Article
Cell Biology
Chengxiang Li, Songyao Zhang, Xingying Yan, Peng Cheng, Hao Yu
Summary: We conducted a cell census of rice pistils before fertilization using droplet-based single-nucleus RNA sequencing. The identification of cell markers through in situ hybridization validated the cell-type annotation and revealed cell heterogeneity between ovule- and carpel-originated cells. Comparison of 1N (gametophyte) and 2N (sporophyte) nuclei provided insights into the developmental path of germ cells in ovules and trajectory analysis of carpel-originated cells highlighted previously neglected features. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of cellular differentiation and development in rice pistils and provide a foundation for studying female reproductive development in plants.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaoqun Shen, Yueya Zhang, Gang Li, Jin Shi, Duoxiang Wang, Wanwan Zhu, Xiujuan Yang, Ludovico Dreni, Matthew R. Tucker, Dabing Zhang
Summary: Temperature is an important factor affecting plant growth and diversity. This study reveals a previously unknown mechanism of plant floral organ development and temperature response. The MADS8 gene plays a conserved role in maintaining pistil number and ovule initiation in barley and rice, and its activity is temperature-dependent. This study also uncovers the regulatory relationship between MADS8 and other genes.
Review
Agronomy
Yue Chen, Haifan Wen, Jian Pan, Hui Du, Keyan Zhang, Leyu Zhang, Yao Yu, Huanle He, Run Cai, Junsong Pan, Gang Wang
Summary: An unusual flower and tendril (uft) mutant in cucumber was caused by a mutation in the gene encoding an F-box protein, resulting in down-regulation of organ development genes and significantly decreased expression level of CsUFO gene. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of flower organogenesis in cucumber.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mengting Pi, Shaoqiang Hu, Laichao Cheng, Ruhan Zhong, Zhuoying Cai, Zhongchi Liu, Jia-Long Yao, Chunying Kang
Summary: This study identified a mutant named R27 in woodland strawberry, highlighting the important role of the FveSEP3 gene in flower development and fruit growth. Further experiments showed that FveSEP3 can physically interact with the ABCE proteins in strawberry. Additionally, R27 and fvesep3(CR) mutants displayed parthenocarpic fruit growth and delayed fruit ripening, indicating the regulatory role of FveSEP3 in fruit development.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zuo-Qian Pu, Zi-Qin Xu
Summary: The identity of floral organs is defined by a small group of transcriptional regulators, with A. thaliana serving as material to establish the ABCDE model. Specific combinations of A-, B-, C-, D-, or E-class floral homeotic genes confirm the identity of different floral organs.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Beth A. Krizek, Alexis T. Bantle, Jorman M. Heflin, Han Han, Nowlan H. Freese, Ann E. Loraine
Summary: Arabidopsis flower primordia give rise to organ primordia in stereotypical positions within four concentric whorls. Transcription factors ANT and AIL6 play important roles in the initiation and specification of floral organ identity, as well as the regulation of growth and morphogenesis during flower development. Genome-wide binding site analysis revealed that ANT and AIL6 target genes involved in various biological processes related to meristem and flower organ development, including class B and C floral homeotic genes, growth regulatory genes, and genes involved in vascular development. The comparison of ChIP-Seq peaks and differentially expressed genes after perturbation of ANT and AIL6 activity identified likely direct targets of ANT and AIL6 regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yi Wen, Peng Hu, Yunxia Fang, Yiqing Tan, Yueying Wang, Hao Wu, Junge Wang, Kaixiong Wu, Bingze Chai, Li Zhu, Guangheng Zhang, Zhenyu Gao, Deyong Ren, Dali Zeng, Lan Shen, Guojun Dong, Qiang Zhang, Qing Li, Guosheng Xiong, Dawei Xue, Qian Qian, Jiang Hu
Summary: Grain weight is a crucial factor affecting grain yield, but the mechanistic understanding of grain size regulation is still incomplete. In this study, a rice mutant gw9 with larger and heavier grains was identified, which was attributed to excessive cell proliferation and expansion in the spikelet hull. GW9 encodes a nucleus-localized protein with both C2H2-ZnF and VEFS domains, acting as a negative regulator of grain size and weight. The interaction between GW9 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase protein GW2 was also discovered, with GW2 ubiquitinating GW9. GW9 and GW2 function in a coordinated pathway controlling grain size and weight.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Philippe Rieu, Laura Turchi, Emmanuel Thevenon, Eleftherios Zarkadas, Max Nanao, Hicham Chahtane, Gabrielle Tichtinsky, Jeremy Lucas, Romain Blanc-Mathieu, Chloe Zubieta, Guy Schoehn, Francois Parcy
Summary: LEAFY is a transcription factor that controls flower development by interacting with other proteins, including the F-box protein UFO. This study discovered that UFO acts as a transcriptional cofactor and guides LEAFY to new genomic locations. The research reveals a unique mechanism of an F-box protein directly influencing the DNA binding specificity of a master transcription factor.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Panyisha Wu, Moya Zhang, Nicholas J. G. Webster
Summary: Alternative RNA splicing is an important biological process that has been linked to various clinical syndromes, but its applicability to common diseases is still uncertain. This review focuses on the changes in alternative RNA splicing in fatty liver disease and the role of splicing regulation in disease progression.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yaming Cai, Lu Wang, Collins Otieno Ogutu, Qiurui Yang, Binwen Luo, Liao Liao, Beibei Zheng, Ruoxi Zhang, Yuepeng Han
Summary: This study revealed the roles of ABCE model genes in double flower development in peach, with a focus on the importance of the PpPI gene. Additionally, it was found that single flowers could occasionally transform into double flowers by converting stamens to petals, indicating a potential evolutionary link between single and double flower structures.
PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ailbhe J. Brazel, Roisin Fattorini, Jesse McCarthy, Rainer Franzen, Florian Ruempler, George Coupland, Diarmuid S. o'Maoileidigh
Summary: This study reveals that the MADS domain transcription factor AG inhibits stomatal development on the gynoecial valves of Arabidopsis thaliana, ensuring that maturation of stomatal complexes coincides with fertilization. The regulation by AG is mediated by direct transcriptional repression of a master regulator of the stomatal lineage, MUTE, and this interaction is conserved among several members of the Brassicaceae. This work provides insights into floral organ formation and the control of floral organ photosynthesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaowen Wang, Xiuli Liu, Zhi Hu, Shuhui Bao, Huihuang Xia, Bing Feng, Lai Ma, Gengmao Zhao, Dechun Zhang, Yibing Hu
Summary: Sucrose-proton symporters, particularly OsSUT1, are crucial for carbohydrate transport during rice reproductive stage, with its knockout resulting in dwarfism and infertility in homozygous mutants. Furthermore, OsSUT1 exhibits at least 6 alternative splicing transcripts, which show distinct expression patterns during rice growth stages, highlighting the diverse functions of this gene.
Review
Biology
Showkat Ahmad Ganie, Anireddy S. N. Reddy
Summary: When facing environmental stresses, alternative splicing (AS) plays a crucial role in rice by rapidly regulating gene expression to help the plant adapt to various pressures. Studies have shown that AS is important for rice growth and development, especially under stress conditions. Understanding the impact of AS on rice and its pathogens can provide valuable insights for developing stress-resistant rice varieties in the future.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sang Gu Kang, Dong Sun Lee, Geum Sook Do, Devendra Pandeya, Mohammad Nurul Matin
Summary: The failure of midrib formation in rice leaf blades results in the drooping leaf (dl) phenotype. A new drooping leaf mutant named dl-6 in rice was analyzed genetically. The dl-6 mutant exhibited severely folded and twisted leaves but normal flower structure. It is a nuclear recessive trait with a 3:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. The dl-6 mutant displayed abnormal main veins with undeveloped aerenchyma and vascular bundles, resulting in severe leaf drooping. Through genetic mapping, the dl-6 allele was identified on rice chromosome 3 and caused by mutations within the DL gene encoding a dysfunctional YABBY transcription factor. This mutant provides insight into the regulation of leaf midrib development and its importance in maintaining leaf structure in rice.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhenyu Ma, Mingyue Li, Huaning Zhang, Baihui Zhao, Zihui Liu, Shuonan Duan, Xiangzhao Meng, Guoliang Li, Xiulin Guo
Summary: High temperature reduces crop production, especially wheat. A novel splice variant, TaHsfA2-7-AS, was induced by heat and positively regulated thermotolerance in wheat. TaHsfA2-7-AS encodes a truncated isoform and its expression is up-regulated during heat shock.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Mazzini, Stefano Ricagno, Serena Caminito, Paola Rognoni, Paolo Milani, Mario Nuvolone, Marco Basset, Andrea Foli, Rosaria Russo, Giampaolo Merlini, Giovanni Palladini, Francesca Lavatelli
Summary: AL amyloidosis is characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin light chains in target organs, with LC fragments consistently present in deposits. The fragmentation sites of LCs were found to be consistent across multiple organs but with some organ-specific positions, possibly due to a complex of proteases. Cleavage sites are concentrated in 'proteolysis-prone' regions, common to all tissues. Several proteolytic sites are not accessible on native dimers, while they are compatible with fibrils. This suggests that the heterogeneous ensemble of LC fragments originates in tissues and is consistent with digestion of preformed fibrils.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Juliana Pelissari Marchi, Francislaine Aparecida dos Reis Livero, Andreia Assuncao Soare, Glacy Jaqueline da Silva, Ana Karina Vargas Soares, Camila Moreno Giarolo, Ezilda Jacomassi, Lauro Mera de Souza, Wanessa de Campos Bortolucci, Zilda Cristiani Gazim, Caio Franco de Araujo Almeida Campos, Jose Eduardo Goncalves, Cintia de Souza Alferes Araujo, Samantha Wietzikoski, Evellyn Claudia Wietzikoski Lovato
Summary: The extraction method of Curcuma longa rhizomes affects its chemical composition and antioxidant activity. The dried hydroethanolic extract obtained by spray drying has higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity.
BOLETIN LATINOAMERICANO Y DEL CARIBE DE PLANTAS MEDICINALES Y AROMATICAS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rosaria Russo, Margherita Romeo, Tim Schulte, Martina Maritan, Luca Oberti, Maria Monica Barzago, Alberto Barbiroli, Carlo Pappone, Luigi Anastasia, Giovanni Palladini, Luisa Diomede, Stefano Ricagno
Summary: This study demonstrates the specific binding of Cu2+ to the variable domain of amyloidogenic H7 with a sub-micromolar affinity using microscale thermophoresis, isothermal calorimetry and thermal melting. The binding of copper ions is just one of the several biochemical traits contributing to light chain amyloidosis soluble toxicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei Xu, Wanwan Zhu, Liu Yang, Wanqi Liang, Hui Li, Li Yang, Mingjiao Chen, Zhijing Luo, Guoqiang Huang, Lei Duan, Ludovico Dreni, Dabing Zhang
Summary: The rice gene SRO plays a crucial role in regulating reproductive organ size in rice flowers by affecting genes involved in cell division, cell expansion, and phytohormone signaling. SRO is specifically expressed in the early stages of stamen filament development and noncell-autonomously regulates the size and functionality of male and female reproductive organs. SRO synergistically interacts with genes like OsMADS3 and OsMADS58 to control reproductive organ specification and floral meristem determinacy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wanwan Zhu, Liu Yang, Di Wu, Qingcai Meng, Xiao Deng, Guoqiang Huang, Jiao Zhang, Xiaofei Chen, Cristina Ferrandiz, Wanqi Liang, Ludovico Dreni, Dabing Zhang
Summary: This study identifies the important roles of OsMADS5 and OsMADS34 in rice panicle development, limiting branching and promoting the transition to spikelet meristem identity. Through the regulation of RCN4 expression, the research reveals the mechanisms of OsMADS family in rice panicle development.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Christopher Weidner, Sophia Edelmann, Dominik Moor, Kathrin Lieske, Christian Savini, Sara Jacchia, Maria Grazia Sacco, Marco Mazzara, Joern Laemke, Kolja Neil Eckermann, Hendrik Emons, Joachim Mankertz, Lutz Grohmann
Summary: A recently published real-time PCR method claimed to be able to detect and identify genome-edited oilseed rape lines in North America. However, the method showed issues with specificity and robustness, making it unsuitable for official controls of genetically modified products in the EU.
FOOD ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tarcio Enrico Savoldi, Fabiano Bisinella Scheufele, Deisy Alessandra Drunkler, Glacy Jaqueline da Silva, Juliana Destro de Lima, Keiti Lopes Maestre, Carina Contini Triques, Edson Antonio da Silva, Monica Lady Fiorese
Summary: This research successfully microencapsulated and preserved Saccharomyces boulardii using spray-drying method with vegan and vegetarian wall materials- rice protein and maltodextrin. The best encapsulation yield was 79.88 +/- 1.35%, with survivability rate of 83% in simulated gastric solution at pH 3 and stability of 71.6% during storage.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Diego Baraldi Dedino, Julliane Destro de Lima, Wanessa de C. Bortolucci, Wesley R. Rivadavea, Evellyn C. W. Lovato, Zilda C. Gazim, Jose E. Goncalves, Daisy L. R. Monzon, Glacy J. da Silva
Summary: This study investigated the effects of red light emitting diodes (LED) and different cultivation methods on the chemical composition of Acmella oleracea essential oil. The results showed that red LED light and cultivation methods significantly influenced the composition of the essential oil. Specific compounds such as trans-cariophyllene and 2-tridecanone were directly affected by the red LED light.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ludovico Dreni, Cristina Ferrandiz
Summary: SEPALLATA transcription factors play crucial roles in angiosperms, controlling floral organ identities and participating in early reproductive events, with potential applications in crop breeding programs. The SEP subfamily underwent duplications during angiosperm radiation, with SEP3 specialized for inner floral whorls and LOFSEP versatile for various roles such as regulating extra-floral bract formation. The evolution of angiosperm SEP genes was driven by whole-genome duplications, influencing inflorescence traits across different crops.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Liu, Ludovico Dreni, Haojie Zhang, Xinzhong Zhang, Nana Li, Kexin Zhang, Taimei Di, Lu Wang, Yajun Yang, Xinyuan Hao, Xinchao Wang
Summary: CsFLC1 gene in tea plants is expressed at a higher level during the winter bud dormancy and flowering phases. Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants heterologously expressing 35S::CsFLC1 flower earlier and have lower seed germination rate. CsFLC1 controls flowering time by regulating multiple genes and hormone signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mauricio Aguilar Rangel, Alice Bedwell, Elisa Costanzi, Ross J. Taylor, Rosaria Russo, Goncalo J. L. Bernardes, Stefano Ricagno, Judith Frydman, Michele Vendruscolo, Pietro Sormanni
Summary: De novo design methods enable the rapid generation of lead antibodies binding to preselected epitopes without in vitro affinity maturation, and high-resolution input antigen structure is not required.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nastassja Kimberlly Lima, Eloisa Schneider da Silva, Rayane Monique Sete da Cruz, Julliane Destro de Lima, Cristian Coelho da Silva, Mayara dos Santos Queiroz, Zilda Cristiani Gazim, Jose Eduardo Goncalves, Daisy Leticia Ramirez Monzon, Renan Rizzato Espessato, Glacy Jaqueline da Silva
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of kinetin on the chemical composition of Acmella oleracea essential oil. They found that kinetin increased the concentrations of 2-tridecanone and trans-farnesene, while decreasing Germacrene D and 8-cedren-13-ol.
PLANT CELL TISSUE AND ORGAN CULTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Manrique, Francesca Caselli, Luis Matias-Hernandez, Robert G. Franks, Lucia Colombo, Veronica Gregis
Summary: REM13, REM34 and REM46 were identified as genes involved in flowering time regulation and cell division rate during this process through co-expression analysis of the REM family. It was found that REM34 and REM46 interact with each other and may work together to regulate cell division. These findings provide new insights into the functional analysis of the REM family and their biological roles.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaoqun Shen, Yueya Zhang, Gang Li, Jin Shi, Duoxiang Wang, Wanwan Zhu, Xiujuan Yang, Ludovico Dreni, Matthew R. Tucker, Dabing Zhang
Summary: Temperature is an important factor affecting plant growth and diversity. This study reveals a previously unknown mechanism of plant floral organ development and temperature response. The MADS8 gene plays a conserved role in maintaining pistil number and ovule initiation in barley and rice, and its activity is temperature-dependent. This study also uncovers the regulatory relationship between MADS8 and other genes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mauricio Aguilar Rangel, Alice Bedwell, Elisa Costanzi, Ross J. Taylor, Rosaria Russo, Goncalo J. L. Bernardes, Stefano Ricagno, Judith Frydman, Michele Vendruscolo, Pietro Sormanni
Summary: The method describes a fragment-based approach to design antibody binding loops and graft them onto antibody scaffolds, providing a starting point for rapidly generating lead antibodies binding to preselected epitopes without the need for a high-resolution input antigen structure.