Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Daphne retusa Hemsl. (Thymelaeaceae), a rare alpine plant species in northwestern China.

Daphne retusa Hemsl. (Thymelaeaceae) is an evergreen shrub plant. First, we characterized the complete nucleotide sequence of chloroplast (cp) genome of D. retusa. The total length of cp genome was found to be 170,553 bp, including a large single copy (LSC) region of 84,886 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 2,437 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 41,617 bp. The cp genome of Daphne retusa Hemsl. contains 134 genes, including 90 protein-coding genes (75 PCG species), 37 transfer RNA genes (29 tRNA species), and 6 rRNA genes (3 RNA species). A total of 13 genes (trnK-UUU, trnS-CGA, atpF, rpoC1, trnL-UAA, trnC-ACA, petD, rpl16, rpl2, ndhB, trnE-UUC, ndhA, and trnA-UGC) contain a single intron, and one gene (ycf3) contains two introns. The GC content in whole cp genome, LSC region, SSC region, and IR region was 36.75%, 34.83%, 28.19%, and 38.96% respectively, like other Thymelaeaceae plants. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that D. retusa has a close relationship with congeneric Daphne tangutica.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the medicinal shrub Daphne Giraldii Nitsche. (Thymelaeaceae).

Daphne giraldii Nitsche. (Thymelaeaceae) is a slow-growing shrub which has been used in Chinese folk medicine and commonly called 'Zu Shima'. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of D. giraldii using data from high-throughput Illumina sequencing. The D. giraldii cp genome is 171,643 bp in size and includes two inverted repeat regions of 41,798 bp each, which is separated by a large single copy region of 85,171 bp and a small single copy region of 2876 bp. A total of 137 genes were predicted, including 38 tRNA, 8 rRNA, and 90 protein-coding genes. In addition, 10 PCG genes possess a single intron, 92 PCG genes no intron, 1 gene harbor two introns. Six tRNA genes harbor a single intron. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that D. giraldii is closer to Daphne kiusiana and Daphne tangutica than other taxa.

Lipid microdomain polarization is required for NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS signaling in Picea meyeri pollen tube tip growth.

The polarization of sterol-enriched lipid microdomains has been linked to morphogenesis and cell movement in diverse cell types. Recent biochemical evidence has confirmed the presence of lipid microdomains in plant cells; however, direct evidence for a functional link between these microdomains and plant cell growth is still lacking. Here, we reported the involvement of lipid microdomains in NADPH oxidase (NOX)-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling in Picea meyeri pollen tube growth. Staining with di-4-ANEPPDHQ or filipin revealed that sterol-enriched microdomains were polarized to the growing tip of the pollen tube. Sterol sequestration with filipin disrupted membrane microdomain polarization, depressed tip-based ROS formation, dissipated tip-focused cytosolic Ca(2+) gradient and thereby arrested tip growth. NOX clustered at the growing tip, and corresponded with the ordered membrane domains. Immunoblot analysis and native gel assays demonstrated that NOX was partially associated with detergent-resistant membranes and, furthermore, that NOX in a sterol-dependent fashion depends on membrane microdomains for its enzymatic activity. In addition, in vivo time-lapse imaging revealed the coexistence of a steep tip-high apical ROS gradient and subapical ROS production, highlighting the reported signaling role for ROS in polar cell growth. Our results suggest that the polarization of lipid microdomains to the apical plasma membrane, and the inclusion of NOX into these domains, contribute, at least in part, to the ability to grow in a highly polarized manner to form pollen tubes.

Relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alphaand liver fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION:To intrestigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alphaand liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.METHODS:Radioimmunoassay was made in 20 patients with mild chronic hepatitis(CMH),20 patients with severe chronic hepatitis(CSH),51 patients with liver cirrhosis(LC)and 32-normal persons to determine the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha),laminin-(LN) and hyaluronate (HA) in serum.The changes in and relationship between TNF-alpha,LN and HA were analyzed.The TNF-alphaand collagen III were determined using mmunohistochemical studies in liver tissues from 32 persons including 7 normal persons,3 patients with MCH,5 patients with SCH and 17 with LC.RESULTS:TNF-alpha,LN and HA levels in serum of CSH and LC patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (SCH:1.11plus minus0.59 130.7plus minus17.2,219.1plus minus121.3;LC:0.92plus minus0.66,156.8plus minus31.7,400.5plus minus183.7,P<0.05-0.01),which increased gradually,and correlated positively with each other in all patients with liver diseases (n=91,gamma=0.3149 P <0.01).TNF-alpha contents-showed a remarkably positive correlation with HA and LN levels in CMH and CSH (LN:n=40,gamma=0.3404,P <0.05 HA n=40,gamma=0.3847 P <0.05).The total collagen content of MCH,SCH and LC increased gradually in liver biopsy specimens.The number of TNF-alphapositive cells increased significantly in liver tissues from patients with SCH and LC (62%;45%;P <0.01).TNF-alphapositive cells were mainly located in the periportal areas.CONCLUSION:TNF-alphamay be related to liver fibrosis,and might promote liver fibrosis.