Transcription factors Elk-1 and SRF are engaged in IL1-dependent regulation of ZC3H12A expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MCPIP is a novel CCCH zinc finger protein described as an RNase engaged in the regulation of immune responses. The regulation of expression of the gene coding for MCPIP - <it>ZC3H12A </it>is poorly explored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we report that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β rapidly induces the synthesis of MCPIP in primary monocyte-derived macrophages and HepG2 cells. This up-regulation takes place through the MAP kinase pathway and following activation of the transcription factor Elk-1. Using a <it>ZC3H12A </it>reporter construct we have shown that a <it>ZC3H12A </it>promoter region, stretching from -76 to +60, mediates activation by IL-1β. This region contains binding sites for Elk-1 and its partner SRF. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirms <it>in vivo </it>binding of both transcription factors to this region of the <it>ZC3H12A </it>promoter.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that the transcription factor Elk-1 plays an important role in the activation of <it>ZC3H12A </it>expression in response to IL-1β stimulation.</p

Cytotoxic activity of proteins isolated from extracts of Corydalis cava tubers in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Corydalis cava </it>Schweigg. & Koerte, the plant of numerous pharmacological activities, together with the studied earlier by our group <it>Chelidonium majus </it>L. (Greater Celandine), belong to the family <it>Papaveraceae</it>. The plant grows in Central and South Europe and produces the sizeable subterraneous tubers, empty inside, which are extremely resistant to various pathogen attacks. The <it>Corydalis sp. </it>tubers are a rich source of many biologically active substances, with the extensive use in European and Asian folk medicine. They have analgetic, sedating, narcotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-tumour activities. On the other hand, there is no information about possible biological activities of proteins contained in <it>Corydalis cava </it>tubers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nucleolytic proteins were isolated from the tubers of <it>C. cava </it>by separation on a heparin column and tested for DNase activity. Protein fractions showing nucleolytic activity were tested for cytotoxic activity in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. Cultures of HeLa cells were conducted in the presence of three protein concentrations: 42, 83 and 167 ng/ml during 48 h. Viability of cell cultures was appraised using XTT colorimetric test. Protein fractions were separated and protein bands were excised and sent for identification by mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The studied protein fractions showed an inhibiting effect on mitochondrial activity of HeLa cells, depending on the administered dose of proteins. The most pronounced effect was obtained with the highest concentration of the protein (167 ng/ml) - 43.45 ± 3% mitochondrial activity of HeLa cells were inhibited. Mass spectrometry results for the proteins of applied fractions showed that they contained plant defense- and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The cytotoxic effect of studied proteins toward HeLa cell line cells has been evident and dependent on increasing dose of the protein. The present study, most probably, represents the first investigations on the effect of purified PR proteins from tuber extracts of a pharmacologically active plant on cell lines.</p

Differentiation of hydromorphological conditions of selected Wielkopolska rivers taking into account the abiotic typology and use of the river valley

W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań hydromorfologicznych rzek Wielkopolski uzyskanych na podstawie hydromorfologicznego indeksu rzecznego (HIR). Łącznie przebadano 93 odcinki, należące do 47 cieków. Do obliczenia metriksu HIR wykorzystane zostały wyniki z badań terenowych. Podczas analiz statystycznych porównano zarówno indeks, jak i jego składowe – wskaźnik przekształcenia hydromorfologii (WPH) i wskaźnik różnorodności hydromorfologicznej (WRH). Wyniki analizowano pod względem typologii abiotycznej rzek, jak i użytkowania doliny rzecznej (bufora). Badania wykazały zróżnicowanie warunków hydromorfologicznych cieków na obszarze województwa wielkopolskiego. Stwierdzono stan hydromorfologiczny badanych odcinków od bardzo dobrego do złego. Stan hydromorfologiczny największej liczby odcinków (43) był dobry, następnych 25 umiarkowany, 15 bardzo dobry, 7 słaby i 3 zły. Stwierdzono również istotne statystycznie zależności między strukturą użytkowania strefy przybrzeżnej badanych odcinków a wartością HIR. Najlepsze warunki hydromorfologiczne występowały na odcinkach położonych w terenach seminaturalnych, a najgorsze na obszarach zurbanizowanych.The article presents the results of hydromorphological studies of the Wielkopolska rivers obtained on the basis of the Hydromorphological Index for Rivers (HIR). In total research 93 sections, belonging to 47 watercourses were examined. Hydromorphological index of the river survey was based on the results from field studies. During the statistical analyzes, both the index and its components of WPH and WRH were compared. The results were analyzed in terms of the abiotic typology of rivers as well as the use of the river valley (buffer). The research showed differentiation of hydromorphological conditions in the area of the Wielkopolskia voivodship. The hydromorphological state was found from very good to bad. The most sections (43), had a good hydromorphological status, followed by a moderate level of 25, a very good 15, a poor 7 and 3 bad. There were also found dependencies between uses structure the riparian zone and the HIR index. The best hydromorphological conditions were found in watercourses located in semi natural areas and the worst in urbanized areas

Down-regulation of CBP80 gene expression as a strategy to engineer a drought-tolerant potato

Developing new strategies for crop plants to respond to drought is crucial for their innovative breeding. The down-regulation of nuclear cap-binding proteins in Arabidopsis renders plants drought tolerant. The CBP80 gene in the potato cultivar Desiree was silenced using artificial microRNAs. Transgenic plants displayed a higher tolerance to drought, ABA-hypersensitive stomatal closing, an increase in leaf stomata and trichome density, and compact cuticle structures with a lower number of microchannels. These findings were correlated with a higher tolerance to water stress. The level of miR159 was decreased, and the levels of its target mRNAs MYB33 and MYB101 increased in the transgenic plants subjected to drought. Similar trends were observed in an Arabidopsis cbp80 mutant. The evolutionary conservation of CBP80, a gene that plays a role in the response to drought, suggests that it is a candidate for genetic manipulations that aim to obtain improved water-deficit tolerance of crop plants