Jasmonate‐dependent modifications of the pectin matrix during potato development function as a defense mechanism targeted by Dickeya dadantii virulence factors

The plant cell wall constitutes an essential protection barrier against pathogen attack. In addition, cell‐wall disruption leads to accumulation of jasmonates (JAs), which are key signaling molecules for activation of plant inducible defense responses. However, whether JAs in return modulate the cell‐wall composition to reinforce this defensive barrier remains unknown. The enzyme 13–allene oxide synthase (13–AOS) catalyzes the first committed step towards biosynthesis of JAs. In potato (Solanum tuberosum), there are two putative St13–AOS genes, which we show here to be differentially induced upon wounding. We also determine that both genes complement an Arabidopsis aos null mutant, indicating that they encode functional 13–AOS enzymes. Indeed, transgenic potato plants lacking both St13–AOS genes (CoAOS1/2 lines) exhibited a significant reduction of JAs, a concomitant decrease in wound‐responsive gene activation, and an increased severity of soft rot disease symptoms caused by Dickeya dadantii. Intriguingly, a hypovirulent D. dadantii pel strain lacking the five major pectate lyases, which causes limited tissue maceration on wild‐type plants, regained infectivity in CoAOS1/2 plants. In line with this, we found differences in pectin methyl esterase activity and cell‐wall pectin composition between wild‐type and CoAOS1/2 plants. Importantly, wild‐type plants had pectins with a lower degree of methyl esterification, which are the substrates of the pectate lyases mutated in the pel strain. These results suggest that, during development of potato plants, JAs mediate modification of the pectin matrix to form a defensive barrier that is counteracted by pectinolytic virulence factors from D. dadantii.     

Marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria as whole‐cell biosensors for n‐alkanes

Whole‐cell biosensors offer potentially useful, cost‐effective systems for the in‐situ monitoring of seawater for hydrocarbons derived from accidental spills. The present work compares the performance of a biosensor system for the detection of alkanes in seawater, hosted in either Escherichia coli (commonly employed in whole‐cell biosensors but not optimized for alkane assimilation) or different marine bacteria specialized in assimilating alkanes. The sensor system was based on the Pseudomonas putida AlkS regulatory protein and the PalkB promoter fused to a gene encoding the green fluorescent protein. While the E. coli sensor provided the fastest response to pure alkanes (25‐fold induction after 2 h under the conditions used), a sensor based on Alcanivorax borkumensis was slower, requiring 3–4 h to reach similar induction values. However, the A. borkumensis sensor showed a fourfold lower detection threshold for octane (0.5 μM), and was also better at sensing the alkanes present in petrol. At petrol concentrations of 0.0125%, the A. borkumensis sensor rendered a sevenfold induction, while E. coli sensor showed no response. We discuss possible explanations to this behaviour in terms of the cellular adaptations to alkane uptake and the basal fluorescence produced by each bacterial strain, which was lowest for A. borkumensis.     

The role of contact sites between inner and outer mitochondrial membrane in energy transfer

Three functions have been suggested to be localized in contact sites between the inner and the outer membrane of mitochondria from mammalian cells: (i) transfer of energy from matrix to cytosol through the action of peripheral kinases; (ii) import of mitochondrial precursor proteins; and (iii) transfer of lipids between outer and inner membrane. In the contact site-related energy transfer a number of kinases localized in the periphery of the mitochondrion play a crucial role. Two examples of such kinases are relevant here: (i) hexokinase isoenzyme I which is capable of binding to the outer aspect of the outer membrane; and (ii) the mitochondrial isoenzyme of creatine kinase which is localized in the intermembrane space. Recently, evidence was presented that both hexokinase and creatine kinase are preferentially localized in contact sites (Adams, V. et al. (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 981, 213-225). The aim of the present experiments was two-fold. First, to establish methods which enable the bioenergetic aspects of energy transfer mediated by kinases in contact sites to be measured. In these experiments emphasis was on hexokinase, while 31P-NMR was the major experimental technique. Second, we wanted to develop methods which can give insight into factors playing a role in the formation of contact sites involved in energy transfer. In the latter approach, mitochondrial creatine kinase was studied using monolayer techniques.     

First phylogeny of predatory flower flies (Diptera, Syrphidae, Syrphinae) using mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rRNA genes: conflict and congruence with the current tribal classification

The family Syrphidae (Diptera) is traditionally divided into three subfamilies. The aim of this study was to address the monophyly of the tribes within the subfamily Syrphinae (virtually all with predaceous habits), as well as the phylogenetic placement of particular genera using molecular characters. Sequence data from the mitochondrial protein-coding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) and the nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA gene of 98 Syrphinae taxa were analyzed using optimization alignment to explore phylogenetic relationships among included taxa. Volucella pellucens was used as outgroup, and representatives of the tribe Pipizini (Eristalinae), with similar larval feeding mode, were also included. Congruence of our results with current tribal classification of Syrphinae is discussed. Our results include the tribe Toxomerini resolved as monophyletic but placed in a clade with genera Ocyptamus and Eosalpingogaster . Some genera traditionally placed into Syrphini were resolved outside of this tribe, as the sister groups to other tribes or genera. The tribe Bacchini was resolved into several different clades. We recovered Paragini as a monophyletic group, and sister group of the genus Allobaccha . The present results highlight the need of a reclassification of Syrphinae.
© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.     

Differential Gene Expression and Infection Profiles of Cutaneous and Mucosal Leishmania braziliensis Isolates from the Same Patient

BackgroundLeishmaniasis is a complex disease in which clinical outcome depends on factors such as parasite species, host genetics and immunity and vector species. In Brazil, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is a major etiological agent of cutaneous (CL) and mucosal leishmaniasis (MCL), a disfiguring form of the disease, which occurs in ~10% of L. braziliensis-infected patients. Thus, clinical isolates from patients with CL and MCL may be a relevant source of information to uncover parasite factors contributing to pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated two pairs of L. (V.) braziliensis isolates from mucosal (LbrM) and cutaneous (LbrC) sites of the same patient to identify factors distinguishing parasites that migrate from those that remain at the primary site of infection.Conclusions/SignificanceDespite sharing high similarity at the genome structure and ploidy levels, the parasites exhibited divergent expressed genomes. The proteome and metabolome results indicated differential profiles between the cutaneous and mucosal isolates, primarily related to inflammation and chemotaxis. BALB/c infection revealed that the cutaneous isolates were more virulent than the mucosal parasites. Furthermore, our data suggest that the LbrPGF2S protein is a candidate to contribute to parasite virulence profiles in the mammalian host.     

VAMP3 is associated with endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies and participates in their Ca-dependent exocytosis

Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are secretory organelles of endothelial cells that store the thrombogenic glycoprotein von Willebrand factor (vWF). Endothelial activation, e.g. by histamine and thrombin, triggers the Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis of WPB that releases vWF into the vasculature and thereby initiates platelet capture and thrombus formation. Towards understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulated WPB exocytosis, we here identify components of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) machinery associated with WPB. We show that vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) 3 and VAMP8 are present on WPB and that VAMP3, but not VAMP8 forms a stable complex with syntaxin 4 and SNAP23, two plasma membrane-associated SNAREs in endothelial cells. By introducing mutant SNARE proteins into permeabilized endothelial cells we also show that soluble VAMP3 but not VAMP8 mutants comprising the cytoplasmic domain interfere with efficient vWF secretion. This indicates that endothelial cells specifically select VAMP 3 over VAMP8 to cooperate with syntaxin 4 and SNAP23 in the Ca²⁺-triggered fusion of WPB with the plasma membrane. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 11th European Symposium on Calcium.     

Monoclonal antibodies to murine CD3 epsilon define distinct epitopes, one of which may interact with CD4 during T cell activation

The TCR is comprised of two variable chains that confer specificity, called alpha:beta or gamma:delta, physically associated with five different molecules that comprise the complex known as CD3. Antibodies to this complex are very useful, as they react with all T lymphocytes. A rat mAb to mouse CD3 has been prepared. It reacts with 100% of T cells in all mouse strains tested but with no other cell type. It binds to the CD3 epsilon chain. This antibody activates cloned T cell lines and normal T cells, provided suitable accessory cells and signals are present. This antibody detects a determinant similar to but not identical with those detected by two previously reported hamster anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies. This antibody fixes C efficiently, and it is thus useful for depletion of T cells from bulk populations. Activation of T cells by one of the three different anti-CD3 epsilon antibodies was inhibited by the Fab fragment of anti-CD4, similar to the effects of anti-CD4 Fab on two previously reported anti-TCR V region antibodies that bind a CD3 epsilon-associated epitope. This further defines a site involving TCR V regions and CD3 epsilon with which CD4 appears to associate during T cell activation.