bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of gene expression profiles in Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive mutants sos2−1 and sos3 −1
Authors: KAMEI AYAKO , SEKI MOTOAKI , UMEZAWA TAISHI , ISHIDA JUNKO , SATOU MASAKAZU , AKIYAMA KENJI , ZHU JIAN‐KANG , SHINOZAKI KAZUO 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTUnder salt‐stress conditions, Arabidopsis salt overly sensitive (sos) mutants show hypersensitive root growth. The sos gene products are involved in ion transport and signalling processes. To analyse salt‐stress‐responsive genes whose transcripts are regulated by the SOS signalling pathway, we used a 22K Agilent oligoarray and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses. The amounts of transcripts of the major salt‐inducible genes (RD29A/COR78, RD17/COR47, COR15A, KIN1, and RD22) in sos mutants were similar to those in the wild‐type plants. These results indicate that the SOS3/SOS2 signalling pathway is independent of the DRE/CRT, ABRE, and MYC/MYB pathways. In sos2 mutants, the expression levels of 27 and 48 genes were up‐regulated at least double under 2‐h and 5‐h salt stress conditions, respectively. Among the genes regulated by SOS2, we detected several encoding myb family transcription factors, AP2 transcription factors, and some ethylene‐related, auxin‐induced, and defence‐related genes. On the other hand, expression levels of very few genes were different between sos3 mutant and wild‐type plants. This observation indicates that the downstream SOS2 affects the regulation of stress‐responsive genes much more strongly than the upstream SOS3. The gene expression profiles of sos2 and sos3 mutants were not identical. This indicates that SOS2 and SOS3 have individual roles in salt stress responses in addition to common roles.
Near‐term impacts of elevated CO2, nitrogen and fungal endophyte‐infection on Lolium perenne L. growth, chemical composition and alkaloid production
Authors: HUNT MATHEW G. , RASMUSSEN SUSANNE , NEWTON PAUL C. D. , PARSONS ANTHONY J. , NEWMAN JONTHAN A. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTCarbon dioxide has been rapidly accumulating in the atmosphere and is expected to continue to do so. This accumulation is presumed to have important direct effects on plant growth. The interacting affects of a small increase in CO2 concentration (466 p.p.m., approximately 30% increase from current ambient conditions), nitrogen fertilization and fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) infection on the growth and chemical composition of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were investigated. It was found that dry mass production was approximately 50% greater under elevated CO2 than under ambient CO2, but only in conditions of high soil N. High molecular weight carbohydrates and total carbohydrates (LMW + HMW CHO) depended on an interaction between CO2 and endophyte infection. Infected plants contained significantly more carbohydrate than endophyte‐free plants, and the difference was greatest in ambient CO2 conditions. Protein concentrations were also influenced by the interaction between CO2 and endophyte‐infection. Endophyte‐free plants had 40% lower concentrations of soluble protein under elevated CO2 than under ambient CO2, but this CO2 effect on soluble protein was largely absent in endophyte‐infected plants. CO2, endophyte‐infection and nitrogen interacted to influence the total chlorophyll concentration of the grass such that chlorophyll concentration was always lower in elevated CO2 but this decline was much greater in endophyte‐free plants, particularly in conditions of high soil N. In the endophyte‐infected plants, the concentrations of the pyrrolopyrazine alkaloid peramine depended on the interaction between CO2 and N fertilization such that peramine concentrations declined with increasing N at ambient CO2 but remained roughly constant across N levels at elevated CO2. A similar pattern was seen for the ergot alkaloid ergovaline. The biochemical responses of perennial ryegrass to elevated CO2 are clearly modified by the presence of endophytic fungi.
Cell‐wall pectin and its degree of methylation in the maize root‐apex: significance for genotypic differences in aluminium resistance
Authors: ETICHA DEJENE , STASS ANGELIKA , HORST WALTER J. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTCell‐wall (CW) pectin content and its degree of methylation in root apices of selected maize cultivars were studied in relation to genotypic Al resistance. Maize cultivars differing in Al resistance were grown in nutrient solution treated with or without Al, and pectin content of the root tips was determined. Control plants did not differ in pectin content in the 5 mm root apex. Al treatment increased the pectin content of the root apex in all cultivars but more prominently in the Al‐sensitive cultivars. Pectin and Al contents in 1 mm root sections decreased from the apex to the 3–4 mm zone. Pectin contents of the apical root sections were consistently higher although significantly different only in the 1–2 mm zone in the Al‐sensitive cv Lixis. Al contents in most root sections were significantly higher in cv Lixis than in Al‐resistant cv ATP‐Y. Localization of pectins by immunofluorescence revealed that Al‐sensitive cv. Lixis has a higher proportion of low‐methylated pectin and thus a higher negativity of the cell wall than Al‐resistant cv ATP‐Y. This is in agreement with the higher Al content and Al sensitivity of cv Lixis. It is concluded that differences in CW pectin and its degree of methylation contribute to genotypic differences in Al resistance in maize in addition to the release of organic acid anions previously reported.
The roles of redox processes in pea nodule development and senescence
Authors: GROTEN KARIN , VANACKER HÉLÈNE , DUTILLEUL CHRISTELLE , BASTIAN FABIOLA , BERNARD STÉPHANIE , CARZANIGA RAFFAELLA , FOYER CHRISTINE H. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTNodule senescence is triggered by developmental and environmental cues. It is orchestrated through complex but poorly characterized genetic controls that involve changes in the endogenous levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. To elucidate the importance of such redox control mechanisms in pea root nodule senescence, redox metabolites were analysed throughout nodule development in a commercial pea variety (Pisum sativum cv. Phoenix) inoculated with a commercial rhizobial strain (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae). Although a strong positive correlation between nitrogenase activity and nodule ascorbate and glutathione contents was observed, the progressive loss of these metabolites during nodule senescence was not accompanied by an increase in nodule superoxide or hydrogen peroxide. These oxidants were only detected in nodule meristem and cortex tissues, and the abundance of superoxide or hydrogen peroxide strongly declined with age. No evidence could be found of programmed cell death in nodule senescence and the protein carbonyl groups were more or less constant throughout nodule development. Pea nodules appear to have little capacity to synthesize ascorbate de novo. l‐galactono‐1, 4‐lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH), which catalyses the last step of ascorbate synthesis could not be detected in nodules. Moreover, when infiltrated with the substrates l‐galactono‐1, 4‐lactone or l‐gulonolactone, ascorbate did not accumulate. These data suggest that ROS, ascorbate and glutathione, which fulfil well recognized, signalling functions in plants, decline in a regulated manner during nodule development. This does not necessarily cause oxidative stress but rather indicates a development‐related shift in redox‐linked metabolite cross‐talk that underpins the development and aging processes.
A portable integrated automatic apparatus for the real‐time monitoring of bioluminescence in plants
Authors: OKAMOTO KAZUHISA , ONAI KIYOSHI , FURUSAWA TAKAYOSHI , ISHIURA MASAHIRO 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTReal‐time monitoring of gene expression by a bioluminescence reporter gene is a powerful method for large‐scale, detailed analysis of gene expression in living cells and large‐scale screening of mutants. We have developed a portable, compact, integrated automatic bioluminescence‐monitoring apparatus that can continuously monitor 960 individual plant seedlings or micro‐organism colonies under uniform light conditions at temperatures up to 50 °C. The apparatus gave reproducible and reliable results for both bioluminescence photon counts and period length of bioluminescence rhythms of Arabidopsis reporter strain. Using the apparatus, we measured bioluminescence rhythms in the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus at temperature up to 43 °C. We also monitored the expression of the flowering regulator gene CONSTANS in Arabidopsis as bioluminescence in high time resolution under different photoperiodic conditions. The high‐throughput bioluminescence‐monitoring apparatus developed here is a powerful tool for real‐time monitoring of gene expression and gene function.
The influence of light environment on photosynthesis and basal methylbutenol emission from Pinus ponderosa
Authors: GRAY DENNIS W. , GOLDSTEIN ALLEN H. , LERDAU MANUEL T. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTMethylbutenol is a 5‐carbon alcohol that is produced and emitted by several species of pine in western North America, and may have important impacts on the tropospheric chemistry of this region. In the present study the response of methylbutenol basal emission rate (measured at a constant light intensity of 1500 µmol m−2 s−1 and temperature of 30 °C) to the light and temperature conditions of the growth environment was examined, using field‐grown plants shielded with shade cloth of various densities. Methylbutenol basal emission rates increased linearly with the temperature of the growth environment but did not respond to the shading of foliage during growth and development. Both photosynthesis and basal methylbutenol emission rate declined in older needles; however, these declines appear to result from parallel but independent processes and not from basal MBO emission rate directly tracking photosynthetic rates. Older needles did not occupy cooler microenvironments within the canopy; and thus differing thermal microenvironment could not explain the reduced MBO emission in older needles.
Regulation of plant defense responses in Arabidopsis by EDR2, a PH and START domain‐containing protein
Authors: Tang Dingzhong , Ade Jules , Frye Catherine A. , Innes Roger W. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryWe have identified an Arabidopsis mutant that displays enhanced disease resistance (edr2) to the biotrophic powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe cichoracearum. Inhibition of fungal growth on edr2 mutant leaves occurred at a late stage of the infection process and coincided with formation of necrotic lesions approximately 5 days after inoculation. Double‐mutant analysis revealed that edr2‐mediated resistance is suppressed by mutations that inhibit salicylic acid (SA)‐induced defense signaling, including npr1, pad4 and sid2, demonstrating that edr2‐mediated disease resistance is dependent on SA. However, edr2 showed normal responses to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000. EDR2 appears to be constitutively transcribed in all tissues and organs and encodes a novel protein, consisting of a putative pleckstrin homology (PH) domain and a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein‐related lipid‐transfer (START) domain, and contains an N‐terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence. The PH and START domains are implicated in lipid binding, suggesting that EDR2 may provide a link between lipid signaling and activation of programmed cell death mediated by mitochondria.
Sensitive detection and localization of hydroxyl radical production in cucumber roots and Arabidopsis seedlings by spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Renew Susannah , Heyno Eiri , Schopfer Peter , Liszkay Anja 
Published: September 2005

SummaryAs reactive oxygen species are important for many fundamental biological processes in plants, specific and sensitive techniques for their detection in vivo are essential. In particular, the analysis of hydroxyl radical (OH•) formation in biological reactions has rarely been attempted. Here, it is shown that spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy allows the detection and quantitative estimation of OH• production in vivo in one single cucumber seedling root. It is possible to localize the OH• production site to the growth zone of the root by varying the position of the intact seedling inside the resonator cavity of the EPR spectrometer. Moreover, the demonstration of impaired OH• formation in the root of the Arabidopsis mutant rhd2 impaired in a superoxide‐producing Nicotimamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase has been accomplished. Spin trapping EPR provides a valuable tool for analyzing the production of OH•in vivo with high resolution in small tissue samples.
ELF4 is a phytochrome‐regulated component of a negative‐feedback loop involving the central oscillator components CCA1 and LHY
Authors: Kikis Elise A. , Khanna Rajnish , Quail Peter H. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryEvidence has been presented that a negative transcriptional feedback loop formed by the genes CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED (CCA1), LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and TIMING OF CAB (TOC1) constitutes the core of the central oscillator of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. Here we show that these genes are expressed at constant, basal levels in dark‐grown seedlings. Transfer to constant red light (Rc) rapidly induces a biphasic pattern of CCA1 and LHY expression, and a reciprocal TOC1 expression pattern over the first 24 h, consistent with initial induction of this synchronous oscillation by the light signal. We have used this assay with wild‐type and mutant seedlings to examine the role of these oscillator components, and to determine the function of ELF3 and ELF4 in their light‐regulated expression. The data show that whereas TOC1 is necessary for light‐induced CCA1/LHY expression, the combined absence of CCA1 and LHY has little effect on the pattern of light‐induced TOC1 expression, indicating that the negative regulatory arm of the proposed oscillator is not fully functional during initial seedling de‐etiolation. By contrast, ELF4 is necessary for light‐induced expression of both CCA1 and LHY, and conversely, CCA1 and LHY act negatively on light‐induced ELF4 expression. Together with the observation that the temporal light‐induced expression profile of ELF4 is counter‐phased to that of CCA1 and LHY and parallels that of TOC1, these data are consistent with a previously unrecognized negative‐feedback loop formed by CCA1/LHY and ELF4 in a manner analogous to the proposed CCA1/LHY/TOC1 oscillator. ELF3 is also necessary for light‐induced CCA1/LHY expression, but it is neither light‐induced nor clock‐regulated during de‐etiolation. Taken together, the data suggest (a) that ELF3, ELF4, and TOC1 all function in the primary, phytochrome‐mediated light‐input pathway to the circadian oscillator in Arabidopsis; and (b) that this oscillator consists of two or more interlocking transcriptional feedback loops that may be differentially operative during initial light induction and under steady‐state circadian conditions in entrained green plants.
Predictors of diabetic end‐stage renal disease in Japan
Authors: ISEKI KUNITOSHI 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been the leading cause of incident dialysis in Japan since 1998, according to the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT). In particular, the number of male DM dialysis patients is increasing. DM is becoming a worldwide epidemic in both developed and developing countries. Strategies to detect individuals at high‐risk of developing CKD and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) are needed that can be implemented on a population‐basis.Among the commonly measured variables, dipstick urinalysis (proteinuria, haematuria), blood pressure, serum creatinine, body mass index (BMI), and serum uric acid are significant predictors of ESRD. Recently, we evaluated the effect of DM as a risk factor of developing ESRD. DM was diagnosed when the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 126 mg/dL or more in participants (n = 78529) of the 1993 screening program in Okinawa. The prevalence of DM was 5.2%. The odds ratio (95% CI) of DM for developing ESRD was 3.098 (1.738–5.525, P = 0.0001) after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Early detection and treatment of DM might prevent DM‐related ESRD. We examined 7125 non‐DM screenees who underwent a 1‐day health check between April 1997 and March 1998. They were followed‐up until March 2000 to determine whether they developed DM. Over the 2 years, the cumulative incidence of DM was 2.3%, 2.9% in men and 1.3% in women. Proteinuria was the most robust predictor of the development of DM; the adjusted relative risk (95% CI) was 1.90 (1.14–3.17). Obesity, per se, is also recognized as a risk factor for developing proteinuria. The higher the BMI, the higher the risk of developing ESRD; the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) was 1.273 (1.121–1.446, P = 0.0002) for men. Other than being overweight (BMI = 25.0 kg/m2), a smoking habit was a significant predictor of developing proteinuria.The prevalence of obesity and DM is increasing in Japan. It is possible that the impact of obesity and complications of DM are different among races and ethnicities. Public relations regarding the risk of DM and its complications are especially important in Asian countries. Asians have more fat than non‐Asians, even at the same BMI levels. Knowledge of the predictors of DM‐ESRD is crucial as a first step toward prevention. Consistent with this notion, initiatives on the management of CKD and ESRD were recently organized in Japan and internationally.
Genetics of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM: candidate gene analysis for the pathogenic role of inflammation
Authors: LEE SANG‐HO , LEE TAE WON , IHM CHUN‐GYOO , KIM MYUNG JAE , WOO JEOUNG‐TAEK , CHUNG JOO‐HO 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY:  Hypertension, poor glycemic control and albuminuria are well known risk factors for diabetic nephropathy, but these factors do not explain all of the inter‐individual variabilities in the rate of progression to kidney failure. Recent evidence showed that genetic predisposition affected the hyperglycemia‐induced nephrotoxicity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We reviewed the present state of knowledge concerning the relationship between genetics and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM. However, the results are inconclusive and the genetic determinants of diabetic nephropathy are not fully understood. In addition, genetic background of nephropathy in type 2 DM was thought to be more complex than in type 1 DM. Recent studies suggested that the inflammation would be an essential component of type 2 DM and its complications. We postulated that increased systemic and/or intrarenal inflammation in high glucose milieu is important in the pathogenesis of nephropathy in patients with type 2 DM. To investigate the impact of inflammation on diabetic nephropathy, we studied several polymorphisms in genes encoding inflammatory cytokine and chemokine in patients with type 2 DM. Among them, −511 C/T in interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tandem repeat in IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra), −308 G/A in tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were significantly associated with an increased risk of kidney failure. In addition, some of them were remarkably different from those previously reported in the NCBI or literature based on the western population.Our results suggest that inflammation could play a pathogenic role in diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM. A better understanding of genetic factors predisposing to diabetic nephropathy would not only help to identify diabetic patients at risk, but also be helpful to unveil the pathogenesis of DN.
Clinical characteristics of mutation carriers in a large family with glucokinase diabetes (MODY2)
Authors: Shehadeh N. , Bakri D. , Njølstad P. R. , Gershoni‐Baruch R. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAims  To investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of heterozygotes of the glucokinase gene mutations G264S and IVS8+2 in the extended pedigree of two patients with permanent neonatal diabetes as a result of glucokinase deficiency (IVS8+2 homozygosity and IVS8+2/G264S compound heterozygosity).Methods  Eighty‐eight first, second and third degree family members of the two patients with permanent neonatal diabetes were genotyped. Clinical, laboratory and historical data were collected via chart reviews.Results  Thirty‐one IVS8+2 and three G264S heterozygotes were identified. Of these, 18/34 (52.9%) had diabetes and 9/34 (26.5%) impaired fasting glucose (IFG), compared with 1/54 (1.9%) with diabetes and 2/54 (3.7%) with IFG in the non‐carrier group. Odds ratio for heterozygotes was 70.4 (95% CI 16.9–293.5 and P < 0.001). Mean body mass index of heterozygotes (> 18 years of age) who had diabetes was 27.1 ± 2.66, compared with 23.18 ± 4.72 for heterozygotes with normal glucose levels (P < 0.05). While none of the non‐carrier women had gestational diabetes, eight of the 10 heterozygotes developed gestational diabetes. Inheritance of a glucokinase mutation by the fetus from a carrier mother resulted in a significant reduction in birthweight (3600 ± 570 vs. 2970 ± 390grams, P < 0.05).Conclusions  These data support the association between carriage of GCK gene mutations, G264S and IVS8+2, and the development of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and reduced birthweight. Moreover, in heterozygotes, a clear correlation between body mass index and the development of diabetes was observed. These findings underline the need for surveillance and prevention in individuals at risk.
Increased plasma markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and their association with microvascular complications in Type 1 diabetic patients without clinically manifest macroangiopathy
Authors: Targher G. , Bertolini L. , Zoppini G. , Zenari L. , Falezza G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAims  To evaluate whether plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction differed in Type 1 diabetic patients as compared with those in non‐diabetic subjects, and to examine the association of these biomarkers with early stages of microvascular complications.Methods  Plasma biomarkers of inflammation [fibrinogen, hs‐C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP)] and endothelial dysfunction [von Willebrand factor (v‐WF), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) activity] were measured in 88 non‐smoking young patients with Type 1 diabetes without clinical macrovascular disease and in 40 healthy controls.Results  Plasma levels of hs‐CRP, fibrinogen, v‐WF, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) and PAI‐1 activity were markedly higher (P < 0.01 or less) in Type 1 diabetic patients than in healthy controls; these results were essentially unchanged when healthy controls were compared with patients without complications. After stratification by microvascular complication status, plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were significantly increased in those with more advanced disease compared with those with early complications or without complications, respectively. However, while the significant differences in these biomarkers were little affected by adjustment for sex, age, BMI and blood pressure values, they were totally abolished after additional adjustment for diabetes duration and glycaemic control.Conclusions  These results indicate that in Type 1 diabetes there is a subclinical, chronic inflammation which is, at least partly, independent of clinically manifest macro‐ and microvascular complications, smoking or other traditional cardiovascular risk factors; this subclinical inflammation is closely correlated to the magnitude and duration of hyperglycaemia.