Physiology,gene expression,and metabolome of two wheat cultivars with contrasting submergence tolerance

Responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to complete submergence are not well understood as research has focused on waterlogging (soil flooding). The aim of this study was to characterize the responses of 2 wheat cultivars differing vastly in submergence tolerance to test if submergence tolerance was linked to shoot carbohydrate consumption as seen in rice. Eighteen‐day‐old wheat cultivars Frument (intolerant) and Jackson (tolerant) grown in soil were completely submerged for up to 19 days while assessing responses in physiology, gene expression, and shoot metabolome. Results revealed 50% mortality after 9.3 and 15.9 days of submergence in intolerant Frument and tolerant Jackson, respectively, and significantly higher growth in Jackson during recovery. Frument displayed faster leaf degradation as evident from leaf tissue porosity, chlorophyll_a, and metabolomic fingerprinting. Surprisingly, shoot soluble carbohydrates, starch, and individual sugars declined to similarly low levels in both cultivars by day 5, showing that cultivar Jackson tolerated longer periods of low shoot carbohydrate levels than Frument. Moreover, intolerant Frument showed higher levels of phytol and the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde relative to tolerant Jackson. Consequently, we propose to further investigate the role of ethylene sensitivity and deprivation of reactive O₂ species in submerged wheat.     

Effects of landscape structure and land-use intensity on similarity of plant and animal communities

Aim Species richness in itself is not always sufficient to evaluate land management strategies for nature conservation. The exchange of species between local communities may be affected by landscape structure and land‐use intensity. Thus, species turnover, and its inverse, community similarity, may be useful measures of landscape integrity from a diversity perspective. Location A European transect from France to Estonia. Methods We measured the similarity of plant, bird, wild bee, true bug, carabid beetle, hoverfly and spider communities sampled along gradients in landscape composition (e.g. total availability of semi‐natural habitat), landscape configuration (e.g. fragmentation) and land‐use intensity (e.g. pesticide loads). Results Total availability of semi‐natural habitats had little effect on community similarity, except for bird communities, which were more homogeneous in more natural landscapes. Bee communities, in contrast, were less similar in landscapes with higher percentages of semi‐natural habitats. Increased landscape fragmentation decreased similarity of true bug communities, while plant communities showed a nonlinear, U‐shaped response. More intense land use, specifically increased pesticide burden, led to a homogenization of bee, bug and spider communities within sites. In these cases, habitat fragmentation interacted with pesticide load. Hoverfly and carabid beetle community similarity was differentially affected by higher pesticide levels: for carabid beetles similarity decreased, while for hoverflies we observed a U‐shaped relationship. Main conclusions Our study demonstrates the effects of landscape composition, configuration and land‐use intensity on the similarity of communities. It indicates reduced exchange of species between communities in landscapes dominated by agricultural activities. Taxonomic groups differed in their responses to environmental drivers and using but one group as an indicator for ‘biodiversity’ as such would thus not be advisable.     

Post-transcriptional Regulation by 3′ UTRs Can Be Masked by Regulatory Elements in 5′ UTRs

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The nuclear receptor cofactor, receptor-interacting protein 140, is required for the regulation of hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism by liver X receptor

The liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that play important roles in the regulation of lipid metabolism. In this study, we demonstrate that receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a cofactor for LXR in liver. Analysis of RIP140 null mice and hepatocytes depleted of RIP140 indicate that the cofactor is essential for the ability of LXR to activate the expression of a set of genes required for lipogenesis. Furthermore we demonstrate that RIP140 is required for the ability of LXR to repress the expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in Fao cells and mice. Thus, we conclude that the function of RIP140 as a cofactor for LXR in liver varies according to the target genes and metabolic process, serving as a coactivator in lipogenesis but as a corepressor in gluconeogenesis.     

An experimental and computational analysis of primary cilia deflection under fluid flow

In this study we have developed a novel model of the deflection of primary cilia experiencing fluid flow accounting for phenomena not previously considered. Specifically, we developed a large rotation formulation that accounts for rotation at the base of the cilium, the initial shape of the cilium and fluid drag at high deflection angles. We utilised this model to analyse full 3D data-sets of primary cilia deflecting under fluid flow acquired with high-speed confocal microscopy. We found a wide variety of previously unreported bending shapes and behaviours. We also analysed post-flow relaxation patterns. Results from our combined experimental and theoretical approach suggest that the average flexural rigidity of primary cilia might be higher than previously reported (Schwartz et al. 1997, Am J Physiol. 272(1 Pt 2):F132–F138). In addition our findings indicate that the mechanics of primary cilia are richly varied and mechanisms may exist to alter their mechanical behaviour.     

A cooperative mechanism drives budding yeast kinetochore assembly downstream of CENP-A

Kinetochores are megadalton-sized protein complexes that mediate chromosome–microtubule interactions in eukaryotes. How kinetochore assembly is triggered specifically on centromeric chromatin is poorly understood. Here we use biochemical reconstitution experiments alongside genetic and structural analysis to delineate the contributions of centromere-associated proteins to kinetochore assembly in yeast. We show that the conserved kinetochore subunits Ame1^CENP-U and Okp1^CENP-Q form a DNA-binding complex that associates with the microtubule-binding KMN network via a short Mtw1 recruitment motif in the N terminus of Ame1. Point mutations in the Ame1 motif disrupt kinetochore function by preventing KMN assembly on chromatin. Ame1–Okp1 directly associates with the centromere protein C (CENP-C) homologue Mif2 to form a cooperative binding platform for outer kinetochore assembly. Our results indicate that the key assembly steps, CENP-A recognition and outer kinetochore recruitment, are executed through different yeast constitutive centromere-associated network subunits. This two-step mechanism may protect against inappropriate kinetochore assembly similar to rate-limiting nucleation steps used by cytoskeletal polymers.     

Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury: Microscopic Analysis of the Protective Effect of Frutalin

Obtained from breadfruit seeds (Artocarpus incisa), frutalin (FTL) has a range of important pharmacological properties. FTL activates and modulates lymphocytes and neutrophils and possesses gastroprotective effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of FTL to protect the gastric mucosa of mice submitted to ethanol-induced gastric injury. The gastroprotective effect of frutalina was evaluated using a murine model of ethanol-induced gastric injury. Damage of the gastric mucosa was assessed morphologically by light, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. Lymphocyte infiltration, necrosis, disruption of the mucosal structures and epithelial desquamation were observed in the control group. In the group pretreated with frutalina at 0.5 mg/kg, gastroprotection, reduced tissue damage and preserved submucosal and mucosal structures were observed. In conclusion, FTL displayed gastroprotective activity against ethanol-induced gastric injury, preventing the formation of gastric ulcer and reducing epithelial desquamation, glandular damage, mucosal necrosis and infiltration. The observed effects appear to be due to mechanisms previously described for frutalin.