Article
Plant Sciences
Yanling Duan, Hao Tang, Xiaobo Yu
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive classification of 70 A1 aspartic proteases in Arabidopsis was conducted based on phylogenetic and gene structure analyses of 1200 A1 aspartic proteases from 12 plant species. Four groups and several subgroups were identified, providing insights into the diversity and unique features of A1 aspartic proteases. Moreover, the combination of AlphaFold predicted structures and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the promising potential of this approach for complex gene family classification.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Md Soyib Hasan, Vishal Singh, Shiful Islam, Md Sifatul Islam, Raju Ahsan, Amita Kaundal, Tahmina Islam, Ajit Ghosh
Summary: Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are an ancient, ubiquitous, multi-functional antioxidant enzyme superfamily that play a crucial role in cellular detoxification and plant development. Through genome-wide identification, it was found that Medicago truncatula has ninety-two putative MtGST genes coding for 120 proteins, classified into twelve classes. Expression profiling showed high organ/tissue-specific expression, with certain members significantly up-regulated in response to stresses. Among stress-responsive members, MtGSTU17 exhibited strong substrate affinity and conserved binding site residues. These findings will aid in further understanding the function and evolution of GST genes in Medicago.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Wang, Dan Wang, Xiaobin Ji, Jun Wang, Steven J. Klosterman, Xiaofeng Dai, Jieyin Chen, Krishna V. Subbarao, Xiaojuan Hao, Dandan Zhang
Summary: This study shows that the small cysteine-rich protein VdSCP23 from Verticillium dahliae can inhibit cell necrosis, reactive oxygen species burst, electrolyte leakage, and the expression of defense-related genes in Nicotiana benthamiana. Localization analysis reveals that VdSCP23 is mainly located in the plasma membrane and nucleus of plant cells. The inhibition of immune responses by VdSCP23 is not dependent on its nuclear localization or cysteine residues, but on N-glycosylation sites and the integrity of protein structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Huanjie Yang, Xeniya Kim, Jan Sklenar, Sebastien Aubourg, Gloria Sancho-Andres, Elia Stahl, Marie-Charlotte Guillou, Nora Gigli-Bisceglia, Loup Tran Van Canh, Kyle W. Bender, Annick Stintzi, Philippe Reymond, Clara Sanchez-Rodriguez, Christa Testerink, Jean-Pierre Renou, Frank L. H. Menke, Andreas Schaller, Jack Rhodes, Cyril Zipfel
Summary: This study reveals the highly expanded SCOOP signalling peptide family in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, with at least 50 members, whose activities are strictly dependent upon the receptor kinase MIK2. Two classes of subtilases are involved in processing PROSCOOPs to generate bioactive SCOOP peptides. Mutations in these subtilases phenocopy the mik2 receptor mutant, demonstrating the biological relevance of SCOOP perception by MIK2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liam Butler, Carolina Locatelli, Despoina Allagioti, Irina Lousa, Kimon Lemonidis, Nicholas C. O. Tomkinson, Christine Salaun, Luke H. Chamberlain
Summary: S-acylation is an important post-translational modification mediated by the zDHHC enzyme family. This study focused on the S-acylation of Sprouty and SPRED proteins by zDHHC17. Surprisingly, the zDHHC ANK binding motif (zDABM) was found to be dispensable for S-acylation in Sprouty-2, and SPRED3, which lacks zDABM, was efficiently S-acylated. Mutational analysis revealed that the cysteine-rich SPR domain of SPRED3 interacts with zDHHC17, independent of ANK17. Thus, zDHHC17 can recognize its substrates through both zDABM-dependent and zDABM-independent mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan W. Lawley, Anthony R. Carroll, Carmel McDougall
Summary: The study investigated a new pigment family in cnidarians, called rhizostomins. Eight proteins with specific structural domains were identified as potential precursors of this new pigment. These proteins may produce pigments of different colors in various jellyfish species, as well as perform other biochemical and biophysical roles. Future research could explore the function of rhizostomins and potential biotechnological applications for these proteins.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yi Zhang, Ali Raza, He Huang, Wei Su, Dan Luo, Liu Zeng, Xiaoyu Ding, Yong Cheng, Zhaofeng Liu, Quanan Li, Yan Lv, Xiling Zou
Summary: In this study, 35 Lhcb genes (BnLhcbs) were identified in the rapeseed genome, which play essential roles in photosynthesis and stress response. The BnLhcb3.4 gene was significantly induced in the tolerant rapeseed cultivar and down-regulated in the sensitive cultivar. Overexpression of BnLhcb3.4 gene enhanced the freezing tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis and altered the expression of ABA-responsive genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheng Ying
Summary: The DUF506 family of genes is widely distributed in photosynthetic organisms, with plant DUF506 genes showing functional preservation and evolutionary pressure. Subcellular protein localization and transcript analyses indicate that DUF506 proteins are responsive to external stimuli and nutrient deficiencies. Protein-protein interaction network analysis suggests that DUF506 genes are involved in environmental responses and Ca(2+) signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marciel Pereira Mendes, Richard Hickman, Marcel C. Van Verk, Nicole M. Nieuwendijk, Anja Reinstaedler, Ralph Panstruga, Corne M. J. Pieterse, Saskia C. M. Van Wees
Summary: The study shows that overexpression of pathogen-induced cysteine-rich transmembrane proteins (PCMs) in Arabidopsis enhances resistance against pathogens and stimulates hypocotyl growth, suggesting a potential role for PCMs in connecting disease resistance and photomorphogenesis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Cheng Zhang, Jiabao Yang, Wanqiu Meng, Linglu Zeng, Li Sun
Summary: This study investigated the functional role of twelve HaWSD genes in sunflower and their impact on wax ester synthesis and stress tolerance. The results showed that HaWSD9 is a wax ester synthase that functions in the endoplasmic reticulum and plays an important role in stress response and wax ester synthesis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lorena Suarez-Artiles, Tilman Breiderhoff, Rossana Girardello, Hannes Gonschior, Sophie Rodius, Antoine Lesur, Ulf Reimer, Evelyn Ramberger, Daniel Perez-Hernandez, Dominik Muller, Philipp Mertins, Gunnar Dittmar
Summary: This study investigates the interaction of the C-terminal tails of the Claudin family with other proteins, revealing their potential involvement in specific biological processes in epithelial cells and their regulation by post-translational modifications.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jessica Trinh, Tianrun Li, Jessica Y. Franco, Tania Y. Toruno, Danielle M. Stevens, Shree P. Thapa, Justin Wong, Rebeca Pineda, Emmanuel Avila de Dios, Tracy L. Kahn, Danelle K. Seymour, Chandrika Ramadugu, Gitta L. Coaker
Summary: Citrus and wild relatives have diverse immune responses to microbial features, but flagellin and chitin immune receptors are conserved in cultivated Citrus species. In this study, immune responses of 86 Rutaceae genotypes were analyzed, revealing variation in responses to microbial features within and between members. Differences in chitin and flg22 perception in citrus genotypes were found not to be the result of sequence polymorphisms at the receptor level. These findings provide insights into the diversity of microbial feature perception and identify genotypes capable of recognizing polymorphic pathogen features.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ilka Erven, Elena Abraham, Thomas Hermanns, Ulrich Baumann, Kay Hofmann
Summary: Distinct families of eukaryotic deubiquitinases (DUBs) are regulators of ubiquitin signaling. In addition to the known large tegument proteins of herpesviruses, a new class of DUBs has been identified in eukaryotes and bacteria. This class, named VTD (Viral tegument-like DUB), shows distant homology with the herpesvirus tegument proteins and has diverse specificity for different types of ubiquitin chains.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zekai Kong, Min Xu, Yanqing Zhang, Wenda Huang, Xiaolu Zhao, Jie Luo, Bao-Liang Song
Summary: The Hedgehog signaling pathway relies on the activation of Smoothened (SMO) through cholesterol modification. This study identifies key residues, including D95, Y130, Y85, T88, T90, W109, W119, K133, E160, and F166, involved in the cholesterol modification of SMO. In particular, a cation-pi interaction between Y85 and K133 is found to be crucial for SMO cholesterylation and ciliary localization.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuting Xie, Yeting Gu, Guangping Shi, Jianliang He, Wenjing Hu, Zhonghui Zhang
Summary: This study identified 20 AtPUSs and 22 ZmPUSs from Arabidopsis and maize, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis categorized them into six known subfamilies. Non-canonical RluA variants were also discovered, and subcellular localization of PUS proteins was determined. Transcriptional expression analysis revealed tissue-specific expression and differential responses to heat and salt stresses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)