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Plant Biology (Stuttgart, Germany) Jun 2024This study evaluates cellular damage, metabolite profiling, and defence-related gene expression in tomato plants and soil microflora during Fusarium wilt disease after...
This study evaluates cellular damage, metabolite profiling, and defence-related gene expression in tomato plants and soil microflora during Fusarium wilt disease after treatment with B. tequilensis PBE-1. Histochemical analysis showed that PBE-1 was the primary line of defence through lignin deposition and reduced cell damage. GC-MS revealed that PBE-1 treatment ameliorated stress caused by F. oxysporum infection. PBE-1 also improved transpiration, photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance in tomato. qRT-PCR suggested that the defence-related genes FLS2, SERK, NOS, WRKYT, NHO, SAUR, and MYC2, which spread infection, were highly upregulated during F. oxysporum infection, but either downregulated or expressed normally in PBE-1 + P treated plants. This indicates that the plant not only perceives the bio-control agent as a non-pathogen entity but its presence in normal metabolism and gene expression within the host plant is maintained. The study further corroborated findings that application of PBE-1 does not cause ecological disturbances in the rhizosphere. Activity of soil microflora across four treatments, measured by Average Well Colour Development (AWCD), showed continuous increases from weeks 1 to 4 post-pathogen infection, with distinct substrate usage patterns like tannic and fumaric acids impacting microbial energy source utilization and diversity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and diversity indices like McIntosh, Shannon, and Simpson further illustrated significant microbial community shifts over the study period. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that B. tequilensis PBE-1 is an ideal bio-agent for field application during Fusarium wilt disease management in tomato.
Topics: Fusarium; Solanum lycopersicum; Plant Diseases; Soil Microbiology; Bacillus; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Rhizosphere; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38682466
DOI: 10.1111/plb.13647 -
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Jul 2024Dinoflagellates are diverse and ecologically important protists characterized by many morphological and molecular traits that set them apart from other eukaryotes. These...
Dinoflagellates are diverse and ecologically important protists characterized by many morphological and molecular traits that set them apart from other eukaryotes. These features include, but are not limited to, massive genomes organized using bacterially-derived histone-like proteins (HLPs) and dinoflagellate viral nucleoproteins (DVNP) rather than histones, and a complex history of photobiology with many independent losses of photosynthesis, numerous cases of serial secondary and tertiary plastid gains, and the presence of horizontally acquired bacterial rhodopsins and type II RuBisCo. Elucidating how this all evolved depends on knowing the phylogenetic relationships between dinoflagellate lineages. Half of these species are heterotrophic, but existing molecular data is strongly biased toward the photosynthetic dinoflagellates due to their amenability to cultivation and prevalence in culture collections. These biases make it impossible to interpret the evolution of photosynthesis, but may also affect phylogenetic inferences that impact our understanding of character evolution. Here, we address this problem by isolating individual cells from the Salish Sea and using single cell, culture-free transcriptomics to expand molecular data for dinoflagellates to include 27 more heterotrophic taxa, resulting in a roughly balanced representation. Using these data, we performed a comprehensive search for proteins involved in chromatin packaging, plastid function, and photoactivity across all dinoflagellates. These searches reveal that 1) photosynthesis was lost at least 21 times, 2) two known types of HLP were horizontally acquired around the same time rather than sequentially as previously thought; 3) multiple rhodopsins are present across the dinoflagellates, acquired multiple times from different donors; 4) kleptoplastic species have nucleus-encoded genes for proteins targeted to their temporary plastids and they are derived from multiple lineages, and 5) warnowiids are the only heterotrophs that retain a whole photosystem, although some photosynthesis-related electron transport genes are widely retained in heterotrophs, likely as part of the iron-sulfur cluster pathway that persists in non-photosynthetic plastids.
Topics: Dinoflagellida; Phylogeny; Photosynthesis; Heterotrophic Processes; Biological Evolution; Evolution, Molecular; Plastids
PubMed: 38677354
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108086 -
Pharmaceutics Apr 2024Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease. The treatment is restricted to drugs, such as meglumine antimoniate and amphotericin B, that exhibit toxic...
Combination of the Topical Photodynamic Therapy of Chloroaluminum Phthalocyanine Liposomes with Fexinidazole Oral Self-Emulsifying System as a New Strategy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Treatment.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease. The treatment is restricted to drugs, such as meglumine antimoniate and amphotericin B, that exhibit toxic effects, high cost, long-term treatment, and limited efficacy. The development of new alternative therapies, including the identification of effective drugs for the topical and oral treatment of CL, is of great interest. In this sense, a combination of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) with chloroaluminum phthalocyanine liposomes (Lip-ClAlPc) and the oral administration of a self-emulsifying drug delivery system containing fexinidazole (SEDDS-FEX) emerges as a new strategy. The aim of the present study was to prepare, characterize, and evaluate the efficacy of combined therapy with Lip-ClAlPc and SEDDS-FEX in the experimental treatment of . Lip-ClAlPc and SEDDS-FEX were prepared, and the antileishmanial efficacy study was conducted with the following groups: 1. Lip-ClAlPc (0.05 mL); 2. SEDDS-FEX (50 mg/kg/day); 3. Lip-ClAlPc (0.05 mL)+SEDDS-FEX (50 mg/kg/day) combination; 4. FEX suspension (50 mg/kg/day); and 5. control (untreated). BALB/c mice received 10 sessions of topical Lip-ClAlPc on alternate days and 20 consecutive days of SEDDS-FEX or FEX oral suspension. Therapeutical efficacy was evaluated via the parasite burden (limiting-dilution assay), lesion size (mm), healing of the lesion, and histological analyses. Lip-ClAlPc and SEDDS-FEX presented physicochemical characteristics that are compatible with the administration routes used in the treatments. Lip-ClAlPc+SEDDS-FEX led to a significant reduction in the parasitic burden in the lesion and spleen when compared to the control group ( < 0.05) and the complete healing of the lesion in 43% of animals. The Lip-ClAlPc+SEDDS-FEX combination may be promising for the treatment of CL caused by
PubMed: 38675171
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040509 -
Nutrients Apr 2024Vitamin D synthesis in human skin is initiated by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), but influence of age on the early... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Comparative Study of Healthy Older and Younger Adults Shows They Have the Same Skin Concentration of Vitamin D Precursor, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, and Similar Response to UVR.
Vitamin D synthesis in human skin is initiated by solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), but influence of age on the early stage of vitamin D metabolism is uncertain. We performed a prospective standardised study in healthy ambulant adults aged ≥65 and ≤40 years examining (1) if baseline skin 7DHC concentration differs between younger and older adults and (2) the impact of older age on serum vitamin D response to solar simulated UVR. Eleven younger (18-40 years) and 10 older (65-89 years) adults, phototype I-III, received low-dose UVR (95% UVA, 5% UVB, 1.3 SED) to ~35% of the body surface area. Biopsies were taken for 7DHC assay from unexposed skin, skin immediately and 24 h post-UVR, and blood sampled at baseline, 24 h and 7 d post-UVR for vitamin D assay. Samples were analysed by HPLC-MS/MS. Baseline skin 7DHC (mean ± SD) was 0.22 ± 0.07 and 0.25 ± 0.08 µg/mg in younger versus older adults (no significant difference). Baseline serum vitamin D concentration was 1.5 ± 1.5 and 1.5 ± 1.7 nmol/L in younger versus older adults, respectively, and showed a significant increase in both groups post-UVR (no significant differences between age groups). Thus, skin 7DHC concentration was not a limiting factor for vitamin D production in older relative to younger adults. This information assists public health guidance on sun exposure/vitamin D nutrition, with particular relevance to the growing populations of healthy ambulant adults ≥65 years.
Topics: Humans; Dehydrocholesterols; Adult; Aged; Ultraviolet Rays; Cholecalciferol; Skin; Male; Young Adult; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Adolescent; Prospective Studies; Age Factors
PubMed: 38674838
DOI: 10.3390/nu16081147 -
International Journal of Biological... May 2024This study characterized four corrole derivatives, namely Cbz-Cor, MetCbz-Cor, PTz-Cor, and PTzEt-Cor, examining their photophysical, electrochemical, photobiological,...
This study characterized four corrole derivatives, namely Cbz-Cor, MetCbz-Cor, PTz-Cor, and PTzEt-Cor, examining their photophysical, electrochemical, photobiological, and biomolecule-binding properties. Experimental photophysical data of absorption and emission elements correlated with a theoretical analysis obtained through time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). As for the photophysical properties, we observed lower fluorescence quantum yields and discernible differences between the excited and ground states, as indicated by Stokes shift values. Natural Transition Orbit (NTO) plots presented high occupied molecular orbital - low unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) densities around the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle in all examples. Our findings demonstrate that corroles maintain stability in solution and offer photostability (<20 %), predominantly in DMSO(5 %)/Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) buffer solution. Furthermore, the singlet oxygen (O) quantum yield and log P values underscore their potential application in photoinactivation approaches, as these corroles serve as effective ROS generators with more lipophilic features. We also evaluated their biomolecular binding capacity towards salmon sperm DNA and human serum albumin using spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking analysis for sustenance. Concerning biomolecule interaction profiles, the corrole derivatives showed a propensity for interacting in the minor grooves of the double helix DNA due to secondary forces, which were more pronounced in site III of the human serum protein.
Topics: DNA; Phenothiazines; Humans; Carbazoles; Serum Albumin, Human; Porphyrins; Animals; Protein Binding; Salmon; Molecular Docking Simulation; Singlet Oxygen
PubMed: 38670207
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131861 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024The functional screening of cDNA libraries (or functional cloning) enables isolation of cDNA genes encoding novel proteins with unknown amino acid sequences. This...
The functional screening of cDNA libraries (or functional cloning) enables isolation of cDNA genes encoding novel proteins with unknown amino acid sequences. This approach is the only way to identify a protein sequence in the event of shortage of biological material for obtaining pure target protein in amounts sufficient to determine its primary structure, since sensitive functional test for a target protein is only required to successfully perform functional cloning. Commonly, bioluminescent proteins from representatives belonging to different taxa significantly differ in sequences due to independent origin of bioluminescent systems during evolution. Nonetheless, these proteins are frequently similar in functions and can use even the same substrate of bioluminescence reaction, allowing the use of the same functional test for screening. The cDNA genes encoding unknown light-emitting proteins can be identified during functional screening with high sensitivity, which is provided by modern light recording equipment making possible the detection of a very small amount of a target protein. Here, we present the protocols for isolation of full-size cDNA genes for the novel bioluminescent protein family of light-sensitive Ca-regulated photoproteins in the absence of any sequence information by functional screening of plasmid cDNA expression library. The protocols describe all the steps from gathering animals to isolation of individual E. coli colonies carrying full-size cDNA genes using photoprotein berovin from ctenophore Beroe abyssicola as an illustrative example.
Topics: Gene Library; Animals; Ctenophora; Cloning, Molecular; Luminescent Proteins; DNA, Complementary; Escherichia coli
PubMed: 38668973
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3642-8_13 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2024Light-sensitive Ca-regulated photoproteins of ctenophores are single-chain polypeptide proteins of 206-208 amino acids in length comprising three canonical EF-hand...
Light-sensitive Ca-regulated photoproteins of ctenophores are single-chain polypeptide proteins of 206-208 amino acids in length comprising three canonical EF-hand Ca-binding sites, each of 12 contiguous residues. These photoproteins are a stable complex of apoprotein and 2-hydroperoxy adduct of coelenterazine. Addition of calcium ions to photoprotein is only required to trigger bright bioluminescence. However, in contrast to the related Ca-regulated photoproteins of jellyfish their capacity to bioluminescence disappears on exposure to light over the entire absorption spectral range of ctenophore photoproteins. Here, we describe protocols for expression of gene encoding ctenophore photoprotein in Escherichia coli cells, obtaining of the recombinant apoprotein of high purity and its conversion into active photoprotein with synthetic coelenterazine as well as determination of its sensitivity to calcium ions using light-sensitive Ca-regulated photoprotein berovin from ctenophore Beroe abyssicola as an illustrative case.
Topics: Ctenophora; Calcium; Animals; Luminescent Proteins; Escherichia coli; Recombinant Proteins; Gene Expression; Cloning, Molecular; Pyrazines; Imidazoles
PubMed: 38668972
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3642-8_12 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Apr 2024
PubMed: 38656979
DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljae180 -
International Journal of Dermatology Apr 2024Despite its rarity, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is globally recognized as the most common form of cutaneous porphyria. This study aims to review the underlying...
BACKGROUND
Despite its rarity, porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is globally recognized as the most common form of cutaneous porphyria. This study aims to review the underlying associations and treatment of PCT in Scotland.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed data on 27 patients diagnosed with PCT between 1987 and 2022 at the Scottish Cutaneous Porphyria Service.
RESULTS
Males slightly predominated (66.7%). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age at diagnosis was 55.6 ± 12.5 years. Common associated factors were heavy alcohol intake (88.5%), genetic hemochromatosis (72%), smoking (45.5%), and hepatitis C virus infection (16%). Most had multiple associated factors (70.4%). Patients with genetic hemochromatosis with the C282Y genotype exhibited higher median transferrin saturation (69.5 vs. 35, P = 0.004) and ferritin levels (observed in males only) (1175 vs. 339; P = 0.014) than those with the H636D genotype. Most (52%) received combination therapy of venesection and antimalarials, followed by venesection monotherapy (32%) and antimalarial monotherapy (16%). Overall, 95.2% achieved biochemical improvement. Median time to improvement was 7, 5, and 9 months with venesection, antimalarial, and combined treatments, respectively (P = 0.173). Biochemical remission was achieved in 50% of patients. Remission occurred in 2/4 of patients with antimalarial monotherapy (median time 19 months) and 9/13 patients with combined treatment (median time 26 months). Biochemical relapse was found in three patients, all of whom received combination therapy.
CONCLUSION
Excess alcohol intake and genetic hemochromatosis were the most common underlying associations with PCT in our Scottish cohort. Treatment for PCT should be individualized, and long-term follow-up is needed to monitor for disease relapse.
PubMed: 38647187
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.17205 -
Plant, Cell & Environment Apr 2024Plants use light as a resource and signal. Photons within the 400-700 nm waveband are considered photosynthetically active. Far-red photons (FR, 700-800 nm) are used...
Plants use light as a resource and signal. Photons within the 400-700 nm waveband are considered photosynthetically active. Far-red photons (FR, 700-800 nm) are used by plants to detect nearby vegetation and elicit the shade avoidance syndrome. In addition, FR photons have also been shown to contribute to photosynthesis, but knowledge about these dual effects remains scarce. Here, we study shoot-architectural and photosynthetic responses to supplemental FR light during the photoperiod in several rice varieties. We observed that FR enrichment only mildly affected the rice transcriptome and shoot architecture as compared to established model species, whereas leaf formation, tillering and biomass accumulation were clearly promoted. Consistent with this growth promotion, we found that CO-fixation in supplemental FR was strongly enhanced, especially in plants acclimated to FR-enriched conditions as compared to control conditions. This growth promotion dominates the effects of FR photons on shoot development and architecture. When substituting FR enrichment with an end-of-day FR pulse, this prevented photosynthesis-promoting effects and elicited shade avoidance responses. We conclude that FR photons can have a dual role, where effects depend on the environmental context: in addition to being an environmental signal, they are also a potent source of harvestable energy.
PubMed: 38629324
DOI: 10.1111/pce.14909