Mobile Flowering Locus T RNA – Biological Relevance and Biotechnological Potential

Many systemically mobile mRNAs have been revealed in phloem. However, very few of them have been found to be of clear signaling functions. One of such rare examples is the mobile Flowering locus T (FT) mRNA despite the continuous debate about its mobility and biological relevance to the control of flowering time in plants. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence supports the notion of the long-distance movement of FT mRNA from leaf to shoot apex meristem and its role in flowering. In this review, we discuss the discovery of florigenic FT, the initial debate on long-distance movement of FT mRNA, emerging evidence to prove its mobility, and the use of mobile FT mRNA to generate heritable transgenerational gene editing in plants. We elaborate on evidence from virus-based RNA mobility assay, plant grafting, RNA with fluorescent protein labeling, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, to demonstrate that the FT mRNA besides the FT protein can move systemically and function as an integral component of the florigenic signal in flowering. We also propose a model to prompt further research on the molecular mechanism underlying the long-distance movement of this important mobile signaling RNA in plants.

The Vision of a Deductive Meta-Biology: From Goodwin to Spinoza

This paper attempts to delineate a 20th century movement towards the formation of a truly 'deductive' metabiology. The aim is to reify and crystallize the historical reality of this new meta-biological ‘movement’ by suggesting that what essentially united it was an ontological or epistemically heuristic commitment to a biological vision whose grammar and syntax were provided by utilising non-classical forms of qualitative rather than quantitative mathematical modelling and expression. The paper primarily focusses on the anti-Darwinian metabiology of the Canadian born, yet UK domiciled, biologist Brian Goodwin, as well as comparing and contrasting his ideas withose those of other metabiological such as Per Alberch, Hal Waddington, Rene Thom and Vladimir Vernadsky. It is the contention of his paper that, historically, the purest expression and the philosophical consummation of many of the meta-biological ideas propounded by Goodwin and others discussed in this paper can actually be found in the extraordinary metaphysical vision of Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677) particularly as expressed in his posthumously published masterpiece the Ethics (1677), and so this paper incorporates an account of the meta-biological relevance of Spinoza’s thinking in relation to these more modern metabiological thinkers, not in order to indicate direct influence, but as an attempt to reveal the potential metabiological inspiration of such an metaphysical hermeneutic for those concerned to increasingly understand the phenomenon of 'life' in deductive terms.

Update on the biological relevance of lysine acetylation as a novel drug target in trypanosomatids

: The number of acetylated proteins identified from bacteria to mammals has grown exponentially in the last ten years and it is now accepted that acetylation is a key component in most eukaryotic signaling pathways, as important as phosphorylation. The enzymes involved in this process are well described in mammals; acetyltransferases and deacetylases are found inside and outside the nuclear compartment and have different regulatory functions. In trypanosomatids several of these enzymes have been described and are postulated to be novel antiparasitic targets for the rational design of drugs. In this review article we present an update of the most important known acetylated proteins in trypanosomatids analyzing the acetylomes available. Also, we summarize the information available regarding acetyltransferases and deacetylases in trypanosomes and their potential use as chemotherapeutic targets.

Genome-wide associations for immune traits in two maternal pig lines

Background In recent years, animal welfare and health has become more and more important in pig breeding. So far, numerous parameters have been considered as important biomarkers, especially in the immune reaction and inflammation. Previous studies have shown moderate to high heritabilities in most of these traits. However, the genetic background of health and robustness of pigs needs to be extensively clarified. The objective of this study was to identify genomic regions with a biological relevance for the immunocompetence of piglets. Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) in 535 Landrace (LR) and 461 Large White (LW) piglets were performed, investigating 20 immune relevant traits. Besides the health indicators of the complete and differential blood count, eight different cytokines and haptoglobin were recorded in all piglets and their biological dams to capture mediating processes and acute phase reactions. Additionally, all animals were genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60v2 BeadChip. Results In summary, GWAS detected 25 genome-wide and 452 chromosome-wide significant SNPs associated with 17 immune relevant traits in the two maternal pig lines LR and LW. Only small differences were observed considering the maternal immune records as covariate within the statistical model. Furthermore, the study identified across- and within-breed differences as well as relevant candidate genes. In LR more significant associations and related candidate genes were detected, compared with LW. The results detected in LR and LW are partly in accordance with previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions. In addition, promising novel genomic regions were identified which might be of interest for further detailed analysis. Especially putative pleiotropic regions on SSC5, SSC12, SSC15, SSC16 and SSC17 are of major interest with regard to the interacting structure of the immune system. The comparison with already identified QTL gives indications on interactions with traits affecting piglet survival and also production traits. Conclusion In conclusion, results suggest a polygenic and breed-specific background of immune relevant traits. The current study provides knowledge about regions with biological relevance for health and immune traits. Identified markers and putative pleiotropic regions provide first indications in the context of balancing a breeding-based modification of the porcine immune system.

Neodymium as Metal Cofactor for Biological Methanol Oxidation: Structure and Kinetics of an XoxF1-Type Methanol Dehydrogenase

Lanthanides comprise a group of 15 elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71 that are essential in a variety of high-tech devices, such as mobile phones, but were considered biologically inert for a long time. The biological relevance of lanthanides became evident when the acidophilic methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, isolated from a volcanic mud pot, could only grow when lanthanides were supplied to the growth medium.

The chemistry of branched condensed phosphates

Condensed phosphates may exist as linear, cyclic or branched structures. Due to their important role in nature, linear polyphosphates have been well studied. In contrast, branched phosphates (ultraphosphates) remain largely uncharacterised, because they were already described in 1950 as exceedingly unstable in the presence of water, epitomized in the antibranching-rule. This rule lacks experimental backup, since, to the best of our knowledge, no rational synthesis of defined ultraphosphates is known. Consequently, detailed studies of their chemical properties, reactivity and potential biological relevance remain elusive. Here, we introduce a general synthesis of monodisperse ultraphosphates. Hydrolysis half-lives up to days call the antibranching-rule into question. We provide evidence for the interaction of an enzyme with ultraphosphates and discover a rearrangement linearizing the branched structure. Moreover, ultraphosphate can phosphorylate nucleophiles such as amino acids and nucleosides with implications for prebiotic chemistry. Our results provide an entry point into the uncharted territory of branched condensed phosphates.