Zinc Finger Artificial Transcription Factor-Mediated Chloroplast Genome Interrogation in Arabidopsis thaliana

The large majority of core photosynthesis proteins in plants are encoded by nuclear genes, but a small portion have been retained in the plastid genome. These plastid-encoded chloroplast proteins fulfill essential roles in the process of photochemistry. Here, we report the use of nuclear-encoded, chloroplast-targeted zinc finger artificial transcription factors (ZF-ATFs) with effector domains of prokaryotic origin to modulate the expression of chloroplast genes, and to enhance the photochemical activity and growth characteristics of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This technique was named chloroplast genome interrogation. Using this novel approach, we obtained evidence that ZF-ATFs can indeed be translocated to chloroplasts of Arabidopsis plants, can modulate their growth and operating light use efficiency of PSII, and finally can induce statistically significant changes in the expression levels of several chloroplast genes. Our data suggest that the distortion of chloroplast gene expression might be a feasible approach to manipulate the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants

Zinc Finger Artificial Transcription Factor-Mediated Chloroplast Genome Interrogation In Arabidopsis thaliana

The large majority of core photosynthesis proteins in plants are encoded by nuclear genes, but a small portion have been retained in the plastid genome. These plastid-encoded chloroplast proteins fulfill essential roles in the process of photochemistry. Here, we report the use of nuclear-encoded, chloroplast-targeted zinc finger artificial transcription factors (ZF-ATFs) with effector domains of prokaryotic origin to modulate the expression of chloroplast genes, and to enhance the photochemical activity and growth characteristics of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This technique was named chloroplast genome interrogation. Using this novel approach, we obtained evidence that ZF-ATFs can indeed be translocated to chloroplasts of Arabidopsis plants, can modulate their growth and operating light use efficiency of PSII, and finally can induce statistically significant changes in the expression levels of several chloroplast genes. Our data suggest that the distortion of chloroplast gene expression might be a feasible approach to manipulate the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants.Plant science

Zinc Finger Artificial Transcription Factor-Mediated Chloroplast Genome Interrogation in Arabidopsis thaliana

The large majority of core photosynthesis proteins in plants are encoded by nuclear genes, but a small portion have been retained in the plastid genome. These plastid-encoded chloroplast proteins fulfill essential roles in the process of photochemistry. Here, we report the use of nuclear-encoded, chloroplast-targeted zinc finger artificial transcription factors (ZF-ATFs) with effector domains of prokaryotic origin to modulate the expression of chloroplast genes, and to enhance the photochemical activity and growth characteristics of Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This technique was named chloroplast genome interrogation. Using this novel approach, we obtained evidence that ZF-ATFs can indeed be translocated to chloroplasts of Arabidopsis plants, can modulate their growth and operating light use efficiency of PSII, and finally can induce statistically significant changes in the expression levels of several chloroplast genes. Our data suggest that the distortion of chloroplast gene expression might be a feasible approach to manipulate the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants

The sensory and motor representation of synchronized oscillations in the globus pallidus in patients with primary dystonia

In 15 patients with primary dystonia (six cervical and nine generalized dystonias) who were treated with bilateral chronic pallidal stimulation, we investigated the sensorimotor modulation of the oscillatory local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from the pallidal electrodes. We correlated these with the surface electromyograms in the affected muscles. The effects of involuntary, passive and voluntary movement and muscle-tendon vibration on frequency ranges of 0–3 Hz, theta (3–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), low (12–20 Hz) and high beta (20–30 Hz), and low (30–60 Hz) and high gamma (60–90 Hz) power were recorded and compared between cervical and generalized dystonia groups. Significant decreases in LFP synchronization at 8–20 Hz occurred during the sensory modulation produced by voluntary or passive movement or vibration. Voluntary movement also caused increased gamma band activity (30–90 Hz). Dystonic involuntary muscle spasms were specifically associated with increased theta, alpha and low beta (3–18 Hz). Furthermore, the increase in the frequency range of 3–20 Hz correlated with the strength of the muscle spasms and preceded them by ~320 ms. Differences in modulation of pallidal oscillation between cervical and generalized dystonias were also revealed. This study yields new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of primary dystonias and their treatment using pallidal deep brain stimulation