Project description:Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient element for plant growth and productivity, with both excess and deficiency in nitrogen fertilizer application posing adverse effects on plants and the environment. The internal mechanisms by which the medicinal plant Epimedium pubescens (E. pubescens) adapts to varying nitrogen levels remain unclear. This study employed one-year-old E. pubescens as the experimental material to systematically analyze the changes in plant growth traits, carbon metabolites, and Icariin-Flavonoids content under different exogenous nitrogen levels. Furthermore, it examined the transcriptional changes in gene expression within E. pubescens in response to varying nitrogen levels. The results showed that under moderate nitrogen levels (7.5 mmol/L NO3-), E. pubescens exhibited increased biomass accumulation and flavonoid synthesis. However, deficient or excessive nitrogen levels (0, 22.5 mmol/L NO3-) significantly inhibited photosynthesis in E. pubescens, reducing the content of starch, soluble sugars, and Icariin-Flavonoids, leading to decreased biomass and accompanied by changes in leaf color (pale green or browning). Transcriptome analysis revealed the underlying molecular mechanisms of these changes in plants regulated by different nitrogen levels. Nitrogen deficiency and excess triggered distinct transcriptional response patterns, with the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) peaking at S2 (36 days) under nitrogen deficiency and significantly declining at S3 (48 days), while the number of DEGs under excess nitrogen continuously increased over time from S1 to S3 (12-48 days). Both conditions significantly affected the expression of genes related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, flavonoid synthesis, and stress response. Based on the correlation analysis of expression levels of genes related to these pathways, growth traits, and metabolite content indicators, we constructed regulatory network diagrams for carbon-nitrogen metabolism and Icariin-flavonoid metabolism-related genes. Furthermore, we identified hub genes that may be involved in regulating Icariin-flavonoid metabolism in response to nitrogen levels, such as UGT (Ebr06G044290), EpF3H (Ebr04G062950), EpCHS5 (Ebr03G073940) (Fig. 9A), UGT (Ebr06G044660), and EpUGT13_A (Ebr06G044210). Additionally, among the DEGs obtained at the S3 stage, we discovered the transcription factors MYB1_CROXC (Ebr04G001770) and MYB12_ARATH (Ebr01G065030). We constructed their associated gene networks under different nitrogen levels, which may primarily regulate the expression of genes like UGT, CHS, and F3H involved in the flavonoid synthesis stage of E. pubescens under varying nitrogen conditions. In summary, this study has revealed the growth performance and the variation patterns of Icariin-Flavonoid metabolism in E. pubescens in response to different exogenous nitrogen levels, as well as their complex underlying mechanisms. Additionally, key genes involved in regulating the synthesis of flavonol glycosides in E. pubescens by nitrogen levels have been identified. This provides an important basis for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of nitrogen regulation on the growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants. Furthermore, it offers theoretical support and potential genetic resources for the efficient utilization of nitrogen fertilizers in E. pubescens cultivation and the breeding of high-nitrogen-use-efficiency varieties.
Project description:The genus Bothrops is responsible for most part of envenomation accidents in Brazil. Bothrops pubescens is an endemic and neglected species in the Brazilian Pampa Biome. The characterization of its venom is essential since there is no data about it and can be helpful in the discovery of active biomolecules and for a better understanding of its action. We used top-down (TDP), native top-down, and bottom-up proteomic (BUP) approaches to characterize the venom of B. pubescens. We were able to identify 89 protein groups with the BUP approach and 40 unique proteoforms with the TDP approach, demonstrating the similarities and peculiarities of B. pubescens venom. We also identified a dimeric L-amino acid oxidase with using native TDP. Here we present for the first time a bothropic venom characterization through TDP approaches.
Project description:In this study, we compared the transcriptomeic profiles of two recently sequenced white-rot wood-decaying mushrooms, Trametes pubescens and Phlebia centrifuga, during their growth on two common plant biomass substrates at different temperatures.
Project description:Two fruit development stages of the wild chiltepin pepper (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) were studied. RNA-Seq data was obtained from fruits at 20 and 68 days after anthesis with two biological replicates for a total of 4 samples. 260 million raw reads were sequenced and over 80% of them mapped back to the Capsicum annuum genome.
Project description:The colonization of Capsicum annuum roots by Fusarium oxysporum Fo47 induces resistance responses on the plant. Fo47 is a non-pathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum. Fo47 colonizes only the most outer layers of the root surface but it does not colonize inner tissues. Pre-treatment of roots with Fo47 reduces the symptom development produced by later pathogen inoculation. The expression of genes in distal tissues was determined by microarray analysis of stems of Fo47-treated plants. Capsicum annuum samples were analyzed using Affymetrix chips of the close-related species Solanum lycopersicum.
Project description:Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are compounds with a variety of bioactive properties. Especially promising are their antibacterial activities, often towards drug-resistant pathogens. Across different AMP sources, AMPs expressed within plants are relatively underexplored, with a limited number of plant AMP families identified. Recently, we identified the novel AMPs CC-AMP1 and CC-AMP2 in ghost pepper plants (Capsicum chinense x frutescens), exerting promising antibacterial activity and not classifying into any known plant AMP family. Herein, AMPs related to CC-AMP1 and CC-AMP2 were identified within both Capsicum annuum and Capsicum baccatum. Targeted MS/MS experiments were performed to determine peptide sequences, guided by in silico AMP sequence predictions.