Conjugated Polyamines in Root Plasma Membrane Enhanced the Tolerance of Plum Seedling to Osmotic Stress by Stabilizing Membrane Structure and Therefore Elevating H+-ATPase Activity

Polyamines are small positively charged molecules in plants and play important functions in many biological processes under various environmental stresses. One of the most confounding problems relating to polyamines (PAs) in stresses is the lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying their function(s). Furthermore, a limited number of studies have addressed this issue at the sub-cellular level, especially in tree plants under drought stress. Therefore, in this research, by simulating natural drought stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG) osmotic stress, the relationship between the levels of conjugated polyamines and the activity of H+-ATPase in the plasma membrane was elucidated with the roots of two plum (Prunus salicina L.) cultivars, which were different in drought tolerance, as experimental materials. Furthermore, free PA levels and the activities of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) and transglutaminase (TGase), which were closely associated with the levels of free and conjugated PAs, were also detected. Results showed that under osmotic stress, the increases of the levels of non-covalently conjugated (non-CC) spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm), covalently conjugated (CC) putrescine (Put) and Spd in the plasma membrane of drought-tolerant Ganli No. 5 were more significant than those of drought-sensitive Suli No. 3, indicating that these conjugated PAs might be involved in the tolerance of plum seedlings to stress. Furthermore, the conjugated PAs were closely correlated with plum seedling growth, water retention capacity, plasma membrane damage degree, and hydrogen (H+)-ATPase activity in the plasma membrane. To get more complementary pieces of evidence, we subjected plum seedlings to combined treatments of PEG and exogenous PA (Spd and Spm), and an inhibitor of SAMDC [methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone), (MGBG)] or TGase (o-phenanthroline). These results collectively suggested that non-CC Spd and Spm, CC Put and Spd in plasma membrane might function in enhancing the tolerance of plum seedlings to osmotic stress by stabilizing membrane structure and therefore elevating H+-ATPase activity.

Preparation of hydrophilic modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes by polymer/non-solvent co-induced phase separation: effect of coagulation bath temperature

Membrane separation technology is widely used in wastewater purification, but the issue of membrane fouling could not be ignored. Hydrophilic modification is an effective method to reduce membrane fouling. Therefore, in this work, a hydrophilic modified polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membrane was prepared by polymer/non-solvent co-induced phase separation, and the effect of coagulation bath temperature on the membrane structure and performance was systematically investigated based on the previous study. With the increased of the coagulation bath temperature, the phase separation process changed from delayed to instantaneous, and the membrane surface changed from porous to dense, while the macropore structures and sponge-like pores appeared on the cross-section. Meanwhile, the pure water flux decreased from 229.3 L/(m2·h) to 2.08 L/(m2·h), the protein rejection rate increased from 83.87% to 100%, and the surface water contact angle increased from 63° to 90°. Thus, excessively high coagulation bath temperature adversely affected the permeate and separation performance, as well as antifouling performance of the membrane. This study enriched the research for preparing separation membranes by polymer/non-solvent co-induced phase separation and provided a practical and theoretical reference for controlling the membrane structure and properties by changing the coagulation bath temperature.

Studies Progression on the Function of Autophagy in Viral Infection

Autophagy is a conservative lysosomal catabolic pathway commonly seen in eukaryotic cells. It breaks down proteins and organelles by forming a two-layer membrane structure of autophagosomes and circulating substances and maintaining homeostasis. Autophagy can play a dual role in viral infection and serve either as a pro-viral factor or an antiviral defense element dependent on the virus replication cycle. Recent studies have suggested the complicated and multidirectional role of autophagy in the process of virus infection. On the one hand, autophagy can orchestrate immunity to curtail infection. On the other hand, some viruses have evolved strategies to evade autophagy degradation, facilitating their replication. In this review, we summarize recent progress of the interaction between autophagy and viral infection. Furthermore, we highlight the link between autophagy and SARS-CoV-2, which is expected to guide the development of effective antiviral treatments against infectious diseases.