Gradients in maize roots: local elongation and pH

The elongation rate, the gradient of the local elongation rate and the surface pH of maize roots were measured over 12 h. A data bank was constituted by storing these values. By sorting these results on the basis of different elongation rates, different classes of root were obtained. Two classes were chosen: the low-growth roots and the high-growth roots. The mean growth of these two root classes was stable with time and differed significantly from one another. The surface pH of the elongation zone was the same for the roots of these two classes, but the roots selected for their higher growth rate had a larger acid efflux in this zone.     

Synergism between diacylglycerols and calcium ionophore in the induction of human B cell proliferation mimics the inositol lipid polyphosphate breakdown signals induced by crosslinking surface immunoglobulin

Resting human tonsillar B cells were stimulated to divide by heat killed Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain 1 which was shown to induce hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate known to give rise to diacylglycerol and an increase in cytosolic free calcium. Addition of the diacylglycerols, 1-oleoyl-2 acetyl glycerol or sn-1, 2-dioctanoylglycerol, together with the calcium ionophore ionomycin to B cell cultures induced marked cell proliferation whereas these agents were ineffective when used alone. Both diacylglycerols were shown to compete with [3H] phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate in binding to protein kinase C. These data support the hypothesis that synergism between cytosolic calcium and endogenous diacylglycerol, which activates protein kinase C, is involved in signal transduction in the proliferation of human B cells.     

Maintenance of transmitter release from neuromuscular junctions with different patterns of usage ‘in vivo’

The basic mechanisms underlying chemically-mediated neurotransmission at synapses are well established. Synaptic vesicles release their contents of neurotransmitter by exocytosis, and are then recycled and refilled before re-priming for re-release. It is less clear, however, what determines the differences in the quantitative aspects of this process at synapses with different in vivo activity patterns, and the extent to which they can be adapted to changing patterns of usage. The neuromuscular junction is particularly suited to investigations of these issues, due to the presence of distinctive muscle fibre types, with well-differentiated physiological roles and hence, activity patterns. The relative accessibility of NMJs means that chronic recording and manipulation of in vivo activity patterns of single motor neurones are possible. Several laboratories around the world now examining how transmitter release at NMJs is adapted to maintain (or not) release under these identified activity patterns. This review will cover the current state of knowledge and briefly highlight areas where more research is required. For example, current knowledge is largely derived from invertebrate preparations, indicating a need for more detailed comparisons at mammalian NMJs with different activity patterns. Finally, it is not yet clear in any species whether adaptations observed with imposed activity can be driven to complete transformation, with appropriate stimulus regimes.