The Snapdragon Genomes Reveal the Evolutionary Dynamics of the S-Locus Supergene.

The genus Antirrhinum has been used as a model to study self-incompatibility extensively. The multi-allelic S-locus, carrying a pistil S-RNase and dozens of S-locus F-box (SLF) genes, underlies the genetic control of self-incompatibility (SI) in Antirrhinum hispanicum. However, there have been limited studies on the genomic organization of the S-locus supergene due to a lack of high-quality genomic data. Here, we present the chromosome-level reference and haplotype-resolved genome assemblies of a self-incompatible A. hispanicum line, AhS7S8. For the first time, 2 complete A. hispanicum S-haplotypes spanning ∼1.2 Mb and containing a total of 32 SLFs were reconstructed, whereas most of the SLFs derived from retroelement-mediated proximal or tandem duplication ∼122 Mya. Back then, the S-RNase gene and incipient SLFs came into linkage to form the pro-type of type-1 S-locus in the common ancestor of eudicots. Furthermore, we detected a pleiotropic cis-transcription factor (TF) associated with regulating the expression of SLFs, and two miRNAs may control the expression of this TF. Interspecific S-locus and intraspecific S-haplotype comparisons revealed the dynamic nature and polymorphism of the S-locus supergene mediated by continuous gene duplication, segmental translocation or loss, and TE-mediated transposition events. Our data provide an excellent resource for future research on the evolutionary studies of the S-RNase-based self-incompatibility system.

Challenges and innovations in treating chronic and acute wound infections: from basic science to clinical practice.

Acute and chronic wound infection has become a major worldwide healthcare burden leading to significantly high morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanism of infections has been widely investigated by scientist, while standard wound management is routinely been used in general practice. However, strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of wound infections remain a great challenge due to the occurrence of biofilm colonization, delayed healing and drug resistance. In the present review, we summarize the common microorganisms found in acute and chronic wound infections and discuss the challenges from the aspects of clinical diagnosis, non-surgical methods and surgical methods. Moreover, we highlight emerging innovations in the development of antimicrobial peptides, phages, controlled drug delivery, wound dressing materials and herbal medicine, and find that sensitive diagnostics, combined treatment and skin microbiome regulation could be future directions in the treatment of wound infection.