Water Res , IF:9.13 , 2020 Oct , V185 : P116290 doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116290
Synergistic effect of UV/chlorine in bacterial inactivation, resistance gene removal, and gene conjugative transfer blocking.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.; Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China. Electronic address: jwang1@bjtu.edu.cn.; Jinan Environmental Research Academy, Jinan, Shandong 250102, China.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were investigated from effluent of two hospital and two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) before and after disinfection. The results of network analysis showed that 8 genera were identified to be the main potential hosts of ARGs, including Mycobacterium, Ferruginibacter, Thermomonas, Morganella, Enterococcus, Bacteroides, Myroides and Romboutsia. The removal of ARGs and their possible bacterialhosts were synchronous and consistent by chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in WWTPs. The mechanisms of ARB and ARGs removal, and conjugation transfer of RP4 plasmids by UV, chlorine and synergistic UV/chlorine disinfection was revealed. Compared to UV alone, ARB inactivation was improved 1.4 log and photoreactivation was overcomeeffectively by UV/chlorine combination (8 mJ/cm(2), chlorine 2 mg/L). However, ARGs degradation was more difficult than ARB inactivation. Until UV dosage enhanced to 320 mJ/cm(2), ARGs achieved 0.58-1.60 log removal. Meanwhile, when 2 mg/L of chlorine was combined with UV combination, ARGs removal enhanced 1-1.5 log. The synergistic effect of adding low-dose chlorine (1-2 mg/L) during UV radiation effectively improved ARB and ARGs removal simultaneously. The same synergistic effect also occurred in the horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Non-lethal dose chlorine (0.5 mg/L) increased the conjugation transfer frequency,which confirmed that the mRNA expression levels of type IV secretion system (T4SS) proteins vir4D, vir5B and vir10B were significantly enhanced. The risk of RP4 plasmid conjugation transfer was significantly reduced with UV/chlorine (UV >/= 4 mJ/cm(2), chlorine >/= 1 mg/L). These findings may serve as valuable implications for assessing and controlling the risk of ARGs transfer and propagation in the environment.
PMID: 32818733
New Phytol , IF:8.512 , 2020 Oct doi: 10.1111/nph.16997
The land plant-specific MIXTA-MYB lineage is implicated in the early evolution of the plant cuticle and the colonization of land.
State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China.; Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, United Kingdom.; Genetics and Genomics of Plants, Center for Biotechnology & Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, 33615, Germany.; Molecular Genetics and Physiology of Plants, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitatsstrasse, Bochum, 44801, Germany.; CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430047, China.
The evolution of a lipid-based cuticle on aerial plant surfaces that protects against dehydration is considered a fundamental innovation in the colonization of the land by the green plants. However, key evolutionary steps in the early regulation of cuticle synthesis are still poorly understood due to limited studies in early diverging land plant lineages. Here, we characterise a land plant specific subgroup 9 R2R3 MYB transcription factor MpSBG9, in the early diverging land plant model Marchantia polymorpha, that is homologous to MIXTA proteins in vascular plants. The MpSBG9 functions as a key regulator of cuticle biosynthesis by preferentially regulating expression of orthologous genes for cutin formation, but not wax biosynthesis genes. The MpSBG9 also promotes the formation of papillate cells on the adaxial surface of M. polymorpha, which is consisitent with its canonical role in vascular plants. Our observations implies conserved MYB transcriptional regulation in the control of the cutin biosynthesis pathway as a core genetic network in the common ancestor of all plant plants, implicating the land-plant specific MIXTA MYB lineage in the early origin and evolution of the cuticle.
PMID: 33051877
Sci Total Environ , IF:6.551 , 2020 Oct : P142609 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142609
Microbial community structure in the river sediments from upstream of Guanting Reservoir: Potential impacts of reclaimed water recharge.
College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.; Department of Water Ecology and Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China. Electronic address: zhaoxiaocunforever@163.com.; Department of Water Ecology and Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China.; College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: xiaozhao88@cau.edu.cn.
This work systematically investigated the microbial community structure in the river sediments from upstream of Guanting Reservoir, Beijing, China. A total of 6 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) locate along the main rivers connected to the reservoir. Water and sediment samples were collected at sites near the effluents of WWTPs (regarded as W groups) or at the upstream/downstream rivers (R groups) to reveal the roles of the reclaimed water recharge. Multivariate techniques including typical statistical analysis, redundancy analysis (RDA), nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis, and molecular ecological network analysis were used to evaluate the results and their relationships. The representative C/N/P water parameters and concentrations of target organic contaminants kept stable for W and R sites, while the microbial community parameters varied greatly for two groups. The microbial population at W sites were higher but with a lower biological diversity (with a lower Shannon index) than that at R sites, indicating WWTPs greatly altered the microbial community structure at the local reach. RDA results revealed that total organic carbon (TOC) and organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) were two dominant factors affecting the function and composition of microbial communities at the phylum level. The network analysis revealed that the microbes with the most interactions mainly from R sites and they had closer relationships with each other.
PMID: 33069478
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf , IF:4.872 , 2020 Oct , V203 : P111007 doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111007
Transcriptomic comparison reveals modifications in gene expression, photosynthesis, and cell wall in woody plant as responses to external pH changes.
School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China.; School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences & School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, Yunnan, China. Electronic address: ssk168@ynu.edu.cn.
Soil acidification is one of the crucial global environmental problems, affecting sustainable land use, crop yield, and ecosystem stability. Previous research reported the tolerance of crops to acid soil stress. However, the molecular response of woody plant to acid conditions remains largely unclear. Rhododendron L. is a widely distributed woody plant genus and prefers to grow in acidic soils. Herein, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was performed on R. protistum var. giganteum seedlings subjected to five pH treatments (3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.0, 7.0), and their ecophysiological characteristics were determined for the identification of their molecular responses to acidic environments. Through pairwise comparison, 855 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with photosynthesis, cell wall, and phenylpropanoid metabolism were identified. Most of the DEGs related to photosynthesis and cell wall were up-regulated after pH 4.5 treatment. Results implied that the species improves its photosynthetic abilities and changes its cell wall characteristics to adapt to acidic conditions. Weighted gene co-expression network analyses showed that most of the hub genes were annotated to the biosynthetic pathways of ribosomal proteins and photosynthesis. Expression pattern analysis showed that genes encoding subunit ribosomal proteins decreased at pH 7.0 treatment, suggesting that pH 7.0 treatment led to cell injury in the seedlings. The species regulates protein synthesis in response to high pH stress (pH 7.0). The present study revealed the molecular response mechanism of woody plant R. protistum var. giganteum to acid environments. These findings can be useful in enriching current knowledge of how woody species adapt to soil acidification under global environmental changes.
PMID: 32888586
Int J Mol Sci , IF:4.556 , 2020 Oct , V21 (20) doi: 10.3390/ijms21207603
Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Transcriptome Profiles of Soybean (Glycine max) Tissues during Early Seed Development.
State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, School of Life Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.; Key Laboratory of Soybean Molecular Design Breeding, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China.; Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
Soybean (Glycine max) is an important crop providing oil and protein for both human and animal consumption. Knowing which biological processes take place in specific tissues in a temporal manner will enable directed breeding or synthetic approaches to improve seed quantity and quality. We analyzed a genome-wide transcriptome dataset from embryo, endosperm, endothelium, epidermis, hilum, outer and inner integument and suspensor at the global, heart and cotyledon stages of soybean seed development. The tissue specificity of gene expression was greater than stage specificity, and only three genes were differentially expressed in all seed tissues. Tissues had both unique and shared enriched functional categories of tissue-specifically expressed genes associated with them. Strong spatio-temporal correlation in gene expression was identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, with the most co-expression occurring in one seed tissue. Transcription factors with distinct spatiotemporal gene expression programs in each seed tissue were identified as candidate regulators of expression within those tissues. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment of orthogroup clusters revealed the conserved functions and unique roles of orthogroups with similar and contrasting expression patterns in transcript abundance between soybean and Arabidopsis during embryo proper and endosperm development. Key regulators in each seed tissue and hub genes connecting those networks were characterized by constructing gene regulatory networks. Our findings provide an important resource for describing the structure and function of individual soybean seed compartments during early seed development.
PMID: 33066688
BMC Genomics , IF:3.594 , 2020 Oct , V21 (1) : P715 doi: 10.1186/s12864-020-07122-8
Integrated analysis of co-expression, conserved genes and gene families reveal core regulatory network of heat stress response in Cleistogenes songorica, a xerophyte perennial desert plant.
State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, People's Republic of China.; State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, People's Republic of China. zhangjy@lzu.edu.cn.
BACKGROUND: As global warming continues, heat stress (HS) is becoming an increasingly significant factor limiting plant growth and reproduction, especially for cool-season grass species. The objective of this study was to determine the transcriptional regulatory network of Cleistogenes songorica under HS via transcriptome profiling, identify of gene families and comparative analysis across major Poaceae species. RESULTS: Physiological analysis revealed significantly decreased leaf relative water content (RWC) but increased proline (Pro) content in C. songorica under 24 h of HS. Transcriptome profiling indicated that 16,028 and 14,645 genes were differentially expressed in the shoots and roots of C. songorica under HS, respectively. Two subgenomes of C. songorica provide equal contribution under HS on the basis of the distribution and expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, 216 DEGs were identified as key evolutionarily conserved genes involved in the response to HS in C. songorica via comparative analysis with genes of four Poaceae species; these genes were involved in the 'response to heat' and 'heat acclimation'. Notably, most of the conserved DEGs belonged to the heat-shock protein (HSP) superfamily. Similar results were also obtained from co-expression analysis. Interestingly, hub-genes of co-expression analysis were found to overlap with conserved genes, especially heat-shock protein (HSP). In C. songorica, 84 HSP and 32 heat-shock transcription factor (HSF) genes were identified in the allotetraploid C. songorica genome, and might have undergone purifying selection during evolutionary history based on syntenic and phylogenetic analysis. By analysing the expression patterns of the CsHSPs and CsHSFs, we found that the transcript abundance of 72.7% of the CsHSP genes and of 62.5% of the CsHSF genes changed under heat stress in both the shoots and roots. Finally, a core regulatory network of HS was constructed on the basis of the CsHSP, CsHSF and other responsive genes in C. songorica. CONCLUSIONS: Regulatory network and key genes were comprehensively analysed and identified in C. songorica under HS. This study improves our knowledge of thermotolerance mechanisms in native grasses, and also provides candidate genes for potential applications in the genetic improvement of grasses.
PMID: 33066732
Plant Biol (Stuttg) , IF:2.167 , 2020 Oct doi: 10.1111/plb.13190
Involvement of soluble proteins in growth and metabolic adjustments of drought-stressed Calligonum mongolicum seedlings under nitrogen addition.
Xinjiang Key laboratory of Desert Plant Roots Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.; Cele National Station of Observation and Research for Desert-Grassland Ecosystems, Cele, 848300, China.; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.; Instituto de Fisiologia Vegetal, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The planting of seedlings is the most effective measure for vegetation restoration. However, this practice is challenging in desert ecosystems where water and nutrients are scarce. Calligonum mongolicum is a sand-fixing pioneer shrub species, and its adaptive strategy for nitrogen (N) deposition and drought is poorly understood. Thus, in a pot experiment, we studied the impacts of four N levels (0, 3, 6, 9 gN.m(-2) .yr(-1) ) under drought or a well-watered regime on multiple eco-physiological responses of 1-year-old C. mongolicum seedlings. Compared to well-watered conditions, drought considerably influenced seedling growth by impairing photosynthesis, osmolyte accumulation, and the activities of superoxide dismutase and enzymes related to N metabolism. N addition improved the productivity of drought-stressed seedlings, as revealed by increased water use efficiency, enhanced superoxide dismutase and nitrite reductase activities, and elevated N and phosphorus (P) levels in seedlings. Nevertheless, the addition of moderate to high levels of N (6-9 gN.m(-2) .yr(-1) ) impaired the net photosynthetic rate, osmolyte accumulation, and nitrate reductase activity. As a coping strategy, N addition and water regimes did not markedly change the N:P ratios of aboveground parts; meanwhile, more biomass and nutrients were allocated to fine roots to assimilate insufficient resources. Soluble protein in assimilating shoots might play a vital role in adaptation to the desert environment. The response of C. mongolicum seedlings to N deposition and drought involved an interdependency between soluble protein and morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes. These findings provide an important reference for vegetation restoration in arid land under global change.
PMID: 33012086
Heliyon , 2020 Oct , V6 (10) : Pe05220 doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05220
Spatial distribution of Poa scaberula (poaceae) along the andes.
Sistematica y Filogeografia de Plantas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologia Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET and F.C.E.F. y N. (UNC), Av. Velez Sarsfield 1611, CP 5000 Cordoba, Argentina.
Mountains support a great diversity of species and habitat types. Grasslands are the dominant landscape in the Andes and play an important ecological role. However, they are threatened by many factors, including climate change and human activities. The spatial distribution of species that compose, and the ecological and evolutionary factors that provide for the spatial biodiversity patterns, are little known. The largest Poa L. (Poaceae) genera are widely diversified and distributed in the Andes. In particular, P. scaberula Hook. f. shows great environmentally mediated phenotypic plasticity, and is distributed from North America to the tip of South America. However, the impact of environmental variables has on the spatial distribution of this species, remain largely unknown. Using high-resolution climatic data, herein we modeled the current suitable habitat for P. scaberula and identified the main climatic variables that best predict its potential distribution. In addition, we assess the species status in the predicted habitats through herbarium data and relate it with species distribution models. The models showed that P. scaberula has a suitable habitat of ca. 162.747 km(2) along the Andes and high elevation regions. The most influential variables with a 68.5% contribution to the distribution of the species, particularly high elevation areas, included mean cold hardiness, water vapor pressure and temperature seasonality. The areas of greatest suitability with the highest occurrence of the species were identified geographically by the models. The present study provides useful information that can assist in the identification of areas where the species is most sensitive to different variables, including climate change and human activities and contributes in assessing the conservation status of Andean grassland at a regional scale.
PMID: 33102846
J Biomol Struct Dyn , 2020 Oct : P1-17 doi: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1832577
Antiviral activity of traditional medicinal plants from Ayurveda against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Department of Centre for Advanced Research (CFAR), Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, India.
SARS-CoV-2 is the etiological agent of COVID-19 and responsible for more than 6 million cases globally, for which no vaccine or antiviral is available. Therefore, this study was planned to investigate the antiviral role of the active constituents against spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its host ACE2 receptor. Structure-based drug design approach has been used to elucidate the antiviral activity of active constituents present in traditional medicinal plants from Ayurveda. Further, parameters like drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity were determined to ensure the safety and efficacy of active constituents. Gene network analysis was performed to investigate the pathways altered during COVID-19. The prediction of drug-target interactions was performed to discover novel targets for active constituents. The results suggested that amarogentin, eufoliatorin, alpha-amyrin, caesalpinins, kutkin, beta-sitosterol, and belladonnine are the top-ranked molecules have the highest affinity towards both the spike glycoprotein and ACE2. Most active constituents have passed the criteria of drug-likeness and demonstrated good pharmacokinetic profile with minimum predicted toxicity level. Gene network analysis confirmed that G-protein coupled receptor, protein kinase B signaling, protein secretion, peptidyl-serine phosphorylation, nuclear transport, apoptotic pathway, tumor necrosis factor, regulation of angiotensin level, positive regulation of ion transport, and membrane protein proteolysis were altered during COVID-19. The target prediction analysis revealed that most active constituents target the same pathways which are found to be altered during COVID-19. Collectively, our data encourages the use of active constituents as a potential therapy for COVID-19. However, further studies are ongoing to confirm its efficacy against disease.
PMID: 33073699