The Arabidopsis nitrate transporter AtNRT2.1 is targeted to the root plasma membrane.

Arabidopsis AtNRT2.1 protein is the best characterized high affinity nitrate transporter in higher plants. However, nothing is known about its sub-cellular localization. In this work, we used GFP imaging to follow the targeting of the AtNRT2.1 protein to the different cell membranes. A polyclonal antibody was also raised against a peptide derived from the AtNRT2.1 sequence. Comparison of wild type and mutant plant extracts showed that this antibody recognized specifically the AtNRT2.1 protein. Microsomal membranes were fractionated on sucrose gradients and immunological detections were performed on the different fractions. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the AtNRT2.1 protein is located in the plasma membrane of the root cells.     

蜡状芽胞杆菌nos基因簇基因克隆及生物信息学分析

为了探究革兰氏阳性菌蜡状芽胞杆菌HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因的特点,PCR扩增获得了HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因,其中包括nosZ全长1 914bp、nosR部分片段1 749bp、nosD部分片段946bp和nosF部分片段495bp。经BLASTN分析,HS-N10 nosZ序列和nosD序列分别与施氏假单胞菌(Pseudomonas stutzeri)相应序列相似性最高;HS-N10 nosR序列和nosF序列分别与裂环无色杆菌(Achromobacter cycloclastes)相应序列相似性最高。通过在线数据库与分析工具分别对HSN10nos基因簇相关基因进行了生物信息学分析。     

Characterization of rhizosphere prokaryotic diversity in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland using a PCR cloning-sequencing based approach

Performance of biological wastewater treatment systems may be related to the composition and activity of microbial populations they contain. However, little information is known regarding microbial community inhabiting these ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to investigate archaeal and bacterial diversity, using cultivation-independent molecular techniques, in a constructed wetland receiving domestic wastewater. Two 16S rRNA gene libraries were constructed using total genomic DNA and amplified by PCR using primers specific for archaeal and bacterial domains. A high microbial diversity was detected. The Proteobacteria phylum is the most abundant and diversified phylogenetic group representing 31.3 % of the OTUs, followed by the Bacteroidetes (14.8 %), Planctomycetales (13.8 %), Actinobacteria (12 %), and Chloroflexi (8.2 %). Sequences affiliated with minor phylogenetic divisions such as the TM7, Nitrospira, OP10, and BRC1 are represented by <6 % of total OTUs. The Archaea domain was represented by the Thaumarchaeota phylum dominated by the Candidatus Nitrososphaera genus.     

Blood cortisol concentrations predict boldness in juvenile mulloway (Argyosomus japonicus)

There is a growing interest in animal personality because individual variation is the substrate of the evolutionary process. Despite revelations that personality traits affect key fitness variables, little is known about the proximate mechanisms generating consistent behavioural differences between individuals. Boldness, the propensity to take risks, is one of the most widely studied aspects of personality in fishes. We assessed the position of juvenile Argyosomus japonicus on the ??boldness?Cshyness?? continuum by repeatedly recording the time taken to exit a refuge and explore a novel environment. Stress-related hormone concentrations after exposure to a mild stressor were analysed 1?month before behavioural assays and found to be significantly linked to boldness scores. Shy fish had significantly higher plasma cortisol concentrations in response to handling stress than bold fish. Spontaneous switching between personality categories occurred between trials, highlighting the importance of repeated testing of personality traits over time to correctly attribute personality.     

Micropropagation,phytochemical content and antioxidant activity of gamma-irradiated blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) plantlets

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - In vitro methods were used to study the consequences of gamma irradiation on morphological and biochemical changes in blackberry plantlets....     

Employee Attitudes about the Impact of Visitation Dogs on a College Campus

Therapy and visitation dogs are becoming more common on college campuses to provide comfort and support to students, but little attention has been given to the concerns of faculty and staff who share space with the dogs in their workplaces. The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions of faculty and staff with regard to both the benefits and the hazards (e.g., dander, bites, fleas) and risks associated with the presence of visitation dogs in their workplaces. One hundred and thirty-eight employees who worked in buildings with resident visitation dogs completed an online survey about their perceptions of the hazards and risks of the dogs and the effects of dogs on the wellbeing of both students and employees. In general, employees perceived that the dogs presented minimal risks, and most employees believed that they can reduce stress and provide comfort to students on campus. There were a few employees, however, who reported that the dogs did not improve the work environment and conferred no benefits to the staff or students. The findings of the present survey support the mostly positive attitudes that people have for dogs in the workplace, but they also highlight a potential challenge: accommodating individuals who believe very strongly that dogs do not belong in work environments.     

A broad-range of recombination cloning vectors in mycobacteria

The increased incidence of tuberculosis (TB) gave impetus for the increased interest in the study of mycobacterial genetics, which culminated in the publication of the full genome sequence of many mycobacterial strains. Since then, many genes and open reading frames of unknown function have been described and the expression of their encoded proteins is critical toward understanding the pathogenesis of TB and developing therapeutic and preventive strategies. Therefore there is an increased need for highly efficient methods for cloning of mycobacterial genes, as the limited cloning flexibility of current Escherichia coli–mycobacteria shuttle vectors remains a frequent impediment in genetic manipulation of mycobacteria. In order to overcome this limitation, we have converted representative extrachromosomal and integrative vectors into multiple destination mycobacterial vectors for one-step and restriction enzyme-free recombination cloning methodology that uses in vitro site-specific recombination. We provide several examples that highlight the potential of recombination cloning for gene expression in slow and fast-growing mycobacteria. Thus, a gene of interest can be transferred by simple recombination into our mycobacterial destination vectors, which serve a multitude of functional genomic studies.     

Experimentelle Beeinflussung der Organbildung an in vitro Kultivierten Blattstücken vonBegonia Rex

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 16 Textabbildungen