Two metallocarboxypeptidase inhibitors are implicated in tomato fruit development and regulated by the Inner No Outer transcription factor.

The TCMP-1 and TCMP-2 genes of tomato code for metallocarboxypeptidase inhibitors and show sequential, tightly regulated expression patterns during flower and fruit development. In particular, TCMP-1 is highly expressed in flower buds before anthesis, while TCMP-2 in ripe fruits. Their expression pattern suggests that they might play a role in fruit development. Here, to investigate their function, we altered their endogenous levels by generating transgenic plants harbouring a chimeric gene expressing the TCMP-1 coding sequence under the control of the TCMP-2 promoter. The expression of the transgene caused an earlier fruit setting with no visible phenotypic effects on plant and fruit growth. The altered TCMP-1 regulation determines an increased level of TCMP-1 in the fruit and unexpected changes in the levels of both TCMPs in flower buds before anthesis, suggesting a mechanism of transcriptional cross-regulation. We in silico analysed TCMPs promoter regions for the presence of common cis acting elements related to ovary/fruit development and we found that both promoters contain putative binding sites for INNER NO OUTER (INO), a transcription factor implicated in ovule development. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, we proved that INO binds to TCMP-1 and TCMP-2 promoters, thereby representing a candidate regulatory factor for coordinated control of TCMPs.

Insights in the Fruit Flesh Browning Mechanisms in Solanum melongena Genetic Lines with Opposite Postcut Behavior.

Color, taste, flavor, nutritional value, and shelf life are important factors determining quality and healthiness of food and vegetables. These factors are strongly affected by browning processes, occurring after fruit or vegetable cutting. Characterization of ten eggplant genotypes for chlorogenic acid (CGA) content, total phenols (TP), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity, and browning tendency corroborated a lack of significant correlations between biochemical factors and fruit flesh browning. Further in-depth molecular and biochemical analyses of two divergent eggplant genetic lines, AM199 (high browning) and AM086 (low browning), within 30 min from cutting, highlighted differences in the physiological mechanisms underlying the browning process. qRT-PCR analysis revealed distinct activation mechanisms of CGA biosynthetic and PPO genes in the two genetic lines. Metabolic data on CGA, sugars, and ascorbic acid contents confirmed that their different browning tendency matched with different metabolic responses to cutting. Our findings suggest that the complex mechanism of flesh browning in the two eggplant genetic lines might be mediated by multiple specific factors.

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of metal complexes bearing four nitronyl nitroxide moieties in the same coordination sphere.

Mononuclear transition metal complexes of the type [M(2,6-NITpy)2](ClO4)2 x solvent (2,6-NITpy = 2,6-bis-(3'-oxide-1'-oxyl-4',4',5',5'-tetramethylimidazolin-2'-yl)pyridine; M = Ni (1), Co (2), Zn (3), Mn (4), Cu (5)) have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 20.946(2) A, b = 12.0633(2) A, c = 21.173(2) A, beta = 113.55(1) degrees; 2, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4, a = 20.902(2) A, b = 12.0981(8) A, c = 21.215(2) A, beta = 113.130(9) degrees; 3, triclinic, P1, Z = 2, a = 11.410(1) A, b = 12.932(1) A, c = 21.609(2) A, alpha = 96.040(2) degrees, beta = 102.24(1) degrees, gamma = 114.98(1); 4, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4, a = 11.5473(8) A, b = 19.212(1) A, c = 25.236(2) A, beta = 98.772(9) degrees; 5, triclinic, P1, Z = 2, a = 12.1604(9) A, b = 12.6961(9) A, c = 18.103(2) A, alpha = 84.191(8) degrees, beta = 73.392(8) degrees, gamma = 66.072(8). The two 2,6-NITpy biradicals behave as terdentate ligands and bind almost perpendicular to each other in meridional positions. In compounds 1-4, the pyridine rings are axially ligated and four different nitronyl nitroxide radicals bind to the metal center through their O(nitroxyl) atoms, forming the equatorial plane of a distorted octahedron. On the contrary, in the copper(II) complex (5), the two N(pyridyl) atoms are found in equatorial positions. Only two nitroxide groups are then bound to the copper(II) ion in the equatorial plane, the other two being axially ligated. The two axially bound nitronyl nitroxide radicals couple ferromagnetically to the copper center (JCu-rad(ax) = + 10 K), whereas a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between this metal ion and the equatorial nitroxide groups (JCu-rad(eq) = -460 K) is observed. The other complexes exhibit strong antiferromagnetic metal-radical interactions: JNi-rad = -240 K, for 1; JMn-rad = -120 K, for 4. Interestingly, the study of the diamagnetic zinc(II) compound (3) reveals a moderate intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction between radicals coordinated to the same metal center (Jrad-rad = -27.7 K). This interaction is transmitted through space and is also present in the other complexes: Jrad-rad = -14 K, for 1; Jrad-rad = -10 K, for 4; Jrad-rad = -20.5 K, for 5. Antiferromagnetic intermolecular interactions are also present in all the complexes herein studied.

[Clinical evaluation of propofol-ketamine anesthesia in general surgery]. / Valutazione clinica dell'anestesia con propofol-ketamina in chirurgia generale.

The combinations propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl in absence of N2O was compared in 60 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The results show that ketamine and fentanyl provide a good analgesia in the absence of N2O and that ketamine offers better haemodynamic control.