Foetal haemoglobin elevation, unfavourable prognosis, and protective role of genetic variants HBG2 rs7482144, HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 and BCL11A rs4671393 in children with ALL.

In acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), elevated foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels have been associated with the prognosis of patients. Genetic variants in HbF regulatory genes: BAF chromatin remodelling complex subunit (BCL11A), HBS1L-MYB transcriptional GTPase intergenic region (HBS1L-MYB), Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1), haemoglobin gamma subunit 2 (HBG2), haemoglobin gamma subunit 1 (HBG1), and haemoglobin subunit beta pseudogene 1 (HBBP1) are often associatedwith elevatedHbF concentration. This study investigated the association of genetic variants in HbF regulatory genes with HbF concentration, unfavourable prognosis, and outcome in children with ALL.We quantified HbF concentration and genotyped 17 genetic variants in 48 patients with ALL and 64 children without ALL as a reference group. HbF concentrationwas higher in patients than in the reference group (4.4%vs 1.4%), and 75%(n = 36) of thepatientshadHbF>2.5%.Unfavourable prognosis ALL was established in 68.8% (n = 33) of the patients. Variant HBG2 rs7482144 was associated with high HbF concentration (P = 0.015); while HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 (P = 0.001), HBG2 rs7482144 (P = 0.001) and the ß-globin genes HBG2, HBG1, and HBPP1 haplotypeTGC(P = 0.017) with unfavourable prognosisALL.Additionally, variantBCL11A rs4671393 showed a protective role (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, variants HBG2 rs7482144, HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 and BCL11A rs4671393 may play a significant role in ALL.

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the MYB Transcription Factor Gene Family in Chili Pepper (Capsicum spp.).

The MYB transcription factor family is very large and functionally diverse in plants, however, only a few members of this family have been reported and characterized in chili pepper (Capsicum spp.). In the present study, we performed genome-wide analyses of the MYB family in Capsicum annuum, including phylogenetic relationships, conserved domain, gene structure organization, motif protein arrangement, chromosome distribution, chemical properties predictions, RNA-seq expression, and RT-qPCR expression assays. A total of 235 non-redundant MYB proteins were identified from C. annuum, including R2R3-MYB, 3R-MYB, atypical MYB, and MYB-related subclasses. The sequence analysis of CaMYBs compared with other plant MYB proteins revealed gene conservation, but also potential specialized genes. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that CaMYB genes were differentially expressed, suggesting that they are functionally divergent. Furthermore, the integration of our data allowed us to propose strong CaMYBs candidates to be regulating phenylpropanoid, lignin, capsaicinoid, carotenoid, and vitamin C biosynthesis, providing new insights into the role of MYB transcription factors in secondary metabolism. This study adds valuable knowledge about the functions of CaMYB genes in various processes in the Capsicum genus.

Stress tolerance and glucose insensitive phenotypes in Arabidopsis overexpressing the CpMYB10 transcription factor gene.

The resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum has the ability to survive complete dehydration. In an attempt to further understand desiccation tolerance in this plant, the CpMYB10 transcription factor gene was functionally characterized. CpMYB10 is rapidly induced by dehydration and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments in leaves and roots, but no expression was detected in fully hydrated tissues. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments showed binding of rCpMYB10 to specific mybRE elements within the LEA Cp11-24 and CpMYB10 promoters. Localization of CpMYB10 transcript by in situ reverse transcription-PCR reactions showed expression in vascular tissues, parenchyma, and epidermis both in leaves and roots in response to ABA. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants transformed with CpMYB10 promoter fused to GUS gene showed reporter expression under ABA and stress conditions in several organs. Overexpression of CpMYB10 cDNA in Arabidopsis led to desiccation and salt tolerance of transgenics lines. Interestingly, it was found that plants overexpressing CpMYB10 exhibited Glc-insensitive and ABA hypersensitive phenotypes. Therefore, our results indicate that CpMYB10 in Arabidopsis is mediating stress tolerance and altering ABA and Glc signaling responses.