Biomedical subjects

T Dresselhaus

Publications and source records attributed to T Dresselhaus.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Molecular characterisation of two novel maize LRR receptor-like kinases, which belong to the SERK gene family.

Genes encoding two novel members of the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) superfamily have been isolated from maize (Zea mays L.). These genes have been named ZmSERK1 and ZmSERK2 since features such as a putative leucine zipper (ZIP) and five leucine rich repeats in the extracellular domain, a proline-rich region (SPP) just upstream of the transmembrane domain and a C-terminal extension (C) after the kinase domain identify them as members of the SERK (somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase) family. ZmSERK1 and ZmSERK2 are single-copy genes and show 79% identity among each other in their nucleotide sequences. They share a conserved intron/exon structure with other members of the SERK family. In the maize genome, ZmSERK1 maps to position 76.9 on chromosome arm 10L and ZmSERK2 to position 143.5 on chromosome arm 5L, in regions generally not involved in duplications. ZmSERK1 is preferentially expressed in male and female reproductive tissues with strongest expression in microspores. In contrast, ZmSERK2 expression is relatively uniform in all tissues investigated. Both genes are expressed in embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus cultures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

ZmES genes encode peptides with structural homology to defensins and are specifically expressed in the female gametophyte of maize.

All four members of a gene family, which are highly expressed in the cells of the female gametophyte (ZmES1--4: Zea mays embryo sac), were isolated from a cDNA library of maize egg cells. High expression of ZmES genes in the synergids around the micropylar region was detected in thin sections of maize ovaries. Single-cell RT--PCR analyses with the various cells of the female gametophyte confirmed the expression in synergids and also showed expression in the egg cell and central cell, and low expression in the antipodals. The expression of the whole gene family is suppressed after fertilization of the embryo sac, and expression in two-cell or later embryo stages or other tissues of maize could not be detected. In order to investigate ZmES mRNA gradients in the highly polarized and vacuolized cells of the maize embryo sac, a whole-mount in situ protocol with isolated single cells was developed: as for total RNA, ZmES transcripts are uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of egg cell, synergids and central cell. ZmES genes encode small, cysteine-rich proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide, probably for translocation into the embryo sac cell wall. The four ZmES proteins display high sequence identity with each other, and the proposed tertiary structure of the mature peptides is similar to that of plant and animal defensins. The function of ZmES1-4 during the fertilization process is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

The maize MADS box gene ZmMADS3 affects node number and spikelet development and is co-expressed with ZmMADS1 during flower development, in egg cells, and early embryogenesis.

MADS box genes represent a large gene family of transcription factors with essential functions during flower development and organ differentiation processes in plants. Addressing the question of whether MADS box genes are involved in the regulation of the fertilization process and early embryo development, we have isolated two novel MADS box cDNAs, ZmMADS1 and ZmMADS3, from cDNA libraries of maize (Zea mays) pollen and egg cells, respectively. The latter gene is allelic to ZAP1. Transcripts of both genes are detectable in egg cells and in in vivo zygotes of maize. ZmMADS1 is additionally expressed in synergids and in central and antipodal cells. During early somatic embryogenesis, ZmMADS1 expression is restricted to cells with the capacity to form somatic embryos, and to globular embryos at later stages. ZmMADS3 is detectable only by more sensitive reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses, but is likewise expressed in embryogenic cultures. Both genes are not expressed in nonembryogenic suspension cultures and in isolated immature and mature zygotic embryos. During flower development, ZmMADS1 and ZmMADS3 are co-expressed in all ear spikelet organ primordia at intermediate stages. Among vegetative tissues, ZmMADS3 is expressed in stem nodes and displays a gradient with highest expression in the uppermost node. Transgenic maize plants ectopically expressing ZmMADS3 are reduced in height due to a reduced number of nodes. Reduction of seed set and male sterility were observed in the plants. The latter was due to absence of anthers. Putative functions of the genes during reproductive and vegetative developmental processes are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Novel ribosomal genes from maize are differentially expressed in the zygotic and somatic cell cycles.

We have isolated cDNAs representing more than 50 different genes from libraries of unfertilised egg cells and zygotes of maize, expression of which is up- or downregulated after in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Among the cDNAs isolated are seven which encode proteins that are probably involved in translation and two encoding proteins probably involved in DNA replication. The latter genes are strongly induced on fertilisation. This indicates that zygotic gene activation (ZGA) - the switch from maternal to embryonic control of development - occurs in the zygote shortly after fertilisation in higher plants - earlier than in animal systems so far investigated. Four novel transcripts for ribosomal proteins (S21A, S21B, L39, P0) involved in ribosome biosynthesis and translation were analysed in more detail. The expression of all four genes correlates with cell division activity and is strongly induced during the G1 phase of the somatic cell cycle. A different mode of regulation operates in the first embryonic cell cycle: relatively large amounts of transcript are stored in the unfertilised egg cells, and by 18 h after IVF, two ribosomal genes are induced while a third is downregulated. These results indicate that using the combination of single-cell culture techniques with novel molecular methods, it is possible to isolate and study numerous genes expressed in female gametes and zygotes of higher plants. The detailed analysis of the four ribosomal protein genes demonstrates that the zygotic and somatic cell cycles are differentially regulated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

A transcript encoding translation initiation factor eIF-5A is stored in unfertilized egg cells of maize.

Differential screening of cDNA libraries of unfertilized egg cells and in vitro zygotes of maize resulted in the isolation of more than 50 different genes whose expression is up- or down-regulated after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Among these genes, we identified a cDNA encoding the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF-5A. This highly conserved factor is thought to be necessary for selective mRNA stabilization and translation. It is also the only known protein that contains the unusual amino acid hypusine which is required for biological activity. High transcript amounts are stored in the egg cell, which is, in terms of metabolism, relatively inactive. Upon fertilization transcript amounts decrease, in contrast to metabolically inactive embryos in which the transcript cannot be detected and transcript levels increase upon germination. The expression pattern during the first embryonic cell cycle is also different from that observed during the somatic cell cycle: egg cells in the G0 phase contain high transcript levels, while arrested suspension cells contain few transcripts. In the somatic cell cycle, eif-5A is strongly induced during the G1 phase and transcripts are continuously degraded during the S, G2 and M phases until new induction during the G1 phase of the next cycle. eif-5A, a member of a small gene family in maize, is expressed in most maize tissues investigated. Based on our results, we suggest that the unfertilized egg cell of maize, although relatively inactive regarding its metabolism, is prepared for selective mRNA translation that is quickly triggered after fertilization. We also suggest that the regulation of eif-5A in the first embryonic cell cycle is different from the somatic cell cycle.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Isolation of a full-length cDNA encoding calreticulin from a PCR library of in vitro zygotes of maize.

A full-size cDNA clone (1614 bp) encoding calreticulin was isolated from a PCR-based cDNA library of maize in vitro zygotes. Calreticulin is a major Ca2+ storage protein located mainly in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum but also in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of some cells. A differential screening between cDNA libraries originating from 104 in vitro zygotes (18 h after in vitro fertilization) and 128 unfertilized egg cells was performed to isolate newly expressed genes or genes expressed more abundantly after fertilization. The expression of the isolated cDNA clone is enhanced after fertilization and strongly correlated to cell division. Sequence comparison to a shorter maize calreticulin cDNA isolated from a PCR based cDNA library construction from a few plant cells [12]. It is further shown that calreticulins in maize are probably transcribed from a small gene family differentially expressed in abundance in diverse tissues. The deduced amino acid sequence encodes an acidic protein (pI 4.17) of 48 kDa sharing 77-92% and 50-54% homology to other plant and animal calreticulins, respectively. The described calreticulin gene represents to our knowledge the first cDNA clone isolated from a RT/PCR cDNA library originating from only a few plant cells and is the first gene isolated from zygotes of higher plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Isolation and characterization of a Tritordeum cDNA encoding S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase that is circadian-clock-regulated.

Sequence analysis of the two cDNA clones 47/11 and 50A which were isolated by differential screening of an explant cDNA library obtained from the monocot Tritordeum (hexaploid hybrid of diploid wild barley and tetraploid wheat lines) reveals that both clones include the same open reading frame (ORF). The sequence of this ORF shows a high degree of similarity with dicot S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) gene sequences and contains regions highly conserved in all known SAMDC sequences. It is further shown that the sequence represented by the cDNA clones 47/11 and 50A is derived from the wild barley (Hordeum chilense) genome, where it is present as a single-copy gene. Northern analyses indicate the corresponding transcript to accumulate in response to wounding and the transcript level changes with a circadian rhythm, having a beak in the middle of the light period. The periodicity continues in constant light, but is changed in constant darkness.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase↗

PubMed1994

Purification and PCR-based cDNA cloning of a plastidial n-6 desaturase.

A plastidial membrane-bound n-6 desaturase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was purified from chloroplast envelope membranes by anion exchange, cation exchange and ferredoxin-affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of the protein was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be 40 kDa. The highest specific activity of the desaturase in the final preparation was 196 nmol/min per mg protein with free oleic acid as the substrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the blotted protein was determined and used for the construction of a degenerated and inosine-containing oligonucleotide primer for PCR experiments with cDNA transcribed from leaf mRNA. A 3'-RACE experiment with this primer amplified a single band of 1500 bp that after sequencing showed an open reading frame of 382 amino acids corresponding to a protein of 43 kDa. The 5' end of the cDNA was amplified by a 5'-RACE experiment and isolated as a 500 bp fragment. Sequencing of this DNA revealed an additional 65 amino acids at the N-terminus of the native protein that are attributed to a plastidial leader peptide. With appropriate primers derived from these sequences a full-length clone was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Comparison of the plastidial oleate desaturase with the homologous enzyme from cyanobacteria showed about 50% amino acid homology. Comparison with other desaturases revealed three histidine boxes with the general sequence HXXXH that are highly conserved in all membrane-bound desaturases. These boxes might be involved in metal ion complexation required for reduction of oxygen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Representative cDNA libraries from few plant cells.

A reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) method for the construction of representative cDNA libraries originating from few isolated cells is described. Poly(A)+ RNA was extracted from an average of 100 maize cells and reverse transcribed into sscDNA. The sscDNA was dG-tailed at its 3' end and amplified during a two-step PCR reaction. The generated PCR products were analysed and the majority < or = 2 kbp were full-size cDNAs. A fraction of the amplified cDNA from 128 isolated maize egg cells was cloned into the lambda Uni-ZAP XR vector and a primary library of 6.8 x 10(6) p.f.u. was obtained. The average insert size is 860 bp. It was further determined, that 0.31% of the clones hybridized to a cytosolic GAPDH probe. It is thought that, with this method, the first cDNA library of egg cells in higher plants was generated.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1985

Bronchial asymmetry and Fibonacci scaling.

The irregular branching pattern of the bronchial tree in multiple mammalian species is consistent with a process of morphogenetic self-similarity described by Fibonacci scaling.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Dilated cardiomyopathy: utility of the transverse: frontal plane QRS voltage ratio.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with an increase in transverse plane QRS voltage but a decrease in frontal plane QRS voltage. To study this paradoxical relationship further, electrocardiograms (ECGs) were retrospectively analyzed from five groups of men. Frontal plane QRS voltage was computed as the sum of peak-to-trough QRS amplitudes in the two limb leads with highest QRS voltage; transverse QRS voltage as the maximum peak-to-trough QRS voltage in leads [V1 or V2] + [V5 or V6]. The transverse:frontal plane QRS voltage ratio was significantly (p less than 0.01) greater in 26 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (3.0 +/- 1.3) compared to 29 patients with compensated aortic valve disease (2.0 +/- 0.6), 30 healthy men (2.0 +/- 0.6) and 20 patients with ischemic heart disease and relatively normal left ventricular function (1.9 +/- 0.8), but not significantly different from the ratio for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (2.3 +/- 1.1). This differential effect of dilated cardiomyopathy on transverse and frontal plane QRS voltages, which probably relates to a combination of mechanical and vectorial factors, may be the basis of a useful new ECG sign.

Adult↗