A de novo Gene Promotes Seed Germination Under Drought Stress in Arabidopsis.

The origin of genes from noncoding sequences is a long-term and fundamental biological question. However, how de novo genes originate and integrate into the existing pathways to regulate phenotypic variations is largely unknown. Here, we selected 7 genes from 782 de novo genes for functional exploration based on transcriptional and translational evidence.

Arabidopsis EXECUTER1 interacts with WRKY transcription factors to mediate plastid-to-nucleus singlet oxygen signaling.

Chloroplasts produce singlet oxygen (1O2), which causes changes in nuclear gene expression through plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling to increase plant fitness. However, the identity of this 1O2-triggered pathway remains unclear. Here, we identify mutations in GENOMES UNCOUPLED4 (GUN4) and GUN5 as suppressors of phytochrome-interacting factor1 (pif1) pif3 in regulating the photo-oxidative response in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Scaling-up and proteomic analysis reveals photosynthetic and metabolic insights toward prolonged H photoproduction in Chlamydomonas hpm91 mutant lacking proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5).

Clean and sustainable H production is crucial to a carbon-neutral world. H generation by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is an attractive approach for solar-H from HO. However, it is currently not large-scalable because of lacking desirable strains with both optimal H productivity and sufficient knowledge of underlying molecular mechanism.

Less Is More, Natural Loss-of-Function Mutation Is a Strategy for Adaptation.

Gene gain and loss are crucial factors that shape the evolutionary success of diverse organisms. In the past two decades, more attention has been paid to the significance of gene gain through gene duplication or genes. However, gene loss through natural loss-of-function (LoF) mutations, which is prevalent in the genomes of diverse organisms, has been largely ignored.

Transcriptional repression specifies the central cell for double fertilization.

Double fertilization is a key innovation for the evolutionary success of angiosperms by which the two fertilized female gametes, the egg cell and central cell, generate the embryo and endosperm, respectively. The female gametophyte (embryo sac) enclosed in the sporophyte is derived from a one-celled haploid cell lineage. It undergoes successive events of mitotic divisions, cellularization, and cell specification to give rise to the mature embryo sac, which contains the two female gametes accompanied by two types of accessory cells, namely synergids and antipodals.

Rice FLUORESCENT1 Is Involved in the Regulation of Chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll biosynthesis plays essential roles in photosynthesis and plant growth in response to environmental conditions. The accumulation of excess chlorophyll biosynthesis intermediates under light results in the production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. In this study, we identified a rice (Oryza sativa) mutant, oxidation under photoperiod (oxp), that displayed photobleached lesions on its leaves, reduced growth and decreased chlorophyll content during light/dark cycles or following a dark-to-light transition.

Cysteine-rich peptides promote interspecific genetic isolation in .

Reproductive isolation is a prerequisite for speciation. Failure of communication between female tissues of the pistil and paternal pollen tubes imposes hybridization barriers in flowering plants. LURE1 (AtLURE1) peptides and their male receptor PRK6 aid attraction of the growing pollen tube to the ovule.

Transposable elements drive rapid phenotypic variation in .

Rapid phenotypic changes in traits of adaptive significance are crucial for organisms to thrive in changing environments. How such phenotypic variation is achieved rapidly, despite limited genetic variation in species that experience a genetic bottleneck is unknown. , an annual and inbreeding forb (Brassicaceae), is a great system for studying this basic question.

Transposable Elements Contribute to the Adaptation of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements with very high mutation rates that play important roles in shaping genome architecture and regulating phenotypic variation. However, the extent to which TEs influence the adaptation of organisms in their natural habitats is largely unknown. Here, we scanned 201 representative resequenced genomes from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and identified 2,311 polymorphic TEs from noncentromeric regions.

Transcriptional analyses of natural leaf senescence in maize.

Leaf senescence is an important biological process that contributes to grain yield in crops. To study the molecular mechanisms underlying natural leaf senescence, we harvested three different developmental ear leaves of maize, mature leaves (ML), early senescent leaves (ESL), and later senescent leaves (LSL), and analyzed transcriptional changes using RNA-sequencing. Three sets of data, ESL vs.

[Common types of massive intraoperative haemorrhage, treatment philosophy and operating skills in pelvic cancer surgery].

Objective: To explore the common types of massive intraoperative bleeding, clinical characteristics, treatment philosophy and operating skills in pelvic cancer surgery.

Methods: We treated massive intraoperative bleeding in 19 patients with pelvic cancer in our department from January 2003 to March 2012. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

[Efficacy observation of paralleled clipping of rectal ligament in resection of rectal cancer in obese male patients].

Objective: To investigate the approach and efficacy of dealing the rectal ligament in resection of rectal cancer in obese male patients.

Methods: A total of 92 patients (BMI>25 kg/m(2)) undergoing resection of rectal cancer from December 2008 to December 2010 in Henan Tumor hospital were assigned into 2 groups according to the surgical technique, the modified group (paralleled clipping of rectal ligament, 48 patients) and traditional group (44 patients). Operative time, intra-operational bleeding, rectal ulceration, ureteral injury, mesorectal integrity, and positive rate of lateral margin of pelvic wall were compared between two groups.

[Association of early diarrhea after the low anterior resection of rectal cancer and anastomotic leakage].

Objective: To evaluate the association of early diarrhea(postoperative day 1 to 7) and anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: Clinical data of 192 cases (group A, tumor from the anal verge 4-7 cm) from May 2004 to May 2007 and 236 cases(group B) from July 2007 to May 2010 in our hospital who received low anterior resection of rectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: In group A, the incidence of early postoperative diarrhea was 19.