Life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemaphysalis doenitzi</Emphasis> (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions and its phylogeny based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA

The paper investigated the life cycle of the hard tick Haemaphysalis doenitzi under laboratory conditions and its phylogeny based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA. The results revealed that the complete life cycle of H. doenitzi requires a mean duration of 109.6 days ranging from 91 to 137 days and the average prefeeding, feeding and premoulting periods of larvae, nymphs and females and the eggs hatching period are 18.7, 26.9, 38.9, and 25.1 days, respectively. In addition, the weight of engorged females is highly correlated with the number of egg masses laid (r = 0.936, P < 0.001). The female reproductive efficiency index and reproductive fitness index are 13.4 and 12.8, respectively. The mean weight of the engorged nymphs (2.77 mg) moulting to females is much higher than those (1.68 mg) moulting to males, which could be used as an index to predict sexes in this species. The ratio of male to female is 1:1.01. Moreover, multisequence alignments and phylogenetic tree constructed based on the mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences suggest that H. doenitzi is genetically close to H. longicornis.     

A New GA-Insensitive Semidwarf Mutant of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) with a Missense Mutation in the SDG Gene

A semidwarf line of Indica rice, Xinguiai, was derived from the progeny of a cross between the double dwarf mutant Xinguiaishuangai and the wild-type variety Nanjing 6. The semidwarf phenotype was controlled by the semidwarf gene, sdg. The second sheath and shoot elongation responses of the dwarf mutant to exogenous gibberellin (GA₃) showed that sdg was insensitive to gibberellin (GA), and its endogenous GAs content was higher than that in wild-type cultivars. The SDG gene was cloned by a map-based cloning method and sequencing analysis revealed that the coding region of sdg had a single nucleotide substitution resulting in a single amino acid change from alanine to threonine. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker was designed according to sequences from mutant and wild-type materials. This sequence marker could be used to distinguish wild types and mutants, and thus, could be used for molecular marker-assisted selection. The dwarf phenotype of the sdg mutant was restored to a normal phenotype by introducing the wild-type SDG gene. Rice transformation experiments and GUS staining demonstrated that the SDG gene was predominantly expressed in vegetative organs.     

Cloning and identification of a novel C18-Δ9 polyunsaturated fatty acid specific elongase gene from DHA-producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isochrysis galbana</Emphasis> H29

Isochrysis galbana, a marine prymnesiophyte microalga, is able to produce a high level of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3). In this article, a novel gene (IgASE2) that encoded a C18-Δ9 polyunsaturase fatty acids specific (C18-Δ9-PUFAs-specific) elongase was isolated and characterized from DHA-rich microalga, I. galbana H29. A full-length cDNA of 1653 bp was cloned by rapidamplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR techniques. The IgASE2 contained a 786 bp ORF encoding a protein of 261 amino acids that shared 87% identity with the reported Δ9-elongase IgASE1, a 44 bp 5′ untranslated region and an 823 bp 3′ untranslated region. The function of IgASE2 was demonstrated by its heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In S. cerevisiae, IgASE2 elongated linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6), α-linolenic (ALA, C18:3n-3) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA, C20:2n-6) and eicosatrienoic acid (ETrA, C20:3n-3). The conversion ratios of LA to EDA and ALA to ETrA were 60.47 and 58.36%, respectively. However, IgASE2 could not catalyze the elongation reactions of oleic acid (OA, C18:1n-9) and other fatty acids. These results confirmed that IgASE2 had C18-Δ9-PUFAs-specific elongase activity.     

Involvement of P2Y<Subscript>12</Subscript> receptor of stellate ganglion in diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy

Diabetes as a chronic epidemic disease with obvious symptom of hyperglycemia is seriously affecting human health globally due to the diverse diabetic complications. Diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and incurs high morbidity and mortality. However, the underlying mechanism for DCAN is unclear. It is well known that purinergic signaling is involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function. In this study, we examined whether the P2Y₁₂ receptor could mediate DCAN-induced sympathetic reflexes. Our results revealed that the abnormal changes of blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability, and sympathetic nerve discharge were improved in diabetic rats treated with P2Y₁₂ short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Meanwhile, the expression of P2Y₁₂ receptor, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and connexin 43 (Cx43) in stellate ganglia (SG) was decreased in P2Y₁₂ shRNA-treated diabetic rats. In addition, knocking down the P2Y₁₂ receptor also inhibited the activation of p38 MARK in the SG of diabetic rats. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that P2Y₁₂ receptor in the SG may participate in developing diabetic autonomic neuropathy, suggesting that the P2Y₁₂ receptor could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of DCAN.     

Mechanistic Insights of Zn2+ Storage in Sodium Vanadates

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) with high safety and low‐cost are highly desirable for grid‐scale energy storage, yet the energy storage mechanisms in the current cathode materials are still complicated and unclear. Hence, several sodium vanadates with NaV₃O₈‐type layered structure (e.g., Na₅V₁₂O₃₂ and HNaV₆O₁₆·4H₂O) and β‐Na_0.33V₂O₅‐type tunneled structure (e.g., Na_0.76V₆O₁₅) are constructed and the storage/release behaviors of Zn²⁺ ions are deeply investigated in these two typical structures. It should be mentioned that the 2D layered Na₅V₁₂O₃₂ and HNaV₆O₁₆·4H₂O with more effective path for Zn²⁺ diffusion exhibit higher ion diffusion coefficients than that of tunneled Na_0.76V₆O₁₅. As a result, Na₅V₁₂O₃₂ delivers higher capacity than that of Na_0.76V₆O₁₅, and a long‐term cyclic performance up to 2000 cycles at 4.0 A g^?1 in spite of its capacity fading. This work provides a new perspective of Zn²⁺ storage mechanism in aqueous ZIB systems.     

TIGIT-Fc alleviates acute graft-versus-host disease by suppressing CTL activation via promoting the generation of immunoregulatory dendritic cells

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the most common complication and major limitation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The CD226/TIGIT-CD155 signal is critical for the cross-talk between T cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Studies have shown that blockade of the CD226-CD155 interaction, using an anti-CD226 antibody, can significantly ameliorate GVHD. It has also been reported that a TIGIT-Fc fusion protein exerts immunosuppressive effects by binding to CD155 on DCs. Here, we used a mouse allogeneic acute GVHD model to explore the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of TIGIT-Fc. C57/BL6 and Balb/c mice were used as hematopoietic cell graft donors and recipients, respectively. In the TIGIT-Fc-treated mice, GVHD symptom occurrence and mortality were delayed compared to that in isotype control group mice. Histopathological analyses revealed that following TIGIT-Fc treatment, liver and small intestine tissue damage was reduced with minimal lymphocytic infiltration. The percentage of CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺ and CD8⁺ granzyme B⁺ cells significantly decreased in the TIGIT-Fc group. Moreover, treatment with TIGIT-Fc, even after the onset of GVHD, ameliorated symptoms and prolonged survival. TIGIT-Fc also inhibited CD8⁺ T cell activation in vitro; this was dependent on the presence of CD155 on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and on IL-10 production. In addition, TIGIT–CD155 ligation triggered both Erk phosphorylation and STAT3 nuclear translocation. These data indicate that TIGIT plays an important role in the development of GVHD and is an ideal molecular target to treat acute GVHD.     

Intracellular trafficking of planar cell polarity proteins

Background

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is a phenomenon in which epithelial cells are polarized along the plane of a tissue. PCP is critical for a variety of developmental processes and is regulated by a set of evolutionarily conserved PCP signaling proteins. Many of the PCP proteins adopt characteristic asymmetric localizations on the opposing cellular boundaries. Currently, the molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain this PCP asymmetry remain largely unclear. Newly synthesized integral PCP proteins are transported along the secretory transport pathway to the plasma membranes. Once delivered to the plasma membranes, PCP proteins undergo endocytosis. Recent studies reveal insights into the intracellular trafficking of PCP proteins, suggesting that intracellular trafficking of PCP proteins contributes to establishing the PCP asymmetry.

Objective

To understand the intracellular trafficking of planar cell polarity proteins in the secretory transport pathway and endocytic transport pathway.

Methods

This review summarizes our current understanding of the intracellular trafficking of PCP proteins. We highlights the molecular mechanisms that regulate sorting of PCP proteins into transport vesicles and how the intracellular trafficking process regulates the asymmetric localizations of PCP proteins.

Results

Current studies reveal novel insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating intracellular trafficking of PCP proteins. This process is critical for delivering newly synthesized PCP proteins to their specific destinations, removing the unstable or mislocalized PCP proteins from the plasma membranes and preserving tissue polarity during proliferation of mammalian skin cells.

Conclusion

Understanding how PCP proteins are delivered in the secretory and endocytic transport pathway will provide mechanistic insights into how the asymmetric localizations of PCP proteins are established and maintained.

     

Spring phenology at different altitudes is becoming more uniform under global warming in Europe

Under current global warming, high‐elevation regions are expected to experience faster warming than low‐elevation regions. However, due to the lack of studies based on long‐term large‐scale data, the relationship between tree spring phenology and the elevation‐dependent warming is unclear. Using 652k records of leaf unfolding of five temperate tree species monitored during 1951–2013 in situ in Europe, we discovered a nonlinear trend in the altitudinal sensitivity (S_A, shifted days per 100 m in altitude) in spring phenology. A delayed leaf unfolding (2.7 ± 0.6 days per decade) was observed at high elevations possibly due to decreased spring forcing between 1951 and 1980. The delayed leaf unfolding at high‐elevation regions was companied by a simultaneous advancing of leaf unfolding at low elevations. These divergent trends contributed to a significant increase in the S_A (0.36 ± 0.07 days 100/m per decade) during 1951–1980. Since 1980, the S_A started to decline with a rate of ?0.32 ± 0.07 days 100/m per decade, possibly due to reduced chilling at low elevations and improved efficiency of spring forcing in advancing the leaf unfolding at high elevations, the latter being caused by increased chilling. Our results suggest that due to both different temperature changes at the different altitudes, and the different tree responses to these changes, the tree phenology has shifted at different rates leading to a more uniform phenology at different altitudes during recent decades.     

Natural variation in the promoter of OsHMA3 contributes to differential grain cadmium accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice

Rice is a major source of cadmium(Cd) intake for Asian people. Indica rice usually accumulates more Cd in shoots and grains than Japonica rice. However, underlying genetic bases for differential Cd accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice are still unknown. In this study, we cloned a quantitative trait locus(QTL) grain Cd concentration on chromosome 7(GCC7) responsible for differential grain Cd accumulation between two rice varieties by performing QTL analysis and map-based cloning. We found that the two GCC7 alleles, GCC7~(PA64s) and GCC7~(93-11), had different promoter activity of OsHMA3,leading to different OsHMA3 expression and different shoot and grain Cd concentrations. By analyzing the distribution of different haplotypes of GCC7 among diverse rice accessions, we discovered that the high and low Cd accumulation alleles, namely GCC7~(93-11) and GCC7~(PA64s), were preferentially distributed in Indica and Japonica rice,respectively. We further showed that the GCC7~(PA64s)allele can be used to replace the GCC7~(93-11) allele in the super cultivar 93-11 to reduce grain Cd concentration without adverse effect on agronomic traits. Our results thus reveal that the QTL GCC7 with sequence variation in the OsHMA3 promoter is an important determinant controlling differential grain Cd accumulation between Indica and Japonica rice.