Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in the feathers and excreta of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from the Antarctic Peninsula.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exhibit widespread global distribution, extending to remote regions including Antarctica. Despite potential adverse effects on seabirds, PFAS exposure among Antarctic penguins remains poorly studied. We investigated the occurrence of 29 PFAS compounds in feathers and excreta of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from Fildes Bay, Antarctica.

Age-related bioaccumulation of rare earth elements in feathers of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the Chilean Patagonia.

The presence of rare earth elements (REE) in the southern hemisphere, particularly marine ecosystems of Patagonia, have received little attention. The Magellanic penguin, which is also known as the Patagonian penguin, inhabits only in austral regions of South America. Although seabird feathers have been used extensively as a bio-monitoring tool, no studies have addressed the effect of age on REE accumulation in Magellanic penguins.

Total mercury and methylmercury levels in blood of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from the Antarctic Peninsula area.

Antarctica is one of the most remote regions on the planet, where many species of penguins inhabit. One of these species is the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), which occupies a high trophic level. Blood is an important indicator of short-term exposure to mercury (Hg) in avian species, however there are few publications investigating methylmercury (MeHg) in Antarctic penguin blood.

Developmental analysis of Spalt function in the Drosophila prothoracic gland.

The Spalt transcriptional regulators participate in a variety of cell fate specification processes during development, regulating transcription through interactions with DNA AT-rich regions. Spalt proteins also bind to heterochromatic regions, and some of their effects require interactions with the NuRD chromatin remodeling and deacetylase complex. Most of the biological roles of Spalt proteins have been characterized in diploid cells engaged in cell proliferation.

A function of spalt major as a sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor mediates repression of knirps in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc.

The Spalt transcriptional regulators participate in a variety of cell fate decisions during multicellular development. Vertebrate Spalt proteins have been mostly associated to the organization of heterochromatic regions, but they also contribute regulatory functions through binding to A/T rich motives present in their target genes. The developmental processes in which the Drosophila spalt genes participate are well known through genetic analysis, but the mechanism by which the Spalt proteins regulate transcription are still unknown.