The Role of Probiotics and Their Metabolites in the Treatment of Depression.

Depression is a common and complex mental and emotional disorder that causes disability, morbidity, and quite often mortality around the world. Depression is closely related to several physical and metabolic conditions causing metabolic depression. Studies have indicated that there is a relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis.

Migration of repetitive DNAs during evolution of the permanent translocation heterozygosity in the oyster plant (Tradescantia section Rhoeo).

Due to translocation heterozygosity for all chromosomes in the cell complement, the oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea) forms a complete meiotic ring. It also shows Rabl-arrangement at interphase, featured by polar centromere clustering. We demonstrate that the pericentromeric regions of the oyster plant are homogenized in concert by three subtelomeric sequences: 45S rDNA, (TTTAGGG)n motif, and TSrepI repeat.

Pericentromere clustering in Tradescantia section Rhoeo involves self-associations of AT- and GC-rich heterochromatin fractions, is developmentally regulated, and increases during differentiation.

A spectacular but poorly recognized nuclear repatterning is the association of heterochromatic domains during interphase. Using base-specific fluorescence and extended-depth-of-focus imaging, we show that the association of heterochromatic pericentromeres composed of AT- and GC-rich chromatin occurs on a large scale in cycling meiotic and somatic cells and during development in ring- and bivalent-forming Tradescantia spathacea (section Rhoeo) varieties. The mean number of pericentromere AT-rich domains per root meristem nucleus was ca.

Chloroplast nucleoids are highly dynamic in ploidy, number, and structure during angiosperm leaf development.

Chloroplast nucleoids are large, compact nucleoprotein structures containing multiple copies of the plastid genome. Studies on structural and quantitative changes of plastid DNA (ptDNA) during leaf development are scarce and have produced controversial data. We have systematically investigated nucleoid dynamics and ptDNA quantities in the mesophyll of Arabidopsis, tobacco, sugar beet, and maize from the early post-meristematic stage until necrosis.

Chloroplast competition is controlled by lipid biosynthesis in evening primroses.

In most eukaryotes, organellar genomes are transmitted preferentially by the mother, but molecular mechanisms and evolutionary forces underlying this fundamental biological principle are far from understood. It is believed that biparental inheritance promotes competition between the cytoplasmic organelles and allows the spread of so-called selfish cytoplasmic elements. Those can be, for example, fast-replicating or aggressive chloroplasts (plastids) that are incompatible with the hybrid nuclear genome and therefore maladaptive.

A simple non-toxic ethylene carbonate fluorescence in situ hybridization (EC-FISH) for simultaneous detection of repetitive DNA sequences and fluorescent bands in plants.

The major drawbacks of standard plant fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) designed for double-stranded DNA probes include requirement for experimentally determined heat denaturation of chromosomes at high temperatures and at least overnight hybridization. Consequently, processing with chromosomal preparations may easily result in heat-induced deterioration of chromosomal structural details, is time-consuming, and involves the use of toxic formamide and formaldehyde. Here, I have described a simple and appealing non-toxic procedure with ethylene carbonate (EC)-a formamide-substituting solvent and double-stranded repetitive DNA probes.

A representative of arylcyanomethylenequinone oximes effectively inhibits growth and formation of hyphae in and influences the activity of protein kinases .

In this study, we applied various assays to reveal new activities of phenylcyanomethylenequinone oxime-4-(hydroxyimino) cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene](phenyl)ethanenitrile () for potential anti-microbial applications. These assays demonstrated (a) the antimicrobial effect on bacterial and fungal cultures, (b) the effect on the activity of the kinase CK2, (c) toxicity towards human erythrocytes, the Caco-2 cancer cell line, and embryonic development of Zebrafish. We demonstrated the activity of against selected bacteria and spp.

1,4-Naphthoquinone derivatives potently suppress Candida albicans growth, inhibit formation of hyphae and show no toxicity toward zebrafish embryos.

Purpose: In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications.

Methodology: These assays determined (a) the antimicrobial effect on growth/cell multiplication in fungal cultures, (b) the effect on formation of hyphae and biofilm, (c) the influence on cell membrane integrity, (d) the effect on cell morphology using atomic force microscopy, and (e) toxicity against zebrafish embryos. We have demonstrated the activity of these compounds against different Candida species and clinical isolates of C.

Emodin, a natural inhibitor of protein kinase CK2, suppresses growth, hyphal development, and biofilm formation of Candida albicans.

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) is a natural secondary plant product, originally isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum. Many reports show its diuretic, vasorelaxant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-ulcerogenic, immunosuppressive, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential. Emodin is a pleiotropic molecule capable of interacting with several major molecular targets, e.

Horizontal genome transfer as an asexual path to the formation of new species.

Allopolyploidization, the combination of the genomes from two different species, has been a major source of evolutionary innovation and a driver of speciation and environmental adaptation. In plants, it has also contributed greatly to crop domestication, as the superior properties of many modern crop plants were conferred by ancient allopolyploidization events. It is generally thought that allopolyploidization occurred through hybridization events between species, accompanied or followed by genome duplication.

Translocations of chromosome end-segments and facultative heterochromatin promote meiotic ring formation in evening primroses.

Due to reciprocal chromosomal translocations, many species of Oenothera (evening primrose) form permanent multichromosomal meiotic rings. However, regular bivalent pairing is also observed. Chiasmata are restricted to chromosomal ends, which makes homologous recombination virtually undetectable.

Chloroplast DNA in mature and senescing leaves: a reappraisal.

The fate of plastid DNA (ptDNA) during leaf development has become a matter of contention. Reports on little change in ptDNA copy number per cell contrast with claims of complete or nearly complete DNA loss already in mature leaves. We employed high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, semithin sectioning of leaf tissue, and real-time quantitative PCR to study structural and quantitative aspects of ptDNA during leaf development in four higher plant species (Arabidopsis thaliana, sugar beet [Beta vulgaris], tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum], and maize [Zea mays]) for which controversial findings have been reported.

Ribosomal DNA, tri- and bi-partite pericentromeres in the permanent translocation heterozygote Rhoeo spathacea.

High- and low-stringency FISH and base-specific fluorescence were performed on the permanent translocation heterozygote Rhoeo spathacea (2n = 12). Our results indicate that 45S rDNA arrays, rDNA-related sequences and other GC-rich DNA fraction(s) are located within the pericentromeric regions of all twelve chromosomes, usually colocalizing with the chromomycin A(3)-positive bands. Homogenization of the pericentromeric regions appears to result from the concerted spread of GC-rich sequences, with differential amplification likely.

Variable amounts of DNA related to the size of chloroplasts III. Biochemical determinations of DNA amounts per organelle.

Plastid genomes (plastomes) are part of the integrated compartmentalised genetic system of photoautotrophic eukaryotes. They are highly redundant and generally dispersed in several regions (nucleoids) within organelles. DNA quantities and number of DNA-containing regions per plastid vary and are developmentally regulated in a way not yet understood.

A novel, simple and rapid nondenaturing FISH (ND-FISH) technique for the detection of plant telomeres. Potential used and possible target structures detected.

We report a new technique-nondenaturing FISH (ND-FISH)-for the rapid detection of plant telomeres without the need for prior denaturation of the chromosomes. In its development, two modified, synthetic oligonucleotides, 21 nt in length, fluorescently labelled at their 5' and 3' ends and complementary to either the cytidine-rich (C(3)TA(3)) or guanosine-rich (T(3)AG(3)) telomeric DNA strands, were used as probes. The high binding affinity of these probes and the short hybridization time required allows the visualization of plant telomeres in less than an hour.

Karyotype and nuclear DNA content of hexa-, octo-, and duodecaploid lines of Bromus subgen. Ceratochloa.

The subgenus Ceratochloa of the genus Bromus includes a number of closely related allopolyploid forms or species that present a difficult taxonomic problem. The present work combines data concerning chromosome length, heterochromatin distribution and nuclear genome size of different 6x, 8x and 12x accessions in this subgenus. Special attention is paid to the karyotype structure and genomic constitution of duodecaploid plants recently found in South America.

Meiotic events in Oenothera - a non-standard pattern of chromosome behaviour.

The genus Oenothera shows an intriguing extent of permanent translocation heterozygosity. Reciprocal translocations of chromosome arms in species or populations result in various kinds of chromosome multivalents in diakinesis. Early meiotic events conditioning such chromosome behaviour are poorly understood.

Molecular marker systems for Oenothera genetics.

The genus Oenothera has an outstanding scientific tradition. It has been a model for studying aspects of chromosome evolution and speciation, including the impact of plastid nuclear co-evolution. A large collection of strains analyzed during a century of experimental work and unique genetic possibilities allow the exchange of genetically definable plastids, individual or multiple chromosomes, and/or entire haploid genomes (Renner complexes) between species.

Tissue culture triggers chromosome alterations, amplification, and transposition of repeat sequences in Allium fistulosum.

Structural alterations in nuclei and chromosomes of cells derived from callus culture of Allium fistulosum have been studied with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using 5S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), 45S rDNA, and 375-bp repeat probes. A high frequency of chromosome abnormalities was found to be caused by the loss of telomere-located 375-bp repeats, chromosome fusion, and subsequent breakage-fusion-bridge cycles. Products of chromosome fusions and monocentric and regularly shaped chromosomes showed additional 375-bp repeat and 45S rDNA clusters at unusual sites, suggesting dynamic copy-number changes and transposition of these repeats.

FISH-aimed karyotyping and characterization of Renner complexes in permanent heterozygote Rhoeo spathacea.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using 25S rDNA, 5S rDNA, and telomere sequences as probes was carried out in the complex permanent heterozygote Rhoeo spathacea. Telomere sites were exclusively terminal. All 10 25S rDNA loci were located distally and appeared transcriptionally active after silver staining.