miR169 and PmRGL2 synergistically regulate the NF-Y complex to activate dormancy release in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)

Plant Molecular Biology - This study is the first to demonstrate that GA4-induced dormancy release is associated with the NF-Y complex, which interacts with gibberellin inhibitor RGL2 in Japanese...     

Exogenous Melatonin Enhances Cd Tolerance and Phytoremediation Efficiency by Ameliorating Cd-Induced Stress in Oilseed Crops: A Review

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Heavy metal pollution is of increasing global concern as it adversely impacts different spheres including pedosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and humansphere....     

Plasma osmolality, urine composition and tissue water content of the toad Bufo viridis Laur. in nature and under controlled laboratory conditions

The compositions of plasma and urine were studied in toads (Bufo viridis) which were collected from three locations in Israel, and compared with toads which were kept under constant laboratory conditions for nearly 2 years. Plasma osmolality was rather constant (over 310 mOsm kg-1 H2O) during the whole year in the active toads. Urea was the most variable osmolyte in the plasma, and accounted for the higher osmolality in southern population. Urine osmolality fluctuated in a circannual fashion both in freshly captured and in the toads under constant laboratory conditions. Water content of the tissues was constant throughout the year, independent of the plasma osmolality. It is concluded that high plasma urea concentration and the excretory system (kidneys and the urinary bladder) are important in sustaining constant plasma osmolality in active toads. Both mechanisms change annually and form the basis for the high terrestriality of this species.     

Inhibitory role of cAMP on doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in pre-B ALL cells through dephosphorylation of p53 serine residues

Exposure of cells to chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, a DNA-damaging agent, induces an increase in the levels and activity of the wild-type p53 protein. Less well appreciated was the effect of cAMP levels on posttranslational modifications of p53 in response to doxorubicin. Here we show that elevation of cAMP in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia NALM-6 cells significantly attenuated phosphorylation state of p53 at Ser6, Ser9, Ser15, Ser20, Ser37, Ser46 and Ser392 upon exposure to doxorubicin. Increased cAMP levels also shifted the ratio of the death promoter to death repressor genes via alteration of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins expression. In conclusion, our results suggest that activation of cAMP-signaling system may repress p53-dependent apoptosis in malignant cells exposed to doxorubicin.     

PEGylated phospholipid nanomicelles interact with beta-amyloid((1-42)) and mitigate its beta-sheet formation, aggregation and neurotoxicity in vitro

beta-Amyloid (Abeta) is a hydrophobic peptide that drives the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its aberrant aggregation. Inhibition of Abeta aggregation process is one of the most promising strategies for therapeutic intervention in AD. Here, we demonstrate that sterically stabilized (PEGylated) phospholipid nanomicelles (SSM) are effective in mitigating Abeta-42 aggregation using several deterministic techniques such as (1) Turbidimetry (2) Congo red binding (3) Thioflavine-T binding (4) Laser light scattering and (5) Electron Microscopy. alpha-Helicity of Abeta-42 is significantly augmented in the presence of SSM as demonstrated by circular dichroism (p<0.05). Cytotoxicity studies, employing human neuroblastoma SHSY-5Y cells, established that PEGylated phospholipid associated peptide demonstrated significantly lower neurotoxicity compared to lipid untreated Abeta-42 (p<0.05). Collectively, our results establish that PEGylated phospholipids abrogate transformation of Abeta-42 to amyloidogenic beta-sheeted form and impart neuroprotection in vitro. This study provides a foundation for designing nanoconstructs of PEGylated phospholipid nanomicelles in conjunction with a therapeutic agent for multitargeting the different pathophysiologies associated with AD.     

A putative role for fusaric acid in biocontrol of the parasitic angiosperm Orobanche ramosa

Fusarium spp. are ubiquitous fungi found in soil worldwide as both pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains. The signals leading to disease or the absence of disease are poorly understood. We recently showed that fusaric acid (FA), a nonspecific toxin produced by most Fusarium spp., could elicit various plant defense responses at 100 nM without toxic effect. In this study, we checked for the effect of FA on root and root hairs, probable first site of contact between the fungi and the host. Large FA concentrations reduce root and root-hair growth and induce a rapid transient membrane hyperpolarization, followed by a large depolarization, due to the inhibition of H(+)-ATPase currents. Nanomolar concentrations of FA induced only an early transient membrane hyperpolarization of root hairs compatible with the induction of a signal transduction pathway. FA at 10(-7) M failed to induce salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent defense-related genes but inhibited the germination of the angiosperm parasite Orobanche ramosa in contact of FA-pretreated Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. These data suggest that FA at nontoxic concentrations could activate signal transduction components necessary for plant-defense responses that could contribute to biocontrol activity of Fusarium spp.     

Design and synthesis of novel series of 5-HT6 receptor ligands having indole,a central aromatic core and 1-amino-4 methyl piperazine as a positive ionizable group

The exclusive distribution of 5-HT₆ receptor in the brain regions and high affinity for antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs makes 5-HT₆ receptor a promising target in treatment of CNS diseases. Based on a pharmacophore model reported in the literature, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 5-HT₆ receptor ligands having indole as a central aromatic core and 1-amino-4-methyl piperazine as positive ionizable group. Out of 32 compounds we have successfully identified 10 new compounds as 5-HT₆ receptor antagonists. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies have been carried out by mapping the compounds with the 3D QSAR model.     

Numerical and series solutions of the peristaltic motion of an Oldroyd 8-constant fluid in an endoscope

In the present article, we have presented the peristaltic flow of an Oldroyd 8-constant fluid in an endoscope. The governing equations for the flow problem are simplified using long wavelength and low Reynold's number approximations. The solutions of the simplified problem are calculated using (i) Homotopy analysis method and (ii) Shooting method. The comparison of both the solutions shows a very good agreement between the results. The graphical results for the velocity field and stresses are presented to show the physical behaviour of all the parameters appearing in the problem.