The interleukin 1β converting enzyme (ICE) family plays a pivotal role in programmed cell death and has been implicated stroke neurodegenerative diseases. During reperfusion after filamentous middle cerebral artery occlusion, ICE-like cleavage products tissue immunoreactive (IL-1β) levels increased ischemic mouse brain. Ischemic injury decreased intracerebroventricular injections of protease inhibitors, N -benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD.FMK),...

In flowering plants, signaling between the male pollen tube and synergid cells of female gametophyte is required for fertilization. Arabidopsis thaliana mutant feronia (fer), fertilization impaired; fails to arrest thus continues grow inside gametophyte. FER encodes a synergid-expressed, plasma membrane-localized receptor-like kinase. We found that protein accumulates asymmetrically in membrane at filiform apparatus. Interspecific crosses using from lyrata Cardamine flexuosa on A. stigmas...

Interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE) is a mammalian homolog of CED-3, protein required for programmed cell death in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . The activity ICE can be specifically inhibited by product crmA , cytokine response modifier gene encoded cowpox virus. Microinjection into chicken dorsal root ganglion neurons was found to prevent induced deprivation nerve growth factor. Thus, likely participate neuronal vertebrates.

Timing a switch in tissue integrity In plants, sperm cells travel through the pollen tube as it grows toward ovule. Successful fertilization depends on rupturing to release (see Perspective by Stegmann and Zipfel). Ge et al. Mecchia elucidated intercellular cross-talk that maintains during growth but destroys at just right moment. The signaling peptides RALF4 RALF19, derived from tube, maintain its grows. Once reach of ovule, related peptide, RALF34, which derives female tissues, takes over...

To explore the role of interleukin (IL)-1β converting enzyme (ICE) in neuronal apoptosis, we designed a mutant ICE gene (C285G) that acts as dominant negative inhibitor. Microinjection into embryonal chicken dorsal root ganglial neurons inhibits trophic factor withdrawal–induced apoptosis. Transgenic mice expressing fused ICE-lacZ under control neuron specific enolase promoter appeared neurologically normal. These are deficient processing pro–IL-1β, indicating ICEC285G blocks function....

We used transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative mutation of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE) (C285G) in model transient focal ischemia order to investigate the role ICE ischemic brain damage. Transgenic mutant (n = 11) and wild-type littermates 9) were subjected 3 h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 24 reperfusion. Cerebral infarcts swelling reduced 44% 46%, respectively. Neurological deficits also significantly reduced. Regional CBF, blood pressure, core temperature,...

We report here the isolation and characterization of a new member ice/ced-3 family cell death genes, named ich-3. The predicted amino acid sequence Ich-3 protein shares 54% identity with murine interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE). Overexpression ich-3 in Rat-1 HeLa cells induces apoptosis, which can be inhibited by CrmA Bcl-2. mRNA proteins are dramatically induced vivo upon stimulation lipopolysaccharide, an inducer septic shock. gene product cleaved cytotoxic T granule serine...

Prointerleukin-1 beta (pro-IL-1 beta) is the only known physiologic substrate of interleukin-1 (IL-1 beta)-converting enzyme (ICE), founding member ICE/ced-3 cell death gene family. Since secreted mature IL-1 has been detected after apoptosis, we investigated whether this cytokine, when produced endogenously, plays a role in death. We found that hypoxia-induced apoptosis can be inhibited by either receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) or neutralizing antibodies to its type 1 receptor. IL-1Ra also...

Abstract In plants, transgenerational inheritance of some epialleles has been demonstrated but it remains controversial whether epigenetic variation is subject to selection and contributes adaptation. Simulating in a rapidly changing environment, we compare phenotypic traits between Arabidopsis thaliana populations grown for five generations under their genetically nearly identical ancestors. Selected two distinct genotypes show significant differences flowering time plant architecture,...

The imprinted Arabidopsis Polycomb group (PcG) gene MEDEA (MEA), which is homologous to Enhancer of Zeste [E(Z)], maternally required for normal seed development. Here we show that, unlike known mammalian genes, MEA regulates its own expression: It down-regulates the maternal allele around fertilization and maintains paternal silent later during Autorepression direct independent MEA-FIE (FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM) PcG complex, similar E(Z)-ESC (Extra sex combs) complex animals,...

The orchids Ophrys sphegodes and O. exaltata are reproductively isolated from each other by the attraction of two different, highly specific pollinator species. For attraction, flowers chemically mimic pollinators' sex pheromones, key components which alkenes with different double-bond positions. This study identifies genes likely involved in alkene biosynthesis, encoding stearoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturase (SAD) homologs. expression isoforms, SAD1 SAD2, is flower-specific broadly...

The accumulation of starch within photosynthetic tissues and dedicated storage organs has been characterized extensively in many species, a function buffering carbon availability or fueling later growth phases, respectively, proposed. However, developmentally regulated turnover heterotrophic other than is poorly characterized, its not well understood. Here, we report on the characterization during flower, early embryo, silique development Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) using combined...

In flowering plants, double fertilization of the female gametes, egg and central cell, initiates seed development to give rise a diploid embryo triploid endosperm. absence fertilization, FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT SEED Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (FIS-PRC2) represses this developmental process by histone methylation certain target genes. The (FIS) class genes MEDEA (MEA) ENDOSPERM (FIE) encode two core components complex. addition, DNA establishes maintains repression gene activity, for...

The 26S proteasome plays a central role in the degradation of regulatory proteins involved variety developmental processes. It consists two multisubunit protein complexes: proteolytic core protease and particle (RP). function most RP subunits is poorly understood. Here, we describe mutants Arabidopsis thaliana RPN1 subunit, which encoded by paralogous genes, RPN1a RPN1b. Disruption caused embryo lethality, while RPN1b showed no obvious abnormal phenotype. Embryos homozygous for rpn1a...

Genomic imprinting is exclusive to mammals and seed plants refers parent-of-origin-dependent, differential transcription. As previously shown in mammals, studies Arabidopsis have implicated DNA methylation as an important hallmark of imprinting. The current model suggests that maternally expressed imprinted genes, such MEDEA ( MEA ), are activated by the glycosylase DEMETER (DME), which removes established methyltransferase MET1. We report systematic functional dissection cis -regulatory...

Abstract Species-specific gamete recognition is a key premise to ensure reproductive success and the maintenance of species boundaries. During plant pollen tube (PT) reception, gametophyte interactions likely allow species-specific signals from PT (male gametophyte) by embryo sac (female gametophyte), resulting in rupture, sperm release, double fertilization. This process impaired interspecific crosses between Arabidopsis thaliana related species, leading overgrowth failure deliver cells....

Establishing the embryonic body plan of multicellular organisms relies on precisely orchestrated cell divisions coupled with pattern formation, which, in animals, are regulated by Polycomb group (PcG) proteins. The conserved Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) mediates H3K27 trimethylation and comes different flavors Arabidopsis. PRC2 catalytic subunit MEDEA is required for seed development; however, a role patterning has been dismissed. Here, we demonstrate that embryos derived from medea eggs...

Performing proteomic studies on non-model organisms with little or no genomic information is still difficult. However, many specific processes and biochemical pathways occur only in species that are poorly characterized at the level. For example, plants can reproduce both sexually asexually, first one allowing generation of new genotypes latter their fixation. Thus, modes reproduction great agronomic value. molecular basis asexual not understood any plant. In ferns, it combines production...

The gametophyte of the fern Dryopteris affinis ssp. represents a good model to explore molecular basis vegetative and reproductive development, as well stress responses. Specifically, this reproduces asexually by apogamy, peculiar case apomixis whereby sporophyte forms directly from gametophytic cell without fertilization. Using an RNA-sequencing approach, we have previously annotated more than six thousand transcripts. Here, selected one hundred inferred proteins that seemed particularly...