The ARF7 and ARF19 Transcription Factors Positively Regulate PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 in Arabidopsis Roots.

PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 (PHR1) is a key regulatory component of the response to phosphate (Pi) starvation. However, the regulation of PHR1 in this response remains poorly understood. Here, we report that PHR1 is a target of the transcription factors AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7 (ARF7) and ARF19 and is positively regulated by auxin signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots. PHR1 expression was induced by exogenous auxin and suppressed by auxin transport inhibitors in Arabidopsis roots. In the PHR1 promoter, three auxin-response elements, which are bound directly by ARF7 and ARF19, were shown to be essential for PHR1 expression. The arf7, arf19, and arf7 arf19 mutants showed down-regulated expression of PHR1 and downstream Pi starvation-induced genes in roots; they also exhibited defective Pi uptake in roots and overaccumulation of anthocyanin in shoots. The induction of lateral root formation in response to low Pi and to exogenous auxin was decreased in the phr1 mutant, whereas the expression of LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES-DOMAIN16 (LBD16) and LBD29 was not changed significantly. PHR1 acted independently of LBD16 and LBD29 in the regulation of lateral root formation in response to low Pi. Under low-Pi conditions, lateral root impairment in the arf7 arf19 mutant was partially rescued by constitutive expression of PHR1, demonstrating that reduced PHR1 expression contributed to the arf7 arf19 phenotype. In addition to PHR1, other genes encoding MYB-CC members also were targets of ARF7 and ARF19. Our work thus reveals a mechanism coordinating auxin signaling and the PHR1 regulon in Arabidopsis responses to Pi deficiency.

Sorting of chromosomes on FACSAria(TM) SORP for the preparation of painting probes.

High purity chromosome sorting can be performed on instruments such as MoFlo MLS and BD influx, which are stream-in-air sorters equipped with water-cooled high power lasers. The FACSAria is a true fixed alignment, low laser powered instrument with a quartz flow cell gel-coupled to the collection optics. However, whether high purity mouse and human chromosomes can be obtained by sorting on the BD FACSAria(TM) Special Order Research Product (FACSAria SORP) remains to be determined. Here, we report that the high resolution flow karyotype of mouse lymphocytes and normal male human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) can be obtained on the FACSAria SORP using laser power settings of 50 mW for 355 nm and 20 mW for 444 nm excitation. Furthermore, the use of Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed that chromosome paints prepared from the sorted chromosomes demonstrated high purity and signal specificity. Notably, human chromosome 12 was separated from the chromosome 9-12 cluster in the flow karyotype, and its identity was confirmed using FISH in trisomy 12 human ES cell lines B2-C7 and B2-B8. In addition, multicolor FISH (mFISH) with human chromosome painting probes to 13,18, 21, and sex chromosomes X and Y showed high signal specificity in hPBMCs. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that high resolution flow karyotype can be obtained using FACSAria SORP. Moreover, a FISH analysis confirmed high purity of the sorted chromosomes. Additionally, in contrast to centromeric satellite probes, chromosome painting probes with high specificity are more suitable for detection of chromosome aberrations, such as deletions and translocations, in prenatal diagnosis. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Zn-coordination polymers for fluorescence sensing various contaminants in water.

Luminescent coordination polymers (LCPs) have garnered significant attention from researchers as promising materials for detecting contaminants. In this paper, three new LCPs ([Zn(tib)(opda)]n⋅H2O (1), [Zn3(tib)2(mpda)3]n⋅5H2O (2), [Zn (tib)(ppda)]n⋅H2O (3)) with different structures (LCP 1-3: 1D, 2D, 1D) using phenylenediacetic acid isomers and 1,3,5-tris (1-imidazolyl) benzene (tib) are synthesized. The specific surface areas (BET) of LCP 1-3 are 4 m2/g, 19 m2/g, and 13 m2/g respectively. LCP 1-3 exhibit excellent fluorescence properties and can serve as fluorescent probe for the detection of inorganic contaminants and organic contaminants. Due to the large BET of LCP 2, the detection limits for trace analytes surpass those of LCP 1 and 3. The detection limits of LCP 2 for Fe3+, nitrobenzene (NB), chloramphenicol (CAP), and pyrimethanil (PTH) are 8.3 nM, 0.016 µM, 0.19 µM, and 0.032 µM, respectively, and the fluorescence quenching rates are 98.6 %, 98.8 %, 92.3 %, and 98.8 %, respectively. These values outperform most reported in the literature. The quantum yields of LCP 1-3 are 11.84 %, 25.22 %, 22.00 % respectively. Real sample testing of LCP 1-3 reveals favorable performance, where spiked recoveries of LCP 2 for the detection of pyrimethanil in grape skins ranged from 99.62 % to 119.3 % with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.627 % to 4.56 % (n = 3). The fluorescence quenching mechanism was attributed to a combination of photoelectron transfer (PET), resonance energy transfer (RET), and competitive absorption (CA). This study advances the application of LCPs in luminescence sensing and contributes to the expansion of novel materials for detecting environmental pollutants.

The ubiquitin ligase MuRF1 protects against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury by its proteasome-dependent degradation of phospho-c-Jun.

Despite improvements in interventions of acute coronary syndromes, primary reperfusion therapies restoring blood flow to ischemic myocardium leads to the activation of signaling cascades that induce cardiomyocyte cell death. These signaling cascades, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, activate cardiomyocyte death in response to both ischemia and reperfusion. We have previously identified muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF1) as a cardiac-specific protein that regulates cardiomyocyte mass through its ubiquitin ligase activity, acting to degrade sarcomeric proteins and inhibit transcription factors involved in cardiac hypertrophy signaling. To determine MuRF1's role in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, cardiomyocytes in culture and intact hearts were challenged with I/R injury in the presence and absence of MuRF1. We found that MuRF1 is cardioprotective, in part, by its ability to prevent cell death by inhibiting Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. MuRF1 specifically targets JNK's proximal downstream target, activated phospho-c-Jun, for degradation by the proteasome, effectively inhibiting downstream signaling and the induction of cell death. MuRF1's inhibitory affects on JNK signaling through its ubiquitin proteasome-dependent degradation of activated c-Jun is the first description of a cardiac ubiquitin ligase inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. MuRF1's cardioprotection in I/R injury is attenuated in the presence of pharmacologic JNK inhibition in vivo, suggesting a prominent role of MuRF1's regulation of c-Jun in the intact heart.

µ-4,4'-Bipyridine-bis-[aqua-(4-hy-droxy-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl-ato)copper(II)].

The title compound, [Cu(2)(C(7)H(3)NO(5))(2)(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)(2)], exhibits a centrosymmetric binuclear molecule. Each completely deprotonated 4-hy-droxy-pyridine-2,6-dicarb-oxy-lic acid mol-ecule assumes a tridentate chelating coordination mode. The square-pyramidal coordination geometry around the Cu(II) ion is completed by the bridging bipyridine ligand and an apical water molecule. Adjacent complexes are connected via O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to generate a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

Genome-wide evolution and expression analysis of the MYB-CC gene family in Brassica spp.

The MYB-CC family is a subtype within the MYB superfamily. This family contains an MYB domain and a predicted coiled-coil (CC) domain. Several MYB-CC transcription factors are involved in the plant's adaptability to low phosphate (Pi) stress. We identified 30, 34, and 55 MYB-CC genes in Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea, and Brassica napus, respectively. The MYB-CC genes were divided into nine groups based on phylogenetic analysis. The analysis of the chromosome distribution and gene structure revealed that most MYB-CC genes retained the same relative position on the chromosomes and had similar gene structures during allotetraploidy. Evolutionary analysis showed that the ancestral whole-genome triplication (WGT) and the recent allopolyploidy are critical for the expansion of the MYB-CC gene family. The expression patterns of MYB-CC genes were found to be diverse in different tissues of the three Brassica species. Furthermore, the gene expression analysis under low Pi stress revealed that MYB-CC genes may be related to low Pi stress responses. These results may increase our understanding of MYB-CC gene family diversification and provide the basis for further analysis of the specific functions of MYB-CC genes in Brassica species.

[Applications of DNA transposons to the study of gene function in mice].

In the past decade, transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis has been widely used in mammalian molecular genetics. As a convenient and efficient tool for genetic manipulation, transposon has played an important role in making transgenic animal models, performing gene therapy, and annotating gene function at the cellular level and by animal studies in vivo. This review focuses on the structure, function and latest research progress of DNA transposons applied in mouse genetics.

Near-Infrared Phosphorescence Emission of Binuclear Mn(II) Based Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Photoelectric Conversion.

The development of metal-organic framework (MOF) based room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials has raised extensive concern owing to their widespread applications in the field of anti-counterfeiting, photovoltaics, photocatalytic reactions, and bio-imaging. Herein, one new binuclear Mn(II) based 3D MOF [Mn2(L)(BMIB)·(H2O)] (1) (H5L = 3,5-bis(3,5-dicarboxylphenxoy) benzoic acid, BMIB = tran-4-bis(2-methylimidazolyl)butylene) has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. In 1, the protonated BMIB cations show infinite π-stacking arrangement, residing in the channels of the 3D network extended by L ligand and binuclear Mn(II) units. The orderly and uniform host-guest system at molecular level emits intense white light fluorescence and long-lived near infrared phosphorescence under ambient conditions. These photophysical processes were well-studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Photoelectron measurements reveal high photoelectron response behavior and incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE).

Dense π-stacking of flexible ligands fixed in interpenetrating Zn(ii) MOF exhibiting long-lasting phosphorescence and efficient carrier transport.

Three-fold interpenetrating Zn(ii) MOF with the dense π-stacking of flexible ligands exhibit long-lived phosphorescence emission up to 91 ms at room temperature. Photoelectric measurements show efficient electro-hole separation based on the long lifetime of triplet state exciton.

[Correlation of genes expression on MyD 88-dependent signaling pathway in progression of knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression features and correlation of genes expression on MyD88-dependent signaling pathway in synovial membrane (SM) of progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including blank group (N), false surgical group, model groups[2 weeks (2W), 4 weeks (4W), 8 weeks (8W) and 12 weeks (12W)], with 10 rats in each group. The models were established by using Hulth method. Control group was experienced no surgery, while false surgical group was only opened joint cavity and sutured. The SM samples was collected according to the time designed above. The relative expression quantity of MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB was detected by Real-time PCR after the extraction of the total RNA and reverse transcription. The correlation analysis was obtained by SPSS. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in each gene mRNA expression between false surgical and blank group(P> 0.05), while enhanced expression was found in the model groups(P<0.05). The correlation index among MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB was 0.91 and 0.86 respectively, and had significant difference among them. CONCLUSIONS: Positively relative among MyD88, TLR4 and NF-κB played main role in TLR4/NF-κB signal passway, and could predicate the expression of other genes in the passway. It also could further provide the basis for clarify the pathologic mechanism of knee OA.

Transcriptome profiling analysis reveals the role of silique in controlling seed oil content in Brassica napus.

Seed oil content is an important agronomic trait in oilseed rape. However, the molecular mechanism of oil accumulation in rapeseeds is unclear so far. In this report, RNA sequencing technique (RNA-Seq) was performed to explore differentially expressed genes in siliques of two Brassica napus lines (HFA and LFA which contain high and low oil contents in seeds, respectively) at 15 and 25 days after pollination (DAP). The RNA-Seq results showed that 65746 and 66033 genes were detected in siliques of low oil content line at 15 and 25 DAP, and 65236 and 65211 genes were detected in siliques of high oil content line at 15 and 25 DAP, respectively. By comparative analysis, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in siliques of these lines. The DEGs were involved in multiple pathways, including metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolic, photosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, fatty metabolism, glycophospholipid metabolism, and DNA binding. Also, DEGs were related to photosynthesis, starch and sugar metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and lipid metabolism at different developmental stage, resulting in the differential oil accumulation in seeds. Furthermore, RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR data revealed that some transcription factors positively regulate seed oil content. Thus, our data provide the valuable information for further exploring the molecular mechanism of lipid biosynthesis and oil accumulation in B. nupus.

[Spatial distribution pattern of soil nitrogen in Huanghuadianzi watershed and related affecting factors].

This research was conducted in Huanghuadianzi watershed in Aohan, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia. Geostatistic was used to study the spatial distribution of soil nitrogen and their affecting factors. The results showed that the soil nitrogen contents in all layers distributed as an island shape, and the high value areas were mainly distributed in the northwest of the watershed as an obvious fertile island shape, while the low value areas were mainly distributed in the south of the watershed. Nitrogen was mainly concentrated in the surface soil, and its content decreased with the increase of soil depth. The soil nitrogen content at first increased then decreased with the altitude, decreased with the slope, and showed the order of shady slope>semi-shady slope>semi-sunny slope> sunny slope in different aspects. The average soil nitrogen contents in different land use types ranked as cropland >woodland > grassland.

[Association of susceptibility to chronic rhinosinusitis with genetic polymorphisms of IL-4 and IL-10].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the promoter polymorphism of IL-4 and IL-6 and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three patients with CRS and 239 healthy controls in Shanghai region were chosen in this study. The genotype of IL-4 gene -33T>C and -590C>T were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and the genotype of IL-10 gene -1082A>G was determined using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method. Statistical calculations were performed using SAS 8.2 software. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in genotype distribution of -33T>C and -590C>T between the CRS group and the control group (χ2=6.6013, P=0.0102, χ2=6.6013, P=0.0304), and -33T>C remained significant following application of the Bonferroni correction (P<0.025). The relative risks of CRS with -33T>C and -590C>T were 1.818(P=0.0236, 95%CI 1.084-3.050) and 1.838 (P=0.0147, 95%CI 1.127-2.997). There was linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the -33T>C and -590C>T. The coefficient of linkage disequilibrium (D') was 0.77 and the related coefficient (r2) was 0.54. The -33T/-590T haplotype was associated with CRS and the relative risk was 1.653 (P=0.0130, 95%CI 1.107-2.469). There were only two genotypes of IL-10 gene-1082A>G and the frequencies of the AA and AG genotypes were not different between the CRS and control groups. CONCLUSION: The promoter polymorphism of IL-4 -33T>C and -590C>T were associated with the susceptibility of CRS and the -33T/-590T haplotype was a risk factor for CRS, but there were no association between the -1082A>G and CRS.

Hydroxyapatite nanorods/poly(vinyl pyrolidone) composite nanofibers, arrays and three-dimensional fabrics: electrospun preparation and transformation to hydroxyapatite nanostructures.

Electrospinning has been recognized as an efficient technique for fabricating polymer nanofibrous biomaterials. However, the study of electrospun inorganic biomaterials with well-designed three-dimensional (3-D) structures is still limited and little reported. In this study hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods with an average diameter of approximately 7 nm and length of approximately 27 nm were synthesized through a simple precipitation method and used for the fabrication of inorganic/organic [poly(vinyl pyrolidone) (PVP)] composite nanofibers by electrospinning in ethanol solution. 3-D fabrics and aligned nanofiber arrays of the HAp nanorods/PVP composite were obtained as precursors. Thereafter, 3-D single phase HAp fabrics, tubular structures and aligned nanofiber arrays were obtained after thermal treatment of the corresponding composite precursors. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated that the HAp fabric scaffold had good biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that mesenchymal stem cells could attach to the HAp fabric scaffold after culture for 24h.

Structural diversity and properties of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with a flexible dicarboxylate building block 1,3-phenylenediacetate and various heterocyclic co-ligands.

A series of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with a flexible dicarboxylate building block and various heterocyclic co-ligands, formulated as {[Zn(2)(pda)(2)(phen)(2)].2H(2)O}(n) (1), {[Zn(pda)(dpe)].H(2)O}(n) (2), [Zn(pda)(bpp)](n) (3), {[Cd(2)(pda)(2)(2,2'-bipy)(2)].2H(2)O}(n) (4), {[Cd(pda)(4,4'-bipy)(H(2)O)].H(2)O}(n) (5) and {[Cd(2)(pda)(2)(bpp)(3)].14H(2)O}(n) (6) (pda = 1,3-phenylenediacetate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpp = 1,3-bi(4-pyridyl)propane, 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and 4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In 1, the (H(2)O)(8) clusters interlink the cyclic coordination dimers to give a 3D network through hydrogen bonding. Both 2 and 3 feature 2D corrugated (4,4) layers, which are of 2-fold interpenetrating for 3. In 4, the dimeric Cd(II) subunits are connected by the 1,3-pda ligands to generate a rampart-shaped 1D chain motif. As for 5, the [Cd(pda)](2) rings are connected by the paired 4,4'-bipy ligands to afford a tube-shaped 1D motif. In contrast to 1-5, complex displays a 3D diamond network and, interestingly, the T5(0)A(0)A(2) water tapes are found to locate in the channels of this 3-D array. A structural comparison of these complexes demonstrates that the characteristics of auxiliary ligands (from chelating to bridging) play a key role in governing the coordination motifs as well as the 3-D supramolecular lattices. Solid-state properties such as photoluminescence and thermal stability of 1-6 have also been studied.

[pH and ion balance in wheat-wheatgrass under salt- or alkali stress].

Different intensities of salt- or alkali stress were established by mixing different concentrations of NaCl and Na2SO4 or NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, respectively, and wheat-wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L. -Agropyron intermedium) seedlings were grown under the stresses for 12 days. The pH value and the Na(+), K(+), free Ca(2+), Cl(-), SO4(2-), NO3(-), H2PO4(-), and organic acid concentrations in the fresh shoots of stressed wheat-wheatgrass seedlings were determined, aimed to approach the characteristics of pH and ion balance in wheat-wheatgrass under salt- or alkali stress. The results showed that intracellular pH was relatively stable under both stresses. Cl(-) concentration increased sharply and organic acid concentration changed less under increasing intensity of salt stress, while it was, in adverse under increasing intensity of alkali stress. Under both stresses, the cations in the fresh shoots were mainly Na(+) and K(+), but the anions were different. Under salt stress, inorganic anions were the dominant components and contributed 61.3 %-66.7% to the total negative charge, while under alkali stress, the contribution of organic acid to total negative charge increased from 38.35% to 61.6% with increasing stress intensity, and became the dominant component. It was concluded that organic acid accumulation might be a key physiological response of wheat-wheatgrass for its keeping pH and ion balance under alkali stress.