Identification and structure-guided development of triazole urea-based selective antagonists of Arabidopsis karrikin signaling.

The smoke-derived butenolides, karrikins (KARs), regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. However, KARs and a plant hormone, strigolactones (SLs), have high resemblance in signal perception and transduction, making it hard to delineate KARs response due to the shortage of chemical-genetic tools. Here, we identify a triazole urea KK181N1 as an inhibitor of the KARs receptor KAI2.

BIL7 enhances plant growth by regulating the transcription factor BIL1/BZR1 during brassinosteroid signaling.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are plant steroid hormones that regulate plant development and environmental responses. BIL1/BZR1, a master transcription factor that regulates approximately 3000 genes in the BR signaling pathway, is transported to the nucleus from the cytosol in response to BR signaling; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this process is unknown. Here, we identify a novel BR signaling factor, BIL7, that enhances plant growth and positively regulates the nuclear accumulation of BIL1/BZR1 in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Random mutagenesis and disulfide bond formation improved thermostability in microbial transglutaminase.

Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) from Streptomyces mobaraensis is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries for cross-linking and post-translational modification of proteins. It is believed that its industrial applications could be further broadened by improving its thermostability. In our previous study, we showed that the introduction of structure-based disulfide bonds improved the thermostability of MTG, and we succeeded in obtaining a thermostable mutant, D3C/G283C, with a T (incubation temperature at which 50% of the initial activity remains) 9 °C higher than that of wild-type MTG.

Caspase-mediated processing of TRBP regulates apoptosis during viral infection.

RNA silencing is a post-transcriptional gene-silencing mechanism mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the regulatory mechanism of RNA silencing during viral infection is unclear. TAR RNA-binding protein (TRBP) is an enhancer of RNA silencing that induces miRNA maturation by interacting with the ribonuclease Dicer.

BPG4 regulates chloroplast development and homeostasis by suppressing GLK transcription factors and involving light and brassinosteroid signaling.

Chloroplast development adapts to the environment for performing suitable photosynthesis. Brassinosteroids (BRs), plant steroid hormones, have crucial effects on not only plant growth but also chloroplast development. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of BR signaling in chloroplast development remain unclear.

Enhanced Ca binding to EF-hands through phosphorylation of conserved serine residues activates MpRBOHB and chitin-triggered ROS production.

NADPH oxidases/RBOHs catalyze apoplastic ROS production and act as key signaling nodes, integrating multiple signal transduction pathways regulating plant development and stress responses. Although RBOHs have been suggested to be activated by Ca binding and phosphorylation by various protein kinases, a mechanism linking Ca binding and phosphorylation in the activity regulation remained elusive. Chitin-triggered ROS production required cytosolic Ca elevation and Ca binding to MpRBOHB in a liverwort Marchantia polymorpha.

Lenalidomide derivatives and proteolysis-targeting chimeras for controlling neosubstrate degradation.

Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), is commonly used as a first-line therapy in many haematological cancers, such as multiple myeloma (MM) and 5q myelodysplastic syndromes (5q MDS), and it functions as a molecular glue for the protein degradation of neosubstrates by CRL4. Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) using IMiDs with a target protein binder also induce the degradation of target proteins. The targeted protein degradation (TPD) of neosubstrates is crucial for IMiD therapy.

Identification of a new gibberellin receptor agonist, diphegaractin, by a cell-free chemical screening system.

Gibberellin (GA) is a phytohormone that regulates various developmental processes during the plant life cycle. In this study, we identify a new GA agonist, diphegaractin, using a wheat cell-free based drug screening system with grape GA receptor. A GA-dependent interaction assay system using GA receptors and DELLA proteins from Vitis vinifera was constructed using AlphaScreen technology and cell-free produced proteins.

Clock-regulated coactivators selectively control gene expression in response to different temperature stress conditions in .

Plants respond to severe temperature changes by inducing the expression of numerous genes whose products enhance stress tolerance and responses. Dehydration-responsive element (DRE)-binding protein 1/C-repeat binding factor (DREB1/CBF) transcription factors act as master switches in cold-inducible gene expression. Since genes are rapidly and strongly induced by cold stress, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of expression is vital for the recognition of the initial responses to cold stress in plants.

Orally administered OLL2712 decreased intestinal permeability, especially in the ileum: Ingested lactic acid bacteria alleviated obesity-induced inflammation by collaborating with gut microbiota.

Introduction: Chronic inflammation caused by dietary obesity has been considered to induce lifestyle-related diseases and functional ingredients with anti-inflammatory effects are attracting attention. Although multiple studies on obesity had proved the anti-inflammatory effects of ingestion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and other functional ingredients on adipose tissue, the precise effects on the intestine, especially on the individual intestinal segments have not been made clear. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms of (basonym: ) OLL2712 in suppressing obesity-induced inflammation using high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice obesity model.

Complete Genome Sequences of sp. Subcluster PnecA Strains SHI2 and SHI8, Isolated from an Oligotrophic-Dystrophic Lake in Japan.

Members of the genus belonging to the subcluster PnecA comprise freshwater bacterioplankton with worldwide distribution. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two sp. strains (PnecA), SHI2 and SHI8, isolated from the surface water of an oligotrophic-dystrophic lake in a humid continental climate in Japan.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. Strain INA4, Isolated from an Oligotrophic Lake in Japan.

The globally distributed freshwater bacterioplankton of the genus belong to the tribe Luna2. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain INA4, which was isolated from an oligotrophic lake surface water in Japan.

Substantial Improvement of an Epimerase for the Synthesis of D-Allulose by Biosensor-Based High-Throughput Microdroplet Screening.

Biosynthesis of D-allulose has been achieved using ketose 3-epimerases (KEases), but its application is limited by poor catalytic performance. In this study, we redesigned a genetically encoded biosensor based on a D-allulose-responsive transcriptional regulator for real-time monitoring of D-allulose. An ultrahigh-throughput droplet-based microfluidic screening platform was further constructed by coupling with this D-allulose-detecting biosensor for the directed evolution of the KEases.

Brassinosteroid-induced gene repression requires specific and tight promoter binding of BIL1/BZR1 via DNA shape readout.

BRZ-INSENSITIVE-LONG 1 (BIL1)/BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT 1 (BZR1) and its homologues are plant-specific transcription factors that convert the signalling of the phytohormones brassinosteroids (BRs) to transcriptional responses, thus controlling various physiological processes in plants. Although BIL1/BZR1 upregulates some BR-responsive genes and downregulates others, the molecular mechanism underlying the dual roles of BIL1/BZR1 is still poorly understood. Here we show that BR-responsive transcriptional repression by BIL1/BZR1 requires the tight binding of BIL1/BZR1 alone to the 10 bp elements of DNA fragments containing the known 6 bp core-binding motifs at the centre.

Complete Genome Sequences of sp. Strains KAS3 and KACHI23, Isolated from Lake and River Surface Water.

The genus belongs to the ubiquitous freshwater bacterioplankton tribe Luna1-A2. Here, we report the complete sequences of sp. strains KAS3 and KACHI23, which were isolated from freshwater lake and river surface water in Japan.

Complete Genome Sequence of sp. Strain KACHI24, Isolated from River Surface Water.

The globally distributed bacterioplankton of the genus belong to the tribe Luna1-A1. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of sp. strain KACHI24, which was isolated from river surface water in Japan.

β-elemene regulates M1-M2 macrophage balance through the ERK/JNK/P38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Macrophages are classified into classically activated M1 macrophages and alternatively activated M2 macrophages, and the two phenotypes of macrophages are present during the development of various chronic diseases, including obesity-induced inflammation. In the present study, β-elemene, which is contained in various plant substances, is predicted to treat high-fat diet (HFD)-induced macrophage dysfunction based on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and experimental validation. β-elemene impacts the imbalance of M1-M2 macrophages by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse white adipose tissue both in vitro and in vivo.

An Myh11 single lysine deletion causes aortic dissection by reducing aortic structural integrity and contractility.

Pathogenic variants in myosin heavy chain (Myh11) cause familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (FTAAD). However, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear because of a lack of animal models. In this study, we established a mouse model with Myh11 K1256del, the pathogenic variant we found previously in two FTAAD families.

Crystal structure and substrate recognition mechanism of the prolyl endoprotease PEP from Aspergillus niger.

Proteases are enzymes that are not only essential for life but also industrially important. Understanding the substrate recognition mechanisms of proteases is important to enhance the use of proteases. The fungus Aspergillus produces a wide variety of proteases, including PEP, which is a prolyl endoprotease from A.

Se-O Bond Is Unique to High Se Enriched Sweet Potato Stem Protein with Better Antioxidant Ability.

Sweet potato plants were treated with selenium (Se). Spraying Se on the sweet potato leaves was an effective Se enrichment method and proteins were extracted from the sweet potato stem. The structural characteristics of the protein were investigated.

Physical and chemical properties of nabak (Zizyphus spina-christi) seed kernel and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seed oils.

Background: Nabak seed kernels and sweet pepper seeds, which are separated from the fruits and discarded as waste after processing or consumption, contain high levels of oils (30.19% and 19.57%, respectively).

Identification of the Effects of Chondroitin Sulfate on Inhibiting CDKs in Colorectal Cancer Based on Bioinformatic Analysis and Experimental Validation.

With a high occurrence rate and high mortality, the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly attracting the attention of scholars. Hub genes that determine the phenotypes of CRC become essential for targeted therapy. In the present study, the importance of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) on the occurrence of CRC was identified by data mining of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).