bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silencing of the Mitochondrial Ascorbate Synthesizing Enzyme l-Galactono-1,4-Lactone Dehydrogenase Affects Plant and Fruit Development in Tomato
Authors: Alhagdow Moftah , Mounet Fabien , Gilbert Louise , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Garcia Virginie , Just Daniel , Petit Johann , Beauvoit Bertrand , Fernie Alisdair R. , Rothan Christophe , Baldet Pierre 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
l-Galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.2.3) catalyzes the last step in the main pathway of vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) biosynthesis in higher plants. In this study, we first characterized the spatial and temporal expression of SlGalLDH in several organs of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants in parallel with the ascorbate content. P35S:SlgalldhRNAi silenced transgenic tomato lines were then generated using an RNAi strategy to evaluate the effect of any resulting modification of the ascorbate pool on plant and fruit development. In all P35S:SlgalldhRNAi plants with reduced SlGalLDH transcript and activity, plant growth rate was decreased. Plants displaying the most severe effects (dwarf plants with no fruit) were excluded from further analysis. The most affected lines studied exhibited up to an 80% reduction in SlGalLDH activity and showed a strong reduction in leaf and fruit size, mainly as a consequence of reduced cell expansion. This was accompanied by significant changes in mitochondrial function and altered ascorbate redox state despite the fact that the total ascorbate content remained unchanged. By using a combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches, we further demonstrated that several primary, like the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as secondary metabolic pathways related to stress response were modified in leaves and fruit of P35S:SlgalldhRNAi plants. When taken together, this work confirms the complexity of ascorbate regulation and its link with plant metabolism. Moreover, it strongly suggests that, in addition to ascorbate synthesis, GalLDH could play an important role in the regulation of cell growth-related processes in plants.
Role of the PsbI Protein in Photosystem II Assembly and Repair in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Dobáková Marika , Tichý Martin , Komenda Josef 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
The involvement of the PsbI protein in the assembly and repair of the photosystem II (PSII) complex has been studied in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Analysis of PSII complexes in the wild-type strain showed that the PsbI protein was present in dimeric and monomeric core complexes, core complexes lacking CP43, and in reaction center complexes containing D1, D2, and cytochrome b-559. In addition, immunoprecipitation experiments and the use of a histidine-tagged derivative of PsbI have revealed the presence in the thylakoid membrane of assembly complexes containing PsbI and either the precursor or mature forms of D1. Analysis of PSII assembly in the psbI deletion mutant and in strains lacking PsbI together with other PSII subunits showed that PsbI was not required for formation of PSII reaction center complexes or core complexes, although levels of unassembled D1 were reduced in its absence. However, loss of PsbI led to a dramatic destabilization of CP43 binding within monomeric and dimeric PSII core complexes. Despite the close structural relationship between D1 and PsbI in the PSII complex, PsbI turned over much slower than D1, whereas high light-induced turnover of D1 was accelerated in the absence of PsbI. Overall, our results suggest that PsbI is an early assembly partner for D1 and that it plays a functional role in stabilizing the binding of CP43 in the PSII holoenzyme.
Stable Recombinase-Mediated Cassette Exchange in Arabidopsis UsingAgrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Louwerse Jeanine D. , van Lier Miranda C.M. , van der Steen Dirk M. , de Vlaam Clementine M.T. , Hooykaas Paul J.J. , Vergunst Annette C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSite-specific integration is an attractive method for the improvement of current transformation technologies aimed at the production of stable transgenic plants. Here, we present a Cre-based targeting strategy in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) using recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) of transferred DNA (T-DNA) delivered by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The rationale for effective RMCE is the precise exchange of a genomic and a replacement cassette both flanked by two heterospecific lox sites that are incompatible with each other to prevent unwanted cassette deletion. We designed a strategy in which the coding region of a loxP/lox5171-flanked bialaphos resistance (bar) gene is exchanged for a loxP/lox5171-flanked T-DNA replacement cassette containing the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) coding region via loxP/loxP and lox5171/lox5171 directed recombination. The bar gene is driven by the strong 35S promoter, which is located outside the target cassette. This placement ensures preferential selection of RMCE events and not random integration events by expression of nptII from this same promoter. Using root transformation, during which Cre was provided on a cotransformed T-DNA, 50 kanamycin-resistant calli were selected. Forty-four percent contained a correctly exchanged cassette based on PCR analysis, indicating the stringency of the selection system. This was confirmed for the offspring of five analyzed events by Southern-blot analysis. In four of the five analyzed RMCE events, there were no additional T-DNA insertions or they easily segregated, resulting in high-efficiency single-copy RMCE events. Our approach enables simple and efficient selection of targeting events using the advantages of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
Two Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases, CPK4 and CPK11, Regulate Abscisic Acid Signal Transduction inArabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Sai-Yong , Yu Xiang-Chun , Wang Xiao-Jing , Zhao Rui , Li Yan , Fan Ren-Chun , Shang Yi , Du Shu-Yuan , Wang Xiao-Fang , Wu Fu-Qing , Xu Yan-Hong , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Zhang Da-Peng 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMany biochemical approaches show functions of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) in abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction, but molecular genetic evidence linking defined CDPK genes with ABA-regulated biological functions at the whole-plant level has been lacking. Here, we report that ABA stimulated two homologous CDPKs in Arabidopsis thaliana, CPK4 and CPK11. Loss-of-function mutations of CPK4 and CPK11 resulted in pleiotropic ABA-insensitive phenotypes in seed germination, seedling growth, and stomatal movement and led to salt insensitivity in seed germination and decreased tolerance of seedlings to salt stress. Double mutants of the two CDPK genes had stronger ABA- and salt-responsive phenotypes than the single mutants. CPK4- or CPK11-overexpressing plants generally showed inverse ABA-related phenotypes relative to those of the loss-of-function mutants. Expression levels of many ABA-responsive genes were altered in the loss-of-function mutants and overexpression lines. The CPK4 and CPK11 kinases both phosphorylated two ABA-responsive transcription factors, ABF1 and ABF4, in vitro, suggesting that the two kinases may regulate ABA signaling through these transcription factors. These data provide in planta genetic evidence for the involvement of CDPK/calcium in ABA signaling at the whole-plant level and show that CPK4 and CPK11 are two important positive regulators in CDPK/calcium-mediated ABA signaling pathways.
Arabidopsis Cotyledon-Specific Chloroplast Biogenesis Factor CYO1 Is a Protein Disulfide Isomerase
Authors: Shimada Hiroshi , Mochizuki Mariko , Ogura Kan , Froehlich John E. , Osteryoung Katherine W. , Shirano Yumiko , Shibata Daisuke , Masuda Shinji , Mori Kazuki , Takamiya Ken-ichiro 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Chloroplast development in cotyledons differs in a number of ways from that in true leaves, but the cotyledon-specific program of chloroplast biogenesis has not been clarified. The cyo1 mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana has albino cotyledons but normal green true leaves. Chloroplasts develop abnormally in cyo1 mutant plants grown in the light, but etioplasts are normal in mutants grown in the dark. We isolated CYO1 by T-DNA tagging and verified that the mutant allele was responsible for the albino cotyledon phenotype by complementation. CYO1 has a C4-type zinc finger domain similar to that of Escherichia coli DnaJ. CYO1 is expressed mainly in young plants under light conditions, and the CYO1 protein localizes to the thylakoid membrane in chloroplasts. Transcription of nuclear photosynthetic genes is generally unaffected by the cyo1 mutation, but the level of photosynthetic proteins is decreased in cyo1 mutants. Recombinant CYO1 accelerates disulfide bond reduction in the model substrate insulin and renatures RNase A, indicating that CYO1 has protein disulfide isomerase activity. These results suggest that CYO1 has a chaperone-like activity required for thylakoid biogenesis in cotyledons.
ArabidopsisRelatives of the Human Lysine-Specific Demethylase1 Repress the Expression ofFWAandFLOWERING LOCUS Cand Thus Promote the Floral Transition
Authors: Jiang Danhua , Yang Wannian , He Yuehui , Amasino Richard M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe timing of the developmental transition to flowering is critical to reproductive success in plants. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana homologs of human Lysine-Specific Demethylase1 (LSD1; a histone H3-Lys 4 demethylase) reduce the levels of histone H3-Lys 4 methylation in chromatin of the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and the sporophytically silenced floral repressor FWA. Two of the homologs, LSD1-LIKE1 (LDL1) and LSD1-LIKE2 (LDL2), act in partial redundancy with FLOWERING LOCUS D (FLD; an additional homolog of LSD1) to repress FLC expression. However, LDL1 and LDL2 appear to act independently of FLD in the silencing of FWA, indicating that there is target gene specialization within this histone demethylase family. Loss of function of LDL1 and LDL2 affects DNA methylation on FWA, whereas FLC repression does not appear to involve DNA methylation; thus, members of the LDL family can participate in a range of silencing mechanisms.
Polar Growth in the Infectious Hyphae of the PhytopathogenUstilago maydisDepends on a Virulence-Specific Cyclin
Authors: Flor-Parra Ignacio , Castillo-Lluva Sonia , Pérez-Martín José 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis switches from yeast to hyphal growth to infect maize (Zea mays) plants. This switching is promoted by mating of compatible cells and seems to be required for plant penetration. Although many genes distinctively expressed during this dimorphic switch have been identified and shown to be essential for the infection process, none seems to be explicitly required for polar growth control. Here, we report the characterization of pcl12, encoding a cyclin that interacts specifically with Cdk5, an essential cyclin-dependent kinase with regulatory roles in morphogenesis in U. maydis. Pcl12 fulfills the requirements to be a virulence-specific regulator of polar growth in U. maydis. First, pcl12 expression is induced during the pathogenic development. Secondly, Pcl12 is sufficient to induce hyperpolarized growth in U. maydis cells, as haploid cells overexpressing pcl12 in axenic conditions produce filaments that were morphologically indistinguishable from those produced during the infection process. Finally, cells defective in pcl12 showed impaired polar growth during the formation of the b-dependent filament, the induction of the conjugation tubes, or the formation of a promycelium in spore germination. However, in spite of this pivotal role during morphogenesis, pcl12 mutants were virulent. We discuss the implications of these results for the role of polar growth during the infection process.
Differential Requirements for RAD51 inPhyscomitrella patensandArabidopsis thalianaDevelopment and DNA Damage Repair
Authors: Markmann-Mulisch Ulrich , Wendeler Edelgard , Zobell Oliver , Schween Gabriele , Steinbiss Hans-Henning , Reiss Bernd 
Published: October 2007

AbstractRAD51, the eukaryotic homolog of the bacterial RecA recombinase, plays a central role in homologous recombination (HR) in yeast and animals. Loss of RAD51 function causes lethality in vertebrates but not in other animals or in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that RAD51 is vital for highly developed organisms but not for others. Here, we found that loss of RAD51 function in the moss Physcomitrella patens, a plant of less complexity, caused a significant vegetative phenotype, indicating an important function for RAD51 in this organism. Moreover, loss of RAD51 caused marked hypersensitivity to the double-strand break-inducing agent bleomycin in P. patens but not in Arabidopsis. Therefore, HR is used for somatic DNA damage repair in P. patens but not in Arabidopsis. These data imply fundamental differences in the use of recombination pathways between plants. Moreover, these data demonstrate that the importance of RAD51 for viability is independent of taxonomic position or complexity of an organism. The involvement of HR in DNA damage repair in the slowly evolving species P. patens but not in fast-evolving Arabidopsis suggests that the choice of the recombination pathway is related to the speed of evolution in plants.
The influence of culture on international business negotiations
Authors: Hurn Brian J. 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of the effect of culture when negotiating in an international business context. The paper covers language of negotiation, the need to study the culture of the parties involved, building trust and personal relationships and appropriate training for international managers.Design/methodology/approachThe various key cultural factors are considered in international business negotiation, with examples and suggestions as to how these can be used to achieve success.FindingsThe paper presents an overview illustrated with examples of the cultural factors involved in international negotiation. From these, suggested guidelines for good practice are given.Originality/valueThe paper shows that there is relatively little literature on negotiating across cultures, although the cultural “gurus” (Hofstede, Trompenaars, etc.) cover cultural differences. Also shown is the continued spread of globalisation and joint ventures, showing advice on negotiating across cultures will assume increasing importance.
The training practices of results‐oriented leaders
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that in many organizations training professionals and human resource leaders are under increasing pressure to use training to improve organizational performance, and yet, front‐line managers are often passive or even indifferent on the issue of properly training their workers. This paper will also discuss the key practices of high performance business leaders and how they use effective training practices to achieve superior results.Design/methodology/approachOver 2,000 managers, identified by their organizations as being “high performers”, were surveyed and the findings of this paper are based on a content analysis of both questionnaire and interview data.FindingsThe paper finds that results‐oriented leaders realized that training is critical to their success and must be handled with great care employing a systematic and disciplined process. This study revealed that results‐oriented leaders realized that properly training and educating their workers increased the likelihood of achieving high performance and that poorly trained workers can create a myriad of performance problems. The study showed that high performance leaders were doing the things necessary to develop their workers and to educate them about the bigger picture of their organization to enable them to make better decisions and be more engaged. The over‐arching finding concludes that high performance business leaders are actively engaged in the training and development process and that they do not abdicate that responsibility to others.Originality/valueThe findings of this paper make it clear that training and developing workers is a top priority for high performance managers who are serious about improving operational and organizational performance.
Enabling staff to access the knowledge they need, when they need it
Authors: Terry Colin 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to show that most organisations invest 80 percent of their training budgets in formal learning, while 90 percent of learning takes place through on the job training or informal learning. The paper shows case studies where organisations are redressing this imbalance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on expertise from two organisations, Reuters and Liverpool Victoria, which have implemented informal learning processes. This is also complemented by the views of the author, an expert in creating individual learning strategies for private and public‐sector clients.FindingsThe paper finds how informal learning through appropriate IT support can deliver learning to an organisation and its employees in a new, effective way. The paper shows how to support employees, adapt to change, create convenience and work with the “digital onslaught”, rather than against it.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper draws on information from Reuters, an article in The Age by Graeme Philipson, as well as a case study from New Wave Learning about Liverpool Victoria's experience of training 900 call centre employees. It provides UK, US and Australian experiences.Practical implicationsThis paper is a very useful source for training professionals, showing how to help employees understand and learn new business critical information, at the time they need it.Originality/valueThe paper provides information, examples and advice, bringing together three prime sources of information, to bring valuable change to organisations and help make training a priority.
Valuing the investment in organizational training
Authors: Murray L.W. , Efendioglu Alev M. 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a better methodology for evaluating the value of corporate training to make it easier to compare with other organizational investments. The paper also seeks to propose and demonstrate how “time value of money” and “hurdle rate”, which are significant components of traditional investment valuation methods, can and should be incorporated into the valuation of organization training.Design/methodology/approachThe training investment evaluation methods most commonly used by the training professionals were identified and compared to investment evaluation techniques used to measure the value of other investments made to improve and expand business activities.FindingsThe survey of training investment evaluation literature showed that there are two major problems in the methods utilized by the training professionals. One of the problems was associated with the measurement and monetization of costs and benefits of the training activity. The other was the non‐comparable return values’ generated by the non‐uniform methodologies used by the training professionals. Both of these issues were addressed and shortcomings of the currently used methodologies where changes should be made to improve this process were identified. A new methodology, which will make the evaluation process more acceptable to the company management, was developed and its use was demonstrated.Research limitations/implicationsUnfortunately, the issues associated with monetization of costs and benefits could not be fully addressed. This is much more organization specific and specific to the type of training provided. However, some examples were provided of how this activity could be uniformly applied.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a new and more acceptable methodology for the use of training professionals and organizations to evaluate the value of training.Originality/valueThis paper applies a “financial analyst” or a Chief Financial Officer perspective to organizational investment in training and provides a tool for evaluating its value the same way organizations evaluate their other investments (e.g. acquisitions, factory expansions, product development).
Upskilling: change behaviour to change results
Authors: Hughes Tony 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify why many training programmes, which are designed to provide a higher level of skills continue to fail to deliver the results companies are looking for.Design/methodology/approachThe paper studies the approach of Huthwaite International, an external training company brought in to administer training.FindingsIt is found that Huthwaite achieved success by establishing a support and reinforcement process to ensure that the behaviour change becomes permanent. If effective skills training courses are designed and the correct people to attend, this will have an immediate effect, but will not last. However, if the effect is to be sustained, it needs to be backed up with support.Research limitations/implicationsOnly one company's approach to training and sustainable change is studied.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates how bringing in an external training consultancy can be more effective than working in house.Originality/valueInsights are offered into how to deliver practical, relevant and sustainable training.
Discovery, difference, careers and change. Part 3: managing change
Authors: Eales‐White Rupert 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of part 3 of this paper is to demonstrate what are the individual's preferences in change management, where they are naturally located on both the creative thinking and change management continua, how they can improve their creative thinking skills and how organisations can improve profitability be adopting the appropriate change management paradigm.Design/methodology/approachThe paper determines how the Practical or Concept preference for gathering and using information impacts on how we think creatively; summarises Dr Kirton's work on adaptive and innovative thinking; demonstrates how the two models are linked and where different preferences are located on the creative thinking and change management continua; considers how individuals with different profiles approach change management in an organisational context; introduces the change preference model and consider the implications on effective change management; considers how to overcome the limitations of individuals profiles on their ability to think creatively; and finally defines the prevailing change management paradigm and how a modification to the definition of change and the resulting paradigm will enable organisations to improve their management of change and, as a result, profitability.FindingsThe paper finds that individuals have more flexibility and ability in creative thinking and change management than they might currently perceive; whereas organisations can improve their management of change significantly be adopting the appropriate change management paradigm and using a whole‐brained or holistic approach.Originality/valueThe paper enables the reader to determine what their current approach to creative thinking and change management is, and how they and organisations can become more effective.