Synthetic Natural Product Inspired Cyclic Peptides.

Natural products are a bountiful source of bioactive molecules. Unfortunately, discovery of novel bioactive natural products is challenging due to cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters, low titers, and arduous purifications. Herein, we describe SNaPP (ynthetic tural roduct Inspired Cyclic eptides), a method for identifying NP-inspired bioactive peptides.

Gene silencing in Medicago truncatula roots using RNAi.

Medicago truncatula is used widely as a model system for studies of root symbioses, interactions with parasitic nematodes and fungal pathogens, as well as studies of development and secondary metabolism. In Medicago truncatula as well as other legumes, RNA interference (RNAi) coupled with Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated root transformation, has been used very successfully for analyses of gene function in roots. One of the major advantages of this approach is the ease and relative speed with which transgenic roots can be generated.

Expression of coordinately regulated defence response genes and analysis of their role in disease resistance in Medicago truncatula.

Microarray technology was used to identify the genes associated with disease defence responses in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Transcript profiles from M. truncatula cv.

The mitochondrial genome of the wood-degrading basidiomycete Trametes cingulata.

We present the 91,500 bp mitochondrial genome of the wood-degrading basidiomycete Trametes cingulata and compare it with the mitochondrial genomes of five additional Basidiomycota species. The Trametes mitochondrial genome encodes 15 proteins, 25 tRNAs and the small and large rRNAs. All of the genes, except one tRNA, are found on the same DNA strand.

Medicago truncatula Vapyrin is a novel protein required for arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a widespread mutualism formed between vascular plants and fungi of the Glomeromycota. In this endosymbiosis, fungal hyphae enter the roots, growing through epidermal cells to the cortex where they establish differentiated hyphae called arbuscules in the cortical cells. Reprogramming of the plant epidermal and cortical cells occurs to enable intracellular growth of the fungal symbiont; however, the plant genes underlying this process are largely unknown.