Enhancement of algicidal activity by immobilization of algicidal bacteria antagonistic to Stephanodiscus hantzschii (Bacillariophyceae)

AIMS: Enhancement of algicidal activity by immobilization of algicidal bacteria antagonistic to Stephanodiscus hantzschii. METHODS AND RESULTS: In laboratory studies, A diatom-lysing bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens HYK0210-SK09 showed strong algicidal activity against S. hantzschii, but a natural mesocosm study revealed that this bacterium failed to fully control natural blooms of Stephanodiscus at the low water temperatures that favour these blooms. Here, we sought to develop an effective immobilization strategy for enhancing the algicidal activity of HYK0210-SK09 in the natural setting. Bacterium HYK0210-SK09 was immobilized with various carriers including agar, alginate, polyurethane and cellulose sponge. The bacterial cells immobilized with cellulose sponge (CIS) induced more rapid and complete lysis of S. hantzschii than other carriers, and had a higher packing ability than polyurethane. Furthermore, CIS-immobilized cells showed higher lysis of S. hantzschii at the same concentrations as that of free cells (< or =1 x 10(7) cells ml(-1)), and had especially strong algicidal activity at the low temperatures (<10 degrees C). Based on these laboratory studies, we assessed the possible application of HYK0210-SK09 cells in the field by performing a mesocosm study during the winter season. The CIS-immobilized cells with species-specific activity towards the genera Stephanodiscus showed extremely high algicidal activity (up to 95%) against a bloom of Stephanodiscus hantzschii even at low water temperatures, because of high cell packing and subsequent cell protection against low temperatures and predators, whereas free cells showed negligible algicidal activities under these conditions. CONCLUSION: Immobilizing cells of HYK0210-SK09 in CIS foam, rather than in the other matrices tested, could achieve more efficient control of Stephanodiscus blooms and showed a significant algicidal activity on in vitro and in vivo blooms, even at low water temperature. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Collectively, these results indicate that CIS of algicidal bacteria may form an important strategy for effective management of Stephanodiscus blooms at low water temperatures.     

Molecular detection of various rickettsiae in mites (acari: trombiculidae) in southern Jeolla Province, Korea

This study revealed the presence of various rickettsial agents in mites from wild rodents collected in Southern Jeolla Province, Korea, by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis of a partial citrate synthase and rickettsia outer membrane protein B genes. Rickettsial agents closely related to the Rickettsia species TwKM02, R. australis, and the Rickettsia species Cf15 were successfully identified in this study, for the first time in Korea, and R. japonica, R. akari, R. conorii, R. felis, and R. typhi were also detected, as previously described. The data presented in this paper extend knowledge on the geographic distribution of SFG rickettsiae in eastern Asia and it may necessary to consider the role of mites in rickettsial transmission.     

Successful genetic transformation of Chinese cabbage using phosphomannose isomerase as a selection marker

A mannose selection system was adapted for use in the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Chinese cabbage. This system makes use of the pmi gene that encodes phosphomannose isomerase, which converts mannose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate. Hypocotyl explants from 4–5-day-old seedlings of Chinese cabbage inbred lines were pre-cultured for 2–3 days and then infected with Agrobacterium. Two genes (l-guluno-γ-lactone oxidase, GLOase, and jasmonic methyl transferase, JMT) were transformed into Chinese cabbage using the transformation procedure developed in this study. We found that supplementing the media with 7 g l⁻¹ mannose and 2% sucrose provides the necessary conditions for the selection of transformed plants from nontransformed plants. The transformation rates were 1.4% for GLOase and 3.0% for JMT, respectively. The Southern blot analysis revealed that several independent transformants (T ₀) were obtained from each transgene. Three different inbred lines were transformed, and most of the T ₁ plants had normal phenotypes. The transformation method presented here for Chinese cabbage using mannose selection is efficient and reproducible, and it can be useful to introduce a desirable gene(s) into commercially useful inbred lines of Chinese cabbage.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">ATHB23</Emphasis>, an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> class I homeodomain-leucine zipper gene,is expressed in the adaxial region of young leaves

Homeobox genes are essential regulators of plant development. ATHB23, a class I homeodomain leucine zipper gene of Arabidopsis, was found to be induced by treatment with the phytohormone gibberellin (GA). In order to clarify its role in development, we performed a histochemical analysis of transgenic plants containing a construct with a GUS::GFP reporter under the control of the 1.5 kb upstream region of ATHB23. The construct was mainly expressed in young leaves and the styles of flowers but not in mature leaves. Microscopic examination of young leaves revealed that it was expressed in the adaxial domain of leaf primordia and the rib meristem. Expression of ATHB23, like that of GA5 encoding GA 20-oxidase, was reduced in mutants related to adaxial-abaxial leaf polarity (phb-1d, se-2, and kan1 kan2). Reduced expression of the GUS::GFP reporter gene was also observed in an se-2 background. These results indicate that ATHB23 is under the control of GA and other activators such as PHB, and is involved in establishing polarity during leaf development.     

Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia have additive effects on activation and proliferation of pancreatic stellate cells: possible explanation of islet-specific fibrosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Pancreatic islet fibrosis observed in Type 2 diabetes is one of the major factors leading to progressive beta-cell loss and dysfunction. Despite its importance, the mechanism of islet-restricted fibrogenesis associated with pancreatic stellate cell (PSC) activation and proliferation remains to be defined. Therefore, we studied whether the islet-specific environment represented by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia had additive effects on the activation and proliferation of cultured rat PSCs. Cells were stimulated to activate and proliferate with glucose and insulin, either individually or concomitantly. Both stimuli promoted PSC proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation independently, but an additive effect was also demonstrated. Blockade of ERK signaling by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, U0126, suppressed both glucose- and insulin-induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and PSC proliferation. Glucose and insulin-induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation also stimulated connective tissue growth factor gene expression. Thus, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are two crucial mitogenic factors that activate and proliferate PSCs, and the presence of both states will amplify this response.     

Induction of Egr-1 is associated with anti-metastatic and anti-invasive ability of beta-lapachone in human hepatocarcinoma cells

beta-lapachone, a quinone compound obtained from the bark of the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellanedae), was reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we investigated novel functions of beta-lapachone in terms of anti-metastasis and anti-invasion abilities using human hepatocarcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B. beta-lapachone dose-dependently inhibited cell viability and migration of both HepG2 and Hep3B cells, as determined by methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay and wound healing assay. RT-PCR and Western blot data revealed that beta-lapachone dramatically increased the levels of protein, as well as mRNA expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) and throbospondin-1 (TSP-1) at an early point in time, and then decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, down-regulation of Snail and up-regulation of E-cadherin expression were observed in beta-lapachone-treated HepG2 and Hep3B cells, and this the associated with decreased invasive ability as measured by matrigel invasion assay. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that beta-lapachone may be expected to inhibit the progression and metastasis of hepatoma cells, at least in part by inhibiting the invasive ability of the cells via up-regulation of the expression of the Egr-1, TSP-1, and E-cadherin.     

EGF receptor is involved in WNT3a-mediated proliferation and motility of NIH3T3 cells via ERK pathway activation

WNT3a stimulates proliferation of NIH3T3 cells via activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. The RAF-1-->MEK-->ERK cascade was immediately increased by WNT3a treatment, however, the upstream event triggering ERK pathway activation by WNT3a is not clear. WNT3a activated RAS and WNT3a-induced ERK activation was blocked by dominant-negative RAS, indicating that WNT3a might act upstream of RAS. WNT3a-induced ERK pathway activations were blocked by AG1478, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, and EGFR siRNA. The WNT3a-induced ERK pathway activation was not observed in fibroblasts retaining defective EGFR, but the WNT3a effect was restored by EGFR reconstitution. These results indicate involvement of EGFR in the WNT3a-induced ERK pathway activation. WNT3a-induced motility and cytoskeletal rearrangement as well as proliferation of NIH3T3 cells were blocked by AG1478 and EGFR siRNA or abolished in EGFR knock-out fibroblasts, indicating involvement of EGFR in those cellular processes. WNT3a-induced ERK pathway activation was not affected by Dickkoff-1 (DKK-1), although WNT3a-induced activations of the WNT/beta-catenin pathway and proliferation were reduced by DKK-1. EGFR is involved in WNT3a-induced proliferation via both routes dependent on and independent of the WNT/beta-catenin pathway. These results indicate that WNT3a stimulates proliferation and motility of NIH3T3 fibroblasts via EGFR-mediated ERK pathway activation.     

Ameliorative anti-diabetic activity of dangnyosoko, a Chinese herbal medicine, in diabetic rats

The preventive anti-diabetic effect of dangnyosoko (DNSK), a Chinese herbal medicine, was evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. DNSK was orally administered once a day from 3 d after STZ-induction at 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg for 4 weeks, and the results were compared to those for glibenclamide. Dramatic decreases in body weight and plasma insulin levels and increases in blood and urine glucose levels were detected in STZ-induced diabetic animals with disruption and disappearance of pancreatic islets and increases in glucagon- and decreases in insulin-producing cells. However, these diabetic changes were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment with DNSK, and DNSK at 100 mg/kg showed more favorable effects than glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg. Based on these results, it is thought that DNSK has favorable effects in ameliorating changes in blood and urine glucose levels and body weight, and that histopathological changes in the pancreas in STZ induce diabetes.     

Expression, purification, and antibody binding activity of human papillomavirus 16 L1 protein fused to maltose binding protein

Genetic human papillomavirus type 16 L1 (HPV16 L1) has been widely studied for cervical cancer vaccine development. For the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening of these vaccines, HPV16 L1 protein, which is required as a coating protein, has previously been expressed from costly and laborious recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells. For a novel HPV16 L1 expression system characterized by a high yield of soluble form with simple purification steps, we have cloned and expressed two different types of HPV16 L1, both fused to maltose binding protein (MBP) or glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in Escherichia coli. The yield of soluble HPV16 L1 was influenced by the cultivation temperature. The yield of soluble form in the total MBP-fused HPV16 L1 protein (MBP-HPV16 L1) was 35% at 37 degrees C, but increased to 85% at 22 degrees C. Among the fusion partners, MBP provided higher yields of total and soluble HPV16 L1 than did GST. MBP-HPV16 L1 showed a 4.9-fold higher yield of the soluble form over insoluble inclusion bodies under optimized culture conditions. The soluble form of MBP-HPV16 L1 was purified via MBP affinity chromatography in a recovery yield of 9.7%. After fusion with MBP, HPV16 L1 showed binding activity to HPV16 L1-specific monoclonal antibody comparable to HPV16 L1 from the insect cells in ELISA tests. These results demonstrate that the use of MBP as a fusion partner may generate a high yield of soluble HPV16 L1 under optimized temperature conditions, and that MBP-fused HPV16 L1 might be applied further in evaluations of the immune responses of HPV16 L1-based cervical cancer vaccines.