The common bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>) SULTR gene family: genome-wide identification, phylogeny, evolutionary expansion and expression patterns

Sulfate transporters (SULTRs) are responsible for the absorption and transport of sulfate in higher plants. They also play a key role in plant growth, development and abiotic stress responses. However, the SULTR gene family in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is still not well studied. In this study, 15 PvSULTRs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis divided the PvSULTR genes into four subgroups. Cis-regulatory element analysis of the promoter sequence of the PvSULTR genes showed that many cis-regulatory elements were related to hormone and environmental stresses. Collinearity analysis showed that two PvSULTR gene pairs are duplicated in common bean. Tissue-specific expression analysis of the 15 PvSULTR genes showed different expression patterns in various tissues. Furthermore, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that PvSULTR1/2/7 genes displayed specific responses to CdCl2 and HgCl2 stresses, whereas PvSULTR11/12 were explicitly induced by NaCl and HgCl2 stresses. These results suggest that PvSULTR family members might function under different mechanisms in response to specific metal stress. This study provides the basis for elucidating the functional diversity of PvSULTR gene family and reveals its role in metal stress response in common bean.</p

Image_1_Comparative study on the microbiota of colostrum and nipple skin from lactating mothers separated from their newborn at birth in China.TIF

Increasing studies have found breast milk (BM) contains its own microbiota. However, the route through which microbes enter the BM is still unclear. In order to verify the entero-mammary pathway of BM, we designed a rigorous study that prevented oral bacteria from contaminating the breast and nipple skin (NS) during baby nursing. Thirty-one healthy, postpartum mothers living in southern China who were immediately separated from their newborn after delivery were enrolled in this study. Using an aseptic protocol for sampling, sterile water was used to wash the NS and was then collected. Then the first drop of BM was discarded and colostrum was collected manually. Amplicon sequencing was performed targeting the V3–V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and the differences between the microbiota of the colostrum and NS were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of environmental factors, such as the delivery mode and intrapartum antibiotic exposure, on the diversity of the colostrum microbiota were also analyzed. We found significant differences in the α diversity and richness between the BM and NS as evidenced by richness, Chao1, and Simpson indices. There were 170 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared by colostrum and NS, while 111 and 87 OTUs were unique, respectively, as well as a clear distinction in OTUs was observed by unifrac binary analysis between them. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis found that anaerobes, such as Bifidobacterium and Pantoea at the genus level and enterobacteria including Enterobacteriaceae at the family level, were predominant in the colostrum, while the predominant bacteria on the NS were Bacteroides, Staphylococcus, and Parabacteroides at the genus level. BM is colonized by bacteria prior to baby suckling, and the diversity of the colostrum microbiota differs from that of the NS. The predominant microbiota taxa in BM indicated that they were likely to be transferred to the breast through the intestinal tract. Our study provides direct evidence for the revolutionary active migration hypothesis. Additionally, factors like intrapartum antibiotic exposure did not significantly affect the diversity of the microbiota in the BM. Therefore, it is suggested that mothers continue to provide BM for their newborns during separation.</p

Developmental duration and survival rate of <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> caterpillars on four chestnut cultivars.

<p>HH = Huaihuang, HJ = Huaijiu, YH = Yanhong, SS = Shisheng. (a) Larval developmental duration of <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> on four chestnut cultivars, (b) Larval survival rate of <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> on the four chestnut cultivars. Bars represent means ± SE. Significant differences among the four chestnut cultivars are indicated by different letters on each bar (Tukey-HSD test after ANOVA, <i>P</i> < 0.05).</p

EAG response profiles of female <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> to chestnut compounds.

<p>(a) EAG responses of virgin females to chestnut compounds, (b) EAG responses of mated females to chestnut compounds, S-HH-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Huaihuang fruits, S-HJ-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Huaijiu fruits, S-YH-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Yanhong fruits, S-SS-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Shisheng fruits, S-HJ-IF60 = simulated blend mimicking the emission of Huaijiu fruits infested by <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> for 60 h. Bars represent mean ± SE (<i>n</i> = 15).</p

Choice distribution of female <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> for chestnut volatiles in dual choice assay in a Y tube.

<p>(a) Selection rates of virgin females for chestnut volatiles in dual choice assay with mineral oil as control, (b) Selection rates of mated females for chestnut volatiles with mineral oil as control, MO = mineral oil, S-HH-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Huaihuang fruits, S-HJ-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Huaijiu fruits, S-YH-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Yanhong fruits, S-SS-IT = simulated blend mimicking the emission of intact Shisheng fruits, S-HJ-IF60 = simulated blend mimicking the emission of Huaijiu fruits infested by <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> for 60 h. Stars indicate significant difference within a choice test using <i>x</i>² test (*<i>P</i> < 0.05, **<i>P</i> < 0.001).</p

Field infestation rate and oviposition choice of <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> on four chestnut cultivars.

<p>HH = Huaihuang, HJ = Huaijiu, YH = Yanhong, SS = Shisheng. (a) Field infestation rate of four chestnut cultivars by <i>C</i>. <i>punctiferalis</i>. Bars represent means ± SE (<i>n</i> = 5). Different letters on the bars indicate significant differences among the four chestnut cultivars (Tukey-HSD test after ANOVA, <i>P</i> < 0.05), (b) Oviposition choice of <i>C</i>. <i>punctiferalis</i> among four chestnut cultivars. Bars represent means ± SE (<i>n</i> = 10) of the daily laying eggs per 10 females. Different letters on the bars indicate significant difference among the four chestnut cultivars (Tukey-HSD test after ANOVA, <i>P</i> < 0.05).</p

Quantity and proportions of chestnut volatiles in simulated blends used for behavioral and EAG assay^*.

<p>Quantity and proportions of chestnut volatiles in simulated blends used for behavioral and EAG assay^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157609#t001fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

Compounds emitted from intact fruits of four chestnut cultivars, Huaihuang, Huaijiu, Yanhong, and Shisheng^*.

<p>Compounds emitted from intact fruits of four chestnut cultivars, Huaihuang, Huaijiu, Yanhong, and Shisheng^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157609#t002fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p

Compounds emitted from intact and <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> infested Huaijiu fruits^*.

<p>Compounds emitted from intact and <i>Conogethes punctiferalis</i> infested Huaijiu fruits^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0157609#t003fn001" target="_blank">*</a>}.</p