Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Hana Popelka, Daniel J. J. Klionsky
Summary: A recent study used cryo-electron tomography combined with computational analysis to gain insights into autophagosome biogenesis in yeast cells. This approach provided new information on autophagic structures, their contacts with organelles, membrane sources, and transition mechanisms. These findings open new avenues for autophagy research and highlight the potential of cryo-ET in cell biology.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yusong Shi, Dong Wang, Rongsheng Li, Luqi Huang, Zhubo Dai, Xueli Zhang
Summary: By targeting enzymes to specific subcellular compartments in yeast cells through synthetic biology, the efficiency of natural product biosynthesis can be significantly improved, providing a new strategy for engineering yeast to produce complex natural products.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jian Lu, Cheng Zhang, Weiguo Wang, Wenping Xu, Weidong Chen, Liming Tao, Zhong Li, Yang Zhang, Jiagao Cheng
Summary: Glyphosate (GLY), a widely used herbicide, poses chronic exposure and health risks to the environment and population. This study demonstrates that GLY induces senescence in cardiomyocytes through ROS-mediated DNA damage, and causes cardiotoxicity in zebrafish associated with DNA and mitochondrial damage. It also reveals the activation of ER stress pathway as a mechanism for GLY-induced cardiotoxicity. These findings highlight the importance of examining the potential cardiotoxic effects of GLY.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Xiuxiu Yue, Jiali Chen, Wenqiang Chen, Benhua Wang, Hui Zhang, Xiangzhi Song
Summary: The endoplasmic reticulum, known as the largest organelle in many eukaryotic cells, plays a vital role in maintaining normal cell function. A novel endoplasmic reticulum-targeting fluorescent probe, ER-CP, has been developed for distinguishing and imaging Cys, Hcy, and GSH with favorable sensitivity and selectivity. ER-CP shows good ER-targeting property and has been successfully applied in imaging these biothiols in HeLa cells.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Lucy A. Bartho, Daniel R. McKeating, Natalie J. Hannan, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Anthony Perkins
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between genes related to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and cellular senescence in placentae affected by pregnancy complications. The findings suggest that genes associated with mitochondrial dynamics and aging undergo changes in placentae affected by pregnancy pathologies. The TOMM20/PARK2 ratio may be a promising marker for distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy placental tissue.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Satoko Arakawa, Toku Kanaseki, Ralf Wagner, Ursula Goodenough
Summary: Lichens are niche-constructing organisms formed through symbiotic relationships between fungi, algae, and bacteria. Our analysis using electron microscopy revealed differentiated plasma membrane structures called nubbins in lichens, which play a role in cell polarity determination and inter-hyphal communication. Additionally, we found that substances in algal growth medium can induce fungal differentiation.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Eneko Villanueva, Tom Smith, Mariavittoria Pizzinga, Mohamed Elzek, Rayner M. L. Queiroz, Robert F. Harvey, Lisa M. Breckels, Oliver M. Crook, Mie Monti, Veronica Dezi, Anne E. Willis, Kathryn S. Lilley
Summary: The researchers propose an integrative framework to simultaneously study the dynamics of the transcriptome and proteome at subcellular resolution, mapping them to organelles and membraneless compartments. Using this framework, they reveal the specific localization and dynamic changes of transcripts and proteins within cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ludmila Vcelarova, Vladimir Skalicky, Ivo Chamrad, Rene Lenobel, Martin F. Kubes, Ales Pencik, Ondrej Novak
Summary: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial intracellular membrane network involved in protein and lipid synthesis, as well as regulating auxin homeostasis in plants. Isolating ER poses a challenge due to its similarity with other cellular membranes, but an optimized protocol can yield high-quality samples for analyzing auxin metabolites. Analysis of auxin metabolites revealed elevated levels of active auxin form (IAA) in the ER compared to whole plants, and samples prepared using the optim
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tian Pan, Yihua Wang, Ruonan Jing, Yongfei Wang, Zhongyan Wei, Binglei Zhang, Cailin Lei, Yanzhou Qi, Fan Wang, Xiuhao Bao, Mengyuan Yan, Yu Zhang, Pengcheng Zhang, Mingzhou Yu, Gexing Wan, Yu Chen, Wenkun Yang, Jianping Zhu, Yun Zhu, Shanshan Zhu, Zhijun Cheng, Xin Zhang, Ling Jiang, Yulong Ren, Jianmin Wan
Summary: Protein storage vacuoles (PSVs) in plant seeds accumulate storage proteins, and the study of the rice gpa7 mutant revealed abnormalities in protein targeting and trafficking pathways related to Rab5 and Rab7. The mutant, with altered CCZ1 function, displayed mistargeting of glutelins and abnormal accumulation of storage compartment-like structures. The findings suggest the involvement of the MON1-CCZ1 complex in post-Golgi trafficking of rice storage proteins.
Article
Horticulture
Luyao Zhou, Meng Li, Qingjie Du, Sizhen Yang, Juanqi Li, Yuting Fan, Ke Mao, Juping Zhang, Huaijuan Xiao, Jiqing Wang
Summary: The papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) family plays important roles in plant growth and development, leaf senescence, immunity, and stress responses in pepper. The identification of 35 PLCPs reveals their evolutionary relationships and diverse roles. Expression profiling shows tissue-specific expression patterns, and transcriptional profiling reveals distinct patterns under abiotic stress. Silencing and overexpression experiments demonstrate the involvement of CaCP34 in leaf senescence induced by salt and osmotic stress.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Pin-Chao Liao, Emily J. Yang, Taylor Borgman, Istvan R. Boldogh, Cierra N. Sing, Theresa C. Swayne, Liza A. Pon
Summary: Lipid droplets (LDs) play important roles not only as storage sites for lipids but also as central regulators of metabolism and organelle quality control. Membrane contact sites (MCS) between LDs and other organelles are crucial for these functions. This review summarizes recent findings on the mechanisms and functions of MCS between LDs and mitochondria, ER, and lysosomes/vacuoles, as well as the role of the cytoskeleton in promoting LD MCS through its function in LD movement and distribution in response to environmental cues.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monica De Caroli, Fabrizio Barozzi, Luciana Renna, Gabriella Piro, Gian-Pietro Di Sansebastiano
Summary: Plants rely on both actin and microtubule cytoskeletons to fine-tune sorting and spatial targeting of membranes during cell growth and stress adaptation. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) and cytoskeletons, as well as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export mechanisms. These studies reveal the crucial role of cytoskeleton in regulating plant endomembrane traffic.
Article
Plant Sciences
Miguel Sampaio, Joao Neves, Tatiana Cardoso, Jose Pissarra, Susana Pereira, Claudia Pereira
Summary: Plant cells have developed various mechanisms to cope with stress and changes in their environment, including alterations in protein trafficking and morphology of key organelles. While the understanding of these processes is still limited, recent research is shedding light on the complexity and dynamics of protein transport routes and their significance in maintaining cell homeostasis under harsh conditions.
Review
Plant Sciences
Shunxin Zhou, Chanjuan Zhang, Yi Huang, Haifeng Chen, Songli Yuan, Xinan Zhou
Summary: Delaying nodule senescence in legume crops can improve crop yield and reduce nitrogen fertilizer use, but effective measures are currently lacking. The review summarized the characteristics of nodule senescence and key genes involved, as well as factors affecting nodule senescence, providing a foundation for future research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Cristina Jaramillo-Madrid, Elia Lacchini, Alain Goossens
Summary: This article discusses the recent advances in synthetic biology for increasing the performance of terpene pathways in plants and yeasts. Through engineering of organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisome, as well as the use of specialized transporters, synthetic biology offers solutions for efficient and sustainable production of high-value terpenes, addressing the shortcomings of extraction from natural resources.
CURRENT OPINION IN GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Chiara Lonoce, Carla Marusic, Elena Morrocchi, Anna Maria Salzano, Andrea Scaloni, Flavia Novelli, Claudio Pioli, Mistianne Feeney, Lorenzo Frigerio, Marcello Donini
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Chiara Lonoce, Carla Marusic, Elena Morrocchi, Anna Maria Salzano, Andrea Scaloni, Flavia Novelli, Claudio Pioli, Mistianne Feeney, Lorenzo Frigerio, Marcello Donini
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Plant Sciences
Steven Footitt, Rachel Clewes, Mistianne Feeney, William E. Finch-Savage, Lorenzo Frigerio
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olivia Costantina Demurtas, Rita de Brito Francisco, Gianfranco Diretto, Paola Ferrante, Sarah Frusciante, Marco Pietrella, Giuseppe Aprea, Lorenzo Borghi, Mistianne Feeney, Lorenzo Frigerio, Adriana Coricello, Giosue Costa, Stefano Alcaro, Enrico Martinoia, Giovanni Giuliano
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiang Zhao, Yanli Du, Hetong Wang, Hilary J. Rogers, Cuimei Yu, Wan Liu, Mingzhe Zhao, Futi Xie
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Agronomy
Danilo Aros, Nicole Garrido, Constanza Rivas, Marcela Medel, Carsten Muller, Hilary Rogers, Cristina Ubeda
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Basmah Alharbi, Julie D. Hunt, Simone Dimitrova, Natasha D. Spadafora, Alex P. Cort, Davide Colombo, Carsten T. Mueller, Sandip A. Ghuge, Daniela Davoli, Alessandra Cona, Lorenzo Mariotti, Piero Picciarelli, Barend de Graaf, Hilary J. Rogers
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Halim Kusumaatmaja, Alexander May, Mistianne Feeney, Joseph F. McKenna, Noboru Mizushima, Lorenzo Frigerio, Roland L. Knorr
Summary: This study investigates the biophysical mechanism of PSV morphogenesis, revealing the formation of micrometer-sized liquid droplets containing storage proteins through phase separation that wet the vacuolar membrane. Different tonoplast shapes emerge in response to droplet wetting, leading to the generation of physically separated PSVs in seeds. Additionally, membrane wetting plays a crucial role in the organization of liquid phases in cells by promoting membrane budding and nanotube formation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Maria Greco, Natasha Spadafora, Martin Shine, Ann Smith, Antonella Muto, Innocenzo Muzzalupo, Adriana Chiappetta, Leonardo Bruno, Carsten Muller, Hilary Rogers, M. Beatrice Bitonti
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of cultivar, location, and fruit maturity stage on the flavor and composition of olive oil. The results showed that specific markers could distinguish olive oils from different cultivars, locations, and fruit maturity stages, which is of great importance for quality control of olive oil.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Tiziana M. Sirangelo, Hilary J. Rogers, Natasha D. Spadafora
Summary: This review focuses on the regulation of peach post-harvest processes and related physiology, covering the genomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic modifications. Although progress has been made with Next Generation Sequencing technologies, further research is still needed to fully understand the underlying molecular mechanisms due to the complexity of the process.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Hilary Joan Rogers
Summary: The epigenetic reprogramming through genome-wide histone H3 acetylation (H3K9ac) plays an important role in rice leaf senescence.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sarah R. Christofides, Anita Setarehnejad, Ruth Fairchild, Innocenzo Muzzalupo, Leonardo Bruno, Antonella Muto, Adriana Chiappetta, Maria B. Bitonti, Carsten T. Muller, Hilary J. Rogers, Natasha D. Spadafora
Summary: This study compared the appreciation and purchase decision factors of nectarines between Italy and the UK. The study found that named varieties were more important to Italian respondents, while ripeness, price, and taste were more important to UK respondents. Additionally, fruits at the commercial harvest stage were preferred.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonella Muto, Leonardo Bruno, Maria Letizia Madeo, Richard Ludlow, Michele Ferrari, Louise Stimpson, Claudio LoGiudice, Ernesto Picardi, Antonio Ferrante, Luisa Pasti, Carsten T. Muller, Adriana Ada Ceverista Chiappetta, Hilary J. Rogers, Maria Beatrice Bitonti, Natasha Damiana Spadafora
Summary: This study used transcriptomic analysis to investigate the regulatory pathways involved in fruit deterioration before chilling injury occurs in peach and nectarine. Common pathways were activated in both cultivars during cold storage, but there were also cultivar-specific differences.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hilary J. Rogers
Summary: Floral senescence is a fundamental process in plant development and has ecological, agricultural, and cut flower production significance. The biochemical changes occurring during floral senescence have been well-studied, but the initiation and regulation of the process and inter-organ communication are still not fully understood. Ethylene and other plant growth regulators play important roles, and omics approaches have provided valuable insights, but further research is needed to verify mechanisms and interactions.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amanda J. Dowson, Adrian J. Lloyd, Andrew C. Cuming, David Roper, Lorenzo Frigerio, Christopher G. Dowson
Summary: Accumulating evidence suggests that peptidoglycan is synthesized around the chloroplasts of many photosynthetic eukaryotes, but the biosynthetic pathway has not been demonstrated. This study employed mass spectrometry and enzymology to characterize the synthesis of peptidoglycan in the moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens and found that the biosynthetic pathway is derived from a Gram-negative bacterial progenitor of chloroplasts in early-diverging land plants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanru Feng, Muhammad Shahedul Alam, Feng Yan, Michael Frei
Summary: Tropospheric ozone has significant effects on the remobilization and allocation efficiency of aboveground biomass and nutrients in cereal crops. Long-term ozone exposure increases straw C:N ratio and affects grain C:N ratio. Grain N concentrations increase significantly under ozone stress, but N yield declines due to grain yield losses. Various indicators of N use efficiency are reduced, indicating reduced N absorption from soil and allocation from vegetative to reproductive organs. Straw C:N ratio is not suitable for predicting wheat productivity. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) is not affected by ozone stress, but the relationship between harvest index (HI) and NHI is changed by elevated ozone concentration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cong Guan, Wei Li, Guoliang Wang, Ruimei Yang, Jinglei Zhang, Jinhong Zhang, Bo Wu, Run Gao, Chunlin Jia
Summary: This study characterized the expression profiles of mRNAs and ncRNAs in switchgrass under drought stress. The up-regulated mRNAs were enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, while the differentially expressed lncRNAs potentially regulated protein-coding genes. The study also constructed regulatory networks and validated the functionality of the target gene PvSS4 in enhancing drought tolerance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Nicolas-Espinosa, Lucia Yepes-Molina, Fuensanta Martinez-Bernal, Miriam Fernandez-Pozurama, Micaela Carvajal
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the physiological response of broccoli leaves to abiotic stresses such as salinity and boron toxicity/deficiency. The results showed that the combined stress of salinity and boron deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in plant biomass, and the adaptation mechanisms were associated with water and boron concentration in the leaves. The expression patterns of PIP aquaporins varied among the different stress treatments, and their presence in the plasma membrane and interaction with the lipid environment played potential regulatory roles in facilitating salinity-boron stress adaptation mechanisms.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Feng Huang, Juan Li, Jian-An Huang, Zhong-Hua Liu, Li-Gui Xiong
Summary: This review examines the seasonal trends of phyllosphere microorganisms in woody and herbaceous plants and explores the factors influencing these trends. While herbaceous and woody plants share some similarities and differences in their phyllosphere microbiomes, further experimental validation is needed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changguang Liao, Hui Shen, Zihan Gao, Yunshu Wang, Zhiguo Zhu, Qiaoli Xie, Ting Wu, Guoping Chen, Zongli Hu
Summary: The novel CRF, SlCRF6, plays a crucial role in regulating tomato plant morphology, leaf development, and the accumulation of photosynthetic products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alok Madhu, Alok Sharma, Amandeep Kaur, Kashmir Singh, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay
Summary: In this study, 15 TaMDHAR genes were identified in bread wheat and their crucial roles in antioxidants, growth and development, and stress responses were revealed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kai Zheng, Yongsheng Cai, Yanying Qu, Lu Teng, Chaoyue Wang, Jie Gao, Quanjia Chen
Summary: In this study, the whole genome identification and bioinformatics analysis of the HCT gene family were performed in G. barbadense. The results showed that the GbHCT114 gene regulates plant trichome development, which is closely related to cotton fiber quality. Gene silencing and overexpression experiments confirmed the important role of GbHCT114 gene in cotton fiber morphology, lignin content, and secondary xylem duct cell wall development. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with lignin synthesis and fiber development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanashvi Seth, Sejal Asija, Shahid Umar, Ravi Gupta
Summary: Plants activate a sophisticated signaling cascade in response to pests and pathogens, with lipids playing a crucial role in mediating these defense responses. Different types of lipids are involved in cell signaling during plant-pathogen interaction and each lipid has specific relevance and contributes to specific signaling cascades. Lipid biosynthetic enzymes, including phospholipases, are involved in the production of defense signaling molecules. Lipids participate in stress signaling by mediating signal transduction, acting as precursors for bioactive molecules, regulating ROS formation, and interacting with phytohormones.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yangyang Chen, Xiao Wu, Xiaohua Wang, Qionghou Li, Hao Yin, Shaoling Zhang
Summary: 'Nanguo' pears emit a rich aroma when fully ripe, and the important volatile components are the six-carbon compounds derived from the lipoxygenase pathway. This study identified a highly expressed bZIP transcription factor that is induced during the mature stage of 'Nanguo' pears, and demonstrated its regulatory role in fatty acid-derived volatile biosynthesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao Geng, Haikuan Dou, Jianguang Liu, Guiyuan Zhao, Linlin Liu, Ning Zhao, Hanshuang Zhang, Yongqiang Wang, Zetong An
Summary: The overexpression of GhFB15 gene decreases the salt tolerance of Arabidopsis plants, while silencing the gene improves the salt tolerance of cotton plants. Furthermore, GhFB15 regulates the accumulation of flavonoids and the levels of ROS.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linjun Cai, Ancheng Ma, Jiao Lei, Chongsheng He
Summary: METTL4 is identified as a plant DNA 6mA methyltransferase in Arabidopsis thaliana and plays a crucial role in regulating heat stress response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zailong Tian, Kun Li, Yaru Sun, Baojun Chen, Zhaoe Pan, Zhenzhen Wang, Baoyin Pang, Shoupu He, Yuchen Miao, Xiongming Du
Summary: Plants have evolved a mechanism called 'stress memory' to survive in various environmental stresses. This study reveals the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying drought stress memory formation in cotton, highlighting the role of histone modification H3K4me3 in regulating transcriptional memory. It also investigates the intergenerational inheritance of drought stress memory in cotton, providing theoretical guidance for cotton breeding.