Soybean is an important crop worldwide, but its production is severely affected by salt stress. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of salt response is crucial for improving the salt tolerance of ...soybean. Here, we reveal a role for nuclear factor Y subunit GmNFYA in salt tolerance of soybean likely through the regulation of histone acetylation. GmNFYA is induced by salt stress. Overexpression of GmNFYA significantly enhances salt tolerance in stable transgenic soybean plants by inducing salt‐responsive genes. Analysis in soybean plants with transgenic hairy roots also supports the conclusion. GmNFYA interacts with GmFVE, which functions with putative histone deacetylase GmHDA13 in a complex for transcriptional repression possibly by reducing H3K9 acetylation at target loci. Under salt stress, GmNFYA likely accumulates and competes with GmHDA13 for interaction with GmFVE, leading to the derepression and maintenance of histone acetylation for activation of salt‐responsive genes and finally conferring salt tolerance in soybean plants. In addition, a haplotype I GmNFYA promoter is identified with the highest self‐activated promoter activity and may be selected during future breeding for salt‐tolerant cultivars. Our study uncovers the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of GmNFYA in salt‐stress response, and all the factors/elements identified may be potential targets for genetic manipulation of salt tolerance in soybean and other crops.
ABSTRACT
Abiotic stress is one of the most important factors reducing soybean yield. It is essential to identify regulatory factors contributing to stress responses. A previous study found that the ...tandem CCCH zinc‐finger protein GmZF351 is an oil level regulator. In this study, we discovered that the GmZF351 gene is induced by stress and that the overexpression of GmZF351 confers stress tolerance to transgenic soybean. GmZF351 directly regulates the expression of GmCIPK9 and GmSnRK, leading to stomata closing, by binding to their promoter regions, which carry two CT(G/C)(T/A)AA elements. Stress induction of GmZF351 is mediated through reduction in the H3K27me3 level at the GmZF351 locus. Two JMJ30‐demethylase‐like genes, GmJMJ30‐1 and GmJMJ30‐2, are involved in this demethylation process. Overexpression of GmJMJ30‐1/2 in transgenic hairy roots enhances GmZF351 expression mediated by histone demethylation and confers stress tolerance to soybean. Yield‐related agronomic traits were evaluated in stable GmZF351‐transgenic plants under mild drought stress conditions. Our study reveals a new mode of GmJMJ30‐GmZF351 action in stress tolerance, in addition to that of GmZF351 in oil accumulation. Manipulation of the components in this pathway is expected to improve soybean traits and adaptation under unfavorable environments.
The soybean zinc finger protein GmZF351 regulates oil levels and mainly works in seeds. However, the histone demethylase GmJMJ30‐1/2 activates GmZF351 in leaves and roots to improve stress tolerance by mechanisms that differ from the mechanisms acting in seeds.
Textile dyeing uses large amount of freshwater and synthetic dyes. Its effluents have to be subjected to certain treatments to remove the contaminants, especially for residue dyestuffs, before ...discharging to water bodies for elimination of adverse impacts to the environment. The objective of this research is to fabricate a novel catalyst, carbon aerogel supported copper oxide, and study its catalytic performance for the first time in ozonation of simulated dyeing wastewater for dye degradation. The catalyst was prepared using sol–gel and impregnation method, and characterized by Transmission Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction techniques which suggesting that the nano-sized copper oxide particles successfully embedded and well-dispersed in the amorphous carbon aerogel. The catalytic performance of the catalyst was evaluated by degradation of C.I. Reactive Black 5 in a semi-continuous reactor. The results show that the catalyst has promising potential in ozonation towards dye elimination in dyeing wastewater, in which the dye removal efficiency can be effectively enhanced by the catalyst. In the specific conditions, COD removal could reach 46% in catalytic ozonation system after 60-min reaction, while it was only 29% in ozonation alone without catalyst. In addition, a systematic parameter study was performed to investigate the effect of the temperature, pH, ozone dosage, catalyst amount and dye concentration on dye degradation in terms of color and COD removal.
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•A novel catalyst, mesoporous carbon aerogel (MCA) supported copper oxide, has been fabricated.•Dye degradation was remarkably enhanced in ozonation with the novel catalyst.•Increasing the reaction temperature, pH, ozone dosage or catalyst loading led to improved dye degradation.•This is the first work involving MCA based material as catalyst for ozonation.
Seed weight is usually associated with seed size and is one of the important agronomic traits that determine yield. Understanding of seed weight control is limited, especially in soybean plants. Here ...we show that Glycine max JASMONATE‐ZIM DOMAIN 3 (GmJAZ3), a gene identified through gene co‐expression network analysis, regulates seed‐related traits in soybean. Overexpression of GmJAZ3 promotes seed size/weight and other organ sizes in stable transgenic soybean plants likely by increasing cell proliferation. GmJAZ3 interacted with both G. max RESPONSE REGULATOR 18a (GmRR18a) and GmMYC2a to inhibit their transcriptional activation of cytokinin oxidase gene G. max CYTOKININ OXIDASE 3‐4 (GmCKX3‐4), which usually affects seed traits. Meanwhile, the GmRR18a binds to the promoter of GmMYC2a and activates GmMYC2a gene expression. In GmJAZ3‐overexpressing soybean seeds, the protein contents were increased while the fatty acid contents were reduced compared to those in the control seeds, indicating that the GmJAZ3 affects seed size/weight and compositions. Natural variation in JAZ3 promoter region was further analyzed and Hap3 promoter correlates with higher promoter activity, higher gene expression and higher seed weight. The Hap3 promoter may be selected and fixed during soybean domestication. JAZ3 orthologs from other plants/crops may also control seed size and weight. Taken together, our study reveals a novel molecular module GmJAZ3‐GmRR18a/GmMYC2a‐GmCKXs for seed size and weight control, providing promising targets during soybean molecular breeding for better seed traits.
The soybean jasmonate ZIM doman (JAZ) protein GmJAZ3 regulates seed traits by orchestrating jasmonate and cytokinin signaling. JAZ3 was domesticated in soybean and this gene family shares conserved functions throughout monocots and dicots.
Construction of supramolecular structures with internal functionalities is a promising approach to build enzyme‐like cavities. The endo‐functionalized Pd12L24 and Pd2L4 coordination cages represent ...the most successful systems in this regard. However, these systems mainly contain one type of endo‐moiety. We herein provide a solution for the controlled endo‐functionalization of Pd2L4 cages. Site‐selective introduction of the endo‐functional group was achieved through the formation of heteroleptic Pd2(LA)2(LB)(LC) cages. Using two orthogonal steric control elements is the key for the selective formation of the hetero‐assemblies. We demonstrated the construction of two hetero‐cages with a single internal functional group as well as a hetero‐cage with two distinct endohedral functionalities. The endo‐functionalized hetero‐cages bound sulfonate guests with fast‐exchange dynamics. This strategy provides a new solution for the controlled endo‐functionalization of supramolecular cavities.
Unprecedented heteroleptic Pd2 (LA)2 (LB) (LC) supramolecular cages were selectively constructed by taking advantage of a pair of orthogonal steric control elements encoded in distinct ligands. This strategy allows the site‐selective introduction of distinct endo‐functionalities into the cavity of the heteroleptic cage.
Heightened surveillance of acute febrile illness in China since 2009 has led to the identification of a severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) with an unknown cause. Infection with ...Anaplasma phagocytophilum has been suggested as a cause, but the pathogen has not been detected in most patients on laboratory testing.
We obtained blood samples from patients with the case definition of SFTS in six provinces in China. The blood samples were used to isolate the causal pathogen by inoculation of cell culture and for detection of viral RNA on polymerase-chain-reaction assay. The pathogen was characterized on electron microscopy and nucleic acid sequencing. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence assay, and neutralization testing to analyze the level of virus-specific antibody in patients' serum samples.
We isolated a novel virus, designated SFTS bunyavirus, from patients who presented with fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multiorgan dysfunction. RNA sequence analysis revealed that the virus was a newly identified member of the genus phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. Electron-microscopical examination revealed virions with the morphologic characteristics of a bunyavirus. The presence of the virus was confirmed in 171 patients with SFTS from six provinces by detection of viral RNA, specific antibodies to the virus in blood, or both. Serologic assays showed a virus-specific immune response in all 35 pairs of serum samples collected from patients during the acute and convalescent phases of the illness.
A novel phlebovirus was identified in patients with a life-threatening illness associated with fever and thrombocytopenia in China. (Funded by the China Mega-Project for Infectious Diseases and others.).
Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) decorated ternary Cu2SnS3 composite has been synthesized by one-step facile hydrothermal route. The formation of Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles and reduction of graphene oxide ...occur at the same time during the hydrothermal process. The Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles with a size of 5–10nm are uniformly distributed on the RGO, which prevents effectively the agglomeration of Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles. The Cu2SnS3/RGO composite electrode exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 704mAhg−1 and 560mAhg−1 after 100cycles. Such excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the presence of RGO, which improves the electronic conductivity and prevents the agglomeration of Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles. In addition, the Cu induced by the Cu2SnS3 reaction with lithium ions during the discharge process can increase the electronic conductivity.
Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) decorated ternary Cu2SnS3 composite has been synthesized by one-step facile hydrothermal route. The Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles with a size of 5–10nm are uniformly distributed on the RGO, which prevents effectively the agglomeration of Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles. The Cu2SnS3/RGO composite electrode exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 704mAhg−1 and 560mAhg−1 after 100cycles. Display omitted
•Cu2SnS3/RGO composite has been fabricated by one-step and in-situ method.•The RGO offers a continuous electrically conductive network.•The Cu2SnS3/RGO composite exhibits excellent lithium storage performance.•Cu induced by Cu2SnS3 reaction with Li+ can increase the electronic conductivity.
Seed size and weight are important factors that influence soybean yield. Combining the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of 45 soybean accessions and gene dynamic changes in seeds ...at seven developmental stages, we identified candidate genes that may control the seed size/weight. Among these, a PLATZ-type regulator overlapping with 10 seed weight QTLs was further investigated. This zinc-finger transcriptional regulator, named as GmPLATZ, is required for the promotion of seed size and weight in soybean. The GmPLATZ may exert its functions through direct binding to the promoters and activation of the expression of cyclin genes and GmGA20OX for cell proliferation. Overexpression of the GmGA20OX enhanced seed size/weight in soybean. We further found that the GmPLATZ binds to a 32-bp sequence containing a core palindromic element AATGCGCATT. Spacing of the flanking sequences beyond the core element facilitated GmPLATZ binding. An elite haplotype Hap3 was also identified to have higher promoter activity and correlated with higher gene expression and higher seed weight. Orthologues of the GmPLATZ from rice and Arabidopsis play similar roles in seeds. Our study reveals a novel module of GmPLATZ-GmGA20OX/cyclins in regulating seed size and weight and provides valuable targets for breeding of crops with desirable agronomic traits.
Tomato is cultivated worldwide as a nutrient-rich vegetable crop. Tomato wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici (Fol) is one of the most serious fungal diseases posing threats to ...tomato production. Recently, the development of Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) directs a novel plant disease management by generating an efficient and environmental friendly biocontrol agent. Here, we characterized that FolRDR1 (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1) mediated the pathogen invasion to the host plant tomato, and played as an essential regulator in pathogen development and pathogenicity. Our fluorescence tracing data further presented that effective uptakes of FolRDR1-dsRNAs were observed in both Fol and tomato tissues. Subsequently, exogenous application of FolRDR1-dsRNAs on pre-Fol-infected tomato leaves resulted in significant alleviation of tomato wilt disease symptoms. Particularly, FolRDR1-RNAi was highly specific without sequence off-target in related plants. Our results of pathogen gene-targeting RNAi have provided a new strategy for tomato wilt disease management by developing an environmentally-friendly biocontrol agent.
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