Cyclamen persicum Mill. is a widely grown ornamental species that is clonally propagated by somatic embryogenesis. To better understand the biology of somatic embryo development in C. persicum, detailed proteomic (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis) and mass spectrometric analyses of somatic embryos at globular, torpedo, and germinating stages of development, along with nonembryogenic callus and zygotic embryos, were conducted. Of~460 proteins resolved in two-dimensional gels, 35 proteins were differentially expressed and could be reproducibly displayed across an isoelectric focusing range of 5 to 8. Among those proteins, five were constitutively expressed, 13 were upregulated, nine were downregulated, and eight were deemed as novel proteins during the torpedo stage. A total of 35 protein spots were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), and only four proteins were identified and these were available in public protein databases. The remaining protein spots were subsequently analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS, and six proteins were then identified. These findings suggested that specific proteins are involved in the regulation of somatic embryogenesis.

No abstract

Recent studies have shown that long-term alcohol intake from food can lead to numerous mental disorders in humans, and the social and health effects of excessive intake of alcohol currently represent serious problems for governments and families worldwide. However, to date, it has not been determined how alcohol affects the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The zebrafish offers a good model for studying the toxicology of food-grade ethanol. In the present study, using zebrafish larvae exposed to 1% ethanol, we performed zebrafish behavioral analysis. Samples were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments, and statistical analysis was performed. We found that ethanol decreased the locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae, which showed a more intense reaction to external stimuli. Ethanol also increased the level of HPA axis hormones in zebrafish larvae, influenced the level of neurotransmitters, and altered the expression of key genes in neurotransmitter metabolism. Ethanol exposure affects zebrafish behavior, increases the level of HPA axis hormones in zebrafish larvae, affects the level of neurotransmitters, and affects the expression of key genes in dopamine and serotonin metabolism. These findings may help to elucidate the effects of ethanol on HPA axis activity.

No abstract

No abstract