Search results for "ila"
showing 10 items of 10670 documents
Glomeromycotina: what is a species and why should we care?
2018
International audience; A workshop at the recent International Conference on Mycorrhiza was focused on species recognition in Glomeromycotina and parts of their basic biology that define species. The workshop was motivated by the paradigm-shifting evidence derived from genomic data for sex and for the lack of heterokaryosis, and by published exchanges in Science that were based on different species concepts and have led to differing views of dispersal and endemism in these fungi. Although a lively discussion ensued, there was general agreement that species recognition in the group is in need of more attention, and that many basic assumptions about the biology of these important fungi includ…
Functional Implications of Multiple IM30 Oligomeric States
2019
The inner membrane-associated protein of 30 kDa (IM30), also known as the vesicle-inducing protein in plastids 1 (Vipp1), is essential for photo-autotrophic growth of cyanobacteria, algae and higher plants. While its exact function still remains largely elusive, it is commonly accepted that IM30 is crucially involved in thylakoid membrane biogenesis, stabilization and/or maintenance. A characteristic feature of IM30 is its intrinsic propensity to form large homo-oligomeric protein complexes. 15 years ago, it has been reported that these supercomplexes have a ring-shaped structure. However, the in vivo significance of these ring structures is not finally resolved yet and the formation of mor…
Inter- and intra-specific genomic divergence in Drosophila montana shows evidence for cold adaptation
2018
This work was supported by the Academy of Finland to AH (projects 132619 and 267244) and to MK (projects 268214 and 272927) and NERC (UK) funding to MGR (grants NE/E015255/1 and NE/J020818/1) and PhD studentship to DJP (NE/I528634/1). The genomes of species that are ecological specialists will likely contain signatures of genomic adaptation to their niche. However, distinguishing genes related to ecological specialism from other sources of selection and more random changes is a challenge. Here we describe the genome of Drosophila montana, which is the most extremely cold-adapted Drosophila species. We use branch tests to identify genes showing accelerated divergence in contrasts between col…
Modelling nonlinear dynamics of Crassulacean acid metabolism productivity and water use for global predictions
2021
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) crops are important agricultural commodities in water-limited environments across the globe, yet modeling of CAM productivity lacks the sophistication of widely used C3 and C4 crop models, in part due to the complex responses of the CAM cycle to environmental conditions. This work builds on recent advances in CAM modeling to provide a framework for estimating CAM biomass yield and water use efficiency from basic principles. These advances, which integrate the CAM circadian rhythm with established models of carbon fixation, stomatal conductance, and the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, are coupled to models of light attenuation, plant respiration, and bioma…
Spoilage potential of Brettanomyces bruxellensis strains isolated from Italian wines
2018
Abstract Brettanomyces bruxellensis is an important wine spoilage agent. In this study a population of Brettanomyces strains isolated from Italian wines was thoroughly investigated to evaluate adaptability to wine conditions and spoilage potential. The presumptive isolates of Brettanomyces were identified at species level with 26S rRNA gene sequencing and species-specific PCR, and subsequently subjected to analysis of intra-species variability through the study of intron splice sites (ISS-PCR). Although, some strains were tracked in wines from different regions, extensive genetic biodiversity was observed within the B. bruxellensis population investigated. All strains were evaluated for the…
Strength of sexual and postmating prezygotic barriers varies between sympatric populations with different histories and species abundances.
2019
The impact of different reproductive barriers on species or population isolation may vary in different stages of speciation depending on evolutionary forces acting within species and through species' interactions. Genetic incompatibilities between interacting species are expected to reinforce prezygotic barriers in sympatric populations and lead to cascade reinforcement between conspecific populations living within and outside the areas of sympatry. We tested these predictions and studied whether and how the strength and target of reinforcement between Drosophila montana and Drosophila flavomontana vary between sympatric populations with different histories and species abundances. All barri…
The IM30/Vipp1 C-terminus associates with the lipid bilayer and modulates membrane fusion.
2017
IM30/Vipp1 proteins are crucial for thylakoid membrane biogenesis in chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. A characteristic C-terminal extension distinguishes these proteins from the homologous bacterial PspA proteins, and this extension has been discussed to be key for the IM30/Vipp1 activity. Here we report that the extension of the Synechocystis IM30 protein is indispensable, and argue that both, the N-terminal PspA-domain as well as the C-terminal extension are needed in order for the IM30 protein to conduct its in vivo function. In vitro, we show that the PspA-domain of IM30 is vital for stability/folding and oligomer formation of IM30 as well as for IM30-triggered membrane fusion. In contra…
Selection of Lactobacillus strains to induce biological acidification in low acidity wines
2016
Abstract Because of global warming, wines are obtained nowadays with high pH values and low acidity. This results in wines with disturbed flavor and increased susceptibility of microbial spoilage. The aim of this work was the selection of Lactobacillus strains with ability to induce biological acidification in low acidity grape musts to obtain more acidic wines. A screening of Lactobacillus strains was carried out using several selection criteria. Lactobacillus strains that grew in must, carried out the malolactic fermentation, acidified grape must, synthesized lactic acid from sugars, and showed high resistance to lysozyme and sulfur dioxide were selected. Selected strains were characteriz…
The “unguarded-X” and the genetic architecture of lifespan: Inbreeding results in a potentially maladaptive sex-specific reduction of female lifespan…
2018
Sex differences in ageing and lifespan are ubiquitous in nature. The "unguarded-X" hypothesis (UXh) suggests they may be partly due to the expression of recessive mutations in the hemizygous sex chromosomes of the heterogametic sex, which could help explain sex-specific ageing in a broad array of taxa. A prediction central to the UX hypothesis is that inbreeding will decrease the lifespan of the homogametic sex more than the heterogametic sex, because only in the former does inbreeding increase the expression of recessive deleterious mutations. In this study, we test this prediction by examining the effects of inbreeding on the lifespan and fitness of male and female Drosophila melanogaster…