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Plant cell growth and differentiation may involve GAP regulation of Rac activity.

Two Rac GTPase cDNAs, LjRac1 and LjRac2, were identified in the legume Lotus japonicus. Two-hybrid screening with dominant-constitutive mutations in the two Rac GTPases target three plant cDNAs, LjRacGAP1, LjRacGAP2 and LjRacGAP3, that encode putative GTPase activating proteins of Rho-GTPase subfamily members. Employing Rac antiserum, purified recombinant LjRac GTPases and recombinant LjRacGAP1, for ligand overlay assays, in vitro GAP affinity assays and GTPase activation, we confirmed that eukaryote Rac/RacGAP interplay is conserved in plants. In this investigation we have developed some tools that can be used to characterize the role of enhanced LjRac2 expression in developing root nodules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of a cDNA for a constitutive NRT1 transporter from soybean and comparison of gene expression of soybean NRT1 transporters.

We have isolated a cDNA for a putative transporter, named GmNRT1-3, in the NRT1 family from soybean. It was predicted to have a similar topological structure not only to both GmNRT1-1 and GmNRT1-2 reported previously, but also to other members of the family. Two other cDNAs isolated have parts of the sequence for putative NRT1 transporters, GmNRT1-4 and GmNRT1-5, suggesting that at least five NRT1 transporters occur in soybean. These GmNRT1 genes and the GmNRT2 gene, encoding a soybean NRT2 nitrate transporter, showed different expression patterns to each other under various nitrogen conditions. Specifically, GmNRT1-3 was constitutively expressed in both roots and leaves, while GmNRT1-2 was gradually expressed as the roots developed in the presence of ammonium as a nitrogen source, but not in the presence of both ammonium and nitrate. Based on these results, we discussed the possible regulation in the expression and role of these transporters in nitrate uptake.

Anion Transport Proteins↗

A novel type of dimerization motif, related to leucine zippers, is present in plant homeodomain proteins.

Sunflower HAHR1 is a homeodomain protein presumably involved in some aspects of root development. In the present work, we have studied the oligomerization properties of HAHR1. A protein containing the entire homeodomain plus adjacent C-terminal sequences (amino acids 86-325) behaves as a dimer in gel filtration experiments. When a fragment C-terminal to the homeodomain (amino acids 151-263) is fused to the N-terminal domain of the lambda phage repressor, it is able to confer binding efficiency to this domain, as judged by protection from lambda superinfection and repression of beta-galactosidase expression under the control of the P(R) promoter. A smaller fragment (amino acids 151-184) confers only conditional repression. GSH transferase fusion proteins containing the entire homeodomain of HAHR1 plus the above-mentioned adjacent sequences bind with similar efficiency a mixture of oligonucleotides selected from a random population. The smaller protein, however, loses its binding capacity when separated from the GSH transferase moiety. Retention of a labelled HAHR1 protein synthesized in vitro by GSH transferase fusions containing different protein fragments adjacent to the homeodomain and bound to GSH agarose suggests that a portion from amino acids 151-263 is required for efficient interaction. The results obtained indicate that HAHR1 interacts with DNA as a dimer and that its dimerization domain is located immediately C-terminal to the homeodomain. We define two regions, the first of which confers non-efficient dimerization; this region would be stabilized by the presence of the second one through putative mutual interactions. A similar motif is present in other related plant homeodomain proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antagonism by (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl) methylphosphinic acid of synaptic transmission in the neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro: an electrophysiological study.

The effect of the novel GABAc receptor antagonist (1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl)methyl-phosphinic acid (TPMPA) on synaptic transmission and GABA-mediated responses was investigated with electrophysiological recordings from the in vitro spinal cord preparation of the neonatal rat. Bath-applied TPMPA (10 microM) had no effect on spinal reflexes evoked by dorsal root stimulation, on ventral root polarization level or amplitude of ventral root depolarizations induced by exogenously applied GABA (0.5 mM). TPMPA significantly attenuated the depressant action of GABA on spinal reflexes without changing responses induced by the GABA(A) receptor agonist isoguvacine (50 microM) or the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (0.5-2 microM). Following block of GABA(A) receptors by bicuculline (20 microM) and of glycine receptors by strychnine (1 microM), regular bursting activity recorded from ventral roots developed spontaneously and persisted unchanged for many hours. This bursting pattern, which is generated at the level of the interneuronal network, was significantly slowed down by TPMPA, which also increased the duration of individual bursts and the number of intraburst oscillations. These results suggest that in the neonatal rat spinal cord some functional GABAc receptors exist: their role was clearly unmasked following pharmacological block of GABA(A) (and glycine) receptors. Under these conditions GABAc receptors appeared to contribute to the excitation of spinal interneurons supporting rhythmic bursting activity.

Animals↗

Characterization of the pectin methylesterase-like gene AtPME3: a new member of a gene family comprising at least 12 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Pectin demethylesterification appears to be catalysed by a number of pectin methylesterase (PME) isoenzymes in higher plant species. In order to better define the biological role of these isoenzymes in plant cell growth and differentiation, we undertook molecular studies on the PME-encoding genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this paper, we report the characterization of AtPME3, a new PME-related gene of 4kb in length that we have mapped on Chromosome III. AtPME3 encodes a putative mature PME-related isoenzyme of 34kDa with a basic isoelectric point. Since the extent of the gene family encoding PME in higher plant species is still unknown, we resorted to the use of degenerate primers designed from several well-known consensus regions to identify new PME-related genes in the genome of Arabidopsis. Our results, in combination with several known expressed sequences tags (ESTs), indicate that the Arabidopsis genome contains at least 12 PME-related genes. Consequently, a method of systematic gene expression analysis has been applied in order to discern the expression pattern of these 12 genes throughout the plant at the floral stage. Whereas most of these genes appeared to be more or less ubiquitously expressed throughout the plant, several genes are distinguishable by their strikingly specific expression in certain organs. The present data bring a new insight into the role of specific PME-related genes in flower and root development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Concomitant hypohyperdontia: simultaneous occurrence of a mesiodens and agenesis of a maxillary lateral incisor.

A 13-year-old boy appeared for evaluation with a missing maxillary left lateral incisor. He also had an abnormally shaped tooth in the midline between his maxillary central incisors. This mesiodens had an incompletely developed root. The unusual association of these 2 anomalies is discussed as a possible transposition of the lateral incisor to the mesiodens position.

Adolescent↗

Proteome approach to characterize the methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase that is regulated by gibberellin.

Proteins regulated by gibberellin (GA) in rice were determined by proteome analysis. Proteins extracted from suspension culture cells of slr1, a constitutive GA response mutant of rice, were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and three proteins were greatly accumulated in the mutant. The most up-regulated protein was methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (MMSDH), and the amount of protein was 7-fold that of wild type. In this study, the function of MMSDH in rice was analyzed. MMSDH gene expression in suspension culture cells, roots, and leaf sheaths ofslr1 was higher than that in its wild-type. MMSDH expression in wild-type roots was increased by exogenous GA(3). Analyzed by in situ hybridization, MMSDH mRNA was expressed in root primordia of slr1, where cells are undergoing growth. MMSDH gene expression in the root zone of tissue differentiation was higher than in the elongation zone or meristem. Transgenic rice expressing antisense MMSDH showed that its seminal roots were thinner than that of control, and that the leaf sheath elongation was slightly inhibited compared to control. Concentrations of TCA cycle metabolites were decreased in the antisense plants as compared with the control plants, suggesting that acetyl-CoA was reduced in the antisense plants. These results suggest that one of the regulations by GA signal transduction including SLR1 is the expression of MMSDH, and that MMSDH may play a role in root development and leaf sheath elongation in rice.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional↗

Modification-specific proteomics of plasma membrane proteins: identification and characterization of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins released upon phospholipase D treatment.

Plasma membrane proteins are displayed through diverse mechanisms, including anchoring in the extracellular leaflet via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) molecules. GPI-anchored membrane proteins (GPI-APs) are a functionally and structurally diverse protein family, and their importance is well-recognized as they are candidate cell surface biomarker molecules with potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications in molecular medicine. GPI-APs have also attracted interest in plant biotechnology because of their role in root development and cell remodeling. Using a shave-and-conquer concept, we demonstrate that phospholipase D (PLD) treatment of human and plant plasma membrane fractions leads to the release of GPI-anchored proteins that were identified and characterized by capillary liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. In contrast to phospholipase C, the PLD enzyme is not affected by structural heterogeneity of the GPI moiety, making PLD a generally useful reagent for proteomic investigations of GPI-anchored proteins in a variety of cells, tissues, and organisms. A total of 11 human GPI-APs and 35 Arabidopsis thaliana GPI-APs were identified, representing a significant addition to the number of experimentally detected GPI-APs in both species. Computational GPI-AP sequence analysis tools were investigated for the characterization of the identified GPI-APs, and these demonstrated that there is some discrepancy in their efficiency in classification of GPI-APs and the exact assignment of omega-sites. This study highlights the efficiency of an integrative proteomics approach that combines experimental and computational methods to provide the selectivity, specificity, and sensitivity required for characterization of post-translationally modified membrane proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphate sensing in higher plants.

Phosphate (Pi) plays a central role as reactant and effector molecule in plant cell metabolism. However, Pi is the least accessible macronutrient in many ecosystems and its low availability often limits plant growth. Plants have evolved an array of molecular and morphological adaptations to cope with Pi limitation, which include dramatic changes in gene expression and root development to facilitate Pi acquisition and recycling. Although physiological responses to Pi starvation have been increasingly studied and understood, the initial molecular events that monitor and transmit information on external and internal Pi status remain to be elucidated in plants. This review summarizes molecular and developmental Pi starvation responses of higher plants and the evidence for coordinated regulation of gene expression, followed by a discussion of the potential involvement of plant hormones in Pi sensing and of molecular genetic approaches to elucidate plant signalling of low Pi availability. Complementary genetic strategies in Arabidopsis thaliana have been developed that are expected to identify components of plant signal transduction pathways involved in Pi sensing. Innovative screening methods utilize reporter gene constructs, conditional growth on organophosphates and the inhibitory properties of the Pi analogue phosphite, which hold the promise for significant advances in our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which plants regulate Pi-starvation responses.

Journal Article↗

Autocrine growth factors in human periodontal ligament cells cultured on enamel matrix derivative.

OBJECTIVE: Enamel extracellular matrix proteins in the form of the enamel matrix derivative EMDOGAIN (EMD) have been successfully employed to mimic natural cementogenesis to restore fully functional periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone in patients with severe periodontitis. When applied to denuded root surfaces EMD forms a matrix that locally facilitates regenerative responses in the adjacent periodontal tissues. The cellular mechanism(s), e.g. autocrine growth factors, extracellular matrix synthesis and cell growth, underlying PDL regeneration with EMD is however poorly investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured on EMD and monitored for cellular attachment rate, proliferation, DNA replication and metabolism. Furthermore, intracellular cyclic-AMP levels and autocrine production of selected growth factors were monitored by immunological assays. Controls included PDL and epithelial cells in parallel cultures. RESULTS: PDL cell attachment rate, growth and metabolism were all significantly increased when EMD was present in cultures. Also, cells exposed to EMD showed increased intracellular cAMP signalling and autocrine production of TGF-beta1, IL-6 and PDGF AB when compared to controls. Epithelial cells increased cAMP and PDGF AB secretion when EMD was present, but proliferation and growth were inhibited. CONCLUSION: Cultured PDL cells exposed to EMD increase attachment rate, growth rate and metabolism, and subsequently release several growth factors into the medium. The cellular interaction with EMD generates an intracellular cAMP signal, after which cells secrete TGF-beta1, IL-6 and PDGF AB. Epithelial cell growth however, is inhibited by the same signal. This suggest that EMD favours mesenchymal cell growth over epithelium, and that autocrine growth factors released by PDL cells exposed to EMD contribute to periodontal healing and regeneration in a process mimicking natural root development.

Cell Adhesion↗

Establishment of an in vitro culture and regeneration protocol for the native Chilean grass Polypogon australis Brong.

Polypogon australis Brong. is a native Chilean grass frequently found colonizing metal-rich mine tailings, yet it lacks an established in vitro regeneration system to support controlled physiological and biotechnological studies. Here, we report a reproducible protocol for seed germination, callus induction, and plant regeneration using coleoptile-mesocotyl explants. Surface-sterilized seeds were germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with sucrose, achieving a cumulative germination percentage of 47.67 ± 3.15% after 15 days. The coleoptile-mesocotyl explant proved highly responsive to culture on callus induction medium (CIM) supplemented with dicamba, resulting in a callus induction frequency of 30.55 ± 11.96% after 3-5 weeks. Induced calli were predominantly embryogenic, with embryogenic calli representing 65.42 ± 8.61% of the total callus population. Embryogenic calli regenerated complete plantlets with a regeneration efficiency of 45.0 ± 23.3%. Organogenic structures, including primary shoots and roots, developed directly from embryogenic calli maintained on callus induction medium (CIM) supplemented with dicamba, without transfer to a specialized regeneration medium containing organogenesis-promoting growth regulators. After the initiation of organogenesis, cultures were exposed to a 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod while remaining on CIM, and regenerated plantlets were subsequently transferred to MS+10 S medium for further growth and elongation. This study establishes the first complete in vitro regeneration system for P. australis, providing a practical framework for future physiological studies, large-scale propagation, genetic transformation, and genome engineering applications in this ecologically relevant native Chilean grass.

Regeneration↗

Osmolyte accumulation: can it really help increase crop yield under drought conditions?

Osmolyte accumulation (OA) is frequently cited as a key putative mechanism for increasing yields of crops subjected to drought conditions. The hypothesis is that OA results in a number of benefits that sustain cell and tissue activity under water-deficit conditions. It has been proposed as an effective tolerance mechanism for water deficits, which could be enhanced in crops by traditional plant breeding, marker-assisted selection or genetic engineering, to generate drought-tolerant crops. However, field studies examining the association between OA and crop yield have tended to show no consistent benefit. The few, often-cited, investigations with positive associations were obtained under severe water deficits with extremely low yields or conditions with special water-supply scenarios when much of the benefit is plant survival. Under conditions where water deficits threaten crop survival, yields are so low that even large fractional yield gains offer little practical benefit to growers. Indeed, the often-cited benefit of turgor maintenance in cells is likely to result in crop behaviour that is exactly opposite to what is beneficial to crops. The one clear mechanism identified in this review for beneficial yield responses to OA is in the maintenance of root development in order to reach water that may be available deeper in the soil profile.

Journal Article↗

T-DNA tagging reveals a novel cDNA triggering cytokinin- and auxin-independent protoplast division.

Activation T-DNA tagging was used to generate four cytokinin-independent (cyi1-4) tobacco cell lines. Plants regenerated from the mutant lines displayed similar phenotypes: reduced apical dominance, poorly developed roots, delayed growth and flowering, and male and female sterility. Tissue culture experiments demonstrated that the mutations in the different lines uncouple cell proliferation from the effects of both cytokinin and auxin. No significant increase of cytokinin or auxin was found in transgenic calli in comparison with untransformed callus. The functional plant sequence tagged in one of the mutant lines, cyi1, was used to isolate an active cDNA, cyi1a, that was able to trigger cytokinin- and auxin-independent protoplast division. Northern analysis shows that the transcript corresponding to cyi1a accumulates to high levels in the untransformed protoplasts shortly before the onset of cell division, and that these levels decrease when protoplasts reach maximum rates of cell division. A small putative open reading frame, starting with the first ATG in cyi1a and encoding a 22 amino acid peptide, has the same activity in tobacco protoplasts as the whole cDNA. This activity is destroyed by a frame shift mutation. Apparently cyi1a encodes a peptide which participates in the events downstream of a joint point of cytokinin and auxin action leading to cell division.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polyunsaturated membranes are required for photosynthetic competence in a mutant of Arabidopsis.

High levels of polyunsaturation are characteristic of all the membranes of plant and animal cells. For example, the chloroplasts of leaf cells contain about 75-80% polyunsaturated fatty acids. For the extra-chloroplast membranes in leaf cells and the membranes of non-photosynthetic tissues, values of 60-65% are typical. We report here the production of Arabidopsis double mutants that contain negligible levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The mutants were not capable of autotrophic growth and produced extremely chlorotic cotyledons and leaves. However, on sucrose media, the double mutants were robust plants showing strong leaf and root development. These observations indicate that the vast majority of receptor-mediated and transport-related membrane functions required to sustain the organism and induce proper development are adequately supported in the absence of polyunsaturated lipids. By contrast, photosynthesis is one process that does require high levels of membrane polyunsaturation.

Arabidopsis↗

Characterization of salicylic acid-responsive, arabidopsis Dof domain proteins: overexpression of OBP3 leads to growth defects.

Dof proteins are unique to plants and contain a single zinc finger DNA-binding domain called the Dof domain. OBP1, an Arabidopsis Dof protein, was previously isolated through an interaction with OBF4, an ocs element-binding protein. Two additional Dof proteins, called OBP2 and OBP3, were isolated through homologous screening. All three OBP proteins contain transcriptional activation domains in their C-terminal region. While no significant differences were found between the OBP proteins in terms of their DNA and protein-binding properties, tissue-specific RNA expression patterns were found. The RNA expression levels of all three OBP proteins increased following treatment with auxin, salicylic acid (SA) or cycloheximide, although the level of induction varied among the different proteins and in the tissues tested. These results suggest that even though they have similar DNA binding and protein-protein interaction properties, the different OBP proteins are likely to have distinct functions in specific parts of the plant. There is a good correlation between the expression of the OBP proteins and the ocs element, a stress-response element which is also induced by auxin, SA and cycloheximide. To begin to analyze the function of the OBP proteins, transgenic lines overexpressing OBP3 were generated. These plants showed a severe growth defect with altered root development and yellowish leaves. The severity of the growth defects correlated with OBP3 expression levels and in some cases led to death, suggesting that some Dof proteins play important roles in plant growth and development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Rejuvenation of ageing bean leaves under the effect of low-dose stressors.

The effect of low concentrations of some stress-inducing compounds like Cd, Pb, Ni, and Ti salts and DCMU on the senescence of chloroplasts was investigated in detached primary leaves of bean. After the petioles of ageing leaves had developed roots, these low-dose stressors stimulated chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic activity, as compared to the control, thus causing rejuvenation in treated leaves. The amount of photosystem I (lowest in DCMU-treated leaves) and light-harvesting complex II increased, while that of photosystem II decreased or remained unchanged. Fluorescence induction parameters indicated unchanged electron transport (except for DCMU treatment). CO2 fixation and, in some cases, starch accumulation was stimulated. In parallel, the occurrence of large plastoglobuli seemed to decrease in plastids of heavy metal-treated leaves. A cytokinin bioassay of leaf extracts confirmed the cytokinin-mediated effect of low-dose stressors, as the slopes of Chl and cytokinin curves were similar during the rejuvenation process. It is assumed that these stressors generate non-specific alarm reactions, which involve changes in the hormonal balance by increasing the synthesis of cytokinins.

Chlorophyll↗

Nonprosthodontic management of alveolar clefts with 2 incisors missing on the cleft side: a report of 5 patients.

A treatment combining autotransplantation of developing premolars and orthodontic space closure is described as an alternative to prosthodontics in the management of patients with alveolar clefts when 2 cleft-side incisors are missing. We report on 5 consecutive patients with unilateral clefts in whom 2 cleft-side incisors were congenitally missing, severely malformed, ectopically erupting, or lost because of trauma. In each instance, a mandibular premolar with a partly developed root was transplanted to the central incisor region (3 patients had previously undergone alveolar bone grafting). Root growth continued in all transplants. After an observation period of 2 years 6 months to 7 years 8 months, all transplanted teeth were present and fulfilled the established success criteria. The physiologic status of the transplanted premolars compared favorably with that of the central incisor on the noncleft side. The appearance of the reshaped transplants was found to match the noncleft incisor in 3 patients and deviated somewhat in 2. We concluded that an acceptable clinical outcome can be obtained by tooth transplantation combined with orthodontic space closure in patients with alveolar clefts and 2 missing cleft-side incisors.

Adolescent↗

Sorting inhibitors (Sortins): Chemical compounds to study vacuolar sorting in Arabidopsis.

Chemical genomics is an interdisciplinary approach that unites the power of chemical screens and genomics strategies to dissect biological processes such as endomembrane trafficking. We have taken advantage of the evolutionary conservation between plants and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify such chemicals. Using S. cerevisiae, we screened a library of diverse chemical structures for compounds that induce the secretion of carboxypeptidase Y, which is normally targeted to the vacuole. Among 4,800 chemicals screened, 14 compounds, termed sorting inhibitors (Sortins), were identified that stimulated secretion in yeast. In Arabidopsis seedlings, application of Sortin1 and -2 led to reversible defects in vacuole biogenesis and root development. Sortin1 was found to redirect the vacuolar destination of plant carboxypeptidase Y and other proteins in Arabidopsis suspension cells and cause these proteins to be secreted. Sortin1 treatment of whole Arabidopsis seedlings also resulted in carboxypeptidase Y secretion, indicating that the drug has a similar mode of action in cells and intact plants. We have demonstrated that screening of a simple eukaryote, in which vacuolar biogenesis is not essential, can be a powerful tool to find chemicals that interfere with vacuolar delivery of proteins in plants, where vacuole biogenesis is essential. Our studies were done by using a sublethal dose of Sortin1, demonstrating the powerful ability of the chemical to control the induced phenotype in a manner that would be difficult to achieve using conventional genetics.

Arabidopsis↗