Genetic variation in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals the existence of natural heat resilience factors for meiosis.

Heat interferes with multiple meiotic processes, leading to genome instability and sterility in flowering plants, including many crops. Despite its importance for food security, the mechanisms underlying heat tolerance of meiosis are poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed different meiotic processes in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler), their F1 hybrids, and the F2 offspring under heat stress (37°C).

Differential impact of impaired steryl ester biosynthesis on the metabolome of tomato fruits and seeds.

Steryl esters (SE) are a storage pool of sterols that accumulates in cytoplasmic lipid droplets and helps to maintain plasma membrane sterol homeostasis throughout plant growth and development. Ester formation in plant SE is catalyzed by phospholipid:sterol acyltransferase (PSAT) and acyl-CoA:sterol acyltransferase (ASAT), which transfer long-chain fatty acid groups to free sterols from phospholipids and acyl-CoA, respectively. Comparative mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analysis between ripe fruits and seeds of a tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv Micro-Tom) mutant lacking functional PSAT and ASAT enzymes (slasat1xslpsat1) shows that disruption of SE biosynthesis has a differential impact on the metabolome of these organs, including changes in the composition of free and glycosylated sterols.

Model organisms for investigating the functional involvement of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are most commonly characterized by age-related loss of homeostasis and/or by cumulative exposures to environmental factors, which lead to low-grade sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalance. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine-zipper transcription factor that regulates the cellular redox homeostasis. NRF2 controls the expression of more than 250 human genes that share in their regulatory regions a cis-acting enhancer termed the antioxidant response element (ARE).

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Photoperiod and Thermo-sensitive Genic Male Sterility in Plants.

Photo-thermosensitive genic male sterile (P/TGMS) lines display male sterility under high temperature/long-day light conditions, and male fertility under low temperature/short-day light conditions. P/TGMS lines are the fundamental basis for the two-line hybrid breeding, which has notably increased the yield potential and grain quality of rice cultivars. In this review, we focus on the research progress on photoperiod and thermosensitive genic male sterility in plants.

Genetic Analysis and Fine Mapping of QTLs for Stigma Exsertion Rate in Rice.

Stigma exsertion rate (SER) is a crucial trait that influences the seed production of hybrid rice by determining the outcrossing ability of male sterile lines (MSLs). However, the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying SER are still poorly understood. In this study, we identified 14 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from B805D-MR-16-8-3 (B805D) and Hua6S.

Modeling the Distribution of the Rare and Red-Listed Halophytic Moss Species Under Various Climate Change Scenarios in Serbia.

is a rare moss species of the salty grasslands in Serbia. It is threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction and loss, although it reproduces sexually. In this study, we tested different models predicting its distribution under several climate scenarios over the next 8 decades.

Arabidopsis WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASES are not required for oligogalacturonide-induced signaling and immunity.

Carbohydrate-based cell wall signaling impacts plant growth, development, and stress responses; however, how cell wall signals are perceived and transduced remains poorly understood. Several cell wall breakdown products have been described as typical damage-associated molecular patterns that activate plant immunity, including pectin-derived oligogalacturonides (OGs). Receptor kinases of the WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASE (WAK) family bind pectin and OGs, and were previously proposed as OG receptors.

Phenomics-assisted genetic dissection and molecular design of drought resistance in rice.

Dissecting the drought resistance (DR) mechanism and designing drought-resistant rice varieties are promising strategies to address the challenge of climate change. Here, we selected a typical drought-avoidant (DA) variety IRAT109 and drought-tolerant (DT) variety Hanhui15 as the parents to develop a stable recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (F, 1,262 lines). The de novo assembled genomes of both parents were released.

An enhancer-promoter-transcription factor module orchestrates plant immune homeostasis by constraining camalexin biosynthesis.

Effective plant defense against pathogens relies on highly coordinated regulation of immune gene expression. Enhancers, as cis-regulatory elements, are indispensable determinants of dynamic gene regulation, but the molecular functions in plant immunity are not well understood. In this study, we identified a novel enhancer, CORE PATTERN-INDUCED ENHANCER 35 (CPIE35), which is rapidly activated upon pathogenic elicitation and negatively regulates anti-fungal resistance through modulating WRKY15 expression.

Effects of water and fertilizer combination on the dynamic variations in glycyrrhizic acid levels in distinct regions of Glycyrrhiza uralensis grown in arid territories.

Licorice derived from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is a significant component of traditional Chinese medicine. Proper irrigation and fertilization are essential for its successful cultivation.

Effect of hot air temperature and slice thickness on the drying kinetics and quality of Hami melon (Cantaloupe) slices.

The effects of hot air temperature and slice thickness on the drying kinetics and quality of Hami melon slices (HMS) were studied. HMS (3 mm and 5 mm) were carried out in a forced convection drying oven at temperatures ranging from 60 ~ 90 °C. The increase in hot air temperature and the decrease in slice thickness led to shorter drying times and higher drying rates.

Biostimulant-Based Molecular Priming Improves Crop Quality and Enhances Yield of Raspberry and Strawberry Fruits.

Background/objectives: The biostimulant SuperFifty, produced from the brown algae , can improve crop quality and yield and mitigate stress tolerance in model and crop plants such as , pepper, and tomato. However, the effect of SuperFifty on raspberries and strawberries has not been well studied, especially in terms of nutritional properties and yield. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SuperFifty on the quality and quantity of raspberry and strawberry fruits, with a focus on metabolic composition and essential elements, which together determine the nutritional properties and total yield of these two crops.

The variegated tomato mutant is linked to photosystem assembly.

The recently described tomato mutant, which has a variegated leaf phenotype, has been shown to affect canalization of yield. The corresponding protein is orthologous to AtSCO2 -SNOWY COTYLEDON 2, which has suggested roles in thylakoid biogenesis. Here we characterize the mutant through a multi-omics approach, by comparing mutant to wild-type tissues.

Transcriptome profiling of eight Zea mays lines identifies genes responsible for the resistance to Fusarium verticillioides.

Background: The cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.), one of the most important crops worldwide for food, feed, biofuels, and industrial applications, faces significant constraints due to Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus responsible for severe diseases including seedling blights, stalk rot, and ear rot. Its impact is worsened by the fact that chemical and agronomic measures used to control the infection are often inefficient.

Pathway elucidation and heterologous reconstitution of the long-chain alkane pentadecane biosynthesis from Pogostemon cablin.

Very-long-chain (VLC) alkanes are major components of hydrophobic cuticular waxes that cover the aerial epidermis of land plants, serving as a waterproofing barrier to protect the plant against environmental stresses. The mechanism of VLC-alkane biosynthesis has been extensively elucidated in plants. However, little is known about the biosynthesis of long-chain alkanes (LC, C ~ C) such as pentadecane in plants.

Plant pattern recognition receptors: from evolutionary insight to engineering.

The plant immune system relies on germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that sense foreign and plant-derived molecular patterns, and signal health threats. Genomic and pangenomic data sets provide valuable insights into the evolution of PRRs and their molecular triggers, which is furthering our understanding of plant-pathogen co-evolution and convergent evolution. Moreover, in silico and in vivo methods of PRR identification have accelerated the characterization of receptor-ligand complexes, and advances in protein structure prediction algorithms are revealing novel PRR sensor functions.

Unlocking the role of novel primary/di-amine oxidases in crop improvement: Tissue specificity leads to specific roles connected to abiotic stress, hormone responses and sensing nitrogen.

Genetic improvements of solanaceous crops for quality and stress responsive traits are needed because of the central role vegetables and fruits have in providing nutrients to human diets. Copper amine oxidase (CuAO) encoding genes involved in metabolism of primary/di-amine nitrogenous compounds, play a role in balancing internal nitrogen (N) pools especially when external N supply fluctuates during growth, development and environmental stresses. In the present study, we investigated the occurrence, molecular evolution and possible role(s) of these unknown genes in tomato crops.

Severe childhood poisoning caused by Ferraga practices. .

Objectives: To highlight the complications associated with the products and practice of healers "Ferraga" who treat young children using traditional Moroccan pharmacopoeia.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of cases of products and practice of "Ferraga" intoxication in young children reported to the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Center (MPCPC), Rabat, Morocco, from 2010-2020.

Results: During the study period, 24 cases of products and practice of "Ferraga" poisoning were reported to MPCPC, Rabat, Morocco.

Scaffold hopping approach to the novel hexacyclic pyrazol-3-amide derivatives as potential multi-target insect growth regulators candidates.

Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and three insect chitinases (OfChtI, OfChtII, and OfChi-h) are considered as attractive targets for the development of novel insect growth regulators (IGRs) since they are closely related to the insect molting. In this study, to develop potent multi-target IGRs, a series of hexacyclic pyrazol-3-amide derivatives were rationally designed by utilizing the scaffold hopping strategy with the previously reported compound 6j (N-(4-bromobenzyl)-2-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-indazole-5-carboxamide) as a lead compound. The bioassay results indicated that most of the target compounds exhibited obvious insecticidal activity.

Future shifts in climatic conditions promoting northward expansion of the Mediterranean climate in the circum-Mediterranean region.

In the upcoming decades, precipitation and temperature patterns are expected to shift in the Mediterranean basin due to global warming, potentially having an influence on the environment and the economy in the area. Using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 15 global climate models (GCMs) developed as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the Mediterranean Climate Envelop (MCE), as defined by Daget's (1977) criteria, is projected under two climate change scenarios: SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.

Ascorbic acid metabolism: New knowledge on mitigation of aluminum stress in plants.

Ascorbic acid (ASC) is an important antioxidant in plant cells, being the main biosynthesis pathway is L-galactose or Smirnoff-Wheeler. ASC is involved in plant growth and development processes, being a cofactor and regulator of multiple signaling pathways in response to abiotic stresses. Aluminum toxicity is an important stressor under acidic conditions, affecting plant root elongation, triggering ROS induction and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (HO).