Cleome hassleriana plants fully support the development and reproduction of Nesidiocoris tenuis

BioControl - Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous predator that feeds on plants as well as prey. Several non-crop host plant species have been used to maintain...     

Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by Phosphorothioate and Liposomally Endocapsulated Oligonucleotides

Abstract

We have demonstrated that antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (S-ODNs) inhibit influenza virus A replication in MDCK cells. Phosphorothioate and liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides with two target sites (PB1 and PB2) were synthesized and tested for virus-induced cytopathogenicity effects by a MTT assay using MDCK cells. The liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs complementary to the sites of the PB2-AUG initiation codon showed highly inhibitory effects. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of the liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs targeted to PB1 was considerably decreased in comparison with the PB2 target sites. The liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides exhibited higher inhibitory activity than the free oligonucleotides. The activities of the modified oligonucleotides are effectively enhanced by using the liposomal carrier.     

Linking temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition to its molecular structure,accessibility, and microbial physiology

Temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition may have a significant impact on global warming. Enzyme‐kinetic hypothesis suggests that decomposition of low‐quality substrate (recalcitrant molecular structure) requires higher activation energy and thus has greater temperature sensitivity than that of high‐quality, labile substrate. Supporting evidence, however, relies largely on indirect indices of substrate quality. Furthermore, the enzyme‐substrate reactions that drive decomposition may be regulated by microbial physiology and/or constrained by protective effects of soil mineral matrix. We thus tested the kinetic hypothesis by directly assessing the carbon molecular structure of low‐density fraction (LF) which represents readily accessible, mineral‐free SOM pool. Using five mineral soil samples of contrasting SOM concentrations, we conducted 30‐days incubations (15, 25, and 35 °C) to measure microbial respiration and quantified easily soluble C as well as microbial biomass C pools before and after the incubations. Carbon structure of LFs (<1.6 and 1.6–1.8 g cm^?3) and bulk soil was measured by solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR. Decomposition Q₁₀ was significantly correlated with the abundance of aromatic plus alkyl‐C relative to O‐alkyl‐C groups in LFs but not in bulk soil fraction or with the indirect C quality indices based on microbial respiration or biomass. The warming did not significantly change the concentration of biomass C or the three types of soluble C despite two‐ to three‐fold increase in respiration. Thus, enhanced microbial maintenance respiration (reduced C‐use efficiency) especially in the soils rich in recalcitrant LF might lead to the apparent equilibrium between SOM solubilization and microbial C uptake. Our results showed physical fractionation coupled with direct assessment of molecular structure as an effective approach and supported the enzyme‐kinetic interpretation of widely observed C quality‐temperature relationship for short‐term decomposition. Factors controlling long‐term decomposition Q₁₀ are more complex due to protective effect of mineral matrix and thus remain as a central question.     

Annexin A4 Is Involved in Proliferation,Chemo-Resistance and Migration and Invasion in Ovarian Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma Cells

Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCC) is the second most common subtype of ovarian cancer after high-grade serous adenocarcinomas. CCC tends to develop resistance to the standard platinum-based chemotherapy, and has a poor prognosis when diagnosed in advanced stages. The ANXA4 gene, along with its product, a Ca⁺⁺-binding annexin A4 (ANXA4) protein, has been identified as the CCC signature gene. We reported two subtypes of ANXA4 with different isoelectric points (IEPs) that are upregulated in CCC cell lines. Although several in vitro investigations have shown ANXA4 to be involved in cancer cell proliferation, chemoresistance, and migration, these studies were generally based on its overexpression in cells other than CCC. To elucidate the function of the ANXA4 in CCC cells, we established CCC cell lines whose ANXA4 expressions are stably knocked down. Two parental cells were used: OVTOKO contains almost exclusively an acidic subtype of ANXA4, and OVISE contains predominantly a basic subtype but also a detectable acidic subtype. ANXA4 knockdown (KO) resulted in significant growth retardation and greater sensitivity to carboplatin in OVTOKO cells. ANXA4-KO caused significant loss of migration and invasion capability in OVISE cells, but this effect was not seen in OVTOKO cells. We failed to find the cause of the different IEPs of ANXA4, but confirmed that the two subtypes are found in clinical CCC samples in ratios that vary by patient. Further investigation to clarify the mechanism that produces the subtypes is needed to clarify the function of ANXA4 in CCC, and might allow stratification and improved treatment strategies for patients with CCC.     

Nationwide prevalence of Torque teno sus virus 1 and k2a in pig populations in Japan

Because broad genetic diversity has recently been detected in Torque teno sus viruses (TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2), the viral genome detection method needs to be improved to understand the prevalence of these viruses. Here, we established single PCR-based detection methods for the TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a genomes with newly designed primer pairs and applied them to investigate the prevalence of TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a in Japanese pig populations. The results revealed that 98.2% and 81.7% of the pig farms tested positive for the TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a genomes, respectively, indicating that both TTSuV1 and TTSuVk2a are widespread in Japan.     

Unfolding of CBP21, a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase,without dissociation of its copper ion cofactor

Chitin-binding protein 21 (CBP21) from Serratia marcescens is a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase that contains a copper ion as a cofactor. We aimed to elucidate the unfolding mechanism of CBP21 and the effects of Cu²⁺ on its structural stability at pH 5.0. Thermal unfolding of both apo- and holoCBP21 was reversible. ApoCBP21 unfolded in a simple two-state transition manner. The peak temperature of the DSC curve, t_p, for holoCBP21 (74.4°C) was about nine degrees higher than that for apoCBP21 (65.6°C). The value of t_p in the presence of excess Cu²⁺ was around 75°C, indicating that Cu²⁺ does not dissociate from the protein molecule during unfolding. The unfolding mechanism of holoCBP21 was considered to be as follows: N∙Cu²⁺ ⇌ U∙Cu²⁺, where N and U represent the native and unfolded states, respectively. Urea-induced equilibrium unfolding analysis showed that holoCBP21 was stabilized by 35 kJ mol⁻¹ in terms of the Gibbs energy change for unfolding (pH 5.0, 25°C), compared with apoCBP21. The increased stability of holoCBP21 was considered to result from the structural stabilization of the protein-Cu²⁺ complex itself.     

Gibberellins in Immature Seeds of Pharbitis nil

A new gibberellin, gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀), was isolated from immature seeds of morning-glory (Pharbitis nil). Its structure was established as 4aα, 7α-dihydroxy-1β-methyl-8-methylenegibbane-1α, 10β-dicarboxylic acid-1→4a lactone (I) on the basis of its physicochemical analysis as well as chemical evidences. GA₂₀ shows marked growth promoting activities on dwarf maize d₂ and d₅ but weak activities on d₁, rice seedling and dwarf pea.     

Occurrence of Castasterone,Brassinolide and Methyl 4-Chloroindole- 3-acetate in Immature Vicia faba Seeds

The rice lamina inclination test indicated the presence of brassinosteroid-like active substances in immature Vicia faba seeds. Two of these were identified as castasterone and brassinolide by GC/MS and GC/SIM, respectively. Another active principle was identified as methyl 4- chloroindole-3-acetate by GC/MS and HPLC.