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Sensory neuron membrane proteins belong to a gene family of the human fatty acid transporter CD36, which is mainly involved in the recognition of fatty acids, cholesterol, and proteinaceous compounds in cells. The gene families of the olfactory system in Acari are still not clear. In this study, we identified four SNMPs in the storage mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Astigmata: Acaridae), named as TputSNMP1–4, and then determined these TputSNMPs expression levels in different developmental stages. All the TputSNMPs exhibited higher expression levels in the protonymph, female and male adults. To gain insight into the SNMP gene family, we surveyed the genomes of 12 other arthropod species. The results revealed that the SNMP gene family was highly dynamic in Acari, originating from the independent origins of insect subfamilies that differed from the SNMP1 group but in proximity to the SNMP2 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

William Dampier, one of England’s greatest navigators, named, described, and drew a profile of Long Island, Papua New Guinea in 1700. As this island produced a very large volcanic eruption with a disputed seventeenth- or eighteenth-century date, his observations assist in determining whether the eruption occurred before or after his visit. This contribution uses Dampier’s recorded observations to elucidate where theRoebuckwas when the Long Island profile was drawn so that an appropriate comparison can be made with a modern profile of the island. This comparison confirms that the most recent major eruption of Long Island occurred before Dampier’s observations were made. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Comparative proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins in the midgut of Takifugu rubripes ( Fugu) in response to excessive fluoride. Sixteen fish were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was raised in soft water alone ( F−− == 0.4 mg/L), whereas the experimental group was raised in the soft water with sodium fluoride at a high concentration of 35 mg/L. After 3 days, proteins were extracted from the fish midgut and then subjected to two-dimensional (2-D) PAGE analysis. The matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS) was applied to identify the differential expressed proteins between the two groups. Among 377 and 528 proteins detected in the control and the treated groups, respectively, 17 proteins were up-regulated and 218 were down-regulated ( P < 0.01) in the fluoride-treated group, compared with the control group. We further analyzed 17 up-regulated proteins by MALDI TOF/TOF MS and identified 12 of them by MASCOT, of which eight were known proteins. Consistent with their annotated functions, these proteins seem to be involved in apoptosis and other functions related to fluorosis. Our results provide initial insights into the effects of excessive fluoride exposure on physiological and biochemical functions of Fugu midgut as well as on the toxicological mechanism of fluoride in both fish and human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate comparative proteomics of the pufferfish kidney exposed to excessive fluoride, the authors randomly put 16 fish into the control and treated groups that were raised in softwater alone (F− = 0.4 mg/L) or with sodium fluoride of 35 mg/L for 3 days, respectively. Then proteins of the fish kidneys were profiled by two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) was applied to identify the spots on the gel with altered densities. On average, 547 and 516 protein spots were detected in the control and the treated groups, respectively. Among them, 32 protein spots showed significant alteration ( p < 0.05) between the fluoride-treated and the control groups, and 22 differentially expressed protein spots were identified by MALDI TOF-TOF MS. Consistent with their previously annotated functions, these proteins appear to be involved in the biological functions associated with fluorosis. These results will greatly advance one’s understanding of the effects of fluoride exposure on the physiological and biochemical functions of takifugu kidney as well as the toxicological mechanism of fluoride-causing fluorosis in both fish and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative proteomics was performed to identify proteins in the cardiac muscle of Takifugu rubripes in initial response to excessive fluoride. Sixteen fish were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was raised in softwater alone ( F− = 0.4 mg/L), and the experimental group was raised in the same water with sodium fluoride at a high concentration of 35 mg/L. After 3 days, proteins were extracted from the fish cardiac muscle and then were subjected to 2D PAGE analysis. The matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (Maldi TOF MS) was applied to identify the proteins that were differentially expressed from the two groups of fish. Average of 318 and 275 proteins detected in the control and the experimental group, respectively, 167 spots were matched and 21 highly differentially expressed proteins were further analyzed by Maldi TOF-TOF MS, and 15 were identified by MASCOT. These 15 proteins include Telomerase reverse transcriptase, 4SNc-Tudor domain protein, protein disulfide isomerase ER-60, Tuba1 protein, mitogen-activated protein kinase 10, and SMC4 protein. Consistent with their previously known functions, these identified proteins seem to be involved in apoptosis and other functions associated with fluorosis. These results will contribute to our understanding for the effects of fluoride exposure on the physiological and biochemical functions of takifugu, and the toxicological mechanism of fluoride causing fluorosis in both fish and human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]