Protein Kinase D-Dependent Trafficking of the Large Herpes simplex Virus Type 1 Capsids from the TGN to Plasma Membrane

The biosynthetic pathway carries cargos from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the trans Golgi network (TGN) via a typical passage through the Golgi. Interestingly, large particles such as procollagen, chylomicrons and some viruses all reach the TGN by atypical routes. Given this dichotomy, we anticipated that such cargos might rely on non-classical machineries downstream of the TGN. Using Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) as a model and a synchronized infection protocol that focuses on TGN to plasma membrane transport, the present study revealed the surprising implication of the cellular serine-threonine protein kinase D in HSV-1 egress. These findings, confirmed by a variety of complementary means [pharmacological inhibitors, dominant negative mutant, RNA interference and electron microscopy (EM)], identify one of possibly several cellular factors that modulate the egress of viruses transiting at the TGN. Moreover, the involvement of this kinase, previously known to regulate the transport of small basolateral cargos, highlights the trafficking of both small and exceptionally large entities by a common machinery downstream of the TGN, in sharp contrast to earlier steps of transport. Conceptually, this indicates the TGN is not only a sorting station from which cargos can depart towards different destinations but also a meeting point where conventional and unconventional routes can meet along the biosynthetic pathway. Lastly, given the apical release of HSV-1 in neurons, it opens up the possibility that this kinase might regulate some apical sorting.     

Gold Nanoparticle Uptake by Tumour Cells of B16 Mouse Melanoma

Because of their photo-optical distinctiveness and biocompatibility, gold nanoparticles have proven to be powerful tools in various nanomedical applications. In this article, we discuss the advantage of gold nanoparticles in image diagnostic application of melanoma. It has demonstrated the potential role of gold nanoparticles in the study of tumour tissue architecture and the utility of gold nanoparticles in the hystopathological exam of B16 melanoma with the benefit of fluorescence emission of gold nanoparticles in UV spectrum. The optical properties of colloidal gold nanoparticles allow spectroscopic detection and identification of melanoma cells. The method proposed is easy, inexpensive and reliable for hystopathological analysis of melanoma. The fluorescence images in the cryosections of tissues depicted a strong luminescence property of gold nanoparticles uptaken in melanoma, results that confirm the role of the gold nanoparticles in biological labelling and imaging applications. To emphasize the AuNPs influence over the biological tissues, a study of the chemical bonds configuration was performed using Raman spectrometry.     

Distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Doronicum clusii</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D. stiriacum</Emphasis> (Asteraceae) in the Alps and Carpathians

In the course of a taxonomic revision of the Doronicum clusii agg. (Asteraceae), we present an updated and commented distribution map of D. clusii (All.) Tausch and D. stiriacum (Vill.) Dalla Torre from the Alps and Carpathians, completed with information on biogeography and taxonomy. We show that D. stiriacum was erroneously indicated for the Carpathians south and southeast of the Rodna Mountains in Romania and for the Western Alps. In the Western Carpathians, it has only been rarely mentioned for the Nízke Tatry (Lower Tatras) and the Belianske Tatry (Belá Tatras) in Slovakia.     

Correlation between Congo red binding as virulence marker in Shigella species and Sereny test.

Six variants of nutrient agar were tested in order to chose the suitable media for Congo red binding test. Trypto-soy Eiken, T.S.A - Cantacuzino Institute and B.T.S.D. (a medium prepared with Difco ingredients) are appropriate to distinguish between virulent Crb+ and avirulent Crb- strains. Congo red binding was compared with Sereny test using 25 Shigella strains. The strains were inoculated onto trypto-soy agar Eiken plates with 0.01% Congo red, incubated 24 hours at 37 degrees C. A number of each kind (Crb+ and Crb-) of colonies developed by every strain was subcultured on nutrient agar and Sereny test was performed with these cultures. As expected, all 84 Crb+ colonies in vivo tested, produced keratoconjunctivitis. In the case of Crb- colonies a proper correlation with Sereny negative test was observed in 57 out of 73 colonies (78.2%) to which 10.9% (8 out of 73) less virulent (evoking illness in only one of the two inoculated eyes) colonies may be added. As our results confirmed that loss of pigmentation was consistently accompanied by loss or diminishing of virulence, we consider that Congo red binding may be used as an alternative of in vivo test for establishing the virulence of Shigellae in the routine practice of microbiology laboratories which usually are not provided with cell cultures or animals. Its reduced cost is an important advantage, too.