Kusek, M. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2025

The Specific Genetic Markers to Diagnose Xanthomonads Infecting Pepper and Tomato Plants

We have improved a marker system to examine the genetic diversity in Xanthomonads species by using whole genome sequence analysis and repetitive regions in the bacterial genome. Specifically, we amplified microsatellite regions using PCR, and the resulting fragments were digested with specific enzymes. These fragment profiles served as molecular markers. Consequently, a more precise marker for bacterial identification was developed by combining the microsatellite and RFLP methods to differentiate Xanthomonads species. In Addition, we analysed the ancestral ordering of various Xanthomonas species genomes available in NCBI using Progressive Mauve Alignment. The data revealed unique collinear regions characteristic of Xanthomonas species. These regions were also associated with cut genomic fragments used as markers, enabling the discrimination of Xanthomonas species infecting tomato and pepper. We propose that these findings contribute to understanding the genetic diversity of Xanthomonas and rapidly diagnosis.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

The 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB 269970 ameliorates maternal fluoxetine exposure-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex of the offspring female mice

BackgroundAlthough the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine in depression during pregnancy is considered safe, it might increase the risk of affective disorders and cognitive symptoms in progeny. In animal models, maternal exposure to fluoxetine throughout gestation and lactation negatively affects the behavior of the offspring. Little is known about the effects of maternal fluoxetine on synaptic transmission and plasticity in the offspring cerebral cortex. MethodsDuring pregnancy and lactation C57BL/6J mouse dams received fluoxetine (7.5 mg/kg/day) with drinking water. Female offspring mice received intraperitoneal injections of the selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB 269970 (2.5 mg/kg) for 7 days. Whole-cell and field potential electrophysiological recordings were performed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) ex vivo brain slices. ResultsPerinatal exposure to fluoxetine resulted in decreased field potentials and impaired long-term potentiation (LTP) in layer II/III of the mPFC of female young adult offspring. Neither the intrinsic excitability nor spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents were altered in layer II/III mPFC pyramidal neurons. In mPFC slices obtained from fluoxetine-treated mice that were administered SB 269970 both field potentials and LTP magnitude were restored and did not differ from controls. ConclusionsTreatment of fluoxetine-exposed mice with a selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, SB269970, normalizes synaptic transmission and restores the potential for plasticity in the mPFC of mice exposed in utero and postnatally to fluoxetine.

neuroscience↗