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S Jacquet

Publications and source records attributed to S Jacquet.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Microbial community structure and dynamics in the largest natural French lake (Lake Bourget).

We investigated the dynamics and diversity of heterotrophic bacteria, autotrophic and heterotrophic flagellates, and ciliates from March to July 2002 in the surface waters (0-50 m) of Lake Bourget. The heterotrophic bacteria consisted mainly of "small" cocci, but filaments (>2 microm), commonly considered to be grazing-resistant forms under increased nanoflagellate grazing, were also detected. These elongated cells mainly belonged to the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium (CF) cluster, and were most abundant during spring and early summer, when mixotrophic or heterotrophic flagellates were the main bacterial predators. The CF group strongly dominated fluorescent in situ hybridization-detected cells from March to June, whereas clear changes were observed in early summer when Beta-proteobacteria and Alpha-proteobacteria increased concomitantly with maximal protist grazing pressures. The analysis of protist community structure revealed that the flagellates consisted mainly of cryptomonad forms. The dynamics of Cryptomonas sp. and Dinobryon sp. suggested the potential importance of mixotrophs as consumers of bacteria. This point was verified by an experimental approach based on fluorescent microbeads to assess the potential grazing impact of all protist taxa in the epilimnion. From the results, three distinct periods in the functioning of the epilimnetic microbial loop were identified. In early spring, mixotrophic and heterotrophic flagellates constituted the main bacterivores, and were regulated by the availability of their resources mainly during April (phase 1). Once the "clear water phase" was established, the predation pressure of metazooplankton represented a strong top-down force on all microbial compartments. During this period only mixotrophic flagellates occasionally exerted a significant bacterivory pressure (phase 2). Finally, the early summer was characterized by the highest protozoan grazing impact and by a rapid shift in the carbon pathway transfer, with a fast change-over of the main predators contribution, i.e., mixotrophic, heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates in bacterial mortality. The high abundance of ciliates during this period was consistent with the high densities of resources (heterotrophic nanoflagellates, algae, bacteria) in deep layers containing the most chlorophyll. Bacteria, as ciliates, responded clearly to increasing phytoplankton abundance, and although bacterial grazing impact could vary largely, bacterial abundance seemed to be primarily bottom-up regulated (phase 3).

Animals↗

Variations in the microcystin production of Planktothrix rubescens (cyanobacteria) assessed from a four-year survey of Lac du Bourget (France) and from laboratory experiments.

Between 1999 and 2002, a routine survey of water quality in the Lac du Bourget was performed to study the dynamics and microcystin (MC) production of Planktothrix rubescens. Using liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and mass spectrometry, we found that two main variants ([D-Asp3] and [D-Asp3, Dhb7] microcystin-RR) were produced. The proportion of these two variants was not influenced by the depth or season of sampling. Expressed in microcystin-LR equivalents, high microcystin concentrations were recorded from August to December each year, reaching values of up to 6.7 microg L-1. A significant correlation was found between the microcystin cell content and the cell densities of P. rubescens. Cellular quotas of microcystins ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 pg cell-1. Simultaneously, laboratory experiments were performed on a strain of P. rubescens isolated from the lake to assess the potential impact of various P-PO4 (3-) concentrations on intra- and extracellular microcystin production. Unlike natural populations, this strain only produced [D-Asp3] MC-RR. The intracellular microcystin content was similarly correlated to the cell density, but the cellular quota was slightly higher (0.3-0.7 pg cell-1) than in the natural population. Again, as in the natural population, a linear relationship was found between growth rate and microcystin production rate. These findings support the hypothesis that environmental factors, such as phosphate concentrations, have no direct impact on microcystin production by P. rubescens, but act indirectly by affecting growth rate.

Bacterial Toxins↗

The nucleotide receptor P2Y13 is a key regulator of hepatic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) endocytosis.

Cell surface receptors for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on hepatocytes are major partners in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. We recently identified a cell surface ATP synthase as a high-affinity receptor for HDL apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) on human hepatocytes. Stimulation of this ectopic ATP synthase by apoA-I triggered a low-affinity-receptor-dependent HDL endocytosis by a mechanism strictly related to the generation of ADP. This suggests that nucleotide G-protein-coupled receptors of the P2Y family are molecular components in this pathway. Only P2Y1 and P2Y13 are present on the membrane of hepatocytes. Using both a pharmacological approach and small interference RNA, we identified P2Y13 as the main partner in hepatic HDL endocytosis, in cultured cells as well as in situ in perfused mouse livers. We also found a new important action of the antithrombotic agent AR-C69931MX as a strong activator of P2Y13-mediated HDL endocytosis.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

New insight on the molecular mechanisms of high-density lipoprotein cellular interactions.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is an independent negative risk factor for coronary artery disease and thus represents today the only protective factor against atherosclerosis. The protective effect of HDL is mostly attributed to its central function in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a process whereby excess cell cholesterol is taken up and processed in HDL particles, and is later delivered to the liver for further metabolism and bile excretion. This process relies on specific interactions between HDL particles and cells, both peripheral (cholesterol efflux) and hepatic (cholesterol disposal) cells, and on the maturation of HDL particles within the vascular compartment. The plasma level of HDL cholesterol will thus result also from the complex interplay with cellular partners. Among them, some contribute to HDL formation - for instance ATP binding cassette AI protein - while others are mostly involved in HDL catabolism, the scavenger receptor-class B type I or the recently described membrane-bound ATP synthase/hydrolase. The last decade has seen major breakthroughs in the identification and elucidation of the role of cellular partners of HDL metabolism, and in their transcriptional regulations, opening up new perspectives in the modulation of HDL cholesterol.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1↗

Cell cycle regulation by light in Prochlorococcus strains.

The effect of light on the synchronization of cell cycling was investigated in several strains of the oceanic photosynthetic prokaryote Prochlorococcus using flow cytometry. When exposed to a light-dark (L-D) cycle with an irradiance of 25 micromol of quanta x m(-2) x s(-1), the low-light-adapted strain SS 120 appeared to be better synchronized than the high-light-adapted strain PCC 9511. Submitting L-D-entrained populations to shifts (advances or delays) in the timing of the "light on" signal translated to corresponding shifts in the initiation of the S phase, suggesting that this signal is a key parameter for the synchronization of population cell cycles. Cultures that were shifted from an L-D cycle to continuous irradiance showed persistent diel oscillations of flow-cytometric signals (light scatter and chlorophyll fluorescence) but with significantly reduced amplitudes and a phase shift. Complete darkness arrested most of the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, indicating that light is required to trigger the initiation of DNA replication and cell division. However, some cells also arrested in the S phase, suggesting that cell cycle controls in Prochlorococcus spp. are not as strict as in marine Synechococcus spp. Shifting Prochlorococcus cells from low to high irradiance translated quasi-instantaneously into an increase of cells in both the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle and then into faster growth, whereas the inverse shift induced rapid slowing of the population growth rate. These data suggest a close coupling between irradiance levels and cell cycling in Prochlorococcus spp.

Cell Cycle↗

Diel expression of cell cycle-related genes in synchronized cultures of Prochlorococcus sp. strain PCC 9511.

The cell cycle of the chlorophyll b-possessing marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is highly synchronized under natural conditions. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms we cloned and sequenced dnaA and ftsZ, two key cell cycle-associated genes, and studied their expression. An axenic culture of Prochlorococcus sp. strain PCC 9511 was grown in a turbidostat with a 12 h-12 h light-dark cycle for 2 weeks. During the light periods, a dynamic light regimen was used in order to simulate the natural conditions found in the upper layers of the world's oceans. This treatment resulted in strong cell cycle synchronization that was monitored by flow cytometry. The steady-state mRNA levels of dnaA and ftsZ were monitored at 4-h intervals during four consecutive division cycles. Both genes exhibited clear diel expression patterns with mRNA maxima during the replication (S) phase. Western blot experiments indicated that the peak of FtsZ concentration occurred at night, i.e., at the time of cell division. Thus, the transcript accumulation of genes involved in replication and division is coordinated in Prochlorococcus sp. strain PCC 9511 and might be crucial for determining the timing of DNA replication and cell division.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Auxin production is a common feature of most pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae.

We investigated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production by 57 pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae and related species. Most of those analyzed produced IAA, especially in the presence of tryptophan. Eight strains produced high IAA concentrations in the absence of Trp. The iaaM and iaaH genes of P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi were detected in a limited number of strains only, including the eight above-mentioned strains. Thus, IAA synthesis in most assayed strains of P. syringae and related species does not involve genes highly similar to iaaM and iaaH. In contrast, the iaaL gene encoding an IAA-lysine synthase was detected in most pathovars, and was often found on plasmids.

Indoleacetic Acids↗

Enumeration and Cell Cycle Analysis of Natural Populations of Marine Picoplankton by Flow Cytometry Using the Nucleic Acid Stain SYBR Green I.

The novel dye SYBR Green I binds specifically to nucleic acids and can be excited by blue light (488-nm wavelength). Cell concentrations of prokaryotes measured in marine samples with this dye on a low-cost compact flow cytometer are comparable to those obtained with the UV-excited stain Hoechst 33342 (bis-benzimide) on an expensive flow cytometer with a water-cooled laser. In contrast to TOTO-1 and TO-PRO-1, SYBR Green I has the advantage of clearly discriminating both heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic Prochlorococcus cells, even in oligotrophic waters. As with TOTO-1 and TO-PRO-1, two groups of heterotrophic bacteria (B-I and B-II-like types) can be distinguished. Moreover, the resolution of DNA distribution obtained with SYBR Green I is similar to that obtained with Hoechst 33342 and permits the analysis of the cell cycle of photosynthetic prokaryotes over the whole water column.

Journal Article↗