A mechanism coordinating root elongation,endodermal differentiation,redox homeostasis and stress response

Root growth relies on both cell division and cell elongation, which occur in the meristem and elongation zones, respectively. SCARECROW (SCR) and SHORT-ROOT (SHR) are GRAS family genes essential for root growth and radial patterning in the Arabidopsis root. Previous studies showed that SCR and SHR promote root growth by suppressing cytokinin response in the meristem, but there is evidence that SCR expressed beyond the meristem is also required for root growth. Here we report a previously unknown role for SCR in promoting cell elongation. Consistent with this, we found that the scr mutant accumulated a higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the elongation zone, which is probably due to decreased expression of peroxidase gene 3, which consumes hydrogen peroxide in a reaction leading to Casparian strip formation. When the oxidative stress response was blocked in the scr mutant by mutation in ABSCISIC ACID 2 (ABA2) or when the redox status was ameliorated by the upbeat 1 (upb1) mutant, the root became significantly longer, with longer cells and a larger and more mitotically active meristem. Remarkably, however, the stem cell and radial patterning defects in the double mutants still persisted. Since ROS and peroxidases are essential for endodermal differentiation, these results suggest that SCR plays a role in coordinating cell elongation, endodermal differentiation, redox homeostasis and oxidative stress response in the root. We also provide evidence that this role of SCR is independent of SHR, even though they function similarly in other aspects of root growth and development.     

Helical Polybissilsesquioxane Bundles Prepared Using a Self‐Templating Approach

Polybissilsesquioxanes with single‐handed helical morphologies attracted much attention during the last decade, which could be applied as asymmetric catalysts and chiral stationary phases. Herein, a pair of chiral biphenylene‐bridged bissilsesquioxanes were synthesized. They self‐assembled into helical bundles in ethanol, behavior that was confirmed in field emission scanning electron microscopy images. Circular dichroism analysis indicated that the biphenylene groups twisted in a single‐handed fashion. Single‐handed helical polybissilsesquioxane bundles were prepared via polycondensation of the bissilsesquioxanes, using a self‐templating approach. Because of the shrinkage that occurred during polycondensation, the helical pitches of the bundles were shorter than those of their corresponding organic self‐assemblies. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction pattern indicated that there were no π–π interactions among the diphenylene groups. The circular dichroism spectra indicated that the chirality was successfully transferred from the bissilsesquioxane self‐assemblies to the polybissilsesquioxane. The polybissilsesquioxanes displayed a capacity for the adsorption of nitrobenzene and had potential application for enantioseparation. Chirality 28:44–48, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Single‐Ion Conducting Electrolyte Based on Electrospun Nanofibers for High‐Performance Lithium Batteries

Herein, a novel electrospun single‐ion conducting polymer electrolyte (SIPE) composed of nanoscale mixed poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) and lithium poly(4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone, bis(4‐carbonyl benzene sulfonyl)imide) (LiPSI) is reported, which simultaneously overcomes the drawbacks of the polyolefin‐based separator (low porosity and poor electrolyte wettability and thermal dimensional stability) and the LiPF₆ salt (poor thermal stability and moisture sensitivity). The electrospun nanofiber membrane (es‐PVPSI) has high porosity and appropriate mechanical strength. The fully aromatic polyamide backbone enables high thermal dimensional stability of es‐PVPSI membrane even at 300 °C, while the high polarity and high porosity ensures fast electrolyte wetting. Impregnation of the membrane with the ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (v:v = 1:1) solvent mixture yields a SIPE offering wide electrochemical stability, good ionic conductivity, and high lithium‐ion transference number. Based on the above‐mentioned merits, Li/LiFePO₄ cells using such a SIPE exhibit excellent rate capacity and outstanding electrochemical stability for 1000 cycles at least, indicating that such an electrolyte can replace the conventional liquid electrolyte–polyolefin combination in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In addition, the long‐term stripping–plating cycling test coupled with scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of lithium foil clearly confirms that the es‐PVPSI membrane is capable of suppressing lithium dendrite growth, which is fundamental for its use in high‐energy Li metal batteries.     

Diversification of the RAB Guanosine Triphosphatase Family in Dicots and Monocots

RAB guanosine triphosphatases （GTPases） are key regulators of vesicle trafficking and are essential to the growth and development of all eukaryotic cells. During evolution, the RAB family has expanded in different patterns to facilitate distinct cellular, developmental and physiological adaptations. Yeast has only 11 family members, whereas mammalian RABs have expanded to 18 RAB subfamilies. Plant RABs have diversified primarily by duplicating members within a single subfamily. Plant RABs are divided into eight subfamilies, corresponding to mammalian RAB1, RAB2, RAB5, RAB6, RAB7, RAB8, RAB11 and RAB18. Functional diversification of these is exemplified by the RAB1 ls, orthologs of which are partitioned into unique cell compartments in plants where they function to transport vesicles during localized tip growth. Similarly, the RAB2 family in grasses is likely involved in vesicle secretion associated with wall expansion, as determined by analysis of over-expression mutants. We propose that dicots and monocots have also diverged in their RAB profiles to accommodate unique cellular functions between the two groups. Here we present a bioinformatics analysis comparing the RAB sub-families of rice, maize and Arabidopsis. These results will guide future functional studies to test for the role of diversification of subfamilies unique to monocots compared to dicots.     

楸树CbuATX1，CbuATX1-like和CbuATX2基因克隆及生物信息学分析

开花是高等植物内部遗传因素和外界环境因素共同调节完成的复杂生命过程,是植物进入生殖生长从而具备遗传能力和繁殖能力的象征。使用PCR技术,以楸树（Catalpa bungei）混合芽cDNA为模板分别克隆CbuATX1,CbuATX1-like和CbuATX2 3个基因,并利用相关生物信息学软件对这3个基因编码的蛋白质结构进行预测,同时对基因的启动子序列进行顺式作用元件分析,通过qRT-PCR技术检测3个基因在楸树混合芽不同发育时期的表达量。结果表明：CbuATX1的CDS全长为726 bp,编码241个氨基酸,存在跨膜运输结构,属于HMA蛋白家族,与芝麻（Sesamum indicum）、甜菜（Beta vulgaris）亲缘关系较近。CbuATX1-like的CDS全长为801 bp,编码266个氨基酸,存在跨膜运输结构,属于HMA蛋白家族,与胡萝卜（Daucus carota）、欧洲橄榄（Olea europaea）亲缘关系较近。CbuATX2的CDS全长为1 554 bp,编码517个氨基酸,不存在跨膜运输结构,属于PWWP蛋白家族,与马尾草（Erythranthe guttatus）亲缘关系较近。这3个基因启动子均含有多个真核生物启动子的基本元件,如CAAT-box和TATA-box等,此外,还含有光响应、低温响应、生长素响应,以及与干旱诱导相关的MYB结合位点等3个基因与光响应密切相关,还可能参与外界环境胁迫响应等过程。qRT-PCR结果显示,上述3个基因在1年生普通楸树无性系9-1和突变株系-百日花楸树不同发育时期的表达量呈现显著差异。通过以上研究以期能够进一步阐述百日花楸树开花的性状,为楸树开花机制的研究和楸树的定向遗传改良提供理论支持。