Development of SCAR markers linked to powdery mildew (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Uncinula necator</Emphasis>) resistance in grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis</Emphasis> sp.)

Sequence-characterized amplified regions markers (SCARs) were developed from six randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the major QTL region for powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) resistance in a test population derived from the cross of grapevine cultivars “Regent” (resistant) × “Lemberger”(susceptible). RAPD products were cloned and sequenced. Primer pairs with at least 21 nucleotides primer length were designed. All pairs were tested in the F1 progeny of “Regent” × “Lemberger”. The SCAR primers resulted in the amplification of specific bands of expected sizes and were tested in additional genetic resources of resistant and susceptible germplasm. All SCAR primer pairs resulted in the amplification of specific fragments. Two of the SCAR markers named ScORA7-760 and ScORN3-R produced amplification products predominantly in resistant individuals and were found to correlate to disease resistance. ScORA7-760, in particular, is suitable for marker-assisted selection for powdery mildew resistance and to facilitate pyramiding powdery mildew resistance genes from various sources.     

Presence of leptin in breast cell lines and breast tumors.

Leptin is the product of the ob gene, reported to be secreted exclusively from adipocytes and thought to control satiety by providing information to the central nervous system. However, the function of leptin appears to be more complex because multiple studies demonstrate its role in hematopoiesis, reproduction, and immunity. In addition, several nonadipose sources of leptin have been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine several breast cancer cell lines and ductal carcinomas of the breast for expression of leptin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. For tumor studies, specimens were preassayed for contaminating adipose tissue. Northern blot analyses demonstrated leptin mRNA in several breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-MB-231), a normal breast epithelial cell line (MCF10A), and four breast tumors. Leptin protein was identified in T47D breast cancer cells by indirect immunofluorescent staining and in samples of the same breast tumors used for Northern studies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). This preliminary study suggests that leptin is expressed in malignant epithelial cells of the breast. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this protein plays a role in breast carcinogenesis.     

A Genomewide Overexpression Screen Identifies Genes Involved in the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Pathway in the Human Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes amoebic dysentery and liver abscess. E. histolytica relies on motility, phagocytosis, host cell adhesion, and proteolysis of extracellular matrix for virulence. In eukaryotic cells, these processes are mediated in part by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. Thus, PI3K may be critical for virulence. We utilized a functional genomics approach to identify genes whose products may operate in the PI3K pathway in E. histolytica. We treated a population of trophozoites that were overexpressing genes from a cDNA library with a near-lethal dose of the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. This screen was based on the rationale that survivors would be overexpressing gene products that directly or indirectly function in the PI3K pathway. We sequenced the overexpressed genes in survivors and identified a cDNA encoding a Rap GTPase, a protein previously shown to participate in the PI3K pathway. This supports the validity of our approach. Genes encoding a coactosin-like protein, EhCoactosin, and a serine-rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP) were also identified. Cells overexpressing EhCoactosin or SREHP were also less sensitive to a second PI3K inhibitor, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002. This corroborates the link between these proteins and PI3K. Finally, a mutant cell line with an increased level of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate, the product of PI3K activity, exhibited increased expression of SREHP and EhCoactosin. This further supports the functional connection between these proteins and PI3K in E. histolytica. To our knowledge, this is the first forward-genetics screen adapted to reveal genes participating in a signal transduction pathway in this pathogen.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a new family of chiral metal(II) citramalates

A new series of chiral carboxylate-bridged complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) has been synthesized by reaction of M(II) salts with (S)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanedioic acid ((S)-citramalic acid) under solvothermal conditions. The Mn(II) compound 1 is obtained as a crystalline powder, whereas the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds (2 and 3 respectively) are obtained as single crystals. All the compounds crystallize in orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural, and their structure consists in helicoïdal chains of M(II) centres linked by carboxylate bridges. The magnetic data indicate a rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres. The Mn(II) compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N = 2.64 K. The Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds show ferromagnetic interactions within the chains. For 3, the chains couple antiferromagnetically, which leads to a metamagnetic behaviour with T_N = 1.69 K.     

You are what you eat: fatty acid profiles as a method to track the habitat movement of an insect

Tracking the movement of small organisms is of tremendous importance to understanding the ecology of populations, communities, and ecosystems. However, it remains one of the most difficult challenges facing the field of movement ecology. We developed an intrinsic marking technique for tracking small organisms using dietary fatty acid profiles as a biomarker as well as for clarifying source-sink dynamics between populations on a landscape level. Navel orangeworm moths (NOW), Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), raised on two different host plants with significantly different fatty acid profiles, were used to develop a model that distinguishes NOW based on their larval host plant. Wild NOW from both known and unknown host plants were used to validate the model. NOW fatty acid profiles showed striking similarities to the fatty acid profile of their host plant demonstrating that fatty acids can act as an intrinsic marking technique for quantifying the movement of small organisms. We anticipate that given sufficient spatial variation in dietary fatty acids, this technique will be useful in studying the movement of arthropods and other invertebrates particularly when addressing questions of source-sink dynamics.     

Vascular remodelling of an arterio-venous blood vessel network during solid tumour growth

We formulate a theoretical model to analyze the vascular remodelling process of an arterio-venous vessel network during solid tumour growth. The model incorporates a hierarchically organized initial vasculature comprising arteries, veins and capillaries, and involves sprouting angiogenesis, vessel cooption, dilation and regression as well as tumour cell proliferation and death. The emerging tumour vasculature is non-hierarchical, compartmentalized into well-characterized zones and transports efficiently an injected drug-bolus. It displays a complex geometry with necrotic zones and “hot spots” of increased vascular density and blood flow of varying size. The corresponding cluster size distribution is algebraic, reminiscent of a self-organized critical state. The intra-tumour vascular-density fluctuations correlate with pressure drops in the initial vasculature suggesting a physical mechanism underlying hot spot formation.     

New manganese complexes with 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand and various coordination solvents

The new complexes with 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand (H₂L) have been obtained with good yields (≈85%) by reacting manganese (II) acetate tetrahydrate or manganese (II) acetylacetonate with 2-salicyloylhydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand in DMF, THF or Py (L′). These compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, supramolecular networks are described and discussed in terms of weak H-bonds and short contacts. The new monomeric complexes will be considered as candidates to obtain polynuclear complexes.