Transferrin modifications and lipid peroxidation: implications in diabetes mellitus

Free iron is capable of stimulating the production of free radicals which cause oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation. One of the most important mechanisms of antioxidant defense is thus the sequestration of iron in a redox-inactive form by transferrin. In diabetes mellitus, increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation contribute to chronic complications but it is not known if this is related to abnormalities in transferrin function. In this study we investigated the role of transferrin concentration and glycation. The antioxidant capacity of apotransferrin to inhibit lipid peroxidation by iron-binding decreased in a concentration-dependent manner from 89% at > or = 2 mg/ml to 42% at 0.5 mg/ml. Pre-incubation of apotransferrin with glucose for 14 days resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of glycation: 1, 5 and 13 micromol fructosamine/g transferrin at 0, 5.6 and 33.3 mmol/l glucose respectively, p < 0.001. This was accompanied by a decrease in the iron-binding antioxidant capacity of apotransferrin. In contrast, transferrin glycation by up to 33.3 mmol/l glucose did not affect chemiluminescence-quenching antioxidant capacity, which is iron-independent. Colorimetric evaluation of total iron binding capacity in the presence of an excess of iron (iron/transferrin molar ratio = 2.4) also decreased from 0.726 to 0.696 and 0.585mg/g transferrin after 0, 5.6 and 33.3 mmol/l glucose, respectively, p < 0.01. In conclusion, these results suggest that lower transferrin concentration and its glycation can, by enhancing the pro-oxidant effects of iron, contribute to the increased lipid peroxidation observed in diabetes.     

Engineering increased vitamin C levels in plants by overexpression of a D-galacturonic acid reductase

L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in fruits and vegetables is an essential component of human nutrition. Surprisingly, only limited information is available about the pathway(s) leading to its biosynthesis in plants. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of GalUR, a gene from strawberry that encodes an NADPH-dependent D-galacturonate reductase. We provide evidence that the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid in strawberry fruit occurs through D-galacturonic acid, a principal component of cell wall pectins. Expression of GalUR correlated with changing ascorbic acid content in strawberry fruit during ripening and with variations in ascorbic acid content in fruit of different species of the genus Fragaria. Reduced pectin solubilization in cell walls of transgenic strawberry fruit with decreased expression of an endogenous pectate lyase gene resulted in lower ascorbic acid content. Overexpression of GalUR in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced vitamin C content two- to threefold, demonstrating the feasibility of engineering increased vitamin C levels in plants using this gene.     

Selenium and sulfur accumulation and soil selenium dissipation in planting of four herbaceous plant species in soil contaminated with drainage sediment rich in both selenium and sulfur

Four selenium (Se) nonaccumulator plant species, including a forage grass species, Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a forage legume species, Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a wetland species, Rush (Juncus tenuis Wild.), and a dry-land alkaline soil species, Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata L.), were grown in soil contaminated by agricultural drainage sediment having elevated levels of Se and sulfur (S). The above-ground plant tissues were consecutively harvested five times and examined for Se and S accumulation. Plant tissue Se concentrations ranged from 23.0 mg kg-1 to 8.3 mg kg-1. Tissue S concentrations ranged from 3239 mg kg-1 to 7034 mg kg-1. Both tissue Se and S concentrations were significantly different between harvests, species, and species/harvest interactions. Total Se accumulation by the plant biomass harvested ranged from 0.3 to 1.3 mg per soil column and total S accumulations ranged from 87.5 to 321.1 mg per soil column. The reduction in the percentage of total soil Se after 24 weeks growth of the plant species ranged from 12.0% in the Tall Fescue planting to 17.3% in the Rush planting. Over 90% of the soil Se losses were unidentified losses and leaching of Se was prevented. The accumulations of Se and S in the plant biomass were very small compared with the total soil Se and S losses, but substantial amounts of total soil Se (12.0 to 15.0%) and S (28.0 to 50.9%) inventories were dissipated by the growing and harvesting of the plants. The soil S concentration was several hundred times higher than the soil Se concentration, but Se accumulation by the plants and Se dissipation from the soil were not impaired by the high level of soil sulfur. For natural grassland habitat restoration, such as at the Kesterson Wildlife Refuge in the Central Valley of California, or for restoration of large-scale Se contaminated agricultural lands, Se nonaccumulator plant species are favorable candidates, because the possibility of introducing Se toxicity into the food chain can be minimized.     

Effects of 15N application frequency on nitrogen uptake efficiency in citrus trees

Two irrigation systems were used to compare nitrogen uptake efficiency in citrus trees and to evaluate the NO₃⁻ runoff in «Navelina» orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] on Carrizo citrange rootstock (Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata Raf.). These were fertilized with 125 g N as labelled K¹⁵NO₃ and grown outdoors in containers filled with a sand-loamy soil. Two groups of 3 trees received this N dose either in five equally split applications by a flooding irrigation system or in 66 applications by drip. Trees were harvested at the end of the vegetative cycle (December) and the isotopic ratios of ¹⁵N/¹⁴N were measured in the soil-plant system. The N uptake efficiency of the whole tree was higher with drip irrigation (75 percnt;) than with flooding system (64 percnt;). In the 0-90 cm soil profile, the N immobilized in the organic fraction was similar for both irrigation methods (around 13 percnt;), whereas the N retained as NO₃⁻ was 1 percnt; of the N applied under drip and 10 percnt; under flooding. In the last case, most of NO₃⁻ remained under root system and it could be lost to leaching either by heavy rainfalls or excessive water applications. These results showed that a drip irrigation system was more efficient for improving water use and N uptake from fertilizer, in addition to potentially reduced leaching losses.     

Systemic induction of the biosynthesis of terpenic compounds in Digitalis lanata

A bacterial screening was carried out in the rhizosphere of two Digitalis species, D. thapsi and D. parviflora, both at the vegetative stage and at flowering. A total of 480 isolates were characterised at genus level, Bacillus being the dominant genera in all cases. Fifty percent of the Bacillus strains isolated from each species were analysed by PCR-RAPDs. At 85% similarity, 12 groups separated for D. thapsi and 18 for D. parviflora. One strain of each group was selected for biological assay on D. lanata, evaluating growth promotion and cardenolide content in leaves after inoculation performed in the root system. The plant parameters evaluated were leaf surface area, shoot and root dry weight and leaf number. Lanatoside C content was evaluated by HPLC. Only 17 strains caused significant increases in at least one of the parameters evaluated. The most striking result was that some strains promoted growth and increased cardenolide content at the same time. This effect was detected on leaves while inoculation was carried out on roots. Interestingly, these two parameters are not enhanced simultaneously under regular conditions in pot or in tissue cultures.     

Microspore-derived embryos from Quercus suber anthers mimic zygotic embryos and maintain haploidy in long-term anther culture

Microspore-derived embryos produced from cork oak anther cultures after long-term incubations (up to 10-12 months) were analysed in order to determine the genetic variability and ploidy level stability, as well as morphology, developmental pattern and cellular organisation. Most of the embryos from long-term anther cultures were haploid (90.7%), corresponding to their microspore origin. The presence of a low percentage of diploid embryos (7.4%) was observed. Microsatellite analysis of haploid embryos, indicated different microspores origins of the same anther. In the diploid embryos, homozygosity for different alleles was detected from anther wall tissues, excluding the possibility of clonal origin. The maintenance of a high proportion of haploid embryos, in long-term anther cultures, is similar in percentage to that reported in embryos originating after 20 days of plating (Bueno et al. 1997). This suggests that no significant alterations in the ploidy level occurred during long incubations (up to 12 months). These results suggest that ploidy changes are rare in this in vitro system, and do not significantly increase during long-term cultures. Microscopical studies of the microspore embryos in various stages revealed a healthy and well developed anatomy with no aberrant or chimeric structures. The general morphology of embryos appearing at different times after plating, looked similar to that of earlier embryos, as well as the zygotic embryos, indicating that they represent high quality material for cork oak breeding.     

Horizontal transmission of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS)-associated virus in the snakehead Ophicephalus striatus under simulated natural conditions

Natural transmission of the epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) was conducted on na?ve snakeheads Ophicephalus striatus (also known as Channa striata) kept (A) in aquifer water, (B) in lakewater, (C) cohabiting with EUS snakeheads in lakewater, and (D) cohabiting with apparently healthy snakeheads in lakewater during the 1994 to 1995 EUS season. The results showed that EUS-like lesions developed in 6 to 14 d among na?ve snakeheads cohabiting with EUS snakeheads and with apparently healthy snakeheads in lakewater (Treatments C and D). Among na?ve fish exposed to lakewater (Treatment B), similar lesions developed in 16 to 21 d, while na?ve fish in aquifer water (Treatment A) did not develop EUS-like lesions. EUS signs began as Grade I (slight) lesions that gradually progressed to Grades III-IV (severe) 3 to 5 d from lesion onset, similar to the naturally affected EUS fish. The virus was recovered from some but not all naturally EUS-affected snakeheads, snakeheads with healing lesions and apparently healthy snakeheads, but not from na?ve snakeheads. The results provide evidence of a waterborne horizontal transmission of the EUS-associated virus. This is the first report of a successful horizontal transmission of the EUS-associated virus from apparently healthy snakeheads to na?ve fish under natural conditions and of virus recovery in tissue culture from naturally exposed experimental fish.