Rice β-glucosidase Os12BGlu38 is required for synthesis of intine cell wall and pollen fertility.

Glycoside hydrolase family1 β-glucosidases play a variety of roles in plants, but their in planta functions are largely unknown in rice (Oryza sativa). In this study, the biological function of Os12BGlu38, a rice β-glucosidase, expressed in bicellular to mature pollen, was examined. Genotype analysis of progeny of the self-fertilized heterozygous Os12BGlu38 T-DNA mutant, os12bglu38-1, found no homozygotes and a 1:1 ratio of wild type to heterozygotes.

Structural and Biochemical Properties of Duckweed Surface Cuticle.

The plant cuticle, which consists of cutin and waxes, forms a hydrophobic coating covering the aerial surfaces of all plants. It acts as an interface between plants and their surrounding environment whilst also protecting them against biotic and abiotic stresses. In this research, we have investigated the biodiversity and cuticle properties of aquatic plant duckweed, using samples isolated from four different locations around Hongze lake in Jiangsu province, China.

Ethyl carbamate induces cell death through its effects on multiple metabolic pathways.

Ethyl carbamate (EC), a multisite carcinogenic chemical causing tumors in various animal species, is probably carcinogenic to humans. However, information about the possible carcinogenic and toxicological effects of EC in humans is quite limited. Because EC is found in many dietary foods (such as fermented foods) and tobacco and its products, and exposure of humans to EC often occurs inevitably, its toxicological effects in humans need to be studied.

Characterization of factors underlying the metabolic shifts in developing kernels of colored maize.

Elucidation of the metabolic pathways determining pigmentation and their underlying regulatory mechanisms in maize kernels is of high importance in attempts to improve the nutritional composition of our food. In this study, we compared dynamics in the transcriptome and metabolome between colored SW93 and white SW48 by integrating RNA-Seq and non-targeted metabolomics. Our data revealed that expression of enzyme coding genes and levels of primary metabolites decreased gradually from 11 to 21 DAP, corresponding well with the physiological change of developing maize kernels from differentiation through reserve accumulation to maturation, which was cultivar independent.

Two ATP Binding Cassette G Transporters, Rice ATP Binding Cassette G26 and ATP Binding Cassette G15, Collaboratively Regulate Rice Male Reproduction.

Male reproduction in higher plants requires the support of various metabolites, including lipid molecules produced in the innermost anther wall layer (the tapetum), but how the molecules are allocated among different anther tissues remains largely unknown. Previously, rice (Oryza sativa) ATP binding cassette G15 (ABCG15) and its Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ortholog were shown to be required for pollen exine formation. Here, we report the significant role of OsABCG26 in regulating the development of anther cuticle and pollen exine together with OsABCG15 in rice.

Comparative metabolomic analysis of wild type and mads3 mutant rice anthers.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) MADS3 transcription factor regulates the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during late anther development, and one MADS3 mutant, mads3-4, has defective anther walls, aborted microspores and complete male sterility. Here, we report the untargeted metabolomic analysis of both wild type and mads3-4 mature anthers.

Metal ion mediated synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers targeting tetracyclines in aqueous samples.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) prepared in water-containing systems are more appropriate as adsorption materials in analyte extraction from biological samples. However, water as a polar solvent involved in the synthesis of MIPs frequently disrupts non-covalent interactions, and causes non-specific binding. In this study Fe(2+) was used as mediator to prepare MIPs, targeting tetracyclines (TCs) of tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC), with TC as template molecule and methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer.

Development and characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymers based on methacrylic acid for selective recognition of drugs.

Specific molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the drug reserpine (RES) using methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer were developed and characterised for the first time in this study. Evaluation of the various polymers by binding assays indicated that the optimum ratio of functional monomer to template was 4:1. Furthermore, the imprinting effect of the MIPs was assessed by the chromatographic method, which demonstrated that the MIPs had better chromatographic behavior and selectivity than those of the corresponding NIPs.