Overexpression of the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene ZmALDH Confers Aluminum Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the main factor limiting plant growth and the yield of cereal crops in acidic soils. Al-induced oxidative stress could lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and aldehydes in plants. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes, which play an important role in detoxification of aldehydes when exposed to abiotic stress, have been identified in most species. However, little is known about the function of this gene family in the response to Al stress. Here, we identified an ALDH gene in maize, ZmALDH, involved in protection against Al-induced oxidative stress. Al stress up-regulated ZmALDH expression in both the roots and leaves. The expression of ZmALDH only responded to Al toxicity but not to other stresses including low pH and other metals. The heterologous overexpression of ZmALDH in Arabidopsis increased Al tolerance by promoting the ascorbate-glutathione cycle, increasing the transcript levels of antioxidant enzyme genes as well as the activities of their products, reducing MDA, and increasing free proline synthesis. The overexpression of ZmALDH also reduced Al accumulation in roots. Taken together, these findings suggest that ZmALDH participates in Al-induced oxidative stress and Al accumulation in roots, conferring Al tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis.

A VIN3-like Protein OsVIL1 Is Involved in Grain Yield and Biomass in Rice

In chromatin remodeling, the post-translational modification of histone proteins is mediated by multimeric protein complexes. VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE3 (VIN3) forms a complex with Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which mediates the trimethylation of H3K27 to repress target gene expression. In rice, four genes (OsVIL1-OsVIL4) encoding the VIN3-like proteins are expressed ubiquitously in various tissues. Null mutants of osvil2 display pleiotropic phenotypes such as altered flowering time, floral organ defects, and reduced tiller size. In contrast, osvil1 mutants did not show significant phenotypes except in fertilization compared with the wild type. However, transgenic plants overexpressing OsVIL1 showed phenotypes of increased biomass and grain yield. Cross-sections of the basal region of elongating stems revealed that the increased biomass was mediated by inducing cell proliferation in the meristem. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that OsVIL1 repressed expression of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase gene (OsCKX2) by binding to the promoter and genic regions of OsCKX2. We also observed that OsVIL1 modified the levels of H3K27me3 in the OsCKX2 chromatin. Because OsCKX2 encodes an enzyme that degrades active cytokinin, we conclude that OsVIL1 functions in the regulation of endogenous active cytokinin levels, thereby increasing plant height and productivity.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene Ala365Thr mutation in an Iraqi family with confusing clinical differences

Objectives Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) has role in the Embden Meyerhof road. Any loss of its function causes NADPH to cease, leaving erythrocytes susceptible to oxidative damage resulting in acute hemolytic anemia attacks secondary to drugs or infection and favism. Because of X-linked recessive inheritance males are mainly affected. Being heterozygous, females have less severe clinical presentation. Case presentation G6PD deficiency was suspected in a six-year-old girl from an Iraqi family with a history of yellowing of skin and darkening of urine after eating broad beans. Besides the patient, G6PD levels were found low in the father and in two sisters who showed no symptoms. The father was found hemizygous and the three sisters were found heterozygous for NM_000402.4c.1093G>A(p.A365T)(6.Ala365Thr) mutation while the mother was normal. Conclusions G6PD enzyme deficiency can be seen in both genders, and it may be presented with different clinical manifestations even within the people having the same mutation.

Expression of the ANS, CHS and DFR genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Vaccinium floribundum Kunth from Ecuador, using RT-qPCR.

Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, a wild native species of berry in Ecuador, presents a lot of phenolic compounds, specifically anthocyanins; hence it is considered a natural nutraceutical due to all its nutritional properties. The comparison of the expression of genes is involved in the biosynthesis pathway of anthocyanin of several populations. The aim of the research was to analyze the expression levels of three genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in this species collected in two areas of the province of Pichincha: Machachi population of the Mejía canton, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 31′04.8 ″ S 78 ° 37′07.4 ″ W and altitude 3200 meters above sea level, and Pintag population of the Quito cantón, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 24′00.0 ″ S 78 ° 24′00.0 ″ W and altitude 3000 meters above sea level. The gene expression analysis was performed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique and reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). For the population of Machachi, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene had an average concentration of 648.59 ng/µL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 143.71 ng/µL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 59.58 ng/µL and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 39 ng/µL. For the population of Pintag, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene has an average concentration of 667.32 ng/µL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 157.22 ng/µL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 60.42 ng/µL, and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 44.40 ng/µL. Each gene has a similar expression level in both populations, but there are differences when comparing the expression level among genes. Many enzymes, structural genes, and regulatory elements have been observed as transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Massive Perivillous Fibrin Deposition-A Cause of Recurrent Fetal Demise: A Case Report

Introduction/Objective Massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD) and maternal floor infarction (MFI) are rare placental lesions reported in less than 1% of all pregnancies and have a significant risk of recurrence ranging from 12% to 78%. MPFD/MFI is associated with high rates of adverse perinatal outcomes including preterm delivery, severe intrauterine growth restriction, spontaneous abortion, cystic renal cell dysplasia, fetal metabolic disease with reported mutations in the LCHAD (long-chain 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA-dehydrogenase) gene, neonatal death and long- term neurological impairment. Methods/Case Report We report a case of MFPD in a 28-year-old female gravida 3 para 1 with one uncomplicated pregnancy and one therapeutic abortion. The current pregnancy was complicated by abruption resulting in intrauterine fetal demise at 32 weeks of gestation. The placenta was examined. Grossly, the placenta weighed 260 grams (small placenta for the dates) with an eccentrically inserted three vessel umbilical cord and a diffuse, firm pale grey cut surface with focal cystic areas. The histological examination revealed MPFD characterized by extensive transmural perivillous fibrinoid material with encasement of almost entire chorionic villi (transmural type). The villi were viable but fibrotic with focal syncytiotrophoblastic necrosis and focal mild chronic inflammation. The etiology of MPFD is not well understood, but risk factors that have been reported include maternal thrombophilia, coagulopathies, and autoimmune diseases. Given the clinical associations, MFI/MPFD should be reported promptly to the obstetrician and pediatrician. As per the current literature, a combination of thrombolytic therapy (aspirin and heparin), intravenous immunoglobulin and a statin (pravastatin) helps to correct angiogenic/antiangiogenic imbalance which has been thought to be associated with recurrent MFI/MPFD. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) N/A Conclusion In summary, we present this rare recurring entity of MPFD to emphasize the awareness of this condition and the importance of placental examination in all abortions and fetal abnormalities/demise.