Multidrug resistance of murine leukaemic cell line L1210/VCR (obtained by adaptation of parental drug-sensitive L1210 cells to vincristine) is associated with overexpression of mdr1 gene product P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-the ATP-dependent drug efflux pump. 31P-NMR spectra of L1210 and L1210/VCR cells (the latter in the presence of vincristine) revealed, besides the decrease of ATP level, a considerable lower level of UDP-saccharides in L1210/VCR cells. Histochemical staining of negatively charged cell surface binding sites (mostly sialic acid) by ruthenium red (RR) revealed a compact layer of RR bound to the external coat of sensitive cells. In resistant cells cultivated in the absence or presence of vincristine, the RR layer is either reduced or absent. Consistently, resistant cells were found to be less sensitive to Concanavalin A (ConA). Moreover, differences in the amount and spectrum of glycoproteins interacting with ConA-Sepharose were demonstrated between sensitive and resistant cells. Finally, the content of glycogen in resistant cells is lower than in sensitive cells. All the above facts indicate that multidrug resistance of L1210/VCR cells mediated predominantly by drug efflux activity of Pgp is accompanied by a considerable depression of oligo- and/or polysaccharides biosynthesis.

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Root growth of the seedlings of maize cultivars Premia and Blitz exposed to 2 µM cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) or both metals acting simultaneously (Cd + Ni) for 72 h was significantly reduced but not ceased. The effect was more pronounced in the seedlings of the cv. Blitz. The heavy metals (HMs) contents increased significantly in the roots. Simultaneous application of metals had an antagonistic effect on either Cd or Ni uptake in Premia but not in Blitz. In control roots the contents of ascorbic acid (AsA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) were lower and gluthatione (GSH) content was higher in Premia than in Blitz. A decrease of AsA content was induced by all metal treatments in Premia but only by Cd + Ni in Blitz while an increase was induced by single metals in this cultivar. All metal treatments increased DHA contents in both cultivars. GSH content decreased significantly in Premia treated with Cd or Cd + Ni, and in Blitz treated with Ni. Unlike the contents of AsA, DHA and GSH, the increased metal concentrations in root cells did not affect the membrane potential (EM). The changes in antioxidant contents depended on both, maize genotypes and HMs treatments. Nevertheless, the results indicated a role of antioxidative system in minimizing the effects of oxidative stress and protecting cell membranes in both maize cultivars.

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Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is an emerging viral pathogen in cucurbit-growing areas wordwide. Infection causes significant yield losses in several species of the family Cucurbitaceae. To identify proteins potentially involved with resistance toward infection by the severe ZYMV-H isolate, two Cucurbita pepo cultivars (Zelena susceptible and Jaguar partially resistant) were analyzed using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomic approach. Initial symptoms on leaves (clearing veins) developed 6–7 days post-inoculation (dpi) in the susceptible C. pepo cv. Zelena. In contrast, similar symptoms appeared on the leaves of partially resistant C. pepo cv. Jaguar only after 15 dpi. This finding was confirmed by immune-blot analysis which showed higher levels of viral proteins at 6 dpi in the susceptible cultivar. Leaf proteome analyses revealed 28 and 31 spots differentially abundant between cultivars at 6 and 15 dpi, respectively. The variance early in infection can be attributed to a rapid activation of proteins involved with redox homeostasis in the partially resistant cultivar. Changes in the proteome of the susceptible cultivar are related to the cytoskeleton and photosynthesis.

Effects of CdCl 2 , NiCl 2 or both on superoxide production, viability and membrane potential (E M ) of root cells in meristematic (MZ) and differentiation (DZ) zones of two maize cultivars (cv. Premia and cv. Blitz) were studied. Plants were supplied with 10 and 100 µM concentrations of heavy metals (HM). The responses in the studied parameters to HM were concentration-and time-dependent, and were found only in the cells of MZ. The treatment of roots with Cd-stimulated massive superoxide production, although to different extent depending on the cultivar, root zone, and metal concentration. The stimulating effect of Ni on oxidative burst in Cd-treated maize roots was related to an increased Cd-induced superoxide production. The cell death appeared between 24 and 48 h and between 12 and 24 h of the 10 μM and 100 μM metal treatments, respectively. This was in accordance with Cd-induced ROS (superoxide) production and the E M decline in the corresponding time periods. Cell viability, E M changes and partially superoxide production indicate that the impact of the metals on the studied parameters declined in the order Cd+Ni > Cd > Ni and that cv. Blitz tends to respond more sensitively than cv. Premia.

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