Dynamic evolution of MADS-box genes in extant ferns via large-scale phylogenomic analysis.

Introduction: Several studies of MADS-box transcription factors in flowering plants have been conducted, and these studies have indicated that they have conserved functions in floral organ development; MIKC-type MADS-box genes has been proved to be expanded in ferns, however, few systematic studies of these transcription factors have been conducted in non-seed plants. Although ferns and seed plants are sister groups, they exhibit substantial morphological differences. Methods: Here, we clarified the evolution of MADS-box genes across 71 extant fern species using available transcriptome, genome, and gene expression data. Results: We obtained a total of 2,512 MADS-box sequences, ranging from 9 to 89 per species. The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of ferns contained approximately three type I genes and at least 5-6 type II MADS-box genes. The domains, motifs, expression of type I and type II proteins, and the structure of the both type genes were conserved in ferns as to other land plants. Within type II genes, MIKC*-type proteins are involved in gametophyte development in ferns; MIKCC-type proteins have broader expression patterns in ferns than in seed plants, and these protein sequences are likely conserved in extant seed plants and ferns because of their diverse roles in diploid sporophyte development. More than 90% of MADS-box genes are type II genes, and MIKCC genes, especially CRM1 and CRM6-like genes, have undergone a large expansion in leptosporangiate ferns; the diverse expression patterns of these genes might be related to the fuctional diversification and increased complexity of the plant body plan. Tandem duplication of CRM1 and CRM6-like genes has contributed to the expansion of MIKCC genes. Conclusion or Discussion: This study provides new insights into the diversity, evolution, and functions of MADS-box genes in extant ferns.

Acute and chronic effects of sublethal neonicotinoid thiacloprid to Asian honey bee (Apis cerana cerana).

Pesticide pollution is one of the most important factors for global bee declines. Despite many studies have revealed that the most important Chinese indigenous species，Apis cerana, is presenting a high risk on exposure to neonicotinoids, the toxicology information on Apis cerana remain limited. This study was aimed to determine the acute and chronic toxic effects of thiacloprid (IUPAC name: {(2Z)-3-[(6-Chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylidene}cyanamide) on behavioral and physiological performance as well as genome-wide transcriptome in A. cerana. We found the 1/5 LC50 of thiacloprid significantly impaired learning and memory abilities after both acute and chronic exposure, nevertheless, has no effects on the sucrose responsiveness and phototaxis climbing ability of A. cerana. Moreover, activities of detoxification enzyme P450 monooxygenases and CarE were increased by short-term exposure to thiacloprid, while prolonged exposure caused suppression of CarE activity. Neither acute nor chronic exposure to thiacloprid altered honey bee AChE activities. To further study the potential defense molecular mechanisms in Asian honey bee under pesticide stress, we analyzed the transcriptomes of honeybees in response to thiacloprid stress. The transcriptomic profiles revealed consistent upregulation of immune- and stress-related genes by both acute or chronic treatments. Our results suggest that the chronic exposure to thiacloprid produced greater toxic effects than a single administration to A. cerana. Altogether, our study deepens the understanding of the toxicological characteristic of A. cerana against thiacloprid, and could be used to further investigate the complex molecular mechanisms in Asian honey bee under pesticide stress.

[Heat-responsive mechanisms in plants revealed by proteomic analysis: A review].

Heat stress is a major abiotic stress that limits plant growth and productivity. In recent years, proteomic investigations provide more information for understanding the sophisticated heat-responsive molecular mechanism in plants at systematic biological level. The heat-responsive proteomic patterns in several plants, i. e., model plants (Arabidopsis thaliana), staple food crops (soybean, rice and wheat), heat-tolerant plants (Agrostis stolonifera, Portulaca oleracea, and Carissa spinarum), grapevine, Populus euphratica, Medicago sativa, and Pinellia ternate, were reported. A total of 838 heat-responsive proteins have been identified in these studies. Among them, 534 proteins were induced and the expression of 304 proteins was reduced in plants under heat stress. In this paper, the diverse protein patterns in plants under various heat stress conditions (30-45 °C for 0-10 d) were analyzed integratively. This provided new evidences and clues for further interpreting the signaling and metabolic pathways, e.g., signaling, stress and defense, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, photosynthesis, transcription, protein synthesis and fate, membrane and transport, in heat-responsive networks, and laid a foundation for a holistic understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanism in plants in response to heat stress.

[Prognostic factors and outcomes of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors and outcomes of Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for a total of 144 LCP patients at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Their clinical data, such as age, gender, follow-up duration and radiological characteristics, were collected and assessed with Stulberg classification scheme. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 8.6:1. Their age of onset was 8.06 ± 2.01 years and follow-up period 5.90 ± 2.29 years. There were Stulberg I and II (n = 52, 36.1%), III type (n = 57, 39.6%) and IV and V type (n = 35, 24.3%). Between the low-age ( ≤ 8) and high-age (>8) groups, the results of lateral pillar classification (A, B, C), modified Catterall staging (A, B) and Stulberg classification had significant differences (P < 0.005). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, lateral pillar classification and lateral half dislocation were independent prognostic risk factors. CONCLUSION: Age, lateral pillar classification and lateral half dislocation are prognostic factors for LCP. And greater age and higher lateral pillar classification denote a worse outcome.

[Technical strategies in the research of plant salt-responsive proteomics: a review].

Soil salinization is one of the key factors limiting plant growth and distribution. To explore plant molecular salt-responsive mechanisms is the basis of enhancing plant salt tolerance in virtue of molecular biological techniques, and also, the hotspot of plant physiology and molecular ecology. High throughput proteomics approaches include two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), blue-native/SDS-PAGE (BN/SDS-PAGE), two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE), liquid chromatography (LC), and various mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, being widely applied in the research of plant salt-response and supplied important information for understanding plant molecular salt-tolerant mechanisms. In this paper, a review was made on the technical strategies applied in the research of plant salt-responsive proteomics.

[Determination of gentiopicroside in different morphological types of cultivated Gentiana manshurica population].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between morphological variation and gentiopicroside content in cultivated Gentiana manshurica roots and to investigate the feasibility of breeding new varieties of high effective constituent content. METHOD: Gentiopicroside was determined in 5 morphological types of cultivated G. manshurica roots by HPLC, which are normal (or wild) type, white-flowered type, thick-rooted type, broad-leaved type I and broad-leaved type II. RESULT: Among different types gentiopicroside content is the highest in the roots of thick-rooted type, the contents decrease as following order: normal type, broad-leaved type I white-flowered type and broad-leaved type II, and the gentiopicroside contents in the same type root system are a positive correlation with root ages, as 3-years-age roots > 2-years-age roots > 1-year-age varied with roots. CONCLUSION: The contents of effective constituent vary with the morphological variation in cultivated G. manshurica. It is feasible to breed a new variety with high effective constituent with the morphological character as a selecting index.