ABSTRACT
Plants, anchored throughout their life cycles, face a unique set of challenges from fluctuating environments and pathogenic assaults. Central to their adaptative mechanisms are transcription factors (TFs), particularly the AP2/ERF superfamily-one of the most extensive TF families unique to plants. This family plays instrumental roles in orchestrating diverse biological processes ranging from growth and development to secondary metabolism, and notably, responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Distinguished by the presence of the signature AP2 domain or its responsiveness to ethylene signals, the AP2/ERF superfamily has become a nexus of research focus, with increasing literature elucidating its multifaceted roles. This review provides a synoptic overview of the latest research advancements on the AP2/ERF family, spanning its taxonomy, structural nuances, prevalence in higher plants, transcriptional and post-transcriptional dynamics, and the intricate interplay in DNA-binding and target gene regulation. Special attention is accorded to the ethylene response factor B3 subgroup protein Pti5 and its role in stress response, with speculative insights into its functionalities and interaction matrix in tomatoes. The overarching goal is to pave the way for harnessing these TFs in the realms of plant genetic enhancement and novel germplasm development.
ABSTRACT
Asthenopia is a syndrome based on the symptoms of eye discomfort that has become a chronic disease that interferes with and harms people's physical and mental health. Lutein is an internationally recognized "eye nutrient", and studies have shown that it can protect the retina and relieve visual fatigue. In this study, lutein was extracted from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) and saponified. The purified lutein concentration measured by HPLC was 50.12 mg/100 g. Then, purified lutein was modified to be water-soluble by nanoscale modification and microencapsulation technology. Water-soluble lutein was then mixed with a leaching solution of Chinese wolfberry and chrysanthemum to make a functional beverage. The effects of this beverage on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and the alleviation of visual fatigue in a rat model of diabetes were investigated for 4 weeks. Lutein intake of 0.72 (medium-lutein beverage group) and 1.44 mg/mL (high-lutein beverage group) relieved visual fatigue, ameliorated turbidity symptoms of impaired crystalline lenses, reduced hepatic MDA concentration, increased hepatic GSH concentration, and significantly increased the activities of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GR in rats. These data suggest that a lutein-rich beverage is an effective and harmless way to increase the total anti-oxidation capacity of lenses and alleviate visual fatigue.
