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Genome-wide identification of nodule-specific transcripts in the model legume Medicago truncatula.

The Medicago truncatula expressed sequence tag (EST) database (Gene Index) contains over 140,000 sequences from 30 cDNA libraries. This resource offers the possibility of identifying previously uncharacterized genes and assessing the frequency and tissue specificity of their expression in silico. Because M. truncatula forms symbiotic root nodules, unlike Arabidopsis, this is a particularly important approach in investigating genes specific to nodule development and function in legumes. Our analyses have revealed 340 putative gene products, or tentative consensus sequences (TCs), expressed solely in root nodules. These TCs were represented by two to 379 ESTs. Of these TCs, 3% appear to encode novel proteins, 57% encode proteins with a weak similarity to the GenBank accessions, and 40% encode proteins with strong similarity to the known proteins. Nodule-specific TCs were grouped into nine categories based on the predicted function of their protein products. Besides previously characterized nodulins, other examples of highly abundant nodule-specific transcripts include plantacyanin, agglutinin, embryo-specific protein, and purine permease. Six nodule-specific TCs encode calmodulin-like proteins that possess a unique cleavable transit sequence potentially targeting the protein into the peribacteroid space. Surprisingly, 114 nodule-specific TCs encode small Cys cluster proteins with a cleavable transit peptide. To determine the validity of the in silico analysis, expression of 91 putative nodule-specific TCs was analyzed by macroarray and RNA-blot hybridizations. Nodule-enhanced expression was confirmed experimentally for the TCs composed of five or more ESTs, whereas the results for those TCs containing fewer ESTs were variable.

Agglutinins↗

The Ethylene-insensitive sickle mutant of Medicago truncatula shows altered auxin transport regulation during nodulation.

We studied the ethylene-insensitive, hypernodulating mutant, sickle (skl), to investigate the interaction of ethylene with auxin transport during root nodulation in Medicago truncatula. Grafting experiments demonstrated that hypernodulation in skl is root controlled. Long distance transport of auxin from shoot to root was reduced by rhizobia after 24 h in wild type but not in skl. Similarly, the ethylene precursor 1-amino cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid inhibited auxin transport in wild type but not in skl. Auxin transport at the nodule initiation zone was significantly reduced by rhizobia after 4 h in both wild type and skl. After 24 h, auxin transport significantly increased at the nodule initiation zone in skl compared to wild type, accompanied by an increase in the expression of the MtPIN1 and MtPIN2 (pin formed) auxin efflux transporters. Response assays to different auxins did not show any phenotype that would suggest a defect of auxin uptake in skl. The auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphtalamic acid inhibited nodulation in wild type but not skl, even though N-1-naphthylphtalamic acid still inhibited auxin transport in skl. Our results suggest that ethylene signaling modulates auxin transport regulation at certain stages of nodule development, partially through PIN gene expression, and that an increase in auxin transport relative to the wild type is correlated with higher nodule numbers. We also discuss the regulation of auxin transport in skl in comparison to previously published data on the autoregulation mutant, super numerary nodules (van Noorden et al., 2006).

Ethylenes↗

Bradyrhizobium japonicum delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase is essential for symbiosis with soybean and contains a novel metal-binding domain.

The Bradyrhizobium japonicum hemA gene product delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase is not required for symbiosis of that bacterium with soybean. Hence, the essentiality of the subsequent heme synthesis enzyme, ALA dehydratase, was examined. The B. japonicum ALA dehydratase gene, termed hemB, was isolated and identified on the basis of its ability to confer hemin prototrophy and enzyme activity on an Escherichia coli hemB mutant, and it encoded a protein that was highly homologous to ALA dehydratases from diverse organisms. A novel metal-binding domain in the B. japonicum ALA dehydratase was identified that is a structural composite of the Mg(2+)-binding domain found in plant ALA dehydratases and the Zn(2+)-binding region of nonplant ALA dehydratases. Enzyme activity in dialyzed extracts of cells that overexpressed the hemB gene was reconstituted by the addition of Mg2+ but not by addition of Zn2+, indicating that the B. japonicum ALA dehydratase is similar to the plant enzymes with respect to its metal requirement. Unlike the B. japonicum hemA mutant, the hemB mutant strain KP32 elicited undeveloped nodules on soybean, indicated by the lack of nitrogen fixation activity and plant hemoglobin. We conclude that the hemB gene is required for nodule development and propose that B. japonicum ALA dehydratase is the first essential bacterial enzyme for B. japonicum heme synthesis in soybean root nodules. In addition, we postulate that ALA is the only heme intermediate that can be translocated from the plant to the endosymbiont to support bacterial heme synthesis in nodules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Granulation tissue in the chick embryo yolk sac blood vessel system.

The development of granulation tissue following acute vascular injury was studied in the yolk sac blood vessel system of chick embryos. Administration of irritant substances was carried out directly on the yolk sac at day 4 of incubation and changes were observed up to 72 h post-application. Reaction nodules developed at the impaired area within 48 h p.a. The nodules were studied by light and electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry. A proliferation of phagocytosing and mesenchymal cells as well as capillary sprouting took place. Collagenous fibres could be detected within 72 h after administration. The model is suitable for the study of connective tissue proliferation, angiogenesis and possibly drug effects influencing these mechanisms. In accordance with the current legislation for animal protection it is a pain-free test system and can be applied before the onset of reflexes and sensitivity of the chick embryo.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Studying early nodulin gene ENOD40 expression and induction by nodulation factor and cytokinin in transgenic alfalfa.

ENOD40, an early nodulin gene, is expressed following inoculation with Rhizobium meliloti or by adding R. meliloti-produced nodulation (Nod) factors or the plant hormone cytokinin to uninoculated roots. We isolated two MsENOD40 clones, designated MsENOD40-1 and MsENOD40-2, with distinct promoters from an alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv Chief) genomic library. The promoters were fused to the reporter gene uidA (gus), and the constructs were introduced into alfalfa. We observed that the MsENOD40-1 construct was expressed almost exclusively under symbiotic conditions. The MsENOD40-2 construct was transcribed under both symbiotic and nonsymbiotic conditions and in nonnodular and nodular tissues. Both MsENOD40 promoter-gus constructs were similarly expressed as nodules developed, and both were expressed in roots treated with 6-benzylaminopurine or purified Nod factor. However, no blue color was detected in nodule-like structures induced by the auxin transport inhibitor N-1-(naphthyl)phthalamic acid on roots of plants containing the MsENOD40-1 promoter construct, whereas pseudonodules from plants containing the MsENOD40-2 promoter construct stained blue. A 616-bp region at the distal 5' end of the promoter is important for proper spatial expression of MsENOD40 in nodules and also for Nod-factor and cytokinin-induced expression.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis model by orthotopic intrapulmonary implantation of Lewis lung carcinoma cells in mice.

This study is designed to establish a pulmonary tumour model to investigate the biology and therapy of lung cancer in mice. Current methods for forming a solitary intrapulmonary nodule and subsequent metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes are not well defined. Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell suspensions were orthotopically introduced into the lung parenchyma of C57/BL6 mice via a limited skin incision without thoracotomy followed by direct puncture through the intercostal space. The implantation process was performed within approximately 50 s per mouse, and the operative mortality was less than 5%. Single pulmonary nodules developed at the implanted site in 93% of animals and subsequent mediastinal lymph node metastasis was observed in all mice that formed a lung nodule after intrapulmonary implantation. The size of tumour nodule and the weight of mediastinal lymph node increased in a time-dependent manner. The mean survival time of mice implanted successfully with LLC cells was 21+/-2 days (range 19-24 days). Histopathological analysis revealed that no metastatic tumour was detectable in the mediastinal lymph nodes on day 11, but metastatic foci at mediastinal lymph nodes were clearly observed on days 17 and 21 after implantation. Other metastases in distant organs or lymph nodes were not observed at 21 days after the implantation. Comparative studies with intrapleural and intravenous injections of LLC cells suggest that the mediastinal lymph node metastasis by intrapulmonary implantation is due to the release of tumour cells from the primary nodule, and not due to extrapulmonary leakage of cells. An intravenous administration of cis-diamine dichloro platinum on day 1 after tumour implantation tended to suppress the primary tumour nodule and significantly inhibited lymph node metastasis. Thus, a solitary pulmonary tumour nodule model with lymph node metastasis approximates clinical lung cancer and may provide a useful basis for lung cancer research.

Animals↗

[Mycobacterium haemophilum infection in a patient with AIDS].

HISTORY AND FINDINGS: A 35-year-old HIV-infected man with a CD4 cell count of 100/microliter who had returned from a holiday in Spain presented with fever, chronic diarrhoea, cough, oral ulcers, subcutaneous nodules of about 1 cm in diameter and crusted skin ulcers of about 2 cm in diameter at his right arm, both wrists and buttocks. INVESTIGATIONS: Microscopic examination and culture of smears of a skin ulcer revealed acid-fast bacteria. Mycobacterial cultures of blood, sputum, urine and stool remained sterile. TREATMENT AND COURSE: Before the microorganisms were identified culturally, atypical mycobacteriosis was assumed and treatment with rifampicin, ethambutol, isoniazid and clarithromycin was started. Mycobacterium haemophilum was identified by using molecular biological techniques. Within 3 weeks the patient became afebrile and the skin ulcers healed completely. After a 7-week course, the treatment had to be stopped, and one month later painful subcutaneous nodules developed again at his arms and legs. A relapse of Mycobacterium haemophilum infection was confirmed by culture of a fine needle aspirate of a nodule. The same treatment was restarted and the nodules disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacterium haemophilum, first identified in 1978, is an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations usually are skin ulcers, subcutaneous nodules and subcutaneous abscesses, and less frequently, systemic infection. Treatment options of this life threatening disease have yet to be defined but therapeutic response to tuberculostatic combination therapy has been observed. Since Mycobacterium haemophilum is a fastidious organism, special laboratory methods are required for cultivation as well as for identification.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Aspartate aminotransferase in effective and ineffective alfalfa nodules : cloning of a cDNA and determination of enzyme activity, protein, and mRNA levels.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) is a key plant enzyme affecting nitrogen and carbon metabolism, particularly in legume root nodules and leaves of C(4) species. To ascertain the molecular genetic characteristics and biochemical regulation of AAT, we have isolated a cDNA encoding the nodule-enhanced AAT (AAT-2) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by screening a root nodule cDNA expression library with antibodies. Complementation of an Escherichia coli AAT mutant with the alfalfa nodule AAT-2 cDNA verified the identity of the clone. The deduced amino acid sequence of alfalfa AAT-2 is 53 and 47% identical to animal mitochondrial and cytosolic AATs, respectively. The deduced molecular mass of AAT-2 is 50,959 daltons, whereas the mass of purified AAT-2 is about 40 kilodaltons as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the protein's N-terminal domain (amino acids 1-59) contains many of the characteristics of plastid-targeting peptides. We postulate that AAT-2 is localized to the plastid. Southern blot analysis suggests that AAT-2 is encoded by a small, multigene family. The expression of AAT-2 mRNA in nodules is severalfold greater than that in either leaves or roots. Northern and western blots showed that expression of AAT activity during effective nodule development is accompanied by a sevenfold increase in AAT-2 mRNA and a comparable increase in enzyme protein. By contrast, plant-controlled ineffective nodules express AAT-2 mRNA at much lower levels and have little to no AAT-2 enzyme protein. Expression of root nodule AAT-2 appears to be regulated by at least two events: the first is independent of nitrogenase activity; the second is associated with nodule effectiveness.

Journal Article↗

Concurrent infection due to Shewanella putrefaciens and Mycobacterium marinum acquired at the beach.

Infection with marine bacteria is uncommon. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed concurrent infection with Shewanella putrefaciens and Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is described. After bathing leg ulcers in sea water, severe cellulitis of the left leg with necrotic areas and extensive bullae developed. Infection due to S. putrefaciens was confirmed and a long course of hospitalization, oral ciprofloxacin and skin grafting was required. During hospitalization subcutaneous nodules developed on the other leg. Biopsy revealed acid-fast bacilli and culture grew M. marinum. These lesions responded to rifampicin and cotrimoxazole. Patients with leg ulcers, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, or receiving immunosuppressive drugs may acquire unusual infections after salt water exposure.

Aged↗

Erythema induratum (Bazin's disease).

Four patients with erythema induratum (EI) have been diagnosed at the Dermatology Department within the past two years. All four patients had a history of recurrent painful nodules on their calves for at least three years before diagnosis. Three of the patients, all with positive Mantoux reaction to tuberculin skin tests, had neither a personal or family history of tuberculosis. The other patient who had a six year history of recurrent painful leg nodules developed a tuberculous breast abscess. There was a dramatic response to anti-tuberculous chemotherapy in all four patients but one subsequently had recurrent nodules which spontaneously subsided without further chemotherapy.

Aged↗

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of small pulmonary nodules abutting to the chest wall.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US)-guided needle biopsies in peripheral pulmonary lesions are widely applied. Most pulmonary lesions had a large size. We report our results in evaluating the availability of US-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-guided FNAB) in diagnosing small pulmonary nodules abutting to the chest wall. METHODS: Forty patients, whose chest radiographs showed peripheral pulmonary nodules of diameter smaller than 3.0cm, received chest sonographic examination and US-guided FNAB. Of those, six patients had no definite diagnoses; the remaining 34 patients with pulmonary nodules, we divided into three groups. There were four tiny nodules of diameters smaller than 1.0cm, 11 nodules between 1.1 and 2.0cm, and 19 nodules between 2.1 and 3.0cm. We evaluated the diagnostic yields and rates of complication in relation to the size or nature of the nodule. RESULTS: In the enrolled 40 patients, six were lost to surveillance and had indeterminate diagnoses. Of the remaining 34 patients with proven pathological diagnoses and compatible clinical conditions, the diagnostic yields of US-guided FNAB achieved 88% (30/34) which include 96% (26/27) in malignancies and 57% (4/7) in benign nodules. According to the nodular size, the diagnostic rate achieved 100% (4/4) in tiny nodules, 91% (10/11) in nodules between 1.1 and 2.0cm, and 84% (16/19) in nodules between 2.1 and 3.0cm. Only one patient with a 2.5-cm nodule developed pneumothorax after the US-guided FNAB procedure. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided FNAB is a useful and safe diagnostic tool for small pulmonary nodules abutting to the chest wall. The nodular nature, but not size, affects the diagnostic yields and rates of complication.

Adult↗

In vivo binding and antitumor activity of Ch14.18.

The melanoma reactive chimeric 14.18 (ch14.18) antibody can mediate enhanced in vitro lysis of human M-21 melanoma cells. This study analyzes the antitumor effects and the in vivo binding of ch14.18 antibody with M-21 melanoma cells in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Outgrowth of tumors was prevented in 6/6 animals by the simultaneous subcutaneous injection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) [3 x 10(6) cells (2 animals); 10 x 10(6) cells (2 animals); and 30 x 10(6) cells (2 animals)], with 0.5 mg ch14.18, 1,500 U interleukin 2 (IL-2), and 10(6) M-21 cells. In contrast, 7 of 7 control mice that received M-21 cells alone, 7 of 7 mice that received M-21 cells and ch14.18, and 5 of 6 mice that received M-21 cells plus PBMC plus IL-2, grew subcutaneous tumors. The in vivo localization of ch14.18 was then evaluated in an intraperitoneal (i.p.) tumor model, where 0.3 cm melanoma nodules develop within 3 weeks after the i.p. administration of M-21 cells. Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the GD2 antigen present throughout the tumor nodule. Intraperitoneal administration of 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 mg of ch14.18 to SCID mice previously engrafted i.p. with M-21 cells resulted in detectable ch14.18 binding to tumor cells in vivo within 10 hours of antibody administration. Ch14.18 penetration was limited to approximately 20 cell layers, demonstrating that ch14.18 has limited access to some cells in large tumor nodules. This study demonstrates that the addition of ch14.18 to IL-2 and human effector cells can result in significant antitumor activity by preventing the establishment of tumor nodules. These results suggest that clinical testing of IL-2 plus ch14.18 might be most effective if used in the setting of microscopic residual disease. Therapies that enhance ch14.18 penetration into tumor nodules should be evaluated with ch14.18 for patients with advanced melanoma.

Animals↗

Rhizobium meliloti mutants unable to synthesize anthranilate display a novel symbiotic phenotype.

Analyses of Rhizobium meliloti trp auxotrophs suggest that anthranilate biosynthesis by the R. meliloti trpE(G) gene product is necessary during nodule development for establishment of an effective symbiosis. trpE(G) mutants, as well as mutants blocked earlier along this pathway in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, form nodules on alfalfa that have novel defects. In contrast, R. meliloti trp mutants blocked later in the tryptophan-biosynthetic pathway form normal, pink, nitrogen-fixing nodules. trpE(G) mutants form two types of elongated, defective nodules containing unusually extended invasion zones on alfalfa. One type contains bacteroids in its base and is capable of nitrogen fixation, while the other lacks bacteroids and cannot fix nitrogen. The trpE(G) gene is expressed in normal nodules. Models are discussed to account for these observations, including one in which anthranilate is postulated to act as an in planta siderophore.

Chromosome Deletion↗

alpha-Galactoside uptake in Rhizobium meliloti: isolation and characterization of agpA, a gene encoding a periplasmic binding protein required for melibiose and raffinose utilization.

Rhizobium meliloti can occupy at least two distinct ecological niches; it is found in the soil as a free-living saprophyte, and it also lives as a nitrogen-fixing intracellular symbiont in root nodules of alfalfa and related legumes. One approach to understanding how R. meliloti alters its physiology in order to become an integral part of a developing nodule is to identify and characterize genes that are differentially expressed by bacteria living inside nodules. We used a screen to identify genes under the control of the R. meliloti regulatory protein NodD3, SyrM, or SyrA. These regulatory proteins are expressed by bacteria growing inside the root nodule. One gene isolated in this screen was mapped to pSymB and displayed complex regulation. The gene was downregulated by the syrA gene product and also by glucose and succinate. This gene, referred to as agpA, encodes a periplasmic binding protein that is most similar to proteins from the periplasmic oligopeptide binding protein family. It is likely that AgpA binds alpha-galactosides, because alpha-galactosides induce the expression of agpA, and agpA mutants cannot utilize or transport these sugars. Activity of an agpA::TnphoA fusion was downregulated by SyrA. Because syrA is known to be expressed at high levels in intracellular symbiotic R. meliloti and at low levels in the free-living bacteria, we propose that AgpA may belong to the class of gene products whose expression decreases when R. meliloti becomes an intracellular symbiont.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nodulin-100 of soybean is the subunit of sucrose synthase regulated by the availability of free heme in nodules.

A cDNA sequence encoding a nodule-specific protein, nodulin-100, was identified among the abundant transcripts of poly(A)+ RNA from soybean nodules. Purification of nodulin-100 from the soluble fraction of nodule extract yielded an abundant protein with a subunit of approximately 90 kDa having properties of sucrose synthase (UDP-glucose:D-fructose 2-alpha-D-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.13). Nodule sucrose synthase of soybean is a tetrameric enzyme. Antibodies raised against this protein cross-reacted with the hybrid-released translation product of nodulin-100 cDNA, suggesting that nodulin-100 is the subunit of this enzyme. This was confirmed by partial DNA sequence analysis which showed 73% sequence homology at the amino acid level with maize sucrose synthase. Nodule sucrose synthase was found to dissociate rapidly into monomers in the presence of heme, suggesting that the availability of free heme may regulate the activity of this enzyme. Sucrose synthase activity increases rapidly during nodule development and declines during senescence. A model is presented which suggests that this enzyme plays a key role in maintaining the carbon economy of the nodules and the free heme may be involved in the flow of carbon to the bacteroids. As the degradation of leghemoglobin occurs during senescence, a concomitant decrease in sucrose synthase activity is observed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The histology and development of hepatic nodules in C3H/He mice following chronic administration of phenobarbitone.

Male C3H/He mice were given 0 (control) or 85 mg/kg/day phenobarbitone (PB). Groups of five control and five treated animals were killed at 5, 10, 25, 40 and 55 weeks; additional animals were allowed to live out their natural life span or killed at the termination of the experiment at 100 weeks. Small nodules of basophilic cells were seen in control animals at 55 weeks. These increased both in size and number so that at term nodules were found in 17/35 animals examined. Animals given PB showed typical centrilobular hypertrophy. Basophilic nodules were also seen in the treated animals and these were similar in form and in number to those seen in control animals. The total number of liver nodules seen in animals given PB was, however, greater than the number seen in control animals. The increased nodule burden was a result of the development of a second nodule type that was first seen in animals killed at 40 weeks. These nodules were formed of large eosinophilic cells that had a similar appearance to the hypertrophied cells of the centrilobular region. In contrast the incidence of carcinoma in PB-treated animals was not increased over that of the control group.

Animals↗

Expression of nodule-specific uricase in soybean callus tissue is regulated by oxygen.

In soybean root nodules the enzyme uricase is expressed concomitantly with nodule development. The initial expression of this protein does not depend on active nitrogen fixation, as demonstrated by analysis of uricase activity in effective and ineffective root nodules. However, the maximal level of uricase activity is determined by the infecting Rhizobium japonicum strain. Sterile root cultures and callus tissue, devoid of the microsymbiont, were incubated at varying oxygen concentrations and analyzed for uricase activity. The specific activity of uricase was increased by lowering the oxygen concentration, with the highest activity obtained around 4-5% oxygen. The increase in uricase activity was due to increased uricase synthesis, as demonstrated by in vivo labelling of callus culture followed by immunoprecipitation with antibodies raised against highly purified nodule uricase.

Journal Article↗