Induction Patterns of an Extensin Gene in Tobacco upon Nematode Infection

When sedentary endoparasitic nematodes infect plants, they induce complex feeding sites within the root tissues of their host. To characterize cell wall changes induced within these structures at a molecular level, we studied the expression of an extensin gene (coding for a major structural cell wall protein) in nematode-infected tobacco roots. Extensin gene expression was observed to be induced very early upon infection. This induction was weak, transient, and probably due to wounding during penetration and migration of the tobacco cyst nematode Globodera tabacum ssp solanacea-rum. In contrast, high extensin gene expression was observed during the whole second larval stage (an ~2-week-long phase of establishment of the feeding site) of the root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. During later stages of this interaction, expression gradually decreased. Extensin gene expression was found in at least three different tissues of the gall. We propose that distinct mechanisms lead to induced expression in these different cell types. The significance of these results for the understanding of plant-nematode interactions as well as the function of structural cell wall proteins, such as extensin, is discussed.     

pS2—A new cytosolic protein recognized by monoclonal antibodies as a marker of hormone sensitivity in breast cancer

Using a new immunoradiometric assay (ELSA pS2 Cis-France), a total of 200 cytosols obtained from primary breast tumors were examined for pS2 content, which is an estrogen-regulated protein actually studied as a marker of hormone sensitivity and favorable prognostic factor in breast cancer. In our patient group, the median pS2 value corresponding to 5.3 ng/mg of cytosolic proteins was used as cutoff. pS2 content was not related to menopause status, tumor size, or nodal involvement, whereas a positive correlation was found between pS2 and ER/PgR status. Moreover, the association of pS2 with steroid receptors seems to identify subgroups of patients better than ER/PgR alone.     

A trait-based approach to assess niche overlap and functional distinctiveness between non-indigenous and native species

Our understanding of the community assembly processes acting on non-indigenous species (NIS), as well as the relationship with native species is limited, especially in marine ecosystems. To overcome this knowledge gap we here develop a trait-based approach based on the functional distinctiveness metric to assess niche overlap between NIS and native species, using high-resolution data on benthic invertebrate communities in the Baltic Sea. Our results show that NIS retain a certain degree of similarity with native species, but display one or a few singular unique traits (e.g., bioturbation ability). Furthermore, we demonstrate that community assembly processes, including both environmental filtering and limiting similarity affect NIS establishment, but that their effects may be highly context dependent, as illustrated by pronounced spatial patterns in distinctiveness. Finally, our trait-based approach provides a generic framework applicable to other areas and organisms, to better understand and address biological invasions.     

The stimulatory effect of chronic lithium treatment on basal thyrotropin secretion in rats: In vivo antagonism by methylparaben

Chronic treatment of rats with lithium chloride was examined in order to determine its effect on hypothalamic monoamine and metabolite content, basal thyrotropin (TSH) secretion and thyroid function. The hypothalamic concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the lithium treated rats remained unaltered when compared to control levels. NA turnover and the NA metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (total MHPG), were significantly lower (p<0.01), whereas both serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), were significantly higher (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively) in the lithium treated rat hypothalami than in controls. Chronic lithium treatment significantly elevated basal TSH levels (p<0.05). This effect was antagonized by methylp-hydroxybenzoate (methylparaben, p<0.01), which did not itself affect basal TSH levels. Free serum T₃ and T₄ levels were not significantly affected by chronic lithium treatment, although T₄ tended to be slightly lower than control levels. The monoamine changes observed in the hypothalamus of lithium treated rats did not appear to account for the elevated TSH levels observed in these rats since NA activity which is generally regarded as stimulatory was decreased and 5-HT which has an inhibitory effect on TSH secretion, was increased. The elevated TSH levels may have been due to a reduced negative feedback inhibition of TSH release by the mildly reduced circulating T₄ levels caused by chronic lithium treatment. A further possibility is that the pituitary cGMP (and hence TSH) response to TRH may have been enhanced by chronic lithium treatment and methylparaben may have antagonized this effect.     

Effect of beta-N-oxalylamino-l-alanine on cerebellar cGMP level in vivo

Beta-N-oxalylamino-l-alanine (BOAA), a non-protein amino acid present in the seeds of Lathyrus Sativus (LS), is one of several neuroactive glutamate analogs reported to stimulate excitatory receptors and, in high concentrations, cause neuronal degeneration. In the present study, the in vivo acute effects of synthetic BOAA and LS seed extract were investigated on rat cerebellar cyclic GMP following intraperitoneal (10–100 mg/kg) or oral (100 mg/kg) administration of subconvulsive doses of toxin. Furthermore, the BOAA content in LS seeds and in the cerebellum of injected rats was determined by high performance liquid chromatograph analysis. A dose- and time-dependent increase of cerebellar cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level was observed after intraperitoneal administration of synthetic BOAA or LS extract. The neurotoxin evoked a maximum stimulation 90 min after injection within the dose range of 50–75 mg/kg, elevating cGMP from basal levels of 5.3±0.5 pmol/mg protein to 15±1.3 pmol/mg protein. Similarly, the oral intake of LS-extracted neurotoxin resulted in the elevation of cGMP content. Kynurenic acid (300 mg/kg i.p.), a non specific excitatory amino acid antagonist, was effective in blocking LS BOAA-elicited cGMP enhancement. The data suggest that in the cerebellum acute administration of low concentrations of BOAA exert in vivo activation of glutamate receptors involved in the regulation of cGMP level.     

Sulfation of hypertensive and hypotensive drugs by monkey brain phenol sulfotransferase

The substrate specificity and affinity of two forms of phenol sulfotransferase (PST) from Rhesus macaque brain cortex were studied. Catecholamines, their methylated metabolites (normetanephrine, metanephrine) and methylated precursor, -methylDOPA, were examined as substrates for both the cationic (PST I) and the anionic (PST II) forms of the enzyme. Sulfation of hypertensive drugs (phenylephrine, octopamine, metaraminol), hypotensive drugs (-methylDOPA, minoxidil), and related agents without a free hydroxy group on the benzene ring were also studied. Results indicated that both PST forms sulfated -methylDOPA and minoxidil, but only PST II transferred the sulfate group to catecholamines and most of the adrenergic agents examined.     

Anti-Candida activity of four antifungal benzothiazoles

Abstract Anti- Candida activity of 6-amino-2- n -pentylthiobenzothiazole (I), benzylester of (6-amino-2-benzothiazolylthio)acetic acid (II) and of 3-butylthio-(1,2,4-triazolo)-2,3-benzothiazole (III) was followed and compared to that of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (IV). I and II exhibited good activity against the C. albicans yeast form, similar to IV. They were inhibitorily active against other Candida strains, IC₅₀ values being of the order of 10⁻⁵ M, which means better activity than IV. Compound I also exhibited inhibitory activity on germ-tube formation and mycelial growth in the C. albicans strains, while II, III and IV were not active in these tests. III was the least active form of the compounds tested, IC₅₀ values being of the order of 10⁻⁴ M. All the compounds tested were highly active on a nystatin-resistant C. albicans mutant, with IC₅₀s of the order of 10⁻⁶ M−10⁻⁵ M.     

Drug resistance in rat colon cancer cell lines is associated with minor changes in susceptibility to cytotoxic cells

The development of resistance to anticancer drugs urges the search for different treatment modalities. Several investigators have reported the concomitant development of drug resistance and resistance to natural killer (NK), lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) or monocyte/macrophage cell lysis, while others described unchanged or even increased susceptibility. We investigated this subject in the rat colon carcinoma cell line, CC531-PAR, which is intrinsically multidrug-resistant (MDR), and in three sublines derived from this parental cell line: a cell line with an increased MDR phenotype (CC531-COL), a revertant line from CC531-COL (CC531-REV), which demonstrates enhanced sensitivity to anticancer drugs of the MDR phenotype, and an independently developed cisplatin-resistant line (CC531-CIS). In a 4-h⁵¹Cr-release assay we found no difference in susceptibility to NK cell lysis. No significant differences in lysability by adherent LAK (aLAK) cells were observed in a 4-h assay. In a prolonged 20-h⁵¹Cr-release assay an enhanced sensitivity to aLAK-cell-mediated lysis was observed in the revertant, P-glycoprotein-negative cell line and in the cisplatin-resistant cell line (CC531-CIS). None of the cell lines was completely resistant to lysis by aLAK cells. Therefore, a role for immunotherapy in the treatment of drug-resistant tumors remains a realistic option.     

Exploring the legacy of African and Indigenous Caribbean admixture in Puerto Rico

Objectives

From an anthropological genetic perspective, little is known about the ethnogenesis of African descendants in Puerto Rico. Furthermore, historical interactions between Indigenous Caribbean and African descendant peoples that may be reflected in the ancestry of contemporary populations are understudied. Given this dearth of genetic research and the precedence for Afro-Indigenous interactions documented by historical, archeological, and other lines of evidence, we sought to assess the biogeographic origins of African descendant Puerto Ricans and to query the potential for Indigenous ancestry within this community.

Materials and Methods

Saliva samples were collected from 58 self-identified African descendant Puerto Ricans residing in Puerto Rico. We sequenced whole mitochondrial genomes and genotyped Y chromosome haplogroups for each male individual (n = 25). Summary statistics, comparative analyses, and network analysis were used to assess diversity and variation in haplogroup distribution between the sample and comparative populations.

Results

As indicated by mitochondrial haplogroups, 66% had African, 5% had European, and 29% had Indigenous American matrilines. Along the Y chromosome, 52% had African, 28% had Western European, 16% had Eurasian, and, notably, 4% had Indigenous American patrilines. Both mitochondrial and Y chromosome haplogroup frequencies were significantly different from several comparative populations.

Discussion

Biogeographic origins are consistent with historical accounts of African, Indigenous American, and European ancestry. However, this first report of Indigenous American paternal ancestry in Puerto Rico suggests distinctive features within African descendant communities on the island. Future studies expanding sampling and incorporating higher resolution genetic markers are necessary to more fully understand African descendant history in Puerto Rico.