The gene ENHANCER OF PINOID controls cotyledon development in the Arabidopsis embryo.

During Arabidopsis embryo development, cotyledon primordia are generated at transition stage from precursor cells that are not derived from the embryonic shoot apical meristem (SAM). To date, it is not known which genes specifically instruct these precursor cells to elaborate cotyledons, nor is the role of auxin in cotyledon development clear. In laterne mutants, the cotyledons are precisely deleted, yet the hypocotyl and root are unaffected.

L-arginine deficiency and supplementation in experimental acute renal failure and in human kidney transplantation.

Background: The "L-arginine paradox" refers to situations where L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation stimulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, despite saturating intracellular concentrations. This paradox is frequently observed in acute renal failure (ARF). First, the effects of L-Arg on renal function of rats with ARF were studied.