The MIEL1-ABI5/MYB30 regulatory module fine tunes abscisic acid signaling during seed germination.

The transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5) plays a crucial role in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling during seed germination. However, how ABI5 is regulated during this process is poorly understood. Here, we report that the ubiquitin E3 ligase MIEL1 and its target transcription factor MYB30 modulate ABA responses in Arabidopsis thaliana during seed germination and seedling establishment via the precise regulation of ABI5. MIEL1 interacts with and ubiquitinates ABI5 to facilitate its degradation during germination. The transcription factor MYB30, whose turnover is mediated by MIEL1 during seed germination, also interacts with ABI5 to interfere with its transcriptional activity. MYB30 functions downstream of MIEL1 in the ABA response, and both are epistatic to ABI5 in ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and postgerminative growth. ABA treatment induces the degradation of MIEL1 and represses the interaction between MIEL1 and ABI5/MYB30, thus releasing both ABI5 and MYB30. Our results demonstrate that MIEL1 directly mediates the proteasomal degradation of ABI5 and inhibits its activity via the release of its target protein MYB30, thus ensuring precise ABA signaling during seed germination and seedling establishment.

DNA barcoding detects floral origin of Indian honey samples.

The unique medicinal and nutritional properties of honey are determined by its chemical composition. To evaluate the quality of honey, it is essential to study the surrounding vegetation where honeybees forage. In this study we used conventional melissopalynological and DNA barcoding techniques to determine the floral source of honey samples collected from different districts of the state of Mizoram, India. Pollen grains were isolated and genomic DNA was extracted from the honey samples. PCR amplification was carried out using universal barcode candidates ITS2 and rbcL to identify the plant species. Furthermore, TA cloning was carried out to screen the PCR amplicon libraries to identify the presence of multiple plant species. Results from both the melissopalynological and DNA barcoding analyses identified almost exactly the same 22 species, suggesting that both methods are suitable for analysis. However, DNA barcoding is easier and widely practiced. Hence, it can be concluded that DNA barcoding is a useful tool in determining the medicinal and commercial value of honey.

Microbiological assessment of honey in México.

Honey is a product used as a natural sweetener and in several regions of Mexico and other countries it is also used as a therapeutic agent. Microbiological contamination of honey can occur during its extraction and handling. Due to the use and consumption of honey we highlighted here the importance of the assessment of its microbiological quality. One thousand nine hundred twenty samples obtained from 8 honey-producing states from Mexico were analyzed. From these samples, 40.5% (777/1920) did not comply with the NMX-036-NORMEX-2006 specification. Forty five percent (777/1920) of the samples did not comply with the mesophilic aerobic microorganism specification, neither did 17% (327/1920) of the samples with the specification for molds and 18.1% (348/1920) with the specification for yeasts. With regard to coliform bacteria, the samples contained less than 3 NMP/g. Two percent of the samples contained lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Clostridium perfringens was observed in amounts of more than 100CFU/g. None of the samples from the different states contained more than 100CFU/g of Staphylococcus aureus; Salmonella spp. was absent in all samples. It is important to avoid contamination sources and implement good hygienic practices in order to maintain and improve the quality of Mexican honeys since a large percentage of them are intended for export. If these honeys are intended for therapeutic use, it is necessary to ensure that they comply with all quality parameters and to apply specific treatments that guarantee the removal of any pathogen that may represent a risk to the patients's health.

The MIEL1 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Negatively Regulates Cuticular Wax Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis Stems.

Cuticular wax is an important hydrophobic layer that covers the plant aerial surface. Cuticular wax biosynthesis is shaped by multiple layers of regulation. In particular, a pair of R2R3-type MYB transcription factors, MYB96 and MYB30, are known to be the main participants in cuticular wax accumulation. Here, we report that the MYB30-INTERACTING E3 LIGASE 1 (MIEL1) E3 ubiquitin ligase controls the protein stability of the two MYB transcription factors and thereby wax biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. MIEL1-deficient miel1 mutants exhibit increased wax accumulation in stems, with up-regulation of wax biosynthetic genes targeted by MYB96 and MYB30. Genetic analysis reveals that wax accumulation of the miel1 mutant is compromised by myb96 or myb30 mutation, but MYB96 is mainly epistatic to MIEL1, playing a predominant role in cuticular wax deposition. These observations indicate that the MIEL1-MYB96 module is important for balanced cuticular wax biosynthesis in developing inflorescence stems.

Microbiological quality of honey from the Pampas Region (Argentina) throughout the extraction process.

The microbiological quality of honey obtained from different processing points and the environmental quality within honey houses were assessed in the Pampas Region (Argentina). Mold and yeast (MY), culturable heterotrophic mesophilic bacteria (CHMB), the number of spore-forming bacteria as well as the presence of Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and fecal coliforms were evaluated in 163 samples. These samples were taken from eight honey houses. Results showed that 89 samples had ≤10CFU of MY/g honey, 69 ranged from 10 to 50CFU/g and two reached 65.5CFU/g. Eighty one percent of the samples showed ≤30CFU of CHMB/g honey and only seven samples had between 50 and 54.25CFU/g. Thirty six honey samples were obtained from drums: in 25 samples (69.4%) CHMB counts were less than ≤30CFU/g of honey; in 20 samples (55.5%) the values of MY were between 10 and 50CFU/g honey and total coliforms were only detected in 20 samples. Fecal coliforms, spores of clostridia as well as Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp were not detected and less than 50 spores of Bacillus spp. per g were observed in the honey from drums. Therefore, the microbiological honey quality within the honey houses did not show any sanitary risks. Our results were reported to honey house owners to help them understand the need to reinforce proper honey handling and sanitation practices.

Camel milk and bee honey regulate profibrotic cytokine gene transcripts in liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride.

The lack of studies regarding the mechanism of the protective effects of camel milk and bee honey against hepatotoxic compounds led us to perform this study. Thirty-six male rats were divided into two main groups. The first group (n = 9) comprised control non-cirrhotic rats. The rats of the second group (n = 27) were administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) by intraperitoneal injection to induce liver cirrhosis. The cirrhotic rats were then divided into three equal subgroups, each comprising nine animals, as follows: (i) cirrhotic rats, (ii) cirrhotic rats treated with camel milk, and (iii) cirrhotic rats treated with camel milk and bee honey. The present findings revealed that CCl4 elevated the activities of liver enzymes, blood glucose levels, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the serum and glycogen content in the liver. On the other hand, CCl4 significantly decreased phosphorylase activity in the liver tissue and significantly increased carbohydrate intolerance and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Moreover, CCl4 induced a significant increase in oxidative stress, along with increased expression of the profibrotic cytokine genes TNF-α and TGF-ß. However, camel milk either alone or in combination with bee honey ameliorated these toxic actions. The antioxidant properties of these protective agents and their effects of downregulating certain procirrhotic cytokine gene transcripts underlie this protection.

Potamodromous migrations in the Magdalena River basin: bimodal reproductive patterns in neotropical rivers.

Magdalena River basin potamodromous fishes have two annual reproductive seasons: the subienda in the first half of the year and the mitaca in the second. Both upstream migrations are c. 30-45 days long; after that, with the onset of the rainy season, fishes spawn and remain in the river (resident individuals) or start a downstream movement (the bajanza) to return to the Magdalena floodplain lakes (nursery, shelter and feeding grounds). Due to their particular gonad development the bocachico Prochilodus magdalenae and probably the comelón Leporinus muyscorum are physiologically able to undertake two annual basin migrations. In the presence of dams or hydropower structures, fishes are able to find alternative migration routes. Some species should be re-classified in their migratory behaviour.

Microbiological and physicochemical analysis of yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) honey for assessing quality standards and commercialization.

Due to the interest in the production and trading of yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) honey in the province of Misiones, Argentina, in this work we assessed microbiological and physicochemical parameters in order to contribute to the elaboration of standards for quality control and promote commercialization. Results showed that yateí honey samples had significantly different microbiological and physicochemical characteristics in comparison to established quality standards for Apis mellifera honey. Thus, we observed that values for pH (3.72), glucose (19.01 g/100g) and fructose (23.74 g/100g) were lower than A. mellifera quality standards, while acidity (79.42 meq/kg), moisture (24%), and mould and yeast count (MY) (3.02 log CFU/g) were higher. The acid content was correlated with glucose (R2=0.75) and fructose (R2=0.68) content, and also with mould and yeast counts (R2=0.45) to a lesser extent. The incidence of microorganisms in yateí honey samples reached 42.85% and 39% for Clostridium sulfite-reducers and Bacillus spp., respectively. No C. botulinum or B. cereus cells were detected. Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. incidence was similar (ca. 7.14%), whereas Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected. We conclude that the microbiological and physicochemical properties of yateí honey are different from those of A. mellifera honey; hence, different quality standards could be implemented to promote its commercialization.

CsMIEL1 effectively inhibits the accumulation of anthocyanins under low temperatures in tea plants (Camelliasinensis).

Tea is one of the most prevalent non-alcoholic beverages. The leaves of tea plants hyperaccumulate anthocyanins under cold stress, resulting in enhanced bitterness. Previously, we determined that the RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase CsMIEL1 from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is involved in the response to stress conditions. This study aimed to determine the role of CsMIEL1 in anthocyanin accumulation at the post-translational modification level. The results showed that the heterologous expression of CsMIEL1 led to an 86% decrease in anthocyanin levels, resulting in a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of related genes in Arabidopsis at low temperatures but no significant differences in other phenotypes. Furthermore, multi-omics analysis and yeast two-hybrid library screening were performed to identify potential downstream targets of CsMIEL1. The results showed that the overexpression of CsMIEL1 resulted in 45% (448) of proteins being differentially expressed, of which 8% (36) were downregulated in A.thaliana, and most of these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were clustered in the plant growth and secondary metabolic pathways. Among the 71 potential targets that may interact with CsMIEL1, CsMYB90 and CsGSTa, which are related to anthocyanin accumulation, were selected. In subsequent analyses, these two proteins were verified to interact with CsMIEL1 via yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and pull-down analyses in vitro. In summary, we explored the potential mechanism by which the E3 ligase relieves anthocyanin hyperaccumulation at low temperatures in tea plants. These results provide a new perspective on the mechanisms of anthocyanin regulation and the molecular breeding of tea plants.

[Effects of honey-rich energy drink intake on glucose, insulin, triglycerides and total protein in healthy young people.] / Efectos de la ingesta de una bebida energética rica en miel sobre glucosa, insulina, triglicéridos y proteínas totales en jóvenes sanos.

Introduction: Introduction: energy drinks have become more popular in different population groups. Aims: the research aimed to study the effect of the intake of a honey-rich energy drink (BeeBad EnegyDrink®, Parodi Group, Italy) and a popular energy drink with free sugars on insulin, glycemia, total protein and triglycerides. Material and methods: fifteen male students participated in the study (20.85 ± 2.67 years). Two separate evaluations were performed on three days. Blood samples were obtained before ingesting the energy drink in a fasting state, 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 120 minutes after ingesting the drinks. On the first day participants ingested the honey-rich energy drink (BeeBad EnegyDrink®, Parodi Group, Italy) while on the second day participants ingested the energy drink with free sugars. Results: there were significant differences in glucose and insulin over time (p < 0.01). Regarding the differences between energy drinks, there were differences in insulin values, being lower after taking the honey-rich energy drink (p < 0.05). In addition, the increase in glucose and insulin at 30 minutes was lower after ingesting the honey-rich energy drink. Conclusions: ingestion of honey-rich energy drink produces lower elevations of insulin and glucose compared to a popular energy drink with free sugar in healthy subjects. Based on the results, honey-rich energy drinks could be an alternative to conventional energy drinks.

Introducción: Introducción: las bebidas energéticas han ganado protagonismo en diferentes grupos poblacionales. Objetivo: el objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar el efecto de la ingesta de una bebida energética rica en miel (BeeBad EnegyDrink®, Parodi Group, Italia) y una bebida energética popular con azúcares libres sobre la insulina, la glucemia, las proteínas totales y los triglicéridos. Material y métodos: quince estudiantes varones participaron en el estudio (20,85 ± 2,67 años). Se realizaron dos evaluaciones separadas en tres días. Se obtuvieron muestras sanguíneas antes de ingerir la bebida energética en estado de ayuno, 30 minutos, 60 minutos y 120 minutos después de ingerir las bebidas energéticas. El primer día, los participantes ingirieron la bebida energética rica en miel (BeeBad EnegyDrink®, Parodi Group, Italia) mientras que el segundo día los participantes ingirieron la bebida energética con azucares libres. Resultados: hubo diferencias significativas en glucosa e insulina a lo largo del tiempo (p < 0,01). Respecto a las diferencias entre bebidas energéticas, hubo diferencias en los valores de insulina, que fueron menores después de tomar la bebida energética rica en miel (p < 0,05). Además, el incremento de la glucosa e insulina a los 30 minutos fue menor tras ingerir la bebida energética rica en miel. Conclusiones: la ingesta de bebidas energéticas rica en miel produce menores elevaciones de insulina y glucosa en comparación con una bebida energética popular con azúcar libre en sujetos sanos. Atendiendo a los resultados, las bebidas energéticas ricas en miel podrían ser una alternativa a las bebidas energéticas convencionales.