Analysis of the Arabidopsis venosa4-0 mutant supports the role of VENOSA4 in dNTP metabolism.

Human Sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) functions as a dNTPase to maintain dNTP pool balance. In eukaryotes, the limiting step in de novo dNTP biosynthesis is catalyzed by RIBONUCLEOTIDE REDUCTASE (RNR). In Arabidopsis, the RNR1 subunit of RNR is encoded by CRINKLED LEAVES 8 (CLS8), and RNR2 by three paralogous genes, including TSO MEANING 'UGLY' IN CHINESE 2 (TSO2).

Altered Storage and Function of von Willebrand Factor in Human Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells Isolated from Recipient Transplant Hearts.

The assembly of von Willebrand factor (VWF) into ordered helical tubules within endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) is required for the efficient deployment of the protein at sites of vascular injury. VWF trafficking and storage are sensitive to cellular and environmental stresses that are associated with heart disease and heart failure. Altered storage of VWF manifests as a change in WPB morphology from a rod shape to a rounded shape and is associated with impaired VWF deployment during secretion.

Wheat EARLY FLOWERING 3 affects heading date without disrupting circadian oscillations.

Plant breeders have indirectly selected for variation at circadian-associated loci in many of the world's major crops, when breeding to increase yield and improve crop performance. Using an eight-parent Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population, we investigated how variation in circadian clock-associated genes contributes to the regulation of heading date in UK and European winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties. We identified homoeologues of EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) as candidates for the Earliness per se (Eps) D1 and B1 loci under field conditions.

Overexpression of the WAPO-A1 gene increases the number of spikelets per spike in bread wheat.

Two homoeologous QTLs for number of spikelets per spike (SPS) were mapped on chromosomes 7AL and 7BL using two wheat MAGIC populations. Sets of lines contrasting for the QTL on 7AL were developed which allowed for the validation and fine mapping of the 7AL QTL and for the identification of a previously described candidate gene, WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO1). Using transgenic overexpression in both a low and a high SPS line, we provide a functional validation for the role of this gene in determining SPS also in hexaploid wheat.

P-selectin mobility undergoes a sol-gel transition as it diffuses from exocytosis sites into the cell membrane.

In response to vascular damage, P-selectin molecules are secreted onto the surface of cells that line our blood vessels. They then serve as mechanical anchors to capture leucocytes from the blood stream. Here, we track individual P-selectin molecules released at the surface of live endothelial cells following stimulated secretion.

Virucidal efficacy of guanidine-free inactivants and rapid test buffers against SARS-CoV-2.

A pathogen inactivation step during collection or processing of clinical samples has the potential to reduce infectious risks associated with diagnostic procedures. It is essential that these inactivation methods are demonstrated to be effective, particularly for non-traditional inactivation reagents or for commercial products where the chemical composition is undisclosed. This study assessed inactivation effectiveness of twenty-four next-generation (guanidine-free) nucleic acid extraction lysis buffers and twelve rapid antigen test buffers against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.

Chronoculture, harnessing the circadian clock to improve crop yield and sustainability.

Human health is dependent on a plentiful and nutritious supply of food, primarily derived from crop plants. Rhythmic supply of light as a result of the day and night cycle led to the evolution of circadian clocks that modulate most plant physiology, photosynthesis, metabolism, and development. To regulate crop traits and adaptation, breeders have indirectly selected for variation at circadian genes.

The Arabidopsis mediator complex subunit 8 regulates oxidative stress responses.

Signaling events triggered by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) regulate plant growth and defense by orchestrating a genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming. However, the specific mechanisms that govern H2O2-dependent gene expression are still poorly understood. Here, we identify the Arabidopsis Mediator complex subunit MED8 as a regulator of H2O2 responses.

Arabidopsis sirtuins and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases regulate gene expression in the day but do not affect circadian rhythms.

Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is involved in redox homeostasis and acts as a substrate for NADases, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) that add poly(ADP-ribose) polymers to proteins and DNA, and sirtuins that deacetylate proteins. Nicotinamide, a by-product of NADases increases circadian period in both plants and animals. In mammals, the effect of nicotinamide on circadian period might be mediated by the PARPs and sirtuins because they directly bind to core circadian oscillator genes.

Retrospective analysis on confirmation rates for referred positive rotavirus samples in England, 2016 to 2017: implications for diagnosis and surveillance.

BackgroundRapid diagnostic tests are commonly used by hospital laboratories in England to detect rotavirus (RV), and results are used to inform clinical management and support national surveillance of the infant rotavirus immunisation programme since 2013. In 2017, the Public Health England (PHE) national reference laboratory for enteric viruses observed that the presence of RV could not be confirmed by PCR in a proportion of RV-positive samples referred for confirmatory detection.AimWe aimed to compare the positivity rate of detection methods used by hospital laboratories with the PHE confirmatory test rate.

Analysis of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Specimen Transport Media, Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagents, Detergents, and Fixatives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a multifaceted rapid response by the scientific community, bringing researchers, health officials, and industry together to address the ongoing public health emergency. To meet this challenge, participants need an informed approach for working safely with the etiological agent, the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Work with infectious SARS-CoV-2 is currently restricted to high-containment laboratories, but material can be handled at a lower containment level after inactivation.

Supplementary data on virus-like particles in the brainstem of Parkinson's disease patients and controls.

In this study, we present 77 transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of human brainstem tissue from 11 cases of late onset Parkinson's disease (PD). The tissues were fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained for TEM application. In addition, we present 11 images from autopsy specimens of 1 case of human poliomyelitis infection as positive controls and 12 images from 8 cases of autopsy specimens of other conditions as negative controls.

A single point mutation in the C-terminal extension of wheat Rubisco activase dramatically reduces ADP inhibition via enhanced ATP binding affinity.

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activase (Rca) is a AAA enzyme that uses ATP to remove inhibitors from the active site of Rubisco, the central carboxylation enzyme of photosynthesis. Rca α and β isoforms exist in most higher plant species, with the α isoform being identical to the β form but having an additional 25-45 amino acids at the Rca C terminus, known as the C-terminal extension (CTE). Rca is inhibited by ADP, and the extent of ADP sensitivity of the Rca complex can be modulated by the CTE of the α isoform, particularly in relation to a disulfide bond structure that is specifically reduced by the redox-regulatory enzyme thioredoxin-f.

Dynamical differential expression (DyDE) reveals the period control mechanisms of the Arabidopsis circadian oscillator.

The circadian oscillator, an internal time-keeping device found in most organisms, enables timely regulation of daily biological activities by maintaining synchrony with the external environment. The mechanistic basis underlying the adjustment of circadian rhythms to changing external conditions, however, has yet to be clearly elucidated. We explored the mechanism of action of nicotinamide in Arabidopsis thaliana, a metabolite that lengthens the period of circadian rhythms, to understand the regulation of circadian period.

Synaptotagmin 5 regulates Ca-dependent Weibel-Palade body exocytosis in human endothelial cells.

Elevations of intracellular free Ca concentration ([Ca]) are a potent trigger for Weibel-Palade body (WPB) exocytosis and secretion of von Willebrand factor (VWF) from endothelial cells; however, the identity of WPB-associated Ca-sensors involved in transducing acute increases in [Ca] into granule exocytosis remains unknown. Here, we show that synaptotagmin 5 (SYT5) is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and is recruited to WPBs to regulate Ca-driven WPB exocytosis. Western blot analysis of HUVECs identified SYT5 protein, and exogenously expressed SYT5-mEGFP localised almost exclusively to WPBs.

Circadian control of abscisic acid biosynthesis and signalling pathways revealed by genome-wide analysis of LHY binding targets.

The LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) transcription factor functions as part of the oscillatory mechanism of the Arabidopsis circadian clock. This paper reports the genome-wide analysis of its binding targets and reveals a role in the control of abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and downstream responses. LHY directly repressed expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase enzymes, which catalyse the rate-limiting step of ABA biosynthesis.

Circadian oscillations of cytosolic free calcium regulate the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

In the last decade, the view of circadian oscillators has expanded from transcriptional feedback to incorporate post-transcriptional, post-translational, metabolic processes and ionic signalling. In plants and animals, there are circadian oscillations in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca ([Ca]), though their purpose has not been fully characterized. We investigated whether circadian oscillations of [Ca] regulate the circadian oscillator of Arabidopsis thaliana.

BIG Regulates Dynamic Adjustment of Circadian Period in .

Circadian clocks drive rhythms with a period near 24 h, but the molecular basis of the regulation of the period of the circadian clockis poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that metabolites affect the free-running period of the circadian oscillator of Arabidopsis (), with endogenous sugars acting as an accelerator and exogenous nicotinamide acting as a brake. Changes in circadian oscillator period are thought to adjust the timing of biological activities through the process of entrainment, in which the circadian oscillator becomes synchronized to rhythmic signals such as light and dark cycles as well as changes in internal metabolism.

Virus-like particles and enterovirus antigen found in the brainstem neurons of Parkinson's disease.

In a previous study on encephalitis lethargica, we identified a virus related to enterovirus in autopsy brain material. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular analysis were employed.  Our present objective was to investigate, using a similar approach, as to whether virus-like particles (VLP) and enterovirus antigen are present in Parkinson's disease (PD) brainstem neurons.

Clinical streptococcal isolates, distinct from but containing the β-glucosyltransferase gene and expressing serotype 37 capsular polysaccharide.

The major virulence factor of the pneumococcus, and target for conjugate vaccines, is the polysaccharide capsule, which is usually encoded by the highly variable locus. Serotype 37 is an unusual pneumococcal type in which the single β-glucosyltransferase gene responsible for serotype capsule production () is located outside of the capsular operon region. Using a previously described automated whole genome sequence (WGS)-based serotyping bioinformatics tool, PneumoCaT, we identified and investigated seven clinical isolates (three from blood cultures) of non-pneumococcal streptococci containing a highly homologous and included them in a study panel of 20 isolates which included a 11 further clinical isolates of serotype 37, a reference strain of serotype 37 and the type strain BAA 960.

rosettR: protocol and software for seedling area and growth analysis.

Background: Growth is an important parameter to consider when studying the impact of treatments or mutations on plant physiology. Leaf area and growth rates can be estimated efficiently from images of plants, but the experiment setup, image analysis, and statistical evaluation can be laborious, often requiring substantial manual effort and programming skills.

Results: Here we present , a non-destructive and high-throughput phenotyping protocol for the measurement of total rosette area of seedlings grown in plates in sterile conditions.

Lysine acetylation in mitochondria: From inventory to function.

Cellular signaling pathways are regulated in a highly dynamic fashion in order to quickly adapt to distinct environmental conditions. Acetylation of lysine residues represents a central process that orchestrates cellular metabolism and signaling. In mitochondria, acetylation seems to be the most prevalent post-translational modification, presumably linked to the compartmentation and high turnover of acetyl-CoA in this organelle.

Gene mining in halophytes: functional identification of stress tolerance genes in Lepidium crassifolium.

Extremophile plants are valuable sources of genes conferring tolerance traits, which can be explored to improve stress tolerance of crops. Lepidium crassifolium is a halophytic relative of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and displays tolerance to salt, osmotic and oxidative stresses. We have employed the modified Conditional cDNA Overexpression System to transfer a cDNA library from L.

The Histone Deacetylase Complex 1 Protein of Arabidopsis Has the Capacity to Interact with Multiple Proteins Including Histone 3-Binding Proteins and Histone 1 Variants.

Intrinsically disordered proteins can adopt multiple conformations, thereby enabling interaction with a wide variety of partners. They often serve as hubs in protein interaction networks. We have previously shown that the Histone Deacetylase Complex 1 (HDC1) protein from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) interacts with histone deacetylases and quantitatively determines histone acetylation levels, transcriptional activity, and several phenotypes, including abscisic acid sensitivity during germination, vegetative growth rate, and flowering time.