Identification of High Linoleic Acid Varieties in Tetraploid Perilla Through Gamma-ray Irradiation and CRISPR/Cas9.

Perilla (Perilla frutescens (L.) var frutescens) is a traditional oil crop in Asia, recognized for its seeds abundant in α-linolenic acid (18:3), a key omega-3 fatty acid known for its health benefits. Despite the known nutritional value, the reason behind the higher 18:3 content in tetraploid perilla seeds remained unexplored. Gamma irradiation yielded mutants with altered seed fatty acid composition. Among the mutants, DY-46-5 showed a 27% increase in 18:2 due to the 4 bp deletion of PfrFAD3b and NC-65-12 displayed a 16% increase in 18:2 due to the loss of function of PfrFAD3a through a large deletion. Simultaneous knockout of two copies of FATTY ACID DESATURASE 3 (PfrFAD3a and PfrFAD3b) using CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in an increase in 18:2 by up to 75% and a decrease in 18:3 to as low as 0.3% in seeds, emphasizing the pivotal roles of both genes in 18:3 synthesis in tetraploid perilla. Furthermore, diploid Perilla citriodora, the progenitor of cultivated tetraploid perilla, harbors only PfrFAD3b, with fatty acid analysis revealing lower 18:3 levels than tetraploid perilla. In conclusion, the enhanced 18:3 content in cultivated tetraploid perilla seeds can be attributed to the acquisition of two FAD3 copies through hybridization with wild-type diploid perilla.

RuO2-ReO3 composite nanofibers for efficient electrocatalytic responses.

We present a facile synthetic route to ruthenium dioxide (RuO2)-rhenium oxide (ReO3) electrospun composite nanofibers and their electrocatalytic responses for capacitance and H2O2 sensing. The contents of rhenium oxide of electrospun ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) were carefully controlled by an electrospinning process with the preparation of the precursor solutions followed by the thermal annealing process in air. The electrochemical applications of RuO2-ReO3 electrospun composite nanofibers were then investigated by modifying these materials on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrodes, RuO2-ReO3(n)/GC (n = 0.0, 0.07, 0.11, and 0.13), where n denotes the relative atomic ratio of Re to the sum of Ru and Re. Specific capacitance and H2O2 reduction sensitivity were remarkably enhanced depending on the amount of ReO3 increased. Among the four compositions of RuO2-ReO3(n), RuO2-ReO3(0.11)/GC showed the highest performances, i.e., a 20.9-fold higher specific capacitance (205 F g(-1) at a potential scan rate (v) of 10 mV s(-1); a capacity loss of 19% from v = 10 to 2000 mV s(-1)) and a 7.6-fold higher H2O2 reduction sensitivity (668 µA mM(-1) cm(-2), normalized by GC disk area), respectively, compared to only RuO2/GC.

Physaria fendleri FAD3-1 overexpression increases ɑ-linolenic acid content in Camelina sativa seeds.

Camelina (Camelina sativa) is an oil crop with a short growing period, resistance to drought and cold, low fertilizer requirements, and can be transformed using floral dipping. Seeds have a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially ɑ-linolenic acid (ALA), at 32-38%. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a substrate for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the human body. In this study, ALA content was further enhanced by the seed-specific expression of Physaria fendleri FAD3-1 (PfFAD3-1) in camelina. The ALA content increased up to 48% in T2 seeds and 50% in T3 seeds. Additionally, size of the seeds increased. The expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes in PfFAD3-1 OE transgenic lines was different from that in the wild type, where the expression of CsFAD2 decreased and CsFAD3 increased. In summary, we developed a high omega-3 fatty acid-containing camelina with up to 50% ALA content by introducing PfFAD3-1. This line can be used for genetic engineering to obtain EPA and DHA from seeds.

Highly efficient electrochemical responses on single crystalline ruthenium-vanadium mixed metal oxide nanowires.

Highly efficient single crystalline ruthenium-vanadium mixed metal oxide (Ru1-xVxO2, 0≤x≤1) nanowires were prepared on a SiO2 substrate and a commercial Au microelectrode for the first time through a vapor-phase transport process by adjusting the mixing ratios of RuO2 and VO2 precursors. Single crystalline Ru1-xVxO2 nanowires show homogeneous solid-solution characteristics as well as the distinct feature of having remarkably narrow dimensional distributions. The electrochemical observations of a Ru1-xVxO2 (x=0.28 and 0.66)-decorated Au microelectrode using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrate favorable charge-transfer kinetics of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and Ru(NH3)6(3+/2+) couples compared to that of a bare Au microelectrode. The catalytic activity of Ru1-xVxO2 for oxygen and H2O2 reduction at neutral pH increases as the fraction of vanadium increases within our experimental conditions, which might be useful in the area of biofuel cells and biosensors.

Interaction of over-the-counter drugs with curcumin: influence on stability and bioactivities in intestinal cells.

Curcumin, a major constituent in rhizomes of Curcuma longa L., has shown various biological activities. It has widely been used as a food additive to provide potential health benefits. In the present study, we investigated changes in chemical stability and cytotoxic properties of curcumin and commonly consumed over-the-counter (OTC) drugs including ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (Asp), and acetaminophen (AAP), through their interactions. Stability of curcumin was significantly improved in phosphate-buffered saline or 0.01 N HCl containing each OTC drug; Asp showed the most prominent effect. Stability of Asp or AAP during 24 h incubation with curcumin was not changed significantly. Cytotoxic effects of curcumin were enhanced in the presence of the OTC drugs on INT 407 normal intestinal and HCT 116 colon cancer cells. Relative cytotoxicity of curcumin (>10 µM) under the drug-treated conditions was significantly higher. Cellular uptake of curcumin in HCT 116 cells increased significantly when incubated with Asp or AAP. Intracellular thiol levels of the cells treated with curcumin were further reduced in the presence of the OTC drugs. The present study provides information that commonly consumed OTC drugs affect chemical stability of curcumin in physiological conditions, and certain bioactivities of curcumin can be altered through their interactions.