Showing papers by "National Chemical Laboratory published in 2000"

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship as revealed by inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism in the genus Oryza

Abstract: Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism was used to determine genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in Oryza. Forty two genotypes including 17 wild species, representing AA,BB,CC,EE,FF,GG,BBCC,CCDD, and HHJJgenomes, two cultivated species, Oryza sativa (AA) and Oryza glaberrima (AA), and three related genera, Porteresia coarctata, Leersia and Rhynchoryza subulata, were used in ISSR analysis. A total of 30 ISSR primers were screened representing di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleotide repeats, of which 11 polymorphic and informative patterns were selected to determine the genetic diversity. The consensus tree constructed using binary data from banding patterns generated by ISSR-PCR clustered 42 genotypes according to their respective genomes. ISSR analysis suggests that the genus Oryza may have evolved following a polyphyletic pathway; Oryza brachyantha (FF genome) is the most divergent species in Oryza and Oryza australiensis (EE genome) does not fall under the Officinalis complex. DNA profiles based on ISSR markers have revealed potential diagnostic fingerprints for various species and genomes, and also for individual accessions/cultivars. Additionally ISSR revealed 87 putative genome/species-specific molecular markers for eight of the nine genomes of Oryza. The ISSR markers are thus useful in the fingerprinting of cultivated and wild species germplasm, and in understanding the evolutionary relationships of Oryza.

Contributions of stable-isotope data to elucidating food webs of Mediterranean rocky littoral fishes.

Abstract: The food webs of rocky infra-littoral ecosystems in the Mediterranean have been little studied. In this investigation stable isotopes and dietary data were compared in an attempt to describe features of the food webs concerned. δ13C and δ15N were determined for plants, invertebrates and fishes from the Bay of Calvi, Corsica. Dietary data were derived from the literature. δ13C of plants ranged from –8.59‰ to –33.74‰, of benthic invertebrates from –17.0‰ to –20.52‰, of planktonic invertebrates from –20.08‰ to –22.34‰ and of fishes from –16.27‰ to –19.59‰. δ15N was generally greater at higher trophic levels. δ15N of plants was 0.95–2.92‰, of benthic invertebrates 1.69–6.54‰, of planktonic invertebrates 3.51–6.82‰ and of fishes 4.63–9.77‰. 13C enrichment tended to be associated with benthic food chains and 13C depletion with planktonic chains. Stable-isotope data suggested more varied diets for many species than implied by gut-contents data. Omnivory and trophic plasticity were widespread, and many consumers fed lower down the food chain than previous studies had suggested. Both stable-isotope and gut-contents analysis resolved differences between fishes feeding on planktonic and benthic prey and indicated that the herbivorous fish Sarpa salpa fed on a diet substantially different from that of other fishes. Zooplankton were important in the diets of several consumers (both primary and secondary), as was plankton derived detritus. One species of fish previously identified as planktivorous was shown to feed largely on benthic organisms, whilst several species of benthic invertebrates may feed on plankton-derived detritus. Although herbivores seemed to obtain most of their C from macroalgae, δ15N data suggested that many of these animals supplemented their intake of N, although gut-contents analysis did not provide evidence for such uptake. The isotopic data have elucidated several features of the food web which we would not otherwise have detected.

A linkage map of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genome based on recombinant inbred lines from a C. arietinum×C. reticulatum cross: localization of resistance genes for fusarium wilt races 4 and 5

Abstract: An integrated molecular marker map of the chickpea genome was established using 130 recombinant inbred lines from a wide cross between a cultivar resistant to fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. emend. Snyd. &. Hans f. sp. ciceri (Padwick) Snyd & Hans, and an accession of Cicer reticulatum (PI 489777), the wild progenitor of chickpea. A total of 354 markers were mapped on the RILs including 118 STMSs, 96 DAFs, 70 AFLPs, 37 ISSRs, 17 RAPDs, eight isozymes, three cDNAs, two SCARs and three loci that confer resistance against different races of fusarium wilt. At a LOD-score of 4.0, 303 markers cover 2077.9 cM in eight large and eight small linkage groups at an average distance of 6.8 cM between markers. Fifty one markers (14.4%) were unlinked. A clustering of markers in central regions of linkage groups was observed. Markers of the same class, except for ISSR and RAPD markers, tended to generate subclusters. Also, genes for resistance to races 4 and 5 of fusarium wilt map to the same linkage group that includes an STMS and a SCAR marker previously shown to be linked to fusarium wilt race 1, indicating a clustering of several fusarium-wilt resistance genes around this locus. Significant deviation from the expected 1 : 1 segregation ratio was observed for 136 markers (38.4%, P<0.05). Segregation was biased towards the wild progenitor in 68% of the cases. Segregation distortion was similar for all marker types except for ISSRs that showed only 28.5% aberrant segregation. The map is the most extended genetic map of chickpea currently available. It may serve as a basis for marker-assisted selection and map-based cloning of fusarium wilt resistance genes and other agronomically important genes in future.

Calorie restriction and aging: a life-history analysis.

Abstract: The disposable soma theory suggests that aging occurs because natural selection favors a strategy in which fewer resources are invested in somatic maintenance than are necessary for indefinite survival. However, laboratory rodents on calorie-restricted diets have extended life spans and retarded aging. One hypothesis is that this is an adaptive response involving a shift of resources during short periods of famine away from reproduction and toward increased somatic maintenance. The potential benefit is that the animal gains an increased chance of survival with a reduced intrinsic rate of senescence, thereby permitting reproductive value to be preserved for when the famine is over. We describe a mathematical life-history model of dynamic resource allocation that tests this idea. Senescence is modeled as a change in state that depends on the resources allocated to maintenance. Individuals are assumed to allocate the available resources to maximize the total number of descendants. The model shows that the evolutionary hypothesis is plausible and identifies two factors, both likely to exist, that favor this conclusion. These factors are that survival of juveniles is reduced during periods of famine and that the organism needs to pay an energetic ''overhead'' before any litter of offspring can be produced. If neither of these conditions holds, there is no evolutionary advantage to be gained from switching extra resources to maintenance. The model provides a basis to evaluate whether the life-extending effects of calorie-restriction might apply in other species, including humans.

A thousand year speleothem proxy record of North Atlantic climate from Scotland

Abstract: Luminescent organic matter in stalagmites may form annual bands, allowing growth rate to be precisely determined. Stalagmite growth rate is controlled by precipitation, so annual bands can be used to derive long precipitation records. A continuously banded stalagmite from a cave in NW Scotland was used to provide a 1100 year high-resolution record of precipitation. The location of the cave means that precipitation is closely linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation, for which a record is also derived. This suggests that changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation state was an important control on European climate over the past millennium.

Identification and Mapping of QTLs Conferring Resistance to Ascochyta Blight in Chickpea

Abstract: Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab., is a devastating disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) worldwide. Resistant germplasm has been identified and the genetics of resistance has been the subject of numerous studies. The objectives of the present study were to determine the genetics of resistance to ascochyta blight of chickpea and to map and tag the chromosomal regions involved using molecular markers. We used a set of 142 F 5:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from an interspecific cross of C. arietinum (FLIP84-92C, resistant parent) x C. reticulatum Lad. (PI 599072, susceptible parent). The RILs were scored for disease reactions in the field over 2 yr and were genotyped for polymorphic molecular markers [isozyme, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR)] in the laboratory. The disease was scored quantitatively and data were used for QTL analysis. A linkage map was established that comprised nine linkage groups containing 116 markers covering a map distance of 981.6 centimorgans (cM) with an average distance of 8.4 cM between markers. Two quantitative trait loci (QTLs), QTL-1 and QTL-2, conferring resistance to ascochyta blight, were identified which accounted for 50.3 and 45.0% of the estimated phenotypic variation in 1997 and 1998, respectively, and were mapped to linkage groups 6 and 1, respectively. Two RAPD markers flanked QTL-1 and were 10.9 cM apart while one ISSR marker and an isozyme marker flanked QTL-2 and were 5.9 cM apart. These markers can be used for marker-assisted selection for ascochyta blight resistance in chickpea breeding programs, and to develop durable resistant cultivars through gene pyramiding.

Amino acid repeat patterns in protein sequences: Their diversity and structural‐functional implications

Abstract: All the protein sequences from SWISS-PROT database were analyzed for occurrence of single amino acid repeats, tandem oligo-peptide repeats, and periodically conserved amino acids. Single amino acid repeats of glutamine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, and alanine seem to be tolerated to a considerable extent in many proteins. Tandem oligo-peptide repeats of different types with varying levels of conservation were detected in several proteins and found to be conspicuous, particularly in structural and cell surface proteins. It appears that repeated sequence patterns may be a mechanism that provides regular arrays of spatial and functional groups, useful for structural packing or for one to one interactions with target molecules. To facilitate further explorations, a database of Tandem Repeats in Protein Sequences (TRIPS) has been developed and is available at URL: http://www.ncl-india.org/trips.

Agrobacterium mediated transformation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) embryo axes.

Abstract: Embryo axes of four accessions of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were treated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains C58C1/GV2260 carrying the plasmid p35SGUSINT and EHA101 harbouring the plasmid pIBGUS. In both vectors the GUS gene is interrupted by an intron. After inoculation shoot formation was promoted on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP under a selection pressure of 100 mg/l kanamycin or 10 mg/l phosphinothricin, depending on the construct used for transformation. Expression of the chimeric GUS gene was confirmed by histochemical localization of GUS activity in regenerated shoots. Resistant shoots were grafted onto 5-day-old dark-grown seedlings, and mature plants could be recovered. T-DNA integration was confirmed by Southern analysis by random selection of putative transformants. The analysis of 4 plantlets of the T1 progeny revealed that none of them was GUS-positive, whereas the presence of the nptII gene could be detected by polymerase chain reaction.

Activity, selectivity and stability of Ni and bimetallic Ni–Pt supported on zeolite Y catalysts for hydrogenation of acetophenone and its substituted derivatives

Abstract: The hydrogenation of acetophenone, p -hydroxy acetophenone ( p -HAP) and p -isobutyl acetophenone was studied using Ni and bimetallic Ni–Pt supported on zeolite Y catalysts. A 10% Ni-supported-on-zeolite Y catalyst showed the optimum activity when compared to other Ni-supported catalysts. The activity of this catalyst decreased very rapidly on recycle; however, the bimetallic Ni–Pt-supported-on-zeolite Y catalyst was highly stable and showed constant activity on recycle. The addition of Pt catalyses the reduction of Ni 2+ to Ni 0 , as characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and other techniques. For the Ni–Pt bimetallic catalyst, the hydrogen adsorption was found to be higher than that for monometallic catalysts; the adsorbed hydrogen reacts with the activated acetophenone complex to facilitate the catalytic process. The FTIR analysis of adsorbed acetophenone on the catalyst samples indicated that, in both monometallic and bimetallic catalysts supported on zeolite Y, the CO bond of acetophenone is highly activated due to the strong interactions with the acidic sites present on the zeolite. Zeolite interactions with intermediate products and solvent moieties also influenced the selectivity behaviour. A trace amount of a base like NaOH acts as a promoter in improving the selectivity towards alcohol. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed for the hydrogenation of acetophenone and its derivatives using monometallic as well as bimetallic catalysts.

Use of rubber dam and irrigant selection in UK general dental practice.

Abstract: Aim To evaluate factors which influence rubber dam use and irrigant selection in UK National Health Service (NHS) endodontics. Methodology A postal survey was conducted amongst two age cohorts of dentists, representing all of the 1970–73 (older) and 1990–93 (younger) graduates of two northern English dental schools (n = 643). Key and supplementary questions were posed on levels of rubber dam use, irrigant selection, and factors influencing practice in NHS endodontics. After manual checking, validated (dual) entry of responses was made to a flat ASCII data file before analysis with SPSS software. The threshold for statistical significance was set at the 95% probability level. Results Eighty-five per cent of the valid sample responded to the questionnaire. Regardless of age and qualifying school, less than one-fifth of dentists always or frequently used rubber dam, whilst 60% never used it. Qualifying school had a significant influence on rubber dam use, whilst age had a variable influence. Major disincentives to the use of rubber dam included the perception that patients do not like it, that the NHS fee was inadequate to justify its use, that it took too long to apply, and that dentists had received inadequate training. Frequent users of rubber dam were significantly less likely to cite these disincentives than nonusers. Overall, local anaesthetic solution was the most common endodontic irrigant. Irrigant choice was strongly linked to rubber dam use, and to graduation cohort. Seventy-one per cent of rubber dam users irrigated with sodium hypochlorite, compared with only 38% of nonusers. This pattern was reversed for local anaesthetic irrigation. Younger graduates were significantly more likely to irrigate with local anaesthetic solution than their older counterparts, and the younger graduates of one school showed a highly significant increase in the use of chlorhexidine. Conclusions 1) The majority of UK Health Service dentists never use rubber dam isolation in endodontic treatment. 2) Qualifying school has a significant impact on rubber dam use, and irrigant selection. 3) Use of rubber dam has a significant association with irrigant choice in endodontics.

Critical Study of Local Reactivity Descriptors for Weak Interactions: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Adsorption of Molecules in the Zeolite Lattice

Abstract: In the work described in this paper we have studied the adsorption of gaseous molecules inside the zeolite lattice using recently developed different reactivity descriptors. In particular, we have used Fukui function-based descriptors and local hard−soft acid−base (HSAB) principle for a quantitative and qualitative analysis. This represents the first case in which local HSAB principle has been used for quantitative description of weak adsorption cases.

Insights into the formation of hydroxyl ions in calcium carbonate:temperature dependent FTIR and molecular modelling studies

Abstract: This paper describes the use of temperature dependent FTIR spectroscopy and molecular modelling studies to establish the origin and the nature of surface hydroxyl ions on calcium carbonate. It has been demonstrated that two types (Type I, corresponding to a band at 3690 cm−1 and Type II, corresponding to a band at 3640 cm−1) of hydroxyl ions exist on calcium carbonate surfaces prepared by the carbonation method. Type I hydroxyl ions are ascribed to those of the unreacted calcium hydroxide (portlandite) present due to incomplete carbonation and Type II hydroxyl ions are ascribed to interstitial defects which are strongly associated with the calcium carbonate lattice framework. Interestingly, the calcium carbonate samples prepared by the solution method do not possess Type I/Type II hydroxyl ions. A molecular modelling exercise was carried out to generate the calcite 104 plane, and the different modes of adsorption of water on the calcite 104 plane were derived based on energy minimisation calculations. The possibility of replacement of a carbonate ion either by (i) two hydroxyl ions or (ii) a hydroxyl and a bicarbonate ion has been considered. The replacement of a carbonate ion by one hydroxyl and one bicarbonate ion is indicative of the presence of surface/interstitial defects on calcite (corresponding to Type II hydroxyl ions assigned by FTIR studies). A molecular description of hydroxylating calcite surfaces is discussed in detail and the results from the energy of formation at zero water coverage corroborate the above findings. The calculations also predict the formation of a maximum of two pairs of hydroxyl and bicarbonate ions over a surface area of 1.0 nm2, during chemisorption at low surface coverages.

Electrostatically Controlled Organization of Carboxylic Acid Derivatized Colloidal Silver Particles on Amine-Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayers

Abstract: The formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of an aromatic bifunctional molecule, 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) on gold and the subsequent organization of carboxylic acid derivatized silver colloidal particles is described. Quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM) measurements have been used to follow the formation of 4-ATP SAMs as well as electrostatic assembly of the colloidal silver particles on the SAM surface. It is shown that the electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged colloidal particle surface-bound carboxylic acid groups and the terminal amine groups in the SAM can be modulated by variation of the colloidal solution pH. This enables control over the surface coverage of the colloidal particles on the SAM surface with a maximum surface coverage of 18% being attained. The SAMs as well as the colloidal particle covered SAM films were further characterized with X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) measurements.

Use of three different marker systems to estimate genetic diversity of Indian elite rice varieties.

Abstract: Genetic diversity among 42 Indian elite rice varieties, which is important for selection of parents for conventional breeding and hybrid program, was evaluated using three different types of DNA markers and parentage analysis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and sequence tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers resulted in mean heterozygosity values of 0.429, 0.675 and 0.882 over all loci, respectively, and marker index values of 2.21, 4.05 and 5.49, respectively. The three molecular marker systems together provide wider genome coverage and, therefore, would be a better indicator of the genetic relationships among the 42 elite rice cultivars than those revealed using individual molecular markers. A total of 153 bands (91%) were polymorphic out of 168 bands amplified, considering all the markers together. The average genetic similarity coefficient across all the 861 cultivar pairs was 0.70 while the average coefficient of parentage was 0.10. Cluster analysis revealed that there was a very poor correlation (correlation coefficient <0.1) between dendrograms generated using coefficients of parentage and molecular marker generated genetic similarities, which can be attributed to selection pressure, genetic drift, sampling of loci and unknown relationships among supposedly unrelated ancestors.

Direct shoot regeneration from node, internode, hypocotyl and embryo explants of Withania somnifera

Abstract: In vitro studies were initiated with Withania somnifera (L.) Dun. for rapid micropropagation of selected chemotypes using nodes, internodes, hypocotyls and embryo explants. Direct regeneration of shoot buds was observed in MS basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of either benzyladenine (BA) or thidiazouron (TDZ) depending on the explant. Nodal explants formed multiple shoots both from pre-existing and de novo buds on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) containing 0.1–5.0 mg l−1 BA and a ring of de novo shoot buds on MS medium containing 0.2 and 0.3 mg l−1 TDZ. Internodal explants formed shoot buds on MS with 1.0 and 5.0 mg l−1 BA while the hypocotyl explants gave rise to multiple shoots only on MS with 0.5 mg l−1 BA. Isolated embryos gave rise to many shoot buds on MS with 0.2 and 0.3 mg l−1 TDZ. The shoot buds elongated and rooted either on MS medium with 0.01 mg l−1 BA or on half strength MS medium lacking growth regulators, which depended upon the growth regulator used in the shoot bud induction medium. Except for the embryo-derived plantlets, all other plantlets could be acclimatized with 100% success.

A highly reliable sex diagnostic PCR assay for mass screening of papaya seedlings.

Abstract: Female plants of several dioecious angiosperms are commercially valued for production of fruits or seeds, viz. papaya, nutmeg, pistachio, kiwi fruit and jojoba. To make the cultivation profitable it is necessary to grow more female than male plants. To discriminate between male and female plants, sex-specific molecular markers have been identified in a few dioecious species such as Silene and pistachio. However, accurate and convenient sex diagnostic methods for early sexing of seedlings are not available to date. For the first time, we report here a PCR-based Seedling Sex Diagnostic Assay (SSDA) specially designed for early sexing of papaya seedlings. We have developed a male-specific SCAR marker in papaya by cloning a male-specific RAPD (831 bp) fragment and designing longer primers. The potential of this SCAR marker is further exploited to develop a simplified and highly accurate sex diagnostic assay by (1) including an internal PCR control, (2) following a single-step DNA extraction procedure and (3) optimising the PCR conditions to simultaneously amplify male-specific and control bands from the crude leaf extract. This diagnostic approach would be of great commercial significance to papaya growers as well as to seed companies and plant nurseries for early identification of female seedlings of dioecious species. In principle, this experimental design could be easily applied to molecular analysis of any agriculturally important trait for which specific DNA probes could be identified and hence opens new avenues of research in the field of genetic diagnostics of plants.

Quantifying microbial biomass phosphorus in acid soils.

Abstract: This study aimed to validate the fumigation-extraction method for measuring microbial biomass P in acid soils. Extractions with the Olsen (0.5 M NaHCO3, pH 8.5) and Bray-1 (0.03 M NH4F–0.025 M HCl) extractants at two soil:solution ratios (1 : 20 and 1 : 4, w/v) were compared using eight acid soils (pH 3.6–5.9). The data indicated that the flushes (increases following CHCl3-fumigation) of total P (Pt) and inorganic P (Pi) determined by Olsen extraction provided little useful information for estimating the amount of microbial biomass P in the soils. Using the Bray-1 extractant at a soil:solution ratio of 1 : 4, and analysing Pi instead of Pt, improves the reproducibility (statistical significance and CV) of the P flush in these soils. In all the approaches studied, the Pi flush determined using the Bray-1 extractant at 1 : 4 provided the best estimate of soil microbial biomass P. Furthermore, the recovery of cultured bacterial and fungal biomass P added to the soils and extracted using the Bray-1 extractant at 1 : 4 was relatively constant (24.1–36.7% and 15.7–25.7%, respectively) with only one exception, and showed no relationship with soil pH, indicating that it behaved differently from added Pi (recovery decreased from 86% at pH 4.6 to 13% at pH 3.6). Thus, correcting for the incomplete recovery of biomass P using added Pi is inappropriate for acid soils. Although microbial biomass P in soil is generally estimated using the Pi flush and a conversion factor (k P) of 0.4, more reliable estimates require that k P values are best determined independently for each soil.

Spin states of Mn and Co in LaMn 0.5 Co 0.5 O 3

Abstract: High-temperature susceptibility measurements have indicated that the spin states of Mn and Co are different in the two different phases of the ferromagnetic oxide ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Co}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}.$ Mn and Co ions are present in their trivalent state as high-spin ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ and low-spin ${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+}$ in the high-${T}_{c}$ ${(T}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}225 \mathrm{K})$ phase of the compound whereas in the low-${T}_{c}$ ${(T}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}150 \mathrm{}\mathrm{K})$ phase, they are present as ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{4+}$ and ${\mathrm{Co}}^{2+}.$ Evidently, the ferromagnetic superexchange interactions are of different origins in the two different phases of ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{Co}}_{0.5}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}.$

TGF-beta expression in renal transplant biopsies: a comparative study between cyclosporin-A and tacrolimus.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Chronic rejection is a major cause of graft dysfunction after kidney transplantation. This fibroproliferative disease may be promoted by overproduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Previous studies have suggested that CsA might increase production of this growth factor. The current study was designed to measure the expression of TGF-beta(b) in renal transplant biopsy specimens from patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy with either CsA or tacrolimus (FK506). METHOD Paraffin-embedded renal biopsy specimens were sectioned, dewaxed, and incubated with primary antibody against TGF-beta(b)1 latency-associated protein and active TGF-beta(b1). After washing, the sections were treated with secondary antibody conjugated with FITC. In each case, the sections were assessed by semi-quantitative scanning laser confocal microscopic method. RESULTS There was no significant difference in latent TGF-beta(b) expression between biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA and patients receiving FK506. However, biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA expressed significantly more active TGF-beta(b1) than biopsy specimens from patients receiving FK506 (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). DISCUSSION The increased level of active TGF-beta1 expression in renal biopsy specimens of patients receiving CsA may indicate a mechanism of chronic rejection. However, these biopsies were performed to assess deranged renal function; therefore, the specimens may reflect events rather than differences in medication.

Mast cells migrate, but do not degranulate, in response to fractalkine, a membrane-bound chemokine expressed constitutively in diverse cells of the skin.

Abstract: Mast cells (MC) are anatomically located near nerves and blood vessels in skin and the gastrointestinal tract and tend to localize within certain cutaneous tumors such as neurofibromas. However, the molecular mechanisms by which MC home to these sites are not well characterized. Fractalkine (FK) is a membrane-bound CX3C chemokine that displays constitutive expression in dendritic cells as well as in non-hematopoietic tissues including mammalian brain. Here we show that FK is constitutively expressed by skin endothelial cells, dermal dendrocytes and cells within neurofibromas. By reverse transcription-PCR, FK receptor, CX3CR1, is expressed by cultured murine bone marrow-derived MC (BMMC) of both connective tissue and mucosal phenotypes. Non-activated human dermal MC isolated from neonatal foreskin similarly demonstrated CX3CR1 expression. In chemotaxis assays, FK attracted MC with maximal migration occurring between 25 - 125 ng / ml. BMMC were not stimulated to release proinflammatory mediators in the presence of FK as measured by granule-associated beta-hexosaminidase release. Thus, CX3CR1 is expressed by MC and effectively mediates chemotaxis without inducing degranulation. We propose that the constitutive expression of FK on certain cells in the skin may be a factor in the tissue-specific homing of MC.