Diverse O-methyltransferases catalyze the biosynthesis of floral benzenoids that repel aphids from the flowers of waterlily Nymphaea prolifera

Nymphaea is a key genus of the ANA grade(Amborellales,Nymphaeales,and Austrobaileyales)of basal flowering plants,which serve as a key model to study the early evolution of floral traits.In this study,we comprehensively investigated the emission,biosynthesis,and biological function of the floral scent in a night-blossoming waterlily Nymphaea prolifera.The headspace volatile collection combined with GC-MS analysis showed that the floral scent of N.prolifera is predominately comprised by methylated benzenoids including anisole,veratrole,guaiacol,and methoxyanisole.Moreover,the emission of these floral benzenoids in N.prolifera exhibited temporal and spatial pattern with circadian rhythm and tissue specificity.By creating and mining transcriptomes of N.prolifera flowers,12 oxygen methyltransferases(NpOMTs)were functionally identified.By in vitro enzymatic assay,NpOMT3,6,and 7 could produce anisole and NpOMT5,7,9,produce guaiacol,whereas NpOMT3,6,9,11 catalyzed the formation of veratrole.Methoxyanisole was identified as the universal product of all NpOMTs.Expression patterns of NpOMTs provided implication for their roles in the production of the respective benzenoids.Phylogenetic analysis of OMTs suggested a Nymphaea-specific expansion of the OMT family,indicating the evolution of lineage-specific functions.In bioassays,anisole,veratrole,and guaiacol in the floral benzenoids were revealed to play the critical role in repelling waterlily aphids.Overall,this study indicates that the basal flowering plant N.prolifera has evolved a diversity and complexity of OMT genes for the biosynthesis of methylated benzenoids that can repel insects from feeding the flowers.These findings provide new insights into the evolutional mechanism and ecological significance of the floral scent from early-diverged flowering plants.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of rugged rose (Rosa rugosa) provides insights into its evolution, ecology, and floral characteristics

Rosa rugosa,commonly known as rugged rose,is a perennial ornamental shrub.It produces beautiful flowers with a mild fragrance and colorful seed pods.Unlike many other cultivated roses,R.rugosa adapts to a wide range of habitat types and harsh environmental conditions such as salinity,alkaline,shade,drought,high humidity,and frigid temperatures.Here,we produced and analyzed a high-quality genome sequence for R.rugosa to understand its ecology,floral characteristics and evolution.PacBio HiFi reads were initially used to construct the draft genome of R.rugosa,and then Hi-C sequencing was applied to assemble the contigs into 7 chromosomes.We obtained a 382.6Mb genome encoding 39,704 protein-coding genes.The genome of R.rugosa appears to be conserved with no additional whole-genome duplication after the gamma whole-genome triplication(WGT),which occurred~100 million years ago in the ancestor of core eudicots.Based on a comparative analysis of the high-quality genome assembly of R.rugosa and other high-quality Rosaceae genomes,we found a unique large inverted segment in the Chinese rose R.chinensis and a retroposition in strawberry caused by post-WGT events.We also found that floral development-and stress response signaling-related gene modules were retained after the WGT.Two MADS-box genes involved in floral development and the stress-related transcription factors DREB2A-INTERACTING PROTEIN 2(DRIP2)and PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER 3(PTR3)were found to be positively selected in evolution,which may have contributed to the unique ability of this plant to adapt to harsh environments.In summary,the high-quality genome sequence of R.rugosa provides a map for genetic studies and molecular breeding of this plant and enables comparative genomic studies of Rosa in the near future.

Organising a juvenile ratio monitoring programme for 10 key waterbird species in the Yangtze River floodplain:analysis and proposals

Background:In the face of continued degradation and loss of wetlands in the Yangtze River floodplain(YRF),there is an urgent need to monitor the abundance and distribution of wintering waterbirds.To understand fully observed annual changes,we need to monitor demographic rates to understand factors affecting global population size.Annual reproduction success contributes to dynamic changes in population size and age structure,so an assessment of the juvenile ratio(i.e.first winter birds as a proportion of total number aged)of overwintering waterbirds can be an important indicator of the reproductive success in the preceding breeding season.Methods:During 2016-2019,we sampled juvenile ratios among 10 key waterbird species from the wetlands in the YRF.Based on these data,we here attempt to establish a simple,efficient,focused and reliable juvenile ratio monitoring scheme,to assess consistently and accurately relative annual breeding success and its contribution to the age structure among these waterbird species.Results:We compared juvenile ratio data collected throughout the winter and found that the optimal time for undertaking these samples was in the early stages of arrival for migratory waterbirds reaching their wintering area(early to mid-December).We recommend counting consistently at key points(i.e.those where>1%biogeographical flyway population were counted)at sites of major flyway importance(Poyang Lake,East Dongting Lake,Shengjin Lake,Caizi Lake,Longgan Lake and Chen Lake).Based on this,the error rate of the programme(155 planned points,the count of 10 waterbird species is 826-8955)is less than 5%.Conclusions:We established a juvenile ratio monitoring programme for 10 key waterbird species in the wetlands of the YRF,and discuss the feasibility and necessity of implementing such a future programme,and how to use these data in our monitoring and understanding of the population dynamics of these waterbird populations.

Identification and functional characterization of ent-kaurene synthase gene in Ilex latifolia

Diterpenes are the most complex and abundant plant metabolites,some of which play significant roles in both primary and secondary metabolism.Ent-kaurene synthase is the key enzyme for gibberellins(GAs)biosynthesis,which may act as a catalyst in the formation of entkaurene,the precursor for GAs,by cyclization or rearrangement of the substrate ent-copalyl diphosphate(ent-CPP).Ilex latifolia Thunb(Aquifoliaceae)is a widely distributed Chinese plant whose leaves are used to process a popular Chinese bitter tea named'Kudingcha',which has anti-microbial,anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Here,we isolated a diterpene synthase gene from the leaf transcriptome of I.latifolia,and further identified its biosynthesis activity by in vitro enzymatic testing.The heterologous expressed ent-kaurene synthase of I.latifolia(IlKS)in E.coli could catalyze ent-copalyl diphosphate(ent-CPP)to form ent-kaurene.Tissue-specific expression indicated that IlKS had the highest transcript level in roots which is maybe the major location of ent-kaurene biosynthesis.This study would help us to determine diterpenoid metabolism and GAs biosynthesis in I.latifolia,to better understand the regulation function of GAs in growth and development.

Review: Recent Developments in the Uncertainty-Based Aero-Structural Design Optimization for Aerospace Vehicles

With the increasing demands of aircraft design,the traditional deterministic design can hardly meet the requirements of fine design optimization because uncertainties may exist throughout the whole lifecycle of the aircraft. To enhance the robustness and reliability of the aircraft design, Uncertainty Multidisciplinary Design Optimization( UM DO) has been developing for a long time. This paper presents a comprehensive reviewof UM DO methods for aerospace vehicles,including basic UM DO theory and research progress of its application in aerospace vehicle design. Firstly,the UM DO theory is preliminarily introduced,with giving the definition and classification of uncertainty as well as its sources corresponding to the aircraft design. Then following the UM DO solving process, the application in different coupled disciplines is separately discussed during the aircraft design process,specifically clarifying the UM DO methods for aerostructural optimization. Finally,the main challenges of UM DO and the future research trends are given.

Electrocatalytic NAD(P)H regeneration for biosynthesis

The highly efficient chemoselectivity,stereoselectivity,and regioselectivity render enzyme catalysis an ideal pathway for the synthesis of various chemicals in broad applications.While the cofactor of an enzyme is necessary but expensive,the conversed state of the cofactor is not beneficial for the positive direction of the reaction.Cofactor regeneration using electrochemical methods has the advantages of simple operation,low cost,easy process monitoring,and easy product separation,and the electrical energy is green and sustainable.Therefore,bioelectrocatalysis has great potential in synthesis by combining electrochemical cofactor regeneration with enzymatic catalysis.In this review,we detail the mechanism of cofactor regeneration and categorize the common electron mediators and enzymes used in cofactor regeneration.The reaction type and the recent progress are summarized in electrochemically coupled enzymatic catalysis.The main challenges of such electroenzymatic catalysis are pointed out and future developments in this field are foreseen.

Preparation of hollow spherical covalent organic frameworks via Oswald ripening under ambient conditions for immobilizing enzymes with improved catalytic performance

The hollow spherical covalent organic frameworks(COFs)have a wide application prospect thanks to their special structures.However,the controllable synthesis of uniform and stable hollow COFs is still a challenge.We herein propose a self-templated method for the preparation of hollow COFs through the Ostwald ripening mechanism under ambient conditions,which avoids most disadvantages of the commonly used hard-templating and soft-templating methods.A detailed time-dependent study reveals that the COFs are transformed from initial spheres to hollow spheres because of the inside-out Ostwald ripening process.The obtained hollow spherical COFs have high crystallinity,specific surface area(2,036 m^(2)·g^(−1)),stability,and single-batch yield.Thanks to unique hollow structure,clear through holes,and hydrophobic pore environment of the hollow spherical COFs,the obtained immobilized lipase(BCL@H-COF-OMe)exhibits higher thermostability,polar organic solvent tolerance,and reusability.The BCL@H-COF-OMe also shows higher catalytic performance than the lipase immobilized on non-hollow COF and free lipase in the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols.This study provides a simple approach for the preparation of hollow spherical COFs,and will promote the valuable research of COFs in the field of biocatalysis.

Enzyme@bismuth-ellagic acid:a versatile platform for enzyme immobilization with enhanced acid-base stability

In situ encapsulation is an effective way to synthesize enzyme@metal–organic framework biocatalysts;however,it is limited by the conditions of metal–organic framework synthesis and its acid-base stability.Herein,a biocatalytic platform with improved acid-base stability was constructed via a one-pot method using bismuth-ellagic acid as the carrier.Bismuth-ellagic acid is a green phenol-based metal–organic framework whose organic precursor is extracted from natural plants.After encapsulation,the stability,especially the acid-base stability,of amyloglucosidases@bismuth-ellagic acid was enhanced,which remained stable over a wide pH range(2–12)and achieved multiple recycling.By selecting a suitable buffer,bismuth-ellagic acid can encapsulate different types of enzymes and enable interactions between the encapsulated enzymes and cofactors,as well as between multiple enzymes.The green precursor,simple and convenient preparation process provided a versatile strategy for enzymes encapsulation.

Polydopamine-Encapsulated Dendritic Organosilica Nanoparticles as Amphiphilic Platforms for Highly Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysis in Water

Main observation and conclusion Aqueous heterogeneous catalysis is a green,sustainable catalytic process that attracts increasing attention,but it often suffers from poor mass transfer,substrate adsorption and catalyst dispersion.Herein,we synthesized a type of amphiphilic core-shell catalysts with a hydrophilic polydopamine(PDA)shell and a hydrophobic dendritic organosilica nanoparticle(DON)core for heterogeneous catalysis in water.

Local temperature and El Niño Southern Oscillation influence migration phenology of East Asian migratory waterbirds wintering in Poyang,China

Temperature is a critical factor influencing avian phenology,due to its direct impact on food and water availability.Most previous studies have focused on the timing of spring migration and the arrival of birds at breeding grounds along the European and American flyways;little is known about migration ecology at the wintering sites along the Asian flyways.Using linear regression models,this study investigates how local temperature variation and EI Niño Southern Oscillation(ENSO)influences the arrival and departure timing of 9 waterbird species breeding in Mongolia or Siberia and overwintering in Poyang,China from 2002 to 2013.Birds mainly arrive at Poyang in October and depart for their breeding sites in March.Out of the 9 species,6 show a strong negative relationship between departure time and overwintering temperature in Poyang.Departure dates also show a negative association with overwintering ENSO and March ENSO for two species.Both local and large-scale climate indices show no influence on the arrival timing of waterbirds.We suggest that birds react to the annual variation of overwintering temperature:an earlier departure of waterbirds is facilitated by a warmer overwintering period and vice versa.The long-term accumulated temperature effect is more pronounced than ENSO and the short-term local temperature effect.Our findings could help quantify the potential impact of global warming on waterbirds.

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enzyme immobilization

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles(DMSNs)are a new class of solid porous materials used for enzyme immobilization support due to their intrinsic characteristics,including their unique open central-radial structures with large pore channels and their excellent biocompatibility.In this review,we review the recent progress in research on enzyme immobilization using DMSNs with different structures,namely,flower-like DMSNs and tree-branch-like DMSNs.Three DMSN synthesis methods are briefly compared,and the distinct characteristics of the two DMSN types and their effects on the catalytic performance of immobilized enzymes are comprehensively discussed.Possible directions for future research on enzyme immobilization using DMSNs are also proposed.