Hardening by abscisic acid of tobacco plantlets grownin vitro

Tobacco plantlets were grownin vitro on Murashige and Skoog’s medium with2 % of saccharose. Addition of 0.01 mM abscisic acid (ABA) into the medium decreased stomatal conductance of the adaxial epidermis and especially the abaxial epidermis without negative effects on growth parameters. As a result the rate of water loss from ABA-treated plantlets taken out of cultivation vessels was slower than that of control plantlets. This could help their acclimation after transplantation toex vitro conditions.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> response regulator ARR22 is a putative AHP phospho-histidine phosphatase expressed in the chalaza of developing seeds

Background  

The Arabidopsis response regulator 22 (ARR22) is one of two members of a recently defined novel group of two-component system (TCS) elements. TCSs are stimulus perception and response modules of prokaryotic origin, which signal by a His-to-Asp phosphorelay mechanism. In plants, TCS regulators are involved in hormone response pathways, such as those for cytokinin and ethylene. While the functions of the other TCS elements in Arabidopsis, such as histidine kinases (AHKs), histidine-containing phosphotransfer proteins (AHPs) and A-type and B-type ARRs are becoming evident, the role of ARR22 is poorly understood.     

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Affects Short Immobilization Stress-Induced Changes in Lung Cytosolic and Membrane Glucocorticoid Binding Sites

Glucocorticoids act via glucocorticoid receptors (GR), typically localized in the cytosol (cGR). Rapid action is probably mediated via membrane receptors (mGR). In corticotropin-releasing hormone knockouts (CRH-KO), basal plasma glucocorticoid levels do differ from wild type levels (WT), but are approximately ten times lower during exposure to immobilization stress (IMMO) in comparison to WT. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) the mice lung tissue GR basal numbers would not be changed in CRH-KO (because of similar glucocorticoid levels), (2) the number of GR would be changed in WT but not in KO during short (30, 90, and 120 min) IMMO (because of higher increase of glucocorticoid levels in WT). The basal levels of cGR were not changed in CRH-KO (compared to WT), while mGR were significantly lower (62 %) in CRH-KO. In WT, there was the only decrease (to 32 %) in cGR after 120 min when we also found an increase in mGR in WT (to 201 %). In CRH-KO, IMMO caused gradual decrease in cGR (to 52 % after 30 min, to 46 % after 90 min, and to 32 % after 120 min). In CRH-KO, the only increase in mGR appeared already at 30 min of IMMO. These data suggest, on the contrary to our hypotheses, that CRH-KO are more susceptible to GR changes in early phases of stress.     

Heterobifunctional photoaffinity probes for cytochrome P450 2B.

Three heterobifunctional photoaffinity probes, N-(p-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl-p-aminobenzylamine (I), N-(p-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl-p-aminophenethylamine (II), and N-(p-azidophenethyl)-N-methyl-p-aminophenethylamine (III), were synthesized and characterized. These probes, containing a photolabile azido-group and an amino-group on opposite sides of the molecule, were designed for photoaffinty labeling of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B active site cavity differing in distance from the heme iron. Spectroscopic studies proved that probes I and II coordinated with the heme iron via their amino-group in the enzyme active center, whereas probe III did not. This result in conjunction with data from kinetic studies suggests probes I and II are appropriate for photoaffinity labeling of the CYP 2B active center. Thus, probe II was used to identify amino acid residues within a distance of the probe length (about 16.5 A) from the heme. Analysis of a Lys-C digest of the probe II-labeled CYP 2B4 revealed a single labeled hexapeptide corresponding to position 192-197 of the CYP 2B4 sequence. Using postsource decay/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight, Arg197 was identified as a probe II target. The location of the labeled site in three-dimensional structures of bacterial CYPs and in CYP 2B homology models is discussed.     

ONTOGENETIC NICHE SHIFT IN THE BRACHIOPOD TEREBRATALIA TRANSVERSA: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOSS OF ROTATION ABILITY AND ALLOMETRIC GROWTH

Abstract: Many articulated brachiopods experience marked life habit variations during ontogeny because they experience their fluid environment at successively higher Reynolds numbers, and they can change the configuration of their inhalant and exhalant flows as body size increases. We show that the extant brachiopod Terebratalia transversa undergoes a substantial ontogenetic change in reorientation governed by rotation around the pedicle. T. transversa′s reorientation angle (maximum ability to rotate on the pedicle) decreases during ontogeny, from 180 degrees in juveniles to 10–20 degrees in individuals exceeding 5 mm, to complete cessation of rotation in individuals larger than 10 mm. Rotation ability is substantially reduced after T. transversa achieves the adult lophophore configuration and preferred orientation with respect to ambient water currents at a length of 2.5–5 mm. We hypothesize that the rotation angle of T. transversa is determined mainly by the position of ventral and dorsal points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles relative to the pedicle. T. transversa shows a close correlation between the ontogenetic change in reorientation angle and ontogeny of morphological traits that are related to points of attachment of dorsal pedicle muscles, although other morphological features can also limit rotation in the adult stage. The major morphological change in cardinalia shape and the observed reduction of rotation affect individuals 2.5–10 mm in length. The position of ventral insertions of dorsal pedicle muscles remains constant, but contraction of dorsal pedicle muscles is functionally handicapped because dorsal insertions shift away from the valve midline, rise above the dorsal valve floor, and become limited by a wide cardinal process early in ontogeny (<5 mm). The rate of increase of cardinal process width and of distance between dorsal pedicle muscle scars substantially decreases in the subadult stage (5–10 mm), and most of the cardinalia shell traits grow nearly isometrically in the adult stage (>10 mm). T. transversa attains smaller shell length in crevices than on exposed substrates. The proportion of small‐sized individuals and population density is lower on exposed substrates than in crevices, indicating higher juvenile mortality on substrates prone to grazing and physical disturbance. The loss of reorientation ability can be a consequence of morphological changes that strengthen substrate attachment and maximize protection against biotic or physical disturbance (1) by minimizing torques around the pedicle axis and/or (2) by shifting energy investments into attachment strength at the expense of the cost involved in reorientation.     

Does Threat to the Nest Affect Incubation Rhythm in a Small Passerine?

Nest predation is a crucial factor influencing breeding success in birds. One possible way to protect nests is to modify parental activity in the vicinity of the nest. Here, we provide experimental evidence for an adjustment of incubation pattern during periods when there is an increased risk of nest predation in a small passerine. We compared the behaviour of incubating meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) females during presentations of stuffed dummies of a nest predator (the magpie Pica pica) and a harmless intruder (the crossbill Loxia curvirostra) and during an undisturbed control incubation period. Females significantly decreased their activity in the presence of the nest predator. Specifically, after being flushed out, they returned to the nest later and moved to and from the nest less than when the harmless intruder was present. These results document the ability of birds to assess the nest predation risk and adjust their appropriate incubation strategy.     

Comparative studies of the S0 and S2 multiline electron paramagnetic resonance signals from the manganese cluster in Photosystem II

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is one of the major techniques used to analyse the structure and function of the water oxidising complex (WOC) in Photosystem II. The discovery of an EPR signal from the S0 state has opened the way for new experiments, aiming to characterise the S0 state and elucidate the differences between the different S states. We present a review of the biochemical and biophysical characterisation of the S0 state multiline signal that has evolved since its discovery, and compare these results to previous and recent data from the S2 multiline signal. We also present some new data from the S2 state reached on the second turnover of the enzyme.     

Prevalence of the Helicobacter pylori babA2 gene and correlation with the degree of gastritis in infected Slovenian children

The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of the babA2 gene within Helicobacter pylori strains circulating in the Slovenian pediatric population, to further clarify its significance in causing inflammation of gastric mucosa in children and to verify whether cagA, vacA, iceA and babA genes work independently or synergistically in causing gastritis. A total of 163 H. pylori isolates obtained from the same number of children were tested for the presence of cagA, vacA and iceA genes using previously established methods, while the babA2 gene was determined using novel polymerase chain reaction assay targeting a 139-bp fragment of the central region of babA2. The babA2 gene was detected in 47.9 % of H. pylori samples. The presence of the babA2 gene was strongly associated with cagA, vacA s1 and vacA m1 genotype. The babA2 status correlated positively with bacterial density score, activity of inflammation and chronic inflammation of gastric mucosa. No significant correlation was found between the babA2 status and the presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia. In addition, the activity of gastric inflammation and density score were significantly associated with the coexpression of the cagA, vacA s1, vacA m1 and babA2 genes. The study, which included the largest number of pediatric H. pylori samples to date, confirmed that babA2 gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori gastritis in children. Furthermore, our results suggest that babA2, cagA and vacA s1 and m1 gene products may work synergistically in worsening the inflammation of gastric mucosa.