Elevated atmospheric [CO2] can dramatically increase wheat yields in semi‐arid environments and buffer against heat waves

Wheat production will be impacted by increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂ [CO₂], which is expected to rise from about 400 μmol mol^?1 in 2015 to 550 μmol mol^?1 by 2050. Changes to plant physiology and crop responses from elevated [CO₂] (e[CO₂]) are well documented for some environments, but field‐level responses in dryland Mediterranean environments with terminal drought and heat waves are scarce. The Australian Grains Free Air CO₂ Enrichment facility was established to compare wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and yield under ambient (~370 μmol^?1 in 2007) and e[CO₂] (550 μmol^?1) in semi‐arid environments. Experiments were undertaken at two dryland sites (Horsham and Walpeup) across three years with two cultivars, two sowing times and two irrigation treatments. Mean yield stimulation due to e[CO₂] was 24% at Horsham and 53% at Walpeup, with some treatment responses greater than 70%, depending on environment. Under supplemental irrigation, e[CO₂] stimulated yields at Horsham by 37% compared to 13% under rainfed conditions, showing that water limited growth and yield response to e[CO₂]. Heat wave effects were ameliorated under e[CO₂] as shown by reductions of 31% and 54% in screenings and 10% and 12% larger kernels (Horsham and Walpeup). Greatest yield stimulations occurred in the e[CO₂] late sowing and heat stressed treatments, when supplied with more water. There were no clear differences in cultivar response due to e[CO₂]. Multiple regression showed that yield response to e[CO₂] depended on temperatures and water availability before and after anthesis. Thus, timing of temperature and water and the crop's ability to translocate carbohydrates to the grain postanthesis were all important in determining the e[CO₂] response. The large responses to e[CO₂] under dryland conditions have not been previously reported and underscore the need for field level research to provide mechanistic understanding for adapting crops to a changing climate.     

The S-layer homology domain as a means for anchoring heterologous proteins on the cell surface of Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis synthesizes two S-layer proteins, each containing three S-layer homology (SLH) motifs towards their amino-terminus. In vitro experiments suggested that the three motifs of each protein were organized as a structural domain sufficient to bind purified cell walls. Chimeric genes encoding the SLH domains fused to the levansucrase of Bacillus subtilis were constructed and integrated on the chromosome. Cell fractionation and electron microscopy studies showed that both heterologous polypeptides were targeted to the cell surface. In addition, surface-exposed levansucrase retained its enzymatic and antigenic properties. Preliminary results concerning applications of this work are presented.     

Anthrax lethal factor cleaves the N-terminus of MAPKKS and induces tyrosine/threonine phosphorylation of MAPKS in cultured macrophages

The lethal toxin (LeTx) of Bacillus anthracis is the major virulence factor responsible for the death of infected animals and for cytolysis of cultured macrophages. Its catalytic component, LF, contains the characteristic zinc-binding motif of metalloproteases, it binds zinc and indirect evidence suggests that this hydrolytic activity is essential for LeTx cytotoxicity ( Limpel et al . 1994 ; Kochi et al . 1994 ). To identify substrates of LF, we have used the yeast two-hybrid system, employing an LF inactive mutant as bait. This approach has led to the identification of the MAP kinase kinases (MAPKKs) Mek1 and Mek2 as proteins capable of specific interaction with LF. LF cleaves Mek1 and Mek2 within their N-terminus in vitro and in vivo , hydrolysing a Pro8-Ile9 and a Pro10-Arg11 peptide bond in Mek1 and Mek2, respectively ( Vitale et al . 1998 ), similarly to that found with a different approach by Duesbery et al . (1998) . The removal of the amino terminus of MAPKKs eliminates the 'docking site' involved in the specific interaction with MAPKs and interferes with the phospho-activation of the MAPKs ERK1 and ERK2, which become phosphorylated in cultured macrophages following toxin challenge. We are currently investigating the relevance of MAPKKs cleavage for LeTx cytotoxicity and the consequences for the activity of the MAP pathway.     

A series of cyanide-bridged binuclear complexes

A series of cyanide-bridged binuclear complexes, (‘S₃’)Ni-CN-M[Tp^tBu] (‘S₃’ = bis(2-mercaptophenyl)sulfide, Tp^tBu = hydrotris(3-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Fe (2-Fe), Co (2-Co), Ni (2-Ni), Zn (2-Zn)) was prepared by the coupling of K[(‘S₃’)Ni(CN)] with [Tp^tBu]MX. The isostructural series of complexes was structurally and spectroscopically characterized. A similar coupling strategy was used to synthesize the anionic copper(I) analogue, Et₄N{(‘S₃’)Ni-CN-Cu[Tp^tBu]}, 2-Cu.An alternative synthesis was devised for the preparation of the linkage isomers of 2-Zn, i.e. of cyanide-bridged linkage isomers. X-ray diffraction, ¹³C NMR and IR spectral studies established that isomerization to the more stable Ni-CN-Zn isomer occurs. DFT computational results buttressed the experimental observations indicating that the cyanide-bridged isomer is ca. 5 kcal/mol more stable than its linkage isomer.     

Characterization of PR-10 genes from eight Betula species and detection of Bet v 1 isoforms in birch pollen

Background  

Bet v 1 is an important cause of hay fever in northern Europe. Bet v 1 isoforms from the European white birch (Betula pendula) have been investigated extensively, but the allergenic potency of other birch species is unknown. The presence of Bet v 1 and closely related PR-10 genes in the genome was established by amplification and sequencing of alleles from eight birch species that represent the four subgenera within the genus Betula. Q-TOF LC-MS^E was applied to identify which PR-10/Bet v 1 genes are actually expressed in pollen and to determine the relative abundances of individual isoforms in the pollen proteome.     

Resistance to alpha/beta interferon is a determinant of West Nile virus replication fitness and virulence

The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Western Hemisphere is marked by the spread of pathogenic lineage I strains, which differ from typically avirulent lineage II strains. To begin to understand the virus-host interactions that may influence the phenotypic properties of divergent lineage I and II viruses, we compared the genetic, pathogenic, and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-regulatory properties of a lineage II isolate from Madagascar (MAD78) with those of a new lineage I isolate from Texas (TX02). Full genome sequence analysis revealed that MAD78 clustered, albeit distantly, with other lineage II strains, while TX02 clustered with emergent North American isolates, more specifically with other Texas strains. Compared to TX02, MAD78 replicated at low levels in cultured human cells, was highly sensitive to the antiviral actions of IFN in vitro, and demonstrated a completely avirulent phenotype in wild-type mice. In contrast to TX02 and other pathogenic forms of WNV, MAD78 was defective in its ability to disrupt IFN-induced JAK-STAT signaling, including the activation of Tyk2 and downstream phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT2. However, replication of MAD78 was rescued in cells with a nonfunctional IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR). Consistent with this finding, the virulence of MAD78 was unmasked upon infection of mice lacking IFNAR. Thus, control of the innate host response and IFN actions is a key feature of WNV pathogenesis and replication fitness.     

Recent progress in liquid chromatography-based separation and label-free quantitative plant proteomics

Recent innovations in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based methods have facilitated quantitative and functional proteomic analyses of large numbers of proteins derived from complex samples without any need for protein or peptide labelling. Regardless of its great potential, the application of these proteomics techniques to plant science started only recently. Here we present an overview of label-free quantitative proteomics features and their employment for analysing plants. Recent methods used for quantitative protein analyses by MS techniques are summarized and major challenges associated with label-free LC-MS-based approaches, including sample preparation, peptide separation, quantification and kinetic studies, are discussed. Database search algorithms and specific aspects regarding protein identification of non-sequenced organisms are also addressed. So far, label-free LC-MS in plant science has been used to establish cellular or subcellular proteome maps, characterize plant-pathogen interactions or stress defence reactions, and for profiling protein patterns during developmental processes. Improvements in both, analytical platforms (separation technology and bioinformatics/statistical analysis) and high throughput nucleotide sequencing technologies will enhance the power of this method.