Phosphate deficiency responsive TaSPX3 is involved in the regulation of shoot phosphorus in Arabidopsis plants.

SPX (SYG/PHO81/XPR1) domain genes have been reported to play vital roles in the Phosphorus (Pi) signaling network in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. However, the functions of SPX proteins in wheat remain largely unknown. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of the TaSPX3 gene was cloned from the common wheat variety Zhengmai9023. The expression of TaSPX3 was up-regulated in eight different genotypes of wheat under low phosphorus (LP) stress, indicating that TaSPX3 responds to Pi limitation in multiple wheat genotypes. The transcription level of TaSPX3 was also detected in the absence of seven different elements, showing certain specificity for Pi deficiency in wheat. Over expressing TaSPX3 in Arabidopsis can alleviate Pi deficiency symptoms at the seedling stage and promote the growth of plant, and advance the flowering period at the adult stage. The expression of 7 genes associated with the Pi starvation signal pathways was analyzed using qRT-PCR. The results showed that TaSPX3, along with AtSPX1, AtRNS1, AtIPS1, AtPAP2, AtPAP17 and AtAT4, were all induced by Pi deficiency. This study reveals that the TaSPX3 gene in wheat is involved in the response to phosphorus stress and may affect shoot phosphorus levels through AT4 or PAPs-related pathways. Overall, our study provides new insights into the regulation of plant response under LP conditions and the molecular mechanism underlying the role of the wheat SPX gene in coping with LP stress.

A DNA Electrochemical Sensor via Terminal Protection of Small-Molecule-Linked DNA for Highly Sensitive Protein Detection.

The qualitative and quantitative determination of marker protein is of great significance in the life sciences and in medicine. Here, we developed an electrochemical DNA biosensor for protein detection based on DNA self-assembly and the terminal protecting effects of small-molecule-linked DNA. This strategy is demonstrated using the small molecule biotin and its receptor protein streptavidin (SA). We immobilized DNA with a designed structure and sequence on the surface of the gold electrode, and we named it M1-Biotin DNA. M1-Biotin DNA selectively combines with SA to generate M1-Biotin-SA DNA and protects M1-Biotin DNA from digestion by EXO III; therefore, M1-Biotin DNA remains intact on the electrode surface. M1-Biotin-SA DNA was modified with methylene blue (MB); the MB reporter molecule is located near the surface of the gold electrode, which generates a substantial electrochemical signal during the detection of SA. Through this strategy, we can exploit the presence or absence of an electrochemical signal to provide qualitative target protein determination as well as the strength of the electrochemical signal to quantitatively analyze the target protein concentration. This strategy has been proven to be used for the quantitative analysis of the interaction between biotin and streptavidin (SA). Under optimal conditions, the detection limit of the proposed biosensor is as low as 18.8 pM, and the linear range is from 0.5 nM to 5 µM, showing high sensitivity. The detection ability of this DNA biosensor in complex serum samples has also been studied. At the same time, we detected the folate receptor (FR) to confirm that this strategy can be used to detect other proteins. Therefore, this electrochemical DNA biosensor provides a sensitive, low-cost, and fast target protein detection platform, which may provide a reliable and powerful tool for early disease diagnosis.

MiRNA Detection Using a Rolling Circle Amplification and RNA-Cutting Allosteric Deoxyribozyme Dual Signal Amplification Strategy.

A microRNA (miRNA) detection platform composed of a rolling circle amplification (RCA) system and an allosteric deoxyribozyme system is proposed, which can detect miRNA-21 rapidly and efficiently. Padlock probe hybridization with the target miRNA is achieved through complementary base pairing and the padlock probe forms a closed circular template under the action of ligase; this circular template results in RCA. In the presence of DNA polymerase, RCA proceeds and a long chain with numerous repeating units is formed. In the presence of single-stranded DNA (H1 and H2), multi-component nucleic acid enzymes (MNAzymes) are formed that have the ability to cleave substrates. Finally, substrates containing fluorescent and quenching groups and magnesium ions are added to the system to activate the MNAzyme and the substrate cleavage reaction, thus achieving fluorescence intensity amplification. The RCA-MNAzyme system has dual signal amplification and presents a sensing platform that demonstrates broad prospects in the analysis and detection of nucleic acids.

Atorvastatin alleviates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via modulating the microbial composition and the intestinal barrier function in ischemic stroke mice.

Our previous work has shown that atorvastatin exerts anti-inflammatory properties in ischemic stroke, and recent studies have revealed that intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of stroke. However, it is not clear whether the anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin against ischemic stroke is related to gut function and microbiota. We report herein that atorvastatin significantly ameliorated the defects in sensorimotor behaviors and reduced microglia-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting proinflammatory polarization of microglia in the peri-infarct cortex of the mice with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Moreover, atorvastatin reversed microbial composition (characterized by increased abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus and decreased Bacteroidetes abundance), increased fecal butyrate level, promoted intestinal barrier function (elevated protein levels of claudin-1, occludin and mucoprotein 2), as well as regulated intestinal immune function (decreased MCP-1, TNF-α and increased IL-10). Atorvastatin also significantly reduced the level of circulating endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein), which is a biomarker of leaky gut. Transplantation of fecal microbiota collected from atorvastatin treated mice potently attenuated neuroinflammation in pMCAO mice, and the anti-inflammatory effects of fecal microbiota transplantation were similar to those of oral atorvastatin administration. These results suggested that the atorvastatin-mediated restoration of gut microbiota, improvement of intestinal barrier function and regulation of intestinal immunity were involved in the anti-inflammatory function in stroke mice.

Ginsenoside Rg1 promotes cerebral angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in ischemic mice.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the remodeling process of the ischemic brain and the recovery of neurological function after ischemic stroke. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects on the central nervous system. However, the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on cerebral angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia remained unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on cerebral angiogenesis as well as its underlying mechanisms. Mice were subjected to treatment with vehicle or ginsenoside Rg1 daily for 14 d beginning at 24 h after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO). Compared with the dMCAO group, ginsenoside Rg1 improved the neurobehavioral outcomes and reduced the brain infarct volume. Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment increased the expression of the cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), bromodeoxyuridine+/CD31+ microvessels and GFAP-positive vessels in the peri-infarct cortex. The expression of VEGF was significantly enhanced in ginsenoside Rg1 group. In vitro, human brain microvascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells was successfully cultured, and oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model was established. Ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells after OGD, as well as upregulated the expressions of VEGF, HIF-1α, PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR. Furthermore, administration of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002 abolished the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rg1. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rg1 promoted cerebral angiogenesis through increasing the expression of VEGF via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway after ischemic stroke.

A Duplex PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of Phytophthora nicotianae and Thielaviopsis basicola.

A duplex PCR method was developed for simultaneous detection and identification of tobacco root rot pathogens Phytophthora nicotianae and Thielaviopsis basicola. The specific primers for P. nicotianae were developed based on its internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal gene, ras gene and hgd gene, while the specific primers for T. basicola were designed based on its ITS regions and ß-tubulin gene. The specificity of the primers was determined using isolates of P. nicotianae, T. basicola and control samples. The results showed that the target pathogens could be detected from diseased tobacco plants by a combination of the specific primers. The sensitivity limitation was 100 fg/µl of pure genomic DNA of the pathogens. This new assay can be applied to screen out target pathogens rapidly and reliably in one PCR and will be an important tool for the identification and precise early prediction of these two destructive diseases of tobacco.

Evolution of the SPX gene family in plants and its role in the response mechanism to phosphorus stress.

Molecular and genomic studies have shown the presence of a large number of SPX gene family members in plants, some of which have been proved to act in P signalling and homeostasis. In this study, the molecular and evolutionary characteristics of the SPX gene family in plants were comprehensively analysed, and the mechanisms underlying the function of SPX genes in P signalling and homeostasis in the model plant species Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa), and in important crops, including wheat (Triticum aestivum), soya beans (Glycine max) and rapeseed (Brassica napus), were described. Emerging findings on the involvement of SPX genes in other important processes (i.e. disease resistance, iron deficiency response, low oxygen response and phytochrome-mediated light signalling) were also highlighted. The available data suggest that SPX genes are important regulators in the P signalling network, and may be valuable targets for enhancing crop tolerance to low P stress. Further studies on SPX proteins should include more diverse members, which may reveal SPX proteins as important regulatory hubs for multiple processes including P signalling and homeostasis in plants.

[Phosphorus and sulphur bio-cycling in alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountains].

The study with compartment model on the phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) bio-cycling in alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountains showed that the total storage of P and S was 16 088.6 t and 26 079.4 t, of which, 46.14 t and 64.82 t was in vegetation pool, 89.63 t and 53.16 t in litterfall pool, and 15952.8 t and 26014.6 t in soil pool, respectively. The above- and below-ground vegetation pool stored 21.88 t and 44.21 t, and 24.28 t and 20.61 t of P and S, respectively, and the above-ground vegetation pool had 47.4% of P and 68.2% of S in the vegetation subsystem. The transferable P amount was 24.25 t x yr(-1) through plant absorption and 31.59 t x yr(-1) through litterfall return, while the transferable S amount was 31.18 t x yr(-1), 10.12 t x yr(-1) and 21.06 t x yr(-1) in the aboveground plant, belowground root system, and litterfall return, respectively. The natural return ratio of S was 67.5%.

[Nitrogen bio-cycle in the alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountain and its comparison with arctic tundra].

The nitrogen bio-cycle was discussed in the alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountain through compartment model. The alpine tundra of Changbai Mountain was compared with Arctic tundra by the common ratio of genus and species in this paper. It was found that the 89.3% of genus and 58.6% of species was the common between Changbai alpine tundra and Arctic tundra while 95.5% of lichen genus and 58.7% lichen species, 82.1% of moss genus and 76.3% of moss species, 93.1% of vascular bundle genus and 40.5% of vascular bundle species were the common, respectively, which made vegetation type or community to be similar between Changbai alpine tundra and Arctic tundra. The total storage of nitrogen was 65220.6 t in the vegetation-plant system of Changbai Mountain, of which soil pool amounted to 99.3%. The nitrogen storage of each compartment was as follows: the vegetation pool, litterfall pool and soil pool were 237.4 t, 145.3 t and 64837.9 t respectively. The transferable amounts of nitrogen were 131.7 t x a(-1), 58 t/a and 73.7 t x a(-1) in the aboveground plant, belowground root system and litterfall of alpine tundra ecosystem of Changbai Mountain.

[Maintaining mechanism of species diversity of land plant communities].

The maintaining mechanism of species diversity of land plant communities is a key and advancing edge in biodiversity study. Botanists and ecologists have presented many hypotheses and theories with controversies, and no general theory system was available. In this paper, the problem was reviewed mainly on two scales. The first was big spatial scale, aiming at the physical and natural factors that affect the species diversity, including histories and ages of plant communities, gradient changes such as latitude gradient, water gradient, altitude gradient and soil nutrients gradient, area effect, and isolation; and the second was concentrated on a special plant community, and mainly discussed the relationships of biodiversity with biotic factors (primary productivity, relationship between species, and gap dynamics) and abiotic factors (succession, disturbance and spatial heterogeneity, and human activity).