Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase mu expression as a marker for endothelial cell heterogeneity; analysis of RPTPmu gene expression using LacZ knock-in mice

The receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase mu (RPTPmu) belongs to the subfamily of meprin, A5, RPTPmu (MAM) domain-containing RPTPs, which are thought to play an important role in cell-cell adhesion mediated processes. The current study was designed to examine the expression pattern of RPTPmu in mice. We have generated RPTPmu-LacZ knock-in mice that express the beta-galactosidase (LacZ) reporter gene under the control of the RPTPmu promoter. LacZ expression patterns were analysed in embryos and adult mice by whole mount LacZ staining. Analysis of beta-galactosidase activity of heterozygous embryos and adult tissues revealed RPTPmu expression in endothelial cells of arteries and capillaries. In contrast, expression was virtually absent in endothelial cells of veins and in fenestrated endothelial cells in the adult liver and spleen. Moreover, RPTPmu expression was found in endothelial cells from the endocardium and the aorta in embryos, but not in adult mice. In addition to heterogeneous expression in endothelial cells, RPTPmu expression was found in cardiac muscle cells but not in skeletal muscle cells or smooth muscle cells. Expression was also found in Type II pneumonocytes in the lung alveoli and in Purkinje cells and other neurons in the brain. The specific expression of RPTPmu in arterial endothelial cells and in cardiac myocytes suggests that RPTPmu may play a role in the regulation of cardiovascular functions.     

Optimizing plant regeneration from seed-derived callus cultures of Kentucky bluegrass. The effect of benzyladenine

The effect of benzyladenine (BA) on the production of shoot-forming callus from seeds of two Poa pratensis cultivars was studied. Addition of low concentrations (0.1–0.3 mg l^-1) of BA to Murashige & Skoog (MS) callus induction medium containing 1 or 2 mg l^-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-d) stimulated somatic embryogenesis and strongly increased the percentage of seeds producing shoot-forming callus in both cultivars.     

Pharmacological knock-down of the presenilin 1 heterodimer by a novel gamma -secretase inhibitor: implications for presenilin biology

Intramembranous cleavage of the beta-amyloid precursor protein by gamma-secretase is the final processing event generating amyloid-beta peptides, which are thought to be causative agents for Alzheimer's disease. Missense mutations in the presenilin genes co-segregate with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and, recently, a close biochemical linkage between presenilins and the identity of gamma-secretase has been established. Here we describe for the first time that certain potent gamma-secretase inhibitors are able to interfere with the endoproteolytic processing of presenilin 1 (PS1). In addition, we identified a novel gamma-secretase inhibitor, [1S-benzyl-4R-[1-(5-cyclohexyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3(R,S)-ylcarbamoyl)-S-ethylcarbamoyl]-2R-hydroxy-5-phenyl-pentyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (CBAP), which not only physically interacts with PS1, but upon chronic treatment produces a "pharmacological knock-down" of PS1 fragments. This indicates that the observed accumulation of full-length PS1 is caused by a direct inhibition of its endoproteolysis. The subsequent use of CBAP as a biological tool to increase full-length PS1 levels in the absence of exogenous PS1 expression has provided evidence that wild-type PS1 endoproteolysis is not required either for PS1/gamma-secretase complex assembly or trafficking. Furthermore, in cell-based systems CBAP does not completely recapitulate PS1 loss-of-function phenotypes. Even though the beta-amyloid precursor protein cleavage and the S3 cleavage of the Notch receptor are inhibited by CBAP, an impairment of Trk receptor maturation was not observed.     

Can sucrose affect polymerase chain reaction product formation?

Sucrose or trehalose at 0.3 M stabilised double-stranded DNA in PCR. Furthermore, the DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus was stabilised towards thermo-denaturation at 98°C by sucrose or trehalose. The effect was limited to these sugars and was shown not to be general for carbohydrates.     

Rapid and reliable real-time PCR assay for detection of the macrolide efflux gene and subsequent discrimination between its distinct subclasses mef(A) and mef(E)

A real-time PCR assay is described for detection of the macrolide efflux gene, mef. Following amplification, unambiguous discrimination between the two mef subclasses, mef(A) and mef(E), is easily established using a melting curve analysis. The results of this novel assay were 100% concordant with a conventional PCR-RFLP approach but requires far less hands-on time. Furthermore, the real-time format offers semiquantitative results allowing identification of contaminated cultures and/or DNA preparations.     

Decomposition of leaf and root litter of Avicennia marina at Westernport Bay,Victoria, Australia

After 3 days in sea water, leaching losses caused a 13% reduction in the weight of new leaf litter of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh., and a 20% reduction of N, 35–40% of P, 60–85% of K, 30–40% of Mg and 0–12% of Ca. In the field, leaf litter in litter bags lost 80–90% of its initial weight and 89–99% of its initial K, 90–95% of its Mg, 85–90% of its P, 70–80% of its Ca and 60–80% of its N after 230–270 days. During this same period, Avicennia fibrous- and main-root litter in bags buried at a depth of 10–15 cm lost an average of 10–15% and 60% of their initial weight, respectively. Fibrous roots lost 80% of their K, 40–50% of their P, 15% of their N, 10–15% of their Mg and 5–10% of their Ca. Elemental losses from main roots ranged from 90% for K to 30% for Mg, with P, Ca and N losses of 70, 70 and 50%, respectively. Litter decomposition curves for leaf litter and fibrous-root litter begun at different times were not significantly different. A study with unbagged leaf litter indicated that crabs ate about 50% of the litter retained in the mangrove zone. Unbagged litter not eaten by crabs lost weight more rapidly than bagged litter because it lost leaf fragments more readily as it aged. We estimate from our studies and field observations that about 40% of the leaf litter produced each summer is exported from the mangrove zone in the form of whole leaves, particulate organic matter and dissolved organic matter. Root litter is neither exported from the mangrove zone nor eaten by crabs.     

Investigation of Local Ethylene Emission from Intact Cherry Tomatoes by Means of Photothermal Deflection and Photoacoustic Detection

The function of the coronet region of the cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Cherry) as the main emission channel for ethylene was investigated. Ethylene was measured employing two laser-based detection systems, the photothermal deflection instrument and the photoacoustic detection setup. It is possible to detect minimum ethylene concentrations of 1 nL L-1 locally and rapidly with the first instrument and concentrations of 6 pL L-1 in a continuous flow system with the second setup. The continuous flow system makes it possible to change the air composition and to monitor its influence on the ethylene production of the tomato. The response times of the two instruments are 30 s and 4 min, respectively. The local character of the measurements makes it possible to determine the emission sites of the gaseous plant hormone ethylene and their relative importance. Transient anoxic conditions stop production of ethylene; return to aerobic conditions shows the evolution of the accumulated ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and its renewed production on the measured ethylene emission, with a time resolution of several minutes. Temporarily sealing the main emission channel yields results comparable to anoxia.