PLOS ONE: [sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST, sort=Date, newest first, q=subject:"Evolutionary biology"]PLOShttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/webmaster@plos.orgaccelerating the publication of peer-reviewed sciencehttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/search/feed/atom?sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST&unformattedQuery=subject:%22Evolutionary+biology%22&sort=Date,+newest+firstAll PLOS articles are Open Access.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.icohttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.ico2024-03-29T11:26:02ZCharacterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of <i>Desmaulus extinctorium</i> (Littorinimorpha, Calyptraeoidea, Calyptraeidae) and molecular phylogeny of LittorinimorphaYanwen MaBiqi ZhengJiji LiWei MengKaida XuYingying Ye10.1371/journal.pone.03013892024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Yanwen Ma, Biqi Zheng, Jiji Li, Wei Meng, Kaida Xu, Yingying Ye</p>
For the purpose of determining the placement of Calyptraeidae within the Littorinimorpha, we hereby furnish a thorough analysis of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of <i>Desmaulus extinctorium</i>. This mitogenome spans 16,605 base pairs and encompasses the entire set of 37 genes, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs, with an evident AT bias. Notably, <i>tRNA</i><sup>Ser1</sup> and <i>tRNA</i><sup>Ser2</sup> lack dihydrouracil (DHU) arms, resulting in an inability to form a secondary structure. Similarly, <i>tRNA</i><sup>Ala</sup> lacks a TΨC arm, rendering it incapable of forming a secondary structure. In contrast, the remaining tRNAs demonstrate a characteristic secondary structure reminiscent of a cloverleaf. A comparison with ancestral gastropods reveals distinct differences in three gene clusters (or genes), encompassing 15 tRNAs and eight PCGs. Notably, inversions and translocations represent the major types of rearrangements observed in <i>D</i>. <i>extinctorium</i>. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates robust support for a monophyletic grouping of all Littorinimorpha species, with <i>D</i>. <i>extinctorium</i> representing a distinct Calyptraeoidea clade. In summary, this investigation provides the first complete mitochondrial dataset for a species of the Calyptraeidae, thus providing novel insights into the phylogenetic relationships within the Littorinimorpha.Isolation of viruses, including mollivirus, with the potential to infect <i>Acanthamoeba</i> from a Japanese warm temperate zoneDaichi MorimotoNaohisa TateishiMichiko TakahashiKeizo Nagasaki10.1371/journal.pone.03011852024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Daichi Morimoto, Naohisa Tateishi, Michiko Takahashi, Keizo Nagasaki</p>
<i>Acanthamoeba castellanii</i> is infected with diverse nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses. Here, we report the co-isolation of 12 viral strains from marine sediments in Uranouchi Inlet, Kochi, Japan. Based on the morphological features revealed by electron microscopy, these isolates were classified into four viral groups including <i>Megamimiviridae</i>, <i>Molliviridae</i>, <i>Pandoraviridae</i>, and <i>Pithoviridae</i>. Genomic analyses indicated that these isolates showed high similarities to the known viral genomes with which they are taxonomically clustered, and their phylogenetic relationships were also supported by core gene similarities. It is noteworthy that <i>Molliviridae</i> was isolated from the marine sediments in the Japanese warm temperate zone because other strains have only been found in the subarctic region. Furthermore, this strain has 19 and 4 strain-specific genes found in <i>Mollivirus sibericum</i> and <i>Mollivirus kamchatka</i>, respectively. This study extends our knowledge about the habitat and genomic diversity of <i>Molliviridae</i>.Describe the morphology and mitochondrial genome of <i>Mecidea indica</i> Dallas, 1851 (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), with its phylogenetic positionChao ChenDongmei BaiZhenhua ZhangXiaofei DingShuzhen YangQing ZhaoHufang Zhang10.1371/journal.pone.02992982024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Chao Chen, Dongmei Bai, Zhenhua Zhang, Xiaofei Ding, Shuzhen Yang, Qing Zhao, Hufang Zhang</p>
We here describe the external morphology and complete mitochondrial genome characteristics of <i>Mecidea indica</i> Dallas, 1851, and clarify the evolutionary rate and divergence time. The <i>M</i>. <i>indica</i> mitochondrial genome length is 15,670 bp, and it exhibits a typical high A+T-skew (76.31%). The sequence shows strong synteny with the original gene arrangement of <i>Drosophila yakuba</i> Burla, 1954 without rearrangement. The <i>M</i>. <i>indica</i> mitochondrial genome characteristics were analyzed, and phylogenetic trees of Pentatomidae were reconstructed using Bayesian methods based on different datasets of the mitochondrial genome datasets. Phylogenetic analysis shows that <i>M</i>. <i>indica</i> belongs to Pentaotominae and form a sister-group with <i>Anaxilaus musgravei</i> Gross, 1976, and Asopinae is highly supported as monophyletic. Molecular clock analysis estimates a divergence time of Pentatomidae of 122.75 Mya (95% HPD: 98.76–145.43 Mya), within the Mesozoic Cretaceous; the divergence time of <i>M</i>. <i>indica</i> and <i>A</i>. <i>musgravii</i> was no later than 50.50 Mya (95% HPD: 37.20–64.80 Mya). In addition, the divergence time of Asopinae was 62.32 Mya (95% HPD: 47.08–78.23 Mya), which was in the Paleogene of the Cenozoic era. This study is of great significance for reconstructing the phylogeny of Pentatomidae and providing insights into its evolutionary history.Aesthetic preference for artificially selected color variant affects mate choice copying behavior in female <i>Poecilia latipinna</i>Ronald David MacLaren10.1371/journal.pone.02981712024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Ronald David MacLaren</p>
Three experiments were conducted examining whether an artificially selected “gold” color variant in female “models” affects mate choice copying behavior in sailfin mollies (<i>Poecilia latipinna</i>). Experiment I consisted of a pair of female preference assays, first assessing preference for male body size, followed by a mate choice copying assay that paired a model female with the smaller, non-preferred male from the initial preference test. Female subjects were divided into three groups that used either a wildtype female model, an artificially selected “gold” variant (cultivated within the aquarium fish trade) model, or control wherein no model was presented. Results showed females consistently copied the model’s choice, switching preferences from the larger to smaller male when paired with a model regardless of color. In the second experiment wildtype females were presented with a pair of size-matched dummy males both of which paired with model females (one gold and the other wild type). Subjects consistently preferred the male previously paired with the gold- over the male with the wildtype-model, suggesting pre-existing sensory/perceptual biases may have affected their mate choice copying behavior. Previous studies have offered evidence for the spread of novel traits in males via sensory exploitation. However, these results indicate such biases may influence courtship behavior in circumstances where the novel trait is expressed in females as well. For the third experiment, wildtype females were presented with a choice between gold vs wildtype dummy males, the results of which revealing significant preferences for gold. In a follow-up assay pairing a wild type model with the non-preferred wildtype male, females maintained their preference for gold males despite the conflicting social driver of mate choice copying. These data offer evidence for the existence of a perceptual/cognitive bias in the context of mate choice copying, favoring the gold phenotype and/or novelty in general.A two-step Bayesian network approach to identify key SNPs associated to multiple phenotypic traits in four purebred laying hen linesIsmalia BoubaEmiliano A. Videla RodriguezV. Anne SmithHenry van den BrandT. Bas RodenburgBram Visser10.1371/journal.pone.02975332024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Ismalia Bouba, Emiliano A. Videla Rodriguez, V. Anne Smith, Henry van den Brand, T. Bas Rodenburg, Bram Visser</p>
When purebred laying hen chicks hatch, they remain at a rearing farm until approximately 17 weeks of age, after which they are transferred to a laying farm. Chicks or pullets are removed from the flocks during these 17 weeks if they display any rearing abnormality. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and rearing success of 4 purebred White Leghorns layer lines by implementing a Bayesian network approach. Phenotypic traits and SNPs of four purebred genetic White Leghorn layer lines were available for 23,000 rearing batches obtained between 2010 and 2020. Associations between incubation traits (clutch size, embryo mortality), rearing traits (genetic line, first week mortality, rearing abnormalities, natural death, rearing success, pullet flock age, and season) and SNPs were analyzed, using a two-step Bayesian Network (BN) approach. Furthermore, the SNPs were connected to their corresponding genes, which were further explored in bioinformatics databases. BN analysis revealed a total of 28 SNPs associated with some of the traits: ten SNPs were associated with clutch size, another 10 with rearing abnormalities, a single SNP with natural death, and seven SNPs with first week mortality. Exploration via bioinformatics databases showed that one of the SNPs (<i>ENAH</i>) had a protein predicted network composed of 11 other proteins. The major hub of this SNP was <i>CDC42</i> protein, which has a role in egg production and reproduction. The results highlight the power of BNs in knowledge discovery and how their application in complex biological systems can help getting a deeper understanding of functionality underlying genetic variation of rearing success in laying hens. Improved welfare and production might result from the identified SNPs. Selecting for these SNPs through breeding could reduce stress and increase livability during rearing.Self-replicating artificial neural networks give rise to universal evolutionary dynamicsBoaz ShvartzmanYoav Ram10.1371/journal.pcbi.10120042024-03-28T14:00:00Z2024-03-28T14:00:00Z<p>by Boaz Shvartzman, Yoav Ram</p>
In evolutionary models, mutations are exogenously introduced by the modeler, rather than endogenously introduced by the replicator itself. We present a new deep-learning based computational model, the <i>self-replicating artificial neural network</i> (SeRANN). We train it to (i) copy its own genotype, like a biological organism, which introduces endogenous spontaneous mutations; and (ii) simultaneously perform a classification task that determines its fertility. Evolving 1,000 SeRANNs for 6,000 generations, we observed various evolutionary phenomena such as adaptation, clonal interference, epistasis, and evolution of both the mutation rate and the distribution of fitness effects of new mutations. Our results demonstrate that universal evolutionary phenomena can naturally emerge in a self-replicator model when both selection and mutation are implicit and endogenous. We therefore suggest that SeRANN can be applied to explore and test various evolutionary dynamics and hypotheses.Multilocus sequence typing and antibiotic resistance of <i>Aeromonas</i> isolated from freshwater fish in Hebei ProvinceZixiao YuYunseok OhSongmi KimKyudong HanKornsorn SrikulnathQingyang LiJi-Seok JangHo-Seong Lee10.1371/journal.pone.02987452024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Zixiao Yu, Yunseok Oh, Songmi Kim, Kyudong Han, Kornsorn Srikulnath, Qingyang Li, Ji-Seok Jang, Ho-Seong Lee</p>
<i>Aeromonas</i> spp. are the opportunistic pathogens that infect both aquatic and terrestrial homeotherms. They were commonly present in aquatic environments, including effluent, tap water, marine, river, and lake, where they are often isolated from aquatic animals, including fish, molluscs, and crustaceans. The <i>Aeromonas</i> infections can cause sepsis, ulcer, and other symptoms, resulting in the death of massive aquatic animals. Therefore, the prevention and control of <i>Aeromonas</i> is of great significance for the healthy development of aquaculture. In this study, we used modern molecular methods to enhance disease control of <i>Aeromonas</i> isolates from freshwater fish in Hebei Province. A total of 130 <i>Aeromonas</i> spp. isolates were isolated from freshwater fish farms in Hengshui, Handan, and Shijiazhuang and all 130 <i>Aeromonas</i> spp. isolates were sequenced for species identification. Of the 130 <i>Aeromonas</i> spp. isolates, 104 isolates were successfully sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed that <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> was predominant in freshwater fish farms in Hebei Province. In addition, 26 antibiotic resistance profiles were obtained from 102 fully cultured isolates among the 104 <i>Aeromonas</i> spp. isolates whose species was primarily identified, and 44 multidrug-resistant bacteria among the 102 isolates were identified using an antibiotic susceptibility test. Using the Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) method, 33 out of 44 multidrug-resistant isolates with 14 non-<i>Aeromonas</i> reference strains were selected for phylogenetic and MLST analysis, and all 33 multidrug-resistant isolates were <i>A</i>. <i>veronii</i>. A total of 30 new Sequence Types (STs) were obtained by comparing concatenated sequences (<i>gyrB</i>-<i>groL</i>-<i>gltA</i>-<i>metG</i>-<i>ppsA</i>-<i>recA</i>) on PubMLST website. Furthermore, recombination event analysis detected using RDP5 and ClonalFrameML software 42 and 49 recombination events, respectively, and 22 recombination events were validated by four or more algorithms. Since mutation and recombination events increase clonal diversity and single housekeeping gene sequence alignments are limited for identifying species, we propose the use of multiple concatenated sequence loci to increase discriminatory power. In addition, we propose that the MLST method is an appropriate technique to study and develop the resistance mechanisms of multidrug-resistant <i>Aeromonas</i> and to identify <i>Aeromonas</i> systematically in complex samples obtained from the environment.Bias in the arrival of variation can dominate over natural selection in Richard Dawkins’s biomorphsNora S. MartinChico Q. CamargoArd A. Louis10.1371/journal.pcbi.10118932024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Nora S. Martin, Chico Q. Camargo, Ard A. Louis</p>
Biomorphs, Richard Dawkins’s iconic model of morphological evolution, are traditionally used to demonstrate the power of natural selection to generate biological order from random mutations. Here we show that biomorphs can also be used to illustrate how developmental bias shapes adaptive evolutionary outcomes. In particular, we find that biomorphs exhibit phenotype bias, a type of developmental bias where certain phenotypes can be many orders of magnitude more likely than others to appear through random mutations. Moreover, this bias exhibits a strong preference for simpler phenotypes with low descriptional complexity. Such bias towards simplicity is formalised by an information-theoretic principle that can be intuitively understood from a picture of evolution randomly searching in the space of algorithms. By using population genetics simulations, we demonstrate how moderately adaptive phenotypic variation that appears more frequently upon random mutations can fix at the expense of more highly adaptive biomorph phenotypes that are less frequent. This result, as well as many other patterns found in the structure of variation for the biomorphs, such as high mutational robustness and a positive correlation between phenotype evolvability and robustness, closely resemble findings in molecular genotype-phenotype maps. Many of these patterns can be explained with an analytic model based on constrained and unconstrained sections of the genome. We postulate that the phenotype bias towards simplicity and other patterns biomorphs share with molecular genotype-phenotype maps may hold more widely for developmental systems.Local-scale phylodynamics reveal differential community impact of SARS-CoV-2 in a metropolitan US countyMiguel I. ParedesAmanda C. PerofskyLauren FrisbieLouise H. MonclaPavitra RoychoudhuryHong XieShah A. Mohamed BakhashKevin KongIsabel ArnouldTien V. NguyenSeffir T. WendmPooneh HajianSean EllisPatrick C. MathiasAlexander L. GreningerLea M. StaritaChris D. FrazarErica RykeWeizhi ZhongLuis GamboaMachiko ThrelkeldJover LeeJeremy StoneEvan McDermotMelissa TruongJay ShendureHanna N. OlteanCécile ViboudHelen ChuNicola F. MüllerTrevor Bedford10.1371/journal.ppat.10121172024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Miguel I. Paredes, Amanda C. Perofsky, Lauren Frisbie, Louise H. Moncla, Pavitra Roychoudhury, Hong Xie, Shah A. Mohamed Bakhash, Kevin Kong, Isabel Arnould, Tien V. Nguyen, Seffir T. Wendm, Pooneh Hajian, Sean Ellis, Patrick C. Mathias, Alexander L. Greninger, Lea M. Starita, Chris D. Frazar, Erica Ryke, Weizhi Zhong, Luis Gamboa, Machiko Threlkeld, Jover Lee, Jeremy Stone, Evan McDermot, Melissa Truong, Jay Shendure, Hanna N. Oltean, Cécile Viboud, Helen Chu, Nicola F. Müller, Trevor Bedford</p>
SARS-CoV-2 transmission is largely driven by heterogeneous dynamics at a local scale, leaving local health departments to design interventions with limited information. We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes sampled between February 2020 and March 2022 jointly with epidemiological and cell phone mobility data to investigate fine scale spatiotemporal SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in King County, Washington, a diverse, metropolitan US county. We applied an approximate structured coalescent approach to model transmission within and between North King County and South King County alongside the rate of outside introductions into the county. Our phylodynamic analyses reveal that following stay-at-home orders, the epidemic trajectories of North and South King County began to diverge. We find that South King County consistently had more reported and estimated cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and longer persistence of local viral transmission when compared to North King County, where viral importations from outside drove a larger proportion of new cases. Using mobility and demographic data, we also find that South King County experienced a more modest and less sustained reduction in mobility following stay-at-home orders than North King County, while also bearing more socioeconomic inequities that might contribute to a disproportionate burden of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Overall, our findings suggest a role for local-scale phylodynamics in understanding the heterogeneous transmission landscape.Color polymorphism and mating trends in a population of the alpine leaf beetle <i>Oreina gloriosa</i>Angela RoggeroDaniele AlùAlex LainiAntonio RolandoClaudia Palestrini10.1371/journal.pone.02983302024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Angela Roggero, Daniele Alù, Alex Laini, Antonio Rolando, Claudia Palestrini</p>
The bright colors of Alpine leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) are thought to act as aposematic signals against predation. Within the European Alps, at least six species display a basal color of either blue or green, likely configuring a classic case of müllerian mimicry. In this context, intra-population color polymorphism is paradoxical as the existence of numerous color morphs might hamper the establishment of a search image in visual predators. Assortative mating may be one of the main factors contributing to the maintenance of polymorphic populations. Due to the marked iridescence of these leaf beetles, the perceived color may change as the viewing or illumination angle changes. The present study, conducted over three years, involved intensive sampling of a population of <i>Oreina gloriosa</i> from the Italian Alps and applied colorimetry and a decision tree method to identify the color morphs in an objective manner. The tertiary sex ratio of the population was biased in favor of males, suggesting that viviparous females hide to give birth. Seven color morphs were identified, and their frequencies varied significantly over the course of the study. Three different analyses of mating (JMating, QInfomating, and Montecarlo simulations) recognized a general trend for random mating which coexists with some instances of positive and negative assortative mating. This could help explain the pre-eminence of one morph (which would be favored because of positive selection due to positive assortative mating) in parallel with the persistence of six other morphs (maintained due to negative assortative mating).<i>Spoink</i>, a LTR retrotransposon, invaded <i>D. melanogaster</i> populations in the 1990sRiccardo PianezzaAlmorò ScarpaPrakash NarayananSarah SignorRobert Kofler10.1371/journal.pgen.10112012024-03-26T14:00:00Z2024-03-26T14:00:00Z<p>by Riccardo Pianezza, Almorò Scarpa, Prakash Narayanan, Sarah Signor, Robert Kofler</p>
During the last few centuries <i>D. melanogaster</i> populations were invaded by several transposable elements, the most recent of which was thought to be the <i>P</i>-element between 1950 and 1980. Here we describe a novel TE, which we named <i>Spoink</i>, that has invaded <i>D. melanogaster</i>. It is a 5216nt LTR retrotransposon of the Ty3/gypsy superfamily. Relying on strains sampled at different times during the last century we show that <i>Spoink</i> invaded worldwide <i>D. melanogaster</i> populations after the <i>P</i>-element between 1983 and 1993. This invasion was likely triggered by a horizontal transfer from the <i>D. willistoni</i> group, much as the <i>P</i>-element. <i>Spoink</i> is probably silenced by the piRNA pathway in natural populations and about 1/3 of the examined strains have an insertion into a canonical piRNA cluster such as <i>42AB</i>. Given the degree of genetic investigation of <i>D. melanogaster</i> it is perhaps surprising that <i>Spoink</i> was able to invade unnoticed.Manipulating multi-level selection in a fungal entomopathogen reveals social conflicts and a method for improving biocontrol traitsZoltan ErdosDavid J. StudholmeManmohan D. SharmaDavid ChandlerChris BassBen Raymond10.1371/journal.ppat.10117752024-03-25T14:00:00Z2024-03-25T14:00:00Z<p>by Zoltan Erdos, David J. Studholme, Manmohan D. Sharma, David Chandler, Chris Bass, Ben Raymond</p>
Changes in parasite virulence are commonly expected to lead to trade-offs in other life history traits that can affect fitness. Understanding these trade-offs is particularly important if we want to manipulate the virulence of microbial biological control agents. Theoretically, selection across different spatial scales, i.e. between- and within-hosts, shapes these trade-offs. However, trade-offs are also dependent on parasite biology. Despite their applied importance the evolution of virulence in fungal parasites is poorly understood: virulence can be unstable in culture and commonly fails to increase in simple passage experiments. We hypothesized that manipulating selection intensity at different scales would reveal virulence trade-offs in a fungal pathogen of aphids, <i>Akanthomyces muscarius</i>. Starting with a genetically diverse stock we selected for speed of kill, parasite yield or infectivity by manipulating competition within and between hosts and between-populations of hosts over 7 rounds of infection. We characterized ancestral and evolved lineages by whole genome sequencing and by measuring virulence, growth rate, sporulation and fitness. While several lineages showed increases in virulence, we saw none of the trade-offs commonly found in obligately-killing parasites. Phenotypically similar lineages within treatments often shared multiple single-nucleotide variants, indicating strong convergent evolution. The most dramatic phenotypic changes were in timing of sporulation and spore production <i>in vitro</i>. We found that early sporulation led to reduced competitive fitness but could increase yield of spores on media, a trade-off characteristic of social conflict. Notably, the selection regime with strongest between-population competition and lowest genetic diversity produced the most consistent shift to early sporulation, as predicted by social evolution theory. Multi-level selection therefore revealed social interactions novel to fungi and showed that these biocontrol agents have the genomic flexibility to improve multiple traits—virulence and spore production—that are often in conflict in other parasites.HMGR and CHS gene cloning, characterizations and tissue-specific expressions in <i>Polygala tenuifolia</i> WilldYang LiuXiaofang MaFuying MaoJinmiao QiuJingyi BiXiaowei LiXian GuYuguang ZhengYunsheng Zhao10.1371/journal.pone.03008952024-03-25T14:00:00Z2024-03-25T14:00:00Z<p>by Yang Liu, Xiaofang Ma, Fuying Mao, Jinmiao Qiu, Jingyi Bi, Xiaowei Li, Xian Gu, Yuguang Zheng, Yunsheng Zhao</p>
Triterpenoid saponins and flavonoids have several pharmacological activities against <i>P</i>. <i>tenuifolia</i>. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) and chalcone synthase (CHS) are the rate-limiting enzymes of triterpenoid saponin and flavonoid biosynthesis, respectively. In this study, HMGR and CHS genes were cloned from <i>P</i>. <i>tenuifolia</i>, and their bioinformatics analyses and tissue-specific expression were investigated. The results showed that the HMGR and CHS genes were successfully cloned, separately named the PtHMGR gene (NCBI accession: MK424118) and PtCHS gene (NCBI accession: MK424117). The PtHMGR gene is 2323 bp long, has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1782 bp, and encods 593 amino acids. The PtCHS gene is 1633 bp long with an ORF of 1170 bp, encoding 389 amino acids. PtHMGR and PtCHS were both hydrophobic, not signal peptides or secreted proteins, containing 10 conserved motifs. PtHMGR and PtCHS separately showed high homology with HMGR and CHS proteins from other species, and their secondary structures mainly included α-helix and random curl. The tertiary structure of PtHMGR was highly similarity to that the template 7ULI in RCSB PDB with 92.0% coverage rate. The HMG-CoA-binding domain of PtHMGR is located at 173–572 amino acid residues, including five bound sites. The tertiary structure of PtCHS showed high consistency with the template 1I86 in RCSB PDB with 100% coverage rate, contained malonyl CoA and 4-coumaroyl-CoA linkers. The expression of PtHMGR and PtCHS is tissue-specific. PtHMGR transcripts were mainly accumulated in roots, followed by leaves, and least in stems, and were significantly positively correlated with the contents of total saponin and tenuifolin. PtCHS was highly expressed in the stems, followed by the leaves, with low expression in the roots. PtCHS transcripts showed a significant positive correlation with total flavonoids content, however, they were significantly negatively correlated with the content of polygalaxanthone III (a type of flavonoids). This study provided insight for further revealing the roles of PtHMGR and PtCHS.Mating dynamics of a sperm-limited drosophilid, <i>Zaprionus indianus</i>Jennifer M. GleasonBarnabas DanbornoMarena NigroHenry EscobarMicalea J. Cobbs10.1371/journal.pone.03004262024-03-25T14:00:00Z2024-03-25T14:00:00Z<p>by Jennifer M. Gleason, Barnabas Danborno, Marena Nigro, Henry Escobar, Micalea J. Cobbs</p>
When males have large sperm, they may become sperm limited and mating dynamics may be affected. One such species is <i>Zaprionus indianus</i>, a drosophilid that is an introduced pest species in the Americas. We examined aspects of mating behavior in <i>Z</i>. <i>indianus</i> to determine the senses necessary for mating and measure female and male remating habits. We found that vision is necessary for successful copulation, but wings, which produce courtship song, are not needed. Males need their foretarsi to successfully copulate and although the foretarsi may be needed for chemoreception, their role in hanging on to the female during copulation may be more important for successful mating. Females that mate once run out of sperm in approximately five days, although mating a second time greatly increases offspring production. Females do not seem to exert pre-mating choice among males with respect to mating with a familiar versus a novel male. Males are not capable of mating continuously and fail to produce offspring in many copulations. Overall, females of this species benefit from polyandry, providing an opportunity to study sexual selection in females. In addition, the dynamics of male competition for fertilizing eggs needs to be studied.Structural and functional characterization of sulfurtransferase from <i>Frondihabitans</i> sp. PAMC28461Hackwon DoDieu Linh NguyenYong-Yoon AhnYewon NamYoonJi KangHoeJung OhJisub HwangSe Jong HanKitae KimJun Hyuck Lee10.1371/journal.pone.02989992024-03-25T14:00:00Z2024-03-25T14:00:00Z<p>by Hackwon Do, Dieu Linh Nguyen, Yong-Yoon Ahn, Yewon Nam, YoonJi Kang, HoeJung Oh, Jisub Hwang, Se Jong Han, Kitae Kim, Jun Hyuck Lee</p>
Sulfurtransferases transfer of sulfur atoms from thiols to acceptors like cyanide. They are categorized as thiosulfate sulfurtransferases (TSTs) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferases (MSTs). TSTs transfer sulfur from thiosulfate to cyanide, producing thiocyanate. MSTs transfer sulfur from 3-mercaptopyruvate to cyanide, yielding pyruvate and thiocyanate. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize the sulfurtransferase <i>Fr</i>ST from <i>Frondihabitans</i> sp. PAMC28461 using biochemical and structural analyses. <i>Fr</i>ST exists as a dimer and can be classified as a TST rather than an MST according to sequence-based clustering and enzyme activity. Furthermore, the discovery of activity over a wide temperature range and the broad substrate specificity exhibited by <i>Fr</i>ST suggest promising prospects for its utilization in industrial applications, such as the detoxification of cyanide.