Fruchtbau und Verbreitungsbiologie vonValerianella undFedia (Valerianaceae)

The remarkable diversity of fruits inValerianella andFedia is revealed by a comparative morphological and anatomical analysis. Characters are evaluated in regard to a new systematic grouping. The knowledge on dispersal biology is summarized and supplemented. Finally, salient features of fruit differentiation are discussed.

3. Teil der Publikationsserie Beiträge zur Systematik und Evolution vonValerianella undFedia (Valerianaceae) (vgl.Ernet 1977a, b).     

Zur Kompartimentierung der Synthese von Mono- und Sesqui-Terpenen des ätherischen Öls beiPoncirus trifoliata

Zusammenfassung In der Frucht vonPoncirus trifoliata liegen in der Außenschale Drüsenzellkomplexe, die ein monoterpenreiches ätherisches Öl mit geringem Anteil an Sesquiterpenen und O-haltigen Substanzen produzieren. Ähnlich aussehende Exkretzellkomplexe aus den Saftschläuchen enthalten hauptsächlich Sesquiterpenkohlenwasserstoffe (STKW) und O-haltige Komponenten und sehr wenig Monoterpenkohlenwasserstoffe (MTKW). Im Schalenöl konnten nach gaschromatographischer Trennung mit Hilfe der Massenspektrometrie 19 Komponenten identifiziert werden, im Saftschlauchöl 25.Elektronenmikroskopische Aufnahmen der jüngsten Drüsenzellen beider Drüsenkomplexe lassen erkennen, daß beide Terpenklassen wahrscheinlich hauptsächlich bzw. ausschließlich plastidär entstehen.Exogen angebotenes¹⁴CO₂ wird zunächst überwiegend in die MTKW eingebaut, erst später nimmt die Markierung der STKW und O-haltigen Komponenten stark zu. Über den Ferntransportweg angebotenes¹⁴C-Leucin führt anfangs zu einer starken Markierung der STKW und O-haltigen Komponenten, erst später verschiebt sich der Einbau etwas mehr in Richtung MTKW. Als Hauptursache für den differenten Einbau wird das Vorhandensein zweier Typen von Drüsenzellkomplexen mit unterschiedlichen Syntheseleistungen angesehen.Die aus dem¹⁴CO₂ in der Außenrinde gebildeten Assimilate werden zuerst in das MTKW-reiche Öl der Schalenexkretbehälter eingebaut. Die überwiegend STKW erzeugenden Saftschlauchbehälter werden erst später beliefert. Beim Leucinangebot über die Fruchtstiele scheint es gerade umgekehrt zu verlaufen. Die aufeinanderfolgenden Maxima der Ölproduktion in den beiden Drüsenzellkomplex-Typen und die Änderung des Komponentenspektrums ihres ätherischen Öls im Verlauf der Vegetationsperiode tragen ebenfalls zu einem je nach Jahreszeit unterschiedlichen Einbau in die MTKW und STKW bei.

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Compartmentation of mono- and sesqui-terpene biosynthesis of the essential oil inPoncirus trifoliata

Summary The fruit ofPoncirus trifoliata shows glandular cell complexes in the exocarp, which produce a volatile oil rich in monoterpenes but poor in sesquiterpenes and oxigenated compounds. The juice vesicles of the endocarp possess similar cell complexes mainly containing sesquiterpenes and oxigenated compounds, whereas monoterpenes only occur in small amounts. By the use of combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry 19 components of the rind oil and 15 compounds of the endocarp oil could be identified.As demonstrated by electron microscopy the terpenes most probably are synthesized predominantly, if not exclusively in plastids. As shown by gasradiochromatography radioactive precursors (¹⁴CO₂ and¹⁴C-leucine) are incorporated into mono- and sesqui-terpenes to a different extent.This is due to two gland types producing essential oils of different composition with regard to their mono- and sesqui-terpene percentage. In fruit development the exocarp glands differentiate earlier than the endocarp glands do. The activity of exogenously applied¹⁴CO₂ first reaches the peripheral glands and later on appears in the interior glands. Depending upon the growth season, labelled leucine transported by the conducting tissues from lower plant parts leads to a high specific activity of the sesqui-terpenes and oxigenated compounds. It could be argued that in this instance the glands of the pulp are better provided with precursors than the exocarp glands. The successive maxima of essential oil production in both glandular complexes, and the changes in the concentration of individual oil constituents during the ontogeny of the fruit also contribute to different incorporation ratios of radioactive precursors into mono- and sesqui-terpenes.

     

Increased hepatic fibrosis and JNK2-dependent liver injury in mice exhibiting hepatocyte-specific deletion of cFLIP

Chronic liver disease promotes hepatocellular injury involving apoptosis and triggers compensatory regeneration that leads to the activation of quiescent stellate cells in the liver. The deposition of extracellular matrix from activated myofibroblasts promotes hepatic fibrosis and the progression to cirrhosis with deleterious effects on liver physiology. The role of apoptosis signaling pathways in the development of fibrosis remains undefined. The aim of the current study was to determine the involvement of the caspase-8 homologue cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIP) during the initiation and progression of fibrosis. Liver injury and fibrosis from carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and thioacetamide (TAA) were examined in mice exhibiting a hepatocyte-specific deletion of cFLIP (flip(-/-)). Acute liver injury from CCl(4) and TAA were enhanced in flip(-/-) mice. This was accompanied by increased activation of caspase-3 and -9, pronounced phosphorylation of JNK, and decreased phosphorylation of Erk. Deletion of the cJun NH(2)-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2) in flip(-/-) mice protected from injury. Hepatic fibrosis was increased at baseline in 12-wk-old flip(-/-) mice, and progression of fibrosis from TAA was accelerated compared with the wild type. In conclusion, deletion of cFLIP in hepatocytes leads to increased fibrosis and accelerated fibrosis progression. This is accompanied by increased injury involving the activation of caspases and JNK2. Thus predisposition to liver injury involving increased hepatocellular apoptosis is a critical mediator of accelerated fibrogenesis, and prevention of liver injury will be a most important measure for patients with chronic liver disease.     

Sequence elements in both subunits of the DNA fragmentation factor are essential for its nuclear transport

DNA cleavage is a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis. In humans, apoptotic DNA cleavage is executed by DNA fragmentation factor (DFF) 40. In proliferating cells DFF40 is expressed in the presence of its chaperone and inhibitor DFF45, which results in the formation of the DFF complex. Here, we present a systematic analysis of the nuclear import of the DFF complex. Our in vitro experiments demonstrate that the importin alpha/beta-heterodimer mediates the translocation of the DFF complex from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Both DFF subunits interact directly with the importin alpha/beta-heterodimer. However, importin alpha/beta binds more tightly to the DFF complex compared with the individual subunits. Additionally, the isolated C-terminal regions of both DFF subunits together bind importin alpha/beta more strongly than the individual C termini. Our results from in vivo studies reveal that the C-terminal regions of both DFF subunits harbor nuclear localization signals. Furthermore, nuclear import of the DFF complex requires the C-terminal regions of both subunits. In more detail, one basic cluster in the C-terminal region of each subunit, DFF40 (RLKRK) and DFF45 (KRAR), is essential for nuclear accumulation of the DFF complex. Based on these findings two alternative models for the interaction of importin alpha/beta with the DFF complex are presented.     

An incipient invasion of brown anole lizards (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anolis sagrei</Emphasis>) into their own native range in the Cayman Islands: a case of cryptic back-introduction

Human-mediated dispersal has reshaped distribution patterns and biogeographic relationships for many taxa. Long-distance and over-water dispersal were historically rare events for most species, but now human activities can move organisms quickly over long distances to new places. A potential consequence of human-mediated dispersal is the eventual reintroduction of individuals from an invasive population back into their native range; a dimension of biological invasion termed “cryptic back-introduction.” We investigated whether this phenomenon was occurring in the Cayman Islands where brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei) with red dewlaps (i.e., throat fans), either native to Little Cayman or invasive on Grand Cayman, have been found on Cayman Brac where the native A. sagrei have yellow dewlaps. Our analysis of microsatellite data shows strong population-genetic structure among the three Cayman Islands, but also evidence for non-equilibrium. We found some instances of intermediate multilocus genotypes (possibly 3–9% of individuals), particularly between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Furthermore, analysis of dewlap reflectance data classified six males sampled on Cayman Brac as having red dewlaps similar to lizards from Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. Lastly, one individual from Cayman Brac had an intermediate microsatellite genotype, a red dewlap, and a mtDNA haplotype from Grand Cayman. This mismatch among genetic and phenotypic data strongly suggests that invasive A. sagrei from Grand Cayman are interbreeding with native A. sagrei on Cayman Brac. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of cryptic back-introduction. Although we demonstrate this phenomenon is occurring in the Cayman Islands, assessing its frequency there and prevalence in other systems may prove difficult due to the need for genetic data in most instances. Cryptic back-introductions may eventually provide some insight into how lineages are changed by the invasion process and may be an underappreciated way in which invasive species impact native biodiversity.     

Heterogeneity of the Glyoxylate-Condensing Enzymes.

Wegener, Warner S. (Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa.), Henry C. Reeves, and Samuel J. Ajl. Heterogeneity of the glyoxylate-condensing enzymes. J. Bacteriol. 90:594-598. 1965.-Evidence is presented that the enzymatic condensations of glyoxylate with acetyl-CoA (malate synthase), propionyl-CoA (alpha-hydroxyglutarate synthase), butyryl-CoA (beta-ethylmalate synthase), and valeryl-CoA (beta-n-propylmalate synthase) are catalyzed by different enzymes. The possibility that these activities resulted from a single enzyme possessing a broad fatty acid acyl-CoA substrate specificity was ruled out. The latter was suggested by the fact that cells grown on a number of short-chain fatty acids exhibited all the above activities. The conclusion that these reactions are catalyzed by different enzymes is based on the following considerations: (i) the enzymes can be differentially inactivated by heat; (ii) under various growth conditions, where all the condensing enzymes are present, their respective activities do not show a constant ratio, as would be expected if they were catalyzed by a single enzyme; and (iii) under appropriate growth conditions, one or more of these enzymes has been shown to be present to the exclusion of others.     

Fate and effects of the trehalase inhibitor trehazolin in the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)

Trehalose is the main haemolymph sugar in many insect species. To be utilized trehalose must be hydrolysed into its glucose units by trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28). Inhibitors of trehalase have attracted interest as possible pesticides and tools for studying the regulation of trehalose metabolism in insects. To make full use of these inhibitors requires knowledge of their fate and effects in vivo. To this end we have measured trehazolin in locusts using a method based on the specific inhibition of a trehalase preparation. After injection of 20 μg, trehazolin decreased in haemolymph with a half-life of 2.6 days and after 10 days almost 95% had disappeared. Trehazolin did not reach the intracellular water space of locust tissues, but appeared with full inhibitory potency in locust faeces, suggesting that it was not metabolized, but quantitatively eliminated via the gut. Haemolymph trehalose increased transiently upon trehazolin injection, it was maximal after 3 days, then decreased and reached control level after 10 days. Inhibition of flight muscle trehalase by trehazolin was prolonged and still conspicuous 21 days post injection, suggesting that trehazolin inhibits trehalase activity irreversibly in vivo and that recovery requires de novo enzyme synthesis.     

Accelerated Reendothelialization,Increased Neovascularization and Erythrocyte Extravasation after Arterial Injury in BAMBI?/? Mice

Background

Intimal injury rapidly activates TGFβ and enhances vascular repair by the growth of endothelial (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The response to the TGFβ family of growth factors can be modified by BAMBI (BMP, Activin, Membrane Bound Inhibitor) acting as a non-signaling, competitive antagonist of TGFβ type I receptors such as ALK 1 and 5. In vivo the effect of BAMBI will depend on its cell-specific expression and of that of the ALK type receptors. We recently reported EC restricted BAMBI expression and genetic elimination of BAMBI resulting in an in vitro and in vivo phenotype characterized by endothelial activation and proliferation involving alternative pathway activation by TGFβ through ALK 1.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To test the hypothesis that BAMBI modulates arterial response to injury via its effects on endothelial repair and arterial wall neovascularization we used a model of femoral arterial denudation injury in wild type (WT) and BAMBI^−/− mice. Arterial response was evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks after luminal endothelial denudation of femoral arteries. The BAMBI^−/− genotype mice showed accelerated luminal endothelial repair at 2 weeks and a highly unusual increase in arterial wall neovascularization compared to WT mice. The exuberant intimal and medial neovessel formation with BAMBI^−/− genotype was also associated with significant red blood cell extravasation. The bleeding into the neointima at 2 weeks transiently increased it’s area in the BAMBI^−/−genotype despite the faster luminal endothelial repair in this group. Vascular smooth muscle cells were decreased at 2 weeks in BAMBI^−/− mice, but comparable to wild type at 4 weeks.

Conclusions/Significance

The absence of BAMBI results in a highly unusual surge in arterial wall neovascularization that surprisingly mimiks features of intra-plaque hemorrhage of advanced atheroma in a mechanical injury model. This suggests important effects of BAMBI on arterial EC homeostasis that need to be further studied in a model of inflammatory atherosclerosis.