Chromosomal rearrangements in holocentric organisms lead to reproductive isolation by hybrid dysfunction: The correlation between karyotype rearrangements and germination rates in sedges.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Understanding the drivers of speciation is a central task of evolutionary biology. Chromosomal rearrangements are known to play an important role in species diversification, but the role of rearrangements of holocentric chromosomes-chromosomes without localized centromeres-is poorly understood. METHODS: We made numerous artificial crosses between Carex scoparia individuals of different diploid chromosome numbers and, for comparison, between individuals of the same chromosome number. We studied chromosome pairing and chromosomal rearrangements in the F1 individuals using light microscopy. We then estimated germination rates as a function of geographic distance, genetic distance, chromosome number differences in parents, and pairing irregularities in F1 individuals, using generalized least squares to fit alternative regression models. KEY RESULTS: The most informative predictors of germination rates in the F1 generation are chromosome number differences and minimum number of chromosome pairing irregularities in the F1 individuals. Genetic and geographic distances between parents are not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Holocentric chromosomal rearrangements play an important role in postzygotic reproductive isolation in Carex through F1 hybrid inviability and sterility. Hybrid dysfunction seems to be a suitable model for chromosomal speciation when there are several chromosomal rearrangements between parents. However, we have not tested the hypothesis that genome rearrangements may also play an important role in suppressing recombination between cytogenetically divergent populations.

White-tailed deer are a biotic filter during community assembly, reducing species and phylogenetic diversity.

Community assembly entails a filtering process, where species found in a local community are those that can pass through environmental (abiotic) and biotic filters and successfully compete. Previous research has demonstrated the ability of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to reduce species diversity and favour browse-tolerant plant communities. In this study, we expand on our previous work by investigating deer as a possible biotic filter altering local plant community assembly. We used replicated 23-year-old deer exclosures to experimentally assess the effects of deer on species diversity (H'), richness (SR), phylogenetic community structure and phylogenetic diversity in paired browsed (control) and unbrowsed (exclosed) plots. Additionally, we developed a deer-browsing susceptibility index (DBSI) to assess the vulnerability of local species to deer. Deer browsing caused a 12 % reduction in H' and 17 % reduction in SR, consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, browsing reduced phylogenetic diversity by 63 %, causing significant phylogenetic clustering. Overall, graminoids were the least vulnerable to deer browsing based on DBSI calculations. These findings demonstrate that deer are a significant driver of plant community assembly due to their role as a selective browser, or more generally, as a biotic filter. This study highlights the importance of knowledge about the plant tree of life in assessing the effects of biotic filters on plant communities. Application of such knowledge has considerable potential to advance our understanding of plant community assembly.

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency increases redox stress and moderately accelerates the development of heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the most common deficient enzyme in the world. In failing hearts, G6PD is upregulated and generates reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) that is used by the glutathione pathway to remove reactive oxygen species but also as a substrate by reactive oxygen species-generating enzymes. Therefore, G6PD deficiency might prevent heart failure by decreasing NADPH and reactive oxygen species production. METHODS AND RESULTS: This hypothesis was evaluated in a mouse model of human G6PD deficiency (G6PDX mice, ≈40% normal activity). Myocardial infarction with 3 months follow-up resulted in left ventricular dilation and dysfunction in both wild-type and G6PDX mice but significantly greater end diastolic volume and wall thinning in G6PDX mice. Similarly, pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 6 weeks caused greater left ventricular dilation in G6PDX mice than wild-type mice. We further stressed transverse aortic constriction mice by feeding a high fructose diet to increase flux through G6PD and reactive oxygen species production and again observed worse left ventricular remodeling and a lower ejection fraction in G6PDX than wild-type mice. Tissue content of lipid peroxidation products was increased in G6PDX mice in response to infarction and aconitase activity was decreased with transverse aortic constriction, suggesting that G6PD deficiency increases myocardial oxidative stress and subsequent damage. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, G6PD deficiency increased redox stress in response to infarction or pressure overload. However, we found only a modest acceleration of left ventricular remodeling, suggesting that, in individuals with G6PD deficiency and concurrent hypertension or myocardial infarction, the risk for developing heart failure is higher but limited by compensatory mechanisms.

Marine n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance resistance to mitochondrial permeability transition in heart failure but do not improve survival.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure includes greater susceptibility to mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), which may worsen cardiac function and decrease survival. Treatment with a mixture of the n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3 PUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is beneficial in heart failure patients and increases resistance to MPT in animal models. We assessed whether DHA and EPA have similar effects when given individually, and whether they prolong survival in heart failure. Male δ-sarcoglycan null cardiomyopathic hamsters were untreated or given either DHA, EPA, or a 1:1 mixture of DHA + EPA at 2.1% of energy intake. Treatment did not prolong survival: mean survival was 298 ± 15 days in untreated hamsters and 335 ± 17, 328 ± 14, and 311 ± 15 days with DHA, EPA, and DHA + EPA, respectively (n = 27-32/group). A subgroup of cardiomyopathic hamsters treated for 26 wk had impaired left ventricular function and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis compared with normal hamsters, which was unaffected by n3 PUFA treatment. Evaluation of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria with substrates for complex I or II showed no effect of n3 PUFA treatment. On the other hand, interfibrillar mitochondria from cardiomyopathic hamsters were significantly more sensitive to Ca(2+)-induced MPT, which was completely normalized by treatment with DHA and partially corrected by EPA. In conclusion, treatment with DHA or EPA normalizes Ca(2+)-induced MPT in cardiomyopathic hamsters but does not prolong survival or improve cardiac function. This suggest that greater susceptibility to MPT is not a contributor to cardiac pathology and poor survival in heart failure.

Effects of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency on the metabolic and cardiac responses to obesogenic or high-fructose diets.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common human enzymopathy that affects cellular redox status and may lower flux into nonoxidative pathways of glucose metabolism. Oxidative stress may worsen systemic glucose tolerance and cardiometabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that G6PD deficiency exacerbates diet-induced systemic metabolic dysfunction by increasing oxidative stress but in myocardium prevents diet-induced oxidative stress and pathology. WT and G6PD-deficient (G6PDX) mice received a standard high-starch diet, a high-fat/high-sucrose diet to induce obesity (DIO), or a high-fructose diet. After 31 wk, DIO increased adipose and body mass compared with the high-starch diet but to a greater extent in G6PDX than WT mice (24 and 20% lower, respectively). Serum free fatty acids were increased by 77% and triglycerides by 90% in G6PDX mice, but not in WT mice, by DIO and high-fructose intake. G6PD deficiency did not affect glucose tolerance or the increased insulin levels seen in WT mice. There was no diet-induced hypertension or cardiac dysfunction in either mouse strain. However, G6PD deficiency increased aconitase activity by 42% and blunted markers of nonoxidative glucose pathway activation in myocardium, including the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway activation and advanced glycation end product formation. These results reveal a complex interplay between diet-induced metabolic effects and G6PD deficiency, where G6PD deficiency decreases weight gain and hyperinsulinemia with DIO, but elevates serum free fatty acids, without affecting glucose tolerance. On the other hand, it modestly suppressed indexes of glucose flux into nonoxidative pathways in myocardium, suggesting potential protective effects.

Improved mitochondrial function with diet-induced increase in either docosahexaenoic acid or arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids.

Mitochondria can depolarize and trigger cell death through the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). We recently showed that an increase in the long chain n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) and depletion of the n6 PUFA arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n6) in mitochondrial membranes is associated with a greater Ca(2+) load required to induce MPTP opening. Here we manipulated mitochondrial phospholipid composition by supplementing the diet with DHA, ARA or combined DHA+ARA in rats for 10 weeks. There were no effects on cardiac function, or respiration of isolated mitochondria. Analysis of mitochondrial phospholipids showed DHA supplementation increased DHA and displaced ARA in mitochondrial membranes, while supplementation with ARA or DHA+ARA increased ARA and depleted linoleic acid (18:2n6). Phospholipid analysis revealed a similar pattern, particularly in cardiolipin. Tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin was depleted by 80% with ARA or DHA+ARA supplementation, with linoleic acid side chains replaced by ARA. Both the DHA and ARA groups had delayed Ca(2+)-induced MPTP opening, but the DHA+ARA group was similar to the control diet. In conclusion, alterations in mitochondria membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition caused by dietary DHA or ARA was associated with a greater cumulative Ca(2+) load required to induced MPTP opening. Further, high levels of tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin were not essential for normal mitochondrial function if replaced with very-long chain n3 or n6 PUFAs.

High-sugar intake does not exacerbate metabolic abnormalities or cardiac dysfunction in genetic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: A high-sugar intake increases heart disease risk in humans. In animals, sugar intake accelerates heart failure development by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) can fuel ROS production by providing reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for superoxide generation by NADPH oxidase. Conversely, G6PD also facilitates ROS scavenging using the glutathione pathway. We hypothesized that a high-sugar intake would increase flux through G6PD to increase myocardial NADPH and ROS and accelerate cardiac dysfunction and death. METHODS: Six-week-old TO-2 hamsters, a non-hypertensive model of genetic cardiomyopathy caused by a δ-sarcoglycan mutation, were fed a long-term diet of high starch or high sugar (57% of energy from sucrose plus fructose). RESULTS: After 24 wk, the δ-sarcoglycan-deficient animals displayed expected decreases in survival and cardiac function associated with cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction: control 68.7 ± 4.5%, TO-2 starch 46.1 ± 3.7%, P < 0.05 for TO-2 starch versus control; TO-2 sugar 58.0 ± 4.2%, NS, versus TO-2 starch or control; median survival: TO-2 starch 278 d, TO-2 sugar 318 d, P = 0.133). Although the high-sugar intake was expected to exacerbate cardiomyopathy, surprisingly, there was no further decrease in ejection fraction or survival with high sugar compared with starch in cardiomyopathic animals. Cardiomyopathic animals had systemic and cardiac metabolic abnormalities (increased serum lipids and glucose and decreased myocardial oxidative enzymes) that were unaffected by diet. The high-sugar intake increased myocardial superoxide, but NADPH and lipid peroxidation were unaffected. CONCLUSION: A sugar-enriched diet did not exacerbate ventricular function, metabolic abnormalities, or survival in heart failure despite an increase in superoxide production.

High intake of saturated fat, but not polyunsaturated fat, improves survival in heart failure despite persistent mitochondrial defects.

AIMS: The impact of a high-fat diet on the failing heart is unclear, and the differences between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fat have not been assessed. Here, we compared a standard low-fat diet to high-fat diets enriched with either saturated fat (palmitate and stearate) or PUFA (linoleic and α-linolenic acids) in hamsters with genetic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Male δ-sarcoglycan null Bio TO2 hamsters were fed a standard low-fat diet (12% energy from fat), or high-fat diets (45% fat) comprised of either saturated fat or PUFA. The median survival was increased by the high saturated fat diet (P< 0.01; 278 days with standard diet and 361 days with high saturated fat)), but not with high PUFA (260 days) (n = 30-35/group). Body mass was modestly elevated (∼10%) in both high fat groups. Subgroups evaluated after 24 weeks had similar left ventricular chamber size, function, and mass. Mitochondrial oxidative enzyme activity and the yield of interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM) were decreased to a similar extent in all TO2 groups compared with normal F1B hamsters. Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening was enhanced in IFM in all TO2 groups compared with F1B hamsters, but to a significantly greater extent in those fed the high PUFA diet compared with the standard or high saturated fat diet. CONCLUSION: These results show that a high intake of saturated fat improves survival in heart failure compared with a high PUFA diet or low-fat diet, despite persistent mitochondrial defects.

Treatment with docosahexaenoic acid, but not eicosapentaenoic acid, delays Ca2+-induced mitochondria permeability transition in normal and hypertrophied myocardium.

Intake of fish oil containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) prevents heart failure; however, the mechanisms are unclear. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening contributes to myocardial pathology in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, and treatment with DHA + EPA delays MPTP opening. Here, we assessed: 1) whether supplementation with both DHA and EPA is needed for optimal prevention of MPTP opening, and 2) whether this benefit occurs in hypertrophied myocardium. Rats with either normal myocardium or cardiac hypertrophy induced by 8 weeks of abdominal aortic banding were fed one of four diets: control diet without DHA or EPA or diets enriched with either DHA, EPA, or DHA + EPA (1:1 ratio) at 2.5% of energy intake for 17 weeks. Aortic banding caused a 27% increase in left ventricular mass and 25% depletion in DHA in mitochondrial phospholipids in rats fed the control diet. DHA supplementation raised DHA in phospholipids ∼2-fold in both normal and hypertrophied hearts and increased EPA. DHA + EPA supplementation also increased DHA, but to a lesser extent than DHA alone. EPA supplementation increased EPA, but did not affect DHA compared with the control diet. Ca(2+)-induced MPTP opening was delayed by DHA and DHA + EPA supplementation in both normal and hypertrophied hearts, but EPA had no effect on MPTP opening. These results show that supplementation with DHA alone effectively increases both DHA and EPA in cardiac mitochondrial phospholipids and delays MPTP and suggest that treatment with DHA + EPA offers no advantage over DHA alone.