Cell density and airspace patterning in the leaf can be manipulated to increase leaf photosynthetic capacity

The pattern of cell division, growth and separation during leaf development determines the pattern and volume of airspace in a leaf. The resulting balance of cellular material and airspace is expected to significantly influence the primary function of the leaf, photosynthesis, and yet the manner and degree to which cell division patterns affect airspace networks and photosynthesis remains largely unexplored. In this paper we investigate the relationship of cell size and patterning, airspace and photosynthesis by promoting and repressing the expression of cell cycle genes in the leaf mesophyll. Using microCT imaging to quantify leaf cellular architecture and fluorescence/gas exchange analysis to measure leaf function, we show that increased cell density in the mesophyll of Arabidopsis can be used to increase leaf photosynthetic capacity. Our analysis suggests that this occurs both by increasing tissue density (decreasing the relative volume of airspace) and by altering the pattern of airspace distribution within the leaf. Our results indicate that cell division patterns influence the photosynthetic performance of a leaf, and that it is possible to engineer improved photosynthesis via this approach.     

Optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism of silver(I):Polyribonucleotide complexes

Optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra of single- and multistranded polyribonucleotides undergo extensive changes on binding of the silver ion. These changes are consistent with the proposition that Ag(I) binds to the heterocyclic bases and not to the phosphate groups of polynucleotides. ORD and CD of silver complexes of poly(A)·poly(U) and double-helical rice dwarf viral RNA display negative Cotton effects when there is more than one Ag(I) per two nucleotide residues in solution. These observations suggest a significant distortion of the double-helical conformation as a result of Ag(I) binding. Silver(I) binding sites of pyrimidine polynucleotides are apparently saturated when there is one Ag(I) per two nucleotide residues and those of purine polynucleotides at one Ag(I) per nucleotide in solution. These data are consistent with the supposition that some Ag(I) binding sites exist on the pyrimidine ring and additional sites on the imidazole ring of polynucleotides. The sedimentation coefficient of poly(A) increases by severalfold when one Ag(I) is present per nucleotide residue. Silver(I) may introduce intra- and interstrand cross-links (through bidentate chelates) in single-stranded polynucleotides, resulting in structures with high sedimentation coefficients. Among the polynucleotides studied, poly(U) was an exception. Silver(I) did not affect the optical properties (absorbance, ORD, and CD) of poly(U) at neutral pH.     

Frequency and space representation in the primary auditory cortex of the frequency modulating batEptesicus fuscus

1. Frequency and space representation in the auditory cortex of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, were studied by recording responses of 223 neurons to acoustic stimuli presented in the bat's frontal auditory space. 2. The majority of the auditory cortical neurons were recorded at a depth of less than 500 microns with a response latency between 8 and 20 ms. They generally discharged phasically and had nonmonotonic intensity-rate functions. The minimum threshold, (MT) of these neurons was between 8 and 82 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Half of the cortical neurons showed spontaneous activity. All 55 threshold curves are V-shaped and can be described as broad, intermediate, or narrow. 3. Auditory cortical neurons are tonotopically organized along the anteroposterior axis of the auditory cortex. High-frequency-sensitive neurons are located anteriorly and low-frequency-sensitive neurons posteriorly. An overwhelming majority of neurons were sensitive to a frequency range between 30 and 75 kHz. 4. When a sound was delivered from the response center of a neuron on the bat's frontal auditory space, the neuron had its lowest MT. When the stimulus amplitude was increased above the MT, the neuron responded to sound delivered within a defined spatial area. The response center was not always at the geometric center of the spatial response area. The latter also expanded with stimulus amplitude. High-frequency-sensitive neurons tended to have smaller spatial response areas than low-frequency-sensitive neurons. 5. Response centers of all 223 neurons were located between 0 degrees and 50 degrees in azimuth, 2 degrees up and 25 degrees down in elevation of the contralateral frontal auditory space. Response centers of auditory cortical neurons tended to move toward the midline and slightly downward with increasing best frequency. 6. Auditory space representation appears to be systematically arranged according to the tonotopic axis of the auditory cortex. Thus, the lateral space is represented posteriorly and the middle space anteriorly. Space representation, however, is less systematic in the vertical direction. 7. Auditory cortical neurons are columnarly organized. Thus, the BFs, MTs, threshold curves, azimuthal location of response centers, and auditory spatial response areas of neurons sequentially isolated from an orthogonal electrode penetration are similar.     

Do functional traits offset the effects of fragmentation? The case of large-bodied diurnal lemur species

Primates worldwide are faced with increasing threats making them more vulnerable to extinction. Anthropogenic disturbances, such as habitat degradation and fragmentation, are among the main concerns, and in Madagascar, these issues have become widespread. As this situation continues to worsen, we sought to understand how fragmentation affects primate distribution throughout the island. Further, because species may exhibit different sensitivity to fragmentation, we also aimed to estimate the role of functional traits in mitigating their response. We collated data from 32 large-bodied lemur species ranges, consisting of species from the families Lemuridae (five genera) and Indriidae (two genera). We fitted Generalized Linear Models to determine the role of habitat fragmentation characteristics, for example, forest cover, patch size, edge density, and landscape configuration, as well as the protected area (PA) network, on the species relative probability of presence. We then assessed how the influence of functional traits (dietary guild, home range size) mitigate the response of species to these habitat metrics. Habitat area had a strong positive effect for many species, and there were significantly negative effects of fragmentation on the distribution of many lemur species. In addition, there was a positive influence of PAs on many lemur species’ distribution. Functional trait classifications showed that lemurs of all dietary guilds are negatively affected by fragmentation; however, folivore-frugivores show greater flexibility/variability in terms of habitat area and landscape complexity compared to nearly exclusive folivores and frugivores. Furthermore, species of all home range sizes showed a negative response to fragmentation, while habitat area had an increasingly positive effect as home range increased in size. Overall, the general trends for the majority of lemur species are dire and point to the need for immediate actions on a multitude of fronts, most importantly landscape-level reforestation efforts.     

Vesicular stomatitis virus inhibits mitotic progression and triggers cell death

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infects and kills a wide range of cell types; however, the mechanisms involved in VSV‐mediated cell death are not fully understood. Here we show that VSV infection interferes with mitotic progression, resulting in cell death. This effect requires the interaction of VSV matrix (M) protein with the Rae1–Nup98 complex in mitosis, which is associated with a subset of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). VSV displaced Rae1 from spindle poles, caused spindle abnormalities and triggered substantial cell death during metaphase. These effects were attenuated in cells infected with VSV expressing a mutant M protein that does not bind efficiently to the Rae1–Nup98–RNP complex. In cells that progressed to late mitosis, M protein prevented proper nuclear formation and chromatin decondensation. VSV is an oncolytic (anti‐tumour) agent as it preferentially replicates and kills tumour cells. As tumour cells have a high mitotic index, VSV‐mediated mitotic cell death probably contributes to its oncolytic activity.     

Human adenovirus 36 induces adiposity, increases insulin sensitivity, and alters hypothalamic monoamines in rats

Objective: Human adenovirus 36 (Ad‐36) increases adiposity and reduces serum lipids in chicken, mouse, and non‐human primate models, and it is linked to obesity in sero‐epidemiological studies in humans. Involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) or adipose tissue in the mechanism of Ad‐36‐induced adiposity is unknown. The effects of Ad‐36 on adiposity and on the neuroendocrine system were investigated in a rat model. Research Methods and Procedures: Five‐week‐old male Wistar rats were inoculated intraperitoneally with Ad‐36 or medium. Results: Despite similar food intakes, infected rats attained significantly greater body weight and fat pad weight by 30 weeks post‐inoculation. Epididymal‐inguinal, retroperitoneal, and visceral fat pad weights of the infected group were greater by 60%, 46%, and 86%, respectively (p < 0.00001). The fasting serum insulin level and homeostasis model assessment index indicated greater insulin sensitivity in the infected group. Visceral adipose tissue expression of glycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α and β was markedly increased in the infected animals compared with controls. Ad‐36 decreased norepinephrine levels significantly in the paraventricular nucleus in infected vs. control rats (mean ± standard error, 8.9 ± 1.1 vs. 12.8 ± 1.2 pg/μg protein; p < 0.05). Ad‐36 markedly decreased serum corticosterone in infected vs. control rats (mean ± standard error, 97 ± 41.0 vs. 221 ± 111 ng/mL; p < 0.005). Discussion: The results suggest that the pro‐adipogenic effect of Ad‐36 may involve peripheral as well as central effects. The male Wistar rat is a good model for the elucidation of metabolic and molecular mechanisms of Ad‐36‐induced adiposity.     

Immune Derangements in Patients with Myelofibrosis: The Role of Treg,Th17, and sIL2Rα

Myelofibrosis (MF), including primary myelofibrosis, post-essential thrombocythemia MF, and post-polycythemia vera MF, has been reported to be associated with autoimmune phenomena. IMiDs have been reported to be effective in some patients with MF, presumably for their immune-modulator effects. We therefore sought to elucidate the immune derangements in patients with MF. We found no differences in T regulatory cells (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells in MF patients and normal healthy controls. However, we found significantly elevated soluble interleukin 2 alpha (sIL2Rα) in MF patients compared to those with other myeloproliferative neoplasm diseases and normal healthy controls. Our studies with MF patients further revealed that Treg cells were the predominant cells producing sIL2Rα. sIL2Rα and IL2 complex induced the formation of Treg cells but not the formation of Th1 or Th17 cells. sIL2Rα induced CD8⁺ T cell proliferation in the presence of Treg cells. Monocytes or neutrophils had no effect on the production of sIL2Rα by Treg cells. Furthermore, we found plasma sIL2Rα levels were correlated to the auto-immune serology in MPN patients and ruxolitinib significantly inhibits the sIL2Rα production by the Treg cells in MF patients which may explain the effects of ruxolitinib on the relief of constitutional symptoms. All these findings suggest that sIL2Rα likely plays a significant role in autoimmune phenomena seen in patients with MF. Further studies of immune derangement may elucidate the mechanism of IMiD, and exploration of immune modulators may prove to be important for treating myelofibrosis.     

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the tzs gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain T37.

The trans-zeatin secretion locus (tzs), from the nopaline Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain T37, was cloned and the nucleotide sequence determined. This gene is located in the virulence region of pTiT37. The tzs gene is responsible for the secretion of trans-zeatin into bacterial culture medium and in addition has the cytokinin biosynthetic activity, dimethylallylpyrophosphate:AMP dimethylallyltransferase. Sequence analysis showed an open reading frame of 729 nucleotides, capable of encoding a protein of 27,545 daltons. A single new labelled protein of 27,200 daltons was detected in Escherichia coli maxicells expressing the cloned tzs gene. Significant sequence homology was observed between the tzs and the published tmr sequence from pTiT37.