An AGAMOUS-like factor is associated with the origin of two domesticated varieties in Cymbidium sinense (Orchidaceae)

Cymbidium has been artificially domesticated for centuries in Asia,which produced numerous cultivated varieties.Flowers with stamenoid tepals or those with multiple tepals have been found in different species of Cymbidium;however,the molecular basis controlling the formation of these phenotypes is still largely unknown.Previous work demonstrated that AGAMOUS/AG lineage MADS genes function in floral meristem determinacy as well as in reproductive organs development in both dicots and monocots,indicating a possible relationship with the origin of two flower varieties in Cymbidium.Here,we characterized and analyzed two AG lineage paralogues,CsAG1 and CsAG2,from Cymbidium sinense,both of which were highly expressed in the gynostemium column of a standard C.sinense.Interestingly,we detected ectopic expression of CsAG1 rather than CsAG2 in all floral organs of a stamenoid-tepal variety and significant down-regulation of CsAG1 in a variety with multiple tepals.Over-expression of CsAG1 in wild type Arabidopsis resulted in petal-to-stamen homeotic conversion,suggesting a conserved C-function of CsAG1 in the development of Cymbidium flower.Altogether,our results supported a hypothesis that disruption of a single AG-like factor would be associated with the formation of two domesticated varieties in C.sinense.

Genetic control of compound leaf development in the mungbean(Vigna radiata L.)

Many studies suggest that there are distinct regulatory processes controlling compound leaf development in different clades of legumes.Loss of function of the LEAFY(LFY)orthologs results in a reduction of leaf complexity to different degrees in inverted repeat-lacking clade(IRLC)and non-IRLC species.To further understand the role of LFY orthologs and the molecular mechanism in compound leaf development in non-IRLC plants,we studied leaf development in unifoliate leaf(un)mutant,a classical mutant of mungbean(Vigna radiata L.),which showed a complete conversion of compound leaves into simple leaves.Our analysis revealed that UN encoded the mungbean LFY ortholog(VrLFY)and played a significant role in leaf development.In situ RNA hybridization results showed that STM-like KNOXI genes were expressed in compound leaf primordia in mungbean.Furthermore,increased leaflet number in heptafoliate leaflets1(hel1)mutants was demonstrated to depend on the function of VrLFY and KNOXI genes in mungbean.Our results suggested that HEL1 is a key factor coordinating distinct processes in the control of compound leaf development in mungbean and its related non-IRLC legumes.

Integration of Ru/C and base for reductive catalytic fractionation of triploid poplar

Lignin,which is the most recalcitrant component of lignocellulosic biomass,is also the most abundant renewable aromatic resource.Herein,reductive treatment of triploid poplar sawdust by the integration of catalytic Ru/C and a base,which afforded high yields of phenolic monomers from the lignin component and a solid carbohydrate pulp,is reported.The introduction of Cs_(2)CO_(3) led to the generation of C2 side‐chained phenols through the cleavage of C_(β)–O and C_(β)–C_(γ) bonds inβ–O–4 units in addition to C3 side‐chained phenols;the relationship between C2 and C3 was dependent on the base dosage.The reaction conditions,including base species,temperature,time,and H_(2) pressure,were optimized in terms of phenolic product distribution,delignification degree,and carbohydrate retention.The carbohydrate pulps generated from reductive catalytic fractionation in the presence of Cs_(2)CO_(3) were more amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis,indicating that this treatment of biomass constituted the fractionation of biomass components together with the breakdown of biomass recalcitrance.

基于载能重离子的超薄薄膜纳米孔制备技术

超薄薄膜纳米孔材料由于其优异的物理和化学特性,在物理学、生物学、电子学和纳米科学等多学科领域应用潜力巨大.高效、便捷和可控的制孔方法对于获得高品质的纳米孔尤为重要,而载能重离子辐照不仅是一种强大的材料改性手段,也是一种独特的纳米孔制备方法.近年来,北京大学重离子物理研究所在基于载能重离子辐照技术研制超薄薄膜纳米孔技术方面的进展显著,所用材料包括传统有机高分子膜与新型二维材料.本文主要从核径迹刻蚀有机薄膜纳米孔的制备技术和二维材料纳米孔制备技术两方面展开介绍,分别阐述了这两种技术的制孔方法、改性方法和对应的纳米孔材料在能量转化、分子检测、离子运输、纳米流体等领域的应用,为进一步深入研究载能重离子制备其他人工固态纳米孔提供了参考.

GPI-Anchored Proteins Cooperate in the Long Journey of the Pollen Tube

During the reproductive process of flowering plants, the pollen tube acts as a transportation carrier for two sperm cells, interacts with various female tissues, delivers the sperm to the ovule, and achieves double fertilization. Successful fertilization relies on fine growth control of the pollen tube tip in female tissues. This includes maintenance of pollen tube integrity in the pistil transmitting tract and the timing of rupture of the pollen tube when it reaches the female ovule ( Higashiyama, 2018 , Ge et al., 2019a ).

A member of the ALOG gene family has a novel role in regulating nodulation in Lotus japonicus

Legumes can control the number of symbiotic nodules that form on their roots, thus balancing nitrogen assimilation and energy consumption. Two major pathways participate in nodulation: the Nod factor(NF)signaling pathway which involves recognition of rhizobial bacteria by root cells and promotion of nodulation, and the autoregulation of nodulation(AON) pathway which involves long-distance negative feedback between roots and shoots. Although a handful of genes have a clear role in the maintenance of nodule number, additional unknown factors may also be involved in this process. Here, we identify a novel function for a Lotus japonicus ALOG(Arabidopsis LSH1 and Oryza G1) family member, LjALOG1,involved in positively regulating nodulation. LjALOG1 expression increased substantially after inoculation with rhizobia, with high levels of expression in whole nodule primordia and in the base of developing nodules. The ljalog1 mutants, which have an insertion of the LORE1 retroelement in LjALOG1, had significantly fewer nodules compared with wild type, along with increased expression of LjCLE-RS1(L. japonicus CLE Root Signal 1), which encodes a nodulation suppressor in the AON pathway. In summary,our findings identified a novel factor that participates in controlling nodulation, possibly by suppressing the AON pathway.