Broad Phenotypic Plasticity Research Articles

Life-history of the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes), kept under human care in a marine aquarium.

The Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium (AquaRio) is the first to successfully maintain and reproduce the spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela), providing unique information about the species' biology. Seven rays were kept in captivity between 2018 and 2023, two captured on the southeastern coast of Brazil and five born in the aquarium. The applied abiotic conditions and nutrition allowed for the survival, growth, and reproduction of these individuals. Growth parameters (asymptotic disk width-DW∞ and growth coefficient-k) were estimated based on the von Bertalanffy model using the Fabens method for males and females separately. The best models estimated DW∞ = 106.47 cm and k = 0.396 for males and DW∞ = 172.2 cm and k = 0.190 for females. Sexual dimorphism was corroborated, with females reaching larger sizes and presenting slower growth rates than males. The estimated k values were higher than those estimated for rays of similar size to G. altavela in the natural environment, probably due to the constant water temperature (around 25.5°C), food abundance, low population density, reduced predation rates, and high water quality in the captive environment. A comparison of the captivity findings with other studies on G. altavela age and growth in the Atlantic and Mediterranean indicates a broad phenotypic plasticity regarding growth. Three G. altavela reproductions were recorded, with size at birth appearing to be a key factor for pup's survival. Behavioral pattern observations associated with reproduction are also described, encompassing chasing and copulation, whereas the species' internal morphology is described through coelomic cavity ultrasound scanning.

Palaeoecological significance of the “wolf event” as revealed by skull ecometrics of the canid guilds

Members of the mammalian order Carnivora are rarely considered as proxies for palaeoecological reconstructions due to their broad phenotypic plasticity and high climatic tolerance. However, palaeontologists have traditionally interpreted the appearance of some particular carnivoran species in relation to major climatic events. The ‘wolf event’ characterised the inset of climatic deterioration for continental Eurasian fauna, ca 2.0 million years ago. It was defined as the dispersal of cursorial wild canids from East Asia to Europe consequently to the spread of the steppe environment. Anecdotal interpretations were never supported by rigorous testing about the palaeoecological significance of these canid taxa. Here, we employ two dimensional geometric morphometrics of canid skulls to characterise and interpret the structure of extant guilds and its relationship with climate and provide inferences on the early Pleistocene Valdarno community. Averaged skull size and shape of canid guilds are currently associated with climatic parameters that reflect annual mean temperature, seasonality and precipitation. The canid guild from Valdarno showed a clustered phylogenetic structure and its average shape resembles those of communities characterised by relatively high seasonal environments. This study supports the use of canid community structure for palaeoclimatic reconstructions and validate the early Pleistocene as a period of climatic deterioration for Eurasian large mammal fauna.

Macrophages in ovarian cancer and their interactions with monoclonal antibody therapies.

The unmet clinical need for effective treatments in ovarian cancer has yet to be addressed using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which have largely failed to overcome tumour-associated immunosuppression, restrict cancer growth, and significantly improve survival. In recent years, experimental mAb design has moved away from solely targeting ovarian tumours and instead sought to modulate the wider tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) may represent an attractive therapeutic target for mAbs in ovarian cancer due to their high abundance and close proximity to tumour cells and their active involvement in facilitating several pro-tumoural processes. Moreover, the expression of several antibody crystallisable fragment (Fc) receptors and broad phenotypic plasticity of TAMs provide opportunities to modulate TAM polarisation using mAbs to promote anti-tumoural phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the role of TAMs in ovarian cancer TME and the emerging strategies to target the contributions of these cells in tumour progression through the rationale design of mAbs.

Plant Non-Coding RNAs: Origin, Biogenesis, Mode of Action and Their Roles in Abiotic Stress.

As sessile species, plants have to deal with the rapidly changing environment. In response to these environmental conditions, plants employ a plethora of response mechanisms that provide broad phenotypic plasticity to allow the fine-tuning of the external cues related reactions. Molecular biology has been transformed by the major breakthroughs in high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and expression analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. These innovations have provided substantial progress in the identification of genomic regions as well as underlying basis influencing transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of abiotic stress response. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have emerged as essential regulators of plants abiotic stress response. However, shared traits in the biogenesis of ncRNAs and the coordinated cross-talk among ncRNAs mechanisms contribute to the complexity of these molecules and might play an essential part in regulating stress responses. Herein, we highlight the current knowledge of plant microRNAs, siRNAs, and lncRNAs, focusing on their origin, biogenesis, modes of action, and fundamental roles in plant response to abiotic stresses.

Coinfection of domestic felines by distinct Sporothrix brasiliensis in the Brazilian sporotrichosis hyperendemic area

Microbial interactions may impact patient’s diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Sporotrichosis is a hyperendemic neglected zoonosis in Brazil, caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. Four pairs of clinical isolates of Sporothrix were recovered from four diseased cats (CIM01-CIM04, two isolates per animal) raising the possibility of coinfection in a sporotrichosis hyperendemic area, Brazil. Each isolate of the pair had distinct pigmentation in mycological culture, and was designated as “Light” or “Dark”, for low and high pigmentation, respectively. Dark isolates reacted strongly with monoclonal antibodies to melanin (p ≤ 0.05) by both ELISA and FACS quantitation, and displayed a ring pattern with some regions exhibiting higher punctuated labeling at cell wall by immunofluorescence. In turn, Light isolates reacted less intensely, with few and discrete punctuated labeling at the cell wall. PCR identified all isolates as S. brasiliensis, MAT1-2 idiomorph. Sequencing of β-tubulin and calmodulin genes followed by phylogenetic analysis placed all eight isolates within the same cluster as others from the Brazilian hyperendemic area. The ability of these strains to stimulate cytokine production by human PBMCs (Peripheral blood mononuclear cells) was also analyzed. CIM01 and CIM03 Light and Dark isolates showed similar cytokine profiles to the control strain, while CIM02 and CIM04 behaved differently (p < 0.001), suggesting that differences in the surface of the isolates can influence host-fungus interaction. MICs for amphotericin B, terbinafine, caspofungin, micafungin, itraconazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole were obtained (CLSI M38-A2/M27-A3). Pairwise comparisons showed distinct MICs between Sporothrix Light and Dark isolates, higher than at least two-fold dilutions, to at least one of the antifungals tested. Isolates from the same pair displayed discrepancies in relation to fungistatic or fungicidal drug activity, notably after itraconazole exposure. Since S. brasiliensis Light and Dark isolates show disparate phenotypic parameters it is quite possible that coinfection represents a common occurrence in the hyperendemic area, with potential clinical implications on feline sporotrichosis dynamics. Alternatively, future studies will address if this specie may have, as reported for other fungi, broad phenotypic plasticity.

Multifaceted roles of HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90 molecular chaperones in plant development.

HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS 90 (HSP90s) are molecular chaperones that mediate correct folding and stability of many client proteins. These chaperones act as master molecular hubs involved in multiple aspects of cellular and developmental signalling in diverse organisms. Moreover, environmental and genetic perturbations affect both HSP90s and their clients, leading to alterations of molecular networks determining respectively plant phenotypes and genotypes and contributing to a broad phenotypic plasticity. Although HSP90 interaction networks affecting the genetic basis of phenotypic variation and diversity have been thoroughly studied in animals, such studies are just starting to emerge in plants. Here, we summarize current knowledge and discuss HSP90 network functions in plant development and cellular homeostasis.

Morphological variability of the “Caribbean hidden anemone” Lebrunia coralligens (Wilson, 1890)

Lebrunia coralligens is among the most common sea anemone species found inhabiting in coral reefs environments along the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This species exhibit two distinct morphotypes characterized mainly by differences in the location of vesicles on its pseudotentacles. The morphology and cnidae size ranges between representatives of the two morphotypes, as well as with those from specimens of its congeners Lebrunia neglecta, were compared to identify taxonomic distinctions that would enable separation of the morphotypes into different species. Statistical variability in specimens and cnidae size ranges was found between the two morphotypes, but a greater variability was found when compared with cnidae size ranges of L. neglecta. These results suggest that pseudotentacular form and cnidae size differences are due to broad phenotypic plasticity within L. coralligens. In addition, results also suggest that quantitative comparisons of cnidae could reinforce the taxonomic distinction of closely related species as L. coralligens and L. neglecta.

Delimitating cryptic species in the Gracilaria domingensis complex (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) using molecular and morphological data.

Species in the genus Gracilaria that display conspicuously flattened vegetative morphologies are a taxonomically challenging group of marine benthic red algae. This is a result of their species richness, morphological similarity, and broad phenotypic plasticity. Within this group, the Gracilaria domingensis complex is one of the most common, conspicuous, and morphologically variable species along the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. Previous research has identified that members of this complex belong to two distantly related clades. However, despite this increased phylogentic resolution, species delimitations within each of these clades remain unclear. Our study assessed the species diversity within this difficult complex using morphological and molecular data from three genetic markers (cox1, UPA, and rbcL). We additionally applied six single-marker species delimitation methods (SDM: ABGD, GMYCs, GMYCm, SPN, bPTP, and PTP) to rbcL, which were largely in agreement regarding species delimitation. These results, combined with our analysis of morphology, indicate that the G.domingensis complex includes seven distinct species, each of which are not all most closely related: G.cervicornis; a ressurected G.ferox; G.apiculata subsp. apiculata; a new species, Gracilaria baiana sp. nov.; G.intermedia subsp. intermedia; G.venezuelensis; and G.domingensis sensu stricto, which includes the later heterotypic synonym, G.yoneshigueana. Our study demonstrates the value of multipronged strategies, including the use of both molecular and morphological approaches, to decipher cryptic species of red algae.

Plasticity of the Berry Ripening Program in a White Grape Variety.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is considered one of the most environmentally sensitive crops and is characterized by broad phenotypic plasticity, offering important advantages such as the large range of different wines that can be produced from the same cultivar, and the adaptation of existing cultivars to diverse growing regions. The uniqueness of berry quality traits reflects complex interactions between the grapevine plant and the combination of natural factors and human cultural practices which leads to the expression of wine typicity. Despite the scientific and commercial importance of genotype interactions with growing conditions, few studies have characterized the genes and metabolites directly involved in this phenomenon. Here, we used two large-scale analytical approaches to explore the metabolomic and transcriptomic basis of the broad phenotypic plasticity of Garganega, a white berry variety grown at four sites characterized by different pedoclimatic conditions (altitudes, soil texture, and composition). These conditions determine berry ripening dynamics in terms of sugar accumulation and the abundance of phenolic compounds. Multivariate analysis unraveled a highly plastic metabolomic response to different environments, especially the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids and flavonols. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the four sites strongly affected the berry transcriptome allowing the identification of environmentally-modulated genes and the plasticity of commonly-modulated transcripts at different sites. Many genes that control transcription, translation, transport, and carbohydrate metabolism showed different expression depending on the environmental conditions, indicating a key role in the observed transcriptomic plasticity of Garganega berries. Interestingly, genes representing the phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathway showed plastic responses to the environment mirroring the accumulation of the corresponding metabolites. The comparison of Garganega and Corvina berries showed that the metabolism of phenolic compounds is more plastic in ripening Garganega berries under different pedoclimatic conditions.

Are all eggs created equal? A case study from the Hawaiian reef-building coral Montipora capitata

Parental effects have been largely unexplored in marine organisms and may play a significant role in dictating the phenotypic range of traits in coral offspring, influencing their ability to survive environmental challenges. This study explored parental effects and life-stage differences in the Hawaiian reef-building coral Montipora capitata from different environments by examining the biochemical composition of mature coral colonies and their eggs. Our results indicate that there are large biochemical differences between adults and eggs, with the latter containing higher concentration of lipids (mostly wax esters), ubiquitinated proteins (which may indicate high turnover rate of proteins) and antioxidants (e.g., manganese superoxide dismutase). Adults displayed high phenotypic plasticity, with corals from a high-light environment having more wax esters, lighter tissue δ13C signatures and higher Symbiodinium densities than adults from the low-light environment who had higher content of accessory pigments. A green-algal pigment (α-carotene) and powerful antioxidant was present in eggs; it is unclear whether this pigment is acquired from heterotrophic food sources or from endolithic green algae living in the adult coral skeletons. Despite the broad phenotypic plasticity displayed by adults, parental investment in the context of provisioning of energy reserves and antioxidant defense was the same in eggs from the different sites. Such equality in investment maximizes the capacity of all embryos and larvae to cope with challenging conditions associated with floating at the surface and to disperse successfully until an appropriate habitat for settlement is found.

Undifferentiated Perivascular Cells in Myxoid Mesenchymal Tumors: An Ultrastructural Study

The current WHO classification of soft tissue tumors is based on the lineage of differentiation of the proliferating cells. Since mature mesenchymal cells have a broad phenotypic plasticity it has been considered unnecessary to recur to a hypothetical stem cell to explain the origin of these neoplasms. In spite of this assumption, the target cell of the oncogenic mutations in mesenchymal tumors is still a controversial item. Myxoid mesenchymal tumors constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms sharing in an ample mucinous matrix that separates neoplastic cells and facilitates their single submicroscopic study under electron microscopy examination. The authors have studied, by electron microscopy, 74 myxoid mesenchymal tumors, including a large variety of nosologic entities, to assess their madurational gradient. In 43 of 74 cases, a common element has been found: medium-sized cells, with high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, lacking lineage specific features, which were arranged around the capillary vessels. In some cases, the authors were able to demonstrate gradual differentiation in these cells, as they moved away from the vessels. These features support the hypothesis that at least some mesenchymal tumors originate from perivascular undifferentiated cells. In addition, the findings might contribute to define both topographic and morphologic characteristics of adult stem mesenchymal cells.

Evolving a Protofeather and Feather Diversity

It is likely that feathers evolved from a conical shaped tubercle rather than a plate-like structure. Although the morphology of the presumably most primitive feather is unknown, minimal conditions for its production include the cellular capacity to synthesize feather proteins (=ϕ-keratin) which provides the molecular phenotype, and a follicular mechanism for production and assembly of molecular and gross structure. Once the minimal structural element, presumably recognizable as a barb, existed, a variety of phenotypes followed rapidly. A tubercular growth center of appropriate size could produce a simple barb-like element, with cortex and medulla. This might be recognized externally as a bristle, but need never existed as a separate morphological unit. Rather, if individual placodes gave rise to multiple barb ridges that fused proximally, a structure resembling natal down would have resulted. Subsequent differentiation is controlled by the follicular symmetry, and the feather shape is regulated by barb length. Barb length is directly related to growth period. As feathers appear to grow at roughly similar, size independent rates, shape is determined by individual barb growth periods. The simple fusion of individual proto-barbs would produce a morphology identifiable as natal down. Although this might be the simplest feather structure, others could emerge quickly, perhaps simultaneously, a consequence of the same redundant processing. Once the machinery existed, broad phenotypic plasticity was possible. I constructed a feather phylogram based on these conditions, the fossil record, and ontogeny. I organized the subsequent changes in morphology by perceived complexity. The changes are simply individual responses to similar processes that might be time (when in ontogeny) and space (where on body) dependent.

Evolving a Protofeather and Feather Diversity1

It is likely that feathers evolved from a conical shaped tubercle rather than a plate-like structure. Although the morphology of the presumably most primitive feather is unknown, minimal conditions for its production include the cellular capacity to synthesize feather proteins (=ϕ-keratin) which provides the molecular phenotype, and a follicular mechanism for production and assembly of molecular and gross structure. Once the minimal structural element, presumably recognizable as a barb, existed, a variety of phenotypes followed rapidly. A tubercular growth center of appropriate size could produce a simple barb-like element, with cortex and medulla. This might be recognized externally as a bristle, but need never existed as a separate morphological unit. Rather, if individual placodes gave rise to multiple barb ridges that fused proximally, a structure resembling natal down would have resulted. Subsequent differentiation is controlled by the follicular symmetry, and the feather shape is regulated by barb length. Barb length is directly related to growth period. As feathers appear to grow at roughly similar, size independent rates, shape is determined by individual barb growth periods. The simple fusion of individual proto-barbs would produce a morphology identifiable as natal down. Although this might be the simplest feather structure, others could emerge quickly, perhaps simultaneously, a consequence of the same redundant processing. Once the machinery existed, broad phenotypic plasticity was possible. I constructed a feather phylogram based on these conditions, the fossil record, and ontogeny. I organized the subsequent changes in morphology by perceived complexity. The changes are simply individual responses to similar processes that might be time (when in ontogeny) and space (where on body) dependent.

Interclonal Variation in Response to Simazine Stress in Lemna gibba (Lemnaceae)

We addressed the question of whether results gathered from single-species laboratory bioassays can be extrapolated to field populations by evaluating the response of 14 geographically isolated clones of Lemna gibba L. to the toxic compound simazine. The plants were exposed to a herbicide stress and several effects were studied in laboratory bioassays lasting 14 days. The ranges of the EC50 values registered among the clones were 0.31–0.62, 0.26–0.55, 0.29–0.53 and 0.33–0.53 mg a.i.T1 for the frond number, dry weight, total chlorophyll and surface area, respectively. The orders of the sensitivity and dissimilarity relationships between the clones (as well as the ecotoxicological parameters) were exclusive of each growth response. However, the groups of more sensitive clones and more resistant clones were the same for each of the effects analysed. Within the effects studied the highest variation between the clones was observed at concentrations of >0.1 mg a.i.l−1. The results show that the extrapolation considered is influenced by two main factors: the herbicide concentration and its temporal variation in the aquatic medium. The broad phenotypic plasticity probably reduced the variability of the ecotoxicological parameters between clones considering the important genotypic differences of L. gibba clones previously studied. In order to extrapolate the results from laboratory studies to natural populations of L. gibba it seems more important to consider the variation in environmental conditions than the genetic diversity of natural populations.