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SUMMARY: Genetic screens are powerful tools for biological research and are one of the reasons for the success of the thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana as a research model. Here, we describe the whole‐genome sequencing of 871 Arabidopsis lines from the Homozygous EMS Mutant (HEM) collection as a novel resource for forward and reverse genetics. With an average 576 high‐confidence mutations per HEM line, over three independent mutations altering protein sequences are found on average per gene in the collection. Pilot reverse genetics experiments on reproductive, developmental, immune and physiological traits confirmed the efficacy of the tool for identifying both null, knockdown and gain‐of‐function alleles. The possibility of conducting subtle repeated phenotyping and the immediate availability of the mutations will empower forward genetic approaches. The sequence resource is searchable with the ATHEM web interface (https://lipm‐browsers.toulouse.inra.fr/pub/ATHEM/), and the biological material is distributed by the Versailles Arabidopsis Stock Center. Significance Statement: Genetic screenings in plants have been constrained by sample size and phenotyping capacity including in model organisms. Here, we report a fully‐sequenced collection of 871 Arabidopsis homozygous EMS mutants which significantly expands the capacity of our community of plant geneticists to conduct forward or reverse screens and rapidly access to the causal genetic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Mono industrial cameras can only capture the brightness information of objects, unable to obtain color information. Therefore, when dealing with the problem of uneven AMOLED brightness, Mono industrial cameras can judge the screen brightness situation by detecting brightness differences and make corresponding adjustments. On the other hand, color industrial cameras have the ability to capture both brightness and color information of objects, which can simultaneously solve the problems of brightness and chromaticity unevenness. They have broader prospects on Demura compensation and CUC compensation for future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The variability in leaf form in nature is immense. Leaf patterning occurs by differential growth, taking place during a limited window of morphogenetic activity at the leaf marginal meristem. While many regulators have been implicated in the designation of the morphogenetic window and in leaf patterning, how these effectors interact to generate a particular form is still not well understood.We investigated the interaction among different effectors of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) compound‐leaf development, using genetic and molecular analyses.Mutations in the tomato auxin response factor SlARF5/SlMP, which normally promotes leaflet formation, suppressed the increased leaf complexity of mutants with extended morphogenetic window. Impaired activity of the NAC/CUC transcription factor GOBLET (GOB), which specifies leaflet boundaries, also reduced leaf complexity in these backgrounds. Analysis of genetic interactions showed that the patterning factors SlMP, GOB and the MYB transcription factor LYRATE (LYR) coordinately regulate leaf patterning by modulating in parallel different aspects of leaflet formation and shaping.This work places an array of developmental regulators in a morphogenetic context. It reveals how organ‐level differentiation rate and local growth are coordinated to sculpture an organ. These concepts are applicable to the coordination of pattering and differentiation in other species and developmental processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Go-mutra therapy provides an especially rich and provocative research topic. The ancient scriptures of ayurveda consider cow urine to be the elixir of life. Cow urine is one of the five contents of Panchagavya which obtain from cow (urine, milk, ghee, curd and dung). Cow based treatment is called as Panchagavya Chikitsa (Cowpathy). Cow urine is a divine medicine and is used for treatment of diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, heart attack, blockage in arteries, fits, cancer, AIDS, piles, prostrate, arthritis, migraine, thyroid, ulcer, acidity, constipation, gynaecological problems, It also increase the nitrogen content of the soil, for better rearing of honey bees, hasten the pubertal age of the heifers exposed to bull's urine and as pesticide and larvicide for the fodder crops. Cow urine contains all substances, which are naturally present in the human body. Thus, consumption of cow urine maintains the balance of these substances and this helps cure incurable diseases like cancer, AIDS, autoimmune disorders better benefits in case of antibiotic resistance infectious diseases. Cow urine is excellent bioenhancer and recently Cow urine distillate has been granted U.S. patents. Further researches is required to prove its qualities and benefits.Various actions and researches on cow urine are summarized in this article.It is the most effective natural remedy and the safest method of treatment on nature based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aims to investigate the transfiguring states provided by people to the cuckoo, within various forms of folklore: carols, beliefs, and superstitions, folk music, legends, and short stories. The first part of the study investigates the presence of the cuckoo in a wide repertoire of beliefs and superstitions revealing the functions of this strange bird: oracular, the mythical donor, harbinger of spring, "good and the honest " sacred bird. Afterwards we analysed the peculiarity that distinguishes this bird from other birds, which is singing in the time of nature's rebirth and the ascension of plant life. We also analysed how this bird is reflected in folk beliefs compared to the folklore of other nations. The last part of the study focuses on the cuckoo's transfiguration in a varied and rich repertoire of legends and short stories, some versions getting closer and closer to a fairy tale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if a laparoscopic approach reduces complications and length of stay (LOS) after total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA) in pediatric patients using a multicenter prospective database. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric database from 2012 to 2015 was used to identify patients with a diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) undergoing TPC-IPAA. Major complications, minor complications, and prolonged LOS were compared based on laparoscopic versus open approach. Results 195 (108 female) patients underwent TPC-IPAA at a median age of 14 years (IQR: 11–16) for CUC (N = 99) or FAP (N = 96). Two-thirds of cases were laparoscopic. A laparoscopic approach was not associated with major complications, but lower odds of minor complications were observed. A reduced LOS was seen in laparoscopic versus open surgery (median LOS 6 vs 8 days, p < 0.01). Open IPAA was independently associated with prolonged LOS (> 9 days) in the FAP cohort (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.1–14.0). Conclusion A laparoscopic approach was not associated with increased major complications but was associated with lower odds of minor complications and shorter LOS. The laparoscopic approach should continue to be preferred for pouch procedures in pediatric patients. Type of study Treatment; retrospective study. Level of evidence Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water wastage is a great concern worldwide. Water is effectively utilized by using equipment and systems that have more uniform water distribution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the FR Super 10 sprinkler with a pressure compensator under different pressures, spacing, and installation heights. The tests were performed in the laboratory, and pressure was controlled with two gauges calibrated with a mercury column. The distribution uniformity was measured using the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC) and distribution uniformity coefficient (CUD). Four spray nozzles were utilized for the Super 10 sprinkler, at two heights (0.6 and 1.2 m), six pressures (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 m H2O), and six spacings (9 × 9, 9 × 10, 10 × 10, 9 × 12, 10 × 12, and 12 × 12 m). The blue, yellow, and red nozzles presented self-compensating features and the green nozzle was not fully self-compensating. The manufacturing coefficients of variations were lower in the nozzles with smaller apertures (blue and yellow) compared to those with larger apertures. Increasing the sprinkler height provided better water distribution uniformity and a better radial distribution profile, lowering the application rate near the sprinkler. Since this sprinkler compensates for pressure changes, pressure did not influence the sprinkler range.

Purpose: To determine the impact of patient sex on operative characteristics, short-term complications, and long-term functional outcomes following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC).Methods: A retrospective review was performed on all patients undergoing two- or three-stage IPAA for CUC at our institution between January 2002 and August 2013. Patient demographics, operative characteristics, 30-day postoperative complications, and long-term functional outcomes from annual survey data were analyzed comparing men and women patients.Results: During the study period, 911 IPAAs (542 men, 369 women) were performed. Men were older and were more often obese (both p < 0.01). Use of a three-stage approach and laparoscopic approach were similar between men and women, but operation length, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital length of stay were all higher in men (all p < 0.05). At 30 days, women had increased rates of superficial surgical site infections and urinary tract infections (both p < 0.05), while men had increased rates of urinary retention (p = 0.03). Five hundred forty-six patients (60%; 307 men, 239 women) responded to the annual post IPAA survey with a median follow-up of 5.1 and 5.0 years in men and women, respectively. Women reported increased frequency of daytime stools in the early follow-up period, but this difference resolved with time. Other functional outcomes were similar.Conclusion: Patient sex impacts intraoperative complexity, postoperative length of stay, 30-day postoperative outcomes, and initial long-term function. These findings underscore the need to adjust preoperative counseling regarding IPAA outcomes based on sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The development of outgrowths from plant shoots depends on formation of epidermal sites of cell polarity convergence with high intracellular auxin at their centre. A parsimonious model for generation of convergence sites is that cell polarity for the auxin transporter PIN1 orients up auxin gradients, as this spontaneously generates convergent alignments. Here we test predictions of this and other models for the patterns of auxin biosynthesis and import. Live imaging of outgrowths from kanadi1 kanadi2 Arabidopsis mutant leaves shows that they arise by formation of PIN1 convergence sites within a proximodistal polarity field. PIN1 polarities are oriented away from regions of high auxin biosynthesis enzyme expression, and towards regions of high auxin importer expression. Both expression patterns are required for normal outgrowth emergence, and may form part of a common module underlying shoot outgrowths. These findings are more consistent with models that spontaneously generate tandem rather than convergent alignments.

Objetivou se avaliar a uniformidade de distribuição em sistemas de aplicação, por gotejamento do tipo fita, de água residuária bruta e tratada da despolpa dos frutos do cafeeiro (ARC). A água residuária tratada foi obtida com a passagem por filtros orgânicos constituídospor pergaminho de grãos de café. A plataforma de testes constou de três unidades de aplicação da ARC, cada uma com quatro linhas laterais. As avaliações da uniformidade de aplicação da ARC foram realizadas a cada 36 horas de funcionamento. A ARC bruta proporcionou mais rápido entupimento dos emissores, porém a filtrada também apresentou elevado potencial de entupimento. O entupimento dos gotejadores afetou drasticamente a uniformidade de aplicação da ARC. No caso da ARC bruta, valores de CUC e CUD foram reduzidos a zeroapós 36 horas de operação do sistema. No caso da ARC filtrada, foram obtidas reduções de 76% e 100%, após 144 horas de funcionamento.This article aims to evaluate the uniformity of distribution in systems of application by drip tape of crude and treated wastewater from coffee fruit pulping. A platform of tests was set up, consisting of three units of drip wastewater application, each one with four lateral lines. The evaluations for uniformity of water application were done every 36h of operation. Crude wastewater caused faster emitter clogging but treated wastewater also presented high potential of dripper clogging. Dripper clogging affected the uniformity of wastewater application drastically. In the case of crude wastewater, the values for CUC and CUD were reduced to zero after 36 hours of system operation and, in the case of filtered wastewater, reductions of 76 and 100% were obtained after 144 hours of system operation.

The four electronic states (Σ, Π, Σ, and Π) of CuC corresponding to the lowest dissociation limits Cu( S) + C( P) are calculated by using multi-reference configuration interaction method with Davidson correction (MRCI + Q) approach in combination with the effective core potentials (ECPs) basis sets LANLTZ for the Cu atom and 6-311+g( d) basis sets for the C atom. The calculation covers the internuclear distance ranging from 0.04 to 0.54 nm, and the equilibrium bond length R and the vertical excited energy T are determined directly. The potential energy curves (PECs) show that the lowest two states are the Σ and Π, and Σ is the ground state where the Π state is higher than Σ about 0.28 eV. With the potentials, all of the vibrational levels and rotational constants are predicted by numerically solving the radial Schröbinger equation of nuclear motion. Then the spectroscopic data of ω, ω x, B, and α are obtained after data fitting which are compared with theoretical results currently available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydraulic performance of the sprinkler is greatly affected by operating pressure, directly influencing the range, the distribution profile and the uniformity of water distribution. The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution uniformity of applied irrigation water by sprinkler operating at pressures of 10, 15, 20 e 25 m.c.a, three repetitions being performed each operating pressure and overlapping water slides with a spacing of 6 x 6m. For the determination of the values of distribution of water throughout the various operating pressures, was used the coefficients uniformity Cristhiansen (CUC) and uniformity of distribution coefficient (CUD). This work was conducted in the area of assessment of uniformity of water distribution in sprinkler located next to the Campus Urutaí – GO laboratory hydraulic and soil physics, the Federal Institute Goiano (IF Goiano) to using to collect the precipitous slide 144 cm collectors 20 soil being equidistant around a rotor installed in the center area 1.40 m height, forming a quadrant with collectors spaced 2 x 2m . The results obtained for the spacing ( 6x6 m ), show that there was an increase in the overall mean value of CUC and CUD as there was an increase in the pressure of the sprinkler . The values of CUC and CUD were of better quality to a pressure of 25 m.c.a (96.28% and 95.21%, respectively). The spatial dependence of the water distribution in sprinkler was observed by means of variogram models. The best fit was to a pressure of 25 m.c.a with isotropic Gaussian semivariogram model (R² = 1.00), but other pressures studied (10, 15 and 20 m.c.a) set in the best isotropic spherical semivariogram model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivouse avaliar a uniformidade de distribuição em sistemas de aplicação, por gotejamento do tipo fita, de água residuária bruta e tratada da despolpa dos frutos do cafeeiro (ARC). A água residuária tratada foi obtida com a passagem por filtros orgânicos constituídos por pergaminho de grãos de café. A plataforma de testes constou de três unidades de aplicação da ARC, cada uma com quatro linhas laterais. As avaliações da uniformidade de aplicação da ARC foram realizadas a cada 36 horas de funcionamento. A ARC bruta proporcionou mais rápido entupimento dos emissores, porém a filtrada também apresentou elevado potencial de entupimento. O entupimento dos gotejadores afetou drasticamente a uniformidade de aplicação da ARC. No caso da ARC bruta, valores de CUC e CUD foram reduzidos a zero após 36 horas de operação do sistema. No caso da ARC filtrada, foram obtidas reduções de 76% e 100%, após 144 horas de funcionamento.

Background: Plant cytosolic ribosomal proteins are encoded by small gene families. Mutants affecting these genes are often viable, but show growth and developmental defects, suggesting incomplete functional redundancy within the families. Dormancy to growth transitions, such as the activation of axillary buds in the shoot, are characterised by co-ordinated upregulation of ribosomal protein genes. Results: A recessive mutation in RPS10B, one of three Arabidopsis genes encoding the eukaryote-specific cytoplasmic ribosomal protein S10e, was found to suppress the excessive shoot branching mutant max2-1. rps10b-1 mildly affects the formation and separation of shoot lateral organs, including the shoot axillary meristems. Axillary meristem defects are enhanced when rps10b-1 is combined with mutations in REVOLUTA, AUXIN-RESISTANT1, PINOID or another suppressor of max2-1, FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3. In some of these double mutants, the maintenance of the primary shoot meristem is also affected. In contrast, mutation of ALTERED MERISTEM PROGRAMME1 suppresses the rps10b-1axillary shoot defect. Defects in both axillary shoot formation and organ separation were enhanced by combining rps10b-1 with cuc3, a mutation affecting one of three Arabidopsis NAC transcription factor genes with partially redundant roles in these processes. To assess the effect of rps10b-1 on bud activation independently from bud formation, axillary bud outgrowth on excised cauline nodes was analysed. The outgrowth rate of untreated buds was reduced only slightly by rps10b-1 in both wild-type and max2-1 backgrounds. However, rps10b-1 strongly suppressed the auxin resistant outgrowth of max2-1 buds. A developmental phenotype of rps10b-1, reduced stamen number, was complemented by the cDNA of another family member, RPS10C, under the RPS10B promoter. Conclusions: RPS10B promotes shoot branching mainly by promoting axillary shoot development. It contributes to organ boundary formation and leaf polarity, and sustains max2-1 bud outgrowth in the presence of auxin. These processes require the auxin response machinery and precise spatial distribution of auxin. The correct dosage of protein(s) involved in auxin-mediated patterning may be RPS10B-dependent. Inability of other RPS10 gene family members to maintain fully S10e levels might cause the rps10b-1 phenotype, as we found no evidence for unique functional specialisation of either RPS10B promoter or RPS10B protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The closely related NAC family genes NO APICAL MERISTEM (NAM) and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON3 (CUC3) regulate the formation of boundaries within and between plant organs. NAM is post-transcriptionally regulated by miR164, whereas CUC3 is not. To gain insight into the evolution of NAM and CUC3 in the angiosperms, we analysed orthologous genes in early-diverging ANA-grade angiosperms and gymnosperms. Methods We obtained NAM- and CUC3-like sequences from diverse angiosperms and gymnosperms by a combination of reverse transcriptase PCR, cDNA library screening and database searching, and then investigated their phylogenetic relationships by performing maximum-likelihood reconstructions. We also studied the spatial expression patterns of NAM, CUC3 and MIR164 orthologues in female reproductive tissues of Amborella trichopoda, the probable sister to all other flowering plants. Key Results Separate NAM and CUC3 orthologues were found in early-diverging angiosperms, but not in gymnosperms, which contained putative orthologues of the entire NAM + CUC3 clade that possessed sites of regulation by miR164. Multiple paralogues of NAM or CUC3 genes were noted in certain taxa, including Brassicaceae. Expression of NAM, CUC3 and MIR164 orthologues from Am. trichopoda was found to co-localize in ovules at the developmental boundary between the chalaza and nucellus. Conclusions The NAM and CUC3 lineages were generated by duplication, and CUC3 was subsequently lost regulation by miR164, prior to the last common ancestor of the extant angiosperms. However, the paralogous NAM clade genes CUC1 and CUC2 were generated by a more recent duplication, near the base of Brassicaceae. The function of NAM and CUC3 in defining a developmental boundary in the ovule appears to have been conserved since the last common ancestor of the flowering plants, as does the post-transcriptional regulation in ovule tissues of NAM by miR164. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live imaging during floral development revealed that expression of the DORNRÖSCHEN- LIKE ( DRNL) gene encoding an AP2-like transcription factor, marks all organ founder cells. Transcription precedes the perception of auxin response maxima as measured by the DR5 reporter and is unaffected in early organogenesis, by mutation of four canonical auxin response elements (AuxREs) in the DRNL promoter. DRNL expression identifies discrete modes of organ initiation in the four floral whorls, from individual or pairs of organ anlagen in the outer whorl of sepals to two morphogenetic fields pre-patterning petals and lateral stamens, or a ring-shaped field giving rise to the medial stamens before carpel primordia are specified. DRNL function only overlaps in the central stem cell zone with that of its paralogue, DORNRÖSCHEN ( DRN). drnl mutants are affected in floral organ outgrowth, which functionally interplays with boundary specification as organ fusions are sensitized by loss of CUP- SHAPED COTYLEDON ( CUC) gene activity, and synergistic interactions exist with mutants in local auxin biosynthesis and polar transport. DRNL apparently monitors and contributes to cellular decisions in the SAM and thus provides a novel molecular access to the interplay of founder cell specification, organ anlage and organogenesis in the SAM peripheral zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand how the morphology of plant species has diversified over time, it is necessary to decipher how the underlying developmental programs have evolved. The regulatory network controlling shoot meristem activity is likely to have played an important role in morphological diversification and useful insights can be gained by comparing monocots and eudicots. These two distinct monophyletic groups of angiosperms diverged 130 Ma and are characterized by important differences in their morphology. Several studies of eudicot species have revealed a conserved role for NAM and CUC3 genes in meristem functioning and pattern formation through the definition of morphogenetic boundaries during development. In this study, we show that NAM- and CUC3-related genes are conserved in palms and grasses, their diversification having predated the radiation of monocots and eudicots. Moreover, the NAM-miR164 posttranscriptional regulatory module is also conserved in palm species. However, in contrast to the CUC3-related genes, which share a similar expression pattern between the two angiosperm groups, the expression domain of the NAM-miR164 module differs between monocot and eudicot species. In our studies of spatial expression patterns, we compared existing eudicot data with novel results from our work using two palm species (date palm and oil palm) and two members of the Poaceae (rice and millet). In addition to contrasting results obtained at the gene expression level, major differences were also observed between eudicot and monocot NAM-related genes in the occurrence of putative cis-regulatory elements in their promoter sequences. Overall, our results suggest that although NAM- and CUC3-related proteins are functionally equivalent between monocots and eudicots, evolutionary radiation has resulted in heterotopy through alterations in the expression domain of the NAM-miR164 regulatory module. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The fossil record reveals that seed plant leaves evolved from ancestral lateral branch systems. Over time, the lateral branch systems evolved to become determinate, planar and eventually laminar. Considering their evolutionary histories, it is instructive to compare the developmental genetics of shoot apical meristems (SAMs) and leaves in extant seed plants. Genetic experiments in model angiosperm species have assigned functions of meristem maintenance, specification of stem cell identity, boundary formation, polarity establishment and primordium initiation to specific genes. Investigation of roles of the same or homologous genes during leaf development has revealed strikingly similar functions in leaves compared to SAMs. Specifically, the marginal blastozone that characterizes many angiosperm leaves appears to function in a manner mechanistically similar to the SAM. We argue here that the similarities may be homologous due to descent from ancestral roles in an ancestral shoot system. Molecular aspects of SAM and leaf development in gymnosperms is largely neglected and could provide insight into seed plant leaf evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerial architecture in higher plants is established post-embryonically by the inception of new meristems in the axils of leaves. These axillary meristems develop into side shoots or flowers. In Arabidopsis, the NAC domain transcription factors CUP SHAPED COTYLEDON1 ( CUC1), CUC2 and CUC3 function redundantly in initiating the shoot apical meristem and establishing organ boundaries. Transcripts of CUC1 and CUC2 are targeted for degradation by miR164. In this study, we show that cuc3-2 mutants are impaired in axillary meristem initiation. Overexpression of miR164 in the cuc3-2 mutant caused an almost complete block of axillary meristem formation. Conversely, mir164 mutants and plants harbouring miR164-resistant alleles of CUC1 or CUC2 developed accessory buds in leaf axils. Collectively, these experiments reveal that, in addition to CUC3, redundant functions of CUC1 and CUC2 as well as miR164 regulation are required for the establishment of axillary meristems. Studies on LAS transcript accumulation in mir164 triple mutants and cuc3-2 plants overexpressing miR164 suggest that regulation of axillary meristem formation by miR164 is mediated through CUC1 and CUC2, which in turn regulate LAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In higher plants, although several genes involved in shoot apical meristem (SAM) formation and organ separation have been isolated, the molecular mechanisms by which they function are largely unknown.CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC) 1andCUC2are examples of two such genes that encode the NAC domain proteins. This study investigated the molecular basis for their activities. Nuclear localization assays indicated that green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CUC proteins accumulate in the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid and transient expression assays demonstrated that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the CUC has transactivation activity. Domain-swapping experiments revealed that the functional specificity of the CUC for promoting adventitious shoot formation resides in the highly conserved NAC domain, not in the CTD in which motifs specific to the CUC subfamily are located. Taken together, these observations suggest that CUC proteins transactivate the target genes involved in SAM formation and organ separation through a specific interaction between the NAC domain and the promoter region of the target genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dicotyledonous plants, two cotyledons are formed at bilaterally symmetric positions in the apical region of the embryo. Single mutations in the PIN-FORMED1 (PINI) and PINOID (PID) genes, which mediate auxin-dependent organ formation, moderately disrupt the symmetric patterning of cotyledons. We report that the pin1 pid double mutant displays a striking phenotype that completely lacks cotyledons and bilateral symmetry. In the double mutant embryo, the expression domains of CUPSHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1), CUC2 and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM), the functions of which are normally required to repress growth at cotyledon boundaries, expand to the periphery and overlap with a cotyledon-specific marker, FILAMENTOUS FLOWER. Elimination of CUC1, CUC2 or STM activity leads to recovery of cotyledon growth in the double mutant, suggesting that the negative regulation of these boundary genes by PIN1 and PID is sufficient for primordium growth. We also show that PID mRNA is localized mainly to the boundaries of cotyledon primordia and early expression of PID mRNA is dependent on PIN1. Our results demonstrate the redundant roles of PIN1 and PID in the establishment of bilateral symmetry, as well as in the promotion of cotyledon outgrowth, the latter of which involves the negative regulation of CUC1, CUC2 and STM genes, which are boundary-specific downstream effectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When mutations in CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON1 (CUC1) and CUC2 are combined, severe defects involving fusion of sepals and of stamens occur in Arabidopsis flowers. In addition, septa of gynoecia do not fuse along the length of the ovaries and many ovules have their growth arrested. CUC2 is expressed at the tips of septal primordia during gynoecium development and at the boundary between nucellus and chalaza during ovule development. These expression patterns are partially consistent with the phenotype of the mutant gynoecium. CUC2 mRNA is also shown to be expressed at the boundaries between meristems and organ primordia during both the vegetative and reproductive phases. This expression pattern indicates that CUC2 is generally involved in organ separation in shoot and floral meristems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During embryogenesis of eudicots, the apical region of the embryo develops two cotyledon primordia and the shoot meristem. In Arabidopsis thaliana , this process is dependent on the functionally redundant activities of the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC) transcription factors, namely CUC1, CUC2, and CUC3, as well as the phytohormone auxin. However, the relationship between the CUC proteins and auxin has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, we examined whether the expression of auxin biosynthetic genes is dependent on CUC gene activities. Comprehensive quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the main auxin biosynthetic gene families of TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE OF ARABIDOPSIS1 / TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE RELATED and YUCCA ( YUC ) showed that YUC1 and YUC4 expression levels were lower in cuc double mutant embryos than the expression levels of these genes in wild type embryos. Reporter analysis also revealed that the expression of YUC1 and YUC4 in the cotyledon boundary region was reduced in cuc double mutant embryos. In contrast, the loss of function mutation in the SHOOT MERISTEMLESS gene, a shoot stem cell regulator that acts downstream of the CUC genes, did not markedly affect YUC1 expression levels. These results demonstrate that CUC genes play an important role in the regulation of auxin biosynthetic gene expression during embryogenesis; furthermore, they raise the possibility that the auxin produced by this regulation contributes to cotyledon boundary development., (© 2022 Japanese Society for Plant Biotechnology.)

The shoot meristem, a stem-cell-containing tissue initiated during plant embryogenesis, is responsible for continuous shoot organ production in postembryonic development. Although key regulatory factors including KNOX genes are responsible for stem cell maintenance in the shoot meristem, how the onset of such factors is regulated during embryogenesis is elusive. Here, we present evidence that the two KNOX genes STM and KNAT6 together with the two other regulatory genes BLR and LAS are functionally important downstream genes of CUC1 and CUC2, which are a redundant pair of genes that specify the embryonic shoot organ boundary. Combined expression of STM with any of KNAT6, BLR, and LAS can efficiently rescue the defects of shoot meristem formation and/or separation of cotyledons in cuc1cuc2 double mutants. In addition, CUC1 and CUC2 are also required for the activation of KLU, a cytochrome P450-encoding gene known to restrict organ production, and KLU counteracts STM in the promotion of meristem activity, providing a possible balancing mechanism for shoot meristem maintenance. Together, these results establish the roles for CUC1 and CUC2 in coordinating the activation of two classes of genes with opposite effects on shoot meristem activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of outgrowths from plant shoots depends on formation of epidermal sites of cell polarity convergence with high intracellular auxin at their centre. A parsimonious model for generation of convergence sites is that cell polarity for the auxin transporter PIN1 orients up auxin gradients, as this spontaneously generates convergent alignments. Here we test predictions of this and other models for the patterns of auxin biosynthesis and import. Live imaging of outgrowths from kanadi1 kanadi2 Arabidopsis mutant leaves shows that they arise by formation of PIN1 convergence sites within a proximodistal polarity field. PIN1 polarities are oriented away from regions of high auxin biosynthesis enzyme expression, and towards regions of high auxin importer expression. Both expression patterns are required for normal outgrowth emergence, and may form part of a common module underlying shoot outgrowths. These findings are more consistent with models that spontaneously generate tandem rather than convergent alignments.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an important gene regulator, controlling almost all biological and metabolic processes, in both plants and animals. In this study, we investigated the effect of drought and salinity stress on the expression of miRNAs and their targets in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Our results show that the expression change of miRNAs and their targets were dose-dependent and tissue-dependent under salinity and drought conditions. The expression of miRNAs in leaf was down-regulated under higher salinity stress while shows variable patterns in other conditions. The highest fold-changes of miRNAs were miR398 in roots with 28.9 fold down-regulation under 0.25% NaCl treatment and miR395 in leaves with 7.6 fold down-regulation under 1% PEG treatment. The highest up-regulation of miRNA targets was AST in roots with 4.7 fold-change under 2.5% PEG and the gene with highest down-regulation was CUC1 in leaves with 25.6 fold-change under 0.25% NaCl treatment. Among seven miRNA-target pairs we studied, five pairs, miR156-SPL2, miR162-DCL1, miR159-TCP3, miR395-APS1 and miR396-GRF1, show significant regulation relationship in roots and leaves under salinity stress concentration., (© 2013.)