title: Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).
abstract: The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), an internal protein of the mammalian mitochondrial membrane, is involved in several metabolic functions such as steroidogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of cell proliferation. Here we report the presence of PBRs in parenchymal and meristematic tissues of potato (Solanum tuberosum). PBRs are heterogeneously distributed in potato and are highly expressed in meristematic cells. In particular the receptor protein is mainly localised in the meristematic nuclear subcellular preparation. This 30-36 kDa protein, which corresponds to PBR, is increased, indeed, in meristematic compared to the parenchymal tissue. This suggests an involvement of this receptor in the regulation of cell plant growth. In addition, the demonstration that PBRs are also present in vegetables supports the hypothesis of a highly conserved receptor system during phylogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Via Campi 183, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41100, Italy. corsi.lorenzo@unimore.it
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Avallone
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Geminiani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cosenza
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baraldi
mesh_terms: D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018519:Meristem / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D014316:Tritium; C028513:4'-chlorodiazepam