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AbstractSalt stress is a major abiotic stress with detrimental effects on plants. Sucrose, the main product of photosynthesis in plants, is used as a source of energy for the development of Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis). Hua Xianzi, a variety of Chinese rose, was investigated in this study. Phenotypic traits such as digital biomass, greenness average, leaf angle and leaf area, as well as physiological characters such as proline (Pro), malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, O2-and antioxidant enzymes such as SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), POD (Peroxidase), CAT (Catalase) and APX (Ascorbate Peroxidase), changed significantly in response to salt stress (150 mmol/L NaCl for 72 h). The physiological changes were examined based on photosynthetic and fluorescence indicators. Salt stress increased the concentration of glucose, fructose and sucrose, upregulated the expression of Rc-SS1, Rc-SS2, Rc-SPS1, Rc-SPS2, Rc-αA1, Rc-αA2, Rc-αA3, Rc-βA1and Rc-βA3genes. Finally, it decreased the starch content in leaves. This study revealed that salt stress disrupted the equilibrium of sucrose metabolism in leaves. This finding provides the basis for further research into the mechanism of salt tolerance adaption.

Sequencing-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have facilitated the identification of causal associations between genetic variants and traits in diverse species. However, it is cost-prohibitive for the majority of research groups to sequence a large number of samples. Here, we carried out genotype imputation to increase the density of single nucleotide polymorphisms in a large-scale Swine F2population using a reference panel including 117 individuals, followed by a series of GWAS analyses. The imputation accuracies reached 0.89 and 0.86 for allelic concordance and correlation, respectively. A quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) affecting the chest vertebrate was detected directly, while the investigation of another QTN affecting the residual glucose failed due to the presence of similar haplotypes carrying wild-type and mutant allelesin the reference panel used in this study. A high imputation accuracy was confirmed by Sanger sequencing technology for the most significant loci. Two candidate genes, CPNE5and MYH3, affecting meat-related traits were proposed. Collectively, we illustrated four scenarios in imputation-based GWAS that may be encountered by researchers, and our results will provide an extensive reference for future genotype imputation-based GWAS analyses in the future.

AbstractProtein kinases are critical drug targets against cancer. Since the discovery of Gleevec, a specific inhibitor of Abl kinase, the capability of this drug to distinguish between Abl and other tyrosine kinases, such as Src, has been intensely investigated but the origin of Gleevec’s selectivity to Abl against Src is less studied. Here, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, dynamical cross-correlation matrices (DCCM), dynamical network analysis, and binding free energy calculations to explore Gleevec’s selectivity based on the crystal structures of Abl, Src, and their common ancestors (ANC-AS) and the two constructed mutation systems (AS→Abl and AS→Src). MD simulations revealed that the conformation of the phosphate-binding loop (P-loop) was altered significantly in the AS→Abl system. DCCM results unraveled that mutations increased anticorrelated motions in the AS→Abl system. Community network analysis suggested that the P-loop established special contacts in the AS→Abl system that are devoid in the AS→Src system. The binding free energy calculations unveiled that the affinity of Gleevec to AS→Abl increased to near the Abl level, whereas its affinity to AS→Src decreased to near the Src level. Analysis of individual residue contributions showed that the differences were located mainly at the P-loop. This study is valuable for understanding the sensitivity of Gleevec to human tyrosine kinases.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

High-throughput small RNA sequencing and degradome analysis were used in this study to thoroughly investigate the role of miRNA-mediated regulatory network in tuberous root development of radish. Samples from the early seedling stage (RE) and the cortex splitting stage (RL) were used for the construction of six small RNA libraries and one degradome library. A total of 518 known and 976 novel miRNAs were identified, of which, 338 known and 18 novel miRNAs were expressed in all six libraries, respectively. A total of 52 known and 57 novel miRNAs were identified to be significantly differentially expressed between RE and RL, and 195 mRNAs were verified to be the targets of 194 miRNAs by degradome sequencing. According to the degradome analysis, 11 differentially expressed miRNAs had miRNA-mRNA targets, and 13 targets were identified for these 11 miRNAs. Of the 13 miRNA-mRNA targets, 4 genes (RSG11079.t1, RSG11844.t1, RSG16775.t1, and RSG42419.t1) were involved in hormone-mediated signaling pathway, 2 gens (RSG11079.t1 and RSG16775.t1) were related to post-embryonic root development, and 1 gene (RSG23799.t1) was involved in anatomical structure morphogenesis, according to the GO function analysis for biological process. Target Genes participated in these processes are important candidates for further studies. This study provides valuable information for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in radish tuberous root formation and development.

Abstract: t-Butyl and t-pentylcalix[4]arenes bearing two 2-naphthol-1-hydrazone groups at the lower rim were synthesized, and showed excited-state intermolecular proton transfer fluorescent signal with basic anion. They are more sensitive to dihydrogen phosphate anion than to fluoride anion, although the latter has stronger basicity. Compared with t-butylcalix[4]arene bearing two 2-naphthol-1-hydrazone groups, t-pentylcalix[4]arenes derivative has a larger fluorescent difference between dihydrogen phosphate and fluoride anion. This finding may be used to analyze dihydrogen phosphate anion in the presence of fluoride anion and provide a new approach for designing fluorescence probes that are highly selective for H2PO4−.

With increasing societal development and the concurrent improvement in people's quality of life, meat consumption has gradually changed from a focus on “quantity” to “quality”. Broiler production is increasingly used as a means to improve meat quality by altering various characteristics, especially its genetic factors. However, until now, little has been known about the genetic variants related to meat quality traits in Chinese purebred chicken populations. To better understand these genetic underpinnings, a total of 17 traits related to meat quality and carcass were measured in 325 Chinese Ningdu yellow chickens. We performed DNA sequencing to detect nucleotide mutations, after which we conducted association studies between PHKG1gene polymorphisms and traits related to meat quality and carcass. Results indicated a large phenotypic variation in meat quality traits. More specifically, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs15845448was significantly associated with drip loss at 24 h (P = 8.04 × 10−6) and 48 h (P = 5.47 × 10−6), pH (P = 2.39 × 10−3), and meat color L* (P = 9.88 × 10−3). Moreover, the SNP rs15845448reduced 24 h and 48 h drip loss by 3.62% and 5.97%, respectively. However, no significant associations were found between rs15845448and carcass traits (P> 0.05). Furthermore, a haplotype block containing two adjacent SNPs (rs15845448and rs15845450) was identified. This block displayed four distinct haplotypes that had significant association with drip loss at 24 h and 48 h, pH, and meat color L*. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the genetic basis of meat quality in Chinese Ningdu yellow chickens. Moreover, the significance of SNP rs15845448could be incorporated into the selection programs involving this breed.