The tyrosine‐sulfated peptide receptors PSKR1 and PSY1R modify the immunity of Arabidopsis to biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens in an antagonistic manner

The tyrosine‐sulfated peptides PSKα and PSY1 bind to specific leucine‐rich repeat surface receptor kinases and control cell proliferation in plants. In a reverse genetic screen, we identified the phytosulfokine (PSK) receptor PSKR1 as an important component of plant defense. Multiple independent loss‐of‐function mutants in PSKR1 are more resistant to biotrophic bacteria, show enhanced pathogen‐associated molecular pattern responses and less lesion formation after infection with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. By contrast, pskr1 mutants are more susceptible to necrotrophic fungal infection with Alternaria brassicicola, show more lesion formation and fungal growth which is not observed on wild‐type plants. The antagonistic effect on biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogen resistance is reflected by enhanced salicylate and reduced jasmonate responses in the mutants, suggesting that PSKR1 suppresses salicylate‐dependent defense responses. Detailed analysis of single and multiple mutations in the three paralogous genes PSKR1, ‐2 and PSY1‐receptor (PSY1R) determined that PSKR1 and PSY1R, but not PSKR2, have a partially redundant effect on plant immunity. In animals and plants, peptide sulfation is catalyzed by a tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase (TPST). Mutants lacking TPST show increased resistance to bacterial infection and increased susceptibility to fungal infection, mimicking the triple receptor mutant phenotypes. Feeding experiments with PSKα in tpst‐1 mutants partially restore the defense‐related phenotypes, indicating that perception of the PSKα peptide has a direct effect on plant defense. These results suggest that the PSKR subfamily integrates growth‐promoting and defense signals mediated by sulfated peptides and modulates cellular plasticity to allow flexible adjustment to environmental changes.     

Structure-function relationship studies of PTH(1-11) analogues containing sterically hindered dipeptide mimetics.

The N-terminal 1-34 fragment of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is fully active in vitro and in vivo and reproduces all biological responses characteristic of the native intact PTH. In order to develop safer and non-parenteral PTH-like bone anabolic agents, we have studied the effect of introducing conformationally constrained dipeptide mimetics into the N-terminal portion of PTH in an effort to generate miniaturized PTH-mimetics. To this end, we have synthesized and conformationally and biologically characterized PTH(1-11) analogues containing 3R-carboxy-6S-amino-7,5-bicyclic thiazolidinlactam (7,5-bTL), a rigidified dipeptide mimetic unit. The wild type sequence of PTH(1-11) is H-Ser-Val-Ser-Glu-Ile-Gln-Leu-Met-His-Asn-Leu-NH(2). The following pseudo-undecapeptides were prepared: [Ala(1), 7,5-bTL(3, 4), Nle(8), Arg(11)]hPTH(1-11)NH(2) (I); [Ala(1), 7,5-bTL(6, 7), Nle(8), Arg(11)]hPTH(1-11)NH(2) (II); [Ala(1), Nle(8), 7,5-bTL(9, 10), Arg(11)]hPTH(1-11)NH(2) (III). In aqueous solution containing 20% TFE, only analogue I exhibited the typical CD pattern of the alpha-helical conformation. NMR experiments and molecular dynamics calculations located the alpha-helical stretch in the sequence Ile(5)-His(9). The dipeptide mimetic unit 7,5-bTL induces a type III beta-turn, occupying the positions i - 1 and i of the turn. Analogue II exhibited an equilibrium between a type I beta-turn and an alpha-helix, and analogue III did not show any ordered structure. Biological tests revealed poor activity for all analogues (EC(50) > 0.1 mM). Apparently, the relative side-chain orientation of Val(2), Ile(5) and Met(8) can be critical for effective analogue-receptor interaction. Considering helicity as an essential property to obtain active PTH agonists, one must decorate the correctly positioned dipeptide mimetic azabicycloalkane scaffold with substitutions corresponding to the displaced amino acids.     

The Luteinizing Hormone Surge Regulates Circadian Clock Gene Expression in the Chicken Ovary

The molecular circadian clock mechanism is highly conserved between mammalian and avian species. Avian circadian timing is regulated at multiple oscillatory sites, including the retina, pineal, and hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Based on the authors’ previous studies on the rat ovary, it was hypothesized that ovarian clock timing is regulated by the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. The authors used the chicken as a model to test this hypothesis, because the timing of the endogenous LH surge is accurately predicted from the time of oviposition. Therefore, tissues can be removed before and after the LH surge, allowing one to determine the effect of LH on specific clock genes. The authors first examined the 24-h expression patterns of the avian circadian clock genes of Bmal1, Cry1, and Per2 in primary oscillatory tissues (hypothalamus and pineal) as well as peripheral tissues (liver and ovary). Second, the authors determined changes in clock gene expression after the endogenous LH surge. Clock genes were rhythmically expressed in each tissue, but LH influenced expression of these clock genes only in the ovary. The data suggest that expression of ovarian circadian clock genes may be influenced by the LH surge in vivo and directly by LH in cultured granulosa cells. LH induced rhythmic expression of Per1 and Bmal1 in arrhythmic, cultured granulosa cells. Furthermore, LH altered the phase and amplitude of clock gene rhythms in serum-shocked granulosa cells. Thus, the LH surge may be a mechanistic link for communicating circadian timing information from the central pacemaker to the ovary. (Author correspondence: stischkau@siumed.edu)     

Consummatory feeding movements in Aplysia fasciata are facilitated by conspecifics with access to mates, by reproductive tract homogenates and by bag cell peptides

In Aplysia fasciata, pheromones released by conspecifics with access to mates increase the quantity of food eaten. This effect is blocked when the chemosensory rhinophores are ablated, indicating that the rhinophores sense pheromones. The modulation of feeding by pheromones can be monitored by an increase in the amplitude of swallowing movements in the presence of conspecifics with access to mates. Atrial gland homogenates and four bag cell peptides (egg-laying hormone, and α, β, and γ bag cell peptides) amplify the swallow amplitude in a manner similar to that caused by conspecifics with access to mates, suggesting that peptides from the bag cell/atrial gland family that are released from the atrial gland into the surrounding water may be pheromones regulating feeding and reproductive behaviors. Accepted: 14 June 1997     

蛙类下丘脑—脑垂体—性腺轴的内分泌调节

本文从“下丘脑－脑垂本－性腺”轴方面,综述了蛙类生殖内分泌学研究领域所限得的主要成就和研究进展。对于今后的工作,从理论和生产方面提出了一些看法。     

粪便类固醇激素检测准确性的影响因素

近年来,采用非损伤性取样方法监测野生动物的生理状况越来越受到重视。本文对检测过程中影响动物粪便类固醇激素检测准确性的因素进行了分析总结,包括样品的新鲜程度、样品量和保存方法;激素代谢的日节律和季节性变化;动物的年龄、性别和繁殖状态等,以期为粪便类固醇激素检测技术在野生动物中的准确应用提供借鉴。     

蜜蜂蜂王与工蜂级型分化研究进展

蜜蜂ApismekiferaL .是典型的社会性昆虫 ,蜂王和工蜂都是由受精卵发育而来的二倍体成蜂 ,但是在形态、生理、行为等方面有明显的差异 ,属于不同的级型。蜂王和工蜂的级型分化的关键时期发生在幼虫的 4龄末至 5龄止。分化是由分化基因调控的 ,幼虫期食物的质和量是分化的外部决定因子。JH对两级型中卵巢的分化有非常重要的调控作用。蜜蜂脑或其它组织中可能有分泌调控CA的咽侧体调节激素 ,它们通过对CA中JH的合成和分泌的调控而参与了分化的调控。章鱼胺等生物胺也参与了分化调控过程。