Polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 Gene on Chromosome 1q42.2 in sALS Patients: a Chinese Han Population Case-Control Study

Although lots of genes have been revealed to relate to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), its genetic mechanisms still need to be further explored. We aimed to search the novel genetic factors of sALS and assess their contribution. We constructed an integrative dataset based on the 3227 subsignificant genes (P value?<?0.01) from two sALS-related genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (the US and Irish studies). A significant replication between both studies was confirmed by the gene set enrichment analysis in the integral level (P value?<?10^?4). Using the pathway overrepresentation analysis, we revealed the 34 shared Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes from the two independent studies (P value?<?0.01). Among these pathways, the nervous system developmental pathway (NSD function, GO:0007399) was further supported by the previously reported genes related to sALS (P value?=?3.28e?12). Importantly, four of 17 NSD-function-related target genes (disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), CNTN4, NRXN3, and ERBB4) presented a considerable association with sALS in both studies. To further verify the association between the NSD function target genes and sALS, we preformed a two-stage case–control study based on 500 sALS patients and 500 controls of Chinese Han populations from mainland. A polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 gene involved in the nervous system developmental pathway was closely associated with sALS. The nervous system developmental pathway is a potential pathogenesis of sALS, among them, the polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 might play some roles.     

Distribution of shrublands in relation to soil and climate in mid-subtropical China

Aims Understanding relationships between vegetation and environments is of importance for ecosystem restoration and management. However, information on how environments influence the floristic patterns of shrublands is lack, especially in the subtropical China. In this study, we explored how environments regulate species composition of shrublands at landscape scale in mid-subtropical China.Methods We investigated species composition and measured the climate and soil environments for 207 shrubland plots in mid-subtropical China (24°39′–30°08′N, 108°47′–114°15′E). We applied a hierarchical cluster analysis and indicator species analysis based on the Bray–Curtis similarity index to identify the main shrubland types and employed principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to explore the relationship between floristic composition and environment.Important findings We identified four shrubland types occurring in different environmental conditions. Montane shrubland, dominated by species suitable for cool climates (e.g. Rhododendron simsii), were distributed in steep areas at comparatively high altitudes; foothill shrubland, dominated by mesophilous species (e.g. Loropetalum chinense), were distributed in low mountains and hills; pioneer shrubland, dominated by fast grow and short-life cycles species (e.g. Rhus chinensis), were distributed at low altitudes with dense population; and finally, limestone shrubland, dominated by calcicole plants (e.g. Coriaria nepalensis), were distributed in the extensive karst areas. Communities occurring in high pH soils were completely separated from those in low pH soils according to the hierarchical cluster analysis. PCoA ordination associated the four types with distinct edaphic and climatic gradients. Soil pH explained 63.3% of variation in PCoA, followed by soil depth and soil bulk density.     

GID1 modulates stomatal response and submergence tolerance involving abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling in rice

Plant responses to abiotic stresses are coordinated by arrays of growth and developmental programs.Gibberellic acid(CA) and abscisic acid(ABA) play critical roles in the developmental programs and environmental responses,respectively,through complex signaling and metabolism networks.However,crosstalk between the two phytohormones in stress responses remains largely unknown.In this study,we report that CIBBERELLIN-INSENSITIVE DWARF 1(GID1),a soluble receptor for GA,regulates stomatal development and patterning in rice(Oryza sativa L.).The gid1 mutant showed impaired biosynthesis of endogenous ABA under drought stress conditions,but it exhibited enhanced sensitivity to exogenous ABA.Scanning electron microscope and infrared thermal image analysis indicated an increase in the stomatal conductance in the gid1 mutant under drought conditions.Interestingly,the gid1 mutant had increased levels of chlorophyll and carbohydrates under submergence conditions,and showed enhanced reactive oxygen species(ROS)-scavenging ability and submergence tolerance compared with the wild-type.Further analyses suggested that the function of GID1 in submergence responses is partially dependent on ABA,and GA signaling by GID1 is involved in submergence tolerance by modulating carbohydrate consumption.Taken together,these findings suggest GID1 plays distinct roles in stomatal response and submergence tolerance through both the ABA and GA signaling pathways in rice.     

TiGER: A database for tissue-specific gene expression and regulation

Background  

Understanding how genes are expressed and regulated in different tissues is a fundamental and challenging question. However, most of currently available biological databases do not focus on tissue-specific gene regulation.     

Threatened fishes of the world: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho bleekeri</Emphasis> Kimura, 1934 (Salmonidae)

Conservation status, identification, distribution, habitat and ecology, reproduction, threats, conservation actions and recommendations of a critically endangered fish, Hucho bleekeri Kimura, which is endemic to China, was introduced.     

Soil-Water Threshold Range of Chemical Signals and Drought Tolerance Was Mediated by ROS Homeostasis in Winter Wheat During Progressive Soil Drying

The soil-water threshold range of chemical signals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis could have a profound impact on drought tolerance in wheat. A pot experiment was used to investigate the homeostasis between ROS and antioxidant defense at five harvest dates, and its role in the correlation between soil-water threshold range of chemical signals and drought tolerance in three wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars during progressive soil drying. The cultivars were bred at different periods, cv. BM1 (old), cv. Xiaoyan6 (recent), and cv. Shan229 (modern). They were treated with progressive soil drying. Shoot biomass was affected by drought imposed by two water treatments (90% and 55% field water capacity). The modern wheat cultivar had a lower ROS content and higher ROS-scavenging antioxidant capacity with greater soil drying (68–25% soil water content) compared with the older cultivar. The modern cultivar also had excellent adaptation to drought, with a longer survival of 22.7 days and less reduction in shoot biomass of 20.9% due to early chemical signals and better balance between ROS production and antioxidants. The older cultivar had survival of 15.3 days and 37.3% reduction of shoot biomass. A wider soil-water threshold range of chemical signals was positively correlated with improved drought tolerance and better ROS homeostasis. These results suggest that ROS homeostasis acts as a regulator in relationships between the soil-water threshold range of chemical signals and drought tolerance.