Allelic Analyses of the Arabidopsis YUC1 Locus Reveal Residues and Domains Essential for the Functions of YUC Family of Flavin Monooxygenases

Flavin monooxygenases(FMOs) play critical roles in plant growth and development by synthesizing auxin and other signaling molecules.However,the structure and function relationship within plant FMOs is not understood.Here we defined the important residues and domains of the Arabidopsis YUC1 FMO,a key enzyme in auxin biosynthesis.We previously showed that simultaneous inactivation of YUC1 and its homologue YUC4 caused severe defects in vascular and floral development.We mutagenized the yuc4 mutant and screene...     

Changes of cyanide content and linamarase activity in wounded cassava roots

When cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root was cut into blocks and incubated under laboratory conditions, the blocks showed more widespread and more even symptoms of physiological deterioration than those under natural conditions. Thus, the tissue block system has potential for biochemical studies of natural deterioration of cassava root. The changes in cyanide content and linamarase (linamarin β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.21) activity in various tissues during physiological deterioration were investigated. Total cyanide content increased in all parts of block tissue after 3-day incubation. The degree of increase in cyanide was most pronounced in white parenchymal tissue, 2 to 3 millimeters thick, next to the cortex (A-part tissue), where no physiological symptoms appeared. On the other hand, linamarase activity was decreased in all parts of block tissue after a 3-day incubation. A time course analysis of A-part tissue indicated a clear reciprocal relationship between changes in total cyanide and linamarase activity; total cyanide increased, while linamarase activity decreased. Free cyanide constituted a very small portion of the total cyanide and did not change markedly.     

The effect of prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on the direct stimulation of renin release from rabbit renal cortical slices

Prostaglandins have been hypothesized to have several mechanistic functions in sympathetically mediated release of renin. The rabbit renal cortical slice system was chosen to examine the prostaglandin dependency of renin release directly stimulated by either a direct adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, or a beta-agonist, isoproterenol. In this study, we demonstrate that with forskolin (1 X 10(-5) M) or isoproterenol (1 X 10(-6) M), renin release was elevated 2-3 fold above control, and that this increase was shown to accompany a substantial increase in the tissue levels of cAMP (19.5 fold and 3.5 fold respectively). We also demonstrate that the increase in renin release produced by these compounds was not inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin (25 microM) or eicosatetraynoic acid (30 micrograms/ml), nor was it inhibited by the selective prostacyclin synthesis inhibitor, U-51605 (30 micrograms/ml). Each of these inhibitors was demonstrated to block the synthesis of prostaglandins in the cortical slices at the concentrations used. Thus we propose that prostaglandins do not play a role in the induction of renin release resulting from elevated cyclic nucleotide levels or beta-adrenergic stimulation.     

Change in plasma amino acid concentrations during breath-hold diving at high altitude

We studied the plasma concentration of various amino acids in 6 Italian sport divers in Italy and at approximately 4,500 m altitude in Peru; 6 Peruvian inhabitants were examined for comparison. We attempted to create a situation of pronounced hypoxia in muscles by breath-hold diving at altitude. The diving reflex diverts blood away from muscles while diving increases central oxygen tension and prevents loss of consciousness. Differences in certain amino acids, probably related to diet, were noted between Italy and Peru. Increases in concentration of plasma alanine and some branched-chain amino acids occurred after breath-hold diving. These changes were similar to those seen after prolonged hard exercise, even though physical work was low. Hypoxia in muscles, common during hard work and during breath-hold diving at altitude, might thus be the stimulus for amino acid release from working muscles.     

Effect of 17-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone capronate on the motility of the human uterus in puerperium following abortion

The effects of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone capronate (17-OH-P) on spontaneous uterine motility and on oxytocin-induced uterine contraction during the postabortion period were studied in 22 women. The effects of 17-OH-P were present 8 hours after administration and still appreciable after 12 hours, but were considerably diminished after 24 and 48 hours. The efficiency of 17-OH-P in inhibiting uterine contraction after administration of oxytocin is clearly inferior to that of natural progesterone.     

小麦对赤霉病抗性不同品种的SOD活性

本研究对9个赤霉病抗性不同小麦品种采用赤霉病菌分生孢子悬浮液以单花针注法进行了田间和温室抗病性鉴定;测定了各品种的胚性愈伤组织和盛花期麦穗分别经赤霉病菌毒素和分生孢子接种前后SOD活性的变化。结果表明,各品种SOD活性与其对赤霉病抗性呈极显著的正相关。接种后寄主的SOD活性均有提高,抗病品种比感病品种提高幅度大,且有新的同工酶带出现。抗病品种望水白比感病品种Alondra“S”多出两条SOD同工酶谱带。SOD在小麦抗赤霉病上可能起积极作用,其活性有可能作为鉴定小麦抗赤霉病的一种生理生化指标。