Targeting of cyclic AMP degradation to beta 2-adrenergic receptors by beta-arrestins

Catecholamines signal through the beta2-adrenergic receptor by promoting production of the second messenger adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). The magnitude of this signal is restricted by desensitization of the receptors through their binding to beta-arrestins and by cAMP degradation by phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes. We show that beta-arrestins coordinate both processes by recruiting PDEs to activated beta2-adrenergic receptors in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells. In doing so, the beta-arrestins limit activation of membrane-associated cAMP-activated protein kinase by simultaneously slowing the rate of cAMP production through receptor desensitization and increasing the rate of its degradation at the membrane.     

Effect of Oil Overlay on Inhibition Potential of Roscovitine in Sheep Cumulus‐Oocyte Complexes

Inhibitors of cyclin‐dependent kinases, as roscovitine, have been used to prevent the spontaneous resumption of meiosis in vitro and to improve the oocyte developmental competence. In this study, the interference of oil overlay on the reversible arrest capacity of roscovitine in sheep oocytes as well as its effects on cumulus expansion was evaluated. For this, cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured for 20 h in TCM 199 with 10% foetal bovine serum (Control) containing 75 μm roscovitine (Rosco). Subsequently, they were in vitro matured (IVM) for further 18 h in inhibitor‐free medium with LH and FSH. The culture was performed in Petri dishes under mineral oil (+) or in 96 well plates without oil overlay (?) at 38.5°C and 5% CO₂. At 20 and 38 h, the cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation were evaluated under stereomicroscope and by Hoechst 33342 staining, respectively. No group presented cumulus expansion at 20 h. After additional culture with gonadotrophins, a significant rate of COCs from both Control groups (+/?) exhibited total expansion while in both Rosco groups (+/?) the partial expansion prevailed. Among the oocytes treated with roscovitine, 65.2% were kept at GV in the absence of oil overlay while 40.6% of them reached MII under oil cover (p < 0.05). This meiotic arrest was reversible, and proper meiosis progression also occurred in the Control groups (+/?). So, the culture system without oil overlay improved the meiotic inhibition promoted by roscovitine without affecting the cumulus expansion rate or the subsequent meiosis progression.     

Vaginal prolapse in sheep—Part IV: Cyclic changes in the vulva,vestibule, and vagina during the year

Extract

Many English breeds of sheep exhibit a well-defined breeding season which begins in the autumn about February–March in the southern hemisphere and ends about July–August. Over this period, the oestrous cycle, in unmated ewes, is repeated at intervals averaging 16 to 17 days. At other times of the year, these breeds are in anoestrum during which the 'ovaries and the tubular parts of the reproductive system are relatively quiescent.     

In vitro protein digestion, and growth of Atlantic salmon with different trypsin isozymes

Growth and in vitro digestion was examined in three iso-trypsin phenotypes (patterns 1, 2 and 2) of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Fish grew equally well during the 128 day experiment irrespective of phenotype. At day 64 and 91, weight-specific growth rate of 2 phenotype animals were significantly lower (p < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted between groups with respect to size. An in vitro method was used to examine protein digestion by the different trypsin phenotypes. Three fish meals (FM I > FM II > FM III) of high, medium and low quality, as defined by chemical analyses, were used. Phenotype 1 was able to differentiate between three fish meals ranking FM I > FM II > FM III. In contrast, phenotypes 2 and 2 were not able to separate between meals. In vitro digestion efficiency was dependent upon the three salmon types, ranking phenotype 2 > 1 = 2.     

Commercial development of Trichoderma species for control of soil-borne vegetable diseases and their integration into standard crop management practices

A 10 year research programme at Lincoln University, investigating the use of Trichoderma species for biological control of soil-borne diseases of vegetable crops, has resulted in the development of two commercial products. Trichodry TM. 6S and Trichoflow TM. 6S based upon Trichoderma hamatum isolate 6SR4, are used to control Sclerotinia lettuce drop disease. The Trichodry 6S product is formulated as a dry flake, which is incorporated into nursery seedling mix and the Trichoflow 6…