Ethylene Acts as a Local and Systemic Signal to Mediate UV-B-Induced Nitrate Reallocation to Arabidopsis Leaves and Roots via Regulating the ERFs-NRT1.8 Signaling Module

Nitrate is the preferred nitrogen source for plants and plays an important role in plant growth and development. Under various soil stresses, plants reallocate nitrate to roots to promote stress tolerance through the ethylene-ethylene response factors (ERFs)-nitrate transporter (NRT) signaling module. As a light signal, ultraviolet B (UV-B) also stimulates the production of ethylene. However, whether UV-B regulates nitrate reallocation in plants via ethylene remains unknown. Here, we found that UV-B-induced expression of ERF1B, ORA59, ERF104, and NRT1.8 in both Arabidopsis shoots and roots as well as nitrate reallocation from hypocotyls to leaves and roots were impaired in ethylene signaling mutants for Ethylene Insensitive2 (EIN2) and EIN3. UV-B-induced NRT1.8 expression and nitrate reallocation to leaves and roots were also inhibited in the triple mutants for ERF1B, ORA59, and ERF104. Deletion of NRT1.8 impaired UV-B-induced nitrate reallocation to both leaves and roots. Furthermore, UV-B promoted ethylene release in both shoots and roots by enhancing the gene expression and enzymatic activities of ethylene biosynthetic enzymes only in shoots. These results show that ethylene acts as a local and systemic signal to mediate UV-B-induced nitrate reallocation from Arabidopsis hypocotyls to both leaves and roots via regulating the gene expression of the ERFs-NRT1.8 signaling module.     

A New Perspective on the Role of Glutamine Synthetase in Nitrogen Remobilization in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Glutamine synthetase (GS), a key enzyme in plant nitrogen metabolism, is closely related to nitrogen remobilization. However, how GS isoforms participate in nitrogen remobilization remains unclear. Here, the spatiotemporal expression of the TaGS gene family after anthesis was investigated, and the results showed that TaGS1;1 was mainly encoded by TaGS1;1-6A, while the other isozymes were mainly encoded by TaGS localized on the A and D subgenomes. TaGS1;2-4A/4D had the highest expression level, especially in rachis and peduncle. Furthermore, immunofluorescence showed TaGS1;2 was located in the phloem of rachis and peduncle. GUS (β-glucuronidase) staining confirmed that ProTaGS1;2-4A/4D::GUS activity was mainly present in the vascular system of leaves, roots, and petal of Arabidopsis. Ureides, an important transport form of nitrogen, were mainly synthesized in flag leaves and transported to grains through the phloem of peduncle and rachis during grain filling. TaAAH, which encodes the enzyme that degrades ureides to release NH₄⁺, had a higher expression in rachis and peduncle and was synchronized with the increase in NH₄⁺ concentration in phloem, indicating that NH₄⁺ in phloem is from ureide degradation. Taking the above into account, TaGS1;2, which is highly expressed in the phloem of peduncle and rachis, may participate in N remobilization by assimilating NH₄⁺ released from ureide degradation.     

Overexpressing of OsAMT1-3, a High Affinity Ammonium Transporter Gene,Modifies Rice Growth and Carbon-Nitrogen Metabolic Status

AMT1-3 encodes the high affinity NH₄⁺ transporter in rice roots and is predominantly expressed under nitrogen starvation. In order to evaluate the effect of AMT1-3 gene on rice growth, nitrogen absorption and metabolism, we generated AMT1-3-overexpressing plants and analyzed the growth phenotype, yield, carbon and nitrogen metabolic status, and gene expression profiles. Although AMT1-3 mRNA accumulated in transgenic plants, these plants displayed significant decreases in growth when compared to the wild-type plants. The nitrogen uptake assay using a ¹⁵N tracer revealed poor nitrogen uptake ability in AMT1-3-overexpressing plants. We found significant decreases in AMT1-3-overexpressing plant leaf carbon and nitrogen content accompanied with a higher leaf C/N ratio. Significant changes in soluble proteins and carbohydrates were also observed in AMT1-3-overexpressing plants. In addition, metabolite profile analysis demonstrated significant changes in individual sugars, organic acids and free amino acids. Gene expression analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of genes that participate in carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Additionally, the correlation between the metabolites and gene expression patterns was consistent in AMT1-3-overexpressing plants under both low and high nitrogen growth conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that the carbon and nitrogen metabolic imbalance caused by AMT1-3 overexpressing attributed to the poor growth and yield of transgenic plants.     

Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase 1 Is Essential for Primary-Root Growth at Low-Sucrose Conditions

Plant roots are essential organs for absorbing nutrients from the soil or medium. Sucrose functions as a vital carbon source in root development, and sucrose starvation interferes with the redox state of plant cells. However, the mechanism of root growth at sucrose starvation remains unclear. Here, we report that SHMT1 (serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1) plays a crucial role in primary-root growth. SHMT1 mutation caused decreased sugar levels, excessive H₂O₂ accumulation, and severe root-growth arrest at sucrose-free conditions, whereas plants with SHMT1 overexpression had increased sugar and decreased H₂O₂ levels, and longer primary roots. Sucrose supply fully restored root growth of shm1-2, but CO₂ alone could not, and SHMT1 is much more stable in roots than shoots at sucrose conditions, suggesting that SHMT1 accumulation in roots is critical for sucrose accumulation and root growth. Further ROS scavenging by GSH application or ROS synthesis inhibition by apocynin application or RBOHD mutation reduced H₂O₂ levels and partially restored the root-growth arrest phenotype of shm1-2 at low-sucrose conditions, suggesting that SHMT1 modulates root growth via sucrose-mediated ROS accumulation. Our findings demonstrated the role of SHMT1 in primary-root growth by regulating sucrose accumulation and ROS homeostasis in roots.     

Modulation of Prostanoids Profile and Counter-Regulation of SDF-1α/CXCR4 and VIP/VPAC2 Expression by Sitagliptin in Non-Diabetic Rat Model of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of sitagliptin repurposed for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the impact of IRI and sitagliptin on the hepatic profile of eicosanoids (LC-MS/MS) and expression/concentration (RTqPCR/ELISA) of GLP-1/GLP-1R, SDF-1α/CXCR4 and VIP/VPAC1, VPAC2, and PAC1 in 36 rats. Animals were divided into four groups and subjected to ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion (24 h) with or without pretreatment with sitagliptin (5 mg/kg) (IR and SIR) or sham-operated with or without sitagliptin pretreatment (controls and sitagliptin). PGI₂, PGE₂, and 13,14-dihydro-PGE₁ were significantly upregulated in IR but not SIR, while sitagliptin upregulated PGD₂ and 15-deoxy-12,14-PGJ₂. IR and sitagliptin non-significantly upregulated GLP-1 while Glp1r expression was borderline detectable. VIP concentration and Vpac2 expression were downregulated in IR but not SIR, while Vpac1 was significantly downregulated solely in SIR. IRI upregulated both CXCR4 expression and concentration, and sitagliptin pretreatment abrogated receptor overexpression and downregulated Sdf1. In conclusion, hepatic IRI is accompanied by an elevation in proinflammatory prostanoids and overexpression of CXCR4, combined with downregulation of VIP/VPAC2. Beneficial effects of sitagliptin during hepatic IRI might be mediated by drug-induced normalization of proinflammatory prostanoids and upregulation of PGD₂ and by concomitant downregulation of SDF-1α/CXCR4 and reinstating VIP/VCAP2 signaling.     

Grain size effect on piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 ceramics

A series of dense barium titanate (BaTiO₃, BTO) ceramics with different grain sizes (GS) were prepared by two-step sintering method. The effect of GS on piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) and planar electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) displayed a trend similar to that on relative permittivity (ɛ′). The values of d₃₃, k_p, and ɛ′ increased significantly with decreasing GS, reaching maximum values (ɛ′ = 6079, d₃₃ = 519 pC/N and k_p = 39.5%) at approximately 1 μm, and then decreased rapidly with further decreasing GS. The results revealed that high-performance BTO ceramics could be effectively prepared by controlling GS. Polarization–electric field hysteresis loops and temperature dependence of ɛ′ were also investigated.     

X-ray crystal structure of the dye 2-bromo-4-cyano-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure of 2-bromo-4-cyano-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene has been determined from X-ray diffraction data: C₁₇H₁₇N₄Br, mol. wt = 357·1. Triclinic, Pī (No. 2), α = 13·162(5) Å, b = 7·516(3) Å, c = 8·496(4) Å, α = 101·63(4)°, β = 95·79(4)°, γ = 91·49(4)°, V = 818·10 ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1·45 g cm^?3, F(000) = 378, λ(Mo_Kz) = 0·7107 Å, μ(Mo_Kα) = 26·70 cm^?1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0·053 for 2081 independent reflexions. The molecule possesses an essentially planar azobenzene skeleton. The effects of substituents on the geometry of the azo group are discussed. Significant molecular parameters are: NN, 1·264(6) Å; ₁BrC, 1·904(5) Å; mean NC, 1·410(7) Å; NNC, 115·7(2)° and 113·0(2)°; NCC (cis relative to NN), 125·4(3)° and 123·1(2)°; CC(Br)C, 123·0(2)°.     

X-Ray crystal structure of the Dye 2,4,6-Tricyano-4'-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure and molecular conformation of 2,4,6-tricyano-4'-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene (C₁₉H₁₆N₆, mol. wt. 328.4a.m.u.) has been determined from X-ray diffraction data: monoclinic P2₁/c, a = 9.302(7)Å, b = 8.733(5)Å, c = 20.98(1) Å, β = 94.93(6)°, V = 1699(2)ų, Z = 4, D_c = 1.284gem^?3, F(000) = 688, λ(MoKα) = 0-71069Å, μ(MoKα) = 0.76cm^?1. The structure was solved by MULTAN andrefined by full-matrix least-squares toR = 0.050 for 1358 independent observed reflections. The azobenzene skeleton is planar to within 0.12Å. Most significant bonding data are: NN, 1.286(4) Å; mean C-N (azo) 1.383(4) Å; mean C-C (cyano) 1.439(5) Å; mean CN 1.146(5)Å; NN-C, 112.8(2)° and 115.9(2)°; N-C-C (cis relative to NN) 127.6(2)° and 124.3(2)° ; N- C- C(trans) 115.2(2)° and 117.7(2)°.     

Structure of the dye 2,6-dichloro-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The structure of 2,6-dichloro-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene has been determined from X-ray diffractometer data: C₁₆H₁₇Cl₂N₃, MW = 322·2, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 11·160 (2), b = 12·066 (2), c = 13·633 (3) Å, β = 116·46 (2)°, V = 1643·5 ų, Z = 4, D_c = 1·30 g cm^?3, F(000) = 672, λ(MoKα) = 0·71069 Å, μ(MoKα) = 3·94 cm^?1. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0·073 for 1495 independent reflexions. The molecule is non-planar with a dihedral angle of 87·8° between the phenyl rings. The effects of substituents on the aromatic ring geometry are discussed. Significant molecular parameters are: NN, 1·164 (9) Å; mean ClC, 1·741 (6) Å; mean CN(azo), 1·487 (9) Å; NNC, 112·4 (2)° and 109·1 (2)°; NCC (cis relative to NN), 125·5 (3)° and 122·4 (2)°; NCC (trans relative to NN) 114·0 (3)° and 119·5 (3)°; mean CC(Cl)C, 122·3 (3)°.     

X-ray crystal structure of the dye 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure and molecular conformation of 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene (C₁₇H₁₇N₄Br, mol. wt. = 357·2 a.m.u) has been determined from X-ray diffraction data; triclinic, P$\text{1}$ (No. 2), a = 10·132(11) Å, b = 12·216(16) Å, c = 6·966(11) Å, α = 104·21(9)°, β = 92·67(12)°, γ = 97·22(7)°, V = 826·5(9) ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1·436 g cm^?3, F(000) = 378, λ(MoKα) = 0·71069 Å, μ(MoKα) = 26·0 cm^?1. The structure was solved by the multiple solution direct method and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0·059 for 1538 independent observed reflections. The azobenzene skeleton is planar to within 0·06 Å. Most significant bonding data are: NN, 1·290(8) Å; BrC, 1·866(6) Å; mean CN (azo) 1·380(8) Å; NNC, 113·6(4) and 115·3(4)°; NCC (cis relative to NN) 125·9(4)° and 126·7(4)°; NCC (trans) 116·8°(5)° and 116·1(4)°.     

Selective trans-Cinnamic Acid Uptake Impairs [Ca2+]cyt Homeostasis and Growth in Cucumis sativus L.

To obtain insight into interspecies interactions mediated by allelochemicals, the response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv Jinyan No.4) and figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché) seedlings to trans-cinnamic acid (CA) (1) was investigated. While trans-CA is an autotoxin in cucumber root exudates, figleaf gourd is resistant to it. Cucumber, however, had a high rate of trans-CA uptake by the roots, leading to reduced root growth. The trans-CA treatment also resulted in an intracellular release of Ca²⁺ from the vacuole to the cytoplasm, and, thus, an increased [Ca²⁺]_cyt level accompanied by gradual loss of cell viability in cucumber roots. Taken together, these results suggest that [Ca²⁺]_cyt homeostatic disturbance is one of the primary triggers for trans-CA phytotoxicity in cucumber.     

One-pot template synthesis and crystal structure of two new polyaza copper(II) complexes

A new 14-membered hexazamacrocyclic copper(II) complex [Cu(H₂L¹)](ClO₄)₄(L¹=1,8-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane) has been prepared by the one-pot reaction of ethylenediamine and formaldehyde in the presence of the Cu(II) ion. The crystal structure of [Cu(H₂L¹)](ClO₄)₄ was determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P−1 with a=12.118(2) Å, b=12.438(2) Å, c=12.466(2) Å, α=102.26(1)°, β=112.82(1)°, γ=111.51(1)°, and Z=2. The coordination geometry around the copper(II) ions is axially elongated octahedral with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle [Cu–N 2.012(7) Å for Cu(1) and 2.013(6) Å for Cu(2), average value] and two oxygen atoms of two ClO₄⁻ anions [Cu–O=2.550 Å for Cu(1) and 2.601(6) Å for Cu(2)]. [CuL²](ClO₄)₂(L²=3,7-bis(2-aminoethyl)-1,3,5,7-tetraazabicyclo[3,3,2]decane) with a novel tetraazabicyclic ligand was obtained from the same reaction system as an additional product. Crystal structure of [CuL²](ClO₄)₂: monoclinic space group Cc, a=16.393(3) Å, b=8.8640(18) Å, c= 13.085(3) Å, β=105.01(3)°, and Z=4.