from first internal transcribed spacer nucleotide sequences, morphological and morphometric features of gamonts, oocysts and sporocysts, and previously determined life-cycle and host-specificity characteristics, revealed that H. sipedon is a polymorphic species with a wide host and geographic range. Four synapomorphies. including two nucleotide substitutions and two morphological character state changes, supported a monophyletic group of six isolates of H. sipedon from the central region of Ontario which was the sister group for an isolate (HW1) from the southern part of the province. Based on the results of this study, an evaluation of which criteria are useful for describing species of Hepatozoon is presented, with the intent of curtailing the practice of naming species based on morphological features of gamonts or on incomplete life-cycle data.

Animals↗

Description of the life-cycle stages of Brachylaima cribbi n. sp. (Digenea: Brachylaimidae) derived from eggs recovered from human faeces in Australia.

The life-cycle of Brachylaima cribbi n. sp. was established in the laboratory. Asymmetrical brachylaimid eggs, measuring 26-32 microm (29.1 microm) long and 16 -17.5 microm (16.6 microm) wide, were recovered from human faeces and fed to the helicid land snail Theba pisana as the first intermediate host. Sporocysts and cercariae were recovered from the T. pisana eight weeks after infection. The cercariae were used to infect the helicid land snails Cernuella virgata and Helix aspersa as second intermediate hosts. Metacercariae were recovered from the kidneys of these snails and used to infect mice. Adults of Brachylaima cribbi n. sp. were recovered from the small intestine of the mice. The differential features of B. cribbi n. sp. are the specificity for helicid snails as first and second intermediate hosts; characteristic ventral sucker and body cercarial chaetotaxy; and a long slender adult worm with equal size suckers in the first quarter of the worm, the ventral sucker occupying 41% of the body width, the uterus extending anterior to the ventral sucker and the vitelline follicles falling short of the posterior margin of the ventral sucker. No other known Brachylaima species exhibits all of these features. B. cribbi n. sp. is the first brachylaimid known to have infected humans and is probably of European origin, as the intermediate host snails were all introduced into Australia from Europe.

Aged↗

Life cycle of Brachylaima mascomai n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae), a parasite of rats in the Llobregat delta (Spain).

The terrestrial triheteroxenous life cycle of Brachylaima mascomai n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) is elucidated. Operculated, assymetric, embryonated eggs (25.4 x 12.7 microm) are passed with feces of the natural (Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus) and experimental (albino and wild mice, albino rats, Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus spretus [Muridae] and the golden gerbil) definitive hosts and ingested by the helicid gastropod Pseudotachea splendida, the only natural and experimental first intermediate host. Microcaudate cercariae harbored in branched sporocysts in the digestive gland emerge from this snail and contact P. splendida, Otala punctata, Theba pisana, and Helix (C.) aspersa snails developing into unencysted infective metacercariae in the kidney. Definitive hosts are infected by ingestion of infected snails; the adult parasites inhabit the small intestine. Chaetotaxic cercarial pattern specific at acetabular (S(II) 8-10 papillae) and cephalic (C(III) 13-15 papillae, H 16 papillae) levels. Three types of cercarial papillae are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and their arrangement is correlated with chaetotaxy for the first time in trematodes: argentophilic papillae with fingerlike process (cephalic, body, and acetabular levels), argentophilic papillae with opening (2 papillae in the M body level), and nonargentophilic dome-shaped papillae (alternated with argentophilic S(II) papillae on the ventral sucker). SEM detected interlacing network of ridges covering the metacercarial body. Adults with multidigitate tegumentary spines were observed by SEM. Subequal suckers; the acetabulum located in the posterior part of anterior fifth of body. Vitellaria extend from between middle level and anterior margin of anterior testis to between middle level and posterior margin of acetabulum. Uterus almost reaches the intestinal bifurcation.

Animals↗