Ustilago maydis PR-1-like protein has evolved two distinct domains for dual virulence activities.

The diversification of effector function, driven by a co-evolutionary arms race, enables pathogens to establish compatible interactions with hosts. Structurally conserved plant pathogenesis-related PR-1 and PR-1-like (PR-1L) proteins are involved in plant defense and fungal virulence, respectively. It is unclear how fungal PR-1L counters plant defense.

Maize Antifungal Protein AFP1 Elevates Fungal Chitin Levels by Targeting Chitin Deacetylases and Other Glycoproteins.

Pathogenic fungi convert chitin to chitosan to evade plant perception and disarm chitin-triggered immune responses. Whether plants have evolved factors to counteract this evasion mechanism remains obscure. Here, we decipher the mechanism underlying the antifungal activity of maize secretory mannose-binding ysteine-ich eceptor-like ecreted rotein (CRRSP), antifungal protein 1 (AFP1).

Up-regulation of microglial chemokine CXCL12 in anterior cingulate cortex mediates neuropathic pain in diabetic mice.

Diabetic patients frequently experience neuropathic pain, which currently lacks effective treatments. The mechanisms underlying diabetic neuropathic pain remain unclear. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is well-known to participate in the processing and transformation of pain information derived from internal and external sensory stimulation.

[Spectra modulated surface plasmon resonance sensor based on side polished multi-mode optical fiber].

Surface plasmon resonance, which utilizes the resonance of optical evanescent wave with the metal surface plasmon wave, has been developed into a high sensitivity, rapid, label-less measurement method for chemical and biological analysis. In order to improve the spectral sensitivity in refractive index for a side polished fiber surface plasmon resonance sensor, the whole cladding layer and part of core of a multimode fiber was polished off. Additionally, an extra chrome layer with relatively high refractive index was coated on the polished zone before a gold film.

[Performance of wavelength modulation surface plasmon resonance biosensor].

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a rapid, label-free, high-precision technique of biological sensing and analysis. The investigation on the characteristics of provides theoretical basis and instructions for the applications of SPR A Kretschmann-structure surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on wavelength modulation was developed, and also its sensing performances in the bulk solution was investigated. Measurements with different concentrations of bulk ethanol and ethylene glycol solutions show that the resonant wavelength shows a low sensitivity, but a higher linear response to the change in refractive index (RI), when RI is relatively smaller.

Molecular identification and interaction assay of the gene (OsUbc13) encoding a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in rice.

The ubiquitin (Ub)-conjugating enzyme, Ubc13, has been known to be involved in error-free DNA damage tolerance (or post-replication repair) via catalyzing Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chains formation together with a Ubc variant. However, its functions remain largely unknown in plant species, especially in monocotyledons. In this study, we cloned a Ub-conjugating enzyme, OsUbc13, that shares the conserved domain of Ubc with AtUBC13B in Oryza sativa L.

Preparation, characterization, and photoelectric properties of a covalently self-assembled monolayer of ferrocenyl hemicyanine.

A monolayer of a ferrocenyl hemicyanine was covalently self-assembled on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate, and was characterized by UV/Vis absorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The photoelectrochemical properties and mechanism of photocurrent generation have also been studied. This monolayer film was found to exhibit a large anodic photocurrent density of 0.