Expression of the cold-induced wheat gene Wcs120 and its homologs in related species and interspecific combinations.

Low-temperature response was measured at the whole plant and at the molecular level in wheat-rye amphiploids and in other interspecific combinations. Cold tolerance of interspecifics whose parents diverged widely in hardiness levels resembled the less hardy higher ploidy level wheat parent. Expression of the low-temperature induced Wcs120 gene of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell.) has been associated with freezing tolerance and was used here to study mRNA and protein accumulation in interspecific and parental lines during cold acclimation. Northern and Western analyses showed that homologous mRNAs and proteins were present in all the related species used in the experiments. Cold-tolerant rye (Secale cereale L.) produced a strong mRNA signal that was sustained throughout the entire 49-day cold-acclimation period. The wheats produced a mRNA signal that had diminished after 49 days of low-temperature exposure. The wheat-rye triticales did not exhibit the independent accumulation kinetics of the cold-tolerant rye parent but, rather, more closely resembled the wheat parent in that the mRNA signal was greatly diminished after 49 days of low-temperature exposure. The influence of the rye genome was manifest in slightly greater mRNA and protein accumulation in earlier stages of acclimation. Protein accumulations in the triticales were also maintained to a somewhat greater extent than found in the wheats at the end of the 49-day acclimation period. Protein accumulations in the wheat-crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertner) interspecific resembled that of the wheat parent. The influence of the higher ploidy level wheats of the expression of homologous gene families from wheat-related hardy diploids in interspecific combinations may in part explain the poor cold tolerance observed.     

A study of factors affecting anther culture of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)

Experiments on three autumn-heading cauliflower genotypes (2 hybrids and a genotype selected from a population) were conducted to study different factors affecting anther culture. Culture conditions of the donor plants proved to be important: the best results were obtained during spring in a greenhouse where the temperature was maintained between 10 and 20°C. Overall winter and spring seemed more suitable than summer and early autumn for culture establishment. The optimal bud development stage depended on the genotype: for the hybrid 702, the greatest number of embryos for 100 plated anthers was obtained at the uninucleate pollen stage of the microspores; for V23.2 and 703, the optimal stage of the buds corresponded to the first mitotic division. Sucrose proved to be the best carbon supply for embryogenesis with an optimal concentration of 140 g l^-1. The addition of a cytokinin (BAP) in the medium led to lower embryo production, and this negative effect increased when the hormone concentration in the medium increased. The use of liquid medium and a dark incubation period immediately after the high temperature treatment were favourable for embryogenesis.     

The role of acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of man characterized by remitting and relapsing muscle fatigability. Although the etiology and pathogenesis are incompletely understood, the presence of circulating antibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor in 80--90% of patients with myasthenia gravis and the identification of immune complexes at their neuromuscular junction have helped explain the altered neuromuscular transmission. The ACh receptor antibodies do not block access of ACh to the receptor, but do decrease the number of receptors by accelerating their degradation both in rat myotube cultures and in vivo models. In vitro these antibodies play a major role in myasthenia gravis. However, correlations of antibody titers with the clinical state following thymectomy or in neonatal myasthenia suggest that host factors may be equally important in determining whether the ACh receptor antibodies will result in clinical myasthenia.     

Evidence for a Sertoli cell, FSH-suppressible inhibiting factor(s) of testicular steroidogenic activity

By using a model of immature porcine Leydig and Sertoli cells cultured in serum free defined medium, we evidenced a paracrine control of Leydig cell steroidogenic activity by Sertoli cells via a secreted inhibiting protein(s). This protein(s), partially purified using gel filtration (M.W. 20,000-30,000) suppresses the steroidogenic responsiveness to LH/hCG by decreasing the specific LH/hCG binding (52% decrease) and hormone steroid biosynthesis (73% decrease) at a level(s) located between cAMP production and pregnenolone formation. The suppression of this inhibitor(s) by FSH, in a dose dependent manner, is one mechanism by which FSH "sensitizes" Leydig cell response to LH/hCG stimulation.     

The anabolic action of intermittent parathyroid hormone on cortical bone depends partly on its ability to induce nitric oxide‐mediated vasorelaxation in BALB/c mice

There is strong evidence that vasodilatory nitric oxide (NO) donors have anabolic effects on bone in humans. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), the only osteoanabolic drug currently approved, is also a vasodilator. We investigated whether the NO synthase inhibitor L‐NAME might alter the effect of PTH on bone by blocking its vasodilatory effect. BALB/c mice received 28 daily injections of PTH[1–34] (80 µg/kg/day) or L‐NAME (30 mg/kg/day), alone or in combination. Hindlimb blood perfusion was measured by laser Doppler imaging. Bone architecture, turnover and mechanical properties in the femur were analysed respectively by micro‐CT, histomorphometry and three‐point bending. PTH increased hindlimb blood flow by >30% within 10 min of injection (P < 0.001). Co‐treatment with L‐NAME blocked the action of PTH on blood flow, whereas L‐NAME alone had no effect. PTH treatment increased femoral cortical bone volume and formation rate by 20% and 110%, respectively (P < 0.001). PTH had no effect on trabecular bone volume in the femoral metaphysis although trabecular thickness and number were increased and decreased by 25%, respectively. Co‐treatment with L‐NAME restricted the PTH‐stimulated increase in cortical bone formation but had no clear‐cut effects in trabecular bone. Co‐treatment with L‐NAME did not affect the mechanical strength in femurs induced by iPTH. These results suggest that NO‐mediated vasorelaxation plays partly a role in the anabolic action of PTH on cortical bone. © 2016 The Authors. Cell Biochemistry and Function published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crop plants with improved culture and quality traits for food,feed and other uses

The large French research project GENIUS (2012–2019, https://www6.inra.genius-project_eng/) provides a good showcase of current genome editing techniques applied to crop plants. It addresses a large variety of agricultural species (rice, wheat, maize, tomato, potato, oilseed rape, poplar, apple and rose) together with some models (Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, Physcomitrella). Using targeted mutagenesis as its work horse, the project is limited to proof of concept under confined conditions. It mainly covers traits linked to crop culture, such as disease resistance to viruses and fungi, flowering time, plant architecture, tolerance to salinity and plant reproduction but also addresses traits improving the quality of agricultural products for industrial purposes. Examples include virus resistant tomato, early flowering apple and low-amylose starch potato. The wide range of traits illustrates the potential of genome editing towards a more sustainable agriculture through the reduction of pesticides and to the emergence of innovative bio-economy sectors based on custom tailored quality traits.

     

Aminoglycosides and other factors promoting stop codon readthrough in human cells

Enhanced stop codon readthrough is a potential treatment strategy for diseases caused by nonsense mutations. Here, we compare readthrough levels induced by three types of factors: aminoglycoside antibiotics, suppressor tRNAs, and factors decreasing translation termination efficiency. We show that the highest levels of readthrough were obtained by prolonged treatment with aminoglycosides and suppressor tRNAs, whereas prolonged depletion of release factors induced only a moderate increase in readthrough. We discuss the benefits and inconvenients of the three types of factors for their use in the therapy of diseases caused by premature stop codons.