Theoretical analysis of lethal factors in plant populations

In this article, we are interested in the problem of the existence of a few linkage groups in which lethal infertile genes associated with yield factors are present. This hypothesis is supported by the finding of natural balanced lethal systems, which keep a short heterotic chromosome segment. It is very important to predict the number of generations that a balanced lethal system maintains in its linkage, in order to get a permanent heterozygosis without any problem with recombination. For theoretical analysis we have used the theory of absorbing Markov chains, discrete in space and time, because this is well suited to crops like barley. It results from studying some experimental data obtained by Ewald A. Favret in the CICA, INTA, Castelar, Argentina.     

Biochemical analysis of force-sensitive responses using a large-scale cell stretch device

Physical force has emerged as a key regulator of tissue homeostasis, and plays an important role in embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and disease progression. Currently, the details of protein interactions under elevated physical stress are largely missing, therefore, preventing the fundamental, molecular understanding of mechano-transduction. This is in part due to the difficulty isolating large quantities of cell lysates exposed to force-bearing conditions for biochemical analysis. We designed a simple, easy-to-fabricate, large-scale cell stretch device for the analysis of force-sensitive cell responses. Using proximal biotinylation (BioID) analysis or phospho-specific antibodies, we detected force-sensitive biochemical changes in cells exposed to prolonged cyclic substrate stretch. For example, using promiscuous biotin ligase BirA* tagged α-catenin, the biotinylation of myosin IIA increased with stretch, suggesting the close proximity of myosin IIA to α-catenin under a force bearing condition. Furthermore, using phospho-specific antibodies, Akt phosphorylation was reduced upon stretch while Src phosphorylation was unchanged. Interestingly, phosphorylation of GSK3β, a downstream effector of Akt pathway, was also reduced with stretch, while the phosphorylation of other Akt effectors was unchanged. These data suggest that the Akt-GSK3β pathway is force-sensitive. This simple cell stretch device enables biochemical analysis of force-sensitive responses and has potential to uncover molecules underlying mechano-transduction.     

Differential Accumulation of Translatable mRNA Species During a Specific Host-pathogen Interaction Between Puccinia recondita tritici and Triticum aestivum

The time-course of mRNA induction in specific cultivar-race combinations was examined using a criss-cross interaction system consisting of nearly isogenic lines of wheat (Sinvalocho M.A. and Gamma 1R) and genetically related pathogenic races of leaf rust Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici . Infection stimulated the differential accumulation of mRNA species, identified by in vitro translation, after only three days of inoculation with rust spores. Comparisons of different host-pathogen combinations showed polypeptide pattern changes likely to be associated with gene-for-gene relationships. At least two specific mRNAs which code for polypeptide bands of 34 and 24 kDa are associated with the compatible interaction mediated by genes A₁,/A₂ from Gamma 1R wheat line and virulence gene p_t/p₂ of rust race FO₁. Comparisons made using a mutant clone of rust, which elicits an inverse criss-cross relationship with the same wheat lines, are consistent with the proposed specificity of the detected changes.
In addition, two wheat mRNAs (coding for polypeptide bands of 20.5 and 32.5 kDa) were elicited by infection with rust race FO₁ regardless the plant genotype or reaction type. A cDNA clone involved in this kind of race specific induction has been isolated.     

Antibiotic decontamination of the dog and its consequences.

An isolation-decontamination regimen was developed which effectively reduced the numbers of resident flora of the dog. Bacterial counts in four dogs before treatment were 3.8 X 10(9) per gram of feces; no organisms were detectable in these same dogs after treatment, however, the intestinal flora had returned to slightly above normal levels 1 week after treatment. Decontamination was accomplished in a laminar air flow system designed to minimize the area that had to be under controlled conditions. By determining the antibiotic sensitivities of 67 isolated organisms representing eight species or groups of bacteria recovered from the four dogs, a standardized antibiotic regimen was developed consisting of bacitracin and neomycin administered as a dry powder in the food. The decontamination treatment apparently did not affect host metabolism because no alterations in serum levels of urea nitrogen, glucose, phosphate, total protein, chloride, sodium, potassium, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, or serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase were found in the antibiotic-treated dogs. The decontamination process did, however, reduce normal granulopoietic stimulation.     

Advances in tissue culture of adult larch

Summary This paper reviews some of the recent research on micropropagation of mature larch (Larix) trees. Different methods are reported concerning the use of the organogenic and embryogenic potential of adult plant material. Successful plant regeneration of adult larch trees by combining tissue culture methods is presented. The growth behavior of regenerated plants was compared with seedlings. Special attention was focused on preconditioning of donor material. Possible basic principles, responsible for a successful propagation of adult donor trees, are discussed. Based on a presentation at the IUFRO Meeting (Somatic Cell Genetics, and Molecular Genetics of Trees) held in Quebec City, PQ, Canada, August 12–16, 1997.