Biological role of endoreplication in the process of spermatogenesis inChara vulgaris L.

Summary During cell division in antheridial filaments ofChara vulgaris an increase in DNA content occurs in both shield cells and manubria within an antheridium, reaching 16C–64C and 8C–32C levels, respectively. Endoreplication ceases prior to the formation of spermatids and initiation of spermiogenesis, probably as a result of symplasmic isolation of the antheridium from the thallus. As the DNA content of the nuclei increases, the shield cells³H-leucine incorporation increases, and they grow intensively in the tangential plane. Translation decreases considerably after termination of shield cell growth. DNA content of mature manubria is half of that in shield cells, although their size is 10 times that of manubria. Translational activity of manubria also increases as DNA content rises and cells grow. However, during spermiogenesis, this activity remains at its maximum, which is associated with the secretory function of the manubria. Spermiogenesis is also accompanied by far-reaching ultrastructural changes within the manubrial cytoplasm.The level of endopolyploidy in both shield cells and manubria of antheridia formed in the spring is higher by one replication cycle, than in autumnal antheridia. AMO-1618, at a concentration of 10^–5M reduces the DNA content in the autumnal manubria. The higher the manubrial level of endopolyploidy in spermiogenesis, the greater their size, and the higher the translational activity and number of joined spermatids. The number of spermatozoids in the antheridium is also positively correlated with the internal volume of an antheridium, which is itself dependent on the endopolyploidy level of shield cells.The results obtained confirm the assumption that endoreplication favours the higher growth dynamics and potential translational activity, which occurs in the dynamic growth phase only in shield cells, while in manubria, i.e. cells producing substances necessary to spermatozoids development, it remains high until the end of spermiogenesis.     

The shikonin derivatives and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in hairy root cultures of Lithospermum canescens (Michx.) Lehm.

Hairy root cultures of Lithospermum canescens were established using three strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes: ATCC 15834, LBA 9402 and NCIB 8196. Eight lines resulting from infection with A. rhizogenes ATCC 15834 demonstrated sufficient biomass increase and were submitted to further investigations. The contents of acetylshikonin (ACS) and isobutyrylshikonin (IBS) in transformed hairy roots made up ca. 10% of those observed in natural roots of L. canescens (24.35 and 14.48 mg g⁻¹ DW, respectively). One line, Lc1-D, produced the largest amounts of ACS (2.72 mg g⁻¹ DW) and IBS (0.307 mg g⁻¹ DW). Traces of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), canescine and canescenine, were found in all lines of transformed hairy roots.     

Fatty acid efficiency profile in uncoupling of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthamoeba castellanii</Emphasis> mitochondria

A profile of free fatty acid (FFA) specificity in Acanthamoeba castellanii mitochondrial uncoupling is described. The FFA uncoupling specificity was observed as different abilities to stimulate resting respiration, to decrease resting membrane potential, and to decrease oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Tested unsaturated FFA (C18–20) were more effective as uncouplers and protonophores when compared to tested saturated FFA (C8–18), with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the most active. As FFA efficiency in mitochondrial uncoupling is related to physiological changes of fatty acid composition (and thereby FFA availability) during growth of amoeba cells, it could be a way to regulate the activity of an uncoupling protein and thereby the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation during a cell life of this unicellular organism. Aleksandra Swida and Małgorzata Czarna contributed equally to this work.     

Chromosome C-banding patterns in isolated population of the grasshopper Podisma pedesis (L.) (Orthoptera,Acrididae) from the Altai Mts

The C-banding patterns in the embryo chromosomes of the grasshopper Podisma pedestris (L.) from the Altai Mts are reported. The additional second C-heterochromatic arms in at least five pairs of autosomes and in the X-chromosome were revealed. The paracentromeric, interstitial, and telomeric C-bands were observed. The studied population of P. pedestris shows some differences in the distribution and amount of the heterochromatin in comparison with European populations.     

Influence of exogenic salicylic acid on Fusarium seedling blight reduction in barley

Salicylic acid (SA) applied at concentrations from 1–10 μg·ml⁻¹ to germinating seeds of 8 barley cultivars reduced the disease rating of seedlings. Seedlings of barley not treated with SA and inoculated with Fusarium culmorum exhibited disease rating of root on avarage 76 %. Seedlings treated before inoculation with solution of SA 1, 2, 5 and 10 μg/ml exhibited significantly lower disease rating: on average 66, 58, 44 and 38 %. Disease score of leaf decreased in similar extent: from 30 % to 20, 11, 7 and 0 %.     

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: genes, candidate genes and chromosomal regions

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a multisystem disease characterized by recurrent respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, bronchiectasis and male subfertility, associated in about 50% patients with situs inversus totalis (the Kartagener syndrome). The disease phenotype is caused by ultrastructural defects of respiratory cilia and sperm tails. PCD is a heterogenetic disorder, usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. So far, mutations in two human genes have been proved to cause the disease. However, the pathogenetics of most PCD cases remains unsolved. In this review, the disease pathomechanism is discussed along with the genes that are or may be involved in the pathogenesis of primary ciliary dyskinesia and the Kartagener syndrome.