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Hazelwood O, Ashraf MA. Opposing polarity domains provide direction and play a role in cell division in plant growth. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1091-1093. [PMID: 38714155 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Polar localization of proteins is important for plant growth and development. Identifying the interactors of polarized proteins provides spatial information and cell-type functions. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Wallner et al. (2024) utilize opposing polarity domain proteins to identify interactors and their functions during cell division in Arabidopsis stomata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Hazelwood
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA.
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Liu L, Ashraf MA, Morrow T, Facette M. Stomatal closure in maize is mediated by subsidiary cells and the PAN2 receptor. New Phytol 2024; 241:1130-1143. [PMID: 37936339 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Stomata are epidermal pores that facilitate plant gas exchange. Grasses have fast stomatal movements, likely due to their dumbbell-shaped guard cells and lateral subsidiary cells. Subsidiary cells reciprocally exchange water and ions with guard cells. However, the relative contribution of subsidiary cells during stomatal closure is unresolved. We compared stomatal gas exchange and stomatal aperture dynamics in wild-type and pan1, pan2, and pan1;pan2 Zea mays (L.) (maize) mutants, which have varying percentages of aberrantly formed subsidiary cells. Stomata with 1 or 2 defective subsidiary cells cannot close properly, indicating that subsidiary cells are essential for stomatal function. Even though the percentage of aberrant stomata is similar in pan1 and pan2, pan2 showed a more severe defect in stomatal closure. In pan1, only stomata with abnormal subsidiary cells fail to close normally. In pan2, all stomata have stomatal closure defects, indicating that PAN2 has an additional role in stomatal closure. Maize Pan2 is orthologous to Arabidopsis GUARD CELL HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-RESISANT1 (GHR1), which is also required for stomatal closure. PAN2 acts downstream of Ca2+ in maize to promote stomatal closure. This is in contrast to GHR1, which acts upstream of Ca2+ , and suggests the pathways could be differently wired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Taylor Morrow
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Michelle Facette
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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Ashraf MA, Bakirbas A. Ironing out biofortification in maize: NAC78 regulates iron concentrations in kernels. Mol Plant 2023:S1674-2052(23)00412-4. [PMID: 38155569 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Ahmet Bakirbas
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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4
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Ashraf MA, Yadav A. Botanical Timekeepers: Deciphering evolutionary relationships in plants. Mol Plant 2023:S1674-2052(23)00360-X. [PMID: 37980544 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Arpita Yadav
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Fakher B, Ashraf MA, Wang L, Wang X, Zheng P, Aslam M, Qin Y. Pineapple SWEET10 is a glucose transporter. Hortic Res 2023; 10:uhad175. [PMID: 38025977 PMCID: PMC10660354 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
SWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants. While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants such as Arabidopsis, their functions in economically important fruit crops like pineapple have not been well studied. Here we aimed to investigate the substrate specificity of pineapple SWEETs by comparing the protein sequences of known glucose and sucrose transporters in Arabidopsis with those in pineapple. Our genome-wide approach and 3D structure comparison showed that the Arabidopsis SWEET8 homolog in pineapple, AcSWEET10, shares similar sequences and protein properties responsible for glucose transport. To determine the functional conservation of AcSWEET10, we tested its ability to complement glucose transport mutants in yeast and analyzed its expression in stamens and impact on the microspore phenotype and seed set in transgenic Arabidopsis. The results showed that AcSWEET10 is functionally equivalent to AtSWEET8 and plays a critical role in regulating microspore formation through the regulation of the Callose synthase5 (CalS5), which highlights the importance of SWEET transporters in pineapple. This information could have important implications for improving fruit crop yield and quality by manipulating SWEET transporter activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beenish Fakher
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, Howard University, Washington DC 20059, USA
| | - Lulu Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi Key Lab of Sugarcane Biology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Xiaomei Wang
- Horticulture Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning Investigation Station of South Subtropical Fruit Trees, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Mohammad Aslam
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Yuan Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Haixia Applied Plant Systems Biology, College of Agriculture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
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6
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Ashraf MA, Liu L, Facette MR. A polarized nuclear position specifies the correct division plane during maize stomatal development. Plant Physiol 2023; 193:125-139. [PMID: 37300534 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Asymmetric cell division generates different cell types and is a feature of development in multicellular organisms. Prior to asymmetric cell division, cell polarity is established. Maize (Zea mays) stomatal development serves as an excellent plant model system for asymmetric cell division, especially the asymmetric division of the subsidiary mother cell (SMC). In SMCs, the nucleus migrates to a polar location after the accumulation of polarly localized proteins but before the appearance of the preprophase band. We examined a mutant of an outer nuclear membrane protein that is part of the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex that localizes to the nuclear envelope in interphase cells. Previously, maize linc kash sine-like2 (mlks2) was observed to have abnormal stomata. We confirmed and identified the precise defects that lead to abnormal asymmetric divisions. Proteins that are polarly localized in SMCs prior to division polarized normally in mlks2. However, polar localization of the nucleus was sometimes impaired, even in cells that have otherwise normal polarity. This led to a misplaced preprophase band and atypical division planes. MLKS2 localized to mitotic structures; however, the structure of the preprophase band, spindle, and phragmoplast appeared normal in mlks2. Time-lapse imaging revealed that mlks2 has defects in premitotic nuclear migration toward the polarized site and unstable position at the division site after formation of the preprophase band. Overall, our results show that nuclear envelope proteins promote premitotic nuclear migration and stable nuclear position and that the position of the nucleus influences division plane establishment in asymmetrically dividing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Le Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Plant Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Michelle R Facette
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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7
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Ashraf MA, Yu H. Unveiling cellular divergence in grasses using high-resolution transcriptomics. Mol Plant 2023:S1674-2052(23)00175-2. [PMID: 37386772 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Houlin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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8
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Ashraf MA, Liu L. Breaking the interspecific reproductive barriers in Brassicaceae. Mol Plant 2023; 16:S1674-2052(23)00068-0. [PMID: 36942359 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Le Liu
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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9
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Ashraf MA. A nuclear Pandora's box: functions of nuclear envelope proteins in cell division. AoB Plants 2023; 15:plac065. [PMID: 36779223 PMCID: PMC9910035 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plac065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The nucleus is characteristic of eukaryotic cells and nuclear envelope proteins are conserved across the kingdoms. Over the years, the function of these proteins was studied in the intact nuclear envelope. Knowledge regarding the localization and function of nuclear envelope proteins during mitosis, after the nuclear envelope breaks down, is limited. Until recently, the localization of nuclear envelope proteins during mitosis has been observed with the mitotic apparatus. In this context, research in plant cell biology is more advanced compared to non-plant model systems. Although current studies shed light on the localization of nuclear envelope proteins, further experiments are required to determine what, if any, functional role different nuclear envelope proteins play during mitosis. This review will highlight our current knowledge about the role of nuclear envelope proteins and point out the unanswered questions as future direction.
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10
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Khan ZI, Liu W, Mubeen I, Alrefaei AF, Alharbi SN, Muhammad FG, Ejaz A, Ahmad K, Nadeem M, Shoukat J, Ashfaq A, Mahpara S, Siddique K, Ashraf MA, Memona H, Batool AI, Munir M, Malik IS, Noorka IR, Ugulu I. Cobalt availability in the soil plant and animal food chain: a study under a peri-urban environment. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 83:e270256. [PMID: 37018800 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.270256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cobalt metal is considered as an essential trace element for the animals. Present investigation was undertaken in the peri-urban area to analyze the cobalt availability in animal food chain by using different indices. Cow, buffalo and sheep samples along with forage and soil samples were collected from the three different sites of District Jhang and analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cobalt values differed in soil samples as 0.315-0.535 mg/kg, forages as 0.127-0.333 mg/kg and animal samples as 0.364-0.504 mg/kg. Analyzed cobalt concentration in soil, forage and animal samples was found to be deficient in concentration with respect to standard limits. Soil showed the minimum cobalt level in Z. mays while maximum concentration was examined in the forage C. decidua samples. All indices examined in this study has values lesser than 1, representing the safer limits of the cobalt concentration in these samples. Enrichment factor (0.071-0.161 mg/kg) showed the highly deficient amount of cobalt enrichment in this area. Bio-concentration factor (0.392-0.883) and pollution load index (0.035-0.059 mg/kg) values were also lesser than 1 explains that plant and soil samples are not contaminated with cobalt metal. The daily intake and health risk index ranged from 0.00019-0.00064 mg/kg/day and 0.0044-0.0150 mg/kg/day respectively. Among the animals, cobalt availability was maximum (0.0150 mg/kg/day) in the buffaloes that grazed on the C. decidua fodder. Results of this study concluded that cobalt containing fertilizers must be applied on the soil and forages. Animal feed derived from the cobalt containing supplements are supplied to the animals, to fulfill the nutritional requirements of livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z I Khan
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - W Liu
- Fuyang Normal University, Department of Biological Sciences, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - I Mubeen
- Zhejiang University, Institute of Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, and Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Hangzhou, China
| | - A F Alrefaei
- King Saud University, College of Science, Department of Zoology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - S N Alharbi
- Imperial College London, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, United Kingdom
| | - F G Muhammad
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - A Ejaz
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - K Ahmad
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - M Nadeem
- University of Sargodha, Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - J Shoukat
- University of Sargodha, Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - A Ashfaq
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - S Mahpara
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - K Siddique
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - M A Ashraf
- School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - H Memona
- Queen Mary College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - A I Batool
- University of Sargodha, Department of Zoology, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - M Munir
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - I S Malik
- University of Sargodha, Department of Botany, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - I R Noorka
- University of Sargodha, College of Agriculture, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - I Ugulu
- Usak University, Faculty of Education, Usak, Turkey
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Ashraf MA, Fili S. An evolutionarily conserved nitrate sensor in plants. Mol Plant 2022; 15:S1674-2052(22)00367-7. [PMID: 36307980 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Stavroula Fili
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA; Plant Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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12
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Ashraf MA, Aslam M. pH sensing in plants. Mol Plant 2022; 15:S1674-2052(22)00313-6. [PMID: 36168293 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Mohammad Aslam
- Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
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Ashraf MA, Nan Q. Evolutionarily conserved shoot-borne root developmental circuit. Mol Plant 2022; 15:S1674-2052(22)00119-8. [PMID: 35440407 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arif Ashraf
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Qiong Nan
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Ashraf MA, Rahman A. Cellular Protein Trafficking: A New Player in Low-Temperature Response Pathway. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:933. [PMID: 35406913 PMCID: PMC9003145 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Unlike animals, plants are unable to escape unfavorable conditions, such as extremities of temperature. Among abiotic variables, the temperature is notableas it affects plants from the molecular to the organismal level. Because of global warming, understanding temperature effects on plants is salient today and should be focused not only on rising temperature but also greater variability in temperature that is now besetting the world's natural and agricultural ecosystems. Among the temperature stresses, low-temperature stress is one of the major stresses that limits crop productivity worldwide. Over the years, although substantial progress has been made in understanding low-temperature response mechanisms in plants, the research is more focused on aerial parts of the plants rather than on the root or whole plant, and more efforts have been made in identifying and testing the major regulators of this pathway preferably in the model organism rather than in crop plants. For the low-temperature stress response mechanism, ICE-CBF regulatory pathway turned out to be the solely established pathway, and historically most of the low-temperature research is focused on this single pathway instead of exploring other alternative regulators. In this review, we tried to take an in-depth look at our current understanding of low temperature-mediated plant growth response mechanism and present the recent advancement in cell biological studies that have opened a new horizon for finding promising and potential alternative regulators of the cold stress response pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Arif Ashraf
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA;
| | - Abidur Rahman
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, Morioka 020-8550, Japan
- Department of Plant Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka 020-8550, Japan
- Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
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Ashraf MA, Sayed S, Bello M, Hussain N, Chando RK, Alam S, Hasan MK. CDK4 as a phytochemical based anticancer drug target. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Hussain N, Chanda R, Abir RA, Mou MA, Hasan MK, Ashraf MA. MPDB 2.0: a large scale and integrated medicinal plant database of Bangladesh. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:301. [PMID: 34362451 PMCID: PMC8344187 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective MPDB 2.0 is built to be the continuation of MPDB 1.0, to serve as a more comprehensive data repertoire for Bangladeshi medicinal plants, and to provide a user-friendly interface for researchers, health practitioners, drug developers, and students who wish to study the various medicinal & nutritive plants scattered around Bangladesh and the underlying phytochemicals contributing to their efficacy in Bangladeshi folk medicine. Results MPDB 2.0 database (https://www.medicinalplantbd.com/) comprises a collection of more than five hundred Bangladeshi medicinal plants, alongside a record of their corresponding scientific, family, and local names together with their utilized parts, information regarding ailments, active compounds, and PubMed ID of related publications. While medicinal plants are not limited to the borders of any country, Bangladesh and its Southeast Asian neighbors do boast a huge collection of potent medicinal plants with considerable folk-medicinal history compared to most other countries in the world. Development of MPDB 2.0 has been highly focused upon human diseases, albeit many of the plants indexed here can serve in developing biofuel (e.g.: Jatropha curcas used in biofuel) or bioremediation technologies (e.g.: Amaranthus cruentus helps to reduce cadmium level in soil) or nutritive diets (Terminalia chebula can be used in nutritive diets) or cosmetics (Aloe vera used in cosmetics), etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmul Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University of Bangladesh, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Rony Chanda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University of Bangladesh, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Md Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University of Bangladesh, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh.
| | - M Arif Ashraf
- Biology department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA.
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Moghtaderi M, Ashraf MA, Teshnizi SH, Nabavizadeh H, Farjadian S, Fereidouni M. The level of allergens in dust samples collected from selected schools in Shiraz, Iran and its asthma-risk implications. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2020; 48:90-94. [PMID: 31477397 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both home and school are important places where children are exposed to various indoor allergens. This study aimed to identify the profile of indoor allergens in schools and its impact on asthma development. METHODS A total of 104 classrooms from 52 schools were selected for dust collection during the fall of 2017. The levels of indoor allergens including dust mite (Der f1, Der p1), cat (Fel d1), cockroach (Bla g1) and mouse (Mus m1) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnosis of asthma was made in all students of the selected classes by the allergist. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS Out of 2816 students in the selected classes, 180 students were involved with asthma. Students were mostly exposed to Bla g1 (83.1%), followed by Der f1 (51.5%), Mus m 1 (45.5%), Der p1 (8.9%) and Fel d1 (7.9%) in the dust collected from 101 classrooms. Although levels of all studied allergens in the settled dust of the classrooms were low, there was a relationship between Fel d1 in the classroom dust and development of asthma. CONCLUSION This study showed considerable levels of cockroach allergens in schools. Exposure to cat allergen in our schools played an important role in asthma development; further school-based investigations require evaluating the role of classroom allergen on asthma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moghtaderi
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M A Ashraf
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - S H Teshnizi
- Clinical Research Development Center of Children Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - H Nabavizadeh
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - S Farjadian
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - M Fereidouni
- Allergy and Immunology Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
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Mojid MA, Hossain ABMZ, Ashraf MA. Artificial neural network model to predict transport parameters of reactive solutes from basic soil properties. Environ Pollut 2019; 255:113355. [PMID: 31668956 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Measurement of solute-transport parameters through soils for a wide range of solute- and soil-types is time-consuming, laborious, expensive and practically impossible. So, indirect methods for estimating the transport parameters by pedo-transfer functions are now advancing. This study developed and evaluated an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for estimating the transport velocity (V), dispersion coefficient (D) and retardation factor (R) of NaAsO2, Pb(NO3)2, Cd(NO3)2, C9H9N3O2 and CaCl2 from the basic soil properties. Breakthrough data of the solutes were measured in 14 agricultural soils of Bangladesh by time-domain reflectometry (TDR) in repacked soil columns under unsaturated steady-state water-flow conditions. The transport parameters of the chemicals were determined by analyzing the solute breakthrough data. Bulk density (γ), organic carbon (OC), clay (C) content, pH, median grain diameter (D50) and uniformity coefficient (Cu) of the soils were determined. An ANN model for V, D and R was developed by using data of eight soils, validated/tested with the data of five soils and verified with the data of one soil. Clay content and bulk density of the soils were the most sensitive input variables to the ANN model followed by other soil properties (OC, C, pH, D50 and Cu). The model reliably predicted V, D and R with relative root-mean-square error (RRMSE) of 0.028-0.363, mean error (ME) of - 0.00004 to 0.0005, bias error (BOE%) of 0-0.003 and modeling efficiency (EF) of >0.99. Thus, the ANN model can significantly enhance prediction of pollution transport through soils in terms of cost and effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Mojid
- Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
| | - A B M Z Hossain
- Irrigation and Water Management Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh
| | - M A Ashraf
- Department of Farm Structure and Environmental Engineering, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
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Khaliq T, Sarfraz M, Ashraf MA. Recent Progress for the Utilization of Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum and Phoenix dactylifera Seeds against Type 2 Diabetes. W INDIAN MED J 2015; 64:527-532. [PMID: 27399905 PMCID: PMC4961342 DOI: 10.7727/wimj.2016.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Diabetes mellitus is an important human disease afflicting many from various walks of life in different countries. Even though modern medicines contribute a variety of effective treatment options, they can have several unfavourable effects. The intention of this review is to organize and discuss various studies that have been previously conducted on the effectiveness of these herbal plants in diabetes. Method By using various electronic search databases, a comprehensive English literature search was conducted. Different search terms were used by combining all the search fields in titles, abstracts and keywords. Results Curcuma longa,a spice, is commonly known as turmeric and belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. Piper nigrumis also a spice, commonly called black pepper, and belongs to the family Piperaceae. Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date fruit, belongs to the family Arecaceae. From ancient times, they have been traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases. Among various activities, regulation of hyperglycaemia is considered one of their important effects. One of the aetiological factors implicated in the development of diabetes and its complications is the damage induced by free radicals. Antioxidant properties of antidiabetic compounds would be more beneficial. Extracts of these plants have shown hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects by the involvement of several mechanisms. In the future, further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved in their hypoglycaemic potential and their active constituents as synthetic analogues. Conclusions This review focusses on some medicinal plants that have antidiabetic effect, thus contributing to the reduction of risk factors associated with diabetes, and related beneficial effects are compiled.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Khaliq
- Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - M Sarfraz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan. E-mail:
| | - M A Ashraf
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
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Khan AFA, Chaudhri R, Ashraf MA, Mazaffar MS, Zawar-ul-Imam S, Tanveer M. Prevalence and presentation of chronic venous disease in Pakistan: a multicentre study. Phlebology 2013; 28:74-9. [DOI: 10.1258/phleb.2012.011122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to study the prevalence and clinical pattern of chronic venous disease (CVD) in the Pakistani population. This was a multicentre cross-sectional study in which 100 primary care physicians examined 3000 subjects. The study population was aged 18–95 years (mean ± SD = 39 ± 13.2) comprised 47.4% women and 52.6% men. The prevalence of CVD was 34.8%, being significantly higher ( P < 0.04) among men (36.4%) than women (33.0%). The maximum prevalence was of C3 (36.7%), followed by C2 (15.8%). The most frequent symptom was pain in the legs (59.2%) followed by heavy legs (42.7%) and night cramps (34.4%). The prevalence of symptoms increased with age but was similarly distributed between men and women. Family history of CVD, blood clots in veins and lack of exercise were significant risk factors. The roles of age or gender as risk factors could not be established. In conclusion, the prevalence and presentation of CVD in Pakistan is similar to most other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M A Ashraf
- Social Security Hospital, Model Town, Faisalabad
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21
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Ashraf MA, Maah MJ, Yusoff I. Chemical speciation and potential mobility of heavy metals in the soil of former tin mining catchment. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:125608. [PMID: 22566758 PMCID: PMC3330713 DOI: 10.1100/2012/125608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the chemical speciation of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As, and Sn in soil of former tin mining catchment. Total five sites were selected for sampling and subsequent subsamples were collected from each site in order to create a composite sample for analysis. Samples were analysed by the sequential extraction procedure using optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Small amounts of Cu, Cr, and As retrieved from the exchangeable phase, the ready available for biogeochemical cycles in the ecosystem. Low quantities of Cu and As could be taken up by plants in these kind of acidic soils. Zn not detected in the bioavailable forms while Pb is only present in negligible amounts in very few samples. The absence of mobile forms of Pb eliminates the toxic risk both in the trophic chain and its migration downwards the soil profile. The results also indicate that most of the metals have high abundance in residual fraction indicating lithogenic origin and low bioavailability of the metals in the studied soil. The average potential mobility for the metals giving the following order: Sn > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > As.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ashraf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Al Nazer M, Ashraf MA. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of hepatic angiomyolipoma: case report with histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings. Ann Saudi Med 2001; 21:324-33. [PMID: 17261940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Al Nazer
- Histopathology Laboratory, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
The tetrapeptide ligands 6a and 6b containing a catechol moiety have been synthesised and their metal binding with Fe(III), Mn(III) and Cu(II) has been studied using fluorescence spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ashraf
- School of Applied Chemistry, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK
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