Summary: The S locus, which controls the self‐incompatibility response in Brassica, has been shown to contain at least two genes. SLG encodes a secreted S locus glycoprotein whilst SRK encodes a putative S locus receptor kinase. SRK has been shown potentially to encode a functional kinase and genetic evidence indicates that this gene is essential for the self‐incompatibility response. Here the characterization of the SRK and SLG genes of a Brassica line homozygous for the S₃ haplotype is described. A 120 kDa glycoprotein was identified in stigmas and several lines of evidence indicated that this protein is encoded by the SRK₃ gene. First, the 120 kDa glycoprotein was recognized by antibodies raised against peptides based on the SRK₃ gene sequence. Secondly, this protein is polymorphic and, in an F₂ population segregating for the S₃ haplotype, was expressed only in plants possessing the S₃ haplotype. Thirdly, the 120 kDa protein was expressed specifically in stigmas. Finally, the 120 kDa protein was only extracted from stigmas in the presence of detergent indicating that it is anchored in the membrane. SRK has been predicted to encode a transmembrane glycoprotein based on the deduced amino acid sequence. Located on the membrane, SRK is in a position to interface between an extracellular recognition event between pollen and pistil and an intracellular signal transduction pathway which initiates the self‐incompatibility response.

Background/Objective: The aim was to assess the neuropsychological performance of a group of middle-aged patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine whether the neuropsychological deficits correlate with structural and functional brain alterations. Methods: We compared 25 subjects with T2DM aged 45–65 years with 25 control participants matched for age, gender, and educational level. The neuropsychological battery was designed to examine executive functions, attention, information processing speed, and verbal memory. Severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Profile Score. The presence of at least one APOEε4 allele was determined. Reduced gray matter density was analyzed using voxel-based morphometry and brain glucose metabolic changes were assessed by ¹⁸ FDG-PET. Results: T2DM subjects had significantly lower scores than subjects without T2DM in the Trail-making Test B (p < 0.004), Color-Word Stroop test (p < 0.005), Semantic Fluency (p < 0.006), Digit-Symbol modalities test (p < 0.02), Text Recall from the Wechsler Memory Scale (p < 0.0001), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure-copy (p < 0.004), and delayed reproduction (p < 0.03). Worse executive functions and memory functioning correlated predominantly with less gray matter density and reduced glucose metabolism in the orbital and prefrontal cortex, temporal (middle gyrus, parahippocampus and uncus), and cerebellum regions (p < 0.001). Conclusions: T2DM subjects presented cognitive dysfunctions compared with controls. Clinical-neuroimaging correlations corresponded to brain changes (reduced gray matter density and glucose metabolism) mainly in fronto-temporal areas.