Comment on "Giant electromechanical coupling of relaxor ferroelectrics controlled by polar nanoregion vibrations".

Manley et al. (Science Advances, 16 September 2016, p. e1501814) report the splitting of a transverse acoustic phonon branch below T C in the relaxor ferroelectric Pb[(Mg1/3Nb2/3)1-x Ti x ]O3 with x = 0.30 using neutron scattering methods. Manley et al. argue that this splitting occurs because these phonons hybridize with local, harmonic lattice vibrations associated with polar nanoregions. We show that splitting is absent when the measurement is made using a different neutron wavelength, and we suggest an alternative interpretation.

[Importance of trauma and emergency surgery for German metropolitan emergency departments-an analysis of 524,716 emergency patients]. / Stellenwert der Unfallchirurgie für die Notaufnahmen einer deutschen Millionenstadt ­ Eine Auswertung von 524.716 Notfallpatienten.

BACKGROUND: The future of emergency departments in Germany is influenced by increasing numbers of patients, demographic changes, new therapeutic concepts, current legislation and expert opinions. There is a lack of reliable data concerning the quantity and the type of injuries and diseases presenting in emergency departments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive, epidemiological study included 14 emergency departments in Munich (1.41 million inhabitants in 2014), where 524,716 patients were treated from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. 393,587 were included in this prospectively planned subgroup analysis. Patients presenting in special departments, such as gynecology or ophthalmology (59,523) or cases without a documented diagnosis (71,606) were excluded. Cases were assigned to the discipline trauma surgery or orthopedics according to the ICD-10 diagnosis chapters "injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes" and "diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue". RESULTS: Of the 393,587 cases included, 169,208 were treated due to trauma or orthopedic diseases (43%). 134,507 underwent outpatient treatment (79%) and 34,701 were admitted on the same day (21%). 29,920 patients suffered from head injuries (18%), 31,143 fractures (20%) and 24,367 deep wounds (14%) were recorded. On workdays between 8am and 10am, up to 47 patients per hour were treated and between 1pm and 3pm, up to 36 patients per hour. On weekends, most patients presented between 11am and 7pm. CONCLUSION: The present study analyzed the frequency of major diagnoses corresponding to the various medical disciplines including more than 500,000 patients. Of the emergency cases included, 43% were allocated to trauma surgery or orthopedics. These patients presented in the emergency departments around the clock and necessitate the permanent attendance of a trauma and emergency surgeon. Thereby, timely surgical care and decisions regarding indications for surgery and admission are ensured. Competence in trauma and emergency surgery is therefore essential for emergency departments.

Genotype variation in bark texture drives lichen community assembly across multiple environments.

A major goal of community genetics is to understand the influence of genetic variation within a species on ecological communities. Although well-documented for some organisms, additional research is necessary to understand the relative and interactive effects of genotype and environment on biodiversity, identify mechanisms through which tree genotype influences communities, and connect this emerging field with existing themes in ecology. We employ an underutilized but ecologically significant group of organisms, epiphytic bark lichens, to understand the relative importance of Populus angustifolia (narrowleaf cottonwood) genotype and environment on associated organisms within the context of community assembly and host ontogeny. Several key findings emerged. (1) In a single common garden, tree genotype explained 18-33% and 51% of the variation in lichen community variables and rough bark cover, respectively. (2) Across replicated common gardens, tree genotype affected lichen species richness, total lichen cover, lichen species composition, and rough bark cover, whereas environment only influenced composition and there were no genotype by environment interactions. (3) Rough bark cover was positively correlated with total lichen cover and richness, and was associated with a shift in species composition; these patterns occurred with variation in rough bark cover among tree genotypes of the same age in common gardens and with increasing rough bark cover along a -40 year tree age gradient in a natural riparian stand. (4) In a common garden, 20-year-old parent trees with smooth bark had poorly developed lichen communities, similar to their 10-year-old ramets (root suckers) growing in close proximity, while parent trees with high rough bark cover had more developed communities than their ramets. These findings indicate that epiphytic lichens are influenced by host genotype, an effect that is robust across divergent environments. Furthermore, the response to tree genotype is likely the result of genetic variation in the timing of the ontogenetic shift from smooth to rough bark allowing communities on some genotypes to assemble faster than those on other genotypes. Organisms outside the typical sphere of community genetics, such as lichens, can help address critical issues and connect plant genotype effects to long-established streams of biological research, such as ontogeny and community assembly.

Functional characterisation of an intron retaining K(+) transporter of barley reveals intron-mediated alternate splicing.

Intron retention in transcripts and the presence of 5' and 3' splice sites within these introns mediate alternate splicing, which is widely observed in animals and plants. Here, functional characterisation of the K(+) transporter, HvHKT2;1, with stably retained introns from barley (Hordeum vulgare) in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and transcript profiling in yeast and transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is presented. Expression of intron-retaining HvHKT2;1 cDNA (HvHKT2;1-i) in trk1, trk2 yeast strain defective in K(+) uptake restored growth in medium containing hygromycin in the presence of different concentrations of K(+) and mediated hypersensitivity to Na(+) . HvHKT2;1-i produces multiple transcripts via alternate splicing of two regular introns and three exons in different compositions. HKT isoforms with retained introns and exon skipping variants were detected in relative expression analysis of (i) HvHKT2;1-i in barley under native conditions, (ii) in transgenic tobacco plants constitutively expressing HvHKT2;1-i, and (iii) in trk1, trk2 yeast expressing HvHKT2;1-i under control of an inducible promoter. Mixed proportions of three HKT transcripts: HvHKT2;1-e (first exon region), HvHKT2;1-i1 (first intron) and HvHKT2;1-i2 (second intron) were observed. The variation in transcript accumulation in response to changing K(+) and Na(+) concentrations was observed in both heterologous and plant systems. These findings suggest a link between intron-retaining transcripts and different splice variants to ion homeostasis, and their possible role in salt stress.

Interactive effects of phytase and xylanase supplementation with extractable salt-soluble protein content of corn in diets with adequate calcium and nonphytate phosphorus fed to broilers.

The objective was to determine the effects of extractable salt-soluble protein content of corn (PS) and exogenous enzyme supplementation on N, starch, and energy digestibility in broilers fed diets adequate in Ca and nonphytate P. Broilers were randomly distributed into floor pens (6 replicate pens per treatment) with 28 birds per pen at 1 d of age. Treatments consisting of 4 sources of corn varying in PS (A, 58.1; B, 54.2; C, 53.7; and D, 30.6 mg of BSA equivalent values) with or without phytase (0 and 1,000 phytase units/kg) and xylanase (0 and 16,000 units of xylanase activity/kg) were randomly assigned to each pen. Different sources of corn were provided from 1 to 9 and 24 to 29 d of age. However, enzyme treatments were provided throughout the experiment. From 1 to 9 d of age, no interactions were observed. Apparent ileal N digestibility (AIND) and apparent ileal digestible energy (IDE) of diets with the lowest PS (based on corn D) were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those of diets with a higher PS. Phytase increased (P ≤ 0.01) AIND and IDE by 5 and 16%, respectively, and xylanase exerted the opposite effect (P ≤ 0.03). From 24 to 29 d of age, phytase and xylanase in combination resulted in reduced (P ≤ 0.05) AIND of diets with a low PS (based on corn D) compared with the basal diet in broilers. Broilers fed diets with the highest or lowest PS (based on corn A or D) had lower (3-way interaction; P ≤ 0.05) IDE when phytase and xylanase were supplemented in combination compared with either enzyme alone. In conclusion, responses to exogenous enzyme supplementation are not constant and are influenced by the source of ingredients as well as the age of broilers. The magnitudes of the responses to phytase on nutrient and energy digestibility were greater at 9 compared with 29 d of age.

Extra-phosphoric effects of phytase with and without xylanase in corn-soybean meal-based diets fed to broilers.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the extra-phosphoric effects of phytase on amino acid (AA) and energy digestibility (experiments 1 and 2) and growth performance (experiment 2) of broilers fed diets adequate in Ca and nonphytate P supplemented with xylanase. Ross × Ross 708 broiler chicks (864 males in experiment 1 and 1,152 females in experiment 2) were randomly distributed into battery cages (6 replicate cages per treatment) with 12 birds per cage at 1 d of age. In both experiments, factorial arrangements of treatments were evaluated consisting of 6 phytase [0, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, 8,000, or 16,000 phytase units (FTU)/kg] and 2 xylanase [0 or 16,000 birch xylan units (BXU)/kg] concentrations in experiment 1 and 4 phytase (0, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 FTU/kg) and 4 xylanase (0, 8,000, 16,000, or 32,000 BXU/kg) concentrations in experiment 2. Treatments were provided from 27 to 32 d of age in experiment 1 and from 1 to 32 d of age in experiment 2. Digesta contents of the terminal ileum were collected at 32 d of age (experiment 1 and 2), and growth performance was measured at 1, 14, and 25 d of age in experiment 2. There was no interaction of phytase and xylanase; only main effects of phytase were observed. In experiment 1, broilers fed diets supplemented with phytase at 1,000 FTU/kg had increased (P < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of all AA with the exception of Ala and Met. Diets fed to broilers supplemented with higher concentrations of phytase did not further increase AID of any AA (P > 0.05) above the addition of 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase. Phytase supplementation did not affect ileal digestible energy (P > 0.05). For all variables measured, significant log-linear or log-quadratic effects of phytase (P > 0.05) were not observed. In contrast, broilers fed diets supplemented with phytase in experiment 2 exhibited log-linear (P < 0.05) increases in AID of AA but not apparent ileal digestible energy. However, supplementation with 2,000 FTU/kg of phytase increased (P = 0.05) ileal digestible energy by 36 kcal/kg compared with the basal diet. Broilers fed diets with 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase had improved growth performance (P < 0.05) in comparison with broilers fed diets containing 0 or 500 FTU/kg of phytase. The addition of 500 FTU/kg of phytase in diets fed to broilers did not affect ileal digestibility or growth performance (P > 0.05). Data obtained from these experiments demonstrated extra-phosphoric effects in broilers fed diets supplemented with 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase and diminishing returns with higher concentrations.

Effects of corn source on the relationship between in vitro assays and ileal nutrient digestibility.

An experiment was conducted to determine the relationship between in vitro assays to estimate quality and ileal nutrient and energy digestibility of various corn sources. Twelve samples of corn were analyzed for gross energy (GE), N, moisture, crude fat (CF), salt-soluble protein content (SSP), and vitreousness. Six of the 12 sources of corn had similar proximate composition but ranged in pairs as having low, moderate, or high quality based on protein solubility that varied from 25.7 to 49.2%. Experimental diets consisted of corn sources with 0.50% TiO2. In total, 504 (12 per pen; 0.039 m2 per bird) Ross×Ross 708 male broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 42 pens (7 replicates per treatment) at 1 d of age. Broilers were fed common starter and grower diets from 1 to 27 d of age and experimental diets from 28 to 30 d of age. At 30 d of age, 8 birds per cage were euthanized for digesta collection from 4 to 30 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction. Feed and digesta were analyzed for TiO2, GE, N, CF, and starch content. Ileal digestibility of N (apparent), CF, and starch did not differ (P>0.05) among sources of corn. Apparent ileal digestible energy (IDE) of the 6 corns averaged 3,323 kcal/kg. Salt-soluble protein concentration was correlated with IDE among the corns (r=0.5; P<0.001). Ileal N and fat digestibility were correlated with IDE (r=0.4 and 0.3, respectively; P<0.05). Apparent MEn ranged from 3,262 to 3,342 kcal/kg and was correlated with SSP (r=0.8; P<0.001) and IDE (r=0.36; P<0.05). These results indicated that sources of corn with similar proximate composition may vary in their digestible energy content, and in such a situation, SSP may be used to differentiate those with wide-ranging IDE or AMEn. However, further research is required to investigate the relationship between SSP and growth performance of broilers.

Is there evidence of optimisation for carbon efficiency in plant proteomes?

Flowering plants, angiosperms, can be divided into two major clades, monocots and dicots, and while differences in amino acid composition in different species from the two clades have been reported, a systematic analysis of amino acid content and distribution remains outstanding. Here, we show that monocot and dicot proteins have developed distinct amino acid content. In Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar, as in the ancestral moss Physcomitrella patens, the average mass per amino acid appears to be independent of protein length, while in the monocots rice, maize and sorghum, shorter proteins tend to be made of lighter amino acids. An examination of the elemental content of these proteomes reveals that the difference between monocot and dicot proteins can be largely attributed to their different carbon signatures. In monocots, the shorter proteins, which comprise the majority of all proteins, are made of amino acids with less carbon, while the nitrogen content is unchanged in both monocots and dicots. We hypothesise that this signature could be the result of carbon use and energy optimisation in fast-growing annual Poaceae (grasses).

Apparent metabolizable energy needs of male and female broilers from 36 to 47 days of age.

Two experiments were conducted to examine AME(n) responses of Ross × Ross 708 male and female broilers from 36 to 47 d of age. In each experiment, 1,440 male and female broilers were randomly distributed into 96 floor pens (15 birds/pen; 8 replicate pens/treatment) sexed separately and were fed 6 levels of AME(n) ranging from 3,140 to 3,240 kcal/kg in increments of 20 kcal of AME(n)/kg, resulting in a 6 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, AME(n) intake, AME(n) intake per BW gain, plasma 5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, mortality, and meat yields were evaluated during experimentation. Average temperature and RH were 20.3°C and 49.0% for experiment 1 and 26.1°C and 66.6% for experiment 2. In experiment 1, broilers fed progressive additions of AME(n) had lower (P ≤ 0.02) feed intake, feed conversion, and caloric conversion. Progressive increments of AME(n) did not influence plasma 5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations, carcass yield, or breast meat yield. No AME(n) × sex interactions were observed in experiment 1. In experiment 2, AME(n) × sex linear interactions (P ≤ 0.04) were observed for BW gain, caloric conversion, carcass weight, and total breast weight. Male broilers responded more to higher AME(n) levels than did female broilers. These data indicate that AME(n) needed for growth performance of broilers from 36 to 47 d of age differed between experiments.

Photoelectrochemical signal chain based on quantum dots on gold--sensitive to superoxide radicals in solution.

A photoelectrochemical signal chain sensitive to the presence of superoxide radicals was developed on the basis of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots which were immobilized on gold electrodes using a dithiol compound. The conditions of photo current generation under illumination have been characterized with respect to the dependence on the applied electrode potential, the wavelength of the light beam and the stability of the measurement. Because of photoexcitation electron-hole pair generation is enforced in the nanoparticles enhancing the conductivity of the quantum dot layer. This was independently verified by impedance measurements. In order to observe direct electron transfer with the redox protein cytochrome c different surface modifications of the quantum dots were investigated-mercaptopropionic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid and mercaptopyridine. Varying superoxide concentrations in solution can be detected by an enhanced conversion of superoxide-reduced cytochrome c and thus by an enhanced photo current at the quantum dot modified electrode. The electrode was found to be sensitive to higher nanomolar concentrations of the radical.

Natriuretic peptides--a class of heterologous molecules in plants.

Immunological and physiological evidence suggests the presence of biologically active natriuretic peptide hormones (NPs) in plants. Evidence includes specific binding of rat atrial NP, [rANP (99-126)] to plant membranes and the promotion of cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) mediated stomatal responses. Furthermore, anti-ANP affinity purifies biologically active plant immunoreactants (irPNPs) and a biologically active Arabidopsis thaliana irPNP (AtPNP-A) has been identified. AtPNP-A belongs to a novel class of molecules that share some similarity with the cell wall loosening expansins but do not contain the carbohydrate-binding wall anchor, thus suggesting that irPNPs and ANP are heterologues. We hypothesise that irPNP-like molecules have evolved from primitive glucanase-like molecules that have been recruited to become systemically mobile modulators of homeostasis acting via the plasma membrane. Such a function is compatible with localisation in the conductive tissue and the physiological and cellular modes of action of irPNPs reported to-date.

In situ localization associates biologically active plant natriuretic peptide immuno-analogues with conductive tissue and stomata.

Plant natriuretic peptide immuno-analogues (irPNP) have previously been shown to affect a number of biological processes including stomatal guard cell movements, ion fluxes and osmoticum-dependent water transport. Tissue printing and immunofluorescent labelling techniques have been used here to study the tissue and cellular localization of irPNP in ivy (Hedera helix L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Polyclonal antibodies active against human atrial natriuretic peptide (anti-hANP) and antibodies against irPNP from potato (anti-StPNP) were used for immunolabelling. Tissue prints revealed that immunoreactants are concentrated in vascular tissues of leaves, petioles and stems. Phloem-associated cells, xylem cells and parenchymatic xylem cells showed the strongest immunoreaction. Immunofluorescent microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG supported this finding and, furthermore, revealed strong labelling to stomatal guard cells and the adjacent apoplastic space as well. Biologically active immunoreactants were also detected in xylem exudates of a soft South African perennial forest sage (Plectranthus ciliatus E. Mey ex Benth.) thus strengthening the evidence for a systemic role of the protein. In summary, in situ cellular localization is consistent with physiological responses elicited by irPNPs reported previously and is indicative of a systemic role in plant homeostasis.

The pinyon rhizosphere, plant stress, and herbivory affect the abundance of microbial decomposers in soils.

In terrestrial ecosystems, changes in environmental conditions that affect plant performance cause a cascade of effects through many trophic levels. In a 2-year field study, seasonal abundance measurements were conducted for fast-growing bacterial heterotrophs, humate-degrading actinomycetes, fungal heterotrophs, and fluorescent pseudomonads that represent the decomposers in soil. Links between plant health and soil microbiota abundance in pinyon rhizospheres were documented across two soil types: a dry, nutrient-poor volcanic cinder field and a sandy-loam soil. On the stressful cinder fields, we identified relationships between soil decomposer abundance, pinyon age, and stress due to insect herbivory. Across seasonal variation, consistent differences in microbial decomposer abundance were identified between the cinders and sandy-loam soil. Abundance of bacterial heterotrophs and humate-degrading actinomycetes was affected by both soil nutritional status and the pinyon rhizosphere. In contrast, abundance of the fungal heterotrophs and fluorescent pseudomonads was affected primarily by the pinyon rhizosphere. On the cinder field, the three bacterial groups were more abundant on 150-year-old trees than on 60-year-old trees, whereas fungal heterotrophs were unaffected by tree age. Fungal heterotrophs and actinomycetes were more abundant on insect-resistant trees than on susceptible trees, but the opposite was true for the fluorescent pseudomonads. Although all four groups were present in all the environments, the four microbial groups were affected differently by the pinyon rhizosphere, by tree age, and by tree stress caused by the cinder soil and insect herbivory.

Expansin-like molecules: novel functions derived from common domains.

An Arabidopsis thaliana transcript ( AtPNP-A) encoding an immunoreactant plant natriuretic peptide (irPNP) analog was identified and isolated. The encoded protein shows similarity to CjBAp12, a functionally undefined protein from citrus that is induced in response to blight infection. CjBAp12 shows significant sequence identity to domains found in the cell wall loosening expansins but has tested negative for cell wall loosening activity. We have thus undertaken to establish the evolutionary and functional relationships of irPNP-like molecules within the superfamily of expansins, pollen allergens, and distantly related molecules such as endoglucanases. We show that irPNP-like molecules are related to expansins and fall in two groups; one includes CjBAp12 and the other AtPNP-A. Members of both groups share distinct sequence motifs (K[VI]VD and [LM]SxxAFxxI) but do not contain the tryptophan and tyrosine rich C-terminal putative polysaccharide-binding domain typical of expansins or bacterial cellulases and hemicellulases. We argue that both irPNP-like molecules and expansin have evolved from primitive/ancestral glucanase-like molecules that hydrolysed the cell wall. Importantly, we have previously demonstrated that irPNPs act on protoplasts, that is plant cells without cell walls as well as microsomes, indicating that these novel proteins specifically interact with the plasma membrane. It follows that the cell wall cannot be an obligatory substrate for irPNPs. Thus, both irPNP function and domain structure point to these molecules having a systemic role in H2O and solute homeostasis.

Complex species interactions and the dynamics of ecological systems: long-term experiments.

Studies that combine experimental manipulations with long-term data collection reveal elaborate interactions among species that affect the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. Research programs in U.S. desert shrubland and pinyon-juniper woodland have shown that (i) complex dynamics of species populations reflect interactions with other organisms and fluctuating climate; (ii) genotype x environment interactions affect responses of species to environmental change; (iii) herbivore-resistance traits of dominant plant species and impacts of "keystone" animal species cascade through the system to affect many organisms and ecosystem processes; and (iv) some environmental perturbations can cause wholesale reorganization of ecosystems because they exceed the ecological tolerances of dominant or keystone species, whereas other changes may be buffered because of the compensatory dynamics of complementary species.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia: a genome-wide linkage analysis reveals extensive locus heterogeneity.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), or immotile cilia syndrome (ICS), is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting ciliary movement with an incidence of 1 in 20000-30000. Dysmotility to complete immotility of cilia results in a multisystem disease of variable severity with recurrent respiratory tract infections leading to bronchiectasis and male subfertility. Ultrastructural defects are present in ciliated mucosa and spermatozoa. Situs inversus (SI) is found in about half of the patients (Kartagener syndrome). We have collected samples from 61 European and North American families with PCD. A genome-wide linkage search was performed in 31 multiplex families (169 individuals including 70 affecteds) using 188 evenly spaced (19cM average interval) polymorphic markers. Both parametric (recessive model) and non-parametric (identity by descent allele sharing) linkage analyses were used. No major locus for the majority of the families was identified, although the sample was powerful enough to detect linkage if 40% of the families were linked to one locus. These results strongly suggest extensive locus heterogeneity. Potential genomic regions harbouring PCD loci were localised on chromosomes 3p, 4q, 5p, 7p, 8q, 10p, 11q, 13q, 15q, 16p, 17q and 19q. Linkage analysis using PCD families with a dynein arm deficiency provided 'suggestive' evidence for linkage to chromosomal regions 8q, 16pter, while analyses using only PCD families with situs inversus resulted in 'suggestive' scores for chromosomes 8q, and 19q.

Natriuretic peptides and cGMP modulate K+, Na+, and H+ fluxes in Zea mays roots.

Recent evidence suggests that in plants, as in vertebrates, natriuretic peptides (NPs) regulate homeostasis. In this study noninvasive ion-selective vibrating microelectrodes were used to measure net fluxes of K+, Na+, and H+ in Zea mays root conductive tissue. Immunoreactant plant natriuretic peptides (irPNP) cause immediate net H+ influx and delayed net K+ and Na+ uptake. Delayed net K+ influx was also observed in response to 8-Br-cGMP, however, not accompanied by significant changes in net H+ fluxes. Furthermore, 8-Br-cGMP does not stimulate the plasma membrane H+-ATPase implying that cGMP directly affects cation channels. The data are consistent with NP and cGMP-dependent stimulation of nonselective cation channels with P(K) > P(Na) and point to a complex role for NPs in plant homeostasis.

Auxin-binding-protein antibodies and peptides influence stomatal opening and alter cytoplasmic pH.

Previous work has shown that stomatal opening induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in epidermal strips of the orchid Paphiopedilum tonsum L. is preceded by a reduction in cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of the guard cells. We now report that Fab fragments of an auxin-agonist antibody (D16), directed against a putative auxin-binding domain of the auxin-binding protein ABP1, induce stomatal opening and decrease guard-cell pHi, as monitored with the acetomethoxy ester of the ratiometric pH indicator Snarf-1. Similar activity was shown by a monoclonal antibody against the same domain. The C-terminal dodecapeptide, Pz152-163 of maize ABP1 (ABPzm1) induced guard-cell alkalinization and closed stomata, as did Fab fragments of a monoclonal antibody (MAC 256) recognising the C-terminal region of ABPzm1. By implicating, for the first time, an auxin-binding protein in mediation of an auxin-dependent physiological response, these findings strongly support an auxin-receptor role for ABP1.