Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the importance of ethylene networks in mulberry fruit ripening.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a climacteric and highly perishable fruit. Ethylene has been considered to be an important trigger of fruit ripening process. However, the role of ethylene in the mulberry fruit ripening process remains unclear. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic data of mulberry fruit and the physiological changes accompanying the fruit ripening process. Our study revealed that changes in the accumulation of specific metabolites at different stages of fruit development and ripening were closely correlated to transcriptional changes as well as underlying physiological changes and the development of taste biomolecules. The ripening of mulberry fruits was highly associated with the production of endogenous ethylene, and further application of exogenous ethylene assisted the ripening process. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that differential expression of diverse ripening-related genes was involved in sugar metabolism, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and cell wall modification pathways. Network analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics data revealed that many transcription factors and ripening-related genes were involved, among which ethylene-responsive transcription factor 3 (MaERF3) plays a crucial role in the ripening process. The role of MaERF3 in ripening was experimentally proven in a transient overexpression assay in apples. Our study indicates that ethylene plays a vital role in modulating mulberry fruit ripening. The results provide a basis for guiding the genetic manipulation of mulberry fruits towards sustainable agricultural practices and improve post-harvest management, potentially enhancing the quality and shelf life of mulberry fruits for sustainable agriculture and forestry.

Efficacy and safety of novel immune checkpoint inhibitor-based combinations versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer: A network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) have an exceptionally poor prognosis and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with etoposide-platinum is recommended as standard first-line therapy. However, which combination pattern is the best still remains unknown. This network meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of currently available patterns including an antiangiogenic agent containing regimen and probed into the most appropriate therapy for patients. METHODS: Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were generated using R software. The outcomes of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events of grade 3 or higher (grade ≥ 3 adverse events [AEs]) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 5544 patients were included for analysis. Drug combination patterns included adebrelimab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, durvalumab plus tremelimumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, serplulimab, benmelstobart plus anlotinib, tislelizumab, tiragolumab plus atezolizumab and toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy. The novel antiangiogenic agent containing regimen benmelstobart + anlotinib + chemotherapy showed the highest possibility to present the best PFS and OS versus chemotherapy. Compared with ICI plus chemotherapy, it also achieved significantly better PFS and presented a tendency of OS benefit. As for safety and toxicity, patients treated with benmelstobart + anlotinib + chemotherapy and durvalumab + tremelimumab + chemotherapy suffered a higher likelihood of more grade ≥ 3 AEs without unexpected AEs. CONCLUSION: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors-based combinations are associated with significant improvement in both PFS and OS for treatment-naïve ES-SCLC patients. Benmelstobart plus anlotinib with chemotherapy (CT) yielded better survival benefit versus CT alone or other ICIs + CT with caution for more adverse effects along with the addition of an antiangiogenic agent.

Hydrolysis mechanism of the cyclohexaborate anion: Unraveling the intricacies.

B 6 O 7 OH 6 2 - is a highly polymerized borate anion of three six-membered rings. Limited research on the B 6 O 7 OH 6 2 - hydrolysis mechanism under neutral solution conditions exists. Calculations based on density functional theory show that B 6 O 7 OH 6 2 - undergoes five steps of hydrolysis to form H3BO3 and B OH 4 - . At the same time, there are a small number of borate ions with different degrees of polymerization during the hydrolysis process, such as triborate, tetraborate, and pentaborate anions. The structure of the borate anion and the coordination environment of the bridging oxygen atoms control the hydrolysis process. Finally, this work explains that in existing experimental studies, the reason for the low B 6 O 7 OH 6 2 - content in solution environments with low total boron concentrations is that it depolymerizes into other types of borate ions and clarifies the borate species. The conversion relationship provides a basis for identifying the possibility of various borate ions existing in the solution. This work also provides a certain degree of theoretical support for the cause of the "dilution to salt" phenomenon.

Efficacy and Safety of Maintenance Therapy Using Cetuximab in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Retrospective Study.

Purpose: Cetuximab (CET) combined with chemotherapy significantly improved the survival in RAS and RAF wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, while clinical evidence was lacking on the use of maintenance therapy (MT). The study aimed to explore the role of maintenance therapy following Cetuximab + chemotherapy and the optimal Cetuximab-based maintenance therapy regimen. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on the efficacy and safety of CET-based MT in patients with mCRC who achieved disease control after induction therapy. Results: Eighty-one patients with mCRC who achieved disease control after CET + chemotherapy induction were enrolled. Overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.5 (95% CI = 8.8-12.2) months and median maintenance/observation PFS (mnPFS) was 6.0 (95% CI = 5.0-7.0) months. Among these 81 patients, 61 patients were prescribed MT (CET alone for 21 patients and CET + chemotherapy for 40 patients). Median PFS and mnPFS in the MT group were significantly longer than those for the non-MT group. Different MT regimens did not affect PFS and mnPFS significantly. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated MT, complete response/partial response during induction therapy, and absence of peritoneal metastasis to be positively associated with longer PFS and mnPFS. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were tolerable during MT, and AE-related deaths were not observed. Conclusion: MT with CET or CET + chemotherapy was an appropriate option following initial induction chemotherapy for patients with RAS and RAF wild-type mCRC. This strategy endowed survival benefits and a tolerable safety profile.

Electrospinning Silk-Fibroin-Based Fibrous Membranes with AgNPs for Antimicrobial Application.

Silk fibroin (SF) has excellent biocompatibility and is one of the most commonly used polymer materials. However, SF fibers have serious drawbacks as antibacterial materials due to their lack of stability and bacterial resistance. Therefore, it is of paramount significance to enhance the stability and bolster the bacterial resistance of SF fibers. In this study, SF fibers were fabricated and loaded with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) to improve the antimicrobial properties of the fibers. The impact of reduction conditions on the size of AgNPs was also investigated. In an antibacterial test, the fibers that were prepared exhibited over 98% bacterial resistance against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore, as an efficient antibacterial material, these fibers are expected to become a candidate material in medical and textile fields. This study offers a novel approach for the utilization of SF fibers in the realm of antibacterial applications.

A retrospective analysis of optimal timing of thoracic radiotherapy for driver gene-negative metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in driver-gene-negative metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) patients was retrospectively investigated based on survival and safety profile. METHODS: The efficacy and safety data of driver-gene-negative mNSCLC patients treated with TRT during maintenance after first-line therapy was collected. Patients whose primary tumor and metastatic lesions remained no progression during maintenance and then received TRT were categorized as the NP (no progression) group, while patients who experienced slow progression during maintenance without reaching progressive disease and then received TRT were categorized as the SP (slow progression) group. The efficacy and adverse events of TRT were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 149 driver-gene-negative mNSCLC patients treated with TRT during maintenance were enrolled into the study, with 119 in the NP group and 30 in the SP group. After a median follow-up of 30.83 (range: 26.62-35.04) months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) in the NP group was 11.13 versus 9.53 months in the SP group (HR 0.599, p = 0.017). The median overall survival (OS) in the NP group was 32.27 versus 25.57 months in the SP group (HR 0.637, p = 0.088). The median PFS after radiotherapy (rPFS) was 6.33 versus 3.90 months (HR 0.288, p < 0.001). The adverse events were tolerable and manageable in both groups without significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of TRT during the pre-emptive no progression phase was associated with a significantly longer PFS than during the delayed slow progression phase and had an acceptable safety profile. Our results might support the earlier initiation of TRT after induction therapy for some patients with driver-gene-negative mNSCLC.

Rechallenge of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) rechallenge in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a promising therapeutic strategy. The situation for ICI rechallenge can be divided into three categories: adverse events (AEs); resistance to ICIs, and rechallenge becomes compulsive because of tumor relapse while the patients had completed a 2 year course of immunotherapy. However, these categories are still controversial and should be explored further. Through voting at the 6th Straits Summit Forum on Lung Cancer, in this study we summarize the consensus of 147 experts in ICI rechallenges. A total of 97.74% experts agreed to rechallenge; 48.87% experts rechallenge with the original drug, and the others rechallenge with a different drug; 40.3% agreed to rechallenge directly after progression; 88.06% experts agreed to ICI rechallenge with a combination regimen; and factors such as previous performance status score, PD-1 expression, and age should also be considered. Understanding the the clinical studies in ICI rechallenge could bring us one step closer to understanding the consensus. In patients with advanced NSCLC who have suffered recurrent or distant metastasis after immunotherapy, the option of rechallenge with ICIs is a promising treatment option.

Viscosity of Ionic Liquids: Theories and Models.

Ionic liquids (ILs) offer a wide range of promising applications due to their unique and designable properties compared to conventional solvents. Further development and application of ILs require correlating/predicting their pressure-viscosity-temperature behavior. In this review, we firstly introduce methods for calculation of thermodynamic inputs of viscosity models. Next, we introduce theories, theoretical and semi-empirical models coupling various theories with EoSs or activity coefficient models, and empirical and phenomenological models for viscosity of pure ILs and IL-related mixtures. Our modelling description is followed immediately by model application and performance. Then, we propose simple predictive equations for viscosity of IL-related mixtures and systematically compare performances of the above-mentioned theories and models. In concluding remarks, we recommend robust predictive models for viscosity at atmospheric pressure as well as proper and consistent theories and models for P-η-T behavior. The work that still remains to be done to obtain the desired theories and models for viscosity of ILs and IL-related mixtures is also presented. The present review is structured from pure ILs to IL-related mixtures and aims to summarize and quantitatively discuss the recent advances in theoretical and empirical modelling of viscosity of ILs and IL-related mixtures.

Clinical definition of secondary resistance to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade) have revolutionized the treatment landscape in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Secondary resistance to immunotherapy (IO), which poses a substantial challenge in clinical settings, occurs in several initial responders. Currently, new treatment approaches have been extensively evaluated in investigational studies for these patients to tackle this difficult problem; however, the lack of consistency in clinical definition, uniform criteria for enrollment in clinical trials, and interpretation of results remain significant hurdles to progress. Thus, our expert panel comprehensively synthesized data from current studies to propose a practical clinical definition of secondary resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC in metastatic and neoadjuvant settings. In addition to patients who received IO alone (including IO-IO combinations), we also generated a definition for patients treated with chemotherapy plus IO. This consensus aimed to provide guidance for clinical trial design and facilitate future discussions with investigators. It should be noted that additional updates in this consensus are required when new data is available.

Morusinol Extracted from Morus alba Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Autophagy via FOXO3a Nuclear Accumulation-Mediated Cholesterol Biosynthesis Obstruction in Colorectal Cancer.

The incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been increasing significantly in recent years, and it is urgent to develop novel drugs that have more effects for its treatment. It has been reported that many molecules extracted from the root bark of Morus alba L. (also known as Cortex Mori) have antitumor activities. In our study, we identified morusinol as a promising anticancer agent by selecting from 30 molecules extracted from Morus alba L. We found that morusinol treatment suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro. Besides this, we observed that morusinol induced cytoprotective autophagy. The GO analysis of differentially expressed genes from RNA-seq data showed that morusinol affected cholesterol metabolism. Then we found that key enzyme genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway as well as the sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2) were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, additional cholesterol treatment reversed the anti-CRC effect of morusinol. Interestingly, we also found that morusinol treatment could promote forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) nuclear accumulation, which subsequently suppressed SREBF2 transcription. Then SREBF2-controlled cholesterol biosynthesis was blocked, resulting in the suppression of cell proliferation, promotion of apoptosis, and production of autophagy. The experiments in animal models also showed that morusinol significantly impeded tumor growth in mice models. Our results suggested that morusinol may be used as a candidate anticancer drug for the treatment of CRC.

Persulfidation maintains cytosolic G6PDs activity through changing tetrameric structure and competing cysteine sulfur oxidation under salt stress in Arabidopsis and tomato.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (G6PDs) are essential regulators of cellular redox. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) is a small gasotransmitter that improves plant adaptation to stress; however, its role in regulating G6PD oligomerization to resist oxidative stress remains unknown in plants. Persulfidation of cytosolic G6PDs was analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). The structural change model of AtG6PD6 homooligomer was built by chemical cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry (CXMS). We isolated AtG6PD6C159A and SlG6PDCC155A transgenic lines to confirm the in vivo function of persulfidated sites with the g6pd5,6 background. Persulfidation occurs at Arabidopsis G6PD6 Cystine (Cys)159 and tomato G6PDC Cys155, leading to alterations of spatial distance between lysine (K)491-K475 from 42.0 Å to 10.3 Å within the G6PD tetramer. The structural alteration occurs in the structural NADP+ binding domain, which governs the stability of G6PD homooligomer. Persulfidation enhances G6PD oligomerization, thereby increasing substrate affinity. Under high salt stress, cytosolic G6PDs activity was inhibited due to oxidative modifications. Persulfidation protects these specific sites and prevents oxidative damage. In summary, H2 S-mediated persulfidation promotes cytosolic G6PD activity by altering homotetrameric structure. The cytosolic G6PD adaptive regulation with two kinds of protein modifications at the atomic and molecular levels is critical for the cellular stress response.

An efficient strategy for large-scale preparation of low polarity gingerols directly from ginger crude extract by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with different rotation mode.

This study presents an efficient strategy for large-scale preparation of low polarity gingerols directly from ginger crude extract by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with different rotation mode. The ultrasonic-assisted extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology and the results showed the major low polarity gingerols could be well enriched under the optimized extraction conditions. Then the crude extract without any pretreatment was directly separated by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with different rotation mode using n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (6:4:6:4, v/v/v/v) as the solvent system. In about 400 min, five major gingerols including 150 mg of [6]-gingerol, 50 mg of [8]-gingerol, 20 mg of [6]-shogaol, 43 mg of [6]-dehydrogingerdione, and 40 mg of [10]-gingerol were obtained from 1.2 g of crude extract in a single run with repeated injection. Their structures were identified by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy.

Effects of recharge process on groundwater nitrate concentration in an oasis of Tengger Desert hinterland, China.

Groundwater nitrate concentrations cannot be effectively diluted in an oasis of desert hinterland without direct recharge from external rivers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the relationship between groundwater nitrate concentration and the groundwater recharge process. Using hydrochemicals, stable isotopes, LUCC, and combining these with the MixSIAR model, the distributions of groundwater nitrate concentration in the Dengmaying Basin (DMYB) in 2006 and 2020 were obtained. The contributions of groundwater recharge and nitrate sources were also quantified. With the development of agriculture in the DMYB, groundwater irrigation leakage has gradually become a crucial recharge source of groundwater, with a recharge proportion reaching 30.3%. From 2006 to 2020, under the influence of well irrigation and agricultural fertilization, the groundwater nitrate concentration in the DMYB increased significantly, with an increased range of 1.3 ~ 14.3 mg L-1. Moreover, the δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- values of nitrate in cultivated soil water were similar to those in groundwater, which also proves the process of carrying nitrate from the vadose zone into groundwater by irrigation water. The contribution of anthropogenic sources (54.9%) to groundwater nitrate exceeded that of natural sources (45.1%) to groundwater nitrate in the DMYB. These results indicate that the potential for nitrate pollution in groundwater must be considered, even in desert oases.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted cellulase degradation method on the extraction of mulberry leaf protein and its effect on the functional characteristics.

The mulberry leaf protein extracted by ultrasound-assisted cellulase degradation (UACD) method was optimized with the protein dissolution amount (PDA) as the index. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy of extracted mulberry leaf protein were measured. The functional characteristics of protein extracted by the UACD method were evaluated. Results showed that the extraction condition was optimized and adjusted to the following parameters: pH value of 7.20, ultrasound temperature of 35.00 °C, enzyme dosage of 4.20% and ultrasound time of 10.00 min. Under these optimized conditions, the experimental verification value of PDA was 13.87 mg/mL, which was approaching to the predicted value of 13.54 mg/mL. The analysis results of FTIR showed that after extraction by the UACD method, the mulberry leaf protein with the vibrational peak of ester carbonyl (C = O) absorption peak (1734.66 cm-1) disappeared. The α-helix content of protein extracted by the UACD decreased by 8.13%, and the ß-turn and random coil content of protein increased by 20.22% and 18.79%, respectively, compared to that of the blank. The microstructure of mulberry leaf protein showed that the UACD method could break the dense structure of protein raw materials, reduce the average size of proteins and increase the specific surface area and roughness of proteins. According to the results of functional characteristics, the mulberry leaf protein extracted by the UACD method presented the highest enzymolysis properties and solubility, which was beneficial for the application in the food industry. In conclusion, the UACD method was a very effective way to extract protein from mulberry leaf.

Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Thoracic Radiotherapy after First-Line Chemo-Immunotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

(1) Background: At present, the efficacy and safety of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) after chemo-immunotherapy (CT-IT) in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) still remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of TRT after CT-IT in patients with ES-SCLC. (2) Methods: From January 2020 to October 2021, patients with ES-SCLC treated with first-line anti-PD-L1 antibody plus platinum-etoposide chemotherapy were enrolled retrospectively. The survival data and adverse events data of patients treated with or without TRT after CT-IT were collected for analysis. (3) Results: A total of 118 patients with ES-SCLC treated with first-line CT-IT were retrospectively enrolled, with 45 patients with TRT and 73 patients without TRT after CT-IT. The median PFS and OS in the CT-IT + TRT group and CT-IT only group were 8.0 months versus 5.9 months (HR = 0.64, p = 0.025) and 22.7 months versus 14.7 months (HR = 0.52, p = 0.015), respectively. The median PFS and OS in all 118 patients treated with first-line CT-IT were 7.2 and 19.8 months with an ORR of 72.0%. In multivariate analyses, liver metastasis and response to CT-IT were shown to be independent prognostic factors of PFS (p < 0.05), while liver metastasis and bone metastasis were independent predictive factors of OS (p < 0.05). Although TRT was significantly associated with better PFS and OS in univariate analysis, the association of TRT and OS failed to reach statistical significance (HR = 0.564, p = 0.052) in multivariate analysis. There was no significant difference in adverse events (AEs) between two treatment groups (p = 0.58). (4) Conclusions: ES-SCLC patients treated with TRT after first-line CT-IT had prolonged PFS and OS with an acceptable safety profile. Further prospective randomized studies are necessary to explore the efficacy and safety of this treatment modality for ES-SCLC in future.

Correction to: Evaluation of salinity resistance and combining ability analysis in the seedlings of mulberry hybrids (Morus alba L.).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s12298-023-01304-w.].

Evaluation of salinity resistance and combining ability analysis in the seedlings of mulberry hybrids (Morus alba L.).

Soil salinization has become one of the major abiotic stresses influencing food security and maintenance of sustainable eco-environment. Highly salt-tolerant germplasm in mulberry, an important perennial woody plant, could restore the ecology and increase the agricultural income. Studies on the salt tolerance of mulberry are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the genetic variation and develop a reliable and effective evaluation of salt tolerance in 14 F1 mulberry hybrids that were directionally constructed using nine genotypes, including two females and seven males. A salt stress test was performed using 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9% (w/v) NaCl to investigate four morphological indexes of the growth rate: the shoot height (SHR), leaf number (LNR), leaf area (LAR), and the total weight of the whole plant after defoliation (BI) in the seedlings of the 14 combinations. The most suitable concentration for evaluating salt tolerance was identified as 0.9% NaCl based on the changes in the salt tolerance coefficient (STC). Comprehensive evaluation (D) values were obtained using principal components and membership functions based on four morphological indexes and their STCs, grouped into three principal component indexes cumulatively contributing to approximately 88.90% of the total variance. Two highly salt-tolerant, three moderately salt-tolerant, five salt-sensitive, and four highly salt-sensitive genotypes were screened. Anshen × Xinghainei and Anshen × Xinghaiwai had the highest D values. The analyses of combining ability further showed that the variances for LNR, LAR, and BI were elevated significantly with the increasing NaCl concentrations. Anshen × Xinghainei from two superior parents (female: Anshen, male: Xinghainei) with relatively higher general combing abilities for SHR, LAR, and BI was the best hybrid combination under high salinity stress, and presented the best specific combining ability for BI. Of all the traits tested, LAR and BI were greatly affected by additive effects and might be the two most reliable indexes. These traits show higher correlation with the salt tolerance of mulberry germplasm at the seedling stage. These results may enrich the mulberry resources by breeding and screening for elite germplasms with high salt tolerance. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01304-w.

[Research progress of Wallis dynamic stabilization system for lumbar degenerative diseases].

Wallis dynamic stabilization system is a surgical approach in the non-fusion technique of lumbar spine, consisting of interspinous blockers and dacron artificial ligaments that provide stability to the spine while maintaining a degree of motion in the affected segment. Recent studies have demonstrated the significant benefits of Wallis dynamic stabilization system in treating lumbar degenerative diseases. It not only improves clinical symptoms, but also effectively delays complications such as adjacent segmental degeneration. This paper aims to review the literature related to the Wallis dynamic stabilization system and degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine to describe the long-term prognostic effect of this system in the treatment of such diseases. This review provides a theoretical basis and reference for selecting surgical methods to treat degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.

Hydrogen sulfide improves salt tolerance through persulfidation of PMA1 in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: A new interaction was found between PMA1 and GRF4. H2S promotes the interaction through persulfidated Cys446 of PMA1. H2S activates PMA1 to maintain K+/Na+ homeostasis through persulfidation under salt stress. Plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PMA) is a transmembrane transporter responsible for pumping protons, and its contribution to salt resistance is indispensable in plants. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a small signaling gas molecule, plays the important roles in facilitating adaptation of plants to salt stress. However, how H2S regulates PMA activity remains largely unclear. Here, we show a possible original mechanism for H2S to regulate PMA activity. PMA1, a predominant member in the PMA family of Arabidopsis, has a non-conservative persulfidated cysteine (Cys) residue (Cys446), which is exposed on the surface of PMA1 and located in cation transporter/ATPase domain. A new interaction of PMA1 and GENERAL REGULATORY FACTOR 4 (GRF4, belongs to the 14-3-3 protein family) was found by chemical crosslinking coupled with mass spectrometry (CXMS) in vivo. H2S-mediated persulfidation promoted the binding of PMA1 to GRF4. Further studies showed that H2S enhanced instantaneous H+ efflux and maintained K+/Na+ homeostasis under salt stress. In light of these findings, we suggest that H2S promotes the binding of PMA1 to GRF4 through persulfidation, and then activating PMA, thus improving the salt tolerance of Arabidopsis.

The Potential Biological Roles of Circular RNAs in the Immune Systems of Insects to Pathogen Invasion.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly discovered class of endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). They are highly stable, covalently closed molecules that frequently exhibit tissue-specific expression in eukaryotes. A small number of circRNAs are abundant and have been remarkably conserved throughout evolution. Numerous circRNAs are known to play important biological roles by acting as microRNAs (miRNAs) or protein inhibitors ('sponges'), by regulating the function of proteins, or by being translated themselves. CircRNAs have distinct cellular functions due to structural and production differences from mRNAs. Recent advances highlight the importance of characterizing circRNAs and their targets in a variety of insect species in order to fully understand how they contribute to the immune responses of these insects. Here, we focus on the recent advances in our understanding of the biogenesis of circRNAs, regulation of their abundance, and biological roles, such as serving as templates for translation and in the regulation of signaling pathways. We also discuss the emerging roles of circRNAs in regulating immune responses to various microbial pathogens. Furthermore, we describe the functions of circRNAs encoded by microbial pathogens that play in their hosts.