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The alkylation reaction was used to couple zerumbone with the 3-substituted quinazolinone-4(3H)-ones and quinolines, resulting in the formation of 11 new conjugates. Their structures were fully characterized by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRMS spectral data. The evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activity was examined by inhibiting NO production in RAW 267.4 cells. Screening for their cytotoxic activity was performed using three human cancer cell lines HepG2, SK-LU-1, and MCF-7. The results indicated that all 11 novel conjugates exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 1.01–9.86 µg/mL, which were stronger than those of the parent compound zerumbone. In silico EGFR inhibitory activity was also performed by docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies to find out the most potent compounds based on the main interactions of zerumbone derivatives 16a-k with important amino acids of EGFR (PDB ID 4HJO) protein in its active site.

Abstract Background Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by skin fragility leading to trauma‐induced subepidermal blisters and healing with scarring. DEB is caused by mutations in COL7A1, the gene encoding for type VII collagen (COLVII). The DEB inheritance trait is divided into dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB) and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Methods Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed for identifying mutations in six affected individuals of five Vietnamese families. Results Three novel variants in total of eight variants were found in five families. The first novel variant causing glycine substitution (c.8279G>A, p.G2760E), the remaining two novel variants resulted in splice site affecting (c.4518+2delT and c.5821‐2A>G). Functional analysis indicated that the splice site at c.4518+2delT resulted in a skipping of exon 43, leading to an in‐frame deletion of 12 amino acids. Conclusion Our finding expands the spectrum of COL7A1 mutations and reports altered splicing at c.4518+2delT during the processing of the pre‐mRNA. This study provides an additional scientific basis for diagnosis, genetic counseling, and prognosis purposes of EB patients.

Four secondary metabolites, including daidzein (1), genistein (2), glycitein (3), and daidzin (4) have been isolated and structural elucidated from the methanolic extract of the stems and leaves of Erythrina variegata L. collected in Hanoi city, Vietnam. These compounds showed good in vitro inhibition on α-glucosidase enzyme with IC50 values of 97.6 ± 0.6, 230.4 ± 0.4, 34.3 ± 0.9, and 217.2 ± 0.2 µM, respectively as compared with that of acarbose (IC50 value of 125.8 ± 1.2 µM). This finding suggests the possible application of product containing high content of these compounds from the leaves and stems of E. variegata L. for research and development of anti-obese agent.

Due to the economic and ecological importance of forest trees, modern breeding and genetic manipulation of forest trees have become increasingly prevalent. The CRISPR-based technology provides a versatile, powerful, and widely accepted tool for analyzing gene function and precise genetic modification in virtually any species but remains largely unexplored in forest species. Rapidly accumulating genetic and genomic resources for forest trees enabled the identification of numerous genes and biological processes that are associated with important traits such as wood quality, drought, or pest resistance, facilitating the selection of suitable gene editing targets. Here, we introduce and discuss the latest progress, opportunities, and challenges of genome sequencing and editing for improving forest sustainability.

The monophyletic carnivorous genus Genlisea (Lentibulariaceae) is characterized by a bi-directional genome size evolution resulting in a 25-fold difference in nuclear DNA content. This is one of the largest ranges found within a genus so far and makes Genlisea an interesting subject to study mechanisms of genome and karyotype evolution.G. nigrocaulis, with 86 Mbp one of the smallest plant genomes, and the 18-fold larger genome of G. hispidula (1550 Mbp) possess identical chromosome numbers (2n=40) but differ considerably in chromatin organization, nuclear and cell size. Interphase nuclei of G. nigrocaulis and of related species with small genomes, G. aurea (133 Mbp, 2n=104) and G. pygmaea (179 Mbp, 2n=80), are hallmarked by intensely DAPI-stained chromocenters, carrying typical heterochromatin-associated methylation marks (5-methylcytosine, H3K9me2), while in G. hispidula and surprisingly also in the small genome of G. margaretae (184 Mbp, 2=38) the heterochromatin marks are more evenly distributed. Probes of tandem repetitive sequences together with rDNA allow the unequivocal discrimination of 13 out of 20 chromosome pairs of G. hispidula. One of the repetitive sequences labeled half of the chromosome set almost homogenously supporting an allopolyploid status of G. hispidula and its close relative G. subglabra (1622 Mbp, 2n=40). In G. nigrocaulis eleven chromosome pairs could be individualized using a combination of rDNA and unique genomic probes. The presented data provide a basis for future studies of karyotype evolution within the genus Genlisea.

In the carnivorous plant genus Genlisea a unique lobster pot trapping mechanism supplements nutrition in nutrient-poor habitats. A wide spectrum of microbes frequently occurs in Genlisea’s leaf-derived traps without clear relevance for Genlisea carnivory. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of subterrestrial traps versus the aerial chlorophyll-containing leaves of G. nigrocaulis and of G. hispidula. Ribosomal RNA assignment revealed soil-borne microbial diversity in Genlisea traps, with 92 genera of 19 phyla present in more than one sample. Microbes from 16 of these phyla including proteobacteria, green algae, amoebozoa, fungi, ciliates and metazoans, contributed additionally short-lived mRNA to the metatranscriptome. Furthermore, transcripts of 438 members of hydrolases (e.g. proteases, phosphatases, lipases), mainly resembling those of metazoans, ciliates and green algae, were found. Compared to aerial leaves, Genlisea traps displayed a transcriptional up-regulation of endogenous NADH oxidases generating reactive oxygen species as well as of acid phosphatases for prey digestion. A leaf-versus-trap transcriptome comparison reflects that carnivory provides inorganic P- and different forms of N-compounds (ammonium, nitrate, amino acid, oligopeptides) and implies the need to protect trap cells against oxidative stress. The analysis elucidates a complex food web inside the Genlisea traps, and suggests ecological relationships between this plant genus and its entrapped microbiome.