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Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) are typical leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins that inhibit the activity of polygalacturonase (PG) in pathogens, but their function in promoting to plant stem development has been less studied. In this study, the PGIP gene from Zea mays was cloned and heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, and then the plant phenotypes were observed and a set of physiological and biochemical indicators were measured. The results indicate that the ZmPGIP1 protein is expressed both in the cell membrane and cell wall. Our research observed that the heterologous expression of ZmPGIP1 significantly increased the production of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose in transgenic lines. The stems of transgenic plants also showed a thicker cortical tissue. The increase in lignin deposition observed during histochemical staining suggests that the ZmPGIP1 gene may improve plant mechanical strength. These were tightly associated with the upregulated expression of lignin/cellulose-synthesis genes (C4H, C3H, F5H, PAL1/3, CCR1, CAD1-3/9, CCOMT, MYB58, CESA1/10) to enhance plant cell wall strength in transgenic lines. Our findings provide new perspectives on the growth regulation mechanisms of PGIP proteins in plant cell walls and provide a potential candidate gene for breeding increased disease-resistance and higher cellulose production in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish a HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of baicalin and chlorogenic acid in Gongyingqinglan Heji. After extraction with 20% methanol, Gongyingqinglan Heji was separated by C18 chromatographic column (4.6 mmx150 mm, 3.5 µm). The column temperature was set at 35 °C, the detection wavelength was 324 nm, the photo-diode array detector was used for analysis, and external standard method was used for quantification. The results showed that the linear relationship between baicalin and chlorogenic acid was good within the ranges of 20.91~209.12 mg/L and 5.12~51.20 mg/L, respectively (R²>0.999 0). The average recovery rate of baicalin was 101.09%, and the coefficient of variation was 1.15%. The average recovery rate of chlorogenic acid was 99.59%, and the coefficient of variation was 1.46%. The system adaptability test was good, and the chromatographic column had good tolerance, fully meeting the detection requirements. The study indicates that this method has strong operability, with good stability, repeatability and accuracy, and is suitable for the simultaneous determination of baicalin and chlorogenic acid content in Gongyingqinglan Heji. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on phylogenetic analysis, Candolleomyces (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) was established with Psathyrella candolleana as the type species. The basidiomes range from small to large and are typically terrestrial, lignicolous, and rarely fimicolous. We analysed the Candolleomyces species collected during five years in China, and based on morphological and molecular data (nrITS, nrLSU, and tef-1α), we propose seven new Candolleomyces species viz. C. brevisporus, C. gyirongicus, C. lignicola, C. luridus, C. shennongdingicus, C. shennongjianus, and C. sichuanicus. Full descriptions, colour photographs, illustrations, phylogenetic analyses results, and comparisons with related Candolleomyces species of the new taxa are provided. This study enriches the species diversity of Candolleomyces in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was to establish a method for the simultaneous determination of matrine and oxymatrine in Sanwei Quanshen Koufuye by HPLC. The test compares the detection effects of three amino-chromatographic columns (Agilent ZORBAX NH2, SHISEIDO CAPCELL PAK NH2, Waters SPHERSORB NH2). For separation effect, Agilent ZORBAX NH2 is preferred, but its running time is long. In order to save time and flow equivalent reagents, it was recommended to use SHISEIDO CAPCELL PAK NH2 column first and subselect Waters SPHERSORB NH2 column. After the absolute ethanol extraction, the amino chromatography column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) was used as the separation column, column temperature was 35 °C, and detection wavelength was 220 nm. Diode array detector was used for analysis, and external standard method was used for quantitative determination. The results showed that matrine and oxymatrine showed a good linear relationship ranging between 30 and 300 mg/L (R>0.999 0), and the average sample recovery rate was 97.64% with RSD 1.63%. The system adaptation test and the chromatography column tolerance was good, which fully meet the detection requirements. The study indicates that the method is easy to operate, with good repeatability, stability and accuracy, and can be used for the detection of matrine and oxymatrine contents in Sanwei Quanshen Koufuye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracaesicola n. gen., is erected herein to accommodate a new microcotylid species, Paracaesicola nanshaensis n. sp., collected from the Yongshu Reef, South China Sea. This species is the first monogenean to be recorded from the gills of Paracaesio sordida. The new species is characterized by the following features: (i) haptor short, with clamps arranged in two equal bilateral rows; (ii) testes numerous, arranged in two roughly alternating longitudinal rows, extending into the haptor; (iii) genital atrium armed with 16 robust spines, which are vertically arranged on top of the sausage shaped muscular male copulatory organ; and (iv) single vagina, bottle-shaped, with a distinctly bulbous vaginal atrium. The terminals of the reproductive system discriminate Paracaesicola n. gen. from all other genera in the Microcotylidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on partial 28S rDNA, places Paracaesicola nanshaensis n. sp. within the microcotylid clade, but its sequence differs from all known available microcotylid sequences.

Parasite biodiversity of fish in coral reefs of the South China Sea is still incompletely explored. We describe here a new species of Neohexostoma (Monogenea: Hexostomatidae) from the gill filaments of the dogtooth tuna Gymnosarda unicolor (Scombridae), collected off Yongshu Reef, South China Sea. Neohexostoma gymnosardae n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by the following features: (i) haptor clearly marked from body proper by a strongly constricted peduncle, divided in its posterior margin into two symmetrical lobes, (ii) vagina armed with scattered small blunt spines, (iii) eggs tied by their long polar filaments, (vi) esophagus with several lateral diverticula, (v) intestinal ceca unfused and extending into the haptor. We present an analysis of the relationships of this monogenean based on partial 28S rDNA sequences. An identification key for species of Neohexostoma is provided. This is the first member of the genus Neohexostoma known to parasitize a species of Gymnosarda.

The proteins with DNA-binding preference to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G) belong to a GATA transcription factor family, with a wide array of biological processes in plants. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important food crop with high production of starch in storage roots. Little was however known about cassava GATA domain-containing genes (MeGATA s). Thirty-six MeGATA s, MeGATA1 to MeGATA36 , were found in this study. Some MeGATA s showed a collinear relationship with orthologous genes of Arabidopsis , poplar and potato, rice, maize and sorghum. Eight MeGATA -encoded proteins (MeGATAs) analysed were all localized in the nucleus. Some MeGATAs had potentials of binding ligands and/or enzyme activity. One pair of tandem-duplicated MeGATA17–MeGATA18 and 30 pairs of whole genome-duplicated MeGATA s were found. Fourteen MeGATA s showed low or no expression in the tissues. Nine analysed MeGATA s showed expression responses to abiotic stresses and exogenous phytohormones. Three groups of MeGATA protein interactions were found. Fifty-three miRNAs which can target 18 MeGATA s were identified. Eight MeGATAs were found to target other 292 cassava genes, which were directed to radial pattern formation and phyllome development by gene ontology enrichment, and autophagy by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment. These data suggest that MeGATA s are functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, abiotic stresses and starch metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]