A systematic search for upstream controlling elements necessary for efficient expression of the yeast fatty acid synthase genes FAS1 and FAS2 revealed identical activation sites, UASFAS, in front of both FAS genes. The individual element confers, in a heterologous yeast test system, an approximately 40‐fold stimulation of basal gene expression. The UASFAS motifs identified have the consensus sequence TYTTCACATGY and function in either orientation. The same sequence motif is found in the upstream regions of all so far characterized yeast genes encoding enzymes of phospholipid biosynthesis. In gel retardation assays, a protein factor, Fbf1 (FAS binding factor), was identified which interacted with UASFAS. The UASFAS motif proved to be an inositol/choline responsive element (ICRE) conferring strict repression by exogenous inositol and choline on a heterologous reporter gene. Its core sequence perfectly matches the CANNTG motif typical of basic helix‐loop‐helix DNA‐binding proteins. In contrast to the individual UASFAS element, the intact yeast FAS promoters are not significantly influenced by inositol and choline, and thus allow nearly constitutive fatty acid synthase production. Available evidence suggests that additional cis‐ and trans‐acting elements, other than UASFAS and Fbf1, are involved in this constitutive FAS gene expression.

RESUMOA técnica da compostagem é um recurso empregado com o objetivo de reciclar resíduos orgânicos domésticos e sanitizar o lodo produzido nas estações de tratamento de efluentes de esgoto (ETE) podendose obter um composto com propriedades de fertilizante agrícola e/ou corretor de solos degradados. A alta temperatura atingida pelo sistema deve ser responsável pela redução de micro-organismos patogênicos presentes no início do processo assegurando, desta forma, a qualidade microbiológica do composto sem oferecer riscos de contaminação, conforme preconiza a Resolução 354/2006 do CONAMA. Objetivouse, com o trabalho, avaliar a influência da temperatura sobre a redução de Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., ovos de helmintos e vírus entéricos durante o processo de compostagem, além da contagem de bactérias heterotróficas. Foram realizados testes colimétricos, semeaduras em meios de cultivo, testes de visualização de ovos de helmintos e detecção molecular de vírus entéricos. Os resultados indicaram oscilação nas contagens de E. coli e de bactérias heterotróficas, mesmo após a fase termofílica. Por outro lado, não foi detectada a presença de Salmonella sp., vírus entéricos nem de ovos viáveis de helmintos, ao final do processo. Palavras-chave: lodo de esgoto, coliformes, matéria orgânicaEvaluation of degradation temperature of compounds in a composting process and microbiological quality of the compost ABSTRACT The composting technique is a promising alternative for the treatment of solid organic residues, along with the sludge produced in sewage treatment plants. The final compost might show fertilizer properties, which can be used to recover poor soils. The high temperatures that the composting process can achieve are responsible for the reduction of the pathogenic microbial population, helminth eggs and virus present in the beginning of the process. This behavior assures the microbial quality of the compost according to the 375/2006 Resolution of the CONAMA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of temperature on Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., helminth egg and enteric virus presence in the final product from a composting process. For this matter colimetric assays were performed together with the seedling of the samples in different culture media, the assay for helminth eggs visualization under the microscope and the identification of enteric virus. The results showed an oscillation on E. coli and heterotrophic bacteria counts, even after the thermophilic phase. On the other hand, Salmonella sp., helminth eggs and enteric virus were not found in the final compost.

For many species, climate oscillations drove cycles of population contraction during cool glacial periods followed by expansion during interglacials. Some groups, however, show evidence of uniform and synchronous expansion, while others display differences in the timing and extent of demographic change. We compared demographic histories inferred from genetic data across marine turtle species to identify responses to postglacial warming shared across taxa and to examine drivers of past demographic change at the global scale. Using coalescent simulations and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we estimated demographic parameters, including the likelihood of past population expansion, from a mitochondrial data set encompassing 23 previously identified lineages from all seven marine turtle species. For lineages with a high posterior probability of expansion, we conducted a hierarchical ABC analysis to estimate the proportion of lineages expanding synchronously and the timing of synchronous expansion. We used Bayesian model averaging to identify variables associated with expansion and genetic diversity. Approximately 60% of extant marine turtle lineages showed evidence of expansion, with the rest mainly exhibiting patterns of genetic diversity most consistent with population stability. For lineages showing expansion, there was a strong signal of synchronous expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum. Expansion and genetic diversity were best explained by ocean basin and the degree of endemism for a given lineage. Geographic differences in sensitivity to climate change have implications for prioritizing conservation actions in marine turtles as well as for identifying areas of past demographic stability and potential resilience to future climate change for broadly distributed taxa.

Globally distributed marine taxa are well suited for investigations of biogeographic impacts on genetic diversity, connectivity, and population demography. The sea turtle genus Lepidochelys includes the wide-ranging and abundant olive ridley (L. olivacea), and the geographically restricted and ‘Critically Endangered’ Kemp’s ridley (L. kempii). To investigate their historical biogeography, we analyzed a large dataset of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from olive (n = 943) and Kemp’s (n = 287) ridleys, and genotyped 15 nuclear microsatellite loci in a global sample of olive ridleys (n = 285). We found that the ridley species split ~ 7.5 million years ago, before the Panama Isthmus closure. The most ancient mitochondrial olive ridley lineage, located in the Indian Ocean, was dated to ~ 2.2 Mya. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers revealed significant structure for olive ridleys between Atlantic (ATL), East Pacific (EP), and Indo-West Pacific (IWP) areas. However, the divergence of mtDNA clades was very recent (< 1 Mya) with low within- clade diversity, supporting a recurrent extinction-recolonization model for these ocean regions. All data showed that ATL and IWP groups were more closely related than those in the EP, with mtDNA data supporting recent recolonization of the ATL from the IWP. Individual olive ridley dispersal between the ATL, EP, and IN/IWP could be interpreted as more male- than female-biased, and genetic diversity was lowest in the Atlantic Ocean. All populations showed signs of recent expansion, and estimated time frames were concordant with their recent colonization history. Investigating species abundance and distribution changes over time is central to evolutionary biology, and this study provides a historical biogeographic context for marine vertebrate conservation and management.

Cadmium (Cd(2+)) is a toxic heavy metal which triggers several toxic effects in eukaryotes, including neurotoxicity and impaired calcium metabolism. In the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the best characterized pathway for Cd(2+) detoxification involves conjugation with glutathione (GSH) and subsequent transport to vacuoles by Ycf1p, an ATPase homologous to human MRP1 (Multidrug resistance associated protein 1). However, Cd(2+) tolerance also can be mediated by Pmr1p, a Ca(2+) pump located in the Golgi membrane, possibly through to the secretory pathway. Herein, we showed that inactivation of the PMR1 gene, alone or simultaneously with YCF1, delayed initial Cd(2+) capture compared to wild-type (WT) cells. In addition, Cd(2+) treatment altered the expression profile of yeast internal Ca(2+) transporters; specifically, PMC1 gene expression is induced substantially by the metal in WT cells, and this induction is stronger in mutants lacking YCF1. Taken together, these results indicate that, in addition to Pmr1p, the vacuolar Ca(2+)-ATPase Pmc1p also helps yeast cells cope with Cd(2+) toxicity. We propose a model where Pmc1p and Pmr1p Ca(2+)-ATPase function in cooperation with Ycf1p to promote Cd(2+) detoxification.

No abstract

We report 8 new records of Lepidochelys olivacea marine turtle in the Uruguayan waters, indicating this area as the southernmost limit of distribution for this species in the western Atlantic Ocean. In addition, 1 specimen was subjected to genetic analysis, revealing its population origin in the western Atlantic nesting colonies (Surinam, French Guiana, and Brazil). This report represents an update of the distribution of L. olivacea in the southwestern Atlantic and provides insight into the morphological and genetic characterization of the species at temperate waters.

No abstract