Article
Plant Sciences
Kunkun Zou, Yang Li, Wenjie Zhang, Yunfeng Jia, Yang Wang, Yuting Ma, Xiangling Lv, Yuanhu Xuan, Wanli Du
Summary: This study investigated the molecular defense mechanism of maize against common smut caused by Ustilago maydis. The results showed changes in hormone signaling, glycometabolism, and photosynthesis in response to U. maydis infection. Additionally, chlorophyll biosynthesis and sugar transportation were found to be critical in the infected maize line.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yanina S. Rizzi, Petra Happel, Sandra Lenz, Mounashree J. Urs, Martin Bonin, Stefan Cord-Landwehr, Ratna Singh, Bruno M. Moerschbacher, Regine Kahmann
Summary: The basidiomycete Ustilago maydis, a biotrophic fungus, possesses a family of chitin deacetylases (CDAs) with seven genes that play discrete and redundant roles in virulence and cell wall integrity. The study shows that different CDAs have specific functions in evading plant immune recognition and modifying chitin to chitosan. Surprisingly, the simultaneous inactivation of all seven genes is not tolerated, indicating the essential role of chitosan for the fungus's viability.
Article
Plant Sciences
Selma Schurack, Jasper R. L. Depotter, Deepak Gupta, Marco Thines, Gunther Doehlemann
Summary: Through quantitative scoring of disease symptoms in 26 maize lines and RNA sequencing analysis, it was found that different maize lines show specific cellular process responses to Ustilago maydis infection. Analysis of 406 genes identified 102 encoding predicted effector proteins with differential expression between maize lines.
Article
Agronomy
H. Y. Kitty Cheung, Michael E. Donaldson, Emilee R. M. Storfie, Kelsey L. Spence, Jessie L. O. Fetsch, Makayla C. Harrison, Barry J. Saville
Summary: The Ustilago maydis transcription factor Zfp1 plays a crucial role in modulating pathogenic development, with its deletion resulting in reduced growth, infection frequency, disease symptoms, and anthocyanin production. RNA-sequencing revealed alterations in approximately 30% of U. maydis genes in the zfp1 deletion strain during pathogenic growth, suggesting a requirement for Zfp1 in full induction of infection, anthocyanin production, and virulence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vinicio Armijos-Jaramillo, Nicole Espinosa, Karla Vizcaino, Daniela Santander-Gordon
Summary: Researchers investigated molecular mimicry in the Ustilago maydis-maize interaction using a computational approach. By comparing genomes, identifying gene coexpression, and detecting subcellular localization, they found a potential fungal protein that could impact the host cell cytoskeleton, as well as maize genes involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement under U. maydis infection. Through multiple data sources, they developed a strict and replicable methodology, leading to the creation of a Web server called Molecular Mimicry Finder.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eswarayya Ramireddy, Hilde Nelissen, Jan Erik Leuendorf, Mieke Van Lijsebettens, Dirk Inze, Thomas Schmuelling
Summary: Root-specific expression of a CKX gene in maize leads to larger root system and higher element content in shoot organs. The engineered plants show increased root dry weight without affecting shoot growth, with elevated concentrations of certain elements in leaves, particularly those with low soil mobility.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amara Fatima, Naila Safdar, Noor-ul Ain, Azra Yasmin, Gul-e-Saba Chaudhry
Summary: This study aimed to create bioengineered Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Rosa canina L. aqueous extract combined with Abscisic acid (ABA) to enhance drought-tolerant properties in Zea mays L under water stress. The impact of different treatments using seed imbibition (SI) and foliar spray (FS) methods on the physio-morphological and biochemical properties of Z. mays L. was investigated. Results showed that the ABA-ZnO-SI treatment had the most positive effects, including increased root length, relative water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, cob length and weight, and reduced stomatal opening and leaf damage index. The treatment also led to elevated levels of proline and antioxidant activities, as well as decreased lipid peroxidation. Given these promising outcomes, this research has potential significance for advancing agricultural practices with improved drought tolerance in Z. mays L.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tabea Helm, Paul -Joachim Niehoff, Jochem Gaetgens, Thilo Stausberg, Bernadette Pichler, Thomas Haessler, Wolfgang Wiechert, Jochen Buechs, Nick Wierckx, Stephan Noack
Summary: In this study, we developed an efficient process for producing itaconate from regionally sourced industrial side-stream molasses using Ustilago cynodontis and Ustilago maydis. Despite the challenges posed by molasses, such as high nitrogen load, unknown impurities, and ill-favored carbon sources, we found that the sucrose-hydrolyzing enzyme invertase played a critical role in the process efficiency. By comparing the two strains, U. maydis exhibited higher invertase activity, better fructose conversion into itaconate, and higher tolerance towards undesired substances in molasses. The established process with U. maydis achieved competitive yields and titers, proving the feasibility of cost-effective itaconate production and enhancing sustainability in the industry.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pijie Sheng, Minyan Xu, Zhenzhen Zheng, Xiaojing Liu, Wanlu Ma, Ting Ding, Chenchen Zhang, Meng Chen, Mengting Zhang, Beijiu Cheng, Xin Zhang
Summary: In this study, a TMT-labeled comparative peptidomic analysis was conducted using liquid-chromatography-coupled tandem mass spectrometry to compare infected and uninfected maize leaf samples. The results were integrated with transcriptome data under the same experimental conditions. Plant peptidomic analysis identified differentially expressed peptides (DEPs) in infected maize leaves, and bioinformatic analysis showed that the precursor proteins of DEPs are associated with pathways generated by SCLB-induced pathological changes. The expression profiles of plant peptides and genes were significantly altered after B. maydis infection, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of SCLB pathogenesis and offering a basis for the development of maize genotypes with SCLB resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Subhasish Mukherjee, Koustav Bhakta, Abhrajyoti Ghosh, Anupama Ghosh
Summary: This study investigates the biological function of a secreted protease called Ger1 in Ustilago maydis. The findings reveal that Ger1 plays a crucial role in the sporulation and spore germination processes of the fungus, and it also positively influences the pathogenicity of the fungus.
Article
Plant Sciences
Thelma F. Madzima, Stefania Vendramin, Jason S. Lynn, Phebe Lemert, Katherine C. Lu, Karen M. McGinnis
Summary: This study highlights the important role of MOP1-mediated gene expression regulation in plant responses to environmental stress, including interactions with ABA-mediated stress responses, and reveals that the recovery ability of plants from water deprivation is compromised.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Mohamed M. Kamara, Nasr A. Ghazy, Elsayed Mansour, Mohsen M. Elsharkawy, Ahmed M. S. Kheir, Khaled M. Ibrahim
Summary: This study focused on late wilt disease in maize, identifying high-yielding and resistant hybrids, and discovering some excellent parental genotypes for favorable alleles. Non-additive gene action plays a crucial role in controlling yield and disease resistance. Analyzing parental genetic distance can help reduce the number of crosses evaluated in field trials.
Article
Horticulture
Li Su, Sharif Rahat, Nannan Ren, Mikiko Kojima, Yumiko Takebayashi, Hitoshi Sakakibara, Miaoqin Wang, Xuehao Chen, Xiaohua Qi
Summary: Parthenocarpy is an important agricultural trait that determines fruit development without pollination. The levels of cytokinins and gibberellic acid play a crucial role in influencing the ability of parthenocarpy in fruit set. High expression levels of cytokinin- and auxin-related genes are associated with increased parthenocarpy ability.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Yunji Xu, Xiyang Qian, Ke Li, Tianyang Zhou, Yinfang Tian, Limin Yuan, Zhiqin Wang, Jianchang Yang
Summary: The study investigates the role of root ABA in maize's adaptation to soil drought. It shows that root ABA content and activities of ABA biosynthesis enzymes increase with decreasing soil water potentials. Parameters such as leaf photosynthetic rate, root traits, and kernel yield exhibit varying responses to soil drying severity.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Yoshio Kijidani, Taku Tsuyama, Yuji Tokumoto
Summary: The importance of plant hormones, particularly IAA and ABA, in tension wood (TW) formation was studied through LC/MS analysis. The distribution patterns of IAA and ABA were found to play important roles in TW formation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomas Hluska, Lucia Hluskova, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: Cytokinins are plant hormones involved in various physiological processes, with different forms potentially having unique functions and mechanisms. Using a metaphorical comparison to Marvel superheroes helps illustrate the complexities of cytokinins and their related enzymes and functions. This framework can aid in understanding the diverse roles of cytokinins in plant development and interactions with other organisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hai Ngoc Nguyen, Shrikaar Kambhampati, Anna Kisiala, Mark Seegobin, Robert Joseph Neil Emery
Summary: This study identified natural variations among the GmCKX gene family in soybeans and highlighted the potential positive impact of a mutation in the GmCKX7-1 gene on increasing cytokinin content and improving yield characteristics in soybean plants.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hai Ngoc Nguyen, Nhan Lai, Anna B. Kisiala, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: Isopentenyltransferase (IPT) in plants plays a crucial role in regulating cytokinin biosynthesis, affecting plant growth and adaptation, especially under environmental stress. Research shows that IPT can improve physiological characteristics, delay senescence, enhance crop yields, and serve as master regulators of core cellular metabolic pathways.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kimberly Molina Bean, Anna B. Kisiala, Erin N. Morrison, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: This study biochemically surveyed 22 strains of Trichoderma and reveals that Trichoderma produces cytokinins (CKs), which has not been reported to date. The research suggests that the cytokinins produced by plant symbiotic Trichoderma strains may impact plant growth and resistance against pathogens.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Jan Schirawski, Michael H. Perlin, Barry J. Saville
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Palberg, Anna Kisiala, Gabriel Lemes Jorge, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated the production of plant hormones by Methylobacterium strains in vitro, including cytokinins, abscisic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid. Results revealed varying abilities of Methylobacterium strains to secrete phytohormones, with methanol availability stimulating cytokinin secretion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vaughn Mangal, Michael E. Donaldson, Ainsely Lewis, Barry J. Saville, Celine Gueguen
Summary: Mercury contamination in aquatic systems causes significant environmental stress to phototrophic plankton, including Euglena gracilis. This study investigated the physiochemical changes in E. gracilis resulting from mercury stress using a combination of mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing. The research revealed that mercury exposure led to reduced metabolic diversity in E. gracilis, with significant changes in cysteine, glutathione, and amino acid-based metabolites. Additionally, the findings showed an upregulation of transcripts and metabolites involved in amino acid synthesis, responses to chemical stress, reactive oxygen species detoxification, and electron transport. These results provide insights into the mechanisms employed by E. gracilis to mitigate oxidative stress caused by sublethal concentrations of mercury exposure and offer new biomarkers of environmental stress.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ngoc Hai Nguyen, Quoc Thien Nguyen, Duc Huy Dang, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the roles of plant hormones in metal stress responses in higher plants and algae. However, the specific roles of phytohormones in the highly adaptive Euglena gracilis and its response to heavy metals have not been elucidated. This study demonstrates that toxic metals modify hormonal activity profiles in E. gracilis and that exogenous ABA or CK can enhance metal uptake efficiency and alleviate metal toxicity. The findings suggest that E. gracilis regulates multiple phytohormone signals during metal stress acclimation.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hai Ngoc Nguyen, Cody Butler, Daniel Palberg, Anna Kisiala, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: tRNA-IPTs play an important role in plant growth and development, and their activity and function are less understood.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Stephannie Seng, Gabriela E. Ponce, Peter Andreas, Anna Kisiala, Rosemarie De Clerck-Floate, Donald G. Miller III, Ming-Shun Chen, Peter W. Price, John F. Tooker, R. J. Neil Emery, Edward F. Connor
Summary: It has been found that the plant hormone ABA is widespread in insects and is secreted in the salivary glands, suggesting that insects use ABA to manipulate host plants. This indicates the important role of ABA in the interaction between insects and plants.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alexandra M. Kuhne, Erin N. Morrison, Tamanna Sultana, Anna B. Kisiala, Kathleen Horlock-Roberts, Adam Noble, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: In response to population growth, there is a need for new environmentally-friendly food sources. Microalgae like Euglena are promising due to their scalability and bioproduct output. Recycling techniques and fermentation conditions can impact biomass production and phytohormone profiles, but little is known about their effects on growth regulating phytohormones.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Samantha R. Logan, Mark Seegobin, R. J. Neil Emery, Craig R. Brunetti
Summary: Viruses are parasites that depend on host cells to replicate and obtain resources for energy and macromolecule synthesis. This study assessed the impact of various purine compounds on the replication of frog virus 3 (FV3), an ecologically important iridovirus. The results showed that most purine compounds increased FV3 replication, with adenine and adenosine having the strongest effect. These findings provide insights into the role of purine metabolism during iridoviral infection.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Stacy O. James, Laziz Bouzidi, R. J. Neil Emery, Suresh S. Narine
Summary: The physicochemical functionality and partitioning of bioactive compounds in crabwood oil and its fractions were studied. The partitioning of important bioactive components, such as limonoids and sterols, depended on the solvent polarity. The fractionation process led to measurable changes in the fatty acid composition and physical properties of the oil. The solid fractions showed different crystallization temperatures and SFC profiles compared to the oil. The microstructures of the fractions varied, potentially leading to different sensory characteristics on the skin and in the mouth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ewart Smith, Ainsely Lewis, Suresh S. Narine, R. J. Neil Emery
Summary: This study conducted a preliminary phytochemical screening of Doliocarpus dentatus and found significant differences in chemical composition between red and white ecotypes. Polyphenols were identified as potentially therapeutic compounds with antioxidant properties, which can prevent cell damage and may be beneficial for treating erectile dysfunction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dinesh Adhikary, Anna Kisiala, Ananya Sarkar, Urmila Basu, Habibur Rahman, Neil Emery, Nat N. V. Kav
Summary: In this study, the molecular basis of resistance to clubroot in canola was characterized using transcriptomics and metabolomics. Several genes and metabolites showed differential expression and accumulation in the roots of canola in response to pathogen infection. These findings provide important insights into the resistance mechanisms against clubroot disease.