MADS2 regulates priming defence in postharvest peach through combined salicylic acid and abscisic acid signaling.

MADS-box genes play well-documented roles in plant development, but relatively little is known regarding their involvement in defence responses. In this study, pre-treatment of peach (Prunus persica) fruit with ß-aminobutyric acid (BABA) activated resistance against Rhizopus stolonifer, leading to a significant delay in the symptomatic appearance of disease. This was associated with an integrated defence response that included a H2O2 burst, ABA accumulation, and callose deposition. cDNA library screening identified nucleus-localized MADS2 as an interacting partner with NPR1, and this was further confirmed by yeast two-hybrid, luciferase complementation imaging, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The DNA-binding activity of NPR1 conferred by the NPR1-MADS2 complex was required for the transcription of SA-dependent pathogenesis-related (PR) and ABA-inducible CalS genes in order to gain the BABA-induced resistance, in which MAPK1-induced post-translational modification of MADS2 was also involved. In accordance with this, overexpression of PpMADS2 in Arabidopsis potentiated the transcription of a group of PR genes and conferred fungal resistance in the transgenic plants. Conversely, Arabidopsis mads2-knockout lines showed high sensitivity to the fungal pathogen. Our results indicate that MADS2 positively participates in BABA-elicited defence in peach through a combination of SA-dependent NPR1 activation and ABA signaling-induced callose accumulation, and that this defence is also related to the post-translational modification of MADS2 by MAPK1 for signal amplification.

Effect of the 532nm pulsed KTP laser in the treatment of Reinke's edema.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the effect and safety of the 532nm Pulsed Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate (KTP) laser in the office-based treatment of patients with Reinke's edema using objective and subjective scaled outcome measures. STUDY DESIGN: Case Series. SETTING: Tertiary hospital center. SUBJECTS: Seven adult females undergoing in-office KTP laser treatment for Reinke's edema. METHODS: Participants were studied pre- and posttreatment. Vocal function was evaluated by objective aerodynamic and acoustic analysis. Subjective changes were evaluated using the GRBAS scale, Voice Handicap Index, and videostroboscopy. Histologic effects of the laser were investigated by comparing one patient treated with laser one year prior to excision, one treated with laser just prior to excision, and one control patient who underwent excision without prior laser treatment. RESULTS: At an average postoperative follow up of 17.8 weeks (range 5-78), maximum phonation time trended toward improvement. The median VHI score decreased from 37 to 26 (p=0.150). There was a reduction in each component of the GRBAS scoring and the median fundamental frequency increased from 162 to 186 (p=0.625). Stroboscopic findings demonstrated an intact posttreatment mucosal wave. Histologic comparison of the tissue effects of laser in three patients demonstrated changes in vocal fold vascularity but no acute or long-term damage to the overlying epithelium. CONCLUSION: Objective and subjective scaled measures suggest that treatment of Reinke's edema in the office with a 532nm KTP laser may result in improved voice. It appears safe with histologic preservation of the vocal fold vibratory epithelium and persistence of mucosal wave.