[Research progress in mastoparans].

Mastoparans (MP), a class of α-helix cationic insect-derived antimicrobial peptides, have a broad spectrum of biological activities including inhibiting bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Amino acid substitution, peptide modification, peptide chain cyclization, and dosage form modification can enhance the biological activities and target and reduce the toxicity of mastoparans. In this review, we summarize the structure, biological function and modification methods of mastoparans, and prospect the development of antibacterial drugs based on mastoparans, so as to provide reference for the research of mastoparans as a new antibacterial drug.

SlMYB72 interacts with SlTAGL1 to regulate the cuticle formation in tomato fruit.

The cuticle is the first physical barrier covering the surface of tomatoes and plays an important role in multiple stress responses. But the molecular regulatory networks of cuticle formation are not fully understood. In this study, we found that SlMYB72 can interact with SlTAGL1 to regulate the formation of fruit cuticle in tomato.

Rational Design of Untranslated Regions to Enhance Gene Expression.

How to improve gene expression by optimizing mRNA structures is a crucial question for various medical and biotechnological applications. Previous efforts focus largely on investigation of the 5' UTR hairpin structures. In this study, we present a rational strategy that enhances mRNA stability and translation by engineering both the 5' and 3' UTR sequences.

Dynamic m6A mRNA methylation reveals the involvement of AcALKBH10 in ripening-related quality regulation in kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit ripening is a complex and highly coordinated process that occurs in conjunction with the formation of fruit edible quality. The significance of epigenetic changes, particularly the impact of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification on fruit ripening and quality formation, has been largely overlooked. We monitored m6A levels and gene expression changes in kiwifruit at four different stages using LC-MS/MS, MeRIP, RNA-seq, and validated the function of AcALKBH10 through heterologous transgenic expression in tomato.

Haplotype-resolved genome assembly and implementation of VitExpress, an open interactive transcriptomic platform for grapevine.

Haplotype-resolved genome assemblies were produced for Chasselas and Ugni Blanc, two heterozygous cultivars by combining high-fidelity long-read sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C). The telomere-to-telomere full coverage of the chromosomes allowed us to assemble separately the two haplo-genomes of both cultivars and revealed structural variations between the two haplotypes of a given cultivar. The deletions/insertions, inversions, translocations, and duplications provide insight into the evolutionary history and parental relationship among grape varieties.

A distal enhancer guides the negative selection of toxic glycoalkaloids during tomato domestication.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) are major plant defense metabolites against pests, while they are considered poisonous in food. The genetic basis that guides negative selection of SGAs production during tomato domestication remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a distal enhancer, GAME Enhancer 1 (GE1), as the key regulator of SGAs metabolism in tomato.

A transcriptional cascade mediated by two APETALA2 family members orchestrates carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato.

Carotenoids are important nutrients for human health that must be obtained from plants since they cannot be biosynthesized by the human body. Dissecting the regulatory mechanism of carotenoid metabolism in plants represents the first step toward manipulating carotenoid contents in plants by molecular design breeding. In this study, we determined that SlAP2c, an APETALA2 (AP2) family member, acts as a transcriptional repressor to regulate carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Ethylene-MPK8-ERF.C1-PR module confers resistance against Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruit without compromising ripening.

The plant hormone ethylene plays a critical role in fruit defense against Botrytis cinerea attack, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we showed that ethylene response factor SlERF.C1 acts as a key regulator to trigger the ethylene-mediated defense against B.

Gibberellins involved in fruit ripening and softening by mediating multiple hormonal signals in tomato.

The phytohormone ethylene is well known for its important role in the ripening of climacteric fruit, such as tomato (). However, the role and mode of action of other plant hormones in climacteric fruit ripening regulation are not fully understood. Here, we showed that exogenous GA treatment or increasing endogenous gibberellin content by overexpressing the gibberellin synthesis gene specifically in fruit tissues delayed tomato fruit ripening, whereas treatment with the GA biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PAC) accelerated fruit ripening.

Novel lncRNA 803 related to Marek's disease inhibits apoptosis of DF-1 cells.

Marek's disease (MD) is a neoplastic disease that significantly affects the poultry industry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulatory factors in various biological processes, including tumourigenesis. However, the involvement of novel lncRNAs in the course of MD virus (MDV) infection is still underexplored.

The novel lncRNA-9802/miR-1646 axis affects cell proliferation of DF-1 by regulating Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

Marek's disease (MD) is a severe infectious and immunosuppressive neoplastic condition that significantly impacts the global poultry industry. Investigating the role of non-coding RNA in pathogenic mechanisms of MD virus (MDV) offers valuable insights for the effective prevention and management of MD. A higher expression of the novel lncRNA-9802 can be found in spleen tissues of MDV-infected chickens from our prior research, and there is a potential association between lncRNA-9802 and cell proliferation.

SlERF.G3-Like mediates a hierarchical transcriptional cascade to regulate ripening and metabolic changes in tomato fruit.

The tomato ripening process contains complex changes, including ethylene signalling, cell wall softening and numerous metabolic changes. So far, much is still unknown about how tomato plants precisely coordinate fruit maturation and metabolic regulation. In this paper, the ERF family transcription factor SlERF.

Understanding the mechanism of red light-induced melatonin biosynthesis facilitates the engineering of melatonin-enriched tomatoes.

Melatonin is a functionally conserved broad-spectrum physiological regulator found in most biological organisms in nature. Enrichment of tomato fruit with melatonin not only enhances its agronomic traits but also provides extra health benefits. In this study, we elucidate the full melatonin biosynthesis pathway in tomato fruit by identifying biosynthesis-related genes that encode caffeic acid O-methyltransferase 2 (SlCOMT2) and N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine-methyltransferases 5/7 (SlASMT5/7).

RIN enhances plant disease resistance via root exudate-mediated assembly of disease-suppressive rhizosphere microbiota.

The RIPENING-INHIBITOR (RIN) transcriptional factor is a key regulator governing fruit ripening. While RIN also affects other physiological processes, its potential roles in triggering interactions with the rhizosphere microbiome and plant health are unknown. Here we show that RIN affects microbiome-mediated disease resistance via root exudation, leading to recruitment of microbiota that suppress the soil-borne, phytopathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum bacterium.

Extraction technology, components analysis and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro of total flavonoids extract from Artemisia anomala S. Moore.

Artemisia anomala S. Moore exerts many pharmacological activities, including the removing of the blood stasis, relieving of the fever and analgesia, reducing the swelling and dampness. In this study, the extraction technology, chemical compositions and anti-inflammatory effect in vitro and mechanism of total flavonoids extract from Artemisia anomala S.

Rational Design of Abasic Site-Containing DNA Triplexes To Bind Small Molecules with Low Nanomolar Dissociation Constants.

design of functional biomacromolecules is of great interest to a wide range of fundamental science and technological applications, including understanding life evolution and biomacromolecular structures, developing novel catalysts, inventing medicines, and exploring high-performance materials. However, it is an extremely challenging task and its success is very limited. It requires a deep understanding of the relationships among the primary sequences, the 3D structures, and the functions of biomacromolecules.

The MADS-box protein SlTAGL1 regulates a ripening-associated SlDQD/SDH2 involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and resistance against Botrytis cinerea in post-harvest tomato fruit.

3-Dehydroquinate dehydratase/shikimate dehydrogenase (DQD/SDH) is a key rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of the shikimate, which is an important metabolic intermediate in plants and animals. However, the function of SlDQD/SDH family genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit metabolites is still unknown. In the present study, we identified a ripening-associated SlDQD/SDH member, SlDQD/SDH2, that plays a key role in shikimate and flavonoid metabolism.

β-1,3-GLUCANASE10 regulates tomato development and disease resistance by modulating callose deposition.

β-1,3-Glucanases are considered key regulators responsible for the degradation of callose in plants, yet little is known about the role and mode of action of their encoding genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). In the present study, we identified the β-1,3-glucanase encoding gene β-1,3-GLUCANASE10 (SlBG10) and revealed its regulation in tomato pollen and fruit development, seed production, and disease resistance by modulating callose deposition. Compared with wild-type (WT) or SlBG10 overexpressing (SlBG10-OE) lines, knockout of SlBG10 caused pollen arrest and failure to set fruit with reduced male rather than female fecundity.

Enriching adenosine by thymine-rich DNA oligomers.

Adenosine levels are important in various physiological and pathological activities, but detecting them is difficult because of interference from a complex matrix. This study designed a series of DNA oligomers rich in thymine to enrich adenosine. Their binding affinity ( range: 1.

A comprehensive metabolic map reveals major quality regulations in red-flesh kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis).

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) is one of the popular fruits world-wide, and its quality is mainly determined by key metabolites (sugars, flavonoids, and vitamins). Previous works on kiwifruit are mostly done via a single omics approach or involve only limited metabolites. Consequently, the dynamic metabolomes during kiwifruit development and ripening and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood.

Genome-wide characterization of the tomato GASA family identifies SlGASA1 as a repressor of fruit ripening.

Gibberellins (GAs) play crucial roles in a wide range of developmental processes and stress responses in plants. However, the roles of GA-responsive genes in tomato () fruit development remain largely unknown. Here, we identify 17 () family genes in tomato.

Structural-Based Stability Enhancement of Antisense DNA Oligonucleotides.

Antisense DNA oligonucleotide (AS) technology is a promising approach to regulate gene expression and cellular processes. For example, ASs can be used to capture the overexpressed, oncogenic miRNAs in tumors to suppress tumor growth. Among many challenges faced by AS approach is the degradation of ASs by nucleases under physiological conditions.

Effects of Luteolin on Biofilm of and Its Therapeutic Effect on Rat Endometritis.

is an opportunistic pathogen that causes suppurative infections in animals. The development of new anti-biofilm drugs will improve the current treatment status for controlling infections in the animal husbandry industry. Luteolin is a naturally derived flavonoid compound with antibacterial properties.