A point mutation in the photosystem I P700 chlorophyll a apoprotein A1 gene confers variegation in Helianthus annuus L

Plant Molecular Biology - CRISPR-edited variants at the 3′-end of OsLOGL5's coding sequence (CDS), significantly increased rice grain yield under well-watered, drought, normal nitrogen,...     

Molecular and behavioural abnormalities in the FUS‐tg mice mimic frontotemporal lobar degeneration: Effects of old and new anti‐inflammatory therapies

Genetic mutations in FUS, a DNA/RNA‐binding protein, are associated with inherited forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A novel transgenic FUS[1‐359]‐tg mouse line recapitulates core hallmarks of human ALS in the spinal cord, including neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, ensuing muscle atrophy and paralysis, as well as brain pathomorphological signs of FTLD. However, a question whether FUS[1‐359]‐tg mouse displays behavioural and brain pro‐inflammatory changes characteristic for the FTLD syndrome was not addressed. Here, we studied emotional, social and cognitive behaviours, brain markers of inflammation and plasticity of pre‐symptomatic FUS[1‐359]‐tg male mice, a potential FTLD model. These animals displayed aberrant behaviours and altered brain expression of inflammatory markers and related pathways that are reminiscent to the FTLD‐like syndrome. FTLD‐related behavioural and molecular Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine features were studied in the pre‐symptomatic FUS[1‐359]‐tg mice that received standard or new ALS treatments, which have been reported to counteract the ALS‐like syndrome in the mutants. We used anti‐ALS drug riluzole (8 mg/kg/d), or anti‐inflammatory drug, a selective blocker of cyclooxygenase‐2 (celecoxib, 30 mg/kg/d) for 3 weeks, or a single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of human stem cells (Neuro‐Cells, 500 000‐CD34⁺), which showed anti‐inflammatory properties. Signs of elevated anxiety, depressive‐like behaviour, cognitive deficits and abnormal social behaviour were less marked in FUS‐tg–treated animals. Applied treatments have normalized protein expression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, and of Iba‐1 and GSK‐3β in the hippocampus. Thus, the pre‐symptomatic FUS[1‐359]‐tg mice demonstrate FTLD‐like abnormalities that are attenuated by standard and new ALS treatments, including Neuro‐Cell preparation.     

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes based on 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine (L): Synthesis, structure, luminescence. Double lone pair-π interactions in the structure of ZnL2Cl2

A series of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine (L), ZnLCl₂, CdLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O, have been synthesized. The compounds ZnLCl₂ and CdLCl₂ were obtained in a M:L = 1:1 molar ratio in EtOH solutions, while ZnL₂Cl₂ and CdL₂Cl₂ were isolated in a M:L = 1:3 molar ratio in EtOH/Me₂CO mixtures. Surprisingly, attempts to crystallize CdLCl₂ from EtOH/Me₂CO mixture afforded single crystals of a compound, having 1:2 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O, instead of a complex with 1:1 stoichiometry. At the same time, crystallization of CdL₂Cl₂ from Me₂CO/CHCl₃ mixture afforded CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O single crystals. According to X-ray crystal structure data, ZnLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O complexes have molecular mononuclear structures. The molecules of L adopt bidentate chelating binding mode being coordinated to the metal ions through N² atom of the pyrazole and N³ atom of the pyrimidine rings. The coordination core of zinc atom in ZnLCl₂ complex is a distorted ZnN₂Cl₂ tetrahedron. The coordination cores of metal atoms in the structures of ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O are the distorted cis-MN₄Cl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) octahedra. In the structure of ZnL₂Cl₂ double lone pair(N(piperidine))-π(pyrimidine) interactions were observed. The photoluminescent properties of L, ZnLCl₂, CdLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂ and CdL₂Cl₂ were studied in the solid state under the same experimental conditions. These compounds were found to display bright blue luminescence. Highest relative intensity of emission was detected for ZnL₂Cl₂.     

Protein interactomics based on direct molecular fishing on paramagnetic particles: Experimental simulation and SPR validation

We describe an experimental approach for direct molecular fishing of prey protein on the surface of two types of paramagnetic particles (PMP) having different size and composition. Human microsomal cytochrome b₅ (b₅) and its known partner human cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) were used as bait and prey proteins, respectively. For assessing the level of unspecific binding of background proteins, α‐fetoprotein (aFP) was used. SPR measurements were applied for quantitative analysis of trapped proteins (CYP3A5 and aFP) after fishing on PMP. It was shown that the described approach of molecular fishing on micro‐PMP provides enough prey proteins for LC‐MS/MS identification and SPR validation, so this approach can be used for discovery of new protein–protein interactions in the framework of Human Proteome Project.     

The Differences Between Cis- and Trans-Gene Inactivation Caused by Heterochromatin in Drosophila

Position-effect variegation (PEV) is the epigenetic disruption of gene expression near the de novo–formed euchromatin-heterochromatin border. Heterochromatic cis-inactivation may be accompanied by the trans-inactivation of genes on a normal homologous chromosome in trans-heterozygous combination with a PEV-inducing rearrangement. We characterize a new genetic system, inversion In(2)A4, demonstrating cis-acting PEV as well as trans-inactivation of the reporter transgenes on the homologous nonrearranged chromosome. The cis-effect of heterochromatin in the inversion results not only in repression but also in activation of genes, and it varies at different developmental stages. While cis-actions affect only a few juxtaposed genes, trans-inactivation is observed in a 500-kb region and demonstrates а nonuniform pattern of repression with intermingled regions where no transgene repression occurs. There is no repression around the histone gene cluster and in some other euchromatic sites. trans-Inactivation is accompanied by dragging of euchromatic regions into the heterochromatic compartment, but the histone gene cluster, located in the middle of the trans-inactivated region, was shown to be evicted from the heterochromatin. We demonstrate that trans-inactivation is followed by de novo HP1a accumulation in the affected transgene; trans-inactivation is specifically favored by the chromatin remodeler SAYP and prevented by Argonaute AGO2.     

Plant-parasitic nematodes affecting vegetable crops in greenhouses

This work focuses on investigating plant-parasitic nematodes that affect greenhouse vegetables. The study took place in the Rostov region (Russian Federation) between May 2019 and May 2020 and involved 180 samples of soil and roots of 30 different vegetables in the families Cucurbitaceae (6), Solanaceae (8), Umbelliferae (8), Lamiaceae (4) and Allioideae (4) from 20 intensive farming locations. In this study, 11 nematode genera were detected. The most common genus was Meloidogyne, followed by Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, and Scutellonema. The highest Meloidogyne densities were detected in cucumbers, green peppers, carrots, eggplants, basil, and celery. Onions were not infected with Meloidogyne at all. Plant diseases caused by Pratylenchus, Scutellonema and Helicotylenchus were present in 29.7%, 51.5% and 81.6% of all crops examined, respectively. Xiphinema were found exclusively in carrots and celery, while Ditylenchus were only present in tomatoes and carrots (for each, the prevalence was 2.1%). The relative abundance of Meloidogyne, Helicotylenchus, and Pratylenchus was 58.3%, 10.4%, and 2.1%, respectively. As regards other genera, the relative abundance was less than 1%. The results show that soil properties are as important for the abundance, distribution and structure of the plant-parasitic nematode communities as the host plant. Findings may be helpful in improving the vegetable pest controls.