The roles of nitric oxide in improving postharvest fruits quality: Crosstalk with phytohormones.

Nowadays, improving the quality of postharvest fruits has become a hot research topic. Nitric oxide (NO) is often regarded as a signaling molecule that delays the postharvest senescence of fruits. Moreover, phytohormones affect the postharvest senescence of fruits. This review mainly describes how NO improves the postharvest quality of fruits by delaying postharvest fruit senescence, mitigating fruit cold damage and controlling postharvest diseases. Furthermore, the crosstalk of NO and multiple plant hormones effectively delays the postharvest senescence of fruits, and the major crosstalk mechanisms include (1) mediating phytohormone signaling. (2) inhibiting ETH production. (3) stimulating antioxidant enzyme activity. (4) decreasing membrane lipid peroxidation. (5) maintaining membrane integrity. (6) inhibiting respiration rate. (7) regulating gene expression related to fruit senescence. This review concluded the roles and mechanisms of NO in delaying postharvest fruit senescence. In addition, the crosstalk mechanisms between NO and various phytohormones on the regulation of postharvest fruit quality are also highlighted, which provides new ideas for the subsequent research.

SERK3A and SERK3B could be S-nitrosylated and enhance the salt resistance in tomato seedlings.

Salinity hinders plant growth and development, resulting in reduced crop yields and diminished crop quality. Nitric oxide (NO) and brassinolides (BR) are plant growth regulators that coordinate a plethora of plant physiological responses. Nonetheless, the way in which these factors interact to affect salt tolerance is not well understood. BR is perceived by the BR receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) and its co-receptor BRI1-associated kinase 1 (BAK1) to form the receptor complex, eventually inducing BR-regulated responses. To response stress, a wide range of NO-mediated protein modifications is undergone in eukaryotic cells. Here, we showed that BR participated in NO-enhanced salt tolerance of tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) and NO may activate BR signaling under salt stress, which was related to NO-mediated S-nitrosylation. Further, in vitro and in vivo results suggested that BAK1 (SERK3A and SERK3B) was S-nitrosylated, which was inhibited under salt condition and enhanced by NO. Accordingly, knockdown of SERK3A and SERK3B reduced the S-nitrosylation of BAK1 and resulted in a compromised BR response, thereby abolishing NO-induced salt tolerance. Besides, we provided evidence for the interaction between BRI1 and SERK3A/SERK3B. Meanwhile, NO enhanced BRI1-SERK3A/SERK3B interaction. These results imply that NO-mediated S-nitrosylation of BAK1 enhances the interaction BRI1-BAK1, facilitating BR response and subsequently improving salt tolerance in tomato. Our findings illustrate a mechanism by which redox signaling and BR signaling coordinate plant growth in response to abiotic stress.

The Downregulation of MMP23B Facilitates the Suppression of Vitality and Induction of Apoptosis in Endometrial Cancer Cells.

Endometrial cancer is a malignant tumor that commonly occurs in the female reproductive system and its incidence is still increasing. The mechanism of the development of endometrial cancer has not yet been fully clarified, so we need to continuously study the relevant mechanisms of endometrial cancer and continue to explore its biomarkers in order to discover more precise and effective treatment methods for endometrial cancer. RT-qPCR (Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) experiments were used to detect the expression level of MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) in endometrial cancer cells; the clinical data of the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database were downloaded, and gene expression profiles were analyzed to investigate the correlation between MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) and the survival prognosis of endometrial cancer, and functional enrichment analysis was performed on MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) related genes. After silencing MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B), CCK8 (Cell Counting Kit-8), RT-qPCR (Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction), scratch assay, and transwell assay were used to detect cell viability, levels of apoptotic factors, migration rate, and invasion number of endometrial cancer, respectively. MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) was highly expressed in endometrial cancer, which is closely related to a poor survival prognosis for endometrial cancer, and may act on endometrial cancer through apoptosis-related functions. The downregulation of MMP23B (Matrix Metalloproteinase 23B) reduced the cell viability of endometrial cancer cells, upregulated the expression levels of CASP3 (Caspase-3), CASP8 (Caspase-8) and CASP9 (Caspase-9) in cells, and inhibited cell migration and invasion.

Predicting suitable habitat for the endangered tree Ormosia microphylla in China.

Climate change has significantly influenced the growth and distribution of plant species, particularly those with a narrow ecological niche. Understanding climate change impacts on the distribution and spatial pattern of endangered species can improve conservation strategies. The MaxEnt model is widely applied to predict species distribution and environmental tolerance based on occurrence data. This study investigated the suitable habitats of the endangered Ormosia microphylla in China and evaluated the importance of bioclimatic factors in shaping its distribution. Occurrence data and environmental variables were gleaned to construct the MaxEnt model, and the resulting suitable habitat maps were evaluated for accuracy. The results showed that the MaxEnt model had an excellent simulation quality (AUC = 0.962). The major environmental factors predicting the current distribution of O. microphylla were the mean diurnal range (bio2) and precipitation of the driest month (bio14). The current core potential distribution areas were concentrated in Guangxi, Fujian, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Hunan provinces in south China, demonstrating significant differences in their distribution areas. Our findings contribute to developing effective conservation and management measures for O. microphylla, addressing the critical need for reliable prediction of unfavorable impacts on the potential suitable habitats of the endangered species.

Biomarkers of lipid metabolism in gastric cancer: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between biomarkers of lipid metabolism and gastric cancer. METHODS: 1120 gastric cancer patients and 1134 health examiners enrolled in this study. The clinic data and serum lipid level, including Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), were collected. RESULTS: Serum TG and LDL-C levels in patients with gastric cancer were higher than those in the control group. HDL-C levels were lower than the control group (P < 0.05). HDL-C and LDL-C were significantly correlated with the risk of gastric cancer. Concentrating on clinicopathological features, increased TG was more frequently in male patients with distal gastric cancer, N0 stage and early TNM stage. Increased TC was more frequently in early T, N and TNM stage. Decreased HDL-C was more common in distal location and low-undifferentiated gastric cancer. LDL-C elevation was more common in distal gastric cancer and early T stage. CONCLUSIONS: The serum lipid level of gastric cancer patients was higher than healthy controls. HDL-C and LDL-C abnormal correlated with gastric cancer risk. However, as the progresses of gastric cancer, poor patient intake, increased tumor consumption, and continuous declining in nutritional status, the levels of TC and TG gradually decreased in advanced gastric cancer.

Oral health self-management barriers among rural older adults in Guangxi, China: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Objective: To understand the barriers associated with self-management of oral health among rural older adults in Guangxi, and to explore the high incidence of oral problems. This information will assist in the formulation of relevant strategies to solve the oral health problems in this population. METHODS: Taking a phenomenological approach, the current status of, and barriers to, oral health self-management in rural older adults from different regions of Guangxi were explored. Participants were purposively selected and interviewed face-to-face. RESULTS: The interviews yielded four overarching themes and six corresponding sub-themes pertaining to barriers in oral health self-management. These included: (1) Older adults' understanding of oral health and disease, perceptions of oral health and their oral health behaviours; (2) Problems in accessing oral health information; (3) Role of family support; and (4) Barriers to healthcare that included access to dental services, oral treatment experience and financial burden of access to dental care. CONCLUSION: Rural older adults in Guangxi face oral health self-management barriers. Improving access to oral healthcare services and changing existing oral health perceptions and habits may assist them in overcoming self-management challenges.

A tomato NAC transcription factor, SlNAP1, directly regulates gibberellin-dependent fruit ripening.

In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the ripening of fruit is regulated by the selective expression of ripening-related genes, and this procedure is controlled by transcription factors (TFs). In the various plant-specific TF families, the no apical meristem (NAM), Arabidopsis thaliana activating factor 1/2 (ATAF1/2), and cup-shaped cotyledon 2 (CUC2; NAC) TF family stands out and plays a significant function in plant physiological activities, such as fruit ripening (FR). Despite the numerous genes of NAC found in the tomato genome, limited information is available on the effects of NAC members on FR, and there is also a lack of studies on their target genes. In this research, we focus on SlNAP1, which is a NAC TF that positively influences the FR of tomato. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 technology, compared with the wild type (WT), we generated slnap1 mutants and observed a delay in the ethylene production and color change of fruits. We employed the yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays to confirm that SlNAP1 directly binds to the promoters of two crucial genes involved in gibberellin (GA) degradation, namely SlGA2ox1 and SlGA2ox5, thus activating their expression. Furthermore, through a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) and luciferase (LUC) assays, we established an interaction between SlNAP1 and SlGID1. Hence, our findings suggest that SlNAP1 regulates FR positively by activating the GA degradation genes directly. Additionally, the interaction between SlNAP1 and SlGID1 may play a role in SlNAP1-induced FR. Overall, our study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms through which NAC TFs regulate tomato FR via the GA pathway.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict intracranial haemorrhage in neonates.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish and validate a Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)-based predictive model for neonatal intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: A total of 1190 neonates suspected of ICH after cranial ultrasound screening in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively enrolled. The neonates were randomly divided into a training cohort and a internal validation cohort by a ratio of 7:3. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between risk factors and ICH, and the prediction model of neonatal ICH was established by multivariate logistic regression based on minimum Akaike information criterion (AIC). The nomogram was externally validated in another tertiary hospital of 91 neonates. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated in terms of discrimination by the area under the curve (AUC), calibration by the calibration curve and clinical net benefit by the decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Univariate analysis and min AIC-based multivariate logistic regression screened the following variables to establish a predictive model for neonatal ICH: Platelet count (PLT), gestational diabetes, mode of delivery, amniotic fluid contamination, 1-min Apgar score. The AUC was 0.715, 0.711, and 0.700 for the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curve showed a good correlation between the nomogram prediction and actual observation for ICH. DCA showed the nomogram was clinically useful. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated an easy-to-use nomogram to predict ICH for neonates. This model could support individualized risk assessment and healthcare.

Effect of passive versus active abdominal drainage on wound infection after pancreatectomy: A meta-analysis.

Following pancreatic resection, there may be a variety of complications, including wound infection, haemorrhage, and abdominal infection. The placement of drainage channels during operation may decrease the chances of postoperative complications. However, what kind of drainage can decrease the rate of postoperative complications is still a matter of debate. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of both active and passive drainage for post-operation wound complications. From the beginning of the database until November 2023, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and the Pubmed database have been searched. The two authors collected 2524 related studies from 3 data bases for importation into Endnote software, and 8 finished trials were screened against the exclusion criteria. Passive drainage can decrease the incidence of superficial wound infection in postoperative patients with pancreas operation (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.06-1.60 p = 0.01); No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of deep infections among the two groups (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.68-3.36 p = 0.31); No statistical significance was found for the rate of haemorrhage after active drainage on the pancreas compared with that of passive drainage (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.29-1.77 p = 0.47); No statistically significant difference was found in the rate of death after operation for patients who had received a pancreas operation in active or passive drainage (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.57-1.42 p = 0.65); On the basis of existing evidence, the use of passive abdominal drainage reduces postoperative surface wound infections in patients. But there were no statistically significant differences in the risk of severe complications, haemorrhage after surgery, or mortality. However, because of the limited sample size of this meta-analysis, it is necessary to have more high-quality research with a large sample size to confirm the findings.

LncRNA DGUOK-AS1 Promotes Cell Progression in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulation of miR-653-5p/SLC6A15 Axis.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays a key role in regulating cancer development. LncRNA deoxyguanosine kinase antisense RNA 1 (DGUOK-AS1) has been reported as a promoter in tumor. The work was designed to further investigate the mechanism of action of DGUOK-AS1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). DGUOK-AS1 level in LUSC cells was measured using RT-qPCR. Counting Kit-8 assays and colony forming assays were performed to evaluate LUSC cell viability and proliferation. Transwell assays were performed to detect cell migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays were used to verify the binding capacity of DGUOK-AS1 and miR-653-5p. RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to verify the relationship of DGUOK-AS1, miR-653-5p, and SLC6A15. DGUOK-AS1 was highly expressed in LUSC cells. DGUOK-AS1 knockdown suppressed LUSC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. SLC6A15 was demonstrated to be targeted by miR-653-5p, and DGUOK-AS1 interacted with miR-653-5p to modulate SLC6A15 level in LUSC cells. Overexpression of SLC6A15 reversed the suppressive effects of DGUOK-AS1 knockdown on LUSC cell processes. In conclusion, DGUOK-AS1 promotes malignant behaviors of LUSC cells by upregulating SLC6A15 level through interaction with miR-653-5p.

Pedicled ligament flaps during pancreatoduodenectomy are associated with reduced hemorrhage from hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery stump during pancreatoduodenectomy: a systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether pedicled ligament flaps (PLF) covering around the hepatic and gastroduodenal artery stump can provide better clinical outcomes in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of databases (inception to January 2023) to identify studies comparing PD with or without PLF covering the skeletonized arteries. The perioperative and postoperative outcomes were compared. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects models. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Six studies with 3538 patients met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Patients in the PLF group had a significantly lower rate of PPH from the hepatic artery or gastroduodenal artery stump (H/G PPH) (OR: 0.41; 95 % CI, 0.22-0.75; P < 0.01) and overall PPH (OR: 0.65; 95 % CI, 0.46-0.93; P = 0.02). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of morbidity, grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula (B/C POPF), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), reoperation, or mortality. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic pedicled ligament flaps covering around the skeletonized arteries significantly reduced overall PPH and H/G PPH, and it seemed to have no obvious influence on other complications.

Protein S-nitrosylation under abiotic stress: Role and mechanism.

Abiotic stress is one of the main threats affecting crop growth and production. Nitric oxide (NO), an important signaling molecule involved in wide range of plant growth and development as well as in response to abiotic stress. NO can exert its biological functions through protein S-nitrosylation, a redox-based posttranslational modification by covalently adding NO moiety to a reactive cysteine thiol of a target protein to form an S-nitrosothiol (SNO). Protein S-nitrosylation is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism regulating multiple aspects of cellular signaling in plant. Recently, emerging evidence have elucidated protein S-nitrosylation as a modulator of plant in responses to abiotic stress, including salt stress, extreme temperature stress, light stress, heavy metal and drought stress. In addition, significant mechanism has been made in functional characterization of protein S-nitrosylated candidates, such as changing protein conformation, and the subcellular localization of proteins, regulating protein activity and influencing protein interactions. In this study, we updated the data related to protein S-nitrosylation in plants in response to adversity and gained a deeper understanding of the functional changes of target proteins after protein S-nitrosylation.

NO-mediated protein S-nitrosylation under salt stress: Role and mechanism.

Salt stress is one of the major environmental stressors that remarkably hinders the processes of plant growth and development, thereby limiting crop productivity. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses against salinity stimulus will help guide the rational design of crop plants to counter these challenges. Nitric oxide (NO) is a redox-related signaling molecule regulating diverse biological processes in plant. Accumulating evidences indicated NO exert its biological functions through posttranslational modification of proteins, notably via S-nitrosylation. During the past decade, the roles of S-nitrosylation as a regulator of plant and S-nitrosylated candidates have also been established and detected. Emerging evidence indicated that protein S-nitrosylation is ubiquitously involved in the regulation of plant response to salt stress. However, little is known about this pivotal molecular amendment in the regulation of salt stress response. Here, we describe current understanding on the regulatory mechanisms of protein S-nitrosylation in response to salt stress in plants and highlight key challenges in this field.

Serum aspartate aminotransferase, a novel potential biomarker of prognosis in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type.

BACKGROUND: Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), an indicator of liver cell damage, was related to the prognosis of certain malignant tumors. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the predictive value of AST in patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). METHODS: We reviewed 183 cases diagnosed with ENKTL and selected 26 U/L as the optimum cut-off value of AST. We used the univariate and multivariate Cox regression to compare the different AST groups' overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Prior to propensity score matching (PSM), Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the low AST subgroup had better OS and PFS than the high AST subgroup. Multivariate analysis revealed that AST was an independent indicator for prognosis. After PSM, the low AST subgroup maintained a significantly better OS and PFS than the high AST subgroup. CONCLUSION: AST might represent a significant prognostic marker for ENKTL patients.

Analysis of Bioactive Compounds Produced by Bacillus mojavensis ZA1 and Their Antagonistic Effect on Colletotrichum coccodes by GC-MS.

The plant disease Colletotrichum coccodes, which lowers potato yields, poses a severe danger to the booming potato industry. Isolated plant endophytic bacteria from highland pasture can produce a variety of metabolites that lessen the risk that the pathogen C. coccodes poses to plant growth and development. Therefore, the objective of our work was to assess substances with antipathogenic properties made by the endophytic bacteria Bacillus mojavensis ZA1. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used in our investigation to accomplish a thorough structural elucidation of the antipathogenic compounds produced by the endophytic bacterial strain B. mojavensis ZA1. The results showed that the metabolites extracted from ethyl acetate as an extractant were the most effective in inhibiting the pathogen C. coccodes, with 60.95% inhibition. Thirty-five distinct chemicals, including acids, esters, ketones, alcohols, amino acid ammonium salts, cyclic ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds, were among the metabolites that may inhibit C. coccodes. Further analysis of the chemical groups in the compound structures revealed the potential of driving groups, such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, ester, benzene, carbon-carbon double bonds, and carbon rings, that prevent C. coccodes from performing its function. This study opens up new opportunities for plant protection programs by demonstrating that natural chemicals produced by B. mojavensis ZA1 can be used as candidates for cutting-edge plant disease management treatments.

Current knowledge of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in Whipple disease: a review.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is characterized by exaggerated and dysregulated inflammatory responses that occur as a result of reconstitution of adaptive or innate immunity. A wide range of microorganisms have been found to be associated with IRIS, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Mycobacterium and actinobacteria. Whipple disease (WD) is an infectious disorder caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei) and IRIS also serves as a complication during its treament. Although many of these pathological mechanisms are shared with related inflammatory disorders, IRIS in WD exhibits distinct features and is poorly described in the medical literature. Novel investigations of the intestinal mucosal immune system have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of IRIS, elucidating the interplay between systemic and local immune responses. These insights may be used to identify monitoring tools for disease prevention and to develop treatment strategies. Therefore, this review synthesizes these new concepts in WD IRIS to approach the feasibility of manipulating host immunity and immune reconstitution of inflammatory syndromes from a newer, more comprehensive perspective and study hypothetical options for the management of WD IRIS.

Role of methylation in vernalization and photoperiod pathway: a potential flowering regulator?

Recognized as a pivotal developmental transition, flowering marks the continuation of a plant's life cycle. Vernalization and photoperiod are two major flowering pathways orchestrating numerous florigenic signals. Methylation, including histone, DNA and RNA methylation, is one of the recent foci in plant development. Considerable studies reveal that methylation seems to show an increasing potential regulatory role in plant flowering via altering relevant gene expression without altering the genetic basis. However, little has been reviewed about whether and how methylation acts on vernalization- and photoperiod-induced flowering before and after FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) reactivation, what role RNA methylation plays in vernalization- and photoperiod-induced flowering, how methylation participates simultaneously in both vernalization- and photoperiod-induced flowering, the heritability of methylation memory under the vernalization/photoperiod pathway, and whether and how methylation replaces vernalization/photoinduction to regulate flowering. Our review provides insight about the crosstalk among the genetic control of the flowering gene network, methylation (methyltransferases/demethylases) and external signals (cold, light, sRNA and phytohormones) in vernalization and photoperiod pathways. The existing evidence that RNA methylation may play a potential regulatory role in vernalization- and photoperiod-induced flowering has been gathered and represented for the first time. This review speculates about and discusses the possibility of substituting methylation for vernalization and photoinduction to promote flowering. Current evidence is utilized to discuss the possibility of future methylation reagents becoming flowering regulators at the molecular level.

Screening of microRNAs and target genes involved in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) infection in Brassica napus L.

BACKGROUND: Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the third largest source of vegetable oil in the world, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) is a major soil-borne fungal plant pathogen that infects more than 400 plant species, including B. napus. Sclerotinia stem rot caused an annual loss of 10 - 20% in rapeseed yield. Exploring the molecular mechanisms in response to S. sclerotiorum infection in B. napus is beneficial for breeding and cultivation of resistant varieties. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms regarding B. napus tolerance to Sclerotinia stem rot, we employed a miRNAome sequencing approach and comprehensively investigated global miRNA expression profile among five relatively resistant lines and five susceptible lines of oilseed at 0, 24, and 48 h post-inoculation. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 40 known and 1105 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed after S. sclerotiorum infection, including miR156, miR6028, miR394, miR390, miR395, miR166, miR171, miR167, miR164, and miR172. Furthermore, 8,523 genes were predicted as targets for these differentially expressed miRNAs. These target genes were mainly associated with disease resistance (R) genes, signal transduction, transcription factors, and hormones. Constitutively expressing miR156b (OX156b) plants strengthened Arabidopsis resistance against S. sclerotiorum accompanied by smaller necrotic lesions, whereas blocking miR156 expression in Arabidopsis (MIM156) led to greater susceptibility to S. sclerotiorum disease, associated with extensive cell death of necrotic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the distinct difference in miRNA profiling between the relatively resistant lines and susceptible lines of B. napus in response to S. sclerotiorum. The identified differentially expressed miRNAs related to sclerotinia stem rot resistance are involved in regulating resistance to S. sclerotiorum in rapeseed by targeting genes related to R genes, signal transduction, transcription factors, and hormones. miR156 positively modulates the resistance to S. sclerotiorum infection by restricting colonization of S. sclerotiorum mycelia. This study provides a broad view of miRNA expression changes after S. sclerotiorum infection in oilseed and is the first to elucidate the function and mechanism underlying the miR156 response to S. sclerotiorum infection in oilseed rape.

Comparative genomic analyses reveal the genetic basis of the yellow-seed trait in Brassica napus.

Yellow-seed trait is a desirable breeding characteristic of rapeseed (Brassica napus) that could greatly improve seed oil yield and quality. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling this phenotype in B. napus plants are difficult to discern because of their complexity. Here, we assemble high-quality genomes of yellow-seeded (GH06) and black-seeded (ZY821). Combining in-depth fine mapping of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for seed color with other omics data reveal BnA09MYB47a, encoding an R2R3-MYB-type transcription factor, as the causal gene of a major QTL controlling the yellow-seed trait. Functional studies show that sequence variation of BnA09MYB47a underlies the functional divergence between the yellow- and black-seeded B. napus. The black-seed allele BnA09MYB47aZY821, but not the yellow-seed allele BnA09MYB47aGH06, promotes flavonoid biosynthesis by directly activating the expression of BnTT18. Our discovery suggests a possible approach to breeding B. napus for improved commercial value and facilitates flavonoid biosynthesis studies in Brassica crops.

Carbon monoxide/heme oxygenase system in plant: Roles in abiotic stress response and crosstalk with other signals molecules.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been recognized as a crucial gasotransmitter mainly produced by heme oxygenase (HO)-catalyzed heme degradation in plant. Recent studies have shown that CO plays an important role in regulating growth and development of plant, as well as and responding to a variety of abiotic stresses. Meanwhile, many studies have reported on CO working in combination with other signal molecules to mitigate abiotic stress. Here, we presented a comprehensive overview of recent developments in which CO reduces plant damage caused by abiotic stresses. The regulation of antioxidant system, photosynthetic system, ion balance and transport are the main mechanisms of CO-alleviated abiotic stress. We also proposed and discussed the relationship between CO and other signal molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen gas (H2), abscisic acid (ABA), indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA), cytokine (CTK), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and calcium ion (Ca2+). Furthermore, the important role of HO genes in alleviating abiotic stress was also discussed. We proposed promising and new research directions for the study of plant CO, which can provide further insights on the role of CO in plant growth and development under abiotic stress.