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On the existence of arrested transcriptional machinery in late stages of avian erythropoiesis
(1976)
No abstract available
Transcriptionally inactive chick erythrocyte nudei were reactivated by Sendai virusinduced fusion of erythrocytes with rat L6j1 myoblasts. We used antibodies to trace the appearance of a specific protein engaged in transcription of a defined dass of genes, those coding for rRNA, during reactivation. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we found increasing amounts of rat RNA polymerase I to appear, during a certain period of time after fusion, in the reforming nudeoli of the chick nudei. Amounts of rat RNA polymerase I sufficient to be detected by immunofluorescence microscopy had accumulated in the newly developed chick nudeoli 72- 190 h after fusion was initiated. This time interval coincides with the time when chick rRNA synthesis can first be detected. The results raise the possibility that during these stages of the reactivation process chick rRNA genes are transcribed by heterologous RNA polymerase I moleeules of rat origin.
Upon incubation of cultured rat cells with the adenosine analogue 5,6-dichloro-l-β- D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), nucleoli reversibly dissociate into their substructures, disperse throughout the nuclear interior, and form nucleolar "necklaces". We have used this experimental system, which does not inhibit transcription of the rRNA genes, to study by immunocytochemistry the distribution of active rRNA genes and their transcriptional products during nucleolar dispersal and recovery to normal morphology. Antibodies to RNA polymerase I allow detection of template-engaged polymerase, and monoclonal antibodies to a ribosomal protein (S 1) of the small ribosomal subunit permit localization of nucleolar preribosomal particles. The results show that, under the action of DRB transcribed rRNA, genes spread throughout the nucleoplasm and finally appear in the form of several rows, each containing several (up to 30) granules positive for RNA polymerase land argyrophilic proteins. Nucleolar material containing preribosomal particles also appears in granular structures spread over the nucleoplasm but its distribution is distinct from that of rRNA gene-containing granules. We conclude that, although transcriptional units and preribosomal particles are both redistributed in response to DRB, these entities retain their individuality as functionally defined subunits. We further propose that each RNA polymerase-positive granular unit represents a single transcription unit and that each continuous array of granules ("string of nucleolar beads") reflects the linear distribution of rRNA genes along a nucleolar organizer region. Based on the total number of polymerase I-positive granules we estimate that a minimum of 60 rRNA genes are active during interphase of DRB-treated rat cells.
Purified mitochondrial DNA (mitDNA) from ovaries ofXenopus lae vis was injected into the nuclei (germinal vesicles) of large viteUogenic oocytes of the same organism and examined by electron microscopy ofthe spread nuclear contents. Normally located nuclei of untreated oocytes as weil as peripherally translocated nuclei of centrifuged oocytes were used. In addition, oocyte nuclei isolated and incubated under liquid paraffin oil were injected with DNA. The integrity oftranscriptional structures of endogenous chromosomal (Iampbrush chromosomes) and extrachromosomal (nucleoli) genes of the injected nuclei was demonstrated. Microinjected mitDN A was identified as circles of chromatin exhibiting polynucleosome-like organization and a me an contour length of 2.6 J.Lm, corresponding to a compaction ratio of the mitDN A of about 2 : I. This DNA packing ratio is similar to that observed after preparation of various kinds of native chromatin in low salt buffers. The chromatin circles formed from injected mitDNA only very rarely exhibited lateral fibrils suggestive of transcriptional activity. These results suggest that purified mitDNA can be transformed to normally structured chromatin when exposed to oocyte nuclear contents but is rarely , if at all , transcribed in this form and in this environment.
Rabbit antibodies to RNA polymerase I from a rat hepatoma have been used to localize the enzyme in a variety of cells at the light and electron microscopic level. In interphase cells the immunofluorescence pattern indicated that polymerase I is contained exclusively within the nucleolus. That this fluorescence, which appeared punctated rather than uniform, represented transcriptional complexes of RNA polymerase I and rRNA genes was suggested by the observation that it was enhanced in regenerating liver and in a hepatoma and was markedly diminished in cells treated with actinomycin D. Electron microscopic immunolocalization using gold-coupled second antibodies showed that transcribed rRNA genes are located in, and probably confined to, the fibrillar centers of the nucleolus. In contrast, the surrounding dense fibrillar component, previously thought to be the site of nascent prerRNA, did not contain detectable amounts of polymerase I. During mitosis, polymerase I molecules were detected by immunofluorescence microscopy at the chromosomal nucleolus organizer region, indicating that a considerable quantity of the enzyme remains bound to the rRNA genes. From this we conclude that rRNA genes loaded with polymerase I molecules are transmitted from one cell generation to the next one and that factors other than the polymerase itself are involved in the modulation of transcription of DNA containing rRNA genes during the cell cycle.
Die Fanconi Anämie (FA) stellt eine sowohl genetisch als auch phänotypisch äußerst heterogene, autosomal rezessiv und X-chromosomal vererbte Erkrankung dar. Sie ist gekennzeichnet durch chromosomale Instabilität, ein chronisch progredientes Knochenmarkversagen, multiple kongenitale Fehlbildungen und eine Prädisposition zu diversen Neoplasien. Auf zellulärer Ebene ist die FA durch eine erhöhte spontane Chromosomenbrüchigkeit sowie einer Hypersensitivität gegenüber DNA-schädigenden Agenzien charakterisiert. Bislang konnten 13 Komplementations-gruppen (FA-A bis FA-N) und ihre jeweiligen Gene identifiziert werden. Die FA-Proteine spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Reparatur von DNA-Doppelstrang-brüchen. Die breite genetische Heterogenität der Fanconi Anämie und die große Anzahl privater Mutationen, aufgrund derer kaum interindividuelle Vergleiche möglich sind, erschweren eine Genotyp-Phänotyp Korrelation ebenso wie der compound-heterozygote Mutationsstatus vieler FA-Patienten. Bisherige Untersuchungen weisen darauf hin, dass die Art der jeweiligen Mutation einen größeren Einfluß auf die phänotypische Ausprägung der Erkrankung hat als die Art des betroffenen Gens. Zusätzlich zeichnet die Fanconi Anämie eine große phänotypische Variabilität aus, die sich in höchst unterschiedlichen Krankheitsausprägungen und –verläufen äußert. Um aussagekräftige Genotyp-Phänotyp Korrelationen etablieren zu können, bedarf es einer ausreichenden Anzahl von FA-Patienten, bei denen sowohl die Komplementationsgruppe als auch die zugrunde liegende Mutation eindeutig definiert wurden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden exemplarisch die Krankheitsverläufe einiger Patienten (4 x FA-A, 1 x FA-B, 3 x FA-C, 1 x FA-D2 und 2 x FA-G) analysiert und mit den jeweiligen molekulargenetischen Befunden korreliert. Im Anschluss daran wurden in der Literatur beschriebene Genotyp-Phänotyp Korrelationen erläutert, verschiedene Mechanismen der phänotypischen Variabilität dargestellt und abschließend prägnante Kasuistiken nochmals hervorgehoben.
Chromosome translocations involving llpl3 have been associated with familial aniridia in two kindreds highlighting the chromosomal localization of the AN2 locus. This locus is also part of the WAGR complex (Wilros tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and mental retardation). In one kindred, the translocation is associated with a deletion, and probes for this region were used to identify and clone the breakpoints of the translocation in the second kindred. Comparison of phage restriction maps exclude the presence of any sizable deletion in this case. Sequences at the chromosome 11 breakpoint are conserved in multiple species, suggesting that the translocation falls within the AN2 gene.
Disruption of the zinc finger gene GLI3 has been shown to be the cause of Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS), at least in some GCPS translocation patients. To characterize this genomic region on human chromosome 7p13, we have isolated a VAC contig of more than 1000 kb including the GLI3 gene. In this contig the gene itself spans at least 200-250 kb. A CpG island is located in the vicinity of the 5' region of the known GLI3 cDNA, implying a potential promoter region.
A trophobiotic relationship between two species of phloem-feeding plataspid bugs and an ant, Meranoplus mucronatus, was discovered on tree trunks in Malaysia. Similar relationships were found between coreid bugs and Crematogaster sp. and Anoplolepis longipes, on bamboo in the same area. The ants recruit to groups of the bugs and feed on the liquid, sugar-rich faeces of the larvae, stimulating release of the honeydew by tactile signals. They protect all stages of the bugs from disturbance by biting and by the use of defensive secretions. Phloem-feeding bugs in the families Plataspidae and Coreidae need long sty lets to pierce the thick bark of their host tree. The different methods of accommodating the resting stylets in these two families are described. The plataspids are described as Tropidotylus servus sp. novo and T. minister sp. novo A coreid previously reported in association with M. mucronatus in Malaya is described as Hygia cliens sp. novo The coreids on bamboo were determined as Cloresmus spp. and Notobitus affinis.
In Peninsular Malaysia the trees Saraca thaipingensis (Caesalpiniaceae) and Crypteronia griffithii (Crypteroniaceae) are inhabited by ants. In the vicinity ofGombak, near Kuala Lumpur, the hollow internodes of young Saraca thaipingensis plants are colonized mainly by two Cladomyrma species. In larger trees a Crematogaster sp. is also found. Crypteronia griffithii is inhabited by a third species of Cladomyrma. None of these species is conspecific with any of the three Cladomyrma taxa so far described. The colonies are founded by single mated queens, which have a conspicuous, sphecid wasp-like behaviour when searching for host plants and nest sites. They chew holes into the plant intern odes and hollow them out to provide nest sites. Coccids and pseudococcids are cultivated within the internodes. The homopterans are not carried by queens on their nuptial flights. They apparently find their way by themselves into the cavities or are perhaps carried there by the worker ants. The Cladomyrma ants on Crypteronia are not aggressive, in contrast to those on Saraca thaipingensis. The relationship of Crypteronia with ants seems to be obligatory, whereas Saraca was only partly colonized by Cladomyrma. The interaction of Saraca with Crematogaster sp. is loose and facultative, since the Crematogaster sp. also lives on other tree species. Our studies have now revealed four Cladomyrma spp. which are regularly associated with plants. The genus therefore seems to have an entirely myrmecophytic way of life.
The Guinea savanna-forest mosaic of West Africa is particularly rich in animal-dispersed plants. African savannas harbour the richest dung beetle community worldwide. The role of primates and dung beetles in natural plant regeneration and biodiversity maintenance in this ecosystem, however, is still poorly understood. The present study on olive baboons (Papio anubis Lesson 1827, Cercopithecinae) at Comoé National Park (CNP), north-eastern Ivory Coast, revealed that western olive baboon populations differ in several ways from their eastern conspecifics. Baboons are commonly regarded as predators of the seeds of their food plants. In the savanna-forest mosaic of West Africa, however, they are highly frugivorous and are important seed dispersers of a high number of woody plant species that differ in fruit type and seed size. They disperse intact seeds of at least 22% of the woody plant species of the regional plant pool. Their "seed dispersal potential", regarding seed number and seed sizes, is comparable to that of the much larger great apes. Relative to the availability in the regional pool of woody plant species, baboons preferred trees to shrubs and lianas as fruit sources and especially included larger fruit into their diet. Among several morphological fruit traits investigated, fruit type and fruit colour best described whether baboons included a species into their diet, whereas fruit type and seed size best predicted whether baboons predated upon the seeds of a food plant species. Seed size is an important plant fitness trait that can influence several steps between fruiting and the establishment of a plant´s offspring. Seed size can vary considerably within and among individuals of the same species. Primates may select for certain seed sizes within a species for a number of reasons, e.g. to decrease indigestible seed load or to increase pulp intake per fruit. Within eight out of ten plant species investigated, which differed in fruit type, seed number and seed size, olive baboons were selective in fruit choice regarding seed size. Seed size selection by olive baboons seems to be influenced, among other traits, by the amount of pulp rewarded per fruit relative to seed load, which varies with fruit and seed shape. Being a habitat generalist (with a preference for forest habitats) and able to move comparatively long distances, the olive baboon might be especially important for the biodiversity maintenance of distant forest islands. Because most woody plant species at the study site had medium-sized to large fruits and seeds, olive baboons may be crucial for seed dispersal and plant recruitment in this ecosystem. Their importance for seed dispersal of plants with small fruits should not, however, be underrated. Observation of frugivores at a typical "bird-dispersed" tree species showed that classification of seed dispersers on the basis of fruit syndromes alone can be misleading. Olive baboons disperse seeds in their faeces in a clumped manner, which generally is regarded disadvantageous for plants. Yet, seeds from all plant species being naturally present in baboon dung during seasonal peaks of dung beetle activity apparently can be scattered locally by dung beetles. Dung beetle activity at baboon faeces deposited in the two habitats was high, totalling 99 species from 26 genera. The probability and pattern of secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles depend on the structure and composition of the dung beetle community, which, in turn, seems to be strongly determined by vegetation type. I thus expected pronounced differences in secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles between seeds deposited by baboons in the savanna and in the forest. Experiments indicated that compared to seeds dispersed by baboons into the forest, seeds that end up in the savanna generally have a higher probability of (a) being removed by dung beetles, (b) being horizontally scattered by telecoprids, (c) being rapidly removed from the place of primary deposition and (d) being secondarily dispersed over larger distances. In general, savanna plants and plant habitat generalists the seeds of which baboons disperse into the savanna should profit most from secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles.
Der eukaryotische Initiationsfaktor 5A (eIF5A) ist evolutionär hoch konserviert und besitzt als einzig bislang bekanntes Protein die Aminosäuremodifikation Hypusin. Obwohl eIF5A ubiquitär exprimiert wird, sind die zellulären Funktionen von eIF5A noch weitgehend unklar. Hypusininhibitoren konnten die Oberflächenexpression von CD83 die CD83 mRNA im Zellkern dendritischer Zellen anreichern und folglich die Oberflächenexpression von CD83 verhindern konnten, wurde eine Beteiligung von eIF5A beim nukleozytoplasmatischen Export der CD83 mRNA vermutet. Weiterhin ist bekannt, dass HuR, ein Protein der ELAV-Familie, an ein cis-aktives RNA-Element mit einer ausgeprägten Sekundärstruktur innerhalb der kodierenden Sequenz der CD83 mRNA bindet. Während die Bindung von HuR an AU-reiche Elemente in der 3UTR bestimmter Transkripte zu deren Stabilisierung führt, wird die Stabilität von CD83-Transkripten durch die Interaktion mit HuR jedoch nicht beeinflusst. In dieser Arbeit wurden Mikroinjektionsstudien in Xenopus laevis-Oozyten zum nukleozytoplasmatischen Export von CD83 mRNA durchgeführt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die charakteristische Sekundärstruktur des HuR-Response-Elements essentiell für den Kernexport von CD83-Transkripten ist. HuR wurde zudem als Bindungspartner von eIF5a identifiziert. Inhibitorische Antikörper sowohl gegen HuR als auch eIF5A waren in der Lage, den Export von CD83-Transkripten zu inhibieren. Während die meisten mRNAs durch den TAP/NXT1-vermittelten Exportweg in das Zytoplasma transportiert werden, transloziert CD83 mRNA CRM1-vermittelt, da der Export durch den CRM1-Inhibitor Leptomycin B gehemmt werden konnte. Oozytentypischer TFIIIA, ebenfalls ein Interaktionspartner von eIF5A, ist in jungen Xenopus-Oozyten sowohl bei der RNA-Polymerase III-abhängigen Transkription von 5S rRNA als auch am nukleozytoplasmatischem Export und der Lagerung von 5S rRNA im Zytoplasma beteiligt. Aufgrund der Parallele zwischen dem HIV-1-Rev vermittelten HIV-1-mRNA-Export und dem TFIIIA-vermittelten 5S rRNA-Export, wurde der Export von TFIIIA im Hinblick auf eine Beteiligung von eIF5A als Kofaktor analysiert. In Xenopus-Oozyten wurde TFIIIA an den nukleoplasmatischen Filamenten der Kernporenkomplexe detektiert. Weiterhin konnte durch den Einsatz des spezifischen CRM1-Inhibitors Leptomycin B bestätigt werden, dass TFIIIA, welches ein leucinreiches Kernexportsignal enthält, mittels CRM1 exportiert wird. Im Overlay-Blot-Assay konnte gezeigt werden, dass eIF5A mit TFIIIA interagiert. Außerdem deuten Mikroinjektionsexperimente darauf hin, dass eIF5A, wie beim HIV-1-Rev-vermittelten Export, auch beim TFIIIA-Export als essentieller Kofaktor involviert ist. Ein weiterer bekannter Bindungspartner von eIF5A ist Aktin, das im Zellkern an verschiedenen Exportprozessen sowie der RNA-Polymerase I-, II- und III-abhängigen Transkription beteiligt ist. Im Gegensatz zu Aktin wurde die Existenz des Aktinpartners Myosin im Zellkern erst vor kurzem realisiert. In dieser Arbeit konnten durch bioinformatische Analysen gezeigt werden, dass Kernmyosin IC bei Vertebraten weit verbreitet ist. Es wurde auch bei Xenopus laevis identifiziert. Im Vergleich zu Myosin IC fand sich ein zusätzlicher Aminoterminus aus 16 Aminosäuren, welcher als Kernlokalisationssignal fungiert. In Oozyten von Xenopus laevis konnte Kernmyosin IC, ähnlich wie RNA-Polymerase II, an den lateralen Schleifen der Lampenbürstenchromosomen dargestellt werden. Inhibierende Kernmyosinantikörper führten nach Mikroinjektion in den Zellkern von Xenopus-Oozyten zu einer kompletten Retraktion der meisten lateralen transkriptionsaktiven Schleifen sowie zu einer Verkürzung der Chromosomenachsen. konnte Kernmyosin IC vor allem im Nukleoluskern detektiert werden, wo es partiell mit RNA-Polymerase I und Fibrillarin kolokalisierte. In amplifizierten Nukleolen führte eine Transkriptionsinhibition mit Aktinomycin D zu einer Umverteilung des Kernmyosin IC zusammen mit der RNA-Polymerase I und der rDNA. Nach Injektion inhibierender Kernmyosinantikörper kam es zu einem massiven architektonischen Umbau der Nukleolen. Im Gegensatz zu den Nukleolen von somatischen Xenopus-Zellen war ein BrUTP-Einbau in amplifizierte Nukleolen jedoch noch möglich. Wie für Kernaktin bereits beschrieben, konnte auch Kernmyosin IC an den nukleoplasmatischen Filamenten der Kernporenkomplexe von Xenopus laevis-Ooyzten dargestellt werden. Da Aktin als essentieller Kofaktor an Exportprozessen beteiligt ist, sollte in Mikroinjektionsexperimenten auch eine Beteiligung von Kernmyosin IC beim Kernexport überprüft werden. Antikörper gegen ein Epitop in der Myosinkopfdomäne des Kernmyosin IC (XNMIC #42) waren im Gegensatz zu Antikörpern, die den charakteristischen Aminoterminus aus 16 Aminosäuren erkennen (XNMIC #54), in der Lage, einen CRM1-vermittelten Proteinexport zu inhibieren.
In dieser Arbeit wurden neue Methoden zur Analyse des Proteoms von Listeria monocytogenes in infizierten Wirtszellen entwickelt und evaluiert. Proteomische Analysen können im Vergleich zu transkriptomischen Analysen durch Erfassung von Proteinmengen und eventuell auch posttranslationalen Modifikationen, sowie von Abbauprozessen ein genaueres Abbild des Funktionszustands einer Zelle unter unterschiedlichen Umweltbedingungen darstellen. Das Hauptproblem bei proteomischen Untersuchungen an in eukaryontischen Wirtszellen gewachsenen Bakterien, nämlich die Überlagerung des bakteriellen Proteinmusters durch die im Überschuss vorhandenen Wirtszellproteine, musste in dieser Arbeit überwunden werden. Es wurde eine Methode etabliert, intrazellulär gewachsene Bakterien über Bindung an paramagnetische Partikel („Beads“) und anschließende Magnetseparation selektiv von Wirtszellkomponenten abzutrennen. Dabei wurden drei Beads-Varianten mit unterschiedlicher Beschichtung gewählt: Dynabeads anti Listeria (Dynal, Oslo), Kieselgel  Magnetit Beads (MERCK in Entwicklung), Dynabeads M-270 Epoxy – CBD Beads (Beschichtung mit Phagenlysin Ply 118). Hierbei konnte nur für die Kieselgel + Magnetit Beads eine hinreichende Isolierungsrate für die Methode der 2-D-Gelelektrophorese von 6-7* 10**7 Listerien/ Zellkulturflasche erreicht werden. Im 2-D-Proteingel zeigte sich jedoch eine starke Streifenbildung, wodurch sich dieser Ansatz als nicht auswertbar erwies. In einem alternativen Ansatz gelang es, aus Infektionen an J774-Makrophagen, die Listerien mittels konsekutiver Waschschritte von Wirtszellproteinen aufzureinigen. Es konnten aus den Infektionen 30-50 µg listerielles Protein isoliert und zweidimensional aufgetrennt werden, wobei das Proteinpattern qualitativ eindeutig dem von in vitro gewachsenen Listeria monocytogenes entsprach. Auf diese Weise konnten 38 Proteine von Listeria monocytogenes, welche von Listerien während der Infektion in Makrophagen induziert oder reprimiert werden anhand der Deta-2-D Software identifiziert, quantifiziert und statistisch ausgewertet werden. Für einige der hier mittels der neu entwickelten Methode identifizierten Proteine konnte anhand der der vorliegenden Literatur (zu Transkriptom, Sekretom, Virulenz von Listeria) bereits eine Beteiligung am Virulenzgeschehen nachgewiesen werden. Zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt unterliegt die proteomische Analyse einigen Limitierungen, z.B. beim Nachweis von schwach exprimierten, stark alkalischen, stark hydrophoben, hochmolekularen und niedermolekularen Proteinen, so dass die derzeitige Methodik noch nicht das gesamte Proteom abdecken kann. Dass die „klassischen“ Virulenzfaktoren pathogener Listerien, Listeriolysin O (LLO), die Phospholipasen PlcA und PlcB, sowie ActA hier nicht erfasst wurden, ist darin begründet, dass es sich um sekretierte Proteine handelt. Besondere Bedeutung kommt der Beobachtung zu, dass nur in ganz wenigen Fällen (z.B. Pgm, ClpP, Pgi, TrxB, MurC) die nachgewiesenen intrazellulären Veränderungen der Proteinmenge mit den von anderen publizierten Transkriptionsdaten übereinstimmen. Diese Diskrepanzen stellen keine Artefakte dar, sondern sind durch intrazelluläre posttranskriptionelle Mechanismen begründet. Insgesamt zeigte auch diese Proteinanalyse , dass bei Replikation von Listeria monocytogenes im Cytosol eukaryontischer Wirtszellen zahlreiche komplexe Anpassungen von teils zentralen aber auch peripheren Stoffwechselwegen und Biosynthesen der Bakterien an dieses spezielle Milieu ablaufen.
Leonia cymosa (Violaceae) is a small tree from the under story of the Amazonian rain forest. I investigated the seed dispersal ecology of L. cymosa in plots of old growth terra firme forest located within the Cuyabeno Faunistic Reserve in north-eastern Ecuador. This species offered good conditions to examine the variation of traits of individual trees and the way they are linked with fruit removal from each tree. With this study I aimed to address the question whether frugivores exert selection pressures on fruits and the fruiting regime of fleshy fruited plants. The mean height of a fruiting L. cymosa was 6.6 m (range: 2 - 12.6 m). The median tree density was 11.8 trees per hectare. Trees grew in clusters consisting of different numbers of trees of different heights. L. cymosa flowered two times a year, in late February to March and in October. The respective fruiting seasons occurred in August/September and between March and May. The fruit pulp of L. cymosa contained the sugars fructose, glucose, and sucrose, the total soluble sugar being the first important nutritional compound of the fruit pulp. The second important compound was proteins. No lipids were found in the fruit pulp. The variation of nutritional quality of the fruits was high within trees. Nonetheless, significant differences were found among trees in all nutrient constituents studied. The maximum of ripe fruits produced per season by a single tree was 427. Median productivity of the trees was 45 ripe fruits throughout the fruiting season in 1999 (n=57) and 36 ripe fruits in 2000 (n=92). The maximum standing crop of fruits in a tree was 324 fruits (counted in 2000). Black mantle tamarins, Saguinus nigricollis (Callitrichidae), and squirrel monkeys, Saimiri sciureus (Cebidae), and possibly an unknown nocturnal frugivore consumed the fruits of L. cymosa at my study site. Green-rumped acouchis (Myoprocta pratti, Dasyproctidae) consumed fallen fruits and seeds underneath the trees. Black mantle tamarins and squirrel monkeys differed widely in their effectiveness as seed dispersers. Black mantle tamarins swallowed the seeds together with the fruit pulp and defecated intact seeds far away from the mother tree. Squirrel monkeys opened the fruits to suck and gnaw on the fruit pulp, and then dropped seeds to the forest floor below the tree crowns. Each of my study plots fell into the core home range of one group each of S. nigricollis and S. sciureus. Thus, the frugivore assemblage is small and disperser availability is limited for the individual tree of L. cymosa. In a sample of 6 trees of comparable and high fruit crop size, the total of ripe fruits removed from a tree throughout the whole fruiting season by the reliable seed disperser S. nigricollis was neither significantly correlated with the content of any of the nutrients measured in the fruit pulp (fructose, glucose, sucrose, total protein; pulp does not contain lipids), nor with total metabolisable energy, seed to pulp weight ratio, or water content of the fruit pulp. Feeding preferences for single sugars determined by other laboratory studies were not confirmed by this field study. The reliable seed disperser S. nigricollis does not seem to exert selective pressure on the nutrient content of the fruits of L. cymosa. Seasonal fruit crop size was the main predictor of all aspects of fruit removal by the effective disperser of L. cymosa, Saguinus nigricollis, as well as by the non-disperser, Saimiri sciureus. Trees with larger seasonal fruit crop size had a higher probability to have fruits removed by the disperser than those with small seasonal fruit crop sizes. They also had a higher number of fruits removed by the seed disperser. However, the proportion of fruits removed by the disperser decreased with increasing seasonal fruit crop size. In contrast, probability of fruit removal, the number of fruits removed, and the proportion of fruits removed by the non-disperser increased with increasing seasonal fruit crop sizes. The observed differences between disperser and non-disperser are due to differences in feeding capacity, group size and foraging behavior. Tamarins were less likely to harvest Leonia trees that were not or less completely covered by surrounding vegetation. This probably reflects a behavior to avoid predation by forest raptors. At high con-specific fruit abundance in the neighborhood, the proportion of fruits removed by tamarins was reduced. This suggests competition of trees for the disperser. My study revealed selection of the disperser on seasonal fruit crop size of L. cymosa. My results are consistent with the “fruit crop size hypothesis”. FCSH appears to constitute a valid framework also in the monkey-dispersed L. cymosa. My findings also show that factors beyond the tree’s control influenced fruit removal from Leonia trees. Disperser-mediated selection may be constrained (yet not impeded) by neighborhood conditions.