Circadian regulation of the GLYCINE-RICH RNA-BINDING PROTEIN gene by the master clock protein CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED 1 is important for plant innate immunity.

Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of temporal regulation of pathogen defense by the circadian clock. However, our understanding of the molecular basis underlying this role of the circadian clock is still in its infancy. We report here the mechanism by which the Arabidopsis master clock protein CCA1 regulates an output target gene GRP7 for its circadian expression and function in pathogen defense. Our data firmly establish that CCA1 physically associates with the GRP7 promoter via the predicted CCA1-binding motif, evening element (EE). A site-directed mutagenesis study showed that while individual EE motifs differentially contribute to robust circadian expression of GRP7, abolishing all four EE motifs in the proximal GRP7 promoter disrupts rhythmicity of GRP7 expression and results in misalignment of defense signaling mediated by GRP7 and altered pathogen responses. This study provides a mechanistic link of the circadian regulation of an output gene to its biological function in pathogen defense, underscoring the importance of temporal control of plant innate immunity.

Analysis of Grapevine's Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase (SERK) Gene Family: VqSERK3/BAK1 Overexpression Enhances Disease Resistance.

The somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase (SERK) gene family has been intensively studied in several plant species. Here we confirmed the existence of five SERK genes in grapevine (Chinese wild grapevine Vitis quinquangularis) and named them VqSERK1, VqSERK2, VqSERK3, VqSERK4, and VqSERK5. Analysis of the predicted structures of these SERK proteins revealed they include a signal peptide domain, a leucine zipper domain, a Ser-Pro-Pro domain, a single transmembrane domain, different leucine-rich repeats, and an intracellular kinase activity domain. The SERK genes of grapevine showed different gene expression patterns when treated with powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) and hormones (salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and ethylene). Subcellular localization assays confirmed that VqSERK family proteins localized to the cell membrane. Moreover, we cloned the SERK3/BAK1 gene from the Chinese wild grapevine V. quinquangularis clone 'Shang-24'. Heterologous VqSERK3/BAK1 expression in the Arabidopsis bak1-4 mutant lines restored control of cell death, increased resistance to powdery mildew, and strengthened stomatal immunity. Our work may provide the foundation for further studies of SERK genes for pathogen resistance and hormone treatment in grapevine.

MLK3 limits activated Galphaq signaling to Rho by binding to p63RhoGEF.

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a MAP3K that activates the JNK-dependent MAPK pathways. Here, we show that MLK3 is required for cell migration in a manner independent of its role as a MAP3K or MLK3 kinase activity. Rather, MLK3 functions in a regulated way to limit levels of the activated GTPase Rho by binding to the Rho activator, p63RhoGEF/GEFT, which, in turn, prevents its activation by Galphaq. These findings demonstrate a scaffolding role for MLK3 in controlling the extent of Rho activation that modulates cell migration. Moreover, they suggest that MLK3 functions as a network hub that links a number of signaling pathways.

Polycystin-1 Interacting Protein-1 (CU062) Interacts with the Ectodomain of Polycystin-1 (PC1).

The PKD1 gene, encoding protein polycystin-1 (PC1), is responsible for 85% of cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). PC1 has been shown to be present in urinary exosome-like vesicles (PKD-ELVs) and lowered in individuals with germline PKD1 mutations. A label-free mass spectrometry comparison of urinary PKD-ELVs from normal individuals and those with PKD1 mutations showed that several proteins were reduced to a degree that matched the decrease observed in PC1 levels. Some of these proteins, such as polycystin-2 (PC2), may be present in a higher-order multi-protein assembly with PC1-the polycystin complex (PCC). CU062 (Q9NYP8) is decreased in ADPKD PKD-ELVs and, thus, is a candidate PCC component. CU062 is a small glycoprotein with a signal peptide but no transmembrane domain and can oligomerize with itself and interact with PC1. We investigated the localization of CU062 together with PC1 and PC2 using immunofluorescence (IF). In nonconfluent cells, all three proteins were localized in close proximity to focal adhesions (FAs), retraction fibers (RFs), and RF-associated extracellular vesicles (migrasomes). In confluent cells, primary cilia had PC1/PC2/CU062 + extracellular vesicles adherent to their plasma membrane. In cells exposed to mitochondrion-decoupling agents, we detected the development of novel PC1/CU062 + ring-like structures that entrained swollen mitochondria. In contact-inhibited cells under mitochondrial stress, PC1, PC2, and CU062 were observed on large, apically budding extracellular vesicles, where the proteins formed a reticular network on the membrane. CU062 interacts with PC1 and may have a role in the identification of senescent mitochondria and their extrusion in extracellular vesicles.

Central and peripheral visual impairment and the risk of falls and falls with injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether central (CVI) and peripheral visual impairment (PVI) are independent risk factors for falls and falls with injury 4 years later. DESIGN: Population-based, prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A population-based sample of 3203 adult Latinos. METHODS: Baseline presenting binocular central distance acuity was measured and impairment was classified as mild (20/40-20/63) or moderate/severe (or=60 years of age, be female, report lower income, have >2 comorbidities, report alcohol use, report wearing bifocal glasses, and report obesity. Among those who reported falls, 7% had CVI (visual acuity >20/40) compared with 4% who did not report falls; and 49% had PVI (mean deviation < -2 dB) compared with 39% of those who did not report falls (both P<0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, moderate to severe CVI and PVI were associated with increased risk for falls (odds ratio [OR], 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.45; P(trend) = 0.04; and OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.91l P(trend) = 0.01, respectively) and with falls with injury (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.10-7.02; P(value) = 0.03; and OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.94-2.05 P(trend) = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both CVI and PVI were independently associated with increased risk for falls and falls with injury 4 years after the initial examination in a dose-response manner. Although vision-related interventions for preventing falls have mainly focused on correcting CVI, this study suggests that targeting both central and peripheral components may be necessary to effectively reduce rates of falls and falls with injury related to vision loss.

Cost of managing meningitis and encephalitis among adult patients in the United States of America.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associated costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis and encephalitis (ME) in adult patients in the USA. METHODS: A retrospective observational study design was used to assess the use and costs of diagnostic tests and antimicrobial treatment and the total hospitalization costs for adult patients with suspected ME, who received a lumbar puncture procedure during an emergency department visit or during the first two service days of an inpatient stay. Related costs were calculated by timing of lumbar puncture performed and infectious etiology. RESULTS: A total 26429 adult patients with suspected ME diagnosed between 2011 and 2014 were included in the study. The mean hospitalization cost was $15 572±27168, with antimicrobial medication cost of $1144±4052 and laboratory test cost of $210±244. The total visit cost increased with delayed lumbar puncture procedure, intensive care unit stay, and if the etiology was fungi, arbovirus, or bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Higher diagnostic and treatment costs are associated with a delayed lumbar puncture procedure, the etiological agent, and the requirement for an intensive care unit stay.

Cognitive deficits in Huntington's disease on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status.

Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, as well as motor and psychiatric disturbances. As clinical trials for HD evolve, briefer screening instruments will be needed to determine cognitive effects of interventions. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) may fill this gap. A total of 75 participants diagnosed with HD were evaluated with the RBANS, as well as several other scales typically used in HD. RBANS performances for these participants fell significantly below expectations for the Total Scale score, all five Indexes, and 11 of the 12 individual subtests. Cognitive scores on the RBANS were also significantly related to other markers of HD, including motor abnormalities, functional abilities, and other cognitive scores. Although additional research is needed, the current study supports the clinical applicability of the RBANS in patients with HD.

Cognitive change in patients with Huntington disease on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status.

Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive, motor, and psychiatric deterioration over time. Although there is currently no cure for HD, there has been a surge of clinical trials available to patients with HD over the past 5 years. However, cognitive measures have generally been lacking from these trials. A brief, repeatable neuropsychological battery is needed to assess cognitive endpoints. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) may be useful for assessing change in interventional studies or for clinical monitoring. A total of 38 patients with HD were assessed using the RBANS, other cognitive tests, and the standardized HD battery (Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, UHDRS) at two clinic visits approximately 16 months apart. The RBANS Attention Index, as well as individual subtest scores on Coding, Digit Span, List Recognition, Figure Copy, and Figure Recall all declined significantly over this interval. Performance on the UHDRS cognitive tests (Symbol Digit Modalities; Stroop Color, and Stroop Word) also declined, as did functional capacity. Results suggest that cognitive changes were detected both on established cognitive tasks used in HD research and on the RBANS in patients with measurable functional decline. The RBANS provided additional information about other cognitive domains affected (e.g., memory) and may be a useful measure for tracking longitudinal change.

Rho GTPase activity modulates Wnt3a/beta-catenin signaling.

Wnt proteins constitute a family of secreted signaling molecules that regulate highly conserved pathways essential for development and, when aberrantly activated, drive oncogenesis in a number of human cancers. A key feature of the most widely studied Wnt signaling cascade is the stabilization of cytosolic beta-catenin, resulting in beta-catenin nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of multiple target genes. In addition to this canonical, beta-catenin-dependent pathway, Wnt3A has also been shown to stimulate RhoA GTPase. While the importance of activated Rho to non-canonical Wnt signaling is well appreciated, the potential contribution of Wnt3A-stimulated RhoA to canonical beta-catenin-dependent transcription has not been examined and is the focus of this study. We find that activated Rho is required for Wnt3A-stimulated osteoblastic differentiation in C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells, a biological phenomenon mediated by stabilized beta-catenin. Using expression microarrays and real-time RT-PCR analysis, we show that Wnt3A-stimulated transcription of a subset of target genes is Rho-dependent, indicating that full induction of these Wnt targets requires both beta-catenin and Rho activation. Significantly, neither beta-catenin stabilization nor nuclear translocation stimulated by Wnt3A is affected by inhibition or activation of RhoA. These findings identify Rho activation as a critical element of the canonical Wnt3A-stimulated, beta-catenin-dependent transcriptional program.