bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pituitary Cocaine‐ and Amphetamine‐Regulated Transcript Expression Depends on the Strain, Sex and Oestrous Cycle in the Rat
Authors: Kappeler L. , Gautron L. , Layé S. , Dantzer R. , Zizzari P. , Epelbaum J. , Bluet‐Pajot M. T. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) mRNA and peptides are abundant in the adenohypophysis, but their role in pituitary function has not yet been elucidated. CART peptides were recently shown to colocalise with luteinising hormone (LH) or prolactin in rat anterior pituitary, and contradictory results concerning the peptide effects on pituitary hormonal secretions were obtained in vitro from pituitary cell cultures. Thus, we reinvestigated the expression of CART mRNA within the pituitary. Immunohistochemistry for pituitary hormones was performed on sections from adult male Wistar rats followed by in situ hybridisation using CART mRNA antisense 35S‐labelled probes. The most represented CART‐expressing cells were lactotrophs (42 ± 1% of CART cells) and gonadotrophs (32 ± 3%), followed by thyrotrophs (10 ± 2%), corticotrophs (7 ± 2%) and somatotrophs (6 ± 1%). In the pars tuberalis, CART mRNA was easily detectable in gonadotrophs and lactotrophs and, to a lesser extent, in corticotrophs and thyrotrophs. CART peptide was quickly and potently released from perifused pituitary by depolarisation (K+ 30 mM for 15 min; 465 ± 37% over basal release, n = 5). Gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone and thyrotrophin‐releasing hormone (0.1 µM) were also active to a lesser extent (138 ± 11% and 71 ± 17, n = 7, respectively). CART (0.1 µM) did not modify basal LH or prolactin release but selectively inhibited K+‐induced LH release without affecting K+‐induced prolactin secretion. Pituitary CART mRNA and content were sex dependent and varied during the oestrous cycle, being lower in dioestrous 2. Pituitary CART content also varied widely amongst rat strains being five to six‐fold higher in Wistar and Fischer rats compared to Brown Norway and Lou C rats. Ageing differentially affected pituitary CART mRNA and content, resulting in a marked decrease in Lou C and an increase in Wistar and Sprague‐Dawley rats. Taken together, these results suggest that pituitary CART expression is dependent of the sex steroid environment and may be physiologically involved in LH secretion.
A catalogue of RR Lyrae stars from the Northern Sky Variability Survey
Authors: Wils Patrick , Lloyd Christopher , Bernhard Klaus 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A search for RR Lyrae stars has been conducted in the publicly available data of the Northern Sky Variability Survey. Candidates have been selected by the statistical properties of their variation; the standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis with appropriate limits determined from a sample 314 known RRab and RRc stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. From the period analysis and light-curve shape of over 3000 candidates 785 RR Lyrae have been identified of which 188 are previously unknown. The light curves were examined for the Blazhko effect and several new stars showing this were found. Six double-mode RR Lyrae stars were also found of which two are new discoveries. Some previously known variables have been reclassified as RR Lyrae stars and similarly some RR Lyrae stars have been found to be other types of variable, or not variable at all.
Strategies for development of vaccines for control of ixodid tick species
Authors: DE LA FUENTE J. , KOCAN K. M. 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARY Ticks are distributed worldwide and impact human and animal health, as well as food animal production. Control of ticks has been primarily by application of acaricides, which has resulted in selection of resistant ticks and environmental pollution. Vaccines have been shown to be a feasible tick control method that offers a cost‐effective, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control. However, identification of tick‐protective antigens remains the limiting step in vaccine development. Tick antigens exposed naturally to the host during tick feeding and those concealed have both shown promise as candidate vaccine antigens. Development of vaccines against multiple tick species may be possible using highly conserved tick‐protective antigens or by antigens showing immune cross‐reaction to different tick species. Vaccines made from a combination of key protective antigens may greatly enhance vaccine efficacy. Preliminary studies have suggested the possibility of vaccine strategies directed toward both tick control and the blocking of pathogen transmission. Characterization of the tick genomes will have a great impact on the discovery of new protective antigens. The future of research directed toward tick vaccine development is exciting because of new and emerging technologies for gene discovery, and vaccine formulation and delivery.
Intraperitoneal Echinococcus multilocularis infection in C57BL/6 mice affects CD40 and B7 costimulator expression on peritoneal macrophages and impairs peritoneal T cell activation
Authors: MEJRI N. , GOTTSTEIN B. 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARY One of the most important immunopathological consequence of intraperitoneal alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in the mouse is suppression of T cell‐mediated immune responses. We investigated whether and how intraperitoneal macrophages (MØs) are, respectively, implicated as antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). In a first step we showed that peritoneal MØs from infected mice (AE‐MØs) exhibited a reduced ability to present a conventional antigen (chicken ovalbumin, C‐Ova) to specific responder lymph node T cells. In a subsequent step, AE‐MØs as well as naïve MØs (positive control) proved their ability to uptake and process C‐Ova fluorescein isthiocyanate (FITC). Furthermore, in comparison with naïve MØs, the surface expression of Ia molecules was up‐regulated on AE‐MØs at the early stage of infection, suggesting that AE‐MØs provide the first signal via the antigen–Ia complex. To study the accessory activity of MØs, AE‐MØs obtained at the early and late stages of infection were found to decrease Con A‐induced proliferation of peritoneal naïve T cells as well as of AE‐sensitized peritoneal T cells, in contrast to stimulation with naïve MØs. The status of accessory molecules was assessed by analysing the expression level of costimulatory molecules on AE‐MØs, with naïve MØs as controls. It was found that B7‐1 (CD80) and B7‐2 (CD86) expression remained unchanged, whereas CD40 was down‐regulated and CD54 (= ICAM‐1) was slightly up‐regulated. In a leucocyte reaction of AE‐MØs with naïve or AE‐T cells, both types of T cells increased their proliferative response when CD28 – the ligand of B7 receptors – was exposed to anti‐CD28 in cultures. Conversely to naïve MØs, pulsing of AE‐MØs with agonistic anti‐CD40 did not even partially restore their costimulatory activity and failed to increase naïve or AE‐T cell proliferation. Neutralizing anti‐B7‐1, in combination with anti‐B7‐2, reduced naïve and AE‐T cell proliferation, whereas anti‐CD40 treatment of naïve MØs increased their proliferative response to Con A. These results point at the key role of B7 receptors as accessory molecules and the necessity of the integrity of CD40‐expression by naïve MØs to improve their accessory activity. Taken together, the obstructed presenting‐activity of AE‐MØs appeared to trigger an unresponsiveness of T cells, contributing to the suppression of their clonal expansion during the chronic phase of AE‐infection.
A tomato mutant that shows stunting, wilting, progressive necrosis and constitutive expression of defence genes contains a recombinant Hcr9 gene encoding an autoactive protein
Authors: Barker Claire L. , Talbot Stephen J. , Jones Jonathan D. G. , Jones David A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe tomato Cf‐9 gene confers resistance to races of the leaf mould fungus Cladosporium fulvum that carry the Avr9 avirulence gene. Cf‐9 resides at a locus containing five paralogous genes and was isolated by transposon tagging using a modified maize Dissociation (Ds) element. The tagging experiment generated an allelic series of Ds‐induced mutations of Cf‐9, most of which were wild type in appearance. However, one mutant, designated M205, showed stunted growth, wilting, progressive leaf chlorosis and necrosis and constitutive expression of defence genes. The phenotype of M205 was caused by a semidominant, Avr9‐independent mutation that co‐segregated with a Ds element insertion at the Cf‐9 locus. Molecular genetic analysis indicated that the Cf‐9 locus of M205 had undergone recombination, generating a chimeric gene, designated Hcr9‐M205, that comprised an in‐frame fusion between the 5′ coding region of the Cf‐9 paralogue, Hcr9‐9A, and the 3′ coding region of Cf‐9. The presence of a possible excision footprint adjacent to the junction between Hcr9‐9A and Cf‐9, and a Ds insertion at the homologous position in the downstream paralogue Hcr9‐9D, is consistent with recombination between Hcr9‐9A and Cf‐9 promoted by transposition of Ds from Cf‐9 into Hcr9‐9D. Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transient expression of Hcr9‐M205 in Nicotiana tabacum caused chlorosis and the accumulation of defence gene transcripts, indicating that the protein encoded by this novel Hcr9 gene is autoactive.
Mutations in the Diageotropica (Dgt) gene uncouple patterned cell division during lateral root initiation from proliferative cell division in the pericycle
Authors: Ivanchenko Maria G. , Coffeen Warren C. , Lomax Terri L. , Dubrovsky Joseph G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIn angiosperms, root branching requires a continuous re‐initiation of new root meristems. Through some unknown mechanism, in most eudicots pericycle cells positioned against the protoxylem change identity and initiate patterned division, leading to formation of lateral root primordia that further develop into lateral roots. This process is auxin‐regulated. We have observed that three mutations in the Diageotropica (Dgt) gene in tomato prevent primordium formation. Detailed analysis of one of these mutants, dgt1‐1, demonstrated that the mutation does not abolish the proliferative capacity of the xylem‐adjacent pericycle in the differentiated root portion. Files of shortened pericycle cells found in dgt1‐1 roots were unrelated to primordium formation. Auxin application stimulated this unusual proliferation, leading to formation of a multi‐layered xylem‐adjacent pericycle, but did not rescue the primordium formation. In contrast to wild type, auxin could not induce any cell divisions in the pericycle of the most distal dgt1‐1 root‐tip portion. In wild‐type roots, the Dgt gene promoter was expressed strongly in lateral root primordia starting from their initiation, and on auxin treatment was induced in the primary root meristem. Auxin level and distribution were altered in dgt1‐1 root tissues, as judged by direct auxin measurements, and the tissue‐specific expression of an auxin‐response reporter was altered in transgenic plants. Together, our data demonstrate that the Dgt gene product, a type‐A cyclophilin, is essential for morphogenesis of lateral root primordia, and that the dgt mutations uncouple patterned cell division in lateral root initiation from proliferative cell division in the pericycle.
Genome‐wide analysis of spatial and temporal gene expression in rice panicle development
Authors: Furutani Ikuyo , Sukegawa Shin , Kyozuka Junko 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe basic structure of a rice inflorescence (the panicle) is determined by the pattern of branch formation, which is established at the early stages of panicle development. In this study we conducted global transcriptome profiling of the early stages of rice panicle development from phase transition to floral organ differentiation. To generate a meristem‐specific gene‐expression profile, shoot apical meristems (SAMs) and subsequently formed, very young panicles were collected manually and used for cDNA microarray analysis. We identified 357 out of 22 000 genes that are expressed differentially in the early stages of panicle development, and the 357 genes were classified into seven groups based on their temporal expression patterns. The most noticeable feature is that a fairly small number of genes, which are extensively enriched in transcription factors, are upregulated in the SAM immediately after phase transition. In situ hybridization analysis showed that each gene analysed exhibits a unique and interesting localization of mRNA. Remarkably, one of the transcription factors was proven to be a close downstream component of the pathway in which LAX, a major regulator of panicle branching, acts. These results suggest that our strategy – careful collection of meristems, global transcriptome analysis and subsequent in situ hybridization analysis – is useful not only to obtain a genome‐wide view of gene expression, but also to reveal genetic networks controlling rice panicle development.
A chloroplast‐localized dual‐specificity protein phosphatase in Arabidopsis contains a phylogenetically dispersed and ancient carbohydrate‐binding domain, which binds the polysaccharide starch
Authors: Kerk David , Conley Terry R. , Rodriguez Flor A. , Tran Hue T. , Nimick Mhairi , Muench Douglas G. , Moorhead Greg B. G. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDual‐specificity protein phosphatases (DSPs) are important regulators of a wide variety of protein kinase signaling cascades in animals, fungi and plants. We previously identified a cluster of putative DSPs in Arabidopsis (including At3g52180 and At3g01510) in which the phosphatase domain is related to that of laforin, the human protein mutated in Lafora epilepsy. In animal and fungal systems, the laforin DSP and the beta‐regulatory subunits of AMP‐regulated protein kinase (AMPK) and Snf‐1 have all been demonstrated to bind to glycogen by a glycogen‐binding domain (GBD). We present a bioinformatic analysis which shows that these DSPs from Arabidopsis, together with other related plant DSPs, share with the above animal and fungal proteins a widespread and ancient carbohydrate‐binding domain. We demonstrate that DSP At3g52180 binds to purified starch through its predicted carbohydrate‐binding region, and that mutation of key conserved residues reduces this binding. Consistent with its ability to bind exogenous starch, DSP At3g52180 was found associated with starch purified from Arabidopsis plants and suspension cells. Immunolocalization experiments revealed a co‐localization with chlorophyll, placing DSP At3g52180 in the chloroplast. Gene‐expression data from different stages of the light–dark cycle and across a wide variety of tissues show a strong correlation between the pattern displayed by transcripts of the At3g52180 locus and that of genes encoding key starch degradative enzymes. Taken together, these data suggest the hypothesis that plant DSPs could be part of a protein assemblage at the starch granule, where they would be ideally situated to regulate starch metabolism through reversible phosphorylation events.
Arabidopsis homologue of human transcription factor IIH/nucleotide excision repair factor p44 can function in transcription and DNA repair and interacts with AtXPD
Authors: Vonarx Edward J. , Tabone Emma K. , Osmond Megan J. , Anderson Heather J. , Kunz Bernard A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryEukaryotic general transcription factor (TF) IIH is composed of 10 proteins, seven of which are also required for nucleotide excision repair (NER) of UV radiation‐induced DNA damage in human cells and yeast. Plant homologues of the human TFIIH subunits XPB and XPD that function in NER have been isolated but none has been shown to operate in transcription. Here we address the capabilities of Arabidopsis thaliana AtGTF2H2 and AtXPD, homologues of the essential interacting human/yeast TFIIH components p44/Ssl1 and XPD/Rad3, respectively. Expression of AtGTF2H2 or AtXPD cDNAs in yeast ssl1 or rad3 mutants temperature‐sensitive for growth due to thermolabile transcription of mRNA restored growth and so transcription at the non‐permissive temperature. AtGTF2H2 also complemented the NER deficiency of the corresponding yeast mutant, as measured by full recovery of UV resistance, whereas AtXPD did not despite being necessary for NER in Arabidopsis. UV treatment did not upregulate transcription of AtGTF2H2 or AtXPD in Arabidopsis. Suppression of a yeast translation initiation defect by the ssl1‐1 mutation was prevented by expression of AtGTF2H2. Deletion of SSL1 in a yeast strain expressing AtGTF2H2 did not affect growth or confer UV sensitivity, demonstrating that AtGTF2H2 can perform all essential transcription functions and UV damage repair duties of Ssl1 in its absence. Furthermore, AtGTF2H2 interacted with AtXPD and yeast Rad3, and AtXPD also interacted with yeast Ssl1 in two‐hybrid assays. Our results indicate that AtGTF2H2 can act in transcription and NER, and suggest that it participates in both processes in Arabidopsis as part of TFIIH.
Nuclear suppressors define three factors that participate in both 5′ and 3′ end processing of mRNAs in Chlamydomonas chloroplasts
Authors: Rymarquis Linda A. , Higgs David C. , Stern David B. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryChloroplast RNA processing and degradation are orchestrated by nucleus‐encoded factors. Although several transcript‐specific factors have been identified, those involved in global RNA metabolism have mostly remained elusive. Using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we have identified three pleiotropic nuclear mutations, mcd3, mcd4 and mcd5, which cause quantitative variation between polycistronic transcripts and accumulation of transcripts with novel 3′ ends. The mcd3, mcd4 and mcd5 mutants were initially isolated as photoautotrophic suppressors of the petD 5′ mutants LS2 and LS6, which harbour four nucleotide linker‐scanning mutations near the 5′ end of the mature transcript. The LS mutants accumulate 1–3% of the wild‐type (WT) petD mRNA level and no cytochrome b6/f complex subunit IV, which is the petD gene product and required for photosynthesis. Each suppressor restores approximately 15% of the WT petD mRNA and subunit IV levels. Genetic analysis showed mcd4 to be recessive, and suggested that MCD4 interacts with the petD mRNA stability factor MCD1. To assess the specificity of mcd3, mcd4 and mcd5, transcripts from 32 chloroplast genes were analysed by RNA filter hybridizations. mcd3 and mcd4 displayed aberrant transcript patterns for 17 genes, whereas only three were altered in mcd5. Since the mutations affect multiple RNAs in a variety of ways, our data suggest that MCD3, MCD4 and MCD5 may participate in a series of multiprotein complexes responsible for RNA maturation and degradation in Chlamydomonas chloroplasts.
WRKY70 modulates the selection of signaling pathways in plant defense
Authors: Li Jing , Brader Günter , Kariola Tarja , Tapio Palva E. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryCross‐talk between signal transduction pathways is a central feature of the tightly regulated plant defense signaling network. The potential synergism or antagonism between defense pathways is determined by recognition of the type of pathogen or pathogen‐derived elicitor. Our studies have identified WRKY70 as a node of convergence for integrating salicylic acid (SA)‐ and jasmonic acid (JA)‐mediated signaling events during plant response to bacterial pathogens. Here, we challenged transgenic plants altered in WRKY70 expression as well as WRKY70 knockout mutants of Arabidopsis with the fungal pathogens Alternaria brassicicola and Erysiphe cichoracearum to elucidate the role of WRKY70 in modulating the balance between distinct defense responses. Gain or loss of WRKY70 function causes opposite effects on JA‐mediated resistance to A. brassicicola and the SA‐mediated resistance to E. cichoracearum. While the up‐regulation of WRKY70 caused enhanced resistance to E. cichoracearum, it compromised plant resistance to A. brassicicola. Conversely, down‐regulation or insertional inactivation of WRKY70 impaired plant resistance to E. cichoracearum. Over‐expression of WRKY70 resulted in the suppression of several JA responses including expression of a subset of JA‐ and A. brassicicola‐responsive genes. We show that this WRKY70‐controlled suppression of JA‐signaling is partly executed by NPR1. The results indicate that WRKY70 has a pivotal role in determining the balance between SA‐dependent and JA‐dependent defense pathways.
ABERRANT TESTA SHAPE encodes a KANADI family member, linking polarity determination to separation and growth of Arabidopsis ovule integuments
Authors: McAbee Jessica Messmer , Hill Theresa A. , Skinner Debra J. , Izhaki Anat , Hauser Bernard A. , Meister Robert J. , Venugopala Reddy G. , Meyerowitz Elliot M. , Bowman John L. , Gasser Charles S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe Arabidopsis aberrant testa shape (ats) mutant produces a single integument instead of the two integuments seen in wild‐type ovules. Cellular anatomy and patterns of marker gene expression indicate that the single integument results from congenital fusion of the two integuments of the wild type. Isolation of the ATS locus showed it to encode a member of the KANADI (KAN) family of putative transcription factors, previously referred to as KAN4. ATS was expressed at the border between the two integuments at the time of their initiation, with expression later confined to the abaxial layer of the inner integument. In an inner no outer (ino) mutant background, where an outer integument does not form, the ats mutation led to amorphous inner integument growth. The kan1kan2 double mutant exhibits a similar amorphous growth of the outer integument without affecting inner integument growth. We hypothesize that ATS and KAN1/KAN2 play similar roles in the specification of polarity in the inner and outer integuments, respectively, that parallel the known roles of KAN proteins in promoting abaxial identity during leaf development. INO and other members of the YABBY gene family have been hypothesized to have similar parallel roles in outer integument and leaf development. Together, these two hypotheses lead us to propose a model for normal integument growth that also explains the described mutant phenotypes.
Skin cancer trends in northern Jordan
Authors: Omari Abdel K. , Khammash Muhammad R. , Matalka Ismail 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  The Jordan Cancer Registry was established in 1996, since which time all cases of cancer have been reported and registered. We have used this registry to perform the first analysis of skin cancer in northern Jordan and to compare our findings with those of published reports from other regions.Methods  All histopathologically proven cases of skin cancer, reported during the years 1997 through 2001, were reviewed. Information regarding tumor type, age, gender, and anatomical location was collected.Results  A total of 272 cases of malignant skin tumors were diagnosed between the years 1997 and 2001. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the commonest type, representing 52.9% of all skin cancers. Females were more frequently affected than males, with age‐adjusted incidence rates of 23.3 and 19.7 per 100,000 of population, respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) comprised 26.4% of the total, its age‐adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 of population being 14.2 for males and 6.18 for females. the incidence rate increased in males and decreased in females during the study period. The incidence of both BCC and SCC increased with age. The head and neck region was the commonest site affected by both types of cancer. Malignant melanoma (MM) comprised 11.39% of all skin cancer cases, with a female to male ratio of 1.2 : 1. The median age at onset for female patients was 49 years while that for males was 70 years, and the commonest site affected was the lower limbs, followed by the trunk.Conclusions  In Jordan, sun‐related skin cancers have relatively low incidences and a rather stable pattern, compared with other areas with similar climate and skin phenotypes.