The activation process of Arabidopsis thaliana A1 gene encoding the translation elongation factor EF-1α is conserved among angiosperms

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the activation process of the A1 EF-1 gene depends on several elements. Using the GUS reporter gene, transient expression experiments have shown that mutations of upstream cis-acting elements of the A1 promoter, or the deletion of an intron located within the 5 non-coding region, similarly affect expression in dicot or monocot protoplasts. The results reported here strongly suggest that this 5 intron is properly spliced in Zea mays. We show that two trans-acting factors, specifically interacting with an upstream activating sequence (the TEF 1 box), are present in nuclear extracts prepared from A. thaliana, Brassica rapa, Nicotiana tabacum and Z. mays. In addition, a DNA sequence homologous to the TEF 1 box, found at approximately the same location within a Lycopersicon esculentum EF-1 promoter, interacts with the same trans-acting factors. Homologies found between the A. thaliana and L. esculentum TEF 1 box sequences have allowed us to define mutations of this upstream element which affect the interaction with the corresponding trans-acting factors. These results support the notion that the activation processes of A. thaliana EF-1 genes have been conserved among angiosperms and provide interesting data on the functional structure of the TEF 1 box.     

Inactivation of Max-interacting Protein 1 Induces Renal Cilia Disassembly through Reduction in Levels of Intraflagellar Transport 20 in Polycystic Kidney

Cilia in ciliated cells consist of protruding structures that sense mechanical and chemical signals from the extracellular environment. Cilia are assembled with variety molecules via a process known as intraflagellar transport (IFT). What controls the length of cilia in ciliated cells is critical to understand ciliary disease such as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which involves abnormally short cilia. But this control mechanism is not well understood. Previously, multiple tubular cysts have been observed in the kidneys of max-interacting protein 1 (Mxi1)-deficient mice aged 6 months or more. Here, we clarified the relationship between Mxi1 inactivation and cilia disassembly. Cilia phenotypes were observed in kidneys of Mxi1-deficient mice using scanning electron microscopy to elucidate the effect of Mxi1 on renal cilia phenotype, and cilia disassembly was observed in Mxi1-deficient kidney. In addition, genes related to cilia were validated in vitro and in vivo using quantitative PCR, and Ift20 was selected as a candidate gene in this study. The length of cilium decreased, and p-ERK level induced by a cilia defect increased in kidneys of Mxi1-deficient mice. Ciliogenesis of Mxi1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) decreased, and this abnormality was restored by Mxi1 transfection in Mxi1-deficient MEFs. We confirmed that ciliogenesis and Ift20 expression were regulated by Mxi1 in vitro. We also determined that Mxi1 regulates Ift20 promoter activity via Ets-1 binding to the Ift20 promoter. These results indicate that inactivating Mxi1 induces ciliary defects in polycystic kidney.     

IRT1, an Arabidopsis transporter essential for iron uptake from the soil and for plant growth

Plants are the principal source of iron in most diets, yet iron availability often limits plant growth. In response to iron deficiency, Arabidopsis roots induce the expression of the divalent cation transporter IRT1. Here, we present genetic evidence that IRT1 is essential for the uptake of iron from the soil. An Arabidopsis knockout mutant in IRT1 is chlorotic and has a severe growth defect in soil, leading to death. This defect is rescued by the exogenous application of iron. The mutant plants do not take up iron and fail to accumulate other divalent cations in low-iron conditions. IRT1-green fluorescent protein fusion, transiently expressed in culture cells, localized to the plasma membrane. We also show, through promoter::beta-glucuronidase analysis and in situ hybridization, that IRT1 is expressed in the external cell layers of the root, specifically in response to iron starvation. These results clearly demonstrate that IRT1 is the major transporter responsible for high-affinity metal uptake under iron deficiency.     

Dual regulation of the Arabidopsis high-affinity root iron uptake system by local and long-distance signals

Regulation of the root high-affinity iron uptake system by whole-plant signals was investigated at the molecular level in Arabidopsis, through monitoring FRO2 and IRT1 gene expression. These two genes encode the root ferric-chelate reductase and the high-affinity iron transporter, respectively, involved in the iron deficiency-induced uptake system. Recovery from iron-deficient conditions and modulation of apoplastic iron pools indicate that iron itself plays a major role in the regulation of root iron deficiency responses at the mRNA and protein levels. Split-root experiments show that the expression of IRT1 and FRO2 is controlled both by a local induction from the root iron pool and through a systemic pathway involving a shoot-borne signal, both signals being integrated to tightly control production of the root iron uptake proteins. We also show that IRT1 and FRO2 are expressed during the day and down-regulated at night and that this additional control is overruled by iron starvation, indicating that the nutritional status prevails on the diurnal regulation. Our work suggests, for the first time to our knowledge, that like in grasses, the root iron acquisition in strategy I plants may also be under diurnal regulation. On the basis of the new molecular insights provided in this study and given the strict coregulation of IRT1 and FRO2 observed, we present a model of local and long-distance regulation of the root iron uptake system in Arabidopsis.     

Clinical Correlates of Mass Effect in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Mass effect from polycystic kidney and liver enlargement can result in significant clinical complications and symptoms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In this single-center study, we examined the correlation of height-adjusted total liver volume (htTLV) and total kidney volume (htTKV) by CT imaging with hepatic complications (n = 461) and abdominal symptoms (n = 253) in patients with ADPKD. “Mass-effect” complications were assessed by review of medical records and abdominal symptoms, by a standardized research questionnaire. Overall, 91.8% of patients had 4 or more liver cysts on CT scans. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) was classified as none or mild (htTLV < 1,600 mL/m); moderate (1,600 ≤ htTLV <3,200 mL/m); and severe (htTLV ≥ 3,200 mL/m). The prevalence of moderate and severe PLD in our patient cohort was 11.7% (n = 54/461) and 4.8% (n = 22/461), respectively, with a female predominance in both the moderate (61.1%) and severe (95.5%) PLD groups. Pressure-related complications such as leg edema (20.4%), ascites (16.6%), and hernia (3.6%) were common, and patients with moderate to severe PLD exhibited a 6-fold increased risk (compared to no or mild PLD) for these complications in multivariate analysis. Similarly, abdominal symptoms including back pain (58.8%), flank pain (53.1%), abdominal fullness (46.5%), and dyspnea/chest-discomfort (44.3%) were very common, and patients with moderate to severe PLD exhibited a 5-fold increased risk for these symptoms. Moderate to severe PLD is a common and clinically important problem in ~16% of patients with ADPKD who may benefit from referral to specialized centers for further management.     

A loss-of-function mutation in AtYSL1 reveals its role in iron and nicotianamine seed loading

The Arabidopsis Yellow Stripe 1-Like (YSL) proteins have been identified by homology with the maize (Zea mays) Yellow Stripe 1 (YS1) transporter which is responsible for iron-phytosiderophore (PS) uptake by roots in response to iron shortage. Although dicotyledonous plants do not synthesize PS, they do synthesize the PS precursor nicotianamine, a strong metal chelator essential for maintenance of iron homeostasis and copper translocation. Furthermore, ZmYS1 and the rice (Oryza sativa) protein OsYSL2 have metal-nicotianamine transport activities in heterologous expression systems. In this work, we have characterized the function of AtYSL1 in planta. Two insertional loss-of-function ysl1 mutants of Arabidopsis were found to exhibit increased nicotianamine accumulation in shoots. More importantly, seeds of both ysl1 knockouts contained less iron and nicotianamine than wild-type seeds, even when produced by plants grown in the presence of an excess of iron. This phenotype could be reverted by expressing the wild-type AtYSL1 gene in ysl1 plants. ysl1 seeds germinated slowly, but this defect was rescued by an iron supply. AtYSL1 was expressed in the xylem parenchyma of leaves, where it was upregulated in response to iron excess, as well as in pollen and in young silique parts. This pattern is consistent with long-distance circulation of iron and nicotianamine and their delivery to the seed. Taken together, our work provides strong physiological evidence that iron and nicotianamine levels in seeds rely in part on AtYSL1 function.     

Generation and Characterization of Human Heme Oxygenase-1 Transgenic Pigs

Xenotransplantation using transgenic pigs as an organ source is a promising strategy to overcome shortage of human organ for transplantation. Various genetic modifications have been tried to ameliorate xenograft rejection. In the present study we assessed effect of transgenic expression of human heme oxygenase-1 (hHO-1), an inducible protein capable of cytoprotection by scavenging reactive oxygen species and preventing apoptosis caused by cellular stress during inflammatory processes, in neonatal porcine islet-like cluster cells (NPCCs). Transduction of NPCCs with adenovirus containing hHO-1 gene significantly reduced apoptosis compared with the GFP-expressing adenovirus control after treatment with either hydrogen peroxide or hTNF-α and cycloheximide. These protective effects were diminished by co-treatment of hHO-1 antagonist, Zinc protoporphyrin IX. We also generated transgenic pigs expressing hHO-1 and analyzed expression and function of the transgene. Human HO-1 was expressed in most tissues, including the heart, kidney, lung, pancreas, spleen and skin, however, expression levels and patterns of the hHO-1 gene are not consistent in each organ. We isolate fibroblast from transgenic pigs to analyze protective effect of the hHO-1. As expected, fibroblasts derived from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs were significantly resistant to both hydrogen peroxide damage and hTNF-α and cycloheximide-mediated apoptosis when compared with wild-type fibroblasts. Furthermore, induction of RANTES in response to hTNF-α or LPS was significantly decreased in fibroblasts obtained from the hHO-1 transgenic pigs. These findings suggest that transgenic expression of hHO-1 can protect xenografts when exposed to oxidative stresses, especially from ischemia/reperfusion injury, and/or acute rejection mediated by cytokines. Accordingly, hHO-1 could be an important candidate molecule in a multi-transgenic pig strategy for xenotransplantation.     

Eryngium maritimum, biology of a plant at its northernmost localities

The prospects for persistence of Eryngium maritimum in its northern distribution area was evaluated by studying historical data, matrix modelling, dispersal, seed germination and molecular variation. Historical data revealed a fragmented distribution of small populations with decrease in both population numbers and size during the last 150 years. Fruits of E. maritimum were found to have a relative low floating ability, making the prospects of long distance water dispersal more limited than would be expected from the world distribution of the species. Germination was found to be low (< 25 %). Elasticity matrices showed that survival of reproductive plants were more important than reproduction. High juvenile mortality and low germination activity emphasised the importance of rapid growth and survival. The population insurance against natural catastrophes and environmental stochasticity is suggested to be in a "root bank" of established individuals that are able to tolerate disturbances due to clonal reproduction and regrowth from root fragments. Isozyme electrophoresis revealed low molecular variation on a large geographical scale. The chromosome number is 2n = 16. A high degree of fixed heterozygosity suggests that the species is tetraploid with basic chromosome, number x = 4. The persistence prospects of E. maritimum in its northernmost distribution area are considered low considering the small population sizes, the low dispersal ability and low germination.