Role of the tomato <i>TAGL1</i> gene in regulating fruit metabolites elucidated using RNA sequence and metabolomics analyses

<div><p>Fruit ripening is a complex biological process affecting fruit quality. In tomato the fruit ripening process is delicately regulated by transcription factors (TFs). Among these, the <i>TOMATO AGAMOUS-LIKE 1</i> (<i>TAGL1</i>) gene plays an important role in both the development and ripening of fruit. In this study, the <i>TAGL1</i> gene was successfully silenced by virus-induced gene silencing technology (VIGS), and the global gene expression and metabolites profiles of <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced fruits were analyzed by RNA-sequence analysis (RNA-seq) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced fruits phenotypically displayed an orange pericarp, which was in accordance with the results expected from the down-regulation of genes associated with carotenoid synthesis. Levels of several amino acids and organic acids were lower in the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced fruits than in the wild-type fruits, whereas, α-tomatine content was greatly increased (more than 10-fold) in the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced fruits compared to wild-type fruits. The findings of this study showed that <i>TAGL1</i> not only regulates the ripening of tomato fruits, but also affects the synthesis and levels of nutrients in the fruit.</p></div

Relative quantitation of metabolites in <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits.

<p>Relative quantitation of metabolites in <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits.</p

GO analysis classified DEGs in the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits according to WEGO.

<p>GO analysis classified DEGs in the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits according to WEGO.</p

VIGS technique applied to the tomato fruits.

<p>(A) Diagram of the VIGS technique used for infecting the tomato fruits. (B) Phenotype of the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced fruits. Fruit infiltrated with the vector (TRV2-00) was used as control. (C) The silencing efficiency of the <i>TAGL1</i> gene at the red-ripe stage (RR) using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR).</p

Diagram of amino acid biosynthetic pathways.

<p>Diagram of amino acid biosynthetic pathways.</p

Pathway enrichment analysis of differentially displayed genes from the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits.

<p>Pathway enrichment analysis of differentially displayed genes from the <i>TAGL1</i>-silenced tomato fruits.</p

Structural Optimization of the Natural Product: Discovery of Almazoles C–D and Their Derivatives as Novel Antiviral and Anti-phytopathogenic Fungus Agents

Plant diseases seriously affect the growth of crops and the quality and yield of agricultural products. The search for plant-derived pesticide candidates based on natural products is a hot topic of current research. Marine natural products almazoles C–D were efficiently prepared and selected as the lead compounds in this work. Two series of almazole derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their antiviral and fungicidal activities were systematically evaluated. The results of anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activity showed that almazoles C–D and their derivatives had good anti-TMV activities. Compounds 6, 15, 16a, 16b, 16g, 16l, 16n, 20a, 20d, 20i, and 20n exhibited better anti-TMV activities than the commercial antiviral agent ribavirin. Anti-TMV mechanism studies showed that compound 16b could induce the polymerization of 20S CP (coat protein, CP), thereby affecting the assembly of TMV virus particles. Molecular docking results showed that compounds 15, 16b, and 20n could combine with amino acid residues through hydrogen bonds to achieve an excellent anti-TMV effect. In addition, most of the almazole derivatives were found to have broad-spectrum fungicidal activities against eight kinds of plant pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumeris, Cercospora arachidicola Hori, Physalospora piricola, Rhizoctonia cerealis, Alternaria solani, Pyricularia grisea, Phytophthora capsici, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). This study provides an important evidence for the research and development of almazole alkaloids containing indole and oxazole structural groups as novel agrochemicals

The clinico-radiologic-pathologic data of children with diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (chDPLD).

<p>F, female; M, male; m, months; RVD, restrictive ventilatory dysfunction; MVD, mixed ventilatory dysfunction; GGO, ground glass opacity; PAP, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis; EAA, extrinsic allergic alveolitis; PAM, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis; AIP, acute interstitial pneumonia; LIP, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia; NSIP, non-specific interstitial pneumonia; BOOP, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia; AIP, acute interstitial pneumonia.</p><p>The clinico-radiologic-pathologic data of children with diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (chDPLD).</p

Classification of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases in children (chDPLD).

<p>ANCA: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies;</p><p>SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus;</p><p>AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.</p><p>Classification of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases in children (chDPLD).</p

Chest tomography (CT) images and pathology results of several cases.

<p>1A: The CT shows a paving stone sign and air bronchograms in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (case 2 in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0116930#pone.0116930.t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>). 1B: Under light microscopy, the case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (case 2) shows evidence of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material filling the alveoli. Interstitial cell infiltrates, including lymphocytes and plasma cells with type II cell hyperplasia, are found. 2A: Multiple thin-walled cysts are seen in the subpleural region in the CT image of lipoid pneumonia (case 6). 2B: Light microscopy of lipoid pneumonia (case 6) shows a large amount of cholesterol crystallization in the alveolar spaces with lymphoid follicles in the alveolar septa. 3A: The CT image of non-specific interstitial pneumonia (case 15) shows reticulation on the background of ground glass opacity and interlobular septal thickening. 3B: A typical pathology picture of cellular non-specific interstitial pneumonia (case 15). The lungs are uniformly involved. Interstitial chronic inflammation consists of lymphocytes and plasma cells. 4A: On the background of ground glass opacity, thin-walled cysts are scattered in the lung fields (case 20, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia). 4B: In case 20, dense interstitial lymphoid infiltrates, including lymphocytes and plasma cells with type II cell hyperplasia, are observed. The alveolar septal interstitium is expanded by fibrosis. Lymphoid follicles are present. 5A: In case 24, a case of acute interstitial pneumonia, a patchy high-density shadow and bronchograms are seen in the CT image. 5B: Case 24 exhibits diffuse alveolar damage by light microscopy. The alveolar septal interstitium is expanded. Fibroblast proliferation and hyaline membrane disease are shown.</p