Current insights and advances into plant male sterility: new precision breeding technology based on genome editing applications

Plant male sterility (MS) represents the inability of the plant to generate functional anthers, pollen, or male gametes. Developing MS lines represents one of the most important challenges in plant breeding programs, since the establishment of MS lines is a major goal in F1 hybrid production. For these reasons, MS lines have been developed in several species of economic interest, particularly in horticultural crops and ornamental plants. Over the years, MS has been accomplished through many different techniques ranging from approaches based on cross-mediated conventional breeding methods, to advanced devices based on knowledge of genetics and genomics to the most advanced molecular technologies based on genome editing (GE). GE methods, in particular gene knockout mediated by CRISPR/Cas-related tools, have resulted in flexible and successful strategic ideas used to alter the function of key genes, regulating numerous biological processes including MS. These precision breeding technologies are less time-consuming and can accelerate the creation of new genetic variability with the accumulation of favorable alleles, able to dramatically change the biological process and resulting in a potential efficiency of cultivar development bypassing sexual crosses. The main goal of this manuscript is to provide a general overview of insights and advances into plant male sterility, focusing the attention on the recent new breeding GE-based applications capable of inducing MS by targeting specific nuclear genic loci. A summary of the mechanisms underlying the recent CRISPR technology and relative success applications are described for the main crop and ornamental species. The future challenges and new potential applications of CRISPR/Cas systems in MS mutant production and other potential opportunities will be discussed, as generating CRISPR-edited DNA-free by transient transformation system and transgenerational gene editing for introducing desirable alleles and for precision breeding strategies

Dynamical charge density fluctuations pervading the phase diagram of a Cu-based high-Tc superconductor

Charge density waves are a common occurrence in all families of high critical temperature superconducting cuprates. Although consistently observed in the underdoped region of the phase diagram and at relatively low temperatures, it is still unclear to what extent they influence the unusual properties of these systems. Using resonant x-ray scattering we carefully determined the temperature dependence of charge density modulations in (Y,Nd)Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-{\delta}}$ for three doping levels. We discovered short-range dynamical charge density fluctuations besides the previously known quasi-critical charge density waves. They persist up to well above the pseudogap temperature T*, are characterized by energies of few meV and pervade a large area of the phase diagram, so that they can play a key role in shaping the peculiar normal-state properties of cuprates.Comment: 34 pages, 4 figures, 11 supplementary figure

C7 is expressed on endothelial cells as a trap for the assembling terminal complement complex and may exert anti-inflammatory function

We describe a novel localization of C7 as a membrane-bound molecule on endothelial cells (ECs). Data obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot analysis, Northern blot analysis, and mass spectrometry revealed that membrane- associated C7 (mC7) was indistinguish-able from soluble C7 and was associated with vimentin on the cell surface. mC7 interacted with the other late complement components to form membrane-bound TCC (mTCC). Unlike the soluble SC5b-9, mTCC failed to stimulate ECs to express adhesion molecules, to secrete IL-8, and to induce albumin leakage through a monolayer of ECs, and more importantly protected ECs from the proinflammatory effect of SC5b-9. Our data disclose the possibility of a novel role of mC7 that acts as a trap for the late complement components to control excessive inflammation induced by SC5b-9. \ua9 2009 by The American Society of Hematology

Polarization resolved Cu L3L_3-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering of orbital and spin excitations in NdBa2_{2}Cu3_{3}O7−δ_{7-\delta}

High resolution resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) has proven particularly effective in the determination of crystal field and spin excitations in cuprates. Its strength lies in the large Cu $L_{3}$ resonance and in the fact that the scattering cross section follows quite closely the single-ion model predictions, both in the insulating parent compounds and in the superconducting doped materials. However, the spectra become increasingly broader with (hole) doping, hence resolving and assigning spectral features has proven challenging even with the highest energy resolution experimentally achievable. Here we have overcome this limitation by measuring the complete polarization dependence of the RIXS spectra as function of momentum transfer and doping in thin films of NdBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7-\delta}$. Besides confirming the previous assignment of $dd$ and spin excitations (magnon, bimagnon) in the antiferromagnetic insulating parent compound, we unequivocally single out the actual spin-flip contribution at all dopings. We also demonstrate that the softening of $dd$ excitations is mainly attributed to the shift of the $xy$ peak to lower energy loss. These results provide a definitive assessment of the RIXS spectra of cuprates and demonstrate that RIXS measurements with full polarization control are practically feasible and highly informative.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure

Pharmacological characterization of a new Ca2+ sensitizer

The benzimidazole molecule was modified to synthesize a Ca(2+) sensitizer devoid of additional effects associated with Ca(2+) overload. Newly synthesized compounds, termed 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, were evaluated in spontaneously beating and electrically driven atria from reserpine-treated guinea pigs. Compound 3 resulted as the most effective positive inotropic agent, and experiments were performed to study its mechanism of action. In spontaneously beating atria, the inotropic effect of 3 was concentration-dependent (3.0 microM-0.3 mM). Compound 3 was more potent and more active than the structurally related Ca(2+) sensitizers sulmazole and caffeine, but unlike them it did not increase the heart rate. In electrically driven atria, the inotropic activity of 3 was well preserved and it was not inhibited by propranolol, prazosin, ranitidine, pyrilamine, carbachol, adenosine deaminase, or ruthenium red. At high concentrations (0.1-1.0 mM) 3 inhibited phosphodiesterase-III, whereas it did not affect Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-ATPase, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange carrier, or sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) pump activities of guinea pig heart. In skinned fibers obtained from guinea pig papillary muscle and skeletal soleus muscle, compound 3 (0.1 mM, 1 mM) shifted the pCa/tension relation curve to the left, with no effect on maximal tension and no signs of toxicity. Compound 3 did not influence the basal or raised tone of guinea pig isolated aorta rings, whose cells do not contain the contractile protein troponin. The present results indicate that the inotropic effect of compound 3 seems to be primarily sustained by sensitization of the contractile proteins to Ca(2+)

Repairing folding-defective \u3b1-sarcoglycan mutants by CFTR correctors, a potential therapy for Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2D

Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2D (LGMD2D) is a rare autosomal-recessive disease, affecting striated muscle, due to mutation of SGCA, the gene coding for \u3b1-sarcoglycan. Nowadays more than 50 different SGCA missense mutations have been reported. They are supposed to impact folding and trafficking of \u3b1-sarcoglycan because the defective polypeptide, although potentially functional, is recognized and disposed of by the quality control of the cell. The secondary reduction of \u3b1-sarcoglycan partners, \u3b2-, \u3b3- and \u3b4-sarcoglycan, disrupts a key membrane complex that, associated to dystrophin, contributes to assure sarcolemma stability during muscle contraction. The complex deficiency is responsible for muscle wasting and the development of a severe form of dystrophy.Here, we show that the application of small molecules developed to rescue \u394F508-CFTR trafficking, and known as CFTR correctors, also improved the maturation of several \u3b1-sarcoglycan mutants that were consequently rescued at the plasma membrane. Remarkably, in myotubes from a patient with LGMD2D, treatment with CFTR correctors induced the proper re-localization of the whole sarcoglycan complex, with a consequent reduction of sarcolemma fragility. Although the mechanism of action of CFTR correctors on defective \u3b1-sarcoglycan needs further investigation, this is the first report showing a quantitative and functional recovery of the sarcoglycan-complex in human pathologic samples, upon small molecule treatment. It represents the proof of principle of a pharmacological strategy that acts on the sarcoglycan maturation process and we believe it has a great potential to develop as a cure for most of the patients with LGMD2D

Symmetry breaking at the (111) interfaces of SrTiO3{_3} hosting a 2D-electron system

We used x-ray absorption spectroscopy to study the orbital symmetry and the energy band splitting of (111) LaAlO${_3}$/SrTiO${_3}$ and LaAlO${_3}$/EuTiO${_3}$/SrTiO${_3}$ heterostructures, hosting a quasi two-dimensional electron system (q2DES), and of a Ti-terminated (111) SrTiO${_3}$ single crystal, also known to form a q2DES at its surface. We demonstrate that the bulk tetragonal Ti-3d D${_4}$${_h}$ crystal field is turned into trigonal D${_3}$${_d}$ crystal field in all cases. The symmetry adapted a${_1}$${_g}$ and e${^\pi_g}$ orbitals are non-degenerate in energy and their splitting, \Delta, is positive at the bare STO surface but negative in the heterostructures, where the a${_1}$${_g}$ orbital is lowest in energy. These results demonstrate that the interfacial symmetry breaking induced by epitaxial engineering of oxide interfaces has a dramatic effect on their electronic properties, and it can be used to manipulate the ground state of the q2DES.Comment: 6 pages article, plus 5 pages supplementary informatio

Wild food plants of popular use in Sicily

In the present work the authors report the result of their food ethnobotanical researches, which have been carried out in Sicily during the last thirty years. Data concerning 188 wild species used in the traditional Sicilian cuisine are reported. The authors underline those species that are partially or completely unknown for their culinary use and they illustrate other species that local inhabitants suggested in the prevention or treatment of symptomatologies caused by a refined diet, poor in vegetables. These data want to contribute to avoid the loss of traditional knowledge on uses and recipes concerning wild food botanicals, and to encourage further studies for those species that have not yet been sufficiently researched in their food chemical and nutritional profile. These studies may also suggest new applications for a few botanicals in medico-nutritional fields. The work includes also a short review of the seaweeds and mushrooms traditionally gathered and consumed in Sicily