Advances in DNA methylation and its role in cytoplasmic male sterility in higher plants

The impact of epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation on plant phenotypes has expanded the possibilities for crop development.DNA methylation plays a part in the regulation of both the chromatin structure and gene expression,and the enzyme involved,DNA methyltransferase,executes the methylation process within the plant genome.By regulating crucial biological pathways,epigenetic changes actively contribute to the creation of the phenotype.Therefore,epigenome editing may assist in overcoming some of the drawbacks of genome editing,which can have minor off-target consequences and merely facilitate the loss of a gene’s function.These drawbacks include gene knockout,which can have such off-target effects.This review provides examples of several molecular characteristics of DNA methylation,as well as some plant physiological processes that are impacted by these epigenetic changes in the plants.We also discuss how DNA alterations might be used to improve crops and meet the demands of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming.

Research Progress and Prospect on the Influencing Factors of Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photosynthesis plays an important role in organic synthesis, solar energy storage, and environmental protection. Photosynthesis is of great theoretical and practical significance. In this paper, the main factors affecting photosynthesis of higher plants, including light, water, temperature, CO2, mineral elements and plant genotypes, were briefly reviewed and summarized, and the development prospect of photosynthesis was prospected.

Red list assessments of Chinese higher plants

Based on the two most recent assessments of Chinese higher plants in 2013 and 2020,of 34,450 and 39,330 species,respectively,we analysed the threatened status of Chinese higher plants.In 2020,around 4,088(10.39%)of the assessed species in China are threatened,2,875(7.31%)Near Threatened,27,593(70.16%)not currently threatened and categorised as Least Concern and 4,752(12.08%)categorised as Data Deficient.While in 2013,3,767(10.93%)of the assessed higher plants in China are threatened,2,723(7.90%)Near Threatened,24,296(70.53%)Least Concern and 3,612(10.48%)Data Deficient.Estimates of the Red List Index in the two years show different patterns when using different weighting methods with the equal steps weighting method showing a slight decrease(0.91675-0.91495)and the extinction risk weighting method showing a slight increase(0.98792-0.98797).We inferred that China's threatened plant species were likely/relatively effectively protected.However,attention should also be given to the non-threatened species in the future as an additional strategy for their conservation,to maintain their non-threatened status.

What Do We Really Know about Cellulose Biosynthesis in Higher Plants?

Cellulose biosynthesis is one of the most important biochemical processes in plant biology. Despite the considerable progress made during the last decade, numerous fundamental questions related to this key process in plant development are outstanding. Numerous models have been proposed through the years to explain the detailed molecular events of cellulose biosynthesis. Almost all models integrate solid experimental data with hypotheses on several of the steps involved in the process. Speculative models are most useful to stimulate further research investigations and bring new exciting ideas to the field. However, it is important to keep their hypothetical nature in mind and be aware of the risk that some undemonstrated hypotheses may progressively become admitted. In this review, we discuss the different steps required for cellulose formation and crystallization, and highlight the most important specific aspects that are supported by solid experimental data.

THE PIGMENT-PROTEIN COMPLEXES OF HIGHER PLANTS MIGRATION IN THYLAKOID AND THE REGULATION OF LIGHT ENERGY DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN PHOTOSYSTEMS

Appressed and non-appressed lamella membranes of Castor bean leaf chloroplasts were separated by non-ionic detergent Triton-X 100.Appressed membranes showed a high oxygen-evolving activity and low chl a/b ratio. Examining with SDS-PTGE and liquid nitrogen temperature fluorescence measurement showed that they contained only PSII and light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes (LHCP),and there was no detectable amount of PSI. Freeze-fracture electromicroscopic observation confirmed that this part was really an appressed lamella membrane. Through divalent cation Mg^(++), the thylakoid membranes were induced to unstack and restack.With the addition of Mg^(++), the fluorescence intensity was changed instantly. We realized that there existed two processes:One was a rapid process which was accomplished within 30 s. The other was a slow process of which the time duration was about 60 min. This dual effects of Mg^(++) had not been reported before.We had analyzed the change of F685/F730 and discussed the possible rneehanis ms of light energy distribution between photosystems.

Patterns of floristic inventory and plant collections in Myanmar

Myanmar is one of the most biodiverse countries in the Asia-Pacific region due to a wide range of climatic and environmental heterogeneity.Floristic diversity in Myanmar is largely unknown,resulting in a lack of comprehensive conservation plans.We developed a database of higher plants in Myanmar derived from herbarium specimens and literature sources,and analyzed patterns of diversity inventories and collection inconsistencies,aiming to provide a baseline floristic data of Myanmar and act as a guide for future research efforts.We collected 1,329,354 records of 16,218 taxa.Results show that the collection densities at the township level was variable,with 5% of townships having no floristic collections.No ecoregion had an average collection density of greater than 1 specimen/km2and the lowest collection density was found in the Kayah-Karen Montane Rainforests,which covered 8% of Myanmar’s total area.The highest sampling densities were found in Mandalay Region,Chin State,and Yangon Region.Despite floristic collections over the past three centuries,knowledge of the distribution of the vast majority of plant taxa remained limited,particularly for gymnosperms,pteridophytes,and bryophytes.More botanical surveys and further analyses are needed to better describe Myanmar’s floristic diversity.An important strategy to promote knowledge of the biodiversity patterns in Myanmar is to improve the collection and digitalization of specimens and to strengthen cooperation among countries.

Status and Advances of Researches on GA 20-oxidases

GA 20-oxidase, the most important limiting enzyme, can catalyze a series of oxidization of GA biosynthesis pathway from GA12 to GA9 and from GA53 to GA20 in the higher plants. This paper reviews the studies on the characters of GA 20-oxidase, the gene and the protein of GA 20-oxidase and the regulation of GA 20-oxidase gene expression in recent years. At the same time, the prospects for the gene transformation of GA 20-oxidase in agriculture, forestry and horticulture are also discussed.

In vitro simulation studies of silica deposition induced by lignin from rice

To reveal the possible mechanism of silica deposition in higher plants, lignin was isolated from rice straw following a modified method to conduct a simulation experiment in vitro. UV and infrared absorption spectra showed that the substance had the unique characteristics of pure lignin. The presence of silicon in the precipitation was revealed by TEM (transmission electron microscopy) with EDXA (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) device. It was found that in the borax solution where lignin precipi-tation occurred silica-lignin co-precipitation was produced but not in the DMSO solution where lignin was broken into its com-position compounds and did not precipitate. This means that it is macromolecular lignin itself but not its compounds that could induce silica deposition in higher plants.

Comparison of different chain n-fatty acids in modern plants on the Loess Plateau of China

n-Fatty acids(n-FAs)are widely investigated in lake sediments,yet less attention has been given to soil sedimentary n-FAs primarily derived from terrestrial plants.In this study,we performed an analysis of n-FA distributions in modern plants on the Loess Plateau,China.It showed that n-FAs were generally dominated by n-C16,and that short-chain(C16-C20),medium-chain(C22-C26)and long-chain(C28-C32)n-FAs accounted for 49.7%,33.7%and 16.6%,respectively.The LTR(long-chain/total ratio),and medium-chain EOP(even/odd predominance)are likely to differentiate between dicots and monocots in modern plants.It is believed that this study will promote the paleo-application of soil sedimentary n-FAs on the Loess Plateau.

River-Delta Systems:A Significant Deposition Location of Global Coal-Measure Source Rocks

Natural gas is providing a larger proportion of primary energy, and will soon surpass oil to become the most important fossil fuel. There are various genetic types of natural gas of which the type that pyrolysed or cracked from humic kerogen accounts for 70% of presently discovered global natural gas reserves. The parent material of humic kerogen is higher multi-cellular plants. Investigations of offshore basins in China, Russia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Australia, Egypt and Namibia show that river-delta systems contain the major sources of coal-type gas. Sand and mud carried by rivers form deltas at river mouths and fertile soil of these deltas encourages the long-term growth of higher plants. Autochthonous higher plants and allochthonous terrigenous phytoclasts contribute to the formation of coal, carbargilite and dark mudstone, which are potential parent materials of natural gas and the basis of coal-type gas generation.