脱落酸诱导气孔关闭的信号转导研究

气孔保卫细胞是单个细胞水平研究ABA信号转导机制的一个模式系统。脱落酸(ABA)通过对保卫细胞生理生化状态、胞质Ca^2 浓度及其离子通道调节诱导气孔关闭过程。这个过程涉及的因素有：ROS、IP3、cADPR、蛋白质的可逆磷酸化等。     

三裂叶野葛毛状根的诱导及其固体培养和液体培养

发根农杆菌（Agrobacterium rhizogenes）ATCC15834感染三裂叶野葛(Pueraria phaseoloides)叶片外植体20 d后产生毛状根,毛状根可直接从叶片外植体叶脉处或从叶脉处产生的愈伤组织上产生。感染35d后,约85%的叶片外植体产生毛状根。毛状根能在无外源生长调节剂的 MS固体和液体培养基上自主生长。PCR扩增结果表明,发根农杆菌Ri质粒的rolB和rolC基因已在三裂叶野葛毛状根基因组中整合并得到表达。与固体培养的毛状根相比,在液体培养基中培养的毛状根不仅生长迅速,也不会形成愈伤组织。在无外源生长调节剂的液体MS培养基中培养15d的三裂叶野葛毛状根的鲜重、干重、可溶性总糖含量及细胞内活性氧(ROS)含量分别为固体培养毛状根的1.59倍、1.18倍、5.25倍和1.16倍。     

Exploring the formation of Alzheimer's disease senile plaques in silico

An experimental simulation environment suitable for exploring the neuroinflammatory hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been developed. Using scientific literature, we have calculated parameters and rates and constructed an interactive model system. The simulation can be manipulated to explore competing hypotheses about AD pathology, i.e. can be used as an experimental "in silico" system. In this paper, we outline the assumptions and aspects of the model, and illustrate qualitative and quantitative findings. The interactions of amyloid beta deposits, glial cell dynamics, inflammation and secreted cytokines, and the stress, recovery, and death of neuronal tissue are investigated. The model leads to qualitative insights about relative roles of the cells and chemicals in the disease pathology.     

Developing a scale-up system for the micropropagation of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis> L.): the effect of growth retardants,liquid culture and vessel size

We investigated the effect of the growth retardant flurprimidol, the phase of the culture medium (solid versus liquid) and the size of the liquid culture vessel (250-ml flask versus 2.5-l airlift bioreactor) on the micropropagation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) from nodal explants. Flurprimidol at concentrations of 0.1-2 mg l(-1) caused considerable growth retardation but increased, albeit slightly, the number of branches and buds and stimulated (solid medium) or reduced (liquid medium) the accumulation of NO(3)-and PO(4)(3-). Flurprimidol had varying effects on the accumulation of soluble sugars and antioxidant compounds. Bioreactor-derived plants showed an increased fresh weight and size but a decreased content of macronutrients, solid sugars, ascorbic acid and free antioxidant phenolics. The majority (95%) of the plants were successfully acclimatized after being graft on squash. The perspective for an efficient, commercial-level use of bioreactors in combination with growth retardants of this commercially important vegetable species is discussed.     

In vitro germination,protocorm formation and plantlet development of mature versus immature seeds from several <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophrys</Emphasis> species (Orchidaceae)

We investigated the effect of genotype, seed maturity and culture medium on the in vitro germination and development of protocorms and plantlets from seeds of 13 different Ophrys species (O. apifera, O. attica, O. cornuta, O. delfinensis, O. ferrum-equinum, O. lutea, O. mammosa, O. speculum, O. spruneri, O. umbilicata, O. argolica, O. irricolor and O. tenthredinifera) collected in Greece, some of which are endemic to this country. Mature seeds (10 months after collection) and immature seeds (2 months after anthesis) were cultured in a coconut milk-enriched or a pineapple-enriched medium (CEM or PEM, respectively). The highest percentage of callogenesis (96%) was observed in immature seeds of O. delphinensis in the CEM, while the highest percentage of protocorm formation (52%) was observed in mature seeds of O. spuneri in the CEM. Protocorm formation was significantly lower in immature seeds than in mature seeds in both culture media. Eventually almost all of the transferred protocorms developed to plantlets, which later formed minitubers. PEM appeared to be the most suitable for the development of minitubers from plantlets. All of the factors investigated—as well as their interactions—significantly affected callogenesis and protocorm formation. The results are discussed with the perspective of applying an improved protocol for in vitro seed germination and plantlet formation in several under-utilized Ophrys species.Abbreviations CEM Coconut milk-enriched medium - CLT Callus-like tissue - PEM Pineapple-enriched medium - PPFD Photosynthetic photon flux density     

Bioelectric recognition assay (BERA)

A novel biosensory method has been developed for the determination of various chemical and biological molecules by assessing their electrophysiological interactions with a group of cells and cell components immobilized in a gel matrix that preserves their 'physiological' functions. The method was applied for the detection of: (i) hepatitis C virus in human blood samples; (ii) plant viruses; and (iii) a herbicide (glyphosate) in aqueous solutions. It was able to rapidly (assay time 3-5 min) and specifically detect the molecules in question at a concentration lower than 100 pg/ml, among other compounds f similar structure. The potential use of BERA biosensors for a rapid and cost-efficient molecule determination without prior knowledge of a specific receptor-molecule interaction is discussed.     

脱落酸诱导气孔关闭的信号转导研究

气孔保卫细胞是单个细胞水平研究ABA信号转导机制的一 个模式系统。脱落酸（ABA）通过对保卫细胞生理生化状态、胞质Ca2+浓度及其离子通道调节诱导气孔关闭过程。这个过程涉及的因素有：ROS、IP3、cADPR、蛋白质的可逆磷酸化等。     

Study on the mechanism of Bioelectric Recognition Assay: evidence for immobilized cell membrane interactions with viral fragments

The Bioelectric Recognition Assay (BERA) is a whole-cell based biosensing system that detects the electric response of cultured cells, suspended in a gel matrix, to various ligands, which bind to the cell and/or affect its physiology. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential application of this method for rapid, inexpensive detection of viruses in a crude sample. However, the understanding, so far, of the fundamental processes that take place during cell-virus interactions within the probe has been rather limited. In the present study, we combined electrophysiological and fluorescence microscopical assays, so that we can prove that animal and plant cells immobilized in BERA sensors respond to different viruses primarily by changing their membrane potential. The response of immobilized cells against different viruses did not depend on the virus ability to penetrate the cell, but was modified after binding each virus to a virus-specific antibody or removal of its coat protein after treatment with a protease. Consequently, we were able to assay the presence of a virus in its complete form or fragments thereof. Combination of immunological recognition with the electrophysiological response of immobilized cells allows for a considerable increase of the specificity of the BERA biosensory assay. In addition, rather than simply detect the presence of a protein or genomic sequence, the method can help gain information on the bioactivity of a virus.     

Differential effect of the shape of calcium alginate matrices on the physiology of immobilized neuroblastoma N2a and Vero cells: a comparative study

In order to investigate the effect of cell immobilization in calcium alginate gels on cell physiology, we immobilized Vero or N2a neuroblastoma cells in gels shaped either as spherical beads or as thin membrane layers. Throughout a culture period of 4 weeks cell viability, RNA and cytoplasmic calcium concentration and glutathione accumulation were assayed by fluorescence microscopy after provision of an appropriate dye. Non-elaborate culture conditions were applied throughout the experimental period in order to evaluate cell viability under less than optimal storage conditions. Vero cell proliferation was observed only in spherical beads, while N2a cell proliferation was observed in both configurations until the third week of culture. Increased [Ca2+]cyt could be associated with cell proliferation only when cells were immobilized in spherical beads, while a considerable decrease in the biosynthesis of reduced glutathione and RNA was observed in cells immobilized in thin membrane layers. The observed effects of the shape of the immobilization matrix may be due to differences in external mass transfer resistance. Therefore, depending on cell type, cell proliferation could have been promoted by either increased (Vero) or decreased (N2a) nutrient and oxygen flow to immobilized cells. The results of the present study could contribute to an improvement of immobilized cell sensor storability.     

Engineering of the membrane of fibroblast cells with virus-specific antibodies: A novel biosensor tool for virus detection

A novel concept for the assay of viral antigens is described. The methodological approach is based on a membrane-engineering process involving the electroinsertion of virus-specific antibodies in the membranes of fibroblast cells. As a representative example, Vero fibroblasts were engineered with antibodies against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and used for the construction of an ultra-sensitive miniature cell biosensor system. The attachment of a homologous virus triggered specific changes to the cell membrane potential that were measured by appropriate microelectrodes, according to the principle of the bioelectric recognition assay (BERA). No change in the membrane potential was observed upon cell contact with the heterologous cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Fluorescence microscopy observations showed that attachment of CMV particles to membrane-engineered cells was associated with membrane hyperpolarization and increased [Ca(2+)](cyt). In an additional field-based application, we were able to detect CMV-infected tobacco plants at an essentially 100% level of accuracy.