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Background: As people live longer with life-limiting illnesses, there is greater need for skills and knowledge in palliative care (PC). Medical students should acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and confidence during training for future decision-making. However, most graduates across Europe feel unprepared to provide PC. To develop PC training for medical students, we must gain perspective on their understanding of PC and their learning needs., Objectives: The aim was to investigate graduate entry medical students' views on the importance of education in PC and how well PC topics were covered within their curriculum. The objective was to highlight areas that could be reviewed for future PC curricula., Methods: In this prospective quantitative study, penultimate and final-year students were recruited from a graduate entry medical school. Ethical approval was granted. Students completed an online questionnaire., Results: From 281 recruited students, 82 responded. Ninety-five percent of respondents felt everyone should have a PC rotation. The aspects of education perceived to be most important were knowledge of symptom control, communication, ethical issues, self-care, and grief. The only aspect considered well covered within the curriculum was ethical issues. Ninety-six percent of penultimate and 75% of final years wanted more teaching in PC., Conclusion: Graduate entry medical students view PC as a vital subject within their medical school training. The study highlights challenges in providing education and sufficient placement in PC to correlate with the respondents' perceived needs. The findings contribute to the growing literature surrounding the importance of PC education within the medical school curriculum., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

Background: Palliative care (PC) for children with life-limiting conditions (LLC) is a holistic approach to achieve the best quality of life., Aims: Highlighting collaboration between pediatric and PC services is essential in providing seamless care., Methods: Retrospective data obtained including patient cohort, disease profile, place of death, and the resource requirements for children with a LLC in the Mid-West region of Ireland over a 7-year period., Results: Seventy-seven patients were identified (n = 77); five still receiving care, four discharged, and 68 have died. The cohort ranged in age from 1 day to 17 years with a mean of approximately 6 years. Thirty-five percent of patients were less than 1 year old. Fifty-one percent were male. Seventy-one percent were referred initially to PC for end-of-life care and 29% for symptom management. Forty-four percent had home support services in place prior to referral to PC. An advanced care plan was created for 65%. Of those that died (n = 68), 70.5% died at home, 25% in hospital, and 4.4% in residential care or a children's hospice. The clinical nurse coordinator for children with life-limiting conditions (CNCCLLC) was involved with 88% of patients. The specialist PC teams were involved with 87%; 65 patients had community support, 31 patients had in-hospital support, and 29 patients were seen by both hospital and community services., Conclusions: Our study highlights the growing number of LLCs and current pediatric and PC services require further resources and development., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.)

Background: The 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid reductase (OPR) enzyme is crucial for the synthesis of jasmonates (JAs), and is involved in the plant stress response. However, the OPR gene family in sweetpotato, an important horticultural crop, remains unidentified. Results: In this study, we employed bioinformatics techniques to identify nine IbOPR genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes could be divided into Group I and Group II. Synteny analysis indicated that IbOPR evolution was driven by tandem duplication, whole-genome duplication (WGD), and segmental duplication events. The promoter sequences of IbOPRs were found to be associated with stress and hormonal responses. Additionally, we successfully cloned four IbOPRs from "Haida HD7791" and "Haida HD7798" using homologous cloning technology. These sequences were 1203 bp, 1200 bp, 1134 bp, and 1137 bp in length and encoded 400, 399, 377, and 378 amino acids, respectively. The protein sequence similarity between the salt-tolerant variety "Haida HD7791" and the salt-sensitive variety "Haida HD7798" was determined to be 96.75% for IbOPR2, 99.75% for IbOPR3, 92.06% for IbOPR6, and 98.68% for IbOPR7. Phylogenetic analysis categorized IbOPR2 and IbOPR3 proteins into Group II, while IbOPR6 and IbOPR7 proteins belonged to Group I. Subcellular localization experiments showed IbOPR2 protein present in the peroxisome, while IbOPR3, IbOPR6, and IbOPR7 proteins were found in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Salt stress induction experiments demonstrated that IbOPR2, IbOPR3, and IbOPR7 were significantly upregulated only in 'Haida HD7791' after 6 h. In contrast, IbOPR6 was induced in 'Haida HD7798' at 6 h but inhibited in 'Haida HD7791' at later time points (12, 24, 48, and 72 h), highlighting functional differences in salt stress responses. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IbOPR2 may play a crucial role in sweetpotato's response to salt stress by participating in JAs synthesis. These results provide a foundation for future functional analyses of OPR genes in sweetpotato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Enterococcus is increasingly recognized for its involvement in various human infections, with several species known to be pathogenic. This study characterized Enterococcus sp. SMC-9, isolated from bile of a patient with cholangitis, and compared its characteristics with those of Enterococcus montenegrensis CoE-012-22T, recently isolated from dried beef sausage. A comprehensive analysis, encompassing phylogenetic, genomic, and phenotypic studies, confirmed that strain SMC-9 belongs to the same species as E. montenegrensis CoE-012-22T. However, comparative genomic analysis revealed key differences in virulence and antibiotic resistance gene profiles between the two strains. Notably, genes related to exopolysaccharide biosynthesis and the L-rhamnose biosynthesis pathway were found exclusively in strain SMC-9, suggesting their role in the strain's colonization of the biliary tract and its involvement in cholangitis. Additionally, the tetracycline resistance gene tet(M), which was absent in E. montenegrensis CoE-012-22T, was identified in strain SMC-9, explaining its high tetracycline minimum inhibitory concentration (>16 μg/mL). These findings highlight the unique pathogenic traits of strain SMC-9 compared to E. montenegrensis CoE-012-22T. Our study underscores the significant genetic and phenotypic variations that can exist among strains within the same species, highlighting the critical need for strain typing to assess their potential impact on patient outcomes and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A differential diet with royal jelly (RJ) during early larval development in honeybees shapes the phenotype, which is probably mediated by epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Evidence indicates that small molecules in RJ can modulate gene expression in mammalian cells, such as the fatty acid 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), previously associated with the inhibition of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDACs). Therefore, we combined computational (molecular docking simulations) and experimental approaches for the screening of potential HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) among 32 RJ-derived fatty acids. Biochemical assays and gene expression analyses (Reverse Transcriptase – quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) were performed to evaluate the functional effects of the major RJ fatty acids, 10-HDA and 10-HDAA (10-hydroxy-decanoic acid), in two human cancer cell lines (HCT116 and MDA-MB-231). The molecular docking simulations indicate that these fatty acids might interact with class I HDACs, specifically with the catalytic domain of human HDAC2, likewise well-known HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) such as SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) and TSA (Trichostatin A). In addition, the combined treatment with 10-HDA and 10-HDAA inhibits the activity of human nuclear HDACs and leads to a slight increase in the expression of HDAC-coding genes in cancer cells. Our findings indicate that royal jelly fatty acids collectively contribute to HDAC inhibition and that 10-HDA and 10-HDAA are weak HDACi that facilitate the acetylation of lysine residues of chromatin, triggering an increase in gene expression levels in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus remains a public health threat with the WHO classifying the pathogen as a high priority in the development of new antimicrobial agents. Whole genome sequencing has revealed a number of conserved genes that may be essential for cell viability and infection. Characterising the structure and function of these proteins will inevitably aid development of new antimicrobials. Therefore, this study elucidated the structure of hypothetical protein DUF3055 from S. aureus stain Mu50. The protein possesses an as yet undefined function and a unique fold. The size of DUF3055 made it an ideal candidate for NMR characterisation which in conjunction with circular dichroism revealed the protein to be folded. Crystallisation and structural solution found that the overall dimer fold has a negatively charged surface formed by a β-bulge and tightly crossed α-helices, with a complementary size to a DNA single turn. Our structural observations suggest that hypothetical protein DUF3055 from S. aureus has a role in DNA binding and gene regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many prokaryotes form Bacterial Microcompartments (BMCs) that encapsulate segments of specialized metabolic pathways to enhance catalysis. The various functions of metabolosomes, catabolic BMCs, are dictated by the signature enzyme that processes initial substrates of the confined pathway. The components and native functions of several metabolosomes have been experimentally characterized; however one of the most prevalent across all bacteria has yet to be studied. Sugar Phosphate Utilizing (SPU) BMC loci encode enzymes predicted to be involved in sugar phosphate metabolism. The SPU genetic loci are found in organisms occupying habitats ranging from soils to hot springs, highlighting the ubiquity of the SPU BMC. We bioinformatically characterized seven SPU subtypes, all which contain an enzyme unique to SPU BMCs, a deoxyribose 5-phosphate aldolase (DERA). Here, we define the fundamental characteristics of SPU BMCs and have expressed, purified, and characterized a set of SPU core enzymes. These include a protein-protein complex formed between a SPU BMC DERA and a predicted ribose 5-phosphate isomerase. Further, we show that the SPU BMC DERA is catalytically active and propose that it acts as the universal signature enzyme for the SPU BMC, with implications for fundamental understanding and biotechnological applications of SPU BMCs. Bioinformatic and biochemical analyses provide insight into the ubiquitous Sugar Phosphate Utilizing BMC and its role in catabolizing DNA-degradation products through its signature aldolase enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: α-mannosidosis is an inborn error of metabolism caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-mannosidase, which is encoded by the MAN2B1 gene and inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The impairment of affected individuals is multisystemic and very similar to the observed in some mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) patients. The aim of this study was to search for α-mannosidosis cases in individuals with clinical suspicion of MPS without a confirmed diagnosis. Biochemical and molecular analysis were standardized by our group for this study. Two hundred and fifty samples from patients with clinical suspicion of MPS, but with inconclusive MPS biochemical and/or molecular analysis, were screened for α-mannosidase activity. Subsequently the MAN2B1 gene was sequenced in samples from 53 patients by the Sanger method. Results: The measurement of enzymatic activity detected fifty-three samples with abnormal results, suggesting α-mannosidosis. Molecular analysis confirmed three affected families, which presented the nonsense variant p.Ser899Ter. This variant generates a premature stop codon in exon 22, resulting in a truncated protein with no residual enzymatic activity. Conclusion: In conclusion, this work brings data for the beginning of a genetic characterization of α-mannosidosis in the Brazilian population. It also shows that α-mannosidosis cases may be underdiagnosed due to the clinical similarity to MPS and the lack of information about this ultra-rare disease. Based on our data, we strongly recommend to all screening centers to consider α-mannosidosis testing together with screening for MPS as a tool for diagnosis to MPS-like phenotype individuals, since the phenotype similarity between these diseases poses a significant challenge for clinicians worldwide and often leads to the failure of the correct clinical diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population structure and evolution of basidiomycetes like rust fungi are influenced by complex reproductive cycles and dikaryotic life stages where two independent nuclear haplotypes are present in the cell. The ability to alternate between asexual (clonal) and sexual reproduction increases the evolutionary capacity in these species. Furthermore, exchange of intact nuclei (somatic hybridization) in rust fungi can allow for rapid generation of genetic variability outside of the sexual cycle. Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), the causal agent of oat crown rust, is a pathogen of global economic importance that is difficult to control due to rapid breakdown of host genetic resistance. The contribution of sexuality, clonality, and migration to virulence evolution varies across Pca populations. As such, the Pca pathosystem is ideal to address the role of mating type, recombination, mutation, and somatic hybridization in host adaptation. We expanded the existing resources for USA and South African populations by generating whole genome sequencing data of Taiwanese and Australian isolates. An atlas of 30 chromosome-level, fully-phased nuclear haplotypes from six USA isolates and nine Australian isolates was created to capture the genomic composition of key Pca lineages. At the haplotype level, we confirmed previous reports of genetic recombination in the USA population and additionally detected either sexual or cryptic recombination between Australian isolates, contrasting previous evaluations that suggested Pca populations in Australia to be purely clonal. We also identified somatic hybridization events in Pca that are not only associated with significant changes in fitness but also imply intercontinental migration of haplotypes, which provides further impetus for molecular monitoring of rust pathogen populations on a global scale. Author summary: Understanding the contribution of different processes to evolution in multinucleated fungi has been challenging due to the genome and life cycle complexity of these organisms. Rust fungi are pathogens of economically important crops and represent organisms in which the interplay between two independent nuclei impacts host adaptation. Recent advances in genomics in various fungal species including Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae (Pca), the causal agent of oat crown rust, and the characterization of sizeable collections are allowing to finally dissect the contribution of clonality, sexuality, migration and nuclear exchanges to rust evolution. In this study, we generated 30 nuclear genome references for Pca isolates from USA and Australia to investigate the genetic diversity of this organism. We also explored the genetic relationship among Pca populations from USA, South Africa, Taiwan and Australia. Extensive genetic recombination in the Pca population from USA was confirmed and signatures of genetic recombination were also detected in Australian Pca isolates. We also found evidence that nuclear exchanges occur in Pca and that are associated with changes in host adaptation (virulence). Altogether, our findings make a strong case for monitoring of rust pathogens using molecular tools that allow tracking of individual nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gene duplication is a dominant mechanism for the evolution of genomes and plays a key role in genome expansion. Gene duplication via retroposition produces RNA-mediated intron-less copies called retrocopies, that may gain regulatory sequence and biological function to generate retrogenes. Retrocopies dynamics have been reported in several model insect species, but there is still a huge knowledge gap about retrocopies dynamics in most insects, and their role in adaptation. Results: In this study, we reported retrocopy dynamics in 40 species of insect pests of plants belonging to six insect orders. We identified a total of 9,930 retrocopies, which is so far the largest set of retrocopies identified in insects. The identified retrocopies were further grouped into 2,599 Retrogenes, 4,578 Chimeras, 1,241 Intact retrocopies, and 1,512 Pseudogene. We also analyzed all the identified retrogenes that were annotated into 506 gene families. The highest number of retrogenes annotated belong to the heat shock proteins superfamily and are present across all the 40 species from the six orders. We found a significant expansion of the heat shock protein superfamily in the studied species. Almost all the retrogenes, including those belonging to heat shock proteins, are under purifying selection. In summary, we report the retrocopies and retrogenes dynamics in a large set of insect pests of plants and the expansion of the heat shock protein family due to retroposition. Conclusion: This study unveils retrocopy dynamics in the insect pests of plants and highlights the evolution of new genes due to retroposition, and their role in important gene families' expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is a critical step in early embryonic development, as it marks the transition from relying on maternal factors to the initiation of transcription from embryo's own genome. The factors associated with EGA are not well understood and need further investigation. PRD-like (PRDL) homeodomain transcription factors (TFs) are considered to play crucial roles in this early event during development but these TFs have evolved differently, even within mammalian lineages. Different numbers of PRDL TFs have been predicted in bovine (Bos taurus); however, their divergent evolution requires species-specific confirmation and functional investigations. Results: In this study, we conducted molecular cloning of mRNAs for the PRDL TFs ARGFX, DUXA, LEUTX, NOBOX, TPRX1, TPRX2, and TPRX3 in bovine oocytes or in vitro fertilized (IVF) preimplantation embryos. Our results confirmed the expression of PRDL TF genes in early bovine development at the cDNA level and uncovered their structures. For each investigated PRDL TF gene, we isolated at least one homeodomain-encoding cDNA fragment, indicative of DNA binding and thus potential role in transcriptional regulation in developing bovine embryos. Additionally, our cDNA cloning approach allowed us to reveal breed-related differences in bovine, as evidenced by the identification of a high number of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) across the PRDL class homeobox genes. Subsequently, we observed the prediction of the 9aa transactivation domain (9aaTAD) motif in the putative protein sequence of TPRX3 leading us to conduct functional analysis of this gene. We demonstrated that the TPRX3 overexpression in bovine fibroblast induces not only protein-coding genes but also short noncoding RNAs involved in splicing and RNA editing. We supported this finding by identifying a shared set of genes between our and published bovine early embryo development datasets. Conclusions: Providing full-length cDNA evidence for previously predicted homeobox genes that belong to PRDL class improves the annotation of the bovine genome. Updating the annotation with seven developmentally-important genes will enhance the accuracy of RNAseq analysis with datasets derived from bovine preimplantation embryos. In addition, the absence of TPRX3 in humans highlights the species-specific and TF-specific regulation of biological processes during early embryo development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylinositol signaling system plays a crucial role in plant physiology and development, phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) are one of the essential enzymes responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) within this signaling pathway. However, its mechanism of signal transduction remains poorly exploited in plants. OsMBL1, a jacalin-related mannose-binding lectin in rice, plays a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms, acting as a key component of the pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) pathway. Here, a rice phosphatidylinositol-phosphate kinase FAB (OsPIPK-FAB), a member of the rice PIPKs family, as an interacting protein of OsMBL1 through yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) screening assay. And this interaction was confirmed by using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and pull-down assay techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the deletion of OsPIPK-FAB gene in plant enhanced resistance against rice blast while overexpression of OsPIPK-FAB increases sensitivity to the fungal infection. Additionally, through determination and measurement of the plant inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) contents and the plant phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) activity, we revealed that OsMBL1 inhibits the PIP5K kinase activity of OsPIPK-FAB as well as the plant IP3 contents in rice. Conclusively, these findings indicated that OsPIPK-FAB serves as a novel and critical component that is negatively involved in PTI activation and was inhibited by OsMBL1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) belong to Theaceae family, in the section Thea. Tea plants are widely distributed in subtropical and tropical regions in the word. α-carotene and β-carotene in the tea leaves belong to carotenoids, which are associated with the aroma and color of the tea. Phytoene synthase (PSY) is a rate-limiting enzyme in carotenoids biosynthesis. We identified three CsPSY genes in 'Shuchazao', named CsPSY1, CsPSY2, and CsPSY3. Structural analysis of three CsPSY genes showed that CsPSY1 had a longer intro structure. The cis-acting elements of CsPSYs promoter were mainly associated with light-responsiveness, abiotic stress-responsiveness, and hormone-responsiveness. CsPSY1 exhibited expression in all tissues of the tea plants, whereas CsPSY2 and CsPSY3 were trace expression levels in all tissues. The positive expression of CsPSY1 under hormonal and abiotic stresses suggested its role in plant development and defense responses. The amino acid sequence of CsPSY1 was highly conserved in eight tea cultivars. The recombinant vector pCAMBIA1301-CsPSY1 was constructed to stabilize the overexpression of CsPSY1 in carrot. The contents of α-carotene and β-carotene in transgenic carrot callus were significantly increased. This study provides a foundational basis for further research on the function of CsPSYs and carotenoids accumulation in tea plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Programmed cell death 6 (PDCD6) is known to be involved in apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Given the reported association with urinary cancer susceptibility through SNP analysis, we further analyzed the entire genomic structure of PDCD6. Methods: Three VNTR regions (MS1-MS3) were identified through the analysis of the genomic structure of PDCD6. To investigate the association between these VNTR regions and urinary cancer susceptibility, genomic DNA was extracted from 413 cancer-free male controls, 267 bladder cancer patients, and 331 prostate cancer patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to analyze the PDCD6-MS regions. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between specific genotypes and cancer risk. In addition, the effect of specific VNTRs on PDCD6 expression was also confirmed using a reporter vector. Results: Among the three VNTR regions, MS1 and MS2 exhibited monomorphism, while the MS3 region represented polymorphism, with its transmission to subsequent generations through meiosis substantiating its utility as a DNA typing marker. In a case–control study, the presence of rare alleles within PDCD6-MS3 exhibited significant associations with both bladder cancer (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.33–4.95, P = 0.019) and prostate cancer (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.03–4.36, P = 0.038). Furthermore, through luciferase assays, we validated the impact of the MS3 region on modulating PDCD6 expression. Conclusions: This study suggests that the PDCD6-MS3 region could serve as a prognostic marker for urinary cancers, specifically bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Moreover, the subdued influence exerted by PDCD6-MS3 on the expression of PDCD6 offers another insight concerning the progression of urinary cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The deep-sea cold seep zone is characterized by high pressure, low temperature, darkness, and oligotrophy. Vesicomyidae clams are the dominant species within this environment, often forming symbiotic relationships with chemosynthetic microbes. Understanding the mechanisms by which Vesicomyidae clams adapt to the cold seep environment is significant. Acetylation modification of lysine is known to play a crucial role in various metabolic processes. Consequently, investigating the role of lysine acetylation in the adaptation of Vesicomyidae clams to deep-sea environments is worthwhile. So, a comparative study of lysine acetylation in cold seep clam Archivesica marissinica and shallow water shellfish Ruditapes philippinarum was conducted. Results: A total of 539 acetylated proteins were identified with 1634 acetylation sites. Conservative motif enrichment analysis revealed that the motifs -KacR-, -KacT-, and -KacF- were the most conserved. Subsequent gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted on significantly differentially expressed acetylated proteins. The GO enrichment analysis indicated that acetylated proteins are crucial in various biological processes, including cellular response to stimulation, and other cellular processes (p < 0.05 and false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.25). The results of KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that acetylated proteins are involved in various cellular processes, including tight junction, motor proteins, gap junction, phagosome, cGMP-PKG signaling pathways, endocytosis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, among others (p < 0.05 and FDR < 0.25). Notably, a high abundance of lysine acetylation was observed in the glycolysis/glycogenesis pathways, and the acetylation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase might facilitate ATP production. Subsequent investigation into acetylation modifications associated with deep-sea adaptation revealed the specific identification of key acetylated proteins. Among these, the adaptation of cold seep clam hemoglobin and heat shock protein to high hydrostatic pressure and low temperature might involve an increase in acetylation levels. Acetylation of arginine kinase might be related to ATP production and interaction with symbiotic bacteria. Myosin heavy chain (Ama01085) has the most acetylation sites and might improve the actomyosin system stability through acetylation. Further validation is required for the acetylation modification from Vesicomyidae clams. Conclusion: A novel comparative analysis was undertaken to investigate the acetylation of lysine in Vesicomyidae clams, yielding novel insights into the regulatory role of lysine acetylation in deep-sea organisms. The findings present many potential proteins for further exploration of acetylation functions in cold seep clams and other deep-sea mollusks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initiation of microtubule formation is facilitated by γ-tubulin and γ-Tubulin Ring Complex (γ-TuRC) in various microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). While the heterogeneity of tissue-specific MTOCs and γ-TuRC in Drosophila testis has been described, their molecular composition and physiological significance are poorly understood. We investigated the testis-specific distribution and biochemical interaction of the canonical γ-TuRC proteins Grip163 and Grip84. We found that while Grip163 is present on the centrosome and basal body, Grip84 localizes to the centrosome and Golgi in spermatocytes and colocalizes with the testis-specific γ-Tubulin complexes (t-γ-TuC) at the basal body, apical nuclear tip, and near the elongated mitochondria after meiosis. We also showed the apical nuclear tip localization of some γ-TuRC interacting partners and proved their binding to t-γ-TuC proteins. These results highlight and prove the importance of the different γ-TuRCs in organizing the diverse MTOCs present during the extensive rearrangement of cell organelles during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila. The heterogeneous distribution of various γ-tubulin binding complexes contributes to the formation of diverse microtubule-organizing centers and the comprehensive rearrangement of cellular organelles during spermatogenesis in Drosophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calmodulin-binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is comprised of a group of transcription factors and plays an important role in the Ca2+ signaling pathway, mediating various molecular responses via interactions with other transcription factors and binding to the promoter region of specific genes. Mung beans (Vigna radiata) are one of the most commonly consumed commodities in Asia. To date, CAMTA proteins have not been characterized in this important crop plant. Results: Eight paralogous VrCAMTA genes were identified and found to be distributed on five of the 11 chromosomes. The proteins possessed CG-1 DNA-binding domains with bipartite NLS signals, ankyrin domains, CaM-binding IQ motifs, and CaM-binding domain (CaMBD). The 2 kb upstream regions of VrCAMTA genes contained sequence motifs of abscisic acid-responsive elements (ABRE) and ethylene-responsive elements (ERE), and binding sites for transcription factors of the bZIP and bHLH domains. Analysis of RNA-seq data from a public repository revealed ubiquitous expression of the VrCAMTA genes, as VrCAMTA1 was expressed at the highest level in seedling leaves, whereas VrCAMTA8 was expressed at the lowest level, which agreed with the RT-qPCR analysis performed on the first true leaves. On day four after leaf emergence, all VrCAMTA genes were upregulated, with VrCAMTA1 exhibiting the highest degree of upregulation. In darkness on day 4, upregulation was not observed in most VrCAMTA genes, except VrCAMTA7, for which a low degree of upregulation was found, whereas no difference was found in VrCAMTA8 expression between light and dark conditions. Treatment with calcium ionophores enhanced VrCAMTA expression under light and/or dark conditions at different times after leaf emergence, suggesting that calcium signaling is involved in the light-induced upregulation of VrCAMTA gene expression. Conclusions: The expression dependence of nearly all VrCAMTA genes on light and calcium signaling suggests their possible differential but likely complementary roles during the early stages of mung bean growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) gene family is a class of plant-specific transcription factors involved in diverse biological processes, including response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Members of this family have been reported in the cultivated potato Solanum tuberosum, but clues to the roles of several Dof genes are still lacking. Potato wild relatives represent a genetic reservoir for breeding as they could provide useful alleles for adaptation to the environment and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. We performed an in silico analysis to identify genes belonging to the Dof family in the wild potato S. commersonii, confirming that the identified Dof genes can be grouped in four classes (A, B, C, D), as reported for cultivated potato. A special focus was dedicated to Cycling Dof Factors (CDFs), which play a crucial role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Analysis of available RNA-seq data confirmed CDF genes as regulated by stresses and often in a tissue specific manner. To ascertain their involvement in the stress response, S. tuberosum and S. commersonii plantlets growing in vitro were subjected to salt stress (80mM NaCl) for short (2 days) and prolonged (7 days) times. Analysis of phenotypic traits and qRT-PCR expression profiles of target CDF genes in aerial and root tissues showed differences between the two species. In addition, after saline treatment, changes in total phenols, proline, and malondialdehyde suggested a diverse perception of saline stress in S. commersonii vs. S. tuberosum. Overall, this study provided useful clues to the involvement of CDF genes in salt response and promoted the identification of potential candidate genes for further functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant A/T-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors are pivotal regulators in various aspects of plant biology, including growth, development, and responses to environmental stresses. While PLATZ genes have been extensively studied and functionally characterized in various plants, limited information is available for these genes in barley. Results: Here, we discovered a total of 11 PLATZ genes distributed across seven chromosomes in barley. Based on phylogenetic and conserved motif analysis, we classified PLATZ into five subfamilies, comprising 3, 1, 2, 1 and 4 genes, respectively. Analysis of gene structure demonstrated that these 11 HvPLATZ genes typically possessed two to four exons. Most HvPLATZ genes were found to possess at least one ABRE cis-element in their promoter regions, and a few of them also contained LTR, CAT-box, MRE, and DRE cis-elements. Then, we conducted an exploration of the expression patterns of HvPLATZs, which displayed notable differences across various tissues and in response to abiotic stresses. Functional analysis of HvPLATZ6 and HvPLATZ8 in yeast cells showed that they may be involved in drought tolerance. Additionally, we constructed a regulatory network including miRNA-targeted gene predictions and identified two miRNAs targeting two HvPLATZs, such as hvu-miR5053 and hvu-miR6184 targeting HvPLATZ2, hvu-miR6184 targeting HvPLATZ10. Conclusion: In summary, these findings provide valuable insights for future functional verification of HvPLATZs and contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of HvPLATZs in response to stress conditions in barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenagaricus is a genus of small, veiled agaric mushrooms in family Agaricaceae. Species of the genus are distributed in paleotropical region. The members of this genus are characterized by a squamulose pileus, squamules consisted of hymeniform or pseudoparenchymatous tissue, and the absence of both pleurocystidia and clamp connections. In the present study, a robust phylogeny of Agaricaceae is provided, where Hymenagaricus formed an independent lineage with strong phylogenetic support. Molecular clock analyses using BEAST, based on internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS) and D1/D2 domains of large subunit of nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S), and TEF1α sequence data of Agaricaceae, suggested that the maximum crown age of Hymenagaricus is approximately 51.83 million years (Myr). Furthermore, we also reported three new species in the genus, namely Hymenagaricus floccosus, Hy. pelliculosus, and Hy. striatus from lowland in northern Pakistan. These species are described based on morphological features of basidiomata and molecular phylogeny of above three DNA regions. Morphologically, Hymenagaricus floccosus has densely, whitish floccose fibrils which covering pileus and stipe surfaces and brownish cap center without prominent pellicle. Hymenagaricus pelliculosus is characterized by a pelliculose pileus, where pellicle forms a crown-like structure on cap center, a unique feature in the genus. Hymenagaricus striatus is characterized by a reddish-brown pellicle at center, pileus surface striate towards margin, and margins are appendiculate. With this study, the number of known species in the genus increased to 24. It is concluded that the low altitude mountains of Malakand region are rich in the diversity of Agaricaceae and further taxonomic studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microsatellites are increasingly realized to have biological significance in human genome and health in past decades, the assembled complete reference sequence of human genome T2T-CHM13 brought great help for a comprehensive study of short tandem repeats in the human genome. Results: Microsatellites density landscapes of all 24 chromosomes were built here for the first complete reference sequence of human genome T2T-CHM13. These landscapes showed that short tandem repeats (STRs) are prone to aggregate characteristically to form a large number of STRs density peaks. We classified 8,823 High Microsatellites Density Peaks (HMDPs), 35,257 Middle Microsatellites Density Peaks (MMDPs) and 199, 649 Low Microsatellites Density Peaks (LMDPs) on the 24 chromosomes; and also classified the motif types of every microsatellites density peak. These STRs density aggregation peaks are mainly composing of a single motif, and AT is the most dominant motif, followed by AATGG and CCATT motifs. And 514 genomic regions were characterized by microsatellite density feature in the full T2T-CHM13 genome. Conclusions: These landscape maps exhibited that microsatellites aggregate in many genomic positions to form a large number of microsatellite density peaks with composing of mainly single motif type in the complete reference genome, indicating that the local microsatellites density varies enormously along the every chromosome of T2T-CHM13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought has a significant, negative impact on crop production; and these effects are poised to increase with climate change. Plants acclimate to drought and water stress through diverse physiological responses, primarily mediated by the hormone abscisic acid (ABA). Because plants lose the majority of their water through stomatal pores on aerial surfaces of plants, stomatal closure is one of the rapid responses mediated by ABA to reduce transpirational water loss. The dynamic changes in the transcriptome of stomatal guard cells in response to ABA have been investigated in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, guard cell transcriptomes have not been analyzed in agronomically valuable crops such as a major oilseed crop, rapeseed. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of ABA-regulated transcriptomes in stomatal guard cells of Brassica napus and conducted comparison analysis with the transcriptomes of A. thaliana. We discovered changes in gene expression indicating alterations in a host of physiological processes, including stomatal movement, metabolic reprogramming, and light responses. Our results suggest the existence of both immediate and delayed responses to ABA in Brassica guard cells. Furthermore, the transcription factors and regulatory networks mediating these responses are compared to those identified in Arabidopsis. Our results imply the continuing evolution of ABA responses in Brassica since its divergence from a common ancestor, involving both protein-coding and non-coding nucleotide sequences. Together, our results will provide a basis for developing strategies for molecular manipulation of drought tolerance in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MYB transcription factors regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis across numerous plant species. However, comprehensive genome-wide investigations regarding the R2R3-MYB gene family and its involvement in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in the red and white fruit color morphs of Fragaria pentaphylla remain scarce. Results: A total of 101 FpR2R3-MYB genes were identified from the F. pentaphylla genome and were divided into 34 subgroups based on phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure (exon/intron) and protein motifs were particularly conserved among the FpR2R3-MYB genes, especially members within the same subgroup. The FpR2R3-MYB genes were distributed over seven F. pentaphylla chromosomes. Analysis of gene duplication events revealed five pairs of tandem duplication genes and 16 pairs of segmental duplication genes, suggesting that segmental duplications are the major pattern for expansion of the FpR2R3-MYB gene family expansion in F. pentaphylla. Cis-regulatory elements of the FpR2R3-MYB promoters were involved in cellular development, phytohormones, environmental stress and photoresponse. Based on the analysis of the FpR2R3-MYB gene family and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data, FpMYB9 was identified as a key transcription factor involved in the regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in F. pentaphylla fruits. The expression of FpMYB9 increases significantly during the ripening stage of red fruits, as confirmed by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, subcellular localization experiments further confirmed the nuclear presence of FpMYB9, supporting its role as a transcription factor involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conclusion: Our results showed that the FpR2R3-MYB genes are highly conserved and play important roles in the anthocyanin biosynthesis in F. pentaphylla fruits. Our results also provide a compelling basis for further understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying the role of FpMYB9 in anthocyanin formation in F. pentaphylla fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hibiscus mutabilis L. is a popular regional characteristic plant in China, cultivated for its attractive flower colors, extended bloom time, and medicinal properties. To enhance molecular breeding and gene function studies, we conducted transcriptome analysis and identified valuable genes in previous research. Nonetheless, the current inefficient and labor-intensive transformation techniques have hindered their applications. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) provides a precise and effective strategy for post-transcriptional down-regulation of endogenous gene expression. Methods: We investigated the performance of tobacco rattle virus (TRV) as a tool for targeting and silencing the gene encoding the protein involved in chloroplast development, cloroplastos alterados 1 (altered chloroplast; CLA1), of H. mutabilis through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated infiltration. Results: By effectively suppressing the CLA1 gene associated with chloroplast development in H. mutabilis via the TRV-VIGS system, we have illustrated the inaugural implementation of VIGS in this species. Quantitative RT-PCR proved that HmCLA1 expression in agro-infiltrated plants was lower than in the mock-infiltrated (mock) and the control (CK) plants. Phenotypic observations corroborated the albino phenotype in leaves following successful HmCLA1 silencing. Conclusions: Our study showcases TRV-VIGS as a potential gene silencing tool for H. mutabilis, facilitating functional genomics studies and molecular breeding efforts in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial C4 warm-season grass known for its high-biomass yield and wide environmental adaptability, making it an ideal bioenergy crop. Despite its potential, switchgrass seedlings grow slowly, often losing out to weeds in field conditions and producing limited biomass in the first year of planting. Furthermore, during the reproductive growth stage, the above-ground biomass rapidly increases in lignin content, creating a significant saccharification barrier. Previous studies have identified rhythm-related genes TOC1 and LHY as crucial to the slow seedling development in switchgrass, yet the precise regulatory functions of these genes remain largely unexplored. In this study, the genes TOC1 and LHY were characterized within the tetraploid genome of switchgrass. Gene expression analysis revealed that PvTOC1 and PvLHY exhibit circadian patterns under normal growth conditions, with opposing expression levels over time. PvTOC1 genes were predominantly expressed in florets, vascular bundles, and seeds, while PvLHY genes showed higher expression in stems, leaf sheaths, and nodes. Overexpression of PvTOC1 from the N chromosome group (PvTOC1-N) or PvLHY from the K chromosome group (PvLHY-K) in Arabidopsis thaliana led to alterations in circadian rhythm and hormone metabolism, resulting in shorter roots, delayed flowering, and decreased resistance to oxidative stress. These transgenic lines exhibited reduced sensitivity to hormones and hormone inhibitors, and displayed altered gene expression in the biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA), and strigolactone (SL). These findings highlight roles of PvTOC1-N and PvLHY-K in plant development and offer a theoretical foundation for genetic improvements in switchgrass and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home fires account for 85% of fire deaths in the United States, the majority in 1- or 2-family homes lacking fire sprinklers. Since 1978, however, a grassroots movement has successfully promoted more than 360 local ordinances mandating sprinklers in all new residential construction, including 1- and 2-family homes. The homebuilding industry has responded by seeking state preemption of local authority, a strategy previously used by other industries concerned about protecting their profits. From 2009 through 2011, 13 states adopted laws eliminating or limiting local authority over residential fire sprinklers. This study of the residential sprinkler movement adds to our understanding of grassroots public health movements and provides additional evidence that preemption can have a negative impact on public health and safety.

In the United States, state and local public health policies play a fundamental role in innovation and progress. Preemption, by which Congress or the state legislatures limit the authority of lower jurisdictions, can eliminate the benefits of state and local policy initiatives. Preemption can also have a negative impact on enforcement, civic engagement, and grassroots movement building.In June 2011, the Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report on policy and law that considered preemption as a crosscutting issue in public health. The Institute of Medicine recommended that federal and state policy makers "should set minimum standards...allowing states and localities to further protect the health and safety of their inhabitants," and "should avoid language that hinders public health action."The Preemption Framework is a tool to support effective decision making by helping the public health field anticipate, assess, and, if necessary, counter preemptive policy proposals. We review the consequences of preemption, including its potential impact on grassroots public health movements, and propose practical questions and considerations to assist decision makers in responding to preemptive proposals.

Summary: The Clustal W and Clustal X multiple sequence alignment programs have been completely rewritten in C++. This will facilitate the further development of the alignment algorithms in the future and has allowed proper porting of the programs to the latest versions of Linux, Macintosh and Windows operating systems., Availability: The programs can be run on-line from the EBI web server: http://www.ebi.ac.uk/tools/clustalw2. The source code and executables for Windows, Linux and Macintosh computers are available from the EBI ftp site ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk/pub/software/clustalw2/

Background: Cotton is one of the topmost fiber crops throughout the globe. During the last decade, abrupt changes in the climate resulted in drought, heat, and salinity. These stresses have seriously affected cotton production and significant losses all over the textile industry. The GhAGC kinase, a subfamily of AGC group and member of serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein kinases group and is highly conserved among eukaryotic organisms. The AGC kinases are compulsory elements of cell development, metabolic processes, and cell death in mammalian systems. The investigation of RNA editing sites within the organelle genomes of multicellular vascular plants, such as Gossypium hirsutum holds significant importance in understanding the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Methods: In present work, we characterized twenty-eight GhAGC genes in cotton and constructed phylogenetic tree using nine different species from the most primitive to the most recent. Results: In sequence logos analyses, highly conserved amino acid residues were found in G. hirsutum, G. arboretum, G. raimondii and A. thaliana. The occurrence of cis-acting growth and stress-related elements in the promoter regions of GhAGCs highlight the significance of these factors in plant development and abiotic stress tolerance. Ka/Ks levels demonstrated that purifying selection pressure resulting from segmental events was applied to GhAGC with little functional divergence. We focused on identifying RNA editing sites in G. hirsutum organelles, specifically in the chloroplast and mitochondria, across all 28 AGC genes. Conclusion: The positive role of GhAGCs was explored by quantifying the expression in the plant tissues under abiotic stress. These findings help in understanding the role of GhAGC genes under abiotic stresses which may further be used in cotton breeding for the development of climate smart varieties in abruptly changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) form a family of integral membrane proteins and play a crucial role in mediating exocytosis in both animals and plants. While SCAMP genes have been studied in several plant species, their functions in cotton, particularly in response to abiotic stress, have not yet been reported. Results: In this study, a total of 53 SCAMP genes were identified in G. arboreum, G. raimondii, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense. These genes were classified into five groups based on a phylogenetic analysis with SCAMPs from Arabidopsis thaliana. The main factor driving the expansion of the SCAMP gene family in G. hirsutum is tandem and segmental duplication events. Using MEME, in addition to the conserved SCAMP domain, we identified 3–13 other domains in each GhSCAMP. The cis-element analysis suggested that GhSCAMPs were widely involved in cotton growth and development, and responses to abiotic stresses. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results showed that most GhSCAMPs were expressed highly in many tissues and had differential expression responses to drought, cold, and heat stresses. Knock-down of GhSCAMP2 and GhSCAMP4 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) lead to a salt-sensitive phenotype and had a lower content of CAT, POD, and SOD. Conclusions: This study identified SCAMP genes in four cotton species, enhancing our understanding of the potential biological functions of SCAMPs. Additionally, we demonstrated that GhSCAMP2 and GhSCAMP4 positively regulate cotton tolerance to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Greater yam is a key staple crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions, while its asexual propagation mode had led to non-flowering mutations. How transposable elements contribute to its genetic variations is rarely analyzed. We used transcriptome and whole genome sequencing data to identify active transposable elements (TEs) and genetic variation caused by these active TEs. Our aim was to shed light on which TEs would lead to its intraspecies variation. Results: Annotation of de novo assembly transcripts indicated that 0.8 − 0.9% of transcripts were TE related, with LTR retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) accounted for 65% TE transcripts. A large portion of these transcripts were non-autonomous TEs, which had incomplete functional domains. The majority of mapped transcripts were distributed in genic deficient regions, with 9% of TEs overlapping with genic regions. Moreover, over 90% TE transcripts exhibited low expression levels and insufficient reads coverage to support full-length structure assembly. Subfamily analysis of Copia and Gypsy, the two LTR-RTs revealed that a small number of subfamilies contained a significantly larger number of members, which play a key role in generating TE transcript. Based on resequencing data, 15,002 L-RT insertion loci were detected for active LTR-RT members. The insertion loci of LTR-RTs were highly divergent among greater yam accessions. Conclusions: This study showed the ongoing transcription and transpositions of TEs in greater yam, despite low transcription levels and incomplete proteins insufficient for autonomous transposition. While our research did not directly link these TEs to specific yam traits such as tuber yield and propagation mode, it lays a crucial foundation for further research on how these TE insertion polymorphisms (TIPs) might be related to variations in greater yam traits and its tuber propagation mode. Future research may explore the potential roles of TEs in trait variations, such as tuber yield and stress resistance, in greater yam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corynebacterium glutamicum is an attractive host for secretory production of recombinant proteins, including high-value industrial enzymes and therapeutic proteins. The choice of an appropriate signaling peptide is crucial for efficient protein secretion. However, due to the limited availability of signal peptides in C. glutamicum, establishing an optimal secretion system is challenging. Result: We constructed a signal peptide library for the isolation of target-specific signal peptides and developed a highly efficient secretory production system in C. glutamicum. Based on the sequence information of the signal peptides of the general secretion-dependent pathway in C. glutamicum, a synthetic signal peptide library was designed, and validated with three protein models. First, we examined endoxylanase (XynA) and one potential signal peptide (C1) was successfully isolated by library screening on xylan-containing agar plates. With this C1 signal peptide, secretory production of XynA as high as 3.2 g/L could be achieved with high purity (> 80%). Next, the signal peptide for ⍺-amylase (AmyA) was screened on a starch-containing agar plate. The production titer of the isolated signal peptide (HS06) reached 1.48 g/L which was 2-fold higher than that of the well-known Cg1514 signal peptide. Finally, we isolated the signal peptide for the M18 single-chain variable fragment (scFv). As an enzyme-independent screening tool, we developed a fluorescence-dependent screening tool using Fluorescence-Activating and Absorption-Shifting Tag (FAST) fusion, and successfully isolated the optimal signal peptide (18F11) for M18 scFv. With 18F11, secretory production as high as 228 mg/L was achieved, which was 3.4-fold higher than previous results. Conclusions: By screening a fully synthetic signal peptide library, we achieved improved production of target proteins compared to previous results using well-known signal peptides. Our synthetic library provides a useful resource for the development of an optimal secretion system for various recombinant proteins in C. glutamicum, and we believe this bacterium to be a more promising workhorse for the bioindustry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) serves as a key gateway enzyme, bridging primary metabolism and the phenylpropanoid pathway, and thus playing an indispensable role in flavonoid, anthocyanin and lignin biosynthesis. PAL gene families have been extensively studied across species using public genomes. However, a comprehensive exploration of PAL genes in Epimedium species, especially those involved in prenylated flavonol glycoside, anthocyanin, or lignin biosynthesis, is still lacking. Moreover, an in-depth investigation into PAL gene family evolution is warranted. Results: Seven PAL genes (EpPAL1-EpPAL7) were identified. EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 exhibit low sequence identity to other EpPALs (ranging from 61.09 to 64.38%) and contain two unique introns, indicating distinct evolutionary origins. They evolve at a rate ~ 10 to ~ 54 times slower compared to EpPAL1 and EpPAL4-7, suggesting strong purifying selection. EpPAL1 evolved independently and is another ancestral gene. EpPAL1 formed EpPAL4 through segmental duplication, which lead to EpPAL5 and EpPAL6 through tandem duplications, and EpPAL7 through transposed duplication, shaping modern EpPALs. Correlation analysis suggests EpPAL1, EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 play important roles in prenylated flavonol glycosides biosynthesis, with EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 strongly correlated with both Epimedin C and total prenylated flavonol glycosides. EpPAL1, EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 may play a role in anthocyanin biosynthesis in leaves. EpPAL2, EpPAL3, EpPAL6, and EpPAL7 might be engaged in anthocyanin production in petals, and EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 might also contribute to anthocyanin synthesis in sepals. Further experiments are needed to confirm these hypotheses. Novel insights into the evolution of PAL gene family suggest that it might have evolved from a monophyletic group in bryophytes to large-scale sequence differentiation in gymnosperms, basal angiosperms, and Magnoliidae. Ancestral gene duplications and vertical inheritance from gymnosperms to angiosperms likely occurred during PAL evolution. Most early-diverging eudicotyledons and monocotyledons have distinct histories, while modern angiosperm PAL gene families share similar patterns and lack distant gene types. Conclusions: EpPAL2 and EpPAL3 may play crucial roles in biosynthesis of prenylated flavonol glycosides and anthocyanins in leaves and flowers. This study provides novel insights into PAL gene family evolution. The findings on PAL genes in E. pubescens will aid in synthetic biology research on prenylated flavonol glycosides production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating cellular architecture and cell-type evolution across species is central to understanding immune system function and susceptibility to disease. Adaptive immunity is a shared trait of the common ancestor of cartilaginous and bony fishes. However, evolutionary features of lymphocytes in these two jawed vertebrates remain unclear. Here, we present a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of immune cells from cartilaginous (white-spotted bamboo shark) and bony (zebrafish and Chinese tongue sole) fishes. Cross-species comparisons show that the same cell types across different species exhibit similar transcriptional profiles. In the bamboo shark, we identify a phagocytic B cell population expressing several pattern recognition receptors, as well as a T cell sub-cluster co-expressing both T and B cell markers. In contrast to a division by function in the bony fishes, we show close linkage and poor functional specialization among lymphocytes in the cartilaginous fish. Our cross-species single-cell comparison presents a resource for uncovering the origin and evolution of the gnathostome immune system. Both cartilaginous and bony fishes have adaptive immune cells, but the evolutionary features of these diverse cell populations remain understudied. Here the authors report single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of both species to define these features and to find reduced evolutionary diversification of immune cells in cartilaginous fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BTB-TAZ protein is a subfamily of the BTB protein family and plays a crucial regulatory role in plant resistance to pathogen infection. However, the function of the maize BTB-TAZ protein ZmBT2a in maize resistance to pathogens has not been reported. Here, we investigate the role of ZmBT2a in maize resistance to pathogen infection by examining its expression characteristics. The results showed that the expression level of ZmBT2a changed significantly in response to biotic and abiotic stresses in maize. Moreover, ZmBT2a-OE exhibited enhanced resistance to Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, while the maize ZmBT2a mutants Zmbt2a-1 and Zmbt2a-2 showed increased sensitivity to Fusarium graminearum and Cochliobolus carbonum infections. Notably, the expression of the key synthetic genes ZmLOXs and pathogenesis-related genes ZmPRs in the JA synthesis pathway was significantly down-regulated during F. graminearum infection. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid assays confirmed the direct interaction between ZmBT2a and E3 ubiquitinated proteins ZmCUL3a and ZmCUL3b. These findings suggest that the ZmBT2a gene is crucial in maize resistance to pathogen infection. It is hypothesized that ZmBT2a binds to ZmCUL3 and, through ubiquitination, affects the transcriptional regulation of ZmLOXs and ZmPRs by downstream transcription factors, thus participating in the disease resistance process of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity and evolution of plastomes in P. armeniaca L. (common/cultivated apricot) have been poorly studied. Complete plastomes of 20 accessions and 10 F1 hybrids, identified as P. armeniaca L., were de novo assembled filtering from total DNA nt reads. These plastomes were subsequently analyzed with the Prunus genus accessions retrieved from the GenBank. The plastomes exhibited conservation of genomic structure, gene organization and order, with lengths ranging from 158,057 nt to 158,089 nt, displaying a narrow size variation. Except for "Zard" and its hybrids, the plastomes of apricot genotypes from different regions showed only three haplotypes, indicating narrow genetic diversity in cultivated P. armeniaca accessions. "Zard" and its hybrids exhibited the highest identity with P. mandshurica Maxim (Manchurian apricot), demonstrating the significance of plastome analysis for the accurate identification of apricots. Further, while the three apricot species, P. armeniaca, P. mandshurica, and P. mume Sieb. (Japanese apricot), were grouped as sister clades, P. sibirica L. (Siberian apricot) exhibited the highest nucleotide identity with P. cerasifera Ehrh. (Cherry plum), contrary to conventional morphological systematics of apricots. Additionally, the plastomes of hybrids obtained in this study supported maternal inheritance of the plastome. These results reveal the evolutionary relationship among apricots and will serve as a framework for future comparative studies on Prunus evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch, 1856 is widespread in tropical and temperate regions. R. maidis can spread viral diseases in maize and harm various important crops. In the present study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of R. maidis. The circular genome is found to be 17,021 bp in length, includes a standard set of 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, and two non-coding control regions. The base composition is 84.32% AT and 15.79% GC. The phylogenetic tree of the 17 Aphidini families constructed based on the nucleotide sequences of complete mitochondrial genomes strongly supports the conclusion that R. maidis is closely related to R. rufiabdominalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]