Lung cancer in a patient with predominantly short tremolite fibers in his lung.

The carcinogenicity of short tremolite fibers in human has not been cleared and has been argued hitherto. A lung cancer patient had worked at a gabbro quarry. Particles isolated from the excised lung parenchyma of the patient were measured for asbestos bodies (ABs) and asbestos fibers (AFs).

Deletions within the 3' non-translated region of Alfalfa mosaic virus RNA4 do not affect replication but significantly reduce long-distance movement of chimeric Tobacco mosaic virus.

Alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) RNAs 1 and 2 with deletions in their 3' non‑translated regions (NTRs) have been previously shown to be encapsidated into virions by coat protein (CP) expressed from RNA3, indicating that the 3' NTRs of RNAs 1 and 2 are not required for virion assembly. Here, we constructed various mutants by deleting sequences within the 3' NTR of AlMV subgenomic (sg) RNA4 (same as of RNA3) and examined the effect of these deletions on replication and translation of chimeric Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) expressing AlMV sgRNA4 from the TMV CP sg promoter (Av/A4) in tobacco protoplasts and Nicotiana benthamiana plants. While the Av/A4 mutants were as competent as the wild-type Av/A4 in RNA replication in protoplasts, their encapsidation, long-distance movement and virus accumulation varied significantly in N.

Transient protein expression in three Pisum sativum (green pea) varieties.

The expression of proteins in plants both transiently and via permanently transformed lines has been demonstrated by a number of groups. Transient plant expression systems, due to high expression levels and speed of production, show greater promise for the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals when compared to permanent transformants. Expression vectors based on a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) are the most commonly utilized and the primary plant used, Nicotiana benthamiana, has demonstrated the ability to express a wide range of proteins at levels amenable to purification.

Development of a new cucumber mosaic virus-based plant expression vector with truncated 3a movement protein.

We have developed a Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV)-based expression vector for the production of heterologous proteins in plants. Cell-to-cell movement of CMV is dependent on the presence of coat protein (CP). Previous studies have shown that deletion of 33 amino acids (aa) from the carboxy-terminus of the 3a movement protein facilitates cell-to-cell movement that is independent of CP.

Domains of tobacco mosaic virus movement protein essential for its membrane association.

A series of deletion mutants of tobacco mosaic virus movement protein (TMV-MP) was used to identify domains of the protein necessary for membrane association. A membrane fraction was isolated from tobacco BY-2 protoplasts infected with wild-type and mutant TMV that produce MP carrying a 3 aa deletion. Deletions that affected membrane association were clustered around the two major hydrophobic regions of MP that are predicted to be transmembrane.

Ca pulsation in BY-2 cells and evidence for control of mechanosensory Ca-selective channels by the plasmalemmal reticulum.

A previously unknown cytoskeletal structure, now named the plasmalemmal reticulum (Gens et al. 2000, Protoplasma 212, 115-134), was found in cultured BY-2 tobacco cells during a search for a force-focusing mechanism that might enhance signal transduction by the cells' mechanosensory Ca-selective cation channels (MCaCs). This polyhedral structure, which links cell wall, plasma membrane, and internal cytoplasm, prominently contains arabinogalactan protein (AGP).