In silico genome-wide analysis of homeodomain-leucine zipper transcription factors in Cannabis sativa L.

HD-Zip (Homeodomain-Leucine Zipper) is a family of transcription factors unique to higher plants and plays a vital role in plant growth and development. Increasing research results show that HD-Zip transcription factors are widely involved in many life processes in plants. However, the HD-Zip transcription factor for cannabis, a valuable crop, has not yet been identified. The sequence characteristics, chromosome localization, system evolution, conservative motif, gene structure, and gene expression of the HD-Zip transcription factor in the cannabis genome were systematically studied. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify its function. The results showed that cannabis contained 33 HD-Zip gene members. The number of amino acids is 136-849aa, the isoelectric point is 4.54-9.04, and the molecular weight is 23264.32-93147.87Da. Many cis-acting elements are corresponding to hormone and abiotic stress in the HD-Zip family promoter area of cannabis. Sequencing of the transcriptome at 5 tissue sites of hemp, stems, leaves, bracts, and seeds showed similar levels of expression of 33 members of the HD-Zip gene family at 5 tissue sites. Bioinformatics results show that HD-Zip expression is tissue-specific and may be influenced by hormones and environmental factors. This lays a foundation for further research on the gene function of HD-Zip.

In Silico Genome-Wide Analysis of B3 Transcription Factors in Cannabis sativa L.

Introduction: The B3 transcription factor has been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum, among other species. This family of transcription factors regulates seed growth, development, and stress. Cannabis is a valuable crop with numerous applications; however, no B3 transcription factors have been identified in this plant. Materials and Methods: The cannabis B3 gene family was identified and analyzed using bioinformatics analysis tools, such as the NCBI database, plantTFDB website, TBtools, and MEGA software. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments were used to confirm its function. Results: The cannabis B3 family contains 65 members spread across 10 chromosomes. The isoelectric point ranged from 10.03 to 4.65, and the molecular weight ranged from 99,542.88 to 14,310.9 Da. Most of the members were found in the nucleus. The upstream promoter region of the gene contains a variety of cis-acting elements related to the stress response. RNA-seq data and qRT-PCR results showed that CsB3 genes were expressed differently in five organs of female Diku plants and in glandular hairs of nine distinct types of female cannabis inflorescences. Collinearity analysis revealed that there were more homologous genes between cannabis and dicotyledons than monocotyledonous plants, which was consistent with the evolutionary relationship. Conclusions: Hormones and external environmental factors might influence CsB3 expression. Furthermore, some genes such as CsB3-02, CsB3-07, CsB3-50, CsB3-62, and CsB3-65 may participate in cannabis growth and development and play a role in secondary metabolite synthesis. This study provides a solid foundation for further research into the gene function of the cannabis B3 family.

[Sperm DNA damage in young men working on the plateau].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether long working in the high-altitude area can damage sperm DNA in men. METHODS: We enlisted 51 service men stationed on the plateau in an observation group and another 53 living in the low-altitude area in a control group. We detected and compared the damages to sperm DNA in the semen samples from the two groups using single cell gel electrophoresis and the sperm chromatin dispersion test. RESULTS: The percentages of total, G1, G2 and G3 comet cells and abnormal sperm of the observation group were (5.56 +/- 3.98)%, (3.72 +/- 1.85)%, (1.57 +/- 1.07)%, (0.27 +/- 0.34)% and (16.59 +/- 12.07)%, respectively, before stationed on the plateau, but significantly increased at 6 months of plateau life ([11.15 +/- 8.59]%, [5.97 +/- 3.26]%, [3.83 +/- 2.13%, [1.35 +/- 1.53]% and [22.03 +/- 15.33]%, P<0.05). The percentages of G2 comet cells and abnormal sperm were decreased to (3.32 +/- 1.83)% and (20.54 +/- 15.52)% at 12 months, but still significantly higher than the baseline (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Long working on the plateau may damage sperm DNA, but its influence on male fertility deserves further investigation. Therefore, it is important to reinforce reproductive health protection for males working on the plateau.

[Release of colloidal N and P from sediment of lake caused by continuing hydrodynamic disturbance].

The course of continuing hydrodynamic disturbance and succeeding long time settlement of lake water was simulated to study the release of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from lake sediment. It was showed in the experiment that the hydrodynamic disturbance caused abundant release of particulate and colloidal phosphorus and nitrogen. The concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in water reached the highest values of 2.106 mg/L and 0.272 mg/L, respectively, when the water was disturbed for 0.5 d, and the concentration of colloidal nitrogen (CN) and colloidal phosphorus (CP) in water reached the highest values of 0.452 mg/L and 0.052 mg/L, respectively, when the water was disturbed for 1 day. Then, the concentration of TN, TP, CN and CP turned to decrease despite the continuing disturbance, for the particles and colloid deposited exceeded that suspended. During the settling phase after disturbance, the bigger suspended particles deposited quickly while the tiny colloid deposited much slower, and the concentration of CN and CP did not decrease until the water was settled for 1 day. The concentration of ultra-filtrated dissolved nitrogen (UDN) and ultra-filtrated dissolved phosphorus (UDP) increased much more in the settling phase than in the disturbing phase. It can be drawn that the adsorption of colloid limited the increase of dissolved N and P in lake water in the disturbing phase and prolonged the time of suspended N and P stayed in water. And the N and P adsorbed by colloid could also be released into water in the settling phase after disturbance, which delayed the elimination of nutrition and improvement of water quality.

[Effect of wind-induced wave on concentration of colloidal nutrient and phytoplankton in Lake Taihu].

In order to find out the characteristics of colloidal nutrient and phytoplankton under different wind conditions in Lake Taihu, observation were carried out and samples were collected. Colloid was collected by using cross-flow ultrafiltration system. Organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in colloidal, dissolved and other fractions of water samples were determined, and concentration and biomass of phytoplankton were also determined. The result showed that the concentration of colloidal nitrogen (CN), colloidal phosphorus (CP) increased with the increasing of wind speed when the wind speed was less than 4 m/s, and did not increase or even decreased with the increasing of wind speed when the wind speed was more than 4 m/s. The concentration of Chl-a, phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, and biomass of cyanobacteria increased with the increasing of wind speed when the wind speeds was less than 4 m/s, and decreased with the increasing of wind speeds when the wind speed was more than 4 m/s. It was indicated that the small wind-induced waves are of advantage to the float or growth of cyanobacteria while the big wind-induced waves are of disadvantage to the float or growth of cyanobacteria. Concentration of CN and CP are significantly correlated with concentration of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria, indicating that algae and their production are main sources of CN and CP in summer in Lake Taihu.