RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Contrast thresholds reveal different visual masking functions in humans and praying mantises
Summary: We investigate alternative explanations for a reported difference between human and insect responses to masked moving gratings, and demonstrate that it is a genuine feature of their visual systems.
- Functional characterization of DYRK1A missense variants associated with a syndromic form of intellectual deficiency and autism
Summary: We have analyzed the functional consequences of amino acid substitutions in the protein kinase DYRK1A that have been identified as pathogenic in patients with microcephaly, intellectual disability and autism.
- Functional domains of the FSHD-associated DUX4 protein
Summary: Aberrant expression of DUX4 underlies facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. This study identified functional domains of DUX4 and demonstrated that multiple pathological changes are related to DUX4-mediated transcriptional activation.
- The Drosophila TGF-beta/Activin-like ligands Dawdle and Myoglianin appear to modulate adult lifespan through regulation of 26S proteasome function in adult muscle
Summary: This article has, for the first time, demonstrated that fruit fly TGF-beta, or Activin-type ligand Daw, or Myo-initiated Activin signaling in adult fruit fly muscle tissues works as an anti-ageing factor by regulating 26S proteasome activities in those tissues.
- Juvenile hormone reveals mosaic developmental programs in the metamorphosing optic lobe of Drosophila melanogaster
Summary: Developmental gradients and steroid surges interact during optic lobe development. Early, ectopic juvenile hormone treatment alters steroid receptor levels, suppresses late events but not early events linked to developmental gradients.
- Biosynthesis and assembly of the Collagen IV-like protein Pericardin in Drosophila melanogaster
Summary: We identified two new pericardin alleles. Both mutants could be rescued with a genomic duplication of a fosmid coding for the pericardin locus. Biochemical analysis revealed that Pericardin is highly glycosylated and forms redox-dependent multimers.
- Suppression of miR-26a attenuates physiological disturbances arising from exposure of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to ammonia
Summary: Our work increases the available information about the regulation of miR-26a and indicates that miR-26a may be involved in the remission of physiological disorders upon ammonia stress in tilapia.
- Fank1 and Jazf1 promote multiciliated cell differentiation in the mouse airway epithelium
Summary: Transcription factors controlling ciliated cell differentiation are still being determined. Here, we show that Fank1 and Jazf1 are necessary and sufficient for ciliated cell differentiation in the mouse airways.
- Food supply and size class depending variations in phytodetritus intake in the benthic foraminifer Ammonia tepida
Summary: The food intake of Ammonia tepida (marine Protist) is strongly related to food supply and individual size. Specifically, juveniles play a major role in coastal phytodetritus processing.
- The hidden function of egg white antimicrobials: egg weight-dependent effects of avidin on avian embryo survival and hatchling phenotype
Summary: This is the first experimental study to evaluate the effects of increased concentration of egg white antimicrobial protein avidin on embryo viability, hatchling morphology and immune phenotype in birds.
- Concerted evolution of body mass and cell size: similar patterns among species of birds (Galliformes) and mammals (Rodentia)
Summary: In Galliformes birds and Rodentia mammals, larger species evolved larger cells of different cell types; in Galliformes birds, large-cell species evolved lower metabolic rates per unit mass.
- Maternal immunization increases nestling energy expenditure, immune function, and fledging success in a passerine bird
Summary: Exposure of female birds to a simulated pathogen prior to egg laying increases the metabolic rate, immune function, and fledging success of her nestlings.
- Lithobates catesbeianus (American Bullfrog) oocytes: a novel heterologous expression system for aquaporins
Summary: A unique and highly available heterologous expression system using Lithobates catesbeianus oocytes has been developed for researchers who have restricted or prohibited access to Xenopus laevis frogs and/or oocytes.
METHODS & TECHNIQUES
- An optimised pipeline for parallel image-based quantification of gene expression and genotyping after in situ hybridisation
Summary: Our optimised protocol to genotype zebrafish mutant embryos after in situ hybridisation and digitally quantify the in situ signal will help to standardise existing experimental designs and methods of analysis.