SWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants.While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants...SWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants.While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants such as Arabidopsis,their functions in economically important fruit crops like pineapple have not been well studied.Here we aimed to investigate the substrate specificity of pineapple SWEETs by comparing the protein sequences of known glucose and sucrose transporters in Arabidopsis with those in pineapple.Our genome-wide approach and 3D structure comparison showed that the Arabidopsis SWEET8 homolog in pineapple,AcSWEET10,shares similar sequences and protein properties responsible for glucose transport.To determine the functional conservation of AcSWEET10,we tested its ability to complement glucose transport mutants in yeast and analyzed its expression in stamens and impact on the microspore phenotype and seed set in transgenic Arabidopsis.The results showed that AcSWEET10 is functionally equivalent to AtSWEET8 and plays a critical role in regulating microspore formation through the regulation of the Callose synthase5(CalS5),which highlights the importance of SWEET transporters in pineapple.This information could have important implications for improving fruit crop yield and quality by manipulating SWEET transporter activity.展开更多
Soil salinity is a growing concern for global crop production and the sustainable development of humanity.Therefore,it is crucial to comprehend salt tolerance mechanisms and identify salt-tolerance genes to enhance cr...Soil salinity is a growing concern for global crop production and the sustainable development of humanity.Therefore,it is crucial to comprehend salt tolerance mechanisms and identify salt-tolerance genes to enhance crop tolerance to salt stress.Suaeda glauca,a halophyte species well adapted to the seawater environment,possesses a unique ability to absorb and retain high salt concentrations within its cells,particularly in its leaves,suggesting the presence of a distinct mechanism for salt tolerance.In this study,we performed de novo sequencing of the S.glauca genome.The genome has a size of 1.02 Gb(consisting of two sets of haplotypes)and contains 54761 annotated genes,including alleles and repeats.Comparative genomic analysis revealed a strong synteny between the genomes of S.glauca and Beta vulgaris.Of the S.glauca genome,70.56%comprises repeat sequences,with retroelements being the most abundant.Leveraging the allele-aware assembly of the S.glauca genome,we investigated genome-wide allele-specific expression in the analyzed samples.The results indicated that the diversity in promoter sequences might contribute to consistent allele-specific expression.Moreover,a systematic analysis of the ABCE gene families shed light on the formation of S.glauca’s flower morphology,suggesting that dysfunction of A-class genes is responsible for the absence of petals in S.glauca.Gene family expansion analysis demonstrated significant enrichment of Gene Ontology(GO)terms associated with DNA repair,chromosome stability,DNA demethylation,cation binding,and red/far-red light signaling pathways in the co-expanded gene families of S.glauca and S.aralocaspica,in comparison with glycophytic species within the chenopodium family.Time-course transcriptome analysis under salt treatments revealed detailed responses of S.glauca to salt tolerance,and the enrichment of the transition-upregulated genes in the leaves associated with DNA repair and chromosome stability,lipid biosynthetic process,and isoprenoid metabolic process.Additionally,genome-wide analysis of transcription factors indicated a significant expansion of FAR1 gene family.However,further investigation is needed to determine the exact role of the FAR1 gene family in salt tolerance in S.glauca.展开更多
Understanding germline specification in plants could be advantageous for agricultural applications.In recent decades,substantial efforts have been made to understand germline speci fication in several plant species,in...Understanding germline specification in plants could be advantageous for agricultural applications.In recent decades,substantial efforts have been made to understand germline speci fication in several plant species,including Arabidopsis,rice,and maize.However,our knowledge of germline speci fication in many agronomically important plant species remains obscure.Here,we characterized the female germline speci fication and subsequent female gametophyte development in pineapple using callose staining,cytological,and whole-mount immunolocalization analyses.We also determined the male germline speci fication and gametophyte developmental timeline and observed male meiotic behavior using chromosome spreading assays.Furthermore,we identi fied 229 genes that are preferentially expressed at the megaspore mother cell(MMC)stage during ovule development and 478 genes that are preferentially expressed at the pollen mother cell(PMC)stage of anther development using comparative transcriptomic analysis.The biological functions,associated regulatory pathways and expression patterns of these genes were also analyzed.Our study provides a convenient cytological reference for exploring pineapple germline development and a molecular basis for the future functional analysis of germline speci fi cation in related plant species.展开更多
Three quinolinone alkaloids, two acridone alkaloids and a flavones glycoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Glycosmis mauritiana. These compounds were characterized as 7, 8-Dimethoxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-pyrano qui...Three quinolinone alkaloids, two acridone alkaloids and a flavones glycoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Glycosmis mauritiana. These compounds were characterized as 7, 8-Dimethoxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-pyrano quinolin-5-one, 4-Methoxy 1-methyl quinolin-2-one, 6-Hydroxy N-methyl 2,3-furo-quinolin-4-one, 1-Hydroxy-10-methyl acridone, 1- Hydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9-one and Luteolin-4'-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-{α-L-rhamnopyra- nosyl-(1→6)}-β-D-glycopyranoside]. The isolated compounds were characterized by UV, IR and N. M. R (1H, 13C) studies.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the prevalence of enteric parasite contamination on hands and the potential role naturally contaminated hands may have in their transmission. METHODS: Prior to initiating the survey, the protocol w...AIM: To investigate the prevalence of enteric parasite contamination on hands and the potential role naturally contaminated hands may have in their transmission. METHODS: Prior to initiating the survey, the protocol was reviewed and approved by respective Institutional Review Boards of each survey site(Dhaka, Bangladesh and Kolkata, India). Both stool and corresponding hand wash samples collected, were analyzed for the presence of enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts employing conventional microscopy coupled with permanent staining techniques. Additionally molecular approachessuch as polymerase chain reaction(PCR) of enteric parasites recovered from both stool and corresponding hand wash samples, were also used to further confirm their identity. RESULTS: A total of 972 stool samples were collected from both sites surveyed(300 volunteers from Kolkata, India and 672 from Dhaka, Bangladesh). Parasitic analysis revealed, 113(38%) from Kolkata, India and 267(40%) of stool samples from Dhaka, Bangladesh were positive for parasitic ova/(oo)cysts. When the corresponding hand wash samples were analyzed, 43(14%) stool-positive volunteers in Kolkata, India and 47(7%) in Dhaka, Bangladesh were positive for enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts. Ascaris lumbricoides(A. lumbricoides) ova and Giardia lamblia(G. lamblia) cysts predominated in hands wash samples from both sites surveyed(from India, A. lumbricoides ova, 53%; G. lamblia cysts 31% and from Bangladesh, A. lumbricoides ova, 47%; G. lamblia cysts 19%). Genotypic analysis of enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts obtained from both stool and corresponding hand wash samples taken from the same person were found to be identical. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possible role of hands contaminated with enteric parasites' ova/(oo)cysts in the transmission of these parasites highlighting another role of hand hygiene/proper hand washing in reducing the disease burden in low socioeconomic communities.展开更多
The female germline specification process of a single megaspore mother cell(MMC)of ovule primordium(nucellus)is intriguingly complex because it involves the interaction of different pathways tightly linked with positi...The female germline specification process of a single megaspore mother cell(MMC)of ovule primordium(nucellus)is intriguingly complex because it involves the interaction of different pathways tightly linked with positional information.Various Arabidopsis genes,including the stem cell promoting factor WUSCHEL,have already been shown to be involved in this precise regulation process.Recently,there have been some reviews on MMC specialization,mainly from the aspects of epigenetics,microRNAs and gene regulatory networks.However,those reviews have not taken into consideration the function of positional signals in female germline specification.Here,we review major progress in the cell fate control of female germline specification,highlighting the functions of positional cues.展开更多
In plants,the alteration in the pH of extracellular space serves as a cue to regulate a myriad of physiological activities,including ion transport,growth,and defense(Tsai and Schmidt,2021).Although it is known that th...In plants,the alteration in the pH of extracellular space serves as a cue to regulate a myriad of physiological activities,including ion transport,growth,and defense(Tsai and Schmidt,2021).Although it is known that the alkalization or acidification of apoplast is involved in cellular processes such as auxin-mediated cell elongation and pattern-triggered immunity,the molecular mechanism of extracellular pH perception remains unknown.This long-standing question was addressed recently by a research group led by Prof.Hongwei Guo from the Southern University of Science and Technology,China.The team(Liu et al.,2022)used molecular,biochemical,structural,and genetic analyses and revealed the indispensable role of peptide-receptor complexes in pH sensing in Arabidopsis root apical meristem(RAM)(Figure 1).展开更多
Arsenic contamination is a major environmental issue,as it may lead to serious health hazard.The reduced trivalent formof inorganic arsenic,arsenite,is in generalmore toxic to plants comparedwith the fully oxidized pe...Arsenic contamination is a major environmental issue,as it may lead to serious health hazard.The reduced trivalent formof inorganic arsenic,arsenite,is in generalmore toxic to plants comparedwith the fully oxidized pentavalent arsenate.Theuptakeof arsenite inplants hasbeenshown tobemediatedthrough a large subfamily of plant aquaglyceroporins,nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins(NIPs).However,the efflux mechanisms,as well as themechanismof arsenite-induced root growth inhibition,remain poorly understood.Usingmolecular physiology,synchrotron imaging,and root transport assay approaches,we show that the cellular transport of trivalent arsenicals inArabidopsis thalianais stronglymodulatedbyPINFORMED2(PIN2)auxin efflux transporter.Root transport assay using radioactive arsenite,X-ray fluorescence imaging(XFI)coupled with X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS),and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis revealed that pin2 plants accumulate higher concentrations of arsenite in roots comparedwith the wild-type.At the cellular level,arsenite specifically targets intracellular sorting of PIN2 and thereby alters the cellular auxin homeostasis.Consistently,loss of PIN2 function results in arsenite hypersensitivity in roots.XFI coupled with XAS further revealed that loss of PIN2 function results in specific accumulation of arsenical species,but not the other metals such as iron,zinc,or calcium in the root tip.Collectively,these results suggest that PIN2 likely functions as an arsenite efflux transporter for the distribution of arsenical species in planta.展开更多
Self-mutilation is defined as the intentional,direct injuring of body tissue without suicidal intent.In this article we report the case of a 45-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a history of...Self-mutilation is defined as the intentional,direct injuring of body tissue without suicidal intent.In this article we report the case of a 45-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a history of incising his abdomen and chopping his intestines into pieces.The patient also brought the chopped pieces along with himself.He was operated on,and a resection and anastomosis was done.Postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful.After a psychiatric assessment was done,it was found that he was suffering from delusional disorder.Owing to such rare presentation of major self-mutilation in a patient with delusional disorder,this case is being reported here.展开更多
基金We especially thank Dr Binghua Wu(Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University,China)for kindly providing the yeast mutant strain EBY.VW4000 and Prof.Zhong-Nan Yang(Shanghai Normal University,China)for sharing Atsweet8 seeds.This work was supported by the Science and Technology Major Project of Guangxi(Gui Ke AA22068096)the Science and Technology Innovation Project of Pingtan Science and Technology Research Institute(PT2021007,PT2021003)+2 种基金the General Project of Fujian Natural Science Foundation(2020 J01594)the Project of Guangxi Featured Fruit Innovation Team on Pineapple Breeding and Cultivation Post under the National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System(nycytxgxcxtd-17-05)the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Basic Research Project(Gui Nong Ke 2021YT046).The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection,analysis and interpretation of the data,and writing the manuscript.
文摘SWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants.While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants such as Arabidopsis,their functions in economically important fruit crops like pineapple have not been well studied.Here we aimed to investigate the substrate specificity of pineapple SWEETs by comparing the protein sequences of known glucose and sucrose transporters in Arabidopsis with those in pineapple.Our genome-wide approach and 3D structure comparison showed that the Arabidopsis SWEET8 homolog in pineapple,AcSWEET10,shares similar sequences and protein properties responsible for glucose transport.To determine the functional conservation of AcSWEET10,we tested its ability to complement glucose transport mutants in yeast and analyzed its expression in stamens and impact on the microspore phenotype and seed set in transgenic Arabidopsis.The results showed that AcSWEET10 is functionally equivalent to AtSWEET8 and plays a critical role in regulating microspore formation through the regulation of the Callose synthase5(CalS5),which highlights the importance of SWEET transporters in pineapple.This information could have important implications for improving fruit crop yield and quality by manipulating SWEET transporter activity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170380)the Science and Technology Innovation Project of Pingtan Institute of Science and Technology(PT2021001)the Postdoctoral Foundation of China(2018 M642550).
文摘Soil salinity is a growing concern for global crop production and the sustainable development of humanity.Therefore,it is crucial to comprehend salt tolerance mechanisms and identify salt-tolerance genes to enhance crop tolerance to salt stress.Suaeda glauca,a halophyte species well adapted to the seawater environment,possesses a unique ability to absorb and retain high salt concentrations within its cells,particularly in its leaves,suggesting the presence of a distinct mechanism for salt tolerance.In this study,we performed de novo sequencing of the S.glauca genome.The genome has a size of 1.02 Gb(consisting of two sets of haplotypes)and contains 54761 annotated genes,including alleles and repeats.Comparative genomic analysis revealed a strong synteny between the genomes of S.glauca and Beta vulgaris.Of the S.glauca genome,70.56%comprises repeat sequences,with retroelements being the most abundant.Leveraging the allele-aware assembly of the S.glauca genome,we investigated genome-wide allele-specific expression in the analyzed samples.The results indicated that the diversity in promoter sequences might contribute to consistent allele-specific expression.Moreover,a systematic analysis of the ABCE gene families shed light on the formation of S.glauca’s flower morphology,suggesting that dysfunction of A-class genes is responsible for the absence of petals in S.glauca.Gene family expansion analysis demonstrated significant enrichment of Gene Ontology(GO)terms associated with DNA repair,chromosome stability,DNA demethylation,cation binding,and red/far-red light signaling pathways in the co-expanded gene families of S.glauca and S.aralocaspica,in comparison with glycophytic species within the chenopodium family.Time-course transcriptome analysis under salt treatments revealed detailed responses of S.glauca to salt tolerance,and the enrichment of the transition-upregulated genes in the leaves associated with DNA repair and chromosome stability,lipid biosynthetic process,and isoprenoid metabolic process.Additionally,genome-wide analysis of transcription factors indicated a significant expansion of FAR1 gene family.However,further investigation is needed to determine the exact role of the FAR1 gene family in salt tolerance in S.glauca.
基金This work was supported by the Science and Technology Program of Fujian Province(2019N5008)the Science and Technology Major Project of Guangxi(Gui Ke 2018-266-Z01)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31970333,U1605212)a Guangxi Distinguished Experts Fellowship awarded to Y.Qa Science and Technology Major Project of Guangxi-Research and application of ecological and highly efficient cultivation techniques for dominant and characteristic fruits(AA17204097-6)awarded to X.W.
文摘Understanding germline specification in plants could be advantageous for agricultural applications.In recent decades,substantial efforts have been made to understand germline speci fication in several plant species,including Arabidopsis,rice,and maize.However,our knowledge of germline speci fication in many agronomically important plant species remains obscure.Here,we characterized the female germline speci fication and subsequent female gametophyte development in pineapple using callose staining,cytological,and whole-mount immunolocalization analyses.We also determined the male germline speci fication and gametophyte developmental timeline and observed male meiotic behavior using chromosome spreading assays.Furthermore,we identi fied 229 genes that are preferentially expressed at the megaspore mother cell(MMC)stage during ovule development and 478 genes that are preferentially expressed at the pollen mother cell(PMC)stage of anther development using comparative transcriptomic analysis.The biological functions,associated regulatory pathways and expression patterns of these genes were also analyzed.Our study provides a convenient cytological reference for exploring pineapple germline development and a molecular basis for the future functional analysis of germline speci fi cation in related plant species.
文摘Three quinolinone alkaloids, two acridone alkaloids and a flavones glycoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Glycosmis mauritiana. These compounds were characterized as 7, 8-Dimethoxy-2,2,6-trimethyl-pyrano quinolin-5-one, 4-Methoxy 1-methyl quinolin-2-one, 6-Hydroxy N-methyl 2,3-furo-quinolin-4-one, 1-Hydroxy-10-methyl acridone, 1- Hydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxy-10-methylacridin-9-one and Luteolin-4'-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-{α-L-rhamnopyra- nosyl-(1→6)}-β-D-glycopyranoside]. The isolated compounds were characterized by UV, IR and N. M. R (1H, 13C) studies.
基金Supported by President’s Award,Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and Reckitt Benckiser LLC,New Jersey,United States
文摘AIM: To investigate the prevalence of enteric parasite contamination on hands and the potential role naturally contaminated hands may have in their transmission. METHODS: Prior to initiating the survey, the protocol was reviewed and approved by respective Institutional Review Boards of each survey site(Dhaka, Bangladesh and Kolkata, India). Both stool and corresponding hand wash samples collected, were analyzed for the presence of enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts employing conventional microscopy coupled with permanent staining techniques. Additionally molecular approachessuch as polymerase chain reaction(PCR) of enteric parasites recovered from both stool and corresponding hand wash samples, were also used to further confirm their identity. RESULTS: A total of 972 stool samples were collected from both sites surveyed(300 volunteers from Kolkata, India and 672 from Dhaka, Bangladesh). Parasitic analysis revealed, 113(38%) from Kolkata, India and 267(40%) of stool samples from Dhaka, Bangladesh were positive for parasitic ova/(oo)cysts. When the corresponding hand wash samples were analyzed, 43(14%) stool-positive volunteers in Kolkata, India and 47(7%) in Dhaka, Bangladesh were positive for enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts. Ascaris lumbricoides(A. lumbricoides) ova and Giardia lamblia(G. lamblia) cysts predominated in hands wash samples from both sites surveyed(from India, A. lumbricoides ova, 53%; G. lamblia cysts 31% and from Bangladesh, A. lumbricoides ova, 47%; G. lamblia cysts 19%). Genotypic analysis of enteric parasitic ova/(oo)cysts obtained from both stool and corresponding hand wash samples taken from the same person were found to be identical. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a possible role of hands contaminated with enteric parasites' ova/(oo)cysts in the transmission of these parasites highlighting another role of hand hygiene/proper hand washing in reducing the disease burden in low socioeconomic communities.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32170352,31970333,32270366)the Excellent Youth Foundation of Fujian Province to H.C.(2022J06014)+2 种基金the Excellent Youth Foundation of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to H.C.(xjq202108)the Guangxi Distinguished Experts Fellowship to Y.Q.,the Science and Technology Major Project of Guangxi(Gui Ke AA22068096)the Science and technology innovation project of Pingtan Science and Technology Research Institute(PT2021007,PT2021003).
文摘The female germline specification process of a single megaspore mother cell(MMC)of ovule primordium(nucellus)is intriguingly complex because it involves the interaction of different pathways tightly linked with positional information.Various Arabidopsis genes,including the stem cell promoting factor WUSCHEL,have already been shown to be involved in this precise regulation process.Recently,there have been some reviews on MMC specialization,mainly from the aspects of epigenetics,microRNAs and gene regulatory networks.However,those reviews have not taken into consideration the function of positional signals in female germline specification.Here,we review major progress in the cell fate control of female germline specification,highlighting the functions of positional cues.
文摘In plants,the alteration in the pH of extracellular space serves as a cue to regulate a myriad of physiological activities,including ion transport,growth,and defense(Tsai and Schmidt,2021).Although it is known that the alkalization or acidification of apoplast is involved in cellular processes such as auxin-mediated cell elongation and pattern-triggered immunity,the molecular mechanism of extracellular pH perception remains unknown.This long-standing question was addressed recently by a research group led by Prof.Hongwei Guo from the Southern University of Science and Technology,China.The team(Liu et al.,2022)used molecular,biochemical,structural,and genetic analyses and revealed the indispensable role of peptide-receptor complexes in pH sensing in Arabidopsis root apical meristem(RAM)(Figure 1).
基金supported in part by the Iwate University President Fund(to A.R.)Global Innovation Fund,University of Saskatchewan(to I.P.,G.N.G.,and A.R.)+7 种基金supported by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(G.N.G.,I.P.)the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation(G.N.G.,I.P.)The University of Saskatchewan,and Canada Research Chairs(G.N.G.,I.P.)supported by the US Department of Energy(DOE)Office of Science User Facility operated for the DOE Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory under contract no.DE-AC02-06CH11357supported by the US DOE,Office of Science,Office of Basic Energy Sciences under contract no.DE-AC02-76SF00515supported by the DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Researchby the National Institutes of Health(NIH)National Institute of General Medical Sciences(NIGMS)(including P41GM103393)。
文摘Arsenic contamination is a major environmental issue,as it may lead to serious health hazard.The reduced trivalent formof inorganic arsenic,arsenite,is in generalmore toxic to plants comparedwith the fully oxidized pentavalent arsenate.Theuptakeof arsenite inplants hasbeenshown tobemediatedthrough a large subfamily of plant aquaglyceroporins,nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins(NIPs).However,the efflux mechanisms,as well as themechanismof arsenite-induced root growth inhibition,remain poorly understood.Usingmolecular physiology,synchrotron imaging,and root transport assay approaches,we show that the cellular transport of trivalent arsenicals inArabidopsis thalianais stronglymodulatedbyPINFORMED2(PIN2)auxin efflux transporter.Root transport assay using radioactive arsenite,X-ray fluorescence imaging(XFI)coupled with X-ray absorption spectroscopy(XAS),and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis revealed that pin2 plants accumulate higher concentrations of arsenite in roots comparedwith the wild-type.At the cellular level,arsenite specifically targets intracellular sorting of PIN2 and thereby alters the cellular auxin homeostasis.Consistently,loss of PIN2 function results in arsenite hypersensitivity in roots.XFI coupled with XAS further revealed that loss of PIN2 function results in specific accumulation of arsenical species,but not the other metals such as iron,zinc,or calcium in the root tip.Collectively,these results suggest that PIN2 likely functions as an arsenite efflux transporter for the distribution of arsenical species in planta.
文摘Self-mutilation is defined as the intentional,direct injuring of body tissue without suicidal intent.In this article we report the case of a 45-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a history of incising his abdomen and chopping his intestines into pieces.The patient also brought the chopped pieces along with himself.He was operated on,and a resection and anastomosis was done.Postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful.After a psychiatric assessment was done,it was found that he was suffering from delusional disorder.Owing to such rare presentation of major self-mutilation in a patient with delusional disorder,this case is being reported here.
