Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Zhou, Shengxiong Huang, Wei Tang, Zhongqiu Wu, Siqi Sun, Yaqiong Qiu, Hongtao Wang, Xue Chen, Xiaofeng Tang, Fangming Xiao, Yongsheng Liu, Xiangli Niu
Summary: In this study, ten strains of Kiwifruit bacterial canker were isolated and sequenced, revealing divergences in pathogenicity and pathogenic-related genes among the strains. Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae infection re-programmed the expression of host genes, with down-regulation of genes involved in plant-pathogen interactions, especially calcium signaling transduction and fatty acid elongation. These findings provide insights into understanding the molecular mechanism of Psa-kiwifruit interactions and improving resistance in the kiwifruit crop.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Liu, Chao Zhao, Lu Liu, Dong Huang, Chao Ma, Rui Li, Lili Huang
Summary: A study found that there are 13 TGA genes in kiwifruit, and these genes play an important role in the resistance against kiwifruit bacterial canker, regulated by tissue and hormones.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aitana Ares, Marta Tacao, Daniela Figueira, Eva Garcia, Joana Costa
Summary: This study reported the draft genome of six strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae isolated from kiwifruit symptomatic leaves in Portugal, revealing genetic diversity within the population. The data suggests that there was genomic diversification following the clonal expansion of P. syringae pv. actinidiae in Europe.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tony Reglinski, Kirstin V. Wurms, Joel L. Vanneste, Annette Ah Chee, Magan Schipper, Deirdre Cornish, Janet Yu, Jordan McAlinden, Duncan Hedderley
Summary: This study compares the pathogen susceptibility and defence gene inducibility between Actinidia arguta cultivar 'Hortgem Tahi' and two cultivars of A. chinensis, 'Hayward' and 'Zesy002'. The results show that different cultivars exhibit different resistance to different pathogens, and the gene expression is affected by treatments with ASM and MeJA. The Ch-Glu inducer demonstrates its potential effectiveness as an alternative to actual pathogen inoculation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yan Lan, Yu-Kun Zheng, Liu-Yi Wu, Zi-Jun Zhou, Ruo-Xin Guan, Heng Xu, Ji-Yuan Tu, Xin Gu, Rui Wang, Nan Jiang, Yuan Wu, Cheng-Ren Shu, Zhong-Shi Zhou
Summary: The alcohol extract of Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) has been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, potentially through the inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in the spinal cord.
DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Fa-ming Wang, Jian-you Gao, Jie-wei Li, Cui-xia Liu, Quan-hui Mo, Pu Liu, Wei Tang, Hong-juan Gong, Bei-bei Qi, Ping-ping Liu, Qiao-sheng Jiang, Kai-yu Ye
Summary: Kiwifruit bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) has been the most destructive disease for kiwifruit plants. In this study, 62 cultivars of A. chinensis were evaluated for Psa resistance, and the activities of defense-related enzymes were analyzed. The results showed a higher percentage of Psa-resistant A. chinensis cultivars compared to the recognized Psa-tolerant cultivar Hayward. Some red- and yellow-fleshed cultivars were found to have strong tolerance to Psa. The study also revealed a positive correlation between the activities of two enzymes and the resistance of the test cultivars. These findings enhance the understanding of A. chinensis cultivars' resistance to Psa and provide a basis for the use of existing cultivars and breeding improved Psa-resistant ones.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Erin A. Stroud, Erik H. A. Rikkerink, Jay Jayaraman, Matthew D. Templeton
Summary: Bacterial canker, the most serious disease of kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, is controlled by the key plant defense hormone salicylic acid and its mimic, ActigardTM. Research demonstrates that ActigardTM treatment induces expression of salicylic acid defense genes to limit pathogen growth and prevent disease symptoms.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristiana Correia, Federico Magnani, Chiara Pastore, Antonio Cellini, Irene Donati, Giuseppina Pennisi, Ivan Paucek, Francesco Orsini, Elodie Vandelle, Conceicao Santos, Francesco Spinelli
Summary: The combination of red and blue light has significant effects on the growth and photosynthesis of Actinidia chinensis. Monochromatic red and blue lights have different effects on the colonization and infection of the pathogen. Blue light primarily reduces disease symptoms by modulating pathogen virulence rather than enhancing plant defenses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Cellini, Irene Donati, Brian Farneti, Iuliia Khomenko, Giampaolo Buriani, Franco Biasioli, Simona M. Cristescu, Francesco Spinelli
Summary: Ethylene interacts with other plant hormones to modulate plant metabolism, affecting defense mechanisms and stomatal regulation. In the case of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the production of ethylene by the highly virulent biovar may play a role in overcoming host immune responses. This study suggests that ethylene production by the pathogen could be a recently evolved virulence trait in the ongoing battle between plant and pathogen.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Carla Zannella, Annalisa Chianese, Giuseppe Annunziata, Annalisa Ambrosino, Anna De Filippis, Gian Carlo Tenore, Ettore Novellino, Mariano Stornaiuolo, Massimiliano Galdiero
Summary: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common virus that causes oral or genital ulcers and can lead to severe complications. Current anti-HSV drugs have limitations, so there is a need for new antiviral compounds. This study tested a polyphenol-based nutraceutical formulation called Taurisolo(R), which showed potential in inhibiting the early stages of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. These findings suggest that Taurisolo(R) could be used as a topical treatment for preventing and healing herpes lesions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Daniel J. da Silva, Matheus M. de Oliveira, Shu Hui Wang, Danilo J. Carastan, Derval S. Rosa
Summary: Grape pomace, a by-product of winemaking, is rich in polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It can be recycled to manufacture fruit extracts for new technological products. Developing non-toxic packaging materials for food contact is exciting because of the potential migration of components in the polymer to the food. The use of grape pomace extract in bactericidal isotactic polypropylene (PP) shows antimicrobial activity and low water vapor permeability, making it a potential active and safer polymeric food packaging.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Badr Alzahrani, Abozer Y. Y. Elderdery, Nasser A. N. Alzerwi, Abdullah Alsrhani, Afnan Alsultan, Musaed Rayzah, Bandar Idrees, Fares Rayzah, Yaser Baksh, Ahmed M. M. Alzahrani, Suresh K. K. Subbiah, Pooi Ling Mok
Summary: Nanotechnology is a popular research topic with revolutionary applications. Tin oxide (SnO2) has gained considerable attention due to its intriguing features. This study successfully tailored the properties of synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles and provided insights into their synthesis process. Additionally, green Pluronic-coated SnO2 nanoparticles showed significant anticancer effects against HepG2 cells.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mafalda Reis-Pereira, Renan Tosin, Rui Martins, Filipe Neves dos Santos, Fernando Tavares, Mario Cunha
Summary: This study investigated the potential of hyperspectral UV-VIS reflectance for in-situ, non-destructive discrimination of bacterial canker on kiwi leaves. Various modeling approaches were tested and a combination of a support vector machine algorithm with a radial kernel and class weights was selected as the final model. The results showed that spectral point measurements acquired in situ can be used for crop disease diagnosis.
Article
Microbiology
Juliana Oliveira-Fernandes, Paulo R. Oliveira-Pinto, Nuno Mariz-Ponte, Rose M. O. F. Sousa, Conceicao Santos
Summary: This study characterized the anti-Psa potential of Mentha pulegium and Satureja montana essential oils and investigated their effects on plant hormonal defenses.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriela Fletes-Vargas, Rogelio Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Neith Pacheco, Alejandro Perez-Larios, Hugo Espinosa-Andrews
Summary: This study optimized the extraction conditions of Polygonum cuspidatum root to increase its antioxidant capacity, extraction yield, resveratrol concentration, and total polyphenolic compounds. The optimized extract showed higher biological activities compared to the infusion and could be used for developing functional beverages, antioxidants for edible oils, functional foods, and cosmetics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Cairone, Giovanna Simonetti, Anastasia Orekhova, Maria Antonietta Casadei, Gokhan Zengin, Stefania Cesa
Summary: The study focused on strawberries of cultivar Clery, evaluating their inhibitory effects on various enzymes. The results demonstrate the potential medicinal benefits of strawberries when processed correctly.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iris Sammarco, Janto Pieters, Susnata Salony, Izabela Toman, Grygoriy Zolotarov, Clement Lafon Placette
Summary: Transposable elements (TEs) are selfish genetic elements that can propagate in a host genome. While most TE copies are degenerated and unable to transpose, they often remain silenced through epigenetic mechanisms. The maintenance of TE relic silencing may be a trade-off between beneficial and deleterious effects, as it may prove detrimental to the host fitness without the benefit of preventing transposition. However, the release of TE relic silencing may provide opportunities for adaptive epimutations to occur.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bruna J. Quintanilha, Daniela F. S. Chaves, Elisa Brasili, Telma A. F. Correa, Vinicius Cooper Capetini, Frederico Moraes Ferreira, Inar A. Castro, Neuza M. A. Hassimotto, Marcelo M. Rogero, Franco M. Lajolo
Summary: This study found that the intake of high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals with orange juice can modulate the expression of miRNAs linked to pancreatic beta-cell function. In a crossover design study involving twelve healthy subjects, it was observed that the intake of HFHC meal + orange juice increased the expression of plasma miR-375, which is a biomarker of pancreatic beta-cell function, and contributed to preventing hyperglycemia.
CLINICAL NUTRITION ESPEN
(2022)
Article
Virology
Livia Donati, Sabrina Bertin, Andrea Gentili, Marta Luigi, Anna Taglienti, Ariana Manglli, Antonio Tiberini, Elisa Brasili, Fabio Sciubba, Gabriella Pasqua, Luca Ferretti
Summary: The use of organic substances in integrated pest management can contribute to safe crop production. In this study, the effects of a combination of organic biostimulants and an inorganic corroborant on the response of zucchini plants to tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus were tested. Although no antiviral effects were observed, the biostimulants influenced plant fitness and increased biomass and fruit production.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulia De Angelis, Giovanna Simonetti, Laura Chronopoulou, Anastasia Orekhova, Camilla Badiali, Valerio Petruccelli, Francesca Portoghesi, Simone D'Angeli, Elisa Brasili, Gabriella Pasqua, Cleofe Palocci
Summary: The use of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles as a delivery system has been found to effectively fight Botrytis cinerea infections. These nanoparticles, loaded with a high fluorescent probe, were observed to penetrate the conidia and mycelium of the pathogen. Furthermore, the compounds loaded in the nanoparticles exhibited higher antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Iris Sammarco, Zuzana Muenzbergova, Vit Latzel
Summary: The study assesses the role of epigenetic mechanisms, specifically DNA methylation, in local adaptation and response to temperature changes in a clonal plant species. The findings suggest that increasing temperature limits the survival and distribution of the plant, and epigenetic adaptation may help plants cope with climate change to some extent. However, the effectiveness of DNA methylation may depend on environmental conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Francesco Cairone, Stefania Garzoli, Luigi Menghini, Giovanna Simonetti, Maria Antonietta Casadei, Laura Di Muzio, Stefania Cesa
Summary: Kiwi fruit samples can be used to obtain fibers, polyphenols, and carotenoids through extraction. The extracted compounds were analyzed and evaluated, showing that they are value-added products. Hypotheses were also made about the nature and recycle of the obtained residues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasia Orekhova, Cleofe Palocci, Laura Chronopoulou, Giulia De Angelis, Camilla Badiali, Valerio Petruccelli, Simone D'Angeli, Gabriella Pasqua, Giovanna Simonetti
Summary: In this study, PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Coumarin 6 and pterostilbene were tested for their antifungal activity and uptake efficiency against Aspergillus brasiliensis biofilm. The results showed that PLGA-PTB-NPs had a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation and reduced mortality in infected larvae. The PLGA-NPs system demonstrated the ability to improve the bioavailability of pterostilbene in Aspergillus section Nigri biofilm.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Simone Carradori, Alessandra Ammazzalorso, Barbara De Filippis, Ahmet Fatih Sahin, Atilla Akdemir, Anastasia Orekhova, Graziana Bonincontro, Giovanna Simonetti
Summary: Fungal pathogens cause over a billion human infections annually. In this study, a library of imidazole- and triazole-based compounds were screened and an imidazole carbamate 12 was identified as a potent antifungal against Candida glabrata and Candida krusei biofilms. Furthermore, compound 12 showed a significant reduction in Candida infection in Galleria mellonella larvae without any toxicity. In silico predictions indicated that the combination of the imidazole core, the carbamate, and the p-chlorophenyl group are important for strong interactions with lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase and fungal carbonic anhydrase, with the S-enantiomer being more productive in these interactions.
Article
Microbiology
Anastasia Orekhova, Marta De Angelis, Andrea Cacciotti, Massimo Reverberi, Dante Rotili, Alessandra Giorgi, Virginia Protto, Graziana Bonincontro, Francesco Fiorentino, Victor Zgoda, Antonello Mai, Anna Teresa Palamara, Giovanna Simonetti
Summary: In this study, the impact of the BET inhibitor JQ1 on the extracellular proteins and virulence of A. fumigatus was evaluated. The results showed that JQ1 could significantly modulate the expression of extracellular proteins and attenuate the virulence of A. fumigatus. Furthermore, JQ1 was found to inhibit the expression of intracellular laccase Abr2 in A. fumigatus.
Review
Plant Sciences
Camilla Badiali, Valerio Petruccelli, Elisa Brasili, Gabriella Pasqua
Summary: Xanthones are valuable secondary metabolites produced by plants with diverse structures and biological activities. This review summarizes the current knowledge of xanthone biosynthesis in plants, including the precursors, enzymes involved, and their cellular and organ localization. The biosynthetic pathway in plants involves the shikimate and acetate pathways, leading to the central intermediate 2,3',4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone. Unlike plants, xanthones in fungi and lichens are entirely derived from polyketide. Further studies are needed to investigate the synthesis mechanisms in order to exploit xanthones for practical applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iris Sammarco, Zuzana Muenzbergova, Vit Latzel
Summary: The high rate of climate change can expose plants to conditions beyond their adaptation limits. Clonal plants may be particularly affected due to limited genetic diversity, potentially reducing adaptability. In this study, we tested the ability of a predominantly clonally reproducing herb to adapt to future climatic conditions predicted for the end of the twenty-first century. We found that the herb could adjust phenotypically, but drought resistance may be reduced and changes in reproduction and gene expression may negatively impact long-term adaptation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Graziana Bonincontro, Sarah Adriana Scuderi, Andreana Marino, Giovanna Simonetti
Summary: The synergistic effects of plant metabolites combined with conventional antimicrobials can effectively fight against drug-resistant infections caused by biofilms. This synergy can modify resistance mechanisms, reduce adverse effects, and achieve appropriate therapeutic effects at lower doses.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roberta Maria Nicolosi, Graziana Bonincontro, Elena Imperia, Camilla Badiali, Daniela De Vita, Fabio Sciubba, Laura Dugo, Michele Pier Luca Guarino, Annamaria Altomare, Giovanna Simonetti, Gabriella Pasqua
Summary: The protective effect of procyanidin-rich grape seed extract (prGSE) on gastrointestinal diseases caused by bacterial endotoxin and biofilm formation has been studied. It can reduce permeability alteration and oxidative stress, and inhibit biofilm formation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Iris Sammarco, Barbara Diez Rodriguez, Dario Galanti, Adam Nunn, Claude Becker, Oliver Bossdorf, Zuzana Muenzbergova, Vit Latzel
Summary: Our study investigated the adaptive potential of DNA methylation in wild clonal populations of Fragaria vesca. We found that epigenetic variation was partly associated with climate of origin and a large proportion of this variation was heritable across clonal generations. These epigenetic changes affected the expression of genes involved in plant growth and responses to stress.