Therapeutic efficacy of Stephania tetrandra S. Moore for treatment of neovascularization of retinal capillary (retinopathy) in diabetes--in vitro study.

The present study was designed to examine therapeutic efficacy of the root extract of Stephania Tetrandra S. Moore (STMS) (traditional Chinese medicine; Han Fang Ji) for treatment of neovascularization of the retinal capillary (retinopathy) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (STZ diabetic rats) in culture. Recently we have established the culture system in which fetal bovine serum (FBS) in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM) induced neovascularization of the retinal capillary and choroidal capillary in normal rats in culture. STZ diabetic rats showed more neovascularization of the retinal capillary and choroidal capillary than did normal rats in culture. In this study, the retinal tissue was removed for the posterior ocular region and cultured in DMEM containing FBS. The choroidal tissue of the posterior ocular region was also removed and cultured as an internal reference. Administration of STSM (0.91, 9.1 and 91 microg/ml) significantly suppressed neovascularization of the retinal capillary in both STZ diabetic rats and normal rats in a dose-dependent manner. Similar results were obtained with the choroidal capillary; administration of STSM suppressed neovascularization of the choroidal capillary in both STZ diabetic rats and normal rats. In order to determine the component of STSM inhibiting neovascularization of the retinal capillary, tetrandrine (a major chemical constituent of STSM) was administered and neovascularization of the retinal capillary was examined in culture. The effect of tetrandrine on the choroidal capillary was also examined as an internal reference. Administration of tetrandrine (0.1, 1.0 and 10 microM) suppressed neovascularization of the retinal capillary in both STZ diabetic rats and normal rats in a dose-dependent manner. Similar results were obtained with the choroidal capillary of both STZ diabetic rats and normal rats. We infer, therefore, that STSM has a direct effect on the retinal capillary of posterior ocular region and suppresses neovascularization of retinal capillary in STZ diabetic rats through the activation of tetrandrine. These results suggest that STSM may prevent for delay the progression of retinopathy in diabetic patients.     

Cleome hassleriana plants fully support the development and reproduction of Nesidiocoris tenuis

BioControl - Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous predator that feeds on plants as well as prey. Several non-crop host plant species have been used to maintain...     

Generation of the Y-chromosome linked red fluorescent protein transgenic mouse model and sexing at the preimplantation stage

In mammals, sexual fate is determined by the chromosomes of the male and female gametes during fertilization. Males (XY) or females (XX) are produced when a sperm containing a Y or X-chromosome respectively fertilizes an X-chromosome-containing unfertilized egg. However, sexing of preimplantation stage embryos cannot be conducted visually. To address this, transgenic male mouse models with the ubiquitously expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene on X- (X-GFP) or Y-chromosomes (Y-GFP) have been established. However, when crossed with wild-type females, sexing of the preimplantation stage embryos by observing the GFP signal is problematic in some cases due to X-inactivation, loss of Y-chromosome (LOY), or loss of transgene fluorescence. In this study, a mouse model with the ubiquitously expressed red fluorescent protein (RFP) transgene on the Y-chromosome was generated since RFP is easily distinguishable from GFP signals. Unfortunately, the ubiquitously expressed tdTomato RFP transgene on the Y-chromosome (Y-RFP) mouse showed the lethal phenotype after birth. No lethal phenotypes were observed when the mitochondrial locating signal N-terminal of tdTomato (mtRFP) was included in the transgene construct. Almost half of the collected fertilized eggs from Y-mtRFP male mice crossed with wild-type females had an RFP signal at the preimplantation stage (E1.5). Therefore, XY eggs were recognized as RFP-positive embryos at the preimplantation stage. Furthermore, 100% sexing was observed at the preimplantation stage using the X-linked GFP/Y-linked RFP male mouse. The established Y-mtRFP mouse models may be used to study sex chromosome related research.     

Characterization of acrolein-induced protein cross-links

Lipid peroxidation products contribute to protein aggregation that occurs during oxidative stress in a number of degenerative disorders. Acrolein (ACR), a highly toxic lipid peroxidation aldehyde, is a strong cross-linking agent of cellular components such as proteins. To understand the mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced protein aggregation, this study characterized the ACR modification of chain B from bovine insulin by mass spectrometry. To identify the cross-linking sites, the ACR-treated peptide was digested with a protease and the resulting peptides were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Inter- and intra-molecular cross-linking adducts were identified between amino groups and the side chain of histidine in the peptide. These results indicated that the ACR-induced cross-links were accompanied by two reactions, namely Michael addition and Schiff base formation. In conclusion, the use of mass spectrometric techniques provided chemical evidence for protein cross-linking with ACR.     

Individual variation in body color in the field cricket Teleogryllus occipitalis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Body color of animals may affect individual fitness through direct effects on various processes, such as predatory avoidance, thermoregulation, UV resistance, and mating behavior. Body color variation of the field cricket Teleogryllus occipitalis (Audinet‐Serville) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is often observed. We quantified the individual variation in body color of this species by measuring the luminance of hind leg femur. Thereafter, we examined whether the body color was a heritable trait or not using parent–offspring analysis. In addition, the effect of body color of both parents on body size, sex ratio, and survival rate of progeny was investigated. The results showed that maternal body color was not heritable, whereas paternal body color was correlated with the body color of the progeny. Body size and sex ratio were not correlated with body color of parents. Although paternal body color did not affect the survival rate of the progeny beyond the stage of final instar nymph, progeny survival rate significantly increased with darkness of maternal body.     

Cellular Auxin Homeostasis under High Temperature Is Regulated through a SORTING NEXIN1–Dependent Endosomal Trafficking Pathway

High-temperature-mediated adaptation in plant architecture is linked to the increased synthesis of the phytohormone auxin, which alters cellular auxin homeostasis. The auxin gradient, modulated by cellular auxin homeostasis, plays an important role in regulating the developmental fate of plant organs. Although the signaling mechanism that integrates auxin and high temperature is relatively well understood, the cellular auxin homeostasis mechanism under high temperature is largely unknown. Using the Arabidopsis thaliana root as a model, we demonstrate that under high temperature, roots counterbalance the elevated level of intracellular auxin by promoting shootward auxin efflux in a PIN-FORMED2 (PIN2)-dependent manner. Further analyses revealed that high temperature selectively promotes the retrieval of PIN2 from late endosomes and sorts them to the plasma membrane through an endosomal trafficking pathway dependent on SORTING NEXIN1. Our results demonstrate that recycling endosomal pathway plays an important role in facilitating plants adaptation to increased temperature.