DIA-based proteome profiling with PRM verification reveals the involvement of ER-associated protein processing in pollen abortion in Ogura CMS cabbage

Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility(Ogura CMS)is extensively applied in hybrid seed production in cruciferous crops.However,the posttranscriptional molecular basis of Ogura CMS in cruciferous crops remains elusive.Here,a data-independent acquisition-based proteomic approach coupled with a parallel reaction monitoring-based targeted proteomic assay was used to analyze the proteome dynamics of Ogura CMS cabbage line RM and its maintainer line RF during floral bud development to obtain insights into the mechanism underlying Ogura CMS in cruciferous crops.A total of 9162 proteins corresponding to 61464 peptides were identified in RM and RF floral buds.The proteomic fluctuation of RM was weaker than that of RF.Differences in protein expression between RM and RF gradually enlarged with floral bud development.Fifteen continually up-regulated and eight continually down-regulated proteins were found in RM relative to RF throughout floral bud development.Differentially expressed proteins between RM and RF during floral bud development were implicated in the endoplasmic reticulum(ER)-associated protein processing pathway,in which most of them exhibited down-regulated expression in RM.These data suggest that ER-associated protein processing may be involved in pollen abortion in Ogura CMS cabbage by inhibiting the expression of critical factors.Our findings not only deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Ogura CMS in cruciferous crops but also provide better guidance for applying Ogura CMS in the hybrid breeding of cruciferous crops.

Aeolian dust dynamics in the Fergana Valley, Central Asia, since -30 ka inferred from loess deposits

Knowledge of the interactions among atmospheric dynamics,dust emissions and climate system is essential to understand the physical mechanisms for the dust lifecycle,their role in loess formation as well as the predictions of future dust concentration.However,these issues still remain relatively poorly known in Central Asia(CA).The extensive loess deposits on the CA pediments provide a promising archive to explore atmospheric dust dynamics and climatic conditions in the past and their association with loess formation.This study investigates the granulometric and magnetic properties of a loess section(named Osh section)in the Fergana Valley,which provides a sensitive record of atmospheric dust dynamics since 30 ka based on radiometric(AMS ^(14)C)dating.The frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility(χfd)and the mean grain size are used to reconstruct the broadscale effective moisture and summer atmospheric dynamics pattern in CA,respectively.The results show that the precession forcing exerts a huge influence on the wind-regime variabilities in CA,but with different physical processes under the impact of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheet(NHIS)before and after 15 ka.The origin of the sedimentation rate variations in the Osh loess is also linked to the NHIS-modulated changes of the atmospheric circulation patterns.Either the strengthened westerlies or the increased surface roughness from higher vegetation cover in loess-deposition areas have significantly accelerated the loess accumulation.As a result,these complicated influence factors of sedimentation rate change in the Osh loess section,especially during the Holocene epoch,may hamper accessibility of the authentic dust emission flux and atmospheric dust concentration in CA.

Enhancement of defense responses by <i>Clonostachys rosea</i>against Botrytis <i>cinerea</i>in tomatoes

Clonostachys rosea (C. rosea) is a biocontrol agent that is used to combat and prevent phytopathogenic fungi attacks because of its ability to involve many factors and diverse modes of action. The reactions of C. rosea on the control of gray mold disease in tomato leaves were investigated in this study. To investigate the reactions of C. rosea in inducing resistance to tomato plants, three treatments, including Botrytis cinerea treatment (treatment B), C. rosea treatment (treatment C), C. rosea and B. cinerea treatment (treatment C + B) and water (control), to be applied on tomato leaves were set up. Disease severity was subsequently evaluated and compared with the control. The treatment of tomato leaves with C. rosea (15 μg/ml) significantly reduced the disease index after inoculation and severity of gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. The results indicated that the C. rosea treatment stimulated the activity of the defense related enzymes: Peroxidases (POX), lipoxygenases (LOX) and glutathione S-transferases (GST), and the treatment C + B reduced the incidence and severity of the gray mold. Furthermore, C. rosea treatment increased the activity of pathogenesis related proteins PR1. Therefore, our results suggest that C. rosea could enhance the resistance of tomato plants to gray mold through the activation of defense genes and via the enhancement of defense-related enzymatic activities.

Zinc chemical forms and organic acid exudation in non-heading Chinese cabbages under zinc stress

As an essential element, zinc also is a heavy metal. Non-heading Chinese cabbage showed obvious tolerance to Zn stress in former research. To further understand the mechanisms involved in Zn adaptability and detoxification, two genotypes Suzhouqing and Aijiaohuang were selected to investigate the chemical forms of Zn and root exudation. Zinc stress obvious strained the plant growth, and Aijiaohuang was more injured than Suhouqing under Zn stress. Under normal Zn levels, the chemical forms of Zn were diverse in three organs between genotypes. Results showed extractions of 2% HAc, 80% ethanol and 1 M NaCl were separately dominant in roots, petioles and leaves. However, under Zn stress (13 mg·L–1 and 52 mg·L–1) most of the Zn was extracted by 1M NaCl, and the subdominant amount of Zn was extracted by 80% ethanol. In the control only four types of organic acid could be detected. While under Zn stress, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid and amber acid were all detected, so it could be speculated Zn detoxification with organic ligands or integrated with pectates and proteins in cells might be responsible for the adaptation of Zn stress in Chinese cabbage.