Morphological and molecular data in the study of the evolution, population genetics and taxonomy of Rhizostomeae.

Rhizostomeae research based on morphological approaches was reinforced and diversified by new techniques after the 1970s, including developing methodologies for phylogenetic analysis, the rise of the polymerase chain reaction, and the emergence of different sequencing technologies. Here, we summarize the contribution of morphological and molecular data to the study of the classification and phylogenetic relationships of Rhizostomeae in addition to the use of molecular data in studies at the population, species, and supraspecific levels. Throughout the history of the study of the Rhizostomeae systematics, morphological data have been neglected when it comes to phylogenetic inferences, which is reflected in the lack of a phylogenetic analysis of the taxa within Rhizostomeae based on phenotypic characters of the adult medusa.

The branched mitochondrial respiratory chain from the jellyfish Stomolophus sp2 as a probable adaptive response to environmental changes.

During their long evolutionary history, jellyfish have faced changes in multiple environmental factors, to which they may selectively fix adaptations, allowing some species to survive and inhabit diverse environments. Previous findings have confirmed the jellyfish's ability to synthesize large ATP amounts, mainly produced by mitochondria, in response to environmental challenges. This study characterized the respiratory chain from the mitochondria of the jellyfish Stomolophus sp2 (previously misidentified as Stomolophus meleagris).

Development and validation of a real-time PCR assay protocol for the specific detection and quantification of pelagiphages in seawater samples.

Earth is inhabited by numerous adaptations of cellular forms shaped by the persistent scrutiny of natural selection. Thus, as natural selection has fixed beneficial adaptations of functional traits, cellular life has conquered almost all environmental niches on our planet. However, cellular life succumbs in number and genetic diversity to viruses.

Understanding the Digestive Peptidases from Crustaceans: from Their Biochemical Basis and Classical Perspective to the Biotechnological Approach.

Scientific studies about decapod crustaceans' digestive physiology have increased, being an important topic with novel results in the last years. This revision aims to show how the study of crustacean peptidases has evolved, from the classical biochemical characterization studies to the assessment of their usefulness in biotechnological and industrial processes, with emphasis on commercial species of interest to world aquaculture and fisheries. First studies determined the proteolytic activity of the midgut gland crude extracts and evaluated the optimum biochemical properties of specific enzymes.

Effects of Ferulic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits and Histochemical Characteristics of Muscle Fibers in Finishing Pigs.

FA dietary supplementation on the growth performance, carcass traits and histochemical characteristics of the muscle from finishing pigs was investigated. Four hundred and twenty pigs were used in this study, and 105 animals (with five replicate pens and 21 pigs per pen) were assigned to one of four treatments: basal diet (BD) without additives (C-); BD + 10 ppm ractopamine hydrochloride + 0.97% lysine (C+); BD + 25 ppm of FA (FA); and BD + 25 ppm of FA + 0.

Adaptive mitochondrial response of the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to environmental challenges and pathogens.

In most eukaryotic organisms, mitochondrial uncoupling mechanisms control ATP synthesis and reactive oxygen species production. One such mechanism is the permeability transition of the mitochondrial inner membrane. In mammals, ischemia-reperfusion events or viral diseases may induce ionic disturbances, such as calcium overload; this cation enters the mitochondria, thereby triggering the permeability transition.

Muscle fiber morphometry and physicochemical characteristics of the Longissimus thoracis muscle of hair male lambs fed zilpaterol hydrochloride and implanted with steroids.

Muscle fiber morphometry and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated in LT muscles obtained from entire male lambs treated with zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH, 0 and 0.15 mg/kg body weight) and/or steroidal implant (SI, with and without trenbolone acetate/estradiol). ZH and SI acted synergistically to increase LT area, type-IIb fiber cross-sectional area and soluble collagen content, likewise to decrease metmyoglobin concentration and insoluble collagen content.

Protective Effect of Lacticaseibacillus casei CRL 431 Postbiotics on Mitochondrial Function and Oxidative Status in Rats with Aflatoxin B-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Studies have shown that the intracellular content of probiotic (postbiotics) has antioxidant properties, which can improve the antioxidant status in vivo. However, its absorption and mechanisms underlying the protective effects are still unknown. The antioxidant capacity of Lacticaseibacillus casei CRL431 (IC-431) postbiotics was determined after an in vitro simulated digestive process.

Functional characterization of the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins from the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) play an essential role in dissipating the proton gradient and controlling the mitochondrial inner membrane potential. When active, UCPs promote proton leak across the inner membrane, oxidative phosphorylation uncoupling, oxygen uptake increase and decrease the ATP synthesis. Invertebrates possess only isoforms UCP4 and UCP5, however, the role of these proteins is not clear in most species since it may depend on the physiological needs of each animal.

Metabolism, ATP production and biofilm generation by Staphylococcus epidermidis in either respiratory or fermentative conditions.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive saprophytic bacterium found in the microaerobic/anaerobic layers of the skin that becomes a health hazard when it is carried across the skin through punctures or wounds. Pathogenicity is enhanced by the ability of S. epidermidis to associate into biofilms, where it avoids attacks by the host and antibiotics.

Alternative mitochondrial respiratory chains from two crustaceans: Artemia franciscana nauplii and the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

Mitochondrial ATP is synthesized by coupling between the electron transport chain and complex V. In contrast, physiological uncoupling of these processes allows mitochondria to consume oxygen at high rates without ATP synthesis. Such uncoupling mechanisms prevent reactive oxygen species overproduction.

De novo assembly and transcriptome characterization of the freshwater prawn Palaemonetes argentinus: Implications for a detoxification response.

Palaemonetes argentinus, an abundant freshwater prawn species in the northern and central region of Argentina, has been used as a bioindicator of environmental pollutants as it displays a very high sensitivity to pollutants exposure. Despite their extraordinary ecological relevance, a lack of genomic information has hindered a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms potentially involved in detoxification processes of this species. Thus, transcriptomic profiling studies represent a promising approach to overcome the limitations imposed by the lack of extensive genomic resources for P.

Proteasome properties of hemocytes differ between the whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei and the brown shrimp Crangon crangon (Crustacea, Decapoda).

Crustaceans are intensively farmed in aquaculture facilities where they are vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, or viruses, often severely compromising the rearing success. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is crucial for the maintenance of cellular integrity. Analogous to higher vertebrates, the UPS of crustaceans may also play an important role in stress resistance and pathogen defense.

Dietary inclusion effects of phytochemicals as growth promoters in animal production.

Growth promoters have been widely used as a strategy to improve productivity, and great benefits have been observed throughout the meat production chain. However, the prohibition of growth promoters in several countries, as well as consumer rejection, has led industry and the academy to search for alternatives. For decades, the inclusion of phytochemicals in animal feed has been proposed as a replacement for traditional growth promoters.

The shrimp mitochondrial FoF1-ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1).

The whiteleg shrimp species Litopenaeus vannamei is exposed to cyclic changes of the dissolved oxygen concentration of seawater and must neutralize the adverse effects of hypoxia by using ATP as energy source. In crustaceans, the mitochondrial FOF1-ATP synthase is pivotal to the homeostasis of ATP and function prevalently as a FOF1-ATPase. Hitherto, it is unknown whether these marine invertebrates are equipped with molecules able to control the FOF1-ATPase inhibiting the ATP consumption.

Molecular characterization and organ-specific expression of the gene that encodes betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase from the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in response to osmotic stress.

Crustaceans overcome osmotic disturbances by regulating their intracellular concentration of ions and osmolytes. Glycine betaine (GB), an osmolyte accumulated in response to hyperosmotic stress, is synthesized by betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH EC 1.2.

The nuclear encoded subunits gamma, delta and epsilon from the shrimp mitochondrial F1-ATP synthase, and their transcriptional response during hypoxia.

The mitochondrial FOF1 ATP synthase produces ATP in a reaction coupled to an electrochemical proton gradient generated by the electron transfer chain. The enzyme also hydrolyzes ATP according to the energy requirements of the organism. Shrimp need to overcome low oxygen concentrations in water and other energetic stressors, which in turn lead to mitochondrial responses.

Marine viruses: the beneficial side of a threat.

Marine viruses are ubiquitous, extremely diverse, and outnumber any form of life in the sea. Despite their ecological importance, viruses in marine environments have been largely ignored by the academic community, and only those that have caused substantial economic losses have received more attention. Fortunately, our current understanding on marine viruses has advanced considerably during the last decades.

Expression and enzymatic activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase in mango (Mangifera indica 'Ataulfo') during ripening.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and p-coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) are key enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. The relative expression of PAL and C3H was evaluated in mango fruit cultivar 'Ataulfo' in four ripening stages (RS1, RS2, RS3, and RS4) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, enzyme activity of PAL and C3H was determined in mango fruits during ripening.

The cytochrome c oxidase and its mitochondrial function in the whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei during hypoxia.

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), which is located in the inner membrane of mitochondria, is a key constituent of the electron transport chain that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen. The Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is constantly exposed to hypoxic conditions, which affects both the central metabolism and the mitochondrial function. The purpose of this study was to isolate shrimp mitochondria, identify the COX complex and to evaluate the effect of hypoxia on the shrimp mitochondrial function and in the COX activity.