Molecular Biology, Composition and Physiological Functions of Cuticle Lipids in Fleshy Fruits.

Fleshy fruits represent a valuable resource of economic and nutritional relevance for humanity. The plant cuticle is the external lipid layer covering the nonwoody aerial organs of land plants, and it is the first contact between fruits and the environment. It has been hypothesized that the cuticle plays a role in the development, ripening, quality, resistance to pathogen attack and postharvest shelf life of fleshy fruits. The cuticle's structure and composition change in response to the fruit's developmental stage, fruit physiology and different postharvest treatments. This review summarizes current information on the physiology and molecular mechanism of cuticle biosynthesis and composition changes during the development, ripening and postharvest stages of fleshy fruits. A discussion and analysis of studies regarding the relationship between cuticle composition, water loss reduction and maintaining fleshy fruits' postharvest quality are presented. An overview of the molecular mechanism of cuticle biosynthesis and efforts to elucidate it in fleshy fruits is included. Enhancing our knowledge about cuticle biosynthesis mechanisms and identifying specific transcripts, proteins and lipids related to quality traits in fleshy fruits could contribute to the design of biotechnological strategies to improve the quality and postharvest shelf life of these important fruit crops.

Production of a full chimeric mouse x pig anti-porcine DEC205 receptor recombinant antibody.

Recombinant hybrid antibodies are commonly used in antigen-targeting assays to reduce the immunogenic potential associated with using classic mouse antibodies in other species. The DEC205 receptor has become an attractive target due to its effectiveness in activating the immune response and is considered a promising vaccination target. The aim of this study was to produce a fully chimeric mouse x pig anti-porcine DEC205 recombinant antibody (rAb). Based on a mouse anti-porcine DEC205 monoclonal antibody (mAb), we designed and expressed a chimeric mouse x pig rAb using the Expi293f system. The resulting rAb maintained the recognition capacity of the native mouse mAb toward the porcine DEC205 receptor, as evidenced by western blot analysis. By using flow cytometry, we evaluated the ability of the rAb to recognize DEC205+ dendritic cells. In conclusion, the chimeric mouse x pig anti-DEC205 rAb can be used in antigen-targeting assays as a vaccination strategy in pigs.

Nano alterations of membrane structure on both γ-irradiated and stored human erythrocytes.

PURPOSE: Storage and ionizing radiation of human red blood cells (RBC) produce alterations on RBC membranes and modify their normal shape and functionality. We investigated early morphological and biochemical changes in RBC due to those stressing agents at the nanoscale level and their impact on blood quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole blood samples from healthy donors were γ-irradiated with 15, 25, 35, and 50 Gy. Non-irradiated and non-stored RBC were used as control samples. Irradiated blood samples were stored separately at 4 °C and analyzed immediately and after 5 and 13 d. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), osmotic fragility and Raman spectroscopy were used to detect morphological and biochemical changes. RESULTS: RBC function is challenged by both irradiation and storage. The storage procedure caused nanometric variations over the surface of RBC membrane for both irradiated and non-irradiated cells. The membrane of RBC became more fragile, while the biochemical fingerprint of hemoglobin (Hb) remained unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: Our work shows that the irradiation procedure leads to an increase in the number and size of nanovesicles along with the dose. The functionality of RBC can be affected from changes in the roughness, becoming more fragile and susceptible to breakage.