Genome-Wide Analysis and Profile of UDP-Glycosyltransferases Family in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under Drought Stress.

Drought stress is one of the major constraints that decreases global crop productivity. Alfalfa, planted mainly in arid and semi-arid areas, is of crucial importance in sustaining the agricultural system. The family 1 UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGT) is indispensable because it takes part in the regulation of plant growth and stress resistance. However, a comprehensive insight into the participation of the UGT family in adaptation of alfalfa to drought environments is lacking. In the present study, a genome-wide analysis and profiling of the UGT in alfalfa were carried out. A total of 409 UGT genes in alfalfa (MsUGT) were identified and they are clustered into 13 groups. The expression pattern of MsUGT genes were analyzed by RNA-seq data in six tissues and under different stresses. The quantitative real-time PCR verification genes suggested the distinct role of the MsUGT genes under different drought stresses and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Furthermore, the function of MsUGT003 and MsUGT024, which were upregulated under drought stress and ABA treatment, were characterized by heterologous expression in yeast. Taken together, this study comprehensively analyzed the UGT gene family in alfalfa for the first time and provided useful information for improving drought tolerance and in molecular breeding of alfalfa.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Rab Gene Family in Melilotus albus Reveals Their Role in Salt Tolerance.

Melilotus albus is a high-quality forage, due to its high protein content, and aboveground biomass and salt tolerance. Rab (Ras-related protein in the brain) proteins are the largest GTPase family which play a key role in intracellular membrane transport, and many Rab genes have been identified in eukaryotes. The growth and distribution of M. albus are severely hampered by soil salinization. However, little is known about candidate genes for salt tolerance in M. albus. In this study, 27 Rab family genes were identified for the first time from M. albus, and divided into eight groups (Groups A-H). The number of introns in MaRabs ranged from one to seven, with most genes containing one intron. In addition, most MaRab proteins showed similarities in motif composition. Phylogenetic analysis and structural-domain comparison indicated that Rab family genes were highly conserved in M. albus. Members of the MaRab gene family were distributed across all eight chromosomes, with the largest distribution on chromosome 1. Prediction of the protein interaction network showed that 24 Rab proteins exhibited protein-protein interactions. Analysis of the promoter cis-acting elements showed that MaRab-gene family members are extensively involved in abiotic stress responses. RNA-seq data analysis of the MaRab-gene-expression patterns suggested that the Rab gene family possesses differentially expressed members in five organs and under salt stress, drought stress, and ABA (Abscisic Acid) treatment. Differentially expressed genes under drought stress, salt stress and ABA stress were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Furthermore, heterologous expression in yeast was used to characterize the functions of MaRab1 and MaRab17, which were upregulated in reaction to salt stress. In summary, this study provided valuable information for further research into the molecular mechanism of the response of M. albus to saline stress, as well as the possibility of developing cultivars with high salt-resistance characteristics.

Steroid receptor RNA activator: Biologic function and role in disease.

Steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA) is a type of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) which coordinates the functions of various transcription factors, enhances steroid receptor-dependent gene expression, and also serves as a distinct scaffold. The novel, profound and expanded roles of SRA are emerging in critical aspects of coactivation of nuclear receptors (NRs). As a nuclear receptor coactivator, SRA can coactivate androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor α (ERα), ERß, progesterone receptor (PR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thyroid hormone receptor and retinoic acid receptor (RAR). Although SRA is one of the least well-understood molecules, increasing studies have revealed that SRA plays a key role in both biological processes, such as myogenesis and steroidogenesis, and pathological changes, including obesity, cardiomyopathy, and tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the SRA-related signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), Notch and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) pathways, play critical roles in the pathogenesis of estrogen-dependent breast cancers. In addition, the most recent data demonstrates that SRA expression may serve as a new prognostic marker in patients with ER-positive breast cancer. Thus, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying SRA-mediated functions is important to develop proper novel strategies to target SRA in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.

Caveolae and Caveolin-1 Integrate Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis.

Lipid disorder and inflammation play critical roles in the development of atherosclerosis. Reverse cholesterol transport is a key event in lipid metabolism. Caveolae and caveolin-1 are in the center stage of cholesterol transportation and inflammation in macrophages. Here, we propose that reverse cholesterol transport and inflammation in atherosclerosis can be integrated by caveolae and caveolin-1.