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Microfluidics to Follow Spatiotemporal Dynamics at the Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Interface During Plant Root Growth.

Nuclear dynamics refers to global/local changes in the molecular and spatial organization of genomic DNA that can occur during development or in response to environmental stress signals and eventually impact genomic functions. In plants, nuclear dynamics relies notably on the connection of the nucleus with the cytoskeleton during development. It orchestrates genomic functions in response to developmental and environmental cues. This is particularly true in the plant root system, which is constantly exposed to a wide range of internal and external stimuli. Currently, studying nuclear dynamics in a growing root is challenging due to limitations regarding real-time imaging for quantitative analyses under controlled conditions. Microfluidic systems for plant cell studies are valuable analytical tools that provide precise control of culture conditions together with live-imaging capabilities at high temporal and spatial resolutions. Herein, we describe a microfluidic platform to unravel dynamically and noninvasively nuclear organization in the seedling root system exposed to various treatments. As exemplified here, our microfluidic platform can be conveniently used for real-time microscopy imaging and quantitative analysis of fine nuclear morphological changes upon modifying cytoskeleton dynamics. Importantly, our system can be applied to a wide variety of microscopic means including high-resolution microscopy to investigate diverse subcellular compartments or nuclear domains in Arabidopsis thaliana roots.

Plant Roots↗

Metabolomics in practice: emerging knowledge to guide future dietetic advice toward individualized health.

The profession of dietetics can take an increasingly prominent role in managing health and patient care as clinicians gain access to three new resources: detailed information about the metabolic status of healthy individual clients, metabolic knowledge about the relationships between metabolite abundances and health, and bioinformatics tools that link clients' metabolism to their present and future health status. The current use of single biomarkers as indicators of disease will be replaced by comprehensive profiling of individual metabolites linked to an understanding of health and human metabolism--the emerging science now known as metabolomics. Industrial and academic initiatives are currently developing the analytical and bioinformatic technologies needed to assemble the quantitative reference databases of metabolites as the metabolic analog of the human genome. With these in place, dietetics professionals will be able to assess both the current health status of individuals and predict their health trajectories. Another important role for dietetics professionals will be to assist in the development of the tools and their application in predicting how an individual's specific metabolic pattern can be changed by diet, drugs, and lifestyle, with the goal of improving health and preventing the development of chronic diseases.

Biomarkers↗

Organelle nuclei in higher plants: structure, composition, function, and evolution.

Plant cells have two distinct types of energy-converting organelles: plastids and mitochondria. These organelles have their own DNAs and are regarded as descendants of endosymbiotic prokaryotes. The organelle DNAs associate with various proteins to form compact DNA-protein complexes, which are referred to as organelle nuclei or nucleoids. Various functions of organelle genomes, such as DNA replication and transcription, are performed within these compact structures. Fluorescence microscopy using the DNA-specific fluorochrome 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole has played a pivotal role in establishing the concept of "organelle nuclei." This fluorochrome has also facilitated the isolation of morphologically intact organelle nuclei, which is indispensable for understanding their structure and composition. Moreover, development of an in vitro transcription?DNA synthesis system using isolated organelle nuclei has provided us with a means of measuring and analyzing the function of organelle nuclei. In addition to these morphological and biochemical approaches, genomics has also had a great impact on our ability to investigate the components of organelle nuclei. These analyses have revealed that organelle nuclei are not a vestige of the bacterial counterpart, but rather are a complex system established through extensive interaction between organelle and cell nuclear genomes during evolution. Extensive diversion or exchange during evolution is predicted to have occurred for several important structural proteins, such as major DNA-compacting proteins, and functional proteins, such as RNA and DNA polymerases, resulting in complex mechanisms to control the function of organelle genomes. Thus, organelle nuclei represent the most dynamic front of interaction between the three genomes (cell nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial) constituting eukaryotic plant cells.

Cell Nucleus↗

A universal system for the transport of redox proteins: early roots and latest developments.

The transport of proteins binding redox cofactors across a biological membrane is complicated by the fact that insertion of the redox cofactor is often a cytoplasmic process. These cytoplasmically assembled redox proteins must thus be transported in partially or completely folded form. The need for a special transport system for redox proteins was first recognized for periplasmic hydrogenases in gram-negative bacteria. These enzymes, which catalyze the reaction H2 <--> 2H+ + 2e, are composed of a large and a small subunit. Only the small subunit has an unusually long signal sequence of 30-50 amino acid residues, characterized by a conserved motif (S/T)-R-R-x-F-L-K at the N-terminus. This sequence directs export of the large and small subunit complex to the periplasm. Sequencing of microbial genes and genomes has shown that signal sequences with this conserved motif, now referred to as twin-arginine leaders, occur ubiquitously and export different classes of redox proteins, containing iron sulfur clusters, molybdopterin cofactors, polynuclear copper sites or flavin adenine dinucleotide. Mutations in an Escherichia coli operon referred to as mtt (membrane targeting and translocation) or tat (twin arginine translocation) are pleiotropic, i.e. these prevent the expression of a variety of periplasmic oxido-reductases in functional form. The Mtt or Tat pathway is distinct from the well-known Sec pathway and occurs ubiquitously in prokaryotes. The fact that its component proteins share sequence homology with proteins of the delta pH pathway for protein transport associated with chloroplast thylakoid assembly, illustrates the universal nature of this novel protein translocation system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular characterization of Burkholderia cepacia isolates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in an Italian CF center.

Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex consist of a number of closely related genomic species (genomovars) potentially pathogenic for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, collectively referred to as the B. cepacia complex. The genomovar status and epidemiological relatedness of B. cepacia complex strains recovered from CF patients, attending a CF Center at the University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I" of Rome, were investigated using 16S rRNA PCR-RFLP, recA PCR-RFLP, genomovar-specific PCR, and RAPD. Forty-seven isolates identified as B. cepacia by commercial systems were repeatedly recovered from 19 CF patients. The taxonomy approach used in this study showed that 17 of the 19 patients were colonized by B. cepacia complex strains. Genomovar III (11 strains) was the most prevalent genomovar. Two strains of genomovar I, one B. stabilis (genomovar IV), one B. multivorans (genomovar II), and 4 strains of B. anthina (genomovar VIII) were also identified. This is the first report of multiple patient colonization by B. anthina in a CF center. The epidemiological and genetic relatedness as well as the presence of molecular markers associated with virulence and transmissibility of the B. cepacia complex strains were determined and probable patient-to-patient spread was observed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Molecular typing of a BHV-4 (bovine herpesvirus 4) field isolate.

A new BHV-4 (bovine herpesvirus 4) isolated from a case of bovine interdigital dermatitis was characterized by PCR and restriction enzyme analysis. To determine whether the new isolate (PR/1) belonged to BHV-4, DNA from infected cells was specifically amplified by PCR. We used a set of primers spanning a large 2.571 kb conserved region of the BHV-4 genome, including the 3' end of ORF1 (homologous to the EBV BVRF1 gene), ORF2 (homologous to the EBV BXRF1 gene), ORF3 (TK gene) and ORF4 (gH gene) 5' end, respectively. The identity of the amplified product was confirmed by HindIII restriction enzyme digestion and Southern hybridization. No product was observed from the DNA of other bovine herpesviruses tested. The restriction patterns of the PR/ 1 genome compared to DN 599, MOVAR 33/63 and LVR BHV-4 reference strains showed two kinds of differences, either related or not related to the prDNA (polyrepetitive DNA). Taken together, these data show that PR/ 1 is a new BHV-4. We would consider that the present report provides a scheme of work for diagnosis and typing of BHV-4 isolates.

Animals↗

Oligoclonal interspecific origin of 'North Indian' and 'Chinese' sugarcanes.

Sugarcanes consist of several groups of complex polyploid forms. The origin of 'North Indian' and 'Chinese' sugarcanes (referred to as S. barberi and S. sinense) was investigated using genomic in-situ hybridization (GISH), detection of species-specific repeated sequences and RFLP. GISH proved their interspecific hybrid origin. Together with the distribution of species-specific repeated sequences and earlier RFLP data, the results show that both taxa are derived from interspecific hybridization between S. officinarum and S. spontaneum and that no other genus has been directly involved. RFLP indicates that the clones are clustered into a few groups, each derived from a single interspecific hybrid that has subsequently undergone a few somatic mutations. These groups correspond quite well with those already defined based on morphological characters and chromosome numbers. However, the calculated genetic similarities do not support the existence of two distinct taxa. The 'North Indian' and 'Chinese' sugarcanes represent a set of horticultural groups rather than established species.

China↗

Molecular melodies in high and low C.

For 50 years now, one of the enigmas of molecular evolution has been the C-value paradox, which refers to the often massive, counterintuitive and seemingly arbitrary differences in genome size observed among eukaryotic organisms. For example, the genome of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster is 180 megabases (Mb), whereas that of the European brown grasshopper Podisma pedestris is 18,000 Mb. The difference in genome size of a factor of 100 is difficult to explain in view of the apparently similar levels of evolutionary, developmental and behavioural complexity of these organisms.

Animals↗

Repair of oxidized proteins. Identification of a new methionine sulfoxide reductase.

Oxidation of methionine residues to methionine sulfoxide can lead to inactivation of proteins. Methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA) has been known for a long time, and its repairing function well characterized. Here we identify a new methionine sulfoxide reductase, which we referred to as MsrB, the gene of which is present in genomes of eubacteria, archaebacteria, and eucaryotes. The msrA and msrB genes exhibit no sequence similarity and, in some genomes, are fused. The Escherichia coli MsrB protein (currently predicted to be encoded by an open reading frame of unknown function named yeaA) was used for genetic, enzymatic, and mass spectrometric investigations. Our in vivo study revealed that msrB is required for cadmium resistance of E. coli, a carcinogenic compound that induces oxidative stress. Our in vitro studies, showed that (i) MsrB and MsrA enzymes reduce free methionine sulfoxide with turn-over rates of 0.6 min(-1) and 20 min(-1), respectively, (ii) MsrA and MsrB act on oxidized calmodulin, each by repairing four to six of the eight methionine sulfoxide residues initially present, and (iii) simultaneous action of both MsrA and MsrB allowed full reduction of oxidized calmodulin. A possibility is that these two ubiquitous methionine sulfoxide reductases exhibit different substrate specificity.

Animals↗

A nick-sensing DNA 3'-repair enzyme from Arabidopsis.

DNA single-strand breaks, a major cause of genome instability, often produce unconventional end groups that must be processed to restore terminal moieties suitable for reparative DNA gap filling or ligation. Here, we describe a bifunctional repair enzyme from Arabidopsis (named AtZDP) that recognizes DNA strand breaks and catalyzes the removal of 3'-end-blocking lesions. The isolated C-terminal domain of AtZDP is by itself competent for 3'-end processing, but not for strand break recognition. The N-terminal domain instead contains three Cys(3)-His zinc fingers and recognizes various kinds of damaged double-stranded DNA. Gapped DNA molecules are preferential targets of AtZDP, which bends them by approximately 73 degrees upon binding, as measured by atomic force microscopy. Potential partners of AtZDP were identified in the Arabidopsis genome using the human single-strand break repairosome as a reference. These data identify a novel pathway for single-strand break repair in which a DNA-binding 3'-phosphoesterase acts as a "nick sensor" for damage recognition, as the catalyst of one repair step, and possibly as a nucleation center for the assembly of a fully competent repair complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Paralytic poliomyelitis associated with the Sabin 3 revertant strain of poliovirus in Bahrain.

We report a case of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) in Bahrain. The case occurred in an 8-week-old infant who had received a dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) 7 days after birth. She was in contact with two vaccinees who had received OPV during the national immunisation campaign conducted 10 days before her birth. Specimens from the infant were sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference and Research Laboratory for serological testing and virus detection, including genomic sequencing. Clinical and virological features are presented of a case of VAPP caused by the Sabin 3 strain of poliovirus that had reverted towards neurovirulence. The case represents one in 51,879 first doses of OPV distributed between 1995 and 1998. In order to reduce further the risk of VAPP, the dose of OPV at birth has been discontinued and a sequential schedule of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) followed by OPV will be recommended.

Antibodies, Viral↗

The oncornavirus glycoprotein gp69/71: a constituent of the surface of normal and malignant thymocytes.

The oncornavirus related proteins associated with the surface of normal and malignant thymocytes were studied. Three virion-associated proteins (gp69/71, p45, p30) were associated with lymphoma cells from about 70% of the tumors studied. Two virion-associated proteins (gp69/71 and p45 were associated with normal thymocytes form some but not all strains of mice. In gp69/71- mice, conversion to the gp69/71+ phenotype accompanied leukemogenesis. An interesting difference in the apparent molecular size of virus related antigens of the 70,000 dalton size class was detected in lymphoma cells present in involved spleens as compared to involved thymuses. Mice infected as neonates with Scripps leukemia virus make antibody to gp69/71 and some make antibodies to molecules associated with the surface of their own tumors. The significance of the restricted presence of antigens coded for by the viral genome to the surface of some differentiated cells is discussed in reference to (a) the relationship between virion, leukemia associated, and differentiation dependent markers, and (b) the possible consequence to the host of having similar antigenic determinants on three independent structures with replicative potential (virus, normal thymocytes, and tumor cells).

Animals↗

Telomere resolution in the Lyme disease spirochete.

The genus Borrelia includes the causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. An unusual feature of these bacteria is a genome that includes linear DNA molecules with covalently closed hairpin ends referred to as telomeres. We have investigated the mechanism by which the hairpin telomeres are processed during replication. A synthetic 140 bp sequence having the predicted structure of a replicated telomere was shown to function as a viable substrate for telomere resolution in vivo, and was sufficient to convert a circular replicon to a linear form. Our results suggest that the final step in the replication of linear Borrelia replicons is a site-specific DNA breakage and reunion event to regenerate covalently closed hairpin ends. The telomere substrate described here will be valuable both for in vivo manipulation of linear DNA in Borrelia and for in vitro studies to identify and characterize the telomere resolvase.

Borrelia burgdorferi↗

Comparative in vitro activity of ceftazidime-avibactam plus aztreonam and the fixed combination aztreonam/avibactam against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa is difficult to treat, despite some new beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors. A combination of ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam (CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT) is frequently used to treat Gram-negative bacteria expressing metallo-beta-lactamases. A fixed combination of aztreonam/avibactam was recently licenced for use in Europe, but it remains unknown whether there are differences between both options for use against P. aeruginosa. This study evaluates the comparative in vitro efficacy of the fixed combination aztreonam/avibactam compared to the three antibiotics CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT against clinical MDR P. aeruginosa isolates. METHODS: MICs for aztreonam/avibactam and CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT were determined in 38 MDR P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from routine diagnostics using broth microdilution with checkerboard assays in triplicates as the reference method. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices were calculated. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on all isolates. RESULTS: At a fixed ceftazidime concentration of 8&#x2005;mg/L (EUCAST breakpoint), 25 isolates exhibited lower MICs for CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT compared to aztreonam/avibactam alone in microdilution assays. On FIC analysis, additive and synergistic effects were seen in 28 and 2 cases, respectively. Verona integron-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM) was the most prevalent carbapenemase (21/38 isolates), followed by Imipenemase (IMP, 4/38) and New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM, 2/38). Lower MICs were observed for the combination CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT in isolates carrying VIM-2 as compared to VIM-1. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro testing of CAZ/AVI&#x200a;+&#x200a;AZT revealed increased in vitro susceptibility among MDR P. aeruginosa isolates in comparison to the fixed combination of aztreonam/avibactam.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa↗

recA-like genes from three archaean species with putative protein products similar to Rad51 and Dmc1 proteins of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The process of homologous recombination has been documented in bacterial and eucaryotic organisms. The Escherichia coli RecA and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad51 proteins are the archetypal members of two related families of proteins that play a central role in this process. Using the PCR process primed by degenerate oligonucleotides designed to encode regions of the proteins showing the greatest degree of identity, we examined DNA from three organisms of a third phylogenetically divergent group, Archaea, for sequences encoding proteins similar to RecA and Rad51. The archaeans examined were a hyperthermophilic acidophile, Sulfolobus sofataricus (Sso); a halophile, Haloferax volcanii (Hvo); and a hyperthermophilic piezophilic methanogen, Methanococcus jannaschii (Mja). The PCR generated DNA was used to clone a larger genomic DNA fragment containing an open reading frame (orf), that we refer to as the radA gene, for each of the three archaeans. As shown by amino acid sequence alignments, percent amino acid identities and phylogenetic analysis, the putative proteins encoded by all three are related to each other and to both the RecA and Rad51 families of proteins. The putative RadA proteins are more similar to the Rad51 family (approximately 40% identity at the amino acid level) than to the RecA family (approximately 20%). Conserved sequence motifs, putative tertiary structures and phylogenetic analysis implied by the alignment are discussed. The 5' ends of mRNA transcripts to the Sso radA were mapped. The levels of radA mRNA do not increase after treatment with UV irradiation as do recA and RAD51 transcripts in E.coli and S.cerevisiae. Hence it is likely that radA in this organism is a constitutively expressed gene and we discuss possible implications of the lack of UV-inducibility.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Application of AFLP for taxonomic and epidemiological studies of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

A collection of 106 Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida strains and 19 Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae strains, including reference and type strains, were genetically characterized using AFLP. The total genomic DNA of each bacterial strain was digested using restriction endonucleases HindIII and TaqI. Using numerical analysis, six clusters were recognized. The largest cluster (n = 106) contained the majority of the strains tested and consisted exclusively of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. The Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae strains fell outside this cluster. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed 77% DNA binding between the two subspecies, indicating a close genetic relationship. This clearly demonstrates the applicability of AFLP in studying the taxonomic position of Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. In addition, AFLP proved to be a useful genotypic technique for epidemiological surveys of the pathogen, since it was able to discriminate between Mediterranean and Japanese Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida isolates.

Animals↗

Improved template representation in cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries generated from complex templates by application of a specific mixture of PCR primers.

Some classes of high G+C content organisms such as the Actinobacteria, which are known through culture-based studies to be present in large numbers in particular microbial communities, are under-represented or even absent from 16S rRNA or cpn60 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product libraries derived from these templates. Using reference cpn60 sequence data from organisms with high G+C content genomes, a pair of PCR primers were designed which, when used in combination with the previously developed degenerate, universal cpn60 primers, improve the representation of templates with high G+C content. The primers were validated using a combination of traditional and quantitative real-time PCR on both manufactured template mixtures and biological samples. The development and optimization of this specific primer mixture represents an improvement of established methods and a significant advance in the ability to generate cpn60 PCR product libraries that more closely represent the sequence diversity in complex templates.

Bacteria↗

Intact motility as a Salmonella typhi invasion-related factor.

Invasiveness of Salmonella typhi was investigated. At first, we introduced Tn5 into the chromosome of a wild-type S. typhi strain, GIFU 10007, and screened the independent Tn5 insertion mutants for noninvasive (Inv-) strains. During the first half of this work, we obtained 4 Inv- strains from 1,338 independent Tn5 mutants. The four were either nonflagellate (Fla-), nonmotile (Mot-), or nonchemotactic (Che-). We then isolated more Fla-, Mot-, or Che- mutants and examined the invasiveness of these mutants. Sixty-three spontaneous or Tn5 insertion motility mutants, i.e., Fla-, Mot-, or Che-, were independently isolated from the wild-type strain GIFU 10007; all of them were noninvasive. Motile revertants isolated from some of these mutants showed the same invasiveness as the parent strain. P22-mediated transductional crosses were carried out between some of the motility mutants (as the recipients) and the Fla- reference strains of S. typhimurium with known deletion sites on the genome (as the donors). The mutational sites of the S. typhi mutants were assigned almost evenly to the three flagellar gene regions (regions I, II, and III) of S. typhimurium. The invasiveness of the motile recombinants obtained from the transduction assays was examined. The restoration of intact motility resulted in the restoration of invasiveness. Thus, we conclude that intact motility is an invasion-related factor of S. typhi. The relationship of Vi antigen to the invasiveness of S. typhi was also studied. Vi-negative mutants with intact motility remained invasive, whereas all 63 Inv- spontaneous or Tn5 mutants were Vi positive. Therefore, Vi antigen was not related to the invasiveness of S. typhi.

Bacterial Adhesion↗