Comparative study of dermal components and plasma TGF-β1 levels in Slc39a13/Zip13-KO mice

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of disorders caused by abnormalities that are identified in the extracellular matrix. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a crucial role in formation of the extracellular matrix. It has been reported that the loss of function of zinc transporter ZRT/IRT-like protein 13 (ZIP13) causes the spondylocheiro dysplastic form of EDS (SCD-EDS: OMIM 612350), in which dysregulation of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway is observed, although the relationship between the dermis abnormalities and peripheral TGF-β1 level has been unclear. We investigated the characteristics of the dermis of the Zip13-knockout (KO) mouse, an animal model for SCD-EDS. Both the ratio of dermatan sulfate (DS) in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) components and the amount of collagen were decreased, and there were very few collagen fibrils with diameters of more than 150 nm in Zip13-KO mice dermis. We also found that the TGF-β1 level was significantly higher in Zip13-KO mice serum. These results suggest that collagen synthesis and collagen fibril fusion might be impaired in Zip13-KO mice and that the possible decrease of decorin level by reduction of the DS ratio probably caused an increase of free TGF-β1 in Zip13-KO mice. In conclusion, skin fragility due to defective ZIP13 protein may be attributable to impaired extracellular matrix synthesis accompanied by abnormal peripheral TGF-β homeostasis.     

The first detection of Dicrocoelium chinensis sporocysts from the land snail Aegista vulgivaga in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Trematodes of the genus Dicrocoelium are one of the most common parasites in ruminant animals; however, their life cycles in Japan are unclear. To find the sporocysts of D. chinensis in the natural field, we sampled 269 land snails (14 species) at a location with high level infection of sika deer in Gifu Prefecture, Honshu Island, Japan in autumn between 2017 and 2019. During the sampling period, we found mother sporocysts in the hepatopancreas of Aegista vulgivaga and Cyclophorus herklotsi. DNA barcoding based on the sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 showed that the sporocysts from A. vulgivaga belonged to D. chinensis, indicating that this snail has potential as the first intermediate host of D. chinensis at this location.     

Genetic diversity among Japanese local populations of an edible and medicinal coastal plant Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq.

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - To assess the current genetic status of a useful coastal plant Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq. in Japan, the genetic diversity within and among natural...     

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA from Catharanthus roseus which is highly homologous with phosphate transporter

The PIT1 gene which is highly homologous with phosphate transporter was isolated from Catharanthus roseus and analyzed. The cBNA PIT1 contained an open reading frame of 542 amino acids and its sequence showed a 31, 30, and 34% identity with the phosphate transporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PBO84), Neurospora crassa (PHO-5), and Glomus versiforme (GvPT), respectively. Furthermore, the cDNA PIT1 encoded a highly hydrophobic protein with 12 putative membrane-spanning regions and contained a conserved amino acid sequence reported in the human glucose transporter super-family* S. cerevisiae strain DpU (pho84 knockout strain) was unable to grow on low phosphate (55 μM) medium (LP medium). Expression of the PIT1 cDNA enabled DpU to grow on LP medium. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that the PIT1 gene was expressed in roots, stems, and young whole plant of C. roseus, but not in leaves.     

Effect of soil microorganisms on the growth of roots in rice seedlings

Abstract

Root system of rice seedlings grown on nutrient solution inoculated with soil microorganisms were examined morphologically in comparison with those obtained under sterile condition. In the presence of soil microorganisms, primary roots increased in their number and decreased in the total length. Inoculated plants had more secondary roots equipped with tertiary roots. In addition, longer root hairs developed densely on primary and secondary roots of the inoculated seedlings.

Anatomical examination of the primary roots revealed that the number and width of cortical layers, as well as the length and width of the cortical cells, were increased by the effect of microorganisms. Microbial effect on outer morphology of rice roots, consequently, was estimated to have been induced from the alteration in histological and cytological activities including the activation of the periclinal divisions of the epidermal cells, the inactivation of the transverse divisions of the cortical cells and the activation of the elongation of cortical cells.     

Acibenzolar-S-methyl efficacy against bacterial brown stripe caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae in creeping bentgrass

Journal of General Plant Pathology - Bacterial brown stripe caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa) causes serious damage on creeping bentgrass on golf course greens. However, there are few...     

Production of Diabetic Offspring Using Cryopreserved Epididymal Sperm by In Vitro Fertilization and Intrafallopian Insemination Techniques in Transgenic Pigs

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a useful technique for creating pig strains that model human diseases. However, production of numerous cloned disease model pigs by SCNT for large-scale experiments is impractical due to its complexity and inefficiency. In the present study, we aimed to establish an efficient procedure for proliferating the diabetes model pig carrying the mutant human hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α gene. A founder diabetes transgenic cloned pig was generated by SCNT and treated with insulin to allow for normal growth to maturity, at which point epididymal sperm could be collected for cryopreservation. In vitro fertilization and intrafallopian insemination using the cryopreserved epididymal sperm resulted in diabetes model transgenic offspring. These results suggest that artificial reproductive technology using cryopreserved epididymal sperm could be a practical option for proliferation of genetically modified disease model pigs.     

First report of bacterial blight of crucifers caused by Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis in Japan

In October 2010, a bacterial disease produced flecks and spots on leaves of Chinese cabbage, cabbage and Japanese radish in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The symptoms started on the abaxial surface of leaves as angular, water-soaked flecks of 1–2 mm in diameter with a yellow halo of 3–4 mm width. These flecks then became visible on both leaf surfaces, enlarged and coalesced into large blight lesions. The symptoms were similar to bacterial leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola. The bacterium isolated from leaf lesions formed a white colony and produced polysaccharides on YP agar. The isolates were identified as P. syringae group by LOPAT tests and the 16S rDNA sequence. Moreover, the results of pathogenicity on cruciferous plants, bacteriological characteristics, rep-PCR and the sequences of rpoD and gyrB showed that the isolates should be identified as P. cannabina pv. alisalensis (recently transferred from P. syringae pv. alisalensis). This is the first report of P. cannabina pv. alisalensis isolated from diseased crucifers in Japan.     

Automated analysis of fine‐root dynamics using a series of digital images

Information related to the growth of fine roots is important for understanding C allocation in trees and the mechanisms of C cycling in ecosystems. Observations using a camera or scanner embedded in the soil enabled us to obtain continuous images of fine‐root‐growth dynamics. However, these methods are still labor‐intensive because the image analysis has to be conducted manually. We developed an automated method for tracking movement or elongation of fine roots using a sequence of scanner images. We also show how data obtained with these methods can be used for calculating fine‐root behavior. Two A4‐size scanners were buried in a mixed forest in Japan and images were taken continuously from within the soil. We preprocessed these images by extracting the fine‐root area from the images and developed an automated calculation plug‐in we named A‐root for tracking growth movement of the tips of fine roots. A‐root and manual‐tracking results were compared using the same images. The results show the A‐root and manual‐tracking methods yielded similar levels of accuracy. The average growth rate of 17 fine roots tracked using the program was 0.16 mm h^–1. The observation of the direction of growth in fine roots showed the direction may be influenced by the original root's growth where the fine roots branched, distribution of soil particles, other roots, and the force of gravity. The A‐root analysis also suggested there may be an interaction between speed of growth and changes in direction of growing fine roots.