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| | 1. |
2008 Feb 02 |
Molecular clocks provide new insights into the evolutionary history of Galeichthyine sea catfishes.
Betancur-R R, Armbruster JW
Evolution. 2009 May;63(5):1232-43. Epub 2008 Feb 02.
Abstract
Intercontinental distributions in the southern hemisphere can either be the result of Gondwanan vicariance or more recent transoceanic dispersal. Transoceanic dispersal has come into vogue for explaining many intercontinental distributions; however, it has been used mainly for organisms that can float or raft between the continents. Despite their name, the Sea Catfishes (Ariidae) have limited dispersal ability, and there are no examples of nearshore ariid genera with a transoceanic distribution except for Galeichthys where three species occur in southern Africa and one in the Peruvian coast. A previous study suggested that the group originated in Gondwana, and that the species arrived at their current range after the breakup of the supercontinent in the Early Cretaceous. To test this hypothesis, we infer molecular phylogenies (mitochondrial cytochrome b, ATP synthase 8/6, 12S, and 16S; nuclear rag2; total approximately 4 kb) and estimate intercontinental divergence via molecular clocks (penalized-likelihood, Bayesian relaxed clock, and universal clock rates in fishes). Age ranges for cladogenesis of African and South American lineages are 15.4-2.5 my, far more recent than would be suggested by Gondwanan vicariance; thus, the distribution of galeichthyines must be explained by dispersal or more recent vicariant events. The nested position of the Peruvian species (Galeichthys peruvianus) within the African taxa is robust, suggesting that the direction of the dispersal was from Africa to South America. The progenitor of the Peruvian species likely arrived at its current distribution with the aid of ocean currents, and several scenarios are discussed.
[Pubmed: 19187251]
| | 2. |
2009 May 05 |
Interoceanic occurrence of species of Aristocleidus Mueller, 1936 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) parasitizing the gills of gerreid fishes in the Neotropics.
Mendoza Franco EF, Violante-González J, Roche DG
Parasitol. Res. 2009 Sep;105(3):703-8. Epub 2009 May 05.
Abstract
During investigations of fish parasites in the Neotropics (including the state of Veracruz and the Yucatán Peninsula in the Gulf of Mexico, the Chautengo Lagoon on the Pacific coast of the state of Guerrero in Mexico, and Lake Gatun in the Panama Canal), three monogenoidean (Dactylogyridae) species were found parasitizing the gills of gerreids (Gerreidae): Aristocleidus hastatus Mueller, 1936, was recovered from Eugerres plumieri (Cuvier) and Diapterus auratus Ranzani in Veracruz, from D. auratus and Diapterus rhombeus (Cuvier) in Yucatán, from Eugerres brasilianus (Cuvier) in Panama (all new hosts and geographical records), and from D. peruvianus (Cuvier) and Gerres cinereus (Walbaum) in Guerrero; Aristocleidus lamothei Kritsky and Mendoza-Franco, 2008, was recovered from E. plumieri in Veracruz and from D. rhombeus in Yucatan (new hosts and geographical records), and Aristocleidus sp. was recovered from G. cinereus in Guerrero. Results from this study suggest that species of Aristocleidus exhibit wide host specificity within gerreid fishes and that geminate species within this parasite genus may have originated with the formation of the Isthmus of Panama (3.1 to 3.5 ma). Evidence is also presented suggesting the potential role of the Panama Canal as a passageway allowing the interoceanic dispersal of Aristocleidus species across the isthmus.
[Pubmed: 19415330]
| | 3. |
2001 |
Structure of ovaries and oogenesis in Corydalidae and Chauliodidae (Insecta, Megaloptera). I. Architecture of adult ovarioles and previtellogenesis.
Szymańska B, Kubrakiewicz J, Jankowska W, Biliński SM
Folia Biol. (Krakow). 2001;49(1-2):91-7.
Abstract
The results of histological and EM studies on the ovaries of three representatives of Megaloptera: Chauliodes pectinicornis, Nigronia fasciata (Chauliodidae), and Corydalus peruvianus Corydalidae) are presented. It is shown that the ovaries of all 3 investigated species are panoistic (secondary panoistic, = neopanoistic) and consist of numerous (more than a hundred) ovarioles that are differentiated into 3 well-defined regions: the terminal filament, the germarium, and the vitellarium. The germaria of adult females are apparently non-functional and contain germ and somatic cells in various stages of degeneration. The vitellaria are composed of 12-15 developing ovarian follicles (= oocytes surrounded by follicular cells) in a linear arrangement. In adult females these follicles can be classified into early previtellogenic, late previtellogenic, vitellogenic, and choriogenic. During early previtellogenesis oocyte nuclei (= germinal vesicles) contain single nucleolar masses. Histochemical analyses indicate that within the masses DNA as well as AgNOR proteins are present. During subsequent stages of the previtellogenic growth nucleolar masses gradually break down into smaller aggregations of coarse granular material, i.e. multiple nucleoli. In chauliodids the nucleoli are distributed evenly throughout the nucleoplasm while in the corydalid, C. peruvianus, they form a characteristic ring. The presented results are discussed in a phylogenetic context.
[Pubmed: 11732171]
| | 4. |
2007 Aug |
Essential and toxic metals in nine fish species for human consumption from two coastal lagoons in the Eastern Gulf of California.
Ruelas-Inzunza J, Páez-Osuna F
J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2007 Aug;42(10):1411-6.
Abstract
With the aim of knowing concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn; percentage of daily mineral intake (PMI) for essential elements and percentage of weekly intake (PWI) of toxic metals in commercial fish from 2 coastal lagoons in the Eastern Gulf of California, analyses were carried out in 9 species. Highest values of Cd were detected in the liver of the sharks Sphyrna lewini and Carcharhinus leucas, Pb was mostly detected in the liver of S. lewini; Cu and Mn in the liver and gills of the mullet Mugil cephalus, respectively; Fe in the liver of the catfish Galeichthys peruvianus; and Zn in viscera of the catfish Cathorops fuerthii. From the point of view of public health and considering the edible portion, only in a few cases levels were above limits considered as safe for human consumption, such is the case of Cd in muscle of bull shark C. leucas (2.8 microg g(- 1)) and catfish G. peruvianus (1.55 microg g(- 1)), Pb in muscle of scalloped hammerhead S. lewini (5.2 microg g(- 1)), Cu in muscle of scalloped hammerhead S. lewini (20.6 microg g(- 1)) and Zn in muscle of Pacific herring Opisthonema libertate (53 microg g(-1)) and S. lewini (104 microg g(- 1)).
[Pubmed: 17680479]
| | 5. |
2009 Aug 1 |
Endochitinase CHI2 of the biocontrol fungus Metarhizium anisopliae affects its virulence toward the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus.
Boldo JT, Junges A, do Amaral KB, Staats CC, Vainstein MH, Schrank A
Curr. Genet. 2009 Aug 1; [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
Chitinases have been implicated in fungal cell wall remodeling and play a role in exogenous chitin degradation for nutrition and competition. Due to the diversity of these enzymes, assigning particular functions to each chitinase is still ongoing. The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae produces several chitinases, and here, we evaluate whether endochitinase CHI2 is involved in the pathogenicity of this fungus. We constructed strains either overexpressing or lacking the CHI2 chitinase. These constructs were validated by Southern, Northern and Western blot analysis, and chitinase production. To access the effects of CHI2 chitinase in virulence, the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus was used as a host. CHI2 overexpression constructs showed higher efficiency in host killing suggesting that the production of this chitinase by a constitutive promoter reduces the time necessary to kill the insect. More significantly, the knock out constructs showed decreased virulence to the insects as compared to the wild type strain. The lack of this single CHI2 chitinase diminished fungal infection efficiency, but not any other detectable trait, showing that the M. anisopliae family 18, subgroup B endochitinase CHI2 plays a role in insect infection.
[Pubmed: 19649636]
| | 6. |
2009 Apr |
A new species of Capillostrongyloides (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitizing the horsefish, Congiopodus peruvianus (Pisces: Congiopodidae), from Argentina.
Cantatore DM, Rossin MA, Lanfranchi AL, Timi JT
J. Parasitol. 2009 Apr;95(2):388-91.
Abstract
A new species of parasitic nematode, Capillostrongyloides congiopodi n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described based on specimens collected from the gall bladder of the horsefish, Congiopodus peruvianus Cuvier and Velenciennes (Congiopodidae, Scorpaeniformes), from the Patagonian Shelf, Argentina (45-48 degrees S; 60-64 degrees W). Among the 9 species described so far in the genus, the new species most closely resembles C. norvegica Moravec and Karlsbakk, 2000, by the presence of its conspicuously elevated anterior vulvar lip in females; however, it is readily distinguished from it by having a larger body size, larger eggs with protruding polar plugs, the shape and length of the spicule, and mainly by the general morphology of the caudal bursa of males. In addition, the site of infection, i.e., stomach versus gall bladder. This is the first Capillostrongyloides species reported from fishes in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
[Pubmed: 18844433]
| | 7. |
2008 Oct 07 |
Stage-specific gut proteinases of the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus: role in the release of entomotoxic peptides from Canavalia ensiformis urease.
Piovesan AR, Stanisçuaski F, Marco-Salvadori J, Real-Guerra R, Defferrari MS, Carlini CR
Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2008 Nov;38(11):1023-32. Epub 2008 Oct 07.
Abstract
Canavalia ensiformis ureases are toxic to insects of different orders. The entomotoxicity of urease is due to a 10 kDa internal peptide released by proteinases in the insect digestive tract. We previously observed that, given orally, urease is toxic to nymphs of Dysdercus peruvianus, but does not affect adults. Here we characterized the major proteolytic activities of D. peruvianus midgut homogenates and investigated their in vitro-catalyzed release of the 10 kDa entomotoxic peptide from urease. Cysteine, aspartic and metalloproteinases are present in both homogenates. Variations in optimal pH and susceptibility to inhibitors indicated differences in the enzyme profiles in the two developmental stages. Only nymph homogenates released approximately 10 kDa fragment(s) from urease, recognized by antibodies against the entomotoxic peptide. Fluorogenic substrates containing urease partial sequences flanking the N-terminal or the C-terminal portion of the entomotoxic peptide were efficiently cleaved by homogenates from nymphs, but much more slowly by the adult homogenate. Different classes of enzymes in the homogenates cleaved both substrates suggesting that in vivo the release of the entomotoxic peptide results from the concerted action of at least two different proteinases. Our findings support the view that a differential processing of ingested urease by the insects explains at least in part the lack of toxicity in adults.
[Pubmed: 18952169]
| | 8. |
2008 |
New diterpenes from the marine pulmonate Trimusculus peruvianus.
Diaz-Marrero A, Issi N, Canales V, Chamy C, San-Martin A, Darias J, Rovirosa J
Nat. Prod. Res. 2008;22(17):1516-20.
Abstract
The family Trimusculidae produce labdane diterpenes, which differ in the degree and type of esterification with acetoxy and isovaleroyl ester, predominantly. In this article, we describe the isolation from the marine pulmonate Trimusculus peruvianus, collected on intertidal rocks of Chilean coasts, of two new labdane diterpenes closely related to the above mentioned characteristics. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic data and correspond to 6beta-hydroxy-labda-8, 13-dien-15-ol and 3, 19-isovaleroyl-6beta, 9alpha-dihydroxylabda-Delta(8,17), 13-dien-15-oic acid.
[Pubmed: 18985512]
| | 9. |
2007 Aug 17 |
Jaburetox-2Ec: an insecticidal peptide derived from an isoform of urease from the plant Canavalia ensiformis.
Mulinari F, Stanisçuaski F, Bertholdo-Vargas LR, Postal M, Oliveira-Neto OB, Rigden DJ, Grossi-de-Sá MF, Carlini CR
Peptides. 2007 Oct;28(10):2042-50. Epub 2007 Aug 17.
Abstract
Canatoxin, a urease isoform from Canavalia ensiformis seeds, shows insecticidal activity against different insect species. Its toxicity relies on an internal 10 kDa peptide (pepcanatox), released by hydrolysis of Canatoxin by cathepsins in the digestive system of susceptible insects. In the present work, based on the N-terminal sequence of pepcanatox, we have designed primers to amplify by PCR a 270-bp fragment corresponding to pepcanatox using JBURE-II cDNA (one of the urease isoforms cloned from C. ensiformis, with high identity to JBURE-I, the classical urease) as a template. This amplicon named jaburetox-2 was cloned into pET 101 vector to obtain heterologous expression in Escherichia coli of the recombinant protein in C-terminal fusion with V-5 epitope and 6-His tag. Jaburetox-2Ec was purified on Nickel-NTA resin and bioassayed in insect models. Dysdercus peruvianus larvae were fed on cotton seed meal diets containing 0.01% (w/w) Jaburetox-2Ec and, after 11 days, all individuals were dead. Jaburetox-2Ec was also tested against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae and caused 100% mortality. In contrast, high doses of Jaburetox-2Ec were innocuous when injected or ingested by mice and neonate rats. Modeling of Jaburetox-2Ec, in comparison with other peptide structures, revealed a prominent beta-hairpin motif consistent with an insecticidal activity based on either neurotoxicity or cell permeation.
[Pubmed: 17875343]
| | 10. |
2007 Mar 07 |
Biphasic perimicrovillar membrane production following feeding by previously starved Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae).
Damasceno-Sá JC, Carneiro CN, DaMatta RA, Samuels RI, Terra WR, Silva CP
J. Insect Physiol. 2007 Jun;53(6):592-600. Epub 2007 Mar 07.
Abstract
The development of perimicrovillar membranes (PMM) from midgut cells of starved and fed Dysdercus peruvianus was studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and assays for specific enzymatic markers of the perimicrovillar membranes (alpha-glucosidase), perimicrovillar space (aminopeptidase) and microvillar membranes (beta-glucosidase). High activities of these enzymes were observed 6h post-feeding and significant production of membranes was observed at 30 h post-feeding. In the gut cells of starved insects, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was organized in concentric bundles, with a greater number of mitochondria in the cellular apex. The presence of electron dense double-membrane vesicles and the production of PMM were not observed in this condition. Thirty hours post-feeding, a disorganization of the rough endoplasmic reticulum was observed, and it was possible to see double-membrane vesicles close to the cell apex. The membrane system formation was evident with a significant development of PMM in the midgut lumen. The luminal surface of the midgut during starvation and up to 48 h post-feeding was monitored using SEM. It was demonstrated that in the starved condition, the PMM was virtually absent from gut cells, except at the base of the microvilli. At 6h post-feeding, the microvilli were already completely covered with PMM, but with a maximum of PMM formation seen at 30 h post-feeding. Signals of PMM degradation were observed 48 h after pulse feeding.
[Pubmed: 17452041]
| | 11. |
2005 May |
Insecticidal effects of canatoxin on the cotton stainer bug Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae).
Stanisçuaski F, Ferreira-Dasilva CT, Mulinari F, Pires-Alves M, Carlini CR
Toxicon. 2005 May;45(6):753-60.
Abstract
Canatoxin (CNTX) is a variant form of urease isolated from Canavalia ensiformis (Leguminosaea) seeds. A possible role in the plant defense was proposed for CNTX, due to its toxicity upon feeding to the beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, and the hematophagous bug, Rhodnius prolixus. The toxic effect is caused by a canatoxin-derived peptide ( approximately 10kDa) formed by insect cathepsin-like digestive enzymes. In order to evaluate their potential as bioinsecticides, the effects of CNTX and its peptide were evaluated on a phytophagous hemipteran insect Dysdercus peruvianus, a pest of cotton culture. For the bioassays, the insects fed on gelatin capsules containing powdered cotton seeds, mixed with the freeze-dried protein and other test materials and were observed for survival rate, weight gain and molting. Ingestion of canatoxin, or a recombinant 10kDa peptide derived from it, severely affected young forms of the insects, delaying their development or leading to their death. In contrast, adults were insensitive to diets containing higher concentrations of canatoxin. Cathepsin-like proteinases predominated and showed distinct pattern of enzymatic activities in midguts homogenates according to the developmental stage of the insect, a fact which may explain the different susceptibility of nymphs as compared to adult D. peruvianus. The data presented confirm the potential use of canatoxin-like proteins and derived peptides as bioinsecticides.
[Pubmed: 15804524]
| | 12. |
2004 Apr |
Occurrence of midgut perimicrovillar membranes in paraneopteran insect orders with comments on their function and evolutionary significance.
Silva CP, Silva JR, Vasconcelos FF, Petretski MD, Damatta RA, Ribeiro AF, Terra WR
Arthropod Struct Dev. 2004 Apr;33(2):139-48.
Abstract
Hemipterans are characterized by the absence of the peritrophic membrane, an anatomical structure that envelopes the food bolus in the majority of insects. However, the microvillar membranes of many hemipteran midgut cells are not in direct contact with the food bolus, due to the existence of the so-called perimicrovillar membrane (PMM), which covers the microvilli extending into the gut lumen with dead ends. alpha-Glucosidase is a biochemical marker for PMM in the seed sucker bug Dysdercus peruvianus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae). In this article, we report that adults of the major hemipteran infra-orders (Sternorrhyncha, Auchenorrhyncha, and Heteroptera) have PMM and a major membrane bound alpha-glucosidase, which has properties similar to those of the D. peruvianus enzyme. A polyclonal antibody raised against the enzyme of D. peruvianus recognized the enzymes present in PMM from the above-mentioned hemipteran groups. The same antibody was also able of recognizing perimicrovillar alpha-glucosidase from thrips. No PMM nor membrane-bound alpha-glucosidase were found in Psocoptera and Phthiraptera midguts. This suggests that PMM and PMM-bound-alpha-glucosidase are widespread among insects of the order Hemiptera and of the sister order Thysanoptera. The data support the hypothesis that PMM may have originated in the Condylognatha (Paraneopteran taxon including Hemiptera and Thysanoptera) ancestral stock and are associated with plant sap feeding.
[Pubmed: 18089029]
| | 13. |
2004 Apr |
Jackbean, soybean and Bacillus pasteurii ureases: biological effects unrelated to ureolytic activity.
Follmer C, Real-Guerra R, Wasserman GE, Olivera-Severo D, Carlini CR
Eur. J. Biochem. 2004 Apr;271(7):1357-63.
Abstract
In this work we compared two plant ureases, jackbean urease (JBU) and embryo-specific soybean urease (SBU) and a bacterial (Bacillus pasteurii) urease, for kinetic parameters and other biological properties described recently for ureases that are independent of the ureolytic activity. The insecticidal effect of ureases was investigated in feeding trials with the cotton sucker bug, Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera) as an insect model. Contrasting with B. pasteurii urease (PBU), both plant ureases presented potent insecticidal activity, with LD(50) values of 0.017% (w/w) and 0.052% (w/w) for JBU and SBU, respectively. The insecticidal property of JBU or SBU was not affected by treatment with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, an irreversible inhibitor of ureolytic activity of both proteins. Also, contrasting with canatoxin - a urease isoform from jackbean seeds that displays a toxic effect in mice (LD(50) = 2 mg x kg(-1)) - no lethality was seen in mice injected intraperitoneally with JBU or SBU (20 mg x kg(-1)). Similarly to canatoxin, the three enzymes promoted aggregation of blood platelets (EC(50) = 400.0 micro g x mL(-1), 22.2 micro g x mL(-1), 15.8 micro g x mL(-1) for BPU, SBU and JBU, respectively). This platelet activating property was also independent of urease activity. Comparison of the kinetic properties indicated that SBU is fivefold less susceptible than JBU to inhibition by acetohydroxamic acid, a chelator of Ni(+2) and Zn(+2) ions. The ureases also showed different susceptibility to agents that modify cysteine residues, such as p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and p-benzoquinone. Altogether, these data emphasize that biological properties that are independent of ureolytic activity are not restricted to jackbean ureases and that these proteins may have a role in plant defense against insect predators.
[Pubmed: 15030486]
| | 14. |
2004 Mar 09 |
Two new Culicoides of the paraensis species group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Amazonian region of Peru.
Felippe-Bauer ML, Cáceres AG, Silva CS, Valderrama-Bazan W, Gonzales-Perez A
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2003 Dec;98(8):1051-8. Epub 2004 Mar 09.
Abstract
Two new species of the Culicoides paraensis species group, C. diversus Felippe-Bauer and C. peruvianus Felippe-Bauer, are described and illustrated based on female specimens from Amazonian region of Peru. A systematic key, table with numerical characters of females, and distribution of species of the C. paraensis group are given.
[Pubmed: 15049090]
| | 15. |
2003 Oct |
Antimicrobial activity of selected Peruvian medicinal plants.
Rojas R, Bustamante B, Bauer J, Fernández I, Albán J, Lock O
J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Oct;88(2-3):199-204.
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of 36 ethanol extracts from 24 plants, all of them currently used in the Peruvian traditional medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders, was tested by means of the agar-well diffusion assay against four bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and four fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Sporothrix schenckii). Twenty-five (69%) extracts showed some degree of antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism. The plants with the greatest antimicrobial activity were Cestrum auriculatum L. Heritier (Solanaceae), Iryanthera lancifolia Ducke Suesseng (Myristicaceae), Lepechinia meyenii (Walp.) Epling (Lamiaceae) and Ophryosporus peruvianus (Gmelin) King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae).
[Pubmed: 12963143]
| | 16. |
2003 Jun |
Larval, pre-juvenile and juvenile development of Diapterus peruvianus (Perciformes: Gerreidae).
Jiménez Rosenberg SP, González Navarro E, Saldierna Martínez RJ
Rev. Biol. Trop. 2003 Jun;51(2):479-87.
Abstract
The development of Diapterus peruvianus (Sauvage 1879) is based on 60 larvae collected in superficial tows made in Bahía Concepción, and on 16 pre-juvenile and juvenile organisms collected in Bahía de La Paz, B. C. S., México, using a standard plankton net and a rectangular epibenthonic net, respectively. Larvae of D. peruvianus show three large blotches on the dorsum of the gut that can fuse together and give the appearance of one large continuous blotch. There are two to three pre-anal pigments and 16 post-anal pigments in the ventral midline; cephalic pigments are present from the postflexion stage, as well as a serrated preoperculum. The pre-juvenile and juvenile organisms are distinguished by their body depth, the anal-fin formula, the serrated pre-operculum and the base pigments in the dorsal and anal fins.
[Pubmed: 15162741]
| | 17. |
2003 Feb |
Alkaloid production by callous tissue cultures of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae).
de Oliveira AJ, Machado MF
Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 2003 Feb;104(2):149-55.
Abstract
The morphologically undifferentiated cells of nonregenerant callous tissue of Cereus peruvianus cultured in the original medium and in medium supplemented with tyrosine were used as an alkaloid source. Comparison of alkaloid production by C. peruvianus plants and by callous tissues indicated that alkaloid levels were almost twice as high in callous tissues as in shoots of C. peruvianus plants. The ratio of alkaloid concentration between mature plant and morphologically undifferentiated cells of callous tissue was 1:1.7. A relationship between culture medium containing tyrosine and alkaloid production was also observed in the callous tissues of C. peruvianus. Since increased alkaloid production may be induced by additional factors such as tyrosine, increasing levels of tyrosine or other conditions of the culture medium may be considered factors for inducing higher alkaloid production by C. peruvianus callous tissues.
[Pubmed: 12603103]
| | 18. |
2003 Jan 29 |
Changes in sugars, acids, and volatiles during ripening of koubo [Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller] fruits.
Ninio R, Lewinsohn E, Mizrahi Y, Sitrit Y
J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003 Jan 29;51(3):797-801.
Abstract
The columnar cactus Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, Cactaceae (koubo), is grown commercially in Israel. The unripe fruits are green, and the color changes to violet and then to red when the fruit is fully ripe. The content of soluble sugars was found to increase 5-fold during ripening. Glucose and fructose were the main sugars accumulated in the fruit pulp, and each increased from 0.5 to 5.5 g/100 g fresh weight during ripening. The polysaccharides content decreased during ripening from 1.4 to 0.4 g/100 g fresh weight. The titratable acidity decreased and the pH increased during ripening. The major organic acid found in the fruit was malic acid, which decreased from 0.75 g/100 g fresh weight at the mature green stage to 0.355 g/100 g fresh weight in ripe fruits. Citric, succinic, and oxalic acids were found in concentrations lower than 0.07 g/100 g fresh weight. Prominent accumulation of aroma volatiles occurred toward the end of the ripening process. The main volatile found in the ripe fruit was linalool, reaching concentrations of 1.5-3.5 microg/g fresh weight.
[Pubmed: 12537460]
| | 19. |
2002 Nov |
Novel mechanism for high-altitude adaptation in hemoglobin of the Andean frog Telmatobius peruvianus.
Weber RE, Ostojic H, Fago A, Dewilde S, Van Hauwaert ML, Moens L, Monge C
Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 2002 Nov;283(5):R1052-60.
Abstract
In contrast to birds and mammals, no information appears to be available on the molecular adaptations for O(2) transport in high-altitude ectothermic vertebrates. We investigated Hb of the aquatic Andean frog Telmatobius peruvianus from 3,800-m altitude as regards isoform differentiation, sensitivity to allosteric cofactors, and primary structures of the alpha- and beta-chains, and we carried out comparative O(2)-binding measurements on Hb of lowland Xenopus laevis. The three T. peruvianus isoHbs show similar functional properties. The high O(2) affinity of the major component results from an almost complete obliteration of chloride sensitivity, which correlates with two alpha-chain modifications: blockage of the NH(2)-terminal residues and replacement by nonpolar Ala of polar residues Ser and Thr found at position alpha131(H14) in human and X. leavis Hbs, respectively. The data indicate adaptive significance of alpha-chain chloride-binding sites in amphibians, in contrast to human Hb where chloride appears mainly to bind in the cavity between the beta-chains. The findings are discussed in relation to other strategies for high-altitude adaptations in amphibians.
[Pubmed: 12376398]
| | 20. |
2002 Oct |
RAPD markers to evaluate callus tissue of Cereus peruvianus Mill. (Cactaceae) maintained in different growth regulator combinations.
Mangolin CA, Ottoboni LM, Machado Mde F
Biochem. Genet. 2002 Oct;40(9-10):351-8.
Abstract
RAPD markers were used to detect DNA polymorphisms in callus tissues maintained at different auxin and cytokinin combinations. There is a higher level of genetic variablity in callus tissue maintained with the highest kinetin versus 2, 4-D concentration. Callus tissues subcultured in a 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L kinetin combination showed high similarity and can be recommended as more suitable sources for industrial procedures of extraction of natural products such as secondary metabolites since extraction protocols can be easily standardized using genetically uniform materials. The higher genetic diversity in callus tissues of C. peruvianus cultured at 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin indicates this tissue as a matrix for in vitro selection of cell lines for higher natural products production. RAPD markers are, therefore, effective tools useful for detecting DNA polymorphism in callus tissue as well as in the DNA identification of callus tissues maintained in different auxin and cytokinin combinations.
[Pubmed: 12392172]
| | 21. |
2002 Sep |
Abscission Layer Formation as a Resistance Response of Peruvian Apple Cactus Against Glomerella cingulata.
Kim YH, Kim KH
Phytopathology. 2002 Sep;92(9):964-9.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Stem disks from 2-year-old cacti Cereus tetragonus (susceptible) and C. peruvianus (resistant) were inoculated in the center (pith) with Glomerella cingulata isolated from Colletotrichum stem rot in three-angled cacti. The susceptible cactus became extensively colonized, whereas colonization was limited to a small area in the resistant cactus. The resistant cactus formed prominent abscission layers (ALs) in parenchyma internal to the inoculation site. Ethanol extracts of the fungal culture also stimulated AL formation in the resistant cactus. Initial cell division followed at 2 to 4 days after treatment, and layering of multiple cells at 7 days after treatment. After 10 days, the outer layers were sometimes sloughed from the inner layers. No AL formation was induced in susceptible C. tetragonus treated with ethanol extract or in untreated control cacti. Light and electron microscopy revealed that initial cell division occurred by cell wall formation, and that an additional cell wall was layered in pre-existing parenchyma cells without ordinary cell division. Later, separation layers formed in ALs where inner cell walls appeared to be thickened secondarily, and the cell walls and middle lamella within the layer dissolved. These results suggest that AL formation in the resistant cactus is induced by fungal metabolites, and that it serves as a histological barrier against anthracnose pathogens.
[Pubmed: 18944021]
| | 22. |
2002 Mar |
The triatomines of northern Peru, with emphasis on the ecology and infection by trypanosomes of Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Triatominae).
Cuba CA, Abad-Franch F, Roldan Rodriguez J, Vargas Vasquez F, Pollack Velasquez L, Miles MA
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz. 2002 Mar;97(2):175-83.
Abstract
Information on the distribution and synanthropic behaviour of triatomines is essential for Chagas disease vector control. This work summarises such information from northern Peru, and presents new data on Rhodnius ecuadoriensis - an important local vector infesting 10-35% of dwellings in some zones. Three species are strongly synanthropic and may be suitable targets for chemical control of domestic/peridomestic bug populations. Panstrongylus herreri, the main domestic vector in the area, is probably present in sylvatic ecotopes in the Marañón river system. R. ecuadoriensis and Triatoma dimidiata seem exclusively domestic; biogeographical and ecological data suggest they might have spread in association with humans in northern Peru. Confirmation of this hypothesis would result in a local eradication strategy being recommended. Presence of trypanosome natural infection was assessed in 257 R. ecuadoriensis; Trypanosoma rangeli was detected in 4% of bugs. Six further triatomine species are potential disease vectors in the region (T. carrioni, P. chinai, P. rufotuberculatus, P. geniculatus, R. pictipes, and R. robustus), whilst Eratyrus mucronatus, E. cuspidatus, Cavernicola pilosa, Hermanlentia matsunoi, and Belminus peruvianus have little or no epidemiological significance. A strong community-based entomological surveillance system and collaboration with Ecuadorian public health authorities and researchers are recommended.
[Pubmed: 12016438]
| | 23. |
2002 Feb 22 |
Otolith delta 18O record of mid-Holocene sea surface temperatures in Peru.
Andrus CF, Crowe DE, Sandweiss DH, Reitz EJ, Romanek CS
Science. 2002 Feb 22;295(5559):1508-11.
Abstract
Peruvian sea catfish (Galeichthys peruvianus) sagittal otoliths preserve a record of modern and mid-Holocene sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Oxygen isotope profiles in otoliths excavated from Ostra [6010 +/- 90 years before the present (yr B.P.); 8 degrees 55'S] indicate that summer SSTs were approximately 3 degrees C warmer than those of the present. Siches otoliths (6450 +/- 110 yr B.P.; 4 degrees 40'S) recorded mean annual temperatures approximately 3 degrees to 4 degrees C warmer than were measured under modern conditions. Trophic level and population diversity and equitability data from these faunal assemblages and other Peruvian archaeological sites support the isotope interpretations and suggest that upwelling of the Peru-Chile current intensified after approximately 5000 yr B.P.
[Pubmed: 11859190]
| | 24. |
2001 Dec |
[Juvenile fish in a tidal pool, Térraba-Sierpe Forest Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica]
Chicas FA
Rev. Biol. Trop. 2001 Dec;49 Suppl 2:307-14.
Abstract
Juvenile fish were sampled with a 10 m long net in a tide pool (17,000 m2) on the West margin of Boca Guarumal, Térraba-Sierpe Forest Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, from October 1992 through January 1994. Water temperature and surface salinity were recorded in each visit. The specimens were fixed in 5% formaldehyde and preserved in 70% ethanol. Abundance and size data were pooled based on precipitation, a main ecological influence in the Reserve. A total of 13,494 individuals from 18 species were captured. Eucinostomus currani, Gobionellus sagittula, Diapterus peruvianus, Agonostomus monticola and Atherinella sp. represented more than 97% of the captures. Although many species presented the tendency of concentrating during the dry season, significant differences in temporal abundance were found. The fish entered the estuary when their body length was between 20 and 60 mm.
[Pubmed: 15264544]
| | 25. |
|
Paragonimosis in the Cajabamba and Condebamba districts, Cajamarca, Peru.
Cornejo W, Huiza A, Espinoza Y, Alva P, Sevilla C, Centurion W
Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo.;42(5):245-7.
Abstract
Stool samples from 409 pre-school and school students, living in six villages of the Cajabamba and Condebamba districts, Cajamarca, Perú, were examined using wet preparations and Lumbreras' method, looking for Paragonimus eggs. Fecal and sputum samples from two children (0. 5%) of 6 and 8 year-old showed eggs of Paragonimus. One hundred and twenty freshwater crabs, Hypolobocera chilensis eigenmanni, were collected from the Condebamba valley and 21 (17.5%) of them were infected with P. mexicanus (syn. P. peruvianus) metacercariae. Our results show the persistence of Paragonimus in human beings and in the main source of infection, the crabs.
[Pubmed: 11058933]
| | 26. |
1999 Mar |
Effects of environmental factors on development of wood.
Arnold DH, Mauseth JD
Am. J. Bot. 1999 Mar;86(3):367.
Abstract
This research tested the hypothesis that environmental factors (light, water, and nutrient levels) affect wood development. Specimens were placed in treatments of low, medium, or high levels of light, water, nitrogen, or phosphorus for one year. Control plants received medium levels of all factors, while experimental plants received medium levels of all factors except the experimental factor; for example, "high light" treatment consisted of high light but medium levels of water, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Some character changes seen in Cereus peruvianus were a reduction in mean vessel diameter and shoot elongation as a result of low nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments and a reduction in mean vessel density due to low light; high water induced broader vessels and greater shoot elongation. In Cereus tetragonus, low water treatment caused a reduction in mean vessel diameter, and high nitrogen decreased the amount of wood produced. Whereas all characters studied showed a significant correlation with at least one treatment in one species, few characters responded similarly between species. Estimated specific conductivity of wood could be altered by treatments affecting either vessel density or vessel diameter strongly or by treatments affecting both diameter and density weakly. Under the conditions tested, wood structure was stable but estimated conducting capacity was more flexible.
[Pubmed: 10077499]
| | 27. |
1999 Mar |
Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae) callus tissue proteins.
Mangolin CA, Ottoboni LM, Machado MF
Electrophoresis. 1999 Mar;20(3):626-9.
Abstract
Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Cereus peruvianus callus tissues grown in culture media containing two different 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin combinations was used to identify minor differences in polypeptide composition of these cell clones. Altered expression during growth in the two 2,4-D and kinetin combinations was apparent for 13 polypeptides when calluses in the two media were compared. The number of proteins with differential expression (presence or absence of specific spots) was higher in callus tissues cultured in the 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin combination than in callus tissues cultured in the 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L kinetin combination. The present results show that the callus tissues maintained at 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin can be used as a matrix for in vitro selection programs.
[Pubmed: 10217179]
| | 28. |
2009 Sep 12 |
Membrane-disruptive properties of the bioinsecticide Jaburetox-2Ec: Implications to the mechanism of the action of insecticidal peptides derived from ureases.
Barros PR, Stassen H, Freitas MS, Carlini CR, Nascimento MA, Follmer C
Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 2009 Dec;1794(12):1848-54. Epub 2009 Sep 12.
Abstract
Jaburetox-2Ec, a recombinant peptide derived from an urease isoform (JBURE-II), displays high insecticidal activity against important pests such as Spodoptera frugiperda and Dysdercus peruvianus. Although the molecular mechanism of action of ureases-derived peptides remains unclear, previous ab initio data suggest the presence of structural motifs in Jaburetox-2Ec with characteristics similar to those found in a class of pore-forming peptides. Here, we investigated the molecular aspects of the interaction between Jaburetox-2Ec and large unilamellar vesicles. Jaburetox-2Ec displays membrane-disruptive ability on acidic lipid bilayers and this effect is greatly influenced by peptide aggregation. Corroborating with this finding, molecular modeling studies revealed that Jaburetox-2Ec might adopt a well-defined beta-hairpin conformation similar to those found in antimicrobial peptides with membrane disruption properties. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the protein is able to anchor at a polar/non-polar interface. In the light of these findings, for the first time it was possible to point out some evidence that the peptide Jaburetox-2Ec interacting with lipid vesicles promotes membrane permeabilization.
[Pubmed: 19751848]
| | 29. |
2009 Sep 18 |
Purification and partial characterization of a midgut membrane-bound alpha-glucosidase from Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae).
Fonseca FV, Silva JR, Samuels RI, DaMatta RA, Terra WR, Silva CP
Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B, Biochem. Mol. Biol. 2010 Jan;155(1):20-5. Epub 2009 Sep 18.
Abstract
Adults of Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) have a major alpha-glucosidase bound to the perimicrovillar membranes, which are lipoprotein membranes that surround the midgut cell microvilli in Hemiptera and Thysanoptera. Determination of the spatial distribution of alpha-glucosidases in Q. gigas midgut showed that this activity is not equally distributed between soluble and membrane-bound isoforms. The major membrane-bound enzyme was solubilized in the detergent Triton X-100 and purified to homogeneity by means of gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100, and ion-exchange on High Q and Mono Q columns. The purified alpha-glucosidase is a protein with a pH optimum of 6.0 against the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-glucoside and M(r) of 61,000 (SDS-PAGE). Taking into account V(Max)/K(M) ratios, the enzyme is more active on maltose than sucrose and prefers oligomaltodextrins up to maltopentaose, with lower efficiency for longer chain maltodextrins. The Q. gigas alpha-glucosidase was immunolocalized in perimicrovillar membranes by using a monospecific polyclonal antibody raised against the purified enzyme from Dysdercus peruvianus. The role of this enzyme in xylem fluid digestion and its possible involvement in osmoregulation is discussed.
[Pubmed: 19766731]
| | 30. |
2010 Jun 4 |
Transporters involved in glucose and water absorption in the Dysdercus peruvianus (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae) anterior midgut.
Bifano TD, Alegria TG, Terra WR
Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Jun 4; [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
Little is known about insect intestinal sugar absorption, in spite of the recent findings, and even less has been published regarding water absorption. The aim of this study was to shed light on putative transporters of water and glucose in the insect midgut. Glucose and water absorptions by the anterior ventriculus of Dysdercus peruvianus midgut were determined by feeding the insects with a glucose and a non-absorbable dye solution, followed by periodical dissection of insects and analysis of ventricular contents. Glucose absorption decreases glucose/dye ratios and water absorption increases dye concentrations. Water and glucose transports are activated (water 50%, glucose 33%) by 50mM K(2)SO(4) and are inhibited (water 46%, glucose 82%) by 0.2mM phloretin, the inhibitor of the facilitative hexose transporter (GLUT) or are inhibited (water 45%, glucose 35%) by 0.1mM phlorizin, the inhibitor of the Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT). The results also showed that the putative SGLT transports about two times more water relative to glucose than the putative GLUT. These results mean that D. peruvianus uses a GLUT-like transporter and an SGLT-like transporter (with K(+) instead of Na(+)) to absorb dietary glucose and water. A cDNA library from D. peruvianus midgut was screened and we found one sequence homologous to GLUT1, named DpGLUT, and another to a sodium/solute symporter, named DpSGLT. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR studies revealed that DpGLUT and DpSGLTs mRNA were expressed in the anterior midgut, where glucose and water are absorbed, but not in fat body, salivary gland and Malpighian tubules. This is the first report showing the involvement of putative GLUT and SGLT in both water and glucose midgut absorption in insects.
[Pubmed: 20570749]
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