A tomato xylem sap protein represents a new family of small cysteine-rich proteins with structural similarity to lipid transfer proteins

AbstractThe coding sequence of a major xylem sap protein of tomato was identified with the aid of mass spectrometry. The protein, XSP10, represents a novel family of extracellular plant proteins with structural similarity to plant lipid transfer proteins. The XSP10 gene is constitutively expressed in roots and lower stems. The decline of XSP10 protein levels in tomato infected with a fungal vascular pathogen may reflect breakdown or modification by the pathogen

Tissue functions mediated by β3-adrenoceptors—findings and challenges

As β3-adrenoceptor agonists metamorphose from experimental tools into therapeutic drugs, it is vital to obtain a comprehensive picture of the cell and tissue functions mediated by this receptor subtype in humans. Human tissues with proven functions and/or a high expression of β3-adrenoceptors include the urinary bladder, the gall bladder, and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. While several other β3-adrenoceptor functions have been proposed based on results obtained in animals, their relevance to humans remains uncertain. For instance, β3-adrenoceptors perform an important role in thermogenesis and lipolysis in rodent brown and white adipose tissue, respectively, but their role in humans appears less significant. Moreover, the use of tools such as the agonist BRL 37344 and the antagonist SR59230A to demonstrate functional involvement of β3-adrenoceptors may lead in many cases to misleading conclusions as they can also interact with other β-adrenoceptor subtypes or even non-adrenoceptor targets. In conclusion, we propose that many responses attributed to β3-adrenoceptor stimulation may need re-evaluation in the light of the development of more selective tools. Moreover, findings in experimental animals need to be extended to humans in order to better understand the potential additional indications and side effects of the β3-adrenoceptor agonists that are beginning to enter clinical medicine

General movements in infants born from mothers with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in relation to one year's neurodevelopmental outcome.

Background: Assessment of general movements (GMs) at three months is considered useful for prediction of adverse neurological outcome in high risk infants. Aims: To study the prevalence of abnormal GMs in infants born from women with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the association of GMs with neurodevelopmental outcome at one year. Study design: Prospective study, part of a randomised controlled trial of pre-birth management strategies. Subjects: Infants born from women with early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Outcome measures: GMs observation and neurological examination at term and three months corrected age; at one year neurological examination and Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results: From 216 women included, 175 of 178 surviving infants (mean gestational age 31.6 weeks [SD 2.3], mean birth weight 1346 grams [SD 458]), were examined at three months. At term age normal, mildly abnormal and definitely abnormal GMs were observed in 54%, 36% and 10% respectively; and at three months in 47%, 40% and 13%. Mildly or definitely abnormal GMs at three months were not associated with abnormal neurological examination at one year, however, they were associated with delayed psychomotor development at one year (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In this prospective study, including small for gestational age, preterm infants about half of them did not have normal GMs at term and three months. There was no association of GMs at term nor three months with neurological outcome at one year, but there was a significant association of GMs at three months with one year psychomotor development. © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Frp1 is a Fusarium oxysporum F-box protein required for pathogenicity on tomato

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is the causal agent of tomato wilt disease. In order to identify genes involved in its pathogenicity, we performed insertional mutagenesis. Mutant N40 had lost its pathogenicity completely, when tested in bioassays with tomato seedlings. Molecular characterization of mutant N40 revealed that the plasmid insertion had occurred in a gene that codes for a 60.2 kDa protein containing an F-box motif. The gene was therefore designated as FRP1 (F-box protein required for pathogenicity). Targeted FRP1 disruptants had lost their pathogenicity completely, and became fully virulent again upon re-introduction of the FRP1 gene. This confirmed that the FRP1 gene is required for pathogenesis. In a yeast two-hybrid assay Frp1 interacts with Skp1, suggesting involvement of an SCF ubiquitin ligase complex in pathogenicity. FRP1 is constitutively expressed during infection and under different culture conditions. Although growth, spore formation and germination on artificial media were not impaired, confocal laser scanning microscopy of a GFP-marked mutant N40 and a GFP-marked targeted FRP1 disruptant revealed that they were unable to colonize the roots