NAD deficiency primes defense metabolism via O-escalated jasmonate biosynthesis in plants.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a redox cofactor and signal central to cell metabolisms. Disrupting NAD homeostasis in plant alters growth and stress resistance, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, by combining genetics with multi-omics, we discover that NAD deficiency in qs-2 caused by mutation in NAD biosynthesis gene-Quinolinate Synthase retards growth but induces biosynthesis of defense compounds, notably aliphatic glucosinolates that confer insect resistance.

Conformational cycle of human polyamine transporter ATP13A2.

Dysregulation of polyamine homeostasis strongly associates with human diseases. ATP13A2, which is mutated in juvenile-onset Parkinson's disease and autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia 78, is a transporter with a critical role in balancing the polyamine concentration between the lysosome and the cytosol. Here, to better understand human ATP13A2-mediated polyamine transport, we use single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to solve high-resolution structures of human ATP13A2 in six intermediate states, including the putative E2 structure for the P5 subfamily of the P-type ATPases.

Chemical genetic screening identifies nalacin as an inhibitor of GH3 amido synthetase for auxin conjugation.

Auxin inactivation is critical for plant growth and development. To develop plant growth regulators functioning in auxin inactivation pathway, we performed a phenotype-based chemical screen in Arabidopsis and identified a chemical, nalacin, that partially mimicked the effects of auxin. Genetic, pharmacological, and biochemical approaches demonstrated that nalacin exerts its auxin-like activities by inhibiting indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) conjugation that is mediated by Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) acyl acid amido synthetases.

One-step preparation of photoclick method for embolic microsphere synthesis and assessment for transcatheter arterial embolization.

Vascular embolization is a well-known therapeutic treatment against hepatocellular carcinoma. However, existing embolic agents require complex synthesis, toxic organic solvents and sometimes produce only low yields. In this study, a novel photopolymerization technique, which addresses these issues, was used to prepare embolic microspheres successfully from the sucrose multi-allyl ether monomer in one step.

Synthesis and assessment of drug-eluting microspheres for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is well known as an effective treatment for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a novel embolic agent of ion-exchange poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) microspheres (HAMs) was successfully synthesized by the inverse suspension polymerization method. Then, HAMs were assessed for their activity as an embolic agent by investigating morphology, particle size, water retention capability, elasticity and viscoelasticity, microcatheter/catheter deliverability, cytotoxicity, renal arterial embolization to rabbits and histopathological examinations.