SARS-CoV-2 Fears Green: The Chlorophyll Catabolite Pheophorbide A Is a Potent Antiviral.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is having devastating consequences worldwide. Although vaccination advances at good pace, effectiveness against emerging variants is unpredictable. The virus has displayed a remarkable resistance to treatments and no drugs have been proved fully effective against COVID-19. Thus, despite the international efforts, there is still an urgent need for new potent and safe antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we exploited the enormous potential of plant metabolism using the bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha L. and identified a potent SARS-CoV-2 antiviral, following a bioactivity-guided fractionation and mass-spectrometry approach. We found that the chlorophyll derivative Pheophorbide a (PheoA), a porphyrin compound similar to animal Protoporphyrin IX, has an extraordinary antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, preventing infection of cultured monkey and human cells, without noticeable cytotoxicity. We also show that PheoA targets the viral particle, interfering with its infectivity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides SARS-CoV-2, PheoA also displayed a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against enveloped RNA viral pathogens such as HCV, West Nile, and other coronaviruses. Our results indicate that PheoA displays a remarkable potency and a satisfactory therapeutic index, which together with its previous use in photoactivable cancer therapy in humans, suggest that it may be considered as a potential candidate for antiviral therapy against SARS-CoV-2.

The JA-pathway MYC transcription factors regulate photomorphogenic responses by targeting HY5 gene expression.

Jasmonates are key regulators of the balance between defence and growth in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms by which activation of defence reduces growth are not yet fully understood. Here, we analyze the role of MYC transcription factors (TFs) and jasmonic acid (JA) in photomorphogenic growth. We found that multiple myc mutants share light-associated phenotypes with mutants of the phytochrome B photoreceptor, such as delayed seed germination in the dark and long hypocotyl growth. Overexpression of MYC2 in a phyB background partially suppressed its long hypocotyl phenotype. Transcriptomic analysis of multiple myc mutants confirmed that MYCs are required for full expression of red (R) light-regulated genes, including the master regulator HY5. ChIP-seq analyses revealed that MYC2 and MYC3 bind directly to the promoter of HY5 and that HY5 gene expression and protein levels are compromised in multiple myc mutants. Altogether, our results pinpoint MYCs as photomorphogenic TFs that control phytochrome responses by activating HY5 expression. This has important implications in understanding the trade-off between growth and defence as the same TFs that activate defence responses are photomorphogenic growth regulators.

PIF transcription factors link a neighbor threat cue to accelerated reproduction in Arabidopsis.

Changes in light quality indicative of competition for this essential resource influence plant growth and developmental transitions; however, little is known about neighbor proximity-induced acceleration of reproduction. Phytochrome B (phyB) senses light cues from plant competitors, ultimately leading to the expression of the floral inducers FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TWIN SISTER of FT (TSF). Here we show that PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORs 4, 5 and 7 (PIF4, PIF5 and PIF7) mediate neighbor proximity-induced flowering, with PIF7 playing a prominent role. These transcriptional regulators act directly downstream of phyB to promote expression of FT and TSF. Neighbor proximity enhances PIF accumulation towards the end of the day, coinciding with enhanced floral inducer expression. We present evidence supporting direct PIF-regulated TSF expression. The relevance of our findings is illustrated by the prior identification of FT, TSF and PIF4 as loci underlying flowering time regulation in natural conditions.

Assessing the Role of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR Transcriptional Repressors in Salicylic Acid-Mediated Suppression of Jasmonic Acid-Responsive Genes.

Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) cross-communicate in the plant immune signaling network to finely regulate induced defenses. In Arabidopsis, SA antagonizes many JA-responsive genes, partly by targeting the ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF)-type transcriptional activator ORA59. Members of the ERF transcription factor family typically bind to GCC-box motifs in the promoters of JA- and ethylene-responsive genes, thereby positively or negatively regulating their expression. The GCC-box motif is sufficient for SA-mediated suppression of JA-responsive gene expression. Here, we investigated whether SA-induced ERF-type transcriptional repressors, which may compete with JA-induced ERF-type activators for binding at the GCC-box, play a role in SA/JA antagonism. We selected ERFs that are transcriptionally induced by SA and/or possess an EAR transcriptional repressor motif. Several of the 16 ERFs tested suppressed JA-dependent gene expression, as revealed by enhanced JA-induced PDF1.2 or VSP2 expression levels in the corresponding erf mutants, while others were involved in activation of these genes. However, SA could antagonize JA-induced PDF1.2 or VSP2 in all erf mutants, suggesting that the tested ERF transcriptional repressors are not required for SA/JA cross-talk. Moreover, a mutant in the co-repressor TOPLESS, that showed reduction in repression of JA signaling, still displayed SA-mediated antagonism of PDF1.2 and VSP2. Collectively, these results suggest that SA-regulated ERF transcriptional repressors are not essential for antagonism of JA-responsive gene expression by SA. We further show that de novo SA-induced protein synthesis is required for suppression of JA-induced PDF1.2, pointing to SA-stimulated production of an as yet unknown protein that suppresses JA-induced transcription.

The RING E3 Ligase KEEP ON GOING Modulates JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN12 Stability.

Jasmonate (JA) signaling in plants is mediated by the JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins that repress the activity of several transcription factors regulating JA-inducible gene expression. The hormone JA-isoleucine triggers the interaction of JAZ repressor proteins with the F-box protein CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1), part of an S-phase kinase-associated protein1/Cullin1/F-box protein COI1 (SCF(COI1)) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and their degradation by the 26S proteasome. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the JAZ family consists of 13 members. The level of redundancy or specificity among these members is currently not well understood. Here, we characterized JAZ12, encoded by a highly expressed JAZ gene. JAZ12 interacted with the transcription factors MYC2, MYC3, and MYC4 in vivo and repressed MYC2 activity. Using tandem affinity purification, we found JAZ12 to interact with SCF(COI1) components, matching with observed in vivo ubiquitination and with rapid degradation after treatment with JA. In contrast to the other JAZ proteins, JAZ12 also interacted directly with the E3 RING ligase KEEP ON GOING (KEG), a known repressor of the ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 transcription factor in abscisic acid signaling. To study the functional role of this interaction, we circumvented the lethality of keg loss-of-function mutants by silencing KEG using an artificial microRNA approach. Abscisic acid treatment promoted JAZ12 degradation, and KEG knockdown led to a decrease in JAZ12 protein levels. Correspondingly, KEG overexpression was capable of partially inhibiting COI1-mediated JAZ12 degradation. Our results provide additional evidence for KEG as an important factor in plant hormone signaling and a positive regulator of JAZ12 stability.

Diabetes mellitus neonatal en Costa Rica / Neonatal diabetes mellitus in Costa Rica

La diabetes mellitus neonatal es un raro desorden metabólico usualmente desarrollado en las primeas 6 semanas de vida, secundario a un grupo de mutaciones y defectos del desarrollo pancreático que puede desembocar en una catástrofe clínica si no se identifica tempranamente; se divide en una variante transitoria y una permanente, siendo la primera la más frecuente, con cerca de un 60 por ciento de los casos. El manejo inicial de ambas variantes es la insulinoterapia intensiva, que en la variante transitoria puede suspenderse usualmente en los primeros meses de vida...

The Solanum lycopersicum Zinc Finger2 cysteine-2/histidine-2 repressor-like transcription factor regulates development and tolerance to salinity in tomato and Arabidopsis.

The zinc finger superfamily includes transcription factors that regulate multiple aspects of plant development and were recently shown to regulate abiotic stress tolerance. Cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Zinc Finger2 [SIZF2]) is a cysteine-2/histidine-2-type zinc finger transcription factor bearing an ERF-associated amphiphilic repression domain and binding to the ACGTCAGTG sequence containing two AGT core motifs. SlZF2 is ubiquitously expressed during plant development, and is rapidly induced by sodium chloride, drought, and potassium chloride treatments. Its ectopic expression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and tomato impaired development and influenced leaf and flower shape, while causing a general stress visible by anthocyanin and malonyldialdehyde accumulation. SlZF2 enhanced salt sensitivity in Arabidopsis, whereas SlZF2 delayed senescence and improved tomato salt tolerance, particularly by maintaining photosynthesis and increasing polyamine biosynthesis, in salt-treated hydroponic cultures (125 mm sodium chloride, 20 d). SlZF2 may be involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis/signaling, because SlZF2 is rapidly induced by ABA treatment and 35S::SlZF2 tomatoes accumulate more ABA than wild-type plants. Transcriptome analysis of 35S::SlZF2 revealed that SlZF2 both increased and reduced expression of a comparable number of genes involved in various physiological processes such as photosynthesis, polyamine biosynthesis, and hormone (notably ABA) biosynthesis/signaling. Involvement of these different metabolic pathways in salt stress tolerance is discussed.

The bacterial effector HopX1 targets JAZ transcriptional repressors to activate jasmonate signaling and promote infection in Arabidopsis.

Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae is dependent on a type III secretion system, which secretes a suite of virulence effector proteins into the host cytoplasm, and the production of a number of toxins such as coronatine (COR), which is a mimic of the plant hormone jasmonate-isoleuce (JA-Ile). Inside the plant cell, effectors target host molecules to subvert the host cell physiology and disrupt defenses. However, despite the fact that elucidating effector action is essential to understanding bacterial pathogenesis, the molecular function and host targets of the vast majority of effectors remain largely unknown. Here, we found that effector HopX1 from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci (Pta) 11528, a strain that does not produce COR, interacts with and promotes the degradation of JAZ proteins, a key family of JA-repressors. We show that hopX1 encodes a cysteine protease, activity that is required for degradation of JAZs by HopX1. HopX1 associates with JAZ proteins through its central ZIM domain and degradation occurs in a COI1-independent manner. Moreover, ectopic expression of HopX1 in Arabidopsis induces the expression of JA-dependent genes, represses salicylic acid (SA)-induced markers, and complements the growth of a COR-deficient P. syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000 strain during natural bacterial infections. Furthermore, HopX1 promoted susceptibility when delivered by the natural type III secretion system, to a similar extent as the addition of COR, and this effect was dependent on its catalytic activity. Altogether, our results indicate that JAZ proteins are direct targets of bacterial effectors to promote activation of JA-induced defenses and susceptibility in Arabidopsis. HopX1 illustrates a paradigm of an alternative evolutionary solution to COR with similar physiological outcome.

High-throughput analysis of protein-DNA binding affinity.

Sequence-specific protein-DNA interactions mediate most regulatory processes underlying gene expression, such as transcriptional regulation by transcription factors (TFs) or chromatin organization. Current knowledge about DNA-binding specificities of TFs is based mostly on low- to medium-throughput methodologies that are time-consuming and often fail to identify DNA motifs recognized by a TF with lower affinity but retaining biological relevance. The use of protein-binding microarrays (PBMs) offers a high-throughput alternative for the identification of protein-DNA specificities. PBM consists in an array of pseudorandomized DNA sequences that are optimized to include all the possible 10- or 11-mer DNA sequences, allowing the determination of binding specificities of most eukaryotic TFs. PBMs that can be synthesized by several manufacturing companies as single-stranded DNA are converted into double-stranded in a simple primer extension reaction. The protein of interest fused to an epitope tag is then incubated onto the PBM, and specific DNA-protein complexes are revealed in a series of immunological reactions coupled to a fluorophore. After scanning and quantifying PBMs, specific DNA motifs recognized by the protein are identified with ready-to-use scripts, generating comprehensive but accessible information about the DNA-binding specificity of the protein. This chapter describes detailed procedures for preparation of double-stranded PBMs, incubation with recombinant protein, and detection of protein-DNA complexes. Finally, we outline some cues for evaluating the biological role of DNA motifs obtained in vitro.

Análisis de las hemoglobinas glucosiladas de los pacientes diabéticos diagnosticados del 2006 al 2008 en el Hospital Nacional de Niños / Gycated hemoglobin analysis of diabetic patientes diagnosed fron 2006 to 2008 at the National Children`s Hospital

Objetivo: La hemoglobina glucosilada se ha utilizado como una de las principales herramientas para monitorear el adecuado control de la diabetes. El estudio tiene por objetivo describir los valores de hemoglobina glucosilada de los pacientes diabéticos diagnosticados durante el período 2006-2008, en control en el Hospital Nacional de Niños. Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo de 115 pacientes diabéticos en control en el Hospital Nacional de Niños, diagnosticados en el período 2006-2008. Se determinó el promedio de los valores de hemoglobina glucosilada al diagnóstico y durate el control, y el porcentaje de cumplimiento de las metas de hemoglobina glucosilada según la Asociación Americana de Diabetes. Para el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el program Microsoft Excel 2003. Resultados: De los 115 pacientes, el 79,13 por ciento son diabéticos tipo 1, el 15,2 por ciento tipo 2 y el 4,35 por ciento otros tipos. El promedio de hemoglobina glucosilada durante el control por grupos etarios fue del 7,05 porciento de 0-6 años, del 6,87 por ciento de 6-12 años y del 7,04 por ciento los mayores de 12 años. Según tipo de diabetes el promedio corresponde a 7,03 por ciento el tipo 1; el 7.04 porciento el tipo 2 y el 6,45 por ciento otros. El porcentaje de diabéticos tipo 1 que cumple con la meta de hemoglobina glucosilada, corresponde al 90,00 por ciento de 0-6 años, al 90,47 por ciento de 6-12 años y al 66,66 porciento los mayores de 12 años; el cumplimiento general es del 85,71 por ciento. Conclusión: La diabetes tipo 1 continúa siendo la más frecuente en los niños y adolescentes. Sin embargo, la diabetes tipo 2 está en aumento en la población infantojuvenil costarricense. Los pacientes diabéticos en control en el Hospital Nacional de Niños, presentan promedio de hemoglobina glucosilada control acorde con las metas propuestas por la Asociación Americana de Diabetes.

Improved protein-binding microarrays for the identification of DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors.

Transcriptional regulation depends on the specificity of transcription factors (TFs) recognizing cis regulatory sequences in the promoters of target genes. Current knowledge about DNA-binding specificities of TFs is based mostly on low- to medium-throughput methodologies, revealing DNA motifs bound by a TF with high affinity. These strategies are time-consuming and often fail to identify DNA motifs recognized by a TF with lower affinity but retaining biological relevance. Here we report on the development of a protein-binding microarray (PBM11) containing all possible double-stranded 11-mers for the determination of DNA-binding specificities of TFs. The large number of sequences in the PBM11 allows accurate and high-throughput quantification of TF-binding sites, outperforming previous methods. We applied this tool to determine binding site specificities of two Arabidopsis TFs, MYC2 and ERF1, rendering the G-box and the GCC-box, respectively, as their highest-affinity binding sites. In addition, we identified variants of the G-box recognized by MYC2 with high and medium affinity, whereas ERF1 only recognized GCC variants with low affinity, indicating that ERF1 binding to DNA has stricter base requirements than MYC2. Analysis of transcriptomic data revealed that high- and medium-affinity binding sites have biological significance, probably representing relevant cis-acting elements in vivo. Comparison of promoter sequences with putative orthologs from closely related species demonstrated a high degree of conservation of all the identified DNA elements. The combination of PBM11, transcriptomic data and phylogenomic footprinting provides a straightforward method for the prediction of biologically active cis-elements, and thus for identification of in vivo DNA targets of TFs.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1 en la edad pediátrica / Type 1 diabetes mellitus in children

La diabetes mellitus es una de las enfermedades crónicas más frecuentes en la edad pediátrica. La diabetes puede ser causada por una deficiencia absoluta o relativa de insulina. En el caso de la diabetes tipo 1 la deficiencia será absoluta, al haber destrucción autoinmune de las células beta del páncreas. La incidencia de diabetes tipo 1 varía enormemente entre países, dentro de un mismo país, y entre diferentes etnias. Las grandes diferencias en incidencia entre poblaciones y grupos étnicos, se pueden deber a diferencias en la distribución de los marcadores de susceptibilidad genética, de determinantes ambientales, o la combinación de ambos factores. Usualmente el diagnóstico de diabetes tipo 1 es claro, los síntomas clásicos de diabetes son: poliuria, polidipsia y pérdida de peso. Por lo general la evolución de estos síntomas es de 2-6 semanas. En la actualidad la administración de insulina exógena es la única opción disponible para el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 1; siendo también la vía subcutánea la única disponible para su administración. Las preparaciones de insulina actualmente se fabrican por ingeniería genética, pueden ser idénticas a la insulina humana, o se les realizan modificaciones a la estructura, para alterar su farmocinética. El manejo nutricional es uno de los puntos cardinales en el control de la diabetes y la educación. El manejo nutricional se basa en recomendaciones saludables, que se apeguen a la realidad del paciente y su familia. El ejercicio es un componente importante en el control de la diabetes, a la par de la terapia insulínica y el manejo nutricional. Los beneficios del ejercicio van más allá de la disminución de la HbA1C, ya que contribuye con control del peso, salud cardiovascular y mejoría del estado de bienestar del paciente. En la actualidad existen terapias promisorias para el futuro de la diabetes y algunas en experimentación, sin embargo aún faltan más datos de estudios aleatorizados controlados para poder aprobar estas terapias para todos los pacientes diabéticos tipo 1.

JASMONATE-INSENSITIVE1 encodes a MYC transcription factor essential to discriminate between different jasmonate-regulated defense responses in Arabidopsis.

In spite of the importance of jasmonates (JAs) as plant growth and stress regulators, the molecular components of their signaling pathway remain largely unknown. By means of a genetic screen that exploits the cross talk between ethylene (ET) and JAs, we describe the identification of several new loci involved in JA signaling and the characterization and positional cloning of one of them, JASMONATE-INSENSITIVE1 (JAI1/JIN1). JIN1 encodes AtMYC2, a nuclear-localized basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper transcription factor, whose expression is rapidly upregulated by JA, in a CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1-dependent manner. Gain-of-function experiments confirmed the relevance of AtMYC2 in the activation of JA signaling. AtMYC2 differentially regulates the expression of two groups of JA-induced genes. The first group includes genes involved in defense responses against pathogens and is repressed by AtMYC2. Consistently, jin1 mutants show increased resistance to necrotrophic pathogens. The second group, integrated by genes involved in JA-mediated systemic responses to wounding, is activated by AtMYC2. Conversely, Ethylene-Response-Factor1 (ERF1) positively regulates the expression of the first group of genes and represses the second. These results highlight the existence of two branches in the JA signaling pathway, antagonistically regulated by AtMYC2 and ERF1, that are coincident with the alternative responses activated by JA and ET to two different sets of stresses, namely pathogen attack and wounding.

Five components of the ethylene-response pathway identified in a screen for weak ethylene-insensitive mutants in Arabidopsis.

Five ethylene-insensitive loci (wei1-wei5) were identified by using a low-dose screen for "weak" ethylene-insensitive mutants. wei1, wei2, and wei3 seedlings showed hormone insensitivity only in roots, whereas wei4 and wei5 displayed insensitivity in both roots and hypocotyls. The genes corresponding to wei1, wei4, and wei5 were isolated using a positional cloning approach. The wei1 mutant harbored a recessive mutation in TIR1, which encodes a component of the SCF protein ubiquitin ligase involved in the auxin response. wei4, a dominant mutant, resulted from a mutation in the ethylene receptor ERS, whereas wei5, a semidominant mutant, was caused by a mutation in the EIN3-related transcription factor gene EIL1. The simultaneous loss of functional WEI5EIL1 and EIN3 nearly completely abolished the ethylene response in etiolated seedlings, and adult plants were highly susceptible to infection by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Moreover, wei5eil1 ein3 double mutants were able to fully suppress constitutive signaling caused by ctr1, suggesting a synergistic interaction among these gene products. Unlike previously known root ethylene-insensitive mutants, wei2 and wei3 were not affected in their response to auxin and showed a normal response to gravity. Genetic mapping studies indicate that wei2 and wei3 correspond to previously unidentified ethylene pathway genes that may control cell-elongation processes functioning at the intersection of the ethylene and auxin response pathways.

ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 integrates signals from ethylene and jasmonate pathways in plant defense.

Cross-talk between ethylene and jasmonate signaling pathways determines the activation of a set of defense responses against pathogens and herbivores. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie this cross-talk are poorly understood. Here, we show that ethylene and jasmonate pathways converge in the transcriptional activation of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 (ERF1), which encodes a transcription factor that regulates the expression of pathogen response genes that prevent disease progression. The expression of ERF1 can be activated rapidly by ethylene or jasmonate and can be activated synergistically by both hormones. In addition, both signaling pathways are required simultaneously to activate ERF1, because mutations that block any of them prevent ERF1 induction by any of these hormones either alone or in combination. Furthermore, 35S:ERF1 expression can rescue the defense response defects of coi1 (coronative insensitive1) and ein2 (ethylene insensitive2); therefore, it is a likely downstream component of both ethylene and jasmonate signaling pathways. Transcriptome analysis in Col;35S:ERF1 transgenic plants and ethylene/jasmonate-treated wild-type plants further supports the notion that ERF1 regulates in vivo the expression of a large number of genes responsive to both ethylene and jasmonate. These results suggest that ERF1 acts downstream of the intersection between ethylene and jasmonate pathways and suggest that this transcription factor is a key element in the integration of both signals for the regulation of defense response genes.

Constitutive expression of ETHYLENE-RESPONSE-FACTOR1 in Arabidopsis confers resistance to several necrotrophic fungi.

Infection of a plant by a pathogen induces a variety of defense responses that imply the action of several signaling molecules, including salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (E). Here we describe the role of ETHYLENE-RESPONSE-FACTOR1 (ERF1) as a regulator of ethylene responses after pathogen attack in Arabidopsis. The ERF1 transcript is induced on infection by Botrytis cinerea, and overexpression of ERF1 in Arabidopsis is sufficient to confer resistance to necrotrophic fungi such as B. cinerea and Plectosphaerella cucumerina. A positive co-operation between E and SA pathways was observed in the plant response to P. cucumerina. Infection by Pseudomonas syringae tomato DC3000, however, does not affect ERF1 expression, and activation of ethylene responses by ERF1 overexpression in Arabidopsis plants reduces tolerance against this pathogen, suggesting negative crosstalk between E and SA signaling pathways, and demonstrating that positive and negative interactions between both pathways can be established depending on the type of pathogen.

Estudio epidemiológico de la transmisión vertical (madre-hijo) del virus de la hepatitis B / Epidemiological study of the hepatitis B virus vertical transmission (mother-child)

El virus de la hepatitis B presenta varias formas de transmisión. En las poblaciones de altas prevalencia de portadores de HBsAG, el mecanismo de transmisión que predomina es el vertical (madre-hijo). Los resultados no publicados de la unidad de Hígado del Hospital México y del I.C.M.R.T., coinciden en que Costa Rica tiene una baja prevalencia de portadores. En el presente trabajo se demostró una baja prevalencia de HBsAg (0.585), en 172 mujeres que se presentaron en labor de parto al Servicio de Gineco-Obstetricia del Hospital México. Este dato contribuye a confirmar el patrón de baja prevalencia de portadores del HBsAg y descarta la transmisión vertical del virus como problema epidemiológico en Costa Rica