Grsf1-induced translation of the SNARE protein use1 is required for expansion of the erythroid compartment

Induction of cell proliferation requires a concomitant increase in the synthesis of glycosylated lipids and membrane proteins, which is dependent on ER-Golgi protein transport by CopII-coated vesicles. In this process, retrograde transport of ER resident proteins from the Golgi is crucial to maintain ER integrity, and allows for anterograde transport to continue. We previously showed that expression of the CopI specific SNARE protein Use1 (Unusual SNARE in the ER 1) is tightly regulated by eIF4E-dependent translation initiation of Use1 mRNA. Here we investigate the mechanism that controls Use1 mRNA translation. The 5'UTR of mouse Use1 contains a 156 nt alternatively spliced intron. The non-spliced form is the predominantly translated mRNA. The alternatively spliced sequence contains G-repeats that bind the RNA-binding protein G-rich sequence binding factor 1 (Grsf1) in RNA band shift assays. The presence of these G-repeats rendered translation of reporter constructs dependent on the Grsf1 concentration. Down regulation of either Grsf1 or Use1 abrogated expansion of erythroblasts. The 5'UTR of human Use1 lacks the splice donor site, but contains an additional upstream open reading frame in close proximity of the translation start site. Similar to mouse Use1, also the human 5'UTR contains G-repeats in front of the start codon. In conclusion, Grsf1 controls translation of the SNARE protein Use1, possibly by positioning the 40S ribosomal subunit and associated translation factors in front of the translation start site

Screening Technique Based on Seed and Early Seedling Parameters for Cold Tolerance of Selected F2-Derived F3 Rice Genotypes under Controlled Conditions

The cold tolerance studies were carried out in a bi-parental F2 population of a cross between tolerant and susceptible parents (SKUA-529 and HEERA, respectively). The purpose was to screen the individuals of a population for primary cold-tolerance-related attributes. The information generated has a direct application and use in identifying cold tolerance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and further can be used for genotyping with an appropriate marker system. The screening was carried out on F2-derived F3 seeds and F3 plants for seedling and agronomic traits, respectively. Two tests measuring cold tolerance were conducted. In experiment I, seeds were germinated for 28 days at 13 °C and 7 days at 28 °C, and in experiment II, the seeds were germinated for 72 h at 28 °C, 96 h at 13 °C, and once more for 72 h at 28 °C. Coleoptile length, germination percentage, and radical reduction percentages were all measured in experiment I. The radicle and coleoptile regeneration in experiment II were measured after the cold period. The improvement in cold tolerance was achieved through radicle regrowth, as evidenced by the difference between the second and first measurements. The individual lines from the F2:3 population that recorded high germination (%) were #21, #13, #14, and #15. The percentage of coleoptile length (PERCOL %) was observed to be between the ranges of 23.33% to 53.00%. The reduction in coleoptile length (REDCOL %) was also obtained, and there was less reduction in #15, #16, and #14 and it had a range between 38.46% and 75%. Radicle regrowth (REDRAG) was high at 13 °C in #7, #11, #30, #35, and #36. Survival of the seedling range was between 33.33% and up to 100%, and the highest survival rate was observed in #16. The main objective of this rotation in temperature was to emulate field conditions where there has been a drop in temperature. The evaluations were done for primary cold stress tolerance traits, and it was found that most of these traits exhibited high variability. The mapping population developed may be utilized to generate a linkage map and locate QTLs for tolerance to cold stress in rice. Further, the identified donors for cold tolerance may be utilized for breeding programs aimed at the transfer of low-temperature stress tolerance into susceptible backgrounds. In general, a genotype with improved seedling germination rates, growth rates, and leaf yellowing scores; high seedling survival; lesser reduction in coleoptile length and in radicle development; and recovery following a cold shock at the seedling stage demonstrated its cold resistance. Genotypes with a low germination percentage, a greater number of days to germination, slow growth rate and higher leaf yellowing score, high reduction in coleoptile and radicle growth, and reduced seedling survival indicated cold susceptibility

Screening Technique Based on Seed and Early Seedling Parameters for Cold Tolerance of Selected F₂-Derived F₃ Rice Genotypes under Controlled Conditions

The cold tolerance studies were carried out in a bi-parental F2 population of a cross between tolerant and susceptible parents (SKUA-529 and HEERA, respectively). The purpose was to screen the individuals of a population for primary cold-tolerance-related attributes. The information generated has a direct application and use in identifying cold tolerance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and further can be used for genotyping with an appropriate marker system. The screening was carried out on F2-derived F3 seeds and F3 plants for seedling and agronomic traits, respectively. Two tests measuring cold tolerance were conducted. In experiment I, seeds were germinated for 28 days at 13 °C and 7 days at 28 °C, and in experiment II, the seeds were germinated for 72 h at 28 °C, 96 h at 13 °C, and once more for 72 h at 28 °C. Coleoptile length, germination percentage, and radical reduction percentages were all measured in experiment I. The radicle and coleoptile regeneration in experiment II were measured after the cold period. The improvement in cold tolerance was achieved through radicle regrowth, as evidenced by the difference between the second and first measurements. The individual lines from the F2:3 population that recorded high germination (%) were #21, #13, #14, and #15. The percentage of coleoptile length (PERCOL %) was observed to be between the ranges of 23.33% to 53.00%. The reduction in coleoptile length (REDCOL %) was also obtained, and there was less reduction in #15, #16, and #14 and it had a range between 38.46% and 75%. Radicle regrowth (REDRAG) was high at 13 °C in #7, #11, #30, #35, and #36. Survival of the seedling range was between 33.33% and up to 100%, and the highest survival rate was observed in #16. The main objective of this rotation in temperature was to emulate field conditions where there has been a drop in temperature. The evaluations were done for primary cold stress tolerance traits, and it was found that most of these traits exhibited high variability. The mapping population developed may be utilized to generate a linkage map and locate QTLs for tolerance to cold stress in rice. Further, the identified donors for cold tolerance may be utilized for breeding programs aimed at the transfer of low-temperature stress tolerance into susceptible backgrounds. In general, a genotype with improved seedling germination rates, growth rates, and leaf yellowing scores; high seedling survival; lesser reduction in coleoptile length and in radicle development; and recovery following a cold shock at the seedling stage demonstrated its cold resistance. Genotypes with a low germination percentage, a greater number of days to germination, slow growth rate and higher leaf yellowing score, high reduction in coleoptile and radicle growth, and reduced seedling survival indicated cold susceptibility

Fusarium chlamydosporum, causing wilt disease of chili (Capsicum annum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in Northern Himalayas: a first report

Abstract Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) are the most widely grown solanaceous crops in the world. However, their production has reduced over several years due to the attack of various fungal and bacterial pathogens and various abiotic factors. Still, the major constrain in their production are pathogens with fungal etiology, especially the fungal wilt of solanaceous crops. Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani have been previously identified as the pathogens causing wilt disease in chili and brinjal. Recently, a new fungal pathogen F. equiseti has been reported as the causal agent of wilt disease infecting chili. The current study focused on identifying fungal pathogens associated with the wilted plants of chili and brinjal, collected from different parts of the Himalayan region of Kashmir valley, through morpho-cultural and molecular characterization. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing were performed on various isolates. DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was used to identify the pathogen followed by the pathogenicity test. Further confirmation of the pathogen was done by sequencing of transcription elongation factor (TEF) and Calmodulin (CAL2). In current study Fusarium chlamydosporum has been reported as the wilt causing pathogen of chili and brinjal for the first time in Kashmir Himalayas

Injury burden in individuals aged 50 years or older in the Eastern Mediterranean region, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Injury poses a major threat to health and longevity in adults aged 50 years or older. The increased life expectancy in the Eastern Mediterranean region warrants a further understanding of the ageing population's inevitable changing health demands and challenges. We aimed to examine injury-related morbidity and mortality among adults aged 50 years or older in 22 Eastern Mediterranean countries. Methods: Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we categorised the population into adults aged 50–69 years and adults aged 70 years and older. We examined estimates for transport injuries, self-harm injuries, and unintentional injuries for both age groups, with sex differences reported, and analysed the percentage changes from 1990 to 2019. We reported injury-related mortality rates and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index were used to better understand the association of socioeconomic factors and health-care system performance, respectively, with injuries and health status in older people. Healthy life expectancy (HALE) was compared with injury-related deaths and DALYs and to the SDI and HAQ Index to understand the effect of injuries on healthy ageing. Finally, risk factors for injury deaths between 1990 and 2019 were assessed. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) are given for all estimates. Findings: Estimated injury mortality rates in the Eastern Mediterranean region exceeded the global rates in 2019, with higher injury mortality rates in males than in females for both age groups. Transport injuries were the leading cause of deaths in adults aged 50–69 years (43·0 [95% UI 31·0–51·8] per 100 000 population) and in adults aged 70 years or older (66·2 [52·5–75·5] per 100 000 population), closely followed by conflict and terrorism for both age groups (10·2 [9·3–11·3] deaths per 100 000 population for 50–69 years and 45·7 [41·5–50·3] deaths per 100 000 population for ≥70 years). The highest annual percentage change in mortality rates due to injury was observed in Afghanistan among people aged 70 years or older (400·4% increase; mortality rate 1109·7 [1017·7–1214·7] per 100 000 population). The leading cause of DALYs was transport injuries for people aged 50–69 years (1798·8 [1394·1–2116·0] per 100 000 population) and unintentional injuries for those aged 70 years or older (2013·2 [1682·2–2408·7] per 100 000 population). The estimates for HALE at 50 years and at 70 years in the Eastern Mediterranean region were lower than global estimates. Eastern Mediterranean countries with the lowest SDIs and HAQ Index values had high prevalence of injury DALYs and ranked the lowest for HALE at 50 years of age and HALE at 70 years. The leading injury mortality risk factors were occupational exposure in people aged 50–69 years and low bone mineral density in those aged 70 years or older. Interpretation: Injuries still pose a real threat to people aged 50 years or older living in the Eastern Mediterranean region, mainly due to transport and violence-related injuries. Dedicated efforts should be implemented to devise injury prevention strategies that are appropriate for older adults and cost-effective injury programmes tailored to the needs and resources of local health-care systems, and to curtail injury-associated risk and promote healthy ageing. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation