Genetic transformation via somatic embryogenesis to establish herbicide-resistant opium poppy

A reliable genetic transformation protocol via somatic embryogenesis has been developed for the production of fertile, herbicide-resistant opium poppy plants. Transformation was mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens using the pCAMBIA3301 vector, which harbors the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (pat) gene driven by a tandem repeat of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and the beta-glucuronidase (gus) structural gene driven by a single copy of the CaMV 35S promoter between left- and right-border sequences. Co-cultivation of explants and A. tumefaciens was performed in the presence of 50 microM ATP and 50 microM MgCl(2). Root explants pre-cultured on callus induction medium were used for transformation. Herbicide-resistant, proliferating callus was obtained from explants on a medium containing both 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyladenine (BA). Globular embryogenic callus, induced by removal of the BA from the medium, was placed on a hormone-free medium to form somatic embryos, which were converted to plantlets under specific culture conditions. Plantlets with roots were transferred to soil, allowed to mature and set seed. Both pat and gus gene transcripts, and PAT and GUS enzyme activities were detected in the transgenic lines tested. Histochemical localization of GUS activity in T(1) opium poppy plants revealed transgene expression in most tissues of all plant organs. The protocol required 8-12 months to establish transgenic T(1) seed stocks and was developed using a commercial opium poppy cultivar that produces high levels of pharmaceutical alkaloids.

Early beneficial effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition on blood-brain barrier permeability as measured by magnetic resonance imaging countered by impaired long-term recovery after stroke in rat brain

Proteolytic disruption of the extracellular matrix with opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) because of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) occurs in reperfusion injury after stroke. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition blocks the early disruption of the BBB, but the long-term consequences of short-term MMP inhibition are not known. Recently, a method to quantify BBB permeability by graphical methods was described, which provides a way to study both early disruption of the BBB and long-term effects on recovery in the same animal. We used a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor, BB1101, to determine both the usefulness of the Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for treatment studies and the long-term effects on recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in control (N=6) and drug-treated (N=8) groups on a dedicated 4.7-T MRI scanner. Adult Wistar-Kyoto underwent a 2-h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by an MRI study after 3 h of reperfusion, which consisted of T2- and diffusion-weighted techniques. Additionally, a rapid T1 mapping protocol was also implemented to acquire one pre-gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid baseline data set followed by postinjection data sets at 3-min intervals for 45 mins. The same animal was imaged again at 48 h for lesion size estimation. Data was postprocessed pixel-wise to generate apparent diffusion coefficient and permeability coefficient maps. Treatment with BB-1101 significantly reduced BBB permeability at 3 h, but failed to reduce lesion size at 48 h. Behavioral studies showed impairment in recovery in treated rats. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed for the monitoring of multiple parameters in the same animal. Our studies showed that BB-1101 was an excellent inhibitor of the BBB damage. However, results show that BB-1101 may be responsible for significant deterioration in neurologic status of treated animals. Although these preliminary results suggest that BB-1101 is useful in reducing early BBB leakage owing to reperfusion injury in stroke, further studies will be needed to determine whether the later detrimental effects can be eliminated by shorter time course of drug delivery.

Callus induction and in vitro plant regeneration of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under various conditions

The objective of the present study was to develop an effective protocol for optimum callus induction and complete plant regeneration for four varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) i.e., Super Basmati, Basmati-370, Basmati-371 and Fakhre Malakand. Calli were induced from mature seed scutelum. The Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Chu's N6 media containing hormone 2, 4-D (2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) in different concentrations were used for callus induction. Fakhre Malakand produced maximum calli on N6 media containing 3 mg L(-1) 2,4-D. while other three varieties showed maximum callus induction on N6 media containing 2.5 mg L(-1) 2,4-D. N6 media was found better than MS media for callus induction. For complete plant regeneration the calli of two varieties i.e., Basmati-370 and Basmati-371 were plated on N6 media containing different concentrations of NAA (1-Naphthalene acetic acid) and BAP (6-benzyl aminopurine). The maximum regeneration frequency (%) was observed on N6 media containing NAA 1 mg L(-1) and BAP 2.5 mg L(-1). It took 27-30 days for the callus to regenerate into a complete plant. Basmati-370 produced 4-7 plantlets per callus whereas Basmati-371 produced 4-8 plantlets per callus with regeneration frequencies of 61 and 69%, respectively.

Cytokinins act directly on lateral root founder cells to inhibit root initiation

In Arabidopsis thaliana, lateral roots are formed from root pericycle cells adjacent to the xylem poles. Lateral root development is regulated antagonistically by the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin. While a great deal is known about how auxin promotes lateral root development, the mechanism of cytokinin repression is still unclear. Elevating cytokinin levels was observed to disrupt lateral root initiation and the regular pattern of divisions that characterizes lateral root development in Arabidopsis. To identify the stage of lateral root development that is sensitive to cytokinins, we targeted the expression of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens cytokinin biosynthesis enzyme isopentenyltransferase to either xylem-pole pericycle cells or young lateral root primordia using GAL4-GFP enhancer trap lines. Transactivation experiments revealed that xylem-pole pericycle cells are sensitive to cytokinins, whereas young lateral root primordia are not. This effect is physiologically significant because transactivation of the Arabidopsis cytokinin degrading enzyme cytokinin oxidase 1 in lateral root founder cells results in increased lateral root formation. We observed that cytokinins perturb the expression of PIN genes in lateral root founder cells and prevent the formation of an auxin gradient that is required to pattern lateral root primordia.

Identification of genes differentially expressed during adventitious shoot induction in Pinus pinea cotyledons by subtractive hybridization and quantitative PCR

As part of a study aimed at understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in adventitious shoot bud formation in pine cotyledons, we conducted a transcriptome analysis to identify early-induced genes during the first phases of adventitious caulogenesis in Pinus pinea L. cotyledons cultured in the presence of benzyladenine. A subtractive cDNA library with more than 700 clones was constructed. Of these clones, 393 were sequenced, analyzed and grouped according to their putative function. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was performed to confirm the differential expression of 30 candidate genes. Results are contrasted with available data for other species.

[A protector effect of cytokinin preparations on the photosynthetic apparatus of wheat plants under water deficiency conditions]

The protective effects of the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine and the compounds thidiazuron and kartolin, displaying a cytokinin activity, on the photosynthetic apparatus of young seedlings and leaves of adult plants of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Mironovskaya 808 (more drought tolerant) and Lutescens 758 (less tolerant to water stress), were compared on the background of an increasing water deficiency. At the stages of drought and subsequent rehydration, cartolin preparations were the most efficient protectors, enhancing a less pronounced decrease in the intensity of photosynthesis, carboxylating activity of the key enzyme of carbon metabolism--ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39)-and the activity of NADP-glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase--the enzyme complex comprising phosphoglycerate kinase (EC 2.7.2.3) and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.13). This effect also included an increase in the leaf specific density and plant productivity. The negative influence of water stress on the photosynthetic apparatus was more pronounced in a less tolerant cultivar Lutescens 758 and in the seedlings as compared with the adult plants.

Production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid by Satureja hortensis L. callus cultures

In this study, production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid, a phenolic acid and an economically important metabolite, was investigated in the callus cultures established from the mature seeds of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) plant. Gamborg's B5 basal medium, supplemented with indol butyric acid (IBA) (1.00 mg L(-1)), N6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA) (1.00 mg L(-1)) and sucrose (2.5%, w/v), was employed for the establishment and maintenance of the callus cultures. Applications were individually prepared by preparing the media containing different IBA/6-BA combinations and sucrose concentrations. All of the applications were carried out in the continuous dark. In the applications, where the effects of IBA/6-BA combinations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were assayed (1-15 applications), the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium supplemented with 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 5.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA. In the case of the rosmarinic acid accumulation, an opposite relationship was determined between the growth and rosmarinic acid production. While the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium containing 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 5.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium supported with 1.00 mg L(-1) IBA and 1.00 mg L(-1) 6-BA. In the applications where the effects of sucrose concentrations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were examined, the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium which is supplemented with 5.0% (w/v) sucrose. In this category, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium which is supported with 3.0% (w/v) sucrose. According to the experiments carried out with the wild S. hortensis, it is found to have 25.02+/-1.21 mg g(-1) rosmarinic acid. No differentiation was observed in any callus during the course of this study.

Effect of different hormonal combinations on regeneration of callus of Gomphrena globosa L

The main aim of this study was to observe the effect of different hormonal combinations on regeneration of callus of Gomphrena globosa L. For this purpose callus was obtained from seeds G. globosa inoculated on MS medium supplemented with 4 mg L(-1) 2, 4-D and 10% coconut milk. After callus formation callus was inoculated on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with different combinations of BAP, NAA and GA3 to observe different responses such as regeneration, callus friability, callus proliferation and pigmentation. In BAP and NAA root regeneration was observed at 1.5 mg L(-1) BAP+1 mg L(-1) NAA whereas rest of the combinations showed callus proliferation. In BAP and GA3, root regeneration was observed in most of the combinations and some combinations also showed shoot induction. Shoot regeneration was observed on 0.5 mg L(-1) BAP + 7 mg L(-1) GA3 and 1 mg L(-1) BAP + 0.2 mg L(-1) GA3. The effect of all these combinations on auxin, acid phosphatase and soluble protein content was also observed.

Evolution of the inflated calyx syndrome in Solanaceae

Species that express the inflated calyx syndrome (ICS) are found in several genera of the Solanaceae. The MADS-box protein MPF2, together with the plant hormones cytokinin and gibberellin, has been shown to be responsible for this trait in Physalis floridana. We have used sequence data from 114 species belonging to 35 genera to construct a molecular phylogeny of Solanaceae. Apart from the 2 Witheringia species analyzed, species within a given genus cluster together on the resulting cladogram. Witheringia solanacea is embedded within the Physalinae, but Witheringia coccoloboides is placed basal to the Iochrominae. The ICS trait seems to be of multiple origins both within the Solanaceae and the Physaleae. Surprisingly, expression of MPF2-like genes in floral organs appears to be plesiomorphic in both the Physaleae and the Capsiceae. Some species in these tribes that show neither ICS nor calyx accrescence fail to express the MPF2-like gene in floral organs. Among those that do express this gene in the calyx are the species Capsicum baccatum, Lycianthes biflora, Tubocapsicum anomalum, W. solanacea, and Vassobia breviflora, all of which form small calyces that do not respond to externally applied hormones. The plesiomorphic nature of MPF2-like gene expression in the calyx of the Physaleae and Capsiceae raises the possibility that originally ICS also was actually a plesiomorphic character in these 2 groups. However, this trait might have undergone changes in a number of species due to secondary loss of components in ICS formation, like hormone response of calyx development. These findings are discussed in an evolutionary context of a molecular pathway leading to ICS.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis and Curing of High-Molecular-Weight Polyricinoleate

High-molecular-weight polyricinoleate, with an M(w) of 100,600, was enzymatically prepared by the polycondensation of methylricinoleate using immobilized lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (IM-PC) in bulk in the presence of 4 A molecular sieves at 80 degrees C for 7 d. Polyricinoleate was a viscous liquid at room temperature with a glass transition temperature (T(g)) of -74.8 degrees C, showed no crystallinity and was biodegraded by activated sludge. Polyricinoleate was readily cured using a dicumyl peroxide at 170 degrees C for 30 min to produce a chloroform insoluble crosslinked polyricinoleate with a hardness of 50A using durometer A.

Combined direct regeneration protocols in tissue culture of different cumin genotypes based on pre-existing meristems

Rapid and genotype-independent protocols for two direct in vitro morphogenesis pathways including direct shoot organogenesis from embryo and direct shoot proliferation from node have been developed in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.). Direct regenerations occurring without passing callus phase are important since fewer somaclonal variation and genotype-dependency are likely to arise from these methods in comparison with regenerations trough callus. After embryo culture, shoots with single-cellular origin were regenerated from the meristematic zone of embryo without any intermediate callus phase. In contrast, proliferated shoots with multi-cellular origin were directly regenerated from the axillary buds (meristems) of node explants. Effects of different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), alpha-Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA) and Indole-3-kcetic Acid (IAA) on B5 medium of embryo and node cultures as well as subculture were studied in detail. In direct organogenesis pathway from embryo explant, 0.1 mg L(-1) NAA + 1 mg L(-1) IAA resulted the highest shoot regeneration response (89.5 shoots per regenerated explant), whereas 0.1 mg L(-1) BAP + 1 mg L(-1) NAA was the most effective combination in direct shoot proliferation from node explant (42 shoots per regenerated explant). BAP (cytokinin) revealed the inhibitory effect on induction of direct shoot organogenesis pathway from embryo explant, while low concentration of BAP (0.1 mg L(-1)) had positive effect on direct shoot proliferation pathway from node explant. Subculturing was not necessary for shoot multiplication and elongation in embryo culture, whereas multiplication and elongation of shoots in node culture were associated to subculture on growth regulator-free medium. In other part of study, the behavior of different cumin genotypes in direct regeneration pathways was studied. Both direct organogenesis and direct proliferation pathways were applicable to different cumin genotypes and regenerated plants were phenotypically normal. This study supports the feasibility of combined direct regenerations protocols from embryo and node of cumin in germplasm conservation by in vitro cloning and genetic improvement programs.

Comparative studies on pyrimidine metabolism in excised cotyledons of Pinus radiata during shoot formation in vitro

Changes in the pattern of pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism were investigated in Pinus radiata cotyledons cultured under shoot-forming (SF; +N(6)-benzyladenine) and non-shoot-forming (NSF, -N(6)-benzyladenine) conditions, as well as in cotyledons unresponsive (OLD) to N(6)-benzyladenine. This was carried out by following the metabolic fate of externally supplied (14)C-labeled orotic acid, intermediate of the de novo pathway, and (14)C-labeled uridine and uracil, substrates of the salvage pathway. Nucleic acid synthesis was also investigated by following the metabolic fate of (14)C-labeled thymidine during shoot bud formation and development. The de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides was operative under both SF and NSF conditions, and the activity of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT), a key enzyme of the de novo pathway, was higher in SF tissue. Utilization of both uridine and uracil for nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis clearly indicated that the salvage pathway of pyrimidine metabolism is also operative during shoot organogenesis. In general, uridine was a better substrate for the synthesis of salvage products than uracil, possibly due to the higher activity of uridine kinase (UK), compared to uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT). Incorporation of uridine into the nucleic acid fraction of OLD cotyledons was lower than that observed for their responsive (day 0) counterparts. Similarly, uracil utilization for nucleic acid synthesis was lower in NSF cotyledons, compared to that observed for SF tissue after 10 days in culture. This difference was ascribed to higher UPRT activity measured in the latter. Thus, there was an apparent difference in the utilization of nucleotides derived from uracil and uridine for nucleotide synthesis. The increased ability to produce pyrimidine nucleotides via the salvage pathway during shoot bud formation may be required in support of nucleic acid synthesis occurring during the process. Studies on thymidine metabolism confirmed this notion.

High frequency early in vitro flowering of Dendrobium Madame Thong-In (Orchidaceae)

We have successfully developed a method to induce early in vitro flowering of the self-pollinated seedlings of a tropical orchid hybrid, Dendrobium Madame Thong-In. Transition of vegetative shoot apical meristem to inflorescence meristem was observed when young protocorms were cultured in modified KC liquid medium. In contrast, protocorms cultured on Gelrite-solidified medium only produced axillary shoots and roots. CW was required to trigger the transitional shoot apical meristem and BA enhanced inflorescence stalk initiation and flower bud formation. However, normal flower development was deformed in liquid medium but developed fully upon transferring to two-layered (liquid over Gelrite-solidified) medium. Under optimal condition, in vitro flowering was observed about 5 months after seed sowing. Segregation of flower colours was observed in these seedlings and seedpods formed upon artificial pollination of the in vitro flowers.

Ethylene influences green plant regeneration from barley callus

The plant hormone ethylene is involved in numerous plant processes including in vitro growth and regeneration. Manipulating ethylene in vitro may be useful for increasing plant regeneration from cultured cells. As part of ongoing efforts to improve plant regeneration from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), we investigated ethylene emanation using our improved system and investigated methods of manipulating ethylene to increase regeneration. In vitro assays of regeneration from six cultivars, involving 10 weeks of callus initiation and proliferation followed by 8 weeks of plant regeneration, showed a correlation between regeneration and ethylene production: ethylene production was highest from 'Golden Promise', the best regenerator, and lowest from 'Morex' and 'DH-20', the poorest regenerators. Increasing ethylene production by addition of 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) during weeks 8-10 increased regeneration from Morex. In contrast, adding ACC to Golden Promise cultures during any of the tissue culture steps reduced regeneration, suggesting that Golden Promise may produce more ethylene than needed for maximum regeneration rates. Blocking ethylene action with silver nitrate during weeks 5-10 almost doubled the regeneration from Morex and increased the Golden Promise regeneration 1.5-fold. Silver nitrate treatment of Golden Promise cultures during weeks 8-14 more than doubled the green plant regeneration. These results indicate that differential ethylene production is related to regeneration in the improved barley tissue culture system. Specific manipulations of ethylene were identified that can be used to increase the green plant regeneration from barley cultivars. The timing of ethylene action appears to be critical for maximum regeneration.

In vitro propagation of an endangered medicinal plant Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir

An efficient micropropagation system for Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir., an endangered Chinese medicinal plant, has been developed. Shoot organogenesis occurred from S. involucrata leaf explants inoculated on medium with appropriate supplements of plant growth regulators. 66.0% of shoot regeneration frequency and 5.2 shoots per leaf explant were achieved when cultured on a medium containing 10 microM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2.5 microM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Shoot organogenesis was improved further when the leaf explants were pre-incubated at low temperature, and 80.6% of shoot regeneration frequency was recorded with 9.3 shoots per leaf explant at 4 degrees C by 5-day pretreatment period. Up to 87.0% of the regenerated shoots formed complete plantlets on a medium containing 2.5 microM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) within 28 days, and 85.2% of the regenerated plantlets survived and grew vigorously in greenhouse condition. The phytochemical profile of the micropropagated plants was similar to that of wild plants. The regeneration protocol developed in this study provides a basis for germplasm conservation and for further investigation of medicinally active constituents of the elite medicinal plant.

An efficient, in vitro cyclic production of shoots from adult trees of Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham

An efficient, cyclic, two-step protocol for micropropagation of medicinal tree, Crataeva nurvala has been successfully developed, which can be employed at a commercial scale. Nodal explants from 30-year-old tree when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.22 microM BAP produced multiple shoots, which elongated satisfactorily on the same medium. Nodal and leaf explants from in vitro regenerated microshoots too developed shoots, thus making the process recurrent. In 6-month duration, owing to the recurring nature of the protocol, over 5400 shoots could be produced from a single nodal explant from the adult tree. Addition of casein hydrolysate significantly increased the average number of shoots per explant. Maximum number of shoots regenerated on medium supplemented with 100 mg l(-1) casein hydrolysate. Shoots could be rooted on 1/2 MS supplemented with 0.11 and 0.54 microM NAA. Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transplanted to soil.

Effect of synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on lipopolysaccharide-induced blood-brain barrier opening in rodents: Differences in response based on strains and solvents

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) reduce blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and prevent cell death. Animal models of multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia and hemorrhage, and bacterial meningitis respond to treatment with MMPIs. We have used the intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat, which induces MMP production and results in a delayed opening of the BBB, to screen MMPIs to identify therapeutic agents. We hypothesized that the mouse would respond similarly to LPS and that the mouse/LPS model of BBB damage would be more useful for screening of MMPIs. Therefore, we adapted the rat LPS model to the mouse and compared the response to LPS and treatment with MMPIs. Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and three strains of mice had stereotactic injections of LPS into the caudate. (14)C-sucrose was used to measure permeability of the BBB 24 h after injection. Initially, we tested three broad-spectrum MMPIs in the rat, BB-1101, BB-94, and BB-2293, and a MMP-2 selective inhibitor, IW449; both BB-1101 and BB-94 significantly suppressed LPS-induced BBB damage (p<0.05). In the 3 mouse strains, C57/BL6, C57/BL10, and C57/BL10HIIIR2, LPS significantly opened the BBB in C57/BL6, and it was the only strain that showed a reduction in BBB permeability with BB-94. Treatment with methylprednisolone and several broad-spectrum MMPIs, including BB-1101, was ineffective in the C57/BL6. There was a significant reduction in BBB permeability seen with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone, which was used to dissolve the selective MMP-2 and-9 inhibitor, SB-3CT. The tetracycline derivative, minocycline, reduced the BBB injury in mouse by blocking the production of MMP-9. Our results show variability in rats and mice to LPS and MMPIs, which most likely is based on genetic make-up. Understanding these differences may provide important clues that could guide selection of MMPIs in treatment of neurological diseases.

[Primary study on shapes of fruits and germination characters of seeds of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the difference of the shapes of fruits and germination characters of seeds of Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum and R. officinale.

METHOD

The seeds of three Rheum species including wild and cultivation one were collected from different regions. Character of the fruits appearance were observed. The purification, weights per thousand seeds, content of moisture, seed vigor and different germination rates of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei were measured. The germination rates of the seeds of R. palmatum were determined under different temperature and hormone treatment .

RESULT

It was markedly variant in shapes of the fruits, rates of germination and all quality characters of the three category of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei. As reported, the size of the fruit and seed and weights per thousand seeds of R. officinale was the biggest. The seed vigor and germination rate of R. palmatum caltivated in Ming county of Gangsu were 95.7% and 94% respectively. The rate of seed vigor was closely correlated with the rate of germination for other species. Results indicated that temperature had some effects on the germination, and there were obvious difference in the active effect of gibberellin, kinetin and 6-benzyl aminopurine on the germination of the seed. Our experimental results showed that the kinetin concentration of 50 x 10(-6) g x L(-1) had the most active effect, and its rates of germination increase 18 percent than the control one.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences exist in the shapes of fruits, rates of germination of the seeds of Rheum, which are affected by the factors of temperatures and hormones. The result of this study provides scientific evidences for identify, growth and cultivation of Rheum.

Rapid and non-invasive detection of plants senescence using a delayed fluorescence technique

Senescence is a phase of leaf ontogeny marked by declining photosynthetic activity that is paralleled by a decline in chloroplast function. The photosystem II in a plant is considered to be the primary site where delayed fluorescence (DF) is produced. We report here a simple, rapid, and non-invasive technique for detecting plants senescence based on quantitative measurements of DF. In the experimental study, various senescence symptoms induced by age or hormones were examined in the Catharanthus roseus L. G. Don plants. Detecting the DF emissions from leaves with a home-made DF biosensor enables DF parameters of C. roseus to be produced in a short time. Meanwhile, evaluations of leaves senescence were made from measurements of chlorophyll content, ion leakage, and net photosynthesis rate (Pn) based on the consumption of CO2 in the tested plants. The results of our investigation demonstrate that the changes in DF intensity of green plants can truly reflect the changes in photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll content during age-dependent and hormone-modulated senescence. Moreover, the DF intensity negatively correlates with ion leakage in both types of senescence. With proper calibration, DF may provide an important approach for monitoring senescence process in vivo and quantitatively evaluating senescence extent. Therefore, a DF technique could be potentially useful for less time-consuming and automated screening of the interesting mutants with genetic modifications that change the plant senescence progress.

Comparative studies on crosslinked and uncrosslinked natural rubber biodegradation by Pseudomonas sp

A comparative study on biodegradation of di-cumyl peroxide (DCP) crosslinked and uncrosslinked natural rubber by Pseudomonas sp. was carried out. Decrease in organic carbon content along with the changes in tensile strength of the treated rubber, both DCP crosslinked and uncrosslinked natural rubber, indicated rubber hydrocarbon utilization by the Pseudomonas sp. A decrease in 60.88% MPa and 41.66% MPa was observed after five month's old treated uncrosslinked natural rubber and DCP crosslinked rubber, respectively. Biodegradation was more pronounced in natural uncrosslinked rubber, which was further confirmed by the formation of aldehydic compounds with decrease in CH2 stretching frequencies.

A gain-of-function mutation in a cytokinin receptor triggers spontaneous root nodule organogenesis

Legume root nodules originate from differentiated cortical cells that reenter the cell cycle and form organ primordia. We show that perception of the phytohormone cytokinin is a key element in this switch. Mutation of a Lotus japonicus cytokinin receptor gene leads to spontaneous development of root nodules in the absence of rhizobia or rhizobial signal molecules. The mutant histidine kinase receptor has cytokinin-independent activity and activates an Escherichia coli two-component phosphorelay system in vivo. Mutant analysis shows that cytokinin signaling is required for cell divisions that initiate nodule development and defines an autoregulated process where cytokinin induction of nodule stem cells is controlled by shoots.

Molecular cloning, expression, and cytokinin (6-benzylaminopurine) antagonist activity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) lectin SL-I

Isolation and purification of a alpha-methyl-mannoside specific lectin (SL-I) of peanut was reported earlier [Singh and Das (1994) Glycoconj J 11:282-285]. Native SL-I is a glycoprotein having approximately 31 kDa subunit molecular mass and forms dimer. The gene encoding this lectin is identified from a 6-day old peanut root cDNA library by anti-SL-I antibody and N-terminal amino acid sequence homology to the native lectin. Nucleotide sequence derived amino acid sequence of the re-SL-I shows amino acid sequence homology with the N-terminal and tryptic digests' amino acid sequence of the native SL-I (nSL-I). Presence of a putative glycosylation (QNPS) site and a hydrophobic adenine-binding (VLVSYDANS) site is also identified in SL-I. Homology modeling of the lectin suggests it to be an archetype of legume lectins. It is expressed as a approximately 30 kDa apoprotein in E. coli and has the carbohydrate specificity and secondary structure identical to its natural counterpart. The lectin SL-I inhibits cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BA)-induced "delayed leaf senescence" and "cotyledon expansion". Equilibrium dialysis revealed a single high-affinity binding site for adenine (7.6 x 10(-6 )M) and BA (1.09 x 10(-5 )M) in the SL-I dimer and thus suggesting that the cytokinin antagonist effect of SL-I is mediated by the direct interaction of SL-I with BA.

Synthesis of a benzyl-protected analog of arenarioside, a trisaccharide phenylpropanoid glycoside

A benzyl-protected analog of the phenylpropanoid glycoside arenarioside, (4-benzyloxyphenyl)ethyl alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-4-O-[(E)-3,4-di-O-benzyl-caffeoyl]-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (22), was synthesized through two different routes from D-glucose. This is the first approach on the synthesis of a trisaccharide phenylpropanoid glycoside, although the benzyl-protecting group in the backbone of the arenarioside analog could not be removed by conventional debenzylation procedures.