Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Chitinase Genes in Watermelon under Abiotic Stimuli and Fusarium oxysporum Infection

Chitinases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, the primary components of fungal cell walls, play key roles in defense responses, symbiotic associations, plant growth, and stress tolerance. In this study, 23 chitinase genes were identified in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.]) and classified into five classes through homology search and phylogenetic analysis. The genes with similar exon-intron structures and conserved domains were clustered into the same class. The putative cis-elements involved in the responses to phytohormone, stress, and plant development were identified in their promoter regions. A tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the ClChi genes were primarily expressed in the roots (52.17%), leaves (26.09%), and flowers (34.78%). Moreover, qRT-PCR results indicate that ClChis play multifaceted roles in the interaction between plant/environment. More ClChi members were induced by Race 2 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, and eight genes were expressed at higher levels on the seventh day after inoculation with Races 1 and 2, suggesting that these genes play a key role in the resistance of watermelon to Fusarium wilt. Collectively, these results improve knowledge of the chitinase gene family in watermelon species and help to elucidate the roles played by chitinases in the responses of watermelon to various stresses.

Disruption of the bHLH transcription factor Abnormal Tapetum 1 causes male sterility in watermelon

Although male sterility has been identified as a useful trait for hybrid vigor utilization and hybrid seed production, its underlying molecular mechanisms in Cucurbitaceae species are still largely unclear. Here, a spontaneous male-sterile watermelon mutant, Se18, was reported to have abnormal tapetum development, which resulted in completely aborted pollen grains. Map-based cloning demonstrated that the causal gene Citrullus lanatus Abnormal Tapetum 1 (ClATM1) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor with a 10-bp deletion and produces a truncated protein without the bHLH interaction and functional (BIF) domain in Se18 plants. qRT-PCR and RNA in situ hybridization showed that ClATM1 is specifically expressed in the tapetum layer and in microsporocytes during stages 6-8a of anther development. The genetic function of ClATM1 in regulating anther development was verified by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis. Moreover, ClATM1 was significantly downregulated in the Se18 mutant, displaying a clear dose effect at the transcriptional level. Subsequent dual-luciferase reporter, β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity, and yeast one-hybrid assays indicated that ClATM1 could activate its own transcriptional expression through promoter binding. Collectively, ClATM1 is the first male sterility gene cloned from watermelon, and its self-regulatory activity provides new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying anther development in plants.

Systematic Genome-Wide Study and Expression Analysis of SWEET Gene Family: Sugar Transporter Family Contributes to Biotic and Abiotic Stimuli in Watermelon

The SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) proteins are a novel family of sugar transporters that play key roles in sugar efflux, signal transduction, plant growth and development, plant-pathogen interactions, and stress tolerance. In this study, 22 ClaSWEET genes were identified in Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) through homology searches and classified into four groups by phylogenetic analysis. The genes with similar structures, conserved domains, and motifs were clustered into the same groups. Further analysis of the gene promoter regions uncovered various growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responsive cis-regulatory elements. Tissue-specific analysis showed most of the genes were highly expressed in male flowers and the roots of cultivated varieties and wild cultivars. In addition, qRT-PCR results further imply that ClaSWEET proteins might be involved in resistance to Fusarium oxysporum infection. Moreover, a significantly higher expression level of these genes under various abiotic stresses suggests its multifaceted role in mediating plant responses to drought, salt, and low-temperature stress. The genome-wide characterization and phylogenetic analysis of ClaSWEET genes, together with the expression patterns in different tissues and stimuli, lays a solid foundation for future research into their molecular function in watermelon developmental processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Association between the MDR1 gene variant C3435T and risk of leukaemia: a meta-analysis

Although a number of genetic studies have attempted to link the multidrug resistance (MDR1) C3435T polymorphism to risk of leukaemia, the results were often inconsistent. The present study aimed at investigating the pooled association using a meta-analysis on the published studies. 1933 cases and 2215 controls of 11 published studies in English before June 2012 were involved in the updated meta-analysis. Furthermore, subgroup analysis was performed in different ethnic and leukaemia subtype groups. This meta-analysis suggests that the MDR1 C3435T polymorphism associate with risk of leukaemia. The effect of the variant on the expression levels and the possible functional role of the variant in leukaemia should be addressed in further studies.

RBB, a novel transcription repressor, represses the transcription of HDM2 oncogene

The p53 tumor suppressor is important in many aspects of cell biology. Tight regulation of p53 is thus imperative for maintaining cell homeostasis and preventing tumorigenesis. The stabilization and activity of p53 is primarily regulated by MDM2, which is encoded for by HDM2. However, how the expression and activity of MDM2 is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we report a novel BTB and BEN domains-containing protein, RBB. We demonstrated that RBB is a novel transcriptional repressor binding specific DNA motif via a homodimer and interacting with the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Genome wide transcription target analysis by ChIP sequencing revealed that RBB represses the transcription of a series of functionally important genes including HDM2. We showed that RBB recruits the NuRD complex to the internal promoter of HDM2 and inhibits the expression of MDM2 protein, leading to subsequent stabilization of tumor suppressor p53. Significantly, we showed that RBB suppresses cell proliferation and sensitizes cells to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that RBB is a novel transcriptional repressor and an important regulator of p53 pathway.

Blood compatibility of amorphous titanium oxide films synthesized by ion beam enhanced deposition

Titanium oxide films were synthesized on titanium, cobalt alloy and low-temperature isotropic pryolytic carbon by ion beam enhanced deposition. The non-stoichiometrical titanium oxide films were obtained. Blood compatibility of the films were evaluated by clotting time measurement, platelet adhesion investigation and hemolysis analyses. The results revealed that blood compatibility of the materials was improved by the coating of titanium oxide films. Semiconductor nature of non-stoichiometric titanium oxide films might be responsible for the improvement of blood compatibility.