Detection and seasonal expression pattern of a pathogenesis-related protein (PR-10) in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) tissues

Previously, a PR-10 protein Pin m III was described in western white pine. In this study, primers based on cDNA of Pin m III were utilized to obtain the genomic sequence of a Pin m III homologue – Pse m I – in Douglas-fir. A comparative analysis of a deduced amino acid sequence of Pin m III and Pse m I genes indicated about 80% similarity between the two protein sequences, and a consensus 20 amino acid sequence located around the p-loop sequence was used to synthesize a peptide of 20 amino acids. An antibody to this synthetic peptide was able to detect the Pse m I protein in Douglas-fir. The anti- Pse m I antibody was used in a western immunoblot to monitor seasonal variation of the Pse m I in Douglas-fir needles and its level was shown to increase with overwintering of Douglas-fir seedlings. However, unlike the Pin m III, there is no indication that the Pse m I is associated with frost hardiness. Analysis of infected Douglas-fir roots showed a possible trend to up-regulation of Pse m I by pathogens such as the laminated root rot fungus, Phellinus weirii . The expression of Pse m I protein in Douglas-fir seedlings is very low compared to the expression of Pin m III protein in western white pine seedlings. In addition, a light-harvesting complex I protein, PSI-F, was identified in Douglas-fir by N-terminal amino acid sequencing.     

Length‐weight relationships of fish species in Kordan River (Namak Lake basin), Iran

Length‐weight relationships were estimated for three little‐known species in Kordan River, in the Namak Lake Basin, Iran. For all species the estimated length‐weight relationship parameters fell within normal distributions and predicted ranges.     

Histological Analysis of SLC38A6 (SNAT6) Expression in Mouse Brain Shows Selective Expression in Excitatory Neurons with High Expression in the Synapses

SLC38A6 is one of the newly found members of the solute carrier 38 family consisting of total 11 members, of which only 6 have been characterized so far. Being the only glutamine transporter family expressed in the brain, this family of proteins are most probably involved in the regulation of the glutamate-glutamine cycle, responsible for preventing excitotoxicity. We used immunohistochemistry to show that SLC38A6 is primarily expressed in excitatory neurons and is not expressed in the astrocytes. Using proximity ligation assay, we have quantified the interactions of this SLC38 family protein with other proteins with known localization in the cells, showing that this transporter is expressed at the synapses. Moreover, this study has enabled us to come up with a model suggesting sub-cellular localization of SLC38A6 at the synaptic membrane of the excitatory neurons.     

Correlation of SOD and MDA Expression in the Organ of Corti and Changes in the Function of Outer Hair Cells Measured by DPOAE Examination in Noise-Exposed Rat Cochlea

Background:Hearing loss due to noise can cause the disturbances toward the quality of life and cause mechanical damage and metabolic decompensation. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) is an examination to assess the sensory function of outer hair cells. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) are markers of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to identify the correlation between DPOAE examination and SOD and MDA expression in rats exposed to noise.Methods:This research was conducted on 27 rats which were divided into 3 groups, group 1 (control), group 2, and group 3 were groups with 100 dB and 110 dB noise exposure respectively.Results:Our findings show a decrease in SOD expression and DPOAE values as well as an increase in MDA expression in rats exposed to noise and there is a positive correlation between Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) value with SOD expression (r= 0.733, p= 0.025) and a negative correlation between SNR value with MDA expression (r= -0.678, p= 0.045).Conclusion:our study find the correlation of oxidant and antioxidant status values in the organ of corti and changes in the function of outer hair cells in noise-exposed rat models.Key Words: Malondialdehyde, Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Otoacoustic Emission, Superoxide Dismutase     

Programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene haplotypes and susceptibility of patients to basal cell carcinoma

Molecular Biology Reports - Programmed death-1 (PD-1), as an immunoinhibitory receptor encoded by programmed cell death-1 (PDCD1) gene, has a pivotal role in tolerance to self-antigens. Mutations...     

Investigation of the Effects of Phosphate Fertilizer Application on the Heavy Metal Content in Agricultural Soils with Different Cultivation Patterns

The use of phosphate fertilizers is essential in agriculture, because they supply farmland with nutrients for growing plants. However, heavy metals might be included as impurities in natural materials and minerals, so heavy metals can also be present in phosphate fertilizers or other chemical fertilizers. The aim of this work was to assess the heavy metal content and contamination status of agricultural soils in the Hamadan province of Iran used for the cultivation of different crops, including cucumber, potatoes, and sugar beet. Surface soil samples were collected and analyzed to determine the total concentration of specific elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), before the pollution index was calculated for each element. Soils used for the cultivation of the three types of crop were not contaminated with As, Cr, Cu, Pb, or Zn. However, the pollution indices for Cd were 1.1, 4.4, and 3.8 in cucumber, potato, and sugar beet fields, respectively, which indicated moderate, high, and high levels of contamination, respectively. Soils from potato and sugar beet fields were heavily contaminated with Cd, which may have resulted from long-term overuse of phosphate fertilizers.     

Delay expression of limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase makes delayed bitterness in citrus

Genes encoding limonoid UDP-glucosyltransferase from albedo of six Citrus species with different levels of delayed bitterness are isolated and cloned in vector pTZ57R/T. Our results indicate that gene sequence of sweet lime (with intense juice delayed bitterness) have complete identity with Satsuma mandarin (without distinctive juice delayed bitterness). Also gene sequence of Marsh seedless grapefruit, local orange and Thompson navel orange (with mild juice delayed bitterness) have very similarity with Satsuma mandarin. On the other hand, this gene started to express 60, 120, and 210 days after full blooming in albedo of Satsuma mandarin, sweet oranges and sour orange, and both grapefruit and sweet lime, respectively. Expression pattern of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in leaves was quite different with albedo. Thus, we supposed the delayed bitterness in this species was related to delay in expression of limonoid glucosyltransferase gene in albedo and lower limonoid glucoside accumulation in fruits.