bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of Mini1, a gene regulating rice shoot development
Authors: Fang Yunxia , Hu Jiang , Xu Jie , Yu Haiping , Shi Zhenyuan , Xiong Guosheng , Zhu Li , Zeng Dali , Zhang Guangheng , Gao Zhenyu , Dong Guojun , Yan Meixian , Guo Longbiao , Wang Yonghong , Qian Qian 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe aerial parts of higher plants are generated from the shoot apical meristem (SAM). In this study, we isolated a small rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant that showed premature termination of shoot development and was named mini rice 1 (mini1). The mutant was first isolated from a japonica cultivar Zhonghua11 (ZH11) subjected to ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) treatment. With bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and map‐based cloning method, Mini1 gene was finally fine‐mapped to an interval of 48.6 kb on chromosome 9. Sequence analyses revealed a single base substitution from G to A was found in the region, which resulted in an amino acid change from Gly to Asp. The candidate gene Os09g0363900 was predicted to encode a putative adhesion of calyx edges protein ACE (putative HOTHEAD precursor) and genetic complementation experiment confirmed the identity of Mini1. Os09g0363900 contains glucose‐methanol‐choline (GMC) oxidoreductase and NAD(P)‐binding Rossmann‐like domain, and exhibits high similarity to Arabidopsis HOTHEAD (HTH). Expression analysis indicated Mini1 was highly expressed in young shoots but lowly in roots and the expression level of most genes involved in auxin biosynthesis and signal transduction were reduced in mutant. We conclude that Mini1 plays an important role in maintaining SAM activity and promoting shoot development in rice.
SVCT2 transporter expression is post‐natally induced in cortical neurons and its function is regulated by its short isoform
Authors: Salazar Katterine , Cerda Gustavo , Martínez Fernando , Sarmiento José M. , González Carlos , Rodríguez Federico , García‐Robles María , Tapia Juan Carlos , Cifuentes Manuel , Nualart Francisco 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDifferent studies have demonstrated the importance of micronutrients, such as vitamins, for normal adult brain function and development. Vitamin C is not synthesized in the brain, but high levels are detected in this organ because of the existence of specific uptake mechanisms, which concentrate ascorbic acid from the bloodstream to the cerebrospinal fluid and then into neurons and glial cells. Two different isoforms of sodium–vitamin C cotransporters (SVCT1 and SVCT2) have been cloned. SVCT2 expression has been observed in the adult hippocampus and cortical neurons by in situ hybridization. In addition, the localization of SVCT2 in the rat fetal brain has been studied by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, demonstrating that SVCT2 is highly expressed in the ventricular and subventricular areas of the brain cortex. However, there are currently no immunohistochemical data regarding SVCT2 expression and function in the post‐natal brain. Therefore, we analyzed SVCT2 expression in the developing brain cortex of mice, and demonstrated an increase in SVCT2 mRNA in mice at 1–15 days of age. The expression of a short isoform, SVCT2sh, was also detected within the same period. SVCT2 expression was concentrated in neurons within the inner layer of the brain cortex. Both SVCT2 isoforms were coexpressed in N2a cells to obtain functional data. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis revealed a molecular interaction between SVCT2wt and SVCT2sh. Finally, differences in transport ratios suggested that SVCT2sh expression inhibited ascorbic acid uptake in N2a cells when both isoforms were coexpressed.image
The sodium–vitamin C cotransporter, SVCT2, is induced in neurons within the inner layer of the brain cortex during post‐natal development, mainly in pyramidal cortex neurons. Two different isoforms, SVCT2wt and SVCT2sh, were detected. Using in vitro studies, we suggest a molecular interaction between SVCT2wt and SVCT2sh, which may regulate the affinity of vitamin C uptake.
Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase activity in Neuro‐2a neuroblastoma cells: changes in expression associated with neuronal differentiation
Authors: Gómez‐Villafuertes Rosa , Pintor Jesús , Miras‐Portugal María Teresa , Gualix Javier 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNeuro‐2a (N2a) neuroblastoma cells display an ectoenzymatic hydrolytic activity capable of degrading diadenosine polyphosphates. The ApnA‐cleaving activity has been analysed with the use of the fluorogenic compound BODIPY® FL guanosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) thioester. Hydrolysis of this dinucleotide analogue showed a hyperbolic kinetic with a Km value of 4.9 ± 1.3 μM. Diadenosine pentaphosphate, diadenosine tetraphosphate, diadenosine triphosphate, and the nucleoside monophosphate AMP behaved as an inhibitor of BODIPY® FL guanosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) thioester extracellular degradation. Ectoenzymatic activity shared the typical characteristics of the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family, as hydrolysis reached maximal activity at alkaline pH and was dependent on the presence of divalent cations, being strongly inhibited by EDTA and activated by Zn2+ ions. Both NPP1 and NPP3 isozymes are expressed in N2a cells, their expression levels substantially changing when cells differentiate into a neuronal‐like phenotype. In this sense, it is relevant to point the expression pattern of the NPP3 protein, whose levels were drastically reduced in the differentiated cells, being almost completely absent after 24 h of differentiation. Enzymatic activity assays carried out with differentiated N2a cells showed that NPP1 is the main isozyme involved in the extracellular degradation of dinucleotides in these cells, this enzyme reducing its activity and changing its subcellular location following neuronal differentiation.
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We described the presence of an ectoenzymatic activity able to hydrolyse diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA) in N2a cells. This activity displays biochemical features that are typical of the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (E‐NPP) family members, as demonstrated by the use of the fluorogenic compound BODIPY‐FL‐GTPγS. Both NPP1 and NPP3 ectoenzymes are expressed in N2a cells, their levels dramatically changing when cells differentiate into a neuronal‐like phenotype. Activity assays in differentiated cells showed that the ApnA‐hydrolytic activity largely depends on the NPP1 isozyme.
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α mediates up‐regulation of neprilysin by histone deacetylase‐1 under hypoxia condition in neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Wang Hecheng , Sun Miao , Yang Huan , Tian Xiaosheng , Tong Yawei , Zhou Ting , Zhang Tao , Fu Yaoyun , Guo Xiangyang , Fan Dongsheng , Yu Albert , Fan Ming , Wu Xuefei , Xiao Weizhong , Chui Dehua 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1 is the key transcriptional activator mediating both adaptive and pathological responses to hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to find the role of HIF‐1 in regulating neprilysin (NEP) at the early stage of hypoxia and explore the underlying mechanism. In this study, we demonstrated that both NEP mRNA and protein levels in neuroblastoma cells were elevated in early stages of hypoxia. Over‐expression of HIF‐1α gene increased NEP mRNA/protein levels, as well as enzyme activity while knockdown of HIF‐1α decreased them. Meanwhile, HIF‐1α was shown to bind to histone deacetylase (HDAC)‐1 and reduced the association of HDAC‐1 with NEP promoter, thus activating NEP gene transcription in a de‐repression way. In summary, our results indicated that hypoxia in the early stages would up‐regulate NEP expression, in which interaction of HIF‐1α and HDAC‐1 may play a role. This study suggested that NEP up‐regulation might be an adaptive response to hypoxia, which was mediated by HIF‐1α binding to HDAC‐1 at the early stage of hypoxia.
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HIF‐1 binded to and disassociated HDAC‐1 from NEP promoter, activating NEP gene expression at early stage of hypoxia. HDAC‐1 protein level was elevated at late stage of hypoxia that exceeded the binding capacity of HIF‐1 to prevent association of HDAC‐1 from NEP promoter, leading to suppression of NEP.
Differential protein–protein interactions of LRRK1 and LRRK2 indicate roles in distinct cellular signaling pathways
Authors: Reyniers Lauran , Del Giudice Maria Grazia , Civiero Laura , Belluzzi Elisa , Lobbestael Evy , Beilina Alexandra , Arrigoni Giorgio , Derua Rita , Waelkens Etienne , Li Yan , Crosio Claudia , Iaccarino Ciro , Cookson Mark R. , Baekelandt Veerle , Greggio Elisa , Taymans Jean‐Marc 
Published: June 2014

AbstractGenetic studies show that LRRK2, and not its closest paralogue LRRK1, is linked to Parkinson's disease. To gain insight into the molecular and cellular basis of this discrepancy, we searched for LRRK1‐ and LRRK2‐specific cellular processes by identifying their distinct interacting proteins. A protein microarray‐based interaction screen was performed with recombinant 3xFlag‐LRRK1 and 3xFlag‐LRRK2 and, in parallel, co‐immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry was performed from SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines stably expressing 3xFlag‐LRRK1 or 3xFlag‐LRRK2. We identified a set of LRRK1‐ and LRRK2‐specific as well as common interactors. One of our most prominent findings was that both screens pointed to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) as a LRRK1‐specific interactor, while 14‐3‐3 proteins were LRRK2‐specific. This is consistent with phosphosite mapping of LRRK1, revealing phosphosites outside of 14‐3‐3 consensus binding motifs. To assess the functional relevance of these interactions, SH‐SY5Y‐LRRK1 and ‐LRRK2 cell lines were treated with LRRK2 kinase inhibitors that disrupt 14‐3‐3 binding, or with EGF, an EGF‐R agonist. Redistribution of LRRK2, not LRRK1, from diffuse cytoplasmic to filamentous aggregates was observed after inhibitor treatment. Similarly, EGF induced translocation of LRRK1, but not of LRRK2, to endosomes. Our study confirms that LRRK1 and LRRK2 can carry out distinct functions by interacting with different cellular proteins.
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LRRK1 and LRRK2 (leucine‐rich repeat kinase) interaction partners were identified by two different protein‐protein interaction screens. These confirmed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGR‐R) as a LRRK1‐specific interactor, while 14‐3‐3 proteins were LRRK2‐specific. Functional analysis of these interactions and the pathways they mediate shows that LRRK1 and LRRK2 signaling do not intersect, reflective of the differential role of both LRRKs in Parkinson's disease.
A functional variant in the 5′‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter gene is associated with increased body weight and locomotor activity
Authors: Phi‐van Loc , Holtz Marlis , Kjaer Joergen B. , van Phi Valerie D. , Zimmermann Katrin 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this study, we identified a polymorphism in the 5′‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) gene. Sequencing analysis revealed that in comparison with the wild‐type variant (W), a deleted variant (D) is generated by deletion of four nucleotides (5′‐AATT‐3′) and a single nucleotide change (A→T). Using a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system, we found that the 360‐bp DNA fragment containing the W variant with the wild‐type sequence 5′‐AATTAATT‐3′ shows intrinsic DNA curvature while the 356‐bp fragment containing the D variant lacking the four base pairs AATT is not curved. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR and ELISA demonstrated that the expression of 5‐HTT in D/D chickens was higher than that in W/W and W/D chickens. In addition, transient transfection experiments with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene constructs revealed increased 5‐HTT promoter activity mediated by the D variant and a silencer activity of the W variant. Interestingly, females and males with D/D genotype showed significant greater increase in body weight from 6 weeks and 16 weeks of age, respectively, and higher body mass index. Moreover, we found that D/D chickens of both genders were physically more active than W/W and W/D chickens.imageWe identified a polymorphism in the 5'‐flanking region of the chicken serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) gene. The expression of 5‐HTT in D/D chickens was higher than that in W/W and W/D chickens. D/D females showed significant greater increase in body weight from 6 weeks of age, higher body mass index and higher content of intra‐abdominal fat. The presence of D/D alleles resulted in increase in physical activity.
Localization of RANK, RANKL and osteoprotegerin during healing of surgically created periodontal defects in sheep
Authors: Baharuddin N. A. , Coates D. E. , Cullinan M. , Seymour G. , Duncan W. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectiveModeling of periodontal bone regeneration in a large animal enables better examination of the spatial and temporal regulation of osteogenesis and the remodeling of the healing defect. RANK, RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are known to be important regulators of bone healing. The aim of this study was to create periodontal defects surgically in a large animal model and to examine bone regeneration and the expression of RANK, RANKL and OPG proteins in the defect site during bone regeneration.Material and MethodsPeriodontal defects were made in the furcation of the second mandibular premolar of sheep. Wound healing was examined 6 h, and 1, 4 and 6 wk after surgery and in control tissue. The teeth and defect region were decalcified and paraffin embedded. Immunohistochemistry for RANK, RANKL and OPG was conducted. Osteoclasts were identified using TRAP staining.ResultsThe defects were examined at different time points after surgery and by 6 wk the defect region had fully regenerated with new bone, albeit less dense than that in the unwounded controls. RANK‐positive osteoclasts were present at the edge of the wound from week 1 and were found within the defect at week 6, corresponding to osteoclast activation and bone remodeling. RANKL staining increased from week 1 compared with unwounded tissue, and peaked at 4 and 6 wk, as the osteoblast numbers increased. At the same time, OPG immunostaining was high in controls and at week 6, suggesting that it may act to block RANKL and control the bone remodeling within the defect.ConclusionDistinctive temporal and spatial expression patterns for RANK, RANKL and OPG proteins were observed during healing of surgically created periodontal wounds in a sheep model. The research identifies possible therapeutic approaches to periodontal bone repair via modulation of these members of the tumor necrosis factor family.
Mechanical induction of interleukin‐11 regulates osteoblastic/cementoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Monnouchi S. , Maeda H. , Yuda A. , Hamano S. , Wada N. , Tomokiyo A. , Koori K. , Sugii H. , Serita S. , Akamine A. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectiveThe periodontal ligament (PDL) is continually exposed to mechanical loading caused by mastication or occlusion. Physiological loading is thus considered a key regulator of PDL tissue homeostasis; however, it remains unclear how this occurs. We recently reported that an appropriate magnitude of mechanical stretch can maintain PDL tissue homeostasis via the renin–angiotensin system. In the present study, we investigated the expression of interleukin‐11 (IL‐11) in human primary PDL cells (HPDLCs) exposed to stretch loading, the contribution of angiotensin II (Ang II) to this event and the effects of IL‐11 on osteoblastic/cementoblastic differentiation of human PDL progenitor cells (cell line 1‐17).Material and MethodsHuman primary PDL cells, derived from human tissues, with or without antagonists against the Ang II receptors AT1 or AT2, were subjected to cyclical stretch loading with 8% elongation for 1 h. Expression of IL‐11 was measured by ELISA in these cultures and by immunohistochemistry in the sectioned maxillae of rats. The osteoblastic/cementoblastic potential of cell line 1‐17 was determined using cell proliferation, gene expression and Alizarin Red staining.ResultsPositive staining for IL‐11 was observed in the PDL of rat maxillae and in cultures of HPDLCs. In HPDLCs exposed to stretch, expression of the IL11 gene and the IL‐11 protein were up‐regulated, concomitant with an increase in Ang II and via AT2. Recombinant human IL‐11 (rhIL‐11) stimulated an increase in expression of mRNA for the cementoblast‐specific marker, CP‐23, and for the osteoblastic markers, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein, and promoted proliferation in cell line 1‐17. In addition, rhIL‐11 also increased the degree of mineralized nodule formation in cell line 1‐17 cultures treated with CaCl2.ConclusionMechanical loading appears to control proliferation and osteoblastic/cementoblastic differentiation of human PDL stem/progenitor cells through the regulation of Ang II and AT2 by IL‐11.
Synthetic hexaploid wheat enhances variation and adaptive evolution of bread wheat in breeding processes
Authors: LI Jun , WAN Hong‐Shen , YANG Wu‐Yun 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSynthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW) that combines novel and elite genes from the tetraploid wheat Triticum turgidum L. and wild ancestor Aegilops tauschii Coss., has been used to genetically improve hexaploid common wheat. The abundant genetic diversity in SHW can effectively make breakthroughs in wheat genetic improvement through the inclusion of increased variation. In this paper, we reviewed the current advances in research and utilization of the primary SHW lines and SHW‐derived wheat varieties that have enhanced evolution of modern wheat under conditions of natural and artificial selection in southwestern China. Using primary SHW lines, four high‐yielding wheat varieties have been developed. In addition, using the SHW‐derived varieties as breeding parents, 12 new wheat varieties were also developed. Results of genotype–phenotype and fingerprint analysis showed that the introgressed alleles from SHW lines have contributed a great number of elite characters to the new wheat varieties, and these elite characters include disease resistance, more spikes per plant, more grains per spike, larger grains, and higher grain‐yield potential. We found that the primary SHW lines and SHW‐derived varieties have identifiable effects to enhance genetic variation and adaptive evolution of modern hexaploid wheat, which significantly increased the grain yields of hexaploid wheat in recent years. These findings have significant implications in the breeding of high‐yielding wheat varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses using SHW as genetic resources.
Evolution of the cyclin gene family in plants
Authors: JIA Rui‐Dong , GUO Chun‐Ce , XU Gui‐Xia , SHAN Hong‐Yan , KONG Hong‐Zhi 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCyclins are key regulators of cell cycle progression. Previous studies have shown that cyclin genes in plants can be divided into 10 groups. However, because those studies only focused on genes from two well‐known model plants (i.e., Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Oryza sativa L.), it remains unclear whether the 10 groups are reasonably defined. In this study, by analyzing the genomes of 10 representative plants (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii P. A. Dang, Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp., Selaginella moellendorffii Hieron., Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., Amborella trichopoda Baill., A. thaliana, Populus trichocarpa Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook., Vitis vinifera L., O. sativa, and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), we estimated the phylogenetic relationships of plant cyclins and investigated their evolutionary patterns. We confirmed that plant cyclins can be classified into 10 groups, although only eight ancestral genes may have existed in the most recent common ancestor of extant green plants. We also found that, due to the frequent occurrences of gene duplication events, several groups have expanded extensively in seed plants and, particularly, flowering plants, so that multiple genes belonging to different subgroups are present in a species. Reconciliation of the evolutionary histories of these groups and subgroups further led to the identification of evolutionarily highly conserved and rapidly duplicating gene lineages. These results will guide the classification and nomenclature of plant cyclins and help understand the conservativeness and variation in their functions.
Comparative analysis of Stowaway‐like miniature inverted repeat transposable elements in wheat group 7 chromosomes: Abundance, composition, and evolution
Authors: LU Yun‐Ze , WANG Le , YUE Hong , WANG Meng‐Xing , DENG Ping‐Chuan , EDWARDS David , WEINING Song 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMiniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are the most ubiquitous transposable elements in eukaryotic genomes; they play a prominent role in sequence divergence and genome evolution. There are many well‐characterized Stowaway‐like MITE families in wheat, but their distribution, abundance, and composition at the chromosome level are still not well understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the Stowaway‐like MITEs in wheat group 7 chromosomes based on the survey sequences of isolated wheat chromosomes, to compare them at the chromosome level and to reveal their evolutionary role on wheat polyploidization. In summary, 2026 MITEs were identified, of which 587, 714, and 725 were distributed on 7A, 7B, and 7D chromosomes, respectively. There are more MITEs present on 7D, compared to 7A and 7B, suggesting A and B subgenomes eliminated some repetitive elements during two hybridization processes. Furthermore, some chromosome/arm‐specific MITEs were also identified, providing information on the function and evolution of MITEs in wheat genomes. The sequence diversity of the MITE insertions was also investigated. This study for the first time investigated the abundance and composition of MITEs at the chromosome level, which will be beneficial to improve our understanding of the distribution of wheat MITEs and their evolutionary role in polyploidization.
Uterine and Placental Expression of Canine Oxytocin Receptor During Pregnancy and Normal and Induced Parturition
Authors: Gram A , Boos A , Kowalewski MP 
Published: June 2014

ContentsOxytocin (OT) plays an important role as an inducer of uterine contractility, acting together with its receptor (OTR) to increase synthesis of prostaglandins. Although OT is commonly used in the treatment for dystocia and uterine inertia in the bitch, little attention has been paid to the role of OT in mechanisms regulating parturition in the dog, so that knowledge about the expression of OTR in the canine uterus and placenta is sparse. Consequently, the expression and cellular localization of OTR were investigated in canine utero/placental compartments and interplacental sites throughout pregnancy and at normal and antigestagen‐induced parturition, by real‐time PCR, immunohistochemistry, western blot and in situ hybridization. The utero/placental and interplacental expression of OTR was constant from pre‐implantation until mid‐gestation, with a significant increase observed at prepartum luteolysis. In antigestagen‐treated mid‐pregnant dogs, OTR was upregulated in both interplacental and utero/placental samples. Besides clear myometrial signals, cellular localization of OTR was evident in the endometrial surface epithelial, stromal and vascular endothelial cells. Weaker signals were observed in superficial and deep uterine glandular epithelial cells. Placental OTR was localized in maternal decidual cells and capillary pericytes. Finally, OTR was colocalized with the progesterone receptor (PGR) in maternal decidual cells, coinciding with previously reported increased availability of prostaglandins in the foetal part of the placenta during normal and induced parturition. These findings suggest involvement of OTR in the signalling cascade leading to the prepartum release of prostaglandins from the pregnant canine uterus.