Mating patterns of female Leon Springs pupfish Cyprinodon bovinus.

In a field study of Leon Springs pupfish Cyprinodon bovinus, two questions about female promiscuity were investigated. First, were females selective in the males with whom they spawned or were they unselective, spawning randomly among males? Second, how promiscuous were the females, i.e.

Assessing the permeability of landscape features to animal movement: using genetic structure to infer functional connectivity.

Human-altered environments often challenge native species with a complex spatial distribution of resources. Hostile landscape features can inhibit animal movement (i.e.

RhoA Kinase (Rock) and p90 Ribosomal S6 Kinase (p90Rsk) phosphorylation of the sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE1) is required for lysophosphatidic acid-induced transport, cytoskeletal organization and migration.

The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform one (NHE1) plays a critical role coordinating asymmetric events at the leading edge of migrating cells and is regulated by a number of phosphorylation events influencing both the ion transport and cytoskeletal anchoring required for directed migration. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activation of RhoA kinase (Rock) and the Ras-ERK growth factor pathway induces cytoskeletal reorganization, activates NHE1 and induces an increase in cell motility. We report that both Rock I and II stoichiometrically phosphorylate NHE1 at threonine 653 in vitro using mass spectrometry and reconstituted kinase assays.

Predictability of food supply, but not ration, increases exploratory behaviour in zebrafish Danio rerio.

Individual zebrafish Danio rerio were assayed for exploratory tendency in a serial open field test before and after being maintained on one of four diet treatments that differed in ration and in predictability of food delivery. Danio rerio became more exploratory after being maintained on a diet with a predictable delivery schedule. There was no effect of ration.

Integrating standard operating procedures and industry notebook standards to evaluate students in laboratory courses.

To enhance the preparedness of graduates from the Biochemistry and Biotechnology (BCBT) Major at Minnesota State University Moorhead for employment in the bioscience industry we have developed a new Industry certificate program. The BCBT Industry Certificate was developed to address specific skill sets that local, regional, and national industry experts identified as lacking in new B.S.

The role of eye movements in depth from motion parallax during infancy.

Motion parallax is a motion-based, monocular depth cue that uses an object's relative motion and velocity as a cue to relative depth. In adults, and in monkeys, a smooth pursuit eye movement signal is used to disambiguate the depth-sign provided by these relative motion cues. The current study investigates infants' perception of depth from motion parallax and the development of two oculomotor functions, smooth pursuit and the ocular following response (OFR) eye movements.

Shoaling as an antiparasite defence in minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to trematode cercariae.

1. Individuals that live in groups benefit from increased foraging success and decreased predation. Protection from some types of parasites may provide an additional benefit of group-living.

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor induced non-small cell lung cancer invasion and metastasis requires NHE1 transporter expression and transport activity.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSLC) are aggressive cancers that are insensitive to chemotherapies and accounts for nearly 33% of all cancer deaths in the United States. Two hallmarks of cancer that allow cells to invade and metastasize are sustained proliferation and enhanced motility. In this study we investigate the relationship between urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA)/uPA receptor (uPAR) signaling and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) expression and activity.

α1 -Adrenergic receptor-induced cytoskeletal organization and cell motility in CCL39 fibroblasts requires phospholipase D1.

The role of phospholipase D (PLD) in cytoskeletal reorganization, ERK activation, and migration is well established. Both isoforms of PLD (PLD1 and PLD2) can independently activate stress fiber formation and increase ERK phosphorylation. However, the isoform's specificity, upstream activators, and downstream targets of PLD that coordinate this process are less well understood.

Bringing the excitement and motivation of research to students; Using inquiry and research-based learning in a year-long biochemistry laboratory : Part II-research-based laboratory-a semester-long research approach using malate dehydrogenase as a research model.

Research-based learning in a teaching environment is an effective way to help bring the excitement and experience of independent bench research to a large number of students. The program described here is the second of a two-semester biochemistry laboratory series. Here, students are empowered to design, execute and analyze their own experiments for the entire semester.

Bringing the excitement and motivation of research to students; Using inquiry and research-based learning in a year-long biochemistry laboratory: Part I-guided inquiry-purification and characterization of a fusion protein: Histidine tag, malate dehydrogenase, and green fluorescent protein.

A successful laboratory experience provides the foundation for student success, creating active participation in the learning process. Here, we describe a new approach that emphasizes research, inquiry and problem solving in a year-long biochemistry experience. The first semester centers on the purification, characterization, and analysis of a novel fusion protein within a guided research experience.

From trace evidence to bioinformatics: putting bryophytes into molecular biology education.

Students benefit most from their science education when they participate fully in the process of science in the context of real-world problems. We describe a student-directed open-inquiry lab experience that has no predetermined outcomes and requires students to engage in all components of scientific inquiry from posing a question through evaluating and reporting results. Over 5 weeks, students learn how bryophytes are used in forensics and become proficient in important molecular biology lab skills including DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, and genotyping.

Functional evolution of C(4) pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase.

Pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) plays a controlling role in the PEP-regeneration phase of the C(4) photosynthetic pathway. Earlier studies have fully documented its biochemical properties and its post-translational regulation by the PPDK regulatory protein (PDRP). However, the question of its evolution into the C(4) pathway has, until recently, received little attention.

Sodium hydrogen exchanger and phospholipase D are required for alpha1-adrenergic receptor stimulation of metalloproteinase-9 and cellular invasion in CCL39 fibroblasts.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in digesting the extracellular matrix and has a vital function in tumor metastasis and invasion; this protease activity is significantly increased in non-small cell lung cancers. The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) functions as a focal point for signal coordination and cytoskeletal reorganization. NHE1 is thought to play a central role in establishing signaling components at the leading edge of a migrating cell.

The pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase regulatory proteins of Arabidopsis possess a novel, unprecedented Ser/Thr protein kinase primary structure.

Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is a ubiquitous, low-abundance metabolic enzyme of undetermined function in C3 plants. Its activity in C3 chloroplasts is light-regulated via reversible phosphorylation of an active-site Thr residue by the PPDK regulatory protein (RP), a most unusual bifunctional protein kinase (PK)/protein phosphatase (PP). In this paper we document the molecular cloning and functional analysis of the two unique C3 RPs in Arabidopsis thaliana.

alpha(1)-Adrenergic receptor stimulation of cell motility requires phospholipase D-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation.

Phospholipase D is suspected to play a role in tumorigenesis, and the inhibition of phospholipase D has been associated with changes in several cellular events including invasion and migration. We report here that the specific alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor agonist, phenylepherine, signals to a growth factor pathway in a manner that requires phospholipase D activity in CCL39 fibroblasts. Phenylepherine increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation eightfold and promoted stress fiber formation threefold.

The use of prayer by Hispanic migrant farmworkers with type 2 diabetes.

Praying for issues related to health can be a very important aspect in peoples' lives. Since research on this practice is limited, a qualitative study was conducted that explored the use of prayer in Hispanic migrant farmworkers diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Eighteen farmworkers were interviewed and asked two specific questions with multiple probes to elicit information regarding their religious practices and prayer.

Diabetes lay educator case study: one woman's experience working with the Hispanic migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

In the year 2000, Migrant Health Services, Inc. began utilizing Diabetes Lay Educators (DLEs) as a way to improve the health status of Hispanic migrant farmworkers with diabetes. The purpose of this case study was to provide insight into the perceptions of one DLE and characteristics she needed to achieve positive client outcomes.

Posttranslational regulation of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in developing rice (Oryza sativa) seeds.

Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK; E.C.2.

Phospholipase C-beta1 mediates alpha1-adrenergic receptor-stimulated activation of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39).

The activation of the Na+-H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) and extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) was characterized in response to the specific alpha1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine (PE). Addition of 100 micromol PE/L increased the steady-state intracellular pH (pHi) by 0.16 +/- 0.

Two G protein-coupled receptors activate Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts through an ERK-dependent pathway.

The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is present in nearly all cells. Regulation of proton flux via the exchanger is a permissive step in cell growth and tumorgenesis and is vital in control of cell volume. The regulation of NHE1 by growth factors involves the Ras-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, however, the mechanism for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation of NHE1 is not well established.

Implementing the recommended curriculum in biochemistry and molecular biology at a regional comprehensive university through a biology/chemistry double major: The minnesota state university moorhead experience*.

Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is a regional comprehensive university that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. The current student population consists of ∼7,600 full- and part-time students who are enrolled in one of 135 majors that lead to baccalaureate degrees. MSUM is committed to excellence in science teaching and research for undergraduates.

The effects of ionizing radiation on DNA: the role of thiols as radioprotectors.

Electron loss from N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (PSH) gave an EPR detectable radical anion, PS-.SP(-). When the PSH derivative was frozen in aqueous DNA solutions to 77 K and exposed to ionizing radiation, normal damage to the DNA was detected by EPR spectroscopy.

The birthdate effect: an extension of the Mere Ownership Effect.

Studies have shown that attributes or variables associated with oneself are liked or preferred more compared to similar attributes unrelated to the self. Nuttin found in 1985 that people tend to prefer the letters that occur in their own names more than the letters that do not occur in their names. This name-letter-effect was later explained as a more general "mere ownership effect.

Isolation and characterization of a 66-kDa protein from rat liver plasma membrane with RhoA-stimulated phospholipase D activity.

A 66-kDa molecular weight protein with phospholipase D activity was solubilized and partially purified from rat liver plasma membrane. The activity and regulation of this phospholipase D have been characterized. Immunoblot analyses indicated that the enzyme was distinct from hPLD1 and PLD2, but was recognized by an antibody to the 12 terminal amino acids of PLD1.