First RNA-seq approach to study fruit set and parthenocarpy in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.).

Background: Zucchini fruit set can be limited due to unfavourable environmental conditions in off-seasons crops that caused ineffective pollination/fertilization. Parthenocarpy, the natural or artificial fruit development without fertilization, has been recognized as an important trait to avoid this problem, and is related to auxin signalling. Nevertheless, differences found in transcriptome analysis during early fruit development of zucchini suggest that other complementary pathways could regulate fruit formation in parthenocarpic cultivars of this species.

The mitochondrial phosphatase PPTC7 orchestrates mitochondrial metabolism regulating coenzyme Q biosynthesis.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a redox molecule critical for the proper function of energy metabolism and antioxidant defenses. Despite its essential role in cellular metabolism, the regulation of CoQ biosynthesis in humans remains mostly unknown. Herein, we determined that PPTC7 is a regulatory protein of CoQ biosynthesis required for human cell survival.

Characterisation and prediction of carbohydrate content in zucchini fruit using near infrared spectroscopy.

Background: Zucchini fruit plays an important part in healthy nutrition due to its high content of carbohydrates. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of visible-NIRS to predict quality profile. However, this procedure has not been applied to determine carbohydrates.

First TILLING platform in Cucurbita pepo: a new mutant resource for gene function and crop improvement.

Although the availability of genetic and genomic resources for Cucurbita pepo has increased significantly, functional genomic resources are still limited for this crop. In this direction, we have developed a high throughput reverse genetic tool: the first TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) resource for this species. Additionally, we have used this resource to demonstrate that the previous EMS mutant population we developed has the highest mutation density compared with other cucurbits mutant populations.

The regulation of coenzyme q biosynthesis in eukaryotic cells: all that yeast can tell us.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a mitochondrial lipid, which functions mainly as an electron carrier from complex I or II to complex III at the mitochondrial inner membrane, and also as antioxidant in cell membranes. CoQ is needed as electron acceptor in β-oxidation of fatty acids and pyridine nucleotide biosynthesis, and it is responsible for opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. The yeast model has been very useful to analyze the synthesis of CoQ, and therefore, most of the knowledge about its regulation was obtained from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model.

Regulation of coenzyme Q biosynthesis in yeast: a new complex in the block.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an isoprenylated benzoquinone found in mitochondria, which functions mainly as an electron carrier from complex I or II to complex III in the inner membrane. CoQ is also an antioxidant that specifically prevents the oxidation of lipoproteins and the plasma membrane. Most of the information about the synthesis of CoQ comes from studies performed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The phosphatase Ptc7 induces coenzyme Q biosynthesis by activating the hydroxylase Coq7 in yeast.

The study of the components of mitochondrial metabolism has potential benefits for health span and lifespan because the maintenance of efficient mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity is associated with improved health and survival. In yeast, mitochondrial function requires the tight control of several metabolic processes such as coenzyme Q biosynthesis, assuring an appropriate energy supply and antioxidant functions. Many mitochondrial processes are regulated by phosphorylation cycles mediated by protein kinases and phosphatases.