A structural approach to the role of CCN (CYR61/CTGF/NOV) proteins in tumourigenesis

The CCN (CYR61 [Cystein-rich61]/CTGF [connective tissue growth factor]/NOV [Nephroblastoma overexpressed]) proteins constitute a family of regulatory factors involved in many aspects of cell proliferation and differentiation. An increasing body of evidence indicates that abnormal expression of the CCN proteins is associated to tumourgenesis. The multimodular architecture of the CCN proteins, and the production of truncated isoforms in tumours, raise interesting questions regarding the participation of each individual module to the various biological properties of these proteins. In this article, we review the current data regarding the involvement of CCN proteins in tumourigenesis. We also attempt to provide structural basis for the stimulatory and inhibitory functions of the full length and truncated CCN proteins that are expressed in various tumour tissues.     

Accumulation patterns of endogenous β‐aminobutyric acid during plant development and defence in Arabidopsis thaliana

• We recently discovered that β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA), a molecule known for its ability to prime defences in plants, is a natural plant metabolite. However, the role played by endogenous BABA in plants is currently unknown. In this study we investigated the systemic accumulation of BABA during pathogen infection, levels of BABA during plant growth and development and analysed mutants possibly involved in BABA transport or regulation.
• BABA was quantified by LC‐MS using an improved method adapted from a previously published protocol. Systemic accumulation of BABA was determined by analysing non‐infected leaves and roots after localised infections with Plectosphaerella cucumerina or Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 avrRpt2. The levels of BABA were also quantified in different plant tissues and organs during normal plant growth, and in leaves during senescence. Mutants affecting amino acid transport (aap6, aap3, prot1 and gat1), γ‐aminobutyric acid levels (pop2) and senescence/defence (cpr5‐2) were analysed.
• BABA was found to accumulate only locally after bacterial or fungal infection, with no detectable increase in non‐infected systemic plant parts. In leaves, BABA content increased during natural and induced senescence. Reproductive organs had the highest levels of BABA, and the mutant cpr5‐2 produced constitutively high levels of BABA.
• Synthetic BABA is highly mobile in the receiving plant, whereas endogenous BABA appears to be produced and accumulated locally in a tissue‐specific way. We discuss a possible role for BABA in age‐related resistance and propose a comprehensive model for endogenous and synthetic BABA.

     

柑橘用植物生长调节剂的登记与安全施用

为了加强植物生长调节剂在柑橘生产上的安全使用,对其登记信息现状的全面了解是非常有必要的.鉴于此,本文检索了目前在中国农药信息网上登记的产品,并对有效期内可用于柑橘生产的植物生长调节剂的种类、剂型与功效进行科学统计和分析,进一步提出安全施用建议及展望.结果表明,当前所登记的柑橘植物生长调节剂产品总共有75个,有效成分主要以单剂为主,产品有65个,占86.67%;剂型有12类,以可溶液剂和乳油为主,占46.7%;功效主要包含调节生长、增产、催熟、控梢、矮化、杀虫、促进生长、抗逆等作用.该结果为植物生长调节剂产业健康发展与柑橘的绿色生产提供参考.     

The message of nitric oxide in cadmium challenged plants

During the last decade it has been found that cadmium (Cd), one of the most toxic elements occurring in polluted environments, interferes with nitric oxide (NO), a multifunctional signaling molecule in living organisms. The formation of NO has been demonstrated in vivo in various plant tissues exposed to Cd stress, but unfortunately, the time and intensity of NO generation, relatively frequently shows conflicting data. What is more, there is still limited information regarding the functional role of endogenously produced NO in plants challenged with heavy metals. The first pharmacological approaches revealed that exogenously applied NO can alleviate cadmium toxicity in plants, promoting the direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or activating antioxidant enzymes. However, recent reports have indicated that NO even contributes to Cd toxicity by promoting Cd uptake and participates in metal-induced reduction of root growth. In view of this heterogeneous knowledge, much more puzzling if we consider results first obtained using exogenous NO sources, this review is focused mainly on the implication of endogenous NO in plant response to Cd exposure. Furthermore, a basic draft for NO mode of action during cadmium stress is proposed.     

Biological control of arthropod pests in citrus orchards in China

China has a very long history of biological control in citrus. Hundreds years ago, predatory ants (Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius) were used to manage pests by Chinese citrus growers. Considerable effort has been placed on the use of biological control in citrus plant landscapes during last three decades. Many scientific studies have now been published, and some additional implementations have already working. In this paper, we review the research, development and application of biological control of citrus insect pests in China. In addition, the importance of biological control for the future control of citrus insect pests is also discussed.     

Cyanobacterial multi-copy chromosomes and their replication

ABSTRACT

While the model bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis harbor single chromosomes, which is known as monoploidy, some freshwater cyanobacteria contain multiple chromosome copies per cell throughout their cell cycle, which is known as polyploidy. In the model cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, chromosome copy number (ploidy) is regulated in response to growth phase and environmental factors. In S. elongatus 7942, chromosome replication is asynchronous both among cells and chromosomes. Comparative analysis of S. elongatus 7942 and S. sp. 6803 revealed a variety of DNA replication mechanisms. In this review, the current knowledge of ploidy and DNA replication mechanisms in cyanobacteria is summarized together with information on the features common with plant chloroplasts. It is worth noting that the occurrence of polyploidy and its regulation are correlated with certain cyanobacterial lifestyles and are shared between some cyanobacteria and chloroplasts.     

A new balancing act: The many roles of melatonin and serotonin in plant growth and development

Melatonin and serotonin are indoleamines first identified as neurotransmitters in vertebrates; they have now been found to be ubiquitously present across all forms of life. Both melatonin and serotonin were discovered in plants several years after their discovery in mammals, but their presence has now been confirmed in almost all plant families. The mechanisms of action of melatonin and serotonin are still poorly defined. Melatonin and serotonin possess important roles in plant growth and development, including functions in chronoregulation and modulation of reproductive development, control of root and shoot organogenesis, maintenance of plant tissues, delay of senescence, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review focuses on the roles of melatonin and serotonin as a novel class of plant growth regulators. Their roles in reproductive and vegetative plant growth will be examined including an overview of current hypotheses and knowledge regarding their mechanisms of action in specific responses.     

Genetic transformation and genes for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses in Citrus and its related genera

Citrus is the most important tree fruit crop in the world. However, citrus production is affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, extreme temperature, salinity, citrus canker, citrus tristeza virus, and Huanglongbing (or citrus greening), among others. These stresses can severely influence growth and development of both rootstocks and/or scions of citrus trees, thus reducing both fruit production and fruit quality. Modern advances in the tools of plant biotechnology and advances in genomics play important roles in understanding how citrus crops can cope with diseases and adverse environmental conditions. Within the last decades, much progress has been made in identifying and cloning of genes involved in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well in genetic transformation of Citrus and its related genera, such as Poncirus trifoliata and Fortunella spp. In this review, we will provide information on advances and insights on genetic transformation protocols as well as availability of characterized genes involved in resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This will be followed with a discussion on perspectives of future developments in this field.     

Improved protocol for the transformation of adult Citrus sinensis Osbeck ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues

The production of transgenic citrus plants from adult tissues is difficult because of low regeneration and transformation rates. To increase the transformation efficiency of adult citrus tissues, an improved protocol involving adult Citrus sinensis Osbeck ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues was developed. Explants were pre-incubated in a liquid medium prior to infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant materials were also incubated on callus-induction medium supplemented with various combinations of cytokinin (Cyt) and kanamycin (Kan). An appropriate pre-incubation of the explants increased the transformation efficiency of adult tissues. During the callus-induction period, the Cyt type and Kan concentration had the largest and smallest effects on the transformation efficiency, respectively. The most effective combination of plant growth regulator and Kan for the transformation of ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues was 2 mg L⁻¹ 2-isopentenyl adenine and 50 mg L⁻¹ Kan. The transformation efficiency under the optimized conditions was 11.7%. A Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of the transgene. These results indicated that the transformation efficiency of adult citrus tissues can be enhanced by optimizing the transformation conditions.

     

The role of endogenous auxin in root initiation

This paper is the second part of a review which considers evidence for the involvement of auxin in root initiation. Part II examines the research being carried out with transformed plant tissues. Agrobacterium rhizogenes causes abundant root initiation at the site of inoculation. Ri plasmid T-DNA contains several genes which encode enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid. Transfer of various fragments of the Ri plasmid has also been reported to confer increased sensitivity to auxin upon plant cells. Controlled expression of these genes in the plant genome potentially offer an insight for developmental plant physiologists into the role of plant growth substances in the process of root initiation. The importance of absolute levels of IAA in the stimulation of root initiation is discussed.     

缓解花生连作障碍的根际促生菌分离及功能鉴定

【目的】长期连作障碍严重降低花生生产的产量及品质,根际促生菌可有效降解土壤中自毒化感物质、抑制植物病原菌生长及促进植物生长,从而有效缓解连作障碍问题。筛选优化具有缓解花生连作障碍能力的多功能根际益生微生物,验证其益生作用能力,为根际促生菌株在连作障碍中的应用提供理论依据及技术支持。【方法】采集连作12年地块花生根际土壤,利用以酚酸为唯一碳源的筛选培养基获得具有酚酸自毒化感物质降解及利用能力的根际促生菌,通过16S rRNA基因测序进行系统发育分析,确定根际促生菌菌株的分类地位,并验证其对植物病原菌生长抑制能力及解磷、解钾、产植物激素吲哚乙酸能力。【结果】从连作12年的花生发病土壤中获得7株可高效降解酚酸类自毒物质且降解底物多样的根际微生物菌株,经16S rRNA测序比对分别为克雷伯氏菌B02 (Klebsiella sp. B02)、克雷伯氏菌B07(Klebsiella sp. B07)、克雷伯氏菌B15 (Klebsiella sp. B15)、芽孢杆菌B28 (Bacillus sp. B28)、不动杆菌P09(Acinetobacter sp. P09)、布鲁氏杆菌VA05 (...     

Characterization of electrical penetration graphs of Bucephalogonia xanthophis, a vector of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus

The sharpshooter Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg) (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) is a vector of the xylem‐limited bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa (Wells, Raju, Hung, Weisburg, Mandelco‐Paul, and Brenner), which causes citrus variegated chlorosis. Despite the importance of citrus variegated chlorosis, the probing behavior of vectors on citrus and its implications for transmission of X. fastidiosa have not been studied. Here we studied electrical penetration graph (EPG‐DC system) waveforms produced by B. xanthophis on Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae), and their relationships with stylet activities and xylem ingestion. Electrical penetration graph waveforms were described based on amplitude, frequency, voltage level, and electrical origin of the observed traces during stylet penetration on plant tissues. The main waveforms were correlated with histological observations of salivary sheaths in plant tissues and excretion analysis, in order to determine stylet activities and their precise position. Six waveforms and associated activities are described: (S) secretion of salivary sheath and intracellular stylet pathway, (R) resting during stylet pathway, (Xc) contact of stylets with xylem vessels, (Xi) active xylem ingestion, (N) interruption within the xylem phase (during Xc or Xi), and (W) withdrawal of stylet from the plant. The sharpshooter spent 91.8% of its probing time with its stylet in the xylem, where the main activity was ingestion (Xi: 97.5%). During a probe, the most likely sequence of events is secretion of salivary sheath and pathway (S) through epidermal and parenchyma cells (all individuals), followed by contact with xylem (Xc) (67.6% of all individuals) and ingestion (Xi) (88.3% of those that exhibit waveform Xc). The mean time to contact the xylem (Xc) and initiate ingestion (Xi) after onset of the first probe was 27.8 and 34.2 min, respectively. However, sustained xylem ingestion (Xi > 5 min) was established after 39.8 min, on average. This information is basic for future studies on the transmission mechanisms of X. fastidiosa and in order to establish control strategies aimed at interfering with this process.     

Investigations on the endogenous levels of abscisic acid in a range of parasitic phanerogams

The endogenous levels of abscisic acid in the parasitic phanerogamsArceuthobium oxycedri (DC) Bieb.,Cassytha filiformis L.,Lathraea squamaria L.,Melampyrum pratense L.,Orobanche hederae Duby., andViscum album L. were investigated. In general, the content of abscisic acid was high in parasites which deprive their hosts of both phloem- and xylem-transported substances and much lower in those that deprive their hosts of sap from the xylem only. Within the parasites studied in more depth (e.g.,Orobanche hederae, Lathraea squamaria, andMelampyrum pratense) the highest abscisic acid levels were found in their sink regions, especially in their inflorescences. It is suggested that a high concentration of abscisic acid is associated with plant tissues showing a high demand for phloem-transported substances. The possible role of abscisic acid in such tissues is discussed.     

Augmented Phytoextraction of Lead (Pb2+)-Polluted Soils: A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Plant Growth Regulators,EDTA, and Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacteria

Abstract

The role of gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), plant growth–promoting bacteria (Rhizobium and Azotobacter), and a synthetic chelator (EDTA; ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) in lead (Pb) phytoextraction was evaluated using Parthenium hysterophorus (dicot, unpalatable noncrop) and Zea mays (monocot food/forage crop) plants at the flowering stage. Various plant parts were analyzed by atomic absorption/flame spectrophotometer for their Pb content. Both plant growth regulators and both growth-promoting bacteria significantly increased the plant growth in Pb-polluted soils, whereas EDTA significantly decreased growth and biomass of both plants. EDTA increased the Pb uptake (μg g^?1 dry biomass), but the total plant Pb accumulation was decreased. GA3 and IAA significantly increased both uptake and translocation, and the maximum total Pb in the entire plant of Parthenium was found with GA3 foliar spray, whereas in Z. mays the total Pb was maximum in the plant treated with GA3 in combination with EDTA, followed by the GA3 foliar spray treatment. Overall, the GA3 foliar application showed superior response compared with all other treatments. Further research is recommended to observe the role of endogenous GA3 levels in correlation with metal phytoextraction in different plants.     

Pseudomonas fluorescens,a potential bacterial antagonist to control plant diseases

Abstract

Fluorescent Pseudomonads belong to plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), the important group of bacteria that play a major role in the plant growth promotion, induced systemic resistance, biological control of pathogens etc. Many strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens are known to enhance plant growth promotion and reduce severity of various diseases. The efficacy of bacterial antagonists in controlling fungal diseases was often better as alone, and sometimes in combination with fungicides. The present review refers to occurrence, distribution, mechanism, growth requirements of P. fluorescens and diseases controlled by the bacterial antagonist in different agricultural and horticultural crops were discussed. The literature in this review helps in future research programmes that aim to promote P. fluorescens as a potential bio-pesticide for augmentative biological control of many diseases of agriculture and horticultural importance.     

Investigating transparency regarding ecoinvent users’ system model choices

Purpose

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a data-intensive methodology; therefore, experts usually focus collection efforts on a few activities, while generic data on remaining activities are taken from databases. Even though increased availability of databases has facilitated LCA takeoff, assuring data quality is fundamental to ensure meaningful results and reliable interpretation.

Methods

Ecoinvent has become a global reference for inventory data. Its current version released three impact partition modeling options—the recycled content, “allocation at the point of substitution” (APOS), and consequential models—whose adequate choice is crucial for yielding meaningful assessments. Tutorials and manuals describe the distribution algorithm that backs each system model, to ground decision-making regarding the best fit to a study’s goals. We performed a systematic literature review to investigate—within the papers published on the International Journal of LCA (IJLCA)—how transparently authors addressed the system model choices.

Results and discussion

About 70% of LCA practitioners continued to use earlier versions of ecoinvent after version 3 was launched in 2013. The number of papers using versions 3.x only showed an increased growth trend 2 years later. Eighty-three papers actually adopted the newest version of the database. From those, only 29 papers clearly mentioned the adopted system model. Our SLR also suggests a trend regarding authorship profile of LCA-related studies: the number of studies conducted by practitioners aware of the intricacies of sound modeling of background and foreground data might have been surpassed by those conducted by non-LCA specialists who use LCA as a supporting tool for investigations in applied fields, and merely scratch the surface.

Conclusions

Our results point to a need for a caveat: ecoinvent users must take time to understand the general concept behind each system model and practice one of the most important actions when performing an LCA—state methodological choices clearly.

     

华重楼内生真菌聚多曲霉的促生与拮抗作用

【背景】华重楼(Paris polyphylla var. chinensis)是我国一种名贵稀缺中药材,有多种药效,由于过度采挖等原因,其野生资源现已极度匮乏。华重楼的人工栽培技术尚未成熟,生长缓慢、病害频繁发生是主要的制约因素。【目的】植物益生菌的开发是一种环保且有效的解决途径,符合生态种植的要求。【方法】通过常规方法分离鉴定内生菌,选取已报道具有促生抗病作用的菌株进行玉米种子发芽试验,无氮培养基定性检测固氮活性,平板拮抗试验检测抗菌性;高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术(Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry,LC-MS)检测其菌液的代谢成分;分光光度法检测华重楼幼苗丙二醛和叶绿素含量,LC-MS检测叶片水杨酸、茉莉酸、脱落酸、赤霉素、细胞分裂素、生长素的含量,测量华重楼地下部分生物量指标。【结果】分离得到一株菌jdqmzz-1,经rDNA ITS序列扩增比对、形态学观察、生理生化鉴定,确定为聚多曲霉(Aspergillus sydowii);其可以促进玉米种子发芽和华重楼生长,具有固氮、拮抗病原真菌尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum GSICC 60612)、病原细菌胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种(Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum,Pcc ATCC15713)的作用,真菌拮抗指数为42.50%,其菌液含有种类较多的促生和抑菌杀虫物质,菌液处理过的华重楼幼苗,叶片内源赤霉素和生长素含量较对照分别提高了54.1倍和2.3倍,叶绿素含量达到209.88 mg/g鲜重,较对照增加了48.80%,丙二醛含量较对照降低了15.20%;平均根数、平均根长、平均百株重较对照也有显著性(P0.01)提高。【结论】分离出的内生真菌聚多曲霉jdqmzz-1能够有效地促进华重楼的生长。