Large-Scale Identification and Characterization Analysis of VQ Family Genes in Plants, Especially Gymnosperms.

peer reviewedVQ motif-containing (VQ) proteins are a class of transcription regulatory cofactors widely present in plants, playing crucial roles in growth and development, stress response, and defense. Although there have been some reports on the member identification and functional research of VQ genes in some plants, there is still a lack of large-scale identification and clear graphical presentation of their basic characterization information to help us to better understand this family. Especially in gymnosperms, the VQ family genes and their evolutionary relationships have not yet been reported. In this study, we systematically identified 2469 VQ genes from 56 plant species, including bryophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, and analyzed their molecular and evolutionary features. We found that amino acids are only highly conserved in the VQ domain, while other positions are relatively variable; most VQ genes encode relatively small proteins and do not have introns. The GC content in Poaceae plants is the highest (up to 70%); these VQ proteins can be divided into nine subgroups. In particular, we analyzed the molecular characteristics, chromosome distribution, duplication events, and expression levels of VQ genes in three gymnosperms: Ginkgo biloba, Taxus chinensis, and Pinus tabuliformis. In gymnosperms, VQ genes are classified into 11 groups, with highly similar motifs in each group; most VQ proteins have less than 300 amino acids and are predicted to be located in nucleus. Tandem duplication is an important driving force for the expansion of the VQ gene family, and the evolutionary processes of most VQ genes and duplication events are relatively independent; some candidate VQ genes are preliminarily screened, and they are likely to be involved in plant growth and stress and defense responses. These results provide detailed information and powerful references for further understanding and utilizing the VQ family genes in various plants

Compressed glassy carbon: An ultrastrong and elastic interpenetrating graphene network

Carbon’s unique ability to have both sp2 and sp3 bonding states gives rise to a range of physical attributes, including excellent mechanical and electrical properties. We show that a series of lightweight, ultrastrong, hard, elastic, and conductive carbons are recovered after compressing sp2-hybridized glassy carbon at various temperatures. Compression induces the local buckling of graphene sheets through sp3 nodes to form interpenetrating graphene networks with long-range disorder and short-range order on the nanometer scale. The compressed glassy carbons have extraordinary specific compressive strengths—more than two times that of commonly used ceramics—and simultaneously exhibit robust elastic recovery in response to local deformations. This type of carbon is an optimal ultralight, ultrastrong material for a wide range of multifunctional applications, and the synthesis methodology demonstrates potential to access entirely new metastable materials with exceptional properties

A VQ-motif-containing protein fine-tunes rice immunity and growth by a hierarchical regulatory mechanism.

peer reviewedRice blast and bacterial blight, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and the bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), respectively, are devastating diseases affecting rice. Here, we report that a rice valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing protein, OsVQ25, balances broad-spectrum disease resistance and plant growth by interacting with a U-Box E3 ligase, OsPUB73, and a transcription factor, OsWRKY53. We show that OsPUB73 positively regulates rice resistance against M. oryzae and Xoo by interacting with and promoting OsVQ25 degradation via the 26S proteasome pathway. Knockout mutants of OsVQ25 exhibit enhanced resistance to both pathogens without a growth penalty. Furthermore, OsVQ25 interacts with and suppresses the transcriptional activity of OsWRKY53, a positive regulator of plant immunity. OsWRKY53 downstream defense-related genes and brassinosteroid signaling genes are upregulated in osvq25 mutants. Our findings reveal a ubiquitin E3 ligase-VQ protein-transcription factor module that fine-tunes plant immunity and growth at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels

Methylprednisolone as Adjunct to Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Importance It is uncertain whether intravenous methylprednisolone improves outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Objective To assess the efficacy and adverse events of adjunctive intravenous low-dose methylprednisolone to endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke secondary to LVO. Design, Setting, and Participants This investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was implemented at 82 hospitals in China, enrolling 1680 patients with stroke and proximal intracranial LVO presenting within 24 hours of time last known to be well. Recruitment took place between February 9, 2022, and June 30, 2023, with a final follow-up on September 30, 2023.InterventionsEligible patients were randomly assigned to intravenous methylprednisolone (n = 839) at 2 mg/kg/d or placebo (n = 841) for 3 days adjunctive to endovascular thrombectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy outcome was disability level at 90 days as measured by the overall distribution of the modified Rankin Scale scores (range, 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]). The primary safety outcomes included mortality at 90 days and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 hours. Results Among 1680 patients randomized (median age, 69 years; 727 female [43.3%]), 1673 (99.6%) completed the trial. The median 90-day modified Rankin Scale score was 3 (IQR, 1-5) in the methylprednisolone group vs 3 (IQR, 1-6) in the placebo group (adjusted generalized odds ratio for a lower level of disability, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.96-1.25]; P = .17). In the methylprednisolone group, there was a lower mortality rate (23.2% vs 28.5%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71-0.98]; P = .03) and a lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (8.6% vs 11.7%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-0.99]; P = .04) compared with placebo. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO undergoing endovascular thrombectomy, adjunctive methylprednisolone added to endovascular thrombectomy did not significantly improve the degree of overall disability.Trial RegistrationChiCTR.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR210005172

Characterization of VQ gene family and associated plant defense pathways in rice

Plant pathogens cause significant crop damages and yield losses each year. Rice bacterial blight and rice blast have the most dominant and destructive effects on rice production and quality. In plants, genes encoding valine glutamine (VQ)-motif containing proteins play an important role in plant defense responses. The objectives of this thesis are (1) to summarize the sequence and evolutionary characteristics, as well as roles and working mechanisms of VQ genes in plants, (2) to explore new VQ genes for rice resistance to diseases or pests, (3) generate novel germplasm resistant to rice bacterial blight and rice blast through CRISPR/Cas9, and (4) analyze the potential underlying mechanisms. We reviewed the research progress of plant VQ family genes. The VQ family genes were successively identified in various plant species and found to be up- or down-regulated when exposed to environmental stress, pathogen invasion, and phytohormone treatment. They participate in various biological processes and responses to biotic or abiotic stress. VQ proteins function as important transcription regulators via interacting with WRKY transcription factors (WRKY), Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and other proteins. Here, we summarized the detailed molecular characteristics, biological functions, and working mechanisms of published VQ proteins in plants. In order to provide more detailed information on VQ family genes in plants, a total of 2469 VQ genes were identified from 56 plant species, including bryophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including conserved motifs, basic molecular characterization, and systemic clustering was carried out. Importantly, the research on the VQ family genes in gymnosperms has not been reported yet. So, we selected Ginkgo biloba, Taxus chinensis and Pinus tabuliformis as target species, identified their VQ gene members, and analyzed their molecular features, gene structure, subcellular location, chromosome distribution, duplication events, expression levels, synteny blocks, and evolutionary comparisons. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been widely applied in plant genome editing and crop improvement. Here, we report that a rice valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing protein, OsVQ25, balances broad-spectrum disease resistance and plant growth by interacting with a U-Box E3 ligase, OsPUB73, and a transcription factor, OsWRKY53. OsPUB73 was found to positively regulate rice resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae by interacting with and promoting OsVQ25 degradation via the 26S proteasome pathway. Knockout mutants of OsVQ25 exhibited enhanced resistance to both pathogens without growth and yield penalty. Furthermore, OsVQ25 interacted with and suppressed the transcriptional activity of OsWRKY53, a positive regulator of plant immunity. OsWRKY53 downstream defense-related genes and brassinosteroid signaling genes were upregulated in osvq25 mutants. Our findings revealed a OsPUB73-OsVQ25-OsWRKY53 module that finetunes plant immunity and growth at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. In conclusion, we have reviewed and summarized the characteristics, functions, and working mechanisms of VQ family genes in plants, and engineered novel resistant rice germplasms through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technology and further revealed their disease resistance mechanisms

The role and pathway of VQ family in plant growth, immunity, and stress response.

peer reviewedThis review provides a detailed description of the function and mechanism of VQ family gene, which is helpful for further research and application of VQ gene resources to improve crops. Valine-glutamine (VQ) motif-containing proteins are a large class of transcriptional regulatory cofactors. VQ proteins have their own unique molecular characteristics. Amino acids are highly conserved only in the VQ domain, while other positions vary greatly. Most VQ genes do not contain introns and the length of their proteins is less than 300 amino acids. A majority of VQ proteins are predicted to be localized in the nucleus. The promoter of many VQ genes contains stress or growth related elements. Segment duplication and tandem duplication are the main amplification mechanisms of the VQ gene family in angiosperms and gymnosperms, respectively. Purification selection plays a crucial role in the evolution of many VQ genes. By interacting with WRKY, MAPK, and other proteins, VQ proteins participate in the multiple signaling pathways to regulate plant growth and development, as well as defense responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although there have been some reports on the VQ gene family in plants, most of them only identify family members, with little functional verification, and there is also a lack of complete, detailed, and up-to-date review of research progress. Here, we comprehensively summarized the research progress of VQ genes that have been published so far, mainly including their molecular characteristics, biological functions, importance of VQ motif, and working mechanisms. Finally, the regulatory network and model of VQ genes were drawn, a precise molecular breeding strategy based on VQ genes was proposed, and the current problems and future prospects were pointed out, providing a powerful reference for further research and utilization of VQ genes in plant improvement

Preparation of an Environmentally Friendly Rice Seed Coating Agent and Study of Its Mechanism of Action in Seedlings

Traditional rice seed coating agents (TRSCA) contain toxic components that pollute the environment and threaten human health. The use of safe, high-efficiency, and environmentally friendly seed coating agents is vital for environmental protection. We studied the production of a new, environmentally friendly rice seed coating agent and its mechanism at the seedling stage. We assess the difference in mechanism of action between the new seed coating agent and the representative TRSCAs on the market through laboratory and field experiments. Following the application of the new seed coating agent, bakanae disease was controlled at a rate of over 80.5% and insect pest feeding was controlled at a rate of 81%. More importantly, the LC50 value was 10 times higher than following TRSCA treatment. The coating agent can enhance the activity of plant protective enzymes (peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], and superoxide dismutase [SOD]) and the activity of rice seedling roots. The coating agent is antibacterial, disease preventative, deworming, safe, and environmentally protective, and results in the production of strong seedlings, suggesting it would be a good alternative to TRSCA. Our analysis found that the control effect of the seed coating on rice seedling disease was likely achieved by activating the plant protection enzymes (e.g., POD, CAT, and SOD). The effect of the coating agent on rice is likely achieved through increased root activity and the improvement of the rhizosphere micro-ecological system

Application of Chitosan Composite Flocculant in Tap Water Treatment

The chitosan is a good flocculant for tap water treatment because of its properties such as faster deposition rate and higher removal efficiency for COD (organic matter), SS (suspended solids), and metal ions. However, its high price limits the use in tap water treatment. In this paper, in order to reduce costs, chitosan (CTS), polyaluminum chloride (CF-PAC), and modified rectorite (Al(OH)3 + HCl) were combined to prepare the flocculant for tap water treatment. In order to get the optimal composite flocculant formula, first, we combined these flocculants in two-by-two schema and then we combined all the three flocculants together with various dosing amounts. Through comparison between different combination schemas, the best formula of the composite chitosan flocculant was found to be CTS (ml) : CF-PAC (ml) : modified rectorite (Al(OH)3 + HCl) (ml) = 1 : 30 : 5, with a turbidity removal rate of 96.38% and a removal rate of aluminum up to 80.1%, while the treatment cost is the lowest. In addition, we have designed a cost-effective method for the treatment cost evaluation. As raw water, we used water from the Han River, which is used as raw water at Zonguan Waterworks. In order to show the effectiveness of our optimal composite chitosan formula, we have compared our treatment results to those of the aluminum polyaluminum chloride flocculant currently used in Zonguan’s water treatment plants