Search Results (6,526)

Cell walls play essential roles in cell recognition, tissue adhesion, and wound response. In particular, pectins as cell-adhesive agents are expected to play a key role in the early stages of grafting. To test this premise, this study focused on examining the dynamics of the accumulation and degree of methyl-esterification of pectic polysaccharides at the graft junctions using tomato autografts as an experimental model. Monosaccharide analysis showed a marked increase in homogalacturonan from 25% to 32 or 34% at the junction zones early after grafting. In addition, a decrease in the degree of homogalacturonan methyl-esterification up to 38% in the scion and 64% in the rootstock was observed in the first few days after grafting, accompanied by an increase in pectin methyl-esterase activity of up to 20–30% in the tissues surrounding the graft junction. These results shed light on the role of homogalacturonan in grafting and reinforce the key function of pectin as one of the most relevant cell wall components during the grafting process. Full article

In conifers, compression wood (CW) with a high lignin content forms at the base of the stem or branch in response to gravity, which is a good model system for studying lignin-rich wood formation. In this study, we identified and characterized the laccase gene family (PdeLAC) in Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora), which is integral to monolignol polymerization. Phylogenetic analysis of 54 PdeLAC genes with those from gymnosperms (i.e., Pinus taeda and Picea abies) and angiosperms (i.e., Populus trichocarpa, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa) revealed their categorization into five groups, highlighting distinct evolutionary relationships compared to angiosperms. Gene structure and motif analysis showed conserved copper-binding loops and variable substrate-binding loops, suggesting functional diversity. Expression profiling indicated that 23 PdeLAC genes, including three (PdeLAC28, PdeLAC1, and PdeLAC31) homologous to AtLAC17, were upregulated in developing xylem during the growing season, particularly in CW. Transgenic poplars overexpressing PdeLAC28 exhibited increased xylem area, cell wall thickness, and Klason lignin content, underscoring its role in lignin biosynthesis and CW formation. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of lignin biosynthesis in CW of P. densiflora, setting a foundation for advancing our understanding of wood formation mechanisms in gymnosperms. Full article

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the fungi that cause plant diseases. It damages plants by secreting large amounts of oxalic acid and cell wall-degrading enzymes. To meet this challenge, we designed a new pH/enzyme dual-responsive nanopesticide Pro@ZnO@Pectin (PZP). This nanopesticide uses zinc oxide (ZnO) as a carrier of prochloraz (Pro) and is encapsulated with pectin. When encountering oxalic acid released by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the acidic environment promotes the decomposition of ZnO; at the same time, the pectinase produced by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can also decompose the outer pectin layer of PZP, thereby promoting the effective release of the active ingredient. Experimental data showed that PZP was able to achieve an efficient release rate of 57.25% and 68.46% when pectinase was added or under acidic conditions, respectively. In addition, in vitro tests showed that the antifungal effect of PZP was comparable to that of the commercial Pro (Pro SC) on the market, and its efficacy was 1.40 times and 1.32 times that of the Pro original drug (Pro TC), respectively. Crucially, the application of PZP significantly alleviated the detrimental impacts of Pro on wheat development. Soil wetting experiments have proved that PZP primarily remained in the soil, thereby decreasing its likelihood of contaminating water sources and reducing potential risks to non-target organisms. Moreover, PZP improved the foliar wettability of Pro, lowering the contact angle to 75.06°. Residue analyses indicated that PZP did not elevate prochloraz residue levels in tomato fruits compared to conventional applications, indicating that the nanopesticide formulation does not lead to excessive pesticide buildup. In summary, the nanopesticide PZP shows great promise for effectively managing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum while minimizing environmental impact. Full article

Drought stress is one of the main factors limiting the high yield and quality of potatoes. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are an important class of glycoproteins widely present in the cell walls, plasma membranes, and extracellular matrices of higher plants. Among them, fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) are involved in plant development, stress responses, and hormone signal regulation. However, little is known about the FLAs gene in potatoes. Based on transcriptome sequencing data, this study screened a drought stress-related candidate FLA gene (StFLA4) through bioinformatics and expression analysis in potatoes. qRT-PCR analysis showed that StFLA4 was induced by drought stress, and its expression decreased with the extension of stress time. Moreover, the relative expression level of StFLA4 in the drought-resistant variety “Kexin 1” was lower than in the drought-sensitive variety “Atlantic”. The StFLA4 protein was located in the cell membrane and interacted with nineteen proteins, mainly related to response to environmental stimulus, cellular response to abiotic stimulus, and cell maturation. After heterologous overexpression of StFLA4 in tobacco, the transgenic plants showed more withered leaves than the wild-type tobacco under drought stress. During the drought stress period, the expression level of StFLA4 in the transgenic plants significantly decreased, and the activity of SOD and POD was significantly lower than that of WT. However, the MDA content was higher than that of WT. These results indicated that StFLA4 negatively regulates the response to drought stress. In addition, in the germination test of potato “Variety V7” tubers, it was found that the variation tendency of StFLA4 expression was along with the concentration of arabinogalactan proteins, and it may participate in the regulation of potato tuber germination. This study lays the foundation for elucidating the function and expression pattern of StFLA4 response to drought stress and tuber germination in potatoes. Full article

Components of yeast cell walls, such as β-glucans and mannoproteins, show promise for developing sustainable biopolymers for food packaging. Efficient extraction, however, is challenging due to the complexity of the yeast cell wall. This study explored high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) and pulsed electric fields (PEFs), alone and with heat treatment (TT), on bakery yeast (BY) and brewery spent yeast (BSY) biomasses. In the treated samples we assessed carbohydrates, proteins, β-glucans, and mannoproteins and evaluated cell wall disruption microscopically. HPH caused complete cell disintegration, enhancing intracellular release, while PEF primarily permeabilised the membranes. Combined HPH and PEF treatments significantly increased cell wall stress, leading to partial disintegration. Notably, the β-glucans released reached 3.90 g/100 g dry matter in BY and 10.44 g/100 g dry matter in BSY, demonstrating significant extraction improvements. These findings highlight the potential of HPH and PEF for enhancing β-glucan recovery from yeast biomass, offering a promising route for sustainable biopolymer production for food packaging. Full article

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a devastating disease of potato. Our previous work illustrated that scopolamine, the main bioactive substance of Datura extract, exerts direct inhibitory effects on P. infestans, but it is unclear whether scopolamine and Datura extract can boost resistance to late blight in potato. In this study, P. infestans is used to infect scopolamine-treated potato pieces and leaves, as well as whole potatoes. We found that scopolamine-treated potato is resistant to P. infestans both in vitro and in vivo. The treatment of 4.5 g/L scopolamine reduces the lesion size of whole potato to 54% compared with the control after 20 d of the infection of P. infestans. The disease-resistant substance detection based on the kit method shows that scopolamine triggers the upregulation of polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase activities, and H₂O₂ contents in potato tubers, and the decline of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and catalase activity. A total of 1682 significantly differentially expressed genes were detected with or without scopolamine treatment through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and the DESeq2 software (version 1.24.0), including 705 upregulated and 977 downregulated genes. Scopolamine may affect the genes functioning in the cell wall, membrane and the plant-pathogen interaction. The addition of Datura extract could directly inhibit the mycelial growth of P. infestans on rye plate medium. In addition, P. infestans was found to be resistant to late blight in potato pieces treated with Datura extract. Datura extract can also be utilized in combination with the chemical fungicide Infinito in field experiments to lessen late blight symptoms and enhance potato yield. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect the induction of disease resistance by scopolamine, and it also explores the feasibility of Datura extract in potato disease resistance. Full article

The Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family, a group of cell wall-modifying enzymes, plays crucial roles in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. The quality and yield of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) fruit are significantly impacted by environmental stresses, including excessive salinity, drought, freezing, and disease. However, there has been no report of the XTH encoding genes present in the Chinese jujube genome and their response transcription level under various stresses. This study provides an in-depth analysis of ZjXTH genes in the genome of Chinese jujube and elucidates their structural motifs, regulatory networks, and expression patterns under various stresses. A total of 29 ZjXTH genes were identified from the Ziziphus jujuba genome. Phylogenetic analysis classifies ZjXTH genes into four distinct groups, while conserved motifs and domain analyses reveal coordinated xyloglucan modifications, highlighting key shared motifs and domains. Interaction network predictions suggest that ZjXTHs may interact with proteins such as Expansin-B1 (EXPB1) and Pectin Methylesterase 22 (PME22). Additionally, cis-regulatory element analysis enhances our understanding of Chinese jujube plant’s defensive systems, where TCA- and TGACG-motifs process environmental cues and orchestrate stress responses. Expression profiling revealed that ZjXTH1 and ZjXTH5 were significantly upregulated under salt, drought, freezing, and phytoplasma infection, indicating their involvement in biotic and abiotic stress responses. Collectively, these findings deepen our understanding of the functional roles of Chinese jujube XTHs, emphasizing their regulatory function in adaptive responses in Chinese jujube plants. Full article

Arthrospira platensis exhibits high tolerance to arsenic; however, the mechanisms underlying its response to the arsenic stress have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the growth and resistance mechanisms of A. platensis under As³⁺ stress by measuring physiological and biochemical indices, conducting transcriptome sequencing, and validating the results through qPCR. The findings show that arsenic stress affected the antioxidant system and photosynthetic pigment synthesis in A. platensis. The algae mitigated arsenic-induced oxidative stress by increasing cellular metabolic rates, enhancing cell wall stability, and reducing membrane lipid peroxidation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and chlorophyll degradation were upregulated under arsenic stress, while the expression of membrane transporters was significantly downregulated. Additionally, the algae alleviated arsenic stress by producing hydrogen and polyamine compounds. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of A. platensis response to arsenic stress and elucidates the molecular pathways involved in the stress response to As³⁺. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of rice resistance to the brown planthopper (BPH), a major pest that poses significant threats to rice production through direct feeding damage and by transmitting viruses such as Rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV) and Rice ragged stunt virus (RRSV). We highlight the emergence of various BPH biotypes that have overcome specific resistance genes in rice. Advances in genetic mapping and cloning have identified 17 BPH resistance genes, classified into typical R genes encoding nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins and atypical R genes such as lectin receptor kinases and proteins affecting cell wall composition. The molecular mechanisms of these genes involve the activation of plant defense pathways mediated by phytohormones like jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene, as well as the production of defensive metabolites. We also examine the complex interactions between BPH salivary proteins and rice defense responses, noting how salivary effectors can both suppress and trigger plant immunity. The development and improvement of BPH-resistant rice varieties through conventional breeding and molecular marker-assisted selection are discussed, including strategies like gene pyramiding to enhance resistance durability. Finally, we outline the challenges and future directions in breeding for durable BPH resistance, emphasizing the need for continued research on resistance mechanisms and the development of rice varieties with broad-spectrum and long-lasting resistance. Full article

The arid mountainous region of Hail in Saudi Arabia has a variety of desert vegetation, some of which are conventionally used in Bedouin traditional medicine. These plants need scientific examination. This research seeks to examine Blepharis ciliaris using a thorough multi-analytical methodology that includes antibacterial and antioxidant assessments as well as computational modeling. GC–MS analysis of the methanolic extract revealed 17 organic compounds, including pentadecanoic acid, ethyl methyl ester (2.63%); hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (1.00%); 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester (2.74%); 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (E) (2.78%); octadecanoic acid (5.88%); 9-tetradecenoic acid (Z) (3.22%); and undec-10-enoic acid, undec-2-n-1-yl ester (5.67%). The DPPH test evaluated antioxidant activity, revealing a notable increase with higher concentrations of the methanolic extract, achieving maximum inhibition of 81.54% at 1000 µg/mL. The methanolic extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, with average inhibition zones of 10.33 ± 1.53 mm, 13.33 ± 1.53 mm, 10.67 ± 1.53 mm, and 10.00 ± 2.00 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens, respectively, as determined by the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were 500 µg/mL for S. aureus and B. subtilis, whereas E. coli and S. marcescens showed susceptibility at 1000 µg/mL. Computational simulations were employed to assess the toxicity, drug-likeness, and ADMET profiles of compounds derived from Blepharis ciliaris. Thirteen bioactive compounds were assessed in silico against Staphylococcus aureus sortase A (PDB: 1T2O), Bacillus subtilis BsFabHb (PDB: 8VDB), Escherichia coli LPS assembly protein (LptD) (PDB: 4RHB), and a modeled Serratia marcescens outer-membrane protein TolC, focusing on cell wall and membrane structures. Compound 3, (+)-Ascorbic acid 2,6-dihexadecanoate, shown significant binding affinities to B. subtilis BsFabHb, E. coli LPS assembly protein, and S. marcescens TolC. Full article

Calcium (Ca) plays a key role in cell wall stabilization and various physiological processes. Ca fertilizers are widely used in agriculture to meet crop demands and improve yield and quality. However, traditional Ca fertilizers often suffer from low solubility, poor absorption, and mobility issues. Chelated Ca fertilizers offer enhanced efficiency and uptake. In this study, we compared the effects of lignosulfonate-chelated Ca (LS–Ca), EDTA-chelated Ca (EDTA–Ca), Ca(NO₃)₂, and alcohol sugar-chelated Ca (AS–Ca) with a Ca concentration of 15 mg/L on tomato growth. The results showed that LS–Ca increased the contents of chlorophyll a and b contents in leaves by 26% and 46%, respectively. The application of Ca fertilizers significantly enhanced Ca²⁺ uptake and transport, with the LS–Ca treatment achieving the highest utilization efficiency. Without altering fruit weight, the LS–Ca treatment increased the firmness of mature tomato fruits by 29%. Furthermore, the LS–Ca treatment improved fruit sweetness by 33%, with the total sugar content increasing by 45%, sucrose by 80%, reducing sugars by 64%, and titratable acidity by 18%. This study aims to compare the effects of different chelated Ca fertilizers on tomato cultivation and to explore optimal Ca supplementation strategies, thereby contributing to improvements in tomato cultivation practices and fruit quality. Full article

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is a treatment method that involves reopening narrowed arteries with a balloon catheter that delivers a cylindrical, mesh-shaped implant device to the site of the stenosis. Currently, by applying a coating to a bare metal stent (BMS) surface to improve biocompatibility, the main risks after PCI, such as restenosis and thrombosis, are reduced while maintaining the basic requirements for the mechanical behavior of the stent itself. In this work, for the first time, the development and optimization process of the spatial structure of the Co-Cr stent (L-605) with a graphene-based coating using cold-wall chemical vapor deposition (CW-CVD) to ensure uniform coverage of the implant was attempted. The CW-CVD process allows the coating of 3D structures, minimizing thermal stress on the surrounding equipment and allowing the deposition of coatings on temperature-sensitive materials. It produces uniform and high-purity films with control over the thickness and composition. The reduced heating of the chamber walls minimizes unwanted reactions, leading to fewer impurities in the final coating. The graphene layers obtained using Raman spectroscopy at different parameters of the CW-CVD process were verified, their properties were investigated, and the functional mechanical behavior of the studied graphene-covered stent was confirmed. In vitro, graphene-coated stents promoted rapid endothelial cell repopulation, an advantage over gold-standard drug-eluting stents delaying re-endothelialization. Also, full-range biocompatibility studies on potential allergic, irritation, toxicological, and pyrogenic reactions of new material in vivo on small animal models demonstrated excellent biocompatibility of the graphene-coated stents. Full article

Lignin is one of the three major components of the cell wall of lignocellulosic biomaterials. It is the second-most abundant polymer in nature. It is a complex and heterogeneous polymer found in the cell walls of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin’s predominant composition, which is rich in carbon and aromatic structures, enhances its value by enabling the development of high-value chemicals and bio-based materials. As one of the most affluent natural renewable sources of aromatic structures and the world’s second-largest renewable source of carbon, lignin possesses a thermal value comparable to that of carbon. Its aromatic constituents exhibit unique chemical properties and significant bioactive effects, making lignin a crucial material in various advanced applications. Different chemical fractionation methods have been designed to overcome the obstacles to extracting the lignin biopolymer from lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin fractionation is a process that involves separating lignin from other components of biomass feedstock, such as cellulose and hemicellulose. This process is commonly used in the paper and pulp industry to obtain valuable lignin derivatives that can be used in various applications, including, among others, biofuels, chemicals, and biomaterials. In the brief overview described in this proceedings paper, we provide a comprehensive chemical overview of the current processes for extracting technical lignin from wood and lignocellulosic biomass, critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of each method. Full article

The agroindustry generates substantial quantities of byproducts, particularly in coffee production, which yields significant waste, most notably spent coffee grounds (SCGs). This study explores the potential of SCGs as a versatile resource for applications in both food and nonfood sectors. A comprehensive chemical analysis revealed that SCGs consist of 30.2 wt.% cellulose, 25 wt.% hemicellulose, and 12 wt.% lignin. Morphological characterization was performed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Additional analyses included attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). ATR-FTIR identified key polysaccharides and oils, whereas TGA offered insights into the thermal degradation behavior of SCGs, confirming the presence of typical plant cell wall components. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed low crystallinity, consistent with SCGs’ amorphous structure. Mineral content was assessed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that mineral concentrations in SCGs (per 0.01 kg) were within recommended daily intake limits, confirming their safety for potential human consumption. These findings establish SCGs as a valuable lignocellulosic biomass with applications in composite materials. Additionally, it can serve as an organic soil amendment after fermentation to prevent stress on plants. This approach supports effective waste management and advances resource sustainability practices in the agro-industrial sector. Full article

The increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens is a serious problem in medicine. Endolysins are bacteriolytic enzymes of bacteriophages, and a promising group of enzymes with antibacterial properties. Endolysins of bacteriophages infecting Gram-positive bacteria have a modular domain organization. This feature can be used to design enzymes with new or improved properties by modifying or shuffling individual domains. This work is a detailed analysis 1of the diversity of endolysin domains found in bacteriophages infecting bacilli. During the course of the work, a database of endolysins of such bacteriophages was created, and their domain structures were analyzed using the NCBI database, RASTtk, BLASTp, HHpred, and InterPro programs. A phylogenetic analysis of endolysins was performed using MEGA X. In 438 phage genomes, 454 genes of endolysins were found. In the endolysin sequences found, eight different types of catalytic domains and seven types of cell wall binding domains were identified. The analysis showed that many types of endolysin domains have not yet been characterized experimentally. Studies of the properties of such domains will help to reveal the potential of endolysins for the creation of new antibacterial agents. Full article