Comprehensive analyses of plant hormones in etiolated pea and maize seedlings grown under microgravity conditions in space: Relevance to the International Space Station experiment "Auxin Transport".

Functional relationships between endogenous levels of plant hormones in the growth and development of shoots in etiolated Alaska pea and etiolated Golden Cross Bantam maize seedlings under different gravities were investigated in the "Auxin Transport" experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Comprehensive analyses of 31 species of plant hormones of pea and maize seedlings grown under microgravity (μg) in space and 1 g conditions were conducted. Principal component analysis (PCA) and a multiple regression analysis with the dataset from the plant hormone analysis of the etiolated pea seedlings grown under μg and 1 g conditions in the presence and absence of 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) revealed endogenous levels of auxin correlated positively with bending and length of epicotyls.

Accumulation of Anthocyanins in Detached Leaves of : Relevance to the Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on This Process.

Accumulation of anthocyanins in detached leaves and in excised stems of kept under natural light conditions in the presence or absence of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) was investigated. When the abaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the adaxial surface (the normal or natural position) under natural light conditions, anthocyanins were not accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves. In contrast, when the adaxial surface of detached leaves was held lower than the abaxial surface (inverted position), anthocyanins were highly accumulated on the abaxial side of the leaves.

A Possible Mode of Action of Methyl Jasmonate to Induce the Secondary Abscission Zone in Stems of : Relevance to Plant Hormone Dynamics.

Plants can react to environmental stresses through the abscission of infected, damaged, or senescent organs. A possible mode of action of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) to induce the formation of the secondary abscission zone (SAZ) in the stems of was investigated concerning plant hormone dynamics. Internode segments were prepared mainly from the second or third internode from the top of plants with active elongation.

Changes in Polar Metabolites Content during Natural and Methyl-Jasmonate-Promoted Senescence of Leaves.

The present study clarified changes in the contents of polar metabolites (amino acids, organic acids, saccharides, cyclitols, and phosphoric acid) in leaf senescence in with or without the application of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) in comparison with those in naturally senescent leaf blades and petioles. The contents of most amino acids and citric and malic acids were significantly higher in abaxially, and that of -inositol was lower in abaxially JA-Me-treated leaves than in adaxially JA-Me-treated and naturally senescent leaves. The levels of succinic and fumaric acids in leaves treated adaxially substantially high, but not in naturally senescent leaves.

Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on the Terpene Trilactones, Flavonoids, and Phenolic Acids in L. Leaves: Relevance to Leaf Senescence.

The present study compared the effects of natural senescence and methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) treatment on the levels of terpene trilactones (TTLs; ginkgolides and bilobalide), phenolic acids, and flavonoids in the primary organs of leaves, leaf blades, and petioles. Levels of the major TTLs, ginkgolides B and C, were significantly higher in the leaf blades of naturally senesced yellow leaves harvested on 20 October compared with green leaves harvested on 9 September. In petioles, a similar effect was found, although the levels of these compounds were almost half as high.

Mode of Action of -Naphthylphthalamic Acid in Conspicuous Local Stem Swelling of Succulent Plant, : Relevance to the Aspects of Its Histological Observation and Comprehensive Analyses of Plant Hormones.

The mode of action of -naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) to induce conspicuous local stem swelling in the area of its application to the growing internode in intact was studied based on the aspects of histological observation and comprehensive analyses of plant hormones. Histological analyses revealed that NPA induced an increase in cell size and numerous cell divisions in the cortex and pith, respectively, compared to untreated stem. In the area of NPA application, vascular tissues had significantly wider cambial zones consisting of 5-6 cell layers, whereas phloem and xylem seemed not to be affected.

Microarray profile of gene expression in etiolated Pisum sativum seedlings grown under microgravity conditions in space: Relevance to the International Space Station experiment "Auxin Transport".

This paper introduces the use of microarray data technology with Medicago (Medicago truncatula) microarrays to characterize global changes in the transcript abundance of etiolated Alaska pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings grown under microgravity (µg) conditions in comparison with those under artificial 1 g conditions on the International Space Station. Of the 44,000 genes of the Medicago microarray platform, more than 25,000 transcripts of pea seedlings were hybridized, suggesting that the microarray platform for Medicago could be useful in the study of gene expression of etiolated pea seedlings grown under µg conditions in space.

Altered localisation of ZmPIN1a proteins in plasma membranes responsible for enhanced-polar auxin transport in etiolated maize seedlings under microgravity conditions in space.

In the International Space Station experiment 'Auxin Transport', polar auxin transport (PAT) in shoots of etiolated maize (Zea mays L. cv. Golden Cross Bantam) grown under microgravity in space was substantially enhanced compared with those grown on Earth.

Formation of the Secondary Abscission Zone Induced by the Interaction of Methyl Jasmonate and Auxin in : Relevance to Auxin Status and Histology.

The interaction of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to induce the formation of the secondary abscission zone in the middle of internode segments of was investigated in relation to auxin status and histology. When IAA at 0.1% (/, in lanolin) was applied to the segments, the formation of the secondary abscission zone at a few mm above the treatment in the apical direction was observed.

Oxidative Cyclization of -(1-Hydroxy-2-alkynyl)--tosylanilides for the Synthesis of 4-Quinolones.

The treatment of easily accessible -(1-hydroxy-2-alkynyl)--tosylanilides with excess manganese(IV) oxide in the presence of substoichiometric tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) in chloroform (or in the absence of TBAI in dimethylformamide, DMF) promoted a sequential oxidation/intramolecular hydroamination to give 4-quinolones and/or ()-2-alkylidene-3-oxindoles ()- in good yields. Possibly, MnO played dual roles as an oxidant and as a Lewis acidic activator of intermediary ynones . The product distributions between and ()- could be controlled by the choice of solvents.

Correction: Cows painted with zebra-like striping can avoid biting fly attack.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Cows painted with zebra-like striping can avoid biting fly attack.

Experimental and comparative studies suggest that the striped coats of zebras can prevent biting fly attacks. Biting flies are serious pests of livestock that cause economic losses in animal production. We hypothesized that cows painted with black and white stripes on their body could avoid biting fly attacks and show fewer fly-repelling behaviors.

Gravity-regulated localization of PsPIN1 is important for polar auxin transport in etiolated pea seedlings: Relevance to the International Space Station experiment.

To clarify the mechanism of gravity-controlled polar auxin transport, we conducted the International Space Station (ISS) experiment "Auxin Transport" (identified by NASA's operation nomenclature) in 2016 and 2017, focusing on the expression of genes related to auxin efflux carrier protein PsPIN1 and its localization in the hook and epicotyl cells of etiolated Alaska pea seedlings grown for three days in the dark under microgravity (μg) and artificial 1 g conditions on a centrifuge in the Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) in the ISS, and under 1 g conditions on Earth. Regardless of gravity conditions, the accumulation of PsPIN1 mRNA in the proximal side of epicotyls of the seedlings was not different, but tended to be slightly higher as compared with that in the distal side. 2,3,5-Triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) also did not affect the accumulation of PsPIN1 mRNA in the proximal and distal sides of epicotyls.

Polar auxin transport is essential to maintain growth and development of etiolated pea and maize seedlings grown under 1 g conditions: Relevance to the international space station experiment.

We conducted "Auxin Transport" space experiments in 2016 and 2017 in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the International Space Station (ISS), with the principal objective being integrated analyses of the growth and development of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Alaska) and maize (Zea mays L. cv Golden Cross Bantam) seedlings under true microgravity conditions in space relative to auxin dynamics.

Procedures for chemical fixation in immunohistochemical analyses of PIN proteins regulating polar auxin transport: Relevance to spaceflight experiments.

The mechanism by which gravity controls the polar transport of auxin, a plant hormone regulating multiple physiological processes in higher plants, remains unclear, although an important role of PIN proteins as efflux carriers/facilitators in polar auxin transport is suggested. We are going to study the effect of microgravity on the polar transport of auxin, focusing on the cellular localization of its efflux carrier, PsPIN1 in etiolated pea seedlings and ZmPIN1a in etiolated maize seedlings grown under microgravity conditions on the International Space Station (ISS) using immunohistochemical analyses according to space experimental plans (Ueda, 2016). To obtain adequate results regarding the cellular localization of functional proteins, prolonged chemical fixation processes as well as chemical fixatives should be well-matched to the properties of functional proteins as antigens since experimental analyses will be performed on the ground after keeping samples for a long duration on the ISS.

Regulation of asymmetric polar auxin transport by PsPIN1 in endodermal tissues of etiolated Pisum sativum epicotyls: focus on immunohistochemical analyses.

This manuscript reports the production of specific polyclonal antibodies for PsPIN1, a putative auxin efflux carrier in Alaska pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants, and the cellular immunolocalization of PsPIN1. When pea seeds were set with the seed axis horizontal to the upper surface of a rockwool block, and allowed to germinate and grow for 3 days in the dark, the epicotyl grew upward.

Breakdown of middle lamella pectin by (●) OH during rapid abscission in Azolla.

Azolla, a small water fern, abscises its roots and branches within 30 min upon treatment with various stresses. This study was conducted to test whether, in the rapid abscission that occurs in Azolla, breakdown of wall components of abscission zone cells by (●) OH is involved. Experimentally generated (●) OH caused the rapid separation of abscission zone cells from detached roots and the rapid shedding of roots from whole plants.

Hormonal regulation of gummosis and composition of gums from bulbs of hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis).

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) bulbs infected by Fusarium oxysporum showed the symptoms of gummosis. The purpose of this study was to clarify the hormonal regulation of gummosis and composition of gums from hyacinth bulbs. The application of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), an ethylene-releasing compound, at 2% (w/w, in lanolin) induced gummosis in hyacinth bulbs.

Analysis of apical hook formation in Alaska pea with a 3-D clinostat and agravitropic mutant ageotropum.

The formation of the apical hook in dicotyledonous seedlings is believed to be effected by gravity in the dark. However, this notion is mostly based on experiments with the hook formed on the hypocotyl, and no detailed studies are available with the developmental manners of the hook, particularly of the epicotyl hook. The present study aims at clarifying the dynamics of hook formation including the possible involvement of gravity.

Separation of abscission zone cells in detached Azolla roots depends on apoplastic pH.

In studies on the mechanism of cell separation during abscission, little attention has been paid to the apoplastic environment. We found that the apoplastic pH surrounding abscission zone cells in detached roots of the water fern Azolla plays a major role in cell separation. Abscission zone cells of detached Azolla roots were separated rapidly in a buffer at neutral pH and slowly in a buffer at pH below 4.

Acceleration of regeneration of mucosa in small intestine damaged by ionizing radiation using anabolic steroids.

Damage to intestine is a serious problem after accidental radiation exposure. To examine substances to ameliorate damage by postirradiation administration, we focused on the regeneration process after irradiation of the intestine. Using experimental systems, the effects of clinically used sex hormones on regeneration were compared.

Circadian transitions in radiation dose-dependent augmentation of mRNA levels for DNA damage-induced genes elicited by accurate real-time RT-PCR quantification.

Molecular mechanisms of intracellular response after DNA-damage by exposure to ionizing radiation have been studied. In the case of cells isolated from living body of human and experimental animals, alteration of the responsiveness by physiological oscillation such as circadian rhythm must be considered. To examine the circadian variation in the response of p53-responsible genes p21, mdm2, bax, and puma, we established a method to quantitate their mRNA levels with high reproducibility and accuracy based on real-time RT-PCR and compared the levels of responsiveness in mouse hemocytes after diurnal irradiation to that after nocturnal irradiation.

Gummosis in grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) bulbs: hormonal regulation and chemical composition of gums.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hormonal regulation of gummosis in grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum) bulbs, focusing especially on the chemical composition of the gums. The application of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), an ethylene-releasing compound, at 1% and 2% (w/w) in lanolin as well as ethylene induced gummosis in the bulbs within several days. Methyl jasmonate (JA-Me, 0.

Effect of volume of non-surgical embryo transfer medium on ability of porcine embryos to survive to term.

Non-surgical embryo transfer is a promising method for improving efficiency in the pork industry and also for biotechnology applications, such as in vitro embryo production, transgenesis and cloning. Several groups have reported successful piglet production using an artificial insemination catheter or flexible catheter designed for this procedure; however, the efficiency of the technique is still low. The critical points that need to be addressed in order to improve this procedure are (1) the embryo deposition site and (2) volume of transfer medium associated with the embryos; however, the latter has not yet been examined systematically.

Gravity-controlled asymmetrical transport of auxin regulates a gravitropic response in the early growth stage of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum) epicotyls: studies using simulated microgravity conditions on a three-dimensional clinostat and using an agravitropic mutant, ageotropum.

Increased expression of the auxin-inducible gene PsIAA4/5 was observed in the elongated side of epicotyls in early growth stages of etiolated pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) seedlings grown in a horizontal or an inclined position under 1 g conditions.