Transcriptional Control of Steroid Biosynthesis Genes in the Drosophila Prothoracic Gland by Ventral Veins Lacking and Knirps.

Specialized endocrine cells produce and release steroid hormones that govern development, metabolism and reproduction. In order to synthesize steroids, all the genes in the biosynthetic pathway must be coordinately turned on in steroidogenic cells. In Drosophila, the steroid producing endocrine cells are located in the prothoracic gland (PG) that releases the steroid hormone ecdysone. The transcriptional regulatory network that specifies the unique PG specific expression pattern of the ecdysone biosynthetic genes remains unknown. Here, we show that two transcription factors, the POU-domain Ventral veins lacking (Vvl) and the nuclear receptor Knirps (Kni), have essential roles in the PG during larval development. Vvl is highly expressed in the PG during embryogenesis and is enriched in the gland during larval development, suggesting that Vvl might function as a master transcriptional regulator in this tissue. Vvl and Kni bind to PG specific cis-regulatory elements that are required for expression of the ecdysone biosynthetic genes. Knock down of either vvl or kni in the PG results in a larval developmental arrest due to failure in ecdysone production. Furthermore, Vvl and Kni are also required for maintenance of TOR/S6K and prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) signaling in the PG, two major pathways that control ecdysone biosynthesis and PG cell growth. We also show that the transcriptional regulator, Molting defective (Mld), controls early biosynthetic pathway steps. Our data show that Vvl and Kni directly regulate ecdysone biosynthesis by transcriptional control of biosynthetic gene expression and indirectly by affecting PTTH and TOR/S6K signaling. This provides new insight into the regulatory network of transcription factors involved in the coordinated regulation of steroidogenic cell specific transcription, and identifies a new function of Vvl and Knirps in endocrine cells during post-embryonic development

Sensibilit\ue0 Chimica Multipla (SCM): componenti psicologiche nell'evoluzione del disturbo.

Introduzione. La Sensibilit\ue0 Chimica Multipla (SCM) \ue8 una malattia dall\u2019eziologia ancora ignota, caratterizzata da sintomi attribuibili a un\u2019intolleranza per agenti chimici presenti nell\u2019ambiente, in assenza di altre spiegazioni mediche. Nonostante la patogenesi della malattia sia ancora incert,a sono stati chiamati in causa fattori sia psicologici, sia fisici per spiegarne le cause. Il presente studio qualitativo ha lo scopo di riportare le opinioni, le credenze e il modo di raccontare la malattia in pazienti affetti da MCS. Metodo. Hanno partecipato allo studio 40 soggetti, lamentanti sintomi riconducibili alla MCS, di et\ue0 compresa tra i 32 e i 78 anni. Tutti i soggetti hanno partecipato a un colloquio clinico guidato da intervista semi strutturata. Risultati. I sontomi maggiormente riportati dai partecipanti sono: ipersensibilit\ue0 olfattiva a sostanze chimiche, nausea, mal di testa, mancanza di concentrazione, difficolt\ue0 mnestiche. I pazienti riferiscono una bassa qualit\ue0 di vita, depressione, ansia ed episodi di attacco di panico. Conclusioni. Questo studio evidenzia la cronicit\ue0 e la condizione disabilitante in cui si trovano i pazienti con MCS e sottolinea l\u2019importanza di lavorare per il miglioramento della loro qualit\ue0 di vita.Comprendere l\u2019impatto della malattia sulla salute globale dei soggetti \ue9 fondamentale per comprendere e trattare le persone con MCS

Metabolic properties, stress tolerance and macromolecular profiles of rhizobia nodulating Hedysarum coronarium

The drought-tolerant legume Hedysarum coronarium is a Mediterranean species valued as a forage crop for its high performance in stressful conditions. The plant shows peculiar capabilities of nodulating above pH 9 and thriving in highly calcareous soils. With the aim of providing an adequate characterization of its bacterial symbiotic partner, a study was undertaken, approaching from several viewpoints the physiology and structural features of bacteria isolated from nodules of H. coronarium. Tests involved trophic capabilities on different carbon and nitrogen sources, vitamin requirements, and resistance to factors including antibiotics, heavy metals, salinity, pH, and temperature. Enzyme activities, including those of cellulase, pectinase, urease, \u3b2-galactosidase, nitrate and nitrite reductase, were evaluated. The DNA G + C percentage content was determined. Species-specific bacteriophages were isolated and a strain-typing grid established. In order to characterize further and fingerprint the different Rhizobium \u2018hedysari\u2019 isolates, electrophoretic pattern of proteins, plasmid DNA, and digested genomic DNA (in pulsed-field gel separation) were compared. Adansonian taxonomy yielded similarity clusters of the different isolates