29 research outputs found
Enhancing grain size in durum wheat using RNAi to knockdown GW2 genes
Sestili F., Pagliarello R., Zega A., Saletti R., Pucci A., Botticella E., Masci S., Tundo S., Moscetti I., Foti S., Lafiandra D. 2019 Enhancing grain size in durum wheat using RNAi to knock-down GW2 genes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 132(2): 419-429 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-018-3229-9.
Abstract
Key message Knocking down GW2 enhances grain size by regulating genes encoding the synthesis of cytokinin,
gibberellin, starch and cell wall.
Abstract Raising crop yield is a priority task in the light of the continuing growth of the world’s population and the inexorable
loss of arable land to urbanization. Here, the RNAi approach was taken to reduce the abundance of Grain Weight 2
(GW2) transcript in the durum wheat cultivar Svevo. The effect of the knockdown was to increase the grains’ starch content
by 10–40%, their width by 4–13% and their surface area by 3–5%. Transcriptomic profiling, based on a quantitative
real-time PCR platform, revealed that the transcript abundance of genes encoding both cytokinin dehydrogenase 1 and the
large subunit of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase was markedly increased in the transgenic lines, whereas that of the genes
encoding cytokinin dehydrogenase 2 and gibberellin 3-oxidase was reduced. A proteomic analysis of the non-storage fraction
extracted from mature grains detected that eleven proteins were differentially represented in the transgenic compared
to wild-type grain: some of these were involved, or at least potentially involved, in cell wall development, suggesting a role
of GW2 in the regulation of cell division in the wheat grain
New Bioactive Peptides from the Mediterranean Seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile and Their Impact on Antimicrobial Activity and Apoptosis of Human Cancer Cells
The demand for new molecules to counter bacterial resistance to antibiotics and tumor cell
resistance is increasingly pressing. The Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica is considered a
promising source of new bioactive molecules. Polypeptide-enriched fractions of rhizomes and green
leaves of the seagrass were tested against Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus
faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), as well as towards
the yeast Candida albicans. The aforementioned extracts showed indicative MIC values, ranging from
1.61 ÎĽg/mL to 7.5 ÎĽg/mL, against the selected pathogens. Peptide fractions were further analyzed
through a high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search, which identified nine novel
peptides. Some discovered peptides and their derivatives were chemically synthesized and tested
in vitro. The assays identified two synthetic peptides, derived from green leaves and rhizomes of
P. oceanica, which revealed interesting antibiofilm activity towards S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa
(BIC50 equal to 17.7 ÎĽg/mL and 70.7 ÎĽg/mL). In addition, the natural and derivative peptides
were also tested for potential cytotoxic and apoptosis-promoting effects on HepG2 cells, derived
from human hepatocellular carcinomas. One natural and two synthetic peptides were proven to be
effective against the “ in vitro” liver cancer cell model. These novel peptides could be considered a
good chemical platform for developing potential therapeutics
A Novel Peptide with Antifungal Activity from Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii
The defense system of freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii as a diversified source of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial properties was studied. Antimicrobial activity of two polypeptideenriched extracts obtained from hemocytes and hemolymph of P. clarkii were assessed against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria and toward the yeast Candida albicans. The two peptide fractions showed interesting MIC values (ranging from 11 to 700 g/mL) against all tested pathogens. Polypeptideenriched extracts were further investigated using a high-resolution mass spectrometry and database search and 14 novel peptides were identified. Some peptides and their derivatives were chemically synthesized and tested in vitro against the bacterial and yeast pathogens. The analysis identified
a synthetic derivative peptide, which showed an interesting antifungal (MIC and MFC equal to 31.2 g/mL and 62.5 g/mL, respectively) and antibiofilm (BIC50 equal to 23.2 g/mL) activities against Candida albicans and a low toxicity in human cells
Guidelines for the use and interpretation of diagnostic methods in adult food allergy
Food allergy has an increasing prevalence in the general population and in Italy concerns 8 % of people with allergies. The spectrum of its clinical manifestations ranges from mild symptoms up to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. A number of patients can be diagnosed easily by the use of first- and second-level procedures (history, skin tests and allergen specific IgE). Patients with complex presentation, such as multiple sensitizations and pollen-food syndromes, frequently require a third-level approach including molecular diagnostics, which enables the design of a component-resolved sensitization profile for each patient. The use of such techniques involves specialists' and experts' skills on the issue to appropriately meet the diagnostic and therapeutic needs of patients. Particularly, educational programs for allergists on the use and interpretation of molecular diagnostics are needed
Involvement of alanine racemase in germination of Bacillus cereus spores lacking an intact exosporium
none6noneVENIR, Elena; Manuela Torre; Vincenzo Cunsolo; Rosaria Saletti; MUSETTI, Rita; STECCHINI, Mara LuciaVenir, Elena; Manuela, Torre; Vincenzo, Cunsolo; Rosaria, Saletti; Musetti, Rita; Stecchini, Mara Luci