The development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells against CD70 for renal cell carcinoma treatment.

In this study, we investigated CD70 as a promising target for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) therapy and developed a potent chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells for potential clinical testing. CD70, found to be highly expressed in RCC tumors, was associated with decreased survival. We generated CAR-T cells expressing VHH sequence of various novel nanobodies from immunized alpaca and a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from human antibody (41D12). In our in vitro experiments, anti-CD70 CAR-T cells effectively eliminated CD70-positive tumor cells while sparing CD70-negative cells. The nanobody-based CAR-T cells demonstrated significantly higher production of cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-ɑ during co-culture, indicating their potential for enhanced functionality. In xenograft mouse model, these CAR-T cells exhibited remarkable anti-tumor activity, leading to the eradication of RCC tumor cells. Importantly, human T cell expansion after infusion was significantly higher in the VHH groups compared to the scFv CAR-T group. Upon re-challenging mice with RCC tumor cells, the VHH CAR-T treated group remained tumor-free, suggesting a robust and long-lasting anti-tumor response. These findings provide strong support for the potential of nanobody-based CD70 CAR-T cells as a promising therapeutic option for RCC. This warrants further development and consideration for future clinical trials and applications.

Distributed Sensitivity and Critical Interference Power Analysis of Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Navigation Interference for Global Navigation Satellite System Array Antennas.

Current research on the interference of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) array antennas focuses on the single interference effect and the improvement of interference hardware capability, while the multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) interference model and mechanism remain to be fully studied. Aiming at this problem, this paper analyzes the preconditions for the definition of anti-jamming degrees of freedom and the characteristics of super-DOF interference through formula derivation and simulation. First, by analyzing the influence of the number of interfering signals on the angular resolution, the prerequisite of the definition of anti-interference degrees of freedom in the airspace is proposed. Second, the definition of anti-interference degrees of freedom is used to calculate the change rule of the critical power of the interference under different numbers of interfering signals. Finally, the influence of super-DOF interference on the array antenna is analyzed. The results show that the prerequisite for the anti-interference freedom of the array antenna is that the distribution interval of the interfering signal is greater than 15°, taking a four-array element uniform circular array antenna as an example. The critical interference power of the array antenna decreases by about 15 dB when the number of interfering signals exceeds the degrees of freedom of the array antenna's interference immunity, provided that the interference resolution is satisfied. The conclusions of this paper give the critical power change rule of multi-DOF interference and the effect of super-DOF interference, as well as the prerequisites for the setting of interference signals, which can be used, for example, in the deployment of distributed interference sources and the development of anti-jamming algorithms.

The time-dependent expression of FPR2 and ANXA1 in murine deep vein thrombosis model and its relation to thrombus age.

Thrombus age determination in fatal venous thromboembolism cases is an important task for forensic pathologists. In this study, we investigated the time-dependent expressions of formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) and Annexin A1 (ANXA1) in a stasis-induced deep vein thrombosis (DVT) murine model, with the aim of obtaining useful information for thrombus age timing. A total of 75 ICR mice were randomly classified into thrombosis group and control group. In thrombosis group, a DVT model was established by ligating the inferior vena cava (IVC) of mice, and thrombosed IVCs were harvested at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days after modeling. In control group, IVCs without thrombosis were taken as control samples. The expressions of FPR2 and ANXA1 during thrombosis were detected using immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining. Their protein and mRNA levels in the samples were determined by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The results reveal that FPR2 was predominantly expressed by intrathrombotic neutrophils and macrophages. ANXA1 expression in the thrombi was mainly distributed in neutrophils, endothelial cells of neovessels, and fibroblastic cells. After thrombosis, the expressions of FPR2 and ANXA1 were time-dependently up-regulated. The percentage of FPR2-positive cells and the level of FPR2 protein significantly elevated at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after IVC ligation as compared to those at 10, 14 and 21 days after ligation (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA level of FPR2 were significantly higher at 5 days than that at the other post-ligation intervals (p < 0.05). Besides, the levels of ANXA1 mRNA and protein peaked at 10 and 14 days after ligation, respectively. A significant increase in the mRNA level of ANXA1 was found at 10 and 14 days as compared with that at the other post-ligation intervals (p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that FPR2 and ANXA1 are promising as useful markers for age estimation of venous thrombi.

Divergence of active site motifs among different classes of Populus glutaredoxins results in substrate switches.

Enzymes are essential components of all biological systems. The key characteristics of proteins functioning as enzymes are their substrate specificities and catalytic efficiencies. In plants, most genes encoding enzymes are members of large gene families. Within such families, the contributions of active site motifs to the functional divergence of duplicate genes have not been well elucidated. In this study, we identified 41 glutaredoxin (GRX) genes in the Populus trichocarpa genome. GRXs are ubiquitous enzymes in plants that play important roles in developmental and stress tolerance processes. In poplar, GRX genes were divided into four classes based on clear differences in gene structure and expression pattern, subcellular localization, enzymatic activity, and substrate specificity of the encoded proteins. Using site-directed mutagenesis, this study revealed that the divergence of the active site motif among different classes of GRX proteins resulted in substrate switches and thus provided new insights into the molecular evolution of these important plant enzymes.

Progress in the application of novel cryoprotectants for the stabilization of myofibrillar proteins.

In this review, the physicochemical and conformational changes of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) of freeze-induced mince-based aquatic foods were comprehensively summarized in depth. Studies have demonstrated that temperature fluctuation and long-time freezing negatively affect food quality, resulting in texture alteration, drip fluid, flavor degradation, and nutrition loss due to MPs denaturation, aggregation, and oxidation. Attempts have been made in ice-recrystallization inhibition, freezing point depression, and ice shape and growth control for better cryopreservation. Moreover, to further minimize the quality deterioration, cryoprotectants were acknowledged to reduce the denaturation and aggregation of the MPs effectively. Recently, interest in novel functional ingredients, including oligosaccharides, protein hydrolysates, and natural polyphenols demonstrated excellent cryoprotective effects while avoiding health concerns and undesirable flavor caused by traditional sugar-based or phosphates-based cryoprotectants. Therefore, the present review provides a systematic overview of these low molecular weight multifunctional substances with a particular sequence and highlights their underlying mechanism in the inhibition of ice recrystallization the stabilization of MPs.

First-Principles Calculations on Narrow-Band Gap d10 Metal Oxides for Photocatalytic H2 Production: Role of Unusual In2+ Cations in Band Engineering.

The d10 metal oxides with low effective mass and high mobility of photoexcited electrons have received much attention in photocatalytic water splitting. However, there are still challenges in practical application due to insufficient visible light absorption. Here, an unusual phenomenon of the In2+ cation in PtIn6(GeO4)2O and PtIn6(Ga/InO4)2 with a narrow band gap is systematically investigated using density functional theory calculations. According to chemical bond analysis, the final band edge structure results from the interaction between the empty In-5p orbitals and the occupied antibonding state of the In 5s-O 2p orbitals as well as the further hybridization of adjacent In cations in PtIn6 octahedrons. The unique bonding characteristic of In2+ cations endows them with a narrow band gap and visible light response ability. Moreover, the occupied antibonding state could weaken the strength of the In-O covalent bond and strengthen the orbital hybridization of the In-In bond, causing the conduction band minimum to be located in the electroactive In6 cavity. This work reveals the origin of the narrow band gap of PtIn6(GeO4)2O and PtIn6(Ga/InO4)2 in view of bond theory and shows that they are promising semiconductors for the application of photocatalytic H2 generation.

Novel affibody molecules as potential agents in molecular imaging for MAGE-A3-positive tumor diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The cancer-testis protein melanoma antigen A3 (MAGE-A3) is highly expressed in a broad range of malignant tumor forms. It has been confirmed that affibody molecules, a novel family of small (∼6.5 kDa) targeting proteins, are useful agents for molecular imaging and targeted tumor treatment. As a novel agent for in vivo molecular imaging detection of MAGE-A3-positive tumors, the efficacy of affibody molecules was assessed in this research. METHODS: In this study, three cycles of phage display library screening resulted in the isolation of two new affibody molecules (ZMAGE-A3:172 and ZMAGE-A3:770) that attach to MAGE-A3. These molecules were then expressed in bacteria and purified. The affibody molecules with high affinity and specificity were evaluated using western blotting, immunohistochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, and near-infrared optical imaging of tumor-bearing nude mice. RESULTS: The selected ZMAGE-A3 affibodies can precisely bind to the MAGE-A3 protein in living cells and display high-affinity binding to the MAGE-A3 protein at the molecular level. Furthermore, the accumulation of DyLight755-labeled ZMAGE-A3:172 or ZMAGE-A3:770 in MAGE-A3-positive tumors was achieved as early as 30 min and disappeared at 48 h post-injection. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the potential of the two MAGE-A3 protein-binding affibody molecules for their use as molecular imaging agents.

Elevated cardiac biomarkers and outcomes in children and adolescents with acute COVID-19.

Cardiac involvement associated with multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children has been extensively reported, but the prevalence of cardiac involvement in children with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of inflammatory syndrome has not been well described. In this retrospective, single centre, cohort study, we describe the cardiac involvement found in this population and report on outcomes of patients with and without elevated cardiac biomarkers. Those with multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, cardiomyopathy, or complex CHD were excluded. Inclusion criteriaz were met by 80 patients during the initial peak of the pandemic at our institution. High-sensitivity troponin T and/or N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide were measured in 27/80 (34%) patients and abnormalities were present in 5/27 (19%), all of whom had underlying comorbidities. Advanced respiratory support was required in all patients with elevated cardiac biomarkers. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were identified in 14/38 (37%) studies. Echocardiograms were performed on 7/80 patients, and none demonstrated left ventricular dysfunction. Larger studies to determine the true extent of cardiac involvement in children with COVID-19 would be useful to guide recommendations for standard workup and management.

Contribution of κ-/ι-carrageenan on the gelling properties of shrimp myofibrillar protein and their interaction mechanism exploration.

BACKGROUND: The contribution and mechanism of κ-/ι-carrageenan (CG) with different hydration characteristics on the gelling properties of shrimp myofibrillar protein (MP) gelation was studied. RESULTS: The gel strength, water-holding capacity and viscoelastic properties of MP gels were significantly enhanced by 1.0% κ-/ι-CG (P < 0.05), but the microstructure showed that excessive carrageenan caused fragmentation of the gel network and a corresponding decrease in gel properties. Compared to MP-ιCG, MP-κCG showed larger breaking force and shorter breaking distance, thus enhancing the hardness and brittleness of the gel, which might be ascribed to a reinforced network skeleton and a tighter binding of κCG-myosin. However, MP-ιCG stabilized more moisture in the gel network, thereby improving the tenderness of the gel, which might be related to the electrostatic repulsion observed between the sulfate groups of ιCG and the myosin observed by molecular docking. In addition, the ß-sheet content and intermolecular interactions might be positively correlated with gel properties. CONCLUSION: In this study, a composite gel system was constructed based on the interaction of MP and CG. The quality differences of two kinds of CG-MP gels were clarified, which will provide guidance for the application of different kinds of carrageenan and the development of recombinant meat products with specific quality. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustained expression of HPV16 E7 oncoprotein promotes p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) signaling to drive precancerous lesions to invasive cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 oncogene plays the most important role in cervical cancer. However, whether E7 oncoprotein is continuously expressed, associated with AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) signaling to trigger cervical carcinogenesis remains unclear. Here, we explored first if HPV16 E7 oncoprotein could be detected in clinical biopsies and is sustainedly expressed, and then investigated how this oncoprotein interacted with AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) signaling in cancer progression. We used ZHPV16E7384 affibody to detect E7 expression in HPV16-positive cervical cancer biopsies and animal tumors by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results showed that ZHPV16E7384 affibody had intense and specific staining for E7 oncoprotein in the detected specimen. The E7 oncoprotein was continuously expressed to correspond with the development of precancerous lesions to invasive cervical cancer. IHC staining also revealed that AKT, p-AKT(Ser473), Src and p-Src(Tyr527) proteins were expressed in both patient biopsies and animal tumors, with the highest levels of p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) present in invasive cancer. Furthermore, siRNA experiments revealed that HPV16 E7 knockdown significantly impaired expression of p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) in both HPV16 E7-positive cancer cells and transformed cells. In addition, transient expression of HPV16 E7 protein promoted significantly expression of p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) in primary human keratinocytes. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation analysis proved that HPV 16 E7 protein interacted reciprocally with p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527). In conclusion, we demonstrate that HPV16 E7 oncoprotein is continuously expressed to promote expression of p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) leading to drive the initiation and progression of cervical cancer. Our data provide a novel insight that HPV16 E7 activates p-AKT(Ser473)/p-Src(Tyr527) to establish a mechanistic link between the oncogene and the AKT/Src signaling to trigger cervical carcinogenesis.

SDG128 is involved in maize leaf inclination.

Maize leaf angle (LA) is a complex quantitative trait that is controlled by developmental signals, hormones, and environmental factors. However, the connection between histone methylation and LAs in maize remains unclear. Here, we reported that SET domain protein 128 (SDG128) is involved in leaf inclination in maize. Knockdown of SDG128 using an RNA interference approach resulted in an expanded architecture, less large vascular bundles, more small vascular bundles, and larger spacing of large vascular bundles in the auricles. SDG128 interacts with ZmGID2 both in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of ZmGID2 also showed a larger LA with less large vascular bundles and larger spacing of vascular bundles. In addition, the transcription level of cell wall expansion family genes ZmEXPA1, ZmEXPB2, and GRMZM2G005887; transcriptional factor genes Lg1, ZmTAC1, and ZmCLA4; and auxin pathway genes ZmYUCCA7, ZmYUCCA8, and ZmARF22 was reduced in SDG128 and ZmGID2 knockdown plants. SDG128 directly targets ZmEXPA1, ZmEXPB2, LG1, and ZmTAC1 and is required for H3K4me3 deposition at these genes. Together, the results of the present study suggest that SDG128 and ZmGID2 are involved in the maize leaf inclination.

Fourier single pixel imaging reconstruction method based on the U-net and attention mechanism at a low sampling rate.

There exists the contradiction between imaging efficiency and imaging quality for Fourier single-pixel imaging (FSI). Although the deep learning approaches have solved this problem to some extent, the reconstruction quality at low sampling rate is still not enough to meet the practical requirements. To solve this problem, inspired by the idea of super-resolution, this paper proposes the paralleled fusing of the U-net and attention mechanism to improve the quality of FSI reconstruction at a low sampling rate. This paper builds a generative adversarial network structure to achieve recovery of high-resolution target images from low-resolution FSI reconstruction results under low sampling rate conditions. Compared with conventional FSI and other deep learning methods based on FSI, the proposed method can get better quality and higher resolution results at low sampling rates in simulation and experiments. This approach is particularly important to high-speed Fourier single pixel imaging applications.

Deep-learning based photon-efficient 3D and reflectivity imaging with a 64 × 64 single-photon avalanche detector array.

A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) is a high sensitivity detector that can work under weak echo signal conditions (≤1 photon per pixel). The measured digital signals can be used to invert the range and reflectivity images of the target with photon-efficient imaging reconstruction algorithm. However, the existing photon-efficient imaging reconstruction algorithms are susceptible to noise, which leads to poor quality of the reconstructed range and reflectivity images of target. In this paper, a non-local sparse attention encoder (NLSA-Encoder) neural network is proposed to extract the 3D information to reconstruct both the range and reflectivity images of target. The proposed network model can effectively reduce the influence of noise in feature extraction and maintain the capability of long-range correlation feature extraction. In addition, the network is optimized for reconstruction speed to achieve faster reconstruction without performance degradation, compared with other existing deep learning photon-efficient imaging reconstruction methods. The imaging performance is verified through numerical simulation, near-field indoor and far-field outdoor experiments with a 64 × 64 SPAD array. The experimental results show that the proposed network model can achieve better results in terms of the reconstruction quality of range and reflectivity images, as well as reconstruction speed.

Sn1/3Na2/3Sn(OH)6 Perovskite with Sn4+/Na+ Disorder for Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenol.

Cation disorder in hydroxide-based perovskites remains relatively under-researched. In this work, novel hydroxide-based perovskite Sn1/3Na2/3Sn(OH)6 was first fabricated by a direct hydrothermal method, and its ability to photodegrade 2,4-dichlorophenol was evaluated. The synthesized photocatalyst is isostructural with MSn(OH)6 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn), where the M site is occupied by disordered Sn4+/Na+. Sn1/3Na2/3Sn(OH)6 exhibits outstanding photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light. Specifically, 99% of 2,4-DCP is photodegraded in 40 min, with approximately 94% of its total chlorine content converted to Cl- anions. Radical trapping experiments indicated that superoxide radical anions (·O2-) play a critical role during the photocatalytic process. Finally, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was conducted to monitor the photocatalytic intermediates. Overall, our findings demonstrate that hydroxide-based perovskites with cation disorder show promise for application in photocatalysis.

Deblurring Ghost Imaging Reconstruction Based on Underwater Dataset Generated by Few-Shot Learning.

Underwater ghost imaging based on deep learning can effectively reduce the influence of forward scattering and back scattering of water. With the help of data-driven methods, high-quality results can be reconstructed. However, the training of the underwater ghost imaging requires enormous paired underwater datasets, which are difficult to obtain directly. Although the Cycle-GAN method solves the problem to some extent, the blurring degree of the fuzzy class of the paired underwater datasets generated by Cycle-GAN is relatively unitary. To solve this problem, a few-shot underwater image generative network method is proposed. Utilizing the proposed few-shot learning image generative method, the generated paired underwater datasets are better than those obtained by the Cycle-GAN method, especially under the condition of few real underwater datasets. In addition, to reconstruct high-quality results, an underwater deblurring ghost imaging method is proposed. The reconstruction method consists of two parts: reconstruction and deblurring. The experimental and simulation results show that the proposed reconstruction method has better performance in deblurring at a low sampling rate, compared with existing underwater ghost imaging methods based on deep learning. The proposed reconstruction method can effectively increase the clarity degree of the underwater reconstruction target at a low sampling rate and promotes the further applications of underwater ghost imaging.

The Impact of Interlayer Rotation on Thermal Transport Across Graphene/Hexagonal Boron Nitride van der Waals Heterostructure.

Graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure has aroused great interest because of the unique Moiré pattern. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the influence of the interlayer rotation angle θ on the interfacial thermal transport across graphene/h-BN heterostructure. The interfacial thermal conductance G of graphene/h-BN interface reaches 509 MW/(m2K) at 500 K without rotation, and it decreases monotonically with the increase of the rotation angle, exhibiting around 50% reduction of G with θ = 26.33°. The phonon transmission function reveals that G is dominantly contributed by the low-frequency phonons below 10 THz. Upon rotation, the surface fluctuation in the interfacial graphene layer is enhanced, and the transmission function for the low-frequency phonon is reduced with increasing θ, leading to the rotation angle-dependent G. This work uncovers the physical mechanisms for controlling interfacial thermal transport across vdW heterostructure via interlayer rotation.

Disruption of LLM9428/OsCATC Represses Starch Metabolism and Confers Enhanced Blast Resistance in Rice.

Catalases (CATs) are important self-originating enzymes and are involved in many of the biological functions of plants. Multiple forms of CATs suggest their versatile role in lesion mimic mutants (LMMs), H2O2 homeostasis and abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. In the current study, we identified a large lesion mimic mutant9428 (llm9428) from Ethyl-methane-sulfonate (EMS) mutagenized population. The llm9428 showed a typical phenotype of LMMs including decreased agronomic yield traits. The histochemical assays showed decreased cell viability and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the leaves of llm9428 compared to its wild type (WT). The llm9428 showed enhanced blast disease resistance and increased relative expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes. Studies of the sub-cellular structure of the leaf and quantification of starch contents revealed a significant decrease in starch granule formation in llm9428. Genetic analysis revealed a single nucleotide change (C > T) that altered an amino acid (Ala > Val) in the candidate gene (Os03g0131200) encoding a CATALASE C in llm9428. CRISPR-Cas9 targetted knockout lines of LLM9428/OsCATC showed the phenotype of LMMs and reduced starch metabolism. Taken together, the current study results revealed a novel role of OsCATC in starch metabolism in addition to validating previously studied functions of CATs.

ß-Glucan from Lentinula edodes prevents cognitive impairments in high-fat diet-induced obese mice: involvement of colon-brain axis.

BACKGROUND: Long-term high fat (HF) diet intake can cause neuroinflammation and cognitive decline through the gut-brain axis. (1, 3)/(1, 6)-ß-glucan, an edible polysaccharide isolated from medical mushroom, Lentinula edodes (L. edodes), has the potential to remodel gut microbiota. However, the effects of L. edodes derived ß-glucan against HF diet-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive decline remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of dietary L edodes ß-glucan supplementation against the obesity-associated cognitive decline in mice fed by a HF diet. METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were fed with either a lab chow (LC), HF or HF with L. edodes ß-glucan supplementation diets for 7 days (short-term) or 15 weeks (long-term). Cognitive behavior was examined; blood, cecum content, colon and brain were collected to evaluate metabolic parameters, endotoxin, gut microbiota, colon, and brain pathology. RESULTS: We reported that short-term and long-term L. edodes ß-glucan supplementation prevented the gut microbial composition shift induced by the HF diet. Long-term L. edodes ß-glucan supplementation prevented the HF diet-induced recognition memory impairment assessed by behavioral tests (the temporal order memory, novel object recognition and Y-maze tests). In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, the ß-glucan supplementation ameliorated the alteration of synaptic ultrastructure, neuroinflammation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) deficits induced by HF diet. Furthermore, the ß-glucan supplementation increased the mucosal thickness, upregulated the expression of tight junction protein occludin, decreased the plasma LPS level, and inhibited the proinflammatory macrophage accumulation in the colon of mice fed by HF diet. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that L. edodes ß-glucan prevents cognitive impairments induced by the HF diet, which may occur via colon-brain axis improvement. The finding suggested that dietary L. edodes ß-glucan supplementation may be an effective nutritional strategy to prevent obesity-associated cognitive decline.

MLK1 and MLK2 Coordinate RGA and CCA1 Activity to Regulate Hypocotyl Elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Gibberellins (GAs) modulate diverse developmental processes throughout the plant life cycle. However, the interaction between GAs and the circadian rhythm remains unclear. Here, we report that MUT9p-LIKE KINASE1 (MLK1) and MLK2 mediate the interaction between GAs and the circadian clock to regulate hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana DELLA proteins function as master growth repressors that integrate phytohormone signaling and environmental pathways in plant development. MLK1 and MLK2 interact with the DELLA protein REPRESSOR OF ga1-3 (RGA). Loss of MLK1 and MLK2 function results in plants with short hypocotyls and hyposensitivity to GAs. MLK1/2 and RGA directly interact with CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1), which targets the promoter of DWARF4 (DWF4) to regulate its roles in cell expansion. MLK1/2 antagonize the ability of RGA to bind CCA1, and these factors coordinately regulate the expression of DWF4 RGA suppressed the ability of CCA1 to activate expression from the DWF4 promoter, but MLK1/2 reversed this suppression. Genetically, MLK1/2 act in the same pathway as RGA and CCA1 in hypocotyl elongation. Together, our results provide insight into the mechanism by which MLK1 and MLK2 antagonize the function of RGA in hypocotyl elongation and suggest that MLK1/2 coordinately mediate the regulation of plant development by GAs and the circadian rhythm in Arabidopsis.

Structural Diversity and Incompatibility Induced Complex Phase Formation Behavior in the Stuffed Tridymites Ca1-xSrxGa2O4.

Stuffed tridymites AM2O4 composed of a condensed MO4-tetrahedra-based framework have been widely investigated due to their structural diversity and rich physical properties. Herein, the strategy of stuffing mixed Ca2+ and Sr2+ cations into the [Ga2O4]2- framework in (Ca1-xSrx)Ga2O4 (CSGO, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) is utilized to manipulate the phase formation behavior with different structure types at particular annealing temperatures. Five derivatives, including α- and ß-CaGa2O4, ß- and γ-SrGa2O4, and new CSGO-type structures, were observed. The distinctive feature of the CSGO-structure is the coexistence of UUDDUD- and UDUDUD-type six-membered rings, where U (up) and D (down) denote the orientations of GaO4-tetrahedra with respect to the plane grids, in a ratio of 2:1. Single-phase α-Ca1-xSrxGa2O4 (x < 0.2) and γ-Ca1-xSrxGa2O4 (x > 0.67) could be obtained at low temperatures. Biphasic regions, including α-Ca1-xSrxGa2O4/CSGO (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.67), γ-Ca1-xSrxGa2O4/CSGO (0.67 < x ≤ 0.8), and ß-Ca1-xSrxGa2O4/CSGO (0.8 < x < 1), were observed at the intermediate temperature region and evolve irreversibly into the CSGO single-phase region upon elevating the temperature. Moreover, the structure-property relationship of the new CSGO-phase was further studied by doping coordination-sensitive Bi3+ activators to advance the development and applications of stuffed tridymites.