New inhibitors of auxin transport

Zusammenfassung 3-Phenacylidinphthalid und dessen Hydrat verursachen einen konzentrationsabhängigen Verlust der geotropischen Reaktion der Wurzel und die Aufhebung der Apikaldominanz des Sprosses. Es wird nachgewiesen, dass die beiden Substanzen primär den basipetalen Transport des endogenen Auxins hemmen.     

Inhibition of auxin transport by a morphactin

Zusammenfassung Morphactin (IT 3456) verhindert den Auxin-Transport ohne wesentliche Wirkung auf Aufnahme und Polarität der Indolessigsäure 2-¹⁴C inZea mays L. Koleoptilen.

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I am grateful to the Pakistan and Danish Atomic Energy Commissions for the award of fellowship under which the above work was carried out. I am also thankful to E. Merck AG, Darmstadt, for kindly supplying the morphactins.     

Estimation of diffusible auxin under saline growth conditions

Zusammenfassung Der Auxingehalt von Koleoptilenspitzen vonZea mays L.-Keimlingen wird durch saline Wachstumsbedingungen herabgesetzt.

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Part of the work supported by a grant from USDA under the PL-480 research programme.     

Auxin transport under saline growth conditions

Zusammenfassung Ein erhöhter Salzgehalt des Substrats hemmt das Koleoptilen-Längenwachstum vonZea mays, onne indessen einen Einfluss auf den Auxintransport und dessen Polarität auszuüben.

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I am thankful to the Pakistan and Danish Atomic Energy Commissions for the award of a fellowship under which the above work was carried out, and to my colleagues at Risø for their help and hospitality.     

Aging in relation to auxin and RNA

Résumé Sur des extraits de racine deLens culinaris, il est observé qu'au cours du vieillissement cellulaire les enzymes qui contrôlent le catabolisme auxinique sont progressivement plus actives, ce qui a pour conséquence d'entraîner une diminution du taux en auxines endogènes. Par ailleurs, l'activité des systèmes RNasiques — inhibés par les auxines — va s'élever d'une façon significative dans les cellules âgées ce qui explique, partiellement du moins, la diminution de le teneur en RNA.     

Auxin dependence and auxin oxidase of cultured sycamore cells

Summary Quantitative and qualitative differences in auxin-oxidases extracted from auxin-dependent (S) or auxin-independent (MB) sycamore cells were analyzed. MB auxin-oxidases have a higher activity, but the molecular weight of this enzymatic complex is lowered by freeze-drying, without loss of the activity. Correlations with auxin-independence are discussed in this context.     

Presence of auxin protectors inEriophyes inducedZizyphus stem galls

Summary 3 auxin protectors, which were o-dihydroxyphenols of high molecular weight, were isolated fromZizyphus gall tissues. An increase in polyphenol oxidase activity in the gall tissue was observed which probably led to the production of high levels of auxin protectors. This prevented IAA oxidation, resulting in hyperauxinity and auxin-autotrophy.     

Receptor binding, internalization, and retrograde transport of neurotrophic factors

This review deals with the receptor interactions of neurotrophic factors, focusing on the neurotrophins of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family, the glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family, and the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) family. The finding that two proteins, p75^NTR and Trk, act as receptors for NGF in neurons generated the discovery of other neurotrophic factors/receptor families and has enhanced our understanding of the development, survival, regeneration, and degeneration of the nervous system. The kinetics of binding, the structure of the ligand-receptor complex, and the mechanism of retrograde transport of the neurotrophins are discussed in detail and compared to information available on the GDNF and CNTF families. Each neurotrophic factor family, i.e., NGF, GDNF, and CNTF, has a set of receptors with specificity for individual members of the family and a common receptor without member specificity that, in some families, generates the cellular signal and retrograde transport.     

Mitochondria dynamism: of shape,transport and cell migration

Mitochondria are highly dynamic and functionally versatile organelles that continuously fragment and fuse in response to different physiological needs of the cell. The list of proteins that strictly regulate the morphology of these organelles is constantly growing, adding new players every day and new pieces to the comprehension and elucidation of this complex machinery. The structural complexity of mitochondria is only paralled by their functional versatility. Indeed, changes in mitochondria shape play critical roles in vertebrate development programmed cell death and in various processes of normal cell physiology, such as calcium signaling, reactive oxygen species production, and lifespan. Here, we present the latest findings on the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and some of their physiological roles, focusing on cell migration. In cells where migration represents a crucial function in their physiology, such as T and tumoral metastatic cells, mitochondria need to be fragmented and recruited to specific subcellular regions to make movement possible. In depth analysis of this role of mitochondrial dynamics should help in identifying potential targeted therapy against cancer or in improving the immune system’s efficiency.     

Phosphorylation and uphill intestinal transport of thiamine,in vitro

Riassunto L'impiego di tiamina-¹⁴C, con la tecnica dei sacchetti rovesciati di intestino di ratto, ha permesso di dimostrare che, durante il trasporto contro gradiente in vitro, la tiamina viene fosforilata dal tessuto intestinale. Gli inibitori metabolici e gli analoghi strutturali della tiamina che ne inibiscono la fosforilazione del pari ne riducono il trasporto netto. Ciò dimostra che il trasporto intestinale della tiamina è strettamente connesso con la sua fosforilazione.     

Emerging roles of the oxysterol-binding protein family in metabolism, transport, and signaling

OSBP (oxysterol-binding protein) and ORPs (OSBP-related proteins) constitute an enigmatic eukaryotic protein family that is united by a signature domain that binds oxysterols, sterols, and possibly other hydrophobic ligands. The human genome contains 12 OSBP/ORP family members genes, while that of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes seven OSBP homologues (Osh). Of these, Osh4 (also referred to as Kes1) has been the most widely studied to date. Recently, three-dimensional crystal structures of Osh4 with and without sterols bound within the core of the protein were determined. The core consists of 19 anti-parallel β-sheets that form a near-complete β-barrel. Recent work has suggested that Osh proteins facilitate the non-vesicular transport of sterols in vivo and in vitro, while other evidence supports a role for Osh proteins in the regulation of vesicular transport and lipid metabolism.This article will review recent advances in the study of ORP/Osh proteins and will discuss future research issues regarding the ORP/Osh family. Received 17 July 2007; received after revision 14 August 2007; accepted 12 September 2007     

Spatiotemporal asymmetric auxin distribution: a means to coordinate plant development

The plant hormone auxin plays crucial roles in regulating plant growth development, including embryo and root patterning, organ formation, vascular tissue differentiation and growth responses to environmental stimuli. Asymmetric auxin distribution patterns have been observed within tissues, and these so-called auxin gradients change dynamically during different developmental processes. Most auxin is synthesized in the shoot and distributed directionally throughout the plant. This polar auxin transport is mediated by auxin influx and efflux facilitators, whose subcellular polar localizations guide the direction of auxin flow. The polar localization of PIN auxin efflux carriers changes in response to developmental and external cues in order to channel auxin flow in a regulated manner for organized growth. Auxin itself modulates the expression and subcellular localization of PIN proteins, contributing to a complex pattern of feedback regulation. Here we review the available information mainly from studies of a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, on the generation of auxin gradients, the regulation of polar auxin transport and further downstream cellular events. Received 10 March 2006; received after revision 26 June 2006; accepted 9 August 2006     

Adsorption and active transport

Résumé On démontre l'identité formelle de l'équation de Langmuir (pour l'adsorption) et de celle de Michaelis-Menten, toutes deux fondées sur la loi de «mass action». Cette démonstration justifie la vue d'après laquelle l'accumulation des ions par les cellules vivantes selon la loi de Michaelis-Menten représente une liaison d'adsorption au niveau intracellulaire. Les centres d'adsorption, qui peuvent être inactivés par divers poisons chimiques, dépendraient du métabolisme de la cellule. Cette conception offre une alternative à l'hypothèse du «carrier» qui a été souvent postulée.