Name: characterizing herbivore resistance mechanisms: spittlebugs on brachiaria spp. as an example
Uploaded: 2011-06-19T14:00:00
Duration: 6 min 52 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Characterizing Herbivore Resistance Mechanisms: Spittlebugs on Brachiaria spp. as an Example at JoVE.com

This production and the experimental work presented herein reflect the devoted and enthusiastic help of Reynaldo Pareja kindly supported by Lina Aguirre, Gilberto C&oacute;rdoba, William Mera, Ximena Bonilla, and Dar&iacute;o Viveros. We also thank John Miles and three anonymous reviewers for comments that helped us improve the video and manuscript.

1. Plants
<ol>
	<li>Single stem cuttings from mature plants are used as experimental units. The cuttings are trimmed to 10 cm to ensure uniformity of planting material. </li>
	<li>To prevent contamination by plant pathogens, the cuttings are washed in a 3 % sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 min and then rinsed thoughroughly with tap water.</li>
	<li>Each cutting is planted in ca. 36 g of sterile soil in a cylindrical PVC tube (5.3 cm outside diameter by 6.5 cm height) sealed at the lower end with a Styrofoam cup and capped with a PVC bushing. The cutting is held in place by a foam ring placed in the central opening of the bushing.</li>
	<li>Plants are fertilized and watered as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture. </li>
	<li>Plants will grow for one month before being challenged by insects, allowing development of superficial roots, which serve as feeding sites for the root-xylem-feeding spittlebug nymphs.</li>
	<li>PVC tubes with rooted cuttings are inverted for 8 d prior to infestation to stimulate further the growth of superficial roots, partially adjusting for inherent differences in root architecture. This step requires an artificial source of light, which we provide for 24 h a day. To avoid confounding escapes from herbivory with herbivore resistance, individual plant replicates with few or no superficial roots after this inversion treatment are eliminated from the experiment. This elimination should be infrequent, never leading to the elimination of the genotype they represent. </li>
</ol>
2. Insects
<ol>
	<li>Adult spittlebugs are collected from the field, identified to species, and introduced to oviposition cages where they are provided foliage of susceptible brachiariagrasses to feed on. Females lay their eggs in soil contained in a shallow removable tray placed on the bottom of the cages. </li>
	<li>After several days, the soil is suspended in water and passed through a series of sieves (42, 60 and 150 mesh) to collect the eggs. Suspending the sieved material in a 30% saline solution causes the mature eggs to float, leaving behind immature eggs and any residual organic matter. </li>
	<li>To prevent contamination by insect pathogens, eggs are disinfected in a 0.5 % sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 min and then rinsed with distilled water. </li>
	<li>Each test plant (experimental unit) is infested at the soil surface with six mature eggs. Only mature eggs close to hatching are selected for infestations. They can be identified by the presence of two red dots in their anterior part, corresponding to the insect&#x2019;s eyes; pink marks in their posterior part, corresponding to the insect&#x2019;s abdomen; and a fully-expanded operculum. </li>
	<li>Successful hatching is confirmed 4 d later, at which point any unhatched egg is replaced by a neonate spittlebug from our colony. </li>
	<li>Test plants are arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replications per genotype.</li>
</ol>
3. Evaluations
<ol>
	<li>The experiment is evaluated ca. 30 d after infestation (exact times vary depending on the insect species studied).</li>
	<li>Damage is scored on a 1 to 5 visual scale, where 1 corresponds to no visible damage and 5 corresponds to a dead plant (Figure 1). Scoring plant damage provides an estimate of tolerance.</li>
</ol>
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3047/3047fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. Damage scale used to assess tolerance to spittlebug herbivory in Brachiaria spp. 1 = no detectable damage; 2 = 0-25% necrotic foliage; 3 = 25-50% necrotic foliage; 4 = 50-75% necrotic foliage; 5 = 75-100% necrotic foliage. 
<ol start="3">
	<li>Insect survival is assessed by counting the insects reaching either their final instar or adult stage (Figure 2). Scoring for insect survival provides an estimate of antibiosis.</li>
</ol>
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3047/3047fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2. Spittlebug development from first-instar (left) to adult (right). Only insects reaching at least their final instar (arrows) at the date of evaluation are counted as "survivors." 

4. Representative results
Results from a representative assay screening Brachiaria hybrids for resistance to the spittlebug Aeneolamia reducta are presented in Figure 3. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/3047/3047fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" /> 
Figure 3. Results from screening Brachiaria hybrids for resistance to spittlebug Aeneolamia reducta. We consider plants resistant if their response to herbivory falls in the bottom half of this plot. Antibiosis increases from right to left and tolerance increases from top to bottom. The arrows point at our resistant checks.

<ol>
	<li>Painter, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Insect resistance in crop plants. , (1951).</li><li>Kogan, M., Ortman, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antixenosis-a+new+term+proposed+to+define+Painter's+'Nonpreference'+modality+of+resistance.">Antixenosis-a new term proposed to define Painter's 'Nonpreference' modality of resistance.</a> Bull. Entomol. Soc. Am. 24, 175-176 (1978).</li><li>Kennedy, G., Gould, F., Deponti, O., Stinner, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ecological,+agricultural,+genetic,+and+commercial+considerations+in+the+deployment+of+insect-resistant+germplasm.">Ecological, agricultural, genetic, and commercial considerations in the deployment of insect-resistant germplasm.</a> Environ. Entomol. 16, 327-338 (1987).</li><li>Holmann, F., Peck, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Economic+damage+of+grassland+spittlebugs+(Homoptera+Cercopidae)+in+Colombia:+a+first+approximation+of+impact+on+animal+production+in+Brachiaria+decumbens.">Economic damage of grassland spittlebugs (Homoptera Cercopidae) in Colombia: a first approximation of impact on animal production in Brachiaria decumbens.</a> Neotrop. Entomol. 31, 275-284 (2002).</li><li>Miles, J. W., Cardona, C., Sotelo, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recurrent+selection+in+a+synthetic+brachiariagrass+population+improves+resistance+to+three+spittlebug+species.">Recurrent selection in a synthetic brachiariagrass population improves resistance to three spittlebug species.</a> Crop Sci. 46, 1088-1093 (2006).</li><li>Ferrufino, A., Lapointe, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Host+plant+resistance+in+Brachiaria+grasses+to+the+spittlebug+Zulia+colombiana.">Host plant resistance in Brachiaria grasses to the spittlebug Zulia colombiana.</a> Entomol. Exp. Appl. 51, 155-162 (1989).</li><li>Lapointe, S. L., Serrano, M. S., Arango, G. L., Sotelo, G., Cordoba, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antibiosis+to+spittlebugs+(Homoptera:+Cercopidae)+in+accessions+of+Brachiaria+spp.">Antibiosis to spittlebugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in accessions of Brachiaria spp.</a> J. Econ. Entomol. 82, 1764-1766 (1992).</li><li>Cardona, C., Miles, J. W., Sotelo, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+improved+methodology+for+massive+screening+of+Brachiaria+spp.+genotypes+for+resistance+to+Aeneolamia+varia+(Homoptera:+Cercopidae).">An improved methodology for massive screening of Brachiaria spp. genotypes for resistance to Aeneolamia varia (Homoptera: Cercopidae).</a> J. Econ. Entomol. 92, 490-496 (1999).</li><li>Cardona, C., Fory, P., Sotelo, G., Pabon, A., Diaz, G., Miles, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antibiosis+and+tolerance+to+five+species+of+spittlebug+(Homoptera:+Cercopidae)+in+Brachiaria+spp.:+implications+for+breeding+for+resistance.">Antibiosis and tolerance to five species of spittlebug (Homoptera: Cercopidae) in Brachiaria spp.: implications for breeding for resistance.</a> J. Econ. Entomol. 97, 635-645 (2004).</li><li>Smith, C., Khan, Z., Pathak, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Techniques for evaluating insect resistance in crop plants. , (1994).</li><li>Lapointe, S., Sotelo, G., Arango, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+technique+for+rearing+spittlebugs+(Homoptera:+Cercopidae).">Improved technique for rearing spittlebugs (Homoptera: Cercopidae).</a> J. Econ. Entomol. 82, 1764-1766 (1989).</li><li>Lopez, F., Cardona, C., Miles, J. W., Sotelo, G., Montoya, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Screening+for+resistance+to+adult+spittlebugs+(Hemiptera:+Cercopidae)+in+Brachiaria+spp.:+methods+and+categories+of+resistance.">Screening for resistance to adult spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in Brachiaria spp.: methods and categories of resistance.</a> J. Econ. Entomol. 102, 1309-1316 (2009).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Discriminating among herbivore resistance mechanisms can illuminate crop breeding efforts3. Resistance based on strong antibiosis could, under some circumstances, create selection pressures for more aggressive pest biotypes. On the other hand, resistance based on tolerance could allow pest populations to increase until tolerance eventually is overwhelmed. Breeding for durable resistance, therefore, requires careful consideration of what resistance mechanisms would confer most stability for a particular crop/pest system [see Kennedy et al. (1987) for a comprehensive discussion on the topic]3.
This video demonstration builds upon several previous studies designed to estimate the relative contributions of antibiosis and tolerance to spittlebug resistance in brachiariagrasses6-9. In contrast with choice tests or field experiments, no-choice tests ensure all plants receive the same herbivore pressure, thus providing control for differences arising from herbivore behavior (e.g., host preference, aggregation). For this reason, however, no-choice tests are unsuitable to assess resistance by antixenosis. 
Artificially rearing insect colonies is the preferred method to obtain test insects for resistance screening assays10. Colonies provide a dependable and uniform source of spittlebugs of a known age for experiments to be conducted any time of the year11. It may, however, be necessary to periodically infuse wild individuals into the colony to ensure that the colony does not deviate genetically from relevant field populations10. To assess the fitness of these artificially-reared herbivores, and monitor possible changes in their aggressiveness over time, it is important that all screenings include suitable checks of known resistance levels. 
Multiple parameters must be carefully defined to design an appropriate resistance screening assay. A few key parameters we have considered to design our test include the age of the host plants, the species and developmental stage of the spittlebugs, the infestation level, and the duration of plant-insect contact8,9,12. Several rounds of experimentation and protocol refinement may be needed to reach to a rapid, cost-effective, reliable, assay that adequately predicts herbivore resistance in the field.

characterizing herbivore resistance mechanisms: spittlebugs on brachiaria spp. as an example

Plants can resist herbivore damage through three broad mechanisms: antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance1. Antixenosis is the degree to which the plant is avoided when the herbivore is able to select other plants2. Antibiosis is the degree to which the plant affects the fitness of the herbivore feeding on it1.Tolerance is the degree to which the plant can withstand or repair damage caused by the herbivore, without compromising the herbivore's growth and reproduction1. The durability of herbivore resistance in an agricultural setting depends to a great extent on the resistance mechanism favored during crop breeding efforts3.
We demonstrate a no-choice experiment designed to estimate the relative contributions of antibiosis and tolerance to spittlebug resistance in Brachiaria spp. Several species of African grasses of the genus Brachiaria are valuable forage and pasture plants in the Neotropics, but they can be severely challenged by several native species of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)4.To assess their resistance to spittlebugs, plants are vegetatively-propagated by stem cuttings and allowed to grow for approximately one month, allowing the growth of superficial roots on which spittlebugs can feed. At that point, each test plant is individually challenged with six spittlebug eggs near hatching. Infestations are allowed to progress for one month before evaluating plant damage and insect survival. Scoring plant damage provides an estimate of tolerance while scoring insect survival provides an estimate of antibiosis. This protocol has facilitated our plant breeding objective to enhance spittlebug resistance in commercial brachiariagrases5.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Characterizing Herbivore Resistance Mechanisms: Spittlebugs on Brachiaria spp. as an Example at JoVE.com

Characterizing Herbivore Resistance Mechanisms: Spittlebugs on Brachiaria spp. as an Example

This video explains mechanisms of host plant resistance to herbivory and demonstrates a no-choice test that estimates the relative contributions of antibiosis and tolerance to spittlebug resistance in Brachiaria spp.

Characterizing Herbivore Resistance Mechanisms: Spittlebugs on Brachiaria spp. as an Example

Plants can resist herbivore damage through three broad mechanisms: antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance1. Antixenosis is the degree to which the plant is ...

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Biology

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System 

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers. Genetic studies in mammalian systems have been limited due to the lack of readily available tools including defined mutant genetic cell lines, regulatory expression systems, and appropriate selectable markers. To circumvent these difficulties, model genetic systems in lower eukaryotes have become an attractive choice for the study of functionally conserved DNA repair proteins and pathways. We have developed a model yeast system to study the poorly defined genetic functions of the Werner syndrome helicase-nuclease (WRN) in nucleic acid metabolism. Cellular phenotypes associated with defined genetic mutant backgrounds can be investigated to clarify the cellular and molecular functions of WRN through its catalytic activities and protein interactions. The human WRN gene and associated variants, cloned into DNA plasmids for expression in yeast, can be placed under the control of a regulatory plasmid element. The expression construct can then be transformed into the appropriate yeast mutant background, and genetic function assayed by a variety of methodologies. Using this approach, we determined that WRN, like its related RecQ family members BLM and Sgs1, operates in a Top3-dependent pathway that is likely to be important for genomic stability. This is described in our recent publication [1] at <a href="http://www.impactaging.com">www.impactaging.com</a>. Detailed methods of specific assays for genetic complementation studies in yeast are provided in this paper.

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System

Genetic studies in yeast can be employed to investigate the molecular and cellular functions of human genes in cellular DNA metabolism. Methods are described for the genetic characterization of the human WRN gene product defective in the premature aging disorder Werner syndrome in functionally conserved pathways using yeast as a tractable model system.

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers.  Genetic studies in mammalian ...

Herbivore-induced Blueberry Volatiles and Intra-plant Signaling

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Here, I describe a push-pull method for collecting blueberry volatiles induced by herbivore (gypsy moth) feeding, exogenous MeJA application, and mechanical damage. The volatile collection unit consists of a 4 L volatile collection chamber, a 2-piece guillotine, an air delivery system that purifies incoming air, and a vacuum system connected to a trap filled with Super-Q adsorbent to collect volatiles5,6,10. Volatiles collected in Super-Q traps are eluted with dichloromethane and then separated and quantified using Gas Chromatography (GC). This volatile collection method was used n my study6 to investigate the volatile response of undamaged branches to exposure to volatiles from herbivore-damaged branches within blueberry plants. These methods are described here. Briefly, undamaged blueberry branches are exposed to HIPVs from neighboring branches within the same plant. Using the same techniques described above, volatiles emitted from branches after exposure to HIPVs are collected and analyzed.

A push-pull method for collecting plant volatiles is described. The method allows for a comparison of volatiles induced by herbivore feeding, exogenous methyl jasmonate, and mechanical damage. This technique is also used to investigate the volatile response of undamaged branches to exposure to volatiles from herbivore-damaged branches within blueberry plants.

Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are commonly emitted from plants after herbivore attack1,2.  These HIPVs are mainly regulated by the defensive ...

Measuring the Osmotic Water Permeability Coefficient (Pf) of Spherical Cells: Isolated Plant Protoplasts as an Example

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Measuring the Osmotic Water Permeability Coefficient Pf of Spherical Cells: Isolated Plant Protoplasts as an Example

Measuring the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) of cells can help understand the regulatory mechanisms of aquaporins (AQPs). Pf determination in spherical plant cell protoplasts presented here involves protoplasts isolation and numerical analysis of their initial rate of volume change as a result of an osmotic challenge during constant bath perfusion.

Studying AQP regulation mechanisms is crucial for the understanding of water relations at both the cellular and the whole plant levels. Presented here is ...

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

The apoplast is a distinct extracellular compartment in plant tissues that lies outside the plasma membrane and includes the cell wall. The apoplastic compartment of plant leaves is the site of several important biological processes, including cell wall formation, cellular nutrient and water uptake and export, plant-endophyte interactions and defence responses to pathogens. The infiltration-centrifugation method is well established as a robust technique for the analysis of the soluble apoplast composition of various plant species. The fluid obtained by this method is commonly known as apoplast washing fluid (AWF). The following protocol describes an optimized vacuum infiltration and centrifugation method for AWF extraction from Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean) cv. Tendergreen leaves. The limitations of this method and the optimization of the protocol for other plant species are discussed. Recovered AWF can be used in a wide range of downstream experiments that seek to characterize the composition of the apoplast and how it varies in response to plant species and genotype, plant development and environmental conditions, or to determine how microorganisms grow in apoplast fluid and respond to changes in its composition.

The Infiltration-centrifugation Technique for Extraction of Apoplastic Fluid from Plant Leaves Using Phaseolus vulgaris as an Example

This protocol details the optimized extraction of apoplast washing fluid from plant leaves, using French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) as a model example.

The apoplast is a distinct extracellular compartment in plant tissues that lies outside the plasma membrane and includes the cell wall. The apoplastic ...

Imaging FITC-dextran as a Reporter for Regulated Exocytosis

Regulated exocytosis is a process by which cargo, which is stored in secretory granules (SGs), is released in response to a secretory trigger. Regulated exocytosis is fundamental for intercellular communication and is a key mechanism for the secretion of neurotransmitters, hormones, inflammatory mediators, and other compounds, by a variety of cells. At least three distinct mechanisms are known for regulated exocytosis: full exocytosis, where a single SG fully fuses with the plasma membrane, kiss-and-run exocytosis, where a single SG transiently fuses with the plasma membrane, and compound exocytosis, where several SGs fuse with each other, prior to or after SG fusion with the plasma membrane. The type of regulated exocytosis undertaken by a cell is often dictated by the type of secretory trigger. However, in many cells, a single secretory trigger can activate multiple modes of regulated exocytosis simultaneously. Despite their abundance and importance across cell types and species, the mechanisms that determine the different modes of secretion are largely unresolved. One of the main challenges in investigating the different modes of regulated exocytosis, is the difficulty in distinguishing between them as well as exploring them separately. Here we describe the use of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran as an exocytosis reporter, and live cell imaging, to differentiate between the different pathways of regulated exocytosis, focusing on compound exocytosis, based on the robustness and duration of the exocytic events.

Here we detail a method for live cell imaging of regulated exocytosis. This method utilizes FITC-dextran, which accumulates in lysosome-related organelles, as a reporter. This simple method also allows distinguishing between different modes of regulated exocytosis in cells that are difficult to manipulate genetically.

Regulated exocytosis is a process by which cargo, which is stored in secretory granules (SGs), is released in response to a secretory trigger. Regulated ...

MRM Microcoil Performance Calibration and Usage Demonstrated on Medicago truncatula Roots at 22 T

This protocol describes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calibration and sample preparation method for solenoidal microcoils combined with biological samples, designed for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), also referred to as MR microscopy (MRM). It may be used at pre-clinical MRI spectrometers, demonstrated on Medicago truncatula root samples. Microcoils increase sensitivity by matching the size of the RF resonator to the size of the sample of interest, thereby enabling higher image resolutions in a given data acquisition time. Due to the relatively simple design, solenoidal microcoils are straightforward and cheap to construct and can be easily adapted to the sample requirements. Systematically, we explain how to calibrate new or home-built microcoils, using a reference solution. The calibration steps include: pulse power determination using a nutation curve; estimation of RF-field homogeneity; and calculating a volume-normalized signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) using standard pulse sequences. Important steps in sample preparation for small biological samples are discussed, as well as possible mitigating factors such as magnetic susceptibility differences. The applications of an optimized solenoid coil are demonstrated by high-resolution (13 x 13 x 13 &#956;m3, 2.2 pL) 3D imaging of a root sample.

MRM Microcoil Performance Calibration and Usage Demonstrated on Medicago truncatula Roots at 22 T

A protocol to study biological tissue at high spatial resolution using ultra-high field magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) using microcoils is presented. Step-by-step instructions are provided for characterizing the microcoils. Finally, optimization of imaging is demonstrated on plant roots.

This protocol describes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calibration and sample preparation method for solenoidal microcoils combined with biological ...

Exploring m6A and m5C Epitranscriptomes upon Viral Infection: an Example with HIV

The role of RNA modifications in biological processes has been the focus of an increasing number of studies in the last few years and is known nowadays as epitranscriptomics. Among others, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C) RNA modifications have been described on mRNA molecules and may have a role in modulating cellular processes. Epitranscriptomics is thus a new layer of regulation that must be considered in addition to transcriptomic analyses, as it can also be altered or modulated by exposure to any chemical or biological agent, including viral infections.
Here, we present a workflow that allows analysis of the joint cellular and viral epitranscriptomic landscape of the m6A and m5C marks simultaneously, in cells infected or not with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Upon mRNA isolation and fragmentation from HIV- infected and non-infected cells, we used two different procedures: MeRIP-Seq, an RNA immunoprecipitation-based technique, to enrich for RNA fragments containing the m6A mark and BS-Seq, a bisulfite conversion-based technique, to identify the m5C mark at a single nucleotide resolution. Upon methylation-specific capture, RNA libraries are prepared for high-throughput sequencing. We also developed a dedicated bioinformatics pipeline to identify differentially methylated (DM) transcripts independently from their basal expression profile.
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The role of RNA modifications in biological processes has been the focus of an increasing number of studies in the last few years and is known nowadays as ...

Characterizing Mechanical Properties of Primary Cell Wall in Living Plant Organs Using Atomic Force Microscopy

The mechanical properties of the primary cell walls determine the direction and rate of plant cell growth and, therefore, the future size and shape of the plant. Many sophisticated techniques have been developed to measure these properties; however, atomic force microscopy (AFM) remains the most convenient for studying cell wall elasticity at the cellular level. One of the most important limitations of this technique has been that only superficial or isolated living cells can be studied. Here, the use of atomic force microscopy to investigate the mechanical properties of primary cell walls belonging to the internal tissues of a plant body is presented. This protocol describes measurements of the apparent Young&#39;s modulus of cell walls in roots, but the method can also be applied to other plant organs. The measurements are performed on vibratome-derived sections of plant material in a liquid cell, which allows (i) avoiding the use of plasmolyzing solutions or sample impregnation with wax or resin, (ii) making the experiments fast, and (iii) preventing dehydration of the sample. Both anticlinal and periclinal cell walls can be studied, depending on how the specimen was sectioned. Differences in the mechanical properties of different tissues can be investigated in a single section. The protocol describes the principles of study planning, issues with specimen preparation and measurements, as well as the method of selecting force-deformation curves to avoid the influence of topography on the obtained values of elastic modulus. The method is not limited by sample size but is sensitive to cell size (i.e., cells with a large lumen are difficult to examine).

Studies of cell wall biomechanics are essential for understanding plant growth and morphogenesis. The following protocol is proposed to investigate thin primary cell walls in the internal tissues of young plant organs using atomic force microscopy.

The mechanical properties of the primary cell walls determine the direction and rate of plant cell growth and, therefore, the future size and shape of the ...

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Functional studies of rickettsial genes are crucial for understanding their role in pathogenesis. This paper describes a procedure for the electroporation of the Rickettsia parkeri strain Tate's Hell with the shuttle vector pRAM18dSFA and the selection of transformed R. parkeri in tick cell culture with antibiotics (spectinomycin and streptomycin). A method is also described for the localization of transformed R. parkeri in tick cells using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, a useful technique for checking transformation in vector cell lines. Similar approaches are also suitable for the transformation of other rickettsiae.

An Electroporation Method to Transform Rickettsia spp. with a Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Shuttle Vector in Tick Cell Lines

Electroporation is a rapid, broadly adopted method for introducing exogenous DNA into the genus Rickettsia. This protocol provides a useful electroporation method for the transformation of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Rickettsia.

Rickettsioses are caused by a broad range of obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Rickettsia that can be transmitted to vertebrate hosts ...

Investigating Zinc Transport Mechanism in Mammalian Cells with FluoZin-3 Assay

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Transition metals such as Zn2+ ions must be tightly regulated due to their cellular toxicity. Previously, the activity of Zn2+ transporters was measured indirectly by determining the expression level of the transporter under different concentrations of Zn2+. This was done by utilizing immunohistochemistry, measuring mRNA in the tissue, or determining the cellular Zn2+ levels. With the development of intracellular Zn2+ sensors, the activities of zinc transporters are currently primarily determined by correlating changes in intracellular Zn2+, detected using fluorescent probes, with the expression of the Zn2+ transporters. However, even today, only a few labs monitor dynamic changes in intracellular Zn2+ and use it to measure the activity of zinc transporters directly. Part of the problem is that out of the 10 zinc transporters of the ZnT family, except for ZnT10 (transports manganese), only zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1) is localized at the plasma membrane. Therefore, linking the transport activity to changes in the intracellular Zn2+ concentration is hard. This article describes a direct way to determine the zinc transport kinetics using an assay based on a zinc-specific fluorescent dye, FluoZin-3. This dye is loaded into mammalian cells in its ester form and then trapped in the cytosol due to cellular di-esterase activity. The cells are loaded with Zn2+ by utilizing the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione. The ZnT1 activity is assessed from the linear part of the reduction in fluorescence following the cell washout. The fluorescence measured at an excitation of 470 nm and emission of 520 nm is proportional to the free intracellular Zn2+. Selecting the cells expressing ZnT1 tagged with the mCherry fluorophore allows for monitoring only the cells expressing the transporter. This assay is used to investigate the contribution of different domains of ZnT1 protein to the transport mechanism of human ZnT1, a eukaryotic transmembrane protein that extrudes excess zinc from the cell.

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality 

Zinc transport has proven challenging to measure due to the weak causal links to protein function and the low temporal resolution. This protocol describes a method for monitoring, with high temporal resolution, Zn2+ extrusion from living cells by utilizing a Zn2+ sensitive fluorescent dye, thus providing a direct measure of Zn2+ efflux.

Transition metals such as Zn2+ ions must be tightly regulated due to their cellular toxicity. Previously, the activity of Zn2+ transporters was measured ...