Quantifying the global biodiversity of Proterozoic eukaryotes.

The global diversity of Proterozoic eukaryote fossils is poorly quantified despite its fundamental importance to the understanding of macroevolutionary patterns and dynamics on the early Earth. Here we report a new construction of fossil eukaryote diversity from the Paleoproterozoic to early Cambrian based on a comprehensive data compilation and quantitative analyses. The resulting taxonomic richness curve verifies Cryogenian glaciations as a major divide that separates the "Boring Billion" and Ediacaran periods, with the former characterized by a prolonged stasis, and the latter by greater diversity, more-rapid turnover, and multiple radiations and extinctions.

Redox Control of Seed Germination is Mediated by the Crosstalk of Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species.

Seed germination and seedling establishment are characterized by changes in the intracellular redox state modulated by accelerated production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Redox regulation and enhanced accumulation of NO and ROS, approaching excessively high levels during seed imbibition, are critically important for breaking endodormancy and inducing germination. Upon depletion of oxygen under the seed coat, NO is produced anaerobically in the reductive pathway associated mainly with mitochondria, and it participates in the energy metabolism of the seed until radicle protrusion.

Paleontology: Ediacaran ecology drove ocean ventilation.

Fluid dynamics modeling of an Ediacaran ecosystem illustrates an important positive feedback loop between early multicellular organisms and environmental water flow. Early communities thus helped to chemically shape new environments where oxygen-dependent organisms could thrive.

Diversity of transgene integration and gene-editing events in wheat ( L.) transgenic plants generated using -mediated transformation.

Improvement in agronomic traits in crops through gene editing (GE) relies on efficient transformation protocols for delivering the CRISPR/Cas9-coded transgenes. Recently, a few embryogenesis-related genes have been described, the co-delivery of which significantly increases the transformation efficiency with reduced genotype-dependency. Here, we characterized the transgenic and GE events in wheat (cv.

Multiple Sclerosis Is Associated with Immunoglobulin Germline Gene Variation of Transitional B Cells.

The regulatory functions of the B-cell compartment play an important role in the development and suppression of the immune response. Disruption of their anti-inflammatory functions may lead to the acceleration of immunopathological processes, and to autoimmune diseases, in particular. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism underlying the functioning and development of regulatory B cells (Breg) has not yet been fully elucidated.