Down-expression of TaPIN1s Increases the Tiller Number and Grain Yield in Wheat.

BACKGROUND: Tiller number is a factor determining panicle number and grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Auxin plays an important role in the regulation of branch production. PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), an auxin efflux carrier, plays a role in the regulation of tiller number in rice (Oryza sativa); however, little is known on the roles of PIN1 in wheat. RESULTS: Nine homologs of TaPIN1 genes were identified in wheat, of which TaPIN1-6 genes showed higher expression in the stem apex and young leaf in wheat, and the TaPIN1-6a protein was localized in the plasma membrane. The down-expression of TaPIN1s increased the tiller number in TaPIN1-RNA interference (TaPIN1-RNAi) transgenic wheat plants, indicating that auxin might mediate the axillary bud production. By contrast, the spikelet number, grain number per panicle, and the 1000-grain weight were decreased in the TaPIN1-RNAi transgenic wheat plants compared with those in the wild type. In summary, a reduction of TaPIN1s expression increased the tiller number and grain yield per plant of wheat. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analysis and protein structure of nine TaPIN1 proteins were analyzed, and subcellular localization of TaPIN1-6a was located in the plasma membrane. Knock-down expression of TaPIN1 genes increased the tiller number of transgenic wheat lines. Our study suggests that TaPIN1s is required for the regulation of grain yield in wheat.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis Provide Basis to the Biological Function of Cotton FBA Genes.

Fructose-1,6-biphosphate aldolase (FBA) is a multifunctional enzyme in plants, which participates in the process of Calvin-Benson cycle, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Despite the importance of FBA genes in regulating plant growth, development and abiotic stress responses, little is known about their roles in cotton. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of FBAs in Gossypium hirsutum. Totally seventeen GhFBA genes were identified. According to the analysis of functional domain, phylogenetic relationship, and gene structure, GhFBA genes were classified into two subgroups. Furthermore, nine GhFBAs were predicted to be in chloroplast and eight were located in cytoplasm. Moreover, the promoter prediction showed a variety of abiotic stresses and phytohormone related cis-acting elements exist in the 2k up-stream region of GhFBA. And the evolutionary characteristics of cotton FBA genes were clearly presented by synteny analysis. Moreover, the results of transcriptome and qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of GhFBAs were related to the tissue distribution, and further analysis suggested that GhFBAs could respond to various abiotic stress and phytohormonal treatments. Overall, our systematic analysis of GhFBA genes would not only provide a basis for the understanding of the evolution of GhFBAs, but also found a foundation for the further function analysis of GhFBAs to improve cotton yield and environmental adaptability.

Guillain-Barré syndrome in a patient with multiple myeloma after bortezomib therapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Bortezomib is a first-line drug approved for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and has significantly increased their overall survival. However, bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) remains a significant side effect that has led to its discontinuation in some patients. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is recognized as an immune-mediated PN characterized by the involvement of multiple nerve roots and peripheral nerves and albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasmapheresis are effective. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old man diagnosed with stage III MM (λ type) was treated with bortezomib and dexamethasone. Fourteen days after the second course, he complained of intense burning sensation in the lower limbs and hands, loss of tactile sensation, and pain in the distal area of both thighs and in the distal part of both wrist joints. Neurological examination revealed absence of knee and ankle reflexes. CSF examination revealed albuminocytologic dissociation. Nerve conduction studies indicated sensory nerve action potential amplitudes, conduction velocity decrease, and F wave latency prolongation. He was diagnosed as MM complicated with GBS. Subsequently, he was treated with high-dose IVIG (400 mg/kg/d for five days). His symptoms fully resolved without relapse at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights the differential diagnosis and management of complications after bortezomib treatment in MM.

Primary succession of soil enzyme activity and heterotrophic microbial communities along the chronosequence of Tianshan Mountains No. 1 Glacier, China.

We investigated the primary successions of soil enzyme activity and heterotrophic microbial communities at the forefields of the Tianshan Mountains No. 1 Glacier by investigating soil microbial processes (microbial biomass and nitrogen mineralization), enzyme activity and community-level physiological profiling. Soils deglaciated between 1959 and 2008 (0, 5, 17, 31 and 44 years) were collected. Soils >1,500 years in age were used as a reference (alpine meadow soils). Soil enzyme activity and carbon-source utilization ability significantly increased with successional time. Amino-acid utilization rates were relatively higher in early, unvegetated soils (0 and 5 years), but carbohydrate utilization was higher in later stages (from 31 years to the reference soil). Discriminant analysis, including data on microbial processes and soil enzyme activities, revealed that newly exposed soils (0-5 years) and older soils (17-44 years) were well-separated from each other and obviously different from the reference soil. Correlation analysis revealed that soil organic carbon, was the primary factor influencing soil enzyme activity and heterotrophic microbial community succession. Redundancy analysis suggested that soil pH and available P were also affect microbial activity to a considerable degree. Our results indicated that glacier foreland soils have continued to develop over 44 years and soils were significantly affected by the geographic location of the glacier and the local topography. Soil enzyme activities and heterotrophic microbial communities were also significantly influenced by these variables.

[Relationships of wheat leaf stomatal traits with wheat yield and drought-resistance].

Taking the DH population of wheat cultivar Hanxuan10/Lumai14 as test object, and by the methods of correlation analysis and path analysis, this paper studied the relationships of the flag leaf stomatal density (SD), stomatal length and width (SL and SW), stomatal conductance (g(s)), photosynthetic rate (P(n)), and transpiration rate (T(r)) on the 10th and 20th day after anthesis with the yield and the index of drought-resistance under the conditions of drought stress and normal irrigation. Under the two conditions, most of the test leaf traits on the 10th day after anthesis had less correlation with the yield and the index of drought-resistance, whereas the leaf traits on the 20th day after anthesis had significant positive correlations with thousand kernel weight but less correlation with grain number per ear, grain yield per plant, and index of drought-resistance. Path analysis showed that g(s), P(n), and T(r) were the main factors affecting the grain yield per plant (YPP) and the index of drought resistance (IDR), and the effects were stronger both in direct and in indirect ways. The direct and indirect effects of SD, SL, and SW on the YPP and IDR were lesser. Under both drought stress and normal irrigation, and on the 10th and 20th day after anthesis, there were significant correlations between SD and SL, and between SL and SW, g(s), P(n), and Tr, but the correlations of SD and SL with g(s), P(n), and T(r) changed with water condition or growth stage. Therefore, it would be not always a good means to select the leaf stomatal density and size as the targets for breeding to improve the leaf stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate, and further, to promote the yield.

[Inhibitory effects of HSV-tk/GCV system mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 on rabbit lens epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2)-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on the rabbit lens epithelial cells (N/N1003A) in vitro and to investigate the mechanism of cell death. METHODS: After N/N1003A cells had been transfected with rAAV2-EGFP, expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) were observed by inverted fluorescent microscope and the transfection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry. N/N1003A cells were infected by recombinant virus rAAV2/HSV-tk as the treated group, and the uninfected N/N1003A cells were used as the controls. The dose- and time-dependent efficiency and bystander effect of HSV-tk/GCV system on the cells were studied by MTT assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were observed by phase contrast microscope, electron microscope and Hoechst33258 stain. Apoptotic cell rate and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: rAAV2 vector encoding EGFP gene could be transfected into N/N1003A cells stably and efficiently. The effects of GCV on these two groups were dose-dependent (F = 13.076. 239, P < 0.001). The difference of percentages of survival cells between the study group and the control group at various doses of GCV was statistically significant (F = 53,47.119, P < 0.001). The 50% of the inhibitory concentration (IC50) of GCV in the study group was 2 mg/L and was 524 mg/L in the control group. The killing efficiency of GCV increased with the prolongation of time and showed significant bystander effect. Cell apoptosis and necrosis were observed in N/N1003A-tk cells transfected by GCV, and the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher than that of the control group (t = 3.83, P < 0.01). The percentages of N/N1003A-tk cells in the S phase of the cell cycle was significantly higher than that of the control group (t = 3.55, P < 0.01). Whereas the percentages of the G0/ G1 phase in GCV treated cells was significantly lower than that of the control group ( t = 4.29, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GCV can kill efficiently the N/N1003A cells infected by recombinant virus rAAV2/HSV-tk, and there is strong bystander effect. Recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated HSV-tk/GCV suicide gene system may provide an effective approach for the treatment of lens posterior capsular opacification.

[Construction and expression of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector containing HSV1-TK gene].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV) vector plasmid pSNAV2.0-TK containing HSV1-TK gene, to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus rAAV2/HSV1-TK, and to detect the integration and expression of HSV1-TK gene in lens epithelial cells transfected by rAAV2/HSV1-TK, and to provide foundation for gene therapy of posterior capsular opacification. METHODS: The recombinant vector plasmid constructed by gene recombinant technology was analyzed by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. The cell strain BHK-21/TK was screened by G418 after the plasmid was transfected into BHK-21 cells,with the helper virus HSV1-rc/UL2 to produce the recombinant virus rAAV2/HSV1-TK. The purity of rAAV2/HSV1-TK was detected by SDS-PAGE and HPLC, and the titre of rAAV2/HSV1-TK was observed by dot blot hybridization. The HSV1-TK gene in lens epithelial cells transfected by rAAV2/HSV-TK was investigated by PCR and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid proved successful by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. The recombinant virus rAAV2/HSV1-TK was produced successfully and its titre was 1 x 10(12) v.g./mL by dot blot hybridization. The HSV1-TK gene was integrated and expressed in lens epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: The recombinant adeno-associated virus vector plasmid containing HSV1-TK gene is successfully constructed, and high titre recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV2/HSV1-TK) is obtained. The HSV1-TK gene in lens epithelial cells is expressed after being transfected by rAAV2/HSV1-TK.