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Potato lectin: a three-domain glycoprotein with novel hydroxyproline-containing sequences and sequence similarities to wheat-germ agglutinin.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber lectin is a chitin-binding, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, which may be involved in the defence mechanism of the plant. We had previously obtained evidence that it consists of at least two very dissimilar domains. The aim was to use a combination of accurate determinations of molecular weight and protein sequencing to gain more accurate information on the domains. Accurate determinations of the molecular weight of the lectin by a MALDI mass spectrometer have shown that the subunit molecular weight is 65,500 (+/- 1100) and that of a totally deglycosylated sample is 31,250 (+/- 30). This means that the lectin is 52.3 (+/- 1)% carbohydrate with a considerable number of glycoforms being present. Partial sequences and other analyses are consistent with the existence of three distinct domains. These are: (1) an N-terminal region which is rich in proline but poor in hydroxyproline; (2) a glycosylated region with a glycosylated molecular weight of 45,300 (+/- 1100) and a deglycosylated molecular weight of 11,050 (+/- 50) which is extremely rich in glycosylated hydroxyproline residues with a similar sequence to extensins; and (3) a cystine-rich domain which has the sugar binding site shows partial conservation of a repeated motif common to many chitin-binding proteins of the hevin family including wheat-germ agglutinin. The closest similarity seems to be to the sequence of potato basic chitinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a nuclear-localized nuclease from wheat cells undergoing programmed cell death that is able to trigger DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology on nuclei from human cells.

PCD (programmed cell death) in plants presents important morphological and biochemical differences compared with apoptosis in animal cells. This raises the question of whether PCD arose independently or from a common ancestor in plants and animals. In the present study we describe a cell-free system, using wheat grain nucellar cells undergoing PCD, to analyse nucleus dismantling, the final stage of PCD. We have identified a Ca2+/Mg2+ nuclease and a serine protease localized to the nucleus of dying nucellar cells. Nuclear extracts from nucellar cells undergoing PCD triggered DNA fragmentation and other apoptotic morphology in nuclei from different plant tissues. Inhibition of the serine protease did not affect DNA laddering. Furthermore, we show that the nuclear extracts from plant cells triggered DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology in nuclei from human cells. The inhibition of the nucleolytic activity with Zn2+ or EDTA blocked the morphological changes of the nucleus. Moreover, nuclear extracts from apoptotic human cells triggered DNA fragmentation and apoptotic morphology in nuclei from plant cells. These results show that degradation of the nucleus is morphologically and biochemically similar in plant and animal cells. The implication of this finding on the origin of PCD in plants and animals is discussed.

Apoptosis↗

Lectin cytochemistry of the dark granules in the type 1 cells of Syrian hamster circumvallate taste buds.

Lectin-gold complexes in the dark granules (DGs) and the dense substance (DS) of vallate taste buds were localized. Both the DGs and the DS were labelled with wheat-germ agglutinin, Ulex europeus agglutinin-I and peanut agglutinin. Their common reaction to these lectins suggested that the DGs contain carbohydrate components similar to those of the DS. The results provide cytochemical evidence that the DS in the taste pit represents, at least in part, the content of the DGs in the type 1 cells.

Animals↗

The role of the gastrointestinal tract in the development of respiratory hypersensitivities.

Adverse reactions to foods may sometimes cause symptoms from the respiratory tract, including bronchial obstruction and rhinitis. The true prevalence is not known. In adults, it has been estimated to be about 1% of asthmatic patients or less. This would correspond to a prevalence of about 2-4 in 10,000 of the general population. The prevalence in children is higher, as IgE mediated food allergy is more common in this age group than in adults. The most common foods causing immunologically mediated reactions include milk, egg, fish, crustaceans, nuts, wheat, soy, peanut, peas and other legumes. In addition certain food additives, e.g. sulphites, may rarely be incriminated in respiratory hypersensitivity via adverse reactions with unknown mechanisms. A double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) is the only way to conclusively confirm a relationship between the ingestion of a certain food item and a reaction in the respiratory tract.

Adult↗

Diet and atopic dermatitis.

Prevention or modification of the onset of atopic dermatitis has been difficult to document through prolonged breast feeding or delayed introduction of solid foods. Dietary management of established atopic dermatitis is not routinely indicated for the majority of patients. Dietary management of atopic dermatitis should not be continued indefinitely. Gradual reintroduction of the offending food(s) is often appropriate. The foods most commonly avoided in the management of atopic dermatitis are cow's milk, wheat, eggs, and nuts. Severe or prolonged dietary restrictions should not be instituted without full consideration of their impact on the patient's general health.

Age Factors↗

The role of large-scale spatially explicit and small-scale localized processes on the population dynamics of cereal aphids.

A field-scale study of the spatially explicit interaction between the carabid Poecilus cupreus Linnaeus, and two common aphid species (Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) and Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker)) in winter wheat was conducted. All three species showed considerable spatial pattern at the field scale. Activity-density of P. cupreus was an order of magnitude higher in the central part of the field compared to its periphery. Where P. cupreus activity-density was highest, S. avenae and M. dirhodum population peaks were delayed. Additionally, in the case of M. dirhodum, lower maximum counts were evident where P. cupreus activity-density was highest. An analysis of the movement of individual P. cupreus using release-recapture indicated that those beetles within the centre of the field exhibited reduced displacement, which may have caused the generation or maintenance of spatial pattern. Crop density was also measured throughout the field. Although crop density had no large-scale spatial pattern, its variability at the small-scale was consistent with an influence on aphid population dynamics. This study demonstrates empirically that both large-scale spatially explicit and small-scale localized processes influenced aphid population dynamics simultaneously.

Animals↗

Health surveillance in milling, baking and other food manufacturing operations--five years' experience.

The objective of this study was to describe the incidence of allergic respiratory disease and its outcome in terms of symptoms and jobs, across different flour-using industries. It uses the findings of a health surveillance programme in a large food organization over a five-year period. The population under surveillance consisted of 3,450 employees with exposure to ingredient dusts, of whom 400 were in flour milling, 1,650 in bread baking, 550 in cake baking and 850 in other flour-using operations. A total of 66 employees with either asthma or rhinitis symptoms attributable to sensitization to allergens in the workplace were identified. The majority of these (48/66) had become symptomatic prior to the commencement of the health surveillance programme in 1993. The incidence rates (per million employees per year) for those who developed symptoms between 1993 and 1997 were 550 for flour milling, 1,940 for bread baking, 0 for cake baking and 235 for other flour-using operations. The agent believed to be responsible for symptoms was most commonly grain dust in flour millers and fungal amylase in bread bakers. Wheat flour appeared to have a weaker sensitizing potential than these other two substances. In terms of outcome, at follow-up 18% of symptomatically sensitized employees had left the company. Two of the ex-employees retired through ill health due to occupational asthma. Of those still in employment, 63% described an improvement in symptoms, 32% were unchanged and 4% were worse than when first diagnosed. Over half the cases still in employment were continuing to work in the same job as at the time of diagnosis.

Amylases↗

Occurrence of four subunits in high molecular weight forms of polypeptide chain elongation factor 1 from wheat embryo.

In contrast to high molecular weight forms of elongation factor 1 (EF-1H) from animal sources which contain three subunits, EF-1a, EF-1b, and EF-1c, EF-1H from wheat embryo consisted of four subunits, EF-1a, EF-1b, EF-1b', and EF-1c, in an equimolar ratio. The molecular weights of EF-1a, EF-1b, EF-1b', and EF-1c from wheat embryo were 52,000, 29,000, 28,000, and 48,000, respectively. In the animal system, EF-1a and EF-1b correspond functionally to EF-Tu and EF-Ts, respectively. In the wheat system, however, both EF-1b and EF-1b' had the EF-Ts-like activity to stimulate EF-1a-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to ribosomes. EF-1b and EF-1b' from wheat embryo gave 21 and 20 tryptic peptides, respectively. Twenty peptides were common.

Dansyl Compounds↗

Mapping the probability of exceeding critical thresholds for cadmium concentrations in soils in The Netherlands.

The probability of exceeding critical thresholds of Cd concentrations in the soil was mapped at a national scale. The critical thresholds in soil were based on food quality criteria for Cd in crops or in organs of cattle (Bos taurus), and were calculated by inverting a regression model for the Cd concentration in the crop, with the Cd concentration in soil, soil organic matter (SOM) content, clay content, and pH as predictors. The probability of exceeding the critical threshold for Cd in soil per node of a 500- x 500-m grid was approximated by Monte Carlo simulation, using the estimated cumulative distribution functions (cdf) of SOM, clay, pH, and Cd as input. The cdfs were estimated by simple indicator kriging with local prior means. For SOM, clay, and pH, detailed maps of soil type and land use were used to define subregions with assumed constant local means of the indicators (a priori distributions). The cdfs were sampled by Latin hypercube sampling. We accounted for correlation between the actual and critical Cd concentrations in soil by drawing Cd values from cdfs conditional on SOM and clay. The estimated probability for grassland is negligible, even in areas with high Cd concentrations in soil, and for maize (Zea mays L.) land the probability is almost everywhere smaller than 5%. For arable soils, however, these probabilities commonly are larger than 5% when sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is taken as a reference crop, and locally exceed 50%.

Animals↗

Transport interactions between cadmium and zinc in roots of bread and durum wheat seedlings.

Field studies have shown that the addition of Zn to Cd-containing soils can help reduce accumulation of Cd in crop plants. To understand the mechanisms involved, this study used 109Cd and 65Zn to examine the transport interactions of Zn and Cd at the root cell plasma membrane of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). Results showed that Cd2+ uptake was inhibited by Zn2+ and Zn2+ uptake was inhibited by Cd2+. Concentration-dependent uptake of both Cd2+ and Zn2+ consisted of a combination of linear binding by cell walls and saturable, Michaelis-Menten influx across the plasma membrane. Saturable influx data from experiments with and without 10 micro m concentrations of the corresponding inhibiting ion were converted to double reciprocal plots. The results revealed a competitive interaction between Cd2+ and Zn2+, confirming that Cd2+ and Zn2+ share a common transport system at the root cell plasma membrane in both bread and durum wheat. The study suggests that breeding or agronomic strategies that aim to decrease Cd uptake or increase Zn uptake must take into account the potential accompanying change in transport of the competing ion.

Journal Article↗

Painting rye B chromosomes in wheat: interphase chromatin organization, nuclear disposition and association in plants with two, three or four Bs.

The B chromosomes (Bs) of rye (Secale cereale) have been studied at interphase in terms of their chromatin organization, patterns of nuclear disposition and physical association in plants with two, three, and four Bs. The study was made in the Lindström strain of hexaploid wheat, which carries the rye Bs as an addition line, by in situ hybridization with a B-specific probe and by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) with rye genomic DNA, enabling whole chromosome painting. Repetitive sequences common to the As and Bs of rye allow for visualization of the rye B at interphase in the wheat background. A B-specific probe enables the orientation of two or more Bs to be determined, and the combination of both probes used together gives information on the disposition of the Bs and on their patterns of physical association within the nucleus. The Bs form linear "strings', and the ends of their long arms, which can be detected by the B-specific probe, are usually located within the hemisphere of the nucleus that has the least condensed chromatin. There is dose-dependent association, and even numbers (2B, 4B) have a greater preference for association than odd ones (3B).

Chromatin↗

Gene-for-gene defense of wheat against the Hessian fly lacks a classical oxidative burst.

Genetic similarities between plant interactions with microbial pathogens and wheat interactions with Hessian fly larvae prompted us to investigate defense and counterdefense mechanisms. Plant oxidative burst, a rapid increase in the levels of active oxygen species (AOS) within the initial 24 h of an interaction with pathogens, commonly is associated with defenses that are triggered by gene-for-gene recognition events similar to those involving wheat and Hessian fly larvae. RNAs encoded by Hessian fly superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes, involved in detoxification of AOS, increased in first-instar larvae during both compatible and incompatible interactions. However, mRNA levels of a wheat NADPH oxidase (NOX) gene that generates superoxide (O2-) did not increase. In addition, inhibiting wheat NOX enzyme with diphenyleneiodonium did not result in increased survival of avirulent larvae. However, nitro blue tetrazolium staining indicated that basal levels of O2- are present in both uninfested and infested wheat tissue. mRNA encoded by wheat genes involved in detoxification of the cellular environment, SOD, CAT, and glutathione-S-transferase did not increase in abundance. Histochemical staining with 3,3-diaminobenzidine revealed no increases in wheat hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) during infestation that were correlated with the changes in larval SOD and CAT mRNA. However, treatment with 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin demonstrated the presence of basal levels of H2O2 in the elongation zone of both infested and uninfested plants. The accumulation of a wheat flavanone 3-hydroxylase mRNA did show some parallels with larval gene mRNA profiles. These results suggested that larvae encounter stresses imposed by mechanisms other than an oxidative burst in wheat seedlings.

Animals↗

Molecular analysis of evolutionary patterns in U genome wild wheats.

The theory of pivotal-differential evolution states that one genome of polyploid wheats remains stable (i.e., pivotal) during evolution, while the other genome or genomes may become modified (i.e., differential). A proposed mechanism for apparent modification of the differential genome is that different polyploid species with only one genome in common may exchange genetic material. In this study, we analyzed a set of sympatric and allopatric accessions of tetraploid wheats with the genomic constitutions UM and UC. The U genome of these species is from Triticum umbellulatum and is considered to be the pivotal genome. The M and C genomes, from T. comosum and T. dichasians, respectively, are considered to be the differential genomes. Low copy DNA was analyzed using "sequence tagged site" primer sets in the polymerase chain reaction, followed by digestion with restriction enzymes. Genetic similarity matrices based on shared restriction fragments showed that sympatric accessions of different U genome tetraploid species did not tend to share more restriction fragments than did allopatric accessions. Thus, no evidence for introgression was found. Analysis of the diploid progenitor species showed that the U genome was less variable than the M and C genomes. Additionally, comparison of diploid and polyploid species using genome-specific primer sets suggests a possible polyphyletic origin for T. triunciale and T. machrochaetum. Thus, our results suggest that the differential nature of the M and C genomes may be the result of variability introduced by the diploid progenitors and not the result of frequent introgression events after formation of the polyploid.

Base Sequence↗

Duodenal gastric metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection in high and low duodenal ulcer-prevalent areas in India.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports, based on surgery, showed duodenal ulcer (DU) to be more common in the rice-eating areas of southern India than in the northern wheat-eating areas. AIMS: Does this difference persist? Can it be explained by risk factors other than diet? METHODS: A total of 20 053 records from patients undergoing endoscopy for dyspepsia, and 590 endoscopy patients from two northern and two southern centers in India were studied prospectively. Records were scrutinized to determine the relative incidence of DU and non-ulcer dyspepsia in wheat- and rice-eating areas. Age, sex, length of history, smoking and medication were recorded. Three antral biopsies and one from each duodenal quadrant were taken. A rapid urease test was carried out on one of the antral biopsies; the others were examined for Helicobacter pylori, gastritis, duodenitis and duodenal gastric metaplasia. RESULTS: The difference in diet-associated prevalence persisted. No differences in smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection or duodenal gastric metaplasia were found between the two regions, but all three were more common in DU than in non-ulcer dyspeptic patients from both dietary areas. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary differences between the regions remain the only factor to account for the differences in DU prevalence. A strong interrelationship between duodenal gastric metaplasia and cigarette smoking is demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

The global genetic structure of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola is characterized by high nuclear diversity, low mitochondrial diversity, regular recombination, and gene flow.

A total of 1673 Mycosphaerella graminicola strains were assayed for DNA fingerprints and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The isolates were collected from 17 wheat fields located in 11 countries on five continents over a six year period (1989-1995). Our results indicate that genetic diversity in the nuclear genome of this fungus was high for all but three of the field populations surveyed and that populations sampled from different continents had similar frequencies for the most common RFLP alleles. Hierarchical analysis revealed that more than 90% of global gene diversity was distributed within a wheat field, while approximately 5% of gene diversity was distributed among fields within regions and approximately 3% was distributed among regions on different continents. These findings suggest that gene flow has occurred on a global scale. On average, each leaf was colonized by a different nuclear genotype. In contrast, only seven mtDNA haplotypes were detected among the 1673 isolates and the two most common mtDNA haplotypes represented approximately 93% of the world population, consistent with a selective sweep. Analysis of multilocus associations indicated that all field populations were in gametic equilibrium, suggesting that sexual recombination is a regular occurrence globally.

Ascomycota↗

Products based on a high fiber barley genotype, but not on common barley or oats, lower postprandial glucose and insulin responses in healthy humans.

Postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses to cereal products made from common barley, oats or a barley genotype containing elevated levels of beta-glucans were evaluated in nine healthy subjects. Porridges were made from commercial Swedish whole-meal barley or oat flours, and a mixed whole-meal porridge using the high fiber barley genotype and commercial Swedish common barley (50:50). Also studied were two types of flour-based bread products composed of high fiber barley and common barley in ratios of 50:50 or 80:20, respectively. The common oat and barley porridges produced postprandial glucose and insulin responses similar to the white wheat bread reference, suggesting that the naturally occurring dietary fiber in these whole-meal flours has no impact on the glucose tolerance. In contrast, all high fiber barley products induced significantly lower responses than did the reference product, with the glycemic and insulin indices ranging from 57 to 72 or 42 to 72%, respectively. It is concluded that "lente" products of high sensory quality can be prepared from a barley genotype with an elevated content of soluble dietary fiber. The glycemic index of these products compares favorably with that of products made from common cereals, suggesting their use as a potential component of diets for patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and for individuals predisposed to metabolic disease.

Adult↗

A fine fibrous silica contaminant of flour in the high oesophageal cancer area of north-east Iran.

We report here the discovery and characterization of a fibrous mineral contaminant of the diet in that area of north-east Iran where oesophageal cancer has a very high incidence. This contaminant has a smoothly tapering shape and is between 50 and 150 micrometers long. The greatest diameter is between 1 and 10 micrometers and this decreases to a sharply pointed tip with a radius of curvature of between 0.25 and 0.60 micrometers. Electron microscope X-ray analysis shows that this fibre consists almost entirely of silica. It is free from alkali metals, aluminium and iron, and therefore differs from other known natural or manmade mineral fibres. Examination of the seeds of more than sixty different species of weed know to contaminate the wheat in this area of the Middle East shows that the fibre originates from the seeds of the common Mediterranean grass Phalaris minor. This seed bears fibres of the same dimensions, composition and birefringence, borne upon the inflorescence bracts which envelop the pericarp of the seeds of this and other members of the phalaris genus. They are broken off from the seed when the wheat is milled but persist in the flour, where up to 3,000 are found in each gram. Similar fibres can be isolated in quantity from the seeds of related species which are grown commercially, and they have a similar size and composition. When cells of the 3T3 mouse fibroblast line are exposed to these fibres in semi-solid suspension culture, their proliferation is stimulated more than 100-fold. We present an hypothesis for the involvement of these plant mineral fibres in the aetiology of oesophageal cancer in Iran and in other areas of high incidence.

Animals↗

A study of factors contributing to bakers' allergy symptoms.

It has been known for many years that bakers, who work in an atmosphere filled with wheat flour and other grain products, often suffer from bronchial asthma and other allergy symptoms. We examined 36 cooks (males: 33, females: 3, average age: 29.1 years) exposed to wheat products while baking bread or making confectionaries in a hotel. Their clinical symptoms were investigated, and peripheral blood eosinophils, serum IgE, wheat flour specific IgE, IgG1, IgG4, and antibodies to alpha-amylase and papain were measured. Clinical symptoms were present in some cases, the most common being rhinitis (13), itching and skin eruptions (8), ocular symptoms, including tearing, itching and conjunctival injection (8), and respiratory symptoms, including cough and sputum production (8). Wheat flour specific RAST was positive in 44.4% of cases. Peripheral eosinophils and wheat flour specific IgG1 levels were increased in those with positive RAST scores. Total IgE level and wheat flour specific IgG4 also seemed to be increased in those with positive RAST scores. Wheat flour specific IgG1 and IgG4 seemed to correlate positively with wheat flour specific IgE. The exposure duration correlated with neither total IgE nor wheat flour specific IgE. In those who were wheat flour RAST positive, wheat flour specific IgG1 levels correlated negatively with exposure duration. In RAST negative cases, however, there was no correlation. Similarly, there seemed to be a tendency for wheat flour specific IgG4 levels and exposure duration to correlate negatively in RAST positive cases. The subjects of this study initially worked in poorly ventilated areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗