Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Pathways and Candidate Genes Controlling Seed Development and Size in Ricebean (Vigna umbellata).

Ricebean (Vigna umbellata) is a lesser known pulse with well-recognized potential. Recently, it has emerged as a legume with endowed nutritional potential because of high concentration of quality protein and other vital nutrients in its seeds. However, the genes and pathways involved in regulating seed development and size are not understood in this crop. In our study, we analyzed the transcriptome of two genotypes with contrasting grain size (IC426787: large seeded and IC552985: small seeded) at two different time points, namely, 5 and 10 days post-anthesis (DPA). The bold seeded genotype across the time points (B5_B10) revealed 6,928 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), whereas the small seeded genotype across the time point (S5_S10) contributed to 14,544 DEGs. We have also identified several candidate genes for seed development-related traits like seed size and 100-seed weight. On the basis of similarity search and domain analysis, some candidate genes (PHO1, cytokinin dehydrogenase, A-type cytokinin, and ARR response negative regulator) related to 100-seed weight and seed size showed downregulation in the small seeded genotype. The MapMan and KEGG analysis confirmed that auxin and cytokinin pathways varied in both the contrasting genotypes and can therefore be the regulators of the seed size and other seed development-related traits in ricebeans. A total of 51 genes encoding SCF TIR1/AFB , Aux/IAA, ARFs, E3 ubiquitin transferase enzyme, and 26S proteasome showing distinct expression dynamics in bold and small genotypes were also identified. We have also validated randomly selected SSR markers in eight accessions of the Vigna species (V. umbellata: 6; Vigna radiata: 1; and Vigna mungo: 1). Cross-species transferability pattern of ricebean-derived SSR markers was higher in V. radiata (73.08%) than V. mungo (50%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first transcriptomic study conducted in this crop to understand the molecular basis of any trait. It would provide us a comprehensive understanding of the complex transcriptome dynamics during the seed development and gene regulatory mechanism of the seed size determination in ricebeans.

Transcriptome Analysis of Bread Wheat Genotype KRL3-4 Provides a New Insight Into Regulatory Mechanisms Associated With Sodicity (High pH) Tolerance.

Globally, sodicity is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting the wheat productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. With due consideration, an investigation of the complex gene network associated with sodicity stress tolerance is required to identify transcriptional changes in plants during abiotic stress conditions. For this purpose, we sequenced the flag leaf transcriptome of a highly tolerant bread wheat germplasm (KRL 3-4) in order to extend our knowledge and better understanding of the molecular basis of sodicity tolerance. A total of 1,980 genes were differentially expressed in the flag leaf due to sodicity stress. Among these genes, 872 DEGs were upregulated and 1,108 were downregulated. Furthermore, annotation of DEGs revealed that a total of 1,384 genes were assigned to 2,267 GO terms corresponding to 502 (biological process), 638 (cellular component), and 1,127 (molecular function). GO annotation also revealed the involvement of genes related to several transcription factors; the important ones are expansins, peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, and metal ion transporters in response to sodicity. Additionally, from 127 KEGG pathways, only 40 were confidently enriched at a p-value <0.05 covering the five main KEGG categories of metabolism, i.e., environmental information processing, genetic information processing, organismal systems, and cellular processes. Most enriched pathways were prioritized using MapMan software and revealed that lipid metabolism, nutrient uptake, and protein homeostasis were paramount. We have also found 39 SNPs that mapped to the important sodicity stress-responsive genes associated with various pathways such as ROS scavenging, serine/threonine protein kinase, calcium signaling, and metal ion transporters. In a nutshell, only 19 important candidate genes contributing to sodicity tolerance in bread wheat were identified, and these genes might be helpful for better understanding and further improvement of sodicity tolerance in bread wheat.

Treatment Options Available for COVID-19 and an Analysis on Possible Role of Combination of rhACE2, Angiotensin (1-7) and Angiotensin (1-9) as Effective Therapeutic Measure.

Corona virus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is rapidly spreading all around the world and is posing a threat to mankind. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a novel virus, little is known about it and no effective drug is available for its treatment. While many drugs are being evaluated, an effective therapeutic measure is still lacking. SARS-CoV-2 like SARS-CoV binds with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) present on human cells. SARS-CoV has been found to downregulate ACE2 and SARS- CoV-2 infection has been found to be associated with increased level of Angiotensin II. Based on these facts, we presume that SARS-CoV-2 like SARS-CoV downregulates ACE2, and in absence/reduced activity of ACE2, level of angiotensin (1-7) and angiotensin (1-9) is decreased while that of angiotensin II is increased and increased level of angiotensin II has been found to correlate with lung injury and viral load. We presume that restoration of normal functioning of renin-angiotensin system with recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2), angiotensin (1-7) and angiotensin (1-9) may be an effective therapeutic measure but studies will be required to test this hypothesis and explore its possible role in treatment of COVID-19.

Carcinosarcoma of Breast Mimicking Breast Abscess.

Carcinosarcoma, a tumor having both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements, occurring in the breast, is a rare condition. The tumor consists of both epithelial and mesenchymal cell lines and tends to behave aggressively. It has clinical features like that of invasive breast carcinoma but sometimes there can be diagnostic confusion as it can mimic or present as breast abscess. Treatment is multimodal. Surgery plays the vital role. Post-op radiation and chemo are indicated. Hormone therapy is usually inapplicable as most of the time, it is hormone receptor negative.

Group VII Ethylene Response Factors Coordinate Oxygen and Nitric Oxide Signal Transduction and Stress Responses in Plants.

The group VII ethylene response factors (ERFVIIs) are plant-specific transcription factors that have emerged as important regulators of abiotic and biotic stress responses, in particular, low-oxygen stress. A defining feature of ERFVIIs is their conserved N-terminal domain, which renders them oxygen- and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent substrates of the N-end rule pathway of targeted proteolysis. In the presence of these gases, ERFVIIs are destabilized, whereas an absence of either permits their accumulation; ERFVIIs therefore coordinate plant homeostatic responses to oxygen availability and control a wide range of NO-mediated processes. ERFVIIs have a variety of context-specific protein and gene interaction partners, and also modulate gibberellin and abscisic acid signaling to regulate diverse developmental processes and stress responses. This update discusses recent advances in our understanding of ERFVII regulation and function, highlighting their role as central regulators of gaseous signal transduction at the interface of ethylene, oxygen, and NO signaling.