Identification of Novel miRNAs and Their Target Genes in the Response to Abscisic Acid in Arabidopsis.

miRNAs are involved in various biological processes, including adaptive responses to abiotic stress. To understand the role of miRNAs in the response to ABA, ABA-responsive miRNAs were identified by small RNA sequencing in wild-type Arabidopsis, as well as in abi1td, mkkk17, and mkkk18 mutants. We identified 10 novel miRNAs in WT after ABA treatment, while in abi1td, mkkk17, and mkkk18 mutants, three, seven, and nine known miRNAs, respectively, were differentially expressed after ABA treatment. One novel miRNA (miRn-8) was differentially expressed in the mkkk17 mutant. Potential target genes of the miRNA panel were identified using psRNATarget. Sequencing results were validated by quantitative RT-PCR of several known and novel miRNAs in all genotypes. Of the predicted targets of novel miRNAs, seven target genes of six novel miRNAs were further validated by 5' RLM-RACE. Gene ontology analyses showed the potential target genes of ABA-responsive known and novel miRNAs to be involved in diverse cellular processes in plants, including development and stomatal movement. These outcomes suggest that a number of the identified miRNAs have crucial roles in plant responses to environmental stress, as well as in plant development, and might have common regulatory roles in the core ABA signaling pathway.

Spectrophotometric, Spectrofluorometric and Colorimetric Sensing of Ce4+ Ions Using Organic Molecules - A Review.

Cerium accumulation in the environment increases the health risk of humans due to the unavoidable usage of cerium in our day-to-day life. Therefore, developing a chemosensory scaffold for the rapid detection of cerium is necessary. With the objective of assessing and understanding the various factors involved in the sensing of Ce4+, this review consolidates all the 34 chemosensory molecules, mechanisms, techniques, matrices and discusses all the relevant parameters comprehensively. 23 out of 34 probes are directly utilizing the oxidative capability of Ce4+ for the detection and undergo color changes. Probes that are demonstrated with metal enhanced fluorescence exhibit lower detection limits. Based on the survey, we suggest that the investigation of the rigidity of "probe- Ce4+" and its impact on the emission/quenching should be considered for designing an efficient Ce4+ sensor. This is the first review report on the Ce4+ sensors and it could serve as a one-point reference source.

Michler's Ketone: ß-Cyclodextrin Host-Guest Inclusion Complex for Enhancing the Ultraviolet Protection Factor of Poplin Cotton Fabric.

Michler's ketone (4,4' bis(N,N-dimethylamino)benzophenone) mk is a potential ultraviolet radiation (UVR) absorber in various materials. In this study, we have tested the UVR filtering ability of mk on cotton fabric. The beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) inclusion complex of mk enhances ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) drastically. The impact of ß-CD on the UVR filtering of mk are demonstrated by investigating the guest (mk:absorbers)-host (ß-CD:enhancer) inclusion complex. Spectral and molecular docking analysis of mk:ß-CD complex infers the vertical insertion of the guest molecule by positioning -C=O group of mk at the center of the host molecule with the exclusion of the terminal atoms of guest molecule outside the ß-CD cavity. Thus, the host; ß-CD renders an inflexible fit to the guest:mk. The inflexible fit of mk into the ß-CD cavity enhances the UVR dissipation when it is incorporated on the poplin cotton fabric. With UPF = 46 mk:ß-CD complex is proposed as a potential UVR absorber suitable for manufacturing sun protective textiles. The holding of mk by ß-CD enhances the UVR dissipation and hence facilitates the native red-shifted emission and non-radiative relaxation by the formation of twisted intramolecular charge transfer in mk.