A Meta-Transcriptomics Survey Reveals Changes in the Microbiota of the Chinese Mitten Crab Infected with Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease.

Infection of the freshwater Chinese mitten crab with hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (HPND) has been a major problem in the crab-cultivated Chinese Province of Jiangsu since 2015. To explore the etiology of HPND, meta-transcriptomic libraries of the hepatopancreata from crabs with and without HPND were constructed. Comparison analyses showed that there were no statistically significant differences in viral and microsporidial communities in the hepatopancreata of diseased and healthy crabs.

Dynamic Response of Ammonia-Oxidizers to Four Fertilization Regimes across a Wheat-Rice Rotation System.

Ammonia oxidation by microorganisms is a rate-limiting step of the nitrification process and determines the efficiency of fertilizer utilized by crops. Little is known about the dynamic response of ammonia-oxidizers to different fertilization regimes in a wheat-rice rotation system. Here, we examined ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) communities across eight representative stages of wheat and rice growth and under four fertilization regimes: no nitrogen fertilization (NNF), chemical fertilization (CF), organic-inorganic mixed fertilizer (OIMF) and organic fertilization (OF).

Fine Mapping of a Resistance Gene that Controls Using Recombinant Inbred Lines and Secondary Populations.

Phytophthora root rot (PRR), caused by , has negative effects on soybean yield in China and can be controlled by identifying germplasm resources with resistance genes. In this study, the resistance locus in the soybean line Meng8206 was mapped using two mapping populations. Initial mapping was realized using two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations and included 103 F RILs derived from a cross of Meng8206 × Linhedafenqing, including 2600 bin markers, and 130 F RILs derived from a cross of Meng8206 × Zhengyang148, including 2267 bin markers.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Apoptosis during Dissociated Spermatogenesis.

Apoptosis is a tightly controlled process by which tissues eliminate unwanted cells. Spontaneous germ cell apoptosis in testis has been broadly investigated in mammals that have an associated spermatogenesis pattern. However, the mechanism of germ cell apoptosis in seasonally breeding reptiles following a dissociated spermatogenesis has remained enigmatic.

Development of Incompletely Fused Carpels in Maize Ovary Revealed by miRNA, Target Gene and Phytohormone Analysis.

Although the molecular basis of carpel fusion in maize ovary development remains largely unknown, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, a combination of miRNA sequencing, degradome and physiological analyses was used to characterize carpel fusion development in maize ovaries showing incompletely (IFC) and completely fused carpels (CFC). A total of 162 known miRNAs distributed across 33 families were identified, of which 20 were differentially expressed.

Can the Responses of Photosynthesis and Stomatal Conductance to Water and Nitrogen Stress Combinations Be Modeled Using a Single Set of Parameters?

Accurately predicting photosynthesis in response to water and nitrogen stress is the first step toward predicting crop growth, yield and many quality traits under fluctuating environmental conditions. While mechanistic models are capable of predicting photosynthesis under fluctuating environmental conditions, simplifying the parameterization procedure is important toward a wide range of model applications. In this study, the biochemical photosynthesis model of Farquhar, von Caemmerer and Berry (the FvCB model) and the stomatal conductance model of Ball, Woodrow and Berry which was revised by Leuning and Yin (the BWB-Leuning-Yin model) were parameterized for ( × "Sorbonne") grown under different water and nitrogen conditions.

Serotype 2 Biofilms Inhibit the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Invasive infections caused by serotype 2 (SS2) has emerged as a clinical problem in recent years. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are an important mechanism for the trapping and killing of pathogens that are resistant to phagocytosis. Biofilm formation can protect bacteria from being killed by phagocytes.

Microbial Abundances Predict Methane and Nitrous Oxide Fluxes from a Windrow Composting System.

Manure composting is a significant source of atmospheric methane (CH) and nitrous oxide (NO) that are two potent greenhouse gases. The CH and NO fluxes are mediated by methanogens and methanotrophs, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in composting manure, respectively, while these specific bacterial functional groups may interplay in CH and NO emissions during manure composting. To test the hypothesis that bacterial functional gene abundances regulate greenhouse gas fluxes in windrow composting systems, CH and NO fluxes were simultaneously measured using the chamber method, and molecular techniques were used to quantify the abundances of CH-related functional genes ( and genes) and NO-related functional genes (, , , , , and genes).

Genome-Wide Identification, Evolution, and Expression Analysis of the ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter Gene Family in .

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins can act as transporters of different substrates across biological membranes by hydrolyzing ATP. However, little information is available about ABC transporters in , an important leafy vegetable. In the present study, we carried out genome-wide identification, characterization and molecular evolution analyses of ABC gene family in and 9 other plant species.

Analysis of Evolutionary Processes of Species Jump in Waterfowl Parvovirus.

Waterfowl parvoviruses are classified into goose parvovirus (GPV) and Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV) according to their antigenic features and host preferences. A novel duck parvovirus (NDPV), identified as a new variant of GPV, is currently infecting ducks, thus causing considerable economic loss. This study analyzed the molecular evolution and population dynamics of the emerging parvovirus capsid gene to investigate the evolutionary processes concerning the host shift of NDPV.

, a Good Reflection of Wheat Polyploidization and Evolution.

Hexaploid wheat consists of three subgenomes, namely, A, B, and D. These well-characterized ancestral genomes also exist at the diploid and tetraploid levels, thereby rendering wheat as a good model species for studying polyploidization. Here, we performed intra- and inter-species comparative analyses of wheat and its relatives to dissect polymorphism and differentiation of the genes.

Induced Systemic Resistance against by AR156 through a JA/ET- and -Dependent Signaling Pathway and Activates PAMP-Triggered Immunity in .

Induced resistance response is a potent and cost effective plant defense against pathogen attack. The effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of the suppressive ability by AR156 to pv. DC3000 ( DC3000) in has been investigated previously; however, the strength of induced systemic resistance (ISR) activity against remains unknown.

Cadmium Disrupts the Balance between Hydrogen Peroxide and Superoxide Radical by Regulating Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide in the Root Tip of .

Cd (cadmium) stress always alters the homeostasis of ROS (reactive oxygen species) including HO (hydrogen sulfide) and [Formula: see text] (superoxide radical), leading to the oxidative injury and growth inhibition in plants. In addition to triggering oxidative injury, ROS has been suggested as important regulators modulating root elongation. However, whether and how Cd stress induces the inhibition of root elongation by differentially regulating endogenous HO and [Formula: see text], rather than by inducing oxidative injury, remains elusive.

Transcriptional Control of Dual Transporters Involved in α-Ketoglutarate Utilization Reveals Their Distinct Roles in Uropathogenic .

Uropathogenic (UPEC) are the primary causative agents of urinary tract infections. Some UPEC isolates are able to infect renal proximal tubule cells, and can potentially cause pyelonephritis. We have previously shown that to fulfill their physiological roles renal proximal tubule cells accumulate high concentrations of α-ketoglutarate (KG) and that gene cluster - contribute to anaerobic utilization of KG by UPEC str.

Elongation Factor 1-Alpha (TgEF-1α) Is a Novel Vaccine Candidate Antigen against Toxoplasmosis.

() is an obligate intracellular parasite which can infect almost all warm-blood animals, leading to toxoplasmosis. Screening and discovery of an effective vaccine candidate or new drug target is crucial for the control of this disease. In this study, the recombinant elongation factor 1-alpha (rTgEF-1α) was successfully expressed in in Passive immunization of mice with anti-rTgEF-1α polyclonal antibody following challenge with a lethal dose of tachyzoites significantly increased the survival time compared with PBS control group.

Comprehensive Analysis of the CDPK-SnRK Superfamily Genes in Chinese Cabbage and Its Evolutionary Implications in Plants.

The CDPK-SnRK (calcium-dependent protein kinase/Snf1-related protein kinase) gene superfamily plays important roles in signaling pathways for disease resistance and various stress responses, as indicated by emerging evidence. In this study, we constructed comparative analyses of gene structure, retention, expansion, whole-genome duplication (WGD) and expression patterns of CDPK-SnRK genes in and their evolution in plants. A total of 49 , 14 , 3 , 5 , and 56 s were identified in .

, a MADS-Box Gene from Soybean, Is Involved in Floral Organ Identity and Fruit Dehiscence.

MADS-domain proteins are important transcription factors involved in many aspects of plant reproductive development. In this study, a MADS-box gene, (), was isolated from soybean flower. The transcript of was expressed in flowers and pods of different stages in soybean and was highly expressed in carpels.

UFGT: The Key Enzyme Associated with the Petals Variegation in Japanese Apricot.

Japanese apricot ( Sieb.et Zucc.) is an important ornamental plant in China.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Positive Effect of Exogenous Spermidine in Tomato Seedlings' Response to High-Temperature Stress.

Polyamines are phytohormones that regulate plant growth and development as well as the response to environmental stresses. To evaluate their functions in high-temperature stress responses, the effects of exogenous spermidine (Spd) were determined in tomato leaves using two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. A total of 67 differentially expressed proteins were identified in response to high-temperature stress and/or exogenous Spd, which were grouped into different categories according to biological processes.

A Novel RNA-Binding Protein Involves ABA Signaling by Post-transcriptionally Repressing .

The () repressed by ABA, salt and cold encodes a C2C2-type zinc finger protein in . The knock-out mutation in reduced the sensitivity of seed to ABA and salt stress during germination and post-germinative growth stages. In contrast, -overexpressing seedlings were more sensitive to ABA and salt compared to wild type plants.

Corrigendum: Comparative Analysis of DNA Methyltransferase Gene Family in Fungi: A Focus on Basidiomycota.

[This corrects the article on p. 1556 in vol. 7, PMID: 27818666.

Transcriptomics Analysis of Apple Leaves in Response to Apple Pathotype Infection.

Alternaria blotch disease of apple ( × Borkh.), caused by the apple pathotype of , is one of the most serious fungal diseases to affect apples. To develop an understanding of how apples respond to apple pathotype (AAAP) infection, we examined the host transcript accumulation over the period between 0 and 72 h post AAAP inoculation.

Identification of Genes Preferentially Expressed after Phagocytosis by and Involvement of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases.

Free-living protozoa affect the survival and virulence evolution of pathogens in the environment. In this study, we explored the fate of when co-cultured with the bacteriovorous ciliate and investigated bacterial gene expression associated with the co-culture. Virulent strains were found to have ability to evade digestion in the vacuoles of this protozoan.