Comprehensive analysis of the UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase (UXS) gene family in tobacco and functional characterization of NtUXS16 in Golgi apparatus in Arabidopsis.

BACKGROUND: UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase (also named UXS) converts UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) to UDP-xylose (UDP-Xyl) by decarboxylation of the C6-carboxylic acid of glucuronic acid. UDP-Xyl is an important sugar donor that is required for the synthesis of plant cell wall polysaccharides. RESULTS: In this study, we first carried out the genome-wide identification of NtUXS genes in tobacco. A total of 17 NtUXS genes were identified, which could be divided into two groups (Group I and II), and the Group II UXSs can be further divided into two subgroups (Group IIa and IIb). Furthermore, the protein structures, intrachromosomal distributions and gene structures were thoroughly analyzed. To experimentally verify the subcellular localization of NtUXS16 protein, we transformed tobacco BY-2 cells with NtUXS16 fused to the monomeric red fluorescence protein (mRFP) at the C terminus under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. The fluorescent signals of NtUXS16-mRFP were localized to the medial-Golgi apparatus. Contrary to previous predictions, protease digestion analysis revealed that NtUXS16 is not a type II membrane protein. Overexpression of NtUXS16 in Arabidopsis seedling in darkness led to a significant increase in hypocotyl length and a reduction in root length compared with the wild type. In summary, these results suggest Golgi apparatus localized-NtUXS16 plays an important role in hypocotyl and root growth in the dark. CONCLUSION: Our findings facilitate our understanding of the novel functions of NtUXS16 and provide insights for further exploration of the biological roles of NtUXS genes in tobacco.

CLV3-CLV1 signaling governs flower primordia outgrowth across environmental temperatures.

The initiation and outgrowth of floral primordia are critical for flower formation and reproductive success; however, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Two reports (Jones et al.; John et al.) shed light on how CLV3-CLV1 signaling promoted flower primordia formation and outgrowth by regulating auxin biosynthesis under distinct environmental temperatures.

Particle Swarm Algorithm-Based Analysis of Pelvic Dynamic MRI Images in Female Stress Urinary Incontinence.

This work aimed to study the application of pelvic floor dynamic images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). 20 SUI female patients were selected as experimental group, and another 20 healthy females were taken as controls. PSO algorithm, K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm, and back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm were adopted to construct the evaluation models for comparative analysis, which were then applied to 40 cases of female pelvic floor dynamic MRI images. It was found that the model proposed had relatively high prediction accuracy in both the training set (87.67%) and the test set (88.46%). In contrast to the control group, there were considerable differences in abnormal urethral displacement, urethral length changes, bladder prolapse, and uterine prolapse in experimental patients (P < 0.05). After surgery, the change of urethral inclination angle was evidently reduced (P < 0.05). To sum up, MRI images can be adopted to assess the occurrence of female SUI with abnormal urethral displacement, shortening of urethra length, bladder prolapse, and uterine prolapse. After surgery, the abnormal urethral movement was slightly improved, but there was no obvious impact on bladder prolapse and uterine prolapse.