A SHATTERPROOF-like gene controls ripening in non-climacteric strawberries, and auxin and abscissic acid antagonistically affect its expression

Strawberries (Fragaria×ananassa) are false fruits the ripening of which follows the non-climacteric pathway. The role played by a C-type MADS-box gene [SHATTERPROOF-like (FaSHP)] in the ripening of strawberries has been studied by transiently modifying gene expression through either over-expression or RNA-interference-mediated down-regulation. The altered expression of the FaSHP gene caused a change in the time taken by the over-expressing and the down- regulated fruits to attain the pink stage, which was slightly shorter and much longer, respectively, compared to controls. In parallel with the modified ripening times, the metabolome components and the expression of ripening-related genes also appeared different in the transiently modified fruits. Differences in the response time of the analysed genes suggest that FaSHP can control the expression of ripening genes either directly or indirectly through other transcription factor-encoding genes. Because fleshy strawberries are false fruits these results indicate that C-type MADS-box genes like SHATTERPROOF may act as modulators of ripening in fleshy fruit-like structures independently of their anatomical origin. Treatment of strawberries with either auxin or abscisic acid had antagonistic impacts on both the expression of FaSHP and the expression of ripening-related genes and metabolome components

Characterization of TM8, a MADS-box gene expressed in tomato flowers

Background.The identity of flower organs is specified by various MIKC MADS-box transcription factors which act in a combinatorial manner. TM8 is a MADS-box gene that was isolated from the floral meristem of a tomato mutant more than twenty years ago, but is still poorly known from a functional point of view in spite of being present in both Angiosperms and Gymnosperms, with some species harbouring more than one copy of the gene. This study reports a characterization of TM8 that was carried out in transgenic tomato plants with altered expression of the gene. Results. Tomato plants over-expressing either TM8 or a chimeric repressor form of the gene (TM8:SRDX) were prepared. In the TM8 up-regulated plants it was possible to observe aberrant stamens with poorly viable pollen and altered expression of several floral identity genes, among them B-, C- and E-function ones, while no apparent morphological modifications were visible in the other whorls. Oblong ovaries and fruits, that were also parthenocarpic, were obtained in the plants expressing theTM8:SRDX repressor gene. Such ovaries showed modified expression of various carpel-related genes. No apparent modifications could be seen in the other flower whorls. The latter plants had also epinastic leaves and malformed flower abscission zones. By using yeast two hybrid assays it was possible to show that TM8 was able to interact in yeast with MACROCALIX. Conclusions. The impact of the ectopically altered TM8 expression on the reproductive structures suggests that this gene plays some role in the development of the tomato flower. MACROCALYX, a putative A-function MADS-box gene, was expressed in all the four whorls of fully developed flowers, and showed quantitative variations that were opposite to those of TM8 in the aberrant stamens and ovaries. Since the TM8 protein interacted in vitro only with A-function MADS-box proteins like the tomato MACROCALYX, it seems that for the correct differentiation of the tomato reproductive structures possible interactions between TM8 and MACROCALYX proteins might be important

Characterisation of plastic wads: A useful approach for elucidating shooting accidents and homicides involving shotguns

Wads are components of shotgun cartridges used for transferring to pellets or slugs the kinetic energy produced during the combustion chain which takes place as the trigger is pulled by the shooter. The hull of the cartridge falls in the vicinities of the gun, so it is easy for a malicious shooter to cancel this particular trace from a crime scene. However, the wad is projected to an intermediate point between the shooter and the victim, it is easily lost, and so it can be useful as a trace containing information on the type of ammunition used by a shooter and possibly a convenient item for comparison with analogous objects found in the premises of a suspect. In this paper, various analytical approaches, such as thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were employed in order to discriminate apparently similar commercial wads. Samples that had previously been fired and pristine samples were examined, verifying that the energy, temperature and pressure associated to the combustion of the powder in the bore does not bring about appreciable changes in the polymer structure, thus allowing to use this approach in casework

CARTA LITOLOGICA E DEI LINEAMENTI STRUTTURALI DEL TRENTINO

Serv. Geol. Prov. Aut. Trent

CARTA LITOLOGICA E DEI LINEAMENTI STRUTTURALI DEL TRENTINO

Serv. Geol. Prov. Aut. Trent

Sucessioni sedimentarie Plioquaternarie in: Note illustrative della carta geologica d'Italia alla scala 1:50.000: foglio 080 Riva del Garda.

Descrizione delle coperture quaternarie in chiave allostratigrafic

La perception et la consommation des plastiques.

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