of Botany,Chinese Academy Of Sciences
Not a member yet
11331 research outputs found
Sort by
Genome-Wide Identification of the Hsp70 Gene Family in Grape and Their Expression Profile during Abiotic Stress
No full textPlants encounter a variety of abiotic stresses such as global climate change. Hsp70, as one of the main families of heat shock proteins (Hsps), has a great role in maintenance of the development and growth, and response to abiotic stress. Grape is a very popular fruit worldwide with a high economic value. However, the Hsp70 gene family has not been thoroughly identified in grape (Vitis vinifera L.). In this study, a total of 33 VvHsp70 genes were identified and divided into four clades in V. vinifera. Phylogenetic analysis, gene structure, conserved motif, and duplication events were performed for VvHsp70 genes. The detailed information showed that the VvHsp70 genes clustered together based on the phylogenetic tree had similar subcellular localization, gene structures, and conserved motifs, although there are exceptions. The expression patterns of VvHsp70, VdHsp70, or VaHsp70 were explored in development and abiotic stress including heat, osmotic, and cold stresses by transcription data or qRT-PCR. The results showed that grape Hsp70 genes had strong response for these abiotic stresses, particularly in heat and cold treatments in a different expression pattern. Most of the VdHsp70 genes were upregulated in response to heat treatments while VaHsp70 genes were downregulated in response to cold treatments. Together, our results revealed a new insight for the Hsp70 gene family in grape and will afford fundamental knowledge for further functional analysis and breeding of stress-tolerant grapevines
Inhibitory Effect of Acer truncatum Bunge Seed Coat Extract on Fatty Acid Synthase, Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
No full textAcer truncatum Bunge is now widely cultivated throughout the world. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a potential target in the treatment of both obesity and cancer. Only a few FAS inhibitors have been reported. In this study, the inhibitory effect of A. truncatum seed coat (ESA) on FAS and the inhibition mechanisms were investigated using a FAS activity assay and an enzyme kinetics study. The main chemicals of ESA were analyzed with UPLC-MS/MS. The effects of ESA on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation were investigated using Oil red O staining. We first identified seven main compounds (quinic acid, malic acid, gentisic acid, procyanidin dimer, procyanidin trimer, catechin, and quercetin) from 50% ethanol extracts of seed coats of A. truncatum (ESAs), which were then found to inhibit 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation at the concentration of 50 mu g/mL. ESA obviously reduced the visible triglyceride droplets accumulation, and dramatically decreased the number of the adipocytes at a comparatively high concentration. It is suggested that the effects are due to the inhibition of FAS by ESA; FAS activity is inhibited by ESA at a half inhibition concentration (IC50) of 0.57 mu g/mL, which is lower than that of classically known FAS inhibitors. Meanwhile, ESA displayed different inhibition kinetics and reacting sites for FAS. These results provide new clues for the development of novel products for obesity treatment and a scientific basis for the full use of byproducts for future industrial production of vegetable oil
The Habitat Type and Scale Dependences of Interspecific Associations in a Subtropical Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest
No full textInterspecific associations refers to the interrelationship among different species in a particular spatial distribution, which plays an important role in species distribution, community assembly, and responses to environmental changes. However, the strength and/or direction of interspecific associations may vary with environmental gradients and scales. To understand the effects of habitat types and research scales on interspecific associations in subtropical forests, we modeled the interspecific associations for more than 15,000 individuals representing 74 co-occurring species from three habitat types and three scales by using the variance ratio and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. We found that overall interspecific associations at a community level exhibited significant positive associations for most habitat types and scales. Moreover, interspecific associations of pairwise species have strong habitat dependence, and the association strengths decreased with the increase in elevation (change in habitat types). However, the scale dependence of pairwise interspecific associations varies with habitat types. The strength of interspecific associations increased with the increasing scales (10 m x 10 m, 20 m x 20 m, and 40 m x 40 m) at low-valleys and mid-hillside habitats, while the scale-dependent effect was not detected at high-ridges. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of environmental gradients and research scales on interspecific associations in diverse subtropical forests, and environmental gradients and research scales should be considered in future studies
The Gastrodia menghaiensis (Orchidaceae) genome provides new insights of orchid mycorrhizal interactions
No full textBackground To illustrate the molecular mechanism of mycoheterotrophic interactions between orchids and fungi, we assembled chromosome-level reference genome of Gastrodia menghaiensis (Orchidaceae) and analyzed the genomes of two species of Gastrodia. Results Our analyses indicated that the genomes of Gastrodia are globally diminished in comparison to autotrophic orchids, even compared to Cuscuta (a plant parasite). Genes involved in arbuscular mycorrhizae colonization were found in genomes of Gastrodia, and many of the genes involved biological interaction between Gatrodia and symbiotic microbionts are more numerous than in photosynthetic orchids. The highly expressed genes for fatty acid and ammonium root transporters suggest that fungi receive material from orchids, although most raw materials flow from the fungi. Many nuclear genes (e.g. biosynthesis of aromatic amino acid L-tryptophan) supporting plastid functions are expanded compared to photosynthetic orchids, an indication of the importance of plastids even in totally mycoheterotrophic species. Conclusion Gastrodia menghaiensis has the smallest proteome thus far among angiosperms. Many of the genes involved biological interaction between Gatrodia and symbiotic microbionts are more numerous than in photosynthetic orchids
ARF2 positively regulates flavonols and proanthocyanidins biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana
No full textMain conclusion Auxin response factor 2 acts as a positive regulator to fine-tune the spatial and temporal accumulation of flavonoid compounds, mainly flavonols and proanthocyanidins in Arabidopsis. Auxin response factor (ARF) proteins are reported to involve in auxin-mediated regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis. However, the detailed regulation mechanism of ARF remains still unknown. Here, we provide genetic and molecular evidence that one of the twenty-three ARF members-ARF2-positively regulates flavonoid biosynthesis at multi-level in tissue-specific manner in Arabidopsis thaliana. Loss-of-function mutation of ARF2 led to significant reduction in flavonoid content (e.g., flavonols and proanthocyanidins) in the seedlings and seeds of the Arabidopsis arf2 mutants. Over-expression of ARF2 increased flavonols and proanthocyanidins content in Arabidopsis. Additionally, the changes of flavonoid content correlate well with the transcript abundance of several regulatory genes (e.g., MYB11, MYB12, MYB111, TT2, and GL3), and key biosynthetic genes (e.g., CHS, F3'H, FLS, ANS, ANR, TT12, TT19, and TT15), in the arf2 mutant and ARF2 over-expression lines. Transient transactivation assays with site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that ARF2 directly regulates the expression of MYB12 and FLS genes in the flavonol pathway and ANR in the proanthocyanidin pathway, and indirectly regulates MYB11 and MYB111 genes in the flavonol pathway, and ANS, TT12, TT19 and TT15 genes in the proanthocyanidin pathway. Further genetic results indicated that ARF2 acts upstream of MYB12 to regulate flavonol accumulation, and of TT2 to regulate proanthocyanidins accumulation. In particular, yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that ARF2 physically interacts with TT2, a master regulator of proanthocyanidins biosynthesis. Combined together, these results indicated that ARF2 functions as a positive regulator for the fine-tuned spatial and temporal regulation of flavonoids (mainly flavonols and proanthocyanidins) accumulation in Arabidopsis
The role of China's terrestrial carbon sequestration 2010-2060 in offsetting energy-related CO2 emissions
No full textEnergy consumption dominates annual CO2 emissions in China. It is essential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from energy consumption to reach national carbon neutrality by 2060, while the role of terrestrial carbon sequestration in offsetting energy-related CO2 emissions cannot be underestimated. Natural climate solutions (NCS), including improvements in terrestrial carbon sequestration, represent readily deployable options to offset anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. However, the extent to which China's terrestrial carbon sequestration in the future, especially when target-oriented managements (TOMs) are implemented, can help to mitigate energy-related CO2 emissions is far from certain. By synthesizing available findings and using several parameter-sparse empirical models that have been calibrated and/or fitted against contemporary measurements, we assessed China's terrestrial carbon sequestration over 2010-2060 and its contribution to offsetting national energy-related CO2 emissions. We show that terrestrial C sequestration in China will increase from 0.375 +/- 0.056 (mean +/- standard deviation) Pg C yr(-1) in the 2010s to 0.458 +/- 0.100 Pg C yr(-1) under RCP2.6 and 0.493 +/- 0.108 Pg C yr(-1) under the RCP4.5 scenario in the 2050s, when TOMs are implemented. The majority of carbon sequestration comes from forest, accounting for 67.8-71.4% of the total amount. China's terrestrial ecosystems can offset 12.2-15.0% and 13.4-17.8% of energy-related peak CO2 emissions in 2030 and 2060, respectively. The implementation of TOMs contributes 11.9% of the overall terrestrial carbon sequestration in the 2020s and 23.7% in the 2050s. The most likely strategy to maximize future NCS effectiveness is a full implementation of all applicable cost-effective NCS pathways in China. Our findings highlight the role of terrestrial carbon sequestration in offsetting energy-related CO2 emissions and put forward future needs in the context of carbon neutrality. China's terrestrial ecosystems could sequester carbon at the rates of 0.375 Pg C yr(-1) in the 2010s and 0.458 +/- 0.493 Pg C yr(-1) in the 2050s. Target-oriented managements contribute 12-24% to the total carbon sequestration. China's terrestrial carbon sequestration in 2060 could offset 13-18% of energy-related peak CO2 emissions
Comparison of Origanum Essential Oil Chemical Compounds and Their Antibacterial Activity against Cronobacter sakazakii
No full textOriganum vulgare L. (oregano) is an aromatic plant with wide applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Cronobacter sakazakii, which has a high detection rate in powdered infant formula, adversely impacts susceptible individuals. Oregano essential oil (OEO) is a natural antibacterial agent that can be used to fight bacterial contamination. Here, OEO chemical compounds from eight oregano varieties were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their antibacterial properties were assessed. The eight OEOs were clustered into two groups and were more diverse in group 2 than in group 1. Six compounds, including p-cymene, 3-thujene, gamma-terpinene, thymol, carvacrol, and caryophyllene, were shared by eight OEOs. Among the eight oregano varieties, OEOs from O. vulgare sc2 had the strongest antibacterial activity against C. sakazaki, with the inhibition zone of 18.22mm. OEOs from O. vulgare jx, O. 'Nvying', O. vulgare 'Ehuang', and O. vulgare ssp. virens were also potent. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of OEOs was positively correlated with the relative content of thymol. As the main OEO antibacterial compound, thymol affected the normal growth and metabolism of C. sakazakii cells by destroying the bacterial membrane and decreasing the intracellular ATP concentration. Thus, in light of the antibacterial activity detected in the OEOs from the eight oregano varieties, this study provides a theoretical foundation for oregano cultivar management and development
Photosynthetic mechanism of high yield under an improved wide-narrow row planting pattern in maize
No full textWide-narrow row maize planting patterns are a popular way to enhance maize yield via improving canopy PAR. To further optimize canopy PAR, we designed an improved wide-narrow row planting pattern (R2) based on the principle of the shortest projection length and the longest illumination of objects on the ground. Compared to the traditional wide-narrow row planting pattern (R1), maize yield increased by about 10% in R2. R2 maize had higher PAR, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rates than maize grown in R1. Moreover, compared to maize leaves in R1, the carbon assimilation enzymatic activities were also significantly higher in R2. The higher carbon assimilation enzymatic activity in R2 could account for the increased photosynthetic rate. Thus, the improved wide-narrow row planting pattern could improve photosynthetic performance by enhancing the PAR of the plant which further the ear number and in northeast China
Multiplexed Massively Parallel Sequencing of Plastomes Provides Insights Into the Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Phylogeography of Wild and Cultivated Coptis chinensis
No full textRoot rot has been a major problem for cultivated populations of Coptis chinensis var. chinensis in recent years. C. chinensis var. brevisepala, the closest wild relative of C. chinensis var. chinensis, has a scattered distribution across southwestern China and is an important wild resource. Genetic diversity is associated with greater evolutionary potential and resilience of species or populations and is important for the breeding and conservation of species. Here, we conducted multiplexed massively parallel sequencing of the plastomes of 227 accessions of wild and cultivated C. chinensis using 111 marker pairs to study patterns of genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeography among wild and cultivated C. chinensis populations. Wild and cultivated resources diverged approximately 2.83 Mya. The cultivated resources experienced a severe genetic bottleneck and possess highly mixed germplasm. However, high genetic diversity has been retained in the wild resources, and subpopulations in different locations differed in genotype composition. The significant divergence in the genetic diversity of wild and cultivated resources indicates that they require different conservation strategies. Wild resources require in situ conservation strategies aiming to expand population sizes while maintaining levels of genetic diversity; by contrast, germplasm resource nurseries with genotypes of cultivated resources and planned distribution measures are needed for the conservation of cultivated resources to prevent cultivated populations from undergoing severe genetic bottlenecks. The results of this study provide comprehensive insights into the genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeography of C. chinensis and will facilitate future breeding and conservation efforts
Food resources and competition rather than eco-geographic rules explain trait variations in two contrasting rat species: Implications for future climate change
No full textUnderstanding how morphological traits are influenced by temperature, resource availability and competition is critical for predicting future ecosystem resilience to climate change. Here we tested the effects of biotic and abiotic factors, on the morphology of two contrasting Muridae species (Chinese white-bellied rats Niviventer confucianus [n = 565; 57.1 g] and Edwards's long-tailed giant rats Leopoldamys edwardsi [n = 45; 459.5 g]) in relation to Bergmann's, Allen's, Hesse's and Geist's eco-geographical rules along a 2900-m elevational gradient. Specifically, we tested the body size threshold theory, which posits that animals heavier than 0.16 kg are more likely to follow Bergmann's rule. We measured body length and mass, appendage lengths and heart mass for 610 adult specimens from 115 localities, and used principal components analysis to quantify food resource availability. Linear mixed models were employed to test these eco-geographical rules, along with the effects of associated biotic and abiotic factors. We found that for N. confucianus ( 0.16 kg) did not conform with any eco-geographic rules, and so we found no support for the body size threshold theory. Our study proposes that food resource abundance and inter-and intraspecific competition mediated variations in morphological traits in these rodent species to a greater extent than any reduction in temperature alone, giving little support for ecogeographical rule effects. We interpret that where food supply can meet energetic demands, even under colder conditions, then any selective pressure for thermal/energy efficiency through larger body size and shorter appendages will be alleviated. Considering the full range of inter-related factors that are affected by temperature, rather than just the bio-physics of heat loss, is important to better predict future climate change responses