Orchestration of the DNA-damage response by the RNF8 ubiquitin ligase

Cells respond to DNA double-strand breaks by recruiting factors such as the DNA-damage mediator protein MDC1, the p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), and the breast cancer susceptibility protein BRCA1 to sites of damaged DNA. Here, we reveal that the ubiquitin ligase RNF8 mediates ubiquitin conjugation and 53BP1 and BRCA1 focal accumulation at sites of DNA lesions. Moreover, we establish that MDC1 recruits RNF8 through phosphodependent interactions between the RNF8 forkhead-associated domain and motifs in MDC1 that are phosphorylated by the DNA-damage activated protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM). We also show that depletion of the E2 enzyme UBC13 impairs 53BP1 recruitment to sites of damage, which suggests that it cooperates with RNF8. Finally, we reveal that RNF8 promotes the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint and resistance to ionizing radiation. These results demonstrate how the DNA-damage response is orchestrated by ATM-dependent phosphorylation of MDC1 and RNF8-mediated ubiquitination.     

Tests for the depolymerization of polyacrylamides as a potential source of acrylamide in heated foods

This study was conducted to test the possibility that polyacrylamides used in agriculture may contribute to acrylamide formation in heated foods by thermal depolymerization. Two samples of polyacrylamide with low molecular weights of 1.5 and 10 kDa were used to test for in-chain and end-chain depolymerization. They were added as aqueous solutions to filter paper for heating in a drying/dry environment and added to a cooking oil for heating in a fatty environment. The heating conditions were 175 degrees C for 15 and 30 min, respectively. Both regimens were tested in the absence and presence of the redox-active metal ions Fe(III) and Cu(II), and all tests were conducted without the exclusion of atmospheric oxygen. There was no evidence of any significant depolymerization of polyacrylamide to free acrylamide monomer, <0.04%. In fact, residual levels of acrylamide present already in the low molecular weight polymers were seen to fall by 50-80% on heating. Consequently, it is concluded that even if polyacrylamides were to contaminate agricultural crops and foods derived therefrom (which itself is an unproven suggestion), there is no evidence that the polymers would depolymerize on heating of the food to form acrylamide in any significant amount.     

Evidence for the recent extinction of two Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) populations in the West of Ireland

1. This paper highlights the recent extinctions of two native Arctic charr populations in the West of Ireland, one population from the Lough Conn catchment, and a second from the Lough Corrib catchment, respectively. 2. The distribution of charr populations in the two catchments is reviewed. The current distribution information is drawn from recent fish stock surveys (Lough Corrib in 1996, and Lough Conn in 1997 and 1998). Previous records of charr in the literature and unpublished data are described to place the current distribution of charr within these catchments into a historical perspective. 3. The importance of the charr population in Lough Mask (Lough Corrib catchment) is emphasized, as it is one of the last extant examples of charr from a large Irish alkaline lake. 4. Impacts on charr populations in both catchments are discussed and conservation measures proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Home range and diet of re-introduced European otters Lutra Lutra (L.) in Hertfordshire rivers

• 1 The distribution and diet of two groups of captive-bred, re-introduced otters Lutra lutra (L.) was assessed through the collection and analysis of spraints (faeces), collected between July 1992 and March 1994 from the Rivers Stort, Lee and Rib in Hertfordshire (UK).
• 2 Almost immediately after release in 1991, both groups of otters moved upstream of their release sites. In February 1992, one male was found dead on a road near the River Stort, and both groups appeared to have moved downstream, their total range eventually extending to about 40 km, from 8 km downstream of the confluence of the Rivers Stort and Lee to about 16 km up the Stort and 16 km up the Lee.
• 3 Fish, principally cyprinids, formed the major dietary element, with spatial differences in prey availability influencing the range of secondary items taken. Eels were the only prey category to show significant seasonal variation in spraints, occurring more often than expected in spring and summer spraints. Mammals/amphibia and birds were taken as prey only occasionally. Where environmental quality and/or prey species diversity were low, small-bodied fish species, such as three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, bullhead Cottus gobio and stone loach Barbatula barbatula, occurred more frequently in the diet.
• 4 Only two of the seven IUCN criteria for re-introductions appear to have been met before the otters' release, and subsequent assessments suggest that most other criteria were not. As there has been only one possible, but unconfirmed, sighting of a female with cubs, it remains unclear whether the released otters have reproduced and thus the success of the re-introduction is doubtful.

     

Comparison of freshwater and marine performances of all‐female diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The performance of all‐female diploid (AF2N) and triploid (AF3N) Atlantic salmon were compared in fresh water, under commercial production conditions in 1995 and 1996 year classes. The performance of the 1996 year class was also assessed for 14 months in a commercial sea farm. Freshwater mortality was higher in the triploid groups. The majority of losses occurred in the early stages of egg development and during the first feeding period, when the incidence of non‐feeding fry was consistently higher. In growth studies, although diploid fry were significantly heavier during first feeding there were no significant differences in weight between groups some 8 months after fertilization or in presmolt growth periods from February to April in 1996 and 1997. Smolting rates were high (range 93.5–95.3%) and the incidence of deformities was low (< 1%) in both groups. Marine survival was lower in the triploid group, largely as a consequence of higher losses sustained during a period of chronic stress, when triploid losses were 9% higher. Growth patterns were similar for the first 11 months in sea water. Although graded triploid salmon were heavier in January 1998 (AF3N 1.62 ± 0.033 kg, AF2N 1.46 ± 0.36 kg, P < 0.05), when the fish were harvested in May 1998 diploid salmon were significantly heavier than triploid salmon although there was no significant difference in weights after evisceration (AF3N 2.40 kg ± 0.04 AF2N 2.49 kg ±0.03). The increase in weight of the diploids between winter and harvest reflects the growth spurt that occurs in maturing fish in the spring. Overall yields of triploid salmon in salt water were lower as a result of inferior survival.