18-20 RORα plays an important role in the regulation of metabolic pathways, particularly of lipid and steroid metabolism. 17 The effect of RORα on triglyceride homeostasis may be derived from the changes in the regulation of a number of genes that are involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. 21-23 Recent studies have provided molecular

hints regarding the cross-talk between RORα and the network of AMPK and LXRα. LXRα suppresses the RORα-induced transcriptional expression of oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7b1), an enzyme that is critical for the homeostasis of cholesterol. 24, 25 Raichur et al. showed that RORα signaling is associated with regulation of the v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT2)–AMPK signaling pathway. 26 Based on these observations, we hypothesized a positive role for RORα PD-1 inhibitor selleck chemical in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. Here we report that RORα induces the activation of AMPK and the suppression of LXR in liver cells, thereby

leading to the beneficial effect of attenuating hepatic steatosis. ACC, acetyl-CoA carboxylase; Ad-RORα, adenovirus-RORα; AICAR, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide; AKT2, v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1; AMPK, adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase; ATP, adenosine triphosphate; BODIPY, boron-dipyrromethene; CA-AMPK, constitutively active AMPK; ChIP, chromatin immunoprecipitation; CS, cholesterol sulfate; Cyp7b1, oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase;

DBD, DNA binding domain; FA, fatty acid; FAS, fatty acid synthase; FFA, free fatty acid; HFD, high-fat diet; LBD, ligand binding domain; LKB1, serine–threonine kinase liver kinase B1; LXRα, liver X receptor α; LXRE, LXR response element; NADH, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; p, phosphorylated; RORα, retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor α; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; SCD, stearoyl-CoA desaturase; siRNA, small interfering RNA; SREBP-1, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1; TG, triglyceride; VLDL, very low density lipoprotein. The RORα1 recombinant adenovirus was constructed IKBKE by recombination of pAdTrack-CMV encoding full-length RORα1 with an adenoviral backbone plasmid, pAdEasy-1. Information on other materials including plasmids and siRNA duplexes are described in the Supporting Materials. 1-Methyl-3-(4-pyridinyl-2-benzyl)-thiourea (JC1-38), 1-(4-benzyloxy-benzyl)-3-methyl-thiourea (JC1-40), and 1-(4-phenoxy-benzyl)-3-methyl-thiourea (JC1-42) were synthesized based on thiazolidinonde type CGP52608 as the lead compound. 18 The Surflex-Dock program in Sybyl, version 8.1.1 (Tripos Associates), was operated in Red Hat Linux 4.0 on an IBM computer (Intel Pentium 4, 2.8 GHz CPU, 1 GB) for the docking study as described in the Supporting Materials.

68 Furthermore, patients with low miR-26 expression showed better responses to interferon therapy.83 MiR-122 restoration also sensitized HCC cells to doxorubicin,84 as well as multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib,55 indicating miR-122 mimic in combination with anticancer drugs could be a promising therapeutic regimen against HCC. The discovery of miRNA has substantially altered conventional concepts on gene regulation and this class of tiny non-coding RNAs has emerged as novel players in the control of genes expression in cancer. Studies on miRNA profiling have revealed characteristic

miRNA dysregulations in different tumor types and unveiled the importance of miRNA involvement LBH589 cost in carcinogenesis. Functional and target association studies on dysregulated miRNAs in HCC have

enabled us to gain a more comprehensive understanding on their roles in the oncogenic signaling pathways. Nevertheless, the mechanistic cause of miRNA dysregulation remains to be fully explored and the characterization of many of the differential expressed miRNAs and their molecular and cell biological targets is still in progress. From a clinical point of view, preliminary studies have highlighted the value of miRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC. Differential expressed miRNA patterns may be useful in the stratification of patients to predict disease outcome and recurrence. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the potential use of antagomiRs as anticancer agents, especially for HCC because of their predominant MEK inhibitor uptake by the liver and Acyl CoA dehydrogenase enhanced hepatic stability.85 Technological advances have also demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing adeno-associated virus to administer miRNAs in a murine HCC model.59 In addition, treatment of chimpanzees with locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified oligonucleotide suppressed HCV infection.86 The success of miRNA delivery in these animal models may hold promise in the further development of miRNA targeted therapy, which may represent a new avenue for the treatment of HCC. This review was prepared through the support

of a Collaborative Research Fund from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (Ref. No. CUHK4/CRF/08) “
“Real-time tissue elastography (RTE) is a non-invasive method for the measurement of tissue elasticity using ultrasonography. Liver fibrosis (LF) index is a quantitative method for evaluation of liver fibrosis calculated by RTE image features. This study aimed to investigate the significance of LF index for predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. In this prospective study, 115 patients with chronic hepatitis C who underwent liver biopsy were included, and the diagnostic accuracy of LF index and serum fibrosis markers was evaluated. RTE imaging was successfully performed on all patients. Median LF index in patients with F0–1, F2, F3 and F4 were 2.61, 3.07, 3.54 and 4.

7 At the transcriptional level, nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) can activate HuR transcription downstream of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase

(PI3K)-AKT-signaling pathway.8 At the post-transcriptional level, the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway has been implicated in HuR function, whereas the machinery involved in enhancing HuR protein stability remains obscure.9 The Ub-like molecule, NEDD8, is a key regulator of cell growth, viability, and development. NEDD8 is ubiquitously expressed Selleckchem MK0683 and highly conserved among most eukaryotes. At the molecular level, only members of the cullin family of proteins are well-characterized substrates for NEDDylation.10 However, through direct biological approaches or proteomic techniques, it is evident that the NEDD8 proteome is widely diverse. Recent studies have shown that ribonucleoproteins (RBNs) are targets for NEDD8 conjugation, which protect them from destabilization.11, 12 Conversely, cysteine protease (NEDP1) removes NEDD8 molecules from conjugated substrates.13 Murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) acts as an E3 NEDD8 ligase, promoting p53 NEDDylation and stabilization,14 and, of importance, Mdm2 is Trametinib in vitro overexpressed in many human tumors, at least in part because of gene amplification.15 In this study, we showed that HuR is overexpressed in proliferative HCC and colon cancer cells

and biopsies through Mdm2-mediated NEDDylation. Our data suggest that HuR NEDDylation at K313 and K326 residues stabilizes HuR. Mechanistically, Mdm2-mediated NEDDylation of HuR controls the nuclear localization Branched chain aminotransferase of HuR

and protects it from degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first report to implicate NEDDylation in the regulation of HuR stability and localization. Our findings show that NEDDylation is a novel mechanism for HuR regulation that might represent a useful tool for new therapeutic strategies for HCC and colon cancer. ASH, alcoholic steatohepatitis; CHX, cycloheximide; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HuR, Hu antigen R; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IP, immunoprecipitation; Mdm2, murine double minute 2; mRNA, messenger RNA; NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells; Ni-NTA, nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid; NLS, nuclear localization signal; NPTII, neomycin phosphotransferase 2; PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PTMA, prothymosin alpha; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RNP-IP, ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation; RRM, RNA-binding domain; siRNA, small interfering RNA; Ub, ubiquitin; UVC, ultraviolet light C; WT, wild type. Surgically resected specimens of 61 patients with metastatic colon cancer to the liver included in two tissue microarrays and 22 HCC (10 hepatitis C, 10 alcoholic steatohepatitis [ASH], and 2 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) patients were examined.

“
“We tested, in the laboratory, the influence

of light intensity, temperature, and phosphorus (P) supply on fatty acid (FA) concentrations of four freshwater algae: the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Bréb. and Chlamydomonas globosa J. Snow, the cryptophyte Cryptomonas ovata Ehrenb., and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. We investigated the main and interactive effects of Dabrafenib cost two variables on algal FA concentrations (i.e., light intensity and P supply or temperature and P supply). Interactive effects of light intensity and P supply were most pronounced in C. meneghiniana, but were also found in S. quadricauda and C. ovata. Changes in several saturated and unsaturated FA concentrations with light were more distinct in the low-P treatments than in the high-P treatments. Interactive effects of temperature and P supply on various FA concentrations were observed in all four species, but there was no consistent pattern. In lake ecosystems, P limitation http://www.selleckchem.com/Wnt.html often coincides with high light intensities and temperatures in summer. Therefore,

it is important to examine how combinations of these environmental conditions affect FA concentrations of primary producers that are important sources of FAs for higher trophic levels. “
“Morphological and phylogenetic analyses and sequencing of the partial LSU gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA gene were combined to study toxic strains of Alexandrium tamiyavanichi Balech collected from northeastern Brazilian coastal waters. All specimens were identified with A. tamiyavanichi mainly based on the shape of the anterior sulcal plate (S.a.), which was the most conservative

character. Among the specimens studied, 8% did not conform to the morphological description of A. tamiyavanichi. The occurrence of transitory states between A. tamiyavanichi and Alexandrium cohorticula (Balech) Balech tended to confirm that both species are conspecific. The posterior sulcal plate (S.p.) was not a good taxonomic character as variability in its shape did not allow a clear assignment of specimens from not the same clonal isolate to either morphologically defined species. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the overall validity of morphological characters to delineate the evolutionary relationships among the clades of Alexandrium species analyzed here, indicating that A. tamiyavanchi is a valid species according to the morphological species concept. This analysis showed that the Brazilian strains form a monophyletic clade with Asiatic strains of A. tamiyavanichi, but with enough genetic distance to argue for long-term separation and isolation of locally established populations, extending the known biogeographic range of this species.

“
“We tested, in the laboratory, the influence

of light intensity, temperature, and phosphorus (P) supply on fatty acid (FA) concentrations of four freshwater algae: the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Bréb. and Chlamydomonas globosa J. Snow, the cryptophyte Cryptomonas ovata Ehrenb., and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. We investigated the main and interactive effects of learn more two variables on algal FA concentrations (i.e., light intensity and P supply or temperature and P supply). Interactive effects of light intensity and P supply were most pronounced in C. meneghiniana, but were also found in S. quadricauda and C. ovata. Changes in several saturated and unsaturated FA concentrations with light were more distinct in the low-P treatments than in the high-P treatments. Interactive effects of temperature and P supply on various FA concentrations were observed in all four species, but there was no consistent pattern. In lake ecosystems, P limitation Selleck Bafilomycin A1 often coincides with high light intensities and temperatures in summer. Therefore,

it is important to examine how combinations of these environmental conditions affect FA concentrations of primary producers that are important sources of FAs for higher trophic levels. “
“Morphological and phylogenetic analyses and sequencing of the partial LSU gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA gene were combined to study toxic strains of Alexandrium tamiyavanichi Balech collected from northeastern Brazilian coastal waters. All specimens were identified with A. tamiyavanichi mainly based on the shape of the anterior sulcal plate (S.a.), which was the most conservative

character. Among the specimens studied, 8% did not conform to the morphological description of A. tamiyavanichi. The occurrence of transitory states between A. tamiyavanichi and Alexandrium cohorticula (Balech) Balech tended to confirm that both species are conspecific. The posterior sulcal plate (S.p.) was not a good taxonomic character as variability in its shape did not allow a clear assignment of specimens from RANTES the same clonal isolate to either morphologically defined species. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the overall validity of morphological characters to delineate the evolutionary relationships among the clades of Alexandrium species analyzed here, indicating that A. tamiyavanchi is a valid species according to the morphological species concept. This analysis showed that the Brazilian strains form a monophyletic clade with Asiatic strains of A. tamiyavanichi, but with enough genetic distance to argue for long-term separation and isolation of locally established populations, extending the known biogeographic range of this species.

“
“We tested, in the laboratory, the influence

of light intensity, temperature, and phosphorus (P) supply on fatty acid (FA) concentrations of four freshwater algae: the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Bréb. and Chlamydomonas globosa J. Snow, the cryptophyte Cryptomonas ovata Ehrenb., and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. We investigated the main and interactive effects of KU-57788 manufacturer two variables on algal FA concentrations (i.e., light intensity and P supply or temperature and P supply). Interactive effects of light intensity and P supply were most pronounced in C. meneghiniana, but were also found in S. quadricauda and C. ovata. Changes in several saturated and unsaturated FA concentrations with light were more distinct in the low-P treatments than in the high-P treatments. Interactive effects of temperature and P supply on various FA concentrations were observed in all four species, but there was no consistent pattern. In lake ecosystems, P limitation Selleck JNK inhibitor often coincides with high light intensities and temperatures in summer. Therefore,

it is important to examine how combinations of these environmental conditions affect FA concentrations of primary producers that are important sources of FAs for higher trophic levels. “
“Morphological and phylogenetic analyses and sequencing of the partial LSU gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the rDNA gene were combined to study toxic strains of Alexandrium tamiyavanichi Balech collected from northeastern Brazilian coastal waters. All specimens were identified with A. tamiyavanichi mainly based on the shape of the anterior sulcal plate (S.a.), which was the most conservative

character. Among the specimens studied, 8% did not conform to the morphological description of A. tamiyavanichi. The occurrence of transitory states between A. tamiyavanichi and Alexandrium cohorticula (Balech) Balech tended to confirm that both species are conspecific. The posterior sulcal plate (S.p.) was not a good taxonomic character as variability in its shape did not allow a clear assignment of specimens from Tyrosine-protein kinase BLK the same clonal isolate to either morphologically defined species. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the overall validity of morphological characters to delineate the evolutionary relationships among the clades of Alexandrium species analyzed here, indicating that A. tamiyavanchi is a valid species according to the morphological species concept. This analysis showed that the Brazilian strains form a monophyletic clade with Asiatic strains of A. tamiyavanichi, but with enough genetic distance to argue for long-term separation and isolation of locally established populations, extending the known biogeographic range of this species.

Participants were recalled for a fresh blood sample, and testing included the RSA, 3rd generation Ortho Anti-HCV Ab EIA, ADVIA Centaur HCV chemiluminiscent immunoassay (CIA) assay, quantitative viral load and genotyping. RESULTS: Of the 363 subjects studied, 87 were confirmed as positive cases with both a positive RSA and CIA result with a signal / cut-off (S/C) ratio of ≥11 per prior guidelines. The CIA, implementing the S/C ratio, was excellent at diagnosing active (detectable viremia) infection, with a sensitivity

of 93.0% and specificity of 95.3%. Depending on the S/C ratio used for the CIA, the rate of active infection ranged from 74.4%-88% in those identified as seropositive. The RSA, however, had the best sensitivity for detecting Selleck Carfilzomib active infection, at 98.6%; however the rate of false positives was higher, with a positive predictive value for

active infection of only 42.2%. The mean viral load was 5.6 log IU / ml, and ALT and AST values were elevated in actively infected cases. All samples were classified as genotype 1 or 2, but displayed high levels of intra and inter patient viral diversity. CONCLUSIONS: These results illustrate a high rate of active (viremic) infection in true seropositive individuals, contrary to prior reports. Actively infected individuals also had elevated liver transaminases and high circulating viral loads. Appropriate testing strategies in SSA will help to identify the true disease burden in SSA, and help guide screening practices. Disclosures: The following Angiogenesis inhibitor people have nothing to disclose: Jennifer E. Layden, Richard O. Phillips, Fred S. Sarfo, Nallely Mora, Dorcas O. Owusu, Stephanie Kliethermes, Shirley P. Owusu-Ofori, Joseph Forbi, Ohene Opare-Sem, Kenrad Nelson, Richard

Cooper Background and aims Staging fibrosis is crucial in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients because it reflects the progression of the disease and it is often taking into account in the decision to treat. MiRNAs regulate the expression of up to 60% of mRNAs. MiR-122 is highly expressed in the liver and regulates HCV replication. MiRNAs are stable compared mafosfamide to mRNAs and therefore are increasingly investigated as bio-markers. We aimed to identify miRNAs differentially expressed during fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients and Methods Serum samples and liver biopsies were available for respectively 86 and 40 patients. Among patients with available serum samples, the mean viral load was 1300 UI/ mLx103. HCV-G1 (61%), and G4 (18,6%) were the most represented. Fibrosis distribution was F1 (31,4%), F2 (20,9%), F3 (23,3%) and F4 (24,4%). Among patients with available biopsies, the mean viral load was 820 UI/ mLx103, genotype distribution was HCV-G1 (50%), G2 (7,5%), G3 (17,5%), G4 (25%) and fibrosis distribution was F1 (27,5%), F2 (17,5%), F3 (27,5%) and F4 (27,5%). Fibrosis was staged according to the Metavir score system (F0 to F4).

High levels of mortality, primarily by snakes and ground predators, were also observed and likely contribute, along with the unpredictability of Madagascar’s climate, to the unusually fast life history of these mammals. “
“Cetaceans swim by the alternate action of their epiaxial and hypaxial

muscles and their propulsive movements are confined to the vertical plane. Changes in the shape and mechanical Palbociclib manufacturer properties of vertebrae strongly affect their function during oscillatory swimming. The first objective of this study was to provide a quantitative characterization of vertebral morphology in representatives of the Delphinidae and Pontoporiidae families. A novel morphometric approach was applied, using nine vertebral measurements and three indices. The second objective was to assess the relationship

between morphology and both habitat and size through regression analyses. The phylogenetic PF-01367338 cost structure of the distribution of characters was also explored by estimating phylogenetic signal. No relationship was found between morphology and habitat or size, but vertebral measurements and indices showed a significant phylogenetic signal. Morphological profiles indicated that coastal and oceanic delphinid species had a conservative regionalization of the vertebral column. All delphinid species showed discoidal centra morphology, while Pontoporia blainvillei presented a spool-shaped morphology. Differences in vertebral morphology and inferred muscular architecture between P. blainvillei and delphinids could indicate distinct dynamics of vertebral movement during swimming. However, other complex and specific functional relationships and life-history traits may also be influencing vertebral morphology. The detailed

study of the complex evolutionary history of lineages could bring to light other clarifying dimensions for understanding morphological evolution in odontocetes. “
“Trilobites comprise a major group Paclitaxel in vivo of extinct marine arthropods, which thrived in a variety of habitats surrounding the Palaeozoic palaeocontinents. The evidence that can be used to infer their ecology is reviewed, including functional anatomy, field occurrence and geology in comparison with living arthropods and palaeogeography. Where different lines of evidence are consistent with one interpretation, the inferred life habits are considered well supported, but there remain some intriguing enigmas. Trilobites occupied many of the ecological niches available to living marine arthropods, including the pelagic realm. Benthic species included predator/scavengers, grazers and particle feeders, and specialist filter feeders.

2008, Möller et al. 2011). While long-beaked common dolphins (D. capensis)

can be found in large groups in open oceanic waters (Carretta et al. 2011), typically within coastal seas they form smaller aggregations (Bernal et al. 2003, Cobarrubia and Bolaños-Jiménez 2007). Within the Hauraki Gulf, the group size and water depths in which animals are located are more akin with the long- as opposed to the short-beaked form (Stockin et al. 2008). Several studies have attempted to clarify the taxonomic status BAY 80-6946 price of various common dolphin populations worldwide, using both morphological (e.g., Amaha 1994, Heyning and Perrin 1994, Jefferson and Van Waerebeek 2002, Samaai et al. 2005, Murphy et al. 2006) and molecular (e.g., Rosel et al. 1994, Kingston and Rosel 2004, Amaral et al. 2007a) techniques. However, the reciprocal monophyly observed between the short- and long-beak forms in the eastern North Pacific was not confirmed from worldwide genetic analyses of the genus, suggesting that the long-beaked morphotype may have evolved MLN0128 supplier independently in different regions (Natoli et al. 2006, Amaral et al. 2012). To date, no taxonomic assessment has been conducted on New Zealand Delphinus,

although common dolphins in these waters are nominally classified as short-beaked (e.g., Gaskin 1968, Webb 2005, Slooten and Dawson 1995, Bräger and Schneider 1998, Neumann 2001a) based on the apparent absence of the long-beaked form within the South West Pacific (Heyning and Perrin 1994). However, the variation observed in morphological traits such as pigmentation (Stockin and Visser 1973) and skull morphology (Amaha 1994) gives rise to uncertainty. Putative evidence of D. capensis is provided by Bernal et al. (2003) who suggests that common dolphins exhibiting long rostra, as photographed in New Zealand by Doak (1989), likely represent the long-beaked species. Furthermore, Amaha (1994) and Jefferson and Van Waerebeek (2002) suggest neither New Zealand nor Miconazole Australian common dolphins fit neatly the morphological description of either D. delphis

or D. capensis. In this study we aimed to investigate the population structure and the taxonomic status of the New Zealand common dolphin using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and microsatellite markers. We tested for potential population structure of dolphins in New Zealand waters by the examination of three putative groups (Coastal, Hauraki Gulf, and Oceanic) based on the observation relative to the different habitat use: coastal vs. oceanic, and seasonal vs. resident. A total of 90 skin samples were collected from common dolphins in New Zealand waters. Of these, 44 samples were collected from stranded or fresh beach-cast carcasses, and a further 46 samples were obtained from common dolphins incidentally captured in the commercial fishery for jack mackerel (Trachurus spp.).

2008, Möller et al. 2011). While long-beaked common dolphins (D. capensis)

can be found in large groups in open oceanic waters (Carretta et al. 2011), typically within coastal seas they form smaller aggregations (Bernal et al. 2003, Cobarrubia and Bolaños-Jiménez 2007). Within the Hauraki Gulf, the group size and water depths in which animals are located are more akin with the long- as opposed to the short-beaked form (Stockin et al. 2008). Several studies have attempted to clarify the taxonomic status Histone Methyltransferase inhibitor of various common dolphin populations worldwide, using both morphological (e.g., Amaha 1994, Heyning and Perrin 1994, Jefferson and Van Waerebeek 2002, Samaai et al. 2005, Murphy et al. 2006) and molecular (e.g., Rosel et al. 1994, Kingston and Rosel 2004, Amaral et al. 2007a) techniques. However, the reciprocal monophyly observed between the short- and long-beak forms in the eastern North Pacific was not confirmed from worldwide genetic analyses of the genus, suggesting that the long-beaked morphotype may have evolved this website independently in different regions (Natoli et al. 2006, Amaral et al. 2012). To date, no taxonomic assessment has been conducted on New Zealand Delphinus,

although common dolphins in these waters are nominally classified as short-beaked (e.g., Gaskin 1968, Webb 2005, Slooten and Dawson 1995, Bräger and Schneider 1998, Neumann 2001a) based on the apparent absence of the long-beaked form within the South West Pacific (Heyning and Perrin 1994). However, the variation observed in morphological traits such as pigmentation (Stockin and Visser 1973) and skull morphology (Amaha 1994) gives rise to uncertainty. Putative evidence of D. capensis is provided by Bernal et al. (2003) who suggests that common dolphins exhibiting long rostra, as photographed in New Zealand by Doak (1989), likely represent the long-beaked species. Furthermore, Amaha (1994) and Jefferson and Van Waerebeek (2002) suggest neither New Zealand nor much Australian common dolphins fit neatly the morphological description of either D. delphis

or D. capensis. In this study we aimed to investigate the population structure and the taxonomic status of the New Zealand common dolphin using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and microsatellite markers. We tested for potential population structure of dolphins in New Zealand waters by the examination of three putative groups (Coastal, Hauraki Gulf, and Oceanic) based on the observation relative to the different habitat use: coastal vs. oceanic, and seasonal vs. resident. A total of 90 skin samples were collected from common dolphins in New Zealand waters. Of these, 44 samples were collected from stranded or fresh beach-cast carcasses, and a further 46 samples were obtained from common dolphins incidentally captured in the commercial fishery for jack mackerel (Trachurus spp.).