Rhodium-catalyzed annulation of hydrazines with vinylene carbonate to synthesize unsubstituted 1-aminoindole derivatives.

Herein, we describe rhodium-catalysed C-H bond activation for [3 + 2] annulation using hydrazide and vinylene carbonate, providing an efficient method for synthesising unsubstituted 1-aminoindole compounds. Characterised by high yields, mild reaction conditions, and no need for external oxidants, this transformation demonstrates excellent regioselectivity and a wide tolerance for various functional groups.

Dysfunction of duplicated pair rice histone acetyltransferases causes segregation distortion and an interspecific reproductive barrier.

Postzygotic reproductive isolation, which results in the irreversible divergence of species, is commonly accompanied by hybrid sterility, necrosis/weakness, or lethality in the F1 or other offspring generations. Here we show that the loss of function of HWS1 and HWS2, a couple of duplicated paralogs, together confer complete interspecific incompatibility between Asian and African rice. Both of these non-Mendelian determinants encode the putative Esa1-associated factor 6 (EAF6) protein, which functions as a characteristic subunit of the histone H4 acetyltransferase complex regulating transcriptional activation via genome-wide histone modification. The proliferating tapetum and inappropriate polar nuclei arrangement cause defective pollen and seeds in F2 hybrid offspring due to the recombinant HWS1/2-mediated misregulation of vitamin (biotin and thiamine) metabolism and lipid synthesis. Evolutionary analysis of HWS1/2 suggests that this gene pair has undergone incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and multiple gene duplication events during speciation. Our findings have not only uncovered a pair of speciation genes that control hybrid breakdown but also illustrate a passive mechanism that could be scaled up and used in the guidance and optimization of hybrid breeding applications for distant hybridization.

Two-fluid dynamics and micron-thin boundary layers shape cytoplasmic flows in early Drosophila embryos.

Cytoplasmic flows are widely emerging as key functional players in development. In early Drosophila embryos, flows drive the spreading of nuclei across the embryo. Here, we combine hydrodynamic modeling with quantitative imaging to develop a two-fluid model that features an active actomyosin gel and a passive viscous cytosol. Gel contractility is controlled by the cell cycle oscillator, the two fluids being coupled by friction. In addition to recapitulating experimental flow patterns, our model explains observations that remained elusive and makes a series of predictions. First, the model captures the vorticity of cytosolic flows, which highlights deviations from Stokes' flow that were observed experimentally but remained unexplained. Second, the model reveals strong differences in the gel and cytosol motion. In particular, a micron-sized boundary layer is predicted close to the cortex, where the gel slides tangentially while the cytosolic flow cannot slip. Third, the model unveils a mechanism that stabilizes the spreading of nuclei with respect to perturbations of their initial positions. This self-correcting mechanism is argued to be functionally important for proper nuclear spreading. Fourth, we use our model to analyze the effects of flows on the transport of the morphogen Bicoid and the establishment of its gradients. Finally, the model predicts that the flow strength should be reduced if the shape of the domain is more round, which is experimentally confirmed in Drosophila mutants. Thus, our two-fluid model explains flows and nuclear positioning in early Drosophila, while making predictions that suggest novel future experiments.

Pharmacokinetics of Sirolimus Eye Drops Following Topical Ocular Administration in Rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of sirolimus eye drops following topical instillation in rabbits. Methods: The study included 2 experiments. In single-dose pharmacokinetic study, rabbits received a single bilateral instillation of 0.05% sirolimus eye drops (0.5 mg/mL, 50 µL/eye). In repeat-dose pharmacokinetic study, 0.05% sirolimus eye drops (0.5 mg/mL, 50 µL/eye/time) were instilled into both eyes of rabbits four times a day for 6 consecutive days and one time on day 7. Whole blood, tears, aqueous humor, cornea, and conjunctiva samples were collected. Sirolimus concentration was determined by a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Sirolimus was hardly detected in plasma or aqueous humor after either single or repeated dosing. The Cmax of sirolimus in tears, cornea, and conjunctiva after a single instillation was 163.34 ± 69.30 µg/g, 150.56 ± 84.98 ng/g, and 113.22 ± 49.82 ng/g, respectively. As the number of instillation elevated, the Cmax of sirolimus was increased to 486.18 ± 297.93 µg/g, 418.63 ± 41.07 ng/g, and 314.25 ± 63.74 ng/g, respectively. In repeat-dose administration, the steady state of sirolimus concentration was achieved on the third day. Ocular exposure to sirolimus after single and repeated dosing, based on AUC0-t, was highest in tears, followed by cornea and conjunctiva. Compared with single administration, a significant increase in sirolimus exposure as measured by AUC0-t was observed in tears, cornea, and conjunctiva following repeated administration. Conclusions: Topical administration of sirolimus eye drops results in extensive distribution of sirolimus in tears, cornea, and conjunctiva, while aqueous humor and systemic exposure were negligible. Repeat-dose administration increases sirolimus exposure in tears, cornea, and conjunctiva.

Fluorescent Labeling of Peroxisome and Nuclear in Colletotrichum aenigma.

Anthracnose is one of the most widespread and destructive diseases in grapes. Grape anthracnose can be caused by various Colletotrichum species, such as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum cuspidosporium. In recent years, Colletotrichum aenigma was reported as a causal agent of Grape anthracnose in China and South Korea. Peroxisome is an important organelle in eukaryotes, which plays a very important role in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of several plant-pathogenic fungal species i, but it has not been reported in C. aenigma. In this work, the peroxisome of C. aenigma was labeled with a fluorescent protein, using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (DsRED and mCherry) as reporter genes. Via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AtMT), two fluorescent fusion vectors to mark the peroxisomes, with GFP and DsRED, respectively, were introduced into a wild-type strain of C. aenigma. In the transformants, bright dots of green or red fluorescence in hyphae and spores could be seen in the strains labeled peroxisome. The nuclei labeled by the same method showed bright round fluorescent spots. In addition, we also combined fluorescent protein labeling with chemical staining to show the localization more clearly. The ideal peroxisome and nuclear fluorescence-labeled C. aenigma strain was obtained, which provided a reference for the study of its growth, development, and pathogenicity.

Two-fluid dynamics and micron-thin boundary layers shape cytoplasmic flows in early Drosophila embryos.

Cytoplasmic flows are widely emerging as key functional players in development. In early Drosophila embryos, flows drive the spreading of nuclei across the embryo. Here, we combine hydrodynamic modeling with quantitative imaging to develop a two-fluid model that features an active actomyosin gel and a passive viscous cytosol. Gel contractility is controlled by the cell cycle oscillator, the two fluids being coupled by friction. In addition to recapitulating experimental flow patterns, our model explains observations that remained elusive, and makes a series of new predictions. First, the model captures the vorticity of cytosolic flows, which highlights deviations from Stokes' flow that were observed experimentally but remained unexplained. Second, the model reveals strong differences in the gel and cytosol motion. In particular, a micron-sized boundary layer is predicted close to the cortex, where the gel slides tangentially whilst the cytosolic flow cannot slip. Third, the model unveils a mechanism that stabilizes the spreading of nuclei with respect to perturbations of their initial positions. This self-correcting mechanism is argued to be functionally important for proper nuclear spreading. Fourth, we use our model to analyze the effects of flows on the transport of the morphogen Bicoid, and the establishment of its gradients. Finally, the model predicts that the flow strength should be reduced if the shape of the domain is more round, which is experimentally confirmed in Drosophila mutants. Thus, our two-fluid model explains flows and nuclear positioning in early Drosophila, while making predictions that suggest novel future experiments.

Optimization of rice panicle architecture by specifically suppressing ligand-receptor pairs.

Rice panicle architecture determines the grain number per panicle and therefore impacts grain yield. The OsER1-OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 pathway shapes panicle architecture by regulating cytokinin metabolism. However, the specific upstream ligands perceived by the OsER1 receptor are unknown. Here, we report that the EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR (EPF)/EPF-LIKE (EPFL) small secreted peptide family members OsEPFL6, OsEPFL7, OsEPFL8, and OsEPFL9 synergistically contribute to rice panicle morphogenesis by recognizing the OsER1 receptor and activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. Notably, OsEPFL6, OsEPFL7, OsEPFL8, and OsEPFL9 negatively regulate spikelet number per panicle, but OsEPFL8 also controls rice spikelet fertility. A osepfl6 osepfl7 osepfl9 triple mutant had significantly enhanced grain yield without affecting spikelet fertility, suggesting that specifically suppressing the OsEPFL6-OsER1, OsEPFL7-OsER1, and OsEPFL9-OsER1 ligand-receptor pairs can optimize rice panicle architecture. These findings provide a framework for fundamental understanding of the role of ligand-receptor signaling in rice panicle development and demonstrate a potential method to overcome the trade-off between spikelet number and fertility.

Reconstruction and deconstruction of human somitogenesis in vitro.

The vertebrate body displays a segmental organization that is most conspicuous in the periodic organization of the vertebral column and peripheral nerves. This metameric organization is first implemented when somites, which contain the precursors of skeletal muscles and vertebrae, are rhythmically generated from the presomitic mesoderm. Somites then become subdivided into anterior and posterior compartments that are essential for vertebral formation and segmental patterning of the peripheral nervous system1-4. How this key somitic subdivision is established remains poorly understood. Here we introduce three-dimensional culture systems of human pluripotent stem cells called somitoids and segmentoids, which recapitulate the formation of somite-like structures with anteroposterior identity. We identify a key function of the segmentation clock in converting temporal rhythmicity into the spatial regularity of anterior and posterior somitic compartments. We show that an initial 'salt and pepper' expression of the segmentation gene MESP2 in the newly formed segment is transformed into compartments of anterior and posterior identity through an active cell-sorting mechanism. Our research demonstrates that the major patterning modules that are involved in somitogenesis, including the clock and wavefront, anteroposterior polarity patterning and somite epithelialization, can be dissociated and operate independently in our in vitro systems. Together, we define a framework for the symmetry-breaking process that initiates somite polarity patterning. Our work provides a platform for decoding general principles of somitogenesis and advancing knowledge of human development.

Monitoring peroxisome dynamics using enhanced green fluorescent protein labeling in Alternaria alternata.

Brown leaf spot on tobacco is a serious fungal disease caused by Alternaria alternata. Peroxisomes are organelles playing an important role in the development and infection of plant pathogenic fungi. But, until now, there is no report on the peroxisome dynamics during the conidia germination of A. alternata. To evaluate the roles of peroxisome in the development of the fungus, in the present work, an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) cassette tagged with peroxisome targeting signal 2 (PTS2) was integrated into A. alternata to label the organelles, and an eGFP cassette carrying a nuclear located signal (NLS) was performed parallelly. The transformants containing the fusions emitted fluorescence in punctate patterns. The fluorescence of eGFP-PTS2 was distributed exactly in the peroxisomes while those of eGFP-NLS were located in the nucleus. Typical AaGB transformants were selected to be investigated for the peroxisome dynamics. The results showed that during spore germination, the number of peroxisomes in the spores decreased gradually, but increased in the germ tubes. In addition, when the transformants were cultured on lipid media, the numbers of peroxisomes increased significantly, and in a larger portion, present in striped shapes. These findings give some clues for understanding the peroxisomal functions in the development of A. alternata.

An α/ß hydrolase family member negatively regulates salt tolerance but promotes flowering through three distinct functions in rice.

Ongoing soil salinization drastically threatens crop growth, development, and yield worldwide. It is therefore crucial that we improve salt tolerance in rice by exploiting natural genetic variation. However, many salt-responsive genes confer undesirable phenotypes and therefore cannot be effectively applied to practical agricultural production. In this study, we identified a quantitative trait locus for salt tolerance from the African rice species Oryza glaberrima and named it as Salt Tolerance and Heading Date 1 (STH1). We found that STH1 regulates fatty acid metabolic homeostasis, probably by catalyzing the hydrolytic degradation of fatty acids, which contributes to salt tolerance. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that STH1 forms a protein complex with D3 and a vital regulatory factor in salt tolerance, OsHAL3, to regulate the protein abundance of OsHAL3 via the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we revealed that STH1 also serves as a co-activator with the floral integrator gene Heading date 1 to balance the expression of the florigen gene Heading date 3a under different circumstances, thus coordinating the regulation of salt tolerance and heading date. Notably, the allele of STH1 associated with enhanced salt tolerance and high yield is found in some African rice accessions but barely in Asian cultivars. Introgression of the STH1HP46 allele from African rice into modern rice cultivars is a desirable approach for boosting grain yield under salt stress. Collectively, our discoveries not only provide conceptual advances on the mechanisms of salt tolerance and synergetic regulation between salt tolerance and flowering time but also offer potential strategies to overcome the challenges resulted from increasingly serious soil salinization that many crops are facing.

The peroxins BcPex8, BcPex10, and BcPex12 are required for the development and pathogenicity of Botrytis cinerea.

Peroxisomes have been proved playing roles in infection of several plant pathogens. Although the contribution of a portion of peroxins in pathogenicity was demonstrated, most of them are undocumented in fungi, especially, Botrytis cinerea. The homologs of Pex8, Pex10, and Pex12 in B. cinerea were functionally characterized in this work using gene disruption strategies. Compared with the wild-type strain (WT), the Δbcpex8, Δbcpex10, and Δbcpex12 mutants exhibited significant reduction in melanin production, fatty acid utilization, and decreased tolerance to high osmotic pressure and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The mycelial growth and conidiation of were significantly inhibited in Δbcpex8, Δbcpex10, and Δbcpex12 strains. The mycelial growth rates of Δbcpex8, Δbcpex10, and Δbcpex12 were reduced by 32, 35, and 34%, respectively, compared with WT and ectopic transformant (ET), and the conidiation was reduced by approximately 89, 27, and 88%, respectively. The conidial germination, germ tube elongation, and the formation of initiate infection structures (IFSs) were also reduced by the deletion of the genes. The pathogenicity was tested on the leaves of tobacco and strawberry, and fruits of tomato. On the leaves of tobacco and strawberry, the Δbcpex8, Δbcpex10, and Δbcpex12 mutants could not induce necrotic lesions, and the lesions on tomato fruits infected with the mutants were significantly reduced than those of the wide type. The results indicated that BcPEX8, BcPEX10, and BcPEX12 are indispensable for the development and pathogenicity of B. cinerea.

A genetic module at one locus in rice protects chloroplasts to enhance thermotolerance.

How the plasma membrane senses external heat-stress signals to communicate with chloroplasts to orchestrate thermotolerance remains elusive. We identified a quantitative trait locus, Thermo-tolerance 3 (TT3), consisting of two genes, TT3.1 and TT3.2, that interact together to enhance rice thermotolerance and reduce grain-yield losses caused by heat stress. Upon heat stress, plasma membrane-localized E3 ligase TT3.1 translocates to the endosomes, on which TT3.1 ubiquitinates chloroplast precursor protein TT3.2 for vacuolar degradation, implying that TT3.1 might serve as a potential thermosensor. Lesser accumulated, mature TT3.2 proteins in chloroplasts are essential for protecting thylakoids from heat stress. Our findings not only reveal a TT3.1-TT3.2 genetic module at one locus that transduces heat signals from plasma membrane to chloroplasts but also provide the strategy for breeding highly thermotolerant crops.

Aqueous extract of Paeoniae Radix Rubra prevents deep vein thrombosis by ameliorating inflammation through inhibiting GSK3ß activity.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a kind of blood stasis syndrome. Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR) has long been widely used for eliminating blood stasis in China, but its effect on DVT has not yet been reported. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to assess the potential inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract of PRR (i.e.,PRR dispensing granule, PRRDG) on DVT and explore the underlying mechanism. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The chemical profile of PRRDG was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Sprague-Dawley rats were intragastrically treated with PRRDG (0.625, 1.25 and 1.875 g crude drug/kg/d) once daily for 7 consecutive days. On the sixth day, a model of inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis-induced DVT was established. All rats were sacrificed on the seventh day. Serum was collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thrombus-containing IVC was weighed and further processed for histopathologic examination, immunohistochemical analysis and western blotting. LiCl and LY294002 were adopted to block and increase the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), respectively. RESULTS: The chemical profile analysis showed that paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, albiflorin, gallic acid and catechin were the main constituents of PRRDG. LiCl decreased thrombus weight, reduced the number of inflammatory cells in thrombus and vein wall, down-regulated phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-p65) protein expression. Similarly, PRRDG decreased thrombus weight and tissue factor (TF) protein expression. PRRDG reduced the protein expression levels of P-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in venous endothelium, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and the number of inflammatory cells in thrombus and vein wall. Moreover, PRRDG down-regulated p-p65 protein expression and up-regulated phosphorylated GSK3ß (p-GSK3ß) protein expression. LY294002 abrogated the inhibitory effects of PRRDG on thrombus weight, TF protein expression, TNF-α and IL-1ß serum levels, inflammatory cells influxes, and p-p65 protein expression. CONCLUSION: PRRDG prevents DVT by ameliorating inflammation through inhibiting GSK3ß activity.

A rice QTL GS3.1 regulates grain size through metabolic-flux distribution between flavonoid and lignin metabolons without affecting stress tolerance.

Grain size is a key component trait of grain weight and yield. Numbers of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been identified in various bioprocesses, but there is still little known about how metabolism-related QTLs influence grain size and yield. The current study report GS3.1, a QTL that regulates rice grain size via metabolic flux allocation between two branches of phenylpropanoid metabolism. GS3.1 encodes a MATE (multidrug and toxic compounds extrusion) transporter that regulates grain size by directing the transport of p-coumaric acid from the p-coumaric acid biosynthetic metabolon to the flavonoid biosynthetic metabolon. A natural allele of GS3.1 was identified from an African rice with enlarged grains, reduced flavonoid content and increased lignin content in the panicles. Notably, the natural allele of GS3.1 caused no alterations in other tissues and did not affect stress tolerance, revealing an ideal candidate for breeding efforts. This study uncovers insights into the regulation of grain size though metabolic-flux distribution. In this way, it supports a strategy of enhancing crop yield without introducing deleterious side effects on stress tolerance mechanisms.

Spatholobi Caulis dispensing granule reduces deep vein thrombus burden through antiinflammation via SIRT1 and Nrf2.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a kind of blood stasis syndrome. Spatholobi Caulis (SC) has been widely used for the treatment of blood stasis syndrome in China, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. PURPOSE: The aim of present study was to investigate the anti-DVT mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis dispensing granule (SCDG). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: A rat model of inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis-induced DVT and a cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) were performed. Rats were orally administered with SCDG solution once daily for seven consecutive days. IVC stenosis-induced DVT was operated on the sixth day. Thrombi were harvested and weighed on the seventh day. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß of serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured with turbidimetric immunoassay. Protein expressions in thrombosed IVCs and/or OGD-stimulated EA. hy926 cells were evaluated by western blot and/or immunofluorescence analyses. RESULTS: SCDG dramatically decreased thrombus weight. SCDG decreased tissue factor (TF) protein expression, inflammatory cells influxes in thrombosed vein wall and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and CRP. Further, SCDG up-regulated Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein expression and down-regulated acetylated-NF-κB p65 (Ace-p65) protein expression. Moreover, SCDG up-regulated nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions, and down-regulated phosphorylated-NF-κB p65 (p-p65) protein expression. In the OGD cell model, SCDG medicated serum decreased the protein expression of TF. SCDG medicated serum enhanced SIRT1 protein expression and reduced Ace-p65 nuclear protein expression. SCDG medicated serum promoted protein expressions of nuclear Nrf2 and total HO-1, and inhibited translocation of p65. Furthermore, inhibiting SIRT1 and Nrf2 reversed the protective effect of SCDG medicated serum on OGD-induced EA. hy926 cells. CONCLUSION: SCDG may prevent DVT through antiinflammation via SIRT1 and Nrf2.

ERECTA1 Acts Upstream of the OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 Cascade to Control Spikelet Number by Regulating Cytokinin Metabolism in Rice.

Grain number is a flexible trait that strongly contributes to grain yield. In rice (Oryza sativa), the OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 cascade, which is negatively regulated by the dual-specificity phosphatase GSN1, coordinates the trade-off between grain number and grain size. However, the specific components upstream and downstream of the GSN1-MAPK module that regulate spikelet number per panicle remain obscure. Here, we report that ERECTA1 (OsER1), a negative regulator of spikelet number per panicle, acts upstream of the OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 cascade and that the OsER1-OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 pathway is required to maintain cytokinin homeostasis. OsMPK6 directly interacts with and phosphorylates the zinc finger transcription factor DST to enhance its transcriptional activation of CYTOKININ OXIDASE2 (OsCKX2), indicating that the OsER1-OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 pathway shapes panicle morphology by regulating cytokinin metabolism. Furthermore, overexpression of either DST or OsCKX2 rescued the spikelet number phenotype of the oser1, osmkkk10, osmkk4, and osmpk6 mutants, suggesting that the DST-OsCKX2 module genetically functions downstream of the OsER1-OsMKKK10-OsMKK4-OsMPK6 pathway. These findings reveal specific crosstalk between a MAPK signaling pathway and cytokinin metabolism, shedding light on how developmental signals modulate phytohormone homeostasis to shape the inflorescence.

Inferior vena cava stenosis-induced deep vein thrombosis is influenced by multiple factors in rats.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is incompletely understood, requiring reliable animal models. Inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis model mimics human DVT. OBJECTIVE: To provide optimal conditions for establishing a rat model of IVC stenosis-induced DVT. METHODS: Effects of suture, and body weight, sex and side branches of rats on the IVC stenosis model were evaluated. 1 d after modeling, the weight and length of thrombosed IVCs and side branch distance were measured. Histopathological change and leukocytes influxes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Ly-6G-positive neutrophils were located by immunofluorescence. A multiple regression linear model was then built. RESULTS: IVCs stenosed with silk or monofilament sutures presented no difference in leukocyte influxes. Thrombus of 220-340 g rats was significantly heavier than that of 180-220 g rats. Although no statistic difference was found in thrombus weight between male and female rats weighing 180-260 g, males weighing 260-300 g formed larger thrombi than weight-matched females. Thrombus weight and length of rats except 180-220 g females was not impacted by side branch ligation and side branch distance. The regression model showed that sex and body weight were key factors affecting thrombus weight. CONCLUSIONS: Male and female rats weighing 220-260 g are more suitable for establishing a model of DVT induced by stenosing IVC with silk and without side branch ligation.

UDP-glucosyltransferase regulates grain size and abiotic stress tolerance associated with metabolic flux redirection in rice.

Grain size is an important component trait of grain yield, which is frequently threatened by abiotic stress. However, little is known about how grain yield and abiotic stress tolerance are regulated. Here, we characterize GSA1, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) regulating grain size and abiotic stress tolerance associated with metabolic flux redirection. GSA1 encodes a UDP-glucosyltransferase, which exhibits glucosyltransferase activity toward flavonoids and monolignols. GSA1 regulates grain size by modulating cell proliferation and expansion, which are regulated by flavonoid-mediated auxin levels and related gene expression. GSA1 is required for the redirection of metabolic flux from lignin biosynthesis to flavonoid biosynthesis under abiotic stress and the accumulation of flavonoid glycosides, which protect rice against abiotic stress. GSA1 overexpression results in larger grains and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Our findings provide insights into the regulation of grain size and abiotic stress tolerance associated with metabolic flux redirection and a potential means to improve crops.

A SAC Phosphoinositide Phosphatase Controls Rice Development via Hydrolyzing PI4P and PI(4,5)P2.

Phosphoinositides (PIs) as regulatory membrane lipids play essential roles in multiple cellular processes. Although the exact molecular targets of PI-dependent modulation remain largely elusive, the effects of disturbed PI metabolism could be employed to identify regulatory modules associated with particular downstream targets of PIs. Here, we identified the role of GRAIN NUMBER AND PLANT HEIGHT1 (GH1), which encodes a suppressor of actin (SAC) domain-containing phosphatase with unknown function in rice (Oryza sativa). Endoplasmic reticulum-localized GH1 specifically dephosphorylated and hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. Inactivation of GH1 resulted in massive accumulation of both PI4P and PI(4,5)P2, while excessive GH1 caused their depletion. Notably, superabundant PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 could both disrupt actin cytoskeleton organization and suppress cell elongation. Interestingly, both PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 inhibited actin-related protein2 and -3 (Arp2/3) complex-nucleated actin-branching networks in vitro, whereas PI(4,5)P2 showed more dramatic effects in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the overaccumulation of PI(4,5)P2 resulting from dysfunction of SAC phosphatase possibly perturbs Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin polymerization, thereby disordering cell development. These findings imply that the Arp2/3 complex might be the potential molecular target of PI(4,5)P2-dependent modulation in eukaryotes, thereby providing insights into the relationship between PI homeostasis and plant growth and development.

Data for DHK effect on thrombus weight, blood coagulation, blood cell counts and whole blood viscosity in deep vein thrombosis rats.

The data presented herein are related to the research article entitled "Danhong Huayu Koufuye prevents venous thrombosis through antiinflammation via Sirtuin 1/NF-κB signaling pathway" [1]. This article describes the effect of Danhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK) on thrombus weight and blood coagulation indexes at the early and late stages of inferior vena cava stenosis-induced deep vein thrombosis in rats. In addition, the effect of DHK on blood cell counts and whole blood viscosity at the early stage were presented. The field dataset is made publicly available to enable critical or extended analyses.