Introgression of in maize hybrids enhances resistance to gray leaf spot disease without compromising yield.

Unlabelled: Gray leaf spot (GLS) is one of the most damaging foliar diseases in maize. In previous research, we identified the gene, which confers resistance to GLS. This study demonstrates the utility of in breeding resistant maize varieties.

The ZmCPK39-ZmDi19-ZmPR10 immune module regulates quantitative resistance to multiple foliar diseases in maize.

Gray leaf spot, northern leaf blight and southern leaf blight are three of the most destructive foliar diseases affecting maize (Zea mays L.). Here we identified a gene, ZmCPK39, that encodes a calcium-dependent protein kinase and negatively regulates quantitative resistance to these three diseases.

The maize ZmCPK39-ZmKnox2 module regulates plant height.

Unlabelled: Plant height is an important agronomic trait that affects high-density tolerance and lodging resistance. However, the regulators and their underlying molecular mechanisms controlling plant height in maize remain understudied. Here, we report that knockout mutants of the calcium-dependent protein kinase gene (-KO) exhibit dramatically reduced plant height, characterized by shorter internodes and a slight decrease in node numbers.

The ZmWAKL-ZmWIK-ZmBLK1-ZmRBOH4 module provides quantitative resistance to gray leaf spot in maize.

Gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by the fungal pathogens Cercospora zeae-maydis and Cercospora zeina, is a major foliar disease of maize worldwide (Zea mays L.). Here we demonstrate that ZmWAKL encoding cell-wall-associated receptor kinase-like protein is the causative gene at the major quantitative disease resistance locus against GLS.

Shift of the insoluble content of the proteome in the aging mouse brain.

During aging, the cellular response to unfolded proteins is believed to decline, resulting in diminished proteostasis. In model organisms, such as proteostatic decline with age has been linked to proteome solubility shifts and the onset of protein aggregation. However, this correlation has not been extensively characterized in aging mammals.

Effects of the quantitative trait locus qPss3 on inhibition of photoperiod sensitivity and resistance to stalk rot disease in maize.

We identified a quantitative trait locus, qPss3, and fine-mapped the causal locus to a 120-kb interval in maize. This locus inhibits the photoperiod sensitivity caused by ZmCCT9 and ZmCCT10, resulting in earlier flowering by 2 ~ 4 days without reduction in stalk-rot resistance in certain genotypes. Photoperiod sensitivity is a key factor affecting the adaptation of maize (Zea mays L.

Identification of newly translated thermo-sensitive proteins using pulse SILAC mass spectrometry and the GAL promoter system.

Some newly translated proteins are more susceptible to misfolding and aggregation upon heat shock in comparison to other proteins. To study these newly translated thermo-sensitive proteins on a proteomic scale, we present here a protocol that combines pulse-SILAC with biochemical fractionation for mass spectrometry analysis, followed by an orthogonal validation protocol for selected candidates using the GAL promoter system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This approach can be further developed to study other stresses and specific post-translational modifications or adapted to mammalian cells.

haplotype improves yield, stalk-rot resistance, and drought tolerance in maize.

The locus underlies both stalk-rot resistance and photoperiod sensitivity in maize ( L.). We previously introduced nine resistant haplotypes into seven elite but susceptible maize inbred lines (containing the haplotype ) to generate 63 backcross families.

Pulse labeling reveals the tail end of protein folding by proteome profiling.

Accurate and efficient folding of nascent protein sequences into their native states requires support from the protein homeostasis network. Herein we probe which newly translated proteins are thermo-sensitive, making them susceptible to misfolding and aggregation under heat stress using pulse-SILAC mass spectrometry. We find a distinct group of proteins that is highly sensitive to this perturbation when newly synthesized but not once matured.

Correction to: Genetic dissection of maize disease resistance and its applications in molecular breeding.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11032-021-01219-y.].

Genetic dissection of maize disease resistance and its applications in molecular breeding.

Disease resistance is essential for reliable maize production. In a long-term tug-of-war between maize and its pathogenic microbes, naturally occurring resistance genes gradually accumulate and play a key role in protecting maize from various destructive diseases. Recently, significant progress has been made in deciphering the genetic basis of disease resistance in maize.

Proteomic analysis reveals the direct recruitment of intrinsically disordered regions to stress granules in .

Stress granules (SGs) are stress-induced membraneless condensates that store non-translating mRNA and stalled translation initiation complexes. Although metazoan SGs are dynamic compartments where proteins can rapidly exchange with their surroundings, yeast SGs seem largely static. To gain a better understanding of yeast SGs, we identified proteins that sediment after heat shock using mass spectrometry.

Phase separation and clustering of an ABC transporter in .

Phase separation drives numerous cellular processes, ranging from the formation of membrane-less organelles to the cooperative assembly of signaling proteins. Features such as multivalency and intrinsic disorder that enable condensate formation are found not only in cytosolic and nuclear proteins, but also in membrane-associated proteins. The ABC transporter Rv1747, which is important for () growth in infected hosts, has a cytoplasmic regulatory module consisting of 2 phosphothreonine-binding Forkhead-associated domains joined by an intrinsically disordered linker with multiple phospho-acceptor threonines.

The Auxin-Regulated Protein ZmAuxRP1 Coordinates the Balance between Root Growth and Stalk Rot Disease Resistance in Maize.

To optimize fitness, plants must efficiently allocate their resources between growth and defense. Although phytohormone crosstalk has emerged as a major player in balancing growth and defense, the genetic basis by which plants manage this balance remains elusive. We previously identified a quantitative disease-resistance locus, qRfg2, in maize (Zea mays) that protects against the fungal disease Gibberella stalk rot.

Deubiquitinase activity is required for the proteasomal degradation of misfolded cytosolic proteins upon heat-stress.

Elimination of misfolded proteins is crucial for proteostasis and to prevent proteinopathies. Nedd4/Rsp5 emerged as a major E3-ligase involved in multiple quality control pathways that target misfolded plasma membrane proteins, aggregated polypeptides and cytosolic heat-induced misfolded proteins for degradation. It remained unclear how in one case cytosolic heat-induced Rsp5 substrates are destined for proteasomal degradation, whereas other Rsp5 quality control substrates are otherwise directed to lysosomal degradation.

Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan Attenuates Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Improves Neurological Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury in Aged Mice: Involvement of Sirt3.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and long-term disability. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, possesses potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Considering TBI happens frequently in adults, especially in aged individuals, we herein sought to define the protective effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMWF) in the aged mice.

A feature analysis of lower solubility proteins in three eukaryotic systems.

Unlabelled: Because misfolded and damaged proteins can form potentially harmful aggregates, all living organisms have evolved a wide variety of quality control mechanisms. However, the timely clearance of aggregation-prone species may not always be achieved, potentially leading to the accumulation of low solubility proteins. At the same time, promiscuity, which can be a driving force for aggregation, is also important to the functionality of certain proteins which have a large number of interaction partners.

Rsp5/Nedd4 is the main ubiquitin ligase that targets cytosolic misfolded proteins following heat stress.

The heat-shock response is a complex cellular program that induces major changes in protein translation, folding and degradation to alleviate toxicity caused by protein misfolding. Although heat shock has been widely used to study proteostasis, it remained unclear how misfolded proteins are targeted for proteolysis in these conditions. We found that Rsp5 and its mammalian homologue Nedd4 are important E3 ligases responsible for the increased ubiquitylation induced by heat stress.

High-resolution mapping and characterization of qRgls2, a major quantitative trait locus involved in maize resistance to gray leaf spot.

Background: Gray leaf spot (GLS) caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis (Czm) or Cercospora zeina (Cz) is a devastating maize disease and results in substantial yield reductions worldwide. GLS resistance is a quantitatively inherited trait. The development and cultivation of GLS-resistant maize hybrids are the most cost-effective and efficient ways to control this disease.

Hypoxia regulates reactive oxygen species levels in SHG-44 glioma cells.

In the present study, cultured human SHG-44 glioma cells were subjected to a hypoxic environment simulated using the CoCl2 method. Flow cytometry showed increased reactive oxygen species production in these cells. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR showed significantly increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α mRNA expression in cells exposed to the hypoxic condition.