Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.2.1.31 (beta-glucuronidase)
7,680 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

It is generally accepted that peroxidases catalyze the final step in the biosynthesis of lignin. In this study, to examine how expression of prxA3a, a gene for an anionic peroxidase, might be related to lignification in plant tissues, we produced transgenic tobacco plants that harbored a gene for beta-glucuronidase (GUS) fused to the prxA3a promoter. Histochemical staining for GUS activity indicated that the prxA3a promoter was active mainly in the lignifying cells of stem tissues. Further, to examine the effects of suppressing the expression of prxA3a, we transferred an antisense prxA3a gene construct into the original host, hybrid aspen ( Populus sieboldii x P. gradidentata), under the control of the original promoter of the prxA3a gene. Eleven transformed aspens were obtained and characterized, and the stable integration of the antisense construct was confirmed by PCR and Southern blotting analysis in all these lines. Assays of enzymatic activity showed that both total peroxidase activity and acidic peroxidase activity were lower in most transgenic lines than in the control plants. In addition, the reduction of peroxidase activity was associated with lower lignin content and modified lignin composition. Transgenic lines with the highest reduction of peroxidase activity displayed a higher syringyl/vanillin (S/V) ratio and a lower S+V yield, mainly because of a decreased amount of V units. Thus, our results indicate that prxA3a is involved in the lignification of xylem tissue and that the down-regulation of anionic peroxidase alters both lignin content and composition in hybrid aspen.
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PMID:Down-regulation of an anionic peroxidase in transgenic aspen and its effect on lignin characteristics. 1283 39

Light and electron microscopical studies were carried out in order to characterise the blood cells of the bivalve mollusc, Scrobicularia plana. Three types of haemocytes were recognised: eosinophilic granular haemocytes, basophilic granular haemocytes and basophilic agranular haemocytes. The eosinophilic granulocytes were vesicular and contained large granules whereas the basophilic granulocytes were found to contain small granules and glycogen 'lakes'. The basophilic agranular haemocytes were significantly smaller than the granular haemocytes and had a high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio. Functional characterisation of the blood cells identified activity for the lysosomal enzymes: acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, non-specific esterase and arylsulphatase. There was also a weak staining reaction for phenoloxidase and peroxidase activities. Phagocytosis of Gram-positive bacteria was demonstrated by the haemocytes and antibacterial activity was shown by cell-free haemolymph. Assays to determine release of reactive oxygen species from the haemocytes did not detect any reactive oxygen generation.
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PMID:Structural and functional characterisation of the blood cells of the bivalve mollusc, Scrobicularia plana. 1289 46

Gene therapy in the brain has focused mainly on neurons (gray matter), with little comparable research on white matter. In this study, injections into mice cerebral white matter of mice were done to assess the distribution of gene transfer with recombinant feline immunodeficiency virus vectors expressing either beta-galactosidase or beta-glucuronidase. Our results show that vectors were preferentially distributed along the white matter of the external capsule, which was the site of vector injection as confirmed by horseradish peroxidase labeling. Moreover, we found gene transfer almost exclusively to NeuN(+) cells lining the external capsule, which then robustly secreted recombinant beta-glucuronidase throughout the white matter of the entire external capsule on the injected side. These results may have application to lysosomal storage diseases with widespread central nervous system deficits, and other disorders such as multiple sclerosis and human immunodeficiency virus dementia.
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PMID:Transduction of neurons lining the cerebral external capsules in mice with feline immunodeficiency virus based vectors. 1458 96

The mechanisms controlling plant resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens are poorly understood. We previously reported on Ep5C, a gene shown to be induced by the H(2)O(2) generated during a plant-pathogen interaction. To identify novel plant components operating in pathogen-induced signaling cascades, we initiated a large-scale screen using Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene under control of the H(2)O(2)-responsive Ep5C promoter. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a mutant, ocp3 (for overexpressor of cationic peroxidase 3), in which the reporter construct is constitutively expressed. Healthy ocp3 plants show increased accumulation of H(2)O(2) and express constitutively the Glutathione S-transferase1 and Plant Defensine 1.2 marker genes, but not the salicylic acid (SA)-dependent pathogenesis-related PR-1 gene. Strikingly, the ocp3 mutant shows enhanced resistance to the necrotrophic pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Plectosphaerella cucumerina. Conversely, resistance to virulent forms of the biotrophic oomycete Hyaloperonospora parasitica and the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 remains unaffected in ocp3 plants when compared with wild-type plants. Consistently with this, ocp3 plants are not affected in SA perception and express normal levels of PR genes after pathogen attack. To analyze signal transduction pathways where ocp3 operates, epistasis analyses between ocp3 and pad4, nahG, npr1, ein2, jin1, or coi1 were performed. These studies revealed that the resistance signaling to necrotrophic infection in ocp3 is fully dependent on appropriate perception of jasmonic acid through COI1 and does not require SA or ethylene perception through NPR1 or EIN2, respectively. The OCP3 gene encodes a homeodomain transcription factor that is constitutively expressed in healthy plants but repressed in response to infection by necrotrophic fungi. Together, these results suggest that OCP3 is an important factor for the COI1-dependent resistance of plants to infection by necrotrophic pathogens.
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PMID:An Arabidopsis homeodomain transcription factor, OVEREXPRESSOR OF CATIONIC PEROXIDASE 3, mediates resistance to infection by necrotrophic pathogens. 1592 48

Calmodulin (CaM) regulates diverse cellular functions by modulating the activities of a variety of enzymes and proteins. However, direct modulation of transcription factors by CaM has been poorly understood. In this study, we isolated a putative transcription factor by screening a rice cDNA expression library by using CaM:horse-radish peroxidase as a probe. This factor, which we have designated OsCBT (Oryza sativa CaM-binding transcription factor), has structural features similar to Arabidopsis AtSRs/AtCAMTAs and encodes a 103-kDa protein because it contains a CG-1 homology DNA-binding domain, three ankyrin repeats, a putative transcriptional activation domain, and five putative CaM-binding motifs. By using a gel overlay assay, gel mobility shift assays, and site-directed mutagenesis, we showed that OsCBT has two different types of functional CaM-binding domains, an IQ motif, and a Ca(2+)-dependent motif. To determine the DNA binding specificity of OsCBT, we employed a random binding site selection method. This analysis showed that OsCBT preferentially binds to the sequence 5'-TWCG(C/T)GTKKKKTKCG-3' (W and K represent A or C and T or G, respectively). OsCBT was able to bind this sequence and activate beta-glucuronidase reporter gene expression driven by a minimal promoter containing tandem repeats of these sequences in Arabidopsis leaf protoplasts. Green fluorescent protein fusions of two putative nuclear localization signals of OsCBT, a bipartite and a SV40 type, were predominantly localized in the nucleus. Most interestingly, the transcriptional activation mediated by OsCBT was inhibited by co-transfection with a CaM gene. Taken together, our results suggest that OsCBT is a transcription activator modulated by CaM.
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PMID:Isolation of a calmodulin-binding transcription factor from rice (Oryza sativa L.). 1619 80

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don produces a number of biologically active terpenoid indole alkaloids via a complex terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway. The final dimerization step of this pathway, leading to the synthesis of a dimeric alkaloid, vinblastine, was demonstrated to be catalyzed by a basic peroxidase. However, reports of the gene encoding this enzyme are scarce for C. roseus. We report here for the first time the cloning, characterization and localization of a novel basic peroxidase, CrPrx, from C. roseus. A 394 bp partial peroxidase cDNA (CrInt1) was initially amplified from the internodal stem tissue, using degenerate oligonucleotide primers, and cloned. The full-length coding region of CrPrx cDNA was isolated by screening a leaf-specific cDNA library with CrInt1 as probe. The CrPrx nucleotide sequence encodes a deduced translation product of 330 amino acids with a 21 amino acid signal peptide, suggesting that CrPrx is secretory in nature. The molecular mass of this unprocessed and unmodified deduced protein is estimated to be 37.43 kDa, and the pI value is 8.68. CrPrx was found to belong to a 'three intron' category of gene that encodes a class III basic secretory peroxidase. CrPrx protein and mRNA were found to be present in specific organs and were regulated by different stress treatments. Using a beta-glucuronidase-green fluorescent protein fusion of CrPrx protein, we demonstrated that the fused protein is localized in leaf epidermal and guard cell walls of transiently transformed tobacco. We propose that CrPrx is involved in cell wall synthesis, and also that the gene is induced under methyl jasmonate treatment. Its potential involvement in the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway is discussed.
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PMID:Cloning, characterization and localization of a novel basic peroxidase gene from Catharanthus roseus. 1729 42

Indoxyl esters and glycosides are useful chromogenic substrates for detecting enzyme activities in histochemistry, biochemistry and bacteriology. The chemical reactions exploited in the laboratory are similar to those that generate indigoid dyes from indoxyl-beta-d-glucoside and isatans (in certain plants), indoxyl sulfate (in urine), and 6-bromo-2-S-methylindoxyl sulfate (in certain molluscs). Pairs of indoxyl molecules released from these precursors react rapidly with oxygen to yield insoluble blue indigo (or purple 6,6'-dibromoindigo) and smaller amounts of other indigoid dyes. Our understanding of indigogenic substrates was developed from studies of the hydrolysis of variously substituted indoxyl acetates for use in enzyme histochemistry. The smallest dye particles, with least diffusion from the sites of hydrolysis, are obtained from 5-bromo-, 5-bromo-6-chloro- and 5-bromo-4-chloroindoxyl acetates, especially the last of these three. Oxidation of the diffusible indoxyls to insoluble indigoid dyes must occur rapidly. This is achieved with atmospheric oxygen and an equimolar mixture of K(3)Fe(CN)(6) and K(4)Fe(CN)(6), which has a catalytic function. H(2)O(2) is a by-product of the oxidation of indoxyl by oxygen. In the absence of a catalyst, the indoxyl diffuses and is oxidized by H(2)O(2) (catalyzed by peroxidase-like proteins) in sites different from those of the esterase activity. The concentration of K(3)Fe(CN)(6)/K(4)Fe(CN)(6) in a histochemical medium should be as low as possible because this mixture inhibits some enzymes and also promotes parallel formation from the indoxyl of soluble yellow oxidation products. The identities and positions of halogen substituents in the indoxyl moiety of a substrate determine the color and the physical properties of the resulting indigoid dye. The principles of indigogenic histochemistry learned from the study of esterases are applicable to methods for localization of other enzymes, because all indoxyl substrates release the same type of chromogenic product. Substrates are commercially available for a wide range of carboxylic esterases, phosphatases, phosphodiesterases, aryl sulfatase and several glycosidases. Indigogenic methods for carboxylic esterases have low substrate specificity and are used in conjunction with specific inhibitors of different enzymes of the group. Indigogenic methods for acid and alkaline phosphatases, phosphodiesterases and aryl sulfatase generally have been unsatisfactory; other histochemical techniques are preferred for these enzymes. Indigogenic methods are widely used, however, for glycosidases. The technique for beta-galactosidase activity, using 5-bromo-4-chloroindoxyl-beta-galactoside (X-gal) is applied to microbial cultures, cell cultures and tissues that contain the reporter gene lac-z derived from E. coli. This bacterial enzyme has a higher pH optimum than the lysosomal beta-galactosidase of animal cells. In plants, the preferred reporter gene is gus, which encodes beta-glucuronidase activity and is also demonstrable by indigogenic histochemistry. Indoxyl substrates also are used to localize enzyme activities in non-indigogenic techniques. In indoxyl-azo methods, the released indoxyl couples with a diazonium salt to form an azo dye. In indoxyl-tetrazolium methods, the oxidizing agent is a tetrazolium salt, which is reduced by the indoxyl to an insoluble coloured formazan. Indoxyl-tetrazolium methods operate only at high pH; the method for alkaline phosphatase is used extensively to detect this enzyme as a label in immunohistochemistry and in Western blots. The insolubility of indigoid dyes in water limits the use of indigogenic substrates in biochemical assays for enzymes, but the intermediate indoxyl and leucoindigo compounds are strongly fluorescent, and this property is exploited in a variety of sensitive assays for hydrolases. The most commonly used substrates for this purpose are glycosides and carboxylic and phosphate esters of N-methylindoxyl. Indigogenic enzyme substrates are among many chromogenic reagents used to facilitate the identification of cultured bacteria. An indoxyl substrate must be transported into the organisms by a permease to detect intracellular enzymes, as in the blue/white test for recognizing E. coli colonies that do or do not express the lac-z gene. Secreted enzymes are detected by substrate-impregnated disks or strips applied to the surfaces of cultures. Such devices often include several reagents, including indigogenic substrates for esterases, glycosidases and DNAse.
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PMID:Indigogenic substrates for detection and localization of enzymes. 1757 1

Previously, the swpa4 peroxidase gene has been shown to be inducible by a variety of abiotic stresses and pathogenic infections in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). To elucidate its regulatory mechanism at the transcriptional level under various stress conditions, we isolated and characterized the promoter region (2374 bp) of swpa4 (referred to as SWPA4). We performed a transient expression assay in tobacco protoplasts with deletions from the 5'-end of SWPA4 promoter fused to the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. The -1408 and -374 bp deletions relative to the transcription start site (+1) showed 8 and 4.5 times higher GUS expression than the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter, respectively. In addition, transgenic tobacco plants expressing GUS under the control of -2374, -1408 or -374 bp region of SWPA4 promoter were generated and studied in various tissues under abiotic stresses and pathogen infection. Gel mobility shift assays revealed that nuclear proteins from sweet potato cultured cells specifically interacted with 60-bp fragment (-178/-118) in -374 bp promoter region. In silico analysis indicated that four kinds of cis-acting regulatory sequences, reactive oxygen species-related element activator protein 1 (AP1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha element, ethylene-responsive element (ERE) and heat-shock element, are present in the -60 bp region (-178/-118), suggesting that the -60 bp region might be associated with stress inducibility of the SWPA4 promoter.
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PMID:Molecular characterization of the sweet potato peroxidase SWPA4 promoter which responds to abiotic stresses and pathogen infection. 1922 12

Ultrastructural cytochemical tests for several enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids were conducted on secretory granules o pound dorsal and subventral esophageal glands of preparasitic second-stage juveniles and the dorsal gland of adult females of Meloidogyne incognita. Secretory granules in the subventral glands of juveniles stained positive for acid phosphatase. Peroxidase, DNase, RNase, cellulase, and nucleic acids were not detected in these granules. Secretory granules in the dorsal gland of adult females stained positive for peroxidase (pH 7.6) in < 50% of the tests, Acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, DNase, RNase, polyphenoloxidase, cellulase, and carbohydrates were not detected in dorsal gland granules in adult females. Positive staining with cobalt thiocyanate, a stain for amino groups of basic proteins, occurred in secretory granules in the dorsal gland, ribosomes, and chromatin in adult females. Ribosomes, nuclei, and secretory granules of the dorsal gland of adult females intensely stained when incubated in three reagents specific for nucleic acid.
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PMID:Ultrastructural Cytochemistry of Secretory Granules of Esophageal Glands of Meloidogyne incognita. 1929 Jan 95

We have investigated the mechanism of lignification during tracheary element (TE) differentiation using a Zinnia elegans xylogenic culture. In the process, we isolated ZPO-C, a peroxidase gene of Z. elegans that is expressed specifically in differentiating TEs. ZPO-C is suggested to be involved in lignification of Z. elegans TEs in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, a peroxidase gene of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPrx66), which is homologous to ZPO-C, was identified. The expression profile and functions of the gene in planta remain to be investigated. In this study, we performed promoter::beta-glucuronidase (GUS) assays to investigate the expression profiles and functions of the ZPO-C-like peroxidases in A. thaliana. We generated transgenic A. thaliana lines carrying AtPrx66, AtPrx47 or AtPrx64 (peroxidases showing high sequence similarity to AtPrx66) promoter::GUS reporter gene fusions. The GUS activities of AtPrx66, AtPrx47 and AtPrx64 promoter::GUS lines were arranged concentrically from the center to the periphery in the roots of seedlings. Furthermore, histochemical GUS assays using inflorescence stems showed that AtPrx66, AtPrx47 and AtPrx64 promoter-driven GUS were mainly expressed in the differentiating vessels, xylem parenchyma and sclerenchyma, respectively. These results suggest that the gene expressions of these three peroxidases, which showed high sequence similarity to one another, are differentially regulated in various tissues and organs. In addition, our results suggest that while AtPrx66 and AtPrx47 are associated with lignification of vessels, AtPrx64 is associated with lignification of sclerenchyma.
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PMID:Analysis of expression profiles of three peroxidase genes associated with lignification in Arabidopsis thaliana. 1945 2


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