Expression profile of jasmonic acid-induced genes and the induced resistance against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) after foliar treatment with methyl jasmonate

We investigated what gene(s) in the plant roots have the positive role against repressing root-knot nematode (RKN) infection. We investigated the interaction between RKN infection and gene expression in the plant roots induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). We focused on the induced resistance response and the duration after foliar treatment with MeJA of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0mM at 1, 24, 48, and 72h prior to the inoculation of RKN. As a result, the foliar treatment with MeJA at 0.5mM or higher concentrations significantly reduced the infection of RKN in plants and the effect lasted for about 1 week. The repressing effect on RKN population declined to the lowest level in two weeks after MeJA treatment. The expression of proteinase inhibitors (PIs) and multicystatin (MC) were induced while the repressing effect on RKN was valid and a negative correlation was found between the expression of PIs or MC and RKN infection. In addition, when tomato plants no longer expressing MC and PIs were treated again with MeJA, the repressing effect revived. These phenomena appeared to be regardless of the existence of Mi-genes or isolate of RKN. Our results indicate that the expression level of MC and PIs may be effective as marker genes for estimating the induced resistance response against RKN infection.     

Insilco analysis of functionally important residues in folate receptors

Lack of crystal structure data of folate binding proteins has left so many questions unanswered (for example, important residues in active site, binding domain, important amino acid residues involved in interactions between ligand and receptor). With sequence alignment and PROSITE motif identification, we attempted to answer evolutionarily significant residues that are of functional importance for ligand binding and that form catalytic sites. We have analyzed 46 different FRs and FBP sequences of various organisms obtained from Genbank. Multiple sequence alignment identified 44 highly conserved identical amino acid residues with 10 cysteine residues and 12 motifs including ECSPNLGPW (which might help in the structural stability of FR).     

Role of protein kinases in mediating diabetes-induced augmented vasoconstriction to endothelin-1 in the renal arteries of STZ-diabetic rats

Diabetes is associated with increased reactivity of the renal vascular bed to endothelin-1 (ET-1). It has been observed that diabetes is associated with over-expression of ET(A)- and ET(B)-receptors in the rat renal cortex. However it is not known if these receptors are over-expressed in the renal artery. The objectives of this study were to determine changes in ET-1 receptors and signalling pathways in diabetic renal arteries, to determine the relative roles of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase activation in mediating these responses and to investigate the role of Rho-kinase activity in mediating the vasoconstrictor responses to ET-1. This study was performed on isolated renal artery segments obtained from STZ-diabetic rats. Results from this study showed that the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 was potentiated in the diabetic renal artery segments compared to the control animals. Using selective ET-1 receptor antagonists, BQ123 and BQ788, the enhanced ET-1-induced vasoconstriction was shown in this study not to be related to changes in receptor affiinity or receptor subtype distribution. However, the augmented vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 in the diabetic renal artery preparations may be related to increased influx of Ca(2+) through L-type channels and also to increased tyrosine kinase activity.     

Spare quinones in the QB cavity of crystallized photosystem II from Thermosynechococcus elongatus

The recent crystallographic structure at 3.0 Å resolution of PSII from Thermosynechococcus elongatus has revealed a cavity in the protein which connects the membrane phase to the binding pocket of the secondary plastoquinone Q_B. The cavity may serve as a quinone diffusion pathway. By fluorescence methods, electron transfer at the donor and acceptor sides was investigated in the same membrane-free PSII core particle preparation from T. elongatus prior to and after crystallization; PSII membrane fragments from spinach were studied as a reference. The data suggest selective enrichment of those PSII centers in the crystal that are intact with respect to O₂ evolution at the manganese-calcium complex of water oxidation and with respect to the integrity of the quinone binding site. One and more functional quinone molecules (per PSII monomer) besides of Q_A and Q_B were found in the crystallized PSII. We propose that the extra quinones are located in the Q_B cavity and serve as a PSII intrinsic pool of electron acceptors.     

内皮素对离体大鼠主动脉及主动脉平滑肌细胞作用的研究

本研究着重探讨内皮素对大鼠主动脉的收缩作用及对主动脉平滑肌细胞细胞周期及能量代谢的影响。浓度为1.0～18.0nmol/L的内皮素可引起大鼠主动脉产生浓度依赖性收缩,其EC_(50)为3.75±0.75nmol/L。正常对照组中平滑肌细胞S G_2M期细胞的比例基本稳定在26.3％～29.6％的范围内;浓度为10.0和1000.0pmol/L的内皮素可使S G_2M期细胞比例明显增高,上述变化呈良好的浓度依赖性(P<0.01);内皮素作用3～24h,随作用时间延长,S G_2M期细胞比例逐步增多,呈明显的时间依赖性(P<0.01)。10.0pmol/L的内皮素作用10min后ATP含量增至对照组的139.05±1.11％(P<0.01);20min后ATP含量为对照组的65.25±5.09％(P<0.01),低于对照组水平。结果表明,内皮素具有缩血管作用及促平滑肌细胞增殖作用,上述作用可能在高血压的发病机制中有一定的意义。     

不同负荷运动对大鼠血浆和心肌细胞内ET及心肌细胞膜ETR的影响

目的:探讨不同运动负荷的游泳训练对SD大鼠血浆和心肌细胞中内皮素(ET)含量及心肌细胞膜上内皮素受体(ETR)活性的影响。方法:雄性SD大鼠分为5组,即A组(安静对照组)、B组(游泳45min组)、C组(游泳90min组)、D组(游泳150min组)、E组(急性力竭组),每组9只进行8周的游泳训练,用放射免疫法测定大鼠ET及ETR。结果:90min组大鼠血浆和心肌细胞中ET比对照组有明显降低(P<0.01),且可下调ETR的数量和亲和力(P<0.01)。150min组大鼠心肌细胞膜上ETR的解离常数Kd值明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:中等负荷的运动可明显改善心血管系统的功能,而负荷较大的运动对心血管系统功能的改善不利。     

A new semi-selective medium for the isolation of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae, the etiological agent of anthurium bacterial blight

Aims:  Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae causes anthurium blight, which is regarded as the most threatening disease for the anthurium industry worldwide. The bacterium is listed as a quarantine pathogen in several regions, including Europe. We evaluated the use of Neomycin-Cephalexin-Trimethoprime-pivMecillinam 4 (NCTM4) medium for its isolation.
Methods and Results:  A total of 104 bacterial strains were inoculated onto NCTM4 and on the previously published Cellobiose-Starch (CS) and Esculin-Trehalose (ET) media. The strain collection included: the anthurium blight pathogen, Xanthomonas strains, for which false positive results are known to occur using serological identification-tests; other bacterial pathogens of anthurium; and representatives of bacteria that are commonly present in the anthurium phyllosphere. Media were evaluated following the ISO 16140 protocol for the validation of alternative methods.
Conclusion:  Growth of the anthurium blight pathogen was better on NCTM4 and ET media than on CS. NCTM4 provided a better repeatability. It also displayed a lower rate of false positive and false negative results when the pathogen was isolated from plant extracts.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study will lead to improved isolation protocols of the anthurium blight in official procedures. NCTM4 medium could also favourably be used in studies, which aim to further understanding of the biology and epidemiology of this pathogen.     

Transcriptional activation of endothelial cells by TGFβ coincides with acute microvascular plasticity following focal spinal cord ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Microvascular dysfunction, loss of vascular support, ischaemia and sub-acute vascular instability in surviving blood vessels contribute to secondary injury following SCI (spinal cord injury). Neither the precise temporal profile of the cellular dynamics of spinal microvasculature nor the potential molecular effectors regulating this plasticity are well understood. TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) isoforms have been shown to be rapidly increased in response to SCI and CNS (central nervous system) ischaemia, but no data exist regarding their contribution to microvascular dysfunction following SCI. To examine these issues, in the present study we used a model of focal spinal cord ischaemia/reperfusion SCI to examine the cellular response(s) of affected microvessels from 30 min to 14 days post-ischaemia. Spinal endothelial cells were isolated from affected tissue and subjected to focused microarray analysis of TGFβ-responsive/related mRNAs 6 and 24 h post-SCI. Immunohistochemical analyses of histopathology show neuronal disruption/loss and astroglial regression from spinal microvessels by 3 h post-ischaemia, with complete dissolution of functional endfeet (loss of aquaporin-4) by 12 h post-ischaemia. Coincident with this microvascular plasticity, results from microarray analyses show 9 out of 22 TGFβ-responsive mRNAs significantly up-regulated by 6 h post-ischaemia. Of these, serpine 1/PAI-1 (plasminogen-activator inhibitor 1) demonstrated the greatest increase (>40-fold). Furthermore, uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator), another member of the PAS (plasminogen activator system), was also significantly increased (>7.5-fold). These results, along with other select up-regulated mRNAs, were confirmed biochemically or immunohistochemically. Taken together, these results implicate TGFβ as a potential molecular effector of the anatomical and functional plasticity of microvessels following SCI.     

Identification and functional analysis of a novel mutation in the SOX10 gene associated with Waardenburg syndrome type IV

Waardenburg syndrome type IV (WS4) is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by auditory–pigmentary abnormalities and Hirschsprung disease. Mutations of the EDNRB gene, EDN3 gene, or SOX10 gene are responsible for WS4. In the present study, we reported a case of a Chinese patient with clinical features of WS4. In addition, the three genes mentioned above were sequenced in order to identify whether mutations are responsible for the case. We revealed a novel nonsense mutation, c.1063C>T (p.Q355*), in the last coding exon of SOX10. The same mutation was not found in three unaffected family members or 100 unrelated controls. Then, the function and mechanism of the mutation were investigated in vitro. We found both wild-type (WT) and mutant SOX10 p.Q355* were detected at the expected size and their expression levels are equivalent. The mutant protein also localized in the nucleus and retained the DNA-binding activity as WT counterpart; however, it lost its transactivation capability on the MITF promoter and acted as a dominant-negative repressor impairing function of the WT SOX10.     

Insulin and Endothelin in the Acute Regulation of Adiponectin in Vivo in Humans

Objective: In vitro, insulin and endothelin (ET) both modulate adiponectin secretion from adipocyte cell lines. The current studies were performed to assess whether endogenous ET contributes to the acute action of insulin infusions on adiponectin levels in vivo in humans. Research Methods and Procedures: We studied 17 lean and 20 obese subjects (BMI 21.8 ± 2.2 and 34.0 ± 5.0 kg/m², respectively). Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies were performed using insulin infusion rates of 10, 30, or 300 mU/m² per minute alone or with concurrent infusion of BQ123, an antagonist of type A ET receptors. Circulating adiponectin levels were assessed at baseline and after achievement of steady‐state glucose with the insulin infusion. Results: Adiponectin levels were lower in obese than lean subjects (6.76 ± 3.66 vs. 8.37 ± 2.79 μg/mL, p = 0.0148 adjusted for differences across gender). Insulin infusions suppressed adiponectin by a mean of 7.8% (p < 0.0001). In a subset of 13 lean and 14 obese subjects for whom data with and without BQ123 were available, there was no evident effect of BQ123 to modulate clamp‐associated suppression of adiponectin (p = 0.16). Surprisingly, there was no evident relationship between steady‐state insulin concentrations and adiponectin suppression (r = 0.14, p = 0.30), and again no effect of BQ123 to modify this relationship was seen. Discussion: Despite baseline differences in adiponectin levels, we observed equal suppression of adiponectin with insulin infusions in lean and obese subjects. ET receptor antagonism with BQ123 did not modulate this effect, suggesting that endogenous ET does not have a role in modifying the acute effects of insulin on adiponectin production and/or disposition.