Piotr Weglenski

Ancient DNA reveals kinship burial patterns of a pre-Columbian Andean community

BackgroundA detailed genetic study of the pre-Columbian population inhabiting the Tompullo 2 archaeological site (department Arequipa, Peru) was undertaken to resolve the kin relationships between individuals buried in six different chullpas. Kin relationships were an important factor shaping the social organization in the pre-Columbian Andean communities, centering on the ayllu, a group of relatives that shared a common land and responsibilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this Andean model of a social organization had an influence on mortuary practices, in particular to determine whether chullpas served as family graves.ResultsThe remains of forty-one individuals were analyzed with both uniparental (mtDNA, Y–chromosome) and biparental (autosomal microsatellites) markers. Reproducible HVRI sequences, autosomal and Y chromosomal STR profiles were obtained for 24, 16 and 11 individuals, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA diversity was comparable to that of ancient and contemporary Andean populations. The Tompullo 2 population exhibited the closest relationship with the modern population from the same region. A kinship analysis revealed complex pattern of relations within and between the graves. However mean relatedness coefficients regarding the pairs of individuals buried in the same grave were significantly higher than those regarding pairs buried in different graves. The Y chromosome profiles of 11 males suggest that only members of one male line were buried in the same grave.ConclusionsGenetic investigation of the population that inhabited Tompullo 2 site shows continuity between pre-Columbian and modern Native Amerindian populations inhabiting the Arequipa region. This suggests that no major demographic processes have influenced the mitochondrial DNA diversity of these populations during the past five hundred years. The kinship analysis involving uni- and biparental markers suggests that the community that inhabited the Tompullo 2 site was organized into extended family groups that were buried in different graves. This finding is in congruence with known models of social organization of Andean communities.

Recent origin of sub-Antarctic notothenioids

Abstract. Comparison of partial mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA sequences from non-Antarctic notothenioid fishes – an icefish Champsocephalus esox and two members of the genus Patagonotothen – and their sister species from the Southern Ocean suggests that their divergence took place 1.7 and 6.6–7 million years ago, respectively, i.e. much later than the formation of the Antarctic Polar Front (20–25 million years ago).

Bacterial diversity in Adélie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, guano: molecular and morpho‐physiological approaches

The total number of bacteria and culturable bacteria in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) guano was determined during 42 days of decomposition in a location adjacent to the rookery in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Of the culturable bacteria, 72 randomly selected colonies were described using 49 morpho-physiological tests, 27 of which were subsequently considered significant in characterizing and differentiating the isolates. On the basis of the nucleotide sequence of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene in each of 72 pure isolates, three major phylogenetic groups were identified, namely the Moraxellaceae/Pseudomonadaceae (29 isolates), the Flavobacteriaceae (14), and the Micrococcaceae (29). Grouping of the isolates on the basis of morpho-physiological tests (whether 49 or 27 parameters) showed similar results to those based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Clusters were characterized by considerable intra-cluster variation in both 16S rRNA gene sequences and morpho-physiological responses. High diversity in abundance and morphometry of total bacterial communities during penguin guano decomposition was supported by image analysis of epifluorescence micrographs. The results indicate that the bacterial community in penguin guano is not only one of the richest in Antarctica, but is extremely diverse, both phylogenetically and morpho-physiologically.

l-Arginine influences the structure and function of arginase mRNA in Aspergillus nidulans

Abstract Expression of the arginase structural gene (agaA) in Aspergillus nidulans is subject to complex transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Arginase mRNA has a long 5′-UTR sequence. Analysis of this sequence in silico revealed its putative complex secondary structure, the presence of arginine-binding motifs (arginine aptamers) and a short intron with two potential 3′ splicing sites. In this report we present evidence that L-arginine (i) binds directly to the arginase 5′-UTR; (ii) invokes drastic changes in the secondary structure of the 5′-UTR, unlike several other L-amino acids and D-arginine; and (iii) forces the selection of one of two 3′ splice sites of an intron present in the 5′-UTR. We postulate that expression of the eukaryotic structural gene coding for arginase in A. nidulans is regulated at the level of mRNA stability, depending on riboswitch-mediated alternative splicing of the 5′-UTR intron.

The GATA factors AREA and AREB together with the co-repressor NMRA, negatively regulate arginine catabolism in Aspergillus nidulans in response to nitrogen and carbon source.

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans can utilize arginine both as a nitrogen and carbon source. Analysis of areA and areB single and double mutants has shown that the two GATA transcription factors AREA and AREB negatively regulate the expression of arginine catabolism genes agaA and otaA under nitrogen repressing conditions. AREA is necessary for the ammonium repression of agaA and otaA under carbon repressing conditions, while AREB is involved under carbon-limiting conditions. The ability of both AREA and AREB to sense the status of carbon metabolism is most probably dependent on NMRA, and not on the transcription factor CREA, which mediates general carbon catabolite repression in A. nidulans. NMRA is a co-repressor which has previously been shown to bind the C-terminus of AREA and inhibits its activity under conditions of nitrogen sufficiency, in response to high intracellular glutamine levels. We therefore propose a novel function for NMRA, the modulation of AREA and AREB activity in response to the carbon status of the cell.

Specific induction and carbon/nitrogen repression of arginine catabolism gene of Aspergillus nidulans--functional in vivo analysis of the otaA promoter.

The arginine catabolism gene otaA encoding ornithine transaminase (OTAse) is specifically induced by arginine and is under the control of the broad-domain carbon and nitrogen repression systems. Arginine induction is mediated by a product of arcA gene coding for Zn(2)C(6) activator. We have identified a region responsible for arginine induction in the otaA promoter (AnUAS(arg)). Deletions within this region result in non-inducibility of OTAse by arginine, whether in an arcA(+) strain or in the presence of the arcA(d)47 gain of function allele. AnUAS(arg) is very similar to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae UAS(arg), a sequence bound by the Zn(2)C(6) activator (ArgRIIp), acting in a complex with two MADS-box proteins (McmIp and ArgRIp). We demonstrate here that two CREA in vitro binding sites in the otaA promoter are functional in vivo. CREA is directly involved in carbon repression of the otaA gene and it also reduces its basal level of expression. Although AREA binds to the otaA promoter in vitro, it probably does not participate in nitrogen metabolite repression of the gene in vivo. We show here that another putative negatively acting GATA factor AREB participates directly or indirectly in otaA nitrogen repression. We also demonstrate that the high levels of OTAse activity are an important factor in the suppression of proline auxotrophic mutations. This suppression can be achieved neither by growing of the proline auxotroph under carbon/nitrogen derepressing conditions nor by introducing of a creA(d) mutation.

Studies on Ephelota sp., an epizoic suctorian found on Antarctic krill

Abstract. The anatomy, morphology and life-cycle of ciliates living on Antarctic krill are described. All ciliates found on the bodies of several thousand individual krill belong to one species of the genus Ephelota. Analysis of small subunit rDNA (SS rDNA) sequences from different Ephelota individuals in various stages of their life-cycle confirmed this result and proved that even the cysts found in great numbers in the filtering baskets of krill represent the resting stage of Ephelota. DNA studies have also shown that Antarctic and non-Antarctic species of Ephelota diverged much earlier than Antarctic and non-Antarctic species of krill.

Locals, Resettlers, and Pilgrims: A Genetic Portrait of Three Pre-Columbian Andean Populations

The common practice of resettlement and the development of administrative and ceremonial systems shaped the population landscape of the Andean region under the Inca rule. The area surrounding Coropuna and Solimana volcanoes, in the Arequipa region (Peru), carried a high-density, multiethnic population. We studied the genetic variation among three pre-Columbian populations from three functionally diverse archaeological sites excavated in this region. By analyzing the genetic composition of a large ceremonial center (Acchaymarca), an isolated pastoral settlement (Tompullo 2), and an agricultural settlement characterized by architectural features rare in the region (Puca), we investigated the patterns of population movements and the distribution of genetic diversity. We obtained mitochondrial DNA sequences for 25 individuals and autosomal microsatellite profiles for 20 individuals from Acchaymarca and Puca sites. These were compared with previously published genetic data for Tompullo 2 and other pre-Columbian populations. We found differences among the genetic portraits of the three populations, congruent with the archaeologically described functions and characteristics of the sites. The Acchaymarca population had the highest genetic diversity and possessed the lowest number of unique mtDNA haplotypes. The Tompullo 2 population exhibited the lowest level of genetic diversity. The Puca population was distinct from the other two populations owing to a high frequency of haplogroup A haplotypes, what potentially explains the non-local character of the burial architecture. Our analyses of microsatellite data suggest that gene flow between sites was mostly mediated by females, which is consistent with ethnohistorical knowledge of the social organization of the pre-Columbian communities.

Implementation of Data Flow Logical Operation via Self-Assembly of DNA

Self-assembly of DNA is considered a fundamental operation in realization of molecular logic circuits. We propose a new approach to implementation of data flow logical operations based on manipulating DNA strands. In our method the logic gates, input, and output signals are represented by DNA molecules. Each logical operation is carried out as soon as the operands are ready. This technique employs standard operations of genetic engineering including radioactive labeling. To check practical utility of the method a series of genetic engineering experiments have been performed. The obtained results confirm interesting properties of the DNA-based molecular data flow logic gates. This technique may be utilized in massively parallel computers.

Microsatellite multiplex assay for the analysis of Atlantic sturgeon populations

We have developed a multiplex assay covering 16 microsatellite loci, amplified in four polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, and loaded on the ABI DNA Analyzer in two separate panels. The assay was tested on 603 individuals originating from wild populations and hatchery stocks of Atlantic sturgeon. The assay was also tested on 12 individuals of European sturgeon and appeared to be almost equally useful. The multiplex assay designed in this study can be successfully applied in studies requiring high genetic resolution, such as relatedness analysis, selective breeding programs, and stock identification of Atlantic sturgeon.