Involvement of fengycin-type lipopeptides in the multifaceted biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis

in Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology (2005), 69(1), 29-38

In this work, the potential of Bacillus subtilis strain M4 at protecting plants against fungal diseases was demonstrated in different pathosystems. We provide evidence for the role of secreted ... [more ▼]

In this work, the potential of Bacillus subtilis strain M4 at protecting plants against fungal diseases was demonstrated in different pathosystems. We provide evidence for the role of secreted lipopeptides, and more particularly of fengycins, in the protective effect afforded by the strain against damping-off of bean seedlings caused by Pythium ultimum and against gray mold of apple in post-harvest disease. This role was demonstrated by the strong biocontrol activity of lipopeptide-enriched extracts and through the detection of inhibitory quantities of fengycins in infected tissues. Beside such a direct antagonism of the pathogen, we show that root pre-inoculation with M4 enabled the host plant to react more efficiently to subsequent pathogen infection on leaves. Fengycins could also be involved in this systemic resistance-eliciting effect of strain M4, as these molecules may induce the synthesis of plant phenolics involved in or derived from the defense-related phenylpropanoid metabolism. Much remains to be discovered about the mechanisms by which Bacillus spp suppress disease. Through this study on strain M4, we reinforce the interest in B. subtilis as a pathogen antagonist and plant defense-inducing agent. The secretion of cyclic fengycin-type lipopeptides may be tightly related to the expression of these two biocontrol traits. [less ▲]

Involvement of hexokinase HXK1 in glucose catabolite repression of LIP2 encoding extracellular lipase in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

in Current Microbiology (2005), 50(3), 133-137

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica produces an extracellular lipase encoded by the LIP2 gene. However, very little is known about the mechanisms controlling its expression, especially on glucose media. In this ... [more ▼]

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica produces an extracellular lipase encoded by the LIP2 gene. However, very little is known about the mechanisms controlling its expression, especially on glucose media. In this work, the involvement of hexokinase Hxk1 in the glucose catabolite repression of LIP2 was investigated in a lipase overproducing mutant less sensitive to glucose repression. This mutant has a reduced capacity to phosphorylate hexose compared with the wild-type strain, but no differences could be observed between the HXK1 sequences in the two isolates. This suggested that the reduced phosphorylating activity of the mutant strain probably resulted from a modification in the level of HXK1 expression. However, overexpression of the HXK1 gene in this mutant led to a decrease of both LIP2 induction and extracellular lipase activity, suggesting that the hexokinase is involved in the glucose catabolite repression of LIP2 in Y lipolytica. [less ▲]

Involvement of Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Early T Cell Development: A Study Using Fetal Thymic Organ Cultures

in Endocrinology (2000), 141(3), 1209-17

The expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF receptor genes was investigated by RT-PCR during ontogeny of the murine thymus. IGF-1, IGF-1R, M6P/IGF-2R genes are expressed in the thymus both ... [more ▼]

The expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF receptor genes was investigated by RT-PCR during ontogeny of the murine thymus. IGF-1, IGF-1R, M6P/IGF-2R genes are expressed in the thymus both in fetal and postnatal life, whereas IGF-2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) decline after birth but are still detectable on the seventh week. By in situ hybridization, IGF-2 transcripts were located in the outer cortex and medulla of the postnatal thymus, and on the whole surface ofthe epithelial-like network in the fetal thymus. The effects of anti-IGFs and IGF-receptors neutralizing Abs on the generation of pre-T cell subpopulations were then investigated using fetal thymic organ cultures (FTOC). FTOC treatment with an anti-IGF-2 mAb, an anti-IGF-1R mAb, or an anti-M6P/IGF-2R polyclonal Ab induced a blockade of T cell differentiation at the CD4-CD8- stage, as shown by a significant increase in the percentage of CD4-CD8- cells and a decrease in the percentage of CD4+CD8+ cells. Moreover, anti-IGF-2 Ab treatment induced an increase in CD8+ cells suggesting that thymic IGF-2 might have a role in determining differentiation into the CD4 or CD8 lineage. Anti-IGF-1 Ab treatment decreased the proportion in CD4-CD8- cells and increased the frequency in CD4+CD8+. FTOC treatment with anti-(pro)insulin did not exert any significant effect on T cell development. These data indicate that the intrathymic IGF-mediated signaling plays an active role in the early steps of T cell differentiation during fetal development. [less ▲]

Involvement of metallothioneins in the dynamic of Zn, Cd, Cu and Hg in harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena stranded along the southern North Sea coast

Poster (2002, April)

Involvement of miR-125b in in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis

Poster (2010, March)

Involvement of MMP2 and MMP9 in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

in Cell Biology International (1995), 19(3), 250-51

Involvement of odorant cues in the process of superparasitism avoidance

Poster (2010, August)

The ability to avoid superparasitism provides a selective advantage to parasitoid females, allowing them to avoid depositing eggs in lower quality host. We observed in a Y-olfactometer that generalist ... [more ▼]

The ability to avoid superparasitism provides a selective advantage to parasitoid females, allowing them to avoid depositing eggs in lower quality host. We observed in a Y-olfactometer that generalist aphid parasitoids, Aphidius ervi and Aphidius rhopalosiphi (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), were more attracted toward non-parasitized than parasitized Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera, Aphididae) colonies. We collected the odors released from healthy aphids and aphids parasitized for 2 and 6 days using an electronic nose. Sitobion avenae alarm pheromone, (E)-ß-farnesene (EßF), was the only chemical identified, and was found in lower quantities in parasitized aphids. Both parasitoid species provided pronounced electrical depolarizations to EßF in electroantennography (EAG), and both were attracted to the latter compound in the Y-olfactometer. Parasitoid attraction was known to be guided by a variety of odorant cues released by plants and hosts, and our results support the hypothesis that the aphid alarm pheromone acts as a kairomone for A. ervi and A. rhopalosiphi. [less ▲]

Involvement of Pa/Plasmin System in the Processing of Pro-Mmp-9 and in the Second Step of Pro-Mmp-2 Activation

in FEBS Letters (1997), 405(2), 157-62

Pro-MMP2 activation is a two-step process resulting in (1) an intermediate 64 kDa form generated by the MT1-MMP activity, and (2) a mature 62 kDa form. Addition of plasminogen to HT1080 cells cultured ... [more ▼]

Pro-MMP2 activation is a two-step process resulting in (1) an intermediate 64 kDa form generated by the MT1-MMP activity, and (2) a mature 62 kDa form. Addition of plasminogen to HT1080 cells cultured under various conditions, or to their membrane preparation, induced a complete conversion of the intermediate MMP-2 form to the mature one, and processing of pro-MMP-9. The pro-MMP-2 activation was inhibited by plasmin inhibitors and anti-uPA antibody. These results provide evidence for involvement of the PA/plasmin system in the second step of MMP-2 activation. [less ▲]

Involvement of placental growth factor in Wallerian degeneration

in Glia (2011), 59(3), 379-396

Wallerian degeneration (WD) is an inflammatory process of nerve degeneration, which occurs more rapidly in the peripheral nervous system compared with the central nervous system, resulting, respectively ... [more ▼]

Wallerian degeneration (WD) is an inflammatory process of nerve degeneration, which occurs more rapidly in the peripheral nervous system compared with the central nervous system, resulting, respectively in successful and aborted axon regeneration. In the peripheral nervous system, Schwann cells (SCs) and macrophages, under the control of a network of cytokines and chemokines, represent the main cell types involved in this process. Within this network, the role of placental growth factor (PlGF) remains totally unknown. However, properties like monocyte activation/attraction, ability to increase expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, as well as neuroprotective effects, make it a candidate likely implicated in this process. Also, nothing is described about the expression and localization of this molecule in the peripheral nervous system. To address these original questions, we decided to study PlGF expression under physiological and degenerative conditions and to explore its role in WD, using a model of sciatic nerve transection in wild-type and Pgf(-/-) mice. Our data show dynamic changes of PlGF expression, from periaxonal in normal nerve to SCs 24h postinjury, in parallel with a p65/NF-κB recruitment on Pgf promoter. After injury, SC proliferation is reduced by 30% in absence of PlGF. Macrophage invasion is significantly delayed in Pgf(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice, which results in worse functional recovery. MCP-1 and proMMP-9 exhibit a 3-fold reduction of their relative expressions in Pgf(-/-) injured nerves, as demonstrated by cytokine array. In conclusion, this work originally describes PlGF as a novel member of the cytokine network of WD. [less ▲]

Involvement of polyamines in the adventitious rooting of micropropagated shoots of the apple rootstock MM106

in In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant (2009), 45

Apple rootstock MM106 shoots, raised in vitro, rooted at 96.7% after culture on a medium supplemented with an auxin for 5 d in darkness followed by culture on a second medium without growth regulators for ... [more ▼]

Apple rootstock MM106 shoots, raised in vitro, rooted at 96.7% after culture on a medium supplemented with an auxin for 5 d in darkness followed by culture on a second medium without growth regulators for 25 d in light. In control conditions (in absence of auxin in the first medium), these shoots did not root. Putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), cyclohexylamine (CHA), and aminoguanidine (AG) enhanced rooting when applied during the first d of culture in the absence of IBA; on the contrary, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) added to the first medium with IBA inhibited rooting. The endogenous levels of indole 3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole 3-acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp) increased up to a maximum concentration at days 2 and 3, respectively, in initial rooting conditions. PUT, when added with IBA, did not affect the typical IAA and IAAsp increase; when applied alone, it provoked an increase of their levels. Similar results were recorded with CHA. SPD, AG, and DFMO did not induce an increase of IAA and IAAsp in nonrooting conditions. The levels of endogenous PUT increased to a maximum at day 2 in rooting conditions; it was slightly affected by exogenous PUT and CHA application but reduced by SPD, AG, and DFMO. In rooting conditions, if the first medium was supplemented with SPD or AG, a small increase in peroxidase activity was observed, similar to that obtained with PUT treatment. The present work indicates an involvement of polyamines in the control of rooting and an interaction with auxins during the physiological phase of rooting. The consequence of this relationship was a different rooting expression, according especially to the content of these regulators in the culture medium. [less ▲]