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Eukaryotic cells contain distinct organelles, but not all of these compartments are enclosed by membranes. Some intrinsically disordered proteins mediate membraneless organelle formation through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). LLPS facilitates many biological functions such as regulatingRNAstability and ribonucleoprotein assembly, and disruption of LLPS pathways has been implicated in several diseases. Proteins exhibiting LLPS typically have low sequence complexity and specific repeat motifs. These motifs promote multivalent connections with other molecules and the formation of higher-order oligomers, and their removal usually prevents LLPS. The intrinsically disordered C-terminal domain of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), a protein involved in motor neuron disease and dementia lacks a dominant LLPS motif, however, and how this domain forms condensates is unclear. Using extensive mutagenesis of TDP-43, we demonstrate here that three tryptophan residues and, to a lesser extent, four other aromatic residues are most important for TDP-43 to undergo LLPS. Our results also suggested that only a few residues may be required for TDP-43 LLPS because the α-helical segment (spanning ~20 residues) in the middle part of the C-terminal domain tends to self-assemble, reducing the number of motifs required for forming a multivalent connection. Our results indicating that a self-associating α-helical element with a few key residues regulates condensate formation highlight a different type of LLPS involving intrinsically disordered regions. The C-terminal domain of TDP-43 contains ~50 disease-related mutations, with no clear physicochemical link between them. We propose that they may disrupt LLPS indirectly by interfering with the key residues identified here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Interactions between jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathways play important roles in the regulation and fine-tuning of induced defenses which are activated by pathogen, insect attack, or wounding. In this study, endogenous SA and JA level in pea seedlings presented opposite trends in response to wounding. Results exhibited that SA impaired the resistance to wounding of pea seedlings by means of suppressing the action of JA. Based on the fact that the wound-induced PPO activity was suppressed by SA, it could be concluded further that SA had negative effect on JA-related defense response. However, synergy between JA and SA also existed in phenolic metabolism related to PAL. Moreover, endogenous SA and salicylic acid 2-O-β-d-glucose (SAG) levels in wounded pea seedlings also appeared opposite variation tendency, and newly synthesised SAG was detected. In contrast to SA, SAG showed some synergistic action in JA-related defense response in terms of MDA, PPO activity and PAL activity, which was quite different from SA. In conclusion, these results revealed both the negative effect and some synergistic effect of SA on JA-related defense of pea in response to wounding, particularly the role of SAG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chitosan (CS), a naturally occurring high-molecule polymer, which is stable in vivo, has proved to be a useful biomaterial. The extract of danshen (Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae), a medicinal herbal, was developed with CS–gelatin as an implant for the promotion of anastomosing and healing on muscles and tissues at the organic incision site in abdominal cavities.Measurements were made of the sustained release of tanshinone IIa, a marker component, from the material in vitro. The dissolution medium was assayed with an high-performance liquid chromatography method. Biodegradation studies of the material were also conducted both in vitro and in vivo. The film made of this material exhibited a sustained release effect. The release profile confirms to the Higuchi equation. At most about 20% of the incorporated drug were released over 15 days in a CS–gelatin (1:2) matrix. Drug release was found to be effectively controlled by the drug-amount loaded in the matrix. The improved film (CS/gelatin ratio: 1:16) can be hydrolyzed by lysozymes in vitro in 4 days. This film of 0.5 cm2 was implanted and degraded completely in rats over 28 days and the animals’ wounds of abdominal incision healed well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant-derived monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) from Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR) have huge medicinal properties in treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Although many bioactive UR-MIA products have been isolated as drugs, their biosynthetic pathway remains largely unexplored. In this study, untargeted metabolome identified 79 MIA features in UR tissues (leaf, branch stem, hook stem, and stem), of which 30 MIAs were differentially accumulated among different tissues. Short time series expression analysis captured 58 pathway genes and 12 hub regulators responsible for UR-MIA biosynthesis and regulation, which were strong links with main UR-MIA features. Coexpression networks further pointed to two strictosidine synthases (UrSTR1/5) that were coregulated with multiple MIA-related genes and highly correlated with UR-MIA features (r > 0.7, P < 0.005). Both UrSTR1/5 catalyzed the formation of strictosidine with tryptamine and secologanin as substrates, highlighting the importance of key residues (UrSTR1 : Glu309, Tyr155; UrSTR5 : Glu295, Tyr141). Further, overexpression of UrSTR1/5 in UR hairy roots constitutively increased the biosynthesis of bioactive UR-MIAs (rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, corynoxeine, etc), whereas RNAi of UrSTR1/5 significantly decreased UR-MIA biosynthesis. Collectively, our work not only provides candidates for reconstituting the biosynthesis of bioactive UR-MIAs in heterologous hosts but also highlights a powerful strategy for mining natural product biosynthesis in medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood pressure variability (BPV) has been shown to correlate with poor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and traumatic brain injury. However, this association has not been elucidated in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). We hypothesized that 24-hour BPV from time of admission is associated with worse outcomes in patients with cSCI. We performed a retrospective chart review analysis of adult patients at Huashan Hospital Fudan University between January 2006 and September 2022. We included isolated patients with traumatic cSCI within 6 hours of injury. Outcomes of patients with cSCI were assessed using 6-month American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale grade, and were dichotomized into poor (ASIA grade A–C, or decreasing ASIA grade compared with baseline) and good (ASIA grade D and E, or increasing ASIA grade compared with baseline) outcome groups. Blood pressures (BPs) were recorded during the first 24 hours of hospital course. BP was analyzed in the hyperacute period, from 0 to 4–5 hours; and in the acute period, from 4–5 to 24–25 hours after admission. BPV was analyzed by standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and successive variation (SV) of systolic BP (SBP). We analyzed 105 patients' charts. The first BP assessment, on emergency department arrival, at median 267 minutes (interquartile range, 152–312 minutes) after onset of injury was mean 152.2 mm Hg (SD, 51.8 mm Hg). The second BP assessment, on neurosurgical intensive care unit arrival, was mean 148.1 mm Hg (53.2 mm Hg). Poor outcomes occurred in 63 patients (60%). In univariate analysis, univariate quintile analysis or multivariate analysis, SBP SD , SBP CV , and SBP SV were associated with poor outcomes in both the hyperacute and the acute period. BPV during the first 24 hours after injury in patients with traumatic cSCI was independently associated with poor functional outcome at 3 months. Stabilization of BPV during the hyperacute and acute period may be a therapeutic target to improve functional outcomes of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Current research indicated that the resveratrol was mainly accumulated in the skin of grape berry, however, little is yet known about the distribution of resveratrol, as well as the regulation mechanism at protein level and the localization of stilbene synthase (malonyl-CoA:4-coumaroyl-CoA malonyltransferase; EC 2.3.1.95; STS), a key enzyme of resveratrol biosynthesis, in young grape plants (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon). Resveratrol, whose constitutive level ranged from 0.2 mg kg−1 FW to 16.5 mg kg−1 FW, could be detected in stem, axillary bud, shoot tip, petiole, root and leaf of grape plants. Among them, stem phloems presented the most abundant of resveratrol, and the leaves presented the lowest. Interestingly, the level of STS mRNA and protein were highest in grape leaves. And the analysis of immunohistochemical showed the tissue-specific distribution of STS in different organs, presenting the similar results compared with the amount of protein. And the subcellular localization revealed that the cell wall in different tissues processed the most golden particles representing STS. Subjecting to UV-C irradiation, resveratrol and STS were both intensely stimulated in grape leaves, with the similar response pattern. Results above indicated that distribution of resveratrol and STS in grape was organ-specific and tissue-specific. And the accumulation of resveratrol induced by UV-C was regulated by transcriptional and translational level of STS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Plants have evolved mechanisms to avoid and repair UV radiation damage, and the free radicals caused by UV tend to be involved in the induction of antioxidant defense systems. In this study, changes in resveratrol and antioxidant enzymes were investigated in relation to UV damage in peanut seedlings. Accumulation of endogenous resveratrol and stilbene synthase mRNA occurred rapidly and significantly in response to UV-C irradiation. Applying resveratrol before UV-C irradiation mitigated rusty spots and wilting of peanut leaves, and inhibition of resveratrol by applying 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamic acid worsened UV-C damage, an effect that was found to be concentration dependent. Correspondingly, the effect of resveratrol on malondialdehyde was similar to changes in the apparent morphology of seedling leaves. Changes in H2O2, O2 –, and antioxidant enzymes showed some similarities after either UV-C irradiation or resveratrol treatment. Activities of superoxide dismutases, glutathione reductase, and catalase were more than 2-fold higher during the first 1h after treatments. Ascorbate peroxidase activity increased to more than 3-fold higher 24h after irradiation, whereas it was more than 2-fold higher 8h after resveratrol treatment. Activities of dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase increased by 40% during 8–24h after treatments. Consequently, we proposed that changes in endogenous resveratrol and in antioxidant enzymes may have been involved in oxidative stress induced by UV-C exposure in peanut seedlings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chinese cherry [ Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G. Don] is a fruit tree species within the family Rosaceae, with high economic and ornamental values. To verify the ploidy level of this species and compare the karyotypes with relative species, the chromosome number and karyotype characterization of representative wild and cultivated Chinese cherry samples from sixteen natural populations in four Provinces in China, and four Cerasus relative species were investigated. No aneuploids were found in all samples studied and no diploids or triploids were observed among Chinese cherry by root tips from both seedlings and softwood cutting. The chromosomes were quite small in size and mainly composed by median-centromere (m) and submedian-centromere (sm) chromosomes. Fourteen wild and cultivated Chinese cherry samples were all tetraploid with main karyotype formula of 2 n  = 4 x  = 32 = 28m + 4sm, samples from Yingjing County as 2 n  = 5 x  = 40 and Fengxian County as 2 n  = 6 x  = 48, respectively. The ratio between the longest and shortest chromosome ranged from 2.05 to 2.32. All sixteen Chinese cherry samples had karyotypes of “2B” type. Cerasus avium (L.) Moench, C. campanulata (Maxim.) Yü et Li, C. serrulata G. Don var. lannesiana (Carr.), and C. tomentosa (Thunb.) Wall. were all diploid with 2 n  = 2 x  = 16, whose karyotypes were “2A”, “1A”, “2B”, and “1B” type, respectively. By comparison of the karyotype formula and characterization, we indicated that C. pseudocerasus showed close relationship with C. serrulata var. lannesiana rather than C. avium . The present study provided powerful important references for the confirmed ploidy level and the possible genome composition of C. pseudocerasus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proanthocyanidin and anthocyanin comprise the most important phenolic components in strawberry fruits. Biosynthesis of these products has been extensively studied, but the transportation and trafficking processes are far from clear. Members of multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) transporters are imparted in the secondary metabolites transportation. In this study, we identified 53 MATE family members in the diploid Fragaria vesca genome. Based on homologous strategies, we obtained a potential AtTT12 orthologue in the octoploid strawberry, nominated as FaTT12-1 . It could be detected in both vegetative and reproductive organs, but mainly in young tissues including young leaves and green fruits. Diverse cis -regulatory elements were recognized in the FaTT12-1 promoter. Blue light irradiation and abscisic acid treatment did not impact the expression of FaTT12-1 . But red light irradiation can significantly elevate the transcription. Perturbation of FaTT12-1 via virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) in strawberry fruits did not give obvious visual changes. Fruit anthocyanin remained but proanthocyanidins were affected. In conclusion, we provide evidences that FaTT12-1 is a member of MATE family, specifically involved in proanthocyanidin accumulation in strawberry fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cherry ( Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl). G. Don), native to China, is a commercially valuable fruit crop with extensive morphological diversity along Longmenshan Fault Zones, a region adjacent to the Qinling and Hengduan Mountains. In this study, we developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from its own genome to comprehensively investigate the genetic variation of Chinese cherry in this center which is well-known by frequent geological activities and high levels of biodiversity. A total of 33,263 microsatellite sites were identified from the C. pseudocerasus genome, among which 30,148 SSR markers were designed. Of these markers, two hundred primer pairs were evaluated, and finally 20 polymorphic markers were selected to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 15 representative natural populations (214 total individuals) in the region. The results revealed a moderately high genetic diversity in C. pseudocerasus ( Na = 7.00, He = 0.62, PIC = 0.59, I = 1.26). A reduction of genetic variation, heterozygote excess and domestication bottleneck were detected in landrace populations ( Na = 4.00, He = 0.41, Ar = 1.87, F IS = −0.11) when compared with the wild ones ( Na = 6.95, He = 0.65, Ar = 2.49, F IS = 0.35).The mantel test showed no significant correlation between geographic and genetic distance ( r = 0.581, P = 0.08). Moderate differentiation and frequent gene flow were detected among all populations ( F ST = 0.0659, P = 0000, Nm = 3.5436). Nevertheless, a clear structure and relatively high differentiation ( F ST = 0.1173, P = 0000, Nm = 1.8813) were observed between most wild and landrace populations according to the STRUCTURE clustering and AMOVA analyses. The newly-developed SSR markers in our study exhibited high efficiency and can be utilized in further studies on this species and relatives. Meantime, the comprehensive assessments of genetic diversity of Chinese cherry resources in the biodiversity center have provided us basic genetic knowledge of this species, and this information will be very useful to policy makers on cherry breeding plan and species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heredity variation and inheritance tendency were analyzed for eighteen fruit-related traits of F 1 population derived from 'Hongfei' × 'Pujianghonghua' of Chinese cherry for two years. • Significant levels of transgressive heterosis were observed for total soluble solid, anthocyanin content and fruit stalk length, whereas negative heterosis detected in fruit weight and size. • The fruit-related traits were most likely controlled by two pairs of major genes, which exerted both additive effects and dominant effects. • The heritability of major gene controlling maturity date and fruit development period was high, while that of major genes controlling fruit quality traits was low. Chinese cherry [ Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don] is one of the important stone fruits in China. To explore the heredity variation of fruit-related traits, we investigated 18 fruit-related traits of the F 1 segregating population around 700 individuals derived from 'Hongfei' × 'Pujianghonghua' of Chinese cherry for two years. The mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model method was also evaluated for their fitness in relating to the traits. The results showed that the main fruit traits had different degrees of variation, with the coefficient of variation ranging from 4.76 to 26.71% (72.23% for anthocyanin content) in 2021, and from 4.71 to 21.57% in 2022. Significant levels of transgressive heterosis were observed for fruit stalk length, total soluble solid and anthocyanin content, whereas negative heterosis was detected in fruit weight and size. The most suitable genetic model for fruit maturity date and fruit development period was 2MG-ADI and 2MG-AD, respectively, and the heritability of major gene was greater than 90%. The optimal genetic model for ten fruit size and flavor related traits was 2MG-AD or 2MG-EA, which were controlled by two pairs of major genes with additive-dominant effect or equal-additive effect, with the major gene heritability being less than 45%. The additive effects of the fruit-related traits were mostly positive, while the dominant effects were mainly negative. These results provide a theoretical basis for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted breeding of fruit-related traits in Chinese cherry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 38 phenotypes including phenological records, flower and fruit traits were evaluated among 1009 Chinese cherry accessions. • An index system for Chinese cherry DUS testing was firstly established by statistically phenotyping 26 traits. • The phenotypic variations mainly attributed to the fruit weight, size, firmness, pit weight, titratable acid and total soluble solid. Chinese cherry [ Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G.Don], native to China, is an economically important tetraploid fruiting cherry species. In order to perfect the cherry germplasm descriptors system, and effectively rate on characters in DUS (distinctness, uniformity, stability) testing, we comprehensively investigated and analyzed 38 Chinese cherry phenotypes, including phenological records, flower, pit and main fruit quality traits, of 59 germplasm collections and 950 individuals from four cross F 1 populations. An index system for Chinese cherry DUS test was firstly established by statistically phenotyping 26 traits. The results showed that the fruit development period ranged from 43 to 69 days, which could be well applied to evaluate the maturity time and were divided into five ratings. Thirteen qualitative characters, including two in flower, five in fruit, and six in pit, were classified into two to six ratings, respectively. Significant variations were detected among these characters, with Shannon-Wiener indexes ranging from 0.37 to 1.49. The average coefficient of variation was 20.94% ranging from 5.48 to 76.56% among 22 quantitative traits. The fruit weight, size, firmness, pit weight, titratable acid and soluble solid mainly contributed to the phenotypic variations by principal component analysis. Eight fruit and pit characters, which were in accordance with the normal distribution, were rating by the least significant difference method, while four fruit characters, being out of the normal distribution, were rating by the range method. The establishment of phenotyping protocol will enrich cherry descriptors system and DUS test guideline, and provide important basis for marker-assisted breeding in Chinese cherry. Graphical abstract [Display omitted]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A series of triazolopyrimidine EED ligands is reported which explores a novel pocket within the binding site. • Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) calculations were used to predict their affinity, as verified by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) • A synthetic approach incorporating late-stage functionalization (LSF) enabled rapid exploration of SAR. • New ligands retain high affinity for EED while improving their physicochemical properties. Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) calculations can provide high-confidence predictions of the interaction strength between a ligand and its protein target. We sought to explore a series of triazolopyrimidines which bind to the EED subunit of the PRC2 complex as potential anticancer therapeutics, using FEP calculations to inform compound design. Combining FEP predictions with a late-stage functionalisation (LSF) inspired synthetic approach allowed us to rapidly evaluate structural modifications in a previously unexplored region of the EED binding site. This approach generated a series of novel triazolopyrimidine EED ligands with improved physicochemical properties and which inhibit PRC2 methyltransferase activity in a cancer-relevant G401 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Strawberry S1 group basic leucine zipper (bZIP) factor FabZIPs1.1 was transcriptionally repressed by both blue and red light. • It was extensively expressed in both vegetative and reproductive organs • The transcriptional level of FabZIPs1.1 was not affected by sucrose under in vitro conditions. • FabZIPs1.1 not only exhibited sucrose induced repression of translation property, but also possess glucose induced translational repression under light conditions. • Transient over expression of FabZIPs1.1 lacking the leader sequence in strawberry fruits could enhance sucrose accumulation. The sugar content and sweetness are two indices used to characterize fruit quality in horticultural production. However, the regulation of sugar synthesis and the functional involvement of sugar signaling are far from clear. Here we descripted a strawberry S1 group basic leucine zipper (bZIP) factor FabZIPs1.1, which was significantly repressed by both blue and red light at the transcriptional level. The gene was expressed extensively in both vegetative and reproductive organs. It had closest phylogenetic relationship to AtbZIP53, with three putative sucrose-controlled upstream open reading frames (sc-uORF) in the 5′-leader region. The transcriptional level of FabZIPs1.1 was not affected by sucrose under in vitro conditions. The sucrose-induced repression of translation (SIRT) effect of FabZIPs1.1 was confirmed using stable transgenic Arabidopsis lines with a 35S::FabZIPs1.1-5′-leader-GUS reporter construct. Glucose can also induce translational inhibition of FabZIPs1.1 , and this effect was sensitive to light. Transient over-expression of FabZIPs1.1 lacking the leader sequence can enhance sucrose accumulation in strawberry fruits. Our results revealed the sugar sensing and regulation role of FabZIPs1.1 and highlighted the involvement of environmental factors such as light in this mediation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]