Characterization of the proteome of Theobroma cacao beans by nano-UHPLC-ESI MS/MS

Cocoa seed storage proteins play an important role in flavour development as aroma precursors are formed from their degradation during fermentation. Major proteins in the beans of Theobroma cacao are the storage proteins belonging to the vicilin and albumin classes. Although both these classes of proteins have been extensively characterized, there is still limited information on the expression and abundance of other proteins present in cocoa beans. This work is the first attempt to characterize the whole cocoa bean proteome by nanoUHPLC-ESI MS/MS analysis using tryptic digests of cocoa bean protein extracts. The results of this analysis show that a total of 906 proteins could be identified using a species-specific Theobroma cacao database. The majority of the identified proteins were involved with metabolism and energy. Additionally, a significant number of the identified proteins were linked to protein synthesis and processing. Several proteins were also involved with plant response to stress conditions and defence. Albumin and vicilin storage proteins showed the highest intensity values among all detected proteins, although only seven entries were identified as storage proteins. A comparison of MS/MS data searches carried out against larger non-specific databases confirmed that using a species-specific database can increase the number of identified proteins, and at the same time reduce the number of false positives. The results of this work will be useful in developing tools which can allow the comparison of the proteomic profile of cocoa beans from different genotypes and geographic origins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005586

Engineering heat tolerance in potato by temperature-dependent expression of a specific allele of HEAT SHOCK COGNATE 70

This work was funded by the BBSRC grant (BB/M004899/1) as part of the ERA-CAPS project HotSol and the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division as part of the Strategic Research Programme 2016-2021For many commercial potato cultivars, tuber yield is optimal at average daytime temperatures in the range of 14–22 °C. Further rises in ambient temperature can reduce or completely inhibit potato tuber production, with damaging consequences for both producer and consumer. The aim of this study was to use a genetic screen based on a model tuberization assay to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with enhanced tuber yield. A candidate gene encoding HSc70 was identified within one of the three QTL intervals associated with elevated yield in a Phureja–Tuberosum hybrid diploid potato population (06H1). A particular HSc70 allelic variant was linked to elevated yield in the 06H1 progeny. Expression of this allelic variant was much higher than other alleles, particularly on exposure to moderately elevated temperature. Transient expression of this allele in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in significantly enhanced tolerance to elevated temperature. An TA repeat element was present in the promoter of this allele, but not in other HSc70 alleles identified in the population. Expression of the HSc70 allelic variant under its native promoter in the potato cultivar Desiree resulted in enhanced HSc70 expression at elevated temperature. This was reflected in greater tolerance to heat stress as determined by improved yield under moderately elevated temperature in a model nodal cutting tuberization system and in plants grown from stem cuttings. Our results identify HSc70 expression level as a significant factor influencing yield stability under moderately elevated temperature and identify specific allelic variants of HSc70 for the induction of thermotolerance via conventional introgression or molecular breeding approaches.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Identification of gene modules associated with low temperatures response in Bambara groundnut by network-based analysis

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an African legume and is a promising underutilized crop with good seed nutritional values. Low temperature stress in a number of African countries at night, such as Botswana, can effect the growth and development of bambara groundnut, leading to losses in potential crop yield. Therefore, in this study we developed a computational pipeline to identify and analyze the genes and gene modules associated with low temperature stress responses in bambara groundnut using the cross-species microarray technique (as bambara groundnut has no microarray chip) coupled with network-based analysis. Analyses of the bambara groundnut transcriptome using cross-species gene expression data resulted in the identification of 375 and 659 differentially expressed genes (p<0.01) under the sub-optimal (23°C) and very sub-optimal (18°C) temperatures, respectively, of which 110 genes are commonly shared between the two stress conditions. The construction of a Highest Reciprocal Rank-based gene co-expression network, followed by its partition using a Heuristic Cluster Chiseling Algorithm resulted in 6 and 7 gene modules in sub-optimal and very sub-optimal temperature stresses being identified, respectively. Modules of sub-optimal temperature stress are principally enriched with carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, while most of the modules of very sub-optimal temperature stress are significantly enriched with responses to stimuli and various metabolic processes. Several transcription factors (from MYB, NAC, WRKY, WHIRLY & GATA classes) that may regulate the downstream genes involved in response to stimulus in order for the plant to withstand very sub-optimal temperature stress were highlighted. The identified gene modules could be useful in breeding for low-temperature stress tolerant bambara groundnut varieties

Unique arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities uncovered in date palm plantations and surrounding desert habitats of Southern Arabia

The main objective of this study was to shed light on the previously unknown arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities in Southern Arabia. We explored AMF communities in two date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantations and the natural vegetation of their surrounding arid habitats. The plantations were managed traditionally in an oasis and according to conventional guidelines at an experimental station. Based on spore morphotyping, the AMF communities under the date palms appeared to be quite diverse at both plantations and more similar to each other than to the communities under the ruderal plant, Polygala erioptera, growing at the experimental station on the dry strip between the palm trees, and to the communities uncovered under the native vegetation (Zygophyllum hamiense, Salvadora persica, Prosopis cineraria, inter-plant area) of adjacent undisturbed arid habitat. AMF spore abundance and species richness were higher under date palms than under the ruderal and native plants. Sampling in a remote sand dune area under Heliotropium kotschyi yielded only two AMF morphospecies and only after trap culturing. Overall, 25 AMF morphospecies were detected encompassing all study habitats. Eighteen belonged to the genus Glomus including four undescribed species. Glomus sinuosum, a species typically found in undisturbed habitats, was the most frequently occurring morphospecies under the date palms. Using molecular tools, it was also found as a phylogenetic taxon associated with date palm roots. These roots were associated with nine phylogenetic taxa, among them eight from Glomus group A, but the majority could not be assigned to known morphospecies or to environmental sequences in public databases. Some phylogenetic taxa seemed to be site specific. Despite the use of group-specific primers and efficient trapping systems with a bait plant consortium, surprisingly, two of the globally most frequently found species, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae, were not detected neither as phylogenetic taxa in the date palm roots nor as spores under the date palms, the intermediate ruderal plant, or the surrounding natural vegetation. The results highlight the uniqueness of AMF communities inhabiting these diverse habitats exposed to the harsh climatic conditions of Southern Arabia

Mineral content of date palm seedlings.

Dark grown 6-week old seedlings of two cultivars of datepalm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), namely Khadhri and Sukkeri were trans ferred to defined nutrient solutions. Calcium, Na and K content of shoot and root were assayed at 72 hours. Two cultivars differed in minerel content as well as in the distri bution of minerals in root and shoot. Khadhri cultivar tolerated sodium better than other cultivar. Results are presented and discussed in the text

. Effect of salinity on the germination and seedlings growth of wheat after pretreatment by some growth regulators.

Wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Samma and cv. Legaim ) were tested for the effect of pretreatment by H20 IX solution, 100 meq/1 of both NaC1 and KNO , 10-6M ethre1 , and 17 x 10-5 alar before subjecting the gr~ins to different concentrations of NaC1 in a nutrient solution. The concentrations of NaC1 were 0,50,100,200,300,400,500, and 600 meq/1. The test was for the germination, the highest root length and the highest shoot length in the dark at alternating temperatures of 18°C (for 8 h) and 30°C (for 16 h). The results indicated that the presence of sodium chloride caused progressive inhibition of the three parameters at concentrations higher than 100 meq/1 in most cases but in few other cases or at lower concentrations the response varied with the pretreatment and cu1tivar. These differences are discussed in the text. In general, pretreatment of grains in this study had no effect on the response to sodium chloride application except for the pretreatment of Samma cu1tivar by IX solution and the pretreatment of Legaimi gy 100 meq/1 NaC1 where the 50%inhibition of these cu1tivars did not occur until 320 and 400 meq/NaC1 were applied to the two cu1tivars, respective1y. The osmotic effect of increasing the concentration of applied NaC1 was not significant when compared with the effect of solutions of po1yethy1ene glycol that had the same osmotic potentia1s up to -4.98 bars. The presence of differences between cu1tivars in implied from the results where Legaimi showed significant tolerance to NaC1 when compared with Samma

Effect of environmental cues on upper limb movement of healthy neonates : implication for rehabilitation following perinatal stroke

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Plant heat-shock proteins: A mini review

AbstractPlants as sessile organisms are exposed to persistently changing stress factors. The primary stresses such as drought, salinity, cold and hot temperatures and chemicals are interconnected in their effects on plants. These factors cause damage to the plant cell and lead to secondary stresses such as osmotic and oxidative stresses. Plants cannot avoid the exposure to these factors but adapt morphologically and physiologically by some other mechanisms. Almost all stresses induce the production of a group of proteins called heat-shock proteins (Hsps) or stress-induced proteins. The induction of transcription of these proteins is a common phenomenon in all living things. These proteins are grouped in plants into five classes according to their approximate molecular weight: (1) Hsp100, (2) Hsp90, (3) Hsp70, (4) Hsp60 and (5) small heat-shock proteins (sHsps). Higher plants have at least 20 sHsps and there might be 40 kinds of these sHsps in one plant species. It is believed that this diversification of these proteins reflects an adaptation to tolerate the heat stress. Transcription of heat-shock protein genes is controlled by regulatory proteins called heat stress transcription factors (Hsfs). Plants show at least 21 Hsfs with each one having its role in regulation, but they also cooperate in all phases of periodical heat stress responses (triggering, maintenance and recovery). There are more than 52 plant species (including crop ones) that have been genetically engineered for different traits such as yield, herbicide and insecticide resistance and some metabolic changes.In conclusion, major heat-shock proteins have some kind of related roles in solving the problem of misfolding and aggregation, as well as their role as chaperones