Organospecific responses of lupin seedlings to lead I. localization of lead ions and stress proteins

A tissue-printing technique was used to follow distribution of lead ions in different organs of lupin seedling with the histological localization of pathogenesis-related proteins designated as PR-L1 to PR-L6, which were found to be induced in lupin roots by heavy metals (Przymusiński and Gwóźdź 1999). Lead nitrate solution was supplied to the root tips and the histological distribution of the metal in lupin organs was visualized by staining with 0.6 % (w/v) of sodium rhodizonate. As the distance from the site of lead application increased, the amount of free lead ions decreased and in the petioles the metal was not detected at all. Lead ions were localized mostly in vascular bundles, which suggests that it was transported into the upper parts of seedlings with the transpiration stream. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue prints showed that as compared to the control lead visibly increased the accumulation of the PR proteins in roots, hypocotyls, stems and leaf petioles of the lupin seedling. The histological distribution of the PR protein differs from that of lead, and was localized in parenchymatic cells of root cortex, hypocotyl and stem. It is worth noticing that the stress protein was also observed in the leaf petioles where lead was not detected. This fact as well as marked enhancement of PR (L1–L6) proteins accumulation in lead treated seedlings and our earlier studies (Przymusiński and Gwóźdź 1994, 1999, Przymusiński et al. 1995) suggests that these proteins could be elements of plant’s defence system against both biotic and abiotic stressing factors.     

Molecular basis of the amylose-like polymer formation catalyzed by Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase

Amylosucrase from Neisseria polysaccharea is a remarkable transglucosidase from family 13 of the glycoside-hydrolases that synthesizes an insoluble amylose-like polymer from sucrose in the absence of any primer. Amylosucrase shares strong structural similarities with alpha-amylases. Exactly how this enzyme catalyzes the formation of alpha-1,4-glucan and which structural features are involved in this unique functionality existing in family 13 are important questions still not fully answered. Here, we provide evidence that amylosucrase initializes polymer formation by releasing, through sucrose hydrolysis, a glucose molecule that is subsequently used as the first acceptor molecule. Maltooligosaccharides of increasing size were produced and successively elongated at their nonreducing ends until they reached a critical size and concentration, causing precipitation. The ability of amylosucrase to bind and to elongate maltooligosaccharides is notably due to the presence of key residues at the OB1 acceptor binding site that contribute strongly to the guidance (Arg415, subsite +4) and the correct positioning (Asp394 and Arg446, subsite +1) of acceptor molecules. On the other hand, Arg226 (subsites +2/+3) limits the binding of maltooligosaccharides, resulting in the accumulation of small products (G to G3) in the medium. A remarkable mutant (R226A), activated by the products it forms, was generated. It yields twice as much insoluble glucan as the wild-type enzyme and leads to the production of lower quantities of by-products.     

Ultraspiracle promotes the nuclear localization of ecdysteroid receptor in mammalian cells

The heterodimer consisting of ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP), both of which are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is considered to be the functional ecdysteroid receptor. Here we analyzed the subcellular distribution of EcR and USP fused to fluorescent proteins. The experiments were carried out in mammalian COS-7, CHO-K1 and HeLa cells to facilitate investigation of the subcellular trafficking of EcR and USP in the absence of endogenous expression of these two receptors. The distribution of USP tagged with a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP-USP) was almost exclusively nuclear in all cell types analyzed. The nuclear localization remained constant for at least 1 day after the first visible signs of expression. In contrast, the intracellular distribution of EcR tagged with a yellow fluorescent protein (YFP-EcR) varied and was dependent on time and cell type, although YFP-EcR alone was also able to partially translocate into the nuclear compartment. Coexpression of YFP-EcR with USP tagged with a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP-USP) resulted in exclusively nuclear localization of both proteins in all cell types analyzed. The USP-induced nuclear localization of YFP-EcR was stable for at least 20 hours. These experiments suggest that USP has a profound effect on the subcellular distribution of EcR.     

OusB, a broad-specificity ABC-type transporter from Erwinia chrysanthemi, mediates uptake of glycine betaine and choline with a high affinity

The ability of Erwinia chrysanthemi to cope with environments of elevated osmolality is due in part to the transport and accumulation of osmoprotectants. In this study we have identified a high-affinity glycine betaine and choline transport system in E. chrysanthemi. By using a pool of Tn5-B21 ousA mutants, we isolated a mutant that could grow in the presence of a toxic analogue of glycine betaine (benzyl-glycine betaine) at high osmolalities. This mutant was impaired in its ability to transport all effective osmoprotectants in E. chrysanthemi. The DNA sequence of the regions flanking the transposon insertion site revealed three chromosomal genes (ousVWX) that encode components of an ABC-type transporter (OusB): OusV (ATPase), OusW (permease), and OusX (periplasmic binding protein). The OusB components showed a significant degree of sequence identity to components of ProU from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli. OusB was found to restore the uptake of glycine betaine and choline through functional complementation of an E. coli mutant defective in both ProU and ProP osmoprotectant uptake systems. Competition experiments demonstrated that choline, dimethylsulfoniacetate, dimethylsulfoniopropionate, and ectoine were effective competitors for OusB-mediated betaine transport but that carnitine, pipecolate, and proline were not effective. In addition, the analysis of single and double mutants showed that OusA and OusB were the only osmoprotectant transporters operating in E. chrysanthemi.     

Selection <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and accumulation of phytochelatins in cadmium tolerant cell line of cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>)

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cells from suspension culture were selected for their ability to grow and divide rapidly in toxic concentration of cadmium. As a result of selection a cell suspension tolerant to 100 M cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) was initiated. The selected tolerant line exhibited stable and repeatable increase in fresh and dry weight of cells in the presence of cadmium. The accumulated level of phytochelatins in cadmium sensitive (unselected) and tolerant cell line was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after 3, 24 h and 5 days of cadmium treatment. It was shown that in both cell lines Cd induced accumulation of phytochelatins and simultaneous glutathione depletion occurred. No distinct changes were found after 3 and 24 h of cadmium treatment whereas after 5 days of exposure to the metal, the level of phytochelatins was two times higher in the sensitive cell line as compared to the tolerant one. The accumulation of phytochelatins was correlated with cadmium concentration that increased in both cell lines during the course of cell exposure to metal. However, the level of cadmium was always lower in the tolerant cell line. The results showed no direct correlation between the tolerance of cucumber cells to Cd and the accumulated level of phytochelatins. Other mechanisms responsible for the increased tolerance of cucumber cells exposed to Cd are discussed.     

Impact of sewage sludges on Medicago truncatula symbiotic proteome

The effects of sewage sludges were investigated on the symbiotic interactions between the model plant Medicago truncatula and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae or the rhizobial bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti. By comparison to a control sludge showing positive effects on plant growth and root symbioses, sludges enriched with polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons or heavy metals were deleterious. Symbiosis-related proteins were detected and identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, and image analysis was used to study the effects of sewage sludges on M. truncatula symbiotic proteome.     

The role of nitric oxide in plant growth regulation and responses to abiotic stresses

Nitric oxide (NO) has received much attention in the recent two decades, equally from human, animal and plant biologists. It was found to play a crucial role in human and animal physiology, immunological reactions and signal transduction. Its ubiquity and versatile properties caught the attention of plant physiologists and biochemists. This work presents an extensive review on the NO presence and action in plants. Various modes of NO synthesis are discussed and the most novel approaches to the elucidation of plant nitric oxide synthase (NOS) structure are presented. This review focuses on the physiological role of NO in regulation of plant growth and development, as well as in the process of gene expression. Special attention is given to the action of NO during abiotic stress and the antioxidant properties of the molecule.     

Structure-activity relationships of neuropeptide FF and related peptidic and non-peptidic derivatives

Neuropeptide FF, a member of the RFamide family of peptides, has demonstrated an interesting array of pharmacological effects. To date however, little information has been obtained as to the exact pharmacological roles of the individual NPFF1 and NPFF2 receptors. Through peptide analogs of NPFF and related peptides, the essential pharmacophore has emerged somewhat. Yet, the field is lacking small molecule ligands selective for each receptor. This review of the structure-activity relationships of the reported NPFF peptide analogs and some non-selective small molecule ligands highlights the current understanding of the pharmacophoric elements required for affinity and activity at the NPFF receptors. The lack of mutagenesis data on the receptor as well as a crystal structure has also hindered the understanding of ligand recognition at the receptor level. If the targets can be further investigated as to their requirements for ligand recognition, the successful development of highly selective ligands should follow.     

Cardiac and regional haemodynamic effects of endothelin-1 in rats subjected to critical haemorrhagic hypotension.

In the present study, we examined cardiac and regional haemodynamic effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictive factor, in a rat model of pressure-controlled irreversible haemorrhagic shock resulting in the death of all control animals within 30 min. Experiments were carried out in male ethylurethane-anaesthetised Wistar rats subjected to hypotension of 20-25 mmHg, which resulted in bradycardia, an extreme decrease in cardiac index (CI) and an increase in total peripheral resistance index (TPRI), with reductions in renal (RBF), hindquarters (HBF) and mesenteric blood flow (MBF). ET-1 (50, 200 pmol/kg) administered intravenously at 5 min of critical hypotension produced increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), which were significantly higher than those in normotensive animals, and a 100% survival at 2 h after treatment. The effects were accompanied by a rise in CI, a decrease in TPRI, with increases in RBF and HBF and persistently lowered MBF, and an increase in circulating blood volume 20 min after treatment. The cardiovascular effects of ET-1 were inhibited by the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (1 mg/kg), while the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (3 mg/kg) had no effect. In conclusion, ET-1 acting via ETA receptors produces reversal of haemorrhagic hypotension in rats due to the mobilisation of blood from venous reservoirs, with the improvements in cardiac function and the perfusion of peripheral tissues.