The use of the Hungarian energy grass cultivar, ‘Szarvasi-1’, as a renewable energy resource can be of high importance, but first its genetic variability should be clarified. The between-species RAPD analysis of four Agropyron and Elymus species and the ‘Szarvasi-1’ cultivar showed very different DNA-patterns. The ‘Szarvasi-1’ specimens used in this study can represent the whole cultivar. The RAPD analysis of three Hungarian Elymus populations confirmed the origin of ‘Szarvasi-1’ from Hortobágy. The possibility of ecological risks of gene escape can be estimated as low by our results.
Abstract Our molecular phylogenetic analyses shed some light on the evolutionary relationships within the Hamelieae tribe. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Internal Transcribed Spacer and trnL‐F sequence data revealed the presence of three distinct evolutionary lineages. The first clade includes Hamelia and Syringantha , the second clade includes Deppea s.l. (including Bellizinca , Csapodya , and Edithea ), and the third clade includes Pinarophyllon , Deppeopsis , Hoffmannia , Pseudomiltemia , Plocaniophyllon , Omiltemia , and Renistipula . The phylogenetic analysis re‐evaluated some taxonomical combinations. The transfer of Deppeopsis taxa from Deppea s.l. is supported, but however, the monophyly of the genus is not. The transfer of Renistipula from Rondeletieae is also highly supported. Both Csapodya and Edithea species form a well‐defined group among Deppea s.l. with high posterior probabilities, allowing to reconsider the exclusion or integration of these taxa to Deppea .
Significance Voltage sensing with genetically expressed optical probes is highly desirable for large-scale recordings of neuronal activity and detection of localized voltage signals in single neurons. Here we describe a method for a two-component (hybrid) genetically encodable fluorescent voltage sensing in neurons. The approach uses a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-tagged fluorescent protein (enhanced green fluorescent protein) that ensures the fluorescence to be specifically confined to the outside of the plasma membrane and D3, a voltage-dependent quencher. Previous hybrid genetically encoded voltage sensing approaches relied on a single quenching molecule, dipycrilamine (DPA), which is toxic, increases membrane capacitance, interferes with neurotransmitters, and is explosive. Our method uses a nontoxic and nonexplosive compound that performs better than DPA in all aspects of fluorescent voltage sensing.
Origin and distributionTall wheatgrass is a Pontic-Mediterranean grass species.Its distribution ranges along the Mediterranean Basin from the Black Sea to the Iberian Peninsula.This vast area is covered by two, morphologically very different subspecies.The shorter and more fragile E. elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp.elongatus occurs in the western basin of the Pontus-Mediterranean area, while the taller and more robust E. elongatus (Host) Runemark subsp.ponticus (Podp.)Melderis occupies the Eastern Mediterranean Basin.The latter is also native to Hungary, reaching the north-westernmost part of its distribution in this area (Tutin et al., 1980).Szarvasi-1 energy grass was bred as an intra-specific hybrid of drought-tolerant and robust E. elongatus subsp.ponticus populations from Hungary and from different pontic areas (Janowsky & Janowszky, 2007).The 10-year-long breeding process was conducted in Szarvas (East Hungary) but more recently the new breed has been involved in extensive crop management studies in different parts of the country.The Szarvasi-1 tall wheatgrass cultivar was officially recognized by the Hungarian Central Agricultural Office in 2004. Taxonomy and nomenclature of Elymus elongatusClassification and nomenclature of wheatgrass species has been the subject of much taxonomic debate (Assadi Runemark, 1995;Mizianty et al., 1999;Murphy & Jones, 1999).Consequently, representatives of this genus are known by several scientific and vernacular names.Synonyms of Elymus elongatus (Host) Runemark (tall wheatgrass) include: Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv., Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski, E. pontica (Podp.)Holub, Elymus varnensis (Velen.)Runemark, Lophopyrum elongatum (Host) A. Löve and Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.)Liu & Wang. Genetic diversity of energy grass cultivar Szarvasi-1Besides studying the agronomical features of Szarvasi-1, it was important to reveal its genetic background, in order to ascertain its taxonomic position in the system of grasses (focusing on the Triticeae tribe), to assess genetic similarities among the closely related Agropyron and Elymus genera and to establish genetic relationships among native Hungarian populations of E. elongatus (the hypothesised ancestor of Szarvasi-1) and the cultivar.As a first step the genetic background of Szarvasi-1 and its relatives was studied by RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA) technique, which allowed the random study of the whole genome with no prior knowledge required.RAPDs can produce a large set of markers, which can be used for the evaluation of both between-and within-species genetic variation, more rapidly and easily than isozymes and microsatellites (Guadagnuolo et al., 2001).To determine the exact taxonomic position of the cultivar among its relatives, specific primers for sequencing specific DNA regions were used.The sequences were compared and phylogenetically analysed.Our results indicated a potential risk of gene flow, which is a possible disadvantage of planting Szarvasi-1 energy grass on large scale. Interspecific studyThe interspecific variation of three Elymus and an Agropyron species together with the Szarvasi-1 cultivar was screened with 61 RAPD primers (Table 1.).The most informative 16 www.intechopen.com
Highlights•Histology did not show marked differences in retina layers between WT and KO mice.•Calbindin-positive horizontal cell dendrites sprout into the ONL in aging retinas.•PKC alpha protein level was found consistently less in KO animals compared to wild type.•In aging KO animals GFAP level is elevated in Müller cells while PAC1-R staining decreases compared to the aging WT retina.•PACAP may act as an endogenous juvenating factor in the retina.AbstractPituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neurotrophic and neuroprotective peptide. PACAP and its receptors are widely distributed in the retina. A number of reports provided evidence that PACAP is neuroprotective in retinal degenerations. The current study compared retina cell type-specific differences in young (3–4months) and aged adults (14–16months), of wild-type (WT) mice and knock-out (KO) mice lacking endogenous PACAP production during the course of aging. Histological, immunocytochemical and Western blot examinations were performed. The staining for standard neurochemical markers (tyrosine hydroxylase for dopaminergic cells, calbindin 28 kDa for horizontal cells, protein kinase Cα for rod bipolar cells) of young adult PACAP KO retinas showed no substantial alterations compared to young adult WT retinas, except for the specific PACAP receptor (PAC1-R) staining. We could not detect PAC1-R immunoreactivity in bipolar and horizontal cells in young adult PACAP KO animals. Some other age-related changes were observed only in the PACAP KO mice only. These alterations included horizontal and rod bipolar cell dendritic sprouting into the photoreceptor layer and decreased ganglion cell number. Also, Müller glial cells showed elevated GFAP expression compared to the aging WT retinas. Furthermore, Western blot analyses revealed significant differences between the phosphorylation state of ERK1/2 and JNK in KO mice, indicating alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway. These results support the conclusion that endogenous PACAP contributes to protection against aging of the nervous system.
Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) cation channels localized predominantly on capsaicin-sensitive peptidergic sensory nerves play essential roles in pain, hyperalgesia and neurogenic inflammation. They are activated by a variety of noxious stimuli, chemical irritants and cold or heat, respectively. Besides sensory nerves, both receptors have been described on epithelial and immune cells. Estrogen-induced TRPV1 up-regulation in the human uterus suggests its potential involvement in pain during the reproductive cycle. Since there are no data regarding TRPA1 expression in the endometrium and little is known about TRPV1 regulation, we investigated estrogen- and progesterone-dependent alterations of these channels in the rat endometrium.
Different groups of sexually premature 4-week-old and adult 4-month-old female rats were treated with subcutaneously implanted wax pellets containing synthetic estrogen analog diethylstilbestrol (DES, 100 µg), progesterone (4 mg) and their combination for 8 or 12 days, respectively. Ovariectomy was performed in separate groups of 4-month-old animals (n=5/group). TRPA1 and TRPV1 mRNA levels were measured in the endometrium layer with quantitative PCR, while the localization of the receptor proteins was determined with immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded uterus sections. Both TRPA1 and TRPV1 were detected in the rat endometrium at mRNA and protein levels as well, showing their remarkable local, non-neuronal expression. DES treatment resulted in a 5-fold and 7-fold significant up-regulation of TRPV1 mRNA in young and adult rats, respectively, which were absent if progesterone was added simultaneously. DES also induced significant elevation of TRPA1 mRNA in both groups. Progesterone by itself did not alter the levels of either channel in either group. In young rats, weak TRPV1 and A1 staining were observed in the epithelium, while in adult animals it was detected in the stroma and the glands with weak expression in the epithelium. Further investigations are in process to elucidate the functions of TRPA1 and TRPV1 in conditions related to pain and inflammation.
SROP-4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV-2012-0024
