Characterization of a basic transthyretin variant--TTR Arg 102--in the German population.

A basic transthyretin (TTR) variant, apparently non-pathogenic, has been reported in a German family. Protein analysis of this TTR variant revealed the substitution of arginine for proline at position 102 of the TTR polypeptide chain. This result was confirmed by DNA analysis of PCR amplified DNA.     

SNFL3: A Protein Kinase Homologue of Sorghum bicolor with a High Similarity to the Yeast SNF1 Protein Kinase

We have identified several protein kinases that are differentially expressed in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of the C4 plant Sorghum bicolor. Here we describe the characterization of a protein kinase homologue that shows a high amino acid sequence similarity to the SNF1/AMPK family of protein serine/threonine kinases. The mRNA of this gene accumulates to much higher levels in mesophyll cells than in the bundle sheath and can also be detected in root tissue.     

The receptor for Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is expressed in radial glia during development of the nervous system

Background  

Granulocyte colony-stimulating (G-CSF) factor is a well-known hematopoietic growth factor stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of myeloid progenitors. Recently, we uncovered that G-CSF acts also as a neuronal growth factor in the brain, which promotes adult neural precursor differentiation and enhances regeneration of the brain after insults. In adults, the receptor for G-CSF is predominantly expressed in neurons in many brain areas. We also described expression in neurogenic regions of the adult brain, such as the subventricular zone and the subgranular layer of the dentate gyrus. In addition, we found close co-localization of the G-CSF receptor and its ligand G-CSF. Here we have conducted a systematic expression analysis of G-CSF receptor and its ligand in the developing embryo.     

Regenwürmer als Partner bei der Bodennutzung

Earthworms as partners in rural land use Within the soil food web, earthworms are very important for the provision of numerous ecosystem services. They promote soil structure formation, soil health, nutrient availability, aeration, water storage and resilience of soils. By this means, earthworms play a substantial role to improve the fertility of agricultural soils in the long-term. Conservation and promotion of earthworms through soil-protecting management measures is therefore essential to make best use of the natural capacity of earthworms. Agricultural soil management of farmers and the beneficial activities of earthworms can be seen as synergistic interaction, which provides a promising approach for the design of sustainable cropping systems ensuring future agricultural productivity and yield.     

Our extended genotype—An argument for the study of domesticated microbes

We interpret the domesticated organisms—plants, animals, and the domesticated microbes used for food fermentation—as an extended genotype of humans due to their close relationship with our species. We propose to analyse the role of microbes in traditionally fermented food with the approaches used in the human microbiome project, and we expect to find associations with ethnic groups, explaining part of human (culinary) culture.