In vitro shoot regeneration of Populus deltoides: effect of cytokinin and genotype

Treatment differences were observed in the in vitro adventitious shoot regeneration response from internodal explants of three genotypes of Populus deltoides cultured on media supplemented with five concentrations each of the cytokinins 6-benzyladenine, 2-isopentyladenine, and zeatin. For each of the three genotypes, the greatest number of shoots were consistently regenerated on media containing the cytokinin zeatin. Tissue necrosis resulted when explants from any of the three genotypes were cultured on media supplemented with 6-benzyladenine. A zeatin concentration by genotype interaction was also observed. Genotypic differences in shoot regeneration were observed for 16 genotypes of Populus deltoides when cultured on medium supplemented with 0.5 mgL^–1 zeatin. Six genotypes were highly recalcitrant and failed to regenerate shoots. The percent of explants regenerating was greater than 50% for four genotypes.Abbreviations WNA modified Woody Plant Media - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - 2-iP 2-isopentenyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - MS Murashige Skoog (1962) medium - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - PAR photosynthetically active radiation Journal Series No. 8938, Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska     

Single-molecule studies of synaptotagmin and complexin binding to the SNARE complex

The assembly of multiprotein complexes at the membrane interface governs many signaling processes in cells. However, very few methods exist for obtaining biophysical information about protein complex formation at the membrane. We used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to study complexin and synaptotagmin interactions with the SNARE complex in deposited lipid bilayers. Using total internal reflectance microscopy, individual binding events at the membrane could be resolved despite an excess of unbound protein in solution. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-efficiency derived distances for the complexin-SNARE interaction were consistent with the crystal structure of the complexin-SNARE complex. The unstructured N-terminal region of complexin showed broad distributions of FRET efficiencies to the SNARE complex, suggesting that information on conformational variability can be obtained from FRET efficiency distributions. The low-affinity interaction of synaptotagmin with the SNARE complex changed dramatically upon addition of Ca2+ with high FRET efficiency interactions appearing between the C2B domain and linker domains of synaptotagmin and the membrane proximal portion of the SNARE complex. These results demonstrate that single molecule FRET can be used as a "spectroscopic ruler" to simultaneously gain structural and kinetic information about transient multiprotein complexes at the membrane interface.     

Echinococcus multilocularis: The impact of ionizing radiation on metacestodes

Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the metacestode stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. Current chemotherapeutical options for the treatment of echinococcosis are not satisfactory, and novel drugs and/or other potential means of therapy are needed. E. multilocularis metacestodes are characterized by almost potentially unlimited growth, and also display other features of cancerous tumours. In this study, we exposed metacestodes that were generated in vitro to 50–100 Gy ionizing irradiation, and subsequently investigated the short-term (10–12 days post-treatment) and long-term (14 weeks post-treatment) effects. We found, that in the short-term, no release of alkaline phosphatase (EmAP) activity as a measure for potentially induced damage and loss of viability could be detected, and that the protein expression pattern and protease activities in vesicle fluids and medium supernatants did not alter dramatically following irradiation. However, irradiation was associated with distinct morphological and ultrastructural alterations in the tissue of metacestodes, affecting most notably cell–cell contacts, mitochondrial shape, glycogen-storage cells and lipid droplet formation. These could be detected already at 10 days following treatment and remained as such also in the long-term. In addition, as determined after 14 weeks of culture, irradiation affected the proliferation and the growth of E. multilocularis metacestodes. Thus, we demonstrate that radiotherapy does not have a clear-cut parasitocidal effect, but can lead to metabolic impairment of E. multilocularis metacestodes, as reflected by the distinct morphological and structural alterations induced by irradiation treatment.     

Long-wavelength absorbing and fluorescent chameleon labels for proteins, peptides, and amines

Long-wavelength absorbing labels that change their color and fluorescence upon conjugation to proteins and other biomolecules provide two critical advantages over the wealth of conventional amine-reactive labels. At first, the progress of the labeling reaction can be monitored continuously either visually or by spectrometry without prior purification. Then, the labeled biomolecule can be investigated with red or near-infrared light, which minimizes background interference in biological samples. These unique characteristics are met by a group of long-wavelength absorbing cyanine dyes carrying a reactive chloro substituent for nucleophilic substitution with primary amines, which is accompanied by a color change from green to blue. In addition to this so-called chameleon effect, the dyes display an increase in fluorescence during the labeling reaction. Despite their structural similarity, the reactivity of the dyes differs strongly. The fastest labeling kinetics is observed with dye S 0378 as its five-membered ring affords a stabilizing effect on the intermediate carbocation during an S(N)1-type of nucleophilic substitution. The reaction mechanism of the amine-reactive cyanine dyes provides a blueprint for the design of future long-wavelength absorbing chameleon dyes.     

Die Ausnutzung von Art- und Gattungsbastarden in der Weizenzüchtung

Ohne ZusammenfassungVortrag, gehalten auf dem Fortbildungskursus für Pflanzenzüchter am 21. Juni 1934 in Müncheberg i. M.     

THEORY AND MEASUREMENT OF VISUAL MECHANISMS : VIII. THE FORM OF THE FLICKER CONTOUR

Flicker response curves (man) obtained with images formed entirely within the fovea are like those secured with lower animals having only one general class of retinal receptors. They are normal probability integrals (F vs. log I_m), and the properties of their parameters agree with those for visually simplex animals and for the "cone" portions of contours exhibiting visual duplexity. By several different procedures, involving experimental modifications of the "cone" curve, the "rod" part of the typical human duplex curve can be obtained free from overlapping by the extrapolated "cone" curve. It then has the probability integral form which the lower segment does not directly exhibit when combined with "cone" effects. These results are discussed with reference to the statistical nature of the fundamental form of the flicker contour and to the interpretation of duplex curves produced by the neural integration of two independently modifiable groups of sensory effects.     

Immune Evasion,Stress Resistance,and Efficient Nutrient Acquisition Are Crucial for Intracellular Survival of Candida glabrata within Macrophages

Candida glabrata is both a human fungal commensal and an opportunistic pathogen which can withstand activities of the immune system. For example, C. glabrata can survive phagocytosis and replicates within macrophages. However, the mechanisms underlying intracellular survival remain unclear. In this work, we used a functional genomic approach to identify C. glabrata determinants necessary for survival within human monocyte-derived macrophages by screening a set of 433 deletion mutants. We identified 23 genes which are required to resist killing by macrophages. Based on homologies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae orthologs, these genes are putatively involved in cell wall biosynthesis, calcium homeostasis, nutritional and stress response, protein glycosylation, or iron homeostasis. Mutants were further characterized using a series of in vitro assays to elucidate the genes'' functions in survival. We investigated different parameters of C. glabrata-phagocyte interactions: uptake by macrophages, replication within macrophages, phagosomal pH, and recognition of mutant cells by macrophages as indicated by production of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). We further studied the cell surface integrity of mutant cells, their ability to grow under nutrient-limited conditions, and their susceptibility to stress conditions mirroring the harsh environment inside a phagosome. Additionally, resistance to killing by neutrophils was analyzed. Our data support the view that immune evasion is a key aspect of C. glabrata virulence and that increased immune recognition causes increased antifungal activities by macrophages. Furthermore, stress resistance and efficient nutrient acquisition, in particular, iron uptake, are crucial for intraphagosomal survival of C. glabrata.