Transgenic wheat expressing a barley class II chitinase gene has enhanced resistance against Fusarium graminearum.

Fusarium head blight (FHB; scab), primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. FHB causes yield reductions and contamination of grains with trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). The genetic variation in existing wheat germplasm pools for FHB resistance is low and may not provide sufficient resistance to develop cultivars through traditional breeding approaches.

Overexpression of the maize Teosinte Branched1 gene in wheat suppresses tiller development.

The number of viable shoots influences the overall architecture and productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The development of lateral branches, or tillers, largely determines the resultant canopy.

Overexpression of defense response genes in transgenic wheat enhances resistance to Fusarium head blight.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat, caused by Fusarium graminearum and other Fusarium species, is a major disease problem for wheat production worldwide. To combat this problem, large-scale breeding efforts have been established. Although progress has been made through standard breeding approaches, the level of resistance attained is insufficient to withstand epidemic conditions.

A model wheat cultivar for transformation to improve resistance to Fusarium Head Blight.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused primarily by Fusarium graminearum, is a major disease problem in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Genetic engineering holds significant potential to enhance FHB resistance in wheat. Due to the requirement of screening for FHB resistance on flowers at anthesis, the number of screens carried out in a year is limited.

Antifungal activity of some deoxyhypusine synthase inhibitors (short communication: plant mycology and crop protection).

Several inhibitors of deoxyhypusine synthase were examined for antifungal activity. All compounds, used at concentrations of 1.0 mM or less, reduced mycelial growth of the oat leaf stripe pathogen Pyrenophora avenae grown on solid media.

Effect of spermine synthase on the sensitivity of cells to anti-tumour agents.

The role of spermine in the sensitivity of cells to various established and experimental anti-tumour agents was examined, using paired cell lines that possess or lack spermine synthase. All spermine-synthase-deficient cells had no detectable spermine, and elevated spermidine, content. Spermine content did not alter the cell growth rate.

Caspase activation in etoposide-treated fibroblasts is correlated to ERK phosphorylation and both events are blocked by polyamine depletion.

Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2 is correlated to cell survival, but in some cases ERKs can act in signal transduction pathways leading to apoptosis. Treatment of mouse fibroblasts with 20 microM etoposide elicited a sustained phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, that increased until 24 h from the treatment in parallel with caspase activity. The inhibitor of ERK activation PD98059 abolished caspase activation, but caspase inhibition did not reduce ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that ERK activation is placed upstream of caspases.