The MYB-CC Transcription Factor PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE-LIKE 7 (PHL7) Functions in Phosphate Homeostasis and Affects Salt Stress Tolerance in Rice.

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis plays an important role in plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance. Several MYB-CC transcription factors involved in Pi homeostasis have been identified in rice (Oryza sativa). PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE-LIKE 7 (PHL7) is a class II MYC-CC protein, in which the MYC-CC domain is located at the N terminus. In this study, we established that OsPHL7 is localized to the nucleus and that the encoding gene is induced by Pi deficiency. The Pi-responsive genes and Pi transporter genes are positively regulated by OsPHL7. The overexpression of OsPHL7 enhanced the tolerance of rice plants to Pi starvation, whereas the RNA interference-based knockdown of this gene resulted in increased sensitivity to Pi deficiency. Transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsPHL7 produced more roots than wild-type plants under both Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient conditions and accumulated more Pi in the shoots and roots. In addition, the overexpression of OsPHL7 enhanced rice tolerance to salt stress. Together, these results demonstrate that OsPHL7 is involved in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis and enhances tolerance to Pi deficiency and salt stress in rice.

Identification and Characterization of Key Genes Responsible for Weedy and Cultivar Growth Types in Soybean.

In cultivated plants, shoot morphology is an important factor that influences crop economic value. However, the effects of gene expression patterns on shoot morphology are not clearly understood. In this study, the molecular mechanism behind shoot morphology (including leaf, stem, and node) was analyzed using RNA sequencing to compare weedy (creeper) and cultivar (stand) growth types obtained in F7 derived from a cross of wild and cultivated soybeans. A total of 12,513 (in leaves), 14,255 (in stems), and 11,850 (in nodes) differentially expressed genes were identified among weedy and cultivar soybeans. Comparative transcriptome and expression analyses revealed 22 phytohormone-responsive genes. We found that GIBBERELLIN 2-OXIDASE 8 (GA2ox), SPINDLY (SPY), FERONIA (FER), AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 8 (ARF8), CYTOKININ DEHYDROGENASE-1 (CKX1), and ARABIDOPSIS HISTIDINE KINASE-3 (AHK3), which are crucial phytohormone response genes, were mainly regulated in the shoot of weedy and cultivar types. These results indicate that interactions between phytohormone signaling genes regulate shoot morphology in weedy and cultivar growth type plants. Our study provides insights that are useful for breeding and improving crops to generate high-yield soybean varieties.

Gibberellic acid sensitive dwarf encodes an ARPC2 subunit that mediates gibberellic acid biosynthesis, effects to grain yield in rice.

The plant hormone gibberellic acid (GA) is important for plant growth and productivity. Actin-related proteins (ARPs) also play central roles in plant growth, including cell elongation and development. However, the relationships between ARPs and GA signaling and biosynthesis are not fully understood. Here, we isolated OsGASD, encoding an ARP subunit from rice (Oryza sativa), using the Ac/Ds knockout system. The osgasd knockout (Ko) mutation reduced GA3 content in shoots as well as plant growth and height. However, GA application restored the plant height of the osgasd Ko mutant to a height similar to that of the wild type (WT). Rice plants overexpressing OsGASD (Ox) showed increased plant height and grain yield compared to the WT. Transcriptome analysis of flag leaves of OsGASD Ox and osgasd Ko plants revealed that OsGASD regulates cell development and the expression of elongation-related genes. These observations suggest that OsGASD is involved in maintaining GA homeostasis to regulate plant development, thereby affecting rice growth and productivity.

Identification of resurrection genes from the transcriptome of dehydrated and rehydrated Selaginella tamariscina.

Selaginella tamariscina is a lycophyta species that survives under extremely dry conditions via the mechanism of resurrection. This phenomenon involves the regulation of numerous genes that play vital roles in desiccation tolerance and subsequent rehydration. To identify resurrection-related genes, we analyzed the transcriptome between dehydration conditions and rehydration conditions of S. tamariscina. The de novo assembly generated 124,417 transcripts with an average size of 1,000 bp and 87,754 unigenes. Among these genes, 1,267 genes and 634 genes were up and down regulated by rehydration compared to dehydration. To understand gene function, we annotated Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The unigenes encoding early light-inducible protein (ELIP) were down-regulated, whereas pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein (PPR), late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEA), sucrose nonfermenting protein (SNF), trehalose phosphate phosphatase (TPP), trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS), and ABC transporter G family (ABCG) were significantly up-regulated in response to rehydration conditions by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis. Several studies provide evidence that these genes play a role in stress environment. The ELIP and PPR genes are involved in chloroplast protection during dehydration and rehydration. LEA, SNF, and trehalose genes are known to be oxidant scavengers that protect the cell structure from the deleterious effect of drought. TPP and TPS genes were found in the starch and sucrose metabolism pathways, which are essential sugar-signaling metabolites regulating plant metabolism and other biological processes. ABC-G gene interacts with abscisic acid (ABA) phytohormone in the stomata opening during stress conditions. Our findings provide valuable information and candidate resurrection genes for future functional analysis aimed at improving the drought tolerance of crop plants.

Direct Oxidation of Aryl Malononitriles Enabling a Copper-Catalyzed Intermolecular Alkene Carbochlorination.

A copper-catalyzed carbochlorination of alkenes with aryl malononitriles and chloride is disclosed. This net oxidative transformation proceeds with activated and unactivated alkenes with moderate to excellent yields. Mechanism experiments suggest addition of the malononitrile radical to form a secondary carbon radical which is intercepted by a chloride source. The resultant products can be transformed into biologically important γ-lactones in one further step.

Copper Catalyzed Oxidative Arylation of Tertiary Carbon Centers.

We describe herein a Cu(OTf)2 catalyzed oxidative arylation of a tertiary carbon-containing substrate including aryl malononitriles, 3-aryl benzofuran-2-ones, and 3-aryl oxindoles. In some cases, the nitrile groups of the aryl malononitriles undergo further reactions leading to lactones or imines. These reaction conditions are applicable for a range of arenes, including phenols, anilines, anisoles, and heteroarenes. Mechanistic studies support the formation of a cationic intermediate via a two-electron oxidation.

Ni(I)-Catalyzed ß,δ-Vinylarylation of γ,δ-Alkenyl α-Cyanocarboxylic Esters via Contraction of Transient Nickellacycles.

We disclose a transmetalation-initiated Ni(I)-catalyzed regioselective ß,δ-vinylarylation of γ,δ-alkenyl α-cyanocarboxylic esters with vinyl triflates and arylzinc reagents. This reaction proceeds via contraction of six-membered nickellacycles to five-membered nickellacycles to form carbon-carbon bonds at the nonclassical homovicinal sites, and it provides expeditious access to a wide range of complex aliphatic α-cyanoesters, α-cyanocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid monoamides, monocarboxylic acids, nitriles, and spirolactones. Control, deuterium labeling, and crossover experiments indicate that (i) the nickellacycle contraction occurs by ß-H elimination, followed by hydronickellation on transiently formed alkenes, and (ii) the Ni species are stabilized as Ni-enolates.

Synergistic Bimetallic Ni/Ag and Ni/Cu Catalysis for Regioselective γ,δ-Diarylation of Alkenyl Ketimines: Addressing ß-H Elimination by in Situ Generation of Cationic Ni(II) Catalysts.

We disclose unprecedented synergistic bimetallic Ni/Ag and Ni/Cu catalysts for regioselective γ,δ-diarylation of unactivated alkenes in simple ketimines with aryl halides and arylzinc reagents. The bimetallic synergy, which generates cationic Ni(II) species during reaction, promotes migratory insertion and transmetalation steps and suppresses ß-H elimination and cross-coupling, the major side reactions that cause serious problems during alkene difunctionalization. This diarylation reaction proceeds at remote locations to imines to afford, after simple H+ workup, diversely substituted γ,δ-diaryl ketones that are otherwise difficult to access readily with existing methods.

Ni-Catalyzed Regioselective Alkylarylation of Vinylarenes via C(sp3)-C(sp3)/C(sp3)-C(sp2) Bond Formation and Mechanistic Studies.

We report a Ni-catalyzed regioselective alkylarylation of vinylarenes with alkyl halides and arylzinc reagents to generate 1,1-diarylalkanes. The reaction proceeds well with primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl halides, and electronically diverse arylzinc reagents. Mechanistic investigations by radical probes, competition studies and quantitative kinetics reveal that the current reaction proceeds via a Ni(0)/Ni(I)/Ni(II) catalytic cycle by a rate-limiting direct halogen atom abstraction via single electron transfer to alkyl halides by a Ni(0)-catalyst.

Ni-Catalyzed Regioselective ß,δ-Diarylation of Unactivated Olefins in Ketimines via Ligand-Enabled Contraction of Transient Nickellacycles: Rapid Access to Remotely Diarylated Ketones.

We disclose a [(PhO)3P]/NiBr2-catalyzed regioselective ß,δ-diarylation of unactivated olefins in ketimines with aryl halides and arylzinc reagents. This diarylation proceeds at remote locations to the carbonyl group to afford, after simple H+ workup, diversely substituted ß,δ-diarylketones that are otherwise difficult to access readily with existing methods. Deuterium-labeling and crossover experiments indicate that diarylation proceeds by ligand-enabled contraction of transient nickellacycles.

Transition Metal-Catalyzed Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins.

Transition metal (TM)-catalyzed difunctionalization of unactivated olefins with two carbon-based entities is a powerful method to construct complex molecular architectures rapidly from simple and readily available feedstock chemicals. While dicarbofunctionalization of unactivated olefins has a long history typically with the use of either carbon monoxide to intercept C(sp3 )-[M] (alkyl-TM) species or substrates lacking in ß-hydrogen (ß-Hs), development of this class of reaction still remains seriously limited due to complications of ß-H elimination arising from the in situ-generated C(sp3 )-[M] intermediates. Over the years, different approaches have been harnessed to suppress ß-H elimination, which have led to the development of various types of olefin dicarbofunctionalization reactions even in substrates that generate C(sp3 )-[M] intermediates bearing ß-Hs with a wide range of electrophiles and nucleophiles. In this review, these developments will be discussed both through the lens of historical perspectives as well as the strategies scrutinized over the years to address the issue of ß-H elimination. However, this review article by no means is designed to be exhaustive in the field, and is merely presented to provide the readers an overview of the key reaction developments.

Ni-Catalyzed Regioselective Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins by Tandem Cyclization/Cross-Coupling and Application to the Concise Synthesis of Lignan Natural Products.

We disclose a (terpy)NiBr2-catalyzed reaction protocol that regioselectively difunctionalizes unactivated olefins with tethered alkyl halides and arylzinc reagents. The reaction shows an excellent functional group tolerance (such as ketones, esters, nitriles, and halides) and a moderate to good level of diastereoselectivity. The current cyclization/cross-coupling also tolerates molecules containing base-sensitive racemizable stereocenters, which are preserved without racemization during the reaction. This cyclization/cross-coupling provides a rapid access to (arylmethyl)carbo- and heterocyclic scaffolds, which occur widely as structural cores in various natural products and bioactive molecules. In order to show synthetic utility and generality, we have applied this new method in gram-scale quantities to the concise synthesis of six lignan natural products containing three different structural frameworks. We further conducted mechanistic investigations with radical probes and selectivity studies, which indicated that the current reaction proceeds via a single electron transfer (SET) process.

Ni-Catalyzed Regioselective 1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of Olefins by Intercepting Heck Intermediates as Imine-Stabilized Transient Metallacycles.

We disclose a strategy for Ni-catalyzed dicarbofunctionalization of olefins in styrenes by intercepting Heck C(sp3)-NiX intermediates with arylzinc reagents. This approach utilizes a readily removable imine as a coordinating group that plays a dual role of intercepting oxidative addition species derived from aryl halides and triflates to promote Heck carbometalation and stabilizing the Heck C(sp3)-NiX intermediates as transient metallacycles to suppress ß-hydride elimination and facilitate transmetalation/reductive elimination steps. This method affords diversely substituted 1,1,2-triarylethyl products that occur as structural motifs in various natural products.

Pd-Catalyzed Regioselective 1,2-Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins by a Heck Reaction/Enolate Cyclization Cascade.

We disclose a Pd-catalyzed reaction protocol that regioselectively difunctionalizes unactivated olefins with aryl iodides and tethered enolates. The current method allows the rapid synthesis of a variety of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrrolidinones from simple and readily available amides. We further demonstrate this new method's application by postsynthetically modifying the arylacetic acid side chains of two commercial nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and tolmetin, to highly decorated 4-benzylpyrrolidinone frameworks. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction proceeds via a Heck reaction/enolate cyclization cascade, a process that exploits ß-H elimination in a constructive mode for regioselective 1,2-difunctionalization of unactivated olefins.

Copper-Catalyzed Dicarbofunctionalization of Unactivated Olefins by Tandem Cyclization/Cross-Coupling.

We present a strategy that difunctionalizes unactivated olefins in 1,2-positions with two carbon-based entities. This method utilizes alkyl/arylzinc reagents derived from olefin-tethered alkyl/aryl halides that undergo radical cyclization to generate C(sp3)-Cu complexes in situ, which are intercepted with aryl and heteroaryl iodides. A variety of (arylmethyl)carbo- and heterocycles (N, O) can be synthesized with this new method.

The copper-catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of alkylboron reagents: disproportionation of anionic (alkyl)(alkoxy)borates to anionic dialkylborates prior to transmetalation.

We report the first example of Cu(I)-catalysed coupling of alkylboron reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides that affords products in good to excellent yields. Preliminary mechanistic studies with alkylborates indicate that the anionic (alkoxy)(alkyl)borates, generated from alkyllithium and alkoxyboron reagents, undergo disproportionation to anionic dialkylborates and that both anionic alkylborates are active for transmetalation to a Cu(I)-catalyst. Results from a radical clock experiment and the Hammett plot imply that the reaction likely proceeds via a non-radical pathway.

Copper-catalysed cross-coupling of arylzirconium reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides.

An unprecedented Cu(I)-catalysed cross-coupling of arylzirconium reagents with aryl and heteroaryl iodides is reported. Mechanistic studies with a Cp2ZrAr2 complex revealed that Cp2Zr(Ar)(Cl) is the reactive species that undergoes transmetalation with (PN-1)CuI. In addition, experiments with radical probes indicated that the reaction proceeds via a non-radical pathway.