Overexpression and Purification of an Immunologically Reactive His–BIV Capsid Fusion Protein

The gene of the capsid protein of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) was linked to a sequence encoding for six histidines and expressed as the (His)₆p26 capsid fusion protein. The fusion protein was strongly expressed as both soluble and insoluble forms after induction by isopropylthio-β- -galactoside. Purification was based on interaction of the hexa-histidine polypeptide with metal ions. Expression could represent 11% of the total protein inEscherichia coli,allowing more than 20 mg of highly purified protein to be obtained per liter of bacterial culture. The (His)₆p26 capsid fusion protein purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography reacted specifically in Western blot with sera from cattle experimentally infected by BIV, as well as with two monoclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes of the Gag protein. The ease of expression, purification, and specificity of this fusion protein should permit a thorough study of prevalence of BIV infection in large-scale serological studies of field samples.     

Computing the selection gradient and evolutionary response of an infinite-dimensional trait

 Following the results developed in a previous paper, an equation describing the evolutionary response to selection is extended from finite- to infinite-dimensional traits. The selection gradient and evolutionary response are then computed for a large class of infinite-dimensional traits of broad biological interest. In this framework, traits are modeled as Gaussian processes, and reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces constitute a primary tool. Received 12 September 1996     

Consistency of growth response to precipitation by Pseudopiptadenia contorta in two Atlantic Forest remnants

Tree growth sensitivity to climate can vary over space and time. This variability generates inconsistency in growth response to climate, which makes it difficult to assess the effects of past climate and global climate change on tree growth. A previous short-term study of Pseudopiptadenia contorta found a consistent growth response to climate in distinct locations, which raises the question, is the growth response of P. contorta to climate consistent over the long-term? We aimed to assess whether there is a common pattern of variation in tree-ring width, build tree-ring width chronologies, and verify the consistency of the climate-growth response of P. contorta in two Atlantic Forest remnants. Wood samples were collected in Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas (RBPA) and Reserva Biológica de Tinguá (RBT) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Conventional dendrochronology methods were used for cross-dating, to build chronologies and to assess the climate-growth relationship. A common growth pattern was detected for P. contorta, and two tree-ring width chronologies were constructed. A congruent growth response was found for trees of RBPA and RBT to annual and spring precipitation as well as precipitation in the rainy months. Other climate-growth relationships were detected with other precipitation and temperature variables. Considering that P. contorta is a widespread species, occurring in other Brazilian biomes and forest formations, it is a promising model for developing further dendrochronological research including regional networks of replicated site chronologies, which could facilitate the reconstruction of historical climatic series and predictions of future impacts of climate change in tropical areas.     

Maize nicotinate N-methyltransferase interacts with the NLR protein Rp1-D21 and modulates the hypersensitive response

Most plant intracellular immune receptors belong to nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins. The recognition between NLRs and their corresponding pathogen effectors often triggers a hypersensitive response (HR) at the pathogen infection sites. The nicotinate N-methyltransferase (NANMT) is responsible for the conversion of nicotinate to trigonelline in plants. However, the role of NANMT in plant defence response is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the maize ZmNANMT, but not its close homolog ZmCOMT, an enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway, suppresses the HR mediated by the autoactive NLR protein Rp1-D21 and its N-terminal coiled-coil signalling domain (CC_D21). ZmNANMT, but not ZmCOMT, interacts with CC_D21, and they form a complex with HCT1806 and CCoAOMT2, two key enzymes in lignin biosynthesis, which can also suppress the autoactive HR mediated by Rp1-D21. ZmNANMT is mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and either localization is important for suppressing the HR phenotype. These results lay the foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of NANMTs in plant disease resistance.     

Sulfenylation of ENOLASE2 facilitates H2O2-conferred freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis

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Effects of metal stress on biochemical response of some aquatic macrophytes growing along an industrial waste discharge channel

Abstract

The present research work focused on the metal translocation in the soil-plant system and subsequent metal stress on biochemical response of aquatic macrophytes growing along an industrial waste discharge channel. The bottom sediment of the effluent channel is highly contaminated with metals. High transfer factor (TF) for most of the metals indicated higher metal uptake by aquatic macrophytes of which Typha sp. was found to be the most suitable. Average TF was in the order of Fe (4.82) > Mn (3.91) > Cu (3.59) > Cd (2.29) > Zn (2.22) > Cr (1.83) > Pb (1.80). Hyper accumulation of metals within plants resulted in significant reductions in total chlorophyll, soluble sugar with an increase in protein and proline content. The investigation also demonstrated that exposure to high concentrations on metals resulted in enhanced activity of catalase (61.82–90.91%) and peroxidase (37.08–70.23%) in all examined macrophytes with a reduced (27.58–43.4%) or unchanged ascorbate peroxidase activity depending on plant species.     

Individual differences in the cortisol-awakening response during the first two years of shift work: A longitudinal study in novice police officers

Cortisol acts as a critical biological intermediary through which chronic stressors like shift work impact upon multiple physiological, neuro-endocrine and hormonal functions. Therefore, the cortisol awakening response (CAR) is suggested as a prime index of shift work tolerance. Repeated assessments of the CAR (calculated as MnInc) in a group of 25 young novice police officers showed that in the interval between about 4 and 14 months after transitioning from regular day work to rotating shift work, mean values began to rise from baseline to significantly higher levels at about 14 months after they commenced shift work. Visual inspection of the individual trends revealed that a subgroup of 10 subjects followed a monotonically rising trend, whereas another 14 subjects, after an initial rise from about 4–14 months, reverted to a smaller, baseline level cortisol response at about 20 months after the start of shift work. If the initial increase in the cortisol response marks the development of a chronic stress response, the subsequent reversal to baseline levels in the subgroup of 14 participants might be indicative of a process of recovery, possibly the development of shift work tolerance.     

In vitro modulatory effects of functionalized pyrimidines and piperidine derivatives on Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activities

The development of biologically active molecules based on molecular recognition is an attractive and challenging task in medicinal chemistry and the molecules that can activate/deactivate certain receptors are of great medical interest. In this contribution, selected pyrimidine/piperidine derivatives were synthesized and tested for the ability to activate/deactivate Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and Glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Tested compounds are shown to activate the receptors but to much lesser extent than positive controls, dioxin and dexamethasone for Ahr and GR, respectively. However, some of them antagonized the positive controls action. Although further in vivo studies are needed to fully characterize the bioactivities of these compounds, the reported in vitro evidences demonstrate that they might be used as the modulators of AhR and GR activities.     

Effect of seaweed preparations on murine immunocytes

During a screening programme for new medical agents, many aqueous extracts from 59 species of seaweed were found to possess bioactivity against murine immunocytes. Thirty-eight extracts (8 green, 12 brown, 18 red algae) showed suppressive effects on the mitogenic response. Furthermore, 16 extracts (2 green, 6 brown, 8 red algae) suppressed the production of Interleukin 1 (1L-1) from murine macrophage. Using the murine mixed lymphocyte reaction assay, suppressive effects were observed in 4 red algae, but none in green or brown algae. Nine seaweed extracts suppressed the production of secondary antibody (IgG, IgM). Extracts of 3 red algae suppressed strongly the proliferation of bone marrow cells, but 2 other red algae caused stimulation above 200%. This is apparently the first report showing immunosuppressive activity from marine algae.