Fine-tuned ATP signals are acute mediators in osteocyte mechanotransduction.

Osteocytes are considered the primary mechanosensors of bone, but the signaling pathways they apply in mechanotransduction are still incompletely investigated and characterized. A growing body of data strongly indicates that P2 receptor signaling among osteoblasts and osteoclasts has regulatory effects on bone remodeling. Therefore, we hypothesized that ATP signaling is also applied by osteocytes in mechanotransduction.

In vivo experimental stroke and in vitro organ culture induce similar changes in vasoconstrictor receptors and intracellular calcium handling in rat cerebral arteries.

Cerebral arteries subjected to different types of experimental stroke upregulate their expression of certain G-protein-coupled vasoconstrictor receptors, a phenomenon that worsens the ischemic brain damage. Upregulation of contractile endothelin B (ET(B)) and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B (5-HT(1B)) receptors has been demonstrated after subarachnoid hemorrhage and global ischemic stroke, but the situation is less clear after focal ischemic stroke. Changes in smooth muscle calcium handling have been implicated in different vascular diseases but have not hitherto been investigated in cerebral arteries after stroke.

Cellular and subcellular localization of flavin-monooxygenases involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis.

Glucosinolates are amino acid-derived secondary metabolites with diverse biological activities dependent on chemical modifications of the side chain. Five flavin-monooxygenases FMO(GS-OX1-5) have recently been identified as aliphatic glucosinolate side chain modification enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana that catalyse the generation of methylsulphinylalkyl glucosinolates, which can be hydrolysed to products with distinctive benefits for human health and plant defence. Though the localization of most aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthetic enzymes has been determined, little is known about where the side chain modifications take place despite their importance.

Neurogenic inflammation: a study of rat trigeminal ganglion.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is linked to neurogenic inflammation and to migraine. Activation of the trigeminovascular system plays a prominent role during migraine attacks with the release of CGRP. The trigeminal ganglion (TG) contains three main cell types: neurons, satellite glial cells (SGC) and Schwann cells; the first two have before been studied in vitro separately.

LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis increases the sensitivity of contractile response mediated by endothelin-B (ET(B)) receptors in cultured endothelium-intact rat coronary arteries.

The purpose of our study was to examine if lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) modifies the vasomotor responses to Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and Sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) in rat coronary arteries.

Monitoring reactive oxygen species formation and localisation in living cells by use of the fluorescent probe CM-H(2)DCFDA and confocal laser microscopy.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) develop as a consequence of wounding, light stress and chemical imbalances but act also as signals in living cells. The integrity of cells is seriously endangered, if ROS cannot be controlled by scavenging molecules and other repair mechanisms of the cell. For studying ROS development and signalling under stress, a reliable indicator is needed.

Non-invasive method for in vivo detection of chlorophyll precursors.

Traditionally chlorophyll (Chl) and Chl precursors have been studied in vitro or in leaf tissue at low temperature. These methods are destructive and make it impossible to work with the same individual plant later on. In this paper we present a method for in vivo detection of Chl and its precursors in seedling plants which can be rescued for further studies.

Arabidopsis protein kinase PKS5 inhibits the plasma membrane H+ -ATPase by preventing interaction with 14-3-3 protein.

Regulation of the trans-plasma membrane pH gradient is an important part of plant responses to several hormonal and environmental cues, including auxin, blue light, and fungal elicitors. However, little is known about the signaling components that mediate this regulation. Here, we report that an Arabidopsis thaliana Ser/Thr protein kinase, PKS5, is a negative regulator of the plasma membrane proton pump (PM H+ -ATPase).

Specific aquaporins facilitate the diffusion of hydrogen peroxide across membranes.

The metabolism of aerobic organisms continuously produces reactive oxygen species. Although potentially toxic, these compounds also function in signaling. One important feature of signaling compounds is their ability to move between different compartments, e.

Molecular identification of mycorrhizal fungi in Neuwiedia veratrifolia (Orchidaceae).

We here apply a previously described method for identification of single peloton orchid mycorrhiza to a key orchid group and extend the usefulness in the heterobasidiomycetes of an existing fungal database for identification of mycorrhizal fungi. We amplified and sequenced mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit DNA from fungi in roots of Neuwiedia veratrifolia (Orchidaceae), a member of the small subfamily Apostasioideae that is sister to the remainder of Orchidaceae, and used the extended database to identify the mycorrhizal fungi. Sequences from fungi cultured from Neuwiedia roots and from direct peloton amplifications were analyzed cladistically with sequences determined from reference fungal collections and published sequences.