A phytogeochemical survey of the flora of ultramafic and adjacent normal soils in North Morocco

Variation in plant elemental composition (Ni, Ca, Mg, Mg/Ca ratio) in relation to soil composition was investigated in a poorly studied ultramafic area in the north of Morocco. A total of 142 leaf samples representing 36 species from 9 sites (5 ultramafic and 4 normal soils from adjacent areas) were analysed. The soil was richer in Mg and Ni and had a higher Mg/Ca ratio in the ultramafic sites than in the control sites, and these differences were qualitatively reflected in the average mineral composition of the plants. However, there were considerable differences in mineral composition among species within serpentinic sites, indicating that species with contrasting mineral nutrition strategies can cope with the mineral element imbalance characteristic of ultramafic soils. Particularly noteworthy was the finding that species with high requirements of Ca are not excluded from serpentinic soils. In view of their high responsiveness to soil nickel and magnesium concentration, Dittrichia viscosa and Lavandula dentata are proposed as bioindicators of these elements in the soil in the Rif area. By contrast, two local serpentine endemics, Halimium atriplicifolium and Notholaena marantae were excluders of nickel and magnesium. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Chromosome doubling of 2x Solanum species by oryzalin: method development and comparison with spontaneous chromosome doubling in vitro

A potato breeding scheme implies the possibility of ploidy level manipulation either by reducing the chromosome number of cultivars from 48 to 24 to be able to cross them with diploid related species or by doubling diploid material to reach the generally optimal tetraploid level. In vitro spontaneous chromosome doubling is widely used but can lead to somaclonal variation. Since oryzalin has proven to be efficient as a chromosome doubling agent on potato cell suspension cultures, we tried this herbicide on various Solanum species and interspecific diploid hybrids. A 24 h dip in a 28.8 M aqueous oryzalin solution applied on apical buds was the most efficient treatment in terms of tetraploid plant production (mean = 4.1 tetraploid plants for 10 treated buds over 4 genotypes). However 50–100% of the regenerated tetraploid plants acclimatized after in vitro treatment proved to be chimaeric. Consequently, a selection procedure in the progeny was necessary to obtain real and stable doubled clones and final yields were low. This technique is easy to apply and could be a good alternative to chromosome doubling by spontaneous in vitro regeneration in the case of refractory genotypes especially where somaclonal variation is problematic. Percentage of tetraploids among the regenerated plants varied from 6 to 29% with the oryzalin doubling technique while it varied from 20 to 78% by in vitro spontaneous doubling for five diploid genotypes. An observation of the progeny indicated that chimaeras were more frequent using oryzalin (50–100% of the initially supposed tetraploid plants) than when chromosomes doubled spontaneously (4–67% of the initially supposed tetraploid plants).     

Differential sensitivity to cadmium in germinating seeds of three cultivars of faba bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.)

The reserve mobilization was analysed in germinating seeds of faba bean (Vicia faba) exposed to treatment with a toxic cadmium concentration for 4 days. When the behaviours of three cultivars were compared with regard to the germination rate, the following order of sensitivity to cadmium was observed: Aguadulce and Luz de otoño showed 59 and 19% of inhibition from controls, respectively, while no effect was observed in the case of the local Féverole. The growth of embryo radicle was also affected in the same pattern. The differential vulnerability to Cd stress cannot be correlated to shortage in water supply of cotyledons. However, Cd-treated germinating seeds of the most sensitive cultivar (Aguadulce) showed restriction in starch mobilization and decrease in availability of soluble sugars and free amino acids. Moreover, glucose, fructose and amino acids were markedly leaked into the germination medium at the expense of the growing embryonic axis during exposure to Cd. These results provide an indication of the way in which cadmium might impair seed germination.     

Analysis of Fusarium causing dermal toxicosis in marram grass planters

In the European coastal dunes, marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) is planted in order to control sand erosion. In the years 1986 to 1991, workers on the Wadden islands in the Netherlands planting marram grass showed lesions of skin and mucous membranes, suggesting a toxic reaction. Fusarium culmorum dominated the mycoflora of those marram grass culms that were used for planting. This plant material had been cut and stored for more than one week in the open. The Fusarium toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in the suspect marram grass culms. Isolated F. culmorum strains were able to produce DON in vitro in liquid culture as well as in experimentally inoculated wheat heads. Pathogenicity tests, toxin test as well as RAPD analysis showed that the F. culmorum strains were not specialized for marram grass but may form part of the West-European F. culmorum population infecting cereals and grasses. Storage on old sand-dunes with plant debris may have led to the high occurrence of F. culmorum and contamination with DON. Marram grass culms should be obtained from young plantings on dunes on the seaward slopes and cut culms should not be stored.     

Experimental study of early olfactory neuron differentiation and nerve formation using quail-chick chimeras

For the formation of a functional olfactory system, the key processes are neuronal differentiation, including the expression of one or the other olfactory receptors, the correct formation of the nerve and organization of periphero-central connections. These processes take place during embryonic development starting from early stages. Consequently, avian embryos afford an attractive model to study these mechanisms. Taking advantage of species-specific equipment of olfactory receptors genes in different bird species, interspecific avian chimeras were set up by grafting early chick olfactory placodes in same stage quail embryos. Their analysis was performed using different complementary approaches. In situ hybridisation using probes to different chick olfactory receptor (COR) genes indicated that the choice of expression of an olfactory receptor by a neuron is independent of the environment of the olfactory placode and of interactions with the central nervous system. Futhermore, a chick olfactory receptor gene subgroup (COR3 ), absent in the host genome, was expressed by neurons from the graft. The question was then raised of the consequences of such heterospecific differentiation on axonal projections and fiber convergence. The DiI labeling of olfactory fibres in chimeras revealed anomalies in the formation of the nerve from the chick graft. In agreement with the hypothesis of olfactory receptor (OR) involvement in axonal guidance and periphero-central synapse organisation, the presence of migrating cells and axonal fibres from the graft, expressing foreign ORs and having different interactions with the host environment than the host fibres and migrating cells, might explain these anomalies.     

Mutations affecting the catalytic activity of Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 beta-lactamase II

Random in vitro mutagenesis of a cloned Bacillus cereus 5/B/6 beta-lactamase II gene was used to select defective genes unable to confer ampicillin or cephalosporin C resistance to Escherichia coli. DNA sequencing of mutant genes identified histidine at position 28 as important to beta-lactamase II function. In addition, the isolation of six identical frameshift mutants established that the carboxyl-terminal end of beta-lactamase II is critical for enzyme function. Random mutagenesis also revealed that His88 (implicated previously as one of 4 residues acting as a zinc ligand) is crucial to enzymatic activity and that a glycine to glutamic acid substitution at position 148 produced a defective beta-lactamase. Oligonucleotide mutagenesis directed at Glu37 and Glu212 suggests that these residues are inconsequential to enzyme function but that histidine at position 28 may be involved in substrate binding or recognition.     

Identification of 'cystic fibrosis protein' as a complex of two calcium-binding proteins present in human cells of myeloid origin

Cystic fibrosis protein is a serum protein characterized by a pI close to 8.4 and present with a higher concentration in serum and plasma of cystic fibrosis carriers than in controls. This protein was found immunologically indistinguishable from the cystic fibrosis antigen isolated from granulocytes and presenting a sequence analogous to that of MRP-8, a calcium-binding protein expressed in the myeloid cell lineage. Using antibodies directed against MRP-8 and its closely associated calcium-binding protein, MRP-14, we demonstrate here that cystic fibrosis protein purified from serum is a complex of the two proteins MRP-8 and MRP-14.     

Unicoloniality in Reticulitermes urbis: a novel feature in a potentially invasive termite species

Social insects are among the world's most successful species at invading of new habitats. A good example of this invasive ability is Reticulitermes (Rhinotermitidae), a prominent group of subterranean termites. As a result of human intervention, i.e. transportation and creation of urban heat islands, Reticulitermes have been able to invade and thrive in cities located in areas where the natural habitat is normally too cold for colonization. They commonly infest man-made structures where they can cause extensive damage.This study was designed to evaluate the invasiveness of Reticulitermes urbis that was probably introduced in France from the Balkans. Invasive potential was assessed on the basis of features typical to invasive social insects, i.e. unicoloniality, low intraspecific aggression, high level of polygyny and colony reproduction by budding. The opportunity to study establishment and spreading processes arose after extensive sampling of an imported Reticulitermes urbis population was performed over the entire city of Domène, France (Rh?ne-Alpes region).For the first time, genetic analysis showed that the termites belonged to a single 'genetic entity' forming a vast colony covering about seven hectares. The colony was structured as an extended family with separate reproductive centres. We speculate that termites were introduced in a single location from which they gradually budded throughout the old town. Based on the absence of aggression among different nests within the colony, we defined this 'genetic entity' as a supercolony.