Production of anti-virus,viroid plants by genetic manipulations

Many pathogenic plant viruses are RNA viruses, which initiate production of double-stranded RNA intermediates when they replicate in host plant cells. Introduction of double-stranded RNA-specific ribonucleases such as the Schizosaccharomyces pombe derived pac I protein and animal cell derived interferon-induced 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5 Aase)/ribonuclease L (RNase L) system into various plants may make plants resistant to various pathogenic viruses and viroids. We have demonstrated that pac I and 2-5 Aase/RNase L transgenic tobacco plants are resistant to various viruses including tobacco mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus and potato virus Y. In addition, pac I transgenic potato plants are resistant to potato spindle tuber viroid. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, we have established a transformation system for chrysanthemum plants and have recently developed pac I transgenic chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora cv Reagan) resistant to chrysanthemum stunt viroid and have grown them in isolated fields for an evaluation of their effects.     

The role of primary germ tubes (PGT) in the life cycle of Blumeria graminis: The stopping of PGT elongation is necessary for the triggering of appressorial germ tube (AGT) emergence

The conidia of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh), following contact with a host surface, first form a short germ tube, called the primary germ tube (PGT), and then an elongating germ tube emerges. It differentiates into an appressorial germ tube (AGT), and then the AGT elongates and swells. It forms a hooked, appressorial lobe that penetrates the epidermal cell wall of the host. In a series of infections, the positive role of PGT in the morphogenesis of the fungus is unclear except for the possibility reported by Carver and Ingerson that the growth of a long germ tube, with the potential to differentiate into an appressorium, seems to be dependent on the perception of a suitable host surface through contact with the PGT. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to further clarify the role of PGT in the morphogenesis of the fungus. When the conidia of Bgh were inoculated onto the coleoptile surface whose cuticle was removed with cellulose acetate, the emergence of the AGT was delayed. This delay was related to the length of the PGT. That is, on the cuticleless coleoptile surface the PGT tended to continue elongating without stopping. If there were gaps on the coleoptile surface such as a cell border on the more hydrophilic substratum like cuticleless coleoptile surface, the PGT stopped elongating there and after that the AGT emerged. Moreover, the length of PGT in the beginning of AGT emergence was same as that of the PGT after appressorium formation. This means that PGT elongation had stopped when AGT began to emerge. Therefore, it is necessary to stop the PGT elongation for the triggering of AGT emergence.     

Localization of connexin 32 in spontaneous liver lesions of mice

We examined the localization of connexin 32 (Cx32), a component of gapjunctions, in 24-month-old male B6C3F1 mice with spontaneously occurring hepatocellularaltered foci or tumors. Immunohistochemically, Cx32-staining intensity in cell-to-cellmembranes of altered hepatocytes was decreased in eosinophilic foci and increased inbasophilic foci as compared to those in intact hepatocytes. These alterations wereenhanced in adenomas and carcinomas with both eosinophilic and basophilic cytoplasm. Incell membranes facing on the sinusoidal portions, the intensities increased in alllesions. Image analyses confirmed that the spot areas of Cx32 were decreased ineosinophilic foci, but increased in basophilic foci, adenomas and carcinomas. Theseresults demonstrate that Cx32 shows different expression in different types of hepaticlesions.     

Antibacterial activity of coriander volatile compounds against Salmonella choleraesuis

Aliphatic (2E)-alkenals and alkanals characterized from the fresh leaves of the coriander Coriandrum sativum L. (Umbelliferae) were found to possess bactericidal activity against Salmonella choleraesuis ssp. choleraesuis ATCC 35640. (2E)-Dodecenal (C(12)) was the most effective against this food-borne bacterium with the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 6.25 microg/mL (34 microM), followed by (2E)-undecenal (C(11)) with an MBC of 12.5 microg/mL (74 microM). The time-kill curve study showed that these alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes are bactericidal against S. choleraesuis at any growth stage and that their bactericidal action comes in part from the ability to act as nonionic surfactants.     

A secondary symbiosis in progress?

Algae have acquired plastids by developing an endosymbiotic relationship with either a cyanobacterium (primary endosymbiosis) or other eukaryotic algae (secondary endosymbiosis). We report a protist, which we tentatively refer to as Hatena, that hosts an endosymbiotic green algal partner but inherits it unevenly. The endosymbiosis causes drastic morphological changes to both the symbiont and the host cell architecture. This type of life cycle, in which endosymbiont integration has only partially converted the host from predator to autotroph, may represent an early stage of plastid acquisition through secondary symbiosis.     

Molecular Structure and Some Physicochemical Properties of Buckwheat Starches

The molecular structure and pasting properties of starches from eight buckwheat cultivars were examined. Rapid viscograms showed that buckwheat starches had similar pasting properties among cultivars. The actual amylose content was 16–18%, which was lower than the apparent amylose content (26–27%), due to the high iodine affinity (IA) of amylopectin (2.21–2.48 g/100 g). Amylopectins resembled each other in average chain‐length (23–24) and chain‐length distributions. The long‐chains fraction (LC) was abundant (12–13% by weight) in all the amylopectins, which was consistent with high IA values. The amyloses were also similar among the cultivars in number‐average DP 1,020–1,380 with 3.1–4.3 chains per molecule. The molar‐based distribution indicated that all the amyloses comprised two molecular species differing in molecular size, although the weight‐based distribution showed a single species. A comparison of molecular structures of buckwheat starches to cereal starches indicated buckwheat amylopectins had a larger amount of LC, and their distributions of amylose and short chains of amylopectin on molar basis were similar to those of wheat and barley starches.     

Determination of Damaged Starch and Diastatic Activity in Wheat Flour Using a Flow-Injection Analysis Biosensor Method

The determination of damaged starch and diastatic activity in flour was studied using a flow-injection analysis (FIA) biosensor system. The system consisted of an oxygen electrode and an immobilized enzyme column containing purified glucoamylase and glucose oxidase immobilized on activated aminopropyl glass beads. The biosensor system has an optimum pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and an optimum temperature of 35°C for glucose measurement. The response of the FIA biosensor was linear up to 1.000 g/L of glucose with a lower detection limit of 0.025 g/L. Each assay took about 20 min, and the system showed good reproducibility (r = 0.998, n = 8). When applied to the measurement of damaged starch and diastatic activity in wheat flour, the results obtained agreed with those obtained using the conventional methods of measurement. This biosensor system is a rapid practical alternative for the measurement of damaged starch and diastatic activity in wheat flour.