Evolution during millions of years in perpetual darkness leads to mutations in non-visual opsin genes (Melanopsin and TMT opsin) and an aberrant, blind circadian clock in cavefish.

Microplastics have become pervasive environmental pollutants in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. The presence of microplastics have been recorded in the tissues of many wild fish species, and laboratory studies have demonstrated that microplastics can exert adverse health effects. To further investigate the biological mechanisms underlying microplastics toxicity we applied an integrated approach, analyzing the effects of microplastics at transcriptomic, histological and behavioral level. Adult zebrafish have been exposed to two concentrations of high-density polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics for twenty days. Transcriptomic results indicate alterations in the expression of immune system genes and the down-regulation of genes correlated with epithelium integrity and lipid metabolism. The transcriptomic findings are supported by tissue alterations and higher occurrence of neutrophils observed in gills and intestinal epithelium. Even the daily rhythm of activity of zebrafish appears to be affected, although the regular pattern of activity is recovered over time. Considering the transcriptomic and histological findings reported, we hypothesize that the effects on mucosal epithelium integrity and immune response could potentially reduce the organism defense against pathogens, and lead to a different utilization of energy stores.

Cryptochromes are flavoproteins, structurally and evolutionarily related to photolyases, that are involved in the development, magnetoreception, and temporal organization of a variety of organisms. Drosophila CRYPTOCHROME (dCRY) is involved in light synchronization of the master circadian clock, and its C terminus plays an important role in modulating light sensitivity and activity of the protein. The activation of dCRY by light requires a conformational change, but it has been suggested that activation could be mediated also by specific "regulators" that bind the C terminus of the protein. This C-terminal region harbors several protein-protein interaction motifs, likely relevant for signal transduction regulation. Here, we show that some functional linear motifs are evolutionarily conserved in the C terminus of cryptochromes and that class III PDZ-binding sites are selectively maintained in animals. A coimmunoprecipitation assay followed by mass spectrometry analysis revealed that dCRY interacts with Retinal Degeneration A (RDGA) and with Neither Inactivation Nor Afterpotential C (NINAC) proteins. Both proteins belong to a multiprotein complex (the Signalplex) that includes visualsignaling molecules. Using bioinformatic and molecular approaches, dCRY was found to interact with Neither Inactivation Nor Afterpotential C through Inactivation No Afterpotential D (INAD) in a light-dependent manner and that the CRY-Inactivation No Afterpotential D interaction is mediated by specific domains of the two proteins and involves the CRY C terminus. Moreover, an impairment of the visual behavior was observed in fly mutants for dCRY, indicative of a role, direct or indirect, for this photoreceptor in fly vision.

Over the last century, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) has become an important wildlife species in both economic and ecological terms. Considered a pest by some and a resource by others, its rapid increase in population and distribution has raised management concerns. Studies on activity rhythms may provide useful insights into its overall ecology and help develop effective management strategies. By examining highly detailed activity data collected by means of accelerometers fitted on GPS-collars, we studied wild boar daily activity rhythms and the effect of environmental conditions on their diurnal and nocturnal activity. We thus provided evidence of the predominantly nocturnal and monophasic activity of wild boars. All year round, we reported low activity levels during the day, which opportunistically increased under the most favourable environmental conditions. Activity was found to be significantly affected by such weather conditions as temperature, precipitation and air relative humidity. Moreover, we found that nocturnal activity slightly increased as moonlight increased. Part of our analysis was focused on the hunting period in order to investigate whether wild boars modify their activity levels in response to hunting disturbance. Our results suggested that wild boar nocturnal habits are not directly influenced by the current hunting disturbance, though we hypothesised that they may have evolved over several decades of hunting harassment. Alternatively, but not exclusively, nocturnal habits may have evolved as a low-cost strategy to achieve an optimum thermal balance (i.e., behavioural thermoregulation)

Objective-Diurnal variations in levels of factor VII (FVII), FVIII, proteins C and S, antithrombin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, prothrombin fragment F 1ϩ2 , and D-dimers in healthy humans point to the existence of circadian rhythms of coagulation factors. We sought for temporal fluctuations of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity in human and mouse plasma. Methods and Results-TFPI activity showed significant daily variations with highest levels in the morning in healthy men (ϩ11%) and in mice at the light-to-dark transition (ϩ63%), the beginning of the physically active period. Variations in FVII activity paralleled those in TFPI. In mice, the feeding schedule had a strong impact on these rhythms. Although restricted feeding and fasting shifted the peak of TFPI, the FVII peak disappeared. Investigation of temporal fluctuations in constant darkness indicated the existence of daily rhythms for TFPI and of true circadian rhythms for FVII. Conclusions-For the first time, we report, both in humans and mice, temporal variations in TFPI activity. The coherent variations in FVII and TFPI activity could interplay to maintain the coagulation equilibrium. The chronobiological patterns should be considered to analyze activity levels of these factors. Moreover, the mouse model could be exploited to investigate modifiers of coagulation rhythms potentially associated to morning peaks of cardiovascular events. Key Words: factor VII Ⅲ TFPI Ⅲ circadian Ⅲ feeding schedule Ⅲ mouse model F requencies of thromboembolic events in humans exhibit marked diurnal variations, 1-3 with peaks from morning to noon. Temporal variations in the occurrence of hemorrhagic events have also been reported. 4 Fluctuations in coagulation factor levels able to influence the hemostatic balance might contribute to these adverse outcomes. Diurnal rhythms in levels of factor VII (FVII), 5 FVIII, 6 proteins C and S 7 , antithrombin, 7 and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 8 have been described in healthy humans. Temporal oscillations in prothrombin fragment F 1ϩ2 5-6 and D-dimer, 6 markers of thrombin generation and fibrinolysis, have been also described. These variations could reflect the existence of circadian rhythms of blood coagulation factors. Circadian rhythms are the overt expression of an internal timing mechanism measuring daily time, with the fundamental adaptive function of providing optimal temporal organization of physiological processes in relation to the environment. 9 Because formal assessment of circadian rhythms in coagulation factor levels is hardly feasible in humans, a circadian control has been so far demonstrated in a mouse model for PAI-1 10 -11 and fibrinogen 12 mRNA expression.Among factors interacting with circadian rhythms, daily availability of food represents a major component. Several studies suggested that postprandial and fasting lipoproteins are associated with plasma levels or activation state of coagulation factors, and particularly of FVII 13-17 that plays a key role in the initiation of the clott...