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Crossing paths in plants
March 26, 2003On Monday 31 March ecologists will meet with molecular biologists at the University of Southampton for the most novel and broad-ranging scientific session of its kind. They will present findings in Session C5/P3 which show that the biochemical pathways which influence a plant's response to stimuli such as attack, disease or other stresses are not mutually exclusive as previously thought. For example, up until recently the two separate signalling pathways in plants which respond independently to disease (caused by microorganisms and pathogens) and to wounding (by herbivores) were believed to be completely separate. Now biologists know that these pathways talk to each other in a process known as 'signalling cross-talk'.
These findings, which are being investigated at the molecular level, show that the stimuli which switch on the genes for the salicylic acid pathway (for disease) can also switch on the genes of the jasmonate pathway (for wounding). This has important implications for plant physiologists and ecologists who, up till now, have been breeding plants and applying external chemicals such as pesticides and stimulants on the basis that each pathway is distinct. Now they are investigating whether there are detrimental effects on a plant's health or productivity if all factors are not considered; for example, plants bred or engineered for salt tolerance or drought resistance may be less able to resist disease or herbivorous attack.
Dr Jian-Kang Zhu (Arizona), who will be speaking at the meeting, has identified cross-talk between pathways for salt, drought and cold tolerance. The FIERY1 gene regulates all three pathways, and mutations in FIERY1 simultaneously affect gene induction by salt, drought and cold stresses. The cross-talk in the gene induction implies that by manipulating one stress tolerance pathway you can affect or even confer tolerance to salt, drought and cold stresses.
Society for Experimental Biology
Stress News and Current Stress Events RSSSpending time in the intensive care unit can traumatize kids
Children who spend time in the intensive care unit of a hospital can be traumatized by the experience even months after returning home. Dr. Janet Rennick from the Research Institute of The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre and her colleagues have developed the Children's Critical Illness Impact Scale to measure psychological distress in children following hospital discharge.
Yerkes researchers create animal model of chronic stress
In an effort to better understand how chronic stress affects the human body, researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, have created an animal model that shows how chronic stress affects behavior, physiology and reproduction.
Loss of sleep, even for a single night, increases inflammation in the body
Loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can prompt one's immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs.
New study finds that add-on therapy improves depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder
Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments.
Complex ocean behavior studied with 'artificial upwelling'
A team of scientists is studying the complex ocean upwelling process by mimicking nature - pumping cold, nutrient-rich water from deep within the Pacific Ocean and releasing it into surface waters near Hawaii that lack the nitrogen and phosphorous necessary to support high biological production.
A virtuous cycle: Safety in numbers for riders
It seems paradoxical but the more people ride bicycles on our city streets, the less likely they are to be injured in traffic accidents.
Substance found in fruits and vegetables reduces likelihood of the flu
Mice given quercetin, a naturally occurring substance found in fruits and vegetables, were less likely to contract the flu, according to a study published by The American Physiological Society. The study also found that stressful exercise increased the susceptibility of mice to the flu, but quercetin canceled out that negative effect.
Computed tomography provides anatomy -- we need ischemia!
Cardiac computed tomography has revolutionized cardiac imaging in recent years by providing exquisitely detailed cardiac anatomy, including, but not limited to, coronary anatomy.
The first autism disease genes
The autistic disorder was first described, more than sixty years ago, by Dr. Leo Kanner of the Johns Hopkins Hospital (USA), who created the new label 'early infantile autism'.
Sex differences seen in response to common antidepressant
Women with depression may be much more likely than men to get relief from a commonly used, inexpensive antidepressant drug, a new national study finds. But many members of both sexes may find that it helps ease their depression symptoms.
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