Cytokinin action in response to abiotic and biotic stresses in plants

The phytohormone cytokinin was originally discovered as a regulator of cell division. Later, it was described to be involved in regulating numerous processes in plant growth and development including meristem activity, tissue patterning, and organ size. More recently, diverse functions for cytokinin in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses have been reported. Cytokinin is required for the defence against high light stress and to protect plants from a novel type of abiotic stress caused by an altered photoperiod. Additionally, cytokinin has a role in the response to temperature, drought, osmotic, salt, and nutrient stress. Similarly, the full response to certain plant pathogens and herbivores requires a functional cytokinin signalling pathway. Conversely, different types of stress impact cytokinin homeostasis. The diverse functions of cytokinin in responses to stress and crosstalk with other hormones are described. Its emerging roles as a priming agent and as a regulator of growth-defence trade-offs are discussed.

ERF105 is a transcription factor gene of Arabidopsis thaliana required for freezing tolerance and cold acclimation

Understanding the response to cold temperature stress is relevant for both basic biology and application. Here we report on ERF105, which is a novel cold-regulated transcription factor gene of Arabidopsis that makes a significant contribution to freezing tolerance and cold acclimation. The expression of cold-responsive genes in erf105 mutants suggests that its action is linked to the CBF regulon mediating cold responses.

The generation of a humanized, non-mitogenic CD3 monoclonal antibody which retains in vitro immunosuppressive properties

CD3 antibodies are proven immunosuppressants capable of reversing transplant rejection episodes. Their general application has been limited both by their immunogenicity and, in particular, by the "first-dose" cytokine-release syndrome experienced by patients after the initial administration of antibody. We have produced a set of variants of the humanized YTH 12.5 CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (Routledge et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 1991. 21: 2717) bearing different human heavy (H) chain constant regions, with the intention of finding a form of the antibody that is not able to activate T cells. Comparison of the variants having gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3 and gamma 4 H chains in a competitive binding assay showed that antibody avidity was not affected by IgG subclass. Using a sensitive indicator of FcR binding activity (the capacity of the CD3 mAb to redirect cytotoxic T cells to kill the monocytic cell line U-937) we demonstrated a functional hierarchy of gamma 1 = gamma 4 > alpha 2 =/> gamma 3 mb >> gamma 2. An aglycosyl version of the gamma 1 CD3 mAb, produced by site-directed mutagenesis (Asn297 to Ala), still had considerable activity in this assay (intermediate to the gamma 1 and alpha 2 CD3 mAb), albeit at a level approximately 10-fold lower than that of the parental gamma 1 form. When we tested their ability to stimulate T cell proliferation in vitro in the presence of 5% human serum, all of the wild-type immunoglobulin isotypes were found to be active, although there were T cell donor-dependent variations in the extent of the responses. The aglycosyl gamma 1 mAb was, however, completely non-mitogenic in all of ten donors tested, unless the assay was performed in IgG-free medium. Despite being non-stimulatory, this mAb was also able to inhibit the mixed lymphocyte reaction responses of both naive and primed T cells. Comparison of the gamma 1 and aglycosyl gamma 1 mAb in an experimental mouse model for CD3 mAb-induced cytokine release indicated that removal of the carbohydrate moiety from the gamma 1 constant region reduced the in vivo tumor necrosis factor-alpha response by a factor of at least 16-fold. These data suggest that the aglycosyl gamma 1 CD3 mAb is a promising candidate for immunosuppressive therapy without "first dose" side effects.