Somatic embryogenesis,encapsulation, and plant regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rotula aquatica</Emphasis> lour., a rare rhoeophytic woody medicinal plant

Summary Indirect somatic embryogenesis, encapsulation, and plant regeneration was achieved with the rare rhoeophytic woody medicinal plant Rotula aquatica Lour. (Boraginaceae). Friable callus developed from leaf and internode explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.45 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic, acid (2,4-D) was most effective for the induction of somatic embryos. Subculture of the callus onto half-strength MS medium with the same concentration of 2,4-D resulted in highly embryogenic callus. Suspension culture was superior to solid medium culture for somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus.during subsequent transfer to suspension cultures of half-strength MS medium having 0.23 μM 2,4-D induced the highest number of somatic embryos (a mean of 25.6 embryos per 100 mg callus) and the embryos were grown up to the torpedo stage. Transfer of embryos to half-strength MS basal solid medium allowed development, of 50% of the embryos to the cotyledonary stage. Of the cotyledonary embryos, 90% underwent conversion to plantlets on the same medium. Encapsulated cotyledonary embryos exhibited 100% conversion to plantlets. Ninety-five percent of the plantlets established in field conditions survived, and were morphologically identical to the mother plant.     

Adenosine 5'-0-[S-(4-succinimidyl-benzophenone)thiophosphate]: a new photoaffinity label of the allosteric ADP site of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase

By reaction of adenosine 5'-monothiophosphate with benzophenone-4-maleimide, we synthesized adenosine 5'-O-[S-(4-succinimidyl-benzophenone)thiophosphate] (AMPS-Succ-BP) as a photoreactive ADP analogue. Bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase is known to be allosterically activated by ADP, but the ADP site has not been located in the crystal structure of the hexameric enzyme [Peterson, P. E., and Smith, T. J. (1999) Structure 7, 769-782]. In the dark, AMPS-Succ-BP reversibly activates GDH. Irradiation of the complex of glutamate dehydrogenase and AMPS-Succ-BP at lambda >300 nm causes a time-dependent, irreversible 2-fold activation of the enzyme. The k(obs) for photoactivation shows nonlinear dependence on the concentration of AMPS-Succ-BP, with K(R) = 4.9 microM and k(max) = 0.076 min(-)(1). The k(obs) for photoreaction by 20 microM AMPS-Succ-BP is decreased 10-fold by 200 microM ADP, but is reduced less than 2-fold by NAD, NADH, GTP, or alpha-ketoglutarate. Modified enzyme is no longer activated by ADP, but is still inhibited by GTP and high concentrations of NADH. These results indicate that reaction of AMPS-Succ-BP occurs within the ADP site. The enzyme incorporates up to 0.5 mol of [(3)H]AMPS-Succ-BP/mol of enzyme subunit or 3 mol of reagent/mol of hexamer. The peptide Lys(488)-Glu(495) has been identified as the only reaction target, and the data suggest that Arg(491) is the modified amino acid. Arg(491) (in the C-terminal helix close to the GTP #2 binding domain of GDH) is thus considered to be at or near the enzyme's allosteric ADP site. On the basis of these results, the AMPS-Succ-BP was positioned within the crystal structure of glutamate dehydrogenase, where it should also mark the ADP binding site of the enzyme.     

Influence of auxins in direct <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> morphogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphorbia nivulia</Emphasis>, a lectinaceous medicinal plant

Summary Somatic embryo (bipolar) or shoot (monopolar) morphogenesis in mesophyll cells of Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham in vitro was dependent on the type of auxin supplementing Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing benzyladenine. Direct in vitro morphogenesis, i.e., organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis were significantly influenced by seasonal growth of the donor plant, explant position (proximal, mid, and distal), and light. Explants collected in march/April were superior to July/August material. Proximal explants underwent morphogenesis more readily than mid- and tip-derived explants. Incubation in the light favored morphogenesis while darkness was inhibitory. Kinetin (Kn) was also inhibitory to morphogenesis. MS medium enriched with different levels of N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) alone, or in combination with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), induced adventitious shoots directly. Explants collected in March/April cultured on medium with 13.3 μM BA and 2.69 μM NAA developed the highest number of shoots, a mean of 15.2 shoots per proximal explant. Developed shoots rooted the best on half-strength MS medium with 2.46 μM indole-3-butyric acid, which developed a mean of 5.2 roots per shoot. Rooted healthy shoots could be transplanted to small pots, with an 80% survival rate. Addition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.4-D) to BA-supplemented medium was obligatory to develop somatic embryos. MS medium containing 2.26 μM 2,4-D and 4.44 μM BA induced a mean of 44.8 somatic embryos per proximal explant. The embryos passed through distinct stages of embryogenesis, namely globular, heart, torpedo, and early cotyledonary. The embryos (88%) underwent maturation on half-strength MS medium with 2.89 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃), and its subsequent transfer on half-strength MS basal medium in light conditions facilitated 80% conversion of embryos to plantlets. Direct shoots or embryos were originated from the mesophyll cells. Somatic embryo development was concurrent with the independent origin of vasculature in the bulbous basal portion. The survival rate of embryo-derived plants was 90%.     

Efficient induction of apospory and apogamy in vitro in silver fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos L.)

Silver fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos L.) is a terrestrial or lithophytic herbaceous fern used for ornamental and medicinal purposes. In its farina it produces the cytotoxic and anticancer compound dihydrochalcone. In vitro induction of apospory and apogamy, and direct field establishment of aposporous gametophytes and subsequent sporophyte development has been accomplished. Half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3.33 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.32 μM kinetin (Kn) showed earlier development and produced higher numbers of aposporous gametophytes than half-strength MS basal medium. Crozier explants developed higher numbers (mean value 29.2) of gametophytes, but were slower than frond explants (mean value 23.2). The gametophytes originated from the epidermal hairs progressed from uniseriate filamentous to cordate through bi-, tri- and multiseriate and spatulate stage with the development of antheridia. Reduction in the nutrient and sucrose concentrations in the media favoured apogamy. Sucrose-free 1/10 strength MS medium and agar plates developed a mean of 30.4 and 29.9 sporophytes, respectively in the light. The greenhouse-established gametophytes developed sporophytes. The established sporophytes ex vitro showed 95% survival rate. Apogamous sporophytes and the source plant showed the same chromosome numbers (2n=116). The established protocol accomplishes apogamy and apospory in silver fern, and the aposporous gametophytes can be used for genetic transformation and development of transgenic silver fern.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bridelia stipularis</Emphasis>: a new source for anthocyanin production in vitro

The present study prospects Bridelia stipularis (L.) Blume as a new source of anthocyanins through leaf and internode explants-derived callus cultures. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 21.48 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid was superior for callus growth. Of the different regimes, the anthocyanin production relied on synergic effects of plant growth regulators, pH, light, and carbon source. The calluses incubated in light on MS medium with 4% glucose containing 2.22 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 2.26 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at pH 3.5 yielded the highest amount (a mean of 0.42 mg g⁻¹ callus) of anthocyanins. Subsequent cultures of the calluses on the above medium yielded a stable production of anthocyanins. Medium containing glucose was superior to that with sucrose for anthocyanin formation. Kinetin was inhibitory to anthocyanin accumulation. Suspension cultures of MS medium containing 2.26 μM 2,4-D and 2.22 μM BA at pH 5.0 started excretion of anthocyanins into the medium on reaching to pH 4.4–4.6.     

Limited Density of an Antigen Presented by RMA-S Cells Requires B7-1/CD28 Signaling to Enhance T-Cell Immunity at the Effector Phase

The association of B7-1/CD28 between antigen presenting cells (APCs) and T-cells provides a second signal to proliferate and activate T-cell immunity at the induction phase. Many reports indicate that tumor cells transfected with B7-1 induced augmented antitumor immunity at the induction phase by mimicking APC function; however, the function of B7-1 on antitumor immunity at the effector phase is unknown. Here, we report direct evidence of enhanced T-cell antitumor immunity at the effector phase by the B7-1 molecule. Our experiments in vivo and in vitro indicated that reactivity of antigen-specific monoclonal and polyclonal T-cell effectors against a Lass5 epitope presented by RMA-S cells is increased when the cells expressed B7-1. Use of either anti-B7-1 or anti-CD28 antibodies to block the B7-1/CD28 association reduced reactivity of the T effectors against B7-1 positive RMA-S cells. Transfection of Lass5 cDNA into or pulse of Lass5 peptide onto B7-1 positive RMA-S cells overcomes the requirement of the B7-1/CD28 signal for T effector response. To our knowledge, the data offers, for the first time, strong evidence that supports the requirement of B7-1/CD28 secondary signal at the effector phase of antitumor T-cell immunity being dependent on the density of an antigenic peptide.     

A new nonhydrolyzable reactive cAMP analog, (Sp)-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic-S-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)monophosphorothioate irreversibly inactivates human platelet cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase

Levels of cAMP that control critical platelet functions are regulated by cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE3A). We previously showed that millimolar concentrations of the hydrolyzable 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thioadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BDB-TcAMP) inactivate PDE3A. We have now synthesized a nonhydrolyzable affinity label to probe the active site of PDE3A. The nonhydrolyzable adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioates, Sp-cAMPS and Rp-cAMPS, function as competitive inhibitors of PDE3A with K(i) = 47.6 and 4400 microM, respectively. We therefore coupled Sp-cAMPS with 1,4-dibromobutanedione to yield (Sp)-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic-S-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)monophosphorothioate, [Sp-cAMPS-(BDB)]. Sp-cAMPS-(BDB) inactivates PDE3A in a time-dependent, irreversible reaction with k(max) = 0.0116 min(-1) and K(I) = 10.1 microM. The order of effectiveness of protectants in decreasing the rate of inactivation (with K(d) in microM) is: Sp-cAMPS (24) > Rp-cGMPS (1360), Sp-cGMPS (1460) > GMP (4250), AMP (10600), Rp-cAMPS (22170). These results suggest that the inactivation of PDE3A by Sp-cAMPS-(BDB) is a consequence of reaction at the overlap of the cAMP and cGMP binding regions in the active site.     

Voltage-dependent energetics of alamethicin monomers in the membrane

The implicit membrane model IMM1 is extended to include the effect of transmembrane potential and used to investigate the optimal membrane binding configurations and energies for alamethicin helices. In the absence of voltage, the lowest energy configuration is on the membrane surface with a tilt allowing the N terminus to be fully buried. Slightly higher in energy is an also tilted configuration with the N terminus deeper in the membrane and almost crossing the membrane. In 26A membranes and in the presence of 0.1V voltage, the TM orientation becomes lower in energy. This is consistent with the assumption that voltage induces a transition from the interfacial to the inserted (TM) orientation. This effect of voltage is smaller in thicker membranes. The results are compared to previous experimental and theoretical studies and the findings are discussed in relation to the mechanism of channel formation by alamethicin.     

Effect of auxins on indirect <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> morphogenesis and expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">gusA</Emphasis> transgene in a lectinaceous medicinal plant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphorbia nivulia</Emphasis> Buch.-Ham.

Summary The types of auxin in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing N ⁶-benzyladenine (BA) determined indirect morphogenesis, i.e. development to bipolar somatic embryos or monopolar shoots in Euphorbia nivulia Buch.-Ham. Indirect in vitro morphogenesis depended on growth regulators, explant excision period, and light. Calli induced from explants collected in March–April were superior in the induction of indirect morphogenesis to those collected in July–August. Light enforced in vitro morphogenesis, while darkness was inhibitory. The presence of kinetin in the medium also inhibited morphogenesis. Calli developed on explants collected in March–April grown on MS medium fortified with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and BA facilitated indirect organogenesis, while those developed on medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and BA underwent somatic embryogenesis. MS medium with 13.3 μM BA and 2.69 μM NAA was the best for induction of shoots from callus, which developed a mean of 15.7 shoots. Shoots were best rooted on half-strength MS medium enriched with 2.46 μM indole-3-butyric acid with a mean of 5.1 roots per shoot. MS medium supplemented with 2.26 μM 2,4-D and 4.44 μM BA induced the highest number (mean of 13.4) of somatic embryos. Of the embryos transferred on half-strength MS medium containing 2.89 μM gibberellic acid, 78% of embryos developed to the cotyledonary stage. Most cotyledonary embryos (80%) underwent conversion to plantlets upon being transferred to half-strength MS basal medium in light. The survival rate of organogenesis and embryo-derived plants was 80 and 90%, respectively. Calli transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens showed expression of the gusA transgene and resistance to kanamycin, but did not undergo morphogenesis.     

A Rac-cGMP signaling pathway

The small GTPase Rac and the second messenger cGMP (guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) are critical regulators of diverse cell functions. When activated by extracellular signals via membrane signaling receptors, Rac executes its functions through engaging downstream effectors such as p21-activated kinase (PAK), a serine/threonine protein kinase. However, the molecular mechanism by which membrane signaling receptors regulate cGMP levels is not known. Here we have uncovered a signaling pathway linking Rac to the increase of cellular cGMP. We show that Rac uses PAK to directly activate transmembrane guanylyl cyclases (GCs), leading to increased cellular cGMP levels. This Rac/PAK/GC/cGMP pathway is involved in platelet-derived growth factor-induced fibroblast cell migration and lamellipodium formation. Our findings connect two important regulators of cellular physiological functions and provide a general mechanism for diverse receptors to modulate physiological responses through elevating cellular cGMP levels.