Identification and functional analysis of SVP ortholog in herbaceous perennial plant Gentiana triflora: Implication for its multifunctional roles.

Information concerning to regulation of vegetative phase and floral initiation in herbaceous perennial plants has been limited to a few plant species. To know and compare flowering regulation in a wider range of plant species, we identified and characterized SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP)-like genes (GtSVP-L1 and GtSVP-L2) from herbaceous perennial gentian (Gentiana triflora). Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV)-mediated silencing of the GtSVP-L1 in G.

Allelic variants of the esterase gene W14/15 differentially regulate overwinter survival in perennial gentian (Gentiana L.).

Overwinter survival has to be under critical regulation in the lifecycle of herbaceous perennial plants. Gentians (Gentiana L.) maintain their perennial life style through producing dormant and freezing-tolerant overwinter buds (OWBs) to overcome cold winter.

Structure and hibernation-associated expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel (TRPV4) mRNA in the Japanese grass lizard (Takydromus tachydromoides).

Animals possess systems for sensing environmental temperature using temperature-sensitive ion channels called transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Various TRPs have been identified and characterized in mammals. However, those of ectotherms, such as reptiles, are less well studied.

W14/15 esterase gene haplotype can be a genetic landmark of cultivars and species of the genus Gentiana L.

We have identified multiple alleles for a single gene termed W14/15. This gene encodes closely related but not identical proteins W14 and W15 that accumulate in overwinter buds of Gentiana triflora (Takahashi et al. in Breed Sci 56:39-46, 2006; Hikage et al.

TAS1 trans-acting siRNA targets are differentially regulated at low temperature, and TAS1 trans-acting siRNA mediates temperature-controlled At1g51670 expression.

To endure considerable fluctuations in temperature, plants need precise regulation of temperature-controlled gene expression. In this study, the involvement of TAS1 trans-acting siRNA (tasiRNA) in temperature-controlled gene expression was examined in Arabidopsis. The accumulation of TAS1 tasiRNA was downregulated at 4 degrees C.

The syncytium-specific expression of the Orysa;KRP3 CDK inhibitor: implication of its involvement in the cell cycle control in the rice (Oryza sativa L.) syncytial endosperm.

During rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed development, the primary endosperm nucleus undergoes a series of divisions without cytokinesis, producing a multinucleate cell, known as a syncytium. After several rounds of rapid nuclear proliferation, the syncytium ceases to undergo mitosis; thereafter, the syncytium is partitioned into individual cells by a specific type of cytokinesis called cellularization.

Structure and allele-specific expression variation of novel alpha/beta hydrolase fold proteins in gentian plants.

Previously, we identified two closely related proteins termed W14 and W15 that were enriched in the overwinter buds of the gentian plant Gentiana triflora. Expression of the latter protein W15 has been implicated in its association with cold hardiness, because of its absence in a cold-sensitive mutant. Here, we characterized these two proteins and the genes encoding them.

Binding of AlF-C, an Orc1-binding transcriptional regulator, enhances replicator activity of the rat aldolase B origin.

A region encompassing the rat aldolase B gene (aldB) promoter acts as a chromosomal origin of DNA replication (origin) in rat aldolase B-nonexpressing hepatoma cells. To examine replicator function of the aldB origin, we constructed recombinant mouse cell lines in which the rat aldB origin and the mutant derivatives were inserted into the same position at the mouse chromosome 8 by cre-mediated recombination. Nascent strand abundance assays revealed that the rat origin acts as a replicator at the ectopic mouse locus.

Antiproliferative activity of root extract from gentian plant (Gentiana triflora) on cultured and implanted tumor cells.

We describe a novel pharmacological activity of the gentian root, an ingredient of Chinese medicines. Root extract from Gentiana triflora triggered cell death of human Daudi cells in culture. In addition, daily administration of the extract to mice inhibited growth of implanted solid tumors.

A binding site for Pur alpha and Pur beta is structurally unstable and is required for replication in vivo from the rat aldolase B origin.

The rat aldolase B promoter acts as a replication origin in vivo, as well as an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS). Here, we examined roles of a polypurine stretch (site PPu) in this origin, which is indispensable to the ARS activity. Purification of site PPu-binding protein revealed that site PPu binds Puralpha and Purbeta, i.

Comparison of plastid DNA replication in different cells and tissues of the rice plant.

In a previous study, we mapped replication origin regions of the plastid DNA around the 3' end of the 23S rRNA gene in rice suspension-cultured cells. Here, we examined initiation of the plastid DNA replication in different rice cells by two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis. We show for the first time, to our knowledge, that the replication origin region of the plastid DNA differs among cultured cells, coleoptiles and mature leaves.

Dietary fat attenuates the benefits of an elemental diet in active Crohn's disease: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: Although an elemental diet has been established as the primary treatment for patients with Crohn's disease, the influence of dietary fat on the elemental diet remains unclear. We have designed the first randomized, controlled trial for elemental diets containing different fat percentages in patients with active Crohn's disease.

Methods: Each patient was randomized to receive one of three dose levels of fat in an elemental diet (Elental) for 4 weeks: 10 patients received low fat (3.

Functional domains involved in the interaction between Orc1 and transcriptional repressor AlF-C that bind to an origin/promoter of the rat aldolase B gene.

The promoter of the rat aldolase B (AldB) gene functions in vivo as an origin of DNA replication in the cells in which transcription of the gene is repressed. Previously, we identified two closely related DNA-binding proteins, AlF-C1 and AlF-C2, which repressed the AldB gene promoter. We also reported that the binding site of these proteins, site C, is one of the required DNA elements of the AldB gene origin/promoter for autonomously replicating activity in transfected cells.