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Showing papers in "Biotechnologia. Journal of Biotechnology, Computational Biology and Bionanotechnology in 2012"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The use of biotic and abiotic elicitors increases the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds (bactericidal, bacteriostatic activity and cytotoxic activity) and plays a significant role in the production of secondary metabolites.
Abstract: Carnivorous plants belong to endangered species. Due to agricultural development, natural populations of these plants are diminishing. The herbal and ornamental value of these species has also led to their over-collection. The Drosera genus is a natural source of pharmacologically important compounds (e.g. naphthoquinones, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds) used as substrates in the production of pharmaceuticals. Droserae herba has been in use as an expectorant, diuretic and antispasmodic agent. In recent years, the bacteriostatic and antitumour activity of Drosera extracts has been reported. Carnivorous plants have become an important ornamental element in botanical garden collections. This fact, as well as the low propagation rate in their natural environment, is the reason for the in vitro propagation of carnivorous plants. From a single plant cultivated in vitro many genetically identical clonal lines can be obtained through vegetative propagation. This technique allows for the increase in the propagation rate of valuable plant material. Additionally, the use of biotic and abiotic elicitors increases the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds (bactericidal, bacteriostatic activity and cytotoxic activity). Elicitors play a significant role in the production of secondary metabolites. They induce defense responses in plants, which leads to the accumulation of secondary metabolites. In some cases, compounds not synthesized normally by plants in their natural environment are produced upon elicitation. Elicitors induce the biosynthesis of enzymes which take part in the production of secondary metabolites.

45 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of recent studies conducted with the use of various plant tissues, organ culture and plant regeneration of Artemisia species is presented in this paper.
Abstract: An overview of recent studies conducted with the use of various plant tissues, organ culture and plant regeneration of Artemisia species is presented in this paper. Species that belong to this genus contain important secondary metabolites of diverse structure and biological activity. Owing to their valuable pharmacological properties, Artemisia species have been the object of various biotechnological studies. Different in vitro methods of Artemisia sp. culture are key to the production of these valuable compounds – especially sesquiterpene lactones – artemisinin and arglabin – used as natural drugs.

21 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: It is argued that application of sensitivity analysis methods provides an insight into how a signaling system controls the cell behavior.
Abstract: Modeling the dynamic behavior of signal transduction pathways is an important topic in systems biology. Mathematical models complement experimental technologies used to identify the molecular components and interactions in a system of interest. In this paper, we illustrate different types of mathematical approaches that are used to model signaling network behavior. Here, we review the basic methods of sensitivity analysis and apply them to the model of the system of membrane receptors. Four such receptors are considered: growth factor epidermal, low density lipoprotein, transferrin and vitellogenin receptor. We argue that application of sensitivity analysis methods provides an insight into how a signaling system controls the cell behavior.

21 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A short review of experimental methods commonly used to determine G-quadruplex topologies and their roles in guanine-rich DNA and RNA molecules.
Abstract: All guanine-rich DNA and RNA molecules tend to fold into inter- and intra-molecular structures called G-quadruplexes. The core of a G-quadruplex is composed of at least two adjacent G-tetrads stabilized by monovalent cations. While it has been suggested that there could potentially be over 375 000 quadruplex forming sequences in the human genome alone, only a small number of three-dimensional G-quadruplex structures are known. More structural data are needed to explain their presence and function in vivo. We offer here a short review of experimental methods commonly used to determine G-quadruplex topologies.

18 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: All tested hybrid lines showed a great increase of variability for the studied quality traits when compared to the parental forms, and reduced glucosinolates hybrid lines were selected.
Abstract: Interspecific hybridization is an important tool to transfer characters across species and develop synthetic amphidiploids, and therefore it has been widely applied for improving Brassica spp. The aim of our study was to determine whether the interspecific crosses can help increase the range of variability of traits connected with the higher value of rapeseed. An attempt was also made to investigate the environmental influence on the studied traits. For this reason, in our experiments, crosses between male sterile line of F8 generation and B. campestris ssp. sarson, Yellow sarson; B. campestris ssp. pekinensis; B. carinata and B. juncea were first attempted. Thereafter, hybrid seeds of 96 lines obtained by crossing Brassica napus male sterile line MS8 with three other Brassica species were tested for fiber and glucosinolates content using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Moreover, chromatography and spectrophotometric measurements of sinapine and tocopherols contents in those seeds were made. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that all tested hybrid lines showed a great increase of variability for the studied quality traits when compared to the parental forms. As a result of our analyses, reduced glucosinolates hybrid lines were selected.

13 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of different concentrations of growth regulators on the hypocotyl explants regeneration abilities of flax cultivars (Linum usitatissimum L.).
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of different concentrations of growth regulators on the hypocotyl explants regeneration abilities of flax cultivars (Linum usitatissimum L) Plant material used in the study was obtained from two flax cultivars: Modran and Selena Hypocotyl explants were obtained from 6-dayold seedlings and were subsequently placed on basal MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium and MS medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or naftalene acetic acid (NAA) Final evaluation of the callus, the shoot and the root formation of the explants was performed 28 days after the experimental setup The highest regeneration effectiveness was observed on the media supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP

12 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, structural changes in starch granules during the simultaneous processes of saccharification and fermentation of corn flour in the long-term repeated Simultaneous Saccharification, Fermentation (SSF) process with complete recycling of the stillage liquid fraction were examined.
Abstract: The key factor in production of fuel ethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation is the efficient conversion of granular starch into ethanol. Most difficult stage in the process is the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch granules. Their supramolecular structure as well as crystallinity and presence of complexing agents are key factors for the hydrolysis process. The aim of the study was to examine structural changes in starch granules during the simultaneous processes of saccharification and fermentation of corn flour in the long-term repeated Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) process with complete recycling of the stillage liquid fraction. The SSF experiments were performed using corn flour as a raw material, the STARGEN 001 preparation as a hydrolytic enzyme, and Red Star Ethanol Red (Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) fermentation yeasts. Residual starch structure after the 4 th , and the 7 th operation cycle was examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, IR spectroscopy as well as gel permeation chromatography. In spite of accumulating glycerol, organic acids and inorganic ions in the fermentation broth, the repeated batch SSF process, with stillage recycling into the fermentation phase conducted on corn flour with the use of the STARGEN 001 enzyme preparation, was found to run efficiently. The amount of unhydrolyzed residual starch was independent of the number of operation cycles. Hydrolysis of starch resulted in the formation of porous granules and a small amount of undigested granules and pyramid-shaped residuals. Crystalline and amorphous regions were evenly digested. The molecular mass distribution of residual starch after the SSF process significantly differed from that of native starch both in the region corresponding to amylopectin and to amylose, while the most distinctive changes with respect to the amylopectin/amylose ratio, i.e. in the 4th cycle the amylopectin content decreased by up to 19%.

9 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: It is concluded that cucumber generative organs differ in responsiveness to plant hormones due to the distinct signal transductions that are mediated by protein kinases in male and female organs of the floral buds and shoot apices.
Abstract: Sex determination and flower morphogenesis are very broad and complex processes controlled at many levels. Four clones have been isolated from cucumber transcriptomes, mapped onto the cucumber genome and checked if the corresponding genes expression differed between the vegetative and generative tissues (leaf, shoot apex, and 1- to 2-mm flower buds) of monoecious and gynoecious cucumber lines. To determine the role, and characteristics of identified genes in flower morphogenesis, as well as to understand the flower reproduction in cucumber, comprehensive computational studies using upstream regulatory elements and protein motifs were performed. A genome-wide overview of cucumber clones revealed that sequence of only one clone was mapped in the coding site. The gene was described as CsPSTK1 encoding serine/threonine kinase. The results allow us to conclude that cucumber generative organs differ in responsiveness to plant hormones due to the distinct signal transductions that are mediated by protein kinases in male and female organs of the floral buds and shoot apices. Protein kinases may be an alternative way for hormonal signal transduction in flowers of the opposite sex, taking part in the inhibition of unwanted generative organs that cause the development of a unisex flower.

9 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Individual Rhizopus fusants demonstrated a various ability to produce fumaric acid from 2.0% (w/v) of glycerol, with the most effective ones producing from 0.2 to 0.27 g@ g !
Abstract: Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus strains were screened for their ability to produce fumaric acid on glycerol as the sole carbon source in the medium. After seven days of stationary culture, fumaric acid was assayed by HPLC analysis, and maximum concentrations of 0.3% (w/v) and 0.33% (w/v) were recorded. Protoplast fusion was used to improve fumaric acid production. A selective medium for the fusant culture was composed on the basis of biochemical differences between parental strains, as examined using the Biolog FF MicroPlate TM Fungi Identification Test. Double fusion rounds led to a 1.46-fold increase in fumaric acid productivity relative to the parental strains. Individual Rhizopus fusants demonstrated a various ability to produce fumaric acid from 2.0% (w/v) of glycerol, with the most effective ones producing from 0.2 to 0.27 g@ g !1 of this acid. To date, no studies have been carried out to improve fumaric acid production by Rhizopus with the use of glycerol as the only carbon source in the medium.

9 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that plants, with the help of EEE, NPQ, photoelectrochemical-redox retrograde signaling and cellular light memory, are able to perform biological processing in order to optimize their photosynthesis, transpiration, light acclimatory and defense responses, and in consequence, their Darwinian fitness.
Abstract: Plant chloroplasts emit signals that regulate the expression of nuclear-encoded genes, a process known as retrograde signaling. Environmental stresses, such as rapid and dynamic changes in light intensity and quality, temperature, relative humidity, water and CO2 availability, cause excess absorption of light energy (EEE) and induce chlorophyll fluorescence and heat dissipation, which lead to the generation of singlet stages of dioxygen, chlorophyll and carotenoid molecules. These primary quantum events in photosynthesis induce secondary redox reactions in photosystems, e.g. electrical charge separation, chloroplast lumen acidification and activation of the xanthophyll cycle by means of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), redox reactions between the photosynthetic electron carriers (electron transport), and formation of reactive oxygen species. These, in turn, induce cascades of physiologically regulated redox reactions in the chloroplast stroma metabolism that regulate cellular light memory. Recently published data suggest that plants, with the help of EEE, NPQ, photoelectrochemical-redox retrograde signaling and cellular light memory, are able to perform biological processing in order to optimize their photosynthesis, transpiration, light acclimatory and defense responses, and in consequence, their Darwinian fitness. Understanding of the above-mentioned processes is crucial for future biotechnological amelioration of crop production.

8 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: It is concluded that incorrect cell wall structure/composition, together with a deregulated cell cycle might contribute to protoplast recalcitrance in the examined plants.
Abstract: A study of cell-wall regeneration was conducted on protoplast cultures of four recalcitrant plant species: yellow lupin and grasspea (grain legumes), and also hyacinth and asparagus (ornamental monocots). The rate of cell wall resynthesis was investigated together with the arrangement of cellulosic fibers on the surface of protoplast-derived cells. Localization of arabinogalactan proteins in cell walls was also performed. Quick cell wall renewal occurred in grasspea and hyacinth cultures, where the percentage of protoplast-derived cells after 24h of culture accounted for 45-50%. In contrast, the presence of cell walls in half of the population was not observed in asparagus and lupin cultures until 5 and 7 days later, respectively. Grasspea, hyacinth and asparagus cells budded intensively. Moreover, the cellulosic material of the cell wall was disorganized and unevenly distributed in lupin, asparagus and hyacinth. In all the tested species arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) were detected mainly in spherical cells with condensed cytoplasm, but were absent in the budding cells. Notwithstanding the observed differences among species, we concluded that incorrect cell wall structure/composition, together with a deregulated cell cycle might contribute to protoplast recalcitrance in the examined plants. Abnormalities could be a result of the isolation process itself and defective stress-recovering mechanisms. Subsequently, these could arrest regeneration competences and direct cells at apoptotic pathways.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The suitability of in vitro culture technique for vegetative propagation of Biscutella laevigata calamine ecotype was investigated in this article, where various organic additives were tested as medium supplements.
Abstract: The suitability of in vitro culture technique for vegetative propagation of Biscutella laevigata calamine ecotype was investigated. Various organic additives were tested as medium supplements: squash obtained from fleshy pineapple fructification, liquid endosperm of coconut, and a conditioned medium acquired from the culture of green algae. Exploited plant-derived biostimulators along with growth regulators included in the propagation medium, improved B. laevigata multiplication in vitro. The highest micropropagation coefficient, exceeding three adventitious rosettes from one maternal microcutting, was obtained in the medium containing 10 ml A l !1 pineapple pulp during a 6-week-long culture. Microrosettes were rooted in vitro in a hormone-free, modified propagation medium, with macro- and microelements accounting for one third of the initial concentration. Acclimatization to ex vitro environment was conducted both in growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. Plants cultivated in the greenhouse bloomed and set seed. The results of the experiment allowed determination of the most suitable conditions required for culture initiation and successful development of a protocol for in vitro propagation of Biscutella laevigata ecotype obtained from the Olkusz district.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that phytotests can be useful tools for monitoring toxicity changes during bioremediation either mediated only by bacteria or additionally stimulated by fungal enzymatic preparations.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine changes in phytotoxicity levels during bioremediation of soil contaminated with 5% (v/w) diesel oil and find their correlation with the effectiveness of hydrocarbon degradation. Bioremediation trials were performed using a Gordonia alkanivorans S7 strain. The clean-up process was enhanced through the addition of dried fungal enzymatic preparations obtained from fungi Phanerohaete chrysosporium and Aspergillus niger. After 110 days of bioremediation the decrease in soil pollution ranged between 68 and 77% depending on treatment conditions. Toxicological tests using marker plants revealed significant differences in the phytotoxicity levels of soil during bioremediation, depending on the treatment variant. The addition of an enzymatic fungal preparation to soil was found to accelerate the rate of contaminant degradation. The rate of hydrocarbon depletion in subsequent phases of the remediation process was found to be correlated with the phytotoxicity level. The obtained results provide evidence that phytotests can be useful tools for monitoring toxicity changes during bioremediation either mediated only by bacteria or additionally stimulated by fungal enzymatic preparations.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to select non-pathogenic cultures of bacteria from the genus Clostridium which capable of converting glycerol into 1,3-propylene glycol from the Glycerol-supplemented methane fermentation medium and to determine the effect of pH and temperature conditions on the effectiveness and duration of 1, 3-PD synthesis.
Abstract: Microorganisms that efficiently conduct several metabolic processes can be found among the microflora that colonizes the natural environment. The aim of this study was to select non-pathogenic cultures of bacteria from the genus Clostridium which capable of converting glycerol into 1,3-propylene glycol from the glycerol-supplemented methane fermentation medium. Moreover, analyses was performed in which best isolates were tested in terms of 1,3-propylene glycol production using both pure and waste glycerol. Trials in a microreactor scale were performed for the best strains identified. Thes trials were aimed at the determination of the effect of pH and temperature conditions on the effectiveness and duration of 1,3-PD synthesis. Metabolite contents in the culture fluid were assessed using HPLC. Species were identified by amplification of 16S rRNA coding sequence. A total of 67 isolates were identified, of which a vast majority was capable of synthesizing 1,3-PD. The best results were obtained for strain C butyricum DS30. Maximum concentration of 1,3-PD for this strain exceeded 38.56 g/l. At a temperature of 37EC and constant pH of 7.0, the efficiency of this strain fell within the range of 0.66-0.67 mol/mol glycerol in the case of laboratory and bioreactor scales using pure and waste glycerol.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The best genotypes for crossing components in terms of their regeneration ability were found to be cultivar Frontana among the cultivars resistant to Fusarium, and cultivar Łagwa from Polish cultivars used in the experiment.
Abstract: Diseases caused by fungi from the genus Fusarium constitute a serious problem in spring wheat cultivation. Ear infestation leads reduced yield and plant contamination with mycotoxins. Therefore it is essential to introduce resistance genes to high-yielding cultivars. The generation of double haploid (DH) lines makes it possible to shorten the time required to select favourable genotypes. The aim of this study was to analyze the capacity of plants to regenerate in anther cultures and to generate DH of spring wheat genotypes that potentially constitute germplasm material for resistance breeding, directed against fungi from the genus Fusarium. The plant material comprised wheat cultivars with increased resistance to Fusarium: Sumai 3, Ning 8331, Norin 52, Frontana, as well as line 8475-59 and high-yielding Polish cultivars: Łagwa, Waluta and Zadra. Spikes were subjected to a thermal shock at 4EC. Anthers were placed on the C17 inducing medium. Two combinations of growth regulators, i.e. 2,4-D and kinetin as well as 2,4-D and dicamba were applied. A total of 19,200 anthers were used, resulting in a total of 440 calli from which 352 plants were obtained. Of this number 14% were albino. The regeneration efficiency ranged from 0% to 17.33% depending on the analyzed genotype and the combination of growth regulators in the induction medium. The highest number of green plants and seeds were obtained from cv. Łagwa, Zadra and Sumai 3. Analyses of the regenerants, using a flow cytometer, demonstrated that depending on the genotype, haploids constituted approx 75% of green plants. Doubling of the number of chromosomes at a 40% efficiency rate took place when 0.1% colchicine was used. In the experiment 54 DH lines were obtained from which 283 kernels were collected. The best genotypes for crossing components in terms of their regeneration ability were found to be cultivar Frontana among the cultivars resistant to Fusarium, and cultivar Łagwa from Polish cultivars used in the experiment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The mechanisms that rule the CBV-3 gene expression, its genome structure and the key steps of its viral life cycle are being reviewed in the hope that better knowledge of these processes will lead to better understanding of the molecular biology of CVB-3 and to the design of an effective therapy against this enterovirus.
Abstract: Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB-3) belongs to the Picornaviridae family of enterovirus genus of pathogens that cause a great number of human diseases. A viral infection is associated with many pathological states such as: myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, pleurodynia, systemic infection in infants, aseptic meningitis, and pancreatitis. Since viral diseases, especially in their chronic state, are difficult to treat, there has not been as yet, any specific therapeutic developed against coxsackievirus till date. CVB-3 is a single stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that encodes one large open reading frame flanked by two untranslated regions (UTR). The 5NUTR contains an IRES element that directs the translation process and a cloverleaf structure that regulate viral replication. The complementary, 3N terminal region of the replicative strand is also believed to be crucial for the replication of events. The secondary structure RNA elements regulate the most important processes in the viral propagation cycle. The mechanisms that rule the CBV-3 gene expression, its genome structure and the key steps of its viral life cycle are being reviewed in the hope that better knowledge of these processes will lead to better understanding of the molecular biology of CVB-3 and to the design of an effective therapy against this enterovirus.

Journal Article
TL;DR: It seems that despite the existence of many factors that may influence serum neopterin, those derived from impaired renal function and immunological disturbances coming from hemodialysis treatment are crucial.
Abstract: Neopterin, a marker of stimulated cellular immune response, levels increase during many disorders. A number of different features of neopterin prompted us to study its serum concentration in patients with all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients with coronary artery disease (CARD). To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that evaluates and compares the serum neopterin concentration in those diseases taken together as one study. One hundred and twenty five subjects, divided into five groups, were included in the study. The first three groups consisted of patients with different stages of CKD. CARD patients without CKD and healthy volunteers as controls were also studied. Serum neopterin concentration was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, BRAHMS, Hennigsdorf/Berlin, Germany) according to the manufacturers’ instructions. We have found that patients with the most advanced stage of CKD had fifteen times higher serum neopterin than patients from other studied groups. Interestingly, in the CKD1-2, CKD3-4 and CARD patients without CKD, serum neopterin concentrations were similar to those obtained from healthy volunteers. Serum urea and serum ferritin appeared to be significant independent predictors of serum neopterin concentration after adjustment for urea, CA-IMT, peripheral systolic blood pressure, ferritin, hsCRP, HD vintage, BMI and eGFR, explaining 95.89% of serum neopterin variations. In conclusion, it seems that despite the existence of many factors that may influence serum neopterin, those derived from impaired renal function and immunological disturbances coming from hemodialysis treatment are crucial. In this study, we observed that the more impaired the renal function, higher is the increase in serum neopterin concentration.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was found that to maintain high (microspore – to mozna opuscic) viability, microspores must be isolated after low temperature stress (+4EC) applied for up to 7 days of culture, and a considerable extension of the duration of low temperature resulted in a reduction of the microspore isolation efficiency in rye and a slight reduction ofMicrospore viability.
Abstract: Rye has been generally considered to be recalcitrant to the androgenesis induction in vitro. The haploids of Secale cereale are not easily obtainable and the isolated microspore technique application is difficult, thus is performed occasionally, and in a limited number of strains and cultivars. The aim of the conducted experiment was to assess the frequency of mechanical damage in microspores after their isolation in the mortar, and the effect of the pretreatment of spikes at 4EC on microspore viability and the course of the culture. The analyses in the isolated microspore culture were conducted on 30 genotypes of rye from two breeding programs and differing in their origin. Spikes with microspores in the unicellular stage were cut and exposed to a temperature of 4EC for a period of 2 to 42 days. Microspore observations were conducted immediately after the microspore isolation in order to assess the viability and percentage of the damaged ones. In order to study the mitotic divisions first, cultures of rye microspores were examined after 3 days. The highest microspore viability after isolation was observed for strain 1283C – 91.9% and inbred line S1152/10 – 91.8%, while it was the lowest for F 1 hybrid S02779/10 – 79.8% and strain 1252E – 84%, respectively. It was found that to maintain high (microspore – to mozna opuscic) viability, microspores must be isolated after low temperature stress (+4EC) applied for up to 7 days of culture. A considerable extension of the duration of low temperature (36-42 days) resulted in a reduction of the microspore isolation efficiency in rye (a lower number of microspores in the obtained suspension) and a slight reduction of microspore viability.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A survey of Professor Pojnar’s research, as well as further studies inspired by his pioneering achievements, on protoplast isolation and culture procedures in Poland are discussed.
Abstract: This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Edward Pojnar (1919-2011), Head of the Department of Botany (1974-1990) at the University of Agriculture in Krakow, who initiated research on isolated plant protoplasts in Poland. Studying in Professor E.C. Cocking’s Plant Physiology Laboratory at the University of Nottingham, Professor Pojnar became acquainted with the enzymatic method procedure for protoplast isolation. His postdoctoral thesis was published in 1969 as the first paper on protoplast isolation and culture procedures in Poland. The present paper is a survey of Professor Pojnar’s research, as well as further studies inspired by his pioneering achievements. Recent research into protoplast technology, focused on the structural changes involved in protoplast regeneration, is also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The CONSUMERCHOICE study as mentioned in this paper found that European consumers actually did purchase GM-labelled food products in those countries participating in the project in which they were on sale (the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and The Netherlands in this inquiry).
Abstract: Rather than ask consumers via questionnaires and polls about their attitudes to GM-foods and if they would buy them, the CONSUMERCHOICE study sought to determine whether European consumers actually did purchase GM-labelled food products in those countries participating in the project in which they were on sale (the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain and The Netherlands in this inquiry). The results showed (a) that indeed they did, and (b) that what consumers said in questionnaires with respect to GM-foods was not a reliable guide to what they did when buying their food supplies. A survey of the behaviour of Polish and UK citizens living in or visiting North America revealed that they took little or no action to avoid the widespread use of (unlabelled) GM-products in Canada and the United States.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper presents several analogs of nucleic acids, including their structure and selected physico-chemical properties, reported recently as being obtained from non-nucleosidic units connected via phosphorodiester bonds.
Abstract: This paper presents several analogs of nucleic acids, including their structure and selected physico-chemical properties, reported recently as being obtained from non-nucleosidic units connected via phosphorodiester bonds. These analogs are built from units that instead of sugar residues carry different diol structures functionalized either with natural nucleobases or with other ring systems of an aromatic character. Some interesting nonnucleosidic oligonucleotide analogs and their applications are described. Unlocked (UNA) and glycerol nucleic acids (GNA) are also described.

Journal Article
TL;DR: A theoretical structural model of the newly reported Cry1Ab18 δ-endotoxin is predicted, using a homology modeling technique with the structure of Cry1Aa toxin molecule, which supports the existing hypotheses of receptor insertion and will further provide the initiation point for the domain swapping experiments aimed towards improving protein toxicity.
Abstract: Cry1Ab18 is an δ-endotoxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis strain. Till date the detailed mechanism of this toxin action is unclear. Therefore, solution of the three-dimensional structure of all Cry1 family members would be desirable for a comprehensive understanding of the initial mechanisms that underlie the toxicity of this type of toxin. Here, we predict a theoretical structural model of the newly reported Cry1Ab18 δ-endotoxin, using a homology modeling technique with the structure of Cry1Aa toxin molecule (resolution 2.25A). Cry1Ab18 resembles Cry1Aa toxin by sharing a common three-domain structure. Domain I is composed of nine α helixes and one small β strand, domain II is composed of nine β strands and two α helixes and domain III consists of two α helixes and eleven β strands. This model supports the existing hypotheses of receptor insertion and will further provide the initiation point for the domain swapping experiments aimed towards improving protein toxicity, and will help in the deeper understanding of the mechanism of action of common toxins.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on cytokinin signaling in various plant developmental processes, including responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, and the two-component signaling pathway, operating through the His-Asp phosphorelay, controls many physiological and developmental processes throughout the plant lifecycle.
Abstract: Phytohormones (plant hormones) play a role in the regulation of cellular activities including cell division, elongation and differentiation, pattern formation, organogenesis, reproduction, sex determination, and responses to abiotic and biotic stress. The phytohormonal signal transduction pathways operate via cytokinin perception by transmembrane receptors consisting of two domains: an extracellular domain responsible for hormone binding and an intracellular domain, sensory His / Asp kinase (HK). Upon phytohormone binding, the receptor undergoes a conformational change which activates its protein kinase activity. The phosphorylated intracellular domain transfers the phosphoryl group to the His residue of the histidine phosphotransfer protein (HPt) which in turn phosphorylates Asp residue in the Response Regulator (RR). The phosphorylated RR protein acts as either a positive or negative transcription factor that interacts with the gene promoter or other target protein. The two-component signaling pathway, operating through the His-Asp phosphorelay, controls many physiological and developmental processes throughout the plant lifecycle (from seed-to-seed). Downstream plant hormone signaling also includes proteolysis of transcriptional regulators that block the activity of transcription factors. Two-component signaling operates more frequently in higher plants. Five classic plant hormones had been discovered by the middle of the twentieth century: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene and abscisic acid. The more recently characterized hormones include brassinosteroids, strigolactones, jasmonates and salicylates. Considering the tremendous work that has been undertaken during the last decades, in this review we decided to concentrate on cytokinin signaling in various plant developmental processes, including responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is proposed that governments, as well as professional organizations – including reproductive specialists, neonatologists, and health economists – recommend that a legal limitation on the number of embryo transfers be imposed and that embryo transfer restrictions be coupled with reimbursement for ART services.
Abstract: On the basis of observations in Europe and North America, this review will focus on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and their impact on pregnancy outcomes; in particular multiple births, prematurity, and their impact on birth defects. In Europe, since 1985 this experience has been somewhat different from that in North America due not only to the differing populations, cultures, religious perspectives, but also to the rapid implementation of medical technologies, relative freedom from governmental regulation, as well as the different forms of payment for medical care that exist between the two continents. This review will focus on the impact of ART on the complications of pregnancy, multiple gestations and prematurity, and will evaluate the required process and content of informed consent surrounding ART from the legal perspective. Issues related to complications resulting from the use of ART from the perspective of neonatal care providers will be highlighted as well as its impact on the health care system in both regions. Given the impact of ART on both sides of the Atlantic, we propose that governments, as well as professional organizations – including reproductive specialists, neonatologists, and health economists – recommend that a legal limitation on the number of embryo transfers be imposed and that embryo transfer restrictions be coupled with reimbursement for ART services. We suggest that reproductive rights should not be infringed but that greater concern for and monitoring of the safety of both mothers and their newborns be undertaken by various professional organizations and governments in Europe and North America. We also propose systematic centralized reporting of the effectiveness of each form of ART, along with any associated complications, and that ART babies be carefully monitored for birth defects and imprinting disorders on both continents.

Journal Article
TL;DR: A brief overview of different perspectives on the topic relating it to aspects of pioneering agro-biotechnology and human function viewed from the standpoint of an outsider to the world of GMO agriculture is provided.
Abstract: The biotechnological application of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has increased to help improve the production of vegetable protein and to prevent a myriad of possible viruses resulting from genetic mutation. Among other products of GMO biotechnology are materials for medical treatment and pharmaceuticals. The movement has increased concern and discussion about the risk and profitability of reprogramming genetic pathways for the cultivation of plants and vegetables. This paper provides a brief overview of different perspectives on the topic relating it to aspects of pioneering agro-biotechnology and human function viewed from the standpoint of an outsider to the world of GMO agriculture.

Journal Article
TL;DR: AUGUSTUS (web-application deployed on local or remote host) is used to predict multiple transcripts and alternative splicing events from maize chromosome 1 sequence and 42 genes with three transcripts are identified, identifying alternativesplicing events for 42 genes from chromosome 1.
Abstract: Alternative splicing is an important part of mRNA processing which results in protein diversity in all eukaryotes. In plants, this process is still poorly understood, however recent computational analysis has shown that alternative splicing is far more prevalent than previously thought. For better characterization of alternative splicing in maize, one of the most important crop species, we used AUGUSTUS (web-application deployed on local or remote host) to predict multiple transcripts and alternative splicing events from maize chromosome 1 sequence. From over 300 million bp of chromosome 1, AUGUSTUS software predicted ab initio 46 400 genes and 20% of the estimated genes have at least two transcripts. For 412 genes with three transcripts we performed additional analysis including EST's alignment, protein identification and comparative evaluation with genes predicted using F genesh and Gramene software. In consequence we have identified alternative splicing events for 42 genes from maize chromosome 1.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The delineation of the primary structure of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone in 1971 released an avalanche of research on a wide spectrum of aspects concerning releasing hormones and their receptors, and analytical tools and molecular methodology were at a semi-primitive stage in comparison to the present time.
Abstract: The delineation of the primary structure of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone in 1971 released an avalanche of research on a wide spectrum of aspects concerning releasing hormones and their receptors. Today there are over 100 000 publications on the subject. It should be pointed out that, when this success was achieved, analytical tools and molecular methodology were at a semi-primitive stage in comparison to the present time. Therefore, we should show our respect to the pioneers of neuroendocrinology.

Journal Article
TL;DR: It was reasoned that segmenting longer hybridization probes by introducing flexible, abasic linkers might lead to oligonucleotides that retain some of the sequence selectivity of short probes without losing too much of the target affinity of their unsegmented counterparts.
Abstract: Short hybridization probes bind their targets with greater base pairing fidelity, but with lower affinity than longer probes. Furthermore, their target sequence is shorter, and thus more likely not to be unique in a given genome. Long hybridization probes provide increased affinity, and their sequences are more unique, but their duplexes tolerate mismatches more readily, without a significant depression in melting point. It was reasoned that segmenting longer hybridization probes by introducing flexible, abasic linkers might lead to oligonucleotides that retain some of the sequence selectivity of short probes without losing too much of the target affinity of their unsegmented counterparts. A model study led to 1,3-propandiol-phosphates as linker residues. These spacer residues were introduced at different positions of hybridization probes 8-20 residues in length and their hybridization properties were studied in UV-melting curves with RNA or DNA target strands. Increases in base pairing selectivity (ΔΔTm of up to !7.4EC for a single mismatch) and decreased target affinities (ΔTm between !15 and !25EC) were found for the segmented probes when compared to their unsegmented counterparts, and so was a decreased selectivity for insertions at the site of the linker. Also, the increases in selectivity are not uniform in their magnitude and depend on sequence context and position. A favorable case appears to be a hybridization probe that contains two spacers, with one octamer as core segment, flanked by a heptamer and a pentamer as terminal segments.