Cyanobacteria are an interesting group of photosynthetic prokaryotes with a great potential in drug discovery and scientific research. Due to their high degree of diversification, they have been able to adapt to almos...Cyanobacteria are an interesting group of photosynthetic prokaryotes with a great potential in drug discovery and scientific research. Due to their high degree of diversification, they have been able to adapt to almost all ecological niches. Similarly to Gram-negative bacteria, cyanobacterial cell wall contains Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the outer membrane layer. LPSs are molecules that possess the ability to elicit an innate immune response via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) activation. Cyanobacterial LPSs have been studied to a minor extent compared to Gram-negative bacterial LPSs. However, available data revealed important differences between the LPSs of these two groups of organisms, both in term of structure and biological activity. This review summarizes the current knowledge about cyanobacterial LPSs, highlighting their peculiarity and their potentiality compared to more characterized bacterial LPSs.展开更多
Odorant-binding proteins （OBPs） are soluble proteins mediating chemorecep- tion in insects. In previous research, we investigated the molecular mechanisms adopted by aphids to detect the alarm pheromone （E）-fl-far...Odorant-binding proteins （OBPs） are soluble proteins mediating chemorecep- tion in insects. In previous research, we investigated the molecular mechanisms adopted by aphids to detect the alarm pheromone （E）-fl-farnesene and we found that the recogni- tion of this and structurally related molecules is mediated by OBP3 and OBP7. Here, we show the differential expression patterns of 5 selected OBPs （OBP 1, OBP3, OBP6, OBPT, OBPS） obtained performing quantitative RT-PCR and immunolocalization experiments in different body parts of adults and in the 5 developmental instars, including winged and unwinged morphs, of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. The results provide an overall picture that allows us to speculate on the relationship between the differential expression of OBPs and their putative function. The expression of OBP3, OBP6, and OBP7 in the antennal sensilla suggests a ehemosensory fimction for these proteins, whereas the con- stant expression level of OBP8 in all instars could suggest a conserved role. Moreover, OBP1 and OBP3 are also expressed in nonsensory organs. A light and scanning electron microscopy study of sensilla on different body parts of aphid, in particular antennae, legs, mouthparts, and coruicles-cauda, completes this research providing a guide to facilitate the mapping of OBP expression profiles.展开更多
文摘Cyanobacteria are an interesting group of photosynthetic prokaryotes with a great potential in drug discovery and scientific research. Due to their high degree of diversification, they have been able to adapt to almost all ecological niches. Similarly to Gram-negative bacteria, cyanobacterial cell wall contains Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the outer membrane layer. LPSs are molecules that possess the ability to elicit an innate immune response via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) activation. Cyanobacterial LPSs have been studied to a minor extent compared to Gram-negative bacterial LPSs. However, available data revealed important differences between the LPSs of these two groups of organisms, both in term of structure and biological activity. This review summarizes the current knowledge about cyanobacterial LPSs, highlighting their peculiarity and their potentiality compared to more characterized bacterial LPSs.
文摘Odorant-binding proteins （OBPs） are soluble proteins mediating chemorecep- tion in insects. In previous research, we investigated the molecular mechanisms adopted by aphids to detect the alarm pheromone （E）-fl-farnesene and we found that the recogni- tion of this and structurally related molecules is mediated by OBP3 and OBP7. Here, we show the differential expression patterns of 5 selected OBPs （OBP 1, OBP3, OBP6, OBPT, OBPS） obtained performing quantitative RT-PCR and immunolocalization experiments in different body parts of adults and in the 5 developmental instars, including winged and unwinged morphs, of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. The results provide an overall picture that allows us to speculate on the relationship between the differential expression of OBPs and their putative function. The expression of OBP3, OBP6, and OBP7 in the antennal sensilla suggests a ehemosensory fimction for these proteins, whereas the con- stant expression level of OBP8 in all instars could suggest a conserved role. Moreover, OBP1 and OBP3 are also expressed in nonsensory organs. A light and scanning electron microscopy study of sensilla on different body parts of aphid, in particular antennae, legs, mouthparts, and coruicles-cauda, completes this research providing a guide to facilitate the mapping of OBP expression profiles.
