Constitutive overexpression of the OsNAS gene family reveals single-gene strategies for effective iron- and zinc-biofortification of rice endosperm

Background

Rice is the primary source of food for billions of people in developing countries, yet the commonly consumed polished grain contains insufficient levels of the key micronutrients iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and Vitamin A to meet daily dietary requirements. Experts estimate that a rice-based diet should contain 14.5 µg g⁻¹ Fe in endosperm, the main constituent of polished grain, but breeding programs have failed to achieve even half of that value. Transgenic efforts to increase the Fe concentration of rice endosperm include expression of ferritin genes, nicotianamine synthase genes (NAS) or ferritin in conjunction with NAS genes, with results ranging from two-fold increases via single-gene approaches to six-fold increases via multi-gene approaches, yet no approach has reported 14.5 µg g⁻¹ Fe in endosperm.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Three populations of rice were generated to constitutively overexpress OsNAS1, OsNAS2 or OsNAS3, respectively. Nicotianamine, Fe and Zn concentrations were significantly increased in unpolished grain of all three of the overexpression populations, relative to controls, with the highest concentrations in the OsNAS2 and OsNAS3 overexpression populations. Selected lines from each population had at least 10 µg g⁻¹ Fe in polished grain and two OsNAS2 overexpression lines had 14 and 19 µg g⁻¹ Fe in polished grain, representing up to four-fold increases in Fe concentration. Two-fold increases of Zn concentration were also observed in the OsNAS2 population. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that OsNAS2 overexpression leads to significant enrichment of Fe and Zn in phosphorus-free regions of rice endosperm.

Conclusions

The OsNAS genes, particularly OsNAS2, show enormous potential for Fe and Zn biofortification of rice endosperm. The results demonstrate that rice cultivars overexpressing single rice OsNAS genes could provide a sustainable and genetically simple solution to Fe and Zn deficiency disorders affecting billions of people throughout the world.     

Resistance of fast- and slow-growing subalpine fir to pheromone-induced attack by western balsam bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae)

Abstract 1 We investigated the resistance of fast‐ and slow‐growing subalpine fir to pheromone‐induced attack by western balsam bark beetle at two sites in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. 2 Attack success by the beetle and subsequent tree mortality were higher in slow‐growing trees than in fast‐growing trees. 3 Fast‐growing trees were more likely to produce secondary resin, and in greater quantities, than slow‐growing trees after attack. 4 Host vigour (indicated by recent radial growth) was positively related to the induced defense response and resistance of subalpine fir to bark beetle attack. These results are discussed in the context of plant defense and plant–herbivore interaction hypotheses. 5 Given the preference of western balsam bark beetle for weakened trees, as well as the reduced defenses and increased mortality rates in less vigorous trees, effective management tactics for this beetle may include strategies that increase the growth and vigour of its subalpine fir host.     

Pharmacodynamic considerations with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I in children

AIM: To report effects of weight-based recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) on IGF axis parameters in children with hyperinsulinism. METHODS: Open label trial with subcutaneous rhIGF-I (40 microg/kg/dose). Patients studied were children (1 month to 11 years) with diffuse hyperinsulinism (n = 7). Serial serum IGF and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) concentrations were measured by RIA and analyzed by linear Pearson regression. RESULTS: Following the initial rhIGF-I dose, total insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) rose by 56% at 30 min (p < 0.01) and 85% at 120 min (p < 0.02). Serum IGF-II, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 levels did not change. Peak serum IGF-I levels within 12 h of the initial rhIGF-I dose were 167-700 mg/ml. The variable peak IGF-I response is attributable in part to IGFBP-3 differences across this pediatric age range. Models of rhIGF-I dosing based upon body surface area (BSA) or initial IGFBP-3 resulted in predictable peak serum IGF-I levels (r = 0.78; p < 0.03). Recalculating rhIGF-I dosing based upon the BSA . IGFBP-3 product correlated closely with peak IGF-I level (r = 0.85; p < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Weight-based IGF-I dosing in this cohort resulted in variable IGF-I levels. Considering BSA and serum IGFBP-3 concentration in children is appropriate for subcutaneous IGF-I administration. A combination of these values may yield predictable individualization of rhIGF-I dosing.     

Elevated plasma levels of soluble TNF receptors are associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with acute lung injury

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is an inflammatory process that can be attenuated by lung protective ventilation strategies. Our objectives to further investigate the pathogenesis of ALI and VILI and the mechanism of lung protection in these syndromes were: 1) to determine if plasma measurements of soluble TNF receptor I (sTNFRI) and II (sTNFRII) would predict the development of ALI and mortality in a small single center trial; 2) to test the predictive value of these markers and of TNF-alpha in a larger, broader group of patients with ALI; 3) to test the hypothesis that low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) would be associated with a decrease in plasma levels of TNF-alpha, sTNFRI, and sTNFRII. In the single center study, sTNFRI and II levels were higher in patients at risk for and with ALI, but they did not predict the development of the syndrome. In the multicenter trial sTNFRI and II were strongly associated with mortality (OR 5.76/1 log10 increment in receptor level; 95% CI 2.63-12.6 and OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.05-6.31, respectively) and morbidity measured as fewer nonpulmonary organ failure-free and ventilator-free days. The LTVV strategy was associated with an attenuation of plasma sTNFRI levels. In vitro, stimulated A549 cells release sTNFRI but not sTNRFII. In conclusion, plasma levels of sTNFRI and II can serve as biomarkers for morbidity and mortality in patients with ALI. Furthermore, LTVV is associated with a specific decrease in sTNFRI levels. This suggests that one beneficial effect of LTVV may be to attenuate alveolar epithelial injury.     

Endogenous IL-11 is pro-inflammatory in acute methylated bovine serum albumin/interleukin-1-induced (mBSA/IL-1)arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of interleukin-11 (IL-11) in acute mBSA/IL-1-induced inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: IL-11 was administered via intra-articular (IA) injection into knee joints of C57BL/6 mice and joint histology was assessed. The mitogenic response to IL-11 was measured in wild-type (WT) synovial fibroblasts. IL-1 was used as a comparator in both the studies. The severity of acute methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA)/IL-1 arthritis was determined in WT and IL-11 receptor null (IL-11Ra1-/-) mice. In parallel experiments, a neutralising antibody to IL-11 was administered to WT mice throughout this model. RESULTS: IA injections of IL-11 resulted in mild-to-moderate joint inflammation which was less than that due to IA IL-1. IL-11 had a dose-dependent mitogenic effect on WT synovial fibroblasts (P<0.01). mBSA/IL-1 acute arthritis was reduced in IL-11Ra1-/- versus WT mice (histological arthritis score: 10.1+/-0.5 versus 12.8+/-0.7, respectively; P=0.01). Administration of an IL-11 neutralising antibody to WT mice reduced mBSA/IL-1 acute arthritis scores compared to control antibody (10.6+/-0.7 versus 13.3+/-0.6, respectively; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that endogenous IL-11 exerts relatively mild but consistent pro-inflammatory effects in acute inflammatory arthritis.     

Analysis of binding sites in human C-reactive protein for Fc{gamma}RI, Fc{gamma}RIIA, and C1q by site-directed mutagenesis

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) is a classical, acute phase serum protein synthesized by the liver in response to infection, inflammation, or trauma. CRP binds to microbial antigens and damaged cells, opsonizes particles for phagocytosis and regulates the inflammatory response by the induction of cytokine synthesis. These activities of CRP depend on its ability to activate complement and to bind to Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR). The goal of this study was to elucidate amino acid residues important for the interaction of CRP with human FcgammaRI (CD64) and FcgammaRIIa (CD32). Several mutations of the CRP structure were studied based on the published crystal structure of CRP. Mutant and wild-type recombinant CRP molecules were expressed in the baculovirus system and their interactions with FcgammaR and C1q were determined. A previous study by our laboratory identified an amino acid position, Leu(176), critical for CRP binding to FcgammaRI and work by others (Agrawal, A., Shrive, A. K., Greenhough, T. J., and Volanakis, J. E. (2001) J. Immunol. 166, 3998-4004) determined several residues important for C1q binding. The amino acid residues important to CRP binding to FcgammaRIIa were previously unknown. This study newly identifies residues Thr(173) and Asn(186) as important for the binding of CRP to FcgammaRIIa and FcgammaRI. Lys(114), like Leu(176), was implicated in binding to FcgammaRI, but not FcgammaRIIa. Single mutations at amino acid positions Lys(114), Asp(169), Thr(173), Tyr(175), and Leu(176) affected C1q binding to CRP. These results further identify amino acids involved in the binding sites on CRP for FcgammaRI, FcgammaRIIa, and C1q and indicate that these sites are overlapping.     

Induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells by apomine is mediated by caspase and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase activation

The 1,1-bisphosphonate ester family member apomine (SR-45023A) is known to have anti-tumour activity in various cancer cell types. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of apomine on the growth of two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, to ascertain whether any growth inhibitory effects found were due to induction of apoptosis, and to investigate the mechanism of action of apomine. Apomine caused significant growth inhibition of both cell lines after 72h of treatment. Apomine-induced growth inhibition was associated with caspase and p38 MAPK activation and DNA fragmentation. Apomine had no effect on Ras localisation, nor did addition of mevalonate to treatment media prevent apomine-induced apoptosis. We conclude that apomine induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, an effect that is independent of oestrogen receptor status and is not via inhibition of the mevalonate pathway. Our study suggests apomine is a potential anti-neoplastic drug in breast cancer treatment.     

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is functionally linked to axotrophin and both LIF and axotrophin are linked to regulatory immune tolerance

Axotrophin (axot) is a newly characterised stem cell gene and mice that lack axotrophin are viable and fertile, but show premature neural degeneration and defective development of the corpus callosum. By comparing axot+/+, axot+/- and axot-/- littermates, we now show that axotrophin is also involved in immune regulation. Both T cell proliferation and T cell-derived leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were suppressed by axotrophin in a gene-dose-dependent manner. Moreover, a role for axotrophin in the feedback regulation of LIF is implicated. This is the first evidence that fate determination mediated by LIF maybe qualified by axotrophin.