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At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Relationships between parasite abundance and the taxonomic distance among a parasite's host species: an example with fleas parasitic on small mammals.

Opportunistic parasite species, capable of exploiting several different host species, do not achieve the same abundance on all these hosts. Parasites achieve maximum abundance on their principal host species, and lower abundances on their auxiliary host species. Taxonomic relatedness between the principal and auxiliary host species may determine what abundance a parasite can achieve on its auxiliary hosts, as relatedness should reflect similarities among host species in ecological, physiological and/or immunological characters. We tested this hypothesis with fleas (Siphonaptera) parasitic on small Holarctic mammals. We determined whether the abundance of a flea in its auxiliary hosts decreases with increasing taxonomic distance of these hosts from the principal host. Using data on 106 flea species from 23 regions, for a total of 194 flea-locality combinations, we found consistent support for this relationship, both within and across regions, and even after controlling for the potentially confounding effect of flea phylogeny. These results are most likely explained by a decrease in the efficiency of the parasite's evasive mechanisms against the host's behavioural and immune defences with increasing taxonomic distance from the principal host. Our findings suggest that host switching over evolutionary time may be severely constrained by the coupling of parasite success with the relatedness between new hosts and the original host.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Distribution of fleas (Siphonaptera) among small mammals: mean abundance predicts prevalence via simple epidemiological model.

We used data on the abundance and distribution of fleas parasitic on small mammals in Slovakia and aimed: (i) to confirm a positive relationship between abundance and distribution fleas within and across host species; and (ii) to test if prevalence of fleas can be reliably predicted from a simple epidemiological model that takes into account flea mean abundance and its variance. Prevalence of a flea species increased with an increase in its mean abundance both within and across host species. We calculated prevalences both for each flea-host association and for each flea species across all hosts. Observed prevalences did not differ significantly from those predicted by the epidemiological model using parameters of Taylor's power relationship between mean abundance of fleas and its variance. Regressions of predicted prevalences against observed prevalences produced slope values that did not differ significantly from unity and were independent of scale (within or across host species). Our results demonstrated that up to 96% of variance in flea prevalence can be explained solely by their mean abundance. We concluded that, in general, there is no need to invoke other, more complex factors for the explanation of the variation in flea prevalence.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Plio-Pleistocene climatic change in the Turkana Basin (East Africa): evidence from large mammal faunas.

We investigated palaeoclimatic change in the Turkana Basin during the Pliocene climatic shift toward increased aridity in Africa. We analyzed the palaeoecology of this area using mammal faunas as environmental indicators. Twenty Plio-Pleistocene fossil assemblages and a comparative dataset of 16 modern localities covering a wide range of climatic and ecological conditions across Africa were analyzed. We constructed community profiles using taxonomic variables which reflect ecological information. Principal component analysis and bivariate correlation were used to study changes in the community structure of these mammalian faunas and to draw palaeoenvironmental inferences. Subsequently, least-squares regressions yielded climatic estimates (annual rainfall and drought length) for the studied period. An additional set of 8 modern faunas was used to validate these regression models. The climatic estimates showed a drying trend throughout the sequence. The biomes in the Turkana Basin changed from semi-evergreen rain forest to deciduous woodland and savanna during the middle-late Pliocene. This was the most important climatic shift detected in our study. Evidence suggests a continuous presence of savannas from 2.5 million years ago onwards. This pattern of climatic change is consistent with isotopic evidence on global climate, and with independently derived regional palaeoenvironmental evidence (i.e., micromammals, palaeovegetation, soil carbonates and palaeosols).

Africa, Eastern↗
PubMed2005

A branching process, its application in biology: influence of demographic parameters on the social structure in mammal groups.

Branching processes are widely used in biology. This theoretical tool is used in cell dynamics, epidemics and population dynamics. In population dynamics, branching processes are mainly used to access extinction probabilities of populations, groups or families, with the Galton-Watson branching process. Many mammal species live in socially-structured groups, and the smallest units of these groups are lineages (or families) of kin-related individuals. In many primate species, these lineages are matrilines, as females remain in their natal groups most of the time, whereas males generally disperse. Lineage parameters, such as numbers of matrilines, size of each matriline and average degree of relatedness, could strongly influence the genetic composition of groups. Evidence indicates that division along matrilines could induce substantial differentiation among fission groups. Here, we develop a novel mathematical model based on the branching process theory describing demographic dynamics of groups. The main result of this model is an explicit analytical expression of the joint distribution of numbers of lineages and sizes of socially-structured groups. We investigated the influence of parameters such as natality and mortality on the outcome of the process, including extinction probability. Finally, we discuss this theoretical result with respect to biological significance.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of calorie restriction on reproductive and adrenal systems in Japanese quail: are responses similar to mammals, particularly primates?

The benefits of calorie restriction (CR) have been established across a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Although the effects of CR on lifespan in birds have not been examined, it is clear that CR has beneficial effects on reproductive, metabolic, and physiological function in adult poultry. We examined the effects of CR in Japanese quail, a rapidly maturing avian model, on reproductive endocrine and neuroendocrine systems. Male Japanese quail were pair fed at 0% ad libitum (AL), 20%, or 40% CR of AL, recorded for juveniles (3-7 weeks of age) or adults (12-16 weeks of age). Juvenile males on CR matured more slowly, and both juvenile and adult males had reduced plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) with CR. Adults on 40% CR showed evidence of stress, with increased plasma corticosterone and reduced testes weight and circulating androgens. In a separate study, pituitary gland response was tested in juvenile and adult castrated males that had been on the same CR treatments. All birds responded to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) challenge, with LH release. However, the 40% CR juvenile and adult birds had quantitatively lower responses, suggesting central inhibition of the reproductive axis. This hypothesis was tested by measurement of sexual behavior and catecholamines known to stimulate GnRH in hypothalamic regions that modulate these responses. Results showed reduced norepinephrine in key hypothalamic regions and reduced dopamine in posterior hypothalamus. These data support the hypothesis that CR affects reproductive function, with evidence for effects in the central nervous system. These data are discussed and compared to data collected in mammals, especially the rhesus monkey, on the effects of timing and degree of CR on reproductive and stress responses.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2004

Limitations on the cloning of humans and other mammals.

The nature of clones is discussed along with the origin and principles of the concept that human and other mammalian clones can be produced. The physical and chemical properties of living cells are described and it is shown these properties place severe limitations on attempts to bring human and mammalian clones into being. The observed result of such attempts that a large number of distorted and aborted foetii have been produced is demonstrated to have been predictable. Offspring produced by such attempts cannot be classified under any of the normal classifications of human relationships e.g. son, daughter, brother, sister or twin and that such offspring are entirely unnatural and likely to be metabolically unstable. It is concluded that the cloning of humans and other mammals is difficult, certainly dangerous and perhaps impossible.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Ubl4b, an X-derived retrogene, is specifically expressed in post-meiotic germ cells in mammals.

Post-translational modification by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-related proteins plays critical roles in protein degradation and in regulation of essential cellular processes. In mammals, transcription grinds to a halt during late spermiogenesis due to compaction of the spermatid genome, which creates a special need for robust post-transcriptional regulation. Here, we report the finding of a novel mouse ubiquitin-like protein, UBL4B. Ubl4b is a testis-specific autosomal gene. Ubl4b lacks introns and evidently arose from an X-linked intron-bearing housekeeping gene, Ubl4a, by retroposition during mammalian evolution. While Ubl4a is expressed throughout spermatogenesis, Ubl4b is restricted to post-meiotic germ cells. Ubl4a is highly conserved, but Ubl4b has undergone rapid evolution and may have evolved new functions. Our data suggest that evolution of Ubl4b is not due to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Alternatively, origination of Ubl4b was due to MSCI, but Ubl4b eventually evolved to be restricted to post-meiotic germ cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparative evaluation of background micronucleus frequencies in domestic mammals.

Exposure of human alimentation-destined animals to toxic substances can be an important risk factor for human health. Mutagenicity tests represent a good method for genotoxic effect evaluation of environmental pollutants. The micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood and bone marrow erythrocytes has been evaluated in four domestic Ungulate species (ox, sheep, swine and horse). For each species two or three groups of animals coming from Italy and other European countries were analysed and the results indicate a relatively low mean frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes (ME), both in peripheral blood and bone marrow. The comparison between these two frequencies in the four species studied shows that the ME frequency in sheep and horse is significantly higher in peripheral blood than in bone marrow, whereas in bovines it is higher in the bone marrow, and in swine the difference is not significant. These results could indicate that in ox and swine the spleen is involved in ME removal from the peripheral circulation, as is known for other species including man. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the same occurs in the other two species, since they exhibit a relatively low peripheral blood ME frequency as well. Further studies on domestic mammals are needed to clarify the spleen function and verify the use of the peripheral blood micronucleus test for genotoxic biomonitoring. At present, the application of the micronucleus test to the bone marrow seems a more suitable method, but, being invasive, it can be used only as a control system of animal hygiene and health, in addition to the routine tests, rather than for biomonitoring.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Stanniocalcin 1 as a pleiotropic factor in mammals.

Stanniocalcin (STC)1 is the mammalian homologue of STC which was originally identified as a calcium/phosphate-regulating hormone in bony fishes. STC1 is a homodimeric phosphoglycoprotein with few if any identified unique motifs in its structure with the exception of CAG repeats in the 5'-untranslated region. In contrast to fish STC which is expressed mainly in the corpuscles of Stannius, STC1 is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, but unexpectedly is not detected in the circulation under normal circumstances. Thus, STC1 may play an autocrine/paracrine rather than a classic endocrine role in mammals. Consistent with this, pleiotropic effects of STC1 have been postulated in physiological and measured in pathological situations. There is much current interest in identifying a specific STC1 receptor and putative signaling pathways to which it may be coupled. In this regard, STC1 may regulate intracellular calcium and/or phosphate (Pi) levels. In the skeletal system, for example, Pi uptake in bone-forming osteoblasts via a direct effect of STC1 on expression of the NaPi transporter Pit1 may contribute to bone formation. Here we review current understanding of the role of STC1 and its possible molecular mechanisms in the skeleton and elsewhere.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Intermedin, a novel calcitonin family peptide that exists in teleosts as well as in mammals: a comparison with other calcitonin/intermedin family peptides in vertebrates.

Endocrine regulation in vertebrates is critical for the adaptation and regulation of homeostasis. The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling transduction system represents one of the most ancient forms of cell surface signaling. Recently, comparative sequence analysis has aided in the identification and pairing of a variety of ligand/GPCR signaling systems. Among the ligands of type II GPCRs, the calcitonin family peptides including calcitonin, alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (alphaCGRP), betaCGRP, adrenomedullin, and amylin are among the best studied hormones, and the founding member, calcitonin, was originally identified and isolated from teleosts. This unique group of peptides shares a conserved tertiary structure with an N-terminal disulfide-bridged ring. In mammals, these peptides signal through two closely related type II GPCRs and three unique receptor activity-modifying proteins. Recently, based on the analysis of multiple vertebrate genomes, we identified a novel calcitonin/CGRP family peptide named intermedin. Here we show that in humans the five paralogous family genes, calcitonin, CGRP, amylin, adrenomedullin, and intermedin, evolved before the emergence of modern vertebrates, and that teleost genomes carry multiple copies of these co-evolved hormone genes. Sequence comparison showed that each of these genes is highly conserved in different vertebrates and that multiple copies of these peptides in teleosts could be derived from ancient genome duplication and/or lineage-specific intragenic duplications. The present article provides an overview of the calcitonin/intermedin family peptides found in teleost and mammalian genomes, and describes their putative functions. In addition, we demonstrate that one of the intermedin orthologs deduced from the pufferfish (Fugu rubripes) genome shares a conserved signaling activity with mammalian intermedin. The combined results indicate that the physiology associated with each of these family peptides likely evolved during early vertebrate evolution and diverged to serve select physiological functions in different vertebrates.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed2004

Novel fish-derived adrenomedullin in mammals: structure and possible function.

Adrenomedullin (AM) has been recognized as a member of the calcitonin (CT)/CT gene-related peptide (CGRP) family. However, an independent AM family consisting of five paralogous peptides exists in teleost fish. Among them, the peptide named AM1 is an ortholog of mammalian AM as determined by the linkage analysis of orthologous genes and the presence of proAM N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP)-like sequence in the prosegment. Since the peptides named AM2 and 3 are distinct from other members with respect to the precursor sequence, tissue distribution of the transcripts, and exon-intron organization, we searched for their mammalian orthologs from genome databases, which resulted in an identification of AM2 in human, rat, and mouse. AM2 was expressed abundantly in the submaxillary gland, kidney, and some vascular and digestive tissues of mice. AM2 injected in vivo induced potent cardiovascular and renal effects in mice. In the heart and kidney of mice, AM2 was localized in endothelial cells of the coronary vessels and in glomeruli and vasa recta, respectively. AM2 increased cAMP accumulation in cells expressing human CT receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and one of receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs), but it was no more potent than CGRP and AM. AM2 was also less potent than CT in cells expressing CT receptor and RAMP. There remains a possibility that a new AM2-specific receptor or an additional RAMP that enables CRLR to be an AM2-specific receptor, exists in mammals.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed2004

The role of oxytocin and the paraventricular nucleus in the sexual behaviour of male mammals.

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus contains the cell bodies of a group of oxytocinergic neurons projecting to extrahypothalamic brain areas and to the spinal cord, which are involved in the control of erectile function and copulation. In male rats, these neurons can be activated by dopamine, excitatory amino acids, nitric oxide (NO), hexarelin analogue peptides and oxytocin itself to induce penile erection and facilitate copulation, while their inhibition by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABA agonists and by opioid peptides and opiate-like drugs inhibits sexual responses. The activation of paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons by dopamine, oxytocin, excitatory amino acids and hexarelin analogue peptides is apparently mediated by the activation of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. NO in turn activates, by a mechanism that is as yet unidentified, the release of oxytocin from oxytocinergic neurons in extrahypothalamic brain areas. Paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons and mechanisms similar to those reported above are also involved in the expression of penile erection in physiological contexts, namely, when penile erection is induced in the male by the presence of an inaccessible receptive female, which is considered a model for psychogenic impotence in man, as well as during copulation. These findings show that paraventricular oxytocinergic neurons projecting to extrahypothalamic brain areas and to the spinal cord and the paraventricular nucleus play an important role in the control of erectile function and male sexual behaviour in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Fatty acid elongases in mammals: their regulation and roles in metabolism.

A significant amount of the fatty acids synthesized by the cytosolic enzyme complex fatty acid synthase (FAS) or taken up by the diet are further elongated into very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in a four-step reaction cycle by membrane-bound enzymes predominantly located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Members of the Elovl (elongation-of-very-long-chain-fatty acids) gene family encode for enzymes (elongases), which are believed to perform the first, regulatory, step (condensation) in the elongation cycle in mammals. The family of enzymes consists of at least six members in mouse and human, believed to carry out substrate-specific elongation with fatty acids of different lengths and degrees of unsaturation. The ability to synthesize VLCFA is a ubiquitous system found in different organs and cell types. However, VLCFAs seldom occur unesterified. Instead, they are joined either by an ester or amide linkage to a broad variety of different lipid species. VLCFA are most commonly found as building blocks in sphingolipids, although they are also important constituents of glycerophospholipids, triacylglycerols, sterol- and wax-esters. To generalize, the fatty acid elongases can be divided into two major groups: (a) enzymes which are suggested to be involved in the elongation of saturated and monounsaturated VLCFA (ELOVL1, 3 and 6) and (b) enzymes which are elongases of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (ELOVL2, 4 and 5). All the elongases exhibit specific spatial and temporal expression. In this review, we will present and discuss the regulation of the mammalian fatty acid elongases and their potential role in lipid metabolism. We will consider both the biochemical functions of the proteins, as well as their role in a more physiological context.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2004

Allometric scaling of maximal metabolic rate in mammals: muscle aerobic capacity as determinant factor.

Maximal metabolic rate (MMR) of mammals scales differently from basal metabolic rate (BMR). This is first shown by scrutinizing data reported on exercise-induced Vo2 max in 34 eutherian mammalian species covering a body mass range of 7 g-500 kg. Vo2 max was found to scale with the 0.872 (+/-0.029, 95% confidence limits 0.813-0.932) power of body mass which is significantly different from the 3/4 power reported for basal metabolic rate. The aerobic scope is higher in athletic than non-athletic species, and it is also higher in large than in small species. Integrated structure-function studies on a subset of 11 species (body mass 20 g-450 kg) show that the variation of Vo2 max with body size is tightly associated with the aerobic capacity of the locomotor musculature: the scaling exponents for Vo2 max, the total volume of mitochondria, and the volume of capillaries are nearly identical. The higher Vo2 max of athletic species is tightly linked to proportionally larger mitochondrial and capillary volumes in animals of the same size class. As a result Vo2 max is linearly related to both total mitochondrial and capillary erythrocyte volumes. We conclude that the scaling of maximal metabolic rate is explained by features and mechanisms different from those determining basal metabolic rate.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Natural hypometabolism during hibernation and daily torpor in mammals.

Daily torpor and hibernation are the most powerful measures of endotherms to reduce their energy expenditure. During entrance into these torpid states metabolic rate is suppressed to a fraction of euthermic metabolism, paralleled by reductions in ventilation and heart rate. Body temperature gradually decreases towards the level of ambient temperature. In deep torpor body temperature as well as metabolic rate are controlled at a hypothermic and hypometabolic level. Torpid states are terminated by an arousal where metabolic rate spontaneously returns to normal levels again and euthermic body temperature is established by a burst of heat production. In recent years some of the cellular mechanisms which contribute to hypometabolism have been disclosed. Transcription, translation, as well as protein synthesis are largely suppressed. Cell proliferation in highly proliferating epithelia like the intestine is suspended. ATP production from glucose is reduced and lipids serve as the major substrate for remaining energy requirements. All these changes are rapidly reverted to normometabolism during arousal. Hibernation and daily torpor are found in small mammals inhabiting temperate as well as tropical climates. It indicates that this behaviour is not primarily aimed for cold defense, instead points to a general role of hypometabolism, as a measure to cope with a timely limited or seasonal bottleneck of energy supply.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2004

Diversity of germ layer and axis formation among mammals.

The class mammalia is composed of approximately 4800 extant species. This class is divided into three subclasses, the prototheria (monotremes), metatheria (marsupials), and eutheria. Surprisingly, there is relatively little knowledge about germ layer and axis formation in mammalian species. Most knowledge about these embryonic processes has been obtained from one species, the mouse, Mus musculus. Here we discuss major variations in germ layer and axis formation among mammals. We suggest that more studies of embryonic development in diverse mammalian species are required for an understanding of germ layer and axis formation to provide insights into human biology and disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Adult bi-paternal offspring generated through direct modification of imprinted genes in mammals.

Imprinting abnormalities pose a significant challenge in applications involving embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and animal cloning, with no universal correction method owing to their complexity and stochastic nature. In this study, we targeted these defects at their source-embryos from same-sex parents-aiming to establish a stable, maintainable imprinting pattern de novo in mammalian cells. Using bi-paternal mouse embryos, which exhibit severe imprinting defects and are typically non-viable, we introduced frameshift mutations, gene deletions, and regulatory edits at 20 key imprinted loci, ultimately achieving the development of fully adult animals, albeit with a relatively low survival rate. The findings provide strong evidence that imprinting abnormalities are a primary barrier to unisexual reproduction in mammals. Moreover, this approach can significantly improve developmental outcomes for embryonic stem cells and cloned animals, opening promising avenues for advancements in regenerative medicine.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The silent treatment: RNAi as a defense against virus infection in mammals.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a mechanism for sequence-specific gene silencing guided by double-stranded RNA. In plants and insects it is well established that RNAi is instrumental in the response to viral infections; whether RNAi has a similar function in mammals is under intense investigation. Recent studies to address this question have identified some unanticipated interactions between the RNAi machinery and mammalian viruses. Furthermore, introduction of virus-specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into cells, thus programming the RNAi machinery to target viruses, is an effective therapeutic approach to inhibit virus replication in vitro and in animal models. Although several issues remain to be addressed, such as delivery and viral escape, these findings hold tremendous potential for the development of RNAi-based antiviral therapeutics.

Animals↗