Tomato SIAN11 regulates flavonoid biosynthesis and seed dormancy by interaction with bHLH proteins but not with MYB proteins

The flavonoid compounds are important secondary metabolites with versatile human nutritive benefits and fulfill a multitude of functions during plant growth and development. The abundance of different flavonoid compounds are finely tuned with species-specific pattern by a ternary MBW complex, which consists of a MYB, a bHLH, and a WD40 protein, but the essential role of SIAN11, which is a WD40 protein, is not fully understood in tomato until now. In this study, a tomato WD40 protein named as SIAN11 was characterized as an effective transcription regulator to promote plant anthocyanin and seed proanthocyanidin (PA) contents, with late flavonoid biosynthetic genes activated in 35S::SIAN77 transgenic lines, while the dihydroflavonol flow to the accumulation of flavonols or their glycosylated derivatives was reduced by repressing the expression of SIFLS in this SIAN/1-overexpressed lines. The above changes were reversed in 35S::SIAN77-RNAi transgenic lines except remained levels of flavonol compounds and SIFLS expression. Interestingly, our data revealed that SIAN11 gene could affect seed dormancy by regulating the expressions of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling-related genes SIABI3 and SIABI5, and the sensitivity to ABA treatment in seed germination is conversely changed by SIAN/ 1-overexpressed or -downregulated lines. Yeast two-hybrid assays demonstrated that SIAN11 interacted with bHLH but not with MYB proteins in the ternary MBW complex, whereas bHLH interacted with MYB in tomato. Our results indicated that low level of anthocyanins in tomato fruits, with low expression of bHLH (SITT8) and MYB (SIANT1 and SIAN2) genes, remain unchanged upon modification of SIAN11 gene alone in the transgenic lines. These results suggest that the tomato WD40 protein SIAN11, coordinating with bHLH and MYB proteins, plays a crucial role in the fine adjustment of the flavonoid biosynthesis and seed dormancy in tomato

Specific legumes allay drought effects on soil microbial food web activities of the focal species in agroecosystem

Background and aimsThe incidence of extreme weather events, particularly drought is predicted to increase in the future and alter the ecosystem process. Despite that the interplay between plant species play a critical role in reducing the vulnerability of soil ecosystem to drought, whether the presence of legumes in plant community could maintain nutrient uptake of focal species by stabilizing soil biota and ecosystem processes under drought conditions remains essentially unexplored.MethodsIn a field experiment, the soil biota community and ecosystem processes were studied using four planting systems contain monoculture of focal species Zanthoxylum bungeanum, mixed cultures of Z. bungeanum and Capsicum annuum, Z. bungeanum and Medicago sativa, and Z. bungeanum and Glycine max subjected to drought.ResultsDrought had no significant effects on soil microbial biomass in monoculture and mixed cultures, but significantly increased microbial stress indices. Drought significantly increased the densities of total nematodes, herbivores, bacterivores and fungivores in Z. bungeanum and M. sativa mixed culture, but significantly decreased the total nematodes, bacterivores and fungivores in Z. bungeanum and G. max mixed culture. Under drought stress, leaf nitrogen concentrations of Z. bungeanum were significantly higher in Z. bungeanum and M. sativa mixed culture than Z. bungeanum monoculture and the other mixed cultures, this is mainly due to higher microbial activity and net nitrogen mineralization rate.ConclusionDifferences in resistance traits of neighbors had additive effects and rapidly reflected in different soil ecosystem processes and nutrient uptake of focal species. Our results revealed that specific legume species intercropping management could stabilize focal species by maintaining soil ecosystem processes under drought condition

A new species of Eriobotrya (Rosaceae) from Con Dao National Park, southern Vietnam

We describe a distinctive new species of Eriobotrya condaoensis (Rosaceae) from Con Dao National Park, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, based on both morphological and molecular evidences. The new species is characterized by leaf blade oblong-oblanceolate, 8-12 x 4-6 cm, leaf margins crenate. both surface glabrous, secondary veins 6-7 pairs, bracts apically dentate and persistent, flowers sessile and yellowish, hypanthium funnel-shaped and brown tomentose, petals elliptic and 6-7 x 4-5 mm long, styles 2, free at base and 5-6 mm long, and ovary glabrous. Morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis based on nrDNA ITS sequences confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species in the genus

Direct and highly stereoselective synthesis of quinolizidine iminosugars promoted by L-proline-Et3N

A mild and effective method for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated quinolizidine iminosugars is described. The Mannich-type reaction of iminosugar C-glycosides with aldehyde in the presence of L-proline-Et3N provides polyhydroxylated quinolizidine iminosugars, and desired products as the potential glucosidase inhibitors were obtained in good to excellent yields with excellent stereoselectivity

Assessment of frozen ground organic carbon pool on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

PurposeUnder rapid climate change, soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamic in frozen ground may significantly influence terrestrial carbon cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate the storage, spatial patterns, and influencing factors of SOC in frozen ground on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which known as the earth's Third Pole.Materials and methodsUsing the observed edaphic data from China's Second National Soil Survey, we estimated the SOC storage (SOCS) of frozen ground (including permafrost, seasonally, and short time frozen ground) on the plateau with a depth of 0-3m. Furthermore, the effect of vegetation and climate factors on spatial variance of SOC density (SOCD) was analyzed.Results and discussionThe SOCD decreased from the southeastern to the northwestern part of the plateau, and increased with shorten of freezing duration. SOCS of permafrost, seasonally, and short time frozen ground were calculated as 40.9 (34.2-47.6), 26.7 (24.1-29.4), and 6 (5.6-6.4)Pg, making a total of 73.6 (63.9-83.3)Pg in 0-3m depth on the plateau. Normalized difference vegetation index and mean annual precipitation could significantly affect the spatial distribution of SOC in permafrost and seasonally frozen ground.ConclusionsThe soil in plateau frozen ground contained substantial organic carbon, which could be affected by plant and climate variables. However, the heterogeneous landform may make the fate of carbon more complicated in the future

Taxonomic re-evaluation of the monotypic genus Pararhabdophis Bourret, 1934 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) with discovery of its type species, P. chapaensis, from China

The Asian monotypic genus Pararhabdophis Bourret, 1934 has long been known from a single holotype of the type species Pararhabdophis chapaensis Bourret, 1934 only. The limited available information hampered the identification of the natricine species. On the basis of eight newly collected specimens of P. chapaensis from the type locality in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam and from Pingbian, Yunnan Province in southwestern China, the taxonomic position of the genus Pararhabdophis was re-evaluated using both morphological and molecular datasets for the first time. Pararhabdophis chapaensis is nested within the genus Hebius Thompson, 1913 with strong support, and morphologically indistinguishable from the latter genus. As a consequence, we herein synonymize the genus Pararhabdophis with Hebius and discuss about the existing paraphyly of some Hebius species. In addition we report Hebius chapaensis for the first time from China and provide redescription and natural history data of this poorly known species. To facilitate future taxonomic work, an identification key to all known natricine genera from China and Vietnam is also provided

A novel PAX7 10-bp indel variant modulates promoter activity, gene expression and contributes to different phenotypes of Chinese cattle

Paired box 7 (PAX7) gene regulates the conversion of muscle satellite cells into myogenic cells and participates in multi-step processes in myogenesis. Expression levels of PAX7 are decisive for its regulatory function. Previous reports revealed that PAX7 were responsible for the developmental traits of muscle. The relationship of the PAX7 promoter variants and livestock phenotypic traits has not been fully elucidated. We detected a novel 10-bp insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphism in the bovine PAX7 promoter and revealed that the indel altered the binding of the transcriptional factor ZNF219. Luciferase reporter assay showed that deletion-deletion (Del-Del) genotype of the PAX7 gene showed 2.79-fold higher promoter activity than the insertion-insertion (Ins-Ins) genotype (P < 0.05), and ZNF219 overexpression significantly diminished the luciferase activity in Ins-Ins groups. Moreover, the expression of PAX7 and its down-stream genes were detected in fetal skeletal muscle of cattle with different PAX7 genotypes, where the Del-Del genotype also displayed high expression levels. Statistical association analysis demonstrated that this indel had significant effects on early growth traits in cattle. These findings provide a complete overview of the function of the PAX7 10-bp variant, which may have potential as a genetic marker for marker-assisted selection in improving economically significant traits of cattle

Diastereo- and Enantioselective Dearomative [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction of 2-Nitrobenzofurans with 3-Isothiocyanato Oxindoles

Enantioselective dearomative [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of 2-nitrobenzofurans with 3-isothiocyanato oxindoles was developed. The reaction employs a chiral bis(oxazoline)/Zn(OTf)(2) catalyst, allowing a practical, straightforward access to structurally diverse spirooxindoles containing a 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran motif and three contiguous stereo-centers with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The synthetic potentials of the method have been demonstrated by the scale-up experiment and transformations of the products. The preliminary mechanism was investigated with experimental observations, nonlinear effects studies, and MS experiments

Botany, ethnomedicines, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Himalayan paeony (Paeonia emodi Royle.)

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Himalayan paeony (Paeonia emodi Royle.) is an important species used to treat various diseases. This study aimed to compile the detailed traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicological investigations on P. emodi. This study also highlights taxonomic validity, quality of experimental designs and shortcomings in previously reported information on Himalayan paeony. Methods: The data was extracted from unpublished theses (Pakistan, China, India and Nepal), and different published research articles confined to pharmacology, phytochemistry and antimicrobial activities using different databases through specific keywords. The relevant information regarding medicinal uses, taxonomic/common names, part used, collection and identification source, authentication, voucher specimen number, plant extracts and their characterization, isolation and identification of phytochemicals, methods of study in silico, in vivo or in vitro, model organism used, dose and duration, minimal active concentration, zone of inhibition (antimicrobial study), bioactive compound(s), mechanism of action on single or multiple targets, and toxicological information. Results: P. emodi is reported for diverse medicinal uses with pharmacological properties like antioxidant, nephroprotective, lipoxygenase inhibitory, cognition and oxidative stress release, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, anticonvulsant, haemaglutination, alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitory, hepatoprotective, hepatic chromes and pharmacokinetics of carbamazepine expression, beta-glucuronidase inhibitory, spasmolytic and spasmogenic, and airway relaxant. Data confined to its taxonomic validity, shows 10% studies with correct taxonomic name while 90% studies with incorrect taxonomic, pharmacopeial and common names. The literature reviewed, shows lack of collection source (11 reports), without proper source of identification (15 reports), 33 studies without voucher specimen number, 26 reports lack information on authentic herbarium submission and most of the studies (90%) without validation of taxonomic names using recognized databases. In reported methods, 67% studies without characterization of extracts, 25% lack proper dose, 40% without duration and 31% reports lack information on proper controls. Similarly, only 18% studies reports active compound(s) responsible for pharmacological activities, 14% studies show minimal active concentration, only 2.5% studies report mechanism of action on target while none of the reports mentioned in silico approach. Conclusion: P. emodi is endemic to Himalayan region (Pakistan, China, India and Nepal) with diverse traditional therapeutic uses. Majority of reviewed studies showed confusion in its taxonomic validity, incomplete methodologies and ambiguous findings. Keeping in view the immense uses of P. emodi in various traditional medicinal systems, holistic pharmacological approaches in combination with reverse pharmacology, system biology, and "omics" technologies are recommended to improve the quality of research which leads to natural drug discovery development at global perspectives

A splicing mutation in aryl hydrocarbon receptor associated with retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) refers to a group of retinal degenerative diseases, which often lead to vision loss. Although 70 genes have been identified in RP patients, the genetic cause of approximately 30% of RP cases remains unknown. We aimed to identify the cause of the disease in a cohort of RP families by whole exome sequencing. A rare homozygous splicing variant, c.1160+1G> A, which introduced skipping of exon 9 of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), was identified in family RD-134. This variant is very rare in several exome databases and leads to skipping of exon 9 in the transcript. AHR is expressed in the human retina and is a ligand-activated transcription factor with multiple functions. Mutant AHR failed to promote 2, 3, 7, 8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced xenobiotic responsive element (XRE) luciferase activity. In parallel, mutation in AHR abolished activation of its downstream target gene, such as CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. To investigate the in vivo roles of Ahr in the retina, we generated a retina-specific conditional knockout mouse model of Ahr. Comparing with wild-type mouse, Ahr knockout mice exhibited reduced electroretinogram responses at 9 months of age. Retinal histology revealed retinal histology showed the degeneration of photoreceptors with a thinner outer nuclear layer. Thus, our data demonstrate that AHR is associated with RP