Identification of a new R3 MYB type repressor and functional characterization of the members of the MBW transcriptional complex involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant (S. melongena L.)

Here we focus on the highly conserved MYB-bHLH-WD repeat (MBW) transcriptional complex model in eggplant, which is pivotal in the transcriptional regulation of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Through a genome-wide approach performed on the recently released Eggplant Genome (cv. 67/3) previously identified, and reconfirmed by us, members belonging to the MBW complex (SmelANT1, SmelAN2, SmelJAF13, SmelAN1) were functionally characterized. Furthermore, a regulatory R3 MYB type repressor (SmelMYBL1), never reported before, was identified and characterized as well. Through a qPCR approach, we revealed specific transcriptional patterns of candidate genes in different plant tissue/organs at two stages of fruit development. Two strategies were adopted for investigating the interactions of bHLH partners (SmelAN1, SmelJAF13) with MYB counterparts (SmelANT1, SmelAN2 and SmelMYBL1): Yeast Two Hybrid (Y2H) and Bimolecular Fluorescent Complementation (BiFC) in A. thaliana mesophylls protoplast. Agro-infiltration experiments highlighted that N. benthamiana leaves transiently expressing SmelANT1 and SmelAN2 showed an anthocyanin-pigmented phenotype, while their co-expression with SmelMYBL1 prevented anthocyanin accumulation. Our results suggest that SmelMYBL1 may inhibits the MBW complex via the competition with MYB activators for bHLH binding site, although this hypothesis requires further elucidation.

Embryology of the urinary tract and prenatal diagnosis of congenital obstructive anomalies

Fetal malformations within the urinary tract are frequently detected during sonographic examination in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Detection has been facilitated by a continued evolution of new technological equipment and by increased knowledge regarding the existence of direct sonographic patterns (kidneys) and/or indirect sonographic patterns (amniotic fluid volume). A wide range of variability and severity of such malformations has been noted, from the so-called "functional" types which disappear spontaneously after birth, to those requiring postnatal surgery, as well as those with fatal prognosis. Due to the complexity of the embryological development of the fetal urinary system, the pathogenesis of such malformations is still not well known. The main stages of development of the urinary tract in the embryo were studied in 156 cases involving urinary tract obstructions. Follow-up was strictly adhered to until the postnatal outcome. Sonographic patterns representative of this pathology were studied in order to verify if a correct diagnosis and an accurate definition of the prognosis could be arrived at using the data.