http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189 2013-06-20T04:18:59Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8852 Complex habitats may not always benefit prey: linking visual field with reef fish behavior and distribution Rilov G; Figueira William; Lyman Sean; Crowder Larry Habitat structural complexity is often considered beneficial for prey species because it reduces the foraging efficiency of predators. However, for site-attached, territorial prey, such as many damselfishes, structural complexity at specific scales may b 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8849 Recovery and evolutionary analysis of complete integron gene cassette arrays from Vibrio Boucher Yan; Nesbo Camilla; Joss M; Robinson Andrew; Mabbutt Bridget; Gillings Michael; Doolittle W; Stokes Harold Background: Integrons are genetic elements capable of the acquisition, rearrangement and expression of genes contained in gene cassettes. Gene cassettes generally consist of a promoterless gene associated with a recombination site known as a 59-base elem 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8847 The Janus-faced atracotoxins are specific blockers of invertebrate K(Ca) channels Gunning Simon; Maggio Francesco; Windley Monique; Valenzuela Stella; King Glenn; Nicholson Graham The Janus-faced atracotoxins are a unique family of excitatory peptide toxins that contain a rare vicinal disulfide bridge. Although lethal to a wide range of invertebrates, their molecular target has remained enigmatic for almost a decade. We demonstrate here that these toxins are selective, high-affinity blockers of invertebrate calcium activated K+ (KCa) channels. J-ACTX-Hv1c, the prototypic member of this toxin family, selectively blocked KCa channels in cockroach unpaired dorsal median neurons with an IC50 of 2 nM, but it did not significantly affect a wide range of other voltage activated potassium (KV), calcium (CaV), or sodium (NaV) channel subtypes. J ACTX-Hv1c blocked heterologously expressed cockroach BKCa (pSlo) channels without a significant shift in the voltage-dependence of activation. However, the block was voltage-dependent, indicating that the toxin likely acts as a pore blocker rather than a gating modifier. The molecular basis of the insect selectivity of J-ACTX-Hv1c was established by its failure to significantly inhibit mouse mSlo currents (IC50 ~10 μM) and its lack of activity on rat dorsal root ganglion neuron IK(Ca). This study establishes the Janus-faced atracotoxins as valuable tools for the study of invertebrate KCa channels and suggests that KCa channels might be a potential insecticide target. 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8839 Glycosidase Activity In The Excretory-secretory Products Of The Liver Fluke, Fasciola Hepatica Irwin J; Morrissey P; Ryan J; Walshe A; O'Neill Sandra; Carrington S; Matthews E; Fitzpatrick E; Mulcahy Grace; Corfield A; Dalton John Fasciola hepatica secretes proteolytic enzymes and other molecules that are essential for host penetration and migration. This mixture may include enzymes required for the degradation of supramucosal gels, which defend epithelial surfaces against pathoge 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z