27 research outputs found

    Multitrophic Interaction in the Rhizosphere of Maize: Root Feeding of Western Corn Rootworm Larvae Alters the Microbial Community Composition

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    BACKGROUND: Larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm (WCR) feeding on maize roots cause heavy economical losses in the US and in Europe. New or adapted pest management strategies urgently require a better understanding of the multitrophic interaction in the rhizosphere. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WCR root feeding on the microbial communities colonizing the maize rhizosphere. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In a greenhouse experiment, maize lines KWS13, KWS14, KWS15 and MON88017 were grown in three different soil types in presence and in absence of WCR larvae. Bacterial and fungal community structures were analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the 16S rRNA gene and ITS fragments, PCR amplified from the total rhizosphere community DNA. DGGE bands with increased intensity were excised from the gel, cloned and sequenced in order to identify specific bacteria responding to WCR larval feeding. DGGE fingerprints showed that the soil type and the maize line influenced the fungal and bacterial communities inhabiting the maize rhizosphere. WCR larval feeding affected the rhiyosphere microbial populations in a soil type and maize line dependent manner. DGGE band sequencing revealed an increased abundance of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in the rhizosphere of several maize lines in all soil types upon WCR larval feeding. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The effects of both rhizosphere and WCR larval feeding seemed to be stronger on bacterial communities than on fungi. Bacterial and fungal community shifts in response to larval feeding were most likely due to changes of root exudation patterns. The increased abundance of A. calcoaceticus suggested that phenolic compounds were released upon WCR wounding

    Mice lacking protein tyrosine kinase fyn develop a T helper-type 1 response and resistLeishmania major infection

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    Fyn is a Src family protein tyrosine kinase associated with TCR/CD3 complex. Fyn appears to play a role in the activation of T cells based on its enzymatic activation and tyrosine phosphorylation following the ligation of TCR/CD3, and it also plays a critical role in the calcium flux and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The protective response against murineLeishmania major infection is associated with the T helper-type 1 (Th1) responses and the ability to modulate Th1 cytokines such as IL-2 and interferon-Îł, respectively. The role of Fyn tyrosine kinasein vivo was directly examined by the response to infection withL. major in C57BL/6fyn-deficient mice. Despite the absence of Fyn, the mice remained resistant to this infection with only mild lesion development, and, they demonstrated Th1 responses as assessed by the delayed-type hyper-sensitivity response and cytokine milieu. The findings in thefyn-deficient mice failed to support a relationship between the anticipated functions of Fynin vitro and the immune response toL. major infectionin vivo. As a result, in leishmanial disease, Fyn probably plays a minor role in the protective immune response and is, therefore, not a key factor in such a response
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