Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics in Arabidopsis shoot meristems through cytokinins

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all of the aerial parts of plants. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM, by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression of WUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis. In time- lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds new light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network, by showing that it does not only maintain meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment.This work is supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation [fellowship GAT3395/DAA (to E.M.M.), GAT3272/GLC (to J.C.W.L.), and GAT3395-PR4 (to H.J.)]. E.M.M. also acknowledges support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (through Grant GBMF3406). Research in the laboratory of J.C.W.L. was made possible by the award of a European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013)/ERC Grant Agreement 338060. P.F.-J. acknowledges a postdoctoral fellowship provided by the Herchel Smith Foundation

FERONIA and microtubules independently contribute to mechanical integrity in the Arabidopsis shoot

To survive, cells must constantly resist mechanical stress. In plants, this involves the reinforcement of cell walls, notably through microtubule-dependent cellulose deposition. How wall sensing might contribute to this response is unknown. Here, we tested whether the microtubule response to stress acts downstream of known wall sensors. Using a multistep screen with 11 mutant lines, we identify FERONIA (FER) as the primary candidate for the cell's response to stress in the shoot. However, this does not imply that FER acts upstream of the microtubule response to stress. In fact, when performing mechanical perturbations, we instead show that the expected microtubule response to stress does not require FER. We reveal that the feronia phenotype can be partially rescued by reducing tensile stress levels. Conversely, in the absence of both microtubules and FER, cells appear to swell and burst. Altogether, this shows that the microtubule response to stress acts as an independent pathway to resist stress, in parallel to FER. We propose that both pathways are required to maintain the mechanical integrity of plant cells

Las comunidades terapéuticas como tratamiento para las drogodependencias: una revisión sistemática del seguimiento a corto plazo

Objetivo. Las comunidades terapéuticas (CT) constituyen uno de los tratamientos más extensos para las drogodependencias; sin embargo, su investigación es escasa. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión sistemática para conocer los elementos metodológicos de los estudios de seguimiento a corto plazo y, a su vez, describir las consecuencias de las CT. Material y método. Se aplicó el "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and meta- Analyses" (PRISMA) para la búsqueda en Medline, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES y PsycCRITIQUES de estudios de seguimiento a corto plazo de CT entre 1980 y 2010. Resultados. El seguimiento consiste en un registro inicial y, al menos, otro al medio año de tratamiento; la muestra mínima contiene 60 usuarios con una mayor prevalencia de hombres solteros;el 50% continúa en seguimiento y/o alcanza la abstinencia. Conclusión. Las CT parecen ser beneficiosas para el ajuste del consumo y otros aspectos psicosociales, aunque la falta de información dificulta garantizar la comparación de estos hallazgos. © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. y SET. Todos los derechos reservados

Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics in Arabidopsis shoot meristems through cytokinins

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all the aerial parts of plants. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments, and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression of WUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis. In time-lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network by showing that it not only maintains meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment

Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics in Arabidopsis shoot meristems through cytokinins

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all the aerial parts of plants. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments, and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression of WUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis. In time-lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network by showing that it not only maintains meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment

Set optimization - a rather short introduction

Recent developments in set optimization are surveyed and extended including various set relations as well as fundamental constructions of a convex analysis for set- and vector-valued functions, and duality for set optimization problems. Extensive sections with bibliographical comments summarize the state of the art. Applications to vector optimization and financial risk measures are discussed along with algorithmic approaches to set optimization problems

A human XRCC4–XLF complex bridges DNA

DNA double-strand breaks pose a significant threat to cell survival and must be repaired. In higher eukaryotes, such damage is repaired efficiently by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Within this pathway, XRCC4 and XLF fulfill key roles required for end joining. Using DNA-binding and -bridging assays, combined with direct visualization, we present evidence for how XRCC4–XLF complexes robustly bridge DNA molecules. This unanticipated, DNA Ligase IV-independent bridging activity by XRCC4–XLF suggests an early role for this complex during end joining, in addition to its more well-established later functions. Mutational analysis of the XRCC4–XLF C-terminal tail regions further identifies specialized functions in complex formation and interaction with DNA and DNA Ligase IV. Based on these data and the crystal structure of an extended protein filament of XRCC4–XLF at 3.94 Å, a model for XRCC4–XLF complex function in NHEJ is presented

Multiobjective optimization for interwoven systems

In practical situations, complex systems are often composed of subsystems or subproblems with single or multiple objectives. These subsystems focus on different aspects of the overall system, but they often have strong interactions with each other and they are usually not sequentially ordered or obviously decomposable. Thus, the individual solutions of subproblems do not generally induce a solution for the overall system. Here, we strive to identify "re-composition architectures" of such "interwoven" systems. Our intention is to connect the subsystems adequately, analyze the resulting performance, model/solve the overall system, and improve the overall solution instead of just solving each subsystem separately. We review recent developments in this field and discuss modeling and solution paradigms in a general and unified framework using the example of an interwoven system consisting of two interacting subsystems

XLF and APLF bind Ku80 at two remote sites to ensure DNA repair by non-homologous end joining

International audienceThe Ku70-Ku80 (Ku) heterodimer binds rapidly and tightly to the ends of DNA double-strand breaks and recruits factors of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway through molecular interactions that remain unclear. We have determined crystal structures of the Ku-binding motifs (KBM) of the NHEJ proteins APLF (A-KBM) and XLF (X-KBM) bound to a Ku-DNA complex. The two KBM motifs bind remote sites of the Ku80 alpha/beta domain. The X-KBM occupies an internal pocket formed by an unprecedented large outward rotation of the Ku80 alpha/beta domain. We observe independent recruitment of the APLF-interacting protein XRCC4 and of XLF to laser-irradiated sites via binding of A- and X-KBMs, respectively, to Ku80. Finally, we show that mutation of the X-KBM and A-KBM binding sites in Ku80 compromises both the efficiency and accuracy of end joining and cellular radiosensitivity. A- and X-KBMs may represent two initial anchor points to build the intricate interaction network required for NHEJ