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Research Containing: Phylogeny

Gravistimulation changes the accumulation pattern of the CsPIN1 auxin efflux facilitator in the endodermis of the transition zone in cucumber seedlings

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings grown in a horizontal position develop a specialized protuberance (or peg) on the lower side of the transition zone between the hypocotyl and the root. This occurs by suppressing peg formation on the upper side via a decrease in auxin resulting from a gravitational response. However, the gravity-stimulated mechanism of inducing asymmetric auxin distribution in the transition zone is poorly understood. The gravity-sensing tissue responsible for regulating auxin distribution in the transition zone is thought to be the endodermal cell. To characterize the gravity-stimulated mechanism, the auxin efflux facilitator PIN-FORMED1 (CsPIN1) in the endodermis was identified and the localization of CsPIN1 proteins during the gravimorphogenesis of cucumber seedlings was examined. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the accumulation pattern of CsPIN1 protein in the endodermal cells of the transition zone of cucumber seedlings grown horizontally differed from that of plants grown vertically. Gravistimulation for 30 min prompted changes in the accumulation pattern of CsPIN1 protein in the endodermis as well as the asymmetric distribution of auxin in the transition zone. Furthermore, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid inhibited the differential distribution of auxin as well as changes in the accumulation pattern of CsPIN1 in the endodermis of the transition zone during gravistimulation. These results suggest that the altered pattern of CsPIN1 accumulation in the endodermis in response to gravistimulation influences lateral auxin transport through the endodermis, resulting in asymmetric auxin distribution in the transition zone.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22065422

Modulation of Pleurodeles waltl DNA polymerase mu expression by extreme conditions encountered during spaceflight

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

DNA polymerase micro is involved in DNA repair, V(D)J recombination and likely somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes. Our previous studies demonstrated that spaceflight conditions affect immunoglobulin gene expression and somatic hypermutation frequency. Consequently, we questioned whether Polmu expression could also be affected. To address this question, we characterized Polmu of the Iberian ribbed newt Pleurodeles waltl and exposed embryos of that species to spaceflight conditions or to environmental modifications corresponding to those encountered in the International Space Station. We noted a robust expression of Polmu mRNA during early ontogenesis and in the testis, suggesting that Polmu is involved in genomic stability. Full-length Polmu transcripts are 8-9 times more abundant in P. waltl than in humans and mice, thereby providing an explanation for the somatic hypermutation predilection of G and C bases in amphibians. Polmu transcription decreases after 10 days of development in space and radiation seem primarily involved in this down-regulation. However, space radiation, alone or in combination with a perturbation of the circadian rhythm, did not affect Polmu protein levels and did not induce protein oxidation, showing the limited impact of radiation encountered during a 10-day stay in the International Space Station.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23936065

Characterization of the survival ability of Cupriavidus metallidurans and Ralstonia pickettii from space-related environments

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Four Cupriavidus metallidurans and eight Ralstonia pickettii isolates from the space industry and the International Space Station (ISS) were characterized in detail. Nine of the 12 isolates were able to form a biofilm on plastics and all were resistant to several antibiotics. R. pickettii isolates from the surface of the Mars Orbiter prior to flight were 2.5 times more resistant to UV-C(254nm) radiation compared to the R. pickettii type strain. All isolates showed moderate to high tolerance against at least seven different metal ions. They were tolerant to medium to high silver concentrations (0.5-4 muM), which are higher than the ionic silver disinfectant concentrations measured regularly in the drinking water aboard the ISS. Furthermore, all isolates survived a 23-month exposure to 2 muM AgNO(3) in drinking water. These resistance properties are putatively encoded by their endogenous megaplasmids. This study demonstrated that extreme resistance is not required to withstand the disinfection and sterilization procedures implemented in the ISS and space industry. All isolates acquired moderate to high tolerance against several stressors and can grow in oligotrophic conditions, enabling them to persist in these environments.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23212653

Evidence of pathogenic microbes in the International Space Station drinking water: reason for concern?

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Molecular analyses were carried out on four preflight and six postflight International Space Station (ISS)-associated potable water samples at various stages of purification, storage, and transport, to ascertain their associated microbial diversities and overall microbial burdens. Following DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and molecular cloning procedures, rDNA sequences closely related to pathogenic species of Acidovorax, Afipia, Brevundimonas, Propionibacterium, Serratia, and others were recovered in varying abundance. Retrieval of sequences arising from the iodine (biocide)-reducing Delftia acidovorans in postflight waters is also of concern. Total microbial burdens of ISS potable waters were derived from data generated by an ATP-based enumeration procedure, with results ranging from 0 to 4.9 x 10(4) cells/ml. Regardless of innate biases in sample collection and analysis, such circumstantial evidence for the presence of viable, intact pathogenic cells should not be taken lightly. Implementation of new cultivation approaches and/or viability-based assays are requisite to confirm such an occurrence.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15880908

Microbial monitoring of spacecraft and associated environments

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Rapid microbial monitoring technologies are invaluable in assessing contamination of spacecraft and associated environments. Universal and widespread elements of microbial structure and chemistry are logical targets for assessing microbial burden. Several biomarkers such as ATP, LPS, and DNA (ribosomal or spore-specific), were targeted to quantify either total bioburden or specific types of microbial contamination. The findings of these assays were compared with conventional, culture-dependent methods. This review evaluates the applicability and efficacy of some of these methods in monitoring the microbial burden of spacecraft and associated environments. Samples were collected from the surfaces of spacecraft, from surfaces of assembly facilities, and from drinking water reservoirs aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Culture-dependent techniques found species of Bacillus to be dominant on these surfaces. In contrast, rapid, culture-independent techniques revealed the presence of many Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, as well as actinomycetes and fungi. These included both cultivable and noncultivable microbes, findings further confirmed by DNA-based microbial detection techniques. Although the ISS drinking water was devoid of cultivable microbes, molecular-based techniques retrieved DNA sequences of numerous opportunistic pathogens. Each of the methods tested in this study has its advantages, and by coupling two or more of these techniques even more reliable information as to microbial burden is rapidly obtained.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14749906

Bacterial monitoring with adhesive sheet in the international space station-"Kibo", the Japanese experiment module

by on 9 June 2015in Biology & Biotechnology No comment

Microbiological monitoring is important to assure microbiological safety, especially in long-duration space habitation. We have been continuously monitoring the abundance and diversity of bacteria in the International Space Station (ISS)-"Kibo" module to accumulate knowledge on microbes in the ISS. In this study, we used a new sampling device, a microbe-collecting adhesive sheet developed in our laboratory. This adhesive sheet has high operability, needs no water for sampling, and is easy to transport and store. We first validated the adhesive sheet as a sampling device to be used in a space habitat with regard to the stability of the bacterial number on the sheet during prolonged storage of up to 12 months. Bacterial abundance on the surfaces in Kibo was then determined and was lower than on the surfaces in our laboratory (10(5) cells [cm(2)](-1)), except for the return air grill, and the bacteria detected in Kibo were human skin microflora. From these aspects of microbial abundance and their phylogenetic affiliation, we concluded that Kibo has been microbiologically well maintained; however, microbial abundance may increase with the prolonged stay of astronauts. To ensure crew safety and understand bacterial dynamics in space habitation environments, continuous bacterial monitoring in Kibo is required.

Related URLs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23603802