The effects of sexual selection on life-history traits: an experimental study on guppies.

Sexual selection is often prevented during captive breeding in order to maximize effective population size and retain genetic diversity. However, enforcing monogamy and thereby preventing sexual selection may affect population fitness either negatively by preventing the purging of deleterious mutations or positively by reducing sexual conflicts. To better understand the effect of sexual selection on the fitness of small populations, we compared components of female fitness and the expression of male secondary sexual characters in 19 experimental populations of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) maintained under polygamous or monogamous mating regimes over nine generations. In order to generate treatments that solely differed by their level of sexual selection, the middle-class neighbourhood breeding design was enforced in the monogamous populations, while in the polygamous populations, all females contributed similarly to the next generation with one male and one female offspring. This experimental design allowed potential sexual conflicts to increase in the polygamous populations because selection could not operate on adult-female traits. Clutch size and offspring survival showed a weak decline from generation to generation but did not differ among treatments. Offspring size, however, declined across generations, but more in monogamous than polygamous populations. By generation eight, orange- and black-spot areas were larger in males from the polygamous treatment, but these differences were not statistically significant. Overall, these results suggest that neither sexual conflict nor the purging of deleterious mutation had important effects on the fitness of our experimental populations. However, only few generations of enforced monogamy in a benign environment were sufficient to negatively affect offspring size, a trait potentially crucial for survival in the wild. Sexual selection may therefore, under certain circumstances, be beneficial over enforced monogamy during captive breeding.

Temporal change in inbreeding depression in life-history traits in captive populations of guppy (Poecilia reticulata): evidence for purging?

Inbreeding depression, which generally affects the fitness of small populations, may be diminished by purging recessive deleterious alleles when inbreeding persists over several generations. Evidence of purging remains rare, especially because of the difficulties of separating the effects of various factors affecting fitness in small populations. We compared the expression of life-history traits in inbred populations of guppy (Poecilia reticulata) with contemporary control populations over 10 generations in captivity. We estimated inbreeding depression as the difference between the two types of populations at each generation. After 10 generations, the inbreeding coefficient reached a maximum value of 0.56 and 0.16 in the inbred and control populations, respectively. Analysing changes in the life-history traits across generations showed that inbreeding depression in clutch size and offspring survival increased during the first four to six generations in the populations from the inbred treatment and subsequently decreased as expected if purging occurred. Inbreeding depression in two other traits was weaker but showed similar changes across generations. The loss of six populations in the inbred treatment indicates that removal of deleterious alleles also occurred by extinction of populations that presumably harboured high genetic load.

Ribosome synthesis in Tetrahymena: a quantitative analysis.

We have performed a detailed quantitative analysis of the transcription and accumulation of ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein mRNA in the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila during changes in growth conditions, and found that: (1) nutritional downshifts lead to a rapid decrease in transcriptional activity whereas nutritional upshifts lead to rapid restoration of transcriptional activity, (2) starvation leads to decreased translation of ribosomal protein mRNA and (3) the rate of ribosomal protein mRNA degradation decreases after a nutritional upshift. We present evidence that the proximal promoters of two ribosomal protein genes and the ribosomal RNA gene compete for binding of nuclear factor(s) in vitro, suggesting that the coordinated regulation of these genes may involve a common set of transcriptional regulators.

Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding the highly expressed ribosomal protein l3 of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. Evidence for differential codon usage in highly expressed genes.

We have cloned and characterized the cDNA and the macronuclear genomic copy of the highly conserved ribosomal protein (r-protein) L3 of Tetrahymena thermophila. The r-protein L3 is encoded by a single copy gene interrupted by one intron. The organization of the promoter region exhibits features characteristic of ribosomal protein genes in Tetrahymena. The codon usage of the L3 gene is highly biased. A thorough analysis of codon usage in Tetrahymena genes revealed that genes could be categorized into two classes according to codon usage bias. Class A comprises r-protein genes and a number of other highly expressed genes. Class B comprises weakly expressed genes such as the conjugation induced CnjB and CnjC genes, but surprisingly, this class also contains abundantly expressed genes such as the genes encoding the surface antigens SerH3 and SerH1. Codon usage is slightly more restricted in class A than in class B, but both classes exhibit distinct and different codon usage biases. Class A genes preferentially use C and U in the silent third codon positions, whereas class B genes preferentially use A and U in the silent third codon positions. The analysis suggests that two different strategies have been employed for optimization of codon usage in the A+T-rich genome of Tetrahymena.

Tolyporphins J and K, two further porphinoid metabolites from the cyanobacterium Tolypothrix nodosa.

Two new porphinoids, tolyporphins J (1) and K (2), have been isolated from the terrestrial cyanobacterium, Tolypothrix nodosa (HT-58-2) and identified by NMR and mass spectral analysis. The activities of tolyporphins J and K in cell sensitization and drug accumulation assays for multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal were compared with those of tolyporphin A. Unusual NMR spectroscopic shifts were observed for tolyporphin J (1) in CDCl3.

DNA sequence analysis by MALDI mass spectrometry.

Conventional DNA sequencing is based on gel electrophoretic separation of the sequencing products. Gel casting and electrophoresis are the time limiting steps, and the gel separation is occasionally imperfect due to aberrant mobility of certain fragments, leading to erroneous sequence determination. Furthermore, illegitimately terminated products frequently cannot be distinguished from correctly terminated ones, a phenomenon that also obscures data interpretation. In the present work the use of MALDI mass spectrometry for sequencing of DNA amplified from clinical samples is implemented. The unambiguous and fast identification of deletions and substitutions in DNA amplified from heterozygous carriers realistically suggest MALDI mass spectrometry as a future alternative to conventional sequencing procedures for high throughput screening for mutations. Unique features of the method are demonstrated by sequencing a DNA fragment that could not be sequenced conventionally because of gel electrophoretic band compression and the presence of multiple non-specific termination products. Taking advantage of the accurate mass information provided by MALDI mass spectrometry, the sequence was deduced, and the nature of the non-specific termination could be determined. The method described here increases the fidelity in DNA sequencing, is fast, compatible with standard DNA sequencing procedures, and amenable to automation.

Improved RNase protection assay for quantifying LDL-receptor mRNA; estimation of analytical imprecision and biological variance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We have improved the protocol for RNA quantification by using RNase protection. Instead of precipitation and extraction with phenol and chloroform, we use a faster and more reliable precipitation based on guanidinium thiocyanate (GdSCN). The internal standard is produced by in vitro transcription of a DNA template constructed so as to allow simultaneous detection of the in vitro transcript and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA by use of the same probe and hybridization. Addition of this internal standard at the step for RNA isolation reduced the analytical imprecision from 40.8% to 19.3%. Estimates of the within- and between-subject biological variations of the LDLR mRNA content in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy volunteers were 21.5% and 13.6%, respectively, and the analytical imprecision was 22.6%. The mean content of LDLR mRNA in PBMCs from healthy individuals was 0.78 copies per cell.

Transcription in vitro of Tetrahymena class II and class III genes.

A method for preparation of transcriptionally active nuclear extracts from the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila is described. Cells were lysed in the presence of gum arabic, and nuclei were further purified in the presence of Ficoll 400. Highly concentrated nuclear extracts were prepared by ultracentrifugation of nuclei in a buffer containing potassium glutamate and spermidine. These extracts supported accurate transcription initiation of T. thermophila class II and III genes. Using the histone H3-II gene as a template, we demonstrated that physiologically induced changes in transcriptional activity in vivo were reflected in the transcriptional activity of the nuclear extract in vitro. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays, five conserved sequence elements in the upstream region of the histone H3-II gene were shown specifically to bind proteins in extracts from exponentially growing as well as from starved cells, and by UV cross-linking we further characterized the specific binding of two proteins to an oligonucleotide containing a conserved CCAAT box motif. Transcription competition experiments showed that addition of this oligonucleotide decreased transcription significantly. Competition with oligonucleotides corresponding to the two proximal conserved sequence elements almost completely abolished transcription of the H3-II gene suggesting that binding of transacting factors to these elements is crucial for initiation of transcription.

beta-Carbolines from the blue-green alga Dichothrix baueriana.

Three new chlorine-containing beta-carbolines, bauerines A-C (1-3), have been isolted from the terrestrial blue-green alga Dichothrix baueriana GO-25-2, and identifying mass and nmr spectral analysis. The alkaloids show activity against herpes simplex virus type 2.

Antifungal cyclic peptides from the terrestrial blue-green alga Anabaena laxa. I. Isolation and biological properties.

Laxaphycins are responsible for the antifungal and cytotoxic activity of crude ethanolic extracts from the cultured blue-green alga Anabaena laxa. These cyclic peptides exhibit an unusual biological synergism when tested for antifungal or cytotoxic effects. The isolation procedure for the peptides, their characterization and biological activities are described here along with experiments demonstrating synergism between the two major laxaphycins.

Isolation, NMR studies, and biological activities of onopordopicrin from Centaurea sonchifolia.

A sesquiterpene lactone, onopordopicrin [1], has been isolated from Centaurea sonchifolia. Its structure was established by 2D nmr (1H-1H and 13C-1H correlations), and the conformation in CHCl3 was examined by nOe studies. Cytotoxic, antibacterial, and antifungal activities are reported.

Cytotoxic, antiviral indolocarbazoles from a blue-green alga belonging to the Nostocaceae.

6-Cyano-5-methoxy-12-methylindolo[2,3-alpha]carbazole and 6-cyano-5-methoxyindolo[2,3-alpha]carbazole are responsible for most of the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity associated with the blue-green alga Nostoc sphaericum EX-5-1. The compounds are active against HSV II and show weak cytotoxicity against KB and LoVo human carcinoma cell lines.

Preparation of an attenuated dengue 4 (341750 Carib) virus vaccine. I. Pre-clinical studies.

Dengue 4 (DEN-4) virus strain 341750 Carib was modified by serial passage in primary canine kidney (PCK) cell cultures. By the 15th PCK passage, this virus was less infectious for monkeys and resulted in a significantly reduced viremia as compared to the parent DEN-4 virus. The 30th PCK passage of DEN-4 341750 Carib was non-infectious for monkeys. A vaccine prepared at the 20th PCK passage in DBS-FRhL-2 cells stimulated the production of both neutralizing and hemagglutination inhibition antibodies in monkeys; these animals were also protected against challenge with the homologous strain as well as a heterologous strain of DEN-4. An ID50 titration in monkeys resulted in a titer of greater than 10(4) plaque-forming units (PFU) for the vaccine virus and 0.5 PFU for the parent virus. Reduced monkey infectivity of this magnitude has been correlated with human attenuation in previous dengue vaccine candidates. The DEN-4 strain 341750 Carib PCK-20/FRhL-4 vaccine has been characterized and sufficiently tested to be considered for safety and immunogenicity trials in humans.

Cytotoxic, fungicidal nucleosides from blue green algae belonging to the Scytonemataceae.

Tubercidin, toyocamycin, and the corresponding 5'-alpha-D-glucopyranose derivatives of the nucleosides are frequently responsible for much of the cytotoxicity and antimycotic activity associated with extracts of cultured cyanophytes belonging to the family Scytonemataceae. The 5'-alpha-D-glucopyranoses of tubercidin and toyocamycin, for example, are the major cytotoxic and fungicidal nucleosides in Fijian Plectonema radiosum and Hawaiian Tolypothrix tenuis, respectively.

Study of the distribution of antibody-dependent enhancement determinants on dengue 2 isolates using dengue 2-derived monoclonal antibodies.

Dengue 2 (DEN-2) strains isolated from children during the 1980 metropolitan Bangkok epidemic were shown to possess antigenic homogeneity when studied for determinants mediating antibody-dependent infection enhancement using DEN-2 monoclonal antibodies. All isolates possessed multiple enhancing determinants, but those associated with mild and severe dengue syndromes could not be distinguished. Either the basis of disease severity in dengue is more complex than the mere presence or absence of virus epitopes involved in enhanced infection or enhancing epitopes have differences not detected in this system with monoclonal antibodies raised to the same serotype.

Comparison of dengue virus plaque reduction neutralization by macro and "semi-micro' methods in LLC-MK2 cells.

A simplified "semi-micro' plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for dengue antibody in LLC-MK2 cells in disposable tissue culture plates is described. The assay compares favorably with the standard PRNT in glass prescription bottles, with relative sensitivity and specificity both 100% at a 1:40 screening dilution by 70% plaque reduction criteria. The assay is easy to perform, economical of time, expense, and storage space, and is suitable for study of sera available in small volumes, such as those obtained on filter paper or by the capillary method. The LLC-MK2 semi-micro PRNT is an acceptable alternative to the standard PRNT, particularly in laboratories that use these cells routinely for other tissue culture work and for flavivirus vaccine development.

Selection of attenuated dengue 4 viruses by serial passage in primary kidney cells. III. Reversion to virulence by passage of cloned virus in fetal rhesus lung cells.

Two strains of primary dog kidney-passaged dengue (DEN) 4 (H-241) virus cloned by terminal dilution (PDK 24-TD3 and 35-TD3) were propagated in fetal rhesus lung (FRhL) cells to produce candidate vaccine virus seeds. Both serial passage and prolonged replication of PDK 24-TD3 in FRhL resulted in appearance of medium and large plaques in LLC-MK2 assays. When picked, these plaques proved to contain temperature-resistant, monkey-virulent revertants. Serial passage and prolonged replication of PDK 24-TD3 in LLC-MK2 cells did not result in reversion; but, prolonged replication in PDK cells did. Passage of PDK 35-TD3 in FRhL cells resulted in appearance of medium size plaques which, when picked, yielded temperature sensitive (ts) (38.5 degrees C) viruses of low monkey-virulence. Because of its stability in monkeys and FRhL cells, reduced monkey virulence and ts property. PDK 35-TD3 is a promising candidate for trial in man.

Selection of attenuated dengue 4 viruses by serial passage in primary kidney cells. IV. Characterization of a vaccine candidate in fetal rhesus lung cells.

A strain of primary dog kidney (PDK)-passaged dengue (DEN) 4 (H-241) virus cloned by terminal dilution (PDK 35-TD3) was propagated in large volumes in fetal rhesus lung (FRhL) cells to produce a candidate vaccine for evaluation in man. Production seed (FRhL p2) and candidate vaccine (FRhL p3) were subjected to rigorous safety tests to exclude contaminating microbial agents. There was no significant monkey neurovirulence of parental or PDK-passaged DEN-4 virus or of control fluid cultures. FRhL-passaged viruses retained the phenotypic characteristics: small (occasional medium) plaque; temperature sensitivity at 38.5 degrees C; and absence of plaque formation in African green monkey kidney cells, cytopathic effect in LLC-MK2 cells, and viral growth in human monocytes. FRhL p2 virus displayed low virulence for monkeys; only one of four animals was viremic and three of four developed low-titered antibody. FRhL p3 virus produced viremia in three monkeys and moderate to high hemagglutination-inhibition and neutralizing antibody titers in all animals. Virus at both passages in FRhL exhibited reduced neurovirulence in suckling mice as compared to parental DEN-4. Because of its safety and desirable monkey virulence attributes PDK 35-TD3 FRhL p3 is recommended for human phase I trial.

Heterogeneity of infection enhancement of dengue 2 strains by monoclonal antibodies.

Seven dengue (DEN) 2 virus strains were studied for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection in P388D1 mouse macrophage-like cells by using a panel of five DEN 2 monoclonal antibodies. DEN 2 strains were of diverse temporal, geographic, and disease origins. By hemagglutination inhibition and a plaque-reduction neutralization test in LLC-MK2 cells, two of the monoclonal antibodies were type specific and three were flavivirus group reactive. In LLC-MK2 cells, the seven DEN 2 viruses each were neutralized by all five monoclonal antibodies. In P388D1 cells, two DEN 2 strains were enhanced by only three monoclonal antibodies, two by four antibodies, and three by all five antibodies, demonstrating that in some instances enhancement is epitope related and not a concentration-dependent function of virus-antibody interactions. However, ADE did not segregate with determinants exhibiting either the flavivirus group or the dengue type specificity. The presence or absence of enhancement determinants on DEN 2 strains did not correlate with the geographic origin of virus or the severity of disease yielding the strain. The heterogeneous distribution of enhancement determinants may provide a valence mechanism contributing to a multiple increase of infection enhancement in macrophages.