Seed Total Protein Profiling in Discrimination of Closely Related Pines: Evidence from the Pinus mugo Complex.

The Pinus mugo complex includes several dozen closely related European mountain pines. The discrimination of specific taxa within this complex is still extremely challenging, although numerous methodologies have been used to solve this problem, including morphological and anatomical analyses, cytological studies, allozyme variability, and DNA barcoding, etc. In this study, we used the seed total protein (STP) patterns to search for taxonomically interesting differences among three closely-related pine taxa from the Pinus mugo complex and five more distant species from the Pinaceae family. It was postulated that STP profiling can serve as the backup methodology for modern taxonomic research, in which more sophisticated analyses, i.e., based on the DNA barcoding approach, have been found to be useless. A quantitative analysis of the STP profiles revealed characteristic electrophoretic patterns for all the analyzed taxa from Pinaceae. STP profiling enabled the discrimination of closely-related pine taxa, even of those previously indistinguishable by chloroplast DNA barcodes. The results obtained in this study indicate that STP profiling can be very useful for solving complex taxonomic puzzles.

Complete genome sequences of two novel autographiviruses infecting a bacterium from the Pseudomonas fluorescens group.

In this paper, we describe two independent isolates of a new member of the subfamily Autographivirinae, Pseudomonas phage KNP. The type strain (KNP) has a linear, 40,491-bp-long genome with GC content of 57.3%, and 50 coding DNA sequences (CDSs). The genome of the second strain (WRT) contains one CDS less, encodes a significantly different tail fiber protein and is shorter (40,214 bp; GC content, 57.4%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that both KNP and WRT belong to the genus T7virus. Together with genetically similar Pseudomonas phages (gh-1, phiPSA2, phiPsa17, PPPL-1, shl2, phi15, PPpW-4, UNO-SLW4, phiIBB-PF7A, Pf-10, and Phi-S1), they form a divergent yet coherent group that stands apart from the T7-like viruses (sensu lato). Analysis of the diversity of this group and its relatedness to other members of the subfamily Autographivirinae led us to the conclusion that this group might be considered as a candidate for a new genus.

Response of leaf and fine roots proteomes of Salix viminalis L. to growth on Cr-rich tannery waste.

The tannery industry is a major source of anthropogenic chromium (Cr) contamination due to the large amounts of solid waste produced and its problematic management. The unique composition of tannery waste, usually high concentrations of Cr and other metals as well as organic matter and nutrients, makes it a great risk for soil and water environment but also a possible effective fertilizer for non-food plants that can tolerate metals. The goal of this study was to understand the adaptation mechanism of Salix viminalis to growth on Cr-rich tannery waste from an active landfill. We used a proteomic approach to identify leaf and fine roots proteins altered by tannery waste as compared to control soil conditions. We found no obvious symptoms of oxidative stress in leaves or fine roots. Proteomic results indicated some changes in metabolism, with increases in energy production processes and their greater efficiency for leaves rather than root development. Comparison between S. viminalis and P. × canescens response to tannery waste suggested that S. viminalis is not suitable for remediation of Cr-contaminated areas of a tannery waste landfill site.

Populus × canescens grown on Cr-rich tannery waste: Comparison of leaf and root biochemical and proteomic responses.

Treatment of tannery effluents generates large amounts of sediments containing concentrated doses of metals (mainly chromium). Such waste is most commonly disposed of by landfilling, which is hazardous to the ecosystem due to Cr leaching. Afforestation of disposal sites with fast growing trees could stabilize contaminants in the soil and prevent them from spreading. The aim of this study was to examine the adaptation of Populus × canescens Sm. to tannery waste using biochemical and proteomic methods. We analyzed changes in the leaves and fine roots of poplar planted in soil or tannery waste. We found no obvious symptoms of metal stress, such as: elevated hydrogen peroxide levels or lipid peroxidation, but we observed activation of many elements of antioxidative system. Comparison of 2-DE protein profiles of leaves and fine roots from poplar grown on soil or tannery waste revealed increased expression of glycolytic enzymes and proteins involved in the synthesis of cell wall components, changes in the levels of proteins associated with photosynthesis, stress-related proteins, proteasome subunits and methionine biosynthesis enzymes. This experiment demonstrated that proteomic analysis has the potential to link the effects of Cr-rich tannery waste with biological consequences.