Development of transgenic tobacco harboring a zeatin O-glucosyltransferase gene from Phaseolus

Summary Zeatin and its derivatives are major consituents of higher plant cytokinins. Metabolic steps modifying the isoprenoid side chain, such as O-glycosylation, are expected to have a direct bearing on cytokinin-mediated processes. To examine this possibility, transgenic tobacco plants were generated harboring a gene (ZOG1) encoding a zeatin O-glucosyltransferase from Phaseolus lunatus under the control of a constitutive (35S) and an inducible (Tet) promoter. The presence of the transgene resulted in elevated enzyme production and conversion of exogenous zeatin to its O-glucoside, confirming the expression of the ZOG1 gene in transgenic plants. Endogenous O-glucosylzeatin was increased from less than 1 pmol per g fresh weight in leaves and roots of controls to 26 and 68 pmol per g fresh weight in leaves and roots of 35S-ZOG1 transformants, respectively. In cytokinin/auxin interaction experiments, Tet-ZOG1 leaf discs, in the presence of tetracycline, required 10-fold higher zeatin concentrations for the formation of shoots and callus than the controls. In 35S-ZOG1 plants, developmental changes included adventitious root formation on the lower stems, shorter stature, and axillary shoot growth. Thus, increased zeatin O-glucosylation in detached, cytokinin-dependent tissues leads to a shift in the response to exogenous zeatin indicative of cytokinin sequestering. In whole plants the effect can simulate a reduction or a rise in cytokinin activity depending on the tissue and stage of development. The use of tissue- and stagespecific promoters in the future will allow more precise analyses and targeted growth alterations.     

Concentrations of Metals in Maxilla and Mandible Deciduous and Permanent Human Teeth

The study shows the results of research on the concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Na, K, Mg, and Ca) in deciduous and permanent teeth with respect to their location in the oral cavity (maxilla, mandible). It has been found that the concentrations of metals were significantly higher in the deciduous teeth than in permanent ones. Regression analysis and principal component analysis revealed an increased dynamics of the processes of binding the elements by the hydroxyapatite of deciduous teeth. Higher concentrations of the metals were found in the maxilla permanent and deciduous teeth than in the mandible ones.     

658. CYTINUS RUBER

Summary. Cytinus ruber (Fourr.) Fritsch is described and illustrated. Current knowledge of its phylogeny and systematics is discussed, and its successful cultivation is recorded.     

Energy balance of hibernating mouse-eared batMyotis myotis: a study with a TOBEC instrument

We used a non-invasive TOBEC method (Total Body Electric Conductivity) to estimate lean body mass and fat content in mouse-eared batsMyotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) hibernating in Poznañ Forts (W Poland) and in a semi-natural cave-mine Miedzianka (SE Poland). In December, fat content averaged 5.5 g in females (body mass = 29.4 g) and 5.3 g in males (body mass = 28.4 g). At the end of hibernation (April), fat content averaged 2.2 g in females (body mass = 25.6 g) and 1.4 g in males (body mass = 23.7 g). Fat content did not differ between the localities either in December or in April, but the pattern of changes of fat content was different. We calculated the rate of energy expenditure in hibernating bats using two methods, based on independent samples (fat content in first-time captured individuals) and based on paired observations (changes of fat content in re-captured individuals), and discussed problems associated with the two approaches. Both methods show that the bats need about 4.9 g of fat (191 kJ) to sustain a 165-day hibernation. However, the rate of fat usage varied considerably between the sites and hibernation phase. Although the average amount of fat remaining in April would be sufficient to support at least six more weeks of hibernation, the level of reserves was close to zero in some individuals.