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Polar lipids have biosynthetic pathways which intersect and overlap with triacylglycerol biosynthesis; however, polar lipids have not been well characterized in the developing endosperms of oat with high oil accumulation. The polar lipids in endosperms of oat and wheat varieties having different oil contents were analyzed and compared at different developmental stages. Our study shows that the relative contents of polar lipid by mass were decreased more slowly in wheat than in oat. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major phospholipids, which showed similar abundance and gradual decreases during endosperm development in oat and wheat, while lysophospholipids were noticeably higher in oat. Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol showed a gradual increase in wheat and a decrease in oat during endosperm development. The relative contents of some polar lipid species and their unsaturation index were significantly different in their endosperms. These characteristics of polar lipids might indicate an adaption of oat to accommodate oil accumulation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Wheat kernel proteins are not homogeneously distributed throughout the endosperm. The goal of this study was to investigate the relative differences in protein composition between the aleurone, sub-aleurone and inner endosperm. Using laser microdissection followed by nanoLC-MS/MS, an innovative method combining high spatial specificity and analytical selectivity in sample-limited situations, 780 proteins were detected and classified by function. A higher proportion of gluten proteins was detected in the sub-aleurone than inner endosperm. Composition-wise, gluten from the sub-aleurone is relatively more enriched in ω-gliadins but impoverished in LMW-GS and γ-gliadins. While a basic set of albumins and globulins was detected in all three microdissected endosperm tissues, specific proteins, like puroindoline B, displayed a gradient. This study provides indications that both histological origin and relative positioning of the tissues drive the protein distribution. Knowledge of this protein distribution offers significant opportunities for the wheat manufacturing industry. Data available via ProteomeXchange, identifier PXD038743., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tender coconut (TC) is popular around the world. Postharvest storage of TC leads to a decline in its appearance quality and flavor in both liquid endosperm (LE) and solid endosperm (SE). While LE is the most consumed part and remains in a liquid state, SE is the only cellular tissue directly connected to LE and may be the main contributor to flavor deterioration during storage. This study focused on investigating SE changes during TC storage at 25 °C using computed tomographic technology, transcriptome and metabolome analyses. The results showed increased thickness and density, elevated protein and fat contents, and decreased reducing and soluble sugars in SE of TC during storage. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed that these changes were mainly associated with the gene transcription levels involved in amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, along with specific metabolites. These findings offer valuable insights for controlling TC quality during storage., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Wheat is a staple crop; its production must achieve both high yield and good quality due to worldwide demands for food security and better quality of life. It has been found that the grain qualities vary greatly within the different layers of wheat kernels. In this paper, the spatial distributions of protein and its components, starch, dietary fiber, and microelements are summarized in detail. The underlying mechanisms regarding the formation of protein and starch, as well as spatial distribution, are discussed from the views of substrate supply and the protein and starch synthesis capacity. The regulating effects of cultivation practices on gradients in composition are identified. Finally, breakthrough solutions for exploring the underlying mechanisms of the spatial gradients of functional components are presented. This paper will provide research perspectives for producing wheat that is both high in yield and of good quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changes of intact endosperm cell wall in cereal food processing and its effect on starch digestibility are important for developing nutritious and healthy next generation foods, but their changes in the process of traditional Chinese cooking products such as noodles making have not been investigated. In this paper, the changes in endosperm cell wall in the process of making dried noodles by adding 60 % wheat farina with varied particle sizes were tracked, and the underlying mechanisms affecting the noodle quality and starch digestibility were revealed. With increasing particle size (150-800 μm) of farina, the contents of starch and protein, swelling index of glutenin, and sedimentation value decreased significantly and the dietary fiber increased sharply; moreover, water absorption, stability and extensibility of dough decline obviously while the resistance to extension and thermal stability were enhanced. In addition, noodles made with flour added larger-particle size farina had a lower hardness, springiness, and stretchability while a higher adhesiveness. Compared to the flour and other samples, the flour with the smaller-particle size farina (150-355 μm) showed better rheological properties of dough and cooking quality of noodles. Furthermore, the integrity of the endosperm cell wall increased with increasing particle size (150-800 μm), which was perfectly preserved during noodle processing and was an effective physical barrier to inhibit starch digestion. The starch digestibility of noodles made from mixed farina with low protein content (∼15 %) did not significantly reduce compared to that of wheat flour noodles with high protein content (∼18 %), probably due to the increased cell wall permeability of noodle processing, or the overwhelming effect of noodle structure or protein content. In conclusion, our findings will contribute to an innovative perspective for in-depth understanding of the impact of endosperm cell wall on the quality and nutrition of noodles at the cellular level, which provided a theoretical basis for the moderate processing of wheat flour and the development of healthier wheat-based food products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no financial interests or personal relationships that may affect the competing work of this report. I would like to declare on behalf of my co-authors that the work described was original research that has not been previously published and was not contemplated for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part. All the authors listed have approved the manuscript that is enclosed., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the past decade, research on resistant starch has evoked interest due to the prevention and inhibition of chronic human diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Increasing the amylose content (AC) and resistant starch (RS) has been pivotal in improving the nutritional benefit of rice. However, the exact mechanism of RS formation is complex due to interconnected genetic factors regulating amylose-amylopectin variation. In this review, we discussed the regulatory factors influencing the RS formation centered on the transcription, post-transcriptional, and post-translational processes. Furthermore, we described the developments in RS and AC levels in rice compared with other high RS cereals. Briefly, we enumerated potential applications of high RS mutants in health, medical, and other industries. We contest that the information captured herein can be deployed for marker-assisted breeding and precision breeding techniques through genome editing to improve rice varieties with enhanced RS content., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

The wheat pericarp is the main component of the caryopsis at the early development stage and ultimately converts into a tissue that covers the mature caryopsis. A large number of starch granules are accumulated in the pericarp, but the production of and the role of starch granules in caryopsis development remain- elusive. In the present study, the relationship between accumulated starch granules and starch metabolism-related genes in wheat pericarp was investigated using paraffin section observations, expression analysis, and mutant analysis. Starch synthesis is initiated before anthesis and is dependent on a sucrose uptake and conversion system similar to that in the endosperm. TaPTST2 is required to initiate the production of pericarp starch granules. Pericarp starch granules gradually disappeared at the filling stage with high expression levels of genes encoding β-amylase, sucrose-phosphate synthase, and sucrose-phosphate phosphatase. As a maternal tissue adjacent to the endosperm and embryo, the pericarp plays a temporary reservoir for excess nutrients delivered into the caryopsis during the early development stage and exported at the filling stage. The pericarp contributes to the development of the endosperm and embryo as well as the accumulation of endosperm starch. The metabolism of pericarp starch may affect the weight of the wheat caryopsis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The paper covers the issues of the formation of the generative organs of switch-grass plants (Panicum Virgatum L.) in the correlation with the varietal features and the weather conditions in an inter-phase period of "flowering-seed formation". Switch-grass is one of the most promising perennial cereal plants to produce bio-fuel. Widespread introduction into production is held back by low seed emergence, which is due to its large dormancy state. Therefore, to study the causes of this phenomenon and the ways to reduce it is of a real relevance. In the vegetation years, the size of pollen grains ranged from 22.9 to 23.6 mkm depending on the varietal features and the weather conditions in a phase of flowering and pollen formation. A significant difference in a pollen size in a correlation with the varietal features was not recorded; the tendency towards the increase or decrease of its size was seen though. In the years under study, the sizes of pollen grains changed under the effect of weather conditions, it occurred even within one cultivar. The pollen of all the cultivar samples had the smallest size in 2018 and 2019; and in the vegetation years of 2020-2021 the average pollen sizes were much larger for all cultivars than in 2018 and 2019. Over the years under study, on the average, no significant difference in the sizes of embryo and seed, depending on the varietal features, was recorded. The growing weather conditions had a significant effect on the sizes of embryo and seeds, their length and width, and it amounted to 98-100%. The most favorable weather conditions for the processes of flowering and seed formation were created in 2019, as compared with those in 2020 and 2021, which ensured the formation of larger sizes of both embryos and seed in all the cultivars. The correlation-regression analysis of the data showed a strong linear correlation between the length and the width of embryo and the weather conditions in a phase "flowering-formation" of seed with a determination coefficient R2 = 0.9163 and a correlation coefficient R = 0.96 for the length of embryo and R2 = 0.9613 and a correlation coefficient R = 0.98 for the width of embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viscum album L. (Santalaceae) is an important medicinal plant traditionally used to treat several diseases, including cancer therapy. This paper provides detailed morpho-anatomical characteristics of the leaves, stems and berries of Viscum album subsp. album growing as hemi-parasite on the branches of Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. (Rosaceae) to aid species identification and botanical characterization. Additionally, for the first time, microchemical analyses of all tissues and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy analyses of the calcium oxalate crystals are provided for the first time. The plant features leathery presents green leaves with parallel veins, small yellow unisexual flowers in 3-flowered cymes, and the dioecious inflorescences usually consist of three flowers, with female flowers generating white fleshy berries, in which a seed is embedded in the mucilaginous mesocarp, normally containing two embryos. Anatomically, the analyzed leaves were isobilateral and amphistomatic, and showed straight anticlinal epidermal cell walls, thick cuticles with epicuticular wax crystalloids, and paracytic stomata. The midrib is flat on both sides and has a single vascular bundle, whereas the strongly shortened petiole is concave-convex in shape and contains five bundles. The stems show a primary structure with a ring of nine vascular bundles enclosing the pith. Calcium oxalate druses and cubic and quadrangular prisms were observed in different plant parts. The results of this study provide new microscopy information that can help in the authentication of mistletoe raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents studies on the kernel, endosperm, pericarp and germ of high-yielding maize hybrid ZP 684 intended for extensive feeding of livestock. The modern American infrared spectroscopy method (Attenuated Total Reflectance—ATR) was applied to record ATR-spectra and observe all spectral bands (of very high, high, low and very low intensity) of kernels, endosperms, percarps and germs. According to performed studies and analyzes the following can be stated: ATR spectra of kernels, endosperm, pericarp and the germ are characterized by all their spectral bands with several parameters: the number of bands within the spectrum, intensity, kinetics and the distribution of the site of the origin of bands in the wavenumber range of 400–4000 cm–1. Spectral bands of very high and high intensity were also characterized by the all stated parameters. These spectral bands provided the identification of organic molecules, their fragments and other molecular structures. In case of spectral bands of the kernel, endosperm, pericarp and the germ of very high and high intensity, the following organic compounds can be identified: proteins, carotenoids, cellulose, lipids, carboxylic acids, ethers, amino acids, protein amides, alkanes, sugars, carbohydrates, ketones, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes and amines. Spectral bands of the kernel, endosperm, pericarp and the germ of low and very low intensity were also characterized by the stated parameters, especially by the frequency of vibrations of valence bonds of functional groups of organic molecules. These spectral bands provided the occurrence of various forms of excited states of organic molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the seed morphology and anatomy of 32 wild Indian Musaceae by using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This is the first comprehensive investigation into the seed micro-morphological and anatomical aspects of two genera of the family. Seed characters including shape, size, surface sculpturing (LM and SEM), seed coat thickness, layer characters and chalazal chamber column were considered. Seed characters play a significant role in the delimitation of taxa as they are more stable than vegetative (anatomical) and pollen features. Four types of seeds (oblate, ovoid, sub-globose and ellipsoid) were observed in the family, oblate seeds being the most common. LM revealed that most of the seeds have verrucate surface sculpturing, but some are smooth-verrucate or smooth. Seed size also plays an important role in the identification of the taxa to some extent. Number of layers and seed coat thickness are directly proportional to seed size. However, the thickness of endotesta, tegmen and inner endosperm layers (aleurone layers) differ in small and large seeds. The present study revealed eight types of outer sculpturing and three inner sculpturing patterns with diverse nature of anticlinal and periclinal cell walls. Based on the seed characters, a phenetic analysis was also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apomixis can fix the heterosis of Hybrid F1, by maintaining its heterozygous genotype, and is an ideal way for the development of hybrid rice. In this paper, we designed an engineering strategy for realizing apomictic reproduction of hybrid rice in the way of induce adventitious embryos. An embryogenesis gene, AtWUS, controlled by the ovule-specific promoter, a ribonuclease gene Barnase driven by the egg cell-specific promoter pDD45, and an inactivation gene ZmAA1 driven by the pollen-specific promoter pG47 were simultaneously integrated into one T-DNA, and co-transformed with the second T-DNA carrying a Barstar gene. Double-seedlings were observed in transgenic line. Whole-genome sequencing and ploidy levels confirmed by flow cytometry showed that one of the double-seedlings was heterozygous diploid and the other seedling was homozygous haploid, which confirmed that embryogenesis in one of the double-seedlings arises from the zygote after fertilization and the other derived from an unfertilized gamete. Meanwhile we obtained embryofree seeds at frequencies of 2.6% to 3.8% in T1 generation, and 0.75% to 3% in T2 generation. Though we did not obtained adventitious embryos in hybrid rice in this study, the phenomenon of double-seedlings and embryo-free seeds in transgenic line was informative and strongly suggested that endosperm development is an autonomously organized process in rice, independent of egg cell fertilization and embryo-endosperm communication. This provides novel insights into the induction of haploid embryos and lends theoretical support to successful clonal propagation using synthetic apomixis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the ultimate purpose of a seed is the successful establishment of the next generation, seed development involves more than embryo growth. In angiosperms, seed development requires the intimate coordination of three distinct entities - maternal tissue and two offspring, embryo and embryo-nourishing endosperm. Although seeds are cornerstones of many terrestrial ecosystems and human diets, we are only beginning to understand the interactions among seed tissues and the molecular processes and genes that determine them. Recent studies of gene expression and function in distantly related angiosperms, combined with over 100 years of embryological research, have repeatedly highlighted the endosperm associated with maternal-filial boundaries as a central point in seed developmental dynamics. In this review, we highlight evidence that links this zone with nutritional dynamics, developmental signaling, and imprinted gene expression. We suggest that the underappreciated diversity of this specialized endosperm across angiosperms deserves further study from developmental, molecular, and genetic perspectives., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The appearance quality of rice represent the primary concern of consumers when choosing rice, as well as a necessary condition for high-quality rice. In the past, the focus of attention on rice appearance quality was mainly on chalkiness, and most previous reviews on rice appearance quality focused on the chalky phenotype of rice, while some more generalized chalkiness as the only indicator of rice appearance quality. This paper objectively analyses the definitions and interrelationships of rice appearance quality indicators at the present stage. Then, the formation mechanism and research status of rice appearance quality were analyzed from three aspects: endosperm structure, genetic background, and endosperm material basis. The two indicators (chalkiness and transparency) were selected, having the greatest influence on appearance, as the starting point. On this basis, the problems in the current research on rice appearance quality were analyzed and relevant suggestions are put forward, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the overall improvement of rice appearance quality under large-scale production conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a method to obtain callus of the European white elm, Ulmus laevis, may be a further contribution to the research on elm dieback. In the present study, a seed disinfestation method was developed to extract viable zygotic embryos. Different culture media and combinations of growth regulators were also tested to produce callus and seedlings of European white elm. The growth potential of callus in light and darkness was also investigated to determinate the exact weight gain over a specific period of time. The results of the experiments can be used as a tool for the rapid culture of callus and elm seedlings in large quantities without environmental influences. After selection of a suitable culture medium among those tested, WPM medium proved to be the most effective. It was shown that callus cultures grown in the presence of the regulators 4.646 µM/l kinetin and 4.440 µM/l 6-benzylaminipurine showed the highest quality, as did seedlings with the addition of 1.444 µM/l gibberellin A along with 4.440 µM/l 6-benzylaminipurine in the culture. Thidiazuron proved to be the compound causing rapid browning and subsequent tissue death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research was carried out to determine the effects of germination temperature and 12 dormancy breaking applications on the germination of the seeds of the gum tragacanth (Astragalus gummifer Labill.) bush. The research was carried out in the Field Crops Department laboratory, Iğdır University Faculty of Agriculture, in 2019. Gum tragacanth seeds were germinated for 28 days in the dark at constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C and variable temperatures of 20/10 °C, 20/15 °C, 25/10 °C, and 25/15 °C. As a result of the research, the highest total germination rate was determined at 10.7% at 25/10 °C and 25/15 °C temperatures. It was determined that there was 89.3% dormancy in gum tragacanth seeds. Then, 12 dormancy breaking methods (matrix priming, hydro priming, gibberellic acid (GA3, potassium nitrate, cold, moist stratification, warm moist stratification, warm+cold moist stratification, cold+warm moist stratification, cold water, hot water, mechanical scarification, and chemical scarification) were applied. After dormancy breaking applications were made, the seeds were germinated again at 25/15 °C. At the end of the study, it was revealed that the highest total germination percentage with 50.7% was obtained from the application of hot water for 2 minutes. On the other hand, it was determined that matric priming, hydro priming, gibberellic acid, potassium nitrate, cold, moist stratification, warm moist stratification, cold+warm moist stratification, mechanical scarification, and chemical scarification applications did not have any effect on removing the dormancy status of gum tragacanth seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is a staple crop; its production must achieve both high yield and good quality due to worldwide demands for food security and better quality of life. It has been found that the grain qualities vary greatly within the different layers of wheat kernels. In this paper, the spatial distributions of protein and its components, starch, dietary fiber, and microelements are summarized in detail. The underlying mechanisms regarding the formation of protein and starch, as well as spatial distribution, are discussed from the views of substrate supply and the protein and starch synthesis capacity. The regulating effects of cultivation practices on gradients in composition are identified. Finally, breakthrough solutions for exploring the underlying mechanisms of the spatial gradients of functional components are presented. This paper will provide research perspectives for producing wheat that is both high in yield and of good quality.

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The endosperm serves as the primary source of nutrients for maize (Zea mays L.) kernel embryo development and germination. Positioned at the base of the endosperm, the transfer cells (TCs) of the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) generate cell wall ingrowths, which enhance the connectivity between the maternal plant and the developing kernels. These TCs play a crucial role in nutrient transport and defense against pathogens. The molecular mechanism underlying BETL development in maize remains unraveled. Results: This study demonstrated that the MYB-related transcription factor ZmMYBR29, exhibited specific expression in the basal cellularized endosperm, as evidenced by in situ hybridization analysis. Utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we successfully generated a loss-of-function homozygous zmmybr29 mutant, which presented with smaller kernel size. Observation of histological sections revealed abnormal development and disrupted morphology of the cell wall ingrowths in the BETL. The average grain filling rate decreased significantly by 26.7% in zmmybr29 mutant in comparison to the wild type, which impacted the dry matter accumulation within the kernels and ultimately led to a decrease in grain weight. Analysis of RNA-seq data revealed downregulated expression of genes associated with starch synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in the mutant. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling identified 23 genes that expressed specifically in BETL, and the majority of these genes exhibited altered expression patterns in zmmybr29 mutant. Conclusions: In summary, ZmMYBR29 encodes a MYB-related transcription factor that is expressed specifically in BETL, resulting in the downregulation of genes associated with kernel development. Furthermore, ZmMYBR29 influences kernels weight by affecting the grain filling rate, providing a new perspective for the complementation of the molecular regulatory network in maize endosperm development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To preserve germination ability, plant seeds must be protected from environmental stresses during the storage period. Here, we demonstrate that autophagy, an intracellular degradation system, maintains seed germination ability in Arabidopsis thaliana. The germination ability of long-term (>5 years) stored dry seeds of autophagy-defective (atg) mutant and wild-type (WT) plants was compared. Long-term stored (old) seeds of atg mutants showed lower germination ability than WT seeds, although short-term stored (new) seeds of atg mutants did not show such a phenotype. After removal of the seed coat and endosperm from old atg mutant seeds, the embryos developed into seedlings. Autophagic flux was maintained in endosperm cells during the storage period, and autophagy defect resulted in the accumulation of oxidized proteins and accelerated endosperm cell death. Consistent with these findings, the transcripts of genes, ENDO-β-MANNANASE 7 and EXPANSIN 2, which are responsible for degradation/ remodeling of the endosperm cell wall during germination, were reduced in old atg mutant seeds. We conclude that autophagy maintains endosperm quality during seed storage by suppressing aging-dependent oxidative damage and cell death, which allows the endosperm to perform optimal functions during germination, i.e., cell wall degradation/remodeling, even after long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male sterility line is a vital approach in the genetic breeding of sorghum. The husking process affects the grain's nutritional composition, emphasizing the intricate relationship between genetic enhancement and dietary requirements. The current study assessed the influence of the Husking Fraction Time Unit (HFTU) process, which was set at 30 (S) and 80 (S) time units per second (S). The study assessed the impact of the (HFTU) process on fifty-one inbred line sorghum race varieties, which implied diverse nutritional profiles considering the pericarp color variations. The assessment of the nutritional profile involved dry matter, total protein, and minerals (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, and Mn). The variety groups showed a significance value of p ≤ 0.05, indicating the study hypothesis's truth. While results demonstrated substantial impacts implied by the Husking Fraction Time Unit (HFTU) technique, the occurrence was noted when the dry matter percentage was increased in the husked products, specifically the endosperm (grits) and bran. Conversely, the protein variation percentage between the bran and endosperm (grits) for the S. bicolor race was calculated at 33.7%. In comparison, the percentage was 11.8% for the Kafirin race. The 80 (S) time unit, on the other hand, had an observable effect on the mineral reconcentration when the Kafirin race had the highest averages of K mg/kg−1, Ca mg/kg−1, and Fe mg/kg−1, which were 5700.5 mg/kg−1, 551.5 mg/kg−1 and 66.5 mg/kg−1, respectively. The results of this study could benefit breeders and nutrition specialists in developing genotypes and processing sorghum grains, promoting research, and aiding several industrial sectors owing to the grain's adaptability and nutritional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sapium sebiferum is a tree with socioeconomic, environmental, and medicinal value. S. sebiferum seeds possess physiological dormancy, which is induced by endogenous inhibitors and can be broken by cold stratification. However, the putative spatiotemporal changes in inhibitor activity are currently unknown, which can hinder the propagation of S. sebiferum seeds. The objective of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of inhibitor activity and its effect on germination during the cold stratification of S. sebiferum seeds. An extractant consisting of 80% methanol was used to extract the inhibitory substance from the seed coat and endosperm at different stages of cold stratification. The extract was then applied to both the Chinese cabbage seeds and excised embryos of S. sebiferum. The germination percentage and germination index were used to assess the inhibitor activity of S. sebiferum seeds. The germination of non-stratified S. sebiferum seeds was completely inhibited (0% germination). As the stratification duration was extended, the germination percentage of S. sebiferum seeds gradually increased. However, dormancy persisted until the stratification duration reached 120 d; at this point, the mean germination was 81.3%. The germination test on Chinese cabbage seeds revealed a significant increase from 10.0% (stratified for 0 d) to 91.2% (stratified for 120 d) when treated with endosperm extracts. The germination indexes also increased from 0.0 to 40.3, indicating a decrease in the inhibitory activity of endosperm extracts. The seed coat extracting solution showed varying dynamic changes. The lowest germination was observed after 60 d of stratification, with no significant differences among the results of 0 d, 30 d, and 60 d. However, after stratification for 90 d, the germination percentage of Chinese cabbage seeds increased. The germination percentage of excised embryos exhibited similar changes to those of Chinese cabbage seeds. This study discovered that endogenous inhibitors were present in both the seed coat and endosperm of S. sebiferum seeds, and the inhibitor activity was higher in the endosperm. The spatiotemporal patterns of inhibitor activity suggest that the endogenous inhibitors move from the endosperm to the seed coat during early cold stratification stages, aiding in the physiological dormancy release of S. sebiferum seeds. These findings enhance our understanding of seed biology in S. sebiferum and will facilitate high-efficiency seed propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Kopyor and macapuno are two coconut mutants from Southeast Asia that are often described erroneously or interchangeably mismatched due to a lack of research, so future studies are encouraged. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.; Arecaceae), a widely distributed plant with popular culinary applications, especially of the endosperm, has several nutritional and medicinal benefits. Two coconut mutants are widely recognized in Southeast Asia, namely kopyor and macapuno, specifically in Indonesia and Philippines, respectively. Kopyor coconut is known for its brittle solid endosperm while macapuno coconut is known for its gelatinous solid endosperm. Both mutant types have many other synonyms in other countries. Over many decades, the biology of macapuno coconut, including endosperm anatomy, histology, cytology, physiology, and genetics have been described, while kopyor coconut is still understudied. However, some literature and websites erroneously describe kopyor as macapuno coconut, or consider them interchangeably, which is an unintentional consequence of insufficient scientific research on these coconut mutants. Additionally, in Indonesia, there is another local mutant in Banten called wax coconut ("kelapa lilin") that some researchers claim as the actual Indonesian macapuno coconut due to its strong resemblance to kopyor coconut. Unfortunately, wax coconut is not only understudied, it is rarely documented. Additional evidence of their differences, in terms of morphological, biochemical and genetic characteristics, is needed. Moreover, clear documentation will also be needed for a better comparison. Understanding the differences between kopyor and macapuno coconuts will not only help to further clarify their scientific description in the literature, but will also guide locals, researchers, and industries to characterize similar mutants, if found in specific regions, for future study and bioprospecting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The waxy wheat shows special starch quality due to low amylose content. However, less information is available concerning the physicochemical properties of starch in different waxy wheat under different irrigation. In this study, two wheat near-isogenic lines (NILs) and a normal wheat cultivar were used to investigate the contents, size distribution and crystallinity of starch by biochemical methods, laser-diffraction and X-ray diffraction analysis. The amylose content in wheat grains was the lowest in waxy wheat lines, SJZ8-N, followed by the partly waxy wheat lines, SJZ8-P, and the highest in the normal wheat, SJZ8, with significant differences among wheat lines. Waxy wheat starch had more B-type granules and a higher degree of crystallinity than normal wheat starch, with the order as SJZ8-N > SJZ8-P > SJZ8. When compared with the conventional and water-saving irrigation, the rainfed treatment showed the lowest starch content, amylose content (except SJZ8-N), amylopectin content and relative crystallinity in the three wheat lines indicating that water deficiency was not benefited starch accumulation and crystal formation in wheat grains. It was concluded that (1) wheat lines not only differed in amylose content but also in size distribution and crystallinity of starch; (2) irrigation markedly influenced the physicochemical characteristics of wheat starch; therefore, the irrigation schemes could be adjusted to achieve high-quality wheat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proper formulation is crucial to improve the herbicidal effects of essential oils and their selectivity. In this study, we investigated the physicochemical properties of bio-based nanoemulsions (CNs) containing several concentrations of caraway (Carum carvi) essential oil stabilized with Eco Tween 80, as a surfactant, maintaining 1:1 proportions. Detailed physicochemical characteristics of the CNs revealed that their properties were most desired at 2% of the oil and surfactant, i.e., the smallest droplet size, polydispersity index, and viscosity. The CNs caused biochemical changes in maize and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) seedlings, however, to a different extent. Barnyard grass has overall metabolism (measured as a thermal power) decreased by 39–82% when exposed to the CNs. The CNs triggered changes in the content and composition of carbohydrates in the endosperm of both species' seedlings in a dose–response manner. The foliar application of CNs caused significant damage to tissues of young maize and barnyard grass plants. The effective dose of the CN (ED50, causing a 50% damage) was 5% and 17.5% oil in CN for barnyard grass and maize tissues, respectively. Spraying CNs also decreased relative water content in leaves and affected the efficiency of photosynthesis by disturbing the electron transport chain. We found that barnyard grass was significantly more susceptible to the foliar application of CNs than maize, which could be used to selectively control this species in maize crops. However, further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apart from apomictic types, the Polygonum-type eight-nuclear embryo sac is considered to be dominant in grasses. A triploid endosperm is formed as a result of double fertilisation. This study showed, for the first time, the dominance of diploid nuclei in the syncytial stage of the central cell of embryo sac in oat species and amphiploids. The dominance of diploid nuclei, which were the basis for the formation of polyploid nuclei, was weaker in amphiploids due to aneuploid events. The genomic in situ hybridisation method applied in the study did not distinguish the maternal and paternal haploid nuclei of embryo sac. However, this method demonstrated the lack of a set of genomes of one haploid nucleus. Embryological analyses of the initial stages of oat endosperm development revealed a fertilised egg cell, and two polar nuclei differing in size. It can be assumed that the formation of diploid oat endosperm occurred after the fusion of one polar nucleus and the nucleus of a male gamete, while the second polar nucleus gave rise to 1n nuclei. The levels of ploidy of syncytial nuclei were not influenced by both aneuploid events and correlated with pollen developmental anomalies. The differences in the analysed cytogenetic events distinguished amphiploids and their parental species in the ordination space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination requires the relaxation of endosperm cap and radicle cell walls, with cell wall hydrolases playing a significant role in this process. Our study revealed that a type of cell wall hydrolase, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase, may significantly contribute to endosperm weakening during lettuce seed germination. Through bioinformatics analysis, the XTH gene family in lettuce was divided into five subfamilies localized on nine chromosomes. Notably, there were significant differences in gene structure among the members of the LsXTHs family containing 1–4 exons and 20 conserved motifs. Among these motifs, motif1, motif2, and motif3 encoded the XTH structural domain. The promoter regions of LsXTHs contained a large number of cis-acting elements responsive to various abiotic stresses, such as drought, anaerobiosis, low temperature, high temperature, and salt stress. Germination experiments showed that seeds imbibed in water and 5 μmol/L abscisic acid (ABA) were able to achieve typical germination with radicle protrusion from the endosperm cap, achieving germination of 100% and 36%, respectively. Conversely, in 0.3% sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDIC), the swollen seeds were unable to germinate or complete atypical germination, resulting in a germination rate of 30%. Compared to the control, the mechanical strength of the endosperm cap of seeds imbibed in 0.3% SDIC for 8 h increased by 14%, indicating that SDIC may inhibit seed germination by enhancing the mechanical strength of the endosperm cap. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that during lettuce seed germination, XTH enzyme activity in the endosperm cap was significantly higher than in other tissues and increased gradually with imbibition. Transcriptome analysis of the endosperm cap detected the expression of 10 LsXTH genes. Among these, LsXTH43 exhibited the highest expression during germination and was significantly upregulated two-fold by high temperatures, suggesting a potential role in the high-temperature germination of lettuce seeds. Additionally, SDIC downregulated the expression of LsXTHs to varying degrees, with the expression of LsXTH15 reduced to only 6% of its original level. Low temperature, high temperature, drought, and salt stress all reduced the expression of most LsXTHs to different degrees; when seeds germinated under waterlogging and cadmium stress, LsXTH6, LsXTH7, LsXTH8, LsXTH32, and LsXTH33 were all upregulated to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given that rice serves as a crucial staple food for a significant portion of the global population and with the increasing number of individuals being diagnosed with diabetes, a primary objective in genetic improvement is to identify and cultivate low Glycemic Index (GI) varieties. This must be done while ensuring the preservation of grain quality. Methods: 25 Italian rice genotypes were characterized calculating their GI "in vivo" and, together with other 29 Italian and non-Italian genotypes they were studied to evaluate the grain inner structure through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) technique. Using an ad-hoc developed algorithm, morphological features were extracted from the FESEM images, to be then inspected by means of multivariate data analysis methods. Results and Discussion: Large variability was observed in GI values (49 to 92 with respect to glucose), as well as in endosperm morphological features. According to the percentage of porosity is possible to distinguish approximately among rice varieties having a crystalline grain (< 1.7%), those intended for the preparation of risotto (> 5%), and a third group having intermediate characteristics. Waxy rice varieties were not united by a certain porosity level, but they shared a low starch granules eccentricity. With reference to morphological features, rice varieties with low GI (<55) seem to be characterized by large starch granules and low porosity values. Our data testify the wide variability of Italian rice cultivation giving interesting information for future breeding programs, finding that the structure of the endosperm can be regarded as a specific characteristic of each variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to characterize the endosperm starch in rice that ectopically overexpressed the α-amylase. Transgenic rice plants, transformed with cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter driven AmyI-1 (35S::AmyI-1) and AmyII-4 (35S::AmyII-4), and 10 kDa prolamin promoter driven AmyI-1 (P10::AmyI-1), were cultivated under standard conditions (23 °C, 12 h in the dark/ 26 °C, 12 h in the light), and brown grains were subsequently harvested. Each grain displayed characteristic chalkiness, while electron microanalyzer (EPMA)-SEM images disclosed numerous small pits on the surface of the starch granules, attributable to α-amylase activity. Fluorescence labeling and capillary electrophoresis analysis of starch chain length distribution revealed no significant alterations in the starches of 35S::AmyI-1 and 35S::AmyII-4 transgenic rice compared to the wild-type. Conversely, the extremely short α-glucan chains (DP 2-8) exhibited a dramatic increase in the P10::AmyI-1 starch. Rapid visco-analyzer analysis also identified variations in the chain length distribution of P10::AmyI-1 starch, manifesting as changes in viscosity. Moreover, ¹H-NMR analysis uncovered dynamic modifications in the molecular structure of starch in rice grain transformed with P10::AmyI-1, which was found to possess unprecedented structural characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants adaptively change their cell wall composition and structure during their growth, development, and interactions with environmental stresses. Dirigent proteins (DIRs) contribute to environmental adaptations by dynamically reorganizing the cell wall and/or by generating defense compounds. A maize DIR, ZmDRR206, was previously reported to play a dominant role in regulation of storage nutrient accumulation in endosperm during maize kernel development. Here we show that ZmDRR206 mediates maize seedling growth and disease resistance by coordinately regulating biosynthesis of cell wall components for cell-wall integrity (CWI) maintenance. Expression of ZmDRR206 was induced in maize seedlings upon pathogen infection. ZmDRR206 overexpression in maize resulted in reduced seedling growth and photosynthetic activity but increased disease resistance and drought tolerance, revealing a tradeoff between growth and defense. Consistently, ZmDRR206 overexpression reduced the contents of primary metabolites and down-regulated genes involved in photosynthesis, while increasing the contents of major cell wall components, defense phytohormones, and defense metabolites, and up-regulated genes involved in defense and cell-wall biosynthesis in seedlings. ZmDRR206-overexpressing seedlings were resistant to cell-wall stress imposed by isoxaben, and ZmDRR206 physically interacted with ZmCesA10, which is a cellulose synthase unit. Our findings suggest a mechanism by which ZmDRR206 coordinately regulates biosynthesis of cell-wall components for CWI maintenance during maize seedling growth, and might be exploited for breeding strong disease resistance in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animals, serotonin is a neurotransmitter and mood regulator. In plants, serotonin functions in energy acquisition, tissue maintenance, delay of senescence, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we examined the effect of serotonin enrichment of rice endosperm on plant growth, endosperm development, and grain quality. To do so, TDCs and T5H were selected as targets for serotonin fortification. Overexpression of TDC1 or TDC3 increased serotonin accumulation relative to overexpression of T5H in rice grain. Transgenic lines of target genes driven by the Gt1 promoter showed better field performance than those driven by the Ubi promoter. Overexpression of T5H showed little effect on plant growth or grain physicochemical quality. In neuronal cell culture assays, serotonin induced neuroprotective action against apoptosis. Breeding of rice cultivars with high serotonin content may be beneficial for health and nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y), a group of conserved transcription-factor complexes that consist of NF-YA, B, and C subunits, is essential for developmental regulation and for responses to environmental changes in eukaryotes. We previously found that some NF-Y genes, such as OsNF-YA8, were expressed specifically in the endosperm of rice. In the present study, overexpression of OsNF-YA8 in rice resulted in reduced plant height due to suppressed cell elongation in internodes. Gibberellin (GA) biosynthetic genes, including OsCPS1, OsGA20ox1, and OsGA20ox2, were down-regulated. OsNF-YA8 bound to the promoters of these genes to repress their expression. Endogenous GA content was decreased in OsNF-YA8 overexpressors, whose dwarf phenotype could be partially rescued by exogenous GA treatment. The findings suggested that ectopic expression of OsNF-YA8 causes defective GA biosynthesis in vegetative stage. Heading date in OsNF-YA8 overexpressors was delayed, especially under short-day conditions. OsNFYA8 bound to the promoter of Heading Date 3a (Hd3a), the florigen gene in rice, to negatively regulate flowering. Either ectopic activation or knockout of OsNF-YA8 impaired seed development, as indicated by reduced seed size and increased grain chalkiness. These results suggest that ectopic expression of the endosperm-specific OsNF-YA8 in rice disrupts both vegetative and reproductive development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Oil bodies serve as a vital energy source of embryos during germination and contribute to sustaining the initial growth of seedlings until photosynthesis initiation. Despite high stability in chemical properties, how oil bodies break down and go into the degradation process during germination is still unknown. This study provides a morphological understanding of the mobilization of stored compounds in the seed germination of Cannabis. The achenes of fibrous hemp cultivar (Cannabis sativa cv. 'Chungsam') were examined in this study using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Oil bodies in Cannabis seeds appeared spherical and sporadically distributed in the cotyledonary cells. Protein bodies contained electron-dense globoid and heterogeneous protein matrices. During seed germination, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and high electron-dense substances were present adjacent to the oil bodies. The border of the oil bodies became a dense cluster region and appeared as a sinuous outline. Later, irregular hyaline areas were distributed throughout oil bodies, showing the destabilized emulsification of oil bodies. Finally, the oil bodies lost their morphology and fused with each other. The storage proteins were concentrated in the centre of the protein body as a dense homogenous circular mass surrounded by a light heterogeneous area. Some storage proteins are considered emulsifying agents on the surface region of oil bodies, enabling them to remain stable and distinct within and outside cotyledon cells. At the early germination stage, rER appeared and dense substances aggregated adjacent to the oil bodies. Certain proteins were synthesized within the rER and then translocated into the oil bodies by crossing the half membrane of oil bodies. Our data suggest that rER-associated proteins function as enzymes to lyse the emulsifying proteins, thereby weakening the emulsifying agent on the surface of the oil bodies. This process plays a key role in the degeneration of oil bodies and induces coalescence during seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo propagation and seed collection are severely limited by a protracted and unpredictable flowering cycle. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn. ex Munro was renowned for its delectable, bitter-free bamboo shoots, making it an exceptional choice for culinary purposes, which has significant economic value in China. To date, no fruit has been collected, and there are currently no comprehensive studies available on the floral morphology and embryology of D. hamiltonii. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of floral organs were described, and the developmental process of male and female gametophytes was elucidated, through anatomical observation. It was found that the floret of D. hamiltonii was composed of one lemma, palea, pistil, and six stamens, but lacked lodicules. The single ovule, possessing a parietal placenta, was anatropous and featured a double integument. The floral organs showed normal in external morphology, whereas male and female gametophyte development was abnormal, such as pollen grain shrinkage, hollow anther chambers, and underdeveloped ovules, which might be the important factors of its low seed setting rate. This study provided important information on the developmental stages of D. hamiltonii flowers and offered a theoretical basis for understanding the low seed setting rate of bamboo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nagpur mandarin is a popular table fruit across India and is exported to various countries. Only 1% of the total production is processed into various products. The development of seedless cultivars will boost agricultural incomes by enhancing the potential for export and processing. At present, only a couple of commercially seedless varieties are available, but these have yet to become popular. A research study was undertaken to quickly develop a high-quality seedless variety of Nagpur mandarin by combining the available technologies, viz., endosperm rescue, somatic embryogenesis, and mini-grafting, at CCRI, Nagpur. Complete plantlets of C. reticulata Blanco cv. Nagpur mandarin was successfully regenerated from hybrid endosperm tissue via somatic embryogenesis after attempting various permutations and combinations of media at various stages of regeneration, right from the primary callus to complete plantlet production. Maximum response (93.33%) and survival (91.67%) for primary callus induction were obtained in Murashige and Tucker (MT) + Malt Extract (ME) + Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (500 mg/L) +2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (2 mg/L) medium. Maximum stimulation for embryogenesis and morphogenesis occurred in 2MT + CH (500 mg/L) + adenine sulfate (ad.s) (2 mg/L) + Benzyl Adenine (BA) (0.25 mg/L). The highest response (95.84%) for shoot differentiation occurred in MT + adenine sulphate (2 mg/L) + Gibberellic Acid (GA3) (1 mg/L) + BA (1 mg/L) (94.85%). The surviving plantlets were tested for ploidy status through flow Cytometry, chromosomal counting/cytogenetic technique, leaf morphology, stomatal characteristics, and the appearance of prominent thorns. In initial evaluation trials, the fruits of the triploid field-planted trees were found to be commercially seedless. These results demonstrated the recovery of stable triploids from the hybrid endosperm via somatic embryogenesis, which is the first of its kind in the field of Citrus triploid breeding in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides increasing grain yield, improving rice (Oryza sativa L.) quality has been paid more and more attention recently. Cooking and eating quality (CEQ) is an important indicator of rice quality. Since CEQs are quantitative traits and challenging for measurement, efforts have mainly focused on two major genes, Wx and SSIIa. Chalkiness and floury endosperm significantly affect the eating quality of rice, leading to noticeable changes in CEQ. Due to the easily observable phenotype of floury endosperm, cloning single gene mutations that cause floury endosperm and evaluating changes in CEQs indirectly facilitate the exploration of the minor genes controlling CEQ. In this study, eight mutants with different degrees of floury endosperm, generated through ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis, were analyzed. These mutants exhibited wide variation in starch morphology and CEQs. Particularly, the z2 mutant showed spherical starch granules significantly increased rapid visco analyzer (RVA) indexes and urea swelling, while the z4 mutant displayed extremely sharp starch granules and significantly decreased RVA indexes and urea swelling compared to the wild type. Additionally, these mutants still maintained correlations with certain RVA profiles, suggesting that the genes PUL, which affect these indexes, may not undergo mutation. Cloning these mutated genes in the future, especially in z2 and z4, will enhance the genetic network of rice eating quality and hold significant importance for molecular marker-assisted breeding to improve rice quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genomic imprinting refers to a subset of genes that are expressed from only one parental allele during seed development in plants. Studies on genomic imprinting have revealed that intraspecific variations in genomic imprinting expression exist in naturally genetic varieties. However, there have been few studies on the functional analysis of allele-specific imprinted genes. Results: Here, we generated three reciprocal crosses among the B73, Mo17 and CAU5 inbred lines. Based on the transcriptome-wide analysis of allele-specific expression using RNA sequencing technology, 305 allele-specific imprinting genes (ASIGs) were identified in embryos, and 655 ASIGs were identified in endosperms from three maize F1 hybrids. Of these ASIGs, most did not show consistent maternal or paternal bias between the same tissue from different hybrids or different tissues from one hybrid cross. By gene ontology (GO) analysis, five and eight categories of GO exhibited significantly higher functional enrichments for ASIGs identified in embryo and endosperm, respectively. These functional categories indicated that ASIGs are involved in intercellular nutrient transport, signaling pathways, and transcriptional regulation of kernel development. Finally, the mutation and overexpression of one ASIG (Zm305) affected the length and width of the kernel. Conclusion: In this study, our data will be helpful in gaining further knowledge of genes exhibiting allele-specific imprinting patterns in seeds. The gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes of ASIGs associated with agronomically important seed traits provide compelling evidence for ASIGs as crucial targets to optimize seed traits in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The results of the research should help in the application of wheat with a transitional (marbled) type of endosperm texture as a raw material for brewing purposes. Wheat of medium hardness with marbled endosperm (transitional form between hard and soft wheat) in which glassy and floury zones alternate, form almost exclusively available assortment for brewing needs in Southeastern Europe. The aim of this work is to establish the influence of the grain texture and the degree of milling on the attenuation limit of wheat wort obtained from this type of wheat. Wheat worts using hard, soft transitional, or marbled endosperm texture were produced. The indicators of proteolysis, cytolysis, and amylolysis were determined, with regard to the parameter attenuation limit (AL) or fermentability. From the results for the tested parameters, it was established that despite similar starting values for the most important quality parameters, transitional wheat produces significantly different wort, both among themselves and in comparison with hard and soft wheat, and also when looking at the results for different milling degree (fine or coarse). The obtained values for the attenuation limit for transition wheat are similar or even better when compared to soft wheat, with satisfactory values for almost all examined quality parameters of wort. It can be concluded that a transitional type of wheat can be used just as well as unmalted raw material for the production of wort, as well as a raw material for malting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the antiproliferative, apoptotic and diminishing effects of the anchored growth-independent capacity of an ethanol macerate extract from the Annona cherimola seed (EMCHS) in the human gastric cancer cell line SNU-1. The cells treated with EMCHS (20 μg/mL) significantly reduced the capacity to form clones of the tumor cell. Moreover, 50 μg/mL of EMCHS extract induced apoptosis, as was shown by the Annexin-V assay. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis detected two acetogenins (Annonacinone and Annonacin) in the EMCHS, which could be largely responsible for its selective antiproliferative effect. The identification of fatty acids by GC-FID showed the presence of eight fatty acids, among which was, oleic acid, which has recognized activity as an adjuvant in antitumor treatments. Taken together, our results indicate that the EMCHS seems promising for use as a natural therapy against gastric cancer disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are involved in post-transcriptional processing of mitochondrial RNA, it is unclear which specific protein is involved in the RNA editing of ccmC in maize (Zea mays). Here we report the identification of the maize empty pericarp 601 (emp601) mutant and the map-based cloning of the Emp601 gene, which encodes an E2-type PPR protein that is targeted to mitochondria. A single-nucleotide deletion in the emp601 mutant caused a frameshift and introduced a premature stop codon into the predicted EMP601. This mutation was associated with reduced accumulation of mitochondrial complex III as well as with inhibition of growth and differentiation of basal endosperm transfer layer cells, leading to final degeneration of the embryo and endosperm. We determine that loss of EMP601 function prevents the C-to-U RNA editing of the mitochondrial transcript ccmC at position 358. EMP601 binds to the ccmC transcript and directly interacts with Multiple organellar RNA editing factor 8 and may be a component of the plant mitochondrial editosome. We conclude that EMP601 functions in RNA editing of mitochondrial ccmC transcripts and influences mitochondrial function and seed development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]