Genome-wide comparative analysis of the IQD gene families in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa

BACKGROUND: Calcium signaling plays a prominent role in plants for coordinating a wide range of developmental processes and responses to environmental cues. Stimulus-specific generation of intracellular calcium transients, decoding of calcium signatures, and transformation of the signal into cellular responses are integral modules of the transduction process. Several hundred proteins with functions in calcium signaling circuits have been identified, and the number of downstream targets of calcium sensors is expected to increase. We previously identified a novel, calmodulin-binding nuclear protein, IQD1, which stimulates glucosinolate accumulation and plant defense in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we present a comparative genome-wide analysis of a new class of putative calmodulin target proteins in Arabidopsis and rice. RESULTS: We identified and analyzed 33 and 29 IQD1-like genes in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, respectively. The encoded IQD proteins contain a plant-specific domain of 67 conserved amino acid residues, referred to as the IQ67 domain, which is characterized by a unique and repetitive arrangement of three different calmodulin recruitment motifs, known as the IQ, 1-5-10, and 1-8-14 motifs. We demonstrated calmodulin binding for IQD20, the smallest IQD protein in Arabidopsis, which consists of a C-terminal IQ67 domain and a short N-terminal extension. A striking feature of IQD proteins is the high isoelectric point (~10.3) and frequency of serine residues (~11%). We compared the Arabidopsis and rice IQD gene families in terms of gene structure, chromosome location, predicted protein properties and motifs, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary history. The existence of an IQD-like gene in bryophytes suggests that IQD proteins are an ancient family of calmodulin-binding proteins and arose during the early evolution of land plants. CONCLUSION: Comparative phylogenetic analyses indicate that the major IQD gene lineages originated before the monocot-eudicot divergence. The extant IQD loci in Arabidopsis primarily resulted from segmental duplication and reflect preferential retention of paralogous genes, which is characteristic for proteins with regulatory functions. Interaction of IQD1 and IQD20 with calmodulin and the presence of predicted calmodulin binding sites in all IQD family members suggest that IQD proteins are a new class of calmodulin targets. The basic isoelectric point of IQD proteins and their frequently predicted nuclear localization suggest that IQD proteins link calcium signaling pathways to the regulation of gene expression. Our comparative genomics analysis of IQD genes and encoded proteins in two model plant species provides the first step towards the functional dissection of this emerging family of putative calmodulin targets

The Mandatory Nature of Online Learning During COVID-19: A Comparative Study of the Experience of Three Universities

This paper is devoted to the comparative analysis of three online learning plat forms used by three universities (Dubna State University and Pyatigorsk State University in Russia and University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” in Italy) for the forced adoption of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantages, defects and restrictions of each learning platform are analyzed along with the factor of human error and incompetence while using the platforms. It was found that it was difficult to establish the authorship of the tasks performed, to check the real attendance and level of involvement during online lectures, and to ascertain students’ identity without violating laws on personal data and privacy. What is more, the participants of the educational process demonstrated their lack of experience and technical skills to work with the platforms, and their lack of motivation and self-discipline. In accordance with the data received and analyzed in this research, a list of recommendations and technical specifications required is offered. This research is useful for government institutions, universities, academic staff and students working or planning to start working with online learning instruments.Este artículo está dedicado al análisis comparativo de tres plataformas educativas en línea utilizadas por tres universidades (la Universidad Estatal de Dubná y la Universidad Estatal de Pyatigorsk en Rusia y la Universidad de Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” en Italia) para la adopción forzosa del aprendizaje en línea durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Se analizan las ventajas, los defectos y las restricciones de cada plataforma educativa junto con el factor de error e incompetencia humana durante el uso de las plataformas. Se comprobó que era difícil establecer la autoría de las tareas realizadas, comprobar la asistencia real y el grado de participación durante las clases en línea y averiguar la identidad de los estudiantes sin violar las leyes sobre datos personales y privacidad. Además, los participantes del proceso educativo demostraron la falta de experiencia y habilidades técnicas para trabajar con las plataformas y la falta de motivación y autodisciplina. De acuerdo con los datos recibidos y analizados en esta investigación, se ofrece una lista de recomendaciones y especificaciones técnicas necesarias. Esta investigación es útil para las instituciones gubernamentales, las universidades, el personal académico y los estudiantes que trabajan o planean empezar a trabajar con instrumentos de aprendizaje en línea

Security Competence as an Integral Part of Competence-Based Learning Approach: Russian and European Experience

Since the end of the 20th century, educational standards have been changing, and many countries have switched from a traditional approach to a competence-based one. Despite the numerous works on the issue, there is still no standardized definition of competencies and their components. The study of the competencies, including new digital competencies, is neces-sary because education within the framework of the competence-based approach helps to reduce the gap between theory and practice, which makes it possible to train specialists ready to work in a new digital era, where one of the main tasks is the formation of the digital economy. The digital economy implies the development and creation of digital, high-tech products within the country. The ability to safely operate digital products is reflected in security competence, which is important not only in professional activities but also when using the internet, computer programs, and so on, for personal purposes. In this article, we will analyze different approaches to the concept of security competence within the prism of competence-based learning in Russia and Western countries, including European and American experiences

Realization of investment processes in the agricultural sector of the digital economy

The purpose of the article is to study the theoretical aspects of the investment processes implementation in the agricultural sector of the digital economy. The theoretical aspects of the organization, implementation and management of investment processes in the agricultural sector from the position of domestic and foreign scientists are studied. The subject, object and the goals of the investment process implementation in the agricultural sector, as well as the influencing factors, and the necessity of this activity fulfillment have been determined. The peculiarities of the investment process in the agricultural sector, connected with the specifics of agricultural production, its dependence on weather conditions, on the natural and zonal features of the production area have been highlighted, and the definition of the “investment process” concept was determined. The sources of investment resources in the agricultural sector were determined, their division into external (borrowed, loan, state) and internal (own funds, operating results, occasional) sources was made. The classification of investment resources in terms of their division according to the method of their receipt and the method of payment for the use of resources was specified. The study of the theoretical aspects of the investment processes implementation in the agricultural sector is the basis for further research and offering the measures to activate them.peer-reviewe

Modernization of Stopping Ponds of the Enterprises of the Heat and Power Complex With the Use of Highly Selective Sorbents in Gabion Filtration Cassettes

Эффективности очистки сточных вод предприятий ТЭК в прудах-отстойниках недостаточно для применения очищенной воды в оборотном водопользовании. Модернизация прудов-отстойников с целью получения высокой эффективности очистки сточных вод оборотного водопользования ТЭК является главной задачей достижения высокой степени очистки сточных вод, а также минимизации антропогенного воздействия на окружающую среду от сточных вод предприятий ТЭК. Применение высокоселективных сорбентов в габионных фильтрационных кассетах, установленных в пруде-отстойнике предприятия ТЭК, позволяет добиться высокой эффективности очистки стока с удалением из состава сточной воды ранее не извлекаемых, эмульгированных нефтепродуктов и галогенопроизводных органических веществ, негативно воздействующих на работу инженерных коммуникаций и теплосилового оборудованияThe efficiency of wastewater treatment of fuel and energy enterprises in settling ponds is not enough for the use of treated water in recycled water use. Modernization of settling ponds in order to obtain high efficiency of wastewater treatment for recycling water use of the fuel and energy complex is the main task to achieve a high degree of wastewater treatment, as well as to minimize the anthropogenic impact on the environment from wastewater from fuel and energy enterprises. The use of highly selective sorbents in gabion filtration cassettes installed in the settling pond of a fuel and energy complex enterprise makes it possible to achieve high efficiency of wastewater treatment with the removal of previously unretained emulsified oil products and halogen-derived organic substances from the wastewater composition, which adversely affect the operation of utilities and heat power equipmen

Screening and Characterization of Novel Polyesterases from Environmental Metagenomes with High Hydrolytic Activity against Synthetic Polyesters

International audienc

Activity screening of environmental metagenomic libraries reveals novel carboxylesterase families

Metagenomics has made accessible an enormous reserve of global biochemical diversity. To tap into this vast resource of novel enzymes, we have screened over one million clones from metagenome DNA libraries derived from sixteen different environments for carboxylesterase activity and identified 714 positive hits. We have validated the esterase activity of 80 selected genes, which belong to 17 different protein families including unknown and cyclase-like proteins. Three metagenomic enzymes exhibited lipase activity, and seven proteins showed polyester depolymerization activity against polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. Detailed biochemical characterization of four new enzymes revealed their substrate preference, whereas their catalytic residues were identified using site-directed mutagenesis. The crystal structure of the metal-ion dependent esterase MGS0169 from the amidohydrolase superfamily revealed a novel active site with a bound unknown ligand. Thus, activity-centered metagenomics has revealed diverse enzymes and novel families of microbial carboxylesterases, whose activity could not have been predicted using bioinformatics tools

Family Matters:Rethinking the Psychology of Human Social Motivation

What motives do people prioritize in their social lives? Historically, social psychologists, especially those adopting an evolutionary perspective, have devoted a great deal of research attention to sexual attraction and romantic-partner choice (mate seeking). Research on long-term familial bonds (mate retention and kin care) has been less thoroughly connected to relevant comparative and evolutionary work on other species, and in the case of kin care, these bonds have been less well researched. Examining varied sources of data from 27 societies around the world, we found that people generally view familial motives as primary in importance and mate-seeking motives as relatively low in importance. Compared with other groups, college students, single people, and men place relatively higher emphasis on mate seeking, but even those samples rated kin-care motives as more important. Furthermore, motives linked to long-term familial bonds are positively associated with psychological well-being, but mate-seeking motives are associated with anxiety and depression. We address theoretical and empirical reasons why there has been extensive research on mate seeking and why people prioritize goals related to long-term familial bonds over mating goals. Reallocating relatively greater research effort toward long-term familial relationships would likely yield many interesting new findings relevant to everyday people’s highest social priorities

Distinct Roles of Jasmonates and Aldehydes in Plant-Defense Responses

BACKGROUND: Many inducible plant-defense responses are activated by jasmonates (JAs), C(6)-aldehydes, and their corresponding derivatives, produced by the two main competing branches of the oxylipin pathway, the allene oxide synthase (AOS) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) branches, respectively. In addition to competition for substrates, these branch-pathway-derived metabolites have substantial overlap in regulation of gene expression. Past experiments to define the role of C(6)-aldehydes in plant defense responses were biased towards the exogenous application of the synthetic metabolites or the use of genetic manipulation of HPL expression levels in plant genotypes with intact ability to produce the competing AOS-derived metabolites. To uncouple the roles of the C(6)-aldehydes and jasmonates in mediating direct and indirect plant-defense responses, we generated Arabidopsis genotypes lacking either one or both of these metabolites. These genotypes were subsequently challenged with a phloem-feeding insect (aphids: Myzus persicae), an insect herbivore (leafminers: Liriomyza trifolii), and two different necrotrophic fungal pathogens (Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola). We also characterized the volatiles emitted by these plants upon aphid infestation or mechanical wounding and identified hexenyl acetate as the predominant compound in these volatile blends. Subsequently, we examined the signaling role of this compound in attracting the parasitoid wasp (Aphidius colemani), a natural enemy of aphids. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This study conclusively establishes that jasmonates and C(6)-aldehydes play distinct roles in plant defense responses. The jasmonates are indispensable metabolites in mediating the activation of direct plant-defense responses, whereas the C(6)-aldehyes are not. On the other hand, hexenyl acetate, an acetylated C(6)-aldehyde, is the predominant wound-inducible volatile signal that mediates indirect defense responses by directing tritrophic (plant-herbivore-natural enemy) interactions. SIGNIFICANCE: The data suggest that jasmonates and hexenyl acetate play distinct roles in mediating direct and indirect plant-defense responses. The potential advantage of this "division of labor" is to ensure the most effective defense strategy that minimizes incurred damages at a reduced metabolic cost