Effect of Foliar Application of Iron, Zinc and Manganese on Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Two Varieties of Grain Millet

In order to study the effect of foliar application of Fe, Zn and Mn on yield, yield components and protein content of two varieties of grain millet an experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications in research field of Birjand branch, Islamic Azad University at 2010.  In this study two millet varieties including Bastan (Setaria italica) and Pishahang (Panicum miliaceum), and six levels of foliar micronutrient fertilizer including control, Fe, Zn, Mn, (Fe+Zn), (Fe+Zn+Mn) were investigated. The results indicated that, panicle length, 1000 grain weight and panicle number per m2 were higher in Pishahang than Bastan, but grain yield, number of seeds per panicle, harvest index and protein yield were higher in Bastan. Characteristics such as panicle length, biological yield and harvest index and protein percentage were affected by foliar micronutrient fertilizer but grain yield remained unchanged. Foliar application with (Fe+Zn+Mn) increased protein content compared to the control, but it did not affect protein yield. According to the results of this experiment, Bastan millet variety and foliar application of Zn is potent to produce the maximum grain yield, albeit it warrants further studies

M-Cadherin Activates Rac1 GTPase through the Rho-GEF Trio during Myoblast Fusion

Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate Ca(2+)-dependent homophilic cell–cell adhesion and play crucial role during skeletal myogenesis. M-cadherin is required for myoblast fusion into myotubes, but its mechanisms of action remain unknown. The goal of this study was to cast some light on the nature of the M-cadherin–mediated signals involved in myoblast fusion into myotubes. We found that the Rac1 GTPase activity is increased at the time of myoblast fusion and it is required for this process. Moreover, we showed that M-cadherin–dependent adhesion activates Rac1 and demonstrated the formation of a multiproteic complex containing M-cadherin, the Rho-GEF Trio, and Rac1 at the onset of myoblast fusion. Interestingly, Trio knockdown efficiently blocked both the increase in Rac1-GTP levels, observed after M-cadherin–dependent contact formation, and myoblast fusion. We conclude that M-cadherin–dependent adhesion can activate Rac1 via the Rho-GEF Trio at the time of myoblast fusion

SOX9 directly regulates the type-II collagen gene

Mutations in human SOX9 are associated with campomelic dysplasia (CD), characterised by skeletal malformation and XY sex reversal. During chondrogenesis in the mouse, Sox9 is co-expressed with Col2a1 the gene encoding type-II collagen, the major cartilage matrix protein. Col2a1 is therefore a candidate regulatory target of SOX9. Regulatory sequences required for chondrocyte-specific expression of the type-II collagen gene have been localized to conserved sequences in the first intron in rats, mice and humans. We show here that SOX9 protein binds specifically to sequences in the first intron of human COL2A1. Mutation of these sequences abolishes SOX9 binding and chondrocyte-specific expression of a COL2A1-driven reporter gene (COL2A1-lacZ) in transgenic mice. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Sox9 trans-activates both a COL2A1-driven reporter gene and the endogenous Col2a1 gene in transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that COL2A1 expression is directly regulated by SOX9 protein in vivo and implicate abnormal regulation of COL2A1 during chondrogenesis as a cause of the skeletal abnormalities associated with campomelic dysplasia.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Spatiotemporal distribution of heparan sulfate epitopes during murine cartilage growth plate development.

Contains fulltext : 50135.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are abundant in the pericellular matrix of both developing and mature cartilage. Increasing evidence suggests the action of numerous chondroregulatory molecules depends on HSPGs. In addition to specific functions attributed to their core protein, the complexity of heparan sulfate (HS) synthesis provides extraordinary structural and functional heterogeneity. Understanding the interactions of chondroregulatory molecules with HSPGs and their subsequent outcomes has been limited by the absence of a detailed analysis of HS species in cartilage. In this study, we characterize the distribution and variety of HS species in developing cartilage of normal mice. Cryo-sections of femur and tibia from normal mouse embryos were evaluated using immunostaining techniques. A panel of unique phage display antibodies specific to particular HS species were employed and visualized with secondary antibodies conjugated to Alexa-fluor dyes. Confocal microscopy demonstrates that HS species are dynamic structures within developing growth plate cartilage and the perichondrium. GlcNS6S-IdoUA2S-GlcNS6S species are down regulated and localization of GlcNS6S-IdoUA-GlcNS6S species within the hypertrophic zone of the growth plate is lost during normal development. Regional differences in HS structures are present within developing growth plates, implying that interactions with and responses to HS-binding proteins also may display regional specialization