Identification of an ISR-related metabolite produced by Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 against the wildfire pathogen pseudomonas syringae pv.tabaci in tobacco

Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 exhibits induced systemic resistance (ISR) against P. syringae pv. tabaci in tobacco. To identify one of the ISR metabolites, O6 cultures were extracted with organic solvents, and the organic extracts were subjected to column chromatography followed by spectroscopy analyses. The ISR bioassay-guided fractionation was carried out for isolation of the metabolite. Highresolution mass spectrometric analysis of the metabolite found C(9)H(9)O(3)N with an exact mass of 179.0582. LC/MS analysis in positive mode showed an (M+H)(+) peak at m/zeta 180. Nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H, (13)C) analyses identified all protons and carbons of the metabolite. Based on the spectroscopy data, the metabolite was identified 4-(aminocarbonyl) phenylacetate (4-ACPA). 4-ACPA applied at 68.0 mM exhibited ISR activity at a level similar 1.0 mM salicylic acid. This is the first report to identify an ISR metabolite produced by P. chlororaphis O6 against the wildfire pathogen P. syringae pv. tabaci in tobacco.     

Development of an enrichment culture growing at low temperature used for ensiling rice straw

To speed up the conversion of rice straw into feeds in a low-temperature region, a start culture used for ensiling rice straw at low temperature was selected by continuous enrichment cultivation. During the selection, the microbial source for enrichment was rice straw and soil from two places in Northeast China. Lab-scale rice straw fermentation at 10 degrees C verified, compared with the commercial inocculant, that the selected start culture lowered the pH of the fermented rice straw more rapidly and produced more lactic acid. The results from denatured gradient gel eletrophoresis showed that the selected start culture could colonize into the rice straw fermentation system. To analyze the composition of the culture, a 16S clone library was constructed. Sequencing results showed that the culture mainly consisted of two bacterial species. One (A) belonged to Lactobacillus and another (B) belonged to Leuconostoc. To make clear the roles of composition microbes in the fermented system, quantitative PCR was used. For species A, the DNA mass increased continuously until sixteen days of the fermentation, which occupied 65%. For species B, the DNA mass amounted to 5.5% at six days of the fermentation, which was the maximum relative value during the fermentation. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first report on ensiling rice straw with a selected starter at low temperature and investigation of the fermented characteristics.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a glycosyl hydrolase family 9 cellulase distributed throughout the digestive tract of the cricket Teleogryllus emma

A novel endogenous β-1,4-endoglucanase (EG) gene belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF 9) that is distributed throughout the digestive tract of the cricket Teleogryllus emma was cloned and characterized. This gene, named TeEG-I, consists of eight exons encoding 453 amino acid residues and exists as a single copy in the T. emma genome. TeEG-I possesses all the features, including signature motifs and catalytic domains, of GHF 9 members, sharing high levels of identity with the termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis (64% protein sequence identity), and the cockroach, Panesthia cribrata (62%), GHF 9 cellulases. Recombinant TeEG-I, which is expressed as a 47-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells, showed an optimal pH and temperature of pH 5.0 and 40 °C. The K_m and V_max values for digestion of carboxymethyl cellulose were 5.4 mg/ml and 3118.4 U/mg, respectively. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that TeEG-I is present throughout the digestive tract, which correlated with the TeEG-I distribution and cellulase activity in the digestive tract as assayed by immunofluorescence staining and enzyme activity assay, respectively. These results indicate that TeEG-I is distributed throughout the entire digestive tract of T. emma, suggesting a functional role of endogenous TeEG-I in a sequential cellulose digestion process throughout the T. emma digestion tract.     

水稻光合碳在植物-土壤系统中的分配及其对CO2升高和施氮的响应

采用¹³C-CO₂进行连续标记,研究水稻分蘖期和孕穗期光合碳在植株-土壤系统中的分配及其对大气CO₂浓度升高(800 μL·L^-1)和施氮(100 mg·kg^-1)的响应.结果表明: CO₂浓度升高显著提高分蘖期根系生物量和孕穗期地上部生物量,并使生物量根冠比在分蘖期增加,而在孕穗期减小.CO₂浓度升高条件下,施氮使水稻地上部分生物量增加,却显著降低了孕穗期水稻根系生物量.CO₂浓度升高使光合¹³C在孕穗期向土壤的输入显著增加,然而施肥并没有促进由CO₂浓度升高驱动的光合¹³C在土壤中的积累,而且还降低了土壤中的光合¹³C的分配比例.综上,CO₂浓度升高显著提高了稻田土壤光合碳输入,促进稻田有机碳周转;施氮促进了水稻地上部的生长,却降低了光合碳向地下的分配比例.     

Cassava postharvest physiological deterioration: a complex phenomenon involving calcium signaling,reactive oxygen species and programmed cell death

Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) of cassava (Manihot esculenta) storage roots is a complex physiological and biochemical process which involve many regulatory networks linked with specific proteins modulation and signaling transduction pathways. However, it is poorly understood regarding biological regulation, and the interactions among protein groups and signals to determine PPD syndrome in cassava storage roots. This review sheds some light on the possible molecular mechanisms involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium signaling transduction, and programmed cell death (PCD) in cassava PPD syndrome. A model for predicting crosstalk among calcium signaling, ROS and PCD is suggested to fine-tune PPD syndrome. This would clues to cassava molecular breeding to alleviate the PPD effects on the shelf-life.     

Relationship Between β-Amyloid and Mitochondrial Dynamics

Mitochondria as dynamic organelles undergo morphological changes through the processes of fission and fusion which are major factors regulating their functions. A disruption in the balance of mitochondrial dynamics induces functional disorders in mitochondria such as failed energy production and the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are closely related to pathophysiological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between abnormalities in mitochondrial dynamics and impaired mitochondrial function, clarifying the effects of morphofunctional aberrations which promote neuronal cell death in AD. Several possible signaling pathways have been suggested for a better understanding of the mechanism behind the key molecules regulating mitochondrial morphologies. However, the exact machinery involved in mitochondrial dynamics still has yet to be elucidated. This paper reviews the current knowledge on signaling mechanisms involved in mitochondrial dynamics and the significance of mitochondrial dynamics in controlling associated functions in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in AD.