Agronomic performance and transcriptional analysis of carotenoid biosynthesis in fruits of transgenic HighCaro and control tomato lines under field conditions

Genetic manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in higher plants has been the objective of a number of biotechnology programs, e.g. the Golden Rice Program. However, tomato (Solanumlycopersicum L.), which naturally accumulates lycopene in fruits, has attracted the attention of many groups who have manipulated it to increase or diversify carotenoid accumulation. One of the most significant achievements was “HighCaro (HC),” a transgenic tomato plant constitutively expressing the tomato lycopene beta-cyclase (tLcy-b), that produces orange fruits due to the complete conversion of lycopene to β-carotene. In this article we report the results of a field trial conducted in Metaponto (Italy) on HC and on two control genotypes to evaluate the stability of the transgenic trait and their yield performances. Transcriptional regulation of eight genes involved in carotenogenesis was assayed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis on fruits collected at four distinct development stages. Statistical analysis results demonstrated that in field conditions the transgene maintained its ability to induce the conversion of lycopene to β-carotene. Moreover, agronomic performances and fruit quality in the transgenic line were not impaired by this metabolic disturbance. Results of qRT-PCR analysis suggested that transcription of PSY-1, PDS and ZDS genes were developmentally regulated in both genotypes. Unexpectedly, Lcy-b expression in transgenic fruits was also developmentally regulated, despite the fact that the gene was driven by a constitutive promoter. Our data provide evidence that in photosynthetic cells a strict and aspecific mechanism controls the level of transcripts until the onset of chromoplasts differentiation, at which point a gene-specific control on transcription takes place

[manuscript] Ordonnances et dispositions des droits d'entrée et sortie, 1670-1736 /

De Saint-Genois, J. Catalogue ... des manuscrits de la bibliothèque ... de l'université de Gand; 232Bijzondere collectiesHerkomst: Verbaer

Acquisition of co-ordination between posture and movement in a bimanual task.

International audienceThe acquisition of co-ordination between posture and movement was investigated in human subjects performing a load lifting task. Sitting subjects held their left (postural) forearm in a horizontal position while supporting a 1 kg load via an electromagnet. Perturbation of the postural forearm position consisted of the load release triggered either by the experimenter (control) or by the subject voluntarily moving the other arm. In the latter case, the movement involved the elbow joint (load lifting (A), isometric force change at the wrist level (B), elbow rotation (C) and pressing a button with the wrist (D] or the fingers (grip isometric force change). We recorded the maximal amplitude and maximal velocity of the rotation of the postural forearm, the EMG of the forearm flexors on both sides and the force exerted either by the load on the postural arm or by the isometric contraction of the moving arm. The maximal forearm angular velocity after unloading was known to be related to the level of muscle contraction before unloading. 1. In the control situation, repetition of the imposed unloading test resulted in a progressive reduction in the maximal forearm rotation without any decrease in the maximal velocity. The amplitude and duration of the unloading reflex were found to increase in parallel. These results suggest that an adaptive mechanism took place which increased the gain of the unloading reflex loop and reduced the mechanical effect of the perturbation. This mechanism was found to come into play not only in the control situation but also in other paradigms where the perturbation was expected by the subjects. 2. A decrease in both maximal amplitude and velocity of forearm rotation together with a weak "anticipatory" deactivation of the forearm postural flexors was observed when the unloading was caused by an elbow movement (situations A, B, C) which indicates that a feedforward postural control took place. An interlimb coordination was built up and stabilized after 40-60 trials. Pressing a button with the wrist (weak force and displacement) was a less effective means of inducing an anticipatory control of the flexors of the postural forearm, which indicates that the intensity of the central control plays a role in the building up of the coordination. 3. A distal grip action exerting either weak (100 g) or a high (1 kg) force was able to reduce the maximal amplitude of the forearm rotation, but not the maximal velocity, which indicates that an improved reflex action takes place, but not a feedforward anticipatory postural control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS

First isolation of Brevibacterium linens (Brevibacterium aurantiacum sp. nov.) pigments in the rind of Vieux-Pané, an industrial red-smear ripened soft cheese

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Transcriptome analysis and in-vitro enzymatic activity of Aspergillus niger grown on sugarcane distillery spentwash

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Transcriptome analysis and in-vitro enzymatic activity of Aspergillus niger grown on sugarcane distillery spentwash

International audienceno abstrac