Some Characteristics of Red Light-induced Substance(s) against Botrytis cinerea Produced in Broad Bean Leaflets

The red light-induced antifungal substance(s) produced in broad bean was of relatively high molecular weight, water soluble, heat stable and fungi specific. Cellulose thin layer chromatography (TLC) of infection droplets of Botrytis cinerea or water droplets without spores of B. cinerea, recovered from inoculated broad bean leaflets kept under red light for 48 h, displayed inhibition zones at approximate Rf values of 0.0 and 0.6. Inhibition zones observed in cellulose TLC of water droplets were relatively faint compared to those of infection droplets. In a time-course study of accumulation of the antifungal substance(s), antifungal activity in both water and infection droplets recovered from red light irradiated broad bean leaflets occurred after 24 h irradiation. However, the antifungal activity in infection droplets was significantly higher than in water droplets. The antifungal substance(s) was less active against Botrytis fabae than B. cinerea.     

Involvement of nitric oxide in cerebroside-induced defense responses and taxol production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus yunnanensis</Emphasis> suspension cells

This work was to characterize the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in Taxus yunnanensis cells induced by a fungal-derived cerebroside and the signal role of NO in the elicitation of plant defense responses and taxol production. (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-1-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-octadecenoyl)-3-hydroxy-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine at 10 μg/ml induced a rapid and dose-dependent NO production in the Taxus cell culture, reaching a maximum within 5 h of the treatment. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) potentiated cerebroside-induced H₂O₂ production and cell death. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity by phenylene-1,3-bis(ethane-2-isothiourea) dihydrobromide or scavenging NO by 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide partially blocked the cerebroside-induced H₂O₂ production and cell death. Moreover, NO enhanced cerebroside-induced activation of phenylalanine ammonium-lyase and accumulation of taxol in cell cultures. These results are suggestive of a role for NO as a new signal component for activating the cerebroside-induced defense responses and secondary metabolism activities of plant cells. Taxol is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb, Madison, NJ.     

Analysis of DNA polymorphism in a relict Uralian species,large-flowered foxglove (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Digitalis grandiflora</Emphasis> Mill.), using RAPD and ISSR markers

Genetic polymorphism of the Uralian relict plant species, large-flowered foxglove Digitalis grandiflora Mill. (family Scrophulariaceae), was examined using RAPD and ISSR techniques. A total of 149 RAPD and 74ISSR markers were tested. The indices characterizing polymorphism and genetic diversity were calculated. The data obtained pointed to a high level of genetic variation of D. grandiflora (P ₉₅ = 65%). The cenopopulation examined was weakly differentiated with most of genetic diversity accounted by within-population differentiation.     

Changes in Antioxidant Defense Enzymes after d-amphetamine Exposure: Implications as an Animal Model of Mania

Studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is associated with amphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, but little is known about the adaptations of antioxidant enzymes in the brain after amphetamine exposure. We studied the effects of acute and chronic amphetamine administration on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, in a rodent model of mania. Male Wistar rats received either a single IP injection of d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 4 mg/kg) or vehicle (acute treatment). In the chronic treatment rats received a daily IP injection of either d-amphetamine (1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, or 4 mg/kg) or vehicle for 7 days. Locomotor behavior was assessed using the open field test. SOD and CAT activities were measured in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Acute and to a greater extent chronic amphetamine treatment increased locomotor behavior and affected SOD and CAT activities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. Our findings suggest that amphetamine exposure is associated with an imbalance between SOD and CAT activity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum.     

Banding pattern of A and B chromosomes of Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae), with comments on B chromosomes evolution

B chromosomes in Prochilodus lineatus, a migratory neotropical fish, were analyzed in a comparative study among populations from the Dourada lagoon (State of Paraná, Brazil) and from Mogi-Guaçu river (State of São Paulo, Brazil). The data on C-banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization with a satellite DNA probe (SATH1), indicate that the small metacentric B chromosome might correspond to an isochromosome. On the other hand, both populations presented a distinct set of B chromosomes, differentiated either by their number and by the presence of variant B types in the population from Mogi-Guaçu river. The present results indicate that the B chromosomes of P. lineatus should have an ancient origin, and have undergone a differential evolutionary pathway among distinct populations.     

Cytotoxic activities of Hypericum perforatum L. extracts against 2D and 3D cancer cell models

Cytotechnology - Six extracts were obtained from plant species Hypericum perforatum L., collected at Samsun in Turkey. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms of the anticancer activity...     

Detection of Intracellular Free Na+ Concentration of Synaptosomes by a Fluorescent Indicator, Na+-Binding Benzofuran Isophthalate: The Effect of Veratridine, Ouabain, and α-Latrotoxin

Abstract: A novel fluorescent Na⁺ indicator, Na⁺-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI), was used to follow changes in the intracellular free Na⁺ concentration ([Na⁺]₁) of synaptosomes. The dye, when loaded into synapto- somes in the form of its acetoxymethyl ester, was responsive to changes of [Na⁺]₁. Calibration was made using the 340/380 nm excitation ratio when the cytoplasmic Na⁺ concentration was equilibrated with different concentrations of extracellular Na⁺ in the presence of 2 μ M gramicidin D. The basal value of [Na⁺]₁ in synaptosomes in the presence of 140 m M extracellular Na⁺ was found to be 10.9 ± 1.8 m M. Veratridine, which opens potential-dependent Na⁺ channels, caused a sudden increase in [Na⁺]₁ in a concentration-dependent manner (1 -20 μ M ), whereas the effect of ouabain (20 and 50 μ M ), the inhibitor of the plasma membrane Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, was more gradual. The rise in the fluorescence intensity upon addition of veratridine was prevented completely by 2 μ M tetrodotoxin. α-Latrotoxin, the black widow spider toxin, caused an increase in the fluorescence intensity, which became evident 1 min after the addition of the toxin. The rate of increase was proportional to the concentration of the toxin (0.19–1.5 n M ). This report confirms our earlier finding demonstrating a Na⁺-dependent component in the action of α-Iatrotoxin, and shows that changes in [Na⁺]₁ in synaptosomes can be followed by SBFI.     

Endotoxin-induced cytokine gene expression in vivo. III. IL-6 mRNA and serum protein expression and the in vivo hematologic effects of IL-6

Endotoxin (LPS) at sublethal doses injected i.v. into rats was found to induce IL-6 mRNA expression peaking at 1 to 2 h in whole organ RNA preparations of the spleen, liver, lung, bowel, and kidney. IL-6 serum protein levels also peaked at 2 h. TNF and IL-1, generally considered to be among the most rapidly released cytokines, also induced IL-6 expression. IL-6 in turn inhibited TNF and IL-1 expression, suggesting that IL-6 may be part of a negative feedback mechanism in the cytokine cascade. Dexamethasone down-regulated and Corynebacterium parvum up-regulated IL-6 expression, although the possibility cannot be excluded that these immunomodulating factors may in part have exerted their effects indirectly via the up- and down-regulation of TNF and IL-1. IL-6 injected i.v. at a pathophysiologically relevant dose caused a peripheral neutrophilia and mild myeloproliferative effect in the bone marrow.     

Genome analysis of Elytrigia caespitosa, Lophopyrum nodosum, Pseudoroegneria geniculata ssp. scythica, and Thinopyrum intermedium (Triticeae: Gramineae).

To elucidate the genome constitutions of the tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) species Elytrigia caespitosa, Lophopyrum nodosum, and Pseudoroegneria geniculata ssp. scythica and the hexaploid (2n = 6x = 42) Thinopyrum intermedium, meiotic pairing was studied in these species as well as 10 hybrids. Karyotype analysis with aceto-orcein stained root-tip cells was performed for the four species and the hybrids of T. bessarabicum with E. caespitosa, P. geniculata ssp. scythica, and T. intermedium. Karyotype analysis by Giemsa C-banding was carried out with the three tetraploid species and the two triploid hybrids involving T. bessarabicum. The species behaved as strict allopolyploids. All hybrids were male sterile with few stainable pollen grains. It is concluded from the results that the three tetraploid species have the genome formula JeJeSS and T. intermedium has the formula JeJeJeJeSS. The chromosomes of the Je and S genomes in these species had C-banding patterns differing from each other and from those of the extant diploid species. Based on these findings, the four species investigated should be placed in the same genus or the same section of a genus. However, new combinations are not proposed at this time pending future taxonomic investigation of the genome constitution of Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski.     

Genome constitutions of Thinopyrum curvifolium, T. scirpeum, T. distichum, and T. junceum (Triticeae: Gramineae).

The objective of this study is to elucidate genome constitutions of Thinopyrum curvifolium (Lange) D.R. Dewey, T. scirpeum (K. Presl) D.R. Dewey, T. distichum (Thunb.) A. L?ve, and T. junceum (L.) A. L?ve. Hybrids of T. sartorii (Boiss. &Heidr.) A. L?ve with T. scirpeum and T. junceum, as well as the hybrid between T. curvifolium and Pseudoroegneria geniculata ssp. scythica (Nevski) A. L?ve, were made and chromosome pairing at metaphase I was studied. The karyotype analyses of mitotic cells stained by aceto-orcein were conducted for both hybrids and the four target species. The Giemsa C-banding following acetocarmine staining was carried out for the above species and the triploid hybrid T. curvifolium x T. bessarabicum (Savul &Rayss) A. L?ve. Meiotic data indicate that all target species have two sets of the basic genome J, but they behave like true allopolyploids because of bivalentization. Karyotypes of T. curvifolium and its triploid hybrid with T. bessarabicum indicate that T. curvifolium contains two different versions of the Jb genome, designated as Jb3 and Jb4, rather than two Je genomes as previously believed. Thinopyrum scirpeum and T. elongatum (4x) have similar karyotypes. Both are segmental allotetraploids carrying two forms of the Je genome. Their genome formulae are Je2 Je3 and Je1 Je3, respectively. Thinopyrum distichum has a karyotype similar to T. junceiforme, which has the Jb2 Je2 genome formula. However, the two species differ in C-banding patterns, reflecting their geographical separation. Thinopyrum junceum is a hexaploid with two pairs of Jb2 genomes and one pair of the Je2 genome, and it has a C-banding pattern similar to that of T. junceiforme, which has one pair each of the Jb2 and Je2 genomes.