Comparative Morphology of the Wing Base Structure Illuminates Higher-Level Phylogeny of Holometabola.

Phylogenetic relationships among Holometabola have been the subject of controversy. The value of the wing base structure in phylogenetic analysis has been demonstrated but remains largely underexplored and scarce in studies of Holometabola. We studied the phylogenetic relationships among Holometabola (excluding Siphonaptera), focusing exclusively on wing base structure. Cladistic assessments were conducted using 53 morphological data points derived from the bases of both the forewing and hindwing. The results of wing base data revealed a sister relationship between Hymenoptera and remaining orders. The sister-group relationships between Strepsiptera and Coleoptera, Mecoptera and Diptera, Trichoptera and Lepidoptera, and Neuropterida and Coleopterida were corroborated. In Neuropterida, our results recovered the sister relationship between Megaloptera and Neuroptera, as well as the monophyly of Megaloptera.

Two transcriptional cascades orchestrate cockroach leg regeneration.

The mystery of appendage regeneration has fascinated humans for centuries, while the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we establish a transcriptional landscape of regenerating leg in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, an ideal model in appendage regeneration studies showing remarkable regeneration capacity. Through a large-scale in vivo screening, we identify multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors controlling leg regeneration. Specifically, zfh-2 and bowl contribute to blastema cell proliferation and morphogenesis in two transcriptional cascades: bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/JAK-STAT-zfh-2-B-H2 and Notch-drm/bowl-bab1. Notably, we find zfh-2 is working as a direct target of BMP signaling to promote cell proliferation in the blastema. These mechanisms might be conserved in the appendage regeneration of vertebrates from an evolutionary perspective. Overall, our findings reveal that two crucial transcriptional cascades orchestrate distinct cockroach leg regeneration processes, significantly advancing the comprehension of molecular mechanism in appendage regeneration.

Associations between coagulation factors and livedoid vasculopathy and the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with livedoid vasculopathy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of livedoid vasculopathy (LV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between coagulation factors and LV and to assess the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in the treatment of patients with LV. METHODS: From May 2019 to July 2022, 89 LV patients and 35 healthy controls were included in the cross-sectional cohort to measure the levels of coagulation factors. In addition, 55 LV patients treated with rivaroxaban were included in the treatment cohort to assess the complete remission rate of ulcers (n=44) and retiform purpura (n=11) within 12 weeks. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional cohort, the activities of coagulation factor X in LV patients were significantly higher than healthy controls (median [IQR]: 110.5% [97.5-127.0%] vs 101.3% [91.6-115.6%]; P=0.047). In addition, the coagulation factor X activities in the progressive stage were higher than in the stable stage (median [IQR]: 111.6% [102.3-132.5%] vs 105.4% [92.9-118.8%]; P=0.037). Moreover, the coagulation factor X activities were higher in the progressive stage than in the stable stage in the paired LV patients (P=0.035). In the treatment cohort of rivaroxaban, 90.9% (40/44) of patients with ulcers achieved complete remission within 12 weeks, and 72.7% (8/11) of patients with retiform purpura achieved complete remission within 12 weeks. Mild side effects occurred in 25.5% of patients, including menorrhagia (n=10), gingival bleeding (n=3), and hemorrhage (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that coagulation factor X was associated with the incidence and severity of LV. In addition, rivaroxaban was an effective and safe treatment for ulcers and retiform purpura of LV.

Multifunctional Short-Chain 2-Thiophenealkylammonium Bromide Ligand-Assisted Perovskite Quantum Dots for Efficient Light-Emitting Diodes.

Lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great interest for application in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), solution processability, and high color purity, showing great potential for next-generation full-color display and lighting technologies. Conventional long-chain insulating oleic acid (OA)/oleamine (OAm) ligands exhibit dynamic binding to the surface of QDs, resulting in a plethora of extra surface defects and inferior optoelectronic properties. Herein, a sole multifunctional ligand with optimized carbon chain length, that is, 2-thiophenepropylamine bromide (ThPABr), was creatively designed and introduced into CsPbBr3 QDs, which not only replaces OAm and provides a bromine source but also coordinates with the uncoordinated surface Pb2+ of QDs through the thiophene, passivating surface defects and increasing the PLQY of the film to 83%. More importantly, the interaction between the electron donor-thiophene ring and QDs can enhance electron injection and improve carrier balance. The resulting green LED exhibited significant performance improvement, showing ultrahigh spectral stability under high operating voltage, achieving a maximum external quantum efficiency of 10.5%, and extending the operating lifetime to 5-fold that of the reference. Designing a single multifunctional ligand presents a promising and convenient strategy for selecting surface ligands that can enhance the performance of LEDs or other optoelectronic devices.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are positively correlated with disease activity of bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a complex inflammatory process with elevated levels of autoantibodies, eosinophils, neutrophils, and various cytokines. Hematological inflammatory biomarkers can reflect inflammatory state in various diseases. Up to now, the correlations of hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the associations between hematological inflammatory biomarkers and disease activity of BP. The levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) of 36 untreated BP patients and 45 age and gender matched healthy controls were detected by routine blood tests. The correlations between hematological inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics of BP were statistically analyzed. The Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) was used to measure disease activity of BP. The mean levels of NLR, PLR, PNR and MPV in 36 untreated BP patients were 3.9, 157.9, 45.7 and 9.4 fl, respectively. Increased NLR (p < 0.001), PLR (p < 0.01), and MPV (p < 0.001) but decreased PNR (p < 0.001) were observed in BP patients when compared with healthy controls. In BP patients, the levels of NLR were positively correlated to BPDAI Erosion/Blister Scores (p < 0.01); and the levels of NLR and PLR were both positively correlated to BPDAI without Damage Score (both p < 0.05) and BPDAI Total Score (both p < 0.05). No correlation was found in other statistical analyses between hematological inflammatory markers and clinical characteristics in BP patients involved in the present study. Therefore, NLR and PLR are positively correlated with disease activity of BP.

The BMP inhibitor follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) suppresses cervical carcinogenesis.

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a cancer-related matricellular secretory protein with contradictory organ-specific roles. Its contribution to the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma is still not clear. Meanwhile, it is necessary to identify novel candidate genes to understand cervical carcinoma's pathogenesis further and find potential therapeutic targets. We collected cervical carcinoma samples and matched adjacent tissues from patients with the locally-advanced disease and used cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa and C33A to evaluate the effects of FSTL1 on CC cells. The mRNA transcription and protein expression of FSTL1 in cervical carcinoma tumor biopsy tissues were lower than those of matched adjacent tissues. Patients with a lower ratio of FSTL1 mRNA between the tumor and its matched adjacent tissues showed a correlation with the advanced cervical carcinoma FIGO stages. High expression of FSTL1 markedly inhibited the proliferation, motility, and invasion of HeLa and C33A. Regarding mechanism, FSTL1 plays its role by negatively regulating the BMP4/Smad1/5/9 signaling. Our study has demonstrated the tumor suppressor effect of FSTL1, and these findings suggested a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for cervical carcinoma.

Clinical analysis of skin lesions in livedoid vasculopathy: a study of 46 Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Clinical data regarding cutaneous manifestations in Chinese patients with livedoid vasculopathy (LV) are limited. OBJECTIVES: To assess clinical features of skin lesions in LV, especially the characteristics of extensive livedo reticularis and pigmented purpuric dermatosis-like lesions in these patients. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study of 46 Chinese patients with LV between March 2021 and July 2021. The characteristics of skin lesions in LV were described in detail. RESULTS: A total of 29 females and 17 males were included in this study, with a mean age of 27.7 years (ranging from 13 to 51 years). Twenty (43.5%) patients developed their first skin lesions before age 18. Among 46 patients, 33 presented livedo reticularis with 78.8% (n = 26) of these patients whose livedo reticularis was extensive. Seven patients had lesions simulating pigmented purpuric dermatosis, including four cases of pigmented purpura and three cases of telangiectatic purpura. Numbness was found in 16 patients, mainly in the lower limbs (62.5%), ankles (31.3%), and dorsum of the feet (18.8%). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with symptoms of extensive livedo reticularis, retiform purpura, or numbness, it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis.

IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in both serum and blister fluid samples does not correlate with disease activity of bullous pemphigoid.

The correlation between IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody and disease activity of bullous pemphigoid (BP) remains disputable. To determine the levels of IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody and its clinical significance in untreated BP patients. IgG and IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in serum and blister fluid samples of 34 untreated BP patients was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and correlation with clinical and pathological features of BP were statistically analysed. The Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) was used to measure disease activity of BP. The mean baseline level of IgG anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in serum and blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients was 75.3 U/mL and 1.54 U/mL, respectively (A450, cutoff: 0.126). IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody was positive in 21.9% serum and 14.7% blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients. IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody levels in serum samples positively correlated with those from blister fluid samples (r = 0.983, p < 0.05). However, IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody level in both serum and blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients did not correlate with IgG anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody, age, extent of elevated peripheral blood eosinophils, BPDAI erosion/blister score, BPDAI urticaria/erythema score, BPDAI pruritus score, BPDAI without damage score, or BPDAI total score (all p > 0.05). No significant correlation was identified between disease activity and positive or negative anti-BP180 NC16A IgE autoantibody. Conclusion: IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in both serum and blister fluid samples does not appear to correlate with disease activity of BP.

Transcriptome analysis of Mythimna separata: De novo assembly and detection of genes related to beta-cypermethrin resistance.

The oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) is a devastating pest of cereal crops mainly in Asia and Oceania and recently become resistant to beta-cypermethrin (beta-CP). However, molecular biological studies of its response to beta-CP are scarce, and related genomic information is not available. In this study, we sequenced and de novo assembled the transcriptome of beta-CP susceptible M. separata (MsS-whole, abbr. MsS-W). A total of 30,486 unigenes were obtained, with an N50 length of 506 bp. A number of 21,051 unigenes were matched to public databases, of which 10,107 were classified into 59 gene ontology subcategories, 5792 were assigned into 25 clusters of orthologous groups of proteins subgroups and 12,123 were assigned to 257 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. A total of 729 simple sequence repeats were detected. In addition, a total of 323 cytochrome P450-associated sequences from nine lepidopterous species, of which 130 were from M. separata, were analyzed using the maximum likelihood method and Bayesian inference. Among the 130 cytochrome P450-associated sequences from M. separata, 60 were dropped into CYP3 clan, which is associated with metabolizing xenobiotics and plant natural compounds. Furthermore, the beta-CP susceptible (MsS-2) and resistant (MsR-2) M. separata population transcriptomes were sequenced. Certain critical genes involved in beta-CP detoxification were detected and verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Collectively, our results provided a basis for further studies of the molecular mechanism of insecticide resistance in M. separata.

Harvesting the Triplet Excitons of Quasi-Two-Dimensional Perovskite toward Highly Efficient White Light-Emitting Diodes.

Utilization of triplet excitons, which generally emit poorly, is always fundamental to realize highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs). While triplet harvest and energy transfer via electron exchange between triplet donor and acceptor are fully understood in doped organic phosphorescence and delayed fluorescence systems, the utilization and energy transfer of triplet excitons in quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskite are still ambiguous. Here, we use an orange-phosphorescence-emitting ultrathin organic layer to probe triplet behavior in the sky-blue-emitting quasi-2D perovskite. The delicate white LED architecture enables a carefully tailored Dexter-like energy-transfer mode that largely harvests the triplet excitons in quasi-2D perovskite. Our white organic-inorganic LEDs achieve maximum forward-viewing external quantum efficiency of 8.6% and luminance over 15 000 cd m-2, exhibiting a significant efficiency enhancement versus the corresponding sky-blue perovskite LED (4.6%). The efficient management of energy transfer between excitons in quasi-2D perovskite and Frenkel excitons in the organic layer opens the door to fully utilizing excitons for white organic-inorganic LEDs.

Hole Transport Layer Free Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes With High-Brightness and Air-Stability Based on Solution-Processed CsPbBr3-Cs4PbBr6 Composites Films.

Recently, perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have drew widespread attention due to their high efficiencies. However, because of the sensitivity to moisture and oxygen, perovskite luminescent layers are usually prepared in high-purity nitrogen environment, which increases the cost and process complexity of device preparation and seriously hindrances its commercialization of PeLED in lighting and display application. Herein, dual-phase all-inorganic composite CsPbBr3-Cs4PbBr6 films are fabricated from CsBr-rich perovskite solutions by a simple one-step spin-coating method in the air with high humidity. Compared with the pure CsPbBr3 film, the composite CsPbBr3-Cs4PbBr6 film has much stronger photoluminescence emission and longer fluorescence lifetime, accompanied by increased photoluminescence quantum yield (33%). As a result, we obtained green PeLED devices without hole transport layer exhibiting a maximum brightness of 72,082 cd/m2 and a maximum external quantum efficiency of about 2.45%, respectively. More importantly, the champion device shows excellent stability with operational half-lifetime exceeding 1,000 min under continuous operation in the air. The dual-phase all-inorganic composite CsPbBr3-Cs4PbBr6 film shows attractive prospect for advanced light emission applications.

Complementary Triple-Ligand Engineering Approach to Methylamine Lead Bromide Nanocrystals for High-Performance Light-Emitting Diodes.

Conjugated and short-molecule capping ligands have been demonstrated as a valid strategy for achieving high-efficiency perovskite nanocrystal (NCs) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) owing to their advantage of allowing efficient carrier transport between NCs. However, monotonously utilizing conjugated ligands cannot achieve sufficient surface modification/passivation for perovskite NCs, leading to their poor photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and dispersibility. This work designs a complementary ligand synthesis method to obtain high-quality methylamine lead bromide (MAPbBr3) NCs and then leverage them into efficient LEDs. The complementary ligand system combines a conjugated ligand 3-phenyl-2-propen-1-amine (PPA) and a long-chain ligand didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) together with a well-known inductive inorganic ligand ZnBr2. With such complementary ligand engineering, we significantly improve the emissive features of MAPbBr3 NCs (PLQY: 99% ± 0.7%). Simultaneously, the complementary ligand strategy facilitated the adequate charge transportation in related NCs films and modified the interfacial energy-level alignment when the NCs assemble as an emitting layer into LEDs. Finally, based on this NCs synthesis method, high-efficiency green LEDs were achieved, exhibiting the maximum luminance of 1.59 × 104 cd m-2, a current efficiency of 23.7 cd A-1, and an external quantum efficiency of 7.8%. Our finding could provide a new avenue for further development of LEDs and their commercial application.

Evolution of holometaboly revealed by developmental transformation of internal thoracic structures in a green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Despite extensive studies on the morphology of holometabolous insects and their larvae, the morphological transformations of internal structures during metamorphosis have been rarely documented. Here, we used micro-computed tomography to investigate the developmental transformations of thoracic structures in the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Rambur, 1838) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), with emphasis on the development of the digestive, tracheal, and thoracic skeleto-muscular system. All the adult organs were modified during the prepupal or early pupal stage. The histolysis and remodeling began with the skeletal elements, followed by changes in the digestive system before it concluded with modifications of the musculature. Similar to the tracheal system's development, the digestive system did not disappear completely throughout metamorphosis but underwent a dramatic morphological change, which included the midgut significantly decreasing in size during the pupal stage. Our results provide important evidence for understanding the evolutionary pattern of developmental transformations in different major lineages of Holometabola.

High Triplet Energy Level Molecule Enables Highly Efficient Sky-Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

The role of triplet states in the interfacial energy transfer in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has so far not been clarified because of the complex exciton recombination and decay dynamics. This work aims to study this issue and accordingly proposes a novel interfacial-engineering strategy for efficient sky-blue PeLEDs. To this end, bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether oxide with a high triplet energy level is introduced into sky-blue PeLEDs. It effectively reduces undesirable exciton transfer from the perovskite emission layer to the electron-transport layer, largely suppresses exciton quenching at the interface, and simultaneously passivates defects at the perovskite surfaces. As a result of the multichannel energy-loss reduction, sky-blue PeLED that emits at 488 nm is achieved with a peak external quantum efficiency of 10.17% and a maximum brightness of 6728.41 cd m-2. This work thus provides indirect evidence for the triplet mechanism of blue emission of mixed-halide perovskites and sheds new light on a promising way of boosting the performance of blue PeLEDs.

Targeting FSTL1 for Multiple Fibrotic and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a matricellular protein that is upregulated during development and disease, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), keloid, and arthritis. The profibrotic and pro-inflammatory roles of FSTL1 have been intensively studied during the last several years, as well as in this report. We screened and identified epitope-specific monoclonal neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) to functionally block FSTL1. FSTL1 nAbs attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary and dermal fibrosis in vivo and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-induced dermal fibrosis ex vivo in human skin. In addition, FSTL1 nAbs significantly reduced existing lung fibrosis and skin fibrosis in experimental models. FSTL1 nAbs exerted their potent antifibrotic effects via reduced TGF-ß1 responsiveness and subsequent myofibroblast activation and extracellular matrix production. We also observed that FSTL1 nAbs attenuated the severity of collagen-induced arthritis in mice, which was accompanied by reduced inflammatory responses in vitro. Our findings suggest that FSTL1 nAbs are a promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of multiple organ fibrosis and systemic autoimmune diseases.

The mitochondrial genome of Paralimna (Paralimna) concors (Diptera: Ephydridae).

The mitogenome of Paralimna (Paralimna) concors was sequenced. The mitogenome was 16,155 bp totally, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs. The nucleotide composition biases toward A and T is 78.6％ of the entirety. All PCGs start with ATN codons except COI and ND1, and end with TAA or incomplete stop codon. Phylogenetic analyses based on 11 dipteran species supported the monophyly of Ephydroidea and the relationship of Opomyzoidea + (Ephydroidea + (Lauxanioidea + (Sphaeroceroidea + (Sciomyzoidea + Tephritoidea)))).

Vacuum Dual-Source Thermal-Deposited Lead-Free Cs3Cu2I5 Films with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield for Deep-Blue Light-Emitting Diodes.

Deep-blue emitters are greatly desirable for preparing white light-emitting diodes and enhancing the color gamut of full-color display. The deep-blue lead halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) exhibit far inferior performance compared to green and red counterparts and suffer from lead toxicity, hampering their applications. Nontoxic, stable, and wide band gap zero-dimensional (0D) Cs3Cu2I5 with relatively high exciton binding energy has great potential as deep-blue emitters. However, the development of PeLEDs remains a huge challenge due to the difficulties in preparing a high-quality Cs3Cu2I5 film and device design, arising from an inherent wide band gap together with deep ionization potential. Here, a continuous and pin-hole-free Cs3Cu2I5 thin film with deep-blue emission centered at 440 nm was prepared by the dual-source thermal evaporation approach, and a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 58% was achieved, corresponding to significant enhancement of 61% compared with that of the Cs3Cu2I5 thin film synthesized by solution processes. Furthermore, saturated deep-blue PeLEDs at the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.15, 0.08) were obtained by employing an electron-transfer layer composed of a 1,4,5,8,9,11-hexa-azatriphenylene hexacarboni-trile (HAT-CN) and N,N'-bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)benzidine (NPB) organic heterojunction to realize the effective hole blocking, rendering an external quantum efficiency of approximately 0.1%. These results will be extensively beneficial to wide band gap material and device preparation.

Contribution to understanding the evolution of holometaboly: transformation of internal head structures during the metamorphosis in the green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

BACKGROUND: Metamorphosis remains one of the most complicated and poorly understood processes in insects. This is particularly so for the very dynamic transformations that take place within the pupal sheath of holometabolous insects. Only few studies address these transformations especially with regard to cranial structures of those holometabolous species where the larval and adult forms have a similar diet. It thus remains unclear to what extent the internal structures undergo histolysis and rebuilding. Here, the development of the brain and skeleto-muscular system of the head of Chrysopa pallens (Rambur, 1838) is studied. This species is a predator of aphids in the larval and adult stage. RESULTS: We used micro-computed-tomography (µ-CT) to study the transformations of the larval, prepupal and pupal head within the cocoon. We first assessed the morphological differences and similarities between the stages. We then determined the point in time when the compound eyes appear and describe the re-orientation of the head capsule which transforms the prognathous larva into a hypognathous adult. The internal head muscles are distinctly more slender in larvae than adults. In addition, the adults have a significantly larger brain which is likely needed for the processing of the signals obtained by the adults vastly expanded sensory organs that are presumably needed for dispersal and mating. Our study shows that the histolysis and modification of the inner muscles and skeletal elements take place within the prepupa. The central nervous system persists throughout metamorphosis but its morphology changes significantly. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that not only the inner structures, but also the outer morphology continues to change after the final larval moult. The adult cuticle and internal structures form gradually within the cocoon. The histolysis and rebuilding begin with the skeletal elements and is followed by changes in the central nervous system before it concludes with modifications of the musculature. This order of events is likely ancestral for Holometabola because it is also known from Hymenoptera, Diptera, Mecoptera, and Coleoptera.

The mitochondrial genome of Anthalia sp. (Diptera: Empididae).

The dance fly Anthalia sp. belongs to the subfamily Ocydromiinae of Empididae. The mitogenome (GenBank accession number: MT483943) of Anthalia sp. was sequenced, the new representative of the mitogenome of the subfamily. The nearly complete mitogenome is 15,142 bp totally, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs. All genes have the similar locations and strands with that of other published species of Empididae. The nucleotide composition biases toward A and T, which together made up 78.6% of the entirety. Bayesian inference analysis strongly supported the monophyly of Empidoidea, Empididae, and Dolichopodidae. It is clear that the phylogenetic relationship within Empidoidea: (Dolichopodinae + Neurigoninae) + ((Empidinae + (Trichopezinae + Oreogetoninae)) + Ocydromiinae) in this study.

The Arabidopsis Ca2+-Dependent Protein Kinase CPK12 Is Involved in Plant Response to Salt Stress.

CDPKs (Ca2+-Dependent Protein Kinases) are very important regulators in plant response to abiotic stress. The molecular regulatory mechanism of CDPKs involved in salt stress tolerance remains unclear, although some CDPKs have been identified in salt-stress signaling. Here, we investigated the function of an Arabidopsis CDPK, CPK12, in salt-stress signaling. The CPK12-RNA interference (RNAi) mutant was much more sensitive to salt stress than the wild-type plant GL1 in terms of seedling growth. Under NaCl treatment, Na⁺ levels in the roots of CPK12-RNAi plants increased and were higher than levels in GL1 plants. In addition, the level of salt-elicited H2O2 production was higher in CPK12-RNAi mutants than in wild-type GL1 plants after NaCl treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that CPK12 is required for plant adaptation to salt stress.