Evolution and roles of cytokinin genes in angiosperms 2:Do ancient CKXs play housekeeping roles while non-ancient CKXs play regulatory roles?

Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase(CKX)is a key enzyme responsible for the degradation of endogenous cytokinins.However,the origins and roles of CKX genes in angiosperm evolution remain unclear.Based on comprehensive bioinformatic and transgenic plant analyses,we demonstrate that the CKXs of land plants most likely originated from an ancient chlamydial endosymbiont during primary endosymbiosis.We refer to the CKXs retaining evolutionarily ancient characteristics as“ancient CKXs”and those that have expanded and functionally diverged in angiosperms as“non-ancient CKXs”.We show that the expression of some non-ancient CKXs is rapidly inducible within 15 min upon the dehydration of Arabidopsis,while the ancient CKX(AtCKX7)is not drought responsive.Tobacco plants overexpressing a non-ancient CKX display improved oxidative and drought tolerance and root growth.Previous mutant studies have shown that non-ancient CKXs regulate organ development,particularly that of flowers.Furthermore,ancient CKXs preferentially degrade cis-zeatin(cZ)-type cytokinins,while non-ancient CKXs preferentially target N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenines(iPs)and trans-zeatins(tZs).Based on the results of this work,an accompanying study(Wang et al.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-019-0211-x)and previous studies,we hypothesize that non-ancient CKXs and their preferred substrates of iP/tZ-type cytokinins regulate angiosperm organ development and environmental stress responses,while ancient CKXs and their preferred substrates of cZs play a housekeeping role,which echoes the conclusions and hypothesis described in the accompanying report(Wang,X.et al.Evolution and roles of cytokinin genes in angiosperms 1:Doancient IPTs play housekeeping while non-ancient IPTs play regulatory roles?Hortic Res 7,(2020).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-019-0211-x).

TLR4 May Accelerate Hypoxia Reaction to Promote the Occurrence and Progress of Cervical Lesions by Infected Pathogenic Microorganisms Other than HPV

Objective: To explore what role the inflammatory immune response is playing in the occurrence and development of HPV related cervical disease. Methods: To detect the expression of TLR4, HIF-1α and HPV16 E7 in the specimens of HPV related cervical lesions, for example normal cervix, cervicitis, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer by RT PCR methods. Results: The expression of TLR4 and HIF-1α ascent from normal cervix to cervicitis, then to CIN tissue, and then to cervical cancer (P 0.05). The expression of HPV16 E7 was higher in cervicitis than that in normal cervix (P 0.05) while there was no significant ascendance from cervicitis to CIN tissue, either from CIN tissue to cervical cancer although it seemed ascending (P > 0.05). Conclusion: TLR4 may promote the occurrence and progress of cervical lesions by accelerating the hypoxia reaction. And the natural immune reaction mediated by TLR4 may be correlated to other pathogenic microorganisms infecting the cervical tissue, rather than HPV.

Photocyanine:A novel and effective phthalocyanine-based photosensitizer for cancer treatment

As one of the three key components of photodynamic therapy(PDT),photosensitizers(PSs)greatly influence the photodynamic efficiency in the treatment of tumors.Photosensitizers with tetrapyrrole structure,such as porphyrins,chlorins and phthalocyanines,have been extensively investigated for PDT and some of them have already received clinical approval.However,only a few of porphyrin-based photosensitizers are available for clinical applications,and PDT has not received wide recognition in clinical practice.In this regard,PSs remain a limiting factor.Our research focuses on the rational design of new PSs.Photocyanine,a Zinc(Ⅱ)phthalo-cyanine(ZnPc)type photosensitizer with low dark toxicity and high single oxygen quantum yield,is one of the promising PSs candidates and currently being tested in clinical trials.Here,we present an overview on the development of Photocyanine,including its design,synthesis,purification,characterization and preclinical studies,wishing to contribute to the research of more promising PSs.

Genomic convergence underlying high-altitude adaptation in alpine plants

Evolutionary convergence is one of the most striking examples of adaptation driven by natural selection.However, genomic evidence for convergent adaptation to extreme environments remains scarce.Here, we assembled reference genomes of two alpine plants, Saussurea obvallata(Asteraceae)and Rheum alexandrae(Polygonaceae), with 37,938 and 61,463 annotated protein-coding genes. By integrating an additional five alpine genomes,we elucidated genomic convergence underlying high-altitude adaptation in alpine plants. Our results detected convergent contractions of diseaseresistance genes in alpine genomes, which might be an energy-saving strategy for surviving in hostile environments with only a few pathogens present.We identified signatures of positive selection on a set of genes involved in reproduction and respiration(e.g., MMD1, NBS1, and HPR), and revealed signatures of molecular convergence on genes involved in self-incompatibility, cell wall modification,DNA repair and stress resistance, which may underlie adaptation to extreme cold, high ultraviolet radiation and hypoxia environments. Incorporating transcriptomic data, we further demonstrated that genes associated with cuticular wax and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways exhibit higher expression levels in leafy bracts, shedding light on the genetic mechanisms of the adaptive “greenhouse” morphology. Our integrative data provide novel insights into convergent evolution at a high-taxonomic level,aiding in a deep understanding of genetic adaptation to complex environments.

Parallel evolution of twoAIM24 protein subfamilies and their conserved functions in ER stress tolerance in land plants

Despite decades of efforts in genome sequencing and functional characterization,some important protein families remain poorly understood.In this study,we report the classification,evolution,and functions of the largely uncharacterized AIM24 protein family in plants,including the identification of a novel subfamily.We show that two AIM24 subfamilies(AIM24-A and AIM24-B)are commonly distributed in major plant groups.These two subfamilies not only have modest sequence similarities and different gene structures but also are of independent bacterial ancestry.We performed comparative functional investigations on the two AIM24 subfamilies using three model plants:the moss Physcomitrium patens,the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha,and the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana.Intriguingly,despite their significant differences in sequence and gene structure,both AIM24 subfamilies are involved in ER stress tolerance and the unfolded protein response(UPR).In addition,transformation of the AIM24-A gene from P.patens into the AIM24-B null mutant of A.thaliana could at least partially rescue ER stress tolerance and the UPR.We also discuss the role of AIM24 genes in plant development and other cellular activities.This study provides a unique example of parallel evolution in molecular functions and can serve as a foundation for further investigation of the AIM24 family in plants.

Effect of Lingguizhugan decoction on myocardial Nuclear factor kappa B protein expression in rats with chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lingguizhugan decoction (LGZGD) on changes of cardiac structure and function, and its putative mechanism of action, by investigating mRNA and protein expression of myocardial nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB), and the plasma content of NF-κB in rats with chronic heart failure.METHODS: The chronic heart failure (CHF) model in rats was induced by coronary artery ligation.Sham operation was performed in control rats. Six weeks after the procedure, rats were randomly classified into the various treatment groups: model CHF, Captopril (4.4 mg/kg), low LGZGD dose (2.1 g/kg), medium LGZGD dose (4.2 g/kg), and high LG-ZGD dose (8.4 g/kg). Treatments continued for 4 consecutive weeks. Changes of hemodynamic indices were observed by the PowerLab data acquisition and analysis system. Morphological changes of myocardium were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Masson staining. The mRNA and protein expression of myocardial NF-κB were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. The plasma content of NF-κB was detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.RESULTS: CHF rats showed significant dysfunction in hemodynamic indices and in cardiac structure.Compared with the sham operation group, mRNA expression of myocardial NF-κB and plasma content of NF-κB of the model group was significantly increased. All three doses of LGZGD, and Captopril,improved the hemodynamic dysfunction, and inhibited the change of cardiac structure while significantly improving the survival rate. Furthermore,compared with the model group, mRNA expression of myocardial NF-κB and plasma content of NF-κB were significantly reduced by all dosage groups of LGZGD as well as the\Captopril group.CONCLUSION: In CHF rats, LGZGD improves changes of cardiac structure and function via its inhibition of NF-κB.

Effect of Wuziyanzong Pill on sperm quality and calcium ion content in oligoasthenospermia rats

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Wuziyanzong treatment on the sperm quality and content of calcium ions(Ca 2+) in oligoasthenospermia rats.METHODS:A model of oligoasthenospermia was induced in 50 Sprague Dawley rats by treatment with tripterygium glycosides at 30 mg/kg per day for 8 weeks.They were divided randomly into a model group,a positive group(Huangjingzanyu capsule,3.01 g/kg),and low,medium and high dose Wuziyanzong treatment groups(2.30,4.60,9.20 g/kg crude drug respectively) with 10 in each group.Another 10 rats were used as a control group.The rats in the control and model groups were administered distilled water,while the rats in the remaining groups were administered Wuziyanzong for 30 d.The epididymides were removed,spermatozoa recovered and the sperm density and viability were measured.The spermatozoa were purified and the contents of Ca 2+ in the cytoplasm and mitochondria were detected by flow cytometry and atomic absorption spectrometry,respectively.RESULTS:After 8 weeks of treatment with tripterygium glycosides,the sperm density,sperm activity and the Ca 2 + content of spermatozoa in the model rats were all significantly decreased compared with the control group(all P<0.05).After 30 d treatment,the sperm density and activity improved and the Ca 2 + content of sperm were increased significantly in the medium and high dose Wuziyanzong treatment groups in comparison with the model group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The Wuziyanzong treatment increased sperm density,improved sperm viability and enhanced the content of Ca 2+ in the sperm cytoplasm and mitochondria in this rat model of oligoasthenospermia.

Genomic insights into the fast growth of paulownias and the formation of Paulownia witches' broom

Paulownias are among the fastest growing trees in the world,but they often suffer tremendous loss of wood production due to infection by Paulownia witches'broom(PaWB)phytoplasmas.In this study,we have sequenced and assembled a high-quality nuclear genome of Paulownia fortunei,a commonly cultivated paulownia species.The assembled genome of P.fortunei is 511.6 Mb in size,with 93.2%of its sequences anchored to 20 pseudo-chromosomes,and it contains 31985 protein-coding genes.Phylogenomic analyses show that the family Paulowniaceae is sister to a clade composed of Phrymaceae and Orobanchaceae.Higher photosynthetic efficiency is achieved by integrating C3 photosynthesis and the crassulacean acid metabolism pathway,which may contribute to the extremely fast growth habit of paulownia trees.Comparative transcriptome analyses reveal modules related to cambial growth and development,photosynthesis,and defense responses.Additional genome sequencing of PaWB phytoplasma,combined with functional analyses,indicates that the effector PaWB-SAP54 interacts directly with Paulownia PfSPLa,which in turn causes the degradation of PfSPLa by the ubiquitin-mediated pathway and leads to the formation of witches'broom.Taken together,these results provide significant insights into the biology of paulownias and the regulatory mechanism for the formation of PaWB.

IL-17C 在全身的真菌的感染期间为致命的发炎被要求

Within the interleukin-17 （IL-17） family of cytokines, IL-17A is known to be critical in the host defense against fungal infections; however, the function of the other IL-17 family members in anti-fungal immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that IL-17C expression was highly induced in kidney epithelial cells after fungal infection. Mice that lacked IL-17C exhibited increased survival and attenuated kidney tissue damage, although they had similar fungal loads. IL-17C deficiency resulted in decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression compared with wild-type control mice. Additionally, IL-17C directly acted on renal epithelial cells in vitro to promote pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, our data demonstrate that IL-17C is a critical factor that potentiates inflammatory responses and causes host injury during fungal infection.

Major episodes of horizontal gene transfer drove the evolution of land plants

How horizontal gene transfer(HGT)has contributed to the evolution of animals and plants remains a major puzzle.Despite recent progress,defining the overall scale and pattern of HGT events in land plants has been largely elusive.In this study,we performed systematic analyses for acquired genes in different plant groups and throughout land plant evolution.We found that relatively recent HGT events occurred in char-ophytes and all major land plant groups,but their frequency declined rapidly in seed plants.Two major ep-isodes of HGT events occurred in land plant evolution,corresponding to the early evolution of strepto-phytes and the origin of land plants,respectively.Importantly,a vast majority of the genes acquired in the two episodes have been retained in descendant groups,affecting numerous activities and processes of land plants.We analyzed some of the acquired genes involved in stress responses,ion and metabolite transport,growth and development,and specialized metabolism,and further assessed the cumulative ef-fects of HGT in land plants.