Differentiation of Phytophthora infestans sporangia from other airborne biological particles by flow cytometry.

The ability of two different flow cytometers, the Microcyte (Optoflow) and the PAS-III (Partec), to differentiate sporangia of the late-blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans from other potential airborne particles was compared. With the PAS-III, light scatter and intrinsic fluorescence parameters could be used to differentiate sporangia from conidia of Alternaria or Botrytis spp., rust urediniospores, and pollen of grasses and plantain. Differentiation between P. infestans sporangia and powdery mildew conidia was not possible by these two methods but, when combined with analytical rules evolved by genetic programming methods, could be achieved after staining with the fluorescent brightener Calcofluor white M2R. The potential application of these techniques to the prediction of late-blight epiphytotics in the field is discussed.     

Investigating the interaction between osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of NF-kappaB or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand: evidence for a pivotal role for osteoprotegerin in regulating two distinct pathways

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) binds the ligand for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANKL) to prevent association with its receptor RANK and inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. OPG has been reported, recently, to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL)-induced tumor cell apoptosis. This raises the possibility that OPG may play a unique role in regulating these two signaling pathways. However, there are little data on the interactions between OPG, RANKL, and TRAIL, and the relative affinity of OPG for these two ligands is unknown. In the present study we examined the ability of OPG to bind native human TRAIL and RANKL under physiological conditions. Native TRAIL was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and shown to induce human myeloma cell apoptosis. OPG inhibited native TRAIL from binding the TRAILR1 at 37 degrees C in vitro. Similarly, OPG prevented RANKL from binding to RANK. TRAIL also prevented OPG-mediated inhibition of RANKL from binding RANK. The affinity of OPG for native TRAIL and RANKL at 37 degrees C was determined by plasmon surface resonance analysis. OPG had a binding affinity for TRAIL of 45 nM, whereas the affinity of OPG for RANKL was 23 nM. These data suggest that OPG can bind both RANKL and TRAIL and that the affinity of OPG for these two ligands is of a similar order of magnitude. Furthermore, OPG prevented TRAIL-mediated reductions in cell viability, whereas TRAIL inhibited OPG-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in vitro. This highlights the pivotal role of OPG in regulating the biology of both RANKL and TRAIL.     

Recovery of novel bacterial diversity from a forested wetland impacted by reject coal

Sulphide mineral mining together with improperly contained sulphur-rich coal represents a significant environmental problem caused by leaching of toxic material. The Savannah River Site's D-area harbours a 22-year-old exposed reject coal pile (RCP) from which acidic, metal rich, saline runoff has impacted an adjacent forested wetland. In order to assess the bacterial community composition of this region, composite sediment samples were collected at three points along a contamination gradient (high, middle and no contamination) and processed for generation of bacterial and archaeal 16S rDNA clone libraries. Little sequence overlap occurred between the contaminated (RCP samples) and unimpacted sites, indicating that the majority of 16S rDNAs retrieved from the former represent organisms selected by the acidic runoff. Archaeal diversity within the RCP samples consisted mainly of sequences related to the genus Thermoplasma and to sequences of a novel type. Bacterial RCP libraries contained 16S rRNA genes related to isolates (Acidiphilium sp., Acidobacterium capsulatum, Ferromicrobium acidophilium and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans) and environmental clones previously retrieved from acidic habitats, including ones phylogenetically associated with organisms capable of sulphur and iron metabolism. These libraries also exhibited particularly novel 16S rDNA types not retrieved from other acid mine drainage habitats, indicating that significant diversity remains to be detected in acid mine drainage-type systems.     

Heterocyclic ketones as inhibitors of histone deacetylase

Several heterocyclic ketones were investigated as potential inhibitors of histone deacetylase. Nanomolar inhibitors such as 22 and 25 were obtained, the anti-proliferative activity of which were shown to be mediated by HDAC inhibition.     

Golden bananas in the field: elevated fruit pro‐vitamin A from the expression of a single banana transgene

Vitamin A deficiency remains one of the world's major public health problems despite food fortification and supplements strategies. Biofortification of staple crops with enhanced levels of pro‐vitamin A (PVA) offers a sustainable alternative strategy to both food fortification and supplementation. As a proof of concept, PVA‐biofortified transgenic Cavendish bananas were generated and field trialed in Australia with the aim of achieving a target level of 20 μg/g of dry weight (dw) β‐carotene equivalent (β‐CE) in the fruit. Expression of a Fe'i banana‐derived phytoene synthase 2a (MtPsy2a) gene resulted in the generation of lines with PVA levels exceeding the target level with one line reaching 55 μg/g dw β‐CE . Expression of the maize phytoene synthase 1 (ZmPsy1) gene, used to develop ‘Golden Rice 2’, also resulted in increased fruit PVA levels although many lines displayed undesirable phenotypes. Constitutive expression of either transgene with the maize polyubiquitin promoter increased PVA accumulation from the earliest stage of fruit development. In contrast, PVA accumulation was restricted to the late stages of fruit development when either the banana 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate oxidase or the expansin 1 promoters were used to drive the same transgenes. Wild‐type plants with the longest fruit development time had also the highest fruit PVA concentrations. The results from this study suggest that early activation of the rate‐limiting enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway and extended fruit maturation time are essential factors to achieve optimal PVA concentrations in banana fruit.     

SorCS2 Controls Functional Expression of Amino Acid Transporter EAAT3 and Protects Neurons from Oxidative Stress and Epilepsy-Induced Pathology

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Synthesis and DNA binding properties of an amidine-linked and phenyl-containing analogue of distamycin A

The synthesis of a novel amidine-linked analogue 1 of the phenyl-containing congener 2 of distamycin A and its DNA binding properties are described. The amidine group in 1 improves its water solubility while retaining the minor groove and AT sequence binding selectively.A phenyl-containing and amidine-linked analogue 1 of distamycin A has improved water solubility while retaining the minor groove and AT sequence binding selectivity to DNA.     

Transient Transfection Factors for High-Level Recombinant Protein Production in Suspension Cultured Mammalian Cells

The efficient transfection of cloned genes into mammalian cells system plays a critical role in the production of large quantities of recombinant proteins (r-proteins). In order to establish a simple and scaleable transient protein production system, we have used a cationic lipid-based transfection reagent-FreeStyle MAX to study transient transfection in serum-free suspension human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. We used quantification of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to monitor transfection efficiency and expression of a cloned human IgG antibody to monitor r-protein production. Parameters including transfection reagent concentration, DNA concentration, the time of complex formation, and the cell density at the time of transfection were analyzed and optimized. About 70% GFP-positive cells and 50-80 mg/l of secreted IgG antibody were obtained in both HEK-293 and CHO cells under optimal conditions. Scale-up of the transfection system to 1 l resulted in similar transfection efficiency and protein production. In addition, we evaluated production of therapeutic proteins such as human erythropoietin and human blood coagulation factor IX in both HEK-293 and CHO cells. Our results showed that the higher quantity of protein production was obtained by using optimal transient transfection conditions in serum-free adapted suspension mammalian cells.     

Species traits and climate velocity explain geographic range shifts in an ocean‐warming hotspot

Species' ranges are shifting globally in response to climate warming, with substantial variability among taxa, even within regions. Relationships between range dynamics and intrinsic species traits may be particularly apparent in the ocean, where temperature more directly shapes species' distributions. Here, we test for a role of species traits and climate velocity in driving range extensions in the ocean‐warming hotspot of southeast Australia. Climate velocity explained some variation in range shifts, however, including species traits more than doubled the variation explained. Swimming ability, omnivory and latitudinal range size all had positive relationships with range extension rate, supporting hypotheses that increased dispersal capacity and ecological generalism promote extensions. We find independent support for the hypothesis that species with narrow latitudinal ranges are limited by factors other than climate. Our findings suggest that small‐ranging species are in double jeopardy, with limited ability to escape warming and greater intrinsic vulnerability to stochastic disturbances.     

Phosphorylation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa response regulator AlgR is essential for type IV fimbria-mediated twitching motility

The response regulator AlgR is required for both alginate biosynthesis and type IV fimbria-mediated twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, the roles of AlgR signal transduction and phosphorylation in twitching motility and biofilm formation were examined. The predicted phosphorylation site of AlgR (aspartate 54) and a second aspartate (aspartate 85) in the receiver domain of AlgR were mutated to asparagine, and mutant algR alleles were introduced into the chromosome of P. aeruginosa strains PAK and PAO1. Assays of these mutants demonstrated that aspartate 54 but not aspartate 85 of AlgR is required for twitching motility and biofilm initiation. However, strains expressing AlgR D85N were found to be hyperfimbriate, indicating that both aspartate 54 and aspartate 85 are involved in fimbrial biogenesis and function. algD mutants were observed to have wild-type twitching motility, indicating that AlgR control of twitching motility is not mediated via its role in the control of alginate biosynthesis. In vitro phosphorylation assays showed that AlgR D54N is not phosphorylated by the enteric histidine kinase CheA. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of AlgR most likely occurs at aspartate 54 and that aspartate 54 and aspartate 85 of AlgR are required for the control of the molecular events governing fimbrial biogenesis, twitching motility, and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.