Altered telomeres in tumors with ATRX and DAXX mutations

The proteins encoded by ATRX and DAXX participate in chromatin remodeling at telomeres and other genomic sites. Because inactivating mutations of these genes are common in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs), we examined the telomere status of these tumors. We found that 61% of PanNETs displayed abnormal telomeres that are characteristic of a telomerase-independent telomere maintenance mechanism termed ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres). All of the PanNETs exhibiting these abnormal telomeres had ATRX or DAXX mutations or loss of nuclear ATRX or DAXX protein. ATRX mutations also correlate with abnormal telomeres in tumors of the central nervous system. These data suggest that an alternative telomere maintenance function may operate in human tumors with alterations in the ATRX or DAXX genes.     

The removal of nitrate reductase phosphorylation enhances tolerance to ammonium nitrogen deficiency in rice

Nitrate reductase (NR) is a key enzyme for nitrogen assimilation in plants, and its activity is regulated by posttranslational phosphorylation. To investigate the effects of dephosphorylation of the NIA1 protein on the growth and the physiological and biochemical characteristics of rice under different forms of nitrogen supplies, the phenotypes, nitrogen metabolism and reactive oxygen metabolism were measured in NIA1 phosphorylation site-directed mutant lines (S532D and S532A), an OsNia1 over-expression line (OE) and Kitaake (wild type, WT). Compared with WT and OE, S532D and S532A have stronger nitrogen assimilation capacities. When ammonium nitrate served as the nitrogen source, the plant heights, dry weights of shoots and chlorophyll (Chl) contents of S532D and S532A were lower than those of the WT and OE, whereas hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite contents were higher. When potassium nitrate served as the nitrogen source, the plant heights, dry weights of shoots and Chl contents of S532D and S532A were higher than those of the WT and OE, there were no significant differences in the contents of H₂O₂ and MDA in the leaves of the test materials, and the difference in nitrite contents among different lines decreased. When ammonium sulfate served as the nitrogen source, there were no significant differences in the physiological indexes of the test materials, except NR activity. Compared with ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, the content of NH₄⁺-N in the leaves of each plant was lower when potassium nitrate was used as the nitrogen source. The qPCR results showed that OsGS and OsNGS1 were negatively regulated by downstream metabolites, and OsNrt2.2 was induced by nitrate. In summary, when ammonium nitrate served as the nitrogen source, the weak growth of NIA1 phosphorylation site-directed mutant lines was due to the toxicity caused by the excessive accumulation of nitrite. When potassium nitrate served as the nitrogen source, the assimilation rates of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium salt were accelerated in NIA1 phosphorylation site-directed mutant lines, which could provide more nitrogen nutrition and improve the tolerance of rice to ammonium nitrogen deficiency. These results could provide a possible method to improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in rice under low-nitrogen conditions.     

Pathogenicity of a non-haemolytic Group B Streptococcus sp. in gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis Baird and Girard)

Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) were injected intraperitoneally with different bacterial concentrations and the LD₅₀ were 1.4 × 10⁴ at 96 h and 7.5 × 10 at 168 h. No deaths occurred among fish dipped in the bacterial suspension for different time periods or when the fish were exposed to a 50 parts per thousand hyperosmotic solution prior to dip. Fish became infected when they were injured prior to dipping in the bacterial suspension, but crowding and low oxygen concentration did not precipitate infection. No deaths occurred with oral administration of the bacteria. Bacterial count per gram of tissue was determined for both liver and spleen of infected fish at four, 24-h intervals. There was a significant difference (P > 0.12) between the bacterial counts at the different time periods.     

Wheat Gluten Polymer Structures: The Impact of Genotype,Environment, and Processing on Their Functionality in Various Applications

For a number of applications, gluten protein polymer structures are of the highest importance in determining end‐use properties. The present article focuses on gluten protein structures in the wheat grain, genotype‐ and environment‐related changes, protein structures in various applications, and their impact on quality. Protein structures in mature wheat grain or flour are strongly related to end‐use properties, although influenced by genetic and environment interactions. Nitrogen availability during wheat development and genetically determined plant development rhythm are the most important parameters determining the gluten protein polymer structure, although temperature during plant development interacts with the impact of the mentioned parameters. Glutenin subunits are the main proteins incorporated in the gluten protein polymer in extracted wheat flour. During dough mixing, gliadins are also incorporated through disulfide‐sulfhydryl exchange reactions. Gluten protein polymer size and complexity in the mature grain and changes during dough formation are important for breadmaking quality. When using the gluten proteins to produce plastics, additional proteins are incorporated in the polymer through disulfide‐sulfhydryl exchange, sulfhydryl oxidation, β‐eliminations with lanthionine formation, and isopeptide formation. In promising materials, the protein polymer structure is changed toward β‐sheet structures of both intermolecular and extended type and a hexagonal close‐packed structure is found. Increased understanding of gluten protein polymer structures is extremely important to improve functionality and end‐use quality of wheat‐ and gluten‐based products.     

Mitigating net global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity by intermittent irrigation under straw incorporation in Chinese double-rice cropping systems

Paddy and Water Environment - To clarify the effect of water management on global warming potential and crop yield with rice straw returning in typical double-rice cropping systems, a field...     

Investigation and modeling of air permeability of Cotton/Polyester blended double layer interlock knitted fabrics

The aim of this study was to analyze and model the effect of knitting parameters on the air permeability of Cotton/Polyester double layer interlock knitted fabrics. Fabric samples of areal densities ranging from 315–488 g/m² were knitted using yarns of three different cotton/polyester blends, each of two different linear densities by systematically varying knitting loop lengths for achieving different cover factors. It was found that by changing the polyester content in the inner and outer fabric layer from 52 to 65 % in the double layer knitted fabric did not have statistically significant effect on the fabric air permeability. Air permeability sharply increased with increase in knitting loop length owing to decrease in fabric areal density. Decrease in yarn linear density (tex) resulted in increase in air permeability due to decrease in areal density as well as the fabric thickness. It was concluded that response surface regression modeling could adequately model the effect of knitting parameters on the double layer knitted fabric air permeability. The model was validated by unseen data set and it was found that the actual and predicted values were in good agreement with each other with less than 10 % absolute error. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to find out the relative contribution of each input parameter on the air permeability of the double layer interlock knitted fabrics.     

A Recessive Allele (tgr-1) Conditioning Tomato Resistance to Geminivirus Infection Is Associated with Impaired Viral Movement

ABSTRACT Begomoviruses (the family Geminiviridae) are transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci and contain monopartite or bipartite circular single-stranded (ss)DNA genomes. They have emerged as severe problems in the production of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. Here, we report the identification of a tomato breeding line, FLA653, that confers a high level of resistance to Tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV, monopartite). Genetic analysis indicated that the resistance is controlled by a single recessive allele named tgr-1, which is in contrast to previous reports that multiple genetic factors are involved in tomato resistance to begomoviruses. Particle bombardment of an infectious TLCV DNA construct into the detached leaves of FLA653 resulted in the viral replication, but the viral ssDNA accumulated at a much lower level than that in susceptible controls. In situ localization of TLCV in the bombarded leaves suggests that tgr-1 impaired TLCV movement, raising the possibility that it may specify a host factor essential for viral systematic infection. This makes tgr-1 a strong candidate for developing resistance in major crops carrying the gene homologue.     

Characterization of HMW-GS and evaluation of their diversity in morphologically elite synthetic hexaploid wheats

High molecular weight glutenin subunit composition and variation in 95 Elite-1 synthetic hexaploid (SH) wheats (Triticum turgidum/Aegilops tauschii; 2n = 6× = 42; AABBDD) were determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method (SDS-PAGE). Twenty two different alleles at Glu-1 loci in SHs were observed. Forty four different patterns of HMW-GS in synthetics were found. This higher HMW glutenin composition was due to higher proportion of D-genome encoded subunits in these SHs. 8% urea/SDS-PAGE better discriminated subunit 2* than 12% gels. However 12% urea/SDS-PAGE allowed differentiated mobility of Glu-D^t1 subunits. Genetic variability at Glu-D^t1 locus was greater than Glu-A1 and Glu-B1 loci. The relative high frequency of superior alleles, Glu-B1b and Glu-D^t1d indicated the superior bread making quality attributes embedded in these synthetic hexaploid wheats. Of the 95 Elite-1 SHs 27.1% possessed superior alleles at Glu-A1 and 51% had superior alleles at Glu-B1 locus. At Glu-D^t1 frequency of inferior allele 1Dx2 + 1Dy12 was very low (5.26%) and nine different rare alleles along with the higher frequency (22.1%) of D-genome encoded subunit, 1Dx5 + 1Dy10, were observed. These superior alleles shall form the priority selective sieve for their usage in wheat improvement efforts.