Reproductive efficiency and shade avoidance plasticity under simulated competition

Plant strategy and life‐history theories make different predictions about reproductive efficiency under competition. While strategy theory suggests under intense competition iteroparous perennial plants delay reproduction and semelparous annuals reproduce quickly, life‐history theory predicts both annual and perennial plants increase resource allocation to reproduction under intense competition. We tested (1) how simulated competition influences reproductive efficiency and competitive ability (CA) of different plant life histories and growth forms; (2) whether life history or growth form is associated with CA; (3) whether shade avoidance plasticity is connected to reproductive efficiency under simulated competition. We examined plastic responses of 11 herbaceous species representing different life histories and growth forms to simulated competition (spectral shade). We found that both annual and perennial plants invested more to reproduction under simulated competition in accordance with life‐history theory predictions. There was no significant difference between competitive abilities of different life histories, but across growth forms, erect species expressed greater CA (in terms of leaf number) than other growth forms. We also found that shade avoidance plasticity can increase the reproductive efficiency by capitalizing on the early life resource acquisition and conversion of these resources into reproduction. Therefore, we suggest that a reassessment of the interpretation of shade avoidance plasticity is necessary by revealing its role in reproduction, not only in competition of plants.     

Determinants of cyanobacterial species composition in the splash zone of two Croatian islands

Cyanobacterial communities of the splash zone of two Croatian islands, Veruda and Ugljan, were surveyed. At each island, we studied eight localities with different aspects. From all 336 samples, a total of 42 cyanobacterial species, one green alga, and one red alga were found. In both islands Hyella spp. and Gloeocapsopsis crepidinum dominated and Entophysalis deusta, Solentia spp., Kyrtuthrix dalmatica and Mastigocoleus testarum were found frequently. Multivariate statistical analysis of species composition shows that the vertical gradient is the strongest determinant of species composition and that there are statistically significant but not very pronounced differences in species composition between the two islands. Species composition among individual sites within islands differed slightly, and between localities decreased rather slowly with the distance of individual samples (i.e. the similarity distance decay was very slow), showing that even close samples can have quite different species composition. The species accumulation curves do not reach their asymptote, indicating that many samples are needed to reasonably cover the species richness of a site. This study highlights the importance of in-depth species counts and high density sampling along vertical gradients for satisfactory cyanobacterial community assessments in marine coastal splash zones.     

Association mapping for soilborne pathogen resistance in synthetic hexaploid wheat

Soilborne pathogens such as cereal cyst nematode (CCN; Heterodera avenae) and root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus neglectus; PN) cause substantial yield losses in the major cereal-growing regions of the world. Incorporating resistance into wheat cultivars and breeding lines is considered the most cost-effective control measure for reducing nematode populations. To identify loci with molecular markers linked to genes conferring resistance to these pathogens, we employed a genome-wide association approach in which 332 synthetic hexaploid wheat lines previously screened for resistance to CCN and PN were genotyped with 660 Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers. Two sequence-tagged site markers reportedly linked to genes known to confer resistance to CCN were also included in the analysis. Using the mixed linear model corrected for population structure and familial relatedness (Q+K matrices), we were able to confirm previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to CCN and PN in bi-parental crosses. In addition, we identified other significant markers located in chromosome regions where no CCN and PN resistance genes have been reported. Seventeen DArT marker loci were found to be significantly associated with CCN and twelve to PN resistance. The novel QTL on chromosomes 1D, 4D, 5B, 5D and 7D for resistance to CCN and 4A, 5B and 7B for resistance to PN are suggested to represent new sources of genes which could be deployed in further wheat improvement against these two important root diseases of wheat.     

Circulating tumor microemboli: Progress in molecular understanding and enrichment technologies

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their clusters, also known as circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), have emerged as valuable tool that can provide mechanistic insights into the tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and stochastic events within the metastatic cascade. However, recent investigations have hinted that CTM may not be mere aggregates of tumor cells but cells comprising CTM exhibit distinct phenotypic and molecular characteristics in comparison to single CTCs. Moreover, in many cases CTM demonstrated higher metastatic potential and resistance to apoptosis as compared to their single cell counterparts. Thus, their evaluation and enumeration may provide a new dimension to our understanding of cancer biology and metastatic cancer spread as well as offer novel theranostic biomarkers. Most of the existing technologies for isolation of hematogenous tumor cells largely favor single CTCs, hence there is a need to devise new approaches, or re-configure the existing ones, for specific and efficient CTM isolation. Here we review existing knowledge and insights on CTM biology. Furthermore, a critical commentary on current and emerging trends in CTM enrichment and characterization along with recently developed ex-vivo CTC expansion methodologies is presented with the aim to facilitate researchers to identify further avenues of research and development.     

Expression analysis of a type S2 EUL-related lectin from rice in Pichia pastoris

Rice (Oryza sativa) expresses different putative carbohydrate-binding proteins belonging to the class of lectins containing an Euonymus lectin (EUL)-related domain, one of them being OrysaEULS2. The OrysaEULS2 sequence consists of a 56 amino acid N-terminal domain followed by the EUL sequence. In this paper the original sequence of the EUL domain of OrysaEULS2 and some mutant forms have been expressed in Pichia pastoris. Subsequently, the recombinant proteins were purified and their carbohydrate binding properties determined. Analysis of the original protein on the glycan array revealed interaction with mannose containing structures and to a lesser extent with glycans containing lactosamine related structures. It was shown that mutation of tryptophan residue 134 into leucine resulted in an almost complete loss of carbohydrate binding activity of OrysaEULS2. Our results show that the EUL domain in OrysaEULS2 interacts with glycan structures, and hence can be considered as a lectin. However, the binding of the protein with the array is much weaker than that of other EUL-related lectins. Furthermore, our results indicate that gene divergence within the family of EUL-related lectins lead to changes in carbohydrate binding specificity.     

StructureActivity Relationships of Antimicrobial Gallic Acid Derivatives from Pomegranate and Acacia Fruit Extracts against Potato Bacterial Wilt Pathogen

Bacterial wilts of potato, tomato, pepper, and or eggplant caused by Ralstonia solanacearum are among the most serious plant diseases worldwide. In this study, the issue of developing bactericidal agents from natural sources against R. solanacearum derived from plant extracts was addressed. Extracts prepared from 25 plant species with antiseptic relevance in Egyptian folk medicine were screened for their antimicrobial properties against the potato pathogen R. solancearum by using the disc‐zone inhibition assay and microtitre plate dilution method. Plants exhibiting notable antimicrobial activities against the tested pathogen include extracts from Acacia arabica and Punica granatum. Bioactivity‐guided fractionation of A. arabica and P. granatum resulted in the isolation of bioactive compounds 3,5‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid and gallic acid, in addition to epicatechin. All isolates displayed significant antimicrobial activities against R. solanacearum (MIC values 0.5–9 mg/ml), with 3,5‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid being the most effective one with a MIC value of 0.47 mg/ml. We further performed a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study for the inhibition of R. solanacearum growth by ten natural, structurally related benzoic acids.     

Multi-point enzyme immobilization,surface chemistry,and novel platforms: a paradigm shift in biocatalyst design

Engineering enzymes with improved catalytic properties in non-natural environments have been concerned with their diverse industrial and biotechnological applications. Immobilization represents a promising but straightforward route, and immobilized biocatalysts often display higher activities and stabilities compared to free enzymes. Owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics, including the high-specific surface area, exceptional chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties, efficient enzyme loading, and multivalent functionalization, nano-based materials are postulated as suitable carriers for biomolecules or enzyme immobilization. Enzymes immobilized on nanomaterial-based supports are more robust, stable, and recoverable than their pristine counterparts, and are even used for continuous catalytic processes. Furthermore, the unique intrinsic properties of nanomaterials, particularly nanoparticles, also confer the immobilized enzymes to be used for their broader applications. Herein, an effort has been made to present novel potentialities of multi-point enzyme immobilization in the current biotechnological sector. Various nano-based platforms for enzyme/biomolecule immobilization are discussed in the second part of the review. In summary, recent developments in the use of nanomaterials as new carriers to construct robust nano-biocatalytic systems are reviewed, and future trends are pointed out in this article.     

Seed Treatment with Auxins Modulates Growth and Ion Partitioning in Salt-stressed Wheat Plants

Experiments were performed to determine whether seed priming with different concentrations (100, 150, and 200 mg/L) ofauxins (indoleacetic acid (IAA), indolebutyric acid (IBA), or their precursor tryptophane (Trp)) could alter salinity inducedperturbances in salicylic acid and ion concentrations and, hence, growth in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, namelyM. H.-97 (salt intolerant) and Inqlab-91 (salt tolerant). Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in Petri dishes in a growthroom, as well as in a field treated with 15 dS/m NaCl salinity. All priming agents, except IBA, increased the final germinationpercentage in both cultivars. The seedlings of either cultivar raised from Trp-treated seeds had greater dry biomass whenunder salt stress. In field experiments, Trp priming was much more effective in mediating the increase in grain yield,irrespective of the cultivar, under salt stress. The alleviatory effect of Trp was found to be associated with reduced uptakeof Na~ in the roots and subsequent translocation to the shoots, as well as increased partitioning of Ca~(2 )in the roots ofsalt-stressed wheat plants. Plants of both cultivars raised from Trp-and IAA-treated seeds accumulated free salicylic acidin their leaves when under salt stress. Overall, the Trp priming-induced improvement in germination and the subsequentgrowth of wheat plants could be related to ion homeostasis when under salt stress. The possible involvement of salicylicacid in the Trp priming-induced better growth under conditions of salt stress is discussed.     

Distribution of motoneurones innervating extraocular muscles in the brain of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Extraocular muscle motoneurones were localised in the oculomotor nucleus (ON), trochlear nucleus (TN) and abducens nucleus (AN) in the marmoset brain using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde labelling technique. HRP pellets injected into individual extraocular muscles revealed one or more groups of labelled neurones occupying discrete loci within these nuclei. Relatively little overlap of motoneurone pools was observed, except in the case of the inferior oblique and superior rectus muscles. Injections of HRP into the medial rectus muscle revealed three separate populations of labelled cells in the ipsilateral ON. Motoneurones innervating the inferior rectus muscle were mainly localised in the lateral somatic cell column of the ipsilateral ON. A second smaller grouping was observed in the medial longitudinal fasciculus. The inferior oblique muscle motoneurones were localised in the ipsilateral medial somatic cell column intermingled with motoneurones supplying the superior rectus muscle of the opposite eye. The superior oblique muscle motoneurones occupied the entire TN and the lateral rectus muscle motoneurones the AN. It was concluded that the organisation of nuclei and subnuclei responsible for controlling the extraocular muscles in the marmoset is broadly similar to that of other primates.