Flytrap Research Articles

Modelling Blow Fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Spatiotemporal Species Richness and Total Abundance Across Land-Use Types.

Geographic Information Systems provide the means to explore the spatial distribution of insect species across various land-use types to understand their relationship with shared or overlapping spatiotemporal resources. Blow fly species richness and total fly abundance were correlated among six land-use types (residential, commercial, waste, woods, roads, and agricultural crop types) and distance to streams. To generate multivariate models of species richness and total fly abundance, blow fly trapping sites were chosen across the land-use gradient of Windsor-Essex County (Ontario, Canada) using a stratified random sampling approach. Sampling occurred in mid-June (spring), late August (summer), and late October (fall). Spring species richness correlated highest to residential (-), woods (-), distance to streams (+), and tomato fields (+) in models across all three land-use buffer scale distances (0.5, 1, 2 km), with waste (+/-), roads (-), wheat/corn (-), and commercial (-) correlating at only two of the three scales. Spring total fly abundance correlated with all but one land-use variable across all buffer scale distances, but the distance to streams (+), followed by orchards/vineyards (+) exhibited the greatest importance to these models. Summer blow fly species richness correlated with roads (-) and commercial (+) across all buffer distances, whereas at two of three buffer distances wheat/corn (-), residential (+), distance to streams (+), waste (-), and orchards/vineyards (+) were also important. Summer total fly abundance correlated to models with distance to streams (+), orchards/vineyards (+), and sugar beets/other vegetables (+) at the 2 km scale. Species richness and total abundance models at the 0.5 km buffer distance exhibited the highest correlation, lowest root mean square error, and similar prediction error to those derived at larger buffer distances. This study provides baseline methods and models for future validation and expansion of species-specific knowledge regarding adult blow fly relationships with spatiotemporal resources across land-use types and landscape features.

Steviol rebaudiosides bind to four different sites of the human sweet taste receptor (T1R2/T1R3) complex explaining confusing experiments.

Sucrose provides both sweetness and energy by binding to both Venus flytrap domains (VFD) of the heterodimeric sweet taste receptor (T1R2/T1R3). In contrast, non-caloric sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame only bind to one specific domain (VFD2) of T1R2, resulting in high-intensity sweetness. In this study, we investigate the binding mechanism of various steviol glycosides, artificial sweeteners, and a negative allosteric modulator (lactisole) at four distinct binding sites: VFD2, VFD3, transmembrane domain 2 (TMD2), and TMD3 through binding experiments and computational docking studies. Our docking results reveal multiple binding sites for the tested ligands, including the radiolabeled ligands. Our experimental evidence demonstrates that the C20 carboxy terminus of the Gα protein can bind to the intracellular region of either TMD2 or TMD3, altering GPCR affinity to the high-affinity state for steviol glycosides. These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the structure and function of this heterodimeric sweet taste receptor.

Biophysical analysis of the membrane-proximal Venus Flytrap domain of ESAG4 receptor-like adenylate cyclase from Trypanosoma brucei

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei possesses a large family of transmembrane receptor-like adenylate cyclases (RACs), primarily located to the flagellar surface and involved in sensing of the extracellular environment. RACs exhibit a conserved topology characterized by a large N-terminal extracellular moiety harbouring two Venus Flytrap (VFT) bilobate structures separated from an intracellular catalytic domain by a single transmembrane helix. RAC activation, which typically occurs under mild acid stress, requires the dimerization of the intracellular catalytic domain. The occurrence of VFT domains in the RAC’s extracellular moiety suggests their potential responsiveness to extracellular ligands in the absence of stress, although no such ligands have been identified so far. Herein we report the biophysical characterization of the membrane-proximal VFT2 domain of a bloodstream form-specific RAC called ESAG4, whose ectodomain 3D structure is completely unknown. The paper describes an AlphaFold2-based optimisation of the expression construct, enabling facile and high-yield recombinant production and purification of the target protein. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining various biophysical methods, we demonstrate that the optimised VFT2 domain obtained by recombination is properly folded and behaves as a monomer in solution. The latter suggests a ligand-binding capacity independent of dimerization, unlike typical mammalian VFT receptors, as guanylate cyclase. In silico VFT2 genomic analyses shows divergence among cyclase isoforms, hinting at ligand specificity. Taken together this improved procedure enabling facile and high-yield recombinant production and purification of the target protein could benefit researchers studying trypanosomal RAC VFT domains but also any trypanosome domain with poorly defined boundaries. Additionally, our findings support the stable monomeric VFT2 domain as a useful tool for future structural investigations and ligand screening.

The biomechanics of turgor pressure

If you ever forget to water your houseplant, you may find its leaves getting soft and droopy - if you water it again in time, the leaves may stiffen, spring back up, and resist gravity. During this recovery, plant cells absorb water and build up an intracellular pressure, called turgor pressure, similar to inflating a balloon. Turgor pressure is an intrinsic component of plant physiology, and its biomechanical role as the 'hydroskeleton' is generally appreciated either statically in structural stability, like leaves resisting gravity, or dynamically in rapid motions, like Venus flytrap snapping, Mimosa closing, or stomatal opening. Slow but non-static processes like plant cell expansion also rely on turgor pressure, and it has been increasingly realized that turgor pressure and water fluxes in plant tissues play active roles in plant growth and morphogenesis. But where does turgor pressure come from, and how does it interact with other biomechanical properties of a plant cell? This primer aims to answer these questions by taking a brief tour from osmosis, to pressure vessel theory, then plant cell rheology. Although this primer is centered around intracellular pressure in plant cells, the biomechanical concepts are generally applicable to other organisms like bacteria and fungi, and even animal cells, which do not have cell walls, but are either embedded in stiff extracellular matrix (ECM) or are contracting (see the following section). To explain some of these concepts, we included a few equations, most of which are not hard to derive at all. We encourage readers to check the included examples, try for themselves, and look up derivations in suggested further reading materials.

Diethyl ether anaesthesia does not block local touch response in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants can sense and respond to non-damaging mechanical stimulation such as touch, rain, or wind. Mechanical stimulation induces an increase of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt), accumulation of phytohormones from the group of jasmonates (JAs) and activation of gene expression, which can be JAs-dependent or JAs-independent. Response to touch shares similar properties with reactions to stresses such as wounding or pathogen attack, and regular mechanical stimulation leads to changes in growth and development called thigmomorphogenesis. Previous studies showed that well-known seismonastic plants such as Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) or sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) lost their touch-induced motive responses during exposure to general volatile anaesthetic (GVA) diethyl ether. Here, we investigated the effect of diethyl ether anaesthesia on touch response in Arabidopsis thaliana. We monitored [Ca2+]cyt level, accumulation of JAs and expression of touch-responsive genes. Our results showed that none of the investigated responses was affected by diethyl ether. However, diethyl ether alone increased [Ca2+]cyt and modulated JAs-independent touch-responsive genes, thus partially activating touch response non-specifically. Together with our previous studies, we concluded that GVA diethyl ether cannot block the local rise of [Ca2+]cyt but only its systemic propagation dependent on GLUTAMATE LIKE RECEPTOR 3s (GLR3s) channels.

Qingqianliutianosides A–E: five new sweet dammarane triterpenoid glycosides derived from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus – identification, characterization and interactions with T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors

AbstractBACKGROUNDCyclocarya paliurus, as a new food resource, is utilized extensively in human and animal diets due to its bioactive compounds, health benefits, and its highly prized sweet flavor. This study aimed to investigate the sweet‐taste ingredient of C. paliurus leaves.RESULTSFive new dammarane triterpenoid glycosides were isolated and identified as qingqianliutianosides A–E (1–5) by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and a single crystal X‐ray diffraction experiment. Qingqianliutianoside A (1) and qingqianliutianoside C (3), present in relatively high quantities in the plant, were shown to exhibit sweetness by sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis. Further monitoring was conducted on the content changes in 3 in leaves at different growth stages, indicating that 3 reached its peak content in April and then showed a decreasing trend. Molecular docking studies revealed that T1R2/T1R3 receptors Ser212, Ser105, Thr239, Asn380, Thr305, and Val381 may play critical roles, demonstrating that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions were the dominant interaction forces between all of the identified compounds and the active sites in the Venus flytrap module of the T1R2/T1R3 receptors.CONCLUSIONQingqianliutianosides A–E are promising natural source sugar substitutes for use in functional foods and beverages. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Bosnia and Herzegovina: distribution, ecology and environmental preferences

Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors for the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and for phleboviruses. The sand fly fauna on the Balkan Peninsula, including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), is diverse and the circulation of Leishmania infantum as well as phleboviruses has been proven. However, recent data on the sand fly fauna in BIH are scarce. In this study, we surveyed understudied regions in central and northeastern BIH to update the sand fly distribution and gain insights into the ecological and environmental factors shaping their appearance. CDC light trapping was conducted in 2022 and 2023 and a combination of morphological and molecular methods (cytochrome oxidase I barcoding) was performed for species identifications. We mapped the currently known distribution, modelled climatic suitability patterns and performed environmental analyses by applying machine learning methods. In addition, we analyzed blood meals by host gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping and screened for Leishmania spp. DNA and Phlebovirus RNA.Altogether, 591 sand flies of four species were trapped, predominantly Phlebotomus neglectus (97 %), but also Ph. balcanicus, Ph. mascittii, and Ph. papatasi. Records of seven sand fly species known to be endemic were plotted onto distribution maps based on 101 datapoints, identifying Ph. neglectus as the overall predominant species. The environmental analyses of sand fly species indicated variation in altitudinal, thermal, and precipitation conditions across the sand fly-positive sites. Phlebotomus simici, Phlebotomus tobbi, and Sergentomyia minuta are typically found exclusively in Mediterranean and subtropical climate zones, whereas other species typically inhabit continental regions. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation of sand fly species numbers and Shannon entropy values suggested the southeastern coastal region of BIH as a primary focus for sand fly occurrence. This finding was corroborated by modeled average climatic suitability patterns for sand flies, depicting four distinct meso-regions for sand fly occurrence. The results of the ensemble method highlight the importance of annual precipitation to distinguish between positive and negative sand fly trapping sites in BIH. In total, 55 blood meals of two sand fly species, Ph. neglectus and Ph. balcanicus, were analyzed and five host species identified.Our comprehensive assessment of ecological and environmental preferences of sand flies in BIH may support further entomological surveys and help to better understand and evaluate potential hot spots of disease transmission in the country.

Biomechanics on Ultra-Sensitivity of Venus Flytrap's Micronewton Trigger Hairs.

Numerous plants evolve ingeniously microcantilever-based hairs to ultra-sensitively detect out-of-plane quasi-static tactile loads, providing a natural blueprint for upgrading the industrial static mode microcantilever sensors, but how do the biological sensory hairs work mechanically? Here, the action potential-producing trigger hairs of carnivorous Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) are investigated in detail from biomechanical perspective. Under tiny mechanical stimulation, the deformable trigger hair, composed of distal stiff lever and proximal flexible podium, will lead to rapid trap closure and prey capture. The multiple features determining the sensitivity such as conical morphology, multi-scale functional structures, kidney-shaped sensory cells, and combined deformation under tiny mechanical stimulation are comprehensively researched. Based on materials mechanics, finite element simulation, and bio-inspired original artificial sensors, it is verified that the omnidirectional ultra-sensitivity of trigger hair is attributed to the stiff-flexible coupling of material, the double stress concentration, the circular distribution of sensory cells, and the positive local buckling. Also, the balance strategy of slender hair between sensitivity and structural stability (i.e., avoiding disastrous collapse) is detailed revealed. The unique basic biomechanical mechanism underlying trigger hairs is essential for significantly enhancing the performance of the traditional industrial static mode microcantilever sensors, and ensure the stability of arbitrary load perception.

Expert assessment of illegal collecting impacts on Venus flytraps and priorities for research on illegal trade.

Illegal collecting of wild Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) for the horticultural trade represents a persistent threat to populations of the species across their endemic range in the coastal plain of North and South Carolina (United States). Although wild collecting of Venus flytraps is not a novel threat, there has been very little research on the impacts of collecting on the species' conservation to date or why an illegal trade persists alongside a legal one. We drew on qualitative expert stakeholder elicitation to contextualize the threat of illegal collecting to the long-term conservation of Venus flytraps in relation to other anthropogenic threats. Expert elicitation included botanical and conservation researchers, cognizant state and federal agency staff, land managers, and conservation nonprofit actors. The workshop included mapping of supply chain structures and prioritization of social and environmental harms. Expert consensus determined illegal collecting is an ongoing problem for Venus flytrap conservation, but habitat destruction, degradation, and fire suppression are the most significant threats to flytrap conservation. Supply chain analysis showed that observable social and environmental harms of the trade are focused at the supply stage and that less is known about transit and demand stages. Key research gaps identified include a lack of understanding of plant laundering practices relevant to a range of desirable plant taxa; the role of commercial nurseries in illicit horticultural supply chains; motivations for engaging in Venus flytrap collecting; and the persistent demand for illegally harvested plants when cultivated, legally obtainable plants are readily available. Our findings and methodology are relevant to a range of ornamental plants affected by illegal trade for which robust social data on illegal collecting drivers are lacking.

Efficiency of handmade attractants in fruit fly control

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are considered the main pests of fruit crops worldwide, and using traps and attractants are useful tools for their effective monitoring and control. The study's main objective was to evaluate the capacity to capture fruit flies with non-commercially produced attractants and use the Lin and Binns method to evaluate their performance. Five food attractants were evaluated to capture the genera Anastrepha and Ceratitis. The study was carried out in five municipalities of Táchira State, Venezuela, during two semesters, using a completely randomized design with four replications. The experimental unit was represented by a JD EuGo 97 trap, baited with 300 mL of the respective attractant solution. The attractants did not perform equally in all environments, while no variation was observed in the level of trap capture between the two semesters studied. Anastrepha fraterculus was the only species collected at all altitudinal levels, suggesting an adequate capacity to adapt to different environments. The commercial product PedGo plus was the most effective attractant for fly trapping, and it may be an appropriate alternative for use by fruit growers in the control of this pest. Although it was the most efficient attractant in most of the environments studied, molasses + urea proved to be an alternative to replace PedGo plus and Nulure.

Structures of Brucella ovis leucine-, isoleucine-, valine-, threonine- and alanine-binding protein reveal a conformationally flexible peptide-binding cavity.

Brucella ovis is an etiologic agent of ovine epididymitis and brucellosis that causes global devastation in sheep, rams, goats, small ruminants and deer. There are no cost-effective methods for the worldwide eradication of ovine brucellosis. B. ovis and other protein targets from various Brucella species are currently in the pipeline for high-throughput structural analysis at the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets. Furthermore, the wealth of structures generated are effective tools for teaching scientific communication, structural science and biochemistry. One of these structures, B. ovis leucine-, isoleucine-, valine-, threonine- and alanine-binding protein (BoLBP), is a putative periplasmic amino acid-binding protein. BoLBP shares less than 29% sequence identity with any other structure in the Protein Data Bank. The production, crystallization and high-resolution structures of BoLBP are reported. BoLBP is a prototypical bacterial periplasmic amino acid-binding protein with the characteristic Venus flytrap topology of two globular domains encapsulating a large central cavity containing the peptide-binding region. The central cavity contains small molecules usurped from the crystallization milieu. The reported structures reveal the conformational flexibility of the central cavity in the absence of bound peptides. The structural similarity to other LBPs can be exploited to accelerate drug repurposing.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of a deep-sea Venus flytrap sea anemone sheds light upon adaptations to an extremely oligotrophic environment.

The Venus flytrap sea anemone Actinoscyphia liui inhabits the nutrient-limited deep ocean in the tropical western Pacific. Compared with most other sea anemones, it has undergone a distinct modification of body shape similar to that of the botanic flytrap. However, the molecular mechanism by which such a peculiar sea anemone adapts to a deep-sea oligotrophic environment is unknown. Here, we report the chromosomal-level genome of A. liui constructed from PacBio and Hi-C data. The assembled genome is 522 Mb in size and exhibits a continuous scaffold N50 of 58.4 Mb. Different from most other sea anemones, which typically possess 14-18 chromosomes per haplotype, A. liui has only 11. The reduced number of chromosomes is associated with chromosome fusion, which likely represents an adaptive strategy to economize energy in oligotrophic deep-sea environments. Comparative analysis with other deep-sea sea anemones revealed adaptive evolution in genes related to cellular autophagy (TMBIM6, SESN1, SCOCB and RPTOR) and mitochondrial energy metabolism (MDH1B and KAD2), which may aid in A. liui coping with severe food scarcity. Meanwhile, the genome has undergone at least two rounds of expansion in gene families associated with fast synaptic transmission, facilitating rapid responses to water currents and prey. Positive selection was detected on putative phosphorylation sites of muscle contraction-related proteins, possibly further improving feeding efficiency. Overall, the present study provides insights into the molecular adaptation to deep-sea oligotrophic environments and sheds light upon potential effects of a novel morphology on the evolution of Cnidaria.

GPRC6A is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Metformin Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis in Mice.

Understanding the mechanism of metformin actions in treating type 2 diabetes is limited by an incomplete knowledge of the specific protein targets mediating its metabolic effects. Metformin has structural similarities to L-Arginine (2-amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid), which is a ligand for GPRC6A, a Family C G-protein coupled receptor that regulates energy metabolism. Ligand activation of GPRC6A results in lowering of blood glucose and other metabolic changes resembling the therapeutic effect of metformin. In the current study, we tested if metformin activates GPRC6A. We used Alphafold2 to develop a structural model for L-Arginine (L-Arg) binding to the extracellu-lar bilobed venus flytrap domain (VFT) of GPRC6A. We found that metformin docked to the site in the VFT that overlaps the binding site for L-Arg. Metformin resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of GPRC6A activity in HEK-293 cells transfected with full-length wild-type GPRC6A but not in untransfected control cells. In addition, metformin failed to activate an alternatively spliced GPRC6A isoform lacking the putative binding site in the VFT. More specifically, mutation of the predicted metformin key binding residues Glu170 and Asp303 in the GPRC6A VFT resulted in loss of metformin receptor activation in vitro. The in vivo role of GPRC6A in mediating the effects of metformin was tested in Gprc6a-/- mice. Administration of therapeutic doses of metformin lowered blood glucose levels following a glucose tolerance test in wild-type but not Gprc6a-/- mice. Finally, we EN300, created by adding a carboxymethyl group from L-Arg to the biguanide backbone of metformin. EN300 showed dose-dependent stimulation of GPRC6A activity in vitro with greater potency than L-Arginine, but less than metformin. Thus, we suggest that GPRC6A is a potential molecular target for metformin which may be used to understand the therapeutic actions of metformin and develop novel small molecules to treat T2D.

Osteocalcin binds to a GPRC6A Venus fly trap allosteric site to positively modulate GPRC6A signaling.

GPRC6A, a member of the Family C G-protein coupled receptors, regulates energy metabolism and sex hormone production and is activated by diverse ligands, including cations, L-amino acids, the osteocalcin (Ocn) peptide and the steroid hormone testosterone. We sought a structural framework for the ability of multiple distinct classes of ligands to active GPRC6A. We created a structural model of GPRC6A using Alphafold2. Using this model we explored a putative orthosteric ligand binding site in the bilobed Venus fly trap (VFT) domain of GPRC6A and two positive allosteric modulator (PAM) sites, one in the VFT and the other in the 7 transmembrane (7TM) domain. We provide evidence that Ocn peptides act as a PAM for GPRC6A by binding to a site in the VFT that is distinct from the orthosteric site for calcium and L-amino acids. In agreement with this prediction, alternatively spliced GPRC6A isoforms 2 and 3, which lack regions of the VFT, and mutations in the computationally predicted Ocn binding site, K352E and H355P, prevent Ocn activation of GPRC6A. These observations explain how dissimilar ligands activate GPRC6A and set the stage to develop novel molecules to activate and inhibit this previously poorly understood receptor.

Comparative transcriptomics of Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) across stages of prey capture and digestion.

The Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, is perhaps the world's best-known botanical carnivore. The act of prey capture and digestion along with its rapidly closing, charismatic traps make this species a compelling model for studying the evolution and fundamental biology of carnivorous plants. There is a growing body of research on the genome, transcriptome, and digestome of Dionaea muscipula, but surprisingly limited information on changes in trap transcript abundance over time since feeding. Here we present the results of a comparative transcriptomics project exploring the transcriptomic changes across seven timepoints in a 72-hour time series of prey digestion and three timepoints directly comparing triggered traps with and without prey items. We document a dynamic response to prey capture including changes in abundance of transcripts with Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to digestion and nutrient uptake. Comparisons of traps with and without prey documented 174 significantly differentially expressed genes at 1 hour after triggering and 151 genes with significantly different abundances at 24 hours. Approximately 50% of annotated protein-coding genes in Venus flytrap genome exhibit change (10041 of 21135) in transcript abundance following prey capture. Whereas peak abundance for most of these genes was observed within 3 hours, an expression cluster of 3009 genes exhibited continuously increasing abundance over the 72-hour sampling period, and transcript for these genes with GO annotation terms including both catabolism and nutrient transport may continue to accumulate beyond 72 hours.

Abundance and Parasitic Load of Housefly (Musca Domestica) in Amansea Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

Houseflies (Musca domestica) are major transmitters of pathogenic organisms to humans worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the relative abundance of housefly and its parasitic load in four different sites in the Amansea area of Anambra state, Nigeria. The housefly samples were collected with the aid of fly trap and sweep net and analyzed using sedimentation methods. Data obtained was calculated and expressed as simple percentages while chi-square was used to test for differences in prevalence rates of parasites in the study areas. Out of the 259 houseflies examined, 74 were infested with a prevalence of 28.57%. Houseflies were more abundant in the abattoir 92(35.52) followed by market area 71(27.41%), refuse dump sites (19.69%) while holy family hostels recorded the lowest abundance (17.37) (P=0.000). Houseflies infested with parasites were mostly found in holy family hostel 31(68.89) while the market area had the least infested house flies 5(7.04%). Two protozoan parasites (Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli) and two nematodes (Strongyloides stercoralis and Ascaris lumbricoides) were the parasites seen from the microscopic examination of samples. E. histolytica (7.61%) and E. coli (5.43%) were the parasites seen in Abattoir while S. stercoralis (7.04%) was the only parasite in the market area. E. histolytica (17.78%) and A. lumbricoides (51.11%) were seen in holy family hostel while E. coli (11.76%), S. stercoralis (7.84%) and A. lumbricoides (31.37%) were the parasites recovered from the houseflies in the Refuse dump site. The infestation of houseflies in the area is a threat to human health due to their ability to act as mechanical vectors for transmission of infectious pathogens. Hence, proper disposal and prompt removal of waste by environmental officers should be prioritized in the area as well as mass education of the public on the health implications of poor hygiene and poor sanitary practices.

Gambaran Kepadatan Dan Identifikasi Lalat (Diptera) Di Pasar Waiheru Perumnas Kecamatan Baguala Kota Ambon

Flies are vectors for disease transmission, especially mechanically and through their vomit and feces. Items, especially food, are usually contaminated by human feces, rubbish, the saliva of sick people, scars from animal carcasses and other things that are covered in flies. Flies can throw feces on food so that the food becomes contaminated with fly eggs and larvae. Disruption of comfort, eyesore, itching of the skin, causing discomfort, decreased appetite. To determine the density and identification of flies in the Waiheru Perumnas market, Baguala District, Ambon City. Type of descriptive research that describes a condition based on observation and examination of the Ambon Environmental Health Engineering Center (BTKL) Laboratory. The aim of descriptive research is to describe the density and identification of flies in the Waiheru Perumnas market, Baguala District, Ambon City. Measuring the density of flies in the Waiheru Perumnas market, Baguala District, Ambon City is based on 3 points, 10 measurements at each point in the morning, at the first point (los fish) amounted to 87 flies, at point II (vegetable stall there were 55 flies and at point III (fruit stall) there were 45 flies. Identification of fly types resulted in 3 types of flies identified, namely Musca Domestica (house fly), Cliphora Sp (green flies) and Sarcophaga (meat flies). The density of flies in the Waiheru Perumnas market, Baguala District, Ambon City, based on the installation of fly grills based on the 10 highest points, was 187 flies and at the 5 highest points was 134 flies with 23 flies caught in the fly trap. From the results obtained, it can be seen that the density of flies is very high so it is necessary to deal with fly breeding sites and fly control measures.

Characterization and Theoretical Analysis of the Venus Flytrap Trigger Hair

The Venus flytrap, which possesses a number of mechano-sensitive trigger hairs, is a typical carnivorous plant that effectively senses and catches insects to survive in nutrient-poor habitats. When insects touch the trigger hairs on a leaf, once they reach the threshold, the Venus flytrap induces an action potential and sharply closes to capture the prey. In this paper, the trigger hairs obtain a special cantilever beam structure with a stiff hair lever and a flexible basal podium, and there is a noticeable notched structure at the basal podium, which differs from a common homogeneous hair. Based on the characteristics of the Venus flytrap trigger hairs, we established a three-dimensional model and conducted theoretical and finite element analysis. The results show that the unique hollow heterogeneous cantilever structure of the Venus flytrap trigger hair can achieve high sensitivity and optimal tactile perception. Overall, the morphology, structure and mechanical characteristics of Venus flytrap trigger hairs were characterized in detail, which may provide a deeper understanding of the trigger hairs’ tactile perception mechanism. And the mechanical simulation and optimization analysis of Venus flytrap trigger hairs had an important theoretical basis and parameter support for the further design of state-of-the-art tactile sensors with high sensitivity inspired by Venus flytrap trigger hairs.

Novel osteogenic peptide from bovine bone collagen hydrolysate: Targeted screening, molecular mechanism, and stability analysis

This study aimed to screen for a novel osteogenic peptide based on the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and explore its molecular mechanism and gastrointestinal stability. In this study, a novel osteogenic peptide (Phe-Ser-Gly-Leu, FSGL) derived from bovine bone collagen hydrolysate was successfully screened by molecular docking and synthesised by solid phase peptide synthesis for further analysis. Cell experiments showed that FSGL significantly enhanced the osteogenic activity of MC3T3-E1 cells by acting on CaSR, including proliferation (152.53%), differentiation, and mineralization. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics further demonstrated that FSGL was a potential allosteric activator of CaSR, that turned on the activation switch of CaSR by closing the Venus flytrap (VFT) domain and driving the two protein chains in the VFT domain to easily form dimers. In addition, 96.03% of the novel osteogenic peptide FSGL was stable during gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, FSGL showed substantial potential for enhancing the osteogenic activity of osteoblasts. This study provided new insights for the application of CaSR in the targeted screening of osteogenic peptides to improve bone health.

Evaluation of different concentrations of Cue-lure for effective management of the melon fruit fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in cucurbits ecosystem

Aim: To identify the effective concentration of Cue-lure (CL) for efficacious management of melon fruit fly (Zeugodacus cucurbitae), associated with the cucurbits. Methodology: Wooden blocks were soaked in different concentrations of Cue-lure (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%), installed in trap bottles along with commercially used McPhail traps baited with tablet lures, were tested for higher trap catches, in the bitter gourd field. The infested cucurbits were collected from the fields and placed in insect-rearing cages to check for the emergence of the adults. Results: The mean number of flies trapped/trap/week (FTW) was significantly highest in 25% Cue-lure compared with the remaining concentrations along with Tablet lures. On the basis of adults emerged from infested fruits, Z. cucurbitae proved to be the major fruit fly species infesting bitter gourd, with a sex ratio (♂:♀) of 1:1.3. However, in sponge gourd, a ♂:♀ of 1:1.9 was observed for Z. cucurbitae and 1:1.27 for Z. tau. Interpretation: Z. cucurbitae is the most damaging fruit fly species for cucurbits in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. 25% Cue-lure solution was found best for mass trapping of responsive fruit flies. Key words: Adult emergence, Cucurbits, Cue-lure, Parapheromone, Melon fruit fly