Chloroplast phosphate transporter CrPHT4-7 regulates phosphate homeostasis and photosynthesis in Chlamydomonas.

In eukaryotic cells, phosphorus is assimilated and utilized primarily as phosphate (Pi). Pi homeostasis is mediated by transporters that have not yet been adequately characterized in green algae. This study reports on PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 4-7 (CrPHT4-7) from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a member of the PHT4 transporter family, which exhibits remarkable similarity to AtPHT4;4 from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a chloroplastic ascorbate transporter. Using fluorescent protein tagging, we show that CrPHT4-7 resides in the chloroplast envelope membrane. Crpht4-7 mutants, generated by the CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated single-strand templated repair, show retarded growth, especially in high light, reduced ATP level, strong ascorbate accumulation, and diminished non-photochemical quenching in high light. On the other hand, total cellular phosphorous content was unaffected, and the phenotype of the Crpht4-7 mutants could not be alleviated by ample Pi supply. CrPHT4-7-overexpressing lines exhibit enhanced biomass accumulation under high light conditions in comparison with the wild-type strain. Expressing CrPHT4-7 in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strain lacking Pi transporters substantially recovered its slow growth phenotype, demonstrating that CrPHT4-7 transports Pi. Even though CrPHT4-7 shows a high degree of similarity to AtPHT4;4, it does not display any substantial ascorbate transport activity in yeast or intact algal cells. Thus, the results demonstrate that CrPHT4-7 functions as a chloroplastic Pi transporter essential for maintaining Pi homeostasis and photosynthesis in C. reinhardtii.

Non-perfectly matching small RNAs can induce stable and heritable epigenetic modifications and can be used as molecular markers to trace the origin and fate of silencing RNAs.

Short non-coding RNA molecules (sRNAs) play a fundamental role in gene regulation and development in higher organisms. They act as molecular postcodes and guide AGO proteins to target nucleic acids. In plants, sRNA-targeted mRNAs are degraded, reducing gene expression. In contrast, sRNA-targeted DNA sequences undergo cytosine methylation referred to as RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). Cytosine methylation can suppress transcription, thus sRNAs are potent regulators of gene expression. sRNA-mediated RdDM is involved in genome stability through transposon silencing, mobile signalling for epigenetic gene control and hybrid vigour. Since cytosine methylation can be passed on to subsequent generations, RdDM contributes to transgenerational inheritance of the epigenome. Using a novel approach, which can differentiate between primary (inducer) and secondary (amplified) sRNAs, we show that initiation of heritable RdDM does not require complete sequence complementarity between the sRNAs and their nuclear target sequences. sRNAs with up to four regularly interspaced mismatches are potent inducers of RdDM, however, the number and disruptive nature of nucleotide polymorphisms negatively correlate with their efficacy. Our findings contribute to understanding how sRNA can directly shape the epigenome and may be used in designing the next generation of RNA silencing constructs.

DNA methylation can alter CRISPR/Cas9 editing frequency and DNA repair outcome in a target-specific manner.

The impact of epigenetic modifications on the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated double-stranded DNA breaks and subsequent DNA repair is poorly understood, especially in plants. In this study, we investigated the effect of the level of cytosine methylation on the outcome of CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations at multiple Cas9 target sites in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells using next-generation sequencing. We found that high levels of promoter methylation, but not gene-body methylation, decreased the frequency of Cas9-mediated mutations. DNA methylation also influenced the ratio of insertions and deletions and potentially the type of Cas9 cleavage in a target-specific manner. In addition, we detected an over-representation of deletion events governed by a single 5'-terminal nucleotide at Cas9-induced DNA breaks. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation can indirectly impair Cas9 activity and subsequent DNA repair, probably through changes in the local chromatin structure. In addition to the well described Cas9-induced blunt-end double-stranded DNA breaks, we provide evidence for Cas9-mediated staggered DNA cuts in plant cells. Both types of cut may direct microhomology-mediated DNA repair by a novel, as yet undescribed, mechanism.

Cutin:cutin-acid endo-transacylase (CCT), a cuticle-remodelling enzyme activity in the plant epidermis.

Cutin is a polyester matrix mainly composed of hydroxy-fatty acids that occurs in the cuticles of shoots and root-caps. The cuticle, of which cutin is a major component, protects the plant from biotic and abiotic stresses, and cutin has been postulated to constrain organ expansion. We propose that, to allow cutin restructuring, ester bonds in this net-like polymer can be transiently cleaved and then re-formed (transacylation). Here, using pea epicotyl epidermis as the main model, we first detected a cutin:cutin-fatty acid endo-transacylase (CCT) activity. In-situ assays used endogenous cutin as the donor substrate for endogenous enzymes; the exogenous acceptor substrate was a radiolabelled monomeric cutin-acid, 16-hydroxy-[3H]hexadecanoic acid (HHA). High-molecular-weight cutin became ester-bonded to intact [3H]HHA molecules, which thereby became unextractable except by ester-hydrolysing alkalis. In-situ CCT activity correlated with growth rate in Hylotelephium leaves and tomato fruits, suggesting a role in loosening the outer epidermal wall during organ growth. The only well-defined cutin transacylase in the apoplast, CUS1 (a tomato cutin synthase), when produced in transgenic tobacco, lacked CCT activity. This finding provides a reference for future CCT protein identification, which can adopt our sensitive enzyme assay to screen other CUS1-related enzymes.

Temperature modulates virus-induced transcriptional gene silencing via secondary small RNAs.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) can be harnessed to sequence-specifically degrade host transcripts and induce heritable epigenetic modifications referred to as virus-induced post-transcriptional gene silencing (ViPTGS) and virus-induced transcriptional gene silencing (ViTGS), respectively. Both ViPTGS and ViTGS enable manipulation of endogenous gene expression without the need for transgenesis. Although VIGS has been widely used in many plant species, it is not always uniform or highly efficient. The efficiency of VIGS is affected by developmental, physiological and environmental factors. Here, we use recombinant Tobacco rattle viruses (TRV) to study the effect of temperature on ViPTGS and ViTGS using GFP as a reporter gene of silencing in N. benthamiana 16c plants. We found that unlike ViPTGS, ViTGS was impaired at high temperature. Using a novel mismatch-small interfering RNA (siRNA) tool, which precisely distinguishes virus-derived (primary) from target-generated (secondary) siRNAs, we demonstrated that the lack of secondary siRNA production/amplification was responsible for inefficient ViTGS at 29°C. Moreover, inefficient ViTGS at 29°C inhibited the transmission of epigenetic gene silencing to the subsequent generations. Our finding contributes to understanding the impact of environmental conditions on primary and secondary siRNA production and may pave the way to design/optimize ViTGS for transgene-free crop improvement.

Efficient targeted DNA editing and replacement in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins and single-stranded DNA.

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an invaluable reference organism to research fields including algal, plant, and ciliary biology. Accordingly, decades-long standing inefficiencies in targeted nuclear gene editing broadly hinder Chlamydomonas research. Here we report that single-step codelivery of CRISPR/Cpf1 ribonucleoproteins with single-stranded DNA repair templates results in precise and targeted DNA replacement with as much as ∼10% efficiency in C. reinhardtii We demonstrate its use in transgene- and selection-free generation of sequence-specific mutations and epitope tagging at an endogenous locus. As the direct delivery of gene-editing reagents bypasses the use of transgenes, this method is potentially applicable to a wider range of species without the need to develop methods for stable transformation.

Most microRNAs in the single-cell alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are produced by Dicer-like 3-mediated cleavage of introns and untranslated regions of coding RNAs.

We describe here a forward genetic screen to investigate the biogenesis, mode of action, and biological function of miRNA-mediated RNA silencing in the model algal species,Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Among the mutants from this screen, there were three at Dicer-like 3 that failed to produce both miRNAs and siRNAs and others affecting diverse post-biogenesis stages of miRNA-mediated silencing. The DCL3-dependent siRNAs fell into several classes including transposon- and repeat-derived siRNAs as in higher plants. The DCL3-dependent miRNAs differ from those of higher plants, however, in that many of them are derived from mRNAs or from the introns of pre-mRNAs. Transcriptome analysis of the wild-type and dcl3 mutant strains revealed a further difference from higher plants in that the sRNAs are rarely negative switches of mRNA accumulation. The few transcripts that were more abundant in dcl3 mutant strains than in wild-type cells were not due to sRNA-targeted RNA degradation but to direct DCL3 cleavage of miRNA and siRNA precursor structures embedded in the untranslated (and translated) regions of the mRNAs. Our analysis reveals that the miRNA-mediated RNA silencing in C. reinhardtii differs from that of higher plants and informs about the evolution and function of this pathway in eukaryotes.

Lost in Transit: Long-Distance Trafficking and Phloem Unloading of Protein Signals in Arabidopsis Homografts.

In addition to moving sugars and nutrients, the phloem transports many macromolecules. While grafting and aphid stylectomy experiments have identified many macromolecules that move in the phloem, the functional significance of phloem transport of these remains unclear. To gain insight into protein trafficking, we micrografted Arabidopsis thaliana scions expressing GFP-tagged chloroplast transit peptides under the 35S promoter onto nontransgenic rootstocks. We found that plastids in the root tip became fluorescent 10 d after grafting. We obtained identical results with the companion cell-specific promoter SUC2 and with signals that target proteins to peroxisomes, actin, and the nucleus. We were unable to detect the respective mRNAs in the rootstock, indicating extensive movement of proteins in the phloem. Outward movement from the root protophloem was restricted to the pericycle-endodermis boundary, identifying plasmodesmata at this interface as control points in the exchange of macromolecules between stele and cortex. Intriguingly, signals directing proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus from membrane-bound ribosomes were not translocated to the root. It appears that many organelle-targeting sequences are insufficient to prevent the loss of their proteins into the translocation stream. Thus, nonspecific loss of proteins from companion cells to sieve elements may explain the plethora of macromolecules identified in phloem sap.

Iterative allogamy-autogamy transitions drive actual and incipient speciation during the ongoing evolutionary radiation within the orchid genus Epipactis (Orchidaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The terrestrial orchid genus Epipactis has become a model system for the study of speciation via transitions from allogamy to autogamy, but close phylogenetic relationships have proven difficult to resolve through Sanger sequencing. METHODS: We analysed with restriction site-associated sequencing (RAD-seq) 108 plants representing 29 named taxa that together span the genus, focusing on section Epipactis. Our filtered matrix of 12 543 single nucleotide polymorphisms was used to generate an unrooted network and a rooted, well-supported likelihood tree. We further inferred genetic structure through a co-ancestry heat map and admixture analysis, and estimated inbreeding coefficients per sample. KEY RESULTS: The 27 named taxa of the ingroup were resolved as 11 genuine, geographically widespread species: four dominantly allogamous and seven dominantly autogamous. A single comparatively allogamous species, E. helleborine, is the direct ancestor of most of the remaining species, though one of the derived autogams has generated one further autogamous species. An assessment of shared ancestry suggested only sporadic hybridization between the re-circumscribed species. Taxa with the greatest inclination towards autogamy show less, if any, admixture, whereas the gene pools of more allogamous species contain a mixture alleles found in the autogams. CONCLUSIONS: This clade is presently undergoing an evolutionary radiation driven by a wide spectrum of genotypic, phenotypic and environmental factors. Epipactis helleborine has also frequently generated many local variants showing inclinations toward autogamy (and occasionally cleistogamy), best viewed as incipient speciation from within the genetic background provided by E. helleborine, which thus becomes an example of a convincingly paraphyletic species. Autogams are often as widespread and ecologically successful as allogams.

Early high-dose caffeine citrate for extremely preterm infants: Neonatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

AIM: To examine neonatal morbidities, including the incidence of cerebellar haemorrhage (CBH), and neurodevelopmental outcomes following the administration of high loading dose caffeine citrate compared to standard loading dose caffeine citrate. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 218 preterm infants <28 weeks' gestation who received a loading dose of caffeine citrate within the first 36 h of life at the Mater Mothers' Hospital over a 3-year period (2011-2013). Two groups were compared, with 158 neonates in the high-dose cohort receiving a median dose of caffeine citrate of 80 mg/kg and 60 neonates in the standard dose cohort receiving a median dose of 20 mg/kg. Routine cranial ultrasound, including mastoid views, was performed during the neonatal period. At 2 years of age, infants presented for follow-up and were assessed with the Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III (Bayley-III). RESULTS: There was no difference in the incidence of neonatal morbidities, including CBH, between the two groups. The incidence of CBH in the high-dose group was 2.5% compared to 1.7% in the standard-dose group. There was no difference in the neurodevelopmental follow-up scores as evaluated with the NSMDA and the Bayley-III. CONCLUSIONS: The use of early high loading dose caffeine citrate in extremely preterm infants was not shown to be associated with CBH or abnormal long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The overall incidence of CBH, however, was much lower than in studies using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. It is suggested that a large randomised clinical trial is needed to determine the optimal dose of caffeine citrate when given early to very preterm infants.

Mobile small RNAs regulate genome-wide DNA methylation.

RNA silencing at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels regulates endogenous gene expression, controls invading transposable elements (TEs), and protects the cell against viruses. Key components of the mechanism are small RNAs (sRNAs) of 21-24 nt that guide the silencing machinery to their nucleic acid targets in a nucleotide sequence-specific manner. Transcriptional gene silencing is associated with 24-nt sRNAs and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) at cytosine residues in three DNA sequence contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH). We previously demonstrated that 24-nt sRNAs are mobile from shoot to root in Arabidopsis thaliana and confirmed that they mediate DNA methylation at three sites in recipient cells. In this study, we extend this finding by demonstrating that RdDM of thousands of loci in root tissues is dependent upon mobile sRNAs from the shoot and that mobile sRNA-dependent DNA methylation occurs predominantly in non-CG contexts. Mobile sRNA-dependent non-CG methylation is largely dependent on the DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASES 1/2 (DRM1/DRM2) RdDM pathway but is independent of the CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT)2/3 DNA methyltransferases. Specific superfamilies of TEs, including those typically found in gene-rich euchromatic regions, lose DNA methylation in a mutant lacking 22- to 24-nt sRNAs (dicer-like 2, 3, 4 triple mutant). Transcriptome analyses identified a small number of genes whose expression in roots is associated with mobile sRNAs and connected to DNA methylation directly or indirectly. Finally, we demonstrate that sRNAs from shoots of one accession move across a graft union and target DNA methylation de novo at normally unmethylated sites in the genomes of root cells from a different accession.

FDF-PAGE: a powerful technique revealing previously undetected small RNAs sequestered by complementary transcripts.

Small RNAs, between 18nt and 30nt in length, are a diverse class of non-coding RNAs that mediate a range of cellular processes, from gene regulation to pathogen defense. They guide ribonucleoprotein complexes to their target nucleic acids by Watson-Crick base pairing. We report here that current techniques for small RNA detection and library generation are biased by formation of RNA duplexes. To address this problem, we established FDF-PAGE (fully-denaturing formaldehyde polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) to prevent annealing of sRNAs to their complement. By applying FDF-PAGE, we provide evidence that both strands of viral small RNA are present in near equimolar ratios, indicating that the predominant precursor is a long double-stranded RNA. Comparing non-denaturing conditions to FDF-PAGE uncovered extensive sequestration of miRNAs in model organisms and allowed us to identify candidate small RNAs under the control of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). By revealing the full repertoire of small RNAs, we can begin to create a better understanding of small RNA mediated interactions.

5' isomiR variation is of functional and evolutionary importance.

We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3' and/or 5' end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5' differences and in support of this we report that a 5' isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5' isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes.

Intercellular and systemic movement of RNA silencing signals.

In most eukaryotes, double-stranded RNA is processed into small RNAs that are potent regulators of gene expression. This gene silencing process is known as RNA silencing or RNA interference (RNAi) and, in plants and nematodes, it is associated with the production of a mobile signal that can travel from cell-to-cell and over long distances. The sequence-specific nature of systemic RNA silencing indicates that a nucleic acid is a component of the signalling complex. Recent work has shed light on the mobile RNA species, the genes involved in the production and transport of the signal. This review discusses the advances in systemic RNAi and presents the current challenges and questions in this rapidly evolving field.

Going mobile: non-cell-autonomous small RNAs shape the genetic landscape of plants.

RNA silencing is a form of genetic regulation, which is conserved across eukaryotes and has wide ranging biological functions. Recently, there has been a growing appreciation for the importance of mobility in RNA silencing pathways, particularly in plants. Moreover, in addition to the importance for mobile RNA silencing in an evolutionary context, the potential for utilizing mobile short silencing RNAs in biotechnological applications is becoming apparent. This review aims to set current knowledge of this topic in a historical context and provides examples to illustrate the importance of mobile RNA silencing in both natural and artificially engineered systems in plants.

Diterpene alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum moldavicum and assessment of Nav 1.2 sodium channel activity of aconitum alkaloids.

A new aconitane alkaloid, 1-O-demethylswatinine (1), was isolated from the root of Aconitum moldavicum together with the known compounds cammaconine (2), columbianine (3), swatinine (4), gigactonine (5), delcosine (6), lycoctonine (7), and ajacine (8). The structures were established by means of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including 1H-1H COSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC experiments, resulting in complete 1H-NMR chemical shift assignments for 1-4. The effects of the isolated compounds 4-8, together with eighteen other Aconitum diterpene and norditerpene alkaloids with different skeletal types and substitution patterns, were studied on Nav 1.2 channels by the whole-cell patch clamp technique, using the QPatch-16 automated patch clamp system. Pyroaconitine, ajacine, septentriodine, and delectinine demonstrated significant Nav 1.2 channel inhibition (57-42 %) at 10 µM concentration; several other compounds (acovulparine, acotoxicine, hetisinone, 14-benzoylaconine-8-O-palmitate, aconitine, and lycoctonine) exerted moderate inhibitory activity (30-22 %), while the rest of the tested alkaloids were considered to be inactive. On the basis of these results and by exhaustive comparison of data of previously published computerized QSAR studies on diterpene alkaloids, certain conclusions on the structure-activity relationships of Aconitum alkaloids concerning Nav 1.2 channel inhibitory activity are proposed.

Semiochemical-baited traps as a new method supplementing light traps for faunistic and ecological studies of Macroheterocera (Lepidoptera).

Attractivity and selectivity of two types of traps with synthetic, long-lasting, bisexual generic attractants were compared to conventional light traps to promote their wider use, as an easy-to-use standardised method for entomology. The targeted herbivorous Macroheterocera species playing important role in ecosystems as food source for higher trophic levels (e.g. predatory arthropods, birds and mammals), while other hand they can cause significant economic loss in agriculture. Data on their population dynamic and composition of their assemblages are necessary for both nature conservation and efficient pest management. Light- and semiochemical-baited traps with semisynthetic- (SBL = the acronym stands for semisynthetic bisexual lure) and synthetic lures (FLO = the acronym stands for floral lure of synthetic floral compounds) were used in species rich area of West Ukraine, and in all 10,926 lepidopterans trapped were identified. The attractivity of the light trap was highest with 252 species caught, while traps with semiochemicals captured 132 species including 28 exclusively caught only by them. The qualitative selectivity of light vs. semiochemical-baited traps differed considering both taxa and habitat preferences in such a way that they completed each-other. Differences in quantitative selectivity were also proved even in case of pest species. The parameters of methods varied depending on the phenological phases of the studied assemblages. Considering the revealed attractivity and selectivity, the parallel use of the two methods can offer improved reliable data for conservation biology and pest management.

Why do startups fail? A core competency deficit model.

A growing body of work aims to explore the reasons behind startup failures. However, there is a need for integrative approaches organized around conceptual frameworks to avoid fragmented and perplexing knowledge about these reasons. To our knowledge, no previous research has systematically investigated the role of competency deficits in startup failures, a crucial element of these failures. In our study, we adapted Spencer's behavioral competence model specifically for startups to identify the competencies within startup teams that, according to their Chief Executive Officers, contributed to their downfall. Three coders meticulously analyzed 50 online accounts of startup failures using a modified Critical Incident Technique. This analysis revealed two prominent competency deficits as pivotal determinants of these startups' outcomes: information-seeking and customer service orientation. Additionally, deficits in technical expertise, analytical thinking, and flexibility emerged as significant factors contributing to these failures. The competency deficits identified in this study offer focal points for evaluating and enhancing startup teams, thereby helping to prevent failure.