Zinc oxide nano-fertilizer differentially effect on morphological and physiological identity of redox-enzymes and biochemical attributes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The aim of current study was to prepared zinc oxide nanofertilzers by ecofriendly friendly, economically feasible, free of chemical contamination and safe for biological use. The study focused on crude extract of Withania coagulans as reducing agent for the green synthesis of ZnO nano-particles. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR and GC-MS analysis. However, zinc oxide as green Nano fertilizer was used to analyze responses induced by different doses of ZnO NPs [0, 25, 50,100, 200 mg/l and Zn acetate (100 mg/l)] in Triticum aestivum (wheat). The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of foliar application of ZnO NPs were studied on wheat (Triticum aestivum) with aspect of biomass accumulation, morphological attributes, biochemical parameters and anatomical modifications. Wheat plant showed significant (p < 0.01) enhancement of growth parameters upon exposure to ZnO NPs at specific concentrations. In addition, wheat plant showed significant increase in biochemical attributes, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, carbohydrate and protein contents. Antioxidant enzyme (POD, SOD, CAT) and total flavonoid content also confirmed nurturing impact on wheat plant. Increased stem, leaf and root anatomical parameters, all showed ZnO NPs mitigating capacity when applied to wheat. According to the current research, ZnO NPs application on wheat might be used to increase growth, yield, and Zn biofortification in wheat plants.

Proline-mediated redox regulation in wheat for mitigating nickel-induced stress and soil decontamination.

Nickel (Ni) is known as a plant micronutrient and serves as a component of many significant enzymes, however, it can be extremely toxic to plants when present in excess concentration. Scientists are looking for natural compounds that can influence the development processes of plants. Therefore, it was decided to use proline as a protective agent against Ni toxicity. Proline (Pro) is a popularly known osmoprotectant to regulate the biomass and developmental processes of plants under a variety of environmental stresses, but its role in the modulation of Ni-induced toxicity in wheat is very little explored. This investigation indicated the role of exogenously applied proline (10 mM) on two wheat varieties (V1 = Punjab-11, V2 = Ghazi-11) exposed to Ni (100 mg/kg) stress. Proline mediated a positive rejoinder on morphological, photosynthetic indices, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, ion uptake were analyzed with and without Ni stress. Proline alone and in combination with Ni improved the growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant capacity of wheat plants. However, Ni application alone exhibited strong oxidative damage through increased H2O2 (V1 = 28.96, V2 = 55.20) accumulation, lipid peroxidation (V1 = 26.09, V2 = 38.26%), and reduced translocation of macronutrients from root to shoot. Application of Pro to Ni-stressed wheat plants enhanced actions of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total soluble protein (TSP) contents by 45.70, 44.06, 43.40, and 25.11% in V1, and 39.32, 46.46, 42.22, 55.29% in V2, compared to control plants. The upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation, and uptake of essential mineral ions has maintained the equilibrium of Ni in both wheat cultivars, indicating Ni detoxification. This trial insight into an awareness that foliar application of proline can be utilized as a potent biochemical method in mitigating Ni-induced stress and might serve as a strong remedial technique for the decontamination of polluted soil particularly with metals.

Advancing Nanoscale Science: Synthesis and Bioprinting of Zeolitic Imidazole Framework-8 for Enhanced Anti-Infectious Therapeutic Efficacies.

Bacterial infectious disorders are becoming a major health problem for public health. The zeolitic imidazole framework-8 with a novel Cordia myxa extract-based (CME@ZIF-8) nanocomposite showed variable functionality, high porosity, and bacteria-killing activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli strains have been created by using a straightforward approach. The sizes of synthesized zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) and CME@ZIF-8 were 11.38 nm and 12.44 nm, respectively. Prepared metal organic frameworks have been characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An antibacterial potential comparison between CME@ZIF-8 and zeolitic imidazole framework-8 has shown that CME@ZIF-8 was 31.3%, 28.57%, 46%, and 47% more efficient than ZIF-8 against Staphylococcus aureus and 43.7%, 42.8%, 35.7%, and 70% more efficient against Escherichia coli, while it was 31.25%, 33.3%, 46%, and 46% more efficient than the commercially available ciprofloxacin drug against Staphylococcus aureus and 43.7%, 42.8%, 35.7%, and 70% more efficient against Escherichia coli, respectively, for 750, 500, 250, and 125 µg mL-1. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of CME@ZIF-8 for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 15.6 and 31.25 µg/mL respectively, while the value of zeolitic imidazole framework-8 alone was 62.5 µg/mL for both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The reactive oxygen species generated by CME@ZIF-8 destroys the bacterial cell and its organelles. Consequently, the CME@ZIF-8 nanocomposites have endless potential applications for treating infectious diseases.

Trident Nano-Indexing the Proteomics Table: Next-Version Clustering of Iron Carbide NPs and Protein Corona.

Protein corona composition and precise physiological understanding of differentially expressed proteins are key for identifying disease biomarkers. In this report, we presented a distinctive quantitative proteomics table of molecular cell signaling differentially expressed proteins of corona that formed on iron carbide nanoparticles (NPs). High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization coupled with ion trap mass analyzer (HPLC/ESI-Orbitrap) and MASCOT helped quantify 142 differentially expressed proteins. Among these proteins, 104 proteins showed upregulated behavior and 38 proteins were downregulated with respect to the control, whereas 48, 32 and 24 proteins were upregulated and 8, 9 and 21 were downregulated CW (control with unmodified NPs), CY (control with modified NPs) and WY (modified and unmodified NPs), respectively. These proteins were further categorized on behalf of their regularity, locality, molecular functionality and molecular masses using gene ontology (GO). A STRING analysis was used to target the specific range of proteins involved in metabolic pathways and molecular processing in different kinds of binding functionalities, such as RNA, DNA, ATP, ADP, GTP, GDP and calcium ion bindings. Thus, this study will help develop efficient protocols for the identification of latent biomarkers in early disease detection using protein fingerprints.

Incubating Green Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanorods for Proteomics-Derived Motif Exploration: A Fusion to Deep Learning Oncogenesis.

The nanotechnological arena has revolutionized the diagnostic efficacies by investigating the protein corona. This displays provoking proficiencies in determining biomarkers and diagnostic fingerprints for early detection and advanced therapeutics. The green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared via Withania coagulans and were well characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nano-LC mass spectrophotometry. Iron oxides were rod-shaped with an average size of 17.32 nm and have crystalline properties. The as-synthesized nanotool mediated firm nano biointeraction with the proteins in treatment with nine different cancers. The resultant of the proteome series was filtered oddly that highlighted the variant proteins within the differentially expressed proteins on behalf of nano-bioinformatics. Further magnification focused on S13_N, RS15, RAB, and 14_3_3 domains and few abundant motifs that aid scanning biomarkers. The entire set of variant proteins contracting to common proteins elucidates the underlining mechanical proteins that are marginally assessed using the robotic nanotechnology. Additionally, the iron rods indirectly possess a prognostic effect in manipulating expression of proteins through a smarter route. Thereby, such biologically designed nanotools provide a dual approach for medical studies.

Map-based cloning of qBWT-c12 discovered brassinosteroid-mediated control of organ size in cotton.

Assuring fiber yield stability is the primary objective for cotton breeders since the world population is on the rise, and the demand for cotton fiber is increasing every year. Thus, enhancing average cotton boll weight (BWT) could improve seed cotton production, and ultimately to increase cotton fiber yield. This study accomplished the map-based cloning of a novel boll weight regulating locus, qBWT-c12, in cotton. Bulk segregation analysis detected linked markers, aided in the detection of a stable BWT regulating locus, qBWT-c12, on Chr12 in a novel boll size mutant, BS41. Progeny evaluation confined the qBWT-c12 to a 0.89 cM interval between the AD-A12_07 and AD-FM_44 markers in recombinant derived F3 and F4 populations. Homology mapping detected a 40 bp insertion-deletion (InDel) site in the AD-FM_44 clone sequence situated +341 downstream of GhBRH1_A12, which showed complete linkage to the BWT phenotype. The suppressed expression of GhBRH1_A12 suggested its putative involvement during early boll development events in BS41. Although brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis and signaling pathway genes were up regulated in different tissues, but the organ growth was suppressed leading to dwarf plants, smaller leaves, and de-morphed smaller bolls in BS41. Thus, a disruption in the BR signal cascade is anticipated and could be related to lower GhBRH1_A12 expression in BS41.This study firstly reported the genetic dissection of boll size regulation of G. barbadense in G. hirsutum background using map-based cloning of a BWT regulating locus, qBWT-c12. Moreover, it also emphasized the putative role GhBRH1_A12 in regulating BR homeostasis and its potential to modulate plant growth and boll development in cotton.

Eriodictyol can modulate cellular auxin gradients to efficiently promote in vitro cotton fibre development.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids have essential roles in flower pigmentation, fibre development and disease resistance in cotton. Previous studies show that accumulation of naringenin in developing cotton fibres significantly affects fibre growth. This study focused on determining the effects of the flavonoids naringenin, dihydrokaempferol, dihydroquerectin and eriodictyol on fibre development in an in vitro system. RESULTS: 20 µM eriodictyol treatment produced a maximum fibre growth, in terms of fibre length and total fibre units. To gain insight into the associated transcriptional regulatory networks, RNA-seq analysis was performed on eriodictyol-treated elongated fibres, and computational analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that carbohydrate metabolism and phytohormone signaling pathways were differentially modulated. Eriodictyol treatment also promoted the biosynthesis of quercetin and dihydroquerectin in ovules and elongating fibres through enhanced expression of genes encoding chalcone isomerase, chalcone synthase and flavanone 3-hydroxylase. In addition, auxin biosynthesis and signaling pathway genes were differentially expressed in eriodictyol-driven in vitro fibre elongation. In absence of auxin, eriodictyol predominantly enhanced fibre growth when the localized auxin gradient was disrupted by the auxin transport inhibitor, triiodobenzoic acid. CONCLUSION: Eriodictyol was found to significantly enhance fibre development through accumulating and maintaining the temporal auxin gradient in developing unicellular cotton fibres.

Genome-wide identification of lipoxygenase gene family in cotton and functional characterization in response to abiotic stresses.

BACKGROUND: Plant lipoxygenase (LOX) genes are members of the non-haeme iron-containing dioxygenase family that catalyze the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into functionally diverse oxylipins. The LOX family genes have been extensively studied under biotic and abiotic stresses, both in model and non-model plant species; however, information on their roles in cotton is still limited. RESULTS: A total of 64 putative LOX genes were identified in four cotton species (Gossypium (G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii)). In the phylogenetic tree, these genes were clustered into three categories (9-LOX, 13-LOX type I, and 13-LOX type II). Segmental duplication of putative LOX genes was observed between homologues from A2 to At and D5 to Dt hinting at allopolyploidy in cultivated tetraploid species (G. hirsutum and G. barbadense). The structure and motif composition of GhLOX genes appears to be relatively conserved among the subfamilies. Moreover, many cis-acting elements related to growth, stresses, and phytohormone signaling were found in the promoter regions of GhLOX genes. Gene expression analysis revealed that all GhLOX genes were induced in at least two tissues and the majority of GhLOX genes were up-regulated in response to heat and salinity stress. Specific expressions of some genes in response to exogenous phytohormones suggest their potential roles in regulating growth and stress responses. In addition, functional characterization of two candidate genes (GhLOX12 and GhLOX13) using virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach revealed their increased sensitivity to salinity stress in target gene-silenced cotton. Compared with controls, target gene-silenced plants showed significantly higher chlorophyll degradation, higher H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline accumulation but significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, suggesting their reduced ability to effectively degrade accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). CONCLUSION: This genome-wide study provides a systematic analysis of the cotton LOX gene family using bioinformatics tools. Differential expression patterns of cotton LOX genes in different tissues and under various abiotic stress conditions provide insights towards understanding the potential functions of candidate genes. Beyond the findings reported here, our study provides a basis for further uncovering the biological roles of LOX genes in cotton development and adaptation to stress conditions.

Physiological and molecular mechanism of defense in cotton against Verticillium dahliae.

Cotton, a natural fiber producing crop of huge importance for textile industry, has been reckoned as the backbone in the economy of many developing countries. Verticillium wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae reflected as the most devastating disease of cotton crop in several parts of the world. Average losses due to attack of this disease are tremendous every year. There is urgent need to develop strategies for effective control of this disease. In the last decade, progress has been made to understand the interaction between cotton-V. dahliae and several growth and pathogenicity related genes were identified. Still, most of the molecular components and mechanisms of cotton defense against Verticillium wilt are poorly understood. However, from existing knowledge, it is perceived that cotton defense mechanism primarily depends on the pre-formed defense structures including thick cuticle, synthesis of phenolic compounds and delaying or hindering the expansion of the invader through advanced measures such as reinforcement of cell wall structure, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of phytoalexins, the hypersensitive response and the development of broad spectrum resistance named as, systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Investigation of these defense tactics provide valuable information about the improvement of cotton breeding strategies for the development of durable, cost effective, and broad spectrum resistant varieties. Consequently, this management approach will help to reduce the use of fungicides and also minimize other environmental hazards. In the present paper, we summarized the V. dahliae virulence mechanism and comprehensively discussed the cotton molecular mechanisms of defense such as physiological, biochemical responses with the addition of signaling pathways that are implicated towards attaining resistance against Verticillium wilt.

SSR-based association mapping of fiber quality in upland cotton using an eight-way MAGIC population.

The quality of fiber is significant in the upland cotton industry. As complex quantitative traits, fiber quality traits are worth studying at a genetic level. To investigate the genetic architecture of fiber quality traits, we conducted an association analysis using a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population developed from eight parents and comprised of 960 lines. The reliable phenotypic data for six major fiber traits of the MAGIC population were collected from five environments in three locations. Phenotypic analysis showed that the MAGIC lines have a wider variation amplitude and coefficient than the founders. A total of 284 polymorphic SSR markers among eight parents screened from a high-density genetic map were used to genotype the MAGIC population. The MAGIC population showed abundant genetic variation and fast linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay (0.76 cM, r2 > 0.1), which revealed the advantages of high efficiency and power in QTL exploration. Association mapping via a mixed linear model identified 52 significant loci associated with six fiber quality traits; 14 of them were mapped in reported QTL regions with fiber-related or other agronomic traits. Nine markers demonstrated the pleiotropism that controls more than two fiber traits. Furthermore, two SSR markers, BNL1231 and BNL3452, were authenticated as hotspots that were mapped with multi-traits. In addition, we provided candidate regions and screened six candidate genes for identified loci according to the LD decay distance. Our results provide valuable QTL for further genetic mapping and will facilitate marker-based breeding for fiber quality in cotton.

QTL Mapping for Fiber Quality and Yield Traits Based on Introgression Lines Derived from Gossypium hirsutum × G. tomentosum.

The tetraploid species Gossypium hirsutum is cultivated widely throughout the world with high yield and moderate fiber quality, but its genetic basis is narrow. A set of 107 introgression lines (ILs) was developed with an interspecific cross using G. hirsutumacc. 4105 as the recurrent parent and G. tomentosum as the donor parent. A specific locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) strategy was used to obtain high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. In total, 3157 high-quality SNP markers were obtained and further used for identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fiber quality and yield traits evaluated in multiple environments. In total, 74 QTLs were detected that were associated with five fiber quality traits (30 QTLs) and eight yield traits (44 QTLs), with 2.02-30.15% of the phenotypic variance explained (PVE), and 69 markers were found to be associated with these thirteen traits. Eleven chromosomes in the A sub-genome (At) harbored 47 QTLs, and nine chromosomes in the D sub-genome (Dt) harbored 27 QTLs. More than half (44 QTLs = 59.45%) showed positive additive effects for fiber and yield traits. Five QTL clusters were identified, with three in the At, comprised of thirteen QTLs, and two in the Dt comprised of seven QTLs. The ILs developed in this study and the identified QTLs will facilitate further molecular breeding for improvement of Upland cotton in terms of higher yield with enhanced fiber quality.

A comparative genomics approach revealed evolutionary dynamics of microsatellite imperfection and conservation in genus Gossypium.

BACKGROUND: Ongoing molecular processes in a cell could target microsatellites, a kind of repetitive DNA, owing to length variations and motif imperfection. Mutational mechanisms underlying such kind of genetic variations have been extensively investigated in diverse organisms. However, obscure impact of ploidization, an evolutionary process of genome content duplication prevails mostly in plants, on non-coding DNA is poorly understood. RESULTS: Genome sequences of diversely originated plant species were examined for genome-wide motif imperfection pattern, and various analytical tools were employed to canvass characteristic relationships among repeat density, imperfection and length of microsatellites. Moreover, comparative genomics approach aided in exploration of microsatellites conservation footprints in Gossypium evolution. Based on our results, motif imperfection in repeat length was found intricately related to genomic abundance of imperfect microsatellites among 13 genomes. Microsatellite decay estimation depicted slower decay of long motif repeats which led to predominant abundance of 5-nt repeat motif in Gossypium species. Short motif repeats exhibited rapid decay through the evolution of Gossypium lineage ensuing drastic decrease of 2-nt repeats, of which, "AT" motif type dilapidated in cultivated tetraploids of cotton. CONCLUSION: The outcome could be a directive to explore comparative evolutionary footprints of simple non-coding genetic elements i.e., repeat elements, through the evolution of genus-specific characteristics in cotton genomes.

Influence of ameliorating soil acidity with dolomite on the priming of soil C content and CO2 emission.

Lime or dolomite is commonly implemented to ameliorate soil acidity. However, the impact of dolomite on CO2 emissions from acidic soils is largely unknown. A 53-day laboratory study was carried out to investigate CO2 emissions by applying dolomite to an acidic Acrisol (rice-rapeseed rotation [RR soil]) and a Ferralsol (rice-fallow/flooded rotation [RF soil]). Dolomite was dosed at 0, 0.5, and 1.5 g 100 g-1 soil, herein referred to as CK, L, and H, respectively. The soil pH(H2O) increased from 5.25 to 7.03 and 7.62 in L and H treatments of the RR soil and from 5.52 to 7.27 and 7.77 in L and H treatments of the RF soil, respectively. Dolomite application significantly (p ≤ 0.001) increased CO2 emissions in both RR and RF soils, with higher emissions in H as compared to L dose of dolomite. The cumulative CO2 emissions with H dose of dolomite were greater 136% in the RR soil and 149% in the RF soil as compared to CK, respectively. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased and reached at 193 and 431 mg kg-1 in the RR soil and 244 and 481 mg kg-1 in the RF soil by H treatments. The NH4--N and NO3--N were also increased by dolomite application. The increase in C and N contents stimulated microbial activities and therefore higher respiration in dolomite-treated soil as compared to untreated. The results suggest that CO2 release in dolomite-treated soils was due to the priming of soil C content rather than chemical reactions.

Recent developments in therapeutic protein expression technologies in plants.

Infectious diseases and cancers are some of the commonest causes of deaths throughout the world. The previous two decades have witnessed a combined endeavor across various biological sciences to address this issue in novel ways. The advent of recombinant DNA technologies has provided the tools for producing recombinant proteins that can be used as therapeutic agents. A number of expression systems have been developed for the production of pharmaceutical products. Recently, advances have been made using plants as bioreactors to produce therapeutic proteins directed against infectious diseases and cancers. This review highlights the recent progress in therapeutic protein expression in plants (stable and transient), the factors affecting heterologous protein expression, vector systems and recent developments in existing technologies and steps towards the industrial production of plant-made vaccines, antibodies, and biopharmaceuticals.