AtGRP3 is implicated in root size and aluminum response pathways in Arabidopsis

AtGRP3 is a glycine-rich protein (GRP) from Arabidopsis thaliana shown to interact with the receptor-like kinase AtWAK1 in yeast, in vitro and in planta. In this work, phenotypic analyses using transgenic plants were performed in order to better characterize this GRP. Plants of two independent knockout alleles of AtGRP3 develop longer roots suggesting its involvement in root size determination. Confocal microscopy analysis showed an abnormal cell division and elongation in grp3-1 knockout mutants. Moreover, we also show that grp3-1 exhibits an enhanced Aluminum (Al) tolerance, a feature also described in AtWAK1 overexpressing plants. Together, these results implicate AtGRP3 function root size determination during development and in Al stress

Nandrolone and resistance training induce heart remodeling: Role of fetal genes and implications for cardiac pathophysiology

Aims: This study was conducted to assess the isolated and combined effects of nandrolone and resistance training on cardiac morphology, function, and mRNA expression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy markers.Main methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups and submitted to 6 weeks of treatment with nandrolone and/or resistance training. Cardiac parameters were determined by echocardiography. Heart was analyzed for collagen infiltration. Real-time RT-PCR was used to assess the pathological cardiac hypertrophy markers.Key findings: Both resistance training and nandrolone induced cardiac hypertrophy. Nandrolone increased the cardiac collagen content, and reduced the cardiac index in non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Nandrolone reduced the ratio of maximum early to late transmitral flow velocity in non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Nandrolone reduced the alpha-myosin heavy chain gene expression in both non-trained and trained groups, when compared with the respective vehicle-treated groups. Training reduced the beta-myosin heavy chain gene expression in the groups treated with vehicle and nandrolone. Only the association between training and nandrolone increased the expression of the skeletal alpha-actin gene and atrial natriuretic peptide in the left ventricle.Significance: This study indicated that nandrolone, whether associated with resistance training or not, induces cardiac hypertrophy, which is associated with enhanced collagen content, re-expression of fetal genes the in left ventricle, and impaired diastolic and systolic function. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAEPEX/UNICAMPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Physiol Sci, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Heart Inst InCor, Hypertens Unit, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sports, Biochem Lab, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Morphol, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilPontifical Catholic Univ Campinas, Life Sci Ctr, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 05/60284-6Web of Scienc

Immunity to Lutzomyia intermedia Saliva Modulates the Inflammatory Environment Induced by Leishmania braziliensis

Transmission of Leishmania parasites occurs during blood feeding, when infected female sand flies inject humans with parasites and saliva. Chemokines and cytokines are secreted proteins that regulate the initial immune responses and have the potential of attracting and activating cells. Herein, we studied the expression of such molecules and the cellular recruitment induced by salivary proteins of the Lutzomyia intermedia sand fly. Of note, Lutzomyia intermedia is the main vector of Leishmania braziliensis, a parasite species that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease associated with the development of destructive skin lesions that can be fatal if left untreated. We observed that L. intermedia salivary proteins induce a potent cellular recruitment and modify the expression profile of chemokines and cytokines in mice. More importantly, in mice previously immunized with L. intermedia saliva, the alteration in the initial inflammatory response was even more pronounced, in terms of the number of cells recruited and in terms of gene expression pattern. These findings indicate that an existing immunity to L. intermedia sand fly induces an important modulation in the initial immune response that may, in turn, promote parasite multiplication, leading to the development of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Effects of nandrolone and resistance training on the blood pressure, cardiac electrophysiology, and expression of atrial beta-adrenergic receptors

Aims: This study was performed to assess isolated and combined effects of nandrolone and resistance training on the blood pressure, cardiac electrophysiology, and expression of the beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the heart of rats.Main methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups and submitted to a 6-week treatment with nandrolone and/or resistance training. Cardiac hypertrophy was accessed by the ratio of heart weight to the final body weight. Blood pressure was determined by a computerized tail-cuff system. Electrocardiography analyses were performed. Western blotting was used to access the protein levels of the beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the right atrium and left ventricle.Key findings: Both resistance training and nandrolone induced cardiac hypertrophy. Nandrolone increased systolic blood pressure depending on the treatment time. Resistance training decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, as well as induced resting bradycardia. Nandrolone prolonged the QTc interval for both trained and non-trained groups when they were compared to their respective vehicle-treated one. Nandrolone increased the expression of beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the right atrium for both trained and non-trained groups when they were compared to their respective vehicle-treated one.Significance: This study indicated that nandrolone, associated or not with resistance training increases blood pressure depending on the treatment time, induces prolongation of the QTc interval, and increases the expression of beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac right atrium, but not in the left ventricle. (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAEPEX/UNICAMPConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Estadual Campinas, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Physiol Sci, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sports, Biochem Lab, BR-05508 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Metodista Piracicaba, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilPontifical Cathol Univ Campinas, Life Sci Ctr, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Inst Sci & Technol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc