Evolution of self-compatibility in Arabidopsis by a mutation in the male specificity gene

Ever since Darwin's pioneering research, the evolution of self-fertilisation (selfing) has been regarded as one of the most prevalent evolutionary transitions in flowering plants. A major mechanism to prevent selfing is the self-incompatibility (SI) recognition system, which consists of male and female specificity genes at the S-locus and SI modifier genes. Under conditions that favour selfing, mutations disabling the male recognition component are predicted to enjoy a relative advantage over those disabling the female component, because male mutations would increase through both pollen and seeds whereas female mutations would increase only through seeds. Despite many studies on the genetic basis of loss of SI in the predominantly selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana, it remains unknown whether selfing arose through mutations in the female specificity gene (S-receptor kinase, SRK), male specificity gene (S-locus cysteine-rich protein, SCR; also known as S-locus protein 11, SP11) or modifier genes, and whether any of them rose to high frequency across large geographic regions. Here we report that a disruptive 213-base-pair (bp) inversion in the SCR gene (or its derivative haplotypes with deletions encompassing the entire SCR-A and a large portion of SRK-A) is found in 95% of European accessions, which contrasts with the genome-wide pattern of polymorphism in European A. thaliana. Importantly, interspecific crossings using Arabidopsis halleri as a pollen donor reveal that some A. thaliana accessions, including Wei-1, retain the female SI reaction, suggesting that all female components including SRK are still functional. Moreover, when the 213-bp inversion in SCR was inverted and expressed in transgenic Wei-1 plants, the functional SCR restored the SI reaction. The inversion within SCR is the first mutation disrupting SI shown to be nearly fixed in geographically wide samples, and its prevalence is consistent with theoretical predictions regarding the evolutionary advantage of mutations in male components

Transcriptional Characteristics and Differences in Arabidopsis Stigmatic Papilla Cells Pre- and Post-Pollination

Pollination is an important early step in sexual plant reproduction. In Arabidopsis thaliana, sequential pollination events, from pollen adhesion onto the stigma surface to pollen tube germination and elongation, occur on the stigmatic papilla cells. Following successful completion of these events, the pollen tube penetrates the stigma and finally fertilizes a female gametophyte. The pollination events are thought to be initiated and regulated by interactions between papilla cells and pollen. Here, we report the characterization of gene expression profiles of unpollinated (UP), compatible pollinated (CP) and incompatible pollinated (IP) papilla cells in A. thaliana. Based on cell type-specific transcriptome analysis from a combination of laser microdissection and RNA sequencing, 15,475, 17,360 and 16,918 genes were identified as expressed in UP, CP and IP papilla cells, respectively, and, of these, 14,392 genes were present in all three data sets. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analyses identified 147 and 71 genes up-regulated in CP and IP papilla cells, respectively, and 115 and 46 genes down-regulated. Gene Ontology and metabolic pathway analyses revealed that papilla cells play an active role as the female reproductive component in pollination, particularly in information exchange, signal transduction, internal physiological changes and external morphological modification. This study provides fundamental information on the molecular mechanisms involved in pollination in papilla cells, furthering our understanding of the reproductive role of papilla cell

Cell Type-Specific Transcriptome of Brassicaceae Stigmatic Papilla Cells From a Combination of Laser Microdissection and RNA Sequencing

Pollination is an early and critical step in plant reproduction, leading to successful fertilization. It consists of many sequential processes, including adhesion of pollen grains onto the surface of stigmatic papilla cells, foot formation to strengthen pollen-stigma interaction, pollen hydration and germination, and pollen tube elongation and penetration. We have focused on an examination of the expressed genes in papilla cells, to increase understanding of the molecular systems of pollination. From three representative species of Brassicaceae (Arabidopsis thaliana, A. halleri and Brassica rapa), stigmatic papilla cells were isolated precisely by laser microdissection, and cell type-specific gene expression in papilla cells was determined by RNA sequencing. As a result, 17,240, 19,260 and 21,026 unigenes were defined in papilla cells of A. thaliana, A. halleri and B. rapa, respectively, and, among these, 12,311 genes were common to all three species. Among the17,240 genes predicted in A. thaliana, one-third were papilla specific while approximately half of the genes were detected in all tissues examined. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that genes related to a wide range of reproduction and development functions are expressed in papilla cells, particularly metabolism, transcription and membrane-mediated information exchange. These results reflect the conserved features of general cellular function and also the specific reproductive role of papilla cells, highlighting a complex cellular system regulated by a diverse range of molecules in these cells. This study provides fundamental biological knowledge to dissect the molecular mechanisms of pollination in papilla cells and will shed light on our understanding of plant reproduction mechanism

MDS患者の骨髄中に抗原特異的な増幅能を有するWT1特異的CD8陽性細胞障害性T細胞が集積する

新潟大学Niigata University博士（医学）新大院博(医)第1002号doctoral thesi

Changes in matrix gene and protein expressions after single or repeated exposure to one minimal erythemal dose of solar-simulated radiation in human skin in vivo

peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professionalDamage to the skin extracellular matrix (ECM) is the hallmark of long-term exposure to solar UV radiation. The aim of our study was to investigate the changes induced in unexposed human skin in vivo after single or repeated (five times a week for 6 weeks) exposure to I minimal erythemal dose (MED) of UV solar-simulated radiation. Morphological and biochemical analyses were used to evaluate the structural ECM components and the balance between the degrading enzymes and their physiologic inhibitors. A three-fold increase in matrix metalloproteinase 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) (P < 0.02, unexposed versus exposed) was observed after both single and repeated exposures. Fibrillin 1 mRNA level was increased by chronic exposure (P < 0.02) and unaltered by a single MED. On the contrary, a single MED significantly enhanced mRNA levels of interleukin-la (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta (P < 0.02) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant decrease in Type-I procollagen localized just below the dermal-epidermal junction in both types of exposed sites. At the same location, the immunodetected tenascin was significantly enhanced, whereas a slight increase in Type-III procollagen deposits was also observed in chronically exposed areas. Although we were unable to observe any change in elastic fibers in chronically exposed buttock skin, a significant increase in lysozyme and alpha-1 antitrypsin deposits on these fibers was observed. These results demonstrate the existence of a differential regulation, after chronic exposure compared with an acute one, of some ECM components and inflammatory mediators

High-groove music boosts self-selected running speed and positive mood in female university students

IntroductionApproximately 27.5% of adults worldwide fail to meet the recommended 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Music is a powerful tool that enhances positive affective responses and exercise adherence. However, little is known regarding which types of music are most effective in enhancing these benefits. Groove, which induces a sensation of “wanting to move to the music” and is associated with positive affective responses, may help make self-paced exercise more active and pleasant. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of high-groove (HG) music on self-paced exercise and mood responses.MethodsThirty-eight university students (18 males) participated in this randomized crossover study under two experimental conditions. The participants ran on a treadmill for 10 min at a self-selected comfortable speed while listening to HG and low-groove (LG) music playlists.ResultsThe HG playlist received higher groove ratings than the LG playlist. Self-selected running speed and positive mood responses (vitality and arousal) were greater under the HG condition only in women. Exercise intensity measured using heart rate and the rate of perceived exertion was comparable between the conditions. The groove ratings for the HG playlist positively correlated with speed (HG-LG) and vitality changes under the HG condition (post-pre).ConclusionThese results suggest that HG music promotes a positive mood response and exercise adherence, particularly in female students. Moreover, the observed sex difference suggests that individual differences in music perception may also influence exercise behavior. Focusing on groove, a musical characteristic distinct from tempo and volume, our study provides a more comprehensive understanding of music that is compatible with exercise, while also examining potential sex differences in its effects on self-paced exercise and mood responses. These findings contribute to health promotion by encouraging active living via physical exercise

Cognitive fatigue due to exercise under normobaric hypoxia is related to hypoxemia during exercise

journal articl

Pupil-linked arousal with very light exercise: pattern of pupil dilation during graded exercise

journal articl

Identification of two novel powdery mildew resistance loci, Ren6 and Ren7, from the wild Chinese grape species Vitis piasezkii

Descriptive statistics of the phenotypic scores within the base mapping population 11-373. Powdery mildew symptoms in the field were evaluated in two subsequent years. Greenhouse, in vitro experiments and the qPCR-based molecular assay were carried out with three to four biological replicates of each seedling plant in 2014. (DOCX 14ย�kb

Comparison of near-field light intensities: plasmon nanofocusing versus localized plasmon resonance

The localized surface plasmon resonance of metallic nanostructures produces strongly localized and enhanced near-field light, significantly contributing to nanophotonics research and applications. Plasmon nanofocusing represents another method for generating near-field light through the propagation and condensation of plasmons on tapered plasmonic structures. In both methods, the intensity of near-field light is a critical aspect for many applications. In this study, we numerically inspect and compare the intensities of near-field light generated by either localized plasmon resonance or plasmon nanofocusing. To account for the light-induced changes in the optical properties of plasmonic structures, which in turn influence the near-field light intensity, we couple electromagnetic and thermal calculations to consider in a fully self-consistent manner the effects of the incident light and the light-induced temperature rise within the metal. A gold nanorod and a cone were adopted for exciting the localized plasmon resonance and plasmon nanofocusing, respectively. We find that plasmon nanofocusing generates approximately 1.5 times as strong near-field light as localized plasmon resonance. Our research provides a necessary foundation for generating near-field light, which is crucial for advancing the applications of near-field optics