Molecular cloning and characterization of a gene encoding the proline transporter protein in common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

As a typical compatible solute, proline is accumulated in plants under environmental stresses. Proline transporter(Pro T) plays an important role in proline distribution between plant organs. Using a candidate gene approach, we cloned a c DNA sequence for Pro T from common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and designated the gene Pv Pro T. The deduced amino acid sequence of Pv Pro T showed high similarity to Bet/Pro T proteins from other leguminous plants, and the highest similarity was observed with mothbean(Vigna aconitifolia L.) Vu Pro T.Relative quantification of the m RNA level of Pv Pro T using real-time PCR analysis showed that the Pv Pro T transcript level was higher in leaves than in stems and roots of common bean plants subjected to drought and salt stress. Under 20%(w/w) PEG-6000 treatment,drought-resistant plants expressed a higher level of Pv Pro T transcripts than droughtsensitive plants. Although heterologous expression of Pv Pro T in the Escherichia coli mutant mkh13 showed that Pv Pro T exhibited uptake activities for proline and betaine, no betaine content was detected in the common bean. These findings suggest that Pv Pro T plays an important role in the transportation of proline in common bean plants exposed to drought and salt stress.

Molecular mechanisms of exercise contributing to tissue regeneration

Physical activity has been known as an essential element to promote human health for centuries.Thus,exercise intervention is encouraged to battle against sedentary lifestyle.Recent rapid advances in molecular biotechnology have demonstrated that both endurance and resistance exercise training,two traditional types of exercise,trigger a series of physiological responses,unraveling the mechanisms of exercise regulating on the human body.Therefore,exercise has been expected as a candidate approach of alleviating a wide range of diseases,such as metabolic diseases,neurodegenerative disorders,tumors,and cardiovascular diseases.In particular,the capacity of exercise to promote tissue regeneration has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent decades.Since most adult human organs have a weak regenerative capacity,it is currently a key challenge in regenerative medicine to improve the efficiency of tissue regeneration.As research progresses,exercise-induced tissue regeneration seems to provide a novel approach for fighting against injury or senescence,establishing strong theoretical basis for more and more“exercise mimetics.”These drugs are acting as the pharmaceutical alternatives of those individuals who cannot experience the benefits of exercise.Here,we comprehensively provide a description of the benefits of exercise on tissue regeneration in diverse organs,mainly focusing on musculoskeletal system,cardiovascular system,and nervous system.We also discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the regenerative effects of exercise and emerging therapeutic exercise mimetics for regeneration,as well as the associated opportunities and challenges.We aim to describe an integrated perspective on the current advances of distinct physiological mechanisms associated with exercise-induced tissue regeneration on various organs and facilitate the development of drugs that mimics the benefits of exercise.

Influence of the intelligent standing mobile robot on lower extremity physiology of complete spinal cord injury patients

Background:Spinal cord injury(SCI)remains a high rate of disability.In order to improve the quality of their lives,the application of robots in rehabilitation is increasing.However,few studies have assessed the applicability and the effect of robots in patients with complete injury.Objective:The current study aims to assess the efficacy of robots training on the lower extremity physiology in complete SCI patients.Methods:24 patients were recruited and randomly divided into experimental and control group.The two groups spent the same amount of time on regular training.Besides,a 1-h standing training twice daily was offered to both groups five days per week,for four weeks.The experimental group used robot for standing training,while the control group used standing frame.Before and after the experiment,muscle girth and bone mineral density(BMD)were measured as lower extremity physiology.Results:The experimental group showed increased muscle girth differences(left=0.08±0.40 cm,right=0.75±0.72 cm),while the control group showed decreased girth differences(left=-0.78±0.54 cm,right=-0.56±0.54 cm).The increases in the experimental group showed significant differences compared with the control group(left,P=0.0002;right,P=0.023).Both groups showed decreased BMD.The decreases in the experimental group were significantly smaller than those in the control group.Conclusions:Training with aid of robots combined with the regular rehabilitation treatment can benefit complete SCI patients,in aspect of postponing amyotrophy of lower extremities and reducing bone loss and osteoporosis.