The Prevalence of Integrons as the Carrier of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Natural and Man-Made Environments.

Class 1 integrase intI1 has been considered as a good proxy for anthropogenic pollution because of being linked to genes conferring resistance to antibiotics. The gene cassettes of class 1 integrons could carry diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and conduct horizontal gene transfer among microorganisms. The present study applied high-throughput sequencing technique combined with an intI1 database and genome assembly to quantify the abundance of intI1 in 64 environmental samples from 8 ecosystems, and to investigate the diverse arrangements of ARG-carrying gene cassettes (ACGCs) carried by class 1 integrons.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of fruiting body and sporulating mycelia of Villosiclava virens reveals genes with putative functions in sexual reproduction.

Sexual reproduction of heterothallic clavicipitaceous fungus Villosiclava virens (anamorph: Ustilaginoidea virens) generates ascospores, which is considered as primary infection source of rice false smut disease. However, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of sexual reproduction in V. virens.

Characterization of mating-type loci in rice false smut fungus Villosiclava virens.

Ascospores of Villosiclava virens are a primary infection source of rice false smut. This phytopathogenic fungus exists in heterothallic form, and mating compatibility is regulated by mating-type locus 1 (MAT1). However, the MAT1 locus structure remains unknown.

Toxic reactivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants to herbicide isoproturon.

The herbicide isoproturon is widely used for controlling weed/grass in agricultural practice. However, the side effect of isoproturon as contaminants on crops is unknown. In this study, we investigated isoproturon-induced oxidative stress in wheat ( Triticum aestivum).

Biological responses of wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants to the herbicide chlorotoluron in soils.

Chlorotoluron is a phenylurea herbicide that is widely used for controlling grass weeds in the land of cereal, cotton and fruit production. However, extensive use of this herbicide may lead to its accumulation in ecosystems, thus inducing the toxicity to crops and vegetables. To assess chlorotoluron-induced toxicity in plants, we performed the experiment focusing on the metabolic adaptation of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum) to the chlorotoluron-induced oxidative stress.