Search

A putative inhibitor of apoptosis gene was located in the Heliothis zea nucleopolyhedrovirus (HzSNPV) genome, at map units 76 to 77. Alignment of the predicted amino sequence encoded by this gene with reported inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) sequences identifted a RING finger and baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) conserved in all the members of this protein family. The predicted sequence of the HzSNPV iap was found to be 42% identical to that of Orgyia pseudosugata (0p) MNPV iap and 39% identical to that of Cydia pomenella (Cp) GV iap. Primer extension analysis of the HzSNPV iap mRNA identified two transcription start sites typical of early (CAGT) and late (TAAG) baculovirus promoters. Activity from the early promoter motif was detected from 12 hours post infection, whilst activity from the late baculovirus promoter was detected from 24 hours post infection. The p35-deficient mutant of AcMNPV (Acp351acZ) induces apoptosis in Spodopterafrugiperda (Sf21) cells, but not in Richoplusia ni (T. nil cells. In complementation assays with Acp351acZ in MI. cells, both OpMNPV iap and CpGV iap are capable of complementing P35 function to produce a normal infection, characterised by the formation of occluded virus from 18 hours post infection. The HzSNPV iap was unable to produce this complementation effect and is therefore unique amongst the iap homologues identified in baculoviruses other than AcMNPV. Recombinant HzSNPV deficient in the production of iap was unstable and could not be isolated from the parental virus. The role of this gene in the infection process of HzSNPV remains unclear. Recombinant AcMNPV deficient in the synthesis of IAPI. (AciapllacZ) was derived. In addition, a virus deficient in both p35 and iapl was constructed (Acp35Aiap I lacZ). Both viruses replicated normally in T. ni cells, suggesting that 1AP1 is not responsible for inhibiting apoptosis in T. ni cells. In subsequent studies the host range of Acp351acZ, AciapilacZ and Acp35Aiap11acZ was examined in seven Lepidopteran cell lines. These results indicated that all three viruses replicated normally in T. nL Mamestra brassicae or Panotis flammea cells, thus discounting a role for AcMNPV IAP I in inhibiting apoptosis in the cells tested.

Background: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have motor difficulties which impact their everyday activities. Difficulties with Executive Function (EF) are commonly reported with relationships between EF and motor skills poorly understood. A key component of EF is Inhibition, important for classroom learning and less explored in children with DCD. Study One aimed to investigate the EF skills of children with and without DCD focusing on Inhibition, and Study Two aimed to examine relationships between Inhibition and motor skills. Method: Participants were 25 children with DCD aged six-ten years, and 25 age and gender matched typically developing (TD) children. They completed experimental measures of Inhibition, standardised tests of motor and EF skills, and parents and teachers completed standardised EF questionnaires. Results: Study One. Children with DCD had significantly poorer performance on some experimental and standardised measures of Inhibition and on parent and teacher reports of overall EF skills. Inhibition difficulties were reported by parents but not teachers. Results emphasize the potential for task and environmental demands to influence EF and Inhibition performance. Study Two. Significant relationships between at least one Inhibition measure and all areas of motor skills were found across groups. However, relationships differed across motor domains and Inhibition measures. Many within group correlations were also significant, although there was variation across the DCD and TD groups. This suggests that relationships between EF and motor skills are different for those with and without DCD. Conclusion: Children with DCD have difficulties with Inhibition across a range of measures and some aspects of performance are associated with their level of motor skills. The motor and Inhibition difficulties observed in children with DCD appear to be interdependent. Assessment of children with DCD should include an examination of Inhibition skills. Interventions should consider development of Inhibition as well as motor skills.