Farinose fiavonoids are associated with high freezing tolerance in fairy primrose (Primula malacoides) plants

The deposition of surface(farinose)fiavonoids on aerial parts of some Primula species is a well-documented but poorly understood phenomenon.Here,we show thatfiavonoid deposition on the leaves and winter buds may contribute strongly to preventing freezing damage in these plants.The ice nucleation temperature of fairy primrose(Primula malacoides)leaves covered with naturalfiavone was approximately 6°C lower compared to those that had theirfiavone artificially removed.Additionally,farinosefiavonoids on the leaves reduced subsequent electrolyte leakage(EL)from the cells exposed to freezing temperatures.Interestingly,exogenous application offiavone at4 mg/g fresh weight to P.malacoides leaves,which had the originalfiavone mechanically removed,restored freezing tolerance,and diminished EL from the cells to pretreatment values.Our results suggest that farinosefiavonoids may function as mediators of freezing tolerance in P.malacoides,and exogenous application offiavone could be used to reduce freezing damage during sudden but predictable frost events in other plant species.     

Palaeophytochemical Constituents of Cretaceous Ginkgo coriacea Florin Leaves

Chemical investigation of the organic solvent extract of Cretaceous Ginkgo coriacea Florin leaves by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy （LC-MS） and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）, analogous to those from extant leaves of Ginkgo biloba L., led to the detection of a group of natural flavonoids and other volatiles. The similarity of the chemical constituents in these two species of Ginkgo suggest that the secondary metabolism of extant G. biloba is close to that of the Cretaceous species. The remaining natural products may be one explanation why the leaves of the Cretaceous G. coriacea have been preserved morphologically in fossilization. The detection of flavonoids suggests that the leaves of G. coriacea experienced a mild post-depositional environment during their fossilization. This appears to be the oldest occurrence of flavonoids in plant fossils.     

Response of cytoskeleton of murine osteoblast cultures to two-step freezing

Understanding the ultrastructural response of cells to the freezing process is important for designing cryopreservation strategies for cells and tissues. The cellular structures of attached cells are targets of cryopreservation-induced damage. Specific fluorescence staining was used to assess the status of the actin filaments （F-actin） of murine osteoblasts attached to hydroxyapatite discs and plastic coverslips for a two-step freezing process. The F-actin of dead cells was depolymerized and distorted in the freezing process, whereas that of live cells had little change. The results suggest that the cytoskeleton may support the robustness of cells during cryopreservation. The present study helps to investigate the damage mechanism of attached cells during the freezing process.     

Effects of Exogenous Spermidine on Antioxidant System Responses of Typha latifolia L. Under Cd^2＋ Stress

The effects of foliar spraying with spermidine (Spd), ranging in concentration from 0.25 to 0.50 mmol/L, on the antioxidant system under Cd^2 stress (range 0.1- 0.2 mmol/L Cd^2 ) in Typha latifolia L. grown hydroponically were investigated in order to offer a referenced evidence for an understanding of the mechanism by which polyamines (PAs) relieve the damage to plants by heavy metal and improve the phytoremediation efficiency of heavy metal-contaminated water. The results showed that Cd^2 stress induced oxidative injury, as evidenced by an increase in the generation of superoxide anion (O2), as well as the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in both leaves and caudices. With the exception of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves, an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR) was observed in both leaves and caudices, SOD activity was increased in caudices, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was increased in leaves following Cd^2 treatment. The reduced glutathione (GSH) content in both leaves and caudices and the reductive ascorbate content in leaves was obviously increased, which were prompted by the application of exogenous Spd. Spraying with Spd increased the activity of GR and APX in both leaves and caudices, whereas the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX was increased only in caudices following spraying with Spd. The generation of O2 and the H2O2 and MDA content in both leaves and caudices decreased after spraying with Spd. The decrease in MDA was more obvious following the application of 0.25 than 0.50 mmol/L Spd. It is supposed that exogenous Spd elevated the tolerance of T. latifolia under Cd^2 stress primarily by increasing GR activity and the GSH level.     

Chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> fluorescence transient during freezing and recovery in winter wheat

Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence measurements as evaluators of plant freezing tolerance are frequently insufficiently sensitive to detect the early metabolic changes that are initiated following exposure to freezing temperatures. Using cold-acclimated winter wheat, I analysed the polyphasic transience (from 50 μs to 1 s) of Chl a fluorescence. This enabled detailed studies of the progressive energy flows and efficiencies within the photosystem 2 (PS2) complex that ensue following initial exposure to freezing temperatures right through to the plant recovery stage. The initial consequences of mild frosts that may cause primary damage involve a disturbance to the energy transfer subsequent to Q_A (the primary quinone electron acceptor of PS2). Lower freezing temperatures, on the other hand, may deter energy flow between the PS2 reaction centre (RC), Chl, and Q_A. All primary damage could only be repaired partially. Further freezing-triggered dysfunction of the electron transfer between the PS2 RCs and Q_A was connected with secondary damage that could lead to PS2 deactivation. Both primary and secondary freezing damages were reflected in decreased PI_ABS, the Performance Index based on equal absorption that characterizes all energy bifurcations in PS2. PI_ABS also differentiated cultivars with contrasting freezing-tolerance either subsequent to the onset of freezing or during the recovery stage. In contrast, the potential quantum yield of PS2 (F_v/F_m), which characterizes efficiency of energy trapping in the PS2 RCs, was only different in cultivars with contrasting freezing-tolerance during the recovery stage.     

Human Pharyngeal Microbiome May Play A Protective Role in Respiratory Tract Infections

The human pharyngeal microbiome, which resides at the juncture of digestive and respiratory tracts, may have an active role in the prevention of respiratory tract infections, similar to the actions of the intestinal microbiome against enteric infections. Recent studies have demonstrated that the pharyngeal microbiome comprises an abundance of bacterial species that interacts with the local epithelial and immune cells, and together, they form a unique micro-ecological system. Most of the microbial species in microbiomes are obligate symbionts constantly adapting to their unique surroundings. Indigenous commensal species are capable of both maintaining dominance and evoking host immune responses to eliminate invading species. Temporary damage to the pharyngeal microbiome due to the impaired local epithelia is also considered an important predisposing risk factor for infections. Therefore, reinforcement of microbiome homeostasis to prevent invasion of infection-prone species would provide a novel treatment strategy in addition to antibiotic treatment and vaccination. Hence continued research efforts on evaluating probiotic treatment and developing appropriate procedures are necessary to both prevent and treat respiratory infections.     

Phenylalanin Ammonia-lyase Activity,Total Phenolics and Flavonoids Contents in Flowers,Leaves,Hulls and Kernels of Three Pistachio(Pistacia vera L.) Cultivars

Phenylalanin ammonia-lyase (PAL) plays a pivotal role in the production of phenolic compounds, which are responsible for the success of the defense strategies in harsh environments in response to different stimuli. Measurements of the PAL activity, total phenolics, total flavonoids and anthocyanin contents were performed in flowers, leaves and fruits of three pistachio cultivars “Ahmadaghaii”, “Ohadi” and “Kallehghuchi”. The results showed that PAL activity was different in cultivars and in plant organs of pistachio trees (flowers, leaves and fruits). The highest activity rate of their compounds was observed in Ahmadaghaii cultivar. A positive correlation was observed between PAL activity, total phenolics and total flavonoids in leaves, and a negative correlation between PAL activity and anthocyanin contents in leaves and flowers of Ahmadaghaii cultivar. PAL activity and total phenolics in fruits of pistachio suffered a decrease when the maturation processes began. It is suggested that the hulls of the pistachio fruits, containing high level of phenolic compounds (especially in Ahmadaghaii cultivar), may function as a protective layer of defense chemicals against ultraviolet radiation and pathogens. The final concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and antocyanins in the kernel depend on PAL activity in the kernel’s cultivar. The results led to the conclusion that increase in PAL activity, phenolic compounds and flavonoids in Ahmadaghaii can help the plant to cope with the stresses better than the other cultivars. Since phenolic compounds are antioxidant and scavenge free oxygen, it is postulated that Ahmadaghaii is the most resistant cultivar to the environmental stresses.     

Promotive Effect of Low Concentrations of NaHSO3 on Photophosphorylation and Photosynthesis in Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Transgenic Rice Leaves

Spraying a 1-2 mmol/L solution of NaHSO3 on the leaves of wild-type rice (Oryza sativa L.)Kitaake (WT), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) transgenic (PC) rice and PEPC phosphate dikinase(PPDK) transgenic rice (PC PK), in which the germplasm was transformed with wild-type Kitaake as the gene receptor, resulted in an enhancement of the net photosynthetic rate by 23.0%, 28.8%, and 34.4%,respectively, for more than 3 d. It was also observed that NaHSO3 application caused an increase in the ATP content in leaves. Spraying PMS (a cofactor catalysing the photophosphorylation cycle) and NaHSO3 separately or together on leaves resulted in an increase in photosynthesis with all treatments. There was no additional effect on photosynthetic rate when the mixture was applied, suggesting that the mechanism by which NaHSO3 promotes photosynthesis is similar to the mechanism by which PMS acts and that both of compounds enhanced the supply of ATE After spraying a solution of NaHSO3 on leaves, compared with the WT Kitaake rice, a greater enhancement of net photosynthetic rate was observed in PEPC transgenic(PC) and PEPC PPDK transgenic (PC PK) rice, with the greatest increase being observed in the latter group. Therefore ATP supply may become the limiting factor that concentrates CO2 in rice leaves transformed with an exogenous PEPC gene and exogenous PEPC PPDK genes.     

Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on the Activity and Expression of Alternative Oxidase in Red Kidney Bean Leaves

An increase in ultraviolet （UV） B radiation on the earth＇s surface is a feature of current global climate changes. It has been reported that alternative oxidase （AOX） may have a protective role against oxidative stress induced by environmental stresses, such as UV-B. To better understand the characteristic tolerance of plants to UV-B radiation, the effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on the activity and expression of AOX in red kidney bean （Phaseolus vulgaris） leaves were investigated in the present study. The results show that the total respiration rate and AOX activity in red kidney bean leaves increased significantly during treatment with enhanced UV-B. However, cytochrome oxidase （COX） activity did not change significantly. The H2O2 content was also markedly increased and reached a maximum of 4.45 mmol·L^-1·g^-1 DW （dry weight） at 24 h of UV-B treatment, before dropping rapidly. Both alternative pathway content and alternative pathway activity were increased in the presence of exogenous H2O2. Immunoblotting analysis with anti-AOX monoclonal antibody revealed that expression of the AOX protein increased in red kidney bean leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation, reaching a peak at 72 h. In addition, AOX expression in red kidney bean leaves was induced by exogenous H2O2. These data indicate that the increase in AOX activity in red kidney bean leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation was mainly due to H2O2-induced AOX expression.     

Carbon Monoxide Alleviates Salt-Induced Oxidative Damage in Wheat Seedling Leaves

Carbon monoxide （CO）, a by-product released during the degradation of heme by heme oxygenases （EC 1.14.99.3） In animals, is regarded as an important physiological messenger or bioactive molecule involved in many biological events that has been recently reported as playing a major role in mediating the cytoprotectlon against oxidant-induced lung Injury. In the present study, we first determined the protective effect of exogenous CO against salt-induced oxidative damage in wheat seedling leaves. Wheat seedlings treated with 0.01μmol/L hematin as the CO donor demonstrated significant reversal of chlorophyll decay, dry weight, and water loss induced by 300 mmol/L NaCl stress. Interestingly, the increase in lipid peroxidation observed in salt-treated leaves was reversed by 0.01μmol/L hematin treatment. Time-couree analyses showed that application of 0.01μmol/L hematln enhanced gualacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities in wheat seedling leaves subjected to salt stress. These effects are specific for CO because the CO scavenger hemoglobin （1.2 mg/L） blocked the actions of the CO donor hematln. However, higher concentration of the CO donor （1.0μmol/L） did not alleviate dry weight and water loss of salt-stressed wheat seedlings. These results suggest that exogenous application of low levels of a CO donor may be advantageous against salinity toxicity.     

Effects of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on the Activity and Expression of Alternative Oxidase in Red Kidney Bean Leaves

An increase in ultraviolet(UV)B radiation on the earth's surface is a feature of current global climate changes.It hasbeen reported that alternative oxidase(AOX)may have a protective role against oxidative stress induced by environmentalstresses,such as UV-B.To better understand the characteristic tolerance of plants to UV-B radiation,the effects ofenhanced UV-B radiation on the activity and expression of AOX in red kidney bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)leaves wereinvestigated in the present study.The results show that the total respiration rate and AOX activity in red kidney bean leavesincreased significantly during treatment with enhanced UV-B.However,cytochrome oxidase(COX)activity did not changesignificantly.The H_2O_2 content was also markedly increased and reached a maximum of 4.45 mmol.L~(-1)·g~(-1)DW(dry weight)at 24 h of UV-B treatment,before dropping rapidly.Both alternative pathway content and alternative pathway activity wereincreased in the presence of exogenous H_2O_2.Immunoblotting analysis with anti-AOX monoclonal antibody revealed thatexpression of the AOX protein increased in red kidney bean leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation,reaching a peak at 72h.In addition,AOX expression in red kidney bean leaves was induced by exogenous H_2O_2.These data indicate that theincrease in AOX activity in red kidney bean leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation was mainly due to H_2O_2-induced AOXexpression.     

Landscape changes have greater effects than climate changes on six insect pests in China

In recent years, global changes are the major causes of frequent, widespread outbreaks of pests in mosaic landscapes, which have received substantial attention worldwide. We collected data on global changes(landscape and climate) and economic damage caused by six main insect pests during 1951–2010 in China. Landscape changes had significant effects on all six insect pests. Pest damage increased significantly with increasing arable land area in agricultural landscapes. However, climate changes had no effect on damage caused by pests, except for the rice leaf roller(Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenee) and armyworm(Mythimna separate(Walker)), which caused less damage to crops with increasing mean temperature. Our results indicate that there is slight evidence of possible offset effects of climate changes on the increasing damage from these two agricultural pests. Landscape changes have caused serious outbreaks of several species, which suggests the possibility of the use of landscape design for the control of pest populations through habitat rearrangement. Landscape manipulation may be used as a green method to achieve sustainable pest management with minimal use of insecticides and herbicides.     

Genotoxicity biomarkers in aquatic bioindicators

Pollution of the aquatic environment is an ever-growing problem, as waters are the ultimate sink for the large number of xenobiotics from multiple sources. DNA damaging agents have a significant ecological relevance since they are implicated in many pathological processes and exert effects beyond that of individual being active through following generations. A large number of methods have been applied to evaluate genotoxic damage in different aquatic species. Comet assay, as method for de- tecting DNA alterations, and micronucleus test, as an index of chromosomal damage are the most widely applied and validated methods in field studies. These methods were applied in different vertebrate and invertebrate aquatic species, but only mollusk and fish species have been employed in routine biomonitoring programs. Mussels, due to their widely geographical distribution and the suitability for caging represent the bioindicator of choice in field studies. Mytilus species is the most used marine mussel. The use of fish is limited to specific geographic areas. The present review mainly focuses on the application of comet assay and micronucleus test in mussels. A number of biomonitoring studies in mussels, using comet assay or micronucleus test, revealed exposure to different classes of genotoxic compounds with a good discrimination power. The different evidence from the two as- says, reflects different biological mechanisms for the two genetic endpoints, DNA damage and chromosomal damage, suggesting their combined application in the field. Different endogenous and exogenous factors have been shown to modulate the genotoxic responses in mussels, acting as confounding factors in environmental monitoring. The use of standardized protocol for caging, sampling and genotoxity evaluation is critical in biomonitoring studies. The use of a multimarker approach coupling genotoxicity biomarkers with physiological and biochemical factors allows to have a complete picture of the environmental pollution [Current Zoology 60 （2）： 273-284, 2014].     

Facultative social parasitism in the allodapine bee Macrogalea berentyensis

Previous research on social parasitism has largely ignored allodapine social parasites, which is surprising given the huge potential of these bees to provide a better understanding of social parasitism. Macrogalea berentyensis, a species that was previously suggested to be a social parasite, was collected in nests of M. ellioti, and also in nests consisting of only M. berentyensis. These f＇mdings, along with morphological and phylogenetic evidence, show that this species is a facultative social parasite. In the independently living M. berentyensis nests, brood were present that had been reared to an advanced stage, suggesting that： （i） these parasites may be effective at foraging and caring for their brood; or （ii） these nests may be colonies where all the hosts had died, and these parasites had yet to disperse. Macrogalea berentyensis is the closest relative of the facultative social parasite, M. antanosy, and both these species represent the most recent evolutionary origin of social parasitism within the allodapines. Further behavioral research on both these parasitic species would therefore have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of social parasitism.     

Sublethal effects of subzero temperatures on the light brown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana: fitness costs in response to partial freezing

Population responses to envir on mental extremes often dictate the bounds to species' distributions. However, population dynamics at, or near, those range limits may also be affected by sublethal effects. We exposed late instars and pupae of an invasive leafroller, Epiphyaspostvittana (Walker)(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to cold temperatures and measured the effects of exposure on subsequent survivorship, development, and reproduction. Cold temperature was applied as acute exposure to -10 °C (a low, but not immediately lethal temperature for this species) or the onset of freezing (the peak of the supercooling point exotherm). Survival was defined as the ability to successfully eclose as an adult. We measured immature development times, pupal mass, and adult longevity as proxies of fitness in survivors. Additionally, surviving insects were mated with individuals that had not been exposed to cold to measure fertility. There was no difference between the proportion of larvae or pupae that survived acute exposure to -10 °C and those exposed to the control temperature. Approximately 17% of larvae and 8% of pupae survived brief periods with internal ice formation and continued development to become reproductively viable adults. Importantly, surviving the onset of freezing came with significant fitness costs but not to exposure to -10 °C;most insects that survived partial freezing had lower fertility and shorter adult lifespans than either the -10 °C or control group. These results are discussed within the context of forecasting invasive in sect distributions.     

Effects of salvianolic acid B on proliferation,neurite outgrowth and differentiation of neural stem cells derived from the cerebral cortex of embryonic mice

Salvianolic acid B is isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza,the root of which is widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat stroke.However,little is known about how salvianolic acid B influences growth characteristics of neural stem cells (NSCs).The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of salvianolic acid B on proliferation,neurite outgrowth and differentiation of NSCs derived from the cerebral cortex of embryonic mice using MTT,flow cytometry,immunofluorescence and RT-PCR.It was found that 20 μg mL·1 and 40 μg mL·1 salvianolic acid B had similar effects on proliferation of NSCs,and a suitable concentration of salvianolic acid B increased the number of NSCs and their derivative neurospheres.The growth-promoting activity of salvianolic acid B was dependent on and associated with an accumulation in the G2/S-phase cell population.Salvianolic acid B also promoted the neurite outgrowth of NSCs and their differentiation into neurons.The mRNA for tau,GFAP and nestin were present in differentiating neurospheres induced by salvianolic acid B.However,high-level expression of tau mRNA and low-level expression of GFAP mRNA was detected in differentiated cells,in contrast to the control conditions.This collective evidence indicates that exogenous salvianolic acid B is capable of promoting proliferation of neurospheres and differentiation towards the neuronal lineage in vitro and may act in the proliferation of NSCs and may promote NSC differentiation into neuronal cells.     

Can an Invasive Prey Species Induce Morphological and Behavioral Changes in an Endemic Predator？ Evidence from a South Korean Snake （Oocatochus rufodorsatus）

Introduction of an invasive prey species into an ecosystem may affect an endemic predator＇s fitness by altering the prey-predator system. Successful adaptation may allow the endemic predator to eat and control the invasive species, while unsuccessful adaptation may result in extinction of the predator. We examine the possible effects of the invasive North American bullfrog （Rana [Lithobates] catesbeiana） on the endemic Red-backed rat snake （Oocatochus rufodorsatus） in South Korea. We do so by comparing the morphology and behavior of adult and hatchling snakes from bullfrog-exposed （Taean） and bullfrog-unexposed （Hongcheon） populations. Among the seven morphological characteristics investigated, relative tail length （tail length/snout-vent length） of both adults and hatchlings from Taean was significantly greater than that of adults and hatchlings from Hongcheon. Also, adult snakes from Taean had a signiifcantly shorter latency of ifrst tongue lfick in response to prey compared to adults from Hongcheon. This difference was not observed in hatchlings. In other snake species, a longer relative tail length and shorter latency of ifrst tongue lfick are known to improve foraging efifciency, and these characters may be adaptations ofO. rufodorsatus to prey on bullfrogs. This study provides preliminary evidence that the presence of an invasive prey species may cause morphological and behavioral changes in an endemic predator.     

Genetic Transformation of Tobacco with the Trehalose Synthase Gene from Grifola frondosa Fr. Enhances the Resistance to Drought and Salt in Tobacco

Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide of glucose that functions as a protectant in the stabilization of biological structures and enhances the tolerance of organisms to abiotic stress. In the present study, we report on the expression of the Grifolafrondosa Fr. trehalose synthase (TSase) gene for manipulating abiotic stress tolerance in tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.). The expression of the transgene was under the control of two tandem copies of the CaMV35S promoter and was transferred into tobacco by Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105. Compared with non-transgenic plants, transgenic plants were able to accumulate high levels of products of trehalose, which were increased up to 2.126-2.556 mg/g FW, although levels were undetectable in non-transgenic plants. This level of trehalose in transgenic plants was 400-fold higher than that of transgenic tobacco plants cotransformed with Escherichia coli TPS and TPP on independent expression cassettes, twofold higher than that of transgenic rice plants transformed with a bifunctional fusion gene (TPSP) of the trehalose-6-phosphate (T-6-P) synthase (TPS) and T-6-P phosphatase(TPP) of E. coil, and 12-fold higher than that of transgenic tobacco plants transformed the yeast TPS1 gene.It has been reported that transgenic plants with E. coil TPS and/or TPP were severely stunted and had morphological alterations of their roots. Interestingly, our transgenic plants have obvious morphological changes, including thick and deep-coloured leaves, but show no growth inhibition; moreover, these morphological changes can restore to normal type in T2 progenies. Trehalose accumulation in 35S-35S:TSase plants resulted in increased tolerance to drought and salt, as shown by the results of tests on drought, salt tolerance, and drought physiological indices, such as water content in excised leaves, malondialdehyde content, chlorophyll a and b contents, and the activity of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in excised leaves. These results suggest that transgenic plants transformed with the TSase gene can accumulate high levels of trehalose and have enhanced tolerance to drought and salt.     

Intracellular and Extracellular Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate Produced by Phytophthora Species Is Important for Infection

RxLR effectors produced by Phytophthora pathogens have been proposed to bind to phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate （Ptdlns（3）P） to mediate their translocation into host cells and/or to increase their stability in planta. Since the levels of Ptdlns（3）P in plants are low, we examined whether Phytophthora species may produce Ptdlns（3）P to pro- mote infection. We observed that Ptdlns（3）P-specific GFP biosensors could bind to P. parasitica and P. sojae hyphae dur- ing infection of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves transiently secreting the biosensors, suggesting that the hyphae exposed Ptdlns（3）P on their plasma membrane and/or secreted Ptdlns（3）R Silencing of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases （PI3K） genes, treatment with LY294002, or expression of Ptdlns（3）pobinding proteins by P. sojae reduced the virulence of the pathogen on soybean, indicating that pathogen-synthesized Ptdlns（3）P was required for full virulence. Secretion of Ptdlns（3）P-binding proteins or of a PI3P-5-kinase by N. benthamiana leaves significantly increased the level of resist- ance to infection by P. parasitica and P. capsici. Together, our results support the hypothesis that Phytophthora species produce external Ptdlns（3）P to aid in infection, such as to promote entry of RxLR effectors into host cells. Our results derived from P. sojae RxLR effector Avrlb confirm that both the N-terminus and the C-terminus of this effector can bind Ptdlns（3）P.     

The OsDHODH1 Gene is Involved in Salt and Drought Tolerance in Rice

In the present paper, we identified and cloned OsDHODH1 encoding a putative cytosolic dihydroorotate dehydrogenase （DHODH） in rice. Expression analysis indicated that OsDHODH1 is upregulated by salt, drought and exogenous abscisic acid （ABA）, but not by cold. By prokaryotic expression, we determined the enzymatic activity of OsDHODH1 and found that overproduction of OsDHODH1 significantly improved the tolerance of Escherichia coil cells to salt and osmotic stresses. Overexpression of the OsDHODH1 gene in rice increased the DHODH activity and enhanced plant tolerance to salt and drought stresses as compared with wild type and OsDHODHl-antisense transgenic plants. Our findings reveal, for the first time, that cytosolic dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is involved in plant stress response and that OsDHODH1 could be used in engineering crop plants with enhanced tolerance to salt and drought.