Tonoplast-localized transporter ZmNRAMP2 confers root-to-shoot translocation of manganese in maize.

Almost all living organisms require manganese (Mn) as an essential trace element for survival. To maintain an irreplaceable role in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosynthesis, plants require efficient Mn uptake in roots and delivery to above-ground tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms of root-to-shoot Mn translocation remain unclear.

A stress-responsive transcription factor PeNAC1 regulating beta-D-glucan biosynthetic genes enhances salt tolerance in oat.

A Populus euphratica NAC gene regulates (1,3; 1,4)-β-D-glucan content in oat developing seed and improves the spikelet number and grain number per spike in transgenic oat under salinity conditions Salinity is the major factor affecting the production and quality of oat, and improving oat salt tolerance to increase yield and quality is vital. (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan in Gramineae is the key component in response to various environmental signals, and it is the most important functional ingredient in oat grain. The NAC transcription factors are important candidate genes used in genetic engineering to improve plant abiotic stress tolerance.

Cry80Aa1, a novel Bacillus thuringiensis toxin with mosquitocidal activity to Culex pipiens pallens.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can synthesize insecticides to efficiently control insects. In this study, Bt strain S3580-1 with mosquitocidal activity was subjected to whole genome sequencing using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 system. A novel toxin, Cry80Aa1, was identified based on the resulting data.

Bacillus thuringiensis novel toxin Epp is toxic to mosquitoes and prodenia litura larvae.

As a pathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has become an alternative to chemical insecticides in commercial agricultural to control forestry pests and mosquitoes. To prevent pest resistance, many novel Bt strains have been isolated. Strain S3580-1 (WGS: VHPX0000000) used in this research and originally isolated from Hainan Qixianling National Forest Park (China) showed significant toxicity to Culex pipiens pallens.

Preparation of Fluorescent Molecularly Imprinted Polymers via Pickering Emulsion Interfaces and the Application for Visual Sensing Analysis of .

In this work, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was synthesized by oil-in-water Pickering emulsion polymerization using whole as the template. was first treated by acryloyl-functionalized chitosan with QDs to form a bacteria-chitosan network as the water phase. This was then stabilized in an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a cross-linker, monomer, and initiator, causing recognition sites on the surface of microspheres embedded with CdTe QDs.

A high-sensitivity thermal analysis immunochromatographic sensor based on au nanoparticle-enhanced two-dimensional black phosphorus photothermal-sensing materials.

For the first time, a quantitative photothermal-sensing immunochromatographic sensor (PT-ICS) is described using Au nanoparticle-enhanced two-dimensional black phosphorus (BP-Au) as signal component for the photothermal-sensing antibody probe. BP-Au has good photothermal properties at 808 nm, and the photothermal conversion efficiency of the BP-Au nanosheet increased by 12.9% over the black phosphorus nanosheet alone.

A rapid fluorometric method for determination of aflatoxin B in plant-derived food by using a thioflavin T-based aptasensor.

A fluorometric aptamer-based method is described for the determination of aflatoxin B (AFB). The fluorescent dye thioflavin T (ThT) forms a complex with the aptamer against AFB (aptamer/ThT), and the fluorescence of the complex is strongly enhanced. On addition of AFB, it will bind to the aptamer and release ThT.

Establishment of BmoR-based biosensor to screen isobutanol overproducer.

Background: Isobutanol, a C4 branched-chain higher alcohol, is regarded as an attractive next-generation transport fuel. Metabolic engineering for efficient isobutanol production has been achieved in many studies. BmoR, an alcohol-regulated transcription factor, mediates a σ-dependent promoter P of alkane monooxygenase in n-alkane metabolism of Thauera butanivorans and displays high sensitivity to C4-C6 linear alcohols and C3-C5 branched-chain alcohols.

[Progress of stress-induced flowering in plants].

Plants tend to flower earlier if placed under stress conditions. Those stress factors include drought, high salinity, low temperature, high- or low-intensity light, and ultraviolet light. This phenomenon has been called stress-induced flowering.

Advances on plant miR169/NF-YA regulation modules.

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs which target and regulate the expression of genes involved in several growth, development, and metabolism processes. The miR169 family is the largest and most conserved miRNA family in plants. Recent researches have shown involvement of miR169 members in the regulation of plant responding to abiotic stress and development.

A Populus euphratica NAC protein regulating Na⁺/K⁺ homeostasis improves salt tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

NAC transcription factors are plant-specific and play an important role in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Populus euphratica is a salt-tolerant tree species growing in semi-arid saline areas. A stress responsive gene was successfully isolated from this species and named PeNAC1.

Stress responsive zinc-finger protein gene of Populus euphratica in tobacco enhances salt tolerance.

The Populus euphratica stress responsive zinc-finger protein gene PSTZ, which encodes a protein including typical Cys(2)/His(2) zinc finger structure, was isolated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from P. euphratica. Northern hybridization revealed that its expression was induced under drought and salt stress conditions.