Foliar application of ascorbic acid enhances salinity stress tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) through modulation of morpho-physio-biochemical attributes,ions uptake,osmo-protectants and stress response genes expression

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a major cereal grain and is known as a halophyte (a halophyte is a salt-tolerant plant that grows in soil or waters of high salinity). We therefore conducted a pot experiment to explore plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes, stomatal properties, oxidative stress and antioxidant response and their associated gene expression and absorption of ions in H. Vulgare. The soil used for this analysis was artificially spiked at different salinity concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) and different levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) were supplied to plants (0, 30 and 60 mM) shortly after germination of the seed. The results of the present study showed that plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, stomatal properties and ion uptake were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by salinity stress, whereas oxidative stress was induced in plants by generating the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells/tissues compared to plants grown in the control treatment. Initially, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and relative gene expression increased to a saline level of 100 mM, and then decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by increasing the saline level (150 mM) in the soil compared to plants grown at 0 mM of salinity. We also elucidated that negative impact of salt stress in H. vulgare plants can overcome by the exogenous application of AsA, which not only increased morpho-physiological traits but decreased oxidative stress in the plants by increasing activities of enzymatic antioxidants. We have also explained the negative effect of salt stress on H. vulgare can decrease by exogenous application of AsA, which not only improved morpho-physiological characteristics, ions accumulation in the roots and shoots of the plants, but decreased oxidative stress in plants by increasing antioxidant compounds (enzymatic and non-enzymatic). Taken together, recognizing AsA's role in nutrient uptake introduces new possibilities for agricultural use of this compound and provides a valuable basis for improving plant tolerance and adaptability to potential salinity stress adjustment.     

SGT1 is not required for plant LRR-RLK-mediated immunity

Plant immune signalling activated by the perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or effector proteins is mediated by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat domain-containing receptors (NLRs), which often share cellular components and downstream responses. Many PRRs are leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), which mostly perceive proteinaceous PAMPs. The suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1 (SGT1) is a core immune regulator required for the activation of NLR-mediated immunity. In this work, we examined the requirement of SGT1 for immune responses mediated by several LRR-RLKs in both Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis. Using complementary genetic approaches, we found that SGT1 is not limiting for early PRR-dependent responses or antibacterial immunity. We therefore conclude that SGT1 does not play a significant role in bacterial PAMP-triggered immunity.     

Polyglutamylase activity of tubulin tyrosine ligase-like 4 is negatively regulated by the never in mitosis gene A family kinase never in mitosis gene A -related kinase 5

BACKGROUNDTubulins, building blocks of microtubules, are modified substrates of diverse post-translational modifications including phosphorylation, polyglycylation and polyglutamylation. Polyglutamylation of microtubules, catalyzed by enzymes from the tubulin tyrosine ligase-like (TTLL) family, can regulate interactions with molecular motors and other proteins. Due to the diversity and functional importance of microtubule modifications, strict control of the TTLL enzymes has been suggested.AIMTo characterize the interaction between never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 5 (NEK5) and TTLL4 proteins and the effects of TTLL4 phosphorylation.METHODSThe interaction between NEK5 and TTLL4 was identified by yeast two-hybrid screening using the C-terminus of NEK5 (a.a. 260–708) as bait and confirmed by immunoprecipitation. The phosphorylation sites of TTLL4 were identified by mass spectrometry and point mutations were introduced.RESULTSHere, we show that NEK5 interacts with TTLL4 and regulates its polyglutamylation activity. We further show that NEK5 can also interact with TTLL5 and TTLL7. The silencing of NEK5 increases the levels of polyglutamylation of proteins by increasing the activity of TTLL4. The same effects were observed after the expression of the catalytically inactive form of NEK5. This regulation of TTLL4 activity involves its phosphorylation at Y815 and S1136 amino acid residues.CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate, for the first time, the regulation of TTLL activity through phosphorylation, pointing to NEK5 as a potential effector kinase. We also suggest a general control of tubulin polyglutamylation through NEK family members in human cells.     

FAM96A和FAM96B结构与功能的研究进展

96序列相似的家庭成员A和B（family with sequence similarity 96 member A and B,FAM96A和FAM96B）是属于MIP18（MMS19-interacting protein of 18 kD）家族的2个高度保守的同源蛋白,MIP18是与有丝分裂纺锤体相关的MMDX（MMS19-MIP18-XPD）复合体的亚基。研究表明,FAM96A和FAM96B在人胃肠道间质瘤、结肠癌、肝癌、胃癌和乳腺癌等多种肿瘤组织中的表达显著降低,提示其可能是作为潜在的抑癌基因参与肿瘤的发生发展,但目前关于FAM96A和FAM96B在肿瘤发生发展过程中的作用机理并不十分清楚。此外,研究发现FAM96A和FAM96B可通过与其他不同的蛋白质相互作用在体内发挥多种不同的功能。因此,就目前对于FAM96A和FAM96B结构和功能的研究所取得的进展进行了回顾与总结,并对其在肿瘤发生发展中的分子机制和相互作用蛋白鉴定的研究前景进行了展望,以期为临床上将FAM96A和FAM96B作为新的肿瘤诊断标志物和治疗靶点奠定基础,并为揭示二者在体内更多的新功能提供依据。     

Myostatin基因突变激发骨骼肌发育机制研究进展

肌肉生长抑制素基因（myostatin,MSTN）是骨骼肌发育的负调节因子,在不同物种中具有高度保守性。自然突变或通过基因编辑技术对该基因进行操作,均可以获得肌肉异常发达的动物个体。研究表明,MSTN基因突变可以通过多种调控途径影响肌肉发育过程。因此,从成肌细胞增殖、分化、蛋白质合成分解代谢、组蛋白修饰以及巨噬细胞极化等5个方面对MSTN突变促进肌肉发育的机理进行综述,以期为农业动物育种新材料生产及重大恶病质的治疗提供借鉴。     

Reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance Genes

A potential concern about the use of antibiotics in animal husbundary is that, as antibiotic resistant bacteria move from the farm into the human diet, they may pass antibiotic resistance genes to bacteria that normally reside in a the human intestinal tract and from there to bacteria that cause human disease (reservoir hypothesis). In this article various approaches to evaluating the risk of agricultural use of antibiotics are assessed critically. In addition, the potential benefits of applying new technology and using new insights from the field of microbial ecology are explained.     

Isolation and Sequence Characterization of Mammary Derived Growth Inhibitor Gene of Riverine Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis)

In this study, attempts have been made to identify and characterize water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) mammary derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) gene, isolated from a mammary gland cDNA library of lactating buffalo. The complete MDGI cDNA was of 698 nucleotides, consisting 61 nucleotides in 5′ UTR, coding region of 402 nucleotides, and 235 nucleotides representing the 3′ UTR. Comparison of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence data with that of MDGI//fatty acid binding protein (FABP) of other species shows three buffalo specific nucleotide changes while seven nucleotide changes were common to cattle and buffalo. Buffalo and cattle MDGI had 100% amino acid sequence similarity, which also shared three amino acid changes: 34 (Ala-Gly), 109 (Leu-Met), and 132 (Glu-Gln) as compared to other species. Comparison with FABPs reported from other cattle tissues revealed highest amino acid sequence similarity with FABP-heart (100%) and least with FABP-liver (20.5%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed cattle MDGI to be closest to buffalo, while mouse MDGI was distantly placed, whereas different tissue derived FABPs of cattle showed FABP-heart closest and FABP-epidermis most distantly placed from buffalo MDGI. This report also differs from the earlier findings that MDGI is intermediate of FABP-heart and adipose.     

Short communication: Single tube allele specific (STAS) PCR for direct determination of the mutation in the porcine ryanodine receptor gene associated with malignant hyperthermia

The ability to add or delete specific genes in swine will likely provide considerable benefits not just to agriculture but also to medicine, where pigs have potential as models for human disease and as organ donors. Here we have transferred nuclei from a genetically modified fibroblast cell line to porcine oocytes, matured in vitro under defined culture conditions, to create piglets expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein. The nuclear transfer-derived piglets were of normal size, although some mild symptoms of “large offspring syndrome” were evident. These experiments represent a next step towards creating swine with more useful genetic modifications.     

Polymorphisms of the Myostatin Gene and Its Relationship with Reproduction Traits in the Bian Chicken

Myostatin, or growth and differentiation factor 8, is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily; it functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth in mammals. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5′ regulatory region and exon 1 of the myostatin gene were detected by PCR–SSCP in the Bian, Jinghai, Youxi, and Arbor Acre chickens, and the associations of the polymorphisms with reproduction traits were analyzed. Seven SNPs (A326G, C334G, C1346T, G1375A, A1473G, G1491A, and G2283A) were found in the myostatin gene. Association analysis showed that the G2283A were significantly associated with reproduction traits. Bian chickens of the GG genotype had a greater age at first egg than those of the GA and AA genotypes (P < 0.01). Correspondingly, Bian chickens of the GA and AA genotypes had larger egg number at 300 days than those of the GG genotype (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Bian chickens of the AA genotype had significantly higher body weight at 300 days than those of the GG genotype (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the myostatin gene may have certain effects on reproduction traits other than merely as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth in mammals previously reported.