The complete chloroplast genomes of the medicinal plants, Senna tora and Senna occidentalis species

Senna tora and Senna occidentalis, members of Fabaceae, are medicinally important species for laxatives, diuretics, and anticancer those are native to tropical and subtropical areas and Americas, respectively. In this study, the two complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences in Senna genus were presented. The complete cp genomes of S. tora and S. occidentalis were 162,426 bp and 159,993 bp in size, respectively. Two cp genomes equally harbored 111 genes, including 77 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on protein-coding genes demonstrated that S. tora is mostly related with S. occidentalis

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Coix lacryma-jobi L. (Poaceae), a cereal and medicinal crop

Coix lacryma-jobi is a cereal and medicinal crop belonging to the Poaceae family. This study characterized complete chloroplast genome sequence of a Korean cultivar Johyun of C. lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen through the de novo hybrid assembly with Illumina and PacBio genomic reads. The chloroplast genome is 140,863 bp long and composed of large single copy (82,827 bp), small single copy (12,522 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (each 22,757 bp). A total of 123 genes including 87 protein-coding genes, 32 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes were predicted in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed a close relationship of C. lacryma-jobi with species in the Panicoideae subfamily of the Poaceae family

First Report of Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly for Lance Asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata), A Medicinal and Vegetable Plant in the Campanulaceae Family

Files for the genome sequence, annotated information, and functional annotation of Codonopsis lanceolata File Description Clanceolata_genome_20200909.zip: - Genome sequence and annotation information (gff, cds, protein) of Codonopsis lanceolata  Clanceolata_functional_annotation_20221106.zip: - Function annotation filesof gene set predicted in genome sequence of Codonopsis lanceolata</p

DataSheet1_The chromosome-level genome assembly of lance asiabell (Codonopsis lanceolata), a medicinal and vegetable plant of the Campanulaceae family.docx

Codonopsis lanceolata (2n = 2x = 16) belongs to the Campanulaceae family and is a valuable medicinal and vegetable plant primarily found in East Asia. Several studies have demonstrated its excellent pharmacological effects, for example in bronchial treatment. However, genomic information of C. lanceolata is scarce, hindering studies on crop improvement of the species. Here, we report a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of C. lanceolata based on a hybrid method using Nanopore long-read, Illumina short-read, and Hi-C data. The assembled genome was completed as 1,273 Mb (84.5% of the estimated genome size), containing eight pseudo-chromosomes, ranging from 101.3 to 184.3 Mb. The genome comprised of 71.3% repeat sequences and 46,005 protein-coding genes, of which 85.7% genes were functionally annotated. Completeness of the assembled genome and genes was assessed to be 97.5% and 90.4%, respectively, by Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs analysis. Phylogenetic and synteny analysis revealed that C. lanceolata was closely related to Platycodon grandiflorus in the Campanulaceae family. Gene family evolution revealed significant expansion of related genes involved in saponin biosynthesis in the C. lanceolata genome. This is the first reference genome reported for C. lanceolata. The genomic data produced in this study will provide essential information for further research to improve this medicinal plant and will broaden the understanding of the Campanulaceae family.</p

Development of a galvanostatic analysis technique as an in-situ diagnostic tool for PEMFC single cells and stacks

A new galvanostatic analysis technique was developed for PEMFC single cells and stacks, while conventional potentiodynamic techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry for an electrochemical active surface area (EAS) and linear sweep voltammetry for a crossover current , cannot be directly utilized for stacks. Using a developed relationship for double-layer charging region, the and Cdl (double-layer capacitance) of a PEMFC single cell could be determined from the galvanostatic data under an atmosphere of nitrogen (cathodes) and hydrogen (anodes). Then, simply from the elapsed time in hydrogen adsorption/desorption region, EAS or roughness factors could be analyzed for a PEMFC single cell. For a 5-cell PEMFC stack, it was experimentally confirmed that the same analysis technique can be applied to analyze performance distribution in PEMFC stacks. As the characteristics of catalyst layers (EAS and Cdl) and polymer electrolyte membranes of individual cells can be analyzed without stack disassembly, the developed galvanostatic technique is expected to be utilized for the degradation study and performance monitoring of practical PEMFC stacks.11Nsciescopu

Reversible and cooperative photoactivation of single-atom Cu/TiO2 photocatalysts

The reversible and cooperative activation process, which includes electron transfer from surrounding redox mediators, the reversible valence change of cofactors and macroscopic functional/structural change, is one of the most important characteristics of biological enzymes, and has frequently been used in the design of homogeneous catalysts. However, there are virtually no reports on industrially important heterogeneous catalysts with these enzyme-like characteristics. Here, we report on the design and synthesis of highly active TiO2 photocatalysts incorporating site-specific single copper atoms (Cu/TiO2) that exhibit a reversible and cooperative photoactivation process. Our atomic-level design and synthetic strategy provide a platform that facilitates valence control of co-catalyst copper atoms, reversible modulation of the macroscopic optoelectronic properties of TiO2 and enhancement of photocatalytic hydrogen generation activity, extending the boundaries of conventional heterogeneous catalysts.

A missense allele of KARRIKIN-INSENSITIVE2 impairs ligand-binding and downstream signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana

A smoke-derived compound, karrikin (KAR), and an endogenous but as yet unidentified KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2) ligand (KL) have been identified as chemical cues in higher plants that impact on multiple aspects of growth and development. Genetic screening of light-signaling mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana has identified a mutant designated as ply2 (pleiotropic long hypocotyl2) that has pleiotropic light-response defects. In this study, we used positional cloning to identify the molecular lesion of ply2 as a missense mutation of KAI2/HYPOSENSITIVE TO LIGHT, which causes a single amino acid substitution, Ala219Val. Physiological analysis and genetic epistasis analysis with the KL-signaling components MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2) and SUPPRESSOR OF MAX2 1 suggested that the pleiotropic phenotypes of the ply2 mutant can be ascribed to a defect in KL-signaling. Molecular and biochemical analyses revealed that the mutant KAI2 ply2 protein is impaired in its ligand-binding activity. In support of this conclusion, X-ray crystallography studies suggested that the KAI2 ply2 mutation not only results in a narrowed entrance gate for the ligand but also alters the structural flexibility of the helical lid domains. We discuss the structural implications of the Ala219 residue with regard to ligand-specific binding and signaling of KAI2, together with potential functions of KL-signaling in the context of the light-regulatory network in Arabidopsis thaliana. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.1