Expression of genes for bone morphogenetic proteins BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-6 in various parts of the human skeleton

BACKGROUND: Differences in duration of bone healing in various parts of the human skeleton are common experience for orthopaedic surgeons. The reason for these differences is not obvious and not clear.METHODS: In this paper we decided to measure by the use of real-time RT-PCR technique the level of expression of genes for some isoforms of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), whose role is proven in bone formation, bone induction and bone turnover. Seven bone samples recovered from various parts of skeletons from six cadavers of young healthy men who died in traffic accidents were collected. Activity of genes for BMP-2, -4 and -6 was measured by the use of fluorescent SYBR Green I.RESULTS: It was found that expression of m-RNA for BMP-2 and BMP-4 is higher in trabecular bone in epiphyses of long bones, cranial flat bones and corpus mandibulae then in the compact bone of diaphyses of long bones. In all samples examined the expression of m-RNA for BMP-4 was higher than for BMP-2.CONCLUSION: It was shown that m-RNA for BMP-6 is not expressed in the collected samples at all. It is postulated that differences in the level of activation of genes for BMPs is one of the important factors which determine the differences in duration of bone healing of various parts of the human skeleton.Author has checked copyrightDG 16/11/1

Effect of temperature and light on foliar absorption of P and Rb by Chrysanthemum and Pilea

Young plants of Pilea cadierei Gagnep Guillaum and Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. 'Giant # 4 Indianapolis White' were grown in Hoagland's solution in growth chambers. Their leaves were treated with rubidium phosphate double labelled with 33P and 86Rb. Light intensity, period of pretreatment in light or dark, daylength, and air temperature had different influences on foliar uptake of each ion, as did plant species and leaf surface. With all variables tested, uptake and translocation of Rb was much greater than of P. Absorption of both P and Rb through the lower surface was as much as 8 times greater than through upper surface, especially with Pilea. Light had a greater effect upon uptake of both P and Rb by Chrysanthemum than by Pilea, but did not influence uptake as much as previously reported