The R2R3-MYB gene PsMYB58 positively regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis in tree peony flowers.

Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) is a well-known ornamental flower in China with diverse colors. Flower color is one of the most important economic characteristics of tree peony and is mainly determined by anthocyanins. In this study, we cloned a PsMYB58 gene, which contained a 654 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding a polypeptide of 218 amino acids. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that PsMYB58 is an anthocyanin regulatory R2R3-MYB gene. The transcription levels of PsMYB58 in different developmental stages of tree peony flowers were similar to those of the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes PsCHS, PsCHI, PsDFR, and PsANS. A bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay showed that PsMYB58 interacted with PsbHLH1 and PsbHLH3 in vivo. The overexpression of PsMYB58 in tobacco enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in various organs. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that 943 genes were upregulated and 1203 downregulated in PsMYB58 transgenic tobacco, among which genes involved in the anthocyanin pathway were positively activated. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis verified that anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, including NtCHS, NtCHI, NtF3H, NtF3'H, NtDFR, and NtANS, and an anthocyanin regulatory bHLH gene, NtAN1b, were significantly upregulated in PsMYB58 transgenic tobacco. Our results indicated that PsMYB58 is a positive anthocyanin regulator in tree peony flowers. In summary, the functional identification of PsMYB58 furthers our understanding of the mechanism of peony flower color formation, thus providing a foundation for flower color improvement and molecular breeding.

Cell morphology variations of Klebsiella pneumoniae induced by acetate stress using biomimetic vesicle assay.

Supplementation with acetate under low levels was used as a novel approach to control the morphological development of Klebsiella pneumoniae aimed to improve 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) production. A full range of morphological types formed from rod shape to oval shape even round shape in response to different concentrations of acetate. The cell growth and 1,3-PD productions in the shake flasks with 0.5 g/L acetate addition were improved by 9.4 and 28.37%, respectively, as compared to the control, while the cell became shorter and began to lose its original shape. The cell membrane penetration by acetate was investigated by the biomimetic vesicles, while higher concentration of acetate led to more moderate colorimetric transitions. Moreover, the percentage composition of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) was increased as well as the increased concentrations of acetate, whereas higher UFA percentage, higher fluidity of bacterial cell membrane.