Contrasting distributions and expression characteristics of transcribing repeats in Setaria viridis.

Repetitive DNA contributes significantly to plant genome size, adaptation, and evolution. However, little is understood about the transcription of repeats. This is addressed here in the plant green foxtail millet (Setaria viridis).

Rebalancing the seed proteome following deletion of vicilin-related genes in pea (Pisum sativum L.).

Null mutations for genes encoding a major seed storage protein in pea, vicilin, were sought through screening a fast-neutron mutant population. Deletion mutations at four or five vicilin loci, where all vicilin genes within each locus were deleted, were combined to address the question of how removal or reduction of a major storage protein and potential allergen might impact the final concentration of protein per unit mature seed weight, seed yield and viability. While the concentration of seed protein was not reduced in mature seeds of mutant lines, indicative of a re-balancing of the proteome, notable differences were apparent in the metabolite, proteomic and amino acid profiles of the seeds, as well as in some functional properties.

Heat Shock Protein Network: the Mode of Action, the Role in Protein Folding and Human Pathologies.

Protein folding is an extremely complicated process, which has been extensively tackled during the last decades. In vivo, a certain molecular machinery is responsible for assisting the correct folding of proteins and maintaining protein homeostasis: the members of this machinery are the heat shock proteins (HSPs), which belong among molecular chaperones. Mutations in HSPs are associated with several inherited diseases, and members of this group were also proved to be involved in neurodegenerative pathologies (e.

An undocumented source of plastic contamination in sensitive estuarine environments.

The degradation of plastic infrastructure installed along estuaries and coastal environments may constitute a significant source of plastic contamination. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of plastic infrastructure and the extent of surface degradation of these plastics in a case study system, the Swan and Canning Estuary, Western Australia. The severity of cracks, chips, deformation, and material loss were used to estimate a novel degradation index for the plastic components on structures.