title: Alternative expression forms of the bovine αₛ₁-casein gene

authors: Xie, Tao

abstract: The αₛ₁-casein A variant protein results from a rare polymorphism in the bovine αₛ₁-casein gene. It is dramatically different from other αₛ₁-caseins in that it has a 13 amino acid (encoded by the entire exon 4 of the αₛ₁-casein gene) deletion, which significantly alters the physico-chemical properties of the protein. Previous work suggested that the deletion is caused by exon 4 skipping during RNA processing and that a T→A transversion mutation at position +6 in the intron 4 splice donor site is responsible for this skipping (Mohr et al. 1994). The current investigation initially focused on the genetic aetiology of variant A animals in an New Zealand herd; it was found that a single base (adenine) deletion, which is different from the previously reported mutation in the αₛ₁-casein gene, occurs at position +4 of the intron 4 splice donor site in these animals. An amplification created restriction site (ACRS) based method has been developed to genotype this variant of calves and bulls. Later work centred on the investigation of aberrant αₛ₁-casein A variant RNA and protein arising from RNA processing perturbations rather than mutations in the coding sequences of the gene per se. Interestingly, it was found that αₛ₁-casein A variant mRNA and protein is actually expressed by all normal cows examined, at 1-5 percent of the level of the normal gene product! In addition, the identification of low levels of exon 17 and exon 4&5 aberrant skipped transcripts beside that of the exon 4 skipping suggests that, under normal circumstances, bovine αₛ₁-casein gene mRNA undergoes multi-exon-skipping during processing. Thus, it is possible that this gene might also express a spectrum of other hitherto unsuspected, truncated, αₛ₁-casein proteins. These studies utilised the sloughed off mammary epithelia cells in milk to characterise the αₛ₁-casein mRNAs. This technique was found to provide an ideal non-invasive approach for both gene expression studies on the mammary gland and as a screening technique for milk protein gene polymorphisms.

text: Alternative expression forms of the bovine αₛ₁-casein gene The αₛ₁-casein A variant protein results from a rare polymorphism in the bovine αₛ₁-casein gene. It is dramatically different from other αₛ₁-caseins in that it has a 13 amino acid (encoded by the entire exon 4 of the αₛ₁-casein gene) deletion, which significantly alters the physico-chemical properties of the protein. Previous work suggested that the deletion is caused by exon 4 skipping during RNA processing and that a T→A transversion mutation at position +6 in the intron 4 splice donor site is responsible for this skipping (Mohr et al. 1994). The current investigation initially focused on the genetic aetiology of variant A animals in an New Zealand herd; it was found that a single base (adenine) deletion, which is different from the previously reported mutation in the αₛ₁-casein gene, occurs at position +4 of the intron 4 splice donor site in these animals. An amplification created restriction site (ACRS) based method has been developed to genotype this variant of calves and bulls. Later work centred on the investigation of aberrant αₛ₁-casein A variant RNA and protein arising from RNA processing perturbations rather than mutations in the coding sequences of the gene per se. Interestingly, it was found that αₛ₁-casein A variant mRNA and protein is actually expressed by all normal cows examined, at 1-5 percent of the level of the normal gene product! In addition, the identification of low levels of exon 17 and exon 4&5 aberrant skipped transcripts beside that of the exon 4 skipping suggests that, under normal circumstances, bovine αₛ₁-casein gene mRNA undergoes multi-exon-skipping during processing. Thus, it is possible that this gene might also express a spectrum of other hitherto unsuspected, truncated, αₛ₁-casein proteins. These studies utilised the sloughed off mammary epithelia cells in milk to characterise the αₛ₁-casein mRNAs. This technique was found to provide an ideal non-invasive approach for both gene expression studies on the mammary gland and as a screening technique for milk protein gene polymorphisms.

year: 1999

title: Fourteen degrees of latitude and a continent apart: comparison of lichen activity over two years at continental and maritime Antarctic sites

authors: Schroeter, Burkhard

subjects: biodiversity

abstract: There are marked declines in precipitation, mean temperatures and the number of lichen species with increasing latitude in Antarctica. However, it is not known which factors are the predominant controllers of biodiversity changes. Results are presented from over two years of almost continuous monitoring of both microclimate and activity in lichens at Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, 62°S, and Botany Bay, Ross Sea region, 77°S. Lichen activity was evident over a much longer period at Livingston Island, (3694 versus 897 hours) and could occur in any month whereas it was almost completely confined to the period November–February at Botany Bay. Mean air temperatures were much lower at Botany Bay (-18° compared to -1.5°C at Livingston Island), but the temperatures at which the lichens were active were almost identical at around 2°C at both sites. When the lichens were active incident light at Botany Bay was very much higher. The differences are related to the availability of meltwater which only occurs at times of high light and warm temperatures at Botany Bay. Temperature as a direct effect does not seem to explain the differences in biodiversity between the sites, but an indirect effect through active hours is much more probable. In addition there are negative effects of stresses such as high light and extreme winter cold at Botany Bay.

text: Fourteen degrees of latitude and a continent apart: comparison of lichen activity over two years at continental and maritime Antarctic sites There are marked declines in precipitation, mean temperatures and the number of lichen species with increasing latitude in Antarctica. However, it is not known which factors are the predominant controllers of biodiversity changes. Results are presented from over two years of almost continuous monitoring of both microclimate and activity in lichens at Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, 62°S, and Botany Bay, Ross Sea region, 77°S. Lichen activity was evident over a much longer period at Livingston Island, (3694 versus 897 hours) and could occur in any month whereas it was almost completely confined to the period November–February at Botany Bay. Mean air temperatures were much lower at Botany Bay (-18° compared to -1.5°C at Livingston Island), but the temperatures at which the lichens were active were almost identical at around 2°C at both sites. When the lichens were active incident light at Botany Bay was very much higher. The differences are related to the availability of meltwater which only occurs at times of high light and warm temperatures at Botany Bay. Temperature as a direct effect does not seem to explain the differences in biodiversity between the sites, but an indirect effect through active hours is much more probable. In addition there are negative effects of stresses such as high light and extreme winter cold at Botany Bay.

year: 2010

title: Pōuri: Two original screenplays

authors: Kohere, Anthony

subjects: Screenplays

abstract: Pōuri, as defined on Te Aka Māori Dictionary, means “regret, mournful, gloomy, in the dark.” It is an apt description of the following stories: Unprivate Moments, and Haytham; or, The Māori Gothic. A common thematic tie between the characters is that they regret past actions, have become disheartened, and experience severe distress. As a thesis, the aim is to expand on what a “Māori story” is beyond the familiar, or dare I say, expected.

'Unprivate Moments' is about an estranged father and son reconciling their differences, disguised as a low-level spy film. I see this as an opportunity to take a well-defined genre and treat it in a realistic fashion in terms of location and character, although not necessarily in believability. Set in Whanganui it can play with many tropes and preconceptions, almost with self-awareness without falling into parody or metacommentary. The formatting does not follow industry standards but inverts the layout of the scene descriptions and dialogue. While I cannot say for certain, Stanley Kubrick is the only one I am aware of that has done this when he adapted 'A Clockwork Orange'. His rationale for this break in style was to draw the eye to the visual storytelling rather than the dialogue.

'Haytham' is centred on a young Byronic Māori man during the late 1880s. Like the archetype he is derived from, Haytham is a tall, dark, and mysterious man. As he reveals himself both to the audience and to the other characters, we come to find someone who has been  damaged and corrupted. This issue of childhood trauma is the central crux of the story and is explored through his relationships with the women in his life. And finally, despite the script’s setting and intentional use of familial names, this is not a biographical work.

text: Pōuri: Two original screenplays Pōuri, as defined on Te Aka Māori Dictionary, means “regret, mournful, gloomy, in the dark.” It is an apt description of the following stories: Unprivate Moments, and Haytham; or, The Māori Gothic. A common thematic tie between the characters is that they regret past actions, have become disheartened, and experience severe distress. As a thesis, the aim is to expand on what a “Māori story” is beyond the familiar, or dare I say, expected.

'Unprivate Moments' is about an estranged father and son reconciling their differences, disguised as a low-level spy film. I see this as an opportunity to take a well-defined genre and treat it in a realistic fashion in terms of location and character, although not necessarily in believability. Set in Whanganui it can play with many tropes and preconceptions, almost with self-awareness without falling into parody or metacommentary. The formatting does not follow industry standards but inverts the layout of the scene descriptions and dialogue. While I cannot say for certain, Stanley Kubrick is the only one I am aware of that has done this when he adapted 'A Clockwork Orange'. His rationale for this break in style was to draw the eye to the visual storytelling rather than the dialogue.

'Haytham' is centred on a young Byronic Māori man during the late 1880s. Like the archetype he is derived from, Haytham is a tall, dark, and mysterious man. As he reveals himself both to the audience and to the other characters, we come to find someone who has been  damaged and corrupted. This issue of childhood trauma is the central crux of the story and is explored through his relationships with the women in his life. And finally, despite the script’s setting and intentional use of familial names, this is not a biographical work.

year: 2022