Modification of plant lipid synthesis.

Genetic engineering of new storage oils and fats has produced oil crop plants with fatty acid compositions unattainable by plant breeding alone. The combination of classical breeding methods with molecular techniques provides new ways for designing oils for food and nonfood uses. Alterations in the position and number of double bonds, variation in fatty acid chain length, and the introduction of desired functional groups have already been achieved in model systems. Short-term prospects include crops such as rapeseed or soybean engineered to have greater than 70 to 80 percent medium-chain fatty acids by content, greater than 90 percent oleic acid, and high erucic acid content, and engineered to form ricinoleic acid in seed storage tissues.

Towards an open grapevine information system.

Viticulture, like other fields of agriculture, is currently facing important challenges that will be addressed only through sustained, dedicated and coordinated research. Although the methods used in biology have evolved tremendously in recent years and now involve the routine production of large data sets of varied nature, in many domains of study, including grapevine research, there is a need to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability (FAIR-ness) of these data. Considering the heterogeneous nature of the data produced, the transnational nature of the scientific community and the experience gained elsewhere, we have formed an open working group, in the framework of the International Grapevine Genome Program (www.vitaceae.org), to construct a coordinated federation of information systems holding grapevine data distributed around the world, providing an integrated set of interfaces supporting advanced data modeling, rich semantic integration and the next generation of data mining tools. To achieve this goal, it will be critical to develop, implement and adopt appropriate standards for data annotation and formatting. The development of this system, the GrapeIS, linking genotypes to phenotypes, and scientific research to agronomical and oeneological data, should provide new insights into grape biology, and allow the development of new varieties to meet the challenges of biotic and abiotic stress, environmental change, and consumer demand.

Transgenic plants of Vitis vinifera cv. Seyval blanc.

Leaf discs of grapevine cv. Seyval blanc originating from in vitro cultures were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404 harbouring the vector pGJ42 carrying genes for chitinase and RIP (ribosome-inactivating protein) in an attempt to improve fungal resistance. The gene for neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) was used as the selectable marker gene. The explants were cocultivated for 2 days with recombinant Agrobacteria and then submitted to selection on NN69 medium containing 100 mg/l kanamycin. Successful regeneration and conversion of transgenic plantlets were obtained. Stable integration of foreign DNA was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses, and protein expression was detected by Western blot. The regenerated transgenic plants were adapted to the greenhouse and showed no evidence of phenotypical alterations. The foreign genes introduced into the transformed plants did not effect the expected improvement in fungal disease resistance under field conditions for the major pests Uncinula necator and Plasmopara viticola.

Altered p53 expression in early stages of chemically induced rodent hepatocarcinogenesis.

Most available data on the involvement of p53 in rodent carcinogenesis are based on results of the end point of chemically or virally induced carcinogenesis, i.e., tumors. To investigate the role of altered p53 expression in early stages of rodent hepatocarcinogenesis in a systematic way, we treated male Wistar rats for 6 wk, for 13 wk, and for 6 wk followed by a 7-wk recovery period with chemicals classified as genotoxic (200 ppm acetylaminofluorene [AAF], 100 ppm N-nitrosomorpholine [MMN], 200 ppm benzo(a)pyrene), as tumor promoters and carcinogenic in experimental animals (5 ppm ethinylestradiol, 500 ppm phenobarbitone, 3,000 ppm clofibric acid), as carcinogenic in animal experiments (600 ppm thioacetamide), as noncarcinogenic (200 ppm thyroxine), and as tumor promoters in experimental animals (20,000 ppm tryptophan, 120,000 ppm fructose). Immunohistochemical assessment of altered p53 expression on liver sections with polyclonal serum (CM5) resulted in positive staining in 17/21 benzo(a)pyrene-, 1/18 thioacetamide-, 2/21 clofibric acid-, 2/21 phenobarbitone-, 7/19 ethinylestradiol-, 1/21 tryptophan-, 3/19 thyroxine-, and 1/21 fructose-treated rats and in 2/19 controls. These data support earlier results obtained from analogous investigations with a high incidence of altered p53 expression after NNM and AAF treatment. Thus, altered p53 expression appears to be an early and frequent event in rodent carcinogenesis induced by genotoxic chemicals in contrast to most epigenetically acting chemicals.

Transient gene expression in tobacco protoplasts: I. Time course of CAT appearance.

The early events of transient gene expression have been investigated monitoring CAT activity in tobacco protoplasts encoded by the recombinant plasmid pRT101cat. The first appearance of CAT activity was observed within 30 minutes after the outset of cultivation, and maximal values were obtained between four and 24 hours. CAT expression, at the level of RNA synthesis, could not be inhibited by cordycepin (3'deoxyadenine) added one hour after protoplast plating, whereas cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, showed an influence during the first four hours. This indicates a rapid decay of biologically active forms of both the DNA transferred and the CAT-mRNA synthesized within the first hours. These results suggest that in the tobacco protoplast system CAT protein stability lasts up to two weeks rather than a continuous synthesis of new enzyme.

Transient gene expression in tobacco protoplasts: II. Comparison of the reporter gene systems for CAT, NPT II, and GUS.

The reporter genes for Chloramphenicolacetyltransferase (CAT), Neomycinphosphotransferase-(NPT)-II and ß-Glucuronidase (GUS) were compared in transient gene expression experiments in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts. For this purpose, nearly identical chimeric genes controlled by the CaMV 35 S promoter were constructed. The detection level of each system was determined yielding the following order of relative sensitivity: CAT

Uptake and transient expression of chimeric genes in seed-derived embryos.

Uptake of DNA in dry and viable embryos of wheat by imbibition in DNA solution was detected by monitoring the transient expression of chimeric genes. Gene expression vectors used in this study contained a neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT) II reporter gene fused to various promoters. Some of the chimeric "neo" genes were shown to yield reproducibly NPT II activity in germinating embryos. This NPT II activity was increased markedly when the neo genes were carried by a vector capable of autonomous replication. Dimers of wheat dwarf virus, a monopartite gemini virus, were thus shown to be effective in amplifying the transient expressed NPT II activity in embryos of several cereals. These and other observations indicate that the observed transient expression really results from DNA uptake and expression in plant embryo cells and is not due to contaminating microorganisms.

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA from Cuphea lanceolata encoding a beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase.

A cDNA encoding beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase (EC 1.1.1.100), an integral part of the fatty acid synthase type II, was cloned from Cuphea lanceolata. This cDNA of 1276 bp codes for a polypeptide of 320 amino acids with 63 N-terminal residues presumably representing a transit peptide and 257 residues corresponding to the mature protein of 27 kDa. The encoded protein shows strong homology with the amino-terminal sequence and two tryptic peptides from avocado mesocarp beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase, and its total amino acid composition is highly similar to those of the beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductases of avocado and spinach. Amino acid sequence homologies to polyketide synthase, beta-ketoreductases and short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases are discussed. An engineered fusion protein lacking most of the transit peptide, which was produced in Escherichia coli, was isolated and proved to possess beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase activity. Hybridization studies revealed that in C. lanceolata beta-ketoacyl-ACP reductase is encoded by a small family of at least two genes and that members of this family are expressed in roots, leaves, flowers and seeds.

Comparison of in vitro and in vivo biotransformation in patients with liver disease of differing severity.

The activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD) has been measured in liver biopsy samples from 23 patients (smokers and non-smokers) with different degrees of structural liver damage. The results, which reflect in vitro cytochrome P450-dependent biotransformation, were correlated with various measures of the P450-dependent in vivo elimination of caffeine and metamizol. The relatively non-specific, low affinity component of ECOD activity was significantly correlated with the kinetics of metamizol (mean residence time, apparent clearance, half-life, area under the concentration-time curve, and metabolite excretion in the urine). Thus, metamizol elimination, which is mainly due to P450 IIB, and the low affinity component of ECOD both reflect, at least in part, the activity of the same form of P450. In contrast, caffeine biotransformation, which is via P450 IA, was not correlated with ECOD activity. There was no relation between the kinetics of metamizol and caffeine, perhaps because of the inducing effect that smoking has on caffeine elimination. In patients with liver disease, smoking appears to alter the elimination of caffeine more than the degree of liver disease.

Multi-functional acetyl-CoA carboxylase from Brassica napus is encoded by a multi-gene family: indication for plastidic localization of at least one isoform.

Three genes coding for different multifunctional acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase; EC 6.4.1.2) isoenzymes from Brassica napus were isolated and divided into two major classes according to structural features in their 5' regions: class I comprises two genes with an additional coding exon of approximately 300 bp at the 5' end, and class II is represented by one gene carrying an intron of 586 bp in its 5' untranslated region. Fusion of the peptide sequence encoded by the additional first exon of a class I ACCase gene to the jellyfish Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) and transient expression in tobacco protoplasts targeted GFP to the chloroplasts. In contrast to the deduced primary structure of the biotin carboxylase domain encoded by the class I gene, the corresponding amino acid sequence of the class II ACCase shows higher identity with that of the Arabidopsis ACCase, both lacking a transit peptide. The Arabidopsis ACCase has been proposed to be a cytosolic isoenzyme. These observations indicate that the two classes of ACCase genes encode plastidic and cytosolic isoforms of multi-functional, eukaryotic type, respectively, and that B. napus contains at least one multi-functional ACCase besides the multi-subunit, prokaryotic type located in plastids. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA from B. napus, Brassica rapa, and Brassica oleracea, the ancestors of amphidiploid rapeseed, using a fragment of a multi-functional ACCase gene as a probe revealed that ACCase is encoded by a multi-gene family of at least five members.

[Simultaneous administration of various model substances for characterizing in vivo biotransformation in chronic liver diseases]. / Die simultane Gabe verschiedener Modellsubstanzen zur Charakterisierung der in-vivo Biotransformation bei chronischen Lebererkrankungen.

16 patients with different chronic liver diseases were given single doses of the model substances caffeine, metamizol, sufamethacine and debrisoquine. This was followed by the simultaneous administration of all these substances as a "cocktail". A comparison between the single and the "cocktail" dosage did not reveal any significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters. So the "cocktail" administration is even possible in chronic liver diseases. Requiring relatively little time, it makes statements possible concerning various cytochrome P450 enzymes including the types of hydroxylation and acetylation. Intraindividual variations can be ruled out.

Efficient regeneration of Brassica oleracea hypocotyl protoplasts and high frequency genetic transformation by direct DNA uptake.

Efficient regeneration (80%) and high frequency genetic transformation (10-33%) were achieved by culturing protoplasts isolated from hypocotyl tissues of six day old Brassica oleracea seedlings and by subjecting these protoplasts to PEG mediated direct plasmid uptake. Three different plasmid vectors carrying marker genes for resistance to methotrexate (dhfr), hygromycin (hpt) and phosphinotricin (bar) were constructed and used for transformation. Large number of normal, fertile transformants were obtained with vectors carrying hpt and bar genes. No transformants could be regenerated for resistance to methotrexate as it severely suppressed shoot differentiation.

Quantitative trait locus analysis of fungal disease resistance factors on a molecular map of grapevine.

A full-sibling F1 population comprising 153 individuals from the cross of 'Regent' x 'Lemberger' was employed to construct a genetic map based on 429 molecular markers. The newly-bred red grapevine variety 'Regent' has multiple field-resistance to fungal diseases inherited as polygenic traits, while 'Lemberger' is a traditional fungus-susceptible cultivar. The progeny segregate quantitatively for resistances to Plasmopara viticola and Uncinula necator, fungal pathogens that threaten viticulture in temperate areas. A double pseudo-testcross strategy was employed to construct the two parental maps under high statistical stringency for linkage to obtain a robust marker frame for subsequent quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. In total, 185 amplified fragment length polymorphism, 137 random amplified polymorphic DNA, 85 single sequence repeat and 22 sequence characterized amplified region or cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers were mapped. The maps were aligned by co-dominant or doubly heterozygous dominant anchor markers. Twelve pairs of homologous linkage groups could be integrated into consensus linkage groups. Resistance phenotypes and segregating characteristics were scored as quantitative traits in three or four growing seasons. Interval mapping reproducibly localized genetic factors that correlated with fungal disease resistances to specific regions on three linkage groups of the maternal 'Regent' map. A QTL for resistance to Uncinula necator was identified on linkage group 16, and QTLs for endurance to Plasmopara viticola on linkage groups 9 and 10 of 'Regent'. Additional QTLs for the onset of berry ripening ("veraison"), berry size and axillary shoot growth were identified. Berry color segregated as a simple trait in this cross of two red varieties and was mapped as a morphological marker. Six markers derived from functional genes could be localized. This dissection of polygenic fungus disease resistance in grapevine allows the development of marker-assisted selection for breeding, the characterization of genetic resources and the isolation of the corresponding genes.