The magnitude and nature of unfunded published cardiovascular research.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the extent, type (e.g., staff, equipment), and sources of funding for published cardiovascular research.

Improvement of ecdysone receptor gene switch for applications in plants: Locusta migratoria retinoid X receptor (LmRXR) mutagenesis and optimization of translation start site.

Gene switches have potential applications for the regulation of transgene expression in plants and animals. Recently, we have developed a two-hybrid ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene switch using chimera 9 [CH9, a chimera between helices 1-8 of Homo sapiens retinoid X receptor (HsRXR) and helices 9-12 of Locusta migratoria RXR (LmRXR)] as a partner for Choristoneura fumiferana EcR (CfEcR). As CH9 includes a region of human RXR, public acceptance of this gene switch for use in genetically modified crops may be an issue.

Improvement of a monopartite ecdysone receptor gene switch and demonstration of its utility in regulation of transgene expression in plants.

In plants, regulation of transgene expression is typically accomplished through the use of inducible promoter systems. The ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene switch is one of the best inducible systems available to regulate transgene expression in plants. However, the monopartite EcR gene switches developed to date require micromolar concentrations of ligand for activation.

Applications of EcR gene switch technology in functional genomics.

Genetic engineering of plants using transgenic technology is targeted to enhance agronomic performance or improved quality traits in a wide variety of plant species, and has become a fundamental tool for basic research in plant biotechnology. Constitutive promoters are presently the primary means used to express transgenes in plants. However, inducible gene regulation systems based on specific chemicals have many potential applications in agriculture and for enhancing the basic understanding of gene function.

Development of a tightly regulated and highly inducible ecdysone receptor gene switch for plants through the use of retinoid X receptor chimeras.

Chemical inducible gene regulation systems provide essential tools for the precise regulation of transgene expression in plants and animals. Recent development of a two-hybrid ecdysone receptor (EcR) gene regulation system has solved some of the drawbacks that were associated with the monopartate gene switch. To further improve the versatility of the two-hybrid EcR gene switch for wide spread use in plants, chimeras between Homo sapiens retinoid X receptor (HsRXR) and insect, Locusta migratoria RXR (LmRXR) were tested in tobacco protoplasts as partners with Choristoneura fumiferana EcR (CfEcR) in inducing expression of the luciferase reporter gene.

Increased alpha-tocopherol content in soybean seed overexpressing the Perilla frutescens gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase gene.

Tocopherols, with antioxidant properties, are synthesized by photosynthetic organisms and play important roles in human and animal nutrition. In soybean, gamma-tocopherol, the biosynthetic precursor to alpha-tocopherol, is the predominant form found in the seed, whereas alpha-tocopherol is the most bioactive component. This suggests that the final step of the alpha-tocopherol biosynthetic pathway catalyzed by gamma-tocopherol methyltransferase (gamma-TMT) is limiting in soybean seed.

Development of a methoxyfenozide-responsive gene switch for applications in plants.

The ecdysone receptor (EcR) has been used to develop gene switches for conditional regulation of transgene expression in plants and humans. All EcR-based gene switches developed to date for use in plants are monopartate and require micromolar concentrations of ligand for activation of the transgene; this has limited the use of these gene switches. We have developed a Choristoneura fumiferana ecdysone receptor (CfEcR)-based two-hybrid gene switch that works through the formation of a functional heterodimer between EcR and the retinoid X receptor (RXR) upon application of the chemical ligand methoxyfenozide.

Targeted overexpression of the Escherichia coli MinC protein in higher plants results in abnormal chloroplasts.

Higher plant chloroplast division involves some of the same types of proteins that are required in prokaryotic cell division. These include two of the three Min proteins, MinD and MinE, encoded by the min operon in bacteria. Noticeably absent from annotated sequences from higher plants is a MinC homologue.

Permanent sterilization for the 21st century using the hysteroscopic approach.

Transcervical hysteroscopic permanent sterilization is currently Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved. The hysteroscopic approach obviates the need for general anesthesia and surgical incision. The device is a dynamically expanding micro-insert that, when placed in the proximal portion of the fallopian tube, generates a benign tissue response that results in anchoring of the device and subsequent occlusion of the tube.

Gene silencing in transgenic soybean plants transformed via particle bombardment.

Transgenes are susceptible to silencing in plants especially when multiple copies of the gene of interest are introduced. Transgenic plants derived by particle bombardment, which is the common method for transforming soybean, have a tendency to have multiple integration events. Three independent transgenic soybean plants obtained via particle bombardment were analyzed for transgene silencing.

Ectopic expression of an Arabidopsis single zinc finger gene in tobacco results in dwarf plants.

A survey of the Arabidopsis thaliana databases revealed that single C2H2 zinc finger protein genes comprise a large gene family (approximately 30 genes). No known phenotype has been associated with any of these genes except SUPERMAN. One of these genes, designated AtZFP10 (A.

Overexpression of the Arabidopsis thaliana MinE1 bacterial division inhibitor homologue gene alters chloroplast size and morphology in transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants.

Higher-plant chloroplast division requires some of the same genes that are involved in prokaryotic cell division. These include the FtsZ and MinD proteins. Other genes that might be involved in higher-plant chloroplast division have yet to be characterized.